Everything in between

Advice for the young at heart

Dear Beyoncé fans,

Yes, you guys, even other celebrities.

I would like to address my concerns about your sanity.

Back in the day, we were amazed when Michael Jackson moonwalked his way across the stage at every concert. We were the generation that wanted to be the epitome of cool. We were a Wu-Tang Nation, a Tribe Called Quest Squad. The Brandy and Monica drama was our lunchtime discussion, no hashtags required. Whitney and Mariah were the Diva Queens, but we were reminded that they too were human and flawed. Not the goddesses of planet Earth.

Today, it seems Beyoncé is the only being a walking supreme Mother Earth mother and everything she does is worshipped like she was the Messiah.

There are some problems guys…

Did she find a cure for any disease? Did she create a new technology with the purpose to give people a better life? Did she fight the good fight, to relentlessly bring justice to the less fortunate?

No.

She is an entertainer, a good one. I do respect her dedication to entertaining us mortals, but that’s it. I respected her more when she was keeping her life more private. Now, all I see is a brand, not a human being.

Madonna, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Cindy Lauper, Joan Jett, Reba McEntire, Bonnie Raitt, Salt’n’Pepa, MC Lite and Lauryn Hill were the ultimate warrior women in the music industry. Yes, they were admired for the passion they brought to their art and that was pretty much it.

I’m tired of reading about or listening to people that put Beyoncé on a pedestal like she was the next best thing after the creation of Nutella (I love Nutella – my life depends on it). I feel even worse when I read about other celebrities acting like total stupid groupies.

Come on, have some self-respect.

To the Beyhive crazy crowd, please chill out. I mean it.

She is not a God. She is an entertainer, one that may take herself a little too seriously (remember the pregnancy pictures of her twins, last year’s Grammy performance with the Mother Mary theme, her Lemonade video clip, and many other examples, unfortunately).

I still believe she could be a really cool person to hang out with, but you guys are not obligated to be fanatics and idolize her. Admiring her accomplishments as an entertainer, ok, but being a crazy-ass fanatic, hell no!

Beyoncé is a human being, like the rest of us. She is not perfect. I want to see a bit more authenticity from her through sharing less of her private life. By not making a grand spectacle of her every outing with the crazy outfits and the entourage.

Damn, could she be more like Tina Turner?

Be the big diva on stage and give everything you got, but after, please just be human.

So Beyhave’s army, you may want to send me some hateful emails and I guess you will put my name on your blacklist, but please, consider my advice to you, the young at heart.

Just breathe.

Written by Sabine Demosthenes

Legacies are never lost

Do you ever get this feeling?

Sometimes, a certain movie gives you this sense of empowerment and you feel invincible because of one particular actor?

Brandon Lee was this actor in my youth. At home, when I was just a little tomboy, we watched a wrestling show and a Kung-Fu movie every Saturday. It was a serious ritual in our household. Bruce Lee was, in a way, a big part of our family. At that time in the 80s, Brandon Lee, Bruce Lee’s son, was starting to make some waves as an actor.

He was gorgeous and in my five-year-old mind, I was convinced that I would marry him and we would fight the bad guys together (I wasn’t aware that movies are typically fictional… anyhow). He was my Romeo.

As I grew older and more aware, I became addicted to Entertainment Tonight. I remember looking forward to seeing the movie that would later be one of my favorites but was symbolic of my life at the time.

The Crow perfectly represented my state of mind during that period. So badly, I wanted to find a hero that would inspire me to be invincible. Despite being a feisty and sporty kid, I was facing some bullying at the time. Brandon was my hero.

His interview on the set was inspiring for me. He was so calm and philosophical.

Brandon Lee last interview video

I was looking forward to the movie, daydreaming about the script and everything. I felt I just needed wings to fly freely without fear.

In 2018, when you watch Brandon’s interviews, his poetic way of telling us a story and explaining the meaning of life is actually a beautiful legacy that he left for us.

The beauty of legacy is that it can go on and on, from generation to generation.

Brandon’s sister is one of the people that is making sure the legacy of her family will still go on. Like me, Shannon is the baby sister to her big brother.

She was close to him and probably got teased by him, as is the main criterion of having a big brother. We know the expression ”Brotherly love” but Bro and Sisterly love are the best one.

Shannon is proud of her father’s and brother’s legacies and of her own.

Shannon Lee Ted Talk Be An Action Hero video

Shannon is creative, dynamic and special. She is a very proud sister.

What is next for Shannon?

Actually, you should check out her podcast: The Bruce Lee Podcast. It’s insightful and really well-made.

https://nerdist.com/bruce-lee-podcast-91-brandon-lee/

When Brandon died, I felt lost. I would no longer experience his way of explaining something as he did in that interview with such grace.

