So today is Halloween...and I wasn't going to post anything about it...but a buddy of mines who has a little girl asked that I post this...so I decided to spark some debate around this topic.
This was found in Monday, October 30, 2006 Express Newspaper:
Pagan Prisoners in the U.K will get the day off from labor on Halloween in respect for their religious beliefs. Convicts who label themselves as Devil-worshippers and Satanist will take a break from jail work to be able to celebrate their ”Holiday” on Tuesday, and they will also be given rune stones, twigs and robes to be used in their worship.
Now I personally don't celebrate the Holiday, the fundamental history of the holiday alone is enough for me NOT to partake in the events.
I will be giving out NO candy from home, and as a little girl we would have the Christ-ween party were we dressed up as people from the Bible...but what do you think? Do you think that we shouldn't, as Christians, let our children participate in this holiday. I personally will not allow my children to participate and my buddy isn't letting his daughter dress up, but isn't just a part of just being a child? What happens when my kid is the only kid that doesn't have a costume, won't he/she be embarrasseded? Am I looking at this too deep?
Talk to me people
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Song of the Week...
That Girl by Pharrell
Now I really like this video...its cute, I like the concept...
I hope you enjoy...
Now I really like this video...its cute, I like the concept...
I hope you enjoy...
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Umi Says....
So I have been "MIA" this past week...I had to go through some procedures, take some meds and things, for my cyst. Just dealing mentally with everything that was going on as well as the physical pain, was a lot for me.
On top of that I had to deal with the fact that my ex's grandmother, Mom Mom, passsed away...she was a wonderful woman that I truly loved, admired and respected. So that was hard, but at the same time she was suffering so it a bitter sweet moment because at least now I know she is at peace...and I was able to say good-bye before she passed away, so I am at peace
There is a lot going on in my head right now, its just a lot of stuff going on with me....
So this is the song that really says how I am feeling....
On top of that I had to deal with the fact that my ex's grandmother, Mom Mom, passsed away...she was a wonderful woman that I truly loved, admired and respected. So that was hard, but at the same time she was suffering so it a bitter sweet moment because at least now I know she is at peace...and I was able to say good-bye before she passed away, so I am at peace
There is a lot going on in my head right now, its just a lot of stuff going on with me....
So this is the song that really says how I am feeling....
Monday, October 23, 2006
Song of the Week
Not much introduction needed on this one...although I am not feeling her album all like that...I DO like this song...and I like this video...
To the left...
I know that's right....HOLLA
To the left...
I know that's right....HOLLA
Friday, October 20, 2006
The Debate
So for about the last week or so I have been having a debate with myself over a particular song. Now what makes the debate so hard is the fact that I LOVE this artist...one of his biggest fans because I just think that he is lyrically capable of doing something totally beyond this new single.
I think my man MikeSee said it best though with This letter as his #1 Fan.
If you haven't figured it out by now, I am talking about Mr. Jay-Z himself and his new single "Show me what you got"...off first listen I didn't like it...and really lyrically I am still disappointed, the truth is Mr. Justin Blaze totally outshines Mr. Carter on this track...the production is FIRE and that is why I think I am starting to appreciate the song now...
Much of what hip hop is is one part lyrics and one part production...if you lyrical ability is out of this world crazy you can get away with ok production and vice versa...so the lyrics are alright, but the production is CRAZY HOT...so that's what brings the single together...then to be honest I think the video is cute...
I just want Jay to do what he does, but at HIS BEST...don't come out with some Change Clothes Part II (which I think he is) I mean talk to me Jay, give me something that is beyond a head banger...use your status to do something...you can't call yourself the Savior of Hip Hop and NOT bring the real HIP HOP...but I disgrese...don't make me wish you was still just the President of Def Jam with your new album...
I think my man MikeSee said it best though with This letter as his #1 Fan.
If you haven't figured it out by now, I am talking about Mr. Jay-Z himself and his new single "Show me what you got"...off first listen I didn't like it...and really lyrically I am still disappointed, the truth is Mr. Justin Blaze totally outshines Mr. Carter on this track...the production is FIRE and that is why I think I am starting to appreciate the song now...
Much of what hip hop is is one part lyrics and one part production...if you lyrical ability is out of this world crazy you can get away with ok production and vice versa...so the lyrics are alright, but the production is CRAZY HOT...so that's what brings the single together...then to be honest I think the video is cute...
I just want Jay to do what he does, but at HIS BEST...don't come out with some Change Clothes Part II (which I think he is) I mean talk to me Jay, give me something that is beyond a head banger...use your status to do something...you can't call yourself the Savior of Hip Hop and NOT bring the real HIP HOP...but I disgrese...don't make me wish you was still just the President of Def Jam with your new album...
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Throw back
So last night I got a call from a number that I didn't recognize but something told me to answer it...and I am glad that I did...it was my cousin Toya out of Chi-town!
I haven't seen Toya since our grandfather passed in 2003 and hadn't talked to her in, what has GOT to be like two years! Crazy right...especially being that she and I were extremely close as little girls...I would go to North Chicago/Wakigan area for a couple months out of the summer...
But as we both got older we didn't have time for the summer trips not even down to our grandparents house in Alabama. Plus she and I were just completely different...looked different, shaped different, acted different...the whole nine. So while we got along, we often times didn't. I remember the last time I saw her (before the funeral) we were pre-teens, and I had gone to Chicago for the summer (that was like one of the first real times where I was made to feel different and out of place because of my skin color...I was the lightest and I was a little thing too, and my cousin was dark and thick, and I was made to feel every bit out of place).
Well it was near the end of the trip and we got into it. Instead of my Aunt figuring out what happened she just to Toya's side and threatened to let her "loose" on me...(yeah that's what I said...is this grown woman who is supposed to my Aunt actually saying this to me...well I never really thought she liked me anyways, you know as a kid you can just sense some things...and that proved my point. I called my mother and father and was like look ya'll got to come and get me NOW...cause these mofos up here is trippin...)
after that I was like bump it...I'll holla...
So I really didn't have too many words for them...you know...then our senior year of high school (we are the same age, but I am a couple months older) I found out she was pregnant and I was like well we are going down totally different roads...
so last night we caught up...and after a few years and 3 kids difference (she has 3 beautiful little girls)...I think we can finally be cousins again...meaning we will be able to have a mature, adult, female relationship with each other...
It was cool talking to her...I learned something that I really needed to know...it seems that she too has had to have a cyst removed from get this her LEFT ovary, and she also had one on her right...now all of this comes up with me telling her what is currently going on with me...CRAZY right!
WE were both just blown away...
She and her family are doing well, and I am doing well...she didn't even know that I had graduated with my Master's degree...we have both been successful in our own ways...and it was GREAT to hear from her and know that she is doing alright...
I haven't seen Toya since our grandfather passed in 2003 and hadn't talked to her in, what has GOT to be like two years! Crazy right...especially being that she and I were extremely close as little girls...I would go to North Chicago/Wakigan area for a couple months out of the summer...
But as we both got older we didn't have time for the summer trips not even down to our grandparents house in Alabama. Plus she and I were just completely different...looked different, shaped different, acted different...the whole nine. So while we got along, we often times didn't. I remember the last time I saw her (before the funeral) we were pre-teens, and I had gone to Chicago for the summer (that was like one of the first real times where I was made to feel different and out of place because of my skin color...I was the lightest and I was a little thing too, and my cousin was dark and thick, and I was made to feel every bit out of place).
Well it was near the end of the trip and we got into it. Instead of my Aunt figuring out what happened she just to Toya's side and threatened to let her "loose" on me...(yeah that's what I said...is this grown woman who is supposed to my Aunt actually saying this to me...well I never really thought she liked me anyways, you know as a kid you can just sense some things...and that proved my point. I called my mother and father and was like look ya'll got to come and get me NOW...cause these mofos up here is trippin...)
after that I was like bump it...I'll holla...
