"Come On, Man" Face of the Week

As promised. Send yours to rsj304@aol.com This is a pretty good one. I wonder what she's thinking. These crack me up, but that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

Nothing Is Constant But....

I haven't been posting in awhile, because alot of things in life have _______. I'm not sure how to react to them or what to do next but I know I can't stop. I don't even want to slow down for too long. In my short time on this earth, I've learned that what is rock solid certain today, can be gone and long forgotten tomorrow. Life doesn't stop or slow down for you or anyone else. Not for pain, heartache, or everyday adversity. That isn't a fact because Life is cruel. It doesn't stop or slow down, because Life has some much in store for you. So much to show you. So much for you to experience. I've gone back and forth, with thinking I've learned this lesson. I guess I haven't yet. Enjoy who you can, and what you can, for as long as you can. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

"Come On, Man" Face of the Week

First, I have to thank you all for the pictures that you guys have sent in, but I decided to post an example first so that you guys can kinda see what I'm talking about. Keep submitting them to rsj304@aol.com!!! I think they are hilarious but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Christmas Shopping PSA

Vital information for the holiday shopping season, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Complete Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Face

As many of you know, this is the face that I make when I don't believe something or the story that I'm hearing is a little suspect. I call it my "Come On, Man!" Face. I decided that I am going to start posting the any and every time I see someone making this face. It really cracks me up. Even my daughter does it. I believe that I learned it from my cousins Larry and Joey. So if you want to send me your best "Come On, Man!" Face; you can e-mail them to me at rsj304@aol.com. If you send them, I'll post them. I think I'm gonna post, The "Come On, Man!" Face of the Week. I don't know about y'all, but I'm gonna really get a kick out of this; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Cruelty vs Beauty

I was watching the Brittany Spears show on MTV last night(don't ask, because I don't know), and there was a point near the end where she said that life has shown her the most beautiful things and the cruelest things. That got me thinking. Which of those experiences last with a person the longest? Cruelty or Beauty? I ask each one of you to think back and remember the cruelest thing that you've ever seen. It probably didn't take long before an image jumped into your head. Now think of the most beautiful thing you have ever experienced. If you are like me, there was a ton of thoughts and images rushing through your mind at this time. It was very difficult for me to focus on one. I did, but not as fast as it took me think of the cruelty. This is why I wanted to ask. Is my ability to single out a cruelty so quickly an indication that cruelty stays with me longer; or is the fact that I was flooded with beauty, an indication that I cling to it more and it must be more impactful. Both of them seem to stop you dead in your tracks when you see a genuine example. Hopefully you are inspired by the beauty and attempt to recreate ; and repulsed by the cruelty and attempt to avoid it. As for the question of which one stays with you longer; I'm still at a loss. I just don't know the answer. I am open to suggestion, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Is It Really That Bad?

Truthfully, I don't know why this is illegal anyways, but that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #26

"Strive to be happy."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Really Good Moments

In life there are always a series of moments that make you just feel good. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they are great moments, but they're really good. I'm not sure if they transcend for all people, but I'll give you a list of some of my Really Good Moments:

1. Whenever someone is speaking to another person and references something that you have said to them. It makes you think that people pay attention to what you say.

2. When my daughter calls me Dad. I like it so much more than Daddy. It makes it seem like she is growing up, but still needs me.

3. Peeing without using your hands. You ladies may not understand but this is a real joy for me. It never happens unless I'm walking around naked or find boxers with a huge urination slit in the front.

4. That cold feeling that goes down your throat when you drink something first thing in the morning, or when you're really thirsty.

5. When meeting someone, having them say, "So you are ________; I've heard so many good things about you."

6. Cracking your back.

7. When I learn that someone of high importance, intelligence, or respect; listens to Rap music. (Michael Eric Dyson, Cornell West, Barack Obama)

8. When anyone from Wheeling WV does anything that brings themselves and the state/city; POSITIVE attention.

9. When I see lists that don't go all the way to ten.

Feel free to think of a few of your own and list them in the comments. I think it's good to take small harmful life inventories every now and again; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #26

"Be cheerful."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

16 Laws of Power (the Women edition)

I'm not sure what to think of these. Someone who claimed to be an "O.G. of Women and Relationships", said that these "Laws" are vital when dealing with women. I can't wait to see what you guys think.

I. Never say 'I Love You' first
Women want to feel like they have to overcome obstacles to win a man's heart. They crave the challenge of capturing the interest of a man who has other women competing for his attention, and eventually prevailing over his grudging reluctance to award his committed exclusivity. The man who gives his emotional world away too easily robs women of the satisfaction of earning his love. Though you may be in love with her, don't say it before she has said it. Show compassionate restraint for her need to struggle toward yin fulfillment. Inspire her to take the leap for you, and she'll return the favor a thousandfold.

II. Make her jealous
Flirt with other women in front of her. Do not dissuade other women from flirting with you. Women will never admit this but jealousy excites them. The thought of you turning on another woman will arouse her sexually. No girl wants a man that no other woman wants. The partner who harnesses the gale storm of jealousy controls the direction of the relationship.

III. You shall make your mission, not your woman, your priority
Forget all those romantic cliches of the leading man proclaiming his undying love for the woman who completes him. Despite whatever protestations to the contrary, women do not want to be "The One" or the center of a man's existence. They in fact want to subordinate themselves to a worthy man's life purpose, to help him achieve that purpose with their feminine support, and to follow the path he lays out. You must respect a woman's integrity and not lie to her that she is "your everything". She is not your everything, and if she is, she will soon not be anymore.

IV. Don't play by her rules
If you allow a woman to make the rules she will resent you with a seething contempt even a rapist cannot inspire. The strongest woman and the most strident feminist wants to be led by, and to submit to, a more powerful man. Polarity is the core of a healthy loving relationship. She does not want the prerogative to walk all over you with her capricious demands and mercurial moods. Her emotions are a hurricane, her soul a saboteur. Think of yourself as a bulwark against her tempest. When she grasps for a pillar to steady herself against the whipping winds or yearns for an authority figure to foil her worst instincts, it is you who has to be there... strong, solid, unshakable and immovable.

