Random Bulls*it

It’s official, the world is ending. How do I know? Lil Wayne got EIGHT, count them EIGHT (use your toes if you have to) Grammy nominations! How the f*ck does Lil Wayne get EIGHT Grammy nominations?! That’s like Treach from Naughty by Nature getting 4 Oscar Nominations! Lil Wayne cant wrap a gift, let alone rap! He is no lyricist, by any stretch. Hell, Shaq could take him down with Sometimes I rhyme slow/Sometimes I rhyme quick/Wake up every morning /Shave my head with Bic! Are you serious! I thought the Latin Grammys was a train wreck, the regular Grammys is like a plane crashing into the train wreck next to the dynamite factory! The Grammys is now for the teeny boppers (Jonas Brothers, Myley Cyrus) and the untalented. There are no good music award shows anymore. American Music Awards may just be called the poor man’s Grammys, the public votes for that! And if the public loves Lil Wayne, you know the AMA’s will vote for anybody as Artist of the Year!

Does anyone find Sarah Silverman funny? I know there are people who do, she has a show on Comedy Central and it appears to be popular. There are comedians who take you to the edge, dangle you and pull you back, this chick jumps off the cliff, takes you with her and hopes she doesn’t bust her ass and yours in the process! I have tried to like her but she is outrageous with the crazy ass s*it that she says. I wonder what is the appeal of her comedy?

You can file this under “Couldn’t give a frog’s fat ass” but it appears that Al Reynolds (you know, formerly married to Star “I didn’t get my stomach stapled” Jones) is in a new relationship. Awww…boo who gives a s*it! Let me ask you, before his marriage did you know who the f*ck this guy was? If you did, let me know because the fact of his new relationship is in the news is continued proof that the world revolves around insignificant people and their insignificant lives talking about stuff that we can’t and probably don’t want to relate to.

You could file this one as well, I follow golf from time to time. I like watching the major tournaments, Ryder Cup (when the US plays against Europe) and I am trying to get back into some sort of playing shape. I was reading about Michelle Wie, the 19 year old phenom who’s career has hit a LONG skid. It is unfortunate when someone so young is pushed into the spotlight and they are not ready to deliver on their promise. She attended Stanford for a year before turning pro. After that, it was all a downhill series of royal blunders and f*ck ups. Most can be attributed to decision making by her as a player and some by bad advice from her parents. You have to wonder about kids in situations like this, they are getting pushed to be the best, sometimes before their appointed time. Add to that parents who want to remain in control, so much so that they don’t give their child good advice. This is probably due to being so caught up in the moment, thinking about all that paper the kid could make by hitting a small white ball while wearing REALLY loud clothing.

You ever meet someone on your job that you may not know so well and ask them what they do and they reply “Special Projects”. What the hell does that really mean? For all you know, they probably sit at their desk on the internet all day, chronically masturbating. Or worse, that person is like a trained assassin or something. What does a realty need an assassin for? Oh whatever, that was clearly off the top of my head via my ass. The “Special Projects” person is the one you really need to keep your eye on….don’t set your drink down near them at the company party. You don’t know where their hands have been or their new special project is to eliminate you….

Now that was REALLY random!!!

Are You Old School?

Who remembers that slogan a few years back when Classic Sports debuted on cable? I think that is a very applicable slogan in this day and age when so much is way different than one remembers. As of late, I have been spending a lot of time on YouTube since I can’t find a lot of old school music on iTunes. Talk about a walk down memory lane, some of those songs and videos took me BACK!!!

What qualifies you to be or what makes you old school? What does it mean to you to be old school?

Pimps? Damn, it's Hard Out Here For Everybody!

Good morning all, thought I would hit you with a blog rewind. I wrote this one on June 7, 2006 when the economy was crazy but not as hellish as it is now. Enjoy, hit you with some fresh out the oven blogs later...

No disrespect to pimps (shout outs to Pimpin Ken and Bishop Magic Don Juan) but I went to Wal-Mart last night and I observed people shopping as I was and I saw the faces of sticker shock. I mean wages are flat (ain't nobody getting a raise and some of us work all the time!) and everything is steadily going up! Even the prospect of education which is supposed to mean a better standard of living is out of reach. We have to incur massive debt just to work hard enough to get by, in the words of Johnny "Guitar" Watson..."Aint that a Bitch"! But really, if you think about the song and I know you saw "Pimps up, Hos Down" is it really hard out here for a pimp? Technically, they ain't doing shit!!! I guess it is hard out here for a pimp to give orders! It is hard out here for the poor man!

Submitted for your disapproval:

1. The last couple of weeks, I was noticing that gas had got down to aroung 2.60 a gallon. I got excited, my heart started beating wildly in my chest, I started to sweat and I got a bit lightheaded. Could we see gas under 2.00 a gallon soon I thought? Actually, I was under the influence of the fumes of the 10% Ethanol in the gas as I pumped $25 into my 4 cylinder Sentra. So I guess I was high for once in my life. Those oil company executives should be shot...yet another example of pimpery at it's finest. As soon as we all make the money, we go running to the pumps for gas so it's like payout to the oil pimps.

2. I haven't seen this many bank robberies in the news since I was a child. I thought bank robbery was played out considering the technology that aids police in catching the thieves (ask the cell phone bandit about that...dumbass!!) and CSI has us believing we can extract DNA from anything and voila...I GOT YO ASS!! It's got to be pretty tight out here when you walk into a bank in the middle of summer with a gun, a sweatshirt and pantyhose on your head looking to run off with a sack of dough!

3. How about Lay and Skilling at Enron? Now you either have to be a heartless SOB or just plain greedy to do what they did to those people. The working man don't stand a chance. You make better time keeping your nest egg in a Mason jar under your mattress with a pit bull standing guard instead of investing. The man will find a way to get his and get yours. And after the verdict was read, how about one of them still insisted he was innocent and plans to appeal? If I was a member of the press corps and I heard that ignant ass shit (yes, not ignornant...ignant) I would have taken my microphone and knocked the cowboy shit out of him!

MC Hammer said it best, We got to pray just to make it today. Which makes me wonder...is it hard out here for Hammer too?

Athletes Behaving Badly

They say that death occurs in threes, how about ignorant ass actions by overpaid athletes? Well the only prominent things that had happened recently was Stephon Marbury acting like a pure ass so he can get the hell out of New York. I guess he wants to join his career and game where ever the hell they relocated to! Of course the main talk out of the Big Apple has been Plaxico Burress (AKA: Big Billy Bad Ass) shooting himself in a Manhattan club. Manhattan? Really? I didn’t know it was that serious in Manhattan. What was he protecting himself from, getting mugged by Real Estate Brokers? I am sure he was thinking “This is bulls*it” after he got out of the hospital to go turn himself in.

The last person that I was thinking about was Adam Jones (AKA: Pacman) who is on his LAST chance in the NFL to not be thuggish when he is not playing football. He came out of college with so much potential, he was super talented but damn I guess no one outside of West Virginia University knew he secretly wanted to be a gangsta. Pacman is now back with the Cowboys and I know everyone who loves that team is praying he doesn’t f*ck up this time or its LIFETIME BAN!!!

What I find interesting about all of these stories can be summed up in one saying; “Money Talks, Baloney Walks”. Stephon Marbury will more than likely get traded to another team, but why don’t you try going on your job tomorrow, talk s*it about your co-workers and tell your boss what you ain’t going to do. Chances are you will be unemployed for a while as opposed to Marbury who will get signed by another team almost immediately and get a nice check to boot. The little man doesn’t have a chance and the ones with money and means don’t know how to act. Maybe being broke and working has some advantages! Happy Tuesday!

A Trip to Haterville

I was having drinks with a friend the other evening and we got to talking about work. I told her that I like my job, don’t love it but it is much better than my last job which I hated with a passion. It wasn’t the job so much, just a couple of people and the bulls*it I had to put up with from them.  She told me why she no longer worked for the organization that I worked for. We both began there almost a year ago in different departments. Within several months due to turnover, she was promoted to a better position, more pay and more responsibility. She went from being at the beck and call of doctors and nurses to more or less calling shots.  That caused tension from some of the nurses and it began a big game of he said, she said. Unfortunately in the process of trying to vindicate herself, she broke a company rule and her boss had to let her go.

I do not believe that anyone’s job is better than anyone else’s. However, I don’t understand how a person with a college degree, professional licensing and the ability to control life or death through their actions can HATE on someone who is trying to better themselves and just happen to be in the right place at the right time and inherits a promotion.