But, years later, I read this quote from Brandon somewhere and it’s been one of my mantras ever since:

”Immortality is to live your life doing good things and leaving your mark behind”

Legacies are never lost.

Written by Sabine Demosthenes

https://www.brucelee.com

What’s next for Stephanie McMahon?

When you can say that one of your childhood friend and hero was in the Princess Bride movie and he is one of the most legendary wrestling figures of all time?

In my book, you are one of the coolest people alive!

This exact same kid that grew up to be one of the great leaders of our time. During my teenage years, as a wrestling fan, I couldn’t stand the sight of her.

Because of her onscreen character of course. She played the role of a spoiled, snobby daddy’s girl so well. At that point, I was still young and couldn’t differentiate between a fictional character and the person playing the role… Now that I have grown up (now almost 35), I asked myself this question: what made me change my perception of this woman, the perception I had over all those years?

Yes, I grew up, but over the years, I read some interviews and saw others and I realized, my oh my, I have more in common with her than I ever could have imagined.

This woman is Stephanie McMahon.

She is the COO of the World Wrestling Entertainment.

Stephanie couldn’t be more different than the character she is portraying, but she does have something in common with The Million Dollar Princess.

She is ambitious!

Even since she was small, she wanted to be part of the family business.

For myself, I never really wanted to be in the family business (entertainment manager of Haitian talent), but I knew I wanted to create something parallel or inspire my father dreams. I was the little helper at the house whenever we had some theatrical rehearsal in our living room (I was the bell girl). I would listen to every business phone call that my father had, I would sometimes even go to meetings with my father. In a way, Stephanie had a similar path.

From a young age, she was learning all the different aspects of the empire her parents had created. She couldn’t deny that wrestling would be a big part of her life.

What I have admired Stephanie over the years is the fact that she has encouraged everyone to be a good leader. Not only that, she wanted to give back too. You could see it in her genuine nature; when she met young fans or whenever she spoke about the Connor’s Cure Foundation.

That, for me, is a real leader.

Honestly, when I saw her during the Attitude Era, my eyes were rolling. But now, when I read or I see an interview, my eyes are wide open and I’m listening.

When she says she was bullied and she finds it hard sometimes to read tweets on her Tweeter feed, we are seeing the real Stephanie McMahon. I learned all of it on the Lillian Garcia Podcast. It is a must!

McMahon is a mom. She is a woman that wants to be part of the change in our society, contributing to a revolution, not only in the square circle but in the boardroom too.

We can witness her achievements by just watching the Women’s Revolution in the WWE.

The fact that she is balancing being a boss lady, a wife, a mother and a leader all at once is admirable.

What can we expect from Stephanie McMahon in 2018?

I guess this question should be answered by the one and only Stephanie McMahon herself, but I will write about what I expect from her in 2018.

I expect Stephanie to continue to bring smiles to faces, especially children. I hope when Raw comes to Montreal in a few weeks, kids from Montreal Hospitals, like Sainte-Justine Hospital (I was born there in the 80s; they saved my life as a premature baby) could maybe have one of their wishes granted from one of the WWE Superstars.

I expect her to continue making waves as a woman in an executive role. She didn’t have it easy getting to where she is now, as some people may wonder. She works hard, or even harder, as the boss’s daughter. I can relate to that.

I love to end my post with a question, and I ask this one directly to Stephanie :

What does Stephanie McMahon expect from herself in 2018?

Stephanie McMahon on Twitter

http://www.wwe.com/superstars/stephanie-mcmahon

Written by Sabine Demosthenes

Free as a bird

Did you ever feel, for a moment, so free?

Free; like the weight of the world is off your shoulders because you finally decided to accept who you are, your flaws and your strengths?

I got that feeling yesterday.

This incredible gentleman realized it.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ralph Jusma for the very first Facebook Live “Raw” interview.

Ralph is a well-known event promoter in Montreal within the Haitian community.

His contagious smile and spirit is palpable.

He is a true showman. He is always up to bringing a festive attitude where ever he goes.

I sat down with him to have a real conversation. He shared a lot. A thousand viewers were standing still last night, listening to his every word.

We started with his formal name, then navigated to his struggles as a teenager.

We talked about his mistakes and the pain to have lost both his parents and then to finding love again.

I woke this morning feeling such honour to have had this moment with Ralph.

You can check it out on Ralph Jusma’s Facebook account.

He is a real force of nature and a little something tells me, he will continue to fly higher and higher.

Like a bird.

Ralph Jusma Facebook

Ralph Jusma Twitter

Written by Sab Demosthenes

We call her the SKIN GURU

She is truly one of the coolest woman that I had the honor to interview. She is our first Chronicle’s interview of the year and let me tell you, it will be a fun one with The Skin Guru of Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. She is all about empowering women and taking a better care of our skin and our soul too.

Let’s get this party started.