V. Adhere to the Golden Ratio
Give your woman 2/3 of everything she gives you. For every three calls or texts, give her two back. Three declarations of love earn two in return. Three gifts; two nights out. Give her two displays of affection and stop until she has answered with three more. When she speaks, you reply with fewer words. When she emotes, you emote less. The idea behind the golden ratio is twofold - it establishes your greater value by making her chase you, and it demonstrates that you have the self-restraint to avoid getting swept up in her personal dramas. Refraining from reciprocating everything she does for you in equal measure instills in her the proper attitude of belief in your higher status. In her deepest loins it is what she truly wants.

VI. Keep her guessing
True to their inscrutable natures, women ask questions they don't really want direct answers to. Woe be the man who plays it straight - his fate is the suffering of the beta. Evade, tease, obfuscate. She thrives when she has to imagine what you're thinking about her, and withers when she knows exactly how you feel. A woman may want financial and family security, but she does not want passion security. In the same manner, when she has displeased you, punish swiftly, but when she has done you right, reward slowly. Reward her good behavior intermittently and unpredictably and she will never tire of working hard to please you.

VII. Always keep two in the kitty
Never allow yourself to be a "kept man". A man with options is a man without need. It builds confidence and encourages boldness with women if there is another woman, a safety net, to catch you in case you slip and risk a breakup, divorce, or a lost prospect, leading to loneliness and a grinding dry spell. A woman knows once she has slept with a man she has abdicated a measure of her power; when she has fallen in love with him she has surrendered nearly all of it. But love is ephemeral and with time she may rediscover her power and threaten to leave you. It is her final trump card. Withdrawing all her love and all her body in an instant will rend your soul if you are faced with contemplating the empty abyss alone. Knowing there is another you can turn to for affection will fortify your will and satisfy your manhood.

VIII. Say you're sorry only when absolutely necessary
Do not say you're sorry for every wrong thing you do. It is a posture of submission that no man should reflexively adopt, no matter how alpha he is. Apologizing increases the demand for more apologies. She will come to expect your contrition, like a cat expects its meal at a set time each day. And then your value will lower in her eyes. Instead, if you have done something wrong, you should acknowledge your guilt in a glancing way without resorting to the actual words "I'm sorry." Pull the Bill Clinton maneuver and say "Mistakes were made" or tell her you "feel bad" about what you did. You are granted two freebie "I'm sorry"s for the life of your relationship; use them wisely.

IX. Connect with her emotions
Set yourself apart from other men and connect with a woman's emotional landscape. Her mind is an alien world that requires deft navigation to reach your rendezvous. Frolic in the surf of emotions rather than the arid desert of logic. Be playful. Employ all your senses. Describe in lush detail scenarios to set her heart afire. Give your feelings freedom to roam. ROAM. Yes, that is a good word. You're not on a linear path with her. You are ROAMING all over, taking her on an adventure. In this world, there is no need to finish thoughts or draw conclusions. There is only need to EXPERIENCE. You're grabbing her hand and running with her down an infinite, labyrinthine alleyway with no end, laughing and letting your fingers glide on the cobblestone walls along the way.

X. Ignore her beauty
The man who trains his mind to subdue the reward centers of his brain when reflecting upon a beautiful female face will magically transform his interactions with women. His apprehension and self-consciousness will melt away, paving the path for more honest and self-possessed interactions with the objects of his desire. This is one reason why the greatest Lotharios drown in more love than they can handle - through positive experiences with so many beautiful women they lose their awe of beauty and, in turn, their powerlessness under its spell. It will help you acquire the right frame of mind to stop using the words hot, cute, gorgeous, or beautiful to describe girls who turn you on. Instead, say to yourself "she's interesting" or "she might be worth getting to know". Never compliment a girl on her looks, especially not a girl you aren't fucking. Turn off that part of your brain that wants to put them on pedestals. Further advanced training to reach this state of unawed Zen transcendence is to sleep with many MANY attractive women (try to avoid sleeping with a lot of ugly women if you don't want to regress). Soon, a Jedi lover you will be.

XI. Be irrationally self-confident
No matter what your station in life, stride through the world without apology or excuse. It does not matter if objectively you are not the best man a woman can get; what matters is that you think and act like you are. Women have a dog's instinct for uncovering weakness in men; don't make it easy for them. Self-confidence, warranted or not, triggers submissive emotional responses in women. Irrational self-confidence will get you more pussy than rational defeatism.

XII. Maximize your strengths, minimize your weaknesses
In the betterment of ourselves as men we attract women into our orbit. To accomplish this gravitational pull as painlessly and efficiently as possible, you must identify your natural talents and shortcomings and parcel your efforts accordingly. If you are a gifted jokester, don't waste time and energy trying to raise your status in philosophical debate. If you write well but dance poorly, don't kill yourself trying to expand your manly influence on the dance floor. Your goal should be to attract women effortlessly, so play to your strengths no matter what they are; there is a groupie for every male endeavor. Except World of Warcraft.

XIII. Err on the side of too much boldness, rather than too little
Touching a woman inappropriately on the first date will get you further with her than not touching her at all. Don't let a woman's faux indignation at your boldness sway you; they secretly love it when a man aggressively pursues what he wants and makes his sexual intentions known. You don't have to be an asshole, but if you have no choice, being an inconsiderate asshole beats being a polite beta, every time.

XIV. Fuck her good
Fuck her like it's your last fuck. And hers. Fuck her so good, so hard, so wantonly, so profligately that she is left a quivering, sparking mass of shaking flesh and sex fluids. Drain her of everything, then drain her some more. Kiss her all over, make love to her all night, and hold her close in the morning. Own her body, own her gratitude, own her love. If you don't know how, learn to give her squirting orgasms.

XV. Maintain your state control
You are an oak tree. You will not be manipulated by crying, yelling, lying, head games, sexual withdrawal, jealousy ploys, pity plays, shit tests, hot/cold/hot/cold, disappearing acts, or guilt trips. She will rain and thunder all around you and you will shelter her until her storm passes. She will not drag you into her chaos or uproot you. When you have mastery over yourself, you will have mastery over her.

XVI. Never be afraid to lose her
You must not fear. Fear is the love-killer. Fear is the ego-triumph that brings abject loneliness. You will face your fear. You will permit it to pass over and through you. And when your ego-fear is gone you will turn and face your lover, and only your heart will remain. You will walk away from her when she has violated your integrity, and you will let her walk when her heart is closed to you. She who can destroy you, controls you. Don't give her that power over yourself. Love yourself before you love her.