Her situation sounded like what I went through before I went back to school. I was hired at a “prominent” HBCU as a researcher in 2003. I had expressed an interest in teaching and within my first few months, an opportunity presented itself. I received the endorsement of my boss to teach and do lab work and things went along fine. At the beginning of our work relationship, things were cordial and fine. I shared work that I had done with my students and I felt like I had a good repoire with them.  As I think back over the things the then chair of our department said to me, it appears that my boss and her co-investigator who are both PhD educated somehow felt threatened by a man with a Master’s degree who had goals of being professionally educated as well. 

By year 2, they isolated me and made me look like I was the dead weight in the lab. Instead of talking to me about what they perceived to be a problem, they just decided to can me at my next evaluation. Now dont get me wrong, I admit I was not a perfect employee, but some of the accusations were downright outrageous. I had the backing of the Chair and the Dean although they were poweless to do anything about the situation. Out of all of this, it hurt that my own people did this to me. We are hateful and hurtful to each other as African-Americans at all levels of society; academia is much, much worse. It makes NO sense that someone at the top of the ladder should feel like that guy climbing the ladder, who took advantage of a great opportunity is a threat to their standing. How does that work?

It has taken me some time to get over that situation and for my friend I am sure that some aspects of her experience will take some time to get past. I have always believed that Karma is a b*tch, what you reap is what you sow.  I believe that we both gave our best on our jobs only to get railroaded by hateful people. If you treat others with respect, that will go so much further in the long run. All I know is that somewhere down the line, karma is ready to jump up and beat down some punk ass haters. As the beat down commences, you will hear Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” in the background. We are still here and despite the circumstances of the past, we are here standing stronger and smarter than ever.

Class Dismissed…

Oh No! Look At Who They Let In the Backdoor...

It’s official…Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State! Just when you thought it was safe to venture the streets of DC again, now she’s back in the picture. I really don’t know how to feel about this pick, she is qualified but is she the MOST qualified for this position at this time? Obama seems to think so, he has stated that he has the utmost confidence in her abilities and feels that this selection shows his commitment to having members of his cabinet who are allies and those who may give opposing viewpoints.

Hillary does have the experience to reach out and work with others and that will work highly in her favor. What about the Middle East? How well will she be received there, especially in this crucial junction where the balance is so delicate these days? It would appear that Condolezza Rice was received well so maybe Hillary will get a heroes welcome. This pick will play itself out over the next few weeks leading up to the inauguration and into the first 100 days of the Obama administration. All I can see and hear until then will be all of the Conservative windbags bitching, moaning and stirring the pot behind this. As I like to say, stay tuned because as I write this blog I am scratching my head and wondering what the hell…

P.S., I Love You Mary J. Blige...

Speaking of Mary J, I must take this opportunity to express my love for you not only as a singer but as a super fine sista. One of the most memorable performances I remember from Mary is an early one on In Living Color. Yeah, I know what you are thinking…In Living Color…REALLY??!! Yeah, but it wasn’t the performance so much, she was doing “You Remind Me”, it was what she was wearing; A nice skintight body suit with some Doc Marten looking boots. Damn, I so wanted to be that catsuit…it was like she was wearing nothing at all!

Outside of the sexiness, she can honestly sing and is one of the few R&B artists who accomplish looking good and have talent (Ashanti take note and just give it up!!!). As I mentioned previously, Mary and Jill Scott are the only two artists that I possess all of their albums (except for one from Mary, but I am working on that). Mary, could you pull the catsuit out one more time and maybe a nicer boot to go with it…PLEASE!!!!!

Have You Had Your Pain Today?

I am a big Mary J. Blige fan; I have all but one of her albums. She has evolved greatly over her career as a singer and as a person. The major theme of her music has been the pain that she had to deal with growing into womanhood as well as those pressures after the fact. Add onto that the pressure of success after her career took off and that makes for a lot of stuff to write and sing about on her albums. But then that great day occurred, she found happiness through religion, a good relationship and I suspect some rehab. Then the music changed, it got lighter and happier. I am not someone who wants to see anyone suffer for any reason but my gf pointed out to me that since she has been happier, her music hasn’t been as good.

Does this mean that pain makes for better music?

Let’s think about that question for a minute. Take yourself back, if you don’t have a proper frame of reference, think about all of the movies you have seen about music groups (i.e.: The Five Heartbeats, The Temptations movie etc.) and reflect on the question. What are the common themes that these groups share? Love of music, talent, some members had tough upbringings but became successful, gave back and helped their families. Think about just that for a minute, the pain of just rising to being a success is good for at least three albums (in between writing some sweet booty getting ballads),

What happens after the success? As Biggie so eloquently put it “Mo money, mo problems”. These singers have reached heights that they could only dream about and now they have new elements of life (good and bad) that they now indulge in. Some singers continue to give back and live a positive lifestyle. Others want to life the wildest, craziest life possible with fast cars, faster women and the best drugs and alcohol money can buy. In the recording studio, there are more scenarios to write about and record as the artist(s) attempt to snort drugs off any flat surface they can find. On the flip side, some do this because it is an escape from being famous and it ultimately leads to an untimely demise. Or their demise comes from the drugs, alcohol as fuel to the fire (bad drug deal, getting robbed, getting shot because the drugs and/or alcohol told them they could be Big Billy Bad Ass etc) the permutations of scenarios just go on and on.

It seems to me not much has changed in regards to pain being a catalyst to writing music, I just think some of the more obvious aspects of this have, like smoking a joint live in concert or performing blitzed out of your mind. There is another aspect of this that hasn’t been discussed and that is how current music is affected, more specifically Hip-Hop. Pain has been a part of this genre for a while but it seems to be a part of it more so now. Maybe that is why Hip-Hop is in trouble, the trends that we see reflect a larger problem of the African-American community in pain. When the music goes from banging out beats on a park bench and rapping about partying and what neighborhood you rep to how many kilos you pushed and your gang affiliation is problematic and reflects the breakdown of fundamental institutions which bind us a people. At the heart of all of this is pain in many forms from childhood, upbringing and adulthood for many African-Americans.

Should we continue to buy into this pain by supporting these artists?

That is a difficult question. On one hand since Lil Wayne is what is hot right now the question that I just posed will not enter anyone’s mind. Most who listen to Lil Wayne are REALLY not thinking that deeply about the problems of our people (correct me if I am wrong but if this were false, maybe Hip-Hop wouldn’t be such a cluster f*ck).

On the other hand, isn’t it time for us to take this into our own hands and say ENOUGH of bulls*it hip-hop? I don’t know about you, but I am sick of all of these so called “experts” getting together for discussions which lead us to the same conclusions that we already know that the music and the trends it produces are toxic to our community, especially our youth.

One thing is certain, as long as there is pain and baggage, there will be songs to write and stories to be told. Will this be the ultimate form of dealing with your problems? Sure, we as consumers will be listening to an ongoing counseling session that WE are paying for, not the artist.

Hope you had a great thanksgiving, next stop Christmas!!!

Class dismissed…

Who remembers this...

Ok all my peeps out there, raise your hand if you had a Big Wheel growing up! Were these joints not the bomb! You tried to ride this sucker long after you got too big for it! I hated giving mine up...a tricycle!!! WTF!!! You did wild crazy manuvers with big wheels, rode down hills, up the sidewalk like a freakin mad person on this thing! Thinking back, I think I went through 3 or 4 because all that hard riding led to cracked tires! My brother was worse, he used to ride his through our basketball game and when he did, my cousin would throw the ball at him while he was making that quick get away! Ah, memories!!

Excuse me, can I redeem this after I kick your ass? Hummp Day Rewind

I had something...then I go to work and damn I cant find it! I am talking about my topics for blogging today. They will return soon enough and I have sometime tonight to sit down and give a nice blog that hopefully will not be about politics...but I always say that lately in light of the election and the results. As I always say...stay tuned! So in my ongoing effort to catalog my old blogs, here is a hummp day rewind for you! It is a short one, I had a thought about something and voila!!! Enjoy!

I think we all should write our congressman and senators to create and pass a bill where as a United States citizen in addition to all of the rights inherent in citizenship, we should also be given ONE Get out of Jail Free Card. The card has stipulations, the most primary or important one being that this card cannot get you out of anything that is premeditated, it has to be a spur of the moment type thing...like when your boss finally pushes you to the edge and you just cannot deal and you just decide to go upside their head just to prove a point that you are not to be f*cked with and they were wrong for ever pushing your buttons in the first place. I mean the card works great in Monopoly, maybe it could work in real life?

Livin' for the Weekend...The Week in Review (My 25th entry on Blogger!)

I saw Dunkin Doughnuts bag on the ground today and I thought, are they are still around? Dunkin Doughnuts are the worst doughnuts on earth! How do they stay in business? Seriously, if you f*ck up a Blueberry muffin you should not be in business! Simply awful, Krispy Kreme needs to get to my town quick! Bruce Bruce was right, when you see that Hot Now sign come on, you almost cause an accident trying to change lanes to get there!

