WHAT YOU SAID!! (03-03-09)

RIHANNA: To Testify for Brown?

Rihanna may be willing to testify that she was partially to blame for her violent argument with Chris Brown. A source tells MediaTakeOut-dot-com, "Rihanna doesn't want this to go any further. She will be speaking to [prosecutors] and -- if need be -- admit to her part in the [incident]."
Word is, now that prosecutors know that they won't be getting Rihanna's cooperation, they're close to offering Brown a plea deal. According to MediaTakeOut, he'd plead no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery in return for no time behind bars.
Meanwhile, Rihanna's father says he supports his daughter's decision to get back together with Brown. Ronald Fenty tells Us Weekly, "I love my daughter with whatever road she takes. I'm behind her win or lose." When asked what sort of fatherly advice he would give to Chris, Fenty replied, "I have no comment on Chris Brown." --


TYRESE: Divorce Court
A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Tyrese must pay ex-wife Norma Mitchell a lump sum of 65-thousand dollars as part of their divorce settlement. The singer had quietly filed for divorce from Mitchell, his wife of only 10 months, late last year. Under the temporary ruling, Tyrese must also pay Mitchell six-grand a month in child support, two-thousand a month to cover rent, and make her eight-hundred-dollar a month car payments. But she's not happy with the settlement, and is contesting the pre-nup.
The couple have a two-year-old daughter, Shayla. --


50 CENT: Ricky Headed to the Pizza Shop
50 Cent says Rick Ross will have to look for a new career soon. Fif' tells M-T-V, "You get a guy that was a correctional officer come out and base his entire career on writing material from a drug dealer's perspective. When he loses this [battle], he can't even go back to his day job because the correctional officers are upset that you wanted to portray that message. He's gonna work at the pizza shop when I'm done with him."
50 also questions Ross's claims that he wears Gucci clothing. "Gucci, they have a European cut that even I can't get into a lot of times -- so I'm sure there isn't anything in the whole store he can fit in outside of a scarf or maybe a hat." --


SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT: Etiquette Tips for Job Seekers

This recession is very different from any past recession because of technology. Job seekers can get to almost anyone at any time through social networks, text messaging and smart phones.
But, just because you can get to managers doesn't mean you should. There are new rules of etiquette that you need to respect.
Top staffing consultant Dave Willmer says, "You still have to present yourself well face-to-face in an interview, and you have to have good references. I think some job candidates lose sight of that because of all the technology options and capabilities that get your name out there."

Some Etiquette Tips:
Avoid E-mail blasts. Don't respond to every online job listing in your field. Instead, focus on those that fit the best.

Make a personal connection. When introducing yourself to a referral with an E-mail, make sure you type referrer's name in the subject line. This way, the manager is less likely to hit delete.

Land lines rule. When calling a prospective employer, always use a land line -- and call from a quiet place.