Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What sign are you?


I'm a Leo.



I remember years ago this used to be the 1st question a lot of people would ask you upon meeting them. I don't think it happens as much these days. I don't ask it much but eventually I do get around to it. Only because there are a couple of signs that I feel I need to temper my relationships with. Not that I won't befriend them but getting into a relationship with one of them could be dissasterous for me. Just my experience.


What's your sign?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Message From Morehouse



I don't need to add anything to this. What do you think? I'd really like to know how people feel about this.
A Message From Morehouse
By Colbert I. King

Eliminate young African American men, and what would police, jailers,social workers, and sports and entertainment moguls do for a living?

After all, young black men live to get in trouble, make babies, actout on stage, slam-dunk and dance in the end zone. That, at least, isthe mass-media-influenced image that is accepted as "authentic" by people who should know better.

Someone who does know better is Robert M. Franklin, the president of Morehouse College, the venerable, all-male, historically black Atlanta college noted for building up and turning out generations of outstanding leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., the theologian and writer Howard W. Thurman, and prominent D.C. lawyer James L. Hudson.

Franklin's remarks to students at an April 21 town hall meeting on thecampus didn't make headlines. But excerpts from "The Soul of Morehouse and the Future of the Mystique" are making the rounds in African American homes and in social settings, thanks to the Internet and a communications phenomenon called the "black express," which preceded and outlives the Pony Express.

Franklin's speech focused on Morehouse students. But his message has caught on because it speaks to a larger community of up-and-coming young black men who are studiously ignored by arbiters of popular culture.

He translated the mystique into eight simple words: "Renaissance men with social conscience and global perspective."

Franklin said that after two years at the college, he had recognized acritical ingredient that bonds Morehouse men: a fundamental sense of discontent with mediocrity and nonsense. He encouraged the continued development of young black men "so sensitive to the presence of disorder, mediocrity and injustice that they cannot sleep well at night." And he used the moment to take on what he views as the corruption that threatens the soul of young men and women "inside and outside the Morehouse village": the young black male antics so celebrated by popular culture. That conduct, he suggested, represents the behavior of "the spiritually ill and disoriented.

"He demanded, that students instead embrace his "Five Wells":well-read, well-spoken, well-traveled, well-dressed and well-balanced. And he highlighted three: reading, speech, and dress.

"I have seen too many students standing in lines wasting time. You should carry something to read and make good use of your down time. Read books, not just summaries of books. Choose an accomplished and prolific writer as a role model," he declared. "But just as important-- if not more -- study grammar and syntax and the art of composition. Learn the power of accurately constructed sentences andwell-positioned words."

"It matters," he said, "how well you write."

He spoke of choosing words carefully.

"This reduces the necessity of relying on profanity or empty verbal placeholders like, 'um, um, ahh . . . ' or nonsense like 'you knowwhat I'm saying?' "Profanity does not reflect your verbal grace and style," he said. "It suggests a lazy mind.

"Franklin's thoughts on diversity and decorum are required reading.

"As an all-male institution with the explicit mission of educating menwith disciplined minds," said Franklin, "the great challenge of this moment in history is our diversity of sexual orientation."

"Why don't we," he asked the students, "use this opportunity to model something our community needs?"

"Straight men," Franklin said, "should learn more about the outlooksa nd contributions of gay men. Read a book by a gay author. Have an intelligent conversation with a gay neighbor." Franklin reminded theMorehouse students: "At a time when it was truly scandalous to have homosexual friends or associates, Dr. King looked to Bayard Rustin, ablack gay man, as a trusted adviser. And, Malcolm X regarded James Baldwin, a black gay man, as a brilliant chronicler of the black experience."

"To my straight brothers," he said, "diversity at Morehouse is an opportunity that can enrich your education if you are courageous enough to seize the opportunity. We cannot force you, but we invite you to learn from your environment."

On decorum and dress: "I have not desired to be overly prescriptive about this. You do not have to wear a tie and jacket to class, although no one would object to it. You're a college student. You can enjoy yourself while wearing comfortable clothing that respects the fact that you are part of a community of educated and ethical men. "But, he demanded, "in the presence of adult learners, do not sag your pants, do not show your undergarments. Do not wear do-rags, and do not wear baseball caps in class or in the cafeteria."

"Wear what you wish to off campus," he said. "But, while you are here on the ground where [Benjamin] Mays and Martin [Luther King Jr.] and Maynard [Jackson] walked, those items are off limits."

"If you want to be part of something rare and noble, something that the world has not often seen -- a community of educated, ethical, disciplined black men more powerful than a standing army -- then you've come to the right place."

To the knuckleheads and clowns who exploit their color while degrading their legacy, Franklin declared: "If you cannot follow the guidelines of a moral community, then leave."

Let the church say "Amen."

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

ow ow ow ow ow ow


Well I'm sure you can guess that if I'm writing a post that I didn't win the damn Lottery! Grrrrrrrrr I'm mad about that but must push on.

Instead of winning the lottery I got back pain. Dammit. I was trying to move this cement bench top that I have in my yard. There were some guys here putting up new fencing and they didn't put the bench back together. I think I know why now! Well I bent over to lift it..(obviously not the right way) and realized that this damn thing is heavy. So the little bit that I lifted it off the ground I quickly put it back down. I didn't feel any pain at the time just went on about my business. Well the next morning when I woke up I could barely get out of the bed! What the hell. At the time I didn't even remember the bench it took me almost 4 days to realize that that's what had happened. Is that a sign of age...lawd it probably is. sigh.

Anyway, my back was OK for most of the week except getting out of bed. That is until Friday when it was hurting all day long. So 2 Saturdays ago I went to Rite Aid and asked the Pharmacist what I should take that was over the counter. Motrin she said and take 3 tablets. Well I read the directions and it said to take 1 or 2 if 1 didn't help. So I figured the drug companies know what they are talking about and took 1. Well within a half hour I was feeling fine. That is until Monday when it took me a couple of hours before the back pain subsided. Then I went into work. On Tuesday, the pills didn't help and I was at work feeling like OMG! So I left early to make an appointment with the doctor. Of course my Doctor was unavailable so I had to go to Urgent Care. The Motrin had kicked in again so I was OK but the Doctor I saw gave me a prescription for muscle relaxer and Ibuprofen. Thank God he also gave me a Doctor's excuse cuz I was in hella pain this morning. It's been almost 12 hours and I'm finally feeling like I can walk about ok.

I was reading online something that said walking helps so I'm going to head out in a minute to return some lamp shades that don't fit. That makes no damn sense to me. Why wouldn't any lamp shade fit on to any lamp. It may not look right but they all should fit. So I'm back to playing the lottery and of course someone won the money after it went up to $200 mil or something. I think 3 tickets won. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Oh Yeah En Vogue is trying to come back. Good luck girls!