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LEBRON JAMES HEADS BACK TO CLEVELAND (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on July 11, 2014 at 1:05 pm

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King James is returning to Cleveland. Below, his reasoning via Sports Illustrated.

Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.

Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life.  I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.

I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.

I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.

When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.

I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.

To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?

I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.

But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.

In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.

repost bttn suprsd LEBRON JAMES HEADS BACK TO CLEVELAND (DETAILS)

LV DESIGNS HORRIBLE TROPHY CASE FOR 2014 WORLD CUP (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on July 10, 2014 at 2:45 pm

wpid louis vuitton fifa world cup designboom02 LV DESIGNS HORRIBLE TROPHY CASE FOR 2014 WORLD CUP (PHOTOS)

The 2014 World Cup is almost done,  thank god! July 13 will see either Germany or Argentina as the winner.  To commemorate the closing, FIFA tapped Louis Vuitton to create a traveling trophy case. It is so ugly and gauche  it’s beautiful.  Looks like it was designed for a rapper.

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Millions of poor Brazilians lost their homes for this crap.

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11 BLACK ACTORS NOMINATED FOR 2014 EMMY AWARDS (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on July 10, 2014 at 2:21 pm

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What do Joe Morton, Idris Elba, Kerry Washington,  Angela Bassett,  Andre Braugher,  Don Cheadle,  Chiwetel Ejiofor, Reg E. Cathey, Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox  and Cicely Tyson have in common?  If you said they are all black and received Emmy Nominations you’d be right.

11 Black actors (or Blacktors) are up for a trophy this year. Joe Morton and Kerry Washington for “Scandal”, Idris Elba for “Luther”, Don Cheadle for “House of Lies”, Chiwetel Ejiofor for “Dancing on the Edge”,  Uzo Aduba and Laverne Cox for “Orange Is The Black”, Angela Bassett for “American Horror Story”, Andre Braugher for “Brookiyn 999″,  Cicely Tyson for ” A Trip to Bountiful”, and Reg E Cathey for “House of Cards”.

Who will win? Andre Braugher. And maybe Uzo because Hollywood rewards comedians and actors who play crazy.

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FIRST LOOK: BLACK SABBATH X CONVERSE (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on July 10, 2014 at 1:12 pm

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Black Sabbath is credited with creating heavy metal in 1969, inspiring millions of music fans since. Today Converse announced a partnership with the iconic band. That’s right: Black Sabbath kicks!
Below are additional images of The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Black Sabbath collection which  will be available at Converse stores (converse.com) and Journey’s (journeys.com) beginning July 10 for $60.  

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For more information about the collection visit converse.com/blacksabbath.

No bad looking.

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2014 EMMY NOMINATIONS: COMPLETE LIST (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on July 10, 2014 at 1:03 pm

wpid kerry washington th annual nba wives luncheon black dress kerry washington th annual nba wives luncheon 2014 EMMY NOMINATIONS: COMPLETE LIST (DETAILS)

The 2014 Emmy Nominations were announced this morning and a few of the shows we watched got some nods. “House of Cards”, “Scandal”, “True Detective”, and “Game of Thrones” all lead their categories.  Even “Luther” and “Sherlock” made the competition. Below is the complete list.

Comedy Series
“The Big Bang Theory”
“Louis”
“Modern Family”
“Orange Is the New Black”
“Silicon Valley”
“Veep”

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Julia Louis Dreyfus, “Veep”
Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly”
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”
Taylor Schilling, “Orange Is the New Black”

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Ricky Gervais, “Derek”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”

Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brookiyn Nine-Nine”
Adam Driver, “Girls”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Fred Armisen, “Portlandia”
Tony Hale, “Veep”

Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Allison Janney, “Mom”
Kate Mulgrew, “Orange Is the New Black”
Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live”
Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”

Best Drama Series
“Breaking Bad”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game of Thrones”
“House of Cards”
“Mad Men”
“True Detective”

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Lizzy Caplan, “Masters of Sex”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Kerry Washington, “Scandal”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Woody Harrelson, “True Detective”
Matthew McConaughey, “True Detective”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”

Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey”
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Josh Charles, “The Good Wife”
Mandy Patinkin, “Homeland”
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”

Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Anna Gunn, “Breaking Bad”
Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones”
Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey”

