Happy Halloween from the Kids..........

Viva Las Vegas

Greetings from the Bellagio in Vegas! I finally decided to come out here on Sunday and flew in on Monday afternoon. I am playing in an all expense paid slot tournament( free room and food) and am having a blast with some fun,crazy friends from Salt Lake and San Diego and am actually winning!! I am sitting by the window looking at Paris, Planet Hollywood, the Flamingo Hilton and Bally's. Love the restaurants, neon and glitter nightlife and shopping out here. This is a great escape from Hotlanta. Life is good tonight!

Reliable Source Confirms Relationship between Atlanta Housewive and Lee Najjar

On Saturday night, I spent my birthday at a private club in Buckhead. "While there, I questioned some staff members to inquire whether any of the Atlanta Housewives were in fact members of the club. The answer was negative but a reliable source informed me that Kim Zolciak was a frequent guest of Lee Najjar and that she has a big ego problem and always dresses in poor taste....as we all know, all the money in the world cannot buy taste or class. So now I know that the rumors are in fact, reality!!

As the Beatles Sing...."They Say Its Your Birthday.."

This is a birthday weekend spectacular. It starts tomorrow night with the 40th birthday party for my friend Wine Aficionado. She is so smart, beautiful and fun and enjoys a great bottle of wine and we have thrown back a bottle or two.

Saturday is a double birthday celebration...the 16th birthday of Rock and Roller's daughter and the birthday of yours truly!! We are having a birthday dinner ( a table of my friends and family and a table of 16 year old girls) at the private club associated with and adjoining a very popular Atlanta restaurant which has about 6 or 7 of the best restaurants in town. This is probably the only exclusive club in which I am a charter member. I wonder if any of the Real Housewives of Atlanta are members.....I have never seen any of them there but I will find out tomorrow night if any one of the group is a member. I would venture to guess that Lee Najjar is a member. We shall find out.

I am booked for a flight to Vegas on Monday night for a Slot Tournament at the Bellagio. I still have not decided if I will go and all signs point to maybe. For the first time since 2001, not one client has paid its invoice this week and the cash flow sucks. Details to follow.

Bankruptcy Public Records of One of the Real Housewives of Atlanta

This is a matter of public record. The following appears on the Public Records from the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy of Lisa Wu Sweat( now Sharon Hartwell) on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. At the time she was married to music man Keith Sweat and was unsuccessful in making a movie entitled "Blackball".

