Life Tips

Call it Forth

2012-01-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

In truth, because there is no such thing as Creation, there is only a Knowing that everything has already been created, our task is to merely Call it Forth.
Neale Donald Walsch

2012

2012-01-05T14:17:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and a new you and a new ME. Finally cleared up computer problems (I hope) so I will be connecting with you on a regular basis.

Life Tip: The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek. Joseph Campbell

Happy Holidays

2011-12-27T01:27:00.000-05:00

Have a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with the desires of your heart.

I'M BACK!!!

2011-12-01T20:26:00.000-05:00

OMG. I'm so glad to be back. First I had computer problems. Then cable problems. For months. Back online now. Hope you had a wonderful full-filling Thanksgiving.

Getting back to wellness

2011-06-25T18:23:00.000-04:00

If you pay attention, your body will let you know when something is not right. Here are some quick fixes for common ailments;

Applying pressure to the acupressure point between the thumb and forefinger can release blockages causing pain, tension, and fatigue.
To breathe freely, irrigate your nasal passages with a neti pot and warm water.
Lots of disagreement concerning whether apple cider vinegar is good for you or not but it is a powerful purifying and detoxifying agent when added to a warm bath. Soak in a warm bath infused with two cups of apple cider vinegar to pull toxins from the body and clear blocked energy.
The foods you eat have an effect on you physically as well as mentally. Eating a small meal rich in complex carbohydrates can be satisfying and can lift your spirit.
Anxiety and fear dissipate quickly when countered with conscious breathing because concentrating on the breathe enables you to refocus your attention inward.
Though tuning out can seem counterproductive, a few minutes spent lost in daydreams or listening to soothing music can help you see your circumstances from a new angle.
If you feel ill health coming on, brew a wellness elixir. Simmer three sliced lemons, one teaspoon freshly greated ginger, one clove freshly minced garlic, and one quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper in five cups water until the lemons are soft and pale. Strain a portion into a mug, add honey by tablespoons until you can tolerate the taste and drink. This potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal mixture taken three times a day can ensure your symptoms never progress into a full-blown illness.

If we listen to our body, it will tell us just what we need to know to make it better.

I am enough

2011-06-25T17:57:00.000-04:00

I AM ENOUGH

Today, I am enough.

I am smart enough.

Wise enough.

Clever enough.

Resourceful enough.

Able enough.

Confident enough.

I am connected to enough people to accomplish my heart’s desire.

I have enough ideas to pull off magic and miracles.

Enough is all I need.

Enough is what I have.,

I HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH.

The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen

2011-06-25T17:55:00.000-04:00

Guess what? You may need to qualify the people in your life. May sound strange but take a look at the people in your life. Are they happy people, full of life, always with a smile? Or do they bring doom and gloom, storm clouds with lightning and thunder, never have a kind or good word to say, always complaining? It's your life, your theater so you decide where people sit. (You may have to refuse entrance to a few people. Oh well.)

Everyone can’t be in your front row!

Life is a theater – invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is spiritually healthy and mature to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you LET GO, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships/fellowships.

Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to: which ones give and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?

Which ones always have DRAMA or don’t really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?

The more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

You cannot change the people around you…but you can change the people you are around! Ask God for Godly wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.

The Cold Within

2011-06-25T17:43:00.000-04:00

This poem was shared by one of the members of the Toastmasters club I'm in. If you see yourself here, saw ouch and resolve to not hold on the your piece of wood and let the fire burn out because of your own fears/hatred/misunderstanding, etc of someone different from you.

The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance

In black and bitter cold.

Each one possessed a stick of wood

Or so the story’s told.

Their dying fire in need of logs.

The first woman held hers back

For on the faces around the fire

She noticed one was black.

The next man looking cross the way

Saw one not of his church

And couldn’t bring himself to give

The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes

He gave his coat a hitch.

Why should his log be put to use

To warm the idle rich.

The rich man just sat back and thought

Of the wealth he had in store.

And how to keep what he had earned

From the lazy poor.

The black man’s face bespoke revenge

As the fire passed from his sight.

For all he saw in his stick of wood

Was a chance to spite the white.

And the last man of this forlorn group

Did naught except for gain.

Giving only to those who gave

Was how he played the game.

The logs held tight in death’s still hands

Was proof of human sin.

They didn’t die from the cold without,

They died from the cold within.

Author Unknown

What I know for sure

2011-06-18T16:22:00.000-04:00

This is what I know for sure.

What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what.
You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.
Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.
When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
Worrying is wasted time.
What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.
If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough.
The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.
If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.
Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.
Let passion drive your profession.
Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.
Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.
Every day brings a chance to start over.
Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.
Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.
When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.
Trouble don't last always.

