The first set of rules would be:

1. Everything that you didn’t spent during each day would be taken away from you.

2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.

3 . You may only spend it.

Each morning upon your awakening,

the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:

1. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “It’s over, the game is over!”

2. It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?

Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?

Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?

You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS REALITY!!

Each of us is in possession of such a “magical” bank.

We just can’t seem to see it.

THE MAGICAL BANK IS TIME!

Each awakening morning we receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.

And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.

What we haven’t lived up that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time…….

WITHOUT WARNING.

WELL, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren’t they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, and enjoy life!

You have to accept it or move on.
Song: Mary Mary “Yesterday”

July 28, 2010
Recognize who you are and who you want to be.
Always be honest with yourself. Take time to
know you and figure out what you need and
what YOU want.

Song: Daryl Coley “I will bless your name”

PASSION, JOY AND HEARTBREAK
Lust, Love and Lies (An Audio Novel)
set for release on September 14, 2010

Every story has an arc, and love stories are no different. There’s the initial encounter, the flirtation, the first date, the escalation, the passion…and then the map gets a little fuzzy. What comes next is hard to predict – rock-solid commitment and eternal devotion for some, disillusionment or even betrayal for others. Some stories end happily ever after, some not so much.

Vocalist Will Downing has a tale of love to tell. It may or may not be based on a true story, but it’s one that we’ve all lived through at one time or another. Downing’s version, Lust, Love and Lies (An Audio Novel) – which he fondly calls “an audio soap opera,” complete with intermittent vignettes of intimate conversations that help move the story along – includes elements of comedy, tragedy and all the subtle shades in between. The album is set for release on September 14, 2010, on Peak Records, a division of Concord Music Group.

“This record had actually been coming together in my mind for five years,” says Downing. “I just didn’t know how to go about it at first. Then when I first started writing the songs, it started to make sense as a story. I’d never made a record like this before. I had always sort of erred on the side of caution and safety when making records. This was the first time I said, ‘You know what? Let’s just do something completely different.’”

Aided primarily by co-producers Rex Rideout and Chris “Big Dog” Davis (who also plays keyboards throughout the set), guitarist Randy Bowland and bassist Anthony Jackson – along with a number of guest players and vocalists – Downing settles into a groove that’s more straightahead R&B than any of his recordings to date.

“I think people sometime don’t know how to categorize my music,” says Downing. “It’s soulful, but it’s also slightly jazzy. It’s a blend of so many things. But I think this album solidifies what I’m doing and where I’m going. It locks into a groove and says, ‘Okay, this is an R&B record.’ It’ll be interesting to see how longtime listeners react, and whether any new folks will come on board.”

Downing’s eclecticism can be traced back to his days as a session vocalist in the early ‘80s for artists like Gerald Albright, Jennifer Holiday, Warp 9 and many others. He remembers studio calls in his native New York that assembled groups of vocalists who had no prior experience together – all of which taught him the importance of discipline and flexibility. “You didn’t want to be the one person in the session who made all the other vocalists sound bad,” he says. “When you walked into that room, you had to be on top of your game, because these were some of the finest singers in New York.”

His self-titled debut album in 1988 was the first in what has amounted to an ambitious body of work – 14 albums in 22 years. “The creative process doesn’t just start and stop when you want it too, nor should it,” says Downing. “This may sound a little grim, but I always figure that there may not be a tomorrow. Why not go ahead and do what you want to do today? Even if it doesn’t get released, record it anyway. Leave a legacy. It’s a never-ending process.”

While his overall philosophy may sound deadly serious, Downing allows plenty of room for playfulness and irony on Lust, Love and Lies (An Audio Novel). The story opens with the shimmering and atmospheric “Glad I Met You Tonight,” a smoky account of a chance encounter loaded with romantic potential. It also introduces the two main characters – Will and Dee – who reappear elsewhere throughout the album, both in the musical tracks and the conversational interludes in between.

Further in, the smoldering “Consensual” is an invitation for some suggestive phone chatter, but with a comical turn in the final moment. “There’s all this passion going on,” says Downing, “and then I take it in a completely different direction by ending with a line that no one would expect. My wife and my friends listen to that song all the way through, and they say, “If you’re fans only knew what your sense of humor was really like, they’d be amazed.’”