So I really didn't have too many words for them...you know...then our senior year of high school (we are the same age, but I am a couple months older) I found out she was pregnant and I was like well we are going down totally different roads...
so last night we caught up...and after a few years and 3 kids difference (she has 3 beautiful little girls)...I think we can finally be cousins again...meaning we will be able to have a mature, adult, female relationship with each other...
It was cool talking to her...I learned something that I really needed to know...it seems that she too has had to have a cyst removed from get this her LEFT ovary, and she also had one on her right...now all of this comes up with me telling her what is currently going on with me...CRAZY right!
WE were both just blown away...
She and her family are doing well, and I am doing well...she didn't even know that I had graduated with my Master's degree...we have both been successful in our own ways...and it was GREAT to hear from her and know that she is doing alright...
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Violence....
So you know that things are crazy out here and you know that the youth of today really need guidance and help but when it hits home it really bothers you...
so yesterday evening I get a call from my brother who is a Security guard at a PG High School that will remain nameless, and he says that he has gotten suspended from work, and here is why:
....he was trying to break up a fight and this little youngin threatened to kill him literally and then actually tried by lunging at him with a knife...he has a scar/slash across his face...my brother spun around to avoid the little boy and got cut and grabbed his arm...my brother ended up breaking the little boys arm and fracturing his jaw...so he is suspended with pay and has to go to counseling because they want him to be alright (which I agree with)...
but what's crazy is that the boys parents were at the school yesterday when my brother got back from the hospital (they made him go and they wanted to keep him because his pressure was up but he wouldn't stay) the boys parents, specifically his father, were up in there acting like fools wanting my brothers address and personal information so that he could "take care of this myself"
and we wonder why the kids are off the hook, look at the parents...
instead of looking at their child who tried to not only stab another student but an adult and threatened to kill him and saying ok I need to deal with this, my child, they want to come after my brother...totally UNBELIEVABLE!
these kids act as if its cool to be crazy, its cool to be violent...I am so convinced it’s the videos, games, movies and all of that stuff that makes getting money by any means necessary a cool lifestyle...what's even worse is the fact that they don’t have people breaking stuff down for them...like its just entertainment, this is real life...and its not like high school isn’t in a nice decent area...they want to be from the hood...that ain’t cute
In a totally unrelated event...
a mentee of mines boyfriend's father (I know I know, but you all get it) was shot last Friday the 13th. Two 16 y/o boys tried two rob him and ended up shooting him. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs and was just shy of hitting his spine. However, he developed a blood clot where they bullet was lodged. The bullet moved and nicked is bawl causing him to bleed internally. He had to be rushed into emergency surgery yesterday. So pretty much things are very dangerous right now and are just up in the air.
So here you have two fathers (my brother has 3 daughters and a son) who have been affected by totally uncalled for violence from young African American males...I don't know what to do or what to say...I would say that they need father's in their homes, but like I said the one student had both parents up at the school, acting a pure de fool...
Do I really want the black family to come back together if they are going to be off the hook like this? What is happening to our youth who have no respect for life, for themselves, for each other, not even their elders? What is going on in the world man...
I am totally disgusted, dishearted, and of course concerned....talk to me people I am all ears...
what can we do to be apart of the solution?
so yesterday evening I get a call from my brother who is a Security guard at a PG High School that will remain nameless, and he says that he has gotten suspended from work, and here is why:
....he was trying to break up a fight and this little youngin threatened to kill him literally and then actually tried by lunging at him with a knife...he has a scar/slash across his face...my brother spun around to avoid the little boy and got cut and grabbed his arm...my brother ended up breaking the little boys arm and fracturing his jaw...so he is suspended with pay and has to go to counseling because they want him to be alright (which I agree with)...
but what's crazy is that the boys parents were at the school yesterday when my brother got back from the hospital (they made him go and they wanted to keep him because his pressure was up but he wouldn't stay) the boys parents, specifically his father, were up in there acting like fools wanting my brothers address and personal information so that he could "take care of this myself"
and we wonder why the kids are off the hook, look at the parents...
instead of looking at their child who tried to not only stab another student but an adult and threatened to kill him and saying ok I need to deal with this, my child, they want to come after my brother...totally UNBELIEVABLE!
these kids act as if its cool to be crazy, its cool to be violent...I am so convinced it’s the videos, games, movies and all of that stuff that makes getting money by any means necessary a cool lifestyle...what's even worse is the fact that they don’t have people breaking stuff down for them...like its just entertainment, this is real life...and its not like high school isn’t in a nice decent area...they want to be from the hood...that ain’t cute
In a totally unrelated event...
a mentee of mines boyfriend's father (I know I know, but you all get it) was shot last Friday the 13th. Two 16 y/o boys tried two rob him and ended up shooting him. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs and was just shy of hitting his spine. However, he developed a blood clot where they bullet was lodged. The bullet moved and nicked is bawl causing him to bleed internally. He had to be rushed into emergency surgery yesterday. So pretty much things are very dangerous right now and are just up in the air.
So here you have two fathers (my brother has 3 daughters and a son) who have been affected by totally uncalled for violence from young African American males...I don't know what to do or what to say...I would say that they need father's in their homes, but like I said the one student had both parents up at the school, acting a pure de fool...
Do I really want the black family to come back together if they are going to be off the hook like this? What is happening to our youth who have no respect for life, for themselves, for each other, not even their elders? What is going on in the world man...
I am totally disgusted, dishearted, and of course concerned....talk to me people I am all ears...
what can we do to be apart of the solution?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Another lesson learned
So as you all know I am currently dealing with a serious health situation that will require surgery soon...
Well last week I got a bill from my doctor's office at the tone of $353...now when I went to the doctor's office I was told that with my insurance I would be billed and it would be 80-20 meaning the insurance would pay 80% and I would pay 20%, however, upon talking to the billing office I was informed that was not the case and even though I have an Open Access Insurance Plan, the doctor's office didn't participate and therefore I would be responsible, from now own, for the majority of any bills....
so today I tried to upgrade my insurance, but even with my situation, I can't...I have to wait until April of next year to upgrade to the PPO plan in which my doctor's office participates....well you may be wondering why didn't I know that....well I assumed, which is always the wrong thing to do, that since it was an open access plan I would be alright...WRONG!
so now people when deciding on your insurance plan from your job call each and every one of your doctor's offices and determine what programs or who participates in what so that you won't be short....
If it was an 80-20 situation as I was previously told I would have been fine, but that is not the case...and I can't afford to pay 1000s of $$s for a surgery...
I don't know what Imma do...go to another doctors and risk feeling comfortable with them doing it?
What's next....who knows....
Well last week I got a bill from my doctor's office at the tone of $353...now when I went to the doctor's office I was told that with my insurance I would be billed and it would be 80-20 meaning the insurance would pay 80% and I would pay 20%, however, upon talking to the billing office I was informed that was not the case and even though I have an Open Access Insurance Plan, the doctor's office didn't participate and therefore I would be responsible, from now own, for the majority of any bills....
so today I tried to upgrade my insurance, but even with my situation, I can't...I have to wait until April of next year to upgrade to the PPO plan in which my doctor's office participates....well you may be wondering why didn't I know that....well I assumed, which is always the wrong thing to do, that since it was an open access plan I would be alright...WRONG!
so now people when deciding on your insurance plan from your job call each and every one of your doctor's offices and determine what programs or who participates in what so that you won't be short....
If it was an 80-20 situation as I was previously told I would have been fine, but that is not the case...and I can't afford to pay 1000s of $$s for a surgery...
I don't know what Imma do...go to another doctors and risk feeling comfortable with them doing it?
What's next....who knows....
Song of the Week:
JT (Justin Timberlake) new song: My Love Ft. TI....
Now, don't get me wrong I have an issue with this dude over the Janet issue
(I know I am petty...but I still feel some type of way about what happened...)
...HOWEVER...this song CRANKS...let's just be real....
You know this thang ROCKS fo sho in the club!