While awaiting election results, my remote control ADD started acting up and I was flipping channels. BET was covering the election results. Let me repeat that...BET was covering the election results. One word to describe this...embarassing! First of all, I have never seen such a large panel of no-names assembled ever in life (Jeff Johnson with this braids and baby hair edge-up was hosting), Second, they interviewed folks who in my opinion were out of their element (in fairness, CNN interviewed Will.i.Am virtually and I could have cared less what he thought, he sucks anyway!), Third, Why did Toure look like a broke ass Fonzworth Bentley? I think he knew he was going to be on TV, wear a suit and tie and if a hair cut is not in plan, smooth out the naps in the fro dude! His jacket looked like it didnt fit, with one button fastened. Fourth, their electoral map was on a board with pictures tacked on of the candidate and the state they won. I think the board was left over from Walter Chronkite's coverage of the 68' election! Nonetheless entertaining but it makes me wonder, why bother? I would have appreciated it more if they just covered the outcome and Obama's acceptance speech. Harsh huh...

McCain's consession speech was classy, someone made the comment that he isnt as big of an ass afterall. I agree, in 2000 he appeared to be the guy until Bush railroaded him. Only thing, he had to be a douche to get elected and that along with Palin dragging his ticket down it cost him. Well and W played a big role in this as well, but I think we all knew that! His crowd was a bunch of punk ass sore losers! I still dont think he has done enough to quiet their discontent over Obama. I think he will have to do more to address this issue and soon!

During and after the election of Obama, I have seen a couple of Conservatives who have surprisingly approached this positively. William Bennett, former Education Secretary said on CNN during the returns that Obama's election does show that there is and was never a Bradley efffect, it shows that we have made progress in this country but we cannot forget the past transgressions as we move forward into this new chapter. I was floored, the average conservative feels that whenever a black person makes it that automatically means racism is dead and that we need to "get over it" and stop being a "victim". I hate that, I had a friend who would always give me that argument when we debated politics growing up. I wonder if he still feels that way? It's ironic, he is a minority as well but as I would always say to him is that he would be better accepted in those circles than I ever would. Then on the View yesterday Elizabeth Hasselbeck, America's most tortured conservative said that she would support our new President. I about fell out of my chair when I heard that! I think not much more can be said to that but stay tuned!

I am trying hard to avoid as much news as I can at least until the inaugration. They are going to cover, discuss and scrutinize everything Obama does until then. If the man rips a fart, I think Dana Bash from CNN will remote live to discuss smell, loudness factor and collateral damage to the environment and his underwear! Geez, there are other things going on in the world like hoping W doesnt embarass us in his remaining 70+ days in office! We do have 70+ more days to add to the Bush lexicon, maybe he will create or mispronounce a few more words for us. I know a few English teachers have died from his poor grammar and speech.

This week, aside from the election has been a real cluster f*ck! I like (not love) my job, being a problem solver when alot of stuff goes wrong in a short period of time sucks! I think the only blessing is that my night call has been almost non-existant. (I am knocking on wood as I say that) I guess some alcohol consumption is in order...it's Throwdown Thursday and the Real Men Council is meeting...The Real Men (not the ROC Boys) are in the building tonight!! I think that will be a good way to blow off some steam, try to get reoriented and my head back on track at work and HOME! Lately I have been mentally and physically tired... the physical was from treking to San Diego a couple of weeks ago for a conference and you know once you get used to a new time zone, it is time to go back to your time zone. I wasnt dragging as much as I thought I would be, but it did take its toll. Getting back into the flow of work wasnt too bad, I just hate coming back to things that you thought were getting done and they turn out to be still outstanding. The mental has been a combo of work and home, I just come home drained. Then I want to relax knowing I need to continue my academic persuits and trying to keep happiness and peace in a long distance relationship is tough. Lately, we have been seeing each other quite often, alot due to football season but it is hard. I knew it would be, but sometimes it gets me down a bit. I am used to having my gf around (for better or for worse) but having someone there is always the more preferred option. But whatever it's worth, living here a long distance is better than being single in alot of respects.

San Diego was a great town, lots to do although I didnt feel like I had alot of time (the conference was jam packed and I had to present a poster) and my hotel was near nothing. I did meet some cool folks from other organizations and schools and the networking was awesome! And what is a conference without great swag! I got lots of pens, bags and a coffee cup that I have been rocking hard!

The Gaslamp district is where it's at, just bring alot of money because it is an expensive town! Lots of great restaurants but you will pay a grip for some grub! I would like to go back, the weather was great and I went off-peak so that was a plus. I would designate San Diego a good getaway to escape the fall or winter blahs, if just for a moment. Traveling has me thinking more about where I want to go in 2009. Hell, I wish i could go to Vegas early next year! Maybe a couple (or three) vacations may be in order in 09!

Thanks for hitting me up, i'll holla! Class dismissed...

Dial 'O': Change is here!

Today I arose from bed, went through my morning routine as usual. It seemed like another ordinary day, the difference is that yesterday America stood up and elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States and the FIRST African-American to hold that office. Honestly, I am filled with so many emotions right now that it is hard for me to express how this moment makes me feel. Naturally I am proud, proud that America despite it's past has chosen its leader based on his promise and ability to lead. I am grateful to be alive for this moment, that my parents are still here and many of those who never thought this day would ever come.

What's next? President-Elect Obama has monumental challenges and lots of promises to keep. He also bears the weight of many as he enters the highest office. How did we get here? Faith is how we got here, the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We hoped, dreamed and prayed for this event and for this man. That should not stop today since he has been elected, it must continue from ALL of us! Together we said Yes We Can and We DID, now as our new President stated last night, the real work begins for ALL Americans, we must come together for as another great President from Illinois stated, a house divided against itself CANNOT stand!It's time to reach out and restore the hope, promise and reputation of our country. We dialed 'O' for change...get ready and stay prayed up for our new prez!

T-Pain...Kill Yourself!

This guy is a f*ckin walking minstrel show! Hmmm, I wonder who's worse him or Flava Flav. Well as much as I hate to say it, at least Flava Flav has a few women around him (A FEW) who look like something who are throwing themselves at him. (How f*cked up is that!!) Hey T-Pain, I heard you just bought a hearse. Put it to use, kill yourself and get in it!

Sports Round-up

Just a quick shout out to all today! World Series starts tonight and the Devil Rays are favored to take the crown. It is good to see the Phillies back in the Fall (Winter) Classic again! Been a Phils and Orioles fan since I was a kid who sat and watched baseball for hours. I wanted to be the starting shortstop for the Phils, but a couple line drives upside the head drove me to basketball!!

Prediction: Las Vegas and most experts are taking the Rays, I am going with the Phils in 6. Let me remind you that I am only as casual observer of baseball these days so if I am wrong...go to hell!!

We are one day from the start of the college football weekend and ESPN will have a SEC/Big East match-up with Auburn visiting West Virginia. I know Rich Rodriguez is probably thinking taking the money and running to Michigan was a mistake while longtime assistant Bill Stewart who took his place at West Virginia would probably like to be an assistant again!

Prediction: SEC is the class of the conferences this year; Auburn 24 WV 7

NBA and College BB back soon. Maybe I will follow College at least a bit closer this year but we will see. As for the NBA, can the 3 amigos and the Celtics repeat? That would be sweet! Kobe Bryant should go to Europe or hell...either one is fine by me. (Expect a blog for him if he decides to act like an ass anytime soon!)

No comment on the Dallas Cowboys...just keep feeding them the rope....

I'll holla back later, have a good remaining hummp day!

Joe Lieberman Needs to Kill Himself...

So many Joes are on the s*it list these days! Now we focus our attention on Joe Lieberman, former Democratic Senator from Connecticut now Independent and Senate weasel. He endorses John McCain, and this makes you a true Independent? I know he is HOPING like hell that McCain wins the election! You know the s*it storm he is getting now, if Obama wins and the Senate increases their Democratic seat gains he will be lucky if he gets to chair the Senate Social Committee, let alone a Standing Committee. Mr. Senator, just do us all a favor....

How many folks have to die for you to look fly? A Public Service Announcement

One of the things that drives me absolutely batty are bad drivers! Man if the interior of my car could read back me when I am behind the wheel...ohh such horrible, horrible language! I think there is one person a bit worse and that's my gf. Where she lives, people get downright nasty and she was flicking folks off once in traffic. I freaked, she was like "oh, that guy is like 80!" I told her that I dont give a s*it, dont do that while I am in the car with you! I am so not trying to get a cap peeled off in my ass, old folks shoot too!

