New Book from Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman's 'Call Us What We Carry'!
Amanda Gorman, featured this week’s cover story for Net-a-Porter, will release a book of poetry ‘Call Us What We Carry’ on December 7, 2021. The 80-page collection, formerly titled ‘The Hill We Climb and Other Poems’, will include her famed 2021 President Joe Biden inaugural poem, while exploring new “themes of identity, grief, and memory.” According to the publisher Viking Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Gorman will narrate the audiobook, which will be published concurrently by Penguin Random House Audio.
Gorman’s poetic elegance, rich with connection and insights into America’s deepest wounds and achievements, will continue to express itself in a hopeful way in ‘Call Us What We Carry’.
Gorman, who was appointed the first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017 and was the United States’ youngest inaugural poet, said: “I wrote ‘Call Us What We Carry’ as a lyric of hope and healing. I wanted to pen a reckoning with the communal grief wrought by the pandemic. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever written, but I knew it had to be. For me, this book is a receptacle, a time capsule both made by and for its era. What is poetry if not a mirror for our present and a message for our future?”
In her Net-a-Porter interview, Amanda Gorman added energy and direct purpose to the definition of being a poet. “I often call it ‘poeting’ because, for me, it is to get involved in a movement. I think back to Audre Lorde, who was so wise in saying that it’s the poets who create a language for pains, emotions and solutions.”
Gorman spoke on Twitter to Tuesday’s news that The GOAT Simone Biles was dropping out of the team competition at the Tokyo Olympics, over mental health concerns.
Retweeting Meena Harris, Amanda rolled many current events related to Biles’ life into one analytical opinion, and we’ll leave the analysis on Gorman’s Twitter feed.
What is relevant to me about the two women’s mutual stardom is the incredible weight it puts on their shoulders as humans, as women, and as Black women who have avidly grabbed the torch of leadership in America.
I heard a Black woman host on MSNBC declare last week that Black women hold up half the world. My response to her hyperbole was to think of Simone Biles, one of several star Black women athletes cited by the host.
In Simone’s case, I worry about her breaking her neck as she performs gravity-defying feats like the Yurchenko double pike vault. I also considered the emotional and psychological stress Simone Biles carried into Tokyo.
The star athlete accepted her ‘responsibilities’ to her team, to the entire USA Olympics, to fans, to Black women TV hosts who advance theories around her superwoman status. But in her own words Simone Biles also found all the adulation and expectations debilitating to her need to be at peak performance. In the simplest of words, Biles said she wasn’t having any fun anymore. No longer performing for herself, she is deluged with the expectations of everyone else.
"This Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself. But I was still doing it for other people. It hurts my heart that doing what I love has been kind of taken away from me to please other people."
In addition — and really important — is that Biles has said consistently that her return to the gym, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed these Olympic Games, was made only more difficult by her having to “represent an organization that failed her and her fellow survivors in the wake of the Larry Nassar abuse revelations.”
In her effort to hold USA Olympics accountable, Biles must swallow her own anger and disgust with how the Nassar case was [not] handled. This reality is a huge barrier to achieving peak performance goals.
“There is something unifying in us being YOUNG and fresh-faced but, at the same time, we have BECOME somewhat emblematic of our industries. We are the new GENERATION – and you’d better watch out”
#RHOP: Cast Expresses Shock As Nicki Minaj Offers to Host Reunion!
The cast of The Real Housewives of Potomac gasped after rapper Nicki Minaj offered to host the season 6 reunion. Even though the first four seasons didn't get the attention they deserved, season 5 brought the drama with the infamous physical fight between Candiace Dillard and Monique Samuels. The fight caused a divide in the group, creating drama between the ladies other than Monique and Candiace.
After Monique announced her departure from the series shortly after the final reunion episode aired, the ladies wanted to move away from the toxic energy of last year. With Monique no longer in the cast, they brought a new housewife to take her place. Mia Thornton was introduced to the viewers on July 11 when Bravo aired the premiere episode of season 6. So far, there is some drama between her and Wendy Osefo, but at least she hasn't become physical...yet.