Soul Nurturing

2011-06-05T14:58:00.001-04:00

Great article by motivational speaker and coach, Caryl Lucas, called Soul Nurturing.

Soul nurturing is not optional or a luxury. It's a necessity!

A worn out woman, a stressed out woman, an over committed woman, has allowed her soul to become parched, withered and exhausted. For one reason or another, she has not been able to find time to renew her mind, body and spirit. She is constantly overwhelmed, irritable and sometimes feels saddened that she had lost her way...and her true identity.

Let's begin the journey of soul nurturing:

Be kind to your mind. Replace negative thoughts with loving thoughts and affirmations.
For one month, find a pleasant space to get quiet for 15 minutes and spend some quiet time with yourself. Get aligned.
Give yourself the gift of meditation to get attuned with your mind, body and spirit. Meditation nourishes the inner spirit.
Schedule time on your calendar with you and God. Pamper your spirit with prayer or finding time to welcome Spirit into your sacred space.
Discover ways to nurture your soul by walking through a park, garden or along a beach.
Re-generate your soul with music, art or dance. Relax, unwind and stretch through listening to music, visiting a museum or taking a zumba or ballroom dancing class.

You can reach Caryl Lucas at www.caryllucas.com and www.mylifecompass/coachcaryl.

Black Wall Street Riot, Part 2

2011-06-03T20:52:00.000-04:00

Part 2

Black Wall Street

On the 90th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riots

The young girl screamed. The frightened boy was seen running from the elevator by a group of whites, and by late afternoon the "Tulsa Tribune" reported that the girl had been raped, despite the girl’s denial of any wrongdoing. The boy was found and arrested anyway. A mob of reportedly 2000 white men gathered at the jail demanding his release. They wanted to lynch the prisoner.

In response, about 75 armed African Americans from the Greenwood District came to the jail to offer protection for the prisoner. Eventually, a fight broke out between the two groups, and the much larger mob decided to advance on the Greenwood District where they looted and then burned all the community's businesses, homes and churches.

It is reported that any black resisters were shot and thrown into the fires. The fighting got so bad as the hours wore on that the National Guard was called in. However, when they arrived, they assisted the white townsmen by arresting all black men, women and children, and herding them into detention centers at the baseball park and convention hall.

As many as 4,000 Blacks were held under armed guards in detention. By the time the fighting ended, more than 300 African-American men, women and children were killed; more than 600 Black-owned businesses were destroyed; and 10,000 people were left homeless.

Dr. Arthur C. Jackson, a nationally renowned surgeon called by the Mayo brothers (of Mayo Clinic fame) "the most able Negro surgeon in America" was shot and killed at the convention hall.

By the next day, the entire Greenwood District was reduced to ashes. Not one white townsman was ever arrested or accused of any wrongdoing. After the Tulsa riot, the white townsmen tried to buy out the Greenwood District and force Black people out of town.

However, the Greenwood owners refused to sell any of their land. Instead, they spent the entire winter in tents donated by the American Red Cross. Within a year, many of the buildings along the first block of Greenwood Avenue were rebuilt. Within ten years, the tough little community had built back most of its homes, and business and commerce had begun to pick up again.

In 1926, W. E. B. DuBois visited Tulsa and wrote: "Black Tulsa is a happy city. It has new clothes. It is young and gay and strong. Five little years ago, fire and blood and robbery leveled it to the ground. Scars are there, but the city is impudent and noisy. It believes in itself. Thank God for the grit of Black Tulsa."

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 31, at 6:00 pm, join New York Black Librarians Caucus in the Dionne Mack-Harvin African American Heritage Center at Macon Library, 301 Lewis Avenue, to view a screening of "Before They Die," a documentary chronicling the Black Wall Street Massacre. A community reflection will begin at 7:30 pm.

Look this up and learn about the cover-up. This is what fear will do. This is the mob mentality at work. The girl said she was not raped but they didn't care. They had no regard for the lives of the African American men, women and children that were killed. So they decided to sweep it under the rug as if nothing happened (or that the Black people brought this upon themselves. Like blaming the victim for causing someone to rape her.) We must continue to EXPOSE THE MADNESS!!!

Black Wall Street Riot

2011-06-03T20:44:00.000-04:00

The anniversary of the Black Wall Street Riot just passed. Thing is I had heard of a book called Black Wall Street but never got a copy and didn't know the full story. Here it is and it's painful to read. Very long post but a must-read. Part 1

Black Wall Street

On the 90th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riots

Wall Street is synonymous worldwide with commerce, wealth and power.

However, very few can say they've ever heard of “Black [Negro] Wall Street,” the name given to the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In fact, the story of Black Wall Street has been all but erased—not only from U.S. history books—but also from much of America’s memory. Tuesday, May 31, marks the 90^th Anniversary of The Black Wall Street Massacre.

