PentelAndPad: Pop Culture's Electronic Pen

REASON FOR ABSENCE & OFFICIAL GOODBYE……

PentelAndPad — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 03:28:11 +0000

HEY GUYS! So obviously I have not been updating in awhile. When I last posted, I was finishing my last semester at Hampton University, writing for the Bay Area News Group, and doing public relations for the National Brotherhood Alliance. A lot has changed! I am now a proud alumna of Hampton University. Amen!
Currently, I am still working with the NBA. Recently, I was given the honor of joining the staff of the bimonthly publication Goddess Magazine. Goddess lifestyle magazine written for urban young women ages 14-18. The inspirational magazine was launched in 2009 by Danielle Wideman. I am a huge advocate for young women and a supporter of media outlets that are building step-by-step to reach these women. I am proud to be a member!!

So……I feel like i’m in a new place in my life & career timeline. As a result, though I love PentelAndPad: Pop Culture’s Electronic Pen, I feel like I am in a new chapter in my life. Which translates into a new blog and a new brand. I’m excited about projects I am currently working on and the project I am working to launch.

THANK YOU for all of the positive feedback I received for over 2 years! I’m thankful for everything =] . It’s so weird knowing that this is officially my last post. But every ~~good~~ great adventure must come to a close to unfold into a new one. God is so good and I am beyond confident that I will always be under His wings. I’ll keep you all updated! Feel free to read some of my previous blogs & my previous posted links to my online freelanced stories. MISS YOU GUYS!!!!

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.” -Luke 2:10

Do you have Islamophobia?

PentelAndPad — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:33:10 +0000

During the lifetime of the United States’s existence, events have led many Americans to categorize the religion of Islam as a dangerous cult. On Thursday, CNN.com posted an open letter from Arsalan Iftikhar, an international human rights lawyer and founder of TheMuslimeGuy.com. In the post, Iftikhar states that populations of Americans have banded together to combat the Islamic faith. He also evaluates an epidemic he calls Islamophobia.

Here are a few excerpts:

“Islamophobia has become ridiculously out of hand. For those who argue that mosques are somehow inherently breeding grounds for extremism, a two-year joint study by Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and the University of North Carolina concluded that American ‘mosques are actually a deterrent to the spread of militant Islam and terrorism.”

“It saddens me to think that the infamous lunatic terrorist known as Osama bin Laden may be in a cave somewhere in central Asia laughing at us — and perhaps even mockingly referring to our beloved country as the United States of Islamophobia.”

You can read all of the article here .

Image courtesy of ahmetbarutdesign.com

California blazes possible trial for same-sex marriage

PentelAndPad — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 04:50:56 +0000

On Thursday Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker made his first public update regarding same-sex marriage in California.

Last week Judge Walker had called Proposition 8, an amendment that limited marriages to one between a man and a woman, unconstitutional. The Supreme Court of California had granted same-sex marriage licenses on June 16, 2008. However, it was halted on November 5 2008 with the passage of Prop 8.

Tila Tequila in campaign against Prop 8, Courtesy of adrant.com

Judge Walker has announced that he has decided to give gay marriage opponents until next Wednesday to ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block same-sex weddings while it decided on appeals. If the appeals court does not act, same-sex marriages can resume Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.

If the appeals court chooses not to get involved, Walker said county clerks may begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Halle Berry lends face to prestigious magazine

PentelAndPad — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:54:41 +0000

Courtesy of US Magazine

Actress Halle Berry,44, graces the September 2010 issue cover of Vogue. For the candid interview Jonathan Van Meter spends a few days riding around L.A. with Berry and shadows the actress as she enjoys a normal day. The actress revealed that she exercises extensively because she suffers from Diabetes, that she enjoys working with the domestic violence center Jenesse Center and how she felt the first time she thought she had lost her daughter in a store.

On why she has not interview in so long: “I was burned-out with having other people tell the story about me that they wanted to tell. I told my publicist, ‘I’m not going to talk anymore. I’m just going to live my life and be who I am.”

On why she accepted Vogue’s offer: “What that means for a woman of color and what that means in the fashion world, what that means to pop culture, there was no way I could say, ‘No, I’m not going to be on the biggest issue of the year.”

Biggest misperception about her?: “That I am this brooding, twisted, lovesick person who just can’t get it right in life. Every story about me is so heavy and dramatic. That’s not how I do life. But that’s the impression people have, and that’s what keeps getting reiterated. As if I’m still stuck in all the muck of the past. And I am so not.”

Courtesy of Vogue.com

‘Teen Chice Awards’ hit the streets, list of winners

PentelAndPad — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:03:14 +0000

Ashley Greene, Courtesy of Kineda.com

Yesterday, Fox Network’s Teen Choice Awards was held at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, Ca. The taped ceremony is scheduled to air tonight at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox. According to CBS.com, the awards, which honored categories of television, film, music and sports, were selected by more than 85 million votes cast online. The show was hosted by musical artist Katy Perry and the male cast members of “Glee.”