After reading all that, I just ended up confused, angry, and a little intrigued. Most of it sounds like a recipe to be alone, but a few (IX, XII, & XIV) are dusted with tiny fragments of truth. Without getting to counselor-like; this sounds mostly like a confused, hurt, man who is trying to lash out at all the women who've ever hurt him in his life. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #25

"With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

History part II

I didn't get to bask in the history as long as I may have liked. As most of you know, i live in the perpetually red state of West Virginia. I love my state and my city; but I have been repeatedly reminded where I am. Ever since the victory, there has been a unspoken tenseness and hostility in the air. Everyone wants to remind me that, "it's not like you are gonna personally experience a difference" now that the first black president is elected. It's a heavy feeling. Most white people that I come in contact with, now want to remind me that he is half white. As if to say that a full blooded black man couldn't have snuck by them. This whole "half white" notion, in my state and city, is laughable though. No one that I know of, sees people that way, unless they want to claim a redeeming quality about a person. My part of the world still lives in the One Drop Of Black Blood days. Racial tension is at an all time high while black aggression is at an all time low. It saddens me but just give me a tiny glimpse at the uphill battle that President Obama is up against. I'm not afraid of assassination. I'm not sure why, but I'm not. I'm just hurt by the asterisks that so many people are ready to place by his name before he has even taken office. Another area of concern is the pass that blatant and latent racist are trying to use by telling people that they voted for Obama. I had a co-worker actually ask me, "What if he is a Muslim and blows us all up, or locks up in concentration camps?" This person was dead ass serious too. I don't assume that all people are like the ones that I'm posting about. I also don't assume that these people are alone in their attitudes, actions, or beliefs. I just thought I could expect the joy of others to help me celebrate, and not just my own. I was wrong. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

History

We did it. I can't believe it. I'm just gonna walk around my city today and see just how different it feels. If you are black and reading this, leave work or school or wherever, and just do you today. Bask in the history that was made. That's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

White Privilege

For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a "light" burden.

And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.

White privilege is, in short, the problem.

Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me (Soft Skull, 2005, revised 2008), and of Speaking Treason Fluently, publishing this month, also by Soft Skull.

A genius women that I highly respect, sent me this in an e-mail. I figured that it is important so I decided to share. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #24

"And whatever labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST
Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112
can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!'

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider
and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there
would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
And Finally....

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

A very insightful person e-mailed this to me. For all the folks with cell phones. This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you, but that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

I'm Really Gonna Miss This Guy

The countdown has begun! I hope you're as anxious for change as I am. But that's just my opinion, and who the hell am I?

What If......?

Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around? .....think about it.
Would the country's collective point of view be different?
Could racism be the culprit?
Ponder the following:
What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?
What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?
What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?
What if McCain had only married once and Obama was a divorcee?
What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?
What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)
What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?
What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?
What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?
What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?
What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?
You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?
This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

I was sent this in an e-mail. I thought it was pretty poinient; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #23

"Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive it to be,"

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Rock

I really miss this guy. Maybe he'll give Hollywood a break and come back to his roots. I still think he is Top Three Greatest Wrestlers of All-Time; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Do me a favor.....

1. Google The Venus Project or Resource Based Economy.

2. Read up on it.

3. Post your opinions and/or thoughts as comments.

I'm anxious to hear what others think, about these revolutionary ideas and outlooks; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Mystery of the Rump

I have always been puzzled by this so I thought I would make it a post. Just to see if there is a brave soul out there that would step up and clarify this for me. My question is this: Why don't white men like big butt? I don't claim to know the inner most carnal desires of all white men; but 99.95% of all the white men I know are disgusted by women with shapes like Deelishis & Buffie The Body. I'm not sure what it is that repulses them about a curvy, shapely woman; but the white men I know seem pretty adamant. It seems like they prefer skinny women with large chests. I don't usually deal in sweeping generalization, but the fact are plain. So, if there are any white men or people close to white men that are reading this post, please provide me with some insight on this preference. I think it may have something to do with the backlash of a manufactured, distorted, unnatural image of beauty that was forced on the American society. I don't know if that was the doing of the media or a part of America's plot to De-Africanize the country. You tell me. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #22

"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #21

"You have a right to be here."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

De-Motivational Poster of the Week

I think these are hilarious; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Why Not?

Today I head from three different people today, that racism is dead. The actual way they put it was racism doesn't actually effect anyone anymore and if you don't believe it; ask someone someone in between the ages of 19-40. One of them was black. I'm not sure if i live in the same world as these people. I see subtle things like the way people suddenly put on their best ethnic accent went they talk to me, or blatant things like the cancellation of a Multi-Cultural Day Celebration at a predominantly white school. I think that most of the time people manipulate themselves into believing that it has gone away so that they don't have to face latent and institutional racism that is a part of everyday life in america. With the guidance of the infinitely wise Jane Elliot, I decided to post ways that white people can combat racism. I know that you're probably wondering why I'm only addressing white people. That's because, MY definition of racism is when a group of people use prejudice and ignore to prevent another people from doing or being something. Since black people in this country do not have the power to prevent anyone from doing anything; they cannot be racist. I also excluded black people because we do not have the luxury of "not knowing how to act" around white folks. Just speaking for my self and all of my friends, from birth we've been around white folks. We had to learn. I now several white people who didn't have any interaction with black folks until college. That blows my mind.

Here is the list of what white folks can do:

1. Aggressively seek out more information in an effort to enhance my own awareness and understanding of racism (talking with others, reading, listening).

2. Spend some time recently looking at my own racist attitudes and behaviors as they contribute to or combat racism around and within me.

3. Reevaluate my use of terms, phrases or behaviors that may be perceive by others as degrading or hurtful.

4. Openly confront a racist comment, joke or, action among those around you.

5. Make a personal contract to myself to take positive stand against racism even at some possible risk, when the chance occurs.

6. Suggest and take steps to implement discussions or workshops aimed at understanding and eliminating racism with friends, colleagues, social clubs, and church groups.

7. Use my school or place of employment as a target for my educational efforts in responding to racism.

8. Become seriously dissatisfied with my own level of activity in combating racism.

9. Realize that as a White Americans I am trapped by my own schools, homes, media, government, families, etc., even when they choose not to be openly racist.

