Happy NEW YEAR! Let’s grow in 2013 folks! Ecofreak here passionate about making the world a better/greener place, so please check this out below if you smoke cigarettes or know someone dear to you that does. ;-)
It never occurred to me that a cigarette could be more environmentally-friendly. Is there actually a greener way to smoke?
Let me start out saying that I am not a fan of cigarette-smoking. The effect of this habit on our bodies has been well documented, and it is virtually impossible for any smoker to claim they do not realize how harmful and unhealthful cigarette-smoking is. There are traces of around 4,000 different chemicals in each and every cigarette. Of these at least 50 are known carcinogens that have been linked to cancer, among other diseases. Traditional cigarettes don’t carry gruesome health warnings on the packets for no reason.
However, despite the warnings, there are still those who believe that it is up to them what they choose to put into their own bodies, and they are not about to quit.
But cigarette-smoking affects more than just the individual. Cigarettes are a product that harms the environment as well. The localized air pollution is only a small part of the problem with traditional cigarettes. Filter tips are often thrown on the ground, and they do not biodegrade readily. Tobacco plants require huge amounts of chemical fertilizer which runs off into the ground and the water supply. The tobacco in cigarettes is also wrapped in paper derived from trees.
But there is a greener solution. Some who can’t quit or don’t wish to kick the nicotine habit are now opting to use electronic cigarettes instead from companies such as Ecigarette Direct.
An ecigarette uses a vaporizer to allow the user to inhale nicotine vapours without all the other harmful chemicals. Since the tar and chemicals in traditional cigarettes are more harmful to smokers than the addictive nicotine, these ecigarettes are far less harmful to people and better for the environment as well. Second-hand smoke from ecigarettes is not a problem. And they are also generally cheaper than traditional cigarettes.
If you are going to smoke, consider ecigarettes. They are a greener and healthier way to smoke. - Big thanks to livinggreenandsavingenergy.com
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brandystar17-deactivated2012111 asked: where u been???
In Atlanta, GA as usual. Just been more occupied with work, moving, spiritual growth, and stabilization in my life.
Animated GIF #2: Re-blog to win a signed Brandy poster!
(Source: iambrandynorwood)
Animated GIF #1: Re-blog on Tumblr to win a signed Brandy poster!
(Source: iambrandynorwood)
BRANDY’S MUSIC VIDEO FOR HER HIT SINGLE “PUT IT DOWN” FEATURING CHRIS BROWN
TO PREMIERE NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 14TH ON BET’S “106TH AND PARK” WITH BRANDY CO-HOSTING THE SHOW
VIDEO TO PREMIERE ACROSS VEVO, TUESDAY, AUGUST 14TH
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’S “THE INSIDER” TO AIR A BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE VIDEO SHOOT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRANDY 8/14
“PUT IT DOWN” IS THE FIRST SINGLE FROM BRANDY’S FORTHCOMING ALBUM TWO ELEVEN
(August 8, 2012-New York) Multi-platinum selling Grammy Award-winning R&B/pop singer songwriter and superstar actress Brandy announces today that she will make a guest co-host appearance on BET’s “106th and Park” next Tuesday, August 14th to premiere her video “Put It Down” featuring Chris Brown, directed by famed lensman Hype Williams. The video is also scheduled to premiere across VEVO that same day. In addition, Entertainment Tonight’s “The Insider” will be running an exclusive interview behind the scenes of the video shoot piece with Brandy next Tuesday, August 14th, as well.
“Put It Down” featuring Chris Brown is the first official single from Brandy’s forthcoming album TWO ELEVEN (RCA/Chameleon Records). “Put it Down” was produced by Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford and Sean Garrett and co-written by Chris Brown, Shondrae Crawford, and Sean Garret. People Magazine raves about “Put It Down”: “Brandy really seems poised for a long overdue comeback with this thumping, stuttering banger.” And Billboard concurs, ”’Put It Down’ wisely allows Brandy to showcase her long-missed supremacy…Brandy commands this comeback single and reminds everyone why they missed her so much.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO SNEAK PEAK!