Some in attendance where Nicki Minaj and Lil Twist of Young Money, Miranda Cosgrove and Greyson Chance.

I have to say that when it came to coverage, I appreciated Latina Magazine’s list of their favorite Latinas and looks that attended the award show.

Winners from Timeslive.com

MOVIES
Choice Movie: Action Adventure
Sherlock Holmes

Choice Movie Actor: Action Adventure
Channing Tatum, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure
Rachel McAdams, Sherlock Holmes

Choice Movie: Sci-Fi
Avatar

Choice Movie: Liplock
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie: Fight
Mia Wasikowska vs. The Jabberwocky, Alice in Wonderland

Choice Movie: Hissy Fit
Miley Cyrus, The Last Song

Choice Movie: Chemistry
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie: Male Breakout
Liam Hemsworth, The Last Song

Choice Movie: Female Breakout
Taylor Swift, Valentine’s Day

Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer
Kellan Lutz, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie: Female Scene Stealer
Ashley Greene, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi
Sam Worthington, Avatar

Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi
Zoë Saldana, Avatar

Choice Movie: Fantasy
The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie Actor: Fantasy
Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie Actress: Fantasy
Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie: Drama
The Blind Side

Choice Movie Actor: Drama
Robert Pattinson, Remember Me

Choice Movie Actress: Drama
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Choice Movie: Romantic Comedy
Valentine’s Day

Choice Movie Actor: Romantic Comedy
Ashton Kutcher, Valentine’s Day

Choice Movie Actress: Romantic Comedy
Sandra Bullock, The Proposal

Choice Movie: Comedy
Date Night

Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
Ashton Kutcher, Killers

Choice Movie Actress: Comedy
Tina Fey, Date Night

Choice Movie: Horror/Thriller
Paranormal Activity

Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller
Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island

Choice Movie Actress: Horror/Thriller
Megan Fox, Jennifer’s Body

Choice Movie: Animated
Toy Story 3

Choice Movie: Villain
Rachelle Lefevre, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Choice Movie: Dance
Sandra Bullock and Betty White, The Proposal

Choice Summer Movie
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Choice Summer Movie Star: Male
Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Choice Summer Movie Star: Female
Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

TELEVISION
Choice TV Show: Drama
Gossip Girl

Choice TV Actor: Drama
Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl

Choice TV Actress: Drama
Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl

Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV Show: Action
NCIS: Los Angeles

Choice TV Actor: Action
Zachary Levi, Chuck

Choice TV Actress: Action
Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck

Choice TV Show: Comedy
Glee

Choice TV Actor: Comedy
Jonas Brothers, JONAS

Choice TV Actress: Comedy
Selena Gomez, Wizards of Waverly Place

Choice TV: Animated Show
Family Guy

Choice TV: Reality Show
Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Choice TV: Reality Competition Show
American Idol

Choice TV: Male Reality/Variety Star
Lee DeWyze, American Idol

Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star
The Kardashians, Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Choice TV: Villain
Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV: Personality
Ryan Seacrest

Choice TV: Breakout Show
The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer
Hilary Duff, Gossip Girl

Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer
Chris Colfer, Glee

Choice TV: Female Breakout Star
Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV: Male Breakout Star
Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV: Parental Unit
Mike O’Malley, Glee

Choice Summer TV Show
Pretty Little Liars

Choice Summer TV Star: Male
Ian Harding, Pretty Little Liars

Choice Summer TV Star: Female
Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars

MUSIC
Choice Music: Male Artist
Justin Bieber

Choice Music: Female Artist
Lady Gaga

Choice Music: Group
Selena Gomez & The Scene

Choice Music: Rap Artist
Eminem

Choice Music: R&B Artist
Beyoncé

Choice Music: Rock Group
Paramore

Choice Music: Male Country Artist
Keith Urban

Choice Music: Female Country Artist
Taylor Swift

Choice Music: Country Group
Lady Antebellum

Choice Music: Single
“California Gurls,” Katy Perry

Choice Music: Hook Up
“Airplanes,” B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams

Choice Music: Breakout Artist, Male
Justin Bieber

Choice Music: Breakout Artist, Female
Selena Gomez and The Scene

Choice Music: Love Song
“When I Look At You,” Miley Cyrus

Choice Music: R&B Track
“OMG,” Usher

Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track
“Love The Way You Lie,” Eminem featuring Rihanna

Choice Music: Rock Track
“Ignorance,” Paramore

Choice Music: Country Song
“Fifteen,” Taylor Swift

Choice Music: Album, Pop
“My World 2.0,” Justin Bieber

Choice Music: Album, Rock
“Brand New Eyes,” Paramore

Choice Music: Album, R&B
“Jason Derülo,” Jason Derülo

Choice Music: Album, Rap
“Relapse,” Eminem

Choice Music: Album, Country
“Fearless,” Taylor Swift

Choice Summer Music Star: Male
Justin Bieber

Choice Summer Music Star: Female
Lady Gaga

Choice Summer Music: Song
“California Gurls,” Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg

SPORTS
Choice Athlete: Male
David Beckham (soccer)