10. End affiliations with organizations which are racist in their membership requirements.

11. Subscribe to a publication which will educate me in the area of a culture other than my own, leave copies of that publication in sight where my friends and associates might see it and/or question my interest in it.

I believe that these things will work, and if implemented by every white american that reads this; true change will come to pass. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #20

"You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;"

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Tips & Tricks at the Pump

I thought I'd post this e-mail that I got sent a little while ago.

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon . In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money. One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount. Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

With the way things are going, I thought this might be useful, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

R.I.P. Granddad

On Sept. 17th, 2008; I lost my Grandfather. He was an incredible man. He was my role model, my idol, and the basis of my definition of a man. He will be greatly missed. I will forever be trying to live up to the legacy he left. They are some big shoes to fill, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #19

"Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

That Windows Button

I'm not back yet, but I'm still trying to keep a little interest in the page. Here's the best I could do.

Have you ever wondered what use that "Windows Logo" button really has, other than making the Start up screen pop up easily. Luckily, my boy Mexican Taint provided me with a listing of some of the various uses for the "Windows Logo" button:

Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)

I hope you thought this was half as cool as I did. I think it's pretty slick, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Apology

Thanks to the fine people at WPHS and their forward thought,. I haven't been able to post because I can't access the Internet. I'm only posting right now because I figured out a way to do it from my cell phone. To be totally honest, I don't have a phone or a doorknob on my new office either. I'm sure they will get their act together soon enough. I'm not angry yet. They don't want that. Me and Bruce Banner have the same disorder. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Best Of Bobby Light

There is a guy I know named Bobby Light. Here is a little compilation of some of his best moments. Sorry for the quality. It was made with a cell phone camera.

I think he's pretty funny, but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Simplicity

In my continuing quest to find universal truths and understand myself & others better; I came across a phrase that made things very plain to me. It is simple, but yet profoundly inclusive. You could stay superficial with it or you could delve into its symbolism or unconscious meaning. Here it is:

"Everybody Poops"

Deep, huh? But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #18

"Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Skillz Speaks

I've never heard truer conversation about hip-hop and the industry, in my life; but that's just my opinon though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #17

"But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Patron Saint of Convenient Stores

At around 9:43pm, I set out to take a little stroll. As I walked, I thought about the cliche scenes in movies where a person is sitting alone in a church to find a little peace and solitude. I decided to try it. Who couldn't use a little peace and solitude to get their mind right and pull their thoughts together? I walked up to the church and was shocked to find that the doors were locked. Light were on, but nobody home. I was at a loss. Dejected, I tried three other churches and was met with the same end. All of them were locked. I suppose that if I were in dire straits and banged on the doors, someone would've come to my assistance; but I didn't do that. I just walked to an old abandon bridge and put some thoughts together there. Now that I'm here, I just can't get that one question out of my head, "Why were the church's doors locked?" I can't think of a good reason. Do churches close? If so, what are their hours and why isn't it posted on the front door? Were they afraid of a break-in? Who would do such a thing? And if that person is out there, isn't that church the best place for that person? Shouldn't there be someone there ready to help the poor misguided soul that is attempting to harm or deface a church? I'm not one for Organized Religion, but I've been around those who are, and I believe them when they say that their church is a house of God. But maybe I put too much into that belief? Maybe I'm the misguided one for believing the church should be a testament to the availability of God's unchanging hand and its faith, when faced with adversity, danger, and inconvenience. To show you how naive I am; I thought the reverend or pastor or whatever, lived at the church. Literally. I figured he was on call 24-7. I just assumed that was the life he chose.

Although I don't put much stock in Holy Books and Holy Places; it was a weird feeling to know that there isn't a vigilant watchman ready to adjust your walk with the Lord if need be. At any hour. Night or day. I came away with the same feeling that I had from a time I'd chosen to walk to a local 7-11, to get a cherry Slurpee. Only to find that it was closed. The feelings were almost identical. All I kept thinking was, "7-11 doesn't close???" and "There better be a damn good reason that this 7-11 is closed!!!" I was mad for a while, but I calmed down when I remembered how over-priced things were in there and how I could make my own Slurpee with crushed up Popsicles and Kool-aid. Sometimes a unfulfilled expectation leads to providence and innovation. Maybe God wanted me to enjoy the wonderful cool evening and not be couped up inside. If you ask me, I think he was just showing me that I was on the right path and didn't need a detour. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #16

"Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Tyler Perry

I know this will probably offend the millions and millions of single, black, church-going, women who are loyal fans of his but it must be said. What does Mr. Perry have against black men? I have watched his movies and his stage plays and I believe I have them down to a simple formula.

The Men:

The "Bad One"- He will be pure "evil", misogynistic, materialistic and/or sexual deviants.

The "Good One"- He will be a good man who was on the right track until he lost it all, or got on to the wrong track. He is on his way back to "doin' right"; but he is constantly dogged by his reputation, and/or the repercussions of his checkered past and/or poor decision making. The most important part of the "good man" is; all the bad things that happened to him were of his own doing. out of selfishness or greed.

The men in Mr. Perry's movies have no natural instinct or urges to exhibit "positive" behavior until adversity has humbled them. They are "bad", for no apparent reason, until made "good". He couldn't do the Barrack Obama story because he isn't an ex-con, former gang member, thug-ass nigga, or backslider.

The Women:

They are always strong, positive, sensible, and amazingly maternal and willing to sacrifice any and every for their family. They are also always the star, motivating factors, and focal point of the films. They are offered every benefit of the doubt, and if they do have a fault or short coming, they are provided with a wonderful back story to explain why it is so.

If a woman doesn't fall into this cater gory, she is a minimal side character, or a comedic caricatures.

I don't mind that Mr. Perry does this. I actually find his movies very entertaining. But ever since The Color Purple was made a film( a movie the had absolutely no positive Black men); I believe that there has been a market for films that showcase Black women rising above despite the Black men in their lives. I know..... I know..... Many of you are saying, " But there really are Black men like that" or "You just don't understand what it's like to be a Black woman in the world today". Imagine if he wrote the opposite. Imagine if every woman in his film were no good? Imagine the public backlash. I am in no way saying that Mr. Perry should stop making films or stop making the kind of films that he does. I'm merely saying that he seems to be benefiting off of a media system that emasculates Black men and morally assassinates and ousts the Black man as the Patriarchal figurehead of the Black family. Maybe I'm reading too much into the films. Maybe I don't know enough about Mr. Perry's personal story. Maybe I'm just a hater. Maybe...