There's no more fitting time than the present to remind all who will listen about this important occurrence in America’s history, as the story of Black Wall Street not only serves as a testament of how far we have come as a country in achieving equal rights, but also, how far we have left to go.

In 1830, President Andrew Jackson renewed the Indian Removal Act, a great military effort to remove massive tribes of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek, and Seminole (sometimes collectively referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes).

With the renewal of this act, huge numbers of Native Americans were forced to abandon their homes in the Deep South and move to the West and Midwest areas of the United States. Many African-Americans accompanied these native tribes on their journey in what would later be known as the “Trail of Tears.”

A large group of blacks and natives began settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the Greenwood District. And by 1870, more than 6000 African-Americans and natives lived in the Oklahoma territory.

Oil was discovered in Tulsa around the late 1800s, early 1900s. By 1920, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had grown into a thriving, bustling, enormously wealthy town of 73,000 inhabitants, with bank deposits totaling over $65 million.

However, Tulsa was a "tale of two cities isolated and insular,” one black and one white. The city was so segregated that it was the only one in America that boasted of separate telephone booths.

Since blacks in Tulsa could neither live among whites as equals nor patronize white businesses, they began to develop a completely separate business district where only they shopped and spent money.

The business district, beginning at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street, became so successful and vibrant that Booker T. Washington during his visit bestowed on it the moniker "Negro Wall Street." By 1921, Tulsa’s African-American population totaled 11,000.

Well-known African-American personalities often visited the Greenwood District, including educators Mary McCloud Bethune and W.E.B. DuBois, scientist George Washington Carver, opera singer Marian Anderson, blues singer Dinah Washington and noted Chicago chemist Percy Julian.

On May 31, 1921, the successful Black Greenwood District would be completely destroyed by one of the worst race riots in U.S. history. And it all started with one 19-year-old black man who bumped into a 17-year-old white girl in an elevator.

In Search for Me

2011-05-22T17:55:00.000-04:00

In the search for me, I discovered TRUTH.

In the search for Truth, I discovered LOVE.

In the search for love, I discovered GOD.

And in GOD, I have found everything.

COMPLAINING

2011-05-22T17:51:00.000-04:00

What am I complaining about?

Sometimes, for no good reason I can discern,
I find myself complaining
about anything and everything
"It's their fault, not mine."
"How could they do such a thing?"
And so on.

Yet this complaining doesn't serve me.
Not does it serve anyone else.
The complaining puts me into a frame of mind
where everything is wrong,
where nothing is right.

Complaining isolates and paralyzes me.
I may be "right."
but because of all the negativity,
I block anything good from happening.

This complaining doesn't serve me.
so I will leave it behind now.
I ask forgiveness for wallowing in self-pity, and
I decide that this is not how I choose to live.

Most Powerful Meditation You Will Ever Do

2011-05-22T16:10:00.000-04:00

In view of the failed prophecy that the world would end on May 21, 2011, I thought this would be appropriate.

Sit back and relax. Clear your mind. Breathe deeply. Now imagine the following:

Imagine that today is the last day you will be here on Earth. Believe for just a moment that, when the sun sets this evening, you will be here no longer. Fix this firmly in your mind. Now, simply ask each question and consider the answer carefully:

What would you do today?
Where might you go, in these last few hours?
Who would you like to be there with you?
What would you say, and to whom would you say it?
What would you try to accomplish in this single day you have left?
What amends would you make if you could?
What would you like to leave behind?

Really think about this deeply. You might find that the answers provided here conflict with the goals you have been striving towards day after day. If so, be aware that the goals you imagine here are your real goals.

Wake up and think clearly. You are perhaps puttiing your happiness in the future. It will not be found there. It is only right now, this minute. So many of us look forward to the time in the future when things will be different that we forget to live right now. Our lives pass us by as we sit waiting. Such a waste, never to have lived waiting on a time that will never come. This is insanity beyond comprehension. Right now, this moment, stand up and do something that will allow you to appreciate your life as it is right now.

Eliminate from your thinking now all ideas and past or present situations that have caused you to believe you need to settle for anything less than what you desire. Do what you can for the future, but then let the result go.

Now each morning, ask yourself the above questions again, before you start off chasing all those silly ego goals you hold. You will find your day, your life transformed. You will experience peace and joy not in some future time but in this very moment.

Michael George

The Ten Vows of Success

2011-05-22T15:40:00.000-04:00

Never again will I pity or belittle myself.
Never again will I greet the dawn without a map.
Always will I bathe my days in the golden glow of enthusiasm.
Never again will I be disagreeable to a living soul.
Always will I seek the seed of triumph in every adversary.
Never again will I perform any task at less than my best.
Always will I throw my whole self into the task at hand.
Never again will I wait and hope for opportunity to embrace me.
Always will I examine, each night, my deeds of the fading day.
Always will I maintain contact, through prayer, with my Creator.