I was reminded of more bad driving moves this morning. On my way to work, I was stopped at the light waiting to make a right turn. I glanced into my rearview mirror and saw a woman stopping behind me and she was applying lipstick! Are you kidding me, I so hate it when folks are driving and combing their hair, applying makeup and shaving! Yes, shaving..,. I saw a guy once all up in his rearview driving and using his electric shaver. He was driving with his knees because both of his hands were occupied shaving. I am constantly asking myself, "Where is a cop when you need one, this motherf*cker needs to be pulled over and tickteted!"

This is not a man or woman problem, this is a people issue! What can you do to avoid killing someone while handling your grooming? Get you ass up early and get yourself together or got to work early and handle that. I dont want you digging yourself out of my trunk or someone else's for that matter. So please, dont dress yourself, apply makeup or shave while you drive. Humanity will appreciate you more for that. Thanks for your consideration. This has been a PSA for your own good.

The GOP and the Terrorist Vote

Today has been very busy, two incidents that needed monitoring (one that required management and documentation) made for a crazy Monday that went by kind of quick. The countdown begins, off to San Diego for a conference on Saturday. A long awaited working vacation (probably more vacation than work) which will be good for me right about now.

Everytime I want to blog, this freakin election keeps creeping into my space! A piece of me will be so glad when it is over but I have a bad feeling about all of the potential outcomes. First, as crazy as all of the rhetoric has been you know Skeletor and Gov. Dumbass are going to try to steal this one like ol boy W stole 2. Once we get through all of that then we have to assess what we have to put up with for the next 4, either those two continuing the do-nothing of the last 8 years or getting Barack and PRAYING that nothing happens to him. The GOP has done a great job in stirring up the nut job wing, yet the constantly deny that they had nothing to do with it.

It always intrigues me how the GOP talks so much about terrorists, terrorism etc and put so much emphasis on either "Islamic Terrorism or someone like William Ayers who was a counterculture revolutionary from the 1960's. I guess the GOP forgot about Oklahoma City April 1995 where an American Citizen killed innocent people to send a message about his dislike of the government. I have said over and over that it is imperative that we put our focus back into Afganistan to stop the Taliban and catch Bin Laden but where is the real emphasis on cracking down on real home grown terrorist threats? I guess since Todd Palin was involved in a group that wanted to seceed Alaska from the U.S., maybe that would look bad for the GOP to address REAL terrorism. Since the early periods of our country's history, terrorism has been present. As we became more organized and "civil", this sort of terrorism (Racial=KKK) has been addressed, decried but nothing has been done about it.

In a post 9/11 world, we now focus our attention to making sure that the perpetrators pay the ultimate price for their evil act. The problem now is that the rhetoric has become a referendum on Christian, Democratic beliefs being superior to all beliefs thus setting the stage for more angry attacks by people who actually believe that FOX News is fair and balanced. I hate FOX News, it is the worse thing to happen to our country simply because it broadcasts it's bulls*it to people who CANT THINK FOR THEMSELVES!! It amazes me how many people take what is dished out on that network and accept it as gospel truth. Dont get me wrong, I watch the news to be informed (although that is occuring less and less in all media outlets these days) but I actually take the time to process what I hear and try to discern what is relevant and what isn't. These are the folks who want to believe that Obama's affillations are relevant. Really? Do tell!!!

It is these same people who fervently back the GOP, scream idiotic threats at their rallies and pass around Obama Bucks in their GOP meetings. Did you hear about that one? So it appears that a Los Angeles GOP group thought this was "not racist" and funny to pass these around. On CNN, they interviewed a black member of the group and she looked like someone f*cked her cat! She was so hurt, but I wonder was she really that surprised? Yet another lost, black soul...Black Republicans need to realize your values may be the same but the GOP DONT LIKE YOU!!! Just because you moved on up, they still believe that you are the "affirmative action case." Sadly enough, another case of terrorizing voters to believe they will be better off with the GOP and that the black man cant get it done.

So who are the real, relevant terrorists in this country? Seems like if anyone is hanging with and stirring up terrorist sentiments it is the GOP.

Joe The Plumber needs to Kill Himself...

In brief, I watched some of last night's debate, just wasnt in the mood for that BS. I am all debated out and I knew it would get low brow and 3rd grade after a while and it did. At this point, if you dont know who you are voting for, kill yourself. This one isnt that hard to figure out. You either want something different or something old and crazy! One thing I need to get off my chest though is Joe the Plumber. Basically lets just say it, we KNOW who he's voting for! He's not voting for the brotha, him and half of the pop drinkin Midwest! Especially after FOX News decides to spin his encounter with Barack into a case of "he didnt give you a straight answer." And have you read his veiled responses to last night's debate...yeah he's on board for McCain! I basically say f*ck Joe the plumber, 250,000 a year! He must do alot of weekend work!

P.S., I Love you Sade....

Today has been crazy, you know that it takes one thing to mess up your day right? I had to reschedule a meeting for today and at the time I was rescheduling, I mentally reminded myself that I had an appointment today during lunch. So afterwards, I would go to lunch and head back to my desk and back to the grind stone. Why did I remember the appointment at 12:10 and ran to the appt, running into the brother of a HS classmate. (who invited me to a tailgate tomorrow...whoo hoo!) I guess something can be said for timing! Anyhoo, I forgot that I was listening to Sade's Greatest Hits album on my iPod in my office and started to think where the hell is she!!! I kept hearing rumors that she had a new album coming out in 2007, but of course that didn't happen! Who wasn't in love with Sade back in the day! If you weren't, check to make sure you have balls!!

What is there not to love about a super fine sista who could sing. Damn, I wouldn't mind having her sing to me all night. (You heard me, all night! We can do everything else in the morning!) Sade, where are you girl...and why havent you returned my calls!!! I am going to look into the where are you now file and see when (and if) she is dropping some new stuff. I need me a Sade fix!

Wildin out Wednesday: Blog rewind...yeah...yeah the Diddy Remix!

Working on that new blog but thought I would remix one for you. This is from Sept 25, 2006, I featured one of my poems in this one. I have always enjoyed writing, even as a young man in school. I had a teacher who strongly encouraged my creativity and I had lots of it. I dont think much has changed in that regard but I have less time to sit in front of a computer and write my novels that I have started. I even have a couple of screenplay ideas that me and my ex were working on together but they sit in my laptop stagnant. I just hope no one pisses on these ideas before I can finish them. I never considered myself a writer of poetry, I would try but nothing ever sounded right. What I have come to realize is one needs inspiration...a muse if you will. So mine came from women (those I had met), life experience and well....SEX! Just keeping it real! If you are good, maybe I will dip into the raunchy collection sometime. Instead, here is my ode to my favorite thing...Music. In my last relationship, I was the music expert and my ex was the movie guru. In addition to her obsessive love of football, it was perfect! Funny how some stuff just doesnt quite work out. Here is the rewind:

Yesterday I downloaded some new music for my iPod and when I went to bed I was listening to the music intently and it reminded me of times gone by. The good, the bad, the parties and even the alone times (like now). Lately as I ride the bus back and forth across grounds at school, the bus has been my time to listen to music, reflect, be entertained and as of late I have figured out some things about myself. As I sang Domino by Van Morrison, I thought about one of a few poems I wrote and thought I would share. I really never wrote alot of poetry because I never thought I was any good at it. But one thing I have learned, emotion is your best liquor for writing poetry. When you are in love, everything is so much more vibrant, brighter and sweeter. When love leaves, you can feed off of that pain, hurt and despair. Well because of both of those scenarios, I now have a bit of a small poetry collection. And I have managed to write a poem or two I guess you could say on the fly with just the raw emotion of the moment guiding my brain, heart and pen. I have recieved some good feedback and this wasn't one of my best, I think you may get what I am saying. Enjoy:

Music
Music swirls around in my head
Many descriptions
Many sights
Many sounds
Years and decades gone by
Folks have stepped onto Terra Firma
Many have exited
Others have crossed my path
What were you doing when?
OMD told us what they would become
“If you leave”
When did you fall in love with hip-hop?
In the park
Probably one of the top 10 hottest
Summers I can remember
And that stupid DJ
At my family reunion in Pennsylvania
Sure, his music was the bomb
But his sound effects
And his mic skills were wack
If only I could download
What is in my mind
Onto a CD
These would be some of the best
Memories of all time
Maybe that’s why
I love music so much

WKG 7/22/03©

For more log onto:
www.thesepoemssuck.com

The Real Men Council

You may or may not have noticed that I am co-writing a new blog with my good friend Uniqpoet. Unfortunately, blogger has temporarily shut us down because their system thought our blog was a spam blog. I have requested twice for a review and I hope we will be back at you shortly. And we were about to get into another interesting conversation! The Real Men Council came about from our conversations that we would have amongst the guys on "Real Men Mondays". Well since it is moving about, "Real Men Mondays" are just now Real Men "fill in the blank with the day". It is a cool outing, just the fellas getting together for laughs and real talk about being single, involved or married brothas in Central Virginia. I hope as does Uniqpoet that our blog hopes to ask funny and stimulating questions about life and all of it's ups and downs. I just wanted to get that out in case you have tried to look at the blog or saw it and didnt want to touch it. When it gets back going, please touch it...we would greatly appreciate it. Meanwhile I am trying to get some stuff together in my head for a new blog...hopefully the debate tonight wont piss me off and you get yet another political blog but stay tuned. Hope your Tuesday is going smooth...I like to call it Tepid Tuesday. On to Wildin' out Wednesday! I'll holla!!!