Best Miniseries or Movie
“American Horror Story: Coven”
“Bonnie & Clyde”
“Fargo”
“Luther”
“Treme”
“The White Queen”

Best Actress Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Sarah Paulson, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Helena Bonham Carter, “Burton and Taylor”
Minnie Driver, “Return to Zero”
Kristen Wiig, “The Spoils of Babylon”
Cicely Tyson, “The Trip Bountiful”

Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Dancing on the Edge”
Martin Freeman, “Fargo”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Fargo”
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Mark Ruffalo, “The Normal Heart”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: His Last Vow”

Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Colin Hanks, “Fargo”
Jim Parsons, “The Normal Heart”
Joe Mantello, “The Normal Heart”
Alfred Molina, “The Normal Heart”
Matt Bomer, “The Normal Heart”
Martin Freeman, “Sherlock: His Last Vow”

Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Frances Conroy, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Angela Bassett, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Allison Tolman, “Fargo”
Ellen Burstyn, “Flowers In the Attic”
Julia Roberts, “The Normal Heart”

Outstanding Animated Program
“Archer”
“Bob’s Burgers”
“Futurama”
“South Park”
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Manhattan Project”

Outstanding Host: Reality-Competition Program
Betty White, “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers”
Tom Bergeron, “Dancing with the Stars”
Jane Lynch, “Hollywood Game Night”
Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, “Project Runway”
Cat Deeley, “So You Think You Can Dance”
Anthony Bourdain, “The Taste”

Reality-Competition Program
“The Amazing Race”
“So You Think You Can Dance”
“Dancing with the Stars”
“Top Chef”
“Project Runway”
“The Voice”

Variety Series
“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”
“Real Time with Bill Maher”
“Saturday Night Live”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

Children’s Program
“Degrassi”
“Dog with a Blog”
“Good Luck Charlie”
“Nick News With Linda Ellerbee – Family Secrets: When Violence Hits Home”
“One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp”
“Wynton Marsalis – A YoungArts Masterclass”

Outstanding Guest Actor in Drama
Paul Giamatti as Harold Levinson in “Downton Abbey”
Dylan Baker as Colin Sweeney in “The Good Wife”
Reg E. Cathey as Freddy in “House Of Cards”
Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper in “Mad Men”
Beau Bridges as Barton Scully in “Masters of Sex”
Joe Morton as Rowan Pope in “Scandal”

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Margo Martindale as Claudia in “The Americans”
Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones”
Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes in “House of Cards”
Allison Janney as Margaret Scully in “Masters of Sex”
Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing in “The Newsroom”
Kate Burton as Sally Langston in “Scandal”

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Bob Newhart as Arthur in “The Big Bang Theory”
Nathan Lane as Pepper Saltzman in “Modern Family”
Steve Buscemi as Marty in “Portlandia”
Jimmy Fallon as Host in “SNL”
Louis C.K. as Host in “SNL”
Gary Cole as Kent Davison in “Veep”

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols in “Orange is the New Black”
Uzo Aduba as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in “Orange is the New Black”
Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset in “Orange is the New Black”
Tina Fey as Host in “SNL”
Melissa McCarthy as Host in “SNL”
Joan Cusack as Sheila Jackson in “Shameless”

repost bttn suprsd 2014 EMMY NOMINATIONS: COMPLETE LIST (DETAILS)

KIND OF A BIG DEAL: NIGEL SYLVESTER NUDE FOR ESPN (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on July 9, 2014 at 3:25 pm

wpid 1404933154 KIND OF A BIG DEAL: NIGEL SYLVESTER NUDE FOR ESPN (PHOTOS)

BMX rider Nigel Sylvester posing nude for ESPN is a major, major move for the Queens,  NYC native.

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One reason why Sylvester ‘ s inclusion in the Body Issue is a big deal other profile raising? Acknowledgement that he is infact an athlete with a particular skill who lords over his field. Plus: he’s the first BMX rider to be asked.

But, haters gonna hate.

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PHOTOS OF MICHAEL SAM FROM OUT MAGAZINE (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on July 9, 2014 at 1:38 pm

Michael Sam is the cover star of Out magazine’s latest issue. Photographed by Richard Phibbs, the NFL’s first openly gay player is also the first gay black person to grace the cover of OUT in a while. Michael Irving made the cover two three years ago.