(via ktookes)
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“Aaaat Laaaast, New Life, has come along… My lonely days are overrr… and life is liiiiike a song-ong-ong-ong-ong-ong!!!” I know a good amount of Doves and wannabe haters/down low discreet Monica fans have been waiting to read my New Life ALBUM REVIEW so now, your wait is over. New Life is here and so is my respectful album review. And I have much to say and so much love and respect for Monica here. New Life gets an overall 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. Monica is one of the best and here’s proof: A great performance of Monica performing a flawless beautiful soulful “soul remix of It All Belongs To Me” via AOL Soul Sessions. Just pure hotness. This is real music.
NEW LIFE: Miguel Clark’s Album Review
New Life marks Monica Brown’s (formally known as Monica Arnold‘s) seventh album. From her debut onto the music scene back in the mid 1990s, it’s clear to notice that she has came a very long way, spiritually and musically. I have been a Monica fan since forever, and I became a big Monica fan around The Boy Is Mine album era. It’s amazing to reminisce on how paramount Monica was in the music industry back in the 1990s. She has been around going on twenty years sooner than later and fortunately she’s showing no signs of retiring. And the notion Monica and Brandy going on tour together is spectacular and I hope it falls through with a bang!
New Life was recently released a week ago on April 10, 2012 (in the U.S.A.) You can find it on I Tunes, Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, FYE, even DTLR sells it, so there’s no excuse why you can’t go and buy it. Because music this classic and good should definitely be supported and appreciated! A few words to describe New Life: Classic, brilliant, sophisticated, distinguished, lovely, rhythm and blues, soulful, inspirational, meaningful, heartfelt, positive, and veracious. Simply put, I love this album and I mean that from the heart. As a music lover and as a “dove” I can say that this is one of her best albums; I’d definitely place in the top four list of her best work. It was criticized tremendous for being too slow, chill, somber, and too ballad heavy. After listening to the album many times, I do not agreed with the dreadful critics. This is not a partying type of album, it’s more on a adult serious type mood. So to me, New Life isn’t flawed due to a lack of club bangers/uptempo tracks; It is just right. Thumbs up to everybody involved. Besides the obvious New Life featured contributions from those such as Rico Love, Lamb, Earl Hood and Eric Goudy, Polow Da Don, Missy Elliott, Jazmine Sullivan, Jermaine Dupri, Brian-Micheal Cox, Salaam Remi, D. Smith, Pop & Oak, Peter Edge, Trevor Jerideau, and last but certainly not least Melinda Dancil. On a side note, I’ve love for Darkchild and Monica to work together again. I also think that The Neptunes, Danja, RedOne, David Foster, Rich Harrison, and David Guetta could do wonders for Monica’s future albums.
New Life was originally under J Records, but in late 2011 Monica and her team decided to move on to greener pastures and take a leap of faith onto the RCA Records bandwagon. RCA is a formidable force, nevertheless I feel/know that they have not been pushing New Life has hard as they could/should. Hopefully now that the album is actually in stores and available to purchase, they’ll pick up the slack and come around before it is too late. Monica’s new album will debut at number four on the main overall top 200 albums Billboard chart and it’ll debut at number two on the R&B/Hip Hop album Billboard chart. I would have liked it to reach number one in the first week and sell at least 150,000 to 250,000 copies/units, however sometimes in this crazy ever-changing music industry, things don’t always play out exactly how you expect or wish for them too. I wish Monica nothing but lots of success, prosperity, wisdom, growth, peace, and love. New Life is a beautiful classic R&B album. God bless you Monica! And to the folks out there who are doubtful, please take a chance and go buy this album so you can see why I love it so much.
Most favorite tracks to least + ratings (out of 5 stars)
1. It All Belongs To Me = 5 out of 5 stars
2. Big Mistake = 5 out of 5 stars
3. Time To Move On = 5 out of 5 stars
4. Cry = 5 out of 5 stars
5. Until It’s Gone = 4.5 out of 5 stars
6. Take A Chance = 4.5 out of 5 stars
7. Amazing = 4.5 out of 5 stars
8. Without You = 4 out of 5 stars
9. Daddy’s Good Girl = 4 out of 5 stars
10. Man Who Has Everything = 4 out of 5 stars
Track # 1 - New Life (Intro) ~ This interesting intro opens up the album and sets the tone for New Life. Monica apparently calls Mary J Blige to speak on her thoughts about moving forward with her life. Monica says she has been contemplating her current life and finally truly moving on from her old life into her new life. She is putting her past behind her to give her the proper room to cherish and embrace her new life. And Mary J Blige gives Monica some positive and uplifting encouragement/advice.