Nicki Minaj took to her Instagram page on Thursday to throw her hat in the ring to potentially hosting the season 6 reunion of RHOP. The rapper shared a remixed version of the trailer alongside the caption, "I'll be hosting the reunion. lmk what y'all want me to ask chile." Not too long after the video was posted, the RHOP women saw it and couldn't contain their excitement. Gizelle Bryant wrote, "Yesssssss!!!!!" while Robyn Dixon commented a hands up and a flower emojis. Karen Huger said, "All right now," with a flame emoji at the end. Wendy also commented, "Yessssss Queen," with a crown emoji. Even Porsha Williams from The Real Housewives of Atlanta was shocked by the remix. The newly engaged mother commented, "Wait what?! Hell yeah."
Even Andy Cohen, who is the host of every Housewives reunion, thought this was a good idea. He commented, "I want to see this!" with applause and flame emojis. And don't think Nicki's offer was a joke. On her Instagram Story, the "Super Bass" singer shared a screenshot of texts with her publicist Joe. "Andy Cohen said he would gladly give up his seat to have you host the Potomac reunion," Joe said. "Tapes around October." In the texts, Nicki was clearly excited and happy to take over as host for Andy. However, this isn't the first time this week a celeb commented on a Bravo show. Rihanna took to her Instagram to throw some shade a Ramona Singer from The Real Housewives of New York City by supporting Leah McSweeney and wearing her clothing line Married To The Mob.
While nothing is set in stone, there is a possibility Nicki Minaj will be joining Andy Cohen at the Real Housewives of Potomac reunion later this year. If Nicki does get the gig, the season 6 reunion will go down in Housewives history.
#MusicNews: Lovers & Friends Festival Returns With Usher, Lauryn Hill, & TLC!
Lovers & Friends is headed to Las Vegas. After being postponed due to the pandemic, the hip-hop and R&B festival will make its long-awaited debut next year featuring most of the original lineup.
Presented by Live Nation, Snoop Dogg, and Bobby Dee, the one-day fest will take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday, May 14, 2022, with performances from Usher, Ms. Lauryn Hill, TLC, Lil’ Kim, Ludacris, and more.
The nostalgic bill also includes Ciara, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Trey Songz, Brandy, Monica, Nelly, Akon, Sean Paul, T-Pain, Boyz II Men, Xscape, Timbaland, Fabolous, Jodeci, Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, Eve, Cassie, Fat Joe, The-Dream, and Ma$e, as well as SWV, Mya, Cam’ron, Trick Daddy, Pretty Ricky, Dru Hill, 112, Foxy Brown, Trina, Amerie, Kelis, and many more.
The inaugural festival was originally scheduled for May 2020 in Carson, Calif., but was canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Tickets start at $175 and VIP tickets start at $300. A pre-sale begins Monday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. PT.
#HipHopNews; DaBaby Dropped From Lollapalooza 2021 Following Homophobic Remarks!
On the final day of Lollapalooza 2021, the festival has announced that DaBaby will no longer perform at the event. “Lollapalooza was founded on diversity, inclusivity, respect, and love,” the festival tweeted earlier today. “With that in mind, DaBaby will no longer be performing at Grant Park tonight. Young Thug will now perform at 9:00pm on the Bud Light Seltzer Stage, and G Herbo will perform at 4:00pm on the T-Mobile Stage.” Find the full tweet below.
DaBaby’s removal from the event comes shortly after the rapper made homophobic comments while addressing the crowd at Rolling Loud Miami last weekend. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” he said. “Fellas, if you ain’t sucking dick in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up!”
Numerous artists spoke out after the fact, including Dua Lipa, who collaborated with DaBaby on her remix of the Future Nostalgia song “Levitating.” “I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments,” she wrote in an Instagram story (viewed by Pitchfork). “I really don’t recognise this as the person I worked with. I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.” Elton John also spoke on the matter, stating that the rapper was spreading “HIV mistruths.” “This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic,” he tweeted. Additionally, Demi Lovato and Madonna both shared Instagram posts decrying DaBaby’s comments
On Wednesday (July 28), DaBaby released a new single and corresponding video titled “Giving What It’s Supposed to Give.” The self-directed clip seemingly made two references to his Rolling Loud remarks. At one point in the video, the rapper holds up a sign that says “AIDS.” The visual ends with a message spelled out in rainbow lettering: “Don’t Fight Hate With Hate.” It continues: “My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you.”