I'm No Meterologist, But It's Raining BITCHES!!!!

Conservative pundancy is funny s*it, their one line is always to put the blame on all of the country's problems on the shoulders of "liberals" and minorities. With the Vice-Presidential debate last night, Conservatives began bellyaching in advance since they werent sure if Sarah "Stuck on Stupid" Palin was going to come through in a pinch for the home team. Their complaint was not against Obama/Biden but against the moderator Gwen Ifill and a book that she is writing. The book as I am sure you have heard by now is about Politics and Race relating to this historic candidacy of Barack Obama. Michelle Malkin, conservative lighning rod and general all-around blow hard b*tch wrote about this in an op-ed piece at the beginning of the week. Her analysis of the significance of Ifill's upcoming book (due to be released on Inaguration Day) was another rotten egg in the nest of conservatism. It amazes me how and why newspapers still carry her op-ed column. She has been dropped from a number of newspapers across the country including my hometown The Virginian-Pilot .

When she got dropped, one of the editors commented that her discourse does not actually add anything vital to political discussion. In other words, she is basically Ann Coulter, just the Asian version. And to top it all off, she is so self-hating, she told someone that she is not Asian but she is American! Ok, test that theory, go to the deep south and talk to a redneck and see what he calls you. I am sure it will not be American and it wont be a nice name you get called! She is the one who started the whole outrage with Rachel Ray and the scarf that she wore in the Dunkin Doughuts commercial saying the scarf was a terrorist scarf. Now I admit that I cant stand Rachel Ray and her damn EVOO but a terrroist scarf? I think Michelle Malkin forgot to take her crazy pills that morning. So yor contribution to political writing is comparing a Food Network star and her wardrobe for an ad to a terrorist? Get f*cking real, how about this...KILL YOURSELF!!!

Speaking of others who should off themselves, Sarah Palin officially crossed over into bitch land last night! How can you smirk and then start spouting off all of that folksy bulls*it after Biden almost lost it when he talked about his family tragedy? I hate to say it but if that bitch gets in office as VP, we have officially become the dumbest nation on earth! Help me understand how voting on your values is going to lower gas prices, pay for your kids to go to college and help you pay your mortgage? Biden held his cool and got the job done, I hope her got through to independent voters (how they dont know at this point is amazing!) that you should get with Joe and not the bubble head!

Poor Gwen, she was shook last night. All of that hullballoo about her book (which she has not even written the chapter on Obama yet...for the record) really took her off her game. She let Palin get away with her usuall game of duck the question and vomit GOP talking points. Some think this is the last time she will moderate a debate. I disagree, she may sit on the bench for a bit but I think Gwen Ifill will be back in the game, she is a good and respected journalist who had a bad night due to some folks getting their panties in a twist.

How about this, can we stop this downpour of bitchiness!!!!

People are Sheep...

People are always saying that our society is going to hell in a handbasket. With the way things are going now with the economy, the current state of politics, an uncertain future with an upcoming election, just a general disregard for life and decency you can say that and it has been said for a long time now. We know the things I just mentioned are occuring on a macro level, I sometimes take note of the micro level things that signal the disintergration of society. For example, in a previous blog I mentioned how people who dont add up to a hill of beans get alot of attention for what they say, do or dont say and do. As of late, Jenny McCarthy has been getting alot of press about her struggle as the parent of an autistic child. The gyst of her book as I understand it is that she believes that immunizations caused her child to be autistic. I think her book and subsequent campaign to tell her story and TV appearances could be leading alot of people down a very slippery and dangerous path.

As a public health professional, I am very concerned with the informational overload that is available to parents about immunizations. Just think, you can go on the internet and pick a link and read everything you want to (or many not want to) know about immunization. The problem with this is simply who is the source of the information? Now before I go on, I empathize with Jenny McCarthy and her child, they are both helpless in this situation because autism strikes without warning and no one can do much about it if it is not diagnosed early. From what I have read and seen, the odds of becoming autistic from an immunization is very low. Your odds of getting measles, whooping cough or polio (which is in the process of being eradicated) are much greater in comparision.

So what's my point? Jenny McCarthy has every right to tell her story, I would urge any parent who hears her story to not be caught up emotionally by what she has to say and join the ever expanding bandwagon of new age parents who have elected not to immunize their children. I think children in this day and age who are unimmunized are so much more susceptible to more than I was (and most kids) create a harm and risk to other children around them. You may not know this, but cases of measles and whooping cough are on the rise worldwide. Now honestly, if I had a parent come to me with a child with whooping cough and I was a pediatrician, I would have to pull off my belt and beat the cowboy s*it out of the parent! Kids cannot do more that what you provide for them...period! What you do in those early years will have an impact greater than what you could ever imagine. Dont be lead from doing what is right, ask questions of those who have the knowledge and can give you straight answers about risk vs. reward. If your pediatrician cant give you the right answers, speak with someone who can or go to the Vaccine Education Center of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for comprehensize answers. Because I dont want you to not have healthy children (if you have them) or as the title of the blog suggests, a victim of the follow the "leader" mentality.

How many crazy ass fashion and pop culture fads have come about due to this type of mentality? I always joke that if I was a famous Puffy-like media mogul, rapper, whatever I would test that theory by showing up for an interview in construction gear and then see how long it would take to see if every fool in the club raided Home Depot to get dressed for the evening! You got guys in the club sippin on Hennssey wearing a hard hat, tool belt and red shaded work goggles. We gotta stop bowing down to the media and find new role models...better yet we need to find those who are revelant, smart and are worthy of emulation. I remember growing up that I admired singers, sports heroes, I didnt want to be them. Thank God for that because as you grew up, you found out how f*cked up they were! Kids today want to be T.I., Jay-Z, PacMan Jones instead of looking up to them (although that is probably as dangerous!!). I wanted to be like my parents, family members and those in my community who were positive, those I knew, had access to and could relate to me. I think that is the missing link, there arent good role models and thus we have a somewhat lost generation. Shows like TMZ, The Insider and even once good Entertainment Tonight need to be shot and buried, they continue to slap us in the face with celebrity ignorance and irrelevance. Kill the messenger, the sheep can run free to think for themselves! Later...i'm runnin like OJ!!!

Stand Up

I dont believe that this is the first post for September, the damn month is almost over! I guess time flies when you are having fun (or getting your ass handed to you...which ever applies). I reached the 36 plateau a little over a week ago, time for introspection and thankfulness. Introspection about where I have been, what I have seen and experienced. It hasnt been a bad ride, I just know that it keeps getting better even when it seems like things arent. Thankfullness because there are so many of us who arent here and in reality they should be. As the saying goes: Do not regret getting old, many are denied the priviledge.

I had a chance to get home to see my folks, my brother and family. When I get home, I so miss the familiarity of place. Living in Charlottesville for almost 2.5 years, I know where some stuff is, but Hampton Roads is tattooed (figuratively) in my mind and on my heart and soul. Believe in the power of the 7!!! (757..STAND UP!!!). Ok, had to get that out..thank you for indulging even if you didnt have a clue what the hell I was talking about. Just go look it up on Wikipedia or something!! LOL! Things have changed so much, but they still have the same feel. Maybe I might not get back there anytime soon, but when (and if I get back) it is on like Donkey Kong!!! Believe that!

I went to church at my home parish and when I left, I saw folks in the neighborhood with Obama signs in their yards. This election, when you look at it has generated so much emotion, good and bad. So many African-Americans are excited about electing one of their own to the White House and will be at the polls to cast their vote on Nov. 4th. But what about those who just arent excited about this in any way, shape or form? You know what I am talking about, that friend or family member who says..."I dont vote, the government is going to do what it wants to do. My vote doesn't mean anything." I think it would be hard pressed for me to feel that way, being a student of history and the signifcance of what a vote means to me as a black man in America.