Track # 2 - It All Belongs To Me ~ This is New Life’s third single and official lead single. It All Belongs To Me is full of fortitude, female empowerment, sass, bitterness, pride, and ferocity. This is my favorite song on the album and if Brandy wasn‘t on here, this probably would be my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th favorite song on New Life. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s one of those fiery hot midtempo R&B songs that has so much attitude that you can’t help but listen to what it is saying as it plays. It has the same energy as Carrie Underwood’s Songs Like This from Play On, as well as Beyonce’s Irreplaceable from B‘Day. It All Belongs To Me is a mid-tempo duet with superstar (often crowned as The Vocal Bible) BRANDY! If your memory serves you well, you’ll remember the first duet they did together back in 1998 called The Boy Is Mine. It was a worldwide hit, it tops the charts, was all over radio and television, and it even got them nominated for a Grammy in which Brandy and Monica won together! I have my fingers crossed that destiny will repeat itself and they’ll win another Grammy for this song. Darkchild & his team, Dallas Austin, and Brandy produced The Boy Is Mine. And hit maker Rico Love produced and wrote the majority of It All Belongs To Me. This song was released not too long again in February 2012 via VH1, and the fabulous Chris Robinson directed music video accompanied its release about a month after the song’s premiere. It All Belongs To Me is featured on both Monica and Brandy’s new albums. Brandy’s new upcoming album Two Eleven will be due out in June/July 2012, so look out for it! Brandy and Monica are a force to be reckoned with, so beware! By the way, the video reached just about every position possible on the 106 and Park countdown, EXCEPT for the number one spot. Is it just me or does anyone else think that BET is a little shady, and the same goes for certain radio stations! This song is clearly a hit and deserves to be number one on the charts, radios, and on the VH1/BET video show countdowns. This song is so hot, when I first heard it, it instantly became my ringtone. (And yes I did purchase the ringtone.) RCA Records did a good job with promotion, but not a great job. It should have been pushed 10 times harder than it was! Also I’d love to see this performed live at the 2013 Grammy Awards!
Track # 3 - Daddy’s Good Girl ~ This is a good song. I like it a lot. I think that this would sound REALLY nice on the radio. Thumbs up!
Track # 4 - Man Who Has Everything ~ Here’s yet another solid R&B midterm track. It has a slight Reggae feel and it works well. Thing is a good song. I have no problem saying that I like this song. Also Monica has said that this is one of her top favorite songs on New Life. LISTEN to it LIVE via AOL Soul Sessions as Monica performs a nice shorten rendition of it.
Track # 5 - Big Mistake ~ This song is everything to me! Hands down this is my number one jam on New Life! I’ll be rocking this song a very long time! I love this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is freaking GREAT! I adore everything about this song, it was arranged, produced, written, and performed so well! Awesome execution. This track equates contemporary R&B royalty. This song hits all right marks for me personally. This is one of those songs that has the ability to create epiphanies as well as heal emotional scars.
Track # 6 - Take A Chance ~ I am so glad this song made the album! Some folks at first listen may not fully fathom the real meaning behind this song. This song has a lot of depth and zeal. To me, on the surface this is a cute simple nice song, but underneath this song is very deep, mature, serious, and most of all courageous! I can relate to this song now and I can envision me still rating to it in the future. I love this song! I could see a music video to this, I bet it’d sound good on the radio too. And does anyone else hear Monica’s Michael Jackson influenced vocals in verse one?!
Track # 7 - Without You ~ This is New Life’s official FOURTH single, released in late April/early May 2012. We can expect the music video to come out in mid to late May. I really hope her team doesn’t slack on making this a great quality video; One that would captivate people of all kinds. This was the only song on the album produced by Polow Da Don. And it is a definitely nice addition to New Life. Without You is a classic contemporary R&B love song with a little more beat and bass than most songs of this kind. This isn’t the most radio friendly song in the bunch, however it is quite relatable. I hope that this does well on radio/the charts, because I like this song. This song is good, but it lacks a few things, one of those things being a bridge. No love lost though. By the way, this is far from being an album filler.