#SHOCK! Aaliyah Reportedly “Drugged And Carried Onto Flight” Before Fatal Plane Crash
Aaliyah was reluctant to board the flight that ultimately cost the singer’s life and had taken a sleeping pill just hours earlier, according to new claims.
Kingsley Russell, whose family ran a taxi firm in the Bahamas, was with the star when his stepmother drove her team to the airport as she prepared to return to the US in August 2001.
Russell was just 13-years-old and worked as a baggage carrier as the singer prepared to return home.
However, he now claims that the singer refused to board the plane when she first saw it and went back to sleep in the car driven by his stepmother, telling her team she had a headache.
Aaliyah, who is said to have passed out in the back of the cab, was allegedly carried onto the plane while sleeping, despite her past reservations.
The flight claimed her life just hours later, with the singer and the eight members of her entourage killed when the plane crashed shortly after take-off about 200 feet from the end of the runway.
The plane struggled to gain altitude, and it was later revealed that the small twin-engine Cessna was significantly over its allotted weight limit by several hundred pounds.
Russell, who is now 33, has opened up for the first time in a new book, Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah, by music journalist Kathy Iandoli.
He added that Aaliyah is said to have repeated her concerns about getting on the plane and was eventually handed a sleeping pill. She reportedly fell into a deep sleep before being transferred onto the plane.
“They took her out of the van; she didn’t even know she was getting boarded on a plane,” Russell states in the book. “She went on the airplane asleep.”
An subsequent autopsy found that Aaliyah suffered major head trauma and extensive burns that meant her survival was “unthinkable”.
‘I remember when Aaliyah passed away, I was really upset,’ Iandoli added to The Daily Beast. “The story kept saying that she was adamant about getting on the plane. I was almost upset with her. Why did you want to get on that plane so badly?
“In learning that she did not want to get on the plane, for someone like myself and so many other people, I think that’s closure for us. It’s an unfortunate closure… but I needed to hear she didn’t want to get on that plane; I needed to know that. The person who I thought had the most common sense in the world had common sense to not get on the plane. The fact that she was so adamant, staying in the cab, refusing — these are things we never knew.”
Iandoli added: “The only thing I’ve taken with me is that after 20 years, I can finally say that Aaliyah didn’t want to get on the plane. That makes me feel a little better, but not much. This didn’t have to happen. She should still be here, and I think that’s the saddest part about it. She deserved better.”
Shantel Jackson & Nelly Have called it QUITS!
Shantel Jackson and Nelly have called it quits. They had been together since 2014. According to a screen grab from The Neighborhood Talk, Jackson revealed her relationship status to a fan who asked her if she and the St. Louis rapper were still a couple.
“R u and Nelly still together[?] I love seeing u guys together,” they asked. Jackson replied, “No we’re not…Just friends.”
Back in November 2020, Nelly said he couldn’t imagine his life without Jackson and was “working towards” marriage with the Miami native.
“I would not want my life to not have Shantel in it,” he said. “We’ve been seeing each other for five or six years. Any time you can connect with somebody like that, it works out for the long run. She’s sweet, beautiful, and the more we got to know each other, she’s just as beautiful inside.”
Something shifted from then to now though and it may have been because of Nelly’s thoughts on marriage. He told PEOPLE that it was important to him to only take one walk down the aisle and he wasn’t going to jump into it right away.
“The thing about marriage to me is … I take it very, very seriously. It’s something I’m only doing one time,” he said. “For me, it’s almost like society would prefer you to have been married and got divorced and tried it then to be married and stay married. For me, it’s more important to die married than to have been married and it didn’t work out. I want to leave this place knowing I was in love and somebody loved me and we were together, then to be like, ‘Well I’m never getting married again and I’m ruined.’”
Jackson made it no secret that she wanted to marry Nelly and have children. Nelly already has two adult children from a previous relationship while Jackson doesn’t have any.
Simone Biles to Return to Olympics for Balance Beam Final!
Simone Biles will be returning to competition at the Tokyo Olympics for the balance beam final, USA Gymnastics announced on Monday.
The 24-year-old gymnastics star had withdrawn from last week’s team final, citing the need to prioritize her mental health, and subsequently did not compete in the all-around competition or apparatus finals for vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise. Biles later opened up about the pressures of competing at the Olympics on Instagram, writing, “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at all times.”