Or maybe we are being introduced to the Year 2000 minstrel show. Maybe Flavor of Love was too overt. Maybe this is just subtle enough to win us over.

And I haven't even mentioned the Organized Religion that he peppers in to his flicks to make sure we feel, at least a little, inadequate. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm hating on a fellow Black man, but I'm not. I wish Mr. Perry and all of those involved with his movement continued financial, spiritual, and creative success. I love seeing my brothers and sisters doing good; but my point of view; as a black man is, "something in the milk ain't clean". I still got love and respect for Mr. Tyler Perry, but that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

An Interesting Take

After reading the post below, one of my more loyal readers, made this statement. What do you think?

"The only people that care about black people are us. We will always be the first to be blamed, first to be asked to help someone, but never first to be helped."

I'm not sure how I feel about it; but there is a protective layer of truth around this statement that prevents me from dismissing it as just the rants of an angry black. It intrigues me. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Too Little Too Late?

Tell me what you think:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws.
"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only white lawmaker to represent a majority black district. Cohen faces a formidable black challenger in a primary face-off next week.
Congress has issued apologies before - to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws.
Five states have issued apologies for slavery, but past proposals in Congress have stalled, partly over concerns that an apology would lead to demands for reparations - payment for damages.
The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. It does commit the House to rectifying "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow."
It says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation.
The House "apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow."
"Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," Cohen said. Part of forming a more perfect union, he said, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."
Cohen became the first white to represent the 60 percent black district in Memphis in more than three decades when he captured a 2006 primary where a dozen black candidates split the vote. He has sought to reach out to his black constituents, and early in his term showed interest in joining the Congressional Black Caucus until learning that was against caucus rules.
Another of his first acts as a freshman congressman in early 2007 was to introduce the slavery apology resolution. His office said that the House resolution was brought to the floor only after learning that the Senate would be unable to join in a joint resolution.
More than a dozen of the 42 Congressional Black Caucus members in the House were original co-sponsors of the measure. The caucus has not endorsed either Cohen or his chief rival, attorney Nikki Tinker, in the Memphis primary, although Cohen is backed by several senior members, including Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Tinker is the former campaign manager of Harold Ford, Jr., who held Cohen's seat until he stepped down in an unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2006.

Well. Well. Well. Let's see if we can't start working on the action that usually follows an apology. You know, the part that doesn't make it seem like empty rhetoric. I'm not holding my breath; but that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

Tattoo Status

I have been itching to get a tattoo lately. I finally figured out what I want and where, but my money has been kinda funny lately. I was talking it over with one of my boys and we came to the conclusion that we ABSOLUTELY LOVE women with tattoos. While the three of us were lusting over inked up women, a third party came over and interjected some negativity to the conversation. I thought I'd post his theory on women with tattoos and see what you guys think:

"If a woman has a tattoo across her chest/tittie; can’t no nigga take you seriously. You'll only achieve Jump Off status (The Other Woman).

If a woman has a tattoo across her arm; she's a ride or die bitch. Good to have around, but can only achieve Hood status (We are are only seen together in the hood).

Tattoo across your back indicates a Tramp. You only achieve Freak status (The chick that you call for mind blowing, no strings attached, bomb-ass, sex).

Tattoo on your leg indicates that you are a cool, down to earth chick that you can really talk to. Unfortunately, you only achieve Kick It status (The chick that you don't wanna sleep with because it will mess up the friendship).

And finally, no tattoos equals Wifey status (A chick you can spend the rest of your life with)."

I'm not buyin' it. I love tattoos and think they are a unique expression of art and individualism; so I can't see judging someone for having one or where it's located. Besides, if I combined all those tattoos into one woman and she had the qualities that go with them; she instantly would achieve Wifey status in my book. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #15

"Take kindly the counsel of the years; gracefully surrender the things of youth."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #14

"Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass."

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Best Medicine

Funny and true; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Killer Mike

Being the devoted Hip Hop fan that I am; I decided to give a long over due shout out to Killer Mike. He is one of the most under-rated MC's out right now. His last two CD, I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind I & II, though they didn't get much buzz, were bona fide classics. He is signed to Grind Time Official through the SMC/Fontana Distribution. He made his debut appearance on "Snappin' and Trappin'" on Outkast's 2000 LP Stankonia, and also appeared on the Grammy-winning song, "The Whole World", the single from OutKast's greatest hits album Big Boi and Dre Present...OutKast. He was featured in the movies 20 Funerals, Idlewild, and ATL.

Killer Mike released his debut album, Monster, in 2003. The album's lead single was "Akshon (Yeah!)", it featured OutKast on guest vocals, and was included on the soundtrack to the 2004 version of EA Sports popular video game Madden NFL. He even made a Madden '04 remix of "Akshon (Yeah!)" for the game. Following the release of his own material, he appeared on "Flip Flop Rock" and "Bust" on the Speakerboxx half of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. He also appeared on "Southern Takeover" with Pastor Troy on Chamillionaire's CD The Sound of Revenge. His second album "Ghetto Extraordinary" has had its release date pushed back several times due to disputes between Big Boi and Sony Records.
Killer Mike has also performed as a voice actor. He plays a rapper/actor, turned President of the United States, named Taqu'il in the Adult Swim cartoon Frisky Dingo. According to an article published in the June 2007 issue of XXL, Killer Mike addressed why he left the Purple Ribbon roster. He stated that he felt as if Purple Ribbon was the equivalent to the "Clippers," while he wanted to join the "Lakers."

