End of the Decade, What did I learn?

Time to wind down 2009 and ease onto 2010 and hey wouldn't you know it, the 1st decade of the 21st Century is over! Who knew? How time flies, weren't we just selling off the surplus food and emergency supplies from Y2K on ebay not too long ago? So much has happened from 2000 until now, so much history made (good and bad) which leaves us wondering what the future will hold as we are still in uncertain times in so many ways. So what did I learn this decade:

1. Tiger Woods should have stayed single.

His father told him at one time, don't get married! I think those words are echoing in his head more and more these days as he looks for a divorce lawyer. You can really argue that the way he went about his infidelity was all on him and you could also say he should have kept it in his pants. Either way what I know about parents is that they know their children. Earl Woods knew his son would be out there either way so it would have probably been best for all involved that he had not married his wife and he could get all of the kinky sex he wanted with chicks I wouldn't f*ck with your d*ck.

2. Post-Racial is complete Bulls*it:

Obama gets elected and a new low for politics is set. Now you have tea parties, birthers, FOX News and racist whack jobs all rising out of the wood work to incite fear. How do you think the President, himself a Constitutional lawyer can take your guns away? Were you absent from school the day they taught government? He can't do s*it without Congress having some say on it! America did show that we could and together in tough times and elect a black man to our nation's highest office. But to say that racism as we know it is over because of that is a lie in opinion simply because I have seen a great disrespect for the office since Obama assumed it and no one has had an awakening to end any type of racial strife. There is a long way to go to truly get to Post-Racial, I hope that I will be around to experience that day.

3. I'm not sure we are all that safe:

Just when you thought we were getting a bit better on the homefront in terms of airline and anti-terror security, all of the stuff pops off during Christmas on the flights from Amsterdam to Detroit. Many would argue that all that was done post 9/11 was not effective as now we have to wade through long lines of security checks to get on a plane and not being sure that air marshals are on every flight (albeit your flight). I partially agree but I am not sure what could be done any differently or any better. Knowing the threat helps and intelligence is sometimes either dated or late, on time intelligence is a rare thing IMHO. All we can do is be more vigilant as we travel and in our personal lives. Prayer doesn't hurt either!

4. Entertainers don't exist anymore:

We have plenty of "celebrities" but very few (if any) are entertainers. Celebrity is being bestowed on any random mofo who has a sex tape, date-me reality show or attempts to sing, rap or dance. Music as an art form has been relegated to a secondary position as record conglomerates continually cram cookie cutter hip-hop, R&B and American Idol winners down our throat. You don't actually need talent, just look pretty, wear something tight and scream really loud over this Swizz Beats track. (Sound familar? Insert name of just about any singer here). We miss Michael Jackson!!!!

It's not all bad, this has overall been a good decade. For me, love is here to stay and I am blessed with family and good friends. Things have been good and I am hoping that things will get better not only for me but for you, yours and all of us. Be easy and Happy New Year! Look for more entries and some blog rewinds as I celebrate the coming of 2010. I dare not blog drunk...

The Professor's 2009 Dude of the Year

I don't think there was any competition in this race. Hell, I don't think I had alot of nominees but my 2009 Dude of the Year is: The Most Interesting Man In The World. Yeah I know he does not really exist but if he did, wouldn't every guy want to be that damn smooth? Let me give you a bit about him by just breaking down what has been said about him. These are classic:

• He has never lost a sock.
• He has been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into the room.
• His organ donation card, also lists his beard.
• He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas.
• When it is raining, it is because he is sad.
• Even his parents’ advice is insightful.
• If there were an interesting gland, his would be larger than most men’s entire lower intestines.
• His shirts never wrinkle.
• He is left-handed. And right-handed.
• Even if he forgets to put postage on his mail, it gets there.
• He once knew a call was a wrong number, even though the person on the other end wouldn’t admit it.
• You can see his charisma from space.
• The police often question him, just because they find him interesting.
• He once punched a magician. That’s right. You heard me.
• When he orders a salad, he gets the dressing right there on top of the salad, where it belongs…where there is no turning back.
• If a monument was built in his honor, Mt. Rushmore would close, due to poor attendance.
• His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man’s entire body.
• His blood smells like cologne.
• On every continent in the world, there is a sandwich named after him.
• He doesn’t believe in using oven mitts, nor potholders.
• His cereal never gets soggy. It sits there, staying crispy, just for him.
• His pillow talk is years ahead of it’s time.
• Respected archaeologists fight over his discarded apple cores.