My parents were young adults during the Civil Rights Movement. Even before the change in law in this country began occuring, they told me first hand accounts of experiencing going downtown and not being able to use the restroom. Think about that, apply it to today's standard. You go to your favorite mall or shopping center and you cant use the facilities? Your money is good here, but our bathrooms are off-limits to you, denial of the simplest of amenities. Hearing that and knowing the history that occured made me so aware of what sacrifices people made and what others had to endure so I can go to the poll on Nov 4th and cast a vote. It really boggles my mind that our young people are so apolitical, their thoughts are that since we have "won" the civil right movement that everything is good and they dont have to keep fighting. Nothing could be further from the truth as we well know.

I am not saying that all of our young people feel this way. Remember the massive turnout in support of the Jena 6? I bet those rednecks never thought that they would have seen so many young black folks ever in life! But that is the point I am trying to make, why dont they show up in mass like that on election day? If we (unfortunately) subtract from the population the high numbers of our young who have been or are incarcerated, we have a voice that could potentially be one that could shake the political establishment.

Things are so much more open nowadays, but that does not mean that racism does not exist. Growing up when I did, about 20+ years after the Civil Rights Movement there was progress but I experienced overt and covert racism. Overt is of course obvious, covert is so hard to see and even harder to understand especially when you are young and believe that things are equal. Since that time, we have seen unprecendented events where African-Americans have risen to the heights of politics, business and other fields of endeavour. These accomplishments give us hope in the promise of America. However, when we refuse as a society (especially those in control of our society) to acknowledge that there are forces which still resist change, we remain stagnant and false hope is the message that is sent to our minority youth.

I dont have all the answers, I just know what I see. Hip-hop has declined into a quagmire of violence and mysogony which is seen by some as normal. I have never been one to blame any problem on music of any type, but it is not helping to motivate this generation politically or uplifting them. Music is an outlet, if someone has a tough life then what they expose themselves to should be inspiring them to something better and not inspriring them to engage in what seems to be "the good life"(being gangster, not wanting to advance oneself). Who do they turn to in order to see that positivity is beneficial, especially in a society where no matter what good may come, many will still believe that blackness is negative? I pray that on Nov 4th we decide that enough is enough and Obama's presence as a positive force will inspire us to elect him and inspire us to strive higher...onward and upward. Make like autumn and be cool!

Mental Doo-Doo

Warning: This blog may be a bit more raw than normal. I may say a few things that may be a bit offensive, shocking or both. Proceed at your own risk...

I was talking with my gf who is a High School teacher and I was saying to her that I noticed something while I was driving to work one morning. Is it me or has the "short yellow bus" now become a regular sized bus? That is so not a ringing endorsement of education in our country. But I am a believer in public schools, the government does not put enough resources into our schools to make sure students get a world class education. Where does that begin? Well how about paying teachers a salary they actually can live off of so they can come to work and get some things done. That would be a good start. Oh yeah, and these new aged "helicopter parents", how about you put the fear of God in your kids so they can go in, learn something and not be spoiled brats in the classroom. All of this pressure we are putting on kids to go to Harvard, Yale etc., damn can your kids live!!!!!

The education piece does lead a bit into politics, I am so flabbergasted that the Republicans are behind giving vouchers so lower-middle class families can send their kids to private school? Wow, are you kidding me? I went to private school and guess how I got there...my parents WORKED THEIR ASSES OFF so I could go. It is ironic that the same party in the 1980's led by Ronald Reagan began a big blitz of personal responsibility campaigns where Republican Tucker Carlson-like douchebags in their seersucker suits and bow ties can look down the noses of anyone who worked for a living while these jackasses snorted coke, fucked someone else's wife and sat on their ass and make illegal money on the stock market. I am all for personal responsibility, we would be a much better society if everyone pulled their weight. But what happened to "pulling yourself up by your bootstrap" mentality of the 80's Republican? Is the voucher thing what we call "compassionate conservatism"? Hey, lets give all the poor folks about a grand so their kids can escape failing schools and make themselves better. Something is wrong with that logic: 1. How about taking that money and FIX the failing school(s). No, instead lets bleed money from the schools so kids can go somewhere else! STUPID!!! 2. How far can $1000 take you in private school? I think that will cover the first week, after that, your FUCKED!!!!!

Had to get that out...whew! Well night one of the DNC was interesting, Michelle-O was wonderful and she got rave reviews across the board for her speech. Of course you know that the conservatives had to give the company line about her speech so naturally they had nothing positive to contribute. I really try not to hear what they have to say, although it is good to hear both sides of a debate. What is grinding my gears are these IDIOT Clinton supporters who are threatning to either vote for McCain or not vote at all. If I had any say into that decision, I would say not vote and do me another favor. On Nov 6th, get all the sex you can get. Then on Nov.7th, instead of staying home, go to the hospital and get your tubes tied or get that Vas-D snipped....I so do not want any of you to reproduce ever again in life!! Fucking morons, they are so against Obama they will go vote for McCain. Well, I say if you do just stay on that side of the house! Seems to be working well for Joe Liberman! It amazes me that cons hate that guy and he is for McCain! This election unfortunately is and will continue to bring out alot of ugly truths, truths that alot of us still refuse to accept that race is squarely the main issue. So if it isn't his politics Clinton supporters, what you got left. Obama is a democrat, he is a man, he is a black man...help me understand the hang-up.

McCain has been comical and I am not referring to his late night TV appearances. Those ads are funny and seeing him sitting on his bus with a LARGE cup of Starbucks is quite hilarious! I mean do we really need someone his age overcaffinated and standing near the nuclear launch button? I dont think someone that old should drive or be President. Now, I revere and respect our elders in our society, but hey know your limits. At least McCain rides a bus, I dont think his popularity points would increase if he had to drive. Can you imagine that, him driving a car with his bumper stickers in the left lane of the interstate at 45MPH with the right blinker just going off...not sexy! Wasn't Captain John Smith his first commanding officer in the Navy? And yes, he knew Pocahontas...I bet he poked that hot ass! I jest about his age but this election is just beginning and I am hoping that we start to see how race even in teh most critical election in many years continues to divide us and maybe, just maybe we can become that united vision that Michelle-O talked about last night. This blog took an unexpected turn, will revisit as necessary...thanks for tuning in!

Takin them heads back...nah son, nah!

I have a blog on Yahoo 360, Yahoo's social experiement in trying to create community. After about 3 years, the whole idea has fizzled as I have watched friends fall by the wayside, delete their accounts and sporadic logons. I think I wrote some really good blogs there and I think it will take me a minute to get back up to speed with good, clever writing here on blogger. So for now, enjoy one of my favs from November 2006:

The Cussin blog or Cursing is for motherf*ckers who can't express themselves

I sometimes tell people that I speak three languages, Spanish, English and Profanity. I like to think I am fluent in the last 2. The argument is that people who curse are not able to express themselves in a constructive manner. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, I think it takes a really creative mind to string together a good line of four letter words in order to get ones point across. Think about it, we know people who curse just for the sake of cursing and those who can curse with a "purpose" and can clearly get their point across. Hell, if you are really good about it you may have folks scared to come near you because they think you are crazy. Confused? Let me provide an illustration to show what I am talking about. Lets look at a conversation between two people: we'll call them Jack and Jill.

Jack: Hey Jill, I had some Ice Cream sandwiches in the freezer were there any left?

Jill: Yeah, there was one left

Jack: I guess you ate it?

Jill: Yeah

Jack: I really had my mouth set on an Ice Cream Sandwich

Jill: Well, you can get some more.

Boring conversation, wasn't it? Now lets look at the cursing version of this conversation:

Jack: Hey Jill, I had some Ice Cream sandwiches in the freezer were there any left?

Jill: Yeah, what there was one left. What the fuck about it!

Jack: Shit! I guess you ate that last one!

Jill: Hell Yeah!

Jack: Well damn! I really had my mouth set on an Ice Cream Sandwich you greedy bitch!

Jill: Well, man up and carry your punk ass to the store and buy another fuckin box!

I think Jack and Jill really cleared the air and resolved their issues over said ice cream sandwich in that converation. What do you think? So in summary, dont think of cursing as being unable to effectively express yourself. Instead think of the four letter word as the pepper or salt of your everyday language. We can use cursing to wake up the flavor of our communication, better get our points across when used effectively and can be used as a very efficient way to provide a protective barrier by establishing that you are not to be fucked with.

Insignifcance wins again...