He is one of the few rappers today that would speak out on socially relevant issues. Here is a link to him making comments about the complexion of politics today: http://nahright.com/news/2008/07/14/video-killer-mike-talks-obama-the-clintons/

Here is one where addresses Nas and his new album: http://nahright.com/news/2008/07/16/audio-killer-mike-on-nas-album-title-change/

Over all, he is another piece to what the games has been missing. If you get a chance to, and just wanna hear a real nigga speak from his heart, or a real artist create art; check out Killer Mike. He's worth a listen; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Things I'd Love To Hear

Communication is a very important part of life. I love to hear genuine conversations or movies with great dialogue. I think words are very powerful and they can effect people in an extremely positive or negative way. Since I know that I will never be a rich man, or own a home like the Wicked Pickett's, I've created a list of things that I'd love to have someone say to me or about me. Here it is:

1. I would be lost without you.

2. I agree with what he said

3. Let's ask him. I'm sure he would know.

4. I knew I'd feel better, once I saw/talked to you.

5. You really helped me change my life.

6. I've never been that loud before.

7. I can't stop shaking my legs.

8. What do you think I should do?

9. I can be myself around you.

10. I'm very proud of you.

These are just my top ten. Feel free to post your own. In a time where currency can be loosely defined, I wouldn't mind being paid in these wages. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #13

"Especially do not feign affection."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Joe Knows

If you don't really care about the recent state of Hip Hop, you should just ignore this post. I was doing my normal Internet browsing thang and I came across these two songs. They are from an artist that I respect more than 90% of the artists out today. Joe Budden made two songs called, "Who pt. 1" and "Who pt2." I heard that part three is coming. In these two songs, Joe Budden takes the temperature and diagnoses Hip Hop music. He asks the real tough questions and makes listeners think. Something that the game has been missing. He is firm unflinching and unapologetic in his assessment of the industry. Unlike every other song that takes a long, hard look at rap music; Joe gives his opinion on why and how things got this bad. Posted below are links to these two songs

Who pt.1: http://www.zshare.net/audio/147949071b9ed84c/

Who pt.2: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1503013889bf69a5/

Give them a listen and tell me what you think. I think Joey "The King of Jersey" is right on point; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Counter- Balance

I hope you guys don't get the impression that I'm "feelin' myself", but I recently put in a counter at the bottom of the page. This gives me an idea of how many people check the BLOG out. Actually, it could just be my mom checking in to see if I'm posting anything that could get me fired or arrested. I know that I say I do this to vent, and provide some therapy for myself; but occasionally it is nice to know that folks are checking your page out. With that said, I am taking it upon myself to set 1,000 as my goal. If I can get 1,000 clicks; I'll complete one request/dare from anyone who reads my BLOG (unless the request is to stop blogging). Just post your request/dare in the comments of this post. Once I get 10, I'll post that list and you guys can vote on it. I'll do my best to provide video and/or photographic proof of completion. If it isn't possible, you'll just have to take my word. Please nothing illegal. You can't BLOG from jail. I'm excited or I'm just up too late. Boredom can play tricks on the mind & contentment can be easily confused with monotony. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

i Megaphone

I'm not now, nor have I never claimed to be an expert on Art. My definition of art is "Anything born in imagination and/or creativity of another human being that evokes emotion". With that being said, I have just stumbled across what I am sure is Art. I'm not sure if you all will agree. There is a Artist named Imogen Heap. I urge any and all of you to take some time and give her a quick listen; then tell me what you think. I can't really describe her music, but; for me, it definitely evokes emotion. Being a purely Hip-Hop head, I was stunned by how much I liked this Artist. In a time where originality is all but gone from my music of choice, it's a shame that I have to find a creative breath of fresh air in another genre. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #12

"Be yourself"

Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Patriotism

I've had weird thoughts about patriotism lately. I've never considered myself a patriotic person. I've shared the mindset that Chris Rock used in his stand up routine. He equated the relationship between a black man & America to the relationship between a person who has an uncle who molested them; but also paid their way through college. I feel the same way. The form of patriotism that makes the hair on my neck stand up, is the kind that makes a person say, "My country, right or wrong." That phrase makes me nervous. One quote that I like is, " My country, when right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be set right!" but I would have to say that my favorite expression of patriotism; one that we all as Americans should adopt, is "Not in my name." This negates "My country, right or wrong." It ties, "We The People..." to an active investment in your governments actions. When you read the paper, and you hear about actions and policies that your government is involved in and you don't agree with; you can say to yourself, " Not in my name". Hopefully, that phrase will be a catalyst for change; and change is always a good thing. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #11

"But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Maybe George Michael Was Wrong.....

For those who are new to the blog, a Schedule 1 word is a word that has no positive or medicinal purposes; and should be banned. The new word that I'll nominate is a little suspect. I actually am going to wait and hear back from you guys before i put it on the list. The word up for review is FAITH. I'm sure some of you are coming up with an argument as you read this. I was brought up to believe,"Without FAITH, it's impossible to please God.", "FAITH is the substance of things hoped for.", and "FAITH is the evidence of things not seen". I was always sold on these principles until I heard a quote from Pastor Ray Hagins; "When knowledge is present, FAITH is not necessary." I heard that and began to think. FAITH allows too much room for error. FAITH gives you the ability to build a belief system around something that isn't true or to hold on to a failed or faulty ideology. If FAITH is used as a weapon to question, correct, and relegate a person's morality; then it isn't a tool of righteousness. I can see FAITH used as a motivation to learn and know; but FAITH as an ending or finishing point, does more harm than good. If you have FAITH in something or someone; that FAITH should push you to find out if that Faith is based in truth and reality or falsehood and rhetoric. If your FAITH isn't based in truth and reality, then that isn't FAITH. It is delusion or, on a more positive note, Hope. Hope is very different than FAITH. Hope has fantasy, whimsical connotation to it and FAITH is much more concrete and rigid. If FAITH is placed on the Schedule 1 list; Hope is the word that I would suggest to replace it. Let me know what you think. This is just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #10

"Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

A Case Of The HICK-ups

I know you may have been wondering about why I haven't been posting. Well, here's the story. I took my computer to a guy named Greg Hicks. All I took it there for was to get some more memory installed. THAT'S ALL. After he installed the memory, I got home and the computer crashed. Mr. Hicks then informed me that my motherboard was broken and He could fix it for the low low price of $300. Since I am shamefully dependent on my computer; I agreed. After he repaired the computer it looked like a brand new sleek, black, beautiful, computer. I was pumped. He also informed me that I had a 1 year warranty. I couldn't be happier. I rushed home, plugged the computer in, and it crashed again. I took it back to Greg Hicks and he fixed it again. Then he told me that the next time he has to fix the computer, he'll have to charge me. I was pretty heated about that, but I let it slide because I was just happy to be connected again. Low and behold, the computer crashed again. I say all of that, to say this: Don't be like Greg Hicks. If you can't do something, don't lie and say that you can; and for damn sure don't get untrue, misleading business cards printed up. If you say you have an ability and advertise that ability; please be able to deliver. My grand total came to about $400 and I still don't have a working computer. Greg Hicks pulled a fast one on me and I hope he doesn't get the chance to pull a fast one on any of you. Luckily for me(and Mr. Hicks), I have this forum to get things off my chest and release tension. Now, there is no need to read into this incident and make it a matter of disrespect and an act of blatant condescending behavior or an attack on me as a man. An attack that begs for a response. Thank goodness I've grown enough as a person that I have no desire to see Mr. Greg Hicks in an alley and beat the breaks off his non-computer fixing butt. I'm proud of myself. If you want to see for yourself, above is his card. Check him out on your own and see for yourself. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

I Miss........ '08

Being away from home, family, and loved ones; made me realize that there are several things that I miss and I didn't even realize it. I decided to make a list of random things that I miss and will probably never see, do, or experince again.

