The Buzz: Why LeBron Doesn’t Get A Pass

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

He picked — he rolled — and with just under 40 seconds remaining, LeBron James squared up and knocked down a 3-pointer. Just like that, after trailing the Boston Celtics for much of the game, it was tied.

Surely the greatest player in the world would capitalize on the momentum and lead his team to a comeback victory, right?

Wrong.

Regulation ended in a tie, and the game went to overtime. This was it this time, he was going to do it. The greatest player in the world was going to go off — wrong again.

Possessing five personal fouls, James got into a battle for position with Celtics forward Mickaël Piétrus — falling to the ground — and was called for the offensive foul. He was done. The Chosen One had fouled out for the first time since 2008.

The Miami Heat went on to lose in overtime, after Dwyane Wade missed a 3-pointer; on what seemed to be a pretty decent look at the basket. Almost immediately, the LeBron contingent roared in full force across social medias.

Why isn’t anyone berating Wade? Blah blah this, more blah that.

At this juncture, I don’t know what’s more sad. The continued failure of the greatest player in the world, or the support he receives throughout it. It’s the blind leading the mentally paralyzed.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying be a fairweather witness, but [to tap into my Detroit roots] “y’all be over-doing it.”

The way an overwhelming majority brags about James, you would think he’s won the NBA Finals each year he’s been in the league. But he hasn’t. He’s lost, twice.

Where James supporters fail [in understanding; following suit of their beloved King] is that he gets criticized so extensively because he is glorified so extensively. No other athlete, today, is adorned to the maximal extent as he, and that is why no other athlete gets ridiculed such as James.

It isn’t rocket science.

How many more times can LeBron James continue to win Employee of the Month, yet fail to win Employee of the Year?

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VOGUE Recap: June 2012

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

To all, to every cynic of the fashion industry, I suggest, urge, and give you no choice [but] to read Anna Wintour‘s June 2012 Letter from the Editor, entitled “The Health Initiative.”

In “Country Strong,” model Karlie Kloss teams up with a few U.S. male olympians such as NBA All-Pro Dwyane Wade, and Track and Field star Ashton Eaton.

And in honor of this summer’s British festivities — in which Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) — comes the editorial, “Crown Heights.”

Actress Léa Seydoux is tabbed as the June It Girl.

U.S. Olympians Hope Solo (soccer), Ryan Lochte (swimming), and Serena Williams (tennis) grace the issue’s Olympic-themed cover.

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GQ Recap: June 2012

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Following our nation’s Memorial Day observance, GQ Endorses ignites the June issue advocating “The New White Suit.” Exhibiting different variations — both formal and informal — though declaring that regardless, only and ‘always’ only wear dark shoes.

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame lands on The Punch List; the magazine’s monthly it list detailing “the good, the bad, the obscure…” and I’m going to take a shot in the dark and guess that Waka falls under.. — well, nevermind.

GQ Intelligence presents Stop Flipping, a guide to “The New Rules of TV.” All I will say is just read it — for yourself.

Prometheus star, Michael Fassbender, covers the June issue.

For the sports junkie, Coaches Gone Wild is an intriguing — mildly satirical — editorial chronicling recent coaching scandals and controversies.

And for the reader who leaves their issue on the coffee table, your little sister (perhaps your older one, too) has a reason to flip through the pages — Justin Bieber. In Man Up Bieber, Drew Magary documents his hysterically jocular experience with the 18-year old pop superstar. I dare you to read it and not laugh your ass off.

The June issue is currently on newsstands.

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Signed Sirelle: JUNE 2012

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

There was a time when watching the evening news was considered enjoyable. Was.

For many it was a family affair. Perhaps after dinner, taking advantage of the rare quality time allotted during the week; however, such is no longer the case.

Gone are the days of the feel good testimonies. Saving strangers from burning buildings seems to be an endangered practice slowly being replaced with the indulgent act of eating your fellow inhabitants face off — okay, too soon.

Although, as incomprehensible as that story is, I was actually strangely more perturbed by another. I learned of a case in Detroit, Michigan earlier this week, in which two men got into an argument — resulting in severe gun-inflicted injuries — over (and you will not believe this) Kool-Aid!

Sugar must be one hell of a drug. Who knew?

Certainly the aforementioned incidents are disheartening, though forgive me if I am slightly apprehensive in believing that all existing human decency and morality has ceased. I firmly subscribe to the notion that a large majority of upstanding individuals remain in our society. However, perhaps what has to be done is — collectively — we as a society have to strive to make those individuals relevant again.

In doing my part, I have decided to bring back the Be The Change project, in which I launched last year on my Tumblr. I highlighted several extraordinary young individuals, who each possessed a unique skill, talent, or trait that set them apart from the average.

In continuing this initiative, over this summer I will introduce several more everyday individuals who are striving to go the extra mile and make an impacting contribution to our society.

It’s time to bring back good news. -SC.

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Book: Tim Tebow (Through My Eyes)

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Enlightening. Encouraging. Educational.

Through My Eyes is a first-hand “as told to by” account chronicling the ripe young life (thus far) of football star, Tim Tebow. Over the years, gridiron fans have come to know Tebow as a warrior. (No he’s not wrestling dinosaurs — but I mean — he probably could.)

As a former Heisman Trophy winner, and arguably considered one of the greatest all-time collegiate athletes, Tebow’s story details his trials and tribulations; the most intriguing being his existence at all. Before he was born, doctors in the Philippines advised his mother to terminate her pregnancy, fearing that she was risking her life carrying him to term. (Obviously I don’t need to state that she didn’t listen, right?)

