BERNIE MAC TRANSITIONS AT AGE 50….

“Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital,” his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.

“The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.”

One of the original Kings of Comedy with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, & Cedric The Entertainer that made history in 2001 with a successful nation-wide tour that made it to the big screen. K.O.C. made Mac a household name. His skits were always split yo’ side funny.

Although, I personally remember Mac from Russell Simmon’ Def Comedy Jam. When he appeared his star hadn’t yet ‘blown up,’ still onlookers could quickly see this brother was special. He had a way with the crowd that reminds one of the late Robin Harris.

From the time he came on stage his presence was electric. Though, he was oft times criticized for his vulgarity & language mac stayed true to his roots & his craft. He was and will always be remebered as one of the greatest to ever appear on stage….

Mac appeared in numerous movies: Bad Santa, Ocean’s Eleven, Mr. 3000, Charlie’s Angel’s, Full Throttle, Transformers, Get on The Bus, & Mo’ Money. Also, he hosted his own self-titled television sitcom from 2001-2006….

Bernie Mac gone at age 50, but not forgotten…..Pour out a little Liquor for my Nicka!!!!

OPENING CEREMONIES: BEIJING OLYMPICS, 2nd Grader Steals Show!

“Fireworks shot off across the Chinese capital as hundreds of drummers and dancers performed under a light display at the National Stadium, drawing applause from the estimated 90,000 in attendance.”

The opening ceremonies for 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China were absolutely incredible. The presentation of costumes, colors, technology, and majesty is unrivalled. They were held in the stadium aka ”Bird’s Nest” a facility that has a white membrane extended about 500 feet from the rafters of the stadium which was used to display multimedia images. The Chinese had over 15,000 performers, and spent 10 times more money than did the Greeks in Athens

“It was a stunning beginning from the nation of 1.3 billion people. Media observers said they believe the opening ceremony will be the single most watched television event in history,” according to published reports.

This membrane was apart of a multi-media phenomenom that only the tech saavy Chinese could pull off.  On the ground was a humonguos LED screen which showed different aspects of Chinese culture & various themes to conincide with the cultural performances.

“This one, I think, is going to be bigger and more spectacular … not necessarily more surprising, but more impressive, I think, than any previous ceremony,” said Ric Birch, who oversaw Olympic productions in 1984, 1992 and 2000“

In the past, no sitting American President has attended the Opening Ceremonies outside of the U.S. However, President Bush along with 1st Lady Laura Bush were present & cheering on their compatriots during the “PARADE OF NATIONS.” The USA, along with Canada, Great Britain, China and Australia had some of the largest delegations with well over 300 for each.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy ws in attendance, as well as, Putin the Russian President. Reports say that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was turned around and not allowed to attend the ceremonies.

A second grader who survived the national disaster that took place in Szechuan Province, China a few months ago was lock in step with Yao Ming during the presentation of the Chinese flag & Parade of  Nations. This 7 year old child was just one-third of the survivors who lived despite having their school reduced to rubble & desolation around them.

This little child is an inspiration for an entire generation, in fact the promise & glory of a whole nation. During the aftermath of the earthquake he went back inside the school to rescue friends after he nearly escaped with his own life. When asked why he risked his life to save others he said; “because I’m the hall monitor!” Damn, if we could just follow the examples of children the world would be a better place. As a matter of fact, the little boy was able to save one other child.

Indeed, the  7″6′ Yao Ming had to look up at this new found Chinese Heroe of enormous proportions depite his being no more than 2-3 feet tall.

These opening ceremonies eclipsed all other previous ones and left an indelible impression in the minds of the over 4 billion viewers world wide. Never has the world been witness to the combination of breath-taking stunts that saw some Chinese circumnavigate a fascimile of the globed earth as they walked under, over, and around it while harnessed in with a pulley system. It just defied logic & gravity, though was a sight I won’t soon forget.

There were Chinese caligraphers who used their bodies to depict the ancient chinese custom. As they moved across a white canvas along the floor of the stadium various images began to emerge as a result of their artistic moves.