On an equally ironic note, “Consensual” is followed immediately by a uplifting gospel tune called “Safe in His Arms,” featuring Dave Hollister on lead vocals with Downing on backing vocals. “Gospel is not my forte, and I openly admit it,” says Downing. “Dave, on the other hand, is a great gospel singer, so I figured I’d let him take the lead and I would follow, and we’d complement each other along the way.”

“Shades” is a sensual ode full of double meaning. Downing sings about the captivating hues of a lover’s skin, but also pays tribute to the beauty underneath.

Toward the end (in every sense of the word), Downing delivers a stirring cover of “At This Moment.” Although the song was originally a pop hit for Billy Vera in the ‘80s, it was Michael Bublé’s more recent version that caught Downing’s attention. “It sounded good, but as I listened to it, I started hearing a different version in my head. I thought, ‘Man, I know I could do something different with that song.’ So I went down to my studio in the basement and started working on an arrangement that made more sense to me and to the narrative of this album.”

There’s more to Lust, Love and Lies (An Audio Novel), but as with any good tale – be it a love story or otherwise – it’s best not to give away the ending. Suffice it to say that the album tells a timeless story that somehow never gets old, “from being in lust with someone from the moment you see them, to being intrigued by them, to potentially falling in love with them, to whatever comes after that,” says Downing. “Let’s face it, we’ve all been there at one time or another.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Janet Jackson is one busy lady she is the cover girl for the latest edition of Essence magazine. She is filming the new Tyler Perry movie for Colored Girls, she’s in love and she’s been named the new spokesperson for the Blackgama Fur campaign. PETA is not happy about Jackson’s latest venture but Janet seems to be happy with it. She looks fabulous in her mink in the black and white photo. Janet follows the likes of Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross and Elizabeth Taylor who have starred in previous campaigns for What Becomes A Legend Most. PETA has lashed out against Janet accusing her of reviving her career on the backs of dead animals. Janet’s love life has also been heating up with her romance with Wissam Al Mana he’s a young rich Arab Man whose family is in the oil business.

Its wedding bells for Alicia Keys who is tired of being labeled a home wrecker. Keys is expecting her first child with producer Swizz Beats. Swizz Beats made headlines when he left his wife and young child to be with Keys. A Caribbean wedding is rumored to be happening this weekend. In September, Keys is teaming up with Sade for her charity Keep a Child Alive which assists children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

According to published reports a drug dealer is spilling the beans on Whitney Houston accusing the singer of still being on drugs. The dealer says Houston has a 300 thousand dollar a year habit and that she has not stopped doing drugs. Houston has also gained an alarming amount of weight and sources say it’s because she is on a steroid to help her with her respiratory problems. Houston’s ex Bobby Brown is currently on tour with the Heads of State, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill. He is keeping the weight off that he lost on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club. He looks good, he’s happy and he says he is enjoying life with his fiancé and young baby.

Wesley Snipes is finally going to jail. After a ten year fight with the IRS Snipes will have to start serving a three year sentence for failing to file and pay taxes since 1998. Snipes has already given the government 15 million dollars but that did not sway a federal appeals court which ruled Snipes must serve his sentence. There is no word on when he will start serving that sentence.

Keisha Cole’s mom Frankie is working on a new book about her life. The book Two Sides to Every Story is a tell all about her life and the lessons she learned on the road to recovery. Frankie has also been added to the cast of VH1’S Celebrity Rehab.

Are Will and Jada headed to Broadway? After the success of the musical Fela which they co-produced the Hollywood power couple has been approached to star in a new revival of the Tennessee Williams classic A Streetcar Named Desire. The production is scheduled for 2011. If it happens, Will Smith will play the role made famous by Marlon Brando, Stanley Kowalski.

It’s official after dating for the past three years Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union have come out as a couple. Wade wanted to wait until his messy divorce was over and now he and Gabby can go on with their lives.

Tyrese has announced plans for a new album. Open Invitation is due out next year.

Ice T was embarrassed this week with his recent arrest. Ice T plays a cop on Law and Order and he was arrested in New York for driving without a seat belt and driving with a suspended license.

Actor Michael Ealy has joined the cast of the CBS TV show The Good Wife. Ealy who used to date Halle Berry has a new movie with Chris Brown and Idris Elba coming out in late August, Takers.

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers has been shaking things up in her new role as consultant at Ebony/Jet Magazines. Rogers is unhappy with the rebranding of the magazine which has cost the company over 80 thousand dollars.