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
IN THE MATTER OF: : CASE NUMBER: A05-67727-PWB
:
SHARON LISA SWEAT :
a/k/a LISA WU SWEAT :
a/k/a SHARON MILLETTE WU, ::
IN PROCEEDINGS UNDER
: CHAPTER 7 OF THE
Debtor. : BANKRUPTCY CODE
::
KEITH SWEAT, ::
Plaintiff ::
v. ::
SHARON LISA SWEAT : ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
a/k/a LISA WU SWEAT : NO. 05-6331
a/k/a SHARON MILLETTE WU, ::
Defendant. :
ORDER DENYING MOTION TO EXCLUDE ISSUE FROM PRETRIAL ORDER
On March 21, 2007, the Court conducted a pretrial conference with counsel for the
Plaintiff and counsel for the Debtor. In response to issues raised at the pretrial conference, the
Debtor has filed a motion to exclude from the proposed pretrial order the issue of whether the
2
Debtor fraudulently misappropriated the Plaintiff’s name and likeness. The Plaintiff opposes the
Debtor’s motion.
The following facts are undisputed according to the proposed pretrial order. The Debtor
is the ex-wife of the Plaintiff. The Debtor was and is the sole shareholder and director of Black
Ball, Inc., a Georgia corporation created for the purpose of holding and owning the movie, “Black
Ball.” The Plaintiff entered into a written agreement with the Debtor and Black Ball, Inc., whereby
he loaned the Debtor $150,000 to help fund production of the movie. The agreement contained
terms for repayment of the loan, as well as terms for the distribution of compensation of profits and
restrictions on the sale and licensing of the movie.
The Plaintiff contends that the Debtor and her distribution company entered into a
distribution agreement with another entity (which then entered into a second agreement with
another party) for the distribution and sale of the film without the Plaintiff’s permission. The
Plaintiff contends that the Debtor failed to obtain his written approval before entering into a
distribution agreement; wrongfully concealed from the Plaintiff the existence of these agreements;
failed to account for loan proceeds; concealed profits arising from the distribution agreement; and
made false and fraudulent statements pertaining to the sale and licensing of the movie. The Debtor
disputes the allegations and, inter alia, contends that she has received no compensation from the
movie and that the parties varied the terms of the agreement between themselves.
At issue is the Plaintiff’s inclusion of the question of whether the Debtor “fraudulently
misappropriated Plaintiff’s name and likeness” in the Plaintiff’s statement of legal issues to be
tried. The Plaintiff’s statement of the case also states that the Debtor “willfully and maliciously
misappropriated Plaintiff’s name in connection with the Movie and is not entitled to a discharge
under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6) based on the same.” The Debtor objects to this issue being included
3
(and, it follows, being litigated and tried) and contends that the inclusion of the Plaintiff’s name
in the credits as executive producer was appropriate and that the Plaintiff has not presented any
facts which support his position that the Debtor misappropriated his name and likeness.
If the Plaintiff had failed to properly plead this issue, thereby depriving the Debtor of the
ability to prepare a defense in anticipation of trial, the Debtor arguably would have a basis for
objecting to inclusion of this issue in the pretrial order. However, the Plaintiff’s complaint
sufficiently sets forth this claim as follows (Complaint, ¶ 34):
The debt owing Plaintiff is for and based, at least in part, upon the willful and
malicious injury by the Debtor to the Plaintiff or to the property of the
Plaintiff. For example and without limitation:
a. The Debtor has improperly associated the Plaintiff’s name with the Movie.
A factual dispute as to whether the Plaintiff can prove his claim is not a basis for
exclusion of the claim from the pretrial order. The time for filing a motion for summary judgment
expired prior to the submission of the pretrial order and the pretrial conference and it is clear that
even if such a motion was properly before the Court, based on the divergent versions of the facts
as reflected in the parties’ separate statements of the case included in the pretrial order, there are
genuine issues as to material facts. Based on the foregoing, the Court concludes that there is no
basis for excluding the issue of whether the Debtor fraudulently misappropriated Plaintiff’s name
and likeness in connection with the movie. Therefore, it is
ORDERED that the Debtor’s motion is denied.
The Clerk is directed to serve copies of this Order on counsel for the Plaintiff and
counsel for the Defendant.
End of Document

Does the Atlanta Magazine Blog Blow the Lid on Big Poppa?

The following blog entry appears on the Atlanta Magazine website and it alleges that Lee Najjar is "Big Poppa":

"Kim (Kimberleigh) Zolciak's "Big Poppa's" identity is all over the internet and confirmed by pausing the show while Kim is texting Sheree Whitfield outside of Blue Genes. "Big Poppa" is Atlanta's own MARRIED real estate developer Lee Najjar. His name and little "Miss You" messages are shown on her text message in-box on her cell phone. So now the question is what does Mrs. Najjara (Kimberly Najjar - convenient that first names are the same just spelled differently) have to say about this embarrassing situation? The sparks should be flying in Buckhead!"

One of her alleged friends answers with the following come back:

"Wow, you guys are a mess. I am a friend of Kims, I can assure you his name is not Lee. Kim's best friend growing up is Lee so Yes there probably is texting going on, but her FIANCEE is a CELEBRITY. not married in fact she is engaged. It will be funny to watch the show and see what America says when she gets a RING"....BarbaraPosted by: Barbara at 10/17/2008 8:49 PM

Celebgossipdotcom.com answers "burning questions" about the Real Housewives of Atlanta

The website http://www.celebgossipdotcom.com/ answers five "burning" questions about the Real Housewives of Atlanta including who is Big Poppa. Kudos to them for their investigative work!