End of the World

2011-05-22T00:41:00.000-04:00

May 21, 2011 has come and gone and we are still here. No catastrophic worldwide destruction, No worldwide earthquakes. Some questions though: what happened to all those people who believed the world would end yesterday? And what happened to Mr. Camping? What happened to the millions of dollars donated to Mr. Camping?

This has happened before, with Mr. Camping in 1994 and with the Jehovah's Witnesses and others at different times. I guess it is a sign of the times when people are under such stress that they look for any way out.

I have a lot of living to do and plan to do a lot of living. Things could be better but things could be worse. Me and you could be here alone. Now that's a thought, isn't it?

Is it me?

2011-05-04T20:33:00.000-04:00

Is it me or has anyone else noticed how the news, all negative, is repeated every hour on the hour, every day? The news motto is, "if it bleeds, it leads." So we are subjected to who got shot, who robbed who, the latest gang activity, usually a shooting, who got raped, who was a hit and run victim, who embezzled what bank or which investors, and on and on. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

Take News 12 New Jersey, for instance. I have turned to this news station, gone out for a couple of hours, and come back to hear the same news stories being repeated. As if no other news occurred in the time I was out. First of all, if it's repeated, it's taped so what are the reporters getting paid for? The news was taped early in the morning and repeated all day. WTH? I'm not trying to get people fired but get real. If the news program is going to repeat taped information all day, they should set it up like the Music Choice stations and just play the story without showing the reporters as if it's a new live report.

Then there is all the negativity. Is there no good news in the world - and I don't mean the demise of Osama Bin Laden? If we are lucky, we may get a story about a dog, cat, squirrel or some other animal that was rescued from a hole in the ground or drain pipe. Or maybe a story about the birthday of some sweet little lady who just made 100 years old. Wonderful.

How about leading with one of those stories? What about the person who went back to college and got their degree at 60 years old? What about Michelle Obama dancing to the Move Your Body video made by Beyonce? What about the man/woman who donated hundreds/thousands/millions of dollars to build houses for the veterans or whoever? Or the person who lived a very austere life and when they died it was discovered that they had millions that they left to their school or church?

It's time to change direction and focus on the positive and not the negative. What a pleasant surprise that would be.

50 Years Later

2011-05-04T19:22:00.000-04:00

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Freedom Rides during the time of Jim Crow segregation in the South. I grew up both in North Carolina and in New York. I remember the "Colored" and "Whites Only" signs over water fountains, bathrooms, waiting rooms, etc. I remember adult African American men being called "boy' and African American women being called "gal". I remember Woolworth's 5 & dime stores with their segregated lunch counters. I remember being ignored waiting to pay for something at the cashier if there was a white person standing there also. I definitely remember sitting in the back of the bus when in NC but sitting anywhere in NY.

The Freedom Riders, who were white, Black and Jewish, brought to light what was the remnants of an awful time in American history, left over from slavery. God bless them all.

Now, let's hope that we are not moving backward into that same darkness. We have an African American President and some still insist on calling him "boy". How? By not respecting him or his office. By not placing his title before his name, whether in print or verbally. White presidents were not disrespected like this. By demanding to see his birth certificate, which basically says that he is lying about his nationality. By demanding to see his grades in college even though he graduated from a top notch college and was the first African American editor of the Harvard Review.

Racism is unfortunately still alive and well in the US.

Inner Peace

2010-12-12T16:18:00.000-05:00

I'm passing this on because it has definitely worked for me.
By following the simple advice I read in an article, I have finally found inner peace. It reads: "the way to achieve inner peace is to finish the things you've started." I looked around to see all the things I started and hadn't finished. So, today I have finished one bottle of white wine, a bottle of red wine, a bottle of Bailey's, my Prozac, a large box of chocolates and a quart of beer.

You have no idea how good I feel. You may pass this on to those you feel are in need of Inner Peace.

Have a marvelous day.

No Cost Giving

2010-12-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

Want to share 8 gifts that don't cost a cent to give:

1. The gift of LISTENING but make sure you are really listening, not planning your response.
2. The gift of AFFECTION. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back. These small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3. The gift of LAUGHTER. Clip cartoons, Share articles and funny stories. This says "I love to laugh with you."
4. The gift of a WRITTEN NOTE. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime and it may even change an life.
5. The gift of a COMPLIMENT. A sincere, "you look great" or "that was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6. The gift of a FAVOR. Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7. The gift of SOLITUDE. Be sensitive to the times when you want to be left alone and recognize and give that same gift to others.
8. The gift of a CHEERFUL DISPOSITION. Easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. Maybe a HELLO or THANK YOU.