I find it funny that the most insignficant people are the ones that garner the most attention. For example, what is Yahoo's obsession with playing the video of Brooke Hogan giving her views on having a woman for president? If it werent for her dad having his show, she would be just another unknown child of a famous person. (in this case a famous person who should carry his ass home, thus also making him insignificant as well.) Why do we care what Brooke Hogan thinks? Shouldnt we be listening to folks who have something intelligent, insightful and positive to say? There are alot of people who we could theoretically lump into this category, most would think that most (if not all) professional athletes should go into this category. I think that there are plenty of athletes, entertainers et al who are good at their craft and donate positively to society. There is however, a point in time where after being in the spotlight for a while that you should realize that you no longer have alot of significance to the current slate of movements and conversations that are occuring in society. When you get out of your lane in these situations, that is where I think alot of famous people get in trouble. Notice that alot of actors, actresses, writers, thinkers and athletes sometimes fade into obscurity. Obscurity is not completely bad, these folks know their role and that role is not to contribute to the ongoing trend of self-servitude that alot of insignificant people engage in. Plus, if we want to hear good insight on politics, current events etc. consult with a Wolf Blitzer not New York or Brooke Hogan for that matter. Our society's continued focus on celebrity and their attempts at stepping outside of what they know best to offer insight continues to drive our society to increased levels of ineptitude and brain numbness.

Early Retirement=Unpatriotic?

Getting dressed in the morning for work provides alot of different entertainment on the TV. Most of what is on is news and you get so much variation in the type of news you get. There are the old reliables like Good Morning America or Today and of course CNN with the "Most news in the morning?" (Jon Stewart had a good point, how does one measure how much news you cram into a broadcast?) Then there is everyone else, like The Daily Buzz. That crew is corny, I dont think they take themselves seriously. One morning as I dressed, they presented a report that said an economist has done research that suggests that early retirement in this economy is not helpful. The report goes on to label those who retire early as "unpatriotic" since they are taking themselves out of the labor pool and adding themselves to the roll of those who will begin to collect pensions and/or Social Security. WOW...that was some serious s*it! Just think, someone who has worked a good part of their life and is now either sick of working, want to do something else or just dont want to work anymore are unpatriotic. If anything these people should be congratulated for their hard work and endurance especially in these ever changing times where I am sure that they have had many fears of not having a job. Where could the real blame go for our worsening crisis with Social Security? Hmmm, I guess we are forgetting about a large population of young people who cant or dont hold down a regular job who dont contribute to the shrinking Social Security pot. I wonder would it make more sense to label them "unpatriotic."(a bit extreme in my opinion, I would just label them LAZY AS HELL!) It is simple supply and demand, I work now to put money into the pot which will be used by current retirees while the generation behind me should be doing the same thing for me, so on and so forth. Admittedly there are a large number of retirees (Baby Boomers) and fewer of Gen Xers like myself. GenX did have it's angst and growing pains but we knew that it would require us to go forth in the world and make a way by doing as our parents did, work hard at something, endure and be successful. I dont know where Gen Y lost it's way, but they need a compass and soon, hell I have about 30 more years for retirement and damnit I want mine!!! Afterwards, I chuckled and kept on out the door for work. I found the report laughable and yet another reason to consider The Daily Buzz the "USA Today" of morning news shows (I HATE USA Today...worst newspaper ever, looks like a f*cking comic book).

Rebuttal to Election Nonsense entry

Last night's blog was a decent summation of how I felt about Obama's statements in response to conservative attacks on him. If it hasnt been expressely said (and I know someone like Rush Limbaugh will say it), many folks are uncomfortable with someone who "doesn't look like the guys on the money" running for president. I didn't know how to address further the conservative attacks on his character although the main push by the extreme right is to make people scared of the intelligent, young and charismatic black Senator. We can only fight backby supporting Sen. Obama and not throw up road blocks. Below is a blog I wrote at the beginning of the election cycle last year. I think I said pretty well what needs to be done by us. If we can do these things, the conservatives will have to bite their tongues and suck it up for a change instead of being uninformed hate mongers that they live up to be oh so often.

Barack Obama: What's Black Got To Do With It? (April 7, 2007)

I was recalling in my mind a conversation that a classmate and I were having a few weeks back about Barack Obama. What she said wasn't terribly shocking but it really made me mad because it just shows me how much we as a people need to get over and get on with the business of improving ourselves for the better. She told me that there were some black folks who were saying that Barack was not "black enough" to run for president as a black man. I asked her to repeat herself because I really didnt think that was true what she was saying but she said that she heard it on TV watching C-SPAN. To me, saying something like that seems to be a double standard among my people and my classmate who is from Sudan was a bit baffled by the comment because she, like I was wondering how black is black? Let me try to illustrate what I meant by the double standard: Remember a little over 10 years ago when Tiger Woods burst on the scene and we were in awe of his golf game and all the potential that he had and has since delivered on, we wondered more about his complete ethnicity. So when he was interviewed, he more or less said that he didnt see himself as a black man but as Cablinasian which accounted for his whole ethnicity. Did he or did he not draw the ire of the black community as well as provided fodder for black comedians for his comments? Flip that to Barack who is American (born in Hawaii) to a Kenyan father and White american mother. Barack has said countless times that he is proud of his heritage, takes nothing away from being biracial but recognizes that he is a black man. And for that...he is seen as not being "black enough?" What a double standard, hell I mean we should be really be standing behind him for running for president because damn, I sure as hell couldnt do it! Leave it to us, hell if give the chance we could fuck up INSTANT Jello! Recognize this to all the nay sayers who feel that Brother Barack is not up to the task and you need to see his "brother card." If you think about it, he is more African and definetly American (without question) and we need to continually remind ourselves that as a people, we come in all shades, sizes and shapes, some of us grew up in the hood, in suburbia and all points in between. These things should be what makes us unique and more apt to learn from one another and progress. Instead, we choose to pick at the diversity of our people like a sore and pass judgement on who is truly black and who isn't. Like my ex-girlfriend used to say "you own your blackness" and it is weird to see someone who may not understand your experience but that is what should unite and not divide us. The 2008 presidential election is looking like it could be historic, dont let some petty foolishness drive you towards another candidate or worse, not going to the poll at all. If we have learned nothing from the last 2 elections is that we have got to make our voice heard or it will continued to be silenced because politicians are not interested in the group that makes no effort to be heard. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, black people lets start squeaking alot louder so we can get that oil!

Election Nonsense

It has taken me a minute to get this down and I hope that I remember all of the points that I want to make. If not, I guess it will be in a follow-up blog but I have to write about the current stuff going on with the election. Isnt this election getting silly? I couldn't help but laugh when Barack Obama asked a crowd sarcastically if John McCain was serious about attacking him with the now infamous "superstar" ad. Then as Obama "played the race card" according to McCain, all hell broke loose for a bit. I think that I understood what Obama was saying and McCain has it half right in my opinion...Obama is not playing the race card but he is expressing a major theme in this election. Although McCain and alot of folks will not admit it, this election is VERY much about race. And interestingly enough race is not only an issue with whites but with blacks.

So many have taken issue with the statement that Obama made about not looking like the other presidents on the currency. If you think about it, that is the basis of the attacks against him from the conservative talking heads. They attack him on his name (it sounds Muslim) and they use slang in a supposedly joking manner when attacking his policies. So once again, this isn't about race? Could have fooled me, sounds like race is at the forefront of the attacks on a candiate that apparently has few major weaknesses (thus John McCain's ridiculous TVad that started all of this.)

I feel that if you truly dont like Obama, his politics or just think this isnt his time, then I can respect that. What gets me is that many people wont vote for him not for the reasons I stated above but for arbitrary, silly reasons that have nothing to do with politics or the type of leader he can be. This pales in comparison to the divisions within the black community over why many will not vote for him. Dont vote for Obama simply because he is black, exercise some common sense. However, dont turn this into the usual debate about being black enough or having some sort of credibility among blacks. Whether you grew up poor in the hood or well off in the suburbs, there is one common thread that we have as black folks, the stigma of being singled out by racism be it overt or covert. Based on that, I think it is ridiculous to believe that Obama cannot relate to black people simply because he is biracial and didnt grow up like the average. We need to let go of this type of thinking if we want to truly unify and become a powerful voting bloc that is apparent among other minority groups. I heard a report on NPR during the primaries when they asked Hispanics about who they would more than likely vote for. One young woman said that she couldnt vote for Obama because she thought he would be more for blacks and that as a people we would more or less "take over". I laughed at her sheer ignorance and thought that it would not be in anyone's interest for Obama to be the president for one group of people and secondly we cant even unify behind him as a candidate. Hell, if he got in office I still think we would find a reason to reject him.

Obama had good reason to make the statement that he did. It wholeheartedly reflected the view of most that someone who doesn't look like past presidents cant be president. This is the view of alot of people whether they choose to admit it or not. This also reflects the larger issue that we continue to duck critical issues of race instead of dealing with them. Obama's candidacy I think will force some discussions to happen. We need to talk about these issues, it is the thing that continues to divide not only our country but it divides black folks even more deeply. I think this division is the one that hurts the most.