"1.Who is Kim Zolciak’s sugar daddy “Big Poppa”? After reviewing episode one we caught a glimpse of the name “Lee” in one of Kim’s text messages. Then after much internet scrounging we think that Big Poppa might be real estate investor Lee Najjar.

2.Why is the daughter of famous boxer Evander Holyfield working as Sheree Whitfield’s personal assistant? Considering Holyfield’s recent financial problems reported by TMZ.com, which includes thousands in back child support payments, his daughter might be making a prudent career move by earning her own living.

3.Does DeShawn Snow actually do anything? You know, considering she has all that hired help including a chef, a nanny, and an estate manager. DeShawn founded and chairs the non-profit Deshawn Snow Foundation in 2005 that works with underprivileged and disadvantaged teenage girls between the ages of 11 and 17 to build self-esteem.

4.Will Sheree Whitfield’s soon-to-be ex-husband grant her the seven figure divorce settlement that she is hoping to receive? After watching Sheree drop money on designer clothes and shoes faster than a rapper at a strip club we sure hope she gets her millions and then some.

5.Who was Lisa Wu Hartwell’s first husband? After Lisa alluded to her first marriage not being a great situation, we just had to know who the sad sack was that didn’t spoon feed her chicken soup in bed like current hubby Ed. We were surprised to find out Lisa was married to R&B singer Keith Sweat and they have two sons, Justin and Jordan, together. And in case you’re wondering, you haven’t seen the boys on the show because Sweat refused to sign a waiver and allow his children to be exploited, according to sandrarose.com. Responsible parenting, we love it! "

Ripped Off in Parking Lot in Downtown Atlanta

Last week I had the daunting task of facing off with the Fulton County Tax Commissioner regarding my office property taxes. Actually, after 6 months of back and forth negotiations, I think my mission was accomplished. I parked in a lot down the street. I returned to the car and took out the money to pay for parking and the parking ticket.....the kind you have to slide into a machine to lift the gate for exit. A man approached my car and told me the fee was $10. I told him that it should be $8 as I handed him the $10 bill and the ticket. He said he was going to get the change. Meanwhile, he really hightails it across the street and disappears. As I handed him the ticket and I saw that my ticket was white and the other tickets that the guy held in his hand were yellow, I knew I was ripped off! Because I couldnt open the gate without the ticket, I couldn't leave and chase him. Other cars backed up behind me to exit but where unable to do so because I couldn't open the gate. I had to pay a $12 lost ticket fee to get out. So my misadventure in the lot, just a block from the Fulton County courthouse, cost me $22, I was so pissed off.... mostly at myself for being sucked into this scam! I speculate that the scam artist was a drunk bum doing this all over downtown Atlanta. He was kind of scrawny and I think that I could have taken him out!!

Morale of the story: Be aware of who you hand your parking ticket to when you leave a parking lot in downtown Atlanta. I wish I would have had the piece of mind to take a picture of the guy so I could share his face with everyone on the internet with a warning: WANTED IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA: PARKING LOT BANDIT!!

Real Housewives of Atlanta Hit the Town

Freddie O reports on his website that Neenee and Lisa were at Luckie in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday night to celebrate their narcissism and egocentricity. Why was Fantasia there partying with them? I have never been to Luckie. It is across the street from the Georgia Aquarium and the Union Mission/Salvation Army....homeless, fish and housewives all within one block.......hmmmmmmmmmmn.