Oh and this particular video is the FULL video...a little over 6 minutes...
Honorable Mention: Cassie-Long Way 2 Go
Now I do not like this little girl, nor do I think that she is really talented...she is a very pretty girl and that's what she has going for her more so than her singing ability....
HOWEVER...I like this little song its cute...
I honestly like it and it will probably ROCK in the club
Now, don't get me wrong I have an issue with this dude over the Janet issue
(I know I am petty...but I still feel some type of way about what happened...)
...HOWEVER...this song CRANKS...let's just be real....
You know this thang ROCKS fo sho in the club!
Oh and this particular video is the FULL video...a little over 6 minutes...
Honorable Mention: Cassie-Long Way 2 Go
Now I do not like this little girl, nor do I think that she is really talented...she is a very pretty girl and that's what she has going for her more so than her singing ability....
HOWEVER...I like this little song its cute...
I honestly like it and it will probably ROCK in the club
Saturday, October 14, 2006
4:25 AM!
Are you freaking kidding me...am I dreaming...NO I am not...there is a woman outside in my quite neighborhood yelling at the top of her lungs!
Is she crazy....
how many more times is she going to call him a mutherf*cker...and what is it about that b*tch he was with?
Who gives a flying fart in space!
I mean REALLY....
and is it now 4:45 AM is she still out there hollering like a fool...what is wrong with her...
OK now I am up and I am pissed...I am about to go out on my balcony and yell down to shut up...that's right I am about to take it back to around the way because this is rediculous...
Oh, ok homeboy just got picked up by someone...does that truck look like mines?
Please don't let that drunk chick think that MY truck is THAT truck...
Man its freaking dag on near 5 AM...I already HAVE to get up at 8....
Let me find out Bowie getting a little hood....
Is she crazy....
how many more times is she going to call him a mutherf*cker...and what is it about that b*tch he was with?
Who gives a flying fart in space!
I mean REALLY....
and is it now 4:45 AM is she still out there hollering like a fool...what is wrong with her...
OK now I am up and I am pissed...I am about to go out on my balcony and yell down to shut up...that's right I am about to take it back to around the way because this is rediculous...
Oh, ok homeboy just got picked up by someone...does that truck look like mines?
Please don't let that drunk chick think that MY truck is THAT truck...
Man its freaking dag on near 5 AM...I already HAVE to get up at 8....
Let me find out Bowie getting a little hood....
Friday, October 13, 2006
Man I am so in the mood for these
That's right folks I am in the mood for some good ole Chitlins...or Chitterlings if you want to be proper...
I was out on King Street today getting some lunch and I could just smell them...now I probably really wasn't smelling chitlins but I promise you that's what it smelt like to me....
So being as though my parents are currently in Alabama I KNEW that there would be some chitlins being cooked by my Madea...so I called her up...and low and behold there was some...but do you know that they ate ALL of the Chitlins and ain't put NONE away for me!!! Now what kind of mess is this....I am HEATED because they know that I love me some chitlins...when I was a little girl and got the flu that's all I would eat...so how dare they not get me some and put them in the freezer for me....I am HEATED! I mean seriously HEATED!
My mother was laughing on the phone, like it ain't a big deal...you got to be kidding me...
I asked my Madea (yes we really call her that) if she would fix me some and freeze them for me and she said she would, IF she can find some...ain't that a blip!
My mother fixes them but she doesn't fix them but ONCE a year and that's on New Year's...this New Year's I will be in Miami and we are all going on a cruise as a family (Lord Help me on a boat with her and my father for 5 days....LOL...I am sure I will have plenty to post on that) so she is supposed to cook them for Christmas...but I want some not NOW, but RIGHT NOW!
Hopefully my Madear will hook me up and they make it up the road (if my parents don't eat my stuff)...I really can't believe them, they really ate some chitlins and didn't save me none....so upset right now....
Note: the picture at the top doesn't do chitlins any justice....
NO I can't just go and buy some and eat them because not everyone cleans them right...or cooks them long enough or seasons them right
YES I know I am OFF the hook...from DC and VERY country!
Please believe me!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
You ever just
feel like you have had a weight lifted off your shoulders...well that's how I feel today. I had a very candid conversation with one of my mentors about some things and now I feel like I can move forward.
I have been an extremely critical person of someone, I mean extremely critical of this person, always finding fault and NEVER any good, NEVER anything positive. I always seem to compare this person to others and I never see this person for the wonderful person that she really is...
That person that I have been so very critical of is myself!
I have been really coming into my own lately and haven't been doing that as much, less and less (I am still a work in progress)...
I am at a point now where I realize that I am who I am and I can only be who I am going to be...the only thing that I can do is try to be the very BEST person that I can be...and so this morning as I sat and I let the words roll off of my tongue and I moved forward towards the next steps of really fulfilling myself and coming to terms with just who TC is and what she is really all about...I am really alright with everyone that is around me.
I think it just takes us saying certain things out loud and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and honest with ourselves than we can just move forward. Lately, I have been feeling pretty darn good about myself, realizing and understanding that I AM a good human being with many talents and gifts and that I have my own personal light that I need to recognize within myself...
So I thought that I would share that...I know that a lot of times we always see what the person next to you has to offer but you can't see what it is that makes YOU so very special...
I can't judge how green my grass should be by looking at my neighbors yard...
I just need to take care of my own...
Peace
Monday, October 09, 2006
Precious
Below you will find the lyrics to Van Hunt's song "Precious" off of his self-titled debut "Van Hunt"...I love this song...the mood, the feelings, the joy, the hope that it offers me as I think about the man whom GOD has created JUST for me that has yet to find me, but that WILL find me when GOD has decided that the time is just right....I love it...
Tonight you have no worries with me here
My time, my time is as free as your tears
Let them rise with the wind and fall on me tonight,
You have no worries, no worries tonight
Remember the woman who locked herself into a lonely room
'Cause she, she thought that she had no one to make her feel like nothing less than a precious jewel
But, you know that you are: precious as the morning sun
You know that you are: precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
You, you are the one I bet my love on
For my faith, for my faith I have nothing to show...
But a wonderful taste in my mouth from loving you
From loving you
Precious as the morning sun
Precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
Precious as the morning sun
Precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
Remember the man who selfishly gave to a chosen few
'Cause he, he thought the world owed him something too
Make him feel like something more than a simple ol fool
You made me feel: precious as the morning sun
You said that I was: precious as the deep blue sea
Baby you know you're theone most precious to me!
Precious! Precious! Precious! Precious!
Tonight you have no worries with me here
My time, my time is as free as your tears
Let them rise with the wind and fall on me tonight,
You have no worries, no worries tonight
Remember the woman who locked herself into a lonely room
'Cause she, she thought that she had no one to make her feel like nothing less than a precious jewel
But, you know that you are: precious as the morning sun
You know that you are: precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
You, you are the one I bet my love on
For my faith, for my faith I have nothing to show...
But a wonderful taste in my mouth from loving you
From loving you
Precious as the morning sun
Precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
Precious as the morning sun
Precious as the deep blue sea
Baby, you know you're the one most precious to me!
Remember the man who selfishly gave to a chosen few
'Cause he, he thought the world owed him something too
Make him feel like something more than a simple ol fool
You made me feel: precious as the morning sun
You said that I was: precious as the deep blue sea
Baby you know you're theone most precious to me!
Precious! Precious! Precious! Precious!
SongS of the Week:
Ok so this week, there are THREE, yes 3, songs of the week...one from every genre that I am digging right now...I don't know why but hey it is what it is...I couldn't decide on just ONE song this week...
I think the main reason I refuse to get ride of Comcast cable is because of MTVJams and VH1 Soul....I love hearing new music first via these music channels...
OK so here they are...