For the first time in its 24 year history The Oprah Winfrey Show has suffered its worst ratings. The show has been in reruns but recent data shows an all time ratings low. New episodes start in early September as the show enters its 25th and final season.

Actor Kristoff St. John says he is not leaving the Young and the Restless. St. John has signed on for a comedy pilot produced by the Wayans Brothers. St. John plays the character Neil Winters and he will be featured in a reduced role. St. John won an Emmy in 2008. Maybe if they bring back Actress Victoria Rowell who played his wife Drucilla they will know what to do with his character.

Actress Vonetta McGhee has died. The 70’s icon died from a heart attack at the age of 65. McGhee was married to actor Carl Lumbly. McGhee was best known for her work with actor Max Julian and the movies Shaft in Africa, Hammer and Blacula.

Kevin Hart’s latest DVD Seriously Funny is out in stores. His latest movie Death at a Funeral with Chris Rock, Tracey Morgan and Martin Lawrence comes out on DVD August 10th. Martin Lawrence got married a couple of weeks ago to his longtime girlfriend the mother of his two youngest daughters. Lawrence was previously married to Patricia Smith, the current wife of Football great Emmitt Smith.

John Legend is working on a new project which will include a remake of the Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes classic Wake Up Everybody.

Actress Tariji P. Henson has signed on for the Lifetime movie Taken From Me. The story is based on the true life story of Tiffany Rubin whose 7 year son was abducted by his Korean born father. The story traces her journey to get her son back to the USA.

Gospel Great Walter Hawkins is being hailed as one of the greats in the Gospel music industry. Hawkins died at the 61 from pancreatic cancer. He was working on a new album at the time of his death.

Actor Jaleel White has been cleared of charges for assaulting his baby mama. Authorities say there wasn’t enough evidence. The former star of Family Matters was accused of hitting his baby mama in the mouth. White played the character Urkel.

The 23rd Annual Soul Train Awards will air on November 28th.

Is Mel Gibson crazy or is he being set up by his baby mama? With all the controversy surrounding Gibson whether he’s a racist or a mad man many people wonder what his Lethal Weapon co-star has to say. Where is Danny Glover? Spokespeople for Glover say the actor has no comment on the Mel Gibson controversy.

Faith Evans is coming back with a new album at the end of summer. Something About Faith is coming out September 14th.

Terry McMillan’s long awaited sequel to Waiting to Exhale called Getting to Happy arrives in bookstores September 7th.

Denzel Washington has signed on for the spy thriller Safe House as one of his future projects. Washington, who just a Tony Award for his Broadway performance in Fences, has a new movie called Unstoppable coming out in November.

Maxwell says he will have a new album by next winter, and Fantasia’s long awaited release Back to Me comes out late August.

Idris Elba is hot on the cover of Ebony magazine. His new movie Takers arrives in theatres on August 27th. Speaking of new movies, on August 20th, it’s the Lottery Ticket with Loretta Devine, Ice Cube, Bow Wow, Mike Epps & Terry Crews. Idris is also going to be the Honorary Chairperson along with Jimmy Rollins at this year’s Philly’s Men are Cooking. This event is Saturday November 27th more details coming later.

Keep listening to win passes to Lyfe Jenning’s
Live album preview party. His new CD I Still Believe will hit stores August 31, but you will hear it first before anybody else in St Louis.
Lyfe Live album preview party.

Date: Aug 8th

Time: 3-6pm

Place: (a Secret Loction)

What: Lyfe will be at the venue personally playing tracks from his album for the winners and media. dress code: as sexy as you can be w/o getting arrested:-)

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Devon’s History: WBC and IBF Champ Devon Alexander “The Great” started his amateur boxing career in the Hyde Park Neighborhood in North St. Louis under the tutelage of Kevin Cunningham and they have quickly risen to the top. Let’s Come out and show support for our undefeated champ!

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Where and When: Sunday, August 1st 2010 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at City Hall (1200 Market Street). Doors open at 7:00pm! Admission is Free, but you must have a ticket before the day of the event!! Appropriate attire required (NO Tennis Shoes, T-Shirts or Baseball caps!)

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Additional Information: For more information please call 314-622-4114 or visit www.stlouiscore.com. Proceeds from the nights event will go to support St Louis City Youth Boxing.

Accept responsibility for your actions. Stop passing the buck if
there was something you did or didn’t do, own and accept responsibility for it.

Song: Marvin Sapp “The Best in Me”