Biles, who remains one of the most high-profile athletes in the world, entered the competition expecting to win up to five gold medals. But, as she explained after her first and only vault appearance at the team final, she stalled midway through due to “a little bit of the twisties” — a gymnastics term for when a gymnast loses her sense of awareness in the air, which can be dangerous in high-level competitions.
“I just don’t trust myself as much as I used to,” Biles said after the team final. “I don’t know if it’s age. I’m a little bit more nervous when I do gymnastics. I feel like I’m also not having as much fun, and I know that this Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself. I came here, and I felt like I was still doing it for other people. So that just hurts my heart that doing what I love has been kind of taken away from me to please other people.”
Biles’ decision to withdraw largely received support and encouragement on social media, while opening up a greater discussion over athletes prioritizing their mental health as much as their physical wellbeing. Biles tweeted, “the outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.”
#BOXOFFICENEWS: ‘Jungle Cruise’ Sails At The Top of the Box Office!
“Jungle Cruise” still drew moviegoers out to theaters during the film’s opening weekend to sail atop the North American box office.
The Disney film starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt exceeded expectations by pulling in more than $34.1 million over the weekend. The adventure movie was estimated to open with around $25 million to $30 million domestically, but it outpaced those numbers despite the surge in the coronavirus cases.
Globally, “Jungle Cruise” brought in a total of $90 million, including $27.6 million in the international box office and more than $30 million from Disney Plus.
“In this pandemic-challenged market place, it overperformed,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “It didn’t really seem like the streaming component hurt the box office in any significant way. The movie theater is still showing its resilience and appeal to moviegoers despite the fact that there’s so much news everyday, most of it not moving in the right direction, in terms of the pandemic.”
“Jungle Cruise” also earned five times more than “The Green Knight,” which came in at No. 2 with $6.78 million. The A24 film starring Dev Patel barely edged M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old,” which had $6.76 million after scoring the top spot last weekend.
“Black Widow” placed fourth after a past week of turmoil between Disney and the film’s lead, Scarlett Johansson. The actor sued the studio over the film’s streaming release, which she said breached her contract and deprived her of potential earnings.
Disney responded to Johansson’s claim saying she received $20 million in compensation and that she benefited from Disney Plus’ revenue.
Matt Damon’s “Stillwater” opened at No. 5 with $5.1 million but faced criticism as well. The drama film was blasted by Amanda Knox, who spoke out last week about her name being associated with the new movie, saying any connection rips off her story without her consent at the “expense of my reputation.”
Knox called out the film’s director Tom McCarthy in a series of tweets for using her name to promote the movie.
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” has progressively dropped to No. 6 after going No. 1 two weeks ago. “Snake Eyes” fell to seventh after the film starring Henry Golding as the warrior-in-training debuted No. 2 last week.
“F9: The Fast Saga” placed eighth at the box office. The film pulled in $2.6 million and totaled more than $168 million domestically after six weeks.
“Escape Room: Tournament of Champions” and “The Boss Baby: Family Business” rounded out the top 10.
Dergarabedian wondered how the news on coronavirus cases would affect moviegoers’ decision to watch films at theaters. He thinks the appeal of the film like “Suicide Squad” — opening domestically on Aug. 6 in theaters and streamed on HBO Max — will play a role whether they go or not.
“If people feel comfortable and safe, and adhere to the protocols, I think we could see a good number on that movie, even though its available at home,” Dergarabedian said. “This market is being driven by the product.”
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Jungle Cruise,” $34.1 million.
2. “The Green Knight,” $6.78
3. “Old,” $6.76 million.
4. “Black Widow,” $6.4 million.
5. “Stillwater,” $5.1 million.
6. “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” $4.2 million.
7. “Snake Eyes,” $4 million.
8. “F9: The Fast Saga,” $2.6 million.
9. “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,” $2.2 million.
10. “The Boss Baby: Family Business,” $1.3 million.
At Least 10 People Injured In New York Mass Shooting!
At least ten people were injured Saturday night in a shooting outside a Queens laundromat. Two men fired 37 shots before fleeing on mopeds.