Up first is Robin Thicke: Lost Without You
I am slipping because I didn't even get his CD the evolution of Robin Thicke which came out last week...I like this video its simple, its sexy, yet its classy...him and the young lady in the video display a connection...and you can see the feeling of the song...well I went to Best Buy yesterday in Bowie and they were sold OUT of his CD which doesn't surprise me because they never order enough "soul" music CDs, same thing happened when I went to buy the Corrine Bailey Rae CD...I didn't get it until a week later...but anyways Robin gets his sexy on in this one...
Don't you just love that!
Up next is my man Lupe Fiasco: Day Dreamin (you all KNOW I think he is bringing HIP HOP back...*smile*) This one of my favorite songs...I love the symbolism and the word play in this song...the sarcasm...
The video is different, Jill looks classic, Lupe looks fresh...I just like the crisp look of it...the tribute, so to speak, to the old school classic record stores, true DJ stores...places to get that real music, real conversation, real talk....
"righteous Kung Fo" Holla
Last but not least are my home boys Gnarls Barkley: Gone Daddy Gone
You all already know how much I love these dudes...and the reason this is on the list, is because not only is the song HOT...but I love the concept of the video
Cause Im gone daddy gone....
Oh and here is an honorable mention:
Now I must admit that me putting this song on here would, at face value, mean that I like this dude, or more specifically, THESE dudes...I in NO way am a DIPSET fan...but I am feeling the latest by Jim Jones: We Fly High
and I don't get why I like this song...but I do...Oh My
Happy Monday...Happy Day of that dude that really didn't find nothing, hence the reason I am still at work, and I am glad that I am because I see NO need to take off....
I think the main reason I refuse to get ride of Comcast cable is because of MTVJams and VH1 Soul....I love hearing new music first via these music channels...
OK so here they are...
Up first is Robin Thicke: Lost Without You
I am slipping because I didn't even get his CD the evolution of Robin Thicke which came out last week...I like this video its simple, its sexy, yet its classy...him and the young lady in the video display a connection...and you can see the feeling of the song...well I went to Best Buy yesterday in Bowie and they were sold OUT of his CD which doesn't surprise me because they never order enough "soul" music CDs, same thing happened when I went to buy the Corrine Bailey Rae CD...I didn't get it until a week later...but anyways Robin gets his sexy on in this one...
Don't you just love that!
Up next is my man Lupe Fiasco: Day Dreamin (you all KNOW I think he is bringing HIP HOP back...*smile*) This one of my favorite songs...I love the symbolism and the word play in this song...the sarcasm...
The video is different, Jill looks classic, Lupe looks fresh...I just like the crisp look of it...the tribute, so to speak, to the old school classic record stores, true DJ stores...places to get that real music, real conversation, real talk....
"righteous Kung Fo" Holla
Last but not least are my home boys Gnarls Barkley: Gone Daddy Gone
You all already know how much I love these dudes...and the reason this is on the list, is because not only is the song HOT...but I love the concept of the video
Cause Im gone daddy gone....
Oh and here is an honorable mention:
Now I must admit that me putting this song on here would, at face value, mean that I like this dude, or more specifically, THESE dudes...I in NO way am a DIPSET fan...but I am feeling the latest by Jim Jones: We Fly High
and I don't get why I like this song...but I do...Oh My
Happy Monday...Happy Day of that dude that really didn't find nothing, hence the reason I am still at work, and I am glad that I am because I see NO need to take off....
Friday, October 06, 2006
2 minutes of free association...
Peace, blessings and righteousness to the soon to be righteous man...
the blessings of GOD stand within YOUR hand...
it is merely up to YOU to recognize that they are there...
for they have been there this whole time, but you couldn’t see them for your clouded mind...
so take a stand and stay strong...
and know that you do not go at this alone...
For Jesus will walk beside you...
Peace, blessings and righteousness to the soon to be righteous man
the blessings of GOD stand within YOUR hand...
it is merely up to YOU to recognize that they are there...
for they have been there this whole time, but you couldn’t see them for your clouded mind...
so take a stand and stay strong...
and know that you do not go at this alone...
For Jesus will walk beside you...
Peace, blessings and righteousness to the soon to be righteous man
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Happy 57th Birthday Ma!
So today is my mother's 57th Birthday!
And I am so blessed to still have her with me...My mother is my BEST Friend...the end all to be all to be...I love that woman like no other!
And I know its because she loves me like no other. She has made sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice to make sure that I did better than she did.
She took me any and everywhere with her..showed me different things in life, places, told me I can do any and everything as long as I put my mind to it...
She didn't graduate from college, so she made sure I did!
In fact she worked TWO jobs my freshman year (so did my dad) to make sure I didn't go without...and after that I made sure I PAID for school myself!
She taught me to value myself, to love myself and to appreciate EVERYTHING because I am owed nothing...
She taught me my values, my morals...
She has never lived alone, so she fought with my Dad so that I could move out!
She doesn't trip off of designer clothes or shoes, but she would always made sure I had what I wanted because as she puts it "I am just like my father when it comes to clothes, shoes, HATS and boots..." and I really am...
There are things that NO BODY knows about me BUT my mother...
She is so secure in who she is that I can post her age on the web and she doesn't give a flying place in space.
My mother is the sweetest thing, but she ain't NO punk either...she will curse you forwards and backwards and then TELL where you can go and find YOURSELF...she is too funny...
Most importantly, she taught me how to be a woman, just by watching her...
She is GOD fearing, confident, strong, beautiful inside and out...
She keeps it real, really real...but there is nothing you can ever do that she won't love you and support you...
She is the BEST FRIEND I could ever have... I think I said that already but she really is...we talk day and night...all day every day...she is my support system...my structure...that voice in my head that keeps pushing me to become the BEST woman I can be...comfortable in my own skin because I am wonderful...(according to my Ma)
I am who I am because of HER....I will be who I will be because of her...
So Happy Birthday Polly...I love you!!!!!
And I am so blessed to still have her with me...My mother is my BEST Friend...the end all to be all to be...I love that woman like no other!
And I know its because she loves me like no other. She has made sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice to make sure that I did better than she did.
She took me any and everywhere with her..showed me different things in life, places, told me I can do any and everything as long as I put my mind to it...
She didn't graduate from college, so she made sure I did!
In fact she worked TWO jobs my freshman year (so did my dad) to make sure I didn't go without...and after that I made sure I PAID for school myself!
She taught me to value myself, to love myself and to appreciate EVERYTHING because I am owed nothing...
She taught me my values, my morals...
She has never lived alone, so she fought with my Dad so that I could move out!
She doesn't trip off of designer clothes or shoes, but she would always made sure I had what I wanted because as she puts it "I am just like my father when it comes to clothes, shoes, HATS and boots..." and I really am...
There are things that NO BODY knows about me BUT my mother...
She is so secure in who she is that I can post her age on the web and she doesn't give a flying place in space.
My mother is the sweetest thing, but she ain't NO punk either...she will curse you forwards and backwards and then TELL where you can go and find YOURSELF...she is too funny...
Most importantly, she taught me how to be a woman, just by watching her...
She is GOD fearing, confident, strong, beautiful inside and out...
She keeps it real, really real...but there is nothing you can ever do that she won't love you and support you...
She is the BEST FRIEND I could ever have... I think I said that already but she really is...we talk day and night...all day every day...she is my support system...my structure...that voice in my head that keeps pushing me to become the BEST woman I can be...comfortable in my own skin because I am wonderful...(according to my Ma)
I am who I am because of HER....I will be who I will be because of her...
So Happy Birthday Polly...I love you!!!!!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
TRUTH or DARE
so I'm playing "Truth or Dare" over at *~Rapturous Souls~* spot.
So...if you guys want to play we can if not...I will play on that end with them...
I really liked this game as a teenager coming up, got to know a lot about those I hung around playing this game at SBoo's house in Kettering..man that was the spot. We would just sit up and Truth or Dare each other all night long...them was the days...
Ok so here's how you play:
You comment on this "Truth or Dare" post with either TRUTH or DARE. I will respond with a question or a dare (in my comments), and then you must post your response on your blog so that I can make sure you actually did it. How about we make the title something along the lines of Truth or Dare?!