1. All of my family members and friends who have passed away.
2. Saturday morning cartoons
3. TV without reality shows
4. Playing football with my friends
5. Pete Marie's
6. Police Academy movies
7. Downtown Wheeling
8. When tennis shoes costs under $100
9. Queen Latifah's breasts
10. Playing video games with my cousin Neil at 7-11
11. Not worrying about my blood pressure
12. The dirt pile
13. Slim
14. The Hobby Shop
15. When Louis' Hot Dog was in town
16. When Rap music was all about originality
17. Ms. Wiggins
18. Johnny Carson
19. Working at First Step
20. My old place
21. The Stradwick- McCammick feud
22. Foodland
23. Lisa Neville's singing voice
24. McDonald's downtown
25. The Halloween Parade

You never know; if I never get to do these thing, go these places, or see these people again; I'm just gonna try to duplicate the feelings, hold on to the memories, and make it a part of my life now. I suggest everyone make a list and do the same; but that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #9

"Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it’s a real possession in the changing fortunes of time."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

I'm Trippin'

This is the day that it really hit me. We could actually have a black man as the president of the united states of america. I never really thought that he would win the democratic nomination, because I always assumed the Super delegates would swoop in and save us the trouble of looking for the conspiracy this time. I just never dreamt that we as a people would ever get this close to the white house. Since we live in the times of Don Imus, Flavor Flav, and Sean Bell, I don't expect to see a black man as commander in chief any time soon; but I have to take a minute and marvel at the idea of someone that looks like me and has the shared experience of being a black man, being "The leader of the free world". I don't care how short lived this feeling will be. I'm not sure if a white person could relate to this feeling? It would be like, if you were in high school and you were constantly bullied. Then, one day you favorite uncle became principal. Yeah, the bullying may not stop; but the bullies would know that messing with you would be like messing with the principal. The weak would no longer seem so powerless. It would be like living in Gotham. Yeah, it's still a rough city; but at least you know Batman is around. I'm filled up with pride, hope, and excitement; and despite this country's track record, I'm gonna hold on to this feeling as long as I can before it is ripped away again. I'm gonna stand a little taller tomorrow. I'm gonna walk with a bit more swagger than usual. I'm gonna convince myself that I am one of the fine residents of the city of Metropolis, who just sat down to read the latest addition of the Daily Planet. I'm taking that luxury for myself tomorrow. If any other black folks are reading this, I suggest you do the same. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #8

"Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

MY 100TH POST!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a special occasion. A landmark in my amateur blogging career. This is my 100th post. There are a lot of people that I want to thank for helping me get here, but I don't like posting names over the net. The names tat I will post are the wonderful folks who have left comments on this site. I want to especially thank these people: Big Possum, Lady True2U, Wendy Lough, Lady Truth, Jennifer, Co-Jack, Lacey Peterson, Tammy, Osmianski, Mike, Mike Toothman, James Tubman, Sheila, Lori, Heartless, Mojaxs, Jaki, and Morelli. These people commented and on several posts and actually left their names. I appreciate your opinions and believe it or not each of you has taught me a thing or two, with your comments. I feel like we are family. Not that I dislike the Anonymous posts. Some of them have been incredibly insightful but it's nice to put a name with the comment. It seems to strengthen the connection. Out of all of the 100 posts, I'd have to say that my favorite ones were I Came In The Door, Said It Before.... , Disconnection Notice ,Better or Good ,Happiness is Singular , and The Artist formerly known as...... I don't have the space to list my favorite comments but trust me; there have been some good ones. For those of you that read: thank you so very much & please continue reading; and for those comment: Thank you even more. It might seem corny to you, but this is a very special moment for me. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Problem With Open Ventilation

Just like in the movie Spider-Man, Uncle Ben tells Peter, "With great power comes great responsibility". I've just recently found that "With great freedom comes great responsibility". The purposes of this blog are three fold. I'll list them in order of importance

1. To vent my feelings and frustrations in a safe way.
2. To Learn from other people's advice and experiences
3. To possibly teach/enlighten someone else by my opinions, outlooks, and perceptions.

Never has it been my intentions to hurt or upset anyone by the things that I've posted. I repeat; I've never meant to INTENTIONALLY hurt or upset someone. If it happens by chance, then so be it. This is in no way a retraction or apology for being me; nor is it the beginning of a safe, bland, vanilla, PC blog. I just know it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge when something that I've written or posted has hurt some one's feelings or made someone question themselves. It is an unwelcome part of the process; but it is part of the process. Free flowing opinionated thought, sometimes offends and upsets people. It's an occupational hazard. The cool part of all this is; people are reading my blog, and people give a damn about my opinion. Who would've thought? I promise those that read, nothing will change. No disclaimers. And to those who I've offended or hurt; I will never PURPOSEFULLY do it again.

I can't make any promises.

Also; when I find the rat bastard that sold me out; it's on. But that's just my opinion, though and who the hell am I?

Happiness

Lately, I have been in kind of a funk and I'm sure it has been evident in my posts. I decided today to try and switch things up a bit; and talk about happiness. I think happiness is the strongest motivator of mankind. Even before Self-preservation. I believe every action is rooted in the possibility to make oneself happy. I also believe Happiness itself has 4 Levels.