Choice Athlete: Female
Serena Williams (tennis)

Choice Action Sports Athlete: Male
Ryan Sheckler (skateboarding)

Choice Action Sports Athlete: Female
Maya Gabeira (surfing)

FASHION AND BEAUTY
Choice Male Hottie
Taylor Lautner

Choice Female Hottie
Megan Fox

Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon- Female
Selena Gomez

Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon-Male
Taylor Lautner

Choice: Celebrity Fashion Line
“Miley and Max,” Miley Cyrus and Max Azria

OTHER
Choice Comedian
Ellen DeGeneres

Choice Twit
Ellen DeGeneres

Choice Web Star
Shane Dawson

Choice Videogame
The Sims 3

Choice Smile
Taylor Lautner

Choice Activist
Shakira

Choice American Idol Alum
David Archuleta

Most Fanatic Fans
Twilight Cast

Q & A with upcoming songbird, new single

PentelAndPad — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:15:01 +0000

Courtesy of Facebook.com

Music is a passion pursued by many contenders. Some have used the respectable but get-quick path blazed by television shows such as “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent” and “Sunday’s Best.” However, one rising star is taking the old fashion route.

Jazmin Akea, born Jazmin Williams, is a young woman determined to make her mark as a singer and songwriter. The Washington, D.C. native and current Memphis, Tenn. resident has recently released a montage for her latest single “More Than Friends.” Her other singles include “The Only One” and “What You Like.” Her song “How Could You Hurt Me?” was produced by Recipe and written and arranged by Jazmin. The singer’s inspirations include Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Sade.

PentelAndPad: A young singer and a songwriter! Are you also balancing school?

Jazmin Akea: Attending the University Of Memphis. (I am a) senior international business major.

P: What’s going on in your music career right now? Touring locally? Working on album?

JA: I’m doing shows locally and working on features with artists in VA and TN. (I’m also) working on a mixtape.

P: When did you begin to sing and why?

JA: I began to sing and write at age 15 because I had an ongoing passion for music.

P: Where do you see yourself in five years?

JA: In five years, I see myself ghost writing for popular artists and performing internationally. I also wish to make donations to music programs across the country.

P: Anything you want people to know about you?

JA: I am working on new projects and am willing to diversify. I will be performing music in MS for upcoming shows.

Check out Jazmine’s new single “More Than Friends.”

http://www.myspace.com/jazminwilliams#ixzz0vPkIBuL2

Ah ha! Revealed, Korean-American actress once on MTV’s “Real World”

PentelAndPad — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:47:15 +0000

So, let me rant for a second. For the longest time I have been trying to put a name to a face! Bare with me.

Last week Director Zack Snyder showed the trailer of his next movie Sucker Punch at the Comic-Con International 2010 (huge comic book, gaming, anime, independent films convention) in San Diego. The movie is set for release on March 25, 2011.

Looking at pictures of the cast, which includes Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens and Jena Malone, I realized that one of the actresses looked familiar. I recognized her as Chi Chi from the 2009 movie Dragonball: Evolution. I remembered that the whole time I was watching Dragonball I was asking “Isn’t that the girl from MTV’s ‘Real World?” It bother me during the whole movie but after suffering through the movie I didn’t research.

Finally, after being reminded of this ghost I googled Sucker Punch, googled Dragonball: Evolution, googled “Real World” to find: She is Jamie Chung from season 14 “Real World: San Diego.” She also appeared on “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno 11.” Acting gigs include roles such as Sorority Row, Samurai Girl and Princess Protection Program. Reality star turned upcoming actress! Congrats! Stay with that talent agent, hunny! Yes! Now I can sleep at night!

Courtesy of wrestlingwrapup.com

Courtesy of contactmusic.com

One “Sister, Sister” twin gets engaged

PentelAndPad — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:32:24 +0000

Today CNN.com reported that actress Tamera Mowry, 32 is engaged to Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, 38. On July 29 E!Online reported that a “source” claimed Mowry’s family was against the engagement. However, actress’s representative released a statement saying “Tamera Mowry and her family are very proud to announce her recent, and first, engagement to Adam Housley.”

Housley popped the question last week in Venice, Italy.

Congrats! As a young woman who grew up watching Tamera and her family on television, I am excited to say the least.

A post-proposal photo posted on Twitter is below.

Courtsey of Twitter.com/@TameraMowryTwo

MTV’s “Jersey Shore” breaks a record one tan at a time

PentelAndPad — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:28:36 +0000

Fist pump!

According to media viewership measurement firm Nielsen Media Research, 5.3 million viewers tuned in for the Thursday night season premiere of the television show “Jersey Shore.” This accomplishment makes it MTV’s best season premiere since the season 2 of “The Osbournes” in 2002.

Last season’s “Jersey Shore” finale earned 4.8 million viewers.

Victoria Beckham, globally fashionable

PentelAndPad — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:14:19 +0000

Voguemag.com

Victoria Beckham graces the cover of the August 2010 issue of Vogue Turkey. The photography was done by photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

Courtesy of FashionMag.com