Wellness Revolution

2010-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Energy Flows Where Your Attention Goes

2010-10-26T08:32:00.000-04:00

Ever notice how things get worse the more negatively you speak about them? When you complain about something or someone, the situation seems to get worse. The boss that is treating you unfairly seems to continue to do so the more you talk about it. (You keep getting passed over for the promotion.) The bills get worse or the creditors seem to be more aggressive and less sympathetic the more you talk about them. The children are acting out in school. And the list goes on. You talk about how bad the situation is and sure enough, it gets worse. So you talk some more. And guess what, it gets worse than before.

Now let's reverse that. When you stay positive, things around you seem to be more positive too. When you smile art someone you are passing in the street, they smile back. You compliment someone today and tomorrow someone compliments you. The power of words.

It all depends on what you say. It sets the mood. Why? Because words have power. For those of you who believe in a Power greater than yourself, you know that the Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. God SPOKE everything into existence! What does this mean? If He spoke things into existence, and we are made in His image, we have the same power. So if you say "it's hard to find a job", "money is tight", "I'm broke", etc., then you are absolutely right.

I choose to say "I'm blessed." I choose to say "I joyfully anticipate success in all areas of my life." When greeted with, "how are you?", my answer is always, "FABULOUS!" And why not? I'm alive, feeling good, enjoying my life, working my business, visiting friends and family, in good health so what's not fabulous. My attention flows to the positive and that's what grows in my life.

Think about what you say before you say it. Go back over a day's conversations and determine if your words were negative or positive and then determine the tone of that day. Do you see a pattern?

Remember, where your attention goes, energy flows. What you focus on expands whether positive or negative. You choose which side you want to be on.

What is really going on here?

2010-09-21T19:31:00.000-04:00

Woman throws acid in her own face and blames it on an imaginary Black woman. That's what the news story is now saying. Why would someone go to such dishonest and painful extremes to get money?

The other question is, why is blaming such a terrible act on a Black person so acceptable in this country? What does this say about our society? Clearly this woman has issues but it is compounded by the fact that horrific acts are being blamed on Blacks when no Blacks were involved. Cases in point: a Boston man kills his wife and tells police that it was a group of Black men. Police department rounds up as many Black men as they can before they determine that the husband was lying and actually killed his wife. And then there is the woman who killed her kids by driving the car into a lake with the children strapped in the back seat but says the vehicle was carjacked by an anonymous Black man. Then we find out again, that she lied.

Am I the only one who thinks this sounds like life in slavery and post-slavery when Blacks were accused of looking at white women or some other crime and were subsequently hanged. And of course, no apology was made following the "mistake" but then the supposed "real" culprit was found and also hanged.

And the ruling class accepts this as status quo. Something is seriously wrong with our society when this is the acceptable norm. Yet, we invade other countries and otherwise get into their business and talk about human rights. Not saying that bad things are not happening in other countries but we need to clean up our own dirt before we can help anyone else clean up theirs. And as much dirt as we have to clean up, it should keep us busy enough to mind our own business.

Racism by any other name

2009-11-16T18:14:00.000-05:00

Read 4 stories on racism on AOL home page this morning! Black/White racism, British acts against poor white children of single mothers back in the day and shipped to Australia. (Don't forget Australia's racism against it's own indiginous people.) Racist symbols on holiday wrapping paper (swastika). IKEA's CEO's ties to the Nazis and his use of the N word.

Where does one group get the audacity to think they are better than others? Racism is an ugly, disgusting, gross entity. This is not a win-win for either the victims or those responsible for the racism. It's still slavery. It is still wrong. It still generate intolerance and wars. And it's stupid. Example: you hate me because I am Black and you are white but neither of us made ourselves the color that we are. Then you, the white person, spend your money trying to get brown, like me, in the summer, risking skin cancer in tanning salons. Why imitate me if I'm such a terrible being. Yet you think I'm inferior. And what about those of color, Black, Brown, Red, Yellow? Why are you buying into the lie? As I've said before, if you, whoever you are, fear me that much that you have to resort to racism and slavery, I must be pretty powerful. Thnk about that for a moment.

Food, Food Everywhere!

2009-11-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

On a lighter note but still dealing with food, this is my favorite time of the year. Love Thanksgiving. Lots of food in the house. Funny thing is, you can't eat it until Thanksgiving. Is that weird or what?

Turkey, dressing, ham, beef roast, greens, potato salad, yams, string beans, corn, salad, turnips, rice and gravy, cakes, pies, cider, alcohol. All for one day. Can you believe it? Oh, almost forgot the mac and cheese. Not all of this is on our menu for this year.