Track # 8 - Until It’s Gone ~ This was buzz single number two as well as New Life’s official second single. It came out in early fall of 2011. This is a slow midtempo straight up R&B song. It’s somewhat catchy. I’m certainly a fan of Until It’s Gone! You can tell Monica meant this song deep inside her heart. This is another song that means a lot to me, because of how much I can literally relate to it. I love this song! By the way, Until It’s Gone has a really nice music video, THUMBS UP!
Track # 9 - Amazing ~ Somebody tell me why do I hear Brandy’s style in some parts of this song? Am I complaining, lol, no, not at all! This song sounds like a mixture between a old classic Monica song and a old classic Brandy song (leading more towards the Full Moon era.) This is a strong song on New Life and they did a wonderful job with it! I love it!!!!!!!
Track # 10 - Cry ~ I can hear this song on a Christina Aguilera album, on a Joss Stone album, on a Amy Winehouse album, on a Estelle album, on a Janelle Monae album, on a Fantasia album, on a Angie Stone album, on a Jill Scott album, a Jazmine Sullivan album, and probably even on an Etta James album too! Salaam Remi did an incredible job with this song, kudos sir! This is what I call pure hotness. This is an R&B masterpiece. Although I do feel as if Monica would have went there even more on some parts with the vocals. Needless to say, I am in love with this song! *Claps hands*. Artist needs to make more songs like this with such depth and dynamic quality. This track is the truth, but you have to be a true music lover to understand where I’m really coming from.
Track # 11 - Time To Move On ~ Monica KILLED the mess out of this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Monica! Monica is a bad chick and she has no probably proving it every now and then. I absolutely adore this song a lot! I can definitely relate to this song as well. Thank you for including the track on New Life! This is a classic Monica song and one of her best yet!
Track # 12 - New Life (Outro) ~ This tracks shows Monica counting her blessings, being grateful, realizing that she’s in control of her own destiny, and moving away from her troubled past and into a brighter future.
Bonus tracks from the Deluxe Edition:
Track # 13 - Breathe = 4.5 out of 5 stars + I like this song A LOT, I mean really! I definitely connect with this track and have felt EXACTLY this way before! Monica sings the whole song throughout without almost ever stopping to take a “breath” or to gain her composure back. You can feel the present zeal in her voice and the past anguish in her voice; She really means every word/adlib/note. This is a beautiful heartache type ballad. She puts the raw truth out on the table, evaluates it, communicates it well, then finally decides to end the relationship and move on in life so she can be whole and free again. This might be the most genuine sounding song on New Life. By the way, if the producer of this track would have added even more pure refreshing harmonies throughout this track (in the background), this song would have sounded perfect as solely an a cappella production!!!!!
Track # 14 - In 3D = 4.5 out of 5 stars + This is a hot song! I could even hear this on the radio. Thumbs up to everyone who was involved in making this track, it’s so nice. I can easily listen to this song over and over and over and over and over again and not get tired of it one bit. This is a beautiful, composed, steady, slow mid-tempo track about love and her wanting her lover to see/feel what she effortlessly and clearly sees, and that‘s that her intuition/spirit tells her that they could have the greatest love ever and it‘s very close in their grasp. Them being in love and happily together, it’s nearly mind-blowing to her and she’s trying to figure out what’s taking her lover so long to realize/see what she does. She’s like, “Come on boo, open your eyes and recognize our future together, we’ll love each other for the rest of our lives.” (That’s not a line from the song, I’m just paraphrasing.) Also, thumbs up to Monica getting some writing credits on this song, I’m proud of her.
Track # 15 - Catch Me = 4 out of 5 stars + This is a nice song, I like it, and it blends in well with the entire album. There are definitely much stronger songs on the album, nevertheless this is far from an “album filler”. This is a solid contemporary R&B mid-tempo song that millions of folks can surely relate to and jam to. (I haven’t ever heard of the guys who produced this song, but they did a nice job so I’m glad that Monica branched out and gave them a chance to be featured on New Life.)