SD: I’m curious, Jennifer. I need to ask you this question; when you were a young girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A) Teacher
B) Rocket Scientist
C) Doctor
D) All of the above
E) None of the above
F) Sabine, you forgot being a ballerina, the next Martha Stewart, or the Prime Minister of Canada…

JB: I have to say none of the above… However I love F!!! I wanted to be a criminal lawyer.

SD: Growing up in the 80’s, the era of air guitar, big perms, and the super glam makeup that we saw Joan Collins, Madonna and the 80’s Supermodels rocking, were you the kind of girl that went through her mom’s and sisters’ makeup bags, trying every lipstick and eyeliner, or were you the type that could spend hours analyzing the family medicine cabinet, touching every bottle of face cream in awe?

JB: You won’t believe this, but I wasn’t. Which is why I dont wear makeup today. I never practiced the foundation, eyeliner etc. That said in grade 5 and 6, I got a perm.

It was horrible!

SD:When did you realize the importance of taking a good care of your skin?

JB: As a teenager. I was fortunate to have easy skin. I noticed all the skincare creams and potions Gillian had (my best friend’s mom).

As a teen, we were pretty addicted to Kool-Aid and Tang…

SD: I sure was addicted to Tang and Kool-Aid as a kid and early teenager.

JB: Gillian always emphasized how sugar would be harmful for our skin.

It got me thinking, maybe the Apricot scrub and the Noxzema wasn’t such a good thing.

SD: You made a 180 degree turn in your career when you launched your company around 2010. What was the turning point for you, leading you to make this courageous and bold decision?

JB: We acutally launched our first business in 2003, called Flip4.

This is where everything began with Max our LED device. In 2009, the world recession hurt us terribly. We made some very difficult decisions. We failed. Then, I decided to get up and open Bella. My first skincare clinic.

I thought, I have a trade skills, lets put them to use.

SD: What did you learn about empowering other women and beng confident from the strong women in your life, like your mother, maybe sisters, friends, daughters, teachers, and high profile personalities like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama?

JB: Working together, being there for each other is what counts without judgement. Everyone wants to be heard, acknowledged and loved. Even if we disagree. lifting each other up is what will change the world.

SD: Your mission in 2018 is to empower women. Can we have a sneek peak of what we may expect from the JB Skin Guru team this year?

JB: So much to come… but its all HUSH HUSH… The moment I can divulge I will let you know.

SD: This is my off-topic question. If you could throw the ultimate girlfriend party (please, can I be invited??), which songs would be your top 5 party songs to set the roof on fire?

JB: I am so bad at music and songs because I love everything…

Dancing Queen ABBA
Superwoman ALICIA KEYS
Run the world BEYONCE
Formation BEYONCE
Sisters are doing it for themselves EURYTHMICS

SD: I feel like the Skin Guru is a Queen B’s fan! That would be one heck of party.

SD: This generation of bloggers, web influencers and pop cultures junkies, like myself, want to bring this world a little more happiness, laughter, awareness, and altruism into every day, If you could choose one word of encouragement (or more if you want) to keep us going, what would it be?

JB: Authenticity

SD: Since I’m talking to the Skin Guru, I will ask some skincare advice. Here my list of questions. The first one is most important for skincare for a woman in her 30’s like myself in a living in a Montreal type of climate?

JB: Always wash you face every night, even if you are not wearing makeup.

SD: How do you balance acne treatment and aging treatment? Because they are opposite treatments?

JB: Well to be honest they are not opposite.

We have to look at the skin condition and then the skin type, make a list of priorities. Each section of the skin will be examined. From there we can tailor a bespoke approach.

It’s vital to look at the intrinsic and extrinsic causes.

SD: I am taking my next appointment to be pamper from the Skin Guru’s team for sure.

It’s so good to have a Skin Guru! We all need a guru in our life…

A Skin Guru in our life.

https://www.jbskinguru.com

Written by Sab Demosthenes

Haiti is not a shit holes

It’s not that often that I talk about politics but with what that person, the one representing the United States of America, said about (sorry about my language) shit holes such as Haiti is a total disgrace.

Why should we all be surprised by his remarks? It’s been one year of unintelligent comments, first class stupidity and embarrassment from this human being.

Haiti is such a beautiful country, which unfortunately has been unlucky lately.

Sometimes, the media only puts the spotlight on the misery and the poverty, but that’s not all Haiti is.

Like every country, we have some neighbourhoods that are struggling and others that are prospering.

The Haitians are a very resilient population.

My parents came to Canada in the 70s to have better opportunities during the Duvalier didacticism. Similar to many others that instead went to the United States, they had hoped for a better future for their future children in terms of the freedom to be educated and in some way, living the Canadian and American dream.