When my Mom was alive, she did the greens, string beans, meats except the turkey and dressing which I did along with the potato salad and all the desserts. I always start my cooking on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and cook something every day ending with the turkey going into the oven at 4 in the morning. Food is falling out the fridge but we were always looking for something to eat. Sausage, tuna, chicken, franks-anything.

Is your house like that too? I have a packed freezer. So does my daughter. My son just bought over the beef roast which I will cook and take to my daughter's house. Finishing up our shopping this week and the cycle will begin again. Food all over the kitchen. Fridge and freezer full and we'll have to order out because all of that wonderful food will be off limits until that one day where we will all pig out until we can hardly breathe.

Don't you just love Thanksgiving?

Enjoy your holiday.

Arrested for food fight!!!

2009-11-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

Just saw story about some students who were arrested for participating and/or starting a food fight at their school. Apparently they were throwing carrots and jello. Anyway, cops were called and now the students may have a record to live down if this is not resolved.

Have we gone stark raving mad? The Fort Hood killer was giving away his worldly belongings, included his copy of the Holy Koran. Supposedly he had ties to some cleric, I believe, who was advocating terrorism - and the authorities, who we pay to protect us, knew all about this. He had also supposedly made questionable statements regarding Muslims and death. BUT NO ONE PAID ATTENTION TO THIS.

In the meantime, students are arrested for a good, old fashioned (albeit messy) food fight. A younger child is suspended at another for bringing his Boy Scout eating tool to show and tell because the school has zero tolerance for weapons. Yet a man walks into another middle/high school with a hidden gun and holds a hostage until he is talked out of doing harm. YET CHILDREN ARE ARRESTED FOR A FOOD FIGHT!!!

Something is wrong with this picture.

THIS IS ITmovie

2009-10-31T22:55:00.000-04:00

Saw the Michael Jackson movie of his rehearsal. Thought it was awesome! Michael did not appear to be drugged or sick. His voice was good, he was energetic. Enjoyed it. Michael was such a talented man. No one can dispute that.

Have heard some of the negatives, even from Michael's family members. So unfortunate. This is a tremendous tribute to the talent of the man and a treat for his fans.

If Michael had lived to do this concert, it would have been the concert of the century!

R.I.P. MJ

The year of the ? flu!!!

2009-10-13T18:03:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one wondering how there is a vaccine for the "regular" flu before anyone knows which flu it is? I thought the flu was "named" after it was discovered, then the vaccine was prepared and then we got the shots. Now, you can get the flu shot before anyone even knows which flu it is. (Not talking about the H1N1 flu.) So what flu is this shot supposed to protect me from? When are they going to name it? What happens if that is not the flu that occurs this season? If they already know what flu is circulating, why did they wait until now to push the vaccine?

Now if I was a conspiracy theorist I would think that something was going on. After all, sick people are a bazillion dollar business here in the US. Drugs, hospitals, doctors, health care insurance, etc. all depend on sick people. (Not well people)

I have not decided whether I will be vaccinated against either the regular or the swine flu. The last and only shot I got made me extremely sick years ago and I vowed off the shot after that.

This is just my observation. Chime in with your observations.

Saggin' Pants

2009-10-06T19:33:00.000-04:00

This bears another post. What is up with young men wearing their pants down, showing their underwear? Do they know what it means or even where it comes from.

Gay men say they are turned on by this because it means you, young man, want a real "booty call". A male prisoner said it means he can touch whatever he want's in that person's pants because it is advertising that this behind is available. Same thing the gay man said, just different words. Historians say this began in slavery times because, just like in prison, slaves were not given belts because they might hang themselves robbing the slave owner of income and it was also a form of humiliation. Ever try doing something while holding up your pants? We see that now. Looks stupid to me. (And you have the nerve to try to run. Be for real!)

So what are you saying, young man? You are a closet gay. Have nothing against the gay population but if that's you, be open about it and stop hiding. You are predicting that you are going to prison (or maybe you've been already.) Or maybe you are confirming that you are still a slave. Remember the experiment with the young elephant. When he is young, he is chained to a spot in his pin. He tries over and over to move but is stopped by the chain. After a while, he stops trying and guess what? The chain is removed because the owner knows he won't try to go anywhere because he thinks he is chained. So, like in the Willie Lynch speech, the enslaved perpetuate the slavery and the masters don't have to do anything except reap the benefits of stupidity. You, young man, are doing it to yourself. The height of ignorance.

And what about the young ladies who put up with this? Where is your self-esteem?

This is very serious and we need to address it immediately. Do the schools allow this? They should be sanctioned or disciplined in some way. The world is watching this and laughing at us.