Tebow, a man rooted strongly in deep faith, utilizes an uncanny method in tying his spiritual convictions into his earthly conflicts. Whether during his years at Nease High School, or his time at The University of Florida, it is his faith that Tebow relies on to get him through.

Transcending far beyond football hashmarks, Through My Eyes serves as an instruction manual to life. Chapter after chapter I found myself looking at different aspects of my life, anxious to apply Tebow’s approaches.

Whether you are a fan of Tim Tebow or not, I urge you [if you haven’t] to give this book a read, and see life through his eyes.

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Film: The Avengers

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

I’ve always said that it takes a supreme blockbuster to get a hyper individual such as myself to willingly sit in a dark room for 120 minutes.

Well, such a supreme time came — and went.

This past weekend I managed catch what will easily be the best film of 2012, The Avengers. (Action flicks, I’m so biased.) This wasn’t just your ordinary whammer bammer, however. Directed by Joss Whedon, The Avengers developed and introduced an engaging storyline right from the start; and with fluid and flawless production, thoroughly saw it through till the end.

The film featured an all-star cast such as Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) — reprising their respective roles from their own films — but it was Robert Downey, Jr. (Ironman, Tony Stark) whose witticisms stole the show. Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel L. Jackson also star in the film.

In just shy of two weeks, The Avengers has already grossed over $1 billion globally. A definite must see, as I have even resisted the urge of going to see it again.

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VOGUE Recap: May 2012

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

With many fashion adorners still swooning over this past week’s Met Gala, Anna Wintour addresses ‘Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations‘ in her Letter from the Editor.

The artistic exhibition celebrates fashion pioneers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada — generating an imaginative dialogue between the two women; it opened May 10.

Vogue declares Caroline Trentini as its’ May It Girl, while André Leon Talley documents his tear-jerking experience at the most recent European shows [particularly Marc Jacobs 2012 fall Louis Vuitton collection].

Finally, Scarlett Johannsson dazzles as the cover girl in a 2004 Prada dress. Inside Johannsson is featured across a multi-page spread along with fellow The Avengers co-star, Mark Ruffalo; who moonlights as a contributing editor in the issue.

The issue is currently on newsstands.

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GQ Recap: May 2012

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

In his Shelve the ’12! Letter from the Editor, Jim Nelson continues his focus on the upcoming presidential election, later this fall. As are many of us, Nelson declares that he is tired of the “most important election of our lifetime” tagline dropped every four years, and further explains why this 2012 election season is actually our least ‘consequential’ since 1892 (use that whole.. you know, Wikipedia-Google thing to go further into that one).

Transitioning, the May issue features Chicago Bulls all-star point guard, Derrick Rose, on the cover. However, a few individuals may consider this somewhat of a junior Madden curse (..use Google again) seeing as Rose as since tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the playoffs; as well as this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

Though in less ball-bouncing news, this month GQ Endorses Jack Willis, a British apparel retail chain that has washed up on eleven American collegiate campuses along the Eastern coast; Georgetown and Boston to name a couple. And in keeping with that theme, the GQ staff presents The Only Eight Tees You Need and I suggest every male peruse that page.

In one of its’ closing editorials the issue highlights George Wright, one of America’s most historical fugitives; only fitting as I now try to vamoose out of this recap of my own. In doing so, various editorials ranging from Brooklyn Decker to a marriage survival guide round out this issue that is already on newsstands nationwide.

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Signed Sirelle: MAY 2012

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

The NBA Playoffs kicked off this past weekend —and per usual— sports fans across the globe have already prematurely crowned their champion. If play concluded after the regular season, fans would undoubtedly deem the Miami Heat (led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade) as champs; but not so fast.. there’s a snake lurking in the grass — a black mamba to be precise.

Riding the coattails of their sensational regular season —albeit finishing second in their conference— the Heat don a 2-game series lead over my beloved New York Knicks. (However, even I would be displaying slight remiss if I failed to mention that this seasons’ Knicks were the rich man’s Washington Generals.)

So before everyone gets any further ahead of themselves, I’d like to re-introduce you all to this guy named Kobe Bryant. You may have heard of him: 5 championship rings —one for each finger— sound familiar?

I am baffled at the continuous disrespect Bryant has received over the last two or three seasons. Be it intentional or unintentional and regardless of his age, Bryant remains one of the top three players on the planet; a declaration not up for debate.

Oddly enough though, I would bet the house, farm, and excess acres that Bryant wouldn’t have it any other way at the moment. Yes, he occasionally sounds off when provoked by the press on what he perceives to be disrespect, in terms of the “experts” writing he and the Los Angeles Lakers off, but he has to be overly comfortable at the moment. With all the buzz and hype alike surrounding the Heat, and the Thunder-Mavericks series heading for the long haul, Bryant is poised to strike when the time is just right; as only a black mamba knows how.

This a movie we have all seen before, and Mama has seen that man. -SC.

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VOGUE Recap: April 2012

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

With the April issue annually highlighting as the Shape Issue, who better than Jennifer Lopez to adorn Vogue‘s cover! (That wasn’t a question.)

Juggling a career in the spotlight, being a mother, and tackling a divorce head-on, J. Lo reveals in the issue why through it all she still remains Jenny From The Block.

Though the issue traditionally celebrates shapes, as aforementioned above, this specific issue also celebrates robust, independent women on a tenacious trail to make it happen — whatever it may be.

Whether it’s LaLa Anthony, featured in the She’s Got Game spread, or Victoria Beckham in The Victoria Line, these are two women balancing chaotic schedules consisting of babies, business beseechings, and baller husbands.

The issue, which hit stands nearly a month ago, proves to be modest and grounded, all while contrarily maintaining a pretentious tone as only American Vogue can.

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