THEN, you get to ask me Truth or Dare.
Here are a few suggested guidelines:
~Let's not ask to see pics of each other insane or not reasonable like you know asking for a naked photo. The idea is to get to know each other better, not embarrass each other.
~Ask interesting questions nothing perverted
~If you do a dare, it has to be something that can be easily shown by posting a pic online
~No crazy/illegal dares
I chose TRUTH:
Here's what Rapturous asked me:
@TC: TRUTH...tell us the single scariest moment (either emotionally or physically)in your life thus far in detail.
Here is my
TRUTH
UPDATED
From BrillD: Here's one for you. Truth. What is
your opinion of Black Canadians?
Here is my Truth:
Honestly I don't have an opinion of Black Canadians, Black Europeans, Black who evers...you are the first Black Canadian that I have ever had any "real" interaction with...based on what you have said seems to me that you have the same issues that we have here in America being black or any minority (including a impoverished white person)...and it might be a little worse because HERE, BUT at least we KNOW what this country was built on, we know what we are dealing with...in Canada I think there is a misconception that is "all good" and there isn't racism...but I think you all feel it too...I think we are all in the struggle together in some form or fashion...that's what I think and we still need to start with bringing the BLACK family (all over the world) back together...and outside of my "Black Power" movement speech...I mean you seem cool...I don't know what to say....seem like peoples, like any other Black person...
Updated 10/06/06
From JAC: In your last meaningful relationship, what was the thing that your ex liked least about you? i.e. What was his most consistent complaint and what did you learn from it?
Here is my truth
My last meaningful/committed relationship ended two basically three years ago, and started in 1999...*just wanted to give some back ground* so I was really young and should have been focused on dealing with me and not on a relationship...but love waits for no one and I was with my ex from 1999 until July 2004. I will start with the superfical stuff because the other stuff will require me to you know look deep inside of myself...LOL...so my shopping...he couldn't stand the fact that I would be in the malls for HOURS upon HOURS upon HOURS on end dragging him along for the VERY painful ride of finding me something to wear...I would constantly complain about myself and that would annoy him because he thought I was beautiful...so I can honestly say that my shopping which was a habit due to low self-esteem was a problem something that he liked least.
But THE one thing that I can honestly look back on and say to MYSELF that I think he liked least because its the one thing I liked least when we were together was the way I talked to him. See I grew up in a house where I was taught NOT to take any "stuff" from someone, but never taught how to stand your ground and NOT belittle someone. I honestly would belittle my ex..when we FIRST got together it was cool, but once we were together for about a year around our 21st birthdays...MAN I got so mean and nasty with him...I mean I remember one time I just ripped into him over something really smal and not major at all, I mean really petty issue, but I ripped into him right there in his OWN cousins living room in front of EVERYONE...I was so wrong, totally out of line and just being a brat! It wasn't the first time, but it was surely the last, because the look of humliation on his face was enough to just break my heart! I learned to speak to him better convey my dislike for his actions in a better way. First off that it should be done one on one...unless its just crazy disrespectful type of actions (which he NEVER did) than it could wait until we were alone to discuss as adults not to yell, curse and fuss like we were crazed fools...Secondly, I learned that he would listen and take me more seriously if I didn't talk down to him or at him but with him...Third, that my nasty attitude at times got me NO where and my excuse that I am just like my father was just that an excuse and I had to make a CHOICE in how I was going to live my life and conduct my personal relationships! So that was a lesson and I learned to have better self esteem and to express myself accordingly in a relationship...
So...if you guys want to play we can if not...I will play on that end with them...
I really liked this game as a teenager coming up, got to know a lot about those I hung around playing this game at SBoo's house in Kettering..man that was the spot. We would just sit up and Truth or Dare each other all night long...them was the days...
Ok so here's how you play:
You comment on this "Truth or Dare" post with either TRUTH or DARE. I will respond with a question or a dare (in my comments), and then you must post your response on your blog so that I can make sure you actually did it. How about we make the title something along the lines of Truth or Dare?!
THEN, you get to ask me Truth or Dare.
Here are a few suggested guidelines:
~Let's not ask to see pics of each other insane or not reasonable like you know asking for a naked photo. The idea is to get to know each other better, not embarrass each other.
~Ask interesting questions nothing perverted
~If you do a dare, it has to be something that can be easily shown by posting a pic online
~No crazy/illegal dares
I chose TRUTH:
Here's what Rapturous asked me:
@TC: TRUTH...tell us the single scariest moment (either emotionally or physically)in your life thus far in detail.
Here is my
TRUTH
UPDATED
From BrillD: Here's one for you. Truth. What is
your opinion of Black Canadians?
Here is my Truth:
Honestly I don't have an opinion of Black Canadians, Black Europeans, Black who evers...you are the first Black Canadian that I have ever had any "real" interaction with...based on what you have said seems to me that you have the same issues that we have here in America being black or any minority (including a impoverished white person)...and it might be a little worse because HERE, BUT at least we KNOW what this country was built on, we know what we are dealing with...in Canada I think there is a misconception that is "all good" and there isn't racism...but I think you all feel it too...I think we are all in the struggle together in some form or fashion...that's what I think and we still need to start with bringing the BLACK family (all over the world) back together...and outside of my "Black Power" movement speech...I mean you seem cool...I don't know what to say....seem like peoples, like any other Black person...
Updated 10/06/06
From JAC: In your last meaningful relationship, what was the thing that your ex liked least about you? i.e. What was his most consistent complaint and what did you learn from it?
Here is my truth
My last meaningful/committed relationship ended two basically three years ago, and started in 1999...*just wanted to give some back ground* so I was really young and should have been focused on dealing with me and not on a relationship...but love waits for no one and I was with my ex from 1999 until July 2004. I will start with the superfical stuff because the other stuff will require me to you know look deep inside of myself...LOL...so my shopping...he couldn't stand the fact that I would be in the malls for HOURS upon HOURS upon HOURS on end dragging him along for the VERY painful ride of finding me something to wear...I would constantly complain about myself and that would annoy him because he thought I was beautiful...so I can honestly say that my shopping which was a habit due to low self-esteem was a problem something that he liked least.
But THE one thing that I can honestly look back on and say to MYSELF that I think he liked least because its the one thing I liked least when we were together was the way I talked to him. See I grew up in a house where I was taught NOT to take any "stuff" from someone, but never taught how to stand your ground and NOT belittle someone. I honestly would belittle my ex..when we FIRST got together it was cool, but once we were together for about a year around our 21st birthdays...MAN I got so mean and nasty with him...I mean I remember one time I just ripped into him over something really smal and not major at all, I mean really petty issue, but I ripped into him right there in his OWN cousins living room in front of EVERYONE...I was so wrong, totally out of line and just being a brat! It wasn't the first time, but it was surely the last, because the look of humliation on his face was enough to just break my heart! I learned to speak to him better convey my dislike for his actions in a better way. First off that it should be done one on one...unless its just crazy disrespectful type of actions (which he NEVER did) than it could wait until we were alone to discuss as adults not to yell, curse and fuss like we were crazed fools...Secondly, I learned that he would listen and take me more seriously if I didn't talk down to him or at him but with him...Third, that my nasty attitude at times got me NO where and my excuse that I am just like my father was just that an excuse and I had to make a CHOICE in how I was going to live my life and conduct my personal relationships! So that was a lesson and I learned to have better self esteem and to express myself accordingly in a relationship...
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Oh how I love U
So here is what is really going on...I received an e-mail today with pictures of Lil Wayne and Trina and their respective tattoos of each other's names ON each other...
Now I am assuming that this is an act of affection towards the person that you love...but this is the thing that I can't get with. I don't have an issue with tattoos because I myself HAVE a tattoo, nor do I have an issue with showing your love for someone, but really just HOW FAR DO YOU GO?
I mean really...