Flash Forward

2009-09-26T00:47:00.000-04:00

Did you see the new TV program, Flash Forward? Interesting story line. Everyone in the whole world blacked out for 2 minutes 17 seconds at the same time on the same day. And during that blackout, everyone saw their future. Little girl said she had a bad dream, guy about to commit suicide sees a better future for himself, recovering alcoholic sees himself drinking, wife sees herself with another man, etc.

What future do you think you would see if this happened to you? Something to think about. What future do you want? If you knew something positive was going to happen, how would you live? Would you want to know the future?

If the future you saw was negative, would you try to change it? Do you think you could change it? Suppose you saw illness, death, financial ruin? Would you give up without a fight?

I have not figured any of this out yet either so I will revisit this discussion again.

Life tip: Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have. H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Is Etiquette Dead?

2009-09-15T23:26:00.000-04:00

What is going on? Folks cursing folks at tennis matches. Folks disrespecting the President. Folks acting the fool at the music awards - again.

What happened to respect and disagreeing agreeably? You have every right to disagree. Thank God we are in a country where you are not shot for speaking out against the leader of the country. But let's not over step our boundaries.

We need to get back to good old fashioned manners. Remember please and thank you, etc.? What happened to paying attention to the speaker and not texting on your cell phone while they are talking? We are being watched and the world is saying, "what a bunch of phonies." How do you expect the world to take us serious when we act like idiots?

Get it together, people.

Life tip for you: How you treat others is how you will be treated.

Enough already

2009-09-15T22:42:00.000-04:00

Is anyone else tired of the doom and gloom in the news? It is so depressing. In a 30 minute news program, the first 20 minutes is who shot/stabbed who, who was the hit-and-run victim, who got raped/robbed, which politician/sports figure/rapper acted like an ass, how many more people lost their jobs/homes, how many of our soldiers died in bomb attacks, which movie star, etc died, etc, etc. If you were visiting from another planet and turned on the news, you would probably call in your alien troops to fight us all!

Is anything good happening in the world? You wouldn't think so. After 20 minutes of doom and gloom, there is weather, sports and a 5 second story on the dog who was rescued from the well he fell into.

Not only does the negative story run all day but then it is repeated on the weekend. Is it fair to the family to relive several times during the week how their loved one was killed. When September 11 happened, my young grand daughters thought buildings were collapsing all over New York because the collapse of the Twin Towers was shown over and over. And if the visual is not bad enough, then we get to hear the 911 call from the person trapped or being attacked or whatever.

I have stopped watching the TV news and recommend that we all do the same. (I stopped reading the papers long ago.) If you have cable, you can probably program your remote to select what you want to see. If not, just turn the sound down until the weather, sports and animal story comes on.

Don't worry. If you are online, you still will know what's happening in the world. You won't miss out.

I am not advocating living in a vacuum but enough is enough of the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality of the news media. If we stop buying or watching, they will change their approach.

How about more stories like the woman who saved her house by selling apple cakes which she called Mortgage Apple Cakes? (I'm financing my retirement by selling ReRum Cakes. Re for retirement, rum for 100 proof rum.) How about looking for someone else who is saving their home in some creative way? How about someone who is turning the negative of job lost into the positive of whatever they are doing? How about some success stories taking up the first 20 minutes of the broadcast?

It's time for a revolution. Enough already.

Life Tip: FEAR is false evidence appearing real.

In Remembrance

2009-09-11T16:53:00.000-04:00

Not going to go over the affects of 911, etc. Just want to acknowledge and say R.I.P. to those who gave their lives during this great tragedy. Hoping that the rest of us will also find peace.

My Writing Life: Writing is Like Starting A New Year at School

2009-09-11T15:55:00.000-04:00

My Writing Life: Writing is Like Starting A New Year at School

A Different Type of Double Standard At Obama Speech | HULIQ

2009-09-09T22:19:00.001-04:00

A Different Type of Double Standard At Obama Speech | HULIQ

Shared via AddThis

Words of Wisdom

2009-08-29T16:28:00.001-04:00

In order to know what to do in the future, you have to understand the past.
Senator Edward Kennedy

Farewell

2009-08-29T16:20:00.002-04:00

Farewell to Senator Kennedy. He touched many and was an advocate for those without voice. He fulfilled his purpose. May he rest in peace.

You have the power

2009-08-20T15:13:00.002-04:00

Nothing external to you has power over you - unless you give it power/permission. Agree or disagree.

Love times 2

2009-08-18T11:11:00.004-04:00

Have you ever been in love with 2 people at the same time? Over a long period of time? What happened? Did you ever choose one over the other? Or were you the "other" woman/man in both situations?

Perhaps you don't believe someone could love 2 people. Maybe you feel that one of them would be shortchanged.

Whatever, I would like to know your thoughts. Of course, you should not name the parties involved. Use the comment link so others can join the dialogue.

Darkness

2009-08-16T13:01:00.004-04:00

Sometimes the best of life comes out of the darkness.