Law enforcement was called to the area of 37th Avenue and 97th Street around 10:38 p.m. for what the New York City Police Department is referring to as a coordinated attack.
Two men came around the corner and began firing into a group of people outside a Mexican restaurant. After firing 37 shots into the crowd, the duo jumped onto the backs of their accomplice’s mopeds and sped away.
The shooting victims ranged in ages from 19 to 72 and were all treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe that three of the ten injured in the shootout belong to the Trinitarios street gang. The other seven were bystanders.
Now, police are looking for the four suspects responsible for the shooting. They are described as males wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts.
“There’s just one common theme I want to get out there that’s a recurring theme that keeps happening, and it has to stop throughout the city,” said James Essig, chief of detectives, during a press conference. “That’s gang members, that’s guns — multiple guns on the scene — scooters being used, masks, and lastly, unintended targets getting hit. This is unacceptable in our streets in New York City, and it has to stop.”
The mass shooting in Queens is just one of a handful that took place nationwide on Saturday. There were also shootings in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. There were no casualties reported in any of the incidents.
The night also marked a particularly bloody night for New York City, which has seen an uptick in gun violence this year. Overnight, 18 people were wounded, and three people were killed in shootings throughout the five boroughs.
Beyoncé’s Mom Calls Out Disney For Not Promoting “Black Is King”!
Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Lawson, feels that Disney did not properly promote “Black Is King”.
Black Is King was a musical film and visual album directed, written, and executive produced by Beyoncé.
The film served as a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, curated by Beyoncé for The Lion King.
Over the weekend, Tina posted a clip from the project writing:
“I cannot help but wonder if a white man had made it would it not have been promoted the hell out of , and nominated for all kinds of awards. Could it have something to do with the title “Black Is King ” Is that why Disney did not promote it?????? Yes I said it!!! With love”
What are your thoughts about her Disney remarks?
Vivica A. Fox to Star in/Produce Lifetime’s ‘The Wrong Cheer Captain’!
*Lifetime‘s new film “The Wrong Cheer Captain” is scheduled to drop at the end of this month (Aug. 28) and will star Vivica A. Fox, who will also executive produce, Jackée Harry, Claire Tablizo and Sofia Masson in a thrilling mystery when the death of a cheerleader leads to a list of suspects, including the new cheer captain. Also on the horizon for Lifetime is another addition to its “Fear the Cheer” film anthology.
This is Lifetime’s third annual cheerleader lineup and will feature six new movies and will begin airing on Aug. 28.
Other films in the lineup are Killer Cheer Mom starring Richards and Calabro; as well as Pom Poms and Payback; Deadly Cheers; Cheer for Your Life; and Webcam Cheerleaders.
The mysterious death of Emma saddens everyone, but it just makes Kate (Alexis Samone) suspicious and she believes she has the perfect suspect in Anna (Sofia Masson), the newly appointed captain of her cheer squad. As Kate searches for the truth behind Emma’s death, she soon becomes a target.
The film is produced by Hybrid, LLC.
So Golden Boy Matt Damon Was Slinging the Gay Slur F Word Until This Year!
An Oscar winner for writing Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon only stopped using the antigay f word this year after one of his four daughters left the table when he said it, he said in an interview with The Sunday Times.
“The word that my daughter calls the ‘f-slur for a homosexual’ was commonly used when I was a kid, with a different application,” Damon told the Times. “I made a joke, months ago, and got a treatise from my daughter. She left the table. I said, ‘Come on, that’s a joke! I say it in the movie Stuck on You!’”
His daughter Luciana then wrote to him about the harmful nature of the slur.
“She went to her room and wrote a very long, beautiful treatise on how that word is dangerous. I said, ‘I retire the f-slur!’ I understood,’” said Damon, who was still using the antigay slur in the year 2021.
The actor known for the Bourne franchise told the story while explaining that the evolving nature of media and language has taught him to “shut the fuck up more.”
But he’s repeatedly made problematic comments over the years. At the height of the #MeToo movement in 2017, Damon waded into the conversation around sexual harassment and abuse.
“I do believe that there’s a spectrum of behavior, right? And we’re going to have to figure — you know, there’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?” Damon said, speaking about the difference between Al Franken, who was accused of groping women’s butts and shoving his tongue in their mouths without consent, and Roy Moore, who was accused of sexual contact with young teens.
“Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated, right?” Damon said.
But he wasn’t done. He just kept paying lip service to an experience about which he knows nothing:
“The Louis C.K. thing, I don’t know all the details. I don’t do deep dives on this, but I did see his statement, which kind of, which [was] arresting to me. When he came out and said, ‘I did this. I did these things. These women are all telling the truth.’ And I just remember thinking, ‘Well, that’s the sign of somebody who — well, we can work with that’ Like, when I’m raising my kids, this constant personal responsibility is as important as anything else they learn before they go off in the world.”
On the fourth season of his reality show Project Greenlight in 2015, he interrupted Black female producer Effie T. Brown in an attempt to school her on diversity in Hollywood.
“When you’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film, not the casting of the show,” he said.
That same year, he instructed LGBTQ+ actors to remain closeted.
“Whether you’re straight or gay, people shouldn’t know anything about your sexuality because that’s one of the mysteries that you should be able to play," he told the Guardian. "I think you’re a better actor the less people know about you period.”
While Damon has vowed to retire the f word from his vocabulary, he has yet to apologize for using the hateful word.
Lamont Marcell Jacobs Becomes ‘The Fastest Man Alive’ After Earning Gold For 100M!
Lamont Marcell Jacobs has earned the title of “fastest man alive” after winning the gold for Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He also made history as Italy’s Olympian to earn a medal in the event.
Jacobs earned the medal and title that was previously held by Usain Bolt after winning the 100-meter final at 9.80 seconds. Amongst the sprinters were USA’s Fred Kerley and Canada’s Andre De Grasse. The Texas-born gold medalist called his win a dream after setting the new world record and said it was “incredible.”
“It’s a dream, a dream, it is fantastic. Maybe tomorrow I can imagine what they are saying, but today it is incredible.”
DeGrasse said in a post-victory statement that he didn’t expect Jacobs to win and said he was honestly surprised.
“I’m surprised a little bit by the time. It’s crazy when everyone runs so fast – 9.80 from the Italian guy, I didn’t expect that. I thought my main competition would have been the Americans, but definitely, he came to play. He executed.”
Ashley Judd is walking again 5 months after nearly losing her leg in an accident: 'We have come a long way'!
Ashley Judd is back on her feet. Just five months after nearly losing her leg in a harrowing accident, the actress, 53, is able to walk again, according to her latest social media posts.
"Today, five months and three weeks after the accident in the Congolese rainforest, I walked again, and in what fashion!" Judd captioned her series of Instagram photos and videos, some of which were taken during a hike in Switzerland. "I hiked in the #SwissNationalPark. Stepping in, I felt in my ease, my natural garment of self, at home in my spirit. My leg and foot, worked beautifully. I walked up hill on uneven surfaces for an hour confidently and came down carefully and easily. I rested in a meadow on God’s fecund earth for hours. The next day, I walked again on a high Alp in #Ticino, working hard and feeling how much stamina I have to rebuild. This is the road ahead. But I am up to the daily tasks, as I am even carrying firewood into our Alpine hut!"
In subsequent photos and videos, Judd showed herself wiggling her injured foot. She went on to thank the people that helped her recover from the catastrophic accident.
"I have so many people to thank for helping to make my recovery possible," she said, thanking her team of doctors, and explaining that it was expected to take an entire year for her leg to potentially start functioning again.
"The video of my foot moving is unheard of. We expected my foot — if ever — to *begin* to move in one year," said Judd. "In four months to the day, she went and blew us all away. Now, after crying while trying to spell the ABCs with a paralyzed foot... well, you see!"
While Judd recognizes that her "leg will never be the same," she still has a tremendous sense of gratitude for her recovery.
"She is a new leg. And I love her. We are buddies. We have a come a long way and we have a fabulous life ahead," said Judd, reflecting on the eight-hour surgery and subsequent physical therapy and osteopathy that helped her heal.
"Just look at the last video for comparison, that was where I was just two months ago (always trying to be in nature, when I could barely walk!)," said Judd, showing a video of herself smiling as she walked with crutches through a forest. "Many of you have been praying for me, and sending me notes. Thank you. I have felt you. I have especially been held by family and my partner. Peace be with you."