Level One

Level 1 is finding happiness in physical pleasure and possession of material things. Level 1 is about gaining physical gratification through the fulfillment of our five senses. The double tall mocha tastes good, and I feel good having drunk it.This level of happiness is good. But, if we only live for instant gratification, we soon become bored.Suffering has no meaning at this level. When we are deprived of pleasures and possessions, we perceive pain and suffering. We question suffering and fail to see how any good can come from pain.

Level Two

Level 2 is finding happiness in ego-gratification. We get a boost of ego when we succeed, are in control, are admired, or win a competition. This happiness accompanies winning a soccer game, graduating from school, or getting a job promotion. Level 2 is good. Humans need to work toward goals and finish projects. But, we have to be careful if happiness is found only in achievement or ego-gratification because we'll be living in constant competition with other people. If things don't go our way, or we embarrass ourselves, or we fail, we can sink into depression. If pain or illness causes us to lose some control or become dependent on others, we begin to see life as useless or meaningless. Suffering is seen as something to be avoided at all costs. We may begin to live in fear of suffering because it inhibits our ability to achieve.

Level Three

Level 3 is doing good things for another person. This is the joy of giving a gift, teaching a child to tie his shoelaces, and baking cookies for a friend. In addition to the happiness we find in giving to others, we also find happiness in being with others. When we give our very selves by playing "Go Fish" with a child or listening to a friend who needs an ear, we find spending time in the presence of someone else can make us happy. Nonetheless, if we make Level 3 our "end," we become frustrated because we can never do enough to help others, for there is always more to do! Another pitfall is thinking someone else will bring us ultimate happiness. This is too large of a task to ask another person to accomplish for us, or for us to try to accomplish for another person. Although we can help someone find happiness, we can't be "ultimate happiness."

Level Four

Level 4 is faith and participation in the unconditional, never-ending love of God. Even those who do not believe in God still have this desire for the ultimate. Some may call it a universal force, or some other name. It is believing that there is such a thing as perfect, ultimate, unconditional, and eternal Truth, Love, Beauty, Goodness, and Justice. It's learning that the only person who is without limits is God, and that God loves us so much, that He wants us to be a part of His Love forever. If we truly believe that this is our final goal, then we know what it means to be human. People are no longer problems, they are mysteries. We look for the "good news" in other people. We desire good for the other so much; it becomes just as easy to do good for someone else as for ourselves. Level 4 keeps the other three levels in their proper perspectives. Our final goal is to find happiness by accepting the perfect, unconditional love of God, and by giving ourselves away in love to others (even when this requires suffering). Sometimes loving others causes us suffering and sacrifices, but with a Level 4 outlook, we see that suffering can result in a greater good. Our suffering can actually provide others the opportunity to give of themselves through their love and sacrifice for us.

But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #7

"For always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself."


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Mmmmmmmmmmm Yuuuuup!!!

I was e-mailed this yesterday. I thought it was really cool. What do you think?

Those Born 1930-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat. We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms........ WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them! Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good . While you are at it, let your kids read this, so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?! But that's jut my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

The Taste Of Disrespect

Have any of you been so disrespected by someone that you can taste it? It just recently happened to me. Here is how it all went down. I've been working in my current field now for about 9 years. I have tons of experience, a pretty nice reputation, and enough letters behind my to be considered legitimate and knowledgeable in my field. Recently a job change has occurred that forces me to redefine my job duties and day to day business. While others may cringe at this type of adversity, I thrive on it. As soon as I heard about the changes, my eyes widened and I got hungry again. I missed that feeling. It was short lived, though. Just as soon as I was ready to jump in with both feet; I was informed that I would not be charting this career course. Some who has no idea what I do, how I do it, and zero experience in this field is in charge. hen asked if I could put in any input, I was greeted with a laugh and told, "it wouldn't be good to leave it up to you and your own devices". First I was shocked. Then I was angry. Now I'm just hurt. Loyalty, like chivalry, is going the way of the Do-Do bird. Oh.... By the way; It kind tastes like licking a 9 volt battery. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Baby Steps

At least give them credit for trying. MTV is doing their best to shed the rumor that they know nothing about Hip-Hop. They have once again come up with their list of the Hottest MCs in the Game. At least this time they had the good sense to cover their butts by using the term "Hottest". This should get them out of trouble with all the real Hip-Hop heads out there. It would be like saying I was gonna make a list of the Coolest Jazz musicians. Who really cares if they're cool? Can they play good music? The same applies to this list. I don't know, nor do I care, what MTV's definition of "Hottest" is; I just applaud them for getting a few right this time. Here is the list:

10 T.I.

09 Andre 3000

08 Young Jeezy

07 Lupe Fiasco

06 50 Cent

05 Snoop Dogg

04 Rick Ross

03 Lil Wayne

02Jay-Z

01Kanye West

You can probably guess the ones that I have issues with: Jeezy, 50, Snoop, and Rick Ross. Jeezy, 50, and Snoop shouldn't be on the list at all. Jeezy was never good, 50's fifteen minutes of fame are on their last few, and Snoop just isn't relevant anymore. Rick Ross deserves to be on the list but I was thinking more like 8th or 9th. Lyrically he is miles ahead of Young Jeezy. The rest of the list is pretty cool to me. They are all good, relevant, creative, original MCs. Exactly what the game needs more of. But that's just my opinion though; and who the hell am I?

The Desiderata Week #6

"If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,"


Give me your thoughts and opinions on what I feel is a life changing piece of literature. But that's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?

Woody Allen

I was sitting in my crib, listening to Mos Def on my Zune and I saw a preview for Woody Allen's new movie. It seems very gangster-ish for Woody. I am not acting like I know the complete Filmography of Mr. Allen but this just doesn't seem to jive with him. Then I began to think even more about Mr. Allen and I remembered that he molested and married his stepdaughter. It seems like the American public has been way to forgiving and forgetting when it comes to this man. Michael Jackson is still catching hell and he hasn't even been found guilty of anything. Woody Allen is a beloved icon of American film; and Michael Jackson is a music phenomenon, the likes of, we will never see again. Woody is a highly publicized pedophile. It is fact. He married the child that he was molesting. Michael was just accused of doing what Woody has declared for all to see and hear. I just don't get it. Is there something that I'm missing in all of this? Maybe it's just the age old case of praise white and punish black. America's ancient double standard. It pisses me off, but it doesn't surprise me. Fuck Woody Allen. That's just my opinion though, and who the hell am I?