I didn’t read the article accompanying the photos cuz, really, what new info will surface? The gay panic? The failed Oprah reality show? More gay panic?

I like some of the portraits, especially the one with the American flag. Phibbs is a great photographer but I wish the photos had more punch. His expression is sad, pensive and recalls Richard Wrights Black Boy, a racialized character study.

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GERMANY GUTTED BRAZIL 7-1 (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on July 8, 2014 at 8:33 pm

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The above photo says it all. Brazil gutted by Germany 7-1.

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PRINCE FIELDER NUDE FOR ESPN (PHOTOS)

In Lifestyle on July 8, 2014 at 12:32 pm

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Former Detroit Tiger Prince Fielder in all his glory on one of six covers of ESPN’S The Body Issue, out this Friday.  Makes you think about what an athletic body looks like, right? Can’t wait for the memes.

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Fielder injured his neck last season. Below he talks about his body and what makes an athlete.

“You don’t have to look like an Under Armour mannequin to be an athlete,” he told ESPN post surgery. “A lot of people probably think I’m not athletic or don’t even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can’t be an athlete. And just because you work out doesn’t mean you’re going to have a 12-pack. I work out to make sure I can do my job to the best of my ability. Other than that, I’m not going up there trying to be a fitness model.

“I don’t think working out makes you better at baseball. Doing actual baseball activities will help with that. But if I could just not do anything, and still be in shape and get through an entire season, that would be great. But that’s not realistic. There are 162 games ahead of you that must be done.”

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FIRST LOOK: DON CHEADLE AS MILES DAVIS

In Lifestyle on July 7, 2014 at 2:34 pm

wpid don cheadle 612x655 FIRST LOOK: DON CHEADLE AS MILES DAVIS

Don Cheadle, he of Iron Man, Hotel Rwanda and House of Lies fame, is trying to make his Miles Davis biopic, Miles Ahead, happen via Kickstarter, recently adding drawings and paintings by Miles as incentives for backing his film. So far people are biting and by the looks of the image above, you should bite too. The belt, the trousers, the jheri curls, the monogrammed horn. Son.

EW spoke to Cheadle about the project. Here’s an excerpt.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How does it feel to finally begin production on Miles Ahead—to be in costume and begin this process?
DON CHEADLE: It’s a great shot; it’s kinda cool, huh? I attribute that to my department to more than anything I’m doing: That’s hair, makeup, wardrobe, and props. But it’s cool to be sitting on it and have it all begin. At this point, with everything that’s happening, its real and surreal and hyperreal and every version of it that I can think of.

There’s a sense you’ve been working on this for a while. Tell me about your exposure to Miles Davis—was he someone you were exposed to at a young age?
His music was definitely a part of my life very early on, thanks to my parents. And I was fortunate when I was young to have music teachers in school that also introduced us to jazz in general. I was maybe 10, in fifth grade, when I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the sax at a school which had instruments because we couldn’t afford one. So I started playing sax, and was really a fan of Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderly. And through Cannonball I found Miles.

Do you remember maybe one album around the house or a song that impacted you most as a kid?
My dad’s favorite album was Birth of the Cool—that was always playing in our house as I was growing up.
I remember the Porgy and Bess album by Bill Evans and Miles Davis that was in my house. Man, that album cover was so iconic. His picture isn’t on the cover—it’s just a man in a crisp white shirt and a woman next to him, pulling at the trumpet, which is very emblematic of the story we’re telling in a way. Him holding on to the music and and in our story, Francis, the love of his life, that tug between the music and his love, and where they connect and how they move away from each other. That was my introduction.

More

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COSMETICS COMPANY: DO YOU WANNABE WHITE? (DETAILS)

In Lifestyle on July 7, 2014 at 10:39 am

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Fair skin is a preference and ideal for most Koreans but did a European cosmetics company go too far in exploiting the desires of its consumers?

The above ad was spotted in Queens,  NYC, not Seoul.

NOONCHI

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WORLD CUP 2014: USA BEATS GHANA 2-1(SURPRISE)

In Lifestyle on June 16, 2014 at 8:55 pm

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Yeah, we can’t believe it either: Team USA beat Ghana 2-1 a few minutes a go in Brazil. We’re not really here for the world cup this time round. Bey hey….stranger thangs have happened.

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