One person who has stuck in Judd's corner is her mother, Naomi Judd. During a March appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the country singer called her daughter “very courageous, and she's healing. It's really hard to see her like this, but she lives next door," said Judd, Yahoo TV previously reported. "So I'm going to go up and take her stitches out when we're done because I used to be a nurse before I became a singer.”
The actress nearly lost her leg during the February accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when she "tripped over a fallen tree" at 4:30 a.m. while doing conservation work for bonobos, an endangered primate. After an "incredibly harrowing 55 hours" and being stranded on the ground while "howling like a wild animal" from pain, she was carried to safety. The subsequent recovery period was particularly grueling for Judd, who said "nights are a savage agony."
"I do not understand why what has happened has happened," she wrote on Instagram back in March, Yahoo Entertainment previously reported. "I do understand I have been loved and helped enormously. I understand nights are a savage agony." Judd thanked medical professionals "for seven hours of intensive, brilliant, inspired surgical work on my bones and nerve" adding, "it took stamina, focus and humility to consult with some experts around the country, whom I also deeply thank… I loved the sweet spirit of the janitor who cleaned my room, my bright-spot-of-the-day-gal from nutrition, and always, my bright and tender nurses."
Evander Kane Addresses Gambling Allegations From His “Soon-To-Be Ex-Wife”!
NHL star Evander Kane fired back at his pregnant, “soon to be ex” wife after she made allegations that he is a gambling addict who went so far as to throw games for profit.
Kane called his estranged wife’s claims “lies” and said the bombshell allegations was her attempt to “jeopardize” his career because the couple is heading for divorce.
The San Jose Sharks star denied the allegations from Anna Kane, whom he referred to as his “soon-to-be-ex-wife” and described as “mentally unwell.”
“I would encourage people to realize that someone who goes to this length to try and jeopardize someone’s career with lies is mentally unwell,” Kane wrote on Twitter.
The NHL star chose to make a public statement against the advice of his legal counsel because he “felt strongly that the public and fans hear this directly from me.”
“I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,” Kane stated emphatically.
“I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged. I love forward to cooperating with the league’s investigation, having my name fully cleared, and looking forward to this upcoming season,” he added in his statement.
Belarusian Olympic Sprinter Granted Visa By Poland!
A Belarusian athlete who took refuge in the Polish embassy in Tokyo on Monday a day after refusing her team’s orders to board a flight home from the Olympic Games has been granted a humanitarian visa by the Warsaw government.
Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya plans to leave for Poland in the coming days, a Polish deputy foreign minister, Marcin Przydacz, told Reuters. She is “safe and in good condition” after walking into the embassy on Monday morning, he said.
Another deputy foreign minister, Pawel Jablonski, said: “I can confirm that we have issued a humanitarian visa. I can confirm that we will provide all necessary support in Poland if she wishes to use it.”
Good for Her!
Skateboarder Terry Kennedy's Alleged Victim Dies From Injuries in Incident!
Skateboarding star Terry Kennedy was arrested Tuesday on multiple charges, including threatening to murder police officers.
Cops responded to a call regarding a battery that took place at a motel in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Kennedy was accused of attacking a male victim and leaving him with a concussion and fractured skull before fleeing the scene.
After law enforcement tracked down and apprehended Kennedy, police claim he became aggressive during the booking process. The skateboarder allegedly threatened to murder cops nine times during the incident and said, "I will kill one of you police. We kill police where I'm from."
Terry Kennedy was eventually booked on aggravated battery in a public place and threatening a public official. He was also charged with violating his bail bond as he was out on bail after an arrest earlier this month.
UPDATE! Now, it has been reported that the man Kennedy allegedly attacked—Josiah Kassahun, has died.
The 23-year-old reportedly suffered a fractured skull and concussion, which was confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. As a result of the fatal injuries, Kennedy may now be facing a murder or manslaughter charge if prosecutors consider adding either. As of now, Kennedy’s bail was set at $100,000 during a hearing that went down last week.
The 36-year-old remains behind bars although his bail was set at $100,000. His next court date is scheduled for late August.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘FREE TASTE SECTION?’
23 bucks for a banana peel, hmmm???
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Papi Santiago
Meet Papi Santiago! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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