The most spectacular episode was the 2008 Tai Chi masters who formed a perfect circuit around the LED screen. There were no signs or directors to choreograph their movements. Each person seemed to rely on spatial know-how between the other participants, and what ensued was sheer poetry in motion with an Asian flair of the exotic. They all moved in unison & with grace, power & majesty as they showcased to the world this enimagtic art form of martial arts!!

If the rest of the Olympics follow suit then were in for a remarkable experience and one to remember for the ages….

Dwyane Wade Back! N Ballin! Why he’s HEATED like the SoFla SUN!

Since Wade won the 2006 MVP in the Finals he hasn’t been healthy. He has struggled to get back 100% since they won the World Championship 2 years ago. In fact, with his stellar play this summer he has a bit of an edge. He says; “I played angry. So it’s the same kind of feeling on the court. Any doubt that people have in their mind about you as a player, you want to erase it. Just like it was when I first came in the league.”

If you think its just gonna be a summer time edge with Wade think again. He’s committed to bring the same fire &  edge this upcoming season in Miami. As a Heat fan I rejoice the return of Wade’s health he’s the kind of player that really depends on his athleticism to spark his game to the next level. So, if he’s injured you’re just seeing a shell of the kind of player he really is.

“That’s going to be like that probably all year, for a while, just that anger, that focus of getting back to total respect, he said by phone before joining his Olympic teammates at practice in Macau, China, in advance of an exhibition game there today against Turkey.”

All of his Team USA mates have admitted that he’s back & playing at an unbelieveable level. Key players from US Men’s team have touted Wade’s playmaking ability. To his credit he’s been the consummate professional, he’s made no complaint about being the teams 6th man off the bench.

“Well, first of all, any compliment you get from your peers or your teammates means more than compliments that come from outside, he told a correspondent for USA Basketball. “So I appreciate LeBron and the guys for saying that and really being behind me the whole time.”

 Over the first five exhibition games he’s averaging 18 points. Clearly, he’s been the most spectacular on this all-star caliber team. He is the team leader in points per game, and is shooting an unearthly .723% from the field. His vicious dunk against the Liths left no doubt that he’s back: an alley-hoop from Chris Paul that was a double-pump windmill slam in transition! BLAMM!!

Says Wade, “Chris Paul threw me a lob and I caught it backward and took it down and dunked it,” Wade said. “I hadn’t done that since my rookie year when I was flying. I didn’t feel like I had an injury.” In the offseason Wade works out with Tim Glover, MJ’s former trainer.  he’s worked on strengthening his core & his legs. He realized that he had build-up the muscles around the knee to withstand the rigors of the NBA season & his quick spurts. The work has obviously payed off so hopefully it extends throughout late summer into next NBA season.

“I hope all these questions leave because I’m healthy, Wade said recently. My knee feels good. No pain. I’m the strongest I’ve been in a long time. I’m looking forward to being healthy and winning a gold medal.”

He’s recaptured his explosiveness in his quick first step. His characteristic slashes & drives to the rim are reminiscent of his rookie season. Wade seems to be stronger mentally as well as physically, so much so, you can see his exhuberance and joy when he plays. He’s back and enjoying the game!

“I’ve proven that I’ve put in the work, he said. I don’t know what more I can say with my words. The only thing I can show is with my play.”

The game against Russsia he had 12 points and 7 rebounds at haldtime. In fact, he was the game hi scorer and USA high scorer. If you’re a Miami Heat fan than you are elated that Wade is fully recovered from his last two season injuries. He’s missed a total of 62 games in the last two seasons. To his credit, though he was hurt during 2006, the year they won the ring, still, he played with the US team w/o giving his body a chance to heal.

Then the next season he had that terrible shoulder seperation followed by this years knee problems. We know the caliber of player he is when fully healthy. Although, some attribute his style of play as  the primary reason he’s often times injured. Some have suggested to him that he should change his style.

“You don’t change your game. You alter certain things, said the 26-year-old Wade, who worked on his outside shooting during his time off. That comes with age and that goes with everybody. Everybody adds a piece to their game every year, but why would I change my game? You might as well get rid of me because I can’t be the player you all want me to be if I do that. I’m going to continue to play the way I play. My body can’t do what it did at 21 without injuries; it’s just about altering certain things as you get older.”