The Common Demoninator is YOU...

Although this is the wasteland period for sports (after NBA hangs it up for a bit and baseball rages on until thanksgiving), that special moment occurs for me that gives me so much hope and happiness. FOOTBALL season is coming...bright and early in the morning! (proverbially that is!) Been doing some reading, watching the news, SportsCenter etc and it just hit me that my happy place is returning soon. It is funny how a sport makes you think about relationships. Now as I stated earlier, I am all about relationships whether they are romantic, friendship, working etc. they are the bonds that drive our lives and direct our motivations in alot of ways. So I got to thinking about football and my pro team and their new coach. (Ok, I am a Redskins fan...say what you will but maybe we will finally get it right) The owner Daniel Snyder has had 9 head coaches (some were interim) in almost 10 years of ownership. My 4 year old niece can do that math, after the 3rd or 4th coach you may want to to some introspection Mr. Snyder. It is almost akin to ther person who gets married and divorced 4-6 times and they ask themselves "why cant i stay married?" So what do you think is the problem for Snyder, who has had 9 coaches or the person who has multiple marriages? What thing do they have in common in every relationship?

A. Lack of communication
B. Ike Turner/Joan Crawford complex
C. YOU
D. None of the above...and stop asking me multi choice questions like we are in school!

If you picked C, you are either highly intelligent or you read the title of my blog. If you picked D, go back to Kindergarten!!! I think self-introspection is missing in our society, among people in general. You have to wonder what makes people so dilusional and unrealistic about their talents, relationships and abilities. Now, let me qualify this by saying that I believe that if you put your mind to something and work at it, it can be achieved. However, there has to be a point that where you work for something and if it isnt quite going so well or you arent achieving or even you get the same reaction everytime you attempt something where someone takes you aside and says "maybe this isnt for you" then maybe it is time to pick some new knitting. Working in academia for a few years, I saw so many students fall short in their goals and you want to be encouraging but when the failure is consistent and with little improvement in outcomes and personal habits, you dont want to give false hope to someone that in the future has a big responsibilty in their job and what they do (or not do) could affect someone's life in a major way. I appreciate self-introspection and those who recognize that they have limits and do not try to cross those limits. It is a character trait we more of, I can respect you more if you tell me you cant do something instead of doing it and making the situation that much worse. I think that is something we all can live with and agree on. I'm out like Cross-Colors...

Life is happening...as if we needed a reminder!

I find the transition points of life to be the same in many respects in the lives of those around me. As I think back, I remember how High School was. You had your crew that you were tight with and all of the misadventures that you had. I take the term misadventure and draw it out a bit more to say I thank God I am still alive to tell some of those stories and to say...Dont be stupid! When I left HS, I kept up with my crew and other good friends while making a whole new gang of friends. Although I didnt live on campus, I had some great times and I think who I surrounded myself with made all of the difference. When I graduated, I started to see the changes in my friend connections. Around 22-24 we all went our own way, moving on to new jobs, adventures, marriages, family etc. That was very hard to deal with, knowing that folks you were mad cool with and were always there were just now there in spirit. What remained were memories and the places you went brought back the fun and the misadventures. Grad school brought a new set of cool peeps, but not the closeness that I was used to because grad school is so fleeting. You blink and it is over, time to move to your next challenge, achieve that next goal. At that time, I could see the changes in family as well as in friend ties. I lost a friend and a couple of family members in a short period of time while I saw those grad school ties severed as we all went our merry way. As these peaks and valleys come to us, we deal with them in our own way. At first, it was hard for me to say goodbye to my friends in my 20s, it is never any easier in my 30s but I realize over time that it is a part of "life is happening" and it is happening every day. Being here in the A.C., I have made some good ties but now as another cycle occurs, some of those ties are unraveling. Many go their way, others make changes to their lives. Sometimes I feel like in the midst of so much change, I am standing still. I know the plans I have for me and I have to yield to God's plan but I often have the weird feeling that life is passing me by in some respects. Maybe I am paranoid and maybe I should take the cue to go forward and kick ass like I have never kicked ass to get to where I need to be next not forgetting that I am where I am for a reason and until I accomplish what needs to be done at this level, the next cannot be fully realized.

Monogamy's a hellava drug...

Relationships are what sustain us and make us truly human. Relationships seem to always be so prevalent in my life as a topic because there are so many types of them and as I have stated I am a people person. I value relationships of all kinds although sometimes those relationships may not be exactly what we want, but they usually turn out to be exactly what we need at that moment in time. One of my friends just recently proposed to his girlfriend and as of late I have been telling him that he is my hero. Well to be honest, I have alot of heroes who are married and work it out everyday. Like my parents, they have been married 40 years and they have seen so much in their lives such as how much society has changed. I often wonder about making that move, being married and working to make it work.

On my last job, I was surrounded by some REAL jaded married people. Seeing this and then being constantly asked when I was getting married made me ask myself, What's the point? It seemed then (and somewhat so now) that all married people do is complain. Being in a relationship and one that is long distance poses challenges, especially when it seems like the MINUTE you get involved with someone then every single woman you were looking for while you were single decides to come out the house and talk to you. I have always found this phenomena to be so hilarious yet aggravating. I could do nothing but laugh at myself and have a laugh with the other fellas at the "married or involved" table at the club this past Friday. We went down to Richmond to celebrate a friend's birthday and talk about a club packed with women...well I was and am always on my best behavior but of course you know we did get approached for one reason or another while we were there sippin on drinks, just chillin and having a good time. What is that all about, I mean the joke is that "attached dudes seem to be more attractive to women than unattached men". Is that based on the idea that we truly want what we cannot have? I always have to keep laughing because I find so much of how life unfolds to be funny. Maybe the big man upstairs in his infinite control and wisdom has a sense of humor after all? What do you think about all of this? I am always open to new ways of thinking about this and other relationship issues. Holla back at me!

Things just arent like they used to be...

With all that has gone on in my life in the last few years, I take the following saying very much to heart: "Do not regret growing old, many are denied the priviledge." I thank God everyday for another day, although I will admit that some days I am not as appreciative as I should be, mainly because I am focused on things that dont amount to a hill of beans. If we stop to reflect, there are some folks going through some real...and I mean REAL stuff that makes out complaints seem minute. Although I relish what I have and not take too much for granted, getting older does "hurt" a bit. I now have a bit of a gut, I need fiber in my diet and my hair looks better when it is cut very close to hide the obvious bald spot. Hell, I havent had waves in my hair since about 1989! I remember being a big, yet kind of trim guy...I was an athlete in high school and in college I played intramurals and worked out. Since that time getting out in the "real" world of work, sitting at a desk or lab bench has taken a bit of a toll on the kid. I keep saying to myself "I want my track body back" as I walk towards the freezer and scoop out some Vanilla Sandwich ice cream into a bowl. Yeah, it bad (BTW, that ice cream is awesome!) but I know what I need to do. Time is the enemy of all things, living and not. We know that we are on earth for a predestined time and every second, that time gets shorter. What do we have to do? We have to begin to appreciate and use every moment to our best ability...to treat our bodies well, to laugh with a friend, to hug your mom, dad, brother, niece, nephew, sister, to work towards a goal, to work not out of necessity but to work because it is what you truly want to do (and yes that is HARD to do). I have got some work to do on me and I started last night by pulling out my MCAT review book and making one last attempt to try to get into med school. I think that I have made peace with the possibility that I may not achieve that goal but instead I have to, if necessary direct my energy towards finding that job that I skip to everyday because I love it so much. And so it begins, a new journey to another place in my life while there is still ample strength in my body and mind knowing that time is drawing up. I look forward to all that is in front of me and not dwelling on what I leave behind.

Just another day in the A.C.

Just created this blog spot page and I have about 5+ minutes on my lunch break remaining until it is back to the grind until 5 (or somewhere afterwards). I wanted to start this out by saying most of what I envision here may or may not be earth shattering. I think I need to start blogging again to get out of my head alot of good ideas, bad ideas, interesting converations etc. I am very much a people person and I think deeply about alot of things (living alone lends alot to that). Of course, thinking deeply gives you perspective (hopefully) and clarity (we pray) on the issue (s) that are at hand. I find myself now at yet another crossroad in life with a temporarily "misplaced" life compass. Dont get me wrong, things are good I just know they could be better in so many ways. For now, I have to be content with the steady improvement in job performance, pay, living condition and relationships that I have with family, friends and significant other. As the title states, it is just another day in the A.C. (Albemarle County, Virginia) and I am your host for as my blog url states: Nuclear Extroversion. Stay tuned...