And of course the commercials which are in my opinion classics:

And who could resist taking advice such as:

"Find out what you don't do well and don't do that thing."

Pick up lines: "There is a time and place, the time is never. You can figure out the place on your own."

Self Defense: "The right look should suffice." *Stares Crazily at the camera*

I present the 2009 Prof Award for Dude of the Year to the Most Interesting Man in the World. Thank you for helping all dudes up their game!

Death by Hubris

The Notre Dame football drama has been thick for about two weeks but today it will come to an end. At 1pm Eastern, a press conference is scheduled to introduce Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly as the 17th coach of the program. This occurs after 5 years of failure (dare I say karma) under Charlie Weis to restore the luster of the golden helmet as a power in college football. Sadly, I think ND's slump into football mediocity was self imposed and it began with the firing of Tyrone Willingham. I was outraged that Willingham didn't get at least 5 years to get it together. At that time, ND seemed to be headed in the right direction and maybe they could get back to the promised land. But after a winning season, a season that didn't produce a national championship or a major bowl appearance, Willingham was let go prompting outrage among African-American's who felt he didn't get a fair shake considering coaches at ND with worse records were permitted to coach and finish their contract before they were released.

I grew up a ND fan, hey how can you be Catholic and not I thought! The 90's under Lou Holtz were a golden age for the golden domers, consistent winners, top 10 finishes and the 1989 national championship. And who could forget the epic battles against Miami, those were some great days! After Willingham was dismissed and ND went on a search for their "great white hope", I lost all interest in their program and watched with a bit of delight as Weis tried and failed to revive the program. Weis, a protege of Bill Parcells is all his former boss, arrogant and unapologetic. But I can say this about Parcells, he was a winner although you didn't like him very much.

But as conferences have grown, bowl alliances have changed so has the landscape of college football. ND continues to be an independent in football but aligning itself with the Big East for all other sports. Top that off with having an exclusive TV contract with NBC and you have all the makings of a program that continues to find ways to cut the oxygen off to it's dying legacy in college football. High School players these days can only take so much of hearing about the classic days of a program, they want to know what can you do for me now! ND continues to harp on their legacy and uses that as why they don't want to join a conference. Unfortnately in the age of "What have you done for me lately", it may be time with a new coach and a possible revival joining a conference may help to save the program from sinking to the depth of what the majority of programs view as success. That would be seasons of 7-5, 8-4. 9-3 etc. as opposed to 12-0 and national championships. I will watch today's press conference with keen interest and I hope Coach Kelly will have some success. Maybe he is what ND needs to get back onteh natinoal scene, he seems genuine and put Cincy (a basketball school) on the football map for the time being. I hope Cincy will not fall into obscurity, that does seem likely but only time will tell.

The obligatory Tiger Woods blog

I was really, really, really trying to avoid this. Everyone in the world is talking about this guy and now that the dust has settled a bit, what is left to be said about the world's greatest golfer and his ladies? First off, it appears that Tiger is human!! Oh no, newsflash...can we get that to ESPN's Bottomline right now! Yes people, he plays a game like an indestructible, superman. What we have found out is that his kryptonite is the booty, the same kryptonite that has brought down alot of famous men. I am not defending what he has done, he cheated on his wife and that should not be given a pass. What he realizes though is that he has made a grave mistake, is very remorseful for his actions which not only affect him, but also his children who are not old enough to know what is happening but will one day read or hear about it.

When this story first broke, I knew that many would lose all respect for him. Not only because he had such a squeaky clean image but also because he plays golf, a very exclusionary sport and a mostly white sport. Many look at golf as the last bastion of civility, self defined as a "gentlemanly game." I don't know about you, but I think there is no such thing as a civil sport nor there ever was. Mainstream sports like baseball and football have dished their dirt and continues to do so even more in this age of twitter and tell all books. The reason we know more about other sports like Tennis and Golf is because of how they have crept onto our radar and their names are as familiar to us as the heroes of the past in more well known sports. Andre Agassi in his autobiography told about drug abuse while he played pro tennis. Drug abuse in pro tennis? I can see the outrage of many who either are in disbelief or are mad that he told. If all of this is going on in Tennis, why should golf be any different? These are men playing a game and are being held to a gentlemen's standard that probably died off in the 60's. Tiger has the pressure of being the best in his sport, being black in his sport and dealing with scrutiny of being married to a white woman, a woman who was the nanny to a tour competitor (more about him in a minute). So I suspect at this point, the whole house of cards has come crashing down around him as his reputation takes a gigantic blow, he has in the eyes of some has smashed the civility and pureness of the game and has put himself on the list of brothas who while married to a white woman just couldn't keep it in his pants.