According to the streets Trina and Wayne recently broke upand Wayne is now with Solange. So now it didn't work out...what do you do with this tatoo thats ON your body? What do you do with it?
I mean really, let's think about this logically...
I guess to me that's just dumb...its not a sign of "ghetto love" its a sign of lack of good judgment, period! A man or a woman is NOT guaranteed to you so why would you put their name on you...ring finger none the less did we NOT learn from Trech and Peppa...
I mean I am not even going to get into the "body is a temple" issue or the spiritual issue...that it should stand for something...or even its a form of artistic expression...how in the world is your "mans/womans" name artistic expression then how crazy will you feel when you are no longer with him or her...
...shouldn't a tattoo stand for something a purpose? I am wrong for thinking that's really dumb to have a man/woman name tattooed on you? I don't know people talk to me what do you all think?
Pictures courtesy of Crunk & Disorderly
Now I am assuming that this is an act of affection towards the person that you love...but this is the thing that I can't get with. I don't have an issue with tattoos because I myself HAVE a tattoo, nor do I have an issue with showing your love for someone, but really just HOW FAR DO YOU GO?
I mean really...
According to the streets Trina and Wayne recently broke upand Wayne is now with Solange. So now it didn't work out...what do you do with this tatoo thats ON your body? What do you do with it?
I mean really, let's think about this logically...
I guess to me that's just dumb...its not a sign of "ghetto love" its a sign of lack of good judgment, period! A man or a woman is NOT guaranteed to you so why would you put their name on you...ring finger none the less did we NOT learn from Trech and Peppa...
I mean I am not even going to get into the "body is a temple" issue or the spiritual issue...that it should stand for something...or even its a form of artistic expression...how in the world is your "mans/womans" name artistic expression then how crazy will you feel when you are no longer with him or her...
...shouldn't a tattoo stand for something a purpose? I am wrong for thinking that's really dumb to have a man/woman name tattooed on you? I don't know people talk to me what do you all think?
Pictures courtesy of Crunk & Disorderly
Weekend trip back to the "A"
So this past weekend I had to go BACK to Atlanta, GA for the 91st Annual ASALH Conference. ASALH is the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. It was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History week, which later turned into Negro History Month and of course Black History Month...
So let me take a little time to dispel something right now the "white (politician) man" did NOT give US the shortest month of the year...Dr. Woodson picked February, in particular the initial Negro History Week, because it fell between Abraham Lincoln's birthday and what was thought to be Frederick Douglass' birthday (there was no record kept of an enslaved persons birth)
Ok, so every year for the past five years Kiamsha's Youth steering committee (which I am a Director of) goes and puts on the Youth Day for ASALH. This year it was a little different because the person that normally directs the day was going on a much deserved vacation so it was up to KW and CJ to direct the performance. Also this year it wouldn't just be Kiamsha students presenting on youth day but we had 4 Atlanta students that were to present as well. My role was to blind the two groups of students and make sure that the mentors where doing their job, just keep everything running smoothly, move between KW/CJ and RJ as needed. RJ had to do the logistical stuff which was good because she is great with money and rooms and all that stuff.
So our weekend starts with us having to be at Largo High School at 3:45 AM, yes that's right people, 3:45 AM on Thursday morning to catch the shuttle to the airport. We get to the airport and we are doing good...one of the kids left his ID (although I clearly made an annoucement prior to leaving the school asking if everyone had their IDs) so he gets clowned off the break...which was cool...we make it to Atlanta safely...we met Kep at the airport and we are off to the hotel
We get to the Hilton and we get settled and we meet up with the Atlanta youth...off the break I tell Kep you are in charge of the males. Why? Because Kep has this thing about me and my "attitude" with the guys. See I am one of the coolest mentors you can talk to me about any and everything, I am going to keep it real and I am always going to take you to the Absolute Truth to find an answer. However, I take nothing less than the utmost respect. So the guys and girls HEAR IT often from me at the same time. So I am cool but I don't play...so I tell him you want to make a difference, here is your chance!
...well we find our rooms in the hotel, and go down to the show room to get acquainted with one another. So we do some Ice Breakers and then we are off to lunch and due back for rehearsals at 2pm. I must say I LOVE bonding with the youth...I really do. So it was really easy to transition our youth with theirs.
KW/CJ had those youth rehearsing for 4 hours straight and they did a really good job on keeping them focused, we had dinner, 2 more hours of rehearsal and then we were done. Off to bed by what midnight.
Friday, the day of Youth Day....What can I say other than it came together GREAT! It was one of the BEST shows I have seen in a minute. Those youth were on point the entire performance. You could tell the Kiamsha youth from the Atlanta youth only in that Kiamsha students have been on stage before so they were a little louder AND because of the accents other than that...it was a smooth transition...it wasn't choppy and it didn't look like all we had was one day TOGETHER of rehersals....
You could tell that the 150+ Atlanta students that came liked it. They were extremely interactive and came up with their schools mission statement and everything! What can I say it was a GREAT youth day. BUT something did happen in the end.
KW had put her cell phone down on the tech table and it was stolen! (we know it was stolen because the phone was turned off immediately and was going straight to voice mail) I was heated and conflicted at the same time. I made the annoucement that the phone was missing and proceeded to wait for someone to turn it in during lunch. NOTHING. So I asked the other KW, KW2 (KW's little sister...KW2) if she could go around and ask the teachers to ask their students about the phone...CD did the same...I KNEW I couldn't do it because I was HEATED I mean I was really HEATED! But the phone never turned up. Some of the youth wanted to search the kids that were there, but we just taught them about their history, we had just taught them about the difference between a conviction and a preference, the difference between being a slave and being enslaved and how life is all about choices. Mainly, although I was heated I didn't want to accuse 149 students for the actions of 1. I mean really it would have defeated the entire purpose of what we were trying to instill during Youth Day. So we had to just let it go. KW called and canceled the phone and called the Atlanta PD to file a report (who by the way did NOT show up until 12 hours later at 1 AM).
So I sat and had a rap session with the youth. I expressed to them that when they buy a "hot" phone, or a "hot" anything that they are buying something from someone who has violated someone like KW was violated. And so they too needed to think about the choices that they make in life and really internalize what it was that they were teaching...they HAVE to think! I have learned to use every moment I can as a teaching moment...that was a true test for me. Because me personally, I was torn what to do, but ultimately its the bigger picture you have to think about...so that was that.
"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
We have to learn to think...outside the box...we have to think...
after that we had "FREE TIME" for a couple hours so we gave the youth instructions and me and KW went to the Hard Rock Cafe just to get out of the hotel for a minute...it was cool just walking around downtown Atlanta and I got a little taste of it.
Friday night we went to the unveiling of the Dr. Woodson's new display at Emory University. That was the first time I had been in the Northeast part of Atlanta, so it was cool to see that. It reminded me of NW or the Georgetown area of DC...somewhere I wouldn't live, but it was cool to be in another type of environment other than downtown Atlanta to get a bigger view of what its like there. The display was really nice as well...the evening for ASALH was called "A Night Out" so there was food and everything...once again we were buggin out us and the youth which was cool.
We came back and had to be ready for our Poetry Night which Kep and Drea hosted. Now, this thing was off the HOOK...every generation present at the conference was present at the poetry night. Even the pastor that sponsored it got up and spit a poem...It was so awesome. Elders and youth alike jamming to poetry, spoken word, and music...it was a sight to see. Kep and Drea did they thing as usual, both rap and are spoken word artist. I personally just started writing poetry again, but I got up and did my piece titled "Merely an Ideal." There were a couple of folks out there that did their thing. But this one MAN stands out to me. His name is Derrick Bailey and he is the founder of the Man or Male Movement. He got up there and did some spoken word about the difference between a Man and a male. What he is doing needs to get all over the country, that's how deep and real this message really is! Hopefully I can get him to come to DC so be on the look out for that....