Last night I went to the international conference of the non-profit I started in 1997. I was seated next to a very prominent Atlanta socialite and philanthropist. She is all over all of the society magazines. We dished about the Housewives. She lives on West Paces Ferry Road next to the Governor's Mansion , if you get the picture. The show should be about real Atlanta housewives like her who make a contribution to the city and are not obnoxious about their wealth. She described the housewives as vulgar. As mentioned, this Buckhead Betty is literally involved in every big charity event in town and has NEVER come across any of the housewives nor has she heard of their alleged "charitable foundations". Like me, she was nauseated by Kim's weave and the garish over the top party she threw for her 11 year old over made up daughter Brielle. Who spends $18,000 on an 11 year old's birthday party? And gives her a $1650 Louis Vuitton handbag? And a $2000 cake (which Kim complained about)? Why not give back to your community? The child was clealy unappreciative and spoiled! And what kind of mother leaves a room full of 11 year olds in a hotel room while she goes to have cocktails at the bar? The topper was when Kim announced that she was not going to pay the $5000 fee to the party planner. I hope the planner sued her or should I say Big Papa? More to follow............

What do Atlantans think of the Real Housewives of Atlanta?

The following article written by Phil Kloer in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Tuesday discusses the sentiments of real life Atlanta housewives about the "crass materialism" of the Real Housewive of Atlanta.

"The new reality series “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is getting taken to the woodshed by one group in particular: The real real housewives of Atlanta.
“It was a mess — the worst representation of women in Atlanta I’ve ever seen,” said Andrea Clark, a housewife in Hampton, south of Atlanta.
“I would not want to show my face in public after that,” she added.
“I just thought it was awful,” said Sherri Caldwell, a housewife in Virginia-Highlands and author of the book “The Rebel Housewife.”
“Incredibly distasteful,” added Marie Killory, an Atlanta mother of three.
The Bravo series, which debuted last week and continues tonight, follows five very wealthy women living in gated communities in the northern suburbs as they shop, spat and crow about their status.
“I consider myself among Atlanta’s wealthy elite,” Sheree Whitfield said in the first episode, as she threw herself a birthday party with security guarding the front door and a cake shaped like a huge Louis Vuitton purse. Her friend Kim Zolciak wrote a $68,000 personal check for a Cadillac Escalade, while another housewife, Deshawn Snow, took viewers on a tour of her 15,000-square-foot mansion and interviewed applicants for her staff.
Two are married to professional athletes, and a third is divorcing an athlete, seeking a “lump sum” in “seven figures.” Another appears to be supported by a man she calls “Big Poppa.”
The timing of a TV show that wallows in wealthy indulgence when millions are panicking about their financial futures struck some viewers as especially tacky.
“In this dreadful financial climate, it is particularly unbelievable to watch this level of conspicuous consumption,” Bethenny Frankel, who was one of the “Real Housewives of New York,” posted in a blog — one ostensibly set up to promote the series on Bravo’s Web site.
Frankel called the Atlanta series “ ‘Cribs’ meets ‘Jerry Springer.’ ”
Not everyone, though, had a negative reaction.
“ ‘Real Housewives’ is supposed to be over the top,” said Tomesha Lawrence, an East Cobb wife and mother of three. “We should give the show a chance.” Some posters on various blogs have said they will continue to watch, although terms like “hot mess” come up now and then.
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” is the third such reality series location for Bravo, following Orange County and New York. While those earlier shows focused on well-off women who were sometimes catty and superficial, the women chosen to represent Atlanta appeared to some to take those attributes to a new level.
And it paid off, at least at first. “Atlanta’s” first episode drew 656,000 viewers nationally, well ahead of Orange County’s and New York’s premieres, although nowhere like what a Bravo show such as “Project Runway” draws.
Allie Schellhammer, who stays home with her infant daughter in Atlanta, hadn’t even heard of the show, but was visiting her parents in Alpharetta and happened upon it while flipping through channels.
“One of the main themes was that money and what you wear is so important in Atlanta,” she recalled. “I felt like, oh no, everyone watching is going to think Atlanta is so superficial and materialistic.”
And why wouldn’t they? As Zolciak said last week, “I’m very materialistic. I could die tomorrow, and I want to be wearing Dior.”
Some real housewives of Atlanta pointed out that the show’s housewives did not even fit the title. Two of the “wives” are single, and there seems to be very little work shown on camera.
“They don’t even take care of the kids!” said Clark.
Caldwell used to live in Buckhead, and said she was friends with women who had expensive tastes and nannies for their children. “But it’s still not an accurate representation of housewives in Atlanta,” she said.
“That’s not the real women of Atlanta,” echoed Clark. “Not the women I know.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Cancel Atlanta Radio Appearance