I agree that he owes no explanation to any of us. He has enough problems that he has to address and wounds at home to heal. If he wants to tell what he feels is important, then so be it. I feel like what has happened is between him and his wife. The other women in all of this are your worse type of groupie, you got him, he gave you some "Buy you some shit and shut up money" but you still want to tell it all. I thought there was a code or rule book for both parties in a high finance cheating situation? Well as these women have proved, there is no honor among jumpoffs!

Jesper Parnevik, the golfer whom Tiger's wife Elin worked for when he met her publicly ripped him a few days post incident. Parnevik stated he wished he had never introduced them and he felt like he owed Elin an apology. That's funny, but isn't that kind of fucked up? I wonder how Tiger felt about that. If I was him, I would have to text him and say "I wish I could hear you over all my major championships and this billion dollar bank account...bitch!" Just straight hateration and that's from a fellow tour member. Just try and imagine how some of the fans feel?

When asked today on the Dan Patrick Show about Tiger's situation, Charles Barkley offered a wide range of opinions but this was the best one. Sir Charles talked about when he got his DUI not too long ago and how many people (those he knew well as well as the media) ripped him about his behavior. Barkley took note of those folks and he made sure that he ripped them or will rip them when they do something stupid. He suggested that Tiger do the same, cause you know they talking. Tiger, I would suggest putting Mr. Parnevik Number One with a bullet on that list!!

Class dismissed...

The 80's called, they want their fashions back!

I have to remind myself that I work in close vicinity to a college campus in a college town. Depending on when I take lunch, I find myself in the between class rush of students. Now I am not a single man but that doesn't mean I can't look. Ahhh, youth and some of the young ladies...well this is a family blog! LOL!!! I hate to say this but the 80's are back!! I know, surprised? You shouldn't be, they say everything old is new again. I guess every generation brings back something that was way before their time but to see leggings, big sweaters, wayfarer sunglasses and popped collars on polo shirts ala Tom Cruise in Risky Business is a bit much. These youngins were just DNA when these fashions were out originally! Oh well, I just hope the 70's don't come back!

30 days to 2010: What I am feeling today.

Just as 2009 rolled in with much rejoicing and revelry, the year ends and time marches ever forward. I awoke today (late) got my stuff together and left for the job. My mind reflected on so many things, I thought about a friend who has just recently suffered a loss and the words "Time Marches On" just echoed in my head. As I child, I never knew what 2009 would look like. Hell, I don't think I had any concept of time. When does one develop that concept? I think growing up, the seasons was my way of telling time. There were certain things I looked forward to, going to football games with my dad ushered in fall as summer drew to a close, snow and blizzards are my fondest memories of winter, the chill of winter gave way to a certain smell and warmth in the air as spring came back around and of course summer and the heat while playing in the street and walking everywhere! The things one does when you are young! It's like heat didn't affect me at all as I ran up and down a basketball court in the middle of the day with no shirt! Now I hate walking outside to my car when it's over 100 degrees!! Life is a funny thing like that.

This past thanksgiving was one of the best I have had in a while. My cousins who I grew up with and I were under the same roof for the first time in years for thanksgiving. We laughed and joked like we had never stopped celebrating thanksgiving together. It makes me appreciate going home more because we don't know how much time we truly have. We all hope and for 4 score in 20 (that's from the bible...do the math..LOL!) and it is truly a blessing when someone can live that long or beyond. And as I reflect on that, I think more and more about my parents knowing that one day they will not be with me and my brother anymore. But I am so THANKFUL for them now and always because of the influence they have had on my life. I don't think I would be who I am today without them doing all that they have done. There is a new chapter in my life that is unfolding and I feel like I am ready for it all because my parents have been such good role models in so many ways from them encouraging me, letting me know when I get out of line (you know what happened there) and just being good people. It is a shame that so many of our youth don't have good role models. I guess I am infurated when I see kids acting out and all they need is some discipline instead of a parent who wants to be their friend and compromise with them. My parents believed in the belt and I got it when it was needed. These days, you so much as say belt and the child care services are kicking in your door. That is a shame and a sin, we are doing are children a great disservice.

Today I reflect on all of those whose shoulders I stand on. Those who endured on my behalf so I could succeed and be a mentor and trailblazer for my nieces, cousins and all those coming after me. I want to be the best at all I am and will be and for that desire I owe so many whom I have thanked and those whom I have never met. Regardless, I know I can never thank them enough.