Saturday, we toured Atlanta going to the MLK Center and the Herdon House (Alonzo Herdon was worth 22 million dollars upon his death in the what 1927...interesting story). We also had lunch at Paschal's a famous Atlanta eatary. The food was good. What was funny is that we ran into TI's Grand Hustle Street Team...too funny...they was cool though, gave the youth some CD's but funny. The thing that was most interesting over lunch was that KW and I talked to CD and his wife PD about moving to Atlanta and he said something that has me thinking...
"it shouldn't just be about the money, T you have to think about your purpose in life, what's your true purpose? Can you do what you do with the youth in Kiamsha in Atlanta, you have to think about that...what do you really want out of life?"
So NOW I have to think about that too...I guess I will address this in another post.
The trip was like one of the BEST Kiamsha trips we have had in a LONG time. Me, KW, CJ, and RJ were in total control and we had NOT one issue with any of the students. Nobody got in trouble for anything! WE learned a lot about them and they learned alot about us. We talked about a lot of stuff, from the education systems, the light skin v. dark skin issue, or just simple stuff like music: hip hop v. rap, go go v. crunk....
It was truly positive and uplifting. As tired as I was and still am, I love being around them...they just MAKE you want to give back, keep them from making the mistakes you made, pour in knowledge and wisdom...its a beautiful thing. Our youth aren't lost, they just need some guidance.
Well I know this was really long, but with so much negative being said about the youth today I just really wanted to take the time and say it ain't all negative there is a whole lot of positive out here too!
So let me take a little time to dispel something right now the "white (politician) man" did NOT give US the shortest month of the year...Dr. Woodson picked February, in particular the initial Negro History Week, because it fell between Abraham Lincoln's birthday and what was thought to be Frederick Douglass' birthday (there was no record kept of an enslaved persons birth)
Ok, so every year for the past five years Kiamsha's Youth steering committee (which I am a Director of) goes and puts on the Youth Day for ASALH. This year it was a little different because the person that normally directs the day was going on a much deserved vacation so it was up to KW and CJ to direct the performance. Also this year it wouldn't just be Kiamsha students presenting on youth day but we had 4 Atlanta students that were to present as well. My role was to blind the two groups of students and make sure that the mentors where doing their job, just keep everything running smoothly, move between KW/CJ and RJ as needed. RJ had to do the logistical stuff which was good because she is great with money and rooms and all that stuff.
So our weekend starts with us having to be at Largo High School at 3:45 AM, yes that's right people, 3:45 AM on Thursday morning to catch the shuttle to the airport. We get to the airport and we are doing good...one of the kids left his ID (although I clearly made an annoucement prior to leaving the school asking if everyone had their IDs) so he gets clowned off the break...which was cool...we make it to Atlanta safely...we met Kep at the airport and we are off to the hotel
We get to the Hilton and we get settled and we meet up with the Atlanta youth...off the break I tell Kep you are in charge of the males. Why? Because Kep has this thing about me and my "attitude" with the guys. See I am one of the coolest mentors you can talk to me about any and everything, I am going to keep it real and I am always going to take you to the Absolute Truth to find an answer. However, I take nothing less than the utmost respect. So the guys and girls HEAR IT often from me at the same time. So I am cool but I don't play...so I tell him you want to make a difference, here is your chance!
...well we find our rooms in the hotel, and go down to the show room to get acquainted with one another. So we do some Ice Breakers and then we are off to lunch and due back for rehearsals at 2pm. I must say I LOVE bonding with the youth...I really do. So it was really easy to transition our youth with theirs.
KW/CJ had those youth rehearsing for 4 hours straight and they did a really good job on keeping them focused, we had dinner, 2 more hours of rehearsal and then we were done. Off to bed by what midnight.
Friday, the day of Youth Day....What can I say other than it came together GREAT! It was one of the BEST shows I have seen in a minute. Those youth were on point the entire performance. You could tell the Kiamsha youth from the Atlanta youth only in that Kiamsha students have been on stage before so they were a little louder AND because of the accents other than that...it was a smooth transition...it wasn't choppy and it didn't look like all we had was one day TOGETHER of rehersals....
You could tell that the 150+ Atlanta students that came liked it. They were extremely interactive and came up with their schools mission statement and everything! What can I say it was a GREAT youth day. BUT something did happen in the end.
KW had put her cell phone down on the tech table and it was stolen! (we know it was stolen because the phone was turned off immediately and was going straight to voice mail) I was heated and conflicted at the same time. I made the annoucement that the phone was missing and proceeded to wait for someone to turn it in during lunch. NOTHING. So I asked the other KW, KW2 (KW's little sister...KW2) if she could go around and ask the teachers to ask their students about the phone...CD did the same...I KNEW I couldn't do it because I was HEATED I mean I was really HEATED! But the phone never turned up. Some of the youth wanted to search the kids that were there, but we just taught them about their history, we had just taught them about the difference between a conviction and a preference, the difference between being a slave and being enslaved and how life is all about choices. Mainly, although I was heated I didn't want to accuse 149 students for the actions of 1. I mean really it would have defeated the entire purpose of what we were trying to instill during Youth Day. So we had to just let it go. KW called and canceled the phone and called the Atlanta PD to file a report (who by the way did NOT show up until 12 hours later at 1 AM).
So I sat and had a rap session with the youth. I expressed to them that when they buy a "hot" phone, or a "hot" anything that they are buying something from someone who has violated someone like KW was violated. And so they too needed to think about the choices that they make in life and really internalize what it was that they were teaching...they HAVE to think! I have learned to use every moment I can as a teaching moment...that was a true test for me. Because me personally, I was torn what to do, but ultimately its the bigger picture you have to think about...so that was that.
"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
We have to learn to think...outside the box...we have to think...
after that we had "FREE TIME" for a couple hours so we gave the youth instructions and me and KW went to the Hard Rock Cafe just to get out of the hotel for a minute...it was cool just walking around downtown Atlanta and I got a little taste of it.
Friday night we went to the unveiling of the Dr. Woodson's new display at Emory University. That was the first time I had been in the Northeast part of Atlanta, so it was cool to see that. It reminded me of NW or the Georgetown area of DC...somewhere I wouldn't live, but it was cool to be in another type of environment other than downtown Atlanta to get a bigger view of what its like there. The display was really nice as well...the evening for ASALH was called "A Night Out" so there was food and everything...once again we were buggin out us and the youth which was cool.
We came back and had to be ready for our Poetry Night which Kep and Drea hosted. Now, this thing was off the HOOK...every generation present at the conference was present at the poetry night. Even the pastor that sponsored it got up and spit a poem...It was so awesome. Elders and youth alike jamming to poetry, spoken word, and music...it was a sight to see. Kep and Drea did they thing as usual, both rap and are spoken word artist. I personally just started writing poetry again, but I got up and did my piece titled "Merely an Ideal." There were a couple of folks out there that did their thing. But this one MAN stands out to me. His name is Derrick Bailey and he is the founder of the Man or Male Movement. He got up there and did some spoken word about the difference between a Man and a male. What he is doing needs to get all over the country, that's how deep and real this message really is! Hopefully I can get him to come to DC so be on the look out for that....
Saturday, we toured Atlanta going to the MLK Center and the Herdon House (Alonzo Herdon was worth 22 million dollars upon his death in the what 1927...interesting story). We also had lunch at Paschal's a famous Atlanta eatary. The food was good. What was funny is that we ran into TI's Grand Hustle Street Team...too funny...they was cool though, gave the youth some CD's but funny. The thing that was most interesting over lunch was that KW and I talked to CD and his wife PD about moving to Atlanta and he said something that has me thinking...
"it shouldn't just be about the money, T you have to think about your purpose in life, what's your true purpose? Can you do what you do with the youth in Kiamsha in Atlanta, you have to think about that...what do you really want out of life?"
So NOW I have to think about that too...I guess I will address this in another post.