I took copious notes during last night's The Real Housewives of Atlanta show. I was both entertained and sickened by the obnoxious housewives. I will transcribe my notes later but in the meantime, the following appeared on the sandrarose.com website this morning. It seems that the housewives are afraid to come out of their mcmansions due to possible "ambush". Read on !
"According to Atlanta’s V-103, this morning’s much-hyped appearance of the ‘Real Housewives of Atanta‘ cast on the #1 rated Frank & Wanda Morning Show was canceled because the cast members and Bravo felt the Morning Show’s on air personalities would “ambush” the ladies.
The Morning Show’s Frank Ski, Wanda Smith, Miss Sophia and the show’s producer Nina Brown and Ramona DeBreaux, vigorously and loudly defended themselves on the air.
According to Morning Show producer Nina Brown, Bravo called her and said, “from the experience the girls had at the radio station today with another person on the Morning Show [Miss Sophia]… it is in our best interests that we cancel this interview because they feel they will be ambushed.”
Nina responded, “We have had way more controversial people on our airwaves and we have not ambushed any of them.”

Later in the show, cast members Sheree Whitfield and Nene Leakes called into the studio to explain why they didn’t appear on the Frank & Wanda Morning Show this morning.
Nene expressed her hurt and dismay that Atlantans weren’t embracing the show and its cast. While Sheree continued to insist that she was portraying her real lifestyle on the show."

Update....the Flame is a Dud!

In May and June, I posted about a man for whom I had a huge kindergarden crush. He moved his office into my office building in June. He is a real charmer and schmoozer. Update: he has been in the office maybe 5 or 6 times since then. He still has not unpacked the boxes in his office and has not hung up the pictures sitting on the floor. The office has the feel of a frat house. I still do not know what kind of "monkey business" is going on in there but I would sure like to know.

Oh well, it was nice to have a crush on someone for a minute or two...to see that it is still possible.

However, the Flame is totally extinguished......it was fun while it lasted.

Ever Felt Like This Before?

I have not felt very sentimental lately....I think I blocked all emotions as much as possible since the loss of 3 friends this summer.....yes, since I last posted I lost one of my friends to a 6 month brutal battle with cancer. A visit to a hospice will put you in check before you know it.

Anyway, tonight I heard a quote on television which struck a chord:

"Can we just be us again?" I still have a sensory connection with this emotion....you date someone....you become an item..you fall in love..... you fight.....you break up and then it hits you....can we still be us again? Usually, no.

Tonight one of my friends told me that she is in contact with one of my exes to try to network on a business level. I guess she has forgotten that he is a total narcissist who only cares about himself and will do nothing to send business her way. I am curious to see how this unfolds.

Atlanta Insider Guide to Real Housewives of Atlanta..coming soon

The Real Housewives of Atlanta begins on Bravo next Tuesday at 9pm. I am going to offer a real Atlanta insider guide to the veracity/sleaze factor of this television show and the Sarah Palin loving housewives(posers). The following is an excerpt from the Bravo website regarding the show:

"An up-close and personal look at life in Hotlanta, The Real Housewives of Atlanta follows five glamorous Southern belles -- DeShawn, Kim, Lisa, NeNe, and Sheree -- as they balance motherhood, demanding careers and a fast-paced social calendar, and shows what life is like in the most exclusive areas of Atlanta. These driven and ambitious women prove that they're not just "housewives," but entrepreneurs, doting mothers and classy Southern women."

More to follow................