Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass Official Blog

MARCH MADNESS PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS!

Hello, Lovelies! It's time for some amazing prize giveaways (prizes listed below)! Four different ways to win:

EMAIL: To enter the Diamond Dallas Page/YRG Fitness contest, send an email to radio@divataunia.com with the subject "DDP Challenge!" Tell us your story, your fitness goals, your health goals. Five finalists will be selected and winner will be chosen by DDP and announced on the 3/29/10 show!

LISTEN: Tune in to The Backstage Pass Radio Program every Monday night from 7-8:30PM EST and be the right caller when the prize and # is announced: (347) 857-2052.

FOLLOW: on Twitter at twitter.com/divataunia to find out about secret prizes and ways to win!

COMMENT: on this March Madness blog entry to be entered into the 3/29/10 Massive March Madness Giveaway!

Prizes include (keep coming back to check as this will get continually updated):

3/8 show: Ellen Sirot's Hand Perfect Night Solution. A $75 value!

3/8 show: Secret Sephora giveaway!

3/15 show: Tinte Cosmetics Matchbook Kit!

3/15 show: From Wellness Alternatives: Sylk All Natural personal lubricant and the [G] female stimulation gel by Oceanus Naturals

3/29 BIG GIVEAWAY: Ellen Sirot's Hand Perfection Combo Package!

3/29 BIG GIVEAWAY: Tinte Cosmetics Matchbook Kit!

3/29 BIG GIVEAWAY: A complete YRG Fitness Program package including a weekly phone consultation with Diamond Dallas Page! (DDP will consult weekly with you IF you are putting in the work - that's a must!)

More prizes being added soon!

WHOO, LORDY! IT PAINS ME TO SAY THESE THINGS...

I WISH I COULD PASS ON OUR VOTES

If we can't win, then I wish we could pass on our votes to these two.  Even though it infuriates me that they're getting hateful comments, I LOVE that Crate and Barrel celebrates their love.  I do too.  Congratulations, Gregory and Jonathan!

READ ORIGINAL STORY FROM CHICAGOPRIDE.COM HERE

Gay couple endures hate in Crate & Barrel's wedding contest - by Amy Wooten, Wed. March 17, 2010

Chicago, IL — Despite hateful, anti-gay comments, a gay couple that entered Crate & Barrel's "Ultimate Wedding" contest continues to hold the #2 spot for most votes earned. 

The Northbrook-based company recently launched its inclusive "Ultimate Wedding" contest. Many couples have entered, including D.C.-area couple Gregory Jones and Jonathan Howard. Other same-sex couples are strong contenders, as well.

The couple's Crate & Barrel profile explains that they have had to endure hated from outsiders because of their love for one another. Howard is a hate crime survivor. A 2008 anti-gay attack left him severely injured.

Now, the couple is dealing with more anti-gay hate—this time on the Internet. According to GLAAD's blog, some individuals are angry that a gay couple is doing so well in the contest and responded with anti-gay blog posts and comments. A Chicago blogger who identifies as a police officer posted an especially anti-gay entry that has since been removed. Before it was removed, several people left hateful, bigoted comments.

On Howard's blog, he revealed that the couple considered dropping out of the contest following the anti-gay comments. However, they decided that by staying in the contest, they can help make a difference.

"We have the power to change society, we have the power to make a difference," Howard wrote.

Howard and Jones currently have over 8,800 votes, putting them in second place. A Chicago couple—a paralyzed police officer and his fiancé—lead the contest with over 17,500 votes so far.

GLAAD applauded Crate & Barrel for creating a gay-inclusive contest and the couple for taking a stand against hate.

The "Ultimate Wedding" grand prize is a $100,000 wedding planned and designed by Jo Gartin. The contest, which is open to both gay and straight couples, closes on March 31. The winners will be announced in April.

Visit Gregory and Jonathan's Ultimate Wedding Page HERE.

Visit Diva Taunia and Rob's Ultimate Wedding Page HERE.

HAPPY ST. BEER DAY!

NEW MUSIC REVIEW: JEN KEARNEY

Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion – What Music Should Sound Like by Guest Writer, Melinda

Let me preface this review by telling you that I am not normally one who goes for the whole artsy, rocker grrrl genre. Spin some Biggie or Jay-Z and I am ready to jam. I have always felt pretty comfortable with my limited musical tastes – that is ….until I opened Jen Kearney's website (www.jenkearney.com). W-T-F …. why didn't I know about this chick? She is absolutely amazing! I feel as though a whole new world of musical options has been opened to me care of Jen Kearney and her band, The Lost Onion.