Track # 16 - Anything (To Find You) = 4 out of 5 stars + This was buzz single number one as well as New Life’s official first single. It came out in late summer of 2011. This track was primarily produced by Missy Elliott with some assistance form Lamb. And this track was primarily written by (the talented writer/vocalist) Jazmine Sullivan with some assistance from Missy Elliott and Lamb. It features heavyweight rapper Rick Ross, he has a small part in the song to give it that extra hip hop flavor. However in my opinion Rick Ross really isn’t needed, because the song is good all by itself. There’s also another actual version of Anything (To Find You) that features both Rick Ross and (the talented female rapper) Lil’ Kim. But I’m guessing that her small part was a little bit too raunchy or risky to include on New Life. I’m sure there are no hard feelings, although I know for a fact that Lil’ Kim fans adore that version much better than the album version. Anything (To Find You) samples Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G.’s 1995 hit (diss to rival rapper Tupac Shakur) “Who Shot Ya”. Thank God that Anything is no where near as provocative and angry as Who Shot Ya. Also the first four lines that Monica sings should sound familiar, because Mary J Blige sung the exact same lyrics/melody at the beginning of a 1990s hip hop hit. This is a cool song with a grooving beat. It’s one of those songs that when they play it at the club, you know it’s time to slow down, get less crunk, dance lightly, breathe, go to the restroom, tweet, see what a friend in the club is doing, or go get something to drink to quench your thirst. I like this song.
Sophisticated Ignorance: On Justice -
When 17-year-old Travyon Martin decided to make a quick run to 7/11, he asked his little brother what he wanted from the store. His brother told him that he wanted Skittles. Who would have fathomed that this would be the last exchange that the pair would have?
While returning home from the store,…
Please do not forget Trayvon Martin. His killer, George Zimmerman, still has not been arrested.
What you can do: Call, fax, or email the District Attorney’s office, Sanford Police, and political representatives to ask them why Trayvon Martin’s killer has not been arrested.
1. State Attorney’s Office - Sanford
Attn: Florida District Attorney Norman Wolfinger
State Attorney’s Office
Criminal Justice Center
101 Bush Boulevard
PO Box 8006
Sanford, Florida 32772-8006
Telephone: (407) 665-60002. Sanford Police Department
Sanford Police Department, Attn: Police Chief Bill Lee, 815 West 13th Street, Sanford, FL 32771
Telephone: (407) 688-5070
3. Florida Governor
Office of Governor Rick Scott, State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Governor’s office Telephone: (850) 488-7146
4. Florida legislators
http://www.flsenate.gov/senators/find
(a) The Florida state senator for Sanford, Florida is David Simmons.
David Simmons, 251 Maitland Avenue, Suite 304,Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Telephone: (407) 262-7578(b) The Florida state representative for Sanford, Florida is Jason Brodheur.
Jason Brodheur, District Office, 114 West First Street, Suite 208, Sanford, FL 32771-1273
Telephone: (407) 302-4800
(c) The US representative for Sanford, Florida is Corrine Brown.
Representative Corrine Brown, 2336 Rayburn HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: (202) 225-0123, Fax: (202) 225-2256
(d) The US senators for Florida are Marc Rubio and Bill Nelson.
Senator Marc Rubio, 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510
Telephone: (202) 224-3041
Senator Bill Nelson, 716 Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Telephone: (202) 224-5274
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Every day is a day to be grateful and to rejoice in, however today is an extra special day, because it marks the 33rd birthday of Grammy Award winning legendary rhythm & blues singer Brandy. (Today I celebrate both of our birthday, due to the fact that we both were born on the same day. Today is my 24th birthday.) Brandy R. Norwood was born on February 11, 1979 in McComb, Mississippi, USA. It’s safe to say that Brandy was born a star and later grew into the superstar that we all know and love today. In TV Brandy is best known for her smash 1990s sitcom Moesha. In film Brandy is best known for her star movie roles in Double Platinum and Cinderella. In music Brandy is best known for her chart topping multi-million selling sophomore album Never Say Never. Nowadays in TV you can catch Brandy on the hit drama/comedy series The Game, it comes on BET on Tuesday nights at 10pm eastern time. As for the film side of things, be sure to look out for Brandy in Tyler Perry’s “The Marriage Counselor”, set to be released later this year! And last but certainly not least, when it comes to Brandy in the music industry, feast your hears on Brandy’s brand new single first It All Belongs To Me. It All Belongs To Me is a duet with Monica that will be featured on both of their upcoming albums. She also will be releasing her sixth album in spring 2012. (You can follow and contact Brandy via Twitter, so go and follow her now: @4everBrandy)
Thank you Brandy for being a positive influence in my life and thank you for sharing your raw talent with the world in a big way. With all of my heart, I’m yours… I love you Brandy! - Miguel Clark
