T Diddy :: Your Friendly Black Dentist

The summer months are the worst for finding any entertainment on TV. It is the repeat season for seasonal shows, sports come to an end, and the only thing really to watch is junk. Well, the great news is that my wife found the best junk around. She discovered Deion and Pilar on the Oxygen channel. Deion is Deion Sanders, the all-pro multi-sport athlete. This show is the diary of their life together. While it is obvious that both are clearly somewhat showing out for the camera, the dialog and cheesy witty lines Deion throws out consistently are worth a watch. One episode, he consistently tries to have sex with his wife while hiding from his kids. After failed attempts of trying to make love in his closet, which is bigger than my entire house, or in his daughter's room (yes, you read that correctly), they finally decide to make an appointment in their schedules. Deion proceeds to say, "I don't feel right to make an appointment to get some drawz." Clearly, with lines like this after the transpiring events, one cannot help but to laugh at the silliness. The problem is that as you criticize the show, you slowly become more engaged in the comedy and before you know it you set Tivo to record all the shows.
I do not give many recommendations, but I definitely recommend you view this wonderful show that will be sure to make you just laugh because it is intelligently stupid.

On March 18, this past Friday, I had the privilege to attend the Barack Obama rally in Philadelphia. I always knew that he would come and hold a rally in the city, but the question was a matter of when. Finally, the day had arrived after many conversations with Azaryas, a friend at dental school, about going to see him once he comes. The plan was set all we had to do was beat the crowds to ensure we get a good seat or place to stand. Well, it turned out better than one could have ever hoped.

I met Azaryas at 1:30 at the site of the event, Independence Mall. Earlier in the day, I visited a Obama campaign office to pick up tickets. Tickets were not required, but were necessary to get as close as possible. As expected, there was confusion about the logistics at the site. Nobody had the same answer for the question of where the line would begin. During our investigation, we learned that there were a different color ticket, which was of a higher class. These were blue and considered VIP.

We eventually found our way to the line for the tickets we had. Our tickets were orange and 2nd class. We were at the front of the line as people began to form a queue behind us. Also, there where you typical people who would be friendly to cut the line. After about 2 hours, we were 20 deep in the line. What can you do after you fight for so long trying to deny these people. Plus Azaryas and I were now distracted with our plan of acquiring the blue tickets.

Azaryas began to work a connection he had with a volunteer. He was gone for about 45 minutes as I battled the warm sun and the sneaky people cutting the line smiling. As my head beaded with the warm sweat, I saw a rally volunteer holding blue tickets. I walked up to him and said, "My friend and I our students from UPenn. We are studying to become doctors who are huge supporters of Obama. Would you be kind enough to give us 2 blue tickets?" I only throw out the UPenn card when I need it. I had to try as I have been following this race since Obama announced he would run. The problem I have, I admit, is that I have a crush on Obama. To my surprise, he said, "Sure!". The UPenn card work and to come to find out, he was an important volunteer as he was introduced on stage at the beginning of the event.

We my two blue tickets in hand, I called Azaryas and we made our way to the blue VIP ticket line. We were about 50 people deep. Time was ticking slow in the hot sun as we bashed Clinton with fellow Obamacrats standing in the line on the sidewalk. Again, he had the slick people cutting lines smiling. The line went from 2 people wide to about 20. Instead of being number 50 in line, we must have been about 150. What could we do? We don't want to be beggars as we got blue tickets. We were even so fortunate to get another for Azaryas' girlfriend, who met us after work. I am not going to complain about our fortune.

An announcement was made that the gates were about to open. Like the decent people of Philadelphia, they all made a rush for the gate. We went from 150 to about 250. However, on this great day, our fate was not going to be denied. Exactly where we were standing, a side gate opened. We bypassed all of the lovely people who decided to cut the line to be the first people to pass through the open security gate formed by the secret service. After the gate, we walked into an open empty lawn where the podium was located. The walk turned into a run as we secured our position directly behind the security fence 10 feet from the podium. We had front row seats! I was so hyped!

Come to find out, the rally at Independence Mall had an estimated 35,000 - 40,000 people. And I was front and center about to listen to a man who I think is one of the most inspirational of not only our time, but also in our history. He gave a brilliant speech and after the conclusion, he circled the gated area to shake hands. Yes, I shook hands with President Obama. I melted like the little girls do for Hannah Montana. I will never watch political news the same. In fact, my hand will never be the same because I refuse to wash it. What a magnificent experience!!

Do you see the sexy man in the gold shirt by the left corner of the podium?

It is official. I am a dad for 1 week as of today. It is awesome.