The trip was like one of the BEST Kiamsha trips we have had in a LONG time. Me, KW, CJ, and RJ were in total control and we had NOT one issue with any of the students. Nobody got in trouble for anything! WE learned a lot about them and they learned alot about us. We talked about a lot of stuff, from the education systems, the light skin v. dark skin issue, or just simple stuff like music: hip hop v. rap, go go v. crunk....
It was truly positive and uplifting. As tired as I was and still am, I love being around them...they just MAKE you want to give back, keep them from making the mistakes you made, pour in knowledge and wisdom...its a beautiful thing. Our youth aren't lost, they just need some guidance.
Well I know this was really long, but with so much negative being said about the youth today I just really wanted to take the time and say it ain't all negative there is a whole lot of positive out here too!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Song of the Week: Turn it Up
Ok so your man JD has been doing his thing here lately, with Mariah in 2005, Janet this year, bringing back Monica with her new album (who by the way looks FAB-U-LOUS on her home page), Dem (wack) Franchise Boyz...he has just been HIS THANG...yea heard me...
Well that's the case with this dude: Johnta Austin
His album drops 12/16...I will have to do a little more research and hear some more songs before I will say to go and "cop this" BUT I will say that I am totally feeling this song....
So from now on I will issue a Song of the Week every Monday...
Well that's the case with this dude: Johnta Austin
His album drops 12/16...I will have to do a little more research and hear some more songs before I will say to go and "cop this" BUT I will say that I am totally feeling this song....
So from now on I will issue a Song of the Week every Monday...
And the Dumbee of the Year Award goes to?
Me...
Ok so I have previously shared my dumbee moments with you guys but I guarantee that this moment truly TAKES the cake!
So Saturday night we (Kiamsha) return from Atlanta, GA. We had a really GREAT trip, no issues with the youth, a GREAT performance, poetry night and tour. (But I will get to this in another post)
So as I normally do I go and sit on my balcony to think about things...so that's what I proceeded to do...So once I finished and I am ready to go inside I realize something...the glass door is LOCKED! Yes people I locked my dumb butt out on the balcony.
And all I can think to myself is YOU BIG DUMBEEE! LMBO!!!!
AND by the way I had JUST deleted my most recent calls which included KW's boyfriend's (BF) number (KW's phone was stolen this past weekend and I knew she was with her boyfriend and SHE (other than my mom) is the only person that has a key to my house)...
How in the world am I going to get in the house? What am I going to do? So I call KW's house and get her momma...tell her what's going on and she calls KW's BF...she is calling and calling and finally she gets a call back. So she talks to KW and KW is on the way.
So you would think the story would end right here right, WRONG!
Why you ask? Oh because my dumb butt had put the top security bar on the door...so she can't JUST get in...
So when KW gets there (in like 15 minutes by the way because she jumped up and came right over...that's why I love my little sis)she has to try to stick her hand in the crack of the door to push the bar back and get it open. So after trying for about 5-10 minutes its NOT working...she goes down stairs to the car to get a hanger to try to put that in the crack hook it on the bar and pull it back...after about another 5-10 minutes we realize that's not going to work.
Now MIND you I am on my balcony and SEE all of this and can see what she needs to do but I can't tell her how to do it, I am trying but its not working...I am up on the 3rd floor can't jump down and work it out...so she decides to try and ram the door and break the bar...after two tries and making a lot of noise at like 11pm at night my neighbor comes out I guess to see what the heck is going on...luckily I have really nice neighbors so she immediately explains the situation and he goes in to get her a screw driver (its a good thing that she is over often and my neighbors know her as my little sister and have seen her come and go, AND the fact that I live in a pretty decent area so he didn't come out gun in hand...weww that would have been not so good)...they are both trying to get the screws out of the bar but she doesn't think it will happen...finally she says "T you are going to have to call the Fire Department" so I do...but just then this, as soon as I hang up, little 5 foot tall 125 pound sistah rams the door one more time and GETS in the house!!!! So I call back to tell them never mind (that's GREAT because they was talking like they was going to have to break down the door) and she unlocks the balcony door...
ALL we can both do is laugh because this is totally UNBELIEVABLE...like I SO am on my OWN TOTALLY UNBELIVABLE LIST!
Man what a night!
I love my peoples, we so take care of each other...I had just been with her for 3 days straight and I knew she wanted to go on a date with her BF but as soon as I needed her she was right there...clowning me as she should, but right there helping me out...
We really are as good as the people around us...
So shot out to KW my little sis FO LIFE! Thanks!!!!
And as for my dumb butt...best believe that won't happen again...oh and I know you may be thinking how in the HELL did she do that? Well the lock was half way up and half way down so it just locked itself...GREAT for security purposes NOT so GREAT for someone stuck outside of the door...especially if you live alone like me...I hope this made you laugh because it sure is freakin funny to me!
Ok so I have previously shared my dumbee moments with you guys but I guarantee that this moment truly TAKES the cake!
So Saturday night we (Kiamsha) return from Atlanta, GA. We had a really GREAT trip, no issues with the youth, a GREAT performance, poetry night and tour. (But I will get to this in another post)
So as I normally do I go and sit on my balcony to think about things...so that's what I proceeded to do...So once I finished and I am ready to go inside I realize something...the glass door is LOCKED! Yes people I locked my dumb butt out on the balcony.
And all I can think to myself is YOU BIG DUMBEEE! LMBO!!!!
AND by the way I had JUST deleted my most recent calls which included KW's boyfriend's (BF) number (KW's phone was stolen this past weekend and I knew she was with her boyfriend and SHE (other than my mom) is the only person that has a key to my house)...
How in the world am I going to get in the house? What am I going to do? So I call KW's house and get her momma...tell her what's going on and she calls KW's BF...she is calling and calling and finally she gets a call back. So she talks to KW and KW is on the way.
So you would think the story would end right here right, WRONG!
Why you ask? Oh because my dumb butt had put the top security bar on the door...so she can't JUST get in...
So when KW gets there (in like 15 minutes by the way because she jumped up and came right over...that's why I love my little sis)she has to try to stick her hand in the crack of the door to push the bar back and get it open. So after trying for about 5-10 minutes its NOT working...she goes down stairs to the car to get a hanger to try to put that in the crack hook it on the bar and pull it back...after about another 5-10 minutes we realize that's not going to work.
Now MIND you I am on my balcony and SEE all of this and can see what she needs to do but I can't tell her how to do it, I am trying but its not working...I am up on the 3rd floor can't jump down and work it out...so she decides to try and ram the door and break the bar...after two tries and making a lot of noise at like 11pm at night my neighbor comes out I guess to see what the heck is going on...luckily I have really nice neighbors so she immediately explains the situation and he goes in to get her a screw driver (its a good thing that she is over often and my neighbors know her as my little sister and have seen her come and go, AND the fact that I live in a pretty decent area so he didn't come out gun in hand...weww that would have been not so good)...they are both trying to get the screws out of the bar but she doesn't think it will happen...finally she says "T you are going to have to call the Fire Department" so I do...but just then this, as soon as I hang up, little 5 foot tall 125 pound sistah rams the door one more time and GETS in the house!!!! So I call back to tell them never mind (that's GREAT because they was talking like they was going to have to break down the door) and she unlocks the balcony door...
ALL we can both do is laugh because this is totally UNBELIEVABLE...like I SO am on my OWN TOTALLY UNBELIVABLE LIST!
Man what a night!
I love my peoples, we so take care of each other...I had just been with her for 3 days straight and I knew she wanted to go on a date with her BF but as soon as I needed her she was right there...clowning me as she should, but right there helping me out...
We really are as good as the people around us...
So shot out to KW my little sis FO LIFE! Thanks!!!!
And as for my dumb butt...best believe that won't happen again...oh and I know you may be thinking how in the HELL did she do that? Well the lock was half way up and half way down so it just locked itself...GREAT for security purposes NOT so GREAT for someone stuck outside of the door...especially if you live alone like me...I hope this made you laugh because it sure is freakin funny to me!
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