Marion Barry: The B*tch Set Me Up II

Marion Barry needs to make some serious decisions about his political career. That is a very funny sentence simply because any other politician who had done the things he has done would have been a distant memory. I think he either needs to: 1. Give up politics all together or 2. Just say no to the booty. Judging once again the simple fact he is beloved in Washington DC, and all of the controversy he has survived as well as all of the controversy he is embroiled in, I think option 1 is out of the picture. It is amazing, albeit hilarious how much booty can and has gotten him and a host of other politicians in a whole heap of trouble! Between Barry, Bill Clinton, Eliot Spitzer and Mark Sanford these guys have enough experience to open a strip club.

WTOP-FM in Washington reported today that the voicemail tapes had been handed over to the Washington City Paper along with written transcripts of the messages that Barry left on the voicemail of his 40-year old girlfriend Donna Watts. Hell, just for good measure there is a "bonus" track of a fight that occured between the two. They say bonus track like Diddy produced this hot mess! Listen if you have some time, just hit the bathroom beforehand. I dont want you mad at me if you wet yourself laughing at this shit!

Why do we put up with such buffoonery? Better yet, how do you say stuff like "I'm addicted to you" on a voicemail and then have to face up to it when it hits the media? When I visit DC these days, I am kind of astonished at the partial gentrification that is ongoing in the city. Some areas are building town centers, expensive condos in the shadows of urban decay and now the man who once led the city, who was once seen as an icon (and to some still is) is back to his old tricks. DC is in trouble, more so than one could EVER imagine.

This one's for Mike

I think I am kind of in silent shock about Michael Jackson. In a way, I had forgotten about him. Within the last few years with all of the accusations and court cases, he had become a bit of an outcast of sorts and I started to wonder what had happened. How I asked myself as I look at his album covers on my iPod did all of what he had and was as an artist (meaning his look, style etc)change so dramatically. As I pulled into my apartment complex listening to Human Nature almost 24 hours before he died I said...I miss black Mike. Weird statement I know, but i said it jokingly. But then last week, sitting in a bar having been really busy at work I hadn't heard he was hospitalized. I don't think anyone but God knew what was to happen next but we now all know that he is gone.

The very next day I went to a cookout and all of the music that was played for a majority of the evening was Michael Jackson and just like everyone else, it took me back! I knew where I was when I fell in love with hip-hop, but Michael Jackson is timeless in so many ways. His style and music did change dramatically but one thing was certain, when MJ was involved you were going to get a show. The question was "how would he amaze me this time?" The most memorable MJ moment for me was his performance of Billie Jean on the Motown 25 special in 1983. Everyone you knew was watching and they were all watching to catch his performance. And if you remember it like I do, it was one for the ages. My biggest question is this: After all of this news coverage slows down and we do learn what was the final determination of his death, will we REALLY know the whole story? I would bet no simply to preserve his memory, legacy as well as to minimize additional pain that can be caused.

As my partner in crime Uniqpoet said: "God must be having a concert, he has James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Barry White and now Michael Jackson...he's jammin!!!!" Thanks Michael Jackson, RIP.

Doing fine in 09!

Hey all, just a short post to let you know I am still alive in the 09. What a week huh, President Obama!!! WHOOOOO!!! Just keep the brotha in prayer as he begins a most difficult journey. I may have mentioned before that I have found myself actually writing poetry. I think I can actually write something decent. My partner in crime UniqPoet has been having poetry sets and a group of us have been sharing our work. I hadnt written anything in a while until last week. So here is the first work of 2009, hopefully there will be more (we shall see) as the spirit moves me. Comments please and more in-depth blogging to come in the 09!

Turn to your Neighbor

(An ode to Black Unity)

 

Turn to your neighbor

and make a fist

and bump them together

like Barack and Michelle

Say “Neighbor,

I wish you well

The Best of health,

prosperity and peace to you.

Neighbor, lets put down

the guns, the drugs

the hatred, jealousy

Lets shoot each other

with smiles, instead of 9s.

Lets stand up together

For our schools

our 40 acres

and a mule.

Lets stand up for our children

and their future

Stop ending each others futures

and start loving each other

in the present.

Neighbor, I don’t know you

But I turn to you

and ask for your forgiveness

The stress and strain

of 400 years of oppression

has turned me

away from you.

But here we are

face to face.

Lets turn back

away from one another

and stand together

united

For one another

 

WKG © 2009

 

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