I was raised to love everyone and that we are all citizens of the same world. Yes, our world is not perfect but, come on, saying this type of comment and afterwards, denying it like an entitled child is unthinkable.

The saddest part is that he may not be the only one thinking like this. With that in mind, the future seems a little less optimistic.

Today marks the anniversary of the earthquake. It was such a devastating event. My thoughts go to the victims and their families.

I remember when George Clooney, in a very short time, organized the Hope for Haiti telethon. I was so moved by this initiative and I saw through my parents eyes the gratitude and a feeling of we (the Haitian population all around the world) were not forgotten.

I want to take this moment to reflect on this positivity even through this very dark cloud.

Let’s be grateful that the majority of people all around the world thought the comment of that person, the one representing the United States of America, was mean, cold-hearted, stupid, dumb and full of shit holes.

We are all better than that!

Right?

Kanpe Website

The Clooney Foundation Website

Not on our Watch Website

Written by Sab Demosthenes

The Chain-Snatching Phenomenon

Tonight, we will talk about an act that may cause depression or a violent reaction from some human being. The phenomenon of the chain-snatching will be tonight subject. Brought you our friendly collaborator The Educated Fool and myself, yours truly.

We will start with that question. As a kid, did you ever get your lunch morning stolen by this unpleasant little kid at school?

During the Broncos and the Raiders game, we did witness something similar like the example I just wrote. Two words. Chain-Snatching.

You may wonder what the heck is this chain-snatching thing? What is the deal?

Here a little resume of this phenomenon that has been here in our society for quite a while.

Back in the days, in the Afro-American culture (that I was born into), all the young men were really proud to show their chain. Even the Educated Fool aka my big brother was one of them. Sometimes, it was your mother’s chain you stole or borrow and never returned it. In the Hip-Hop culture, you must show some bling. And the majority of the time, the ‘’Bling’’ was shown on your chain .

So when someone is chain-snatching your precious piece of jewelry, it is a big sign of disrespect. The chain in our community back in the days is a sign of a so-called accomplishment of your wealth even if you are damn broke.

When the really unique football player, Aqib Talib did this act for a second time to Crabtree, hell break loose. The NFL suspended both players. And in the media, this phenomenon is like a thesis dissertation.

Clearly, it’s fascinating.

It wasn’t the first time we saw something like this. No, no and no.

We did witness this hmm let me put it in a nice politically correct manners way a Boondocks moment (an animated TV show that talk the everyday life in a very realistic way an Afro-American family).

The Educated Fool and myself spent many hours putting together the Top 5 Chain-Snatching moment. It’s been made in the most serious matters. Let’s not waste too much of our time and let’s cut to the chase.

Here the Top 5 of the most shocking chain snatching of all time:

Number 5

Michael Crabtee and Aqib Talib . The story started last year when Talib first did it and he wanted to do an encore presentation that he did it again last week.

Number 4

On the movie ‘’Friday’ Debo is jacking Red in this scene. Oh lord, I love that movie.

Classic scene from Friday movie

Number 3

On the TV show The Boondocks, Riley Freeman is getting his chain back after being robbed.

Riley’s Chain rap tribute video

Hilarious. Riley is one of the funniest character on television history.

Back to our countdown. I must say the two last ones of the list will be surprising and unexpected.

In our opinion, it was so hard to choose which one will be placed into number Uno. There were both the most traumatizing chain-snatching moments of all time.

On both occasions, the main character was a victim of this act. The must shocking thing is that it was all bunch of Caucasians middle-age dudes. Oh yes, you read it.

Number 2

The wrestler Undertaker snatched Hulk Hogan chain during Paul Bearer segment in the year 1991.

Epic promo! P.S. The king of Bling Ric Flair was there.

Like, it’s so ironic. The ultimate Rolex Rollin man was there.

Hogan, Taker and Flair segment in 1991 video

And the number 1 goes to Hulk Hogan (again just like Crabtee) and Andre the Giant at the Piper Pit (I miss the Piper Pit).

During that segment, you can see how cool Andre the Giant is with Bobby ‘’The Brain’’ Heenan. Jesse Ventura cannot stay still. This was the ultimate chain snatching moment.

Piper Pit with Hogan, Andre the Giant, Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper and The Brain video

With that educational post, you just realize that the chain snarking phenomenon is a multicultural phenomenon (and not just an Afro-American one).

So that why those men put so much proud into their chains and just don’t rob a chain. Even if it’s a fake one. Do not do it! I repeat, do not do it. Look because of it, two NFL players are in suspension this week and it’s just damn stupid. Oh well…

I hope you have enjoyed this little dissertation.

The Chronicle

The Chronicle

Everything in between

Advice for the young at heart

Legacies are never lost

What’s next for Stephanie McMahon?

Free as a bird

We call her the SKIN GURU

Haiti is not a shit holes

The Chain-Snatching Phenomenon