Now, let's see if I can put this into terms that one with as little musical culture as I, can understand. I think of Kearney's sound as something like a cross between the vocal stylings of Fiona Apple and the musical talents of a more mature Tori Amos. (I hope I haven't offended anyone ...ya still with me, ok, perfect...) Some critics have even compared Jen's voice to Stevie Wonder, which I absolutely agree with (not to say that Fiona sounds like Stevie....hmm). Her biting lyrics such as “. . . Trudge as you may, Try as you might, Through the mud and the water, You claw and you bite, But you won’t let go of your greed...” coupled with smooth, funky, jazzy, instrumentation threw me into a musical trance that was only broken by a screaming child outside (I like kids ...really, I do...).

Putting all of my dated 90's references aside. You have got to check out Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion. Even if you think you don't normally dig this type of music … Kearney will change your mind. The group has put out three albums: Bravery (2002), Eat (206), and The Year of the Ox (2009). You can listen to many songs from these albums on the website, www.jenkearney.com. You can also purchase the albums at this site ...do it – buy them all. If you are lucky enough to live in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area, you can check out Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion every Monday night at Toad. If you live nearby and you don't attend – shame on you!

Now, crank up Kearney's “Warm Bath Eyes,” rock the stunna shades, and put a frosty Hurricane in your left hand (you will need your right hand free to snap along). Close your eyes and let the big jazz sound transport you to a street party in New Orleans. Can you hear it? Can you feel it? This is what jazzy, edgy, and soulful are supposed to sound like. Go on, get up...dance and be groovy!

I give this one 3 sips!

We've all heard it ..sip, sip, sip – Now I'll use the phrase in a way that doesn't annoy me:

Sip: Boooo

Sip, Sip: check it out, you might like it

Sip, Sip, Sip: WOOT!! You have got to try this!!

HELLO, 911? I'm calling in advance for a heart attack I'm planning.

Disclaimer: You should already know this, but I share because of my pop-culture type love of all things BACON. I am not condoning the practice of EATING BIG MOFO DONUTS. Although.

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

via www.meltingmama.net

Beth posted this and now all I can think about is donuts, bacon, and Paula Deen:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/the-ladys-brunch-burger/40245.html

"Hello, 911? Yes, I'm calling in advance for the cardiac arrest I'm going to be having once I'm done with this meal."

FAT HATE - SURPRISE, SUPRISE, IT'S HOWARD STERN

Just when I thought it wasn't possible to hate Howard Stern more than I already do:

Supermodel Iman's Daughter + Gastric Bypass

Zuleka Haywood, 31 year old daughter of Iman... the supermodel (and Dad was a very tall basketball player?) had gastric bypass surgery.  Proving that -- even genetically -- obesity can win out.   I can't find any decent before photos of Zulekha, but..

via www.meltingmama.net

Thanks to Beth / meltingmama.net for posting this. Some issues I've been struggling with for a while now...

ANTONIA'S WLS NPO SITE

For those of you who tuned into this past Monday's Backstage Pass Radio Program, you heard our WLS Lovely Feature, Antonia (antoniataketwo) talking about her new non-profit endeavor:  www.wlsnpo.org.

WLSNPO is a group of people from the WLS Community on You Tube, Face Book Twitter Etc. in the beginning stages of forming a NPO that will help our community  with our special needs.

WLSNPO is looking for volunteers from all over the world. If you know someone who has had or will be having weight loss surgery then please guide them to this web site.

We need volunteers with all types of skills here are just a few: 

• Grant Writers
• Volunteer Coordinators
• Bookkeepers
• Accountant
• Public Speakers
• Fundraisers
• PR and Marketing
• Social Media Marketers
• Data Entry
• Phone Callers
• Envelope Stuffers 
• Writers
• Researchers
• Event Planners
• Graphic Artists
• Web Site Developers
• Video Content Experts
• The list goes on....... 

Please be sure to stop by, say hello to Antonia, join the site, and participate in this great community!

TECH. TOKEN.

5J2EFCBQ6SGY

"LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX..."

Tomorrow night on The Backstage Pass Radio Program: "Let's Talk About Sex."  I think it's an important topic that's related to weight loss surgery and our bodies pre and post-surgery.  The pros, the cons, the good, the bad, the ugly...(Hey, someone has to talk about it!)

I am hoping to start interesting and engaging discussion about it in a very open, honest, and adult way (meaning, I don't want things to be getting randy or offensive).  I'd love some suggestions for discussion points that fall within this theme.  Feel free to post your suggestions here as a comment, or if you'd prefer to remain more anonymous, you can email them to radio@divataunia.com.

If anyone is brave enough to call in tomorrow night, the show starts at 7:00pm EST, and the call-in # is (347) 857-2052.  You can absolutely remain anonymous if you want.

Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated!

Cheers,