There is(was) the darkroom where pictures were developed. The seed is placed in the dark soil where it develops into the mighty oak tree. The embryo is formed in the darkness of the womb. Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the EVENING and the morning were the first day. (Not day and night, but night and day.)

Darkness is not always negative.

What are your thoughts on this?

Apologies

2009-08-16T11:52:00.002-04:00

Sorry I have not been here lately but promise to change that immediately. Lots going on. Just retired. I AM SO HAPPY!!! Think I want to redesign this blog to focus on real life tips. At any rate, it is onward and upward. Thanks for your support.

Such a tragic week!

2009-06-25T21:19:00.004-04:00

Such a tragic week! Our heartfelt sympathies to the families of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and of course, the multi-talented Michael Jackson. Listening to MJ right now on the radio. Hearing tunes I never heard before but they are all fabulous. Each of these people made a mark and their gifts will be sorely missed and cannot be replaced.

R.I.P.

Go Prez

2009-06-04T22:27:00.002-04:00

Did you see/hear the President's speech? What do you think? Did he "apologize" like some are saying? Give a shout out.

Take another stroll with me

2009-06-03T00:06:00.003-04:00

On a lighter note, more memory lane stuff. This time I'm not just limiting this stroll to places but also TV, food, activities.

Remember house parties with colored (red) lights? Boy were they fun. And while we are at the house party, don't forget spiking the punch. My Mom used to have rent parties too. We may have to go back to those parties due to the economy.

New Yorkers will probably remember The Village Gate. Great place for great live music. Some of you may remember Honeysuckle's, a bar/restaurant on the upper West side. Interesting array of people could be found there. Food was good. Best seat in house was upstairs where you could look down at the bar. Fabulous people watching.

Another great place for food was/is Jezebel's on 9th Avenue and 45th Street. French decor including a piano and a table with a swing for seating!

Who remembers Saturday morning cartoons like Mighty Mouse, Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang? Anybody but me remember Beanie and Cecil? Wow am I dating myself.

How about some music like the Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler? What about I'll Try Something New by the Miracles?

Last but not least (for this post) is a place called Plato's Retreat. Not going to give any more info about it but some of you know what it was!!!

If you remember any of the above or have some memories to add, leave a comment. (Comment could be about anything you remember: food, TV, movies, clubs, restaurants, etc.) Would love to hear from you.

What is torture?

2009-05-27T20:23:00.003-04:00

I watched a video in which a journalist bet that he could withstand waterboarding for 15 seconds. The person who was going to administer the "test" was covered so you could not see his face. He explained to the journalist that he WOULD NOT be able to last that long. The journalist was strapped to a board with his head slightly down and feet a little higher. He was given an object to drop on the floor to stop the test.

Then the waterboarding began.

The journalist dropped the object within about 5 seconds! He then explained how he could not breathe because the water was going up his nose. He stated that his brain was telling his body to breath and that his heart was racing incredibly. THIS WAS AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS.

If I remember correctly, the man administering the "test" did not think waterboarding was torture. Are you kidding? Someone please tell me what torture is if this is not torture.

This is like saying only the Japanese tortured people during WW2 but we didn't. Yeah. Right. Or that only the North Vietnamese committed terrible atrocities during the Vietnam fiasco. We, Americans, only went over there to "help" these people who could not help themselves.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't condone torture no matter what side of the flag you are on. If my telling you something, even a lie, is going to stop the torture, I may just tell you something.

Man's inhumanity to man. Unbelievable the lengths we humans will go to in the name of justice, religion, etc.

Hurts, Doesn't It?

2009-05-27T19:55:00.005-04:00

There seems to be a lot of talk about Sonia Sotomayor's decision against the White firefighters. Discrimination is a b@#$, isn't it? There is also noise about her statement that a Latina woman might make a different decision than a White man.

African Americans (Hispanics, etc.) have suffered discrimination for decades and decades. So now, you (White firefighters, Joe the plumber, etc) know how that feels.

As for the second statement, she was talking about her experiences and how they would relate to decisions she might make, if I understand her statement correctly. As an African American woman, who grew up in Harlem and North Carolina during the sit-ins, busrides for freedom, the murder of Emmet Til, the murders of King, the Kennedys, etc., I certainly would have a different slant on things than a white man who grew up in Long Island where Blacks could be servants but could not go to the country clubs. If I were a judge, however, I would have to follow the law and not just my feelings.

So for the Rush Limbaughs and the other dipsticks, give it a rest! If Sotomayor were a white male, you would not have anything to say - and you know it. This is so blatant, it's pathetic. We can see who the real racists are!

Supreme Choice

2009-05-27T19:49:00.003-04:00

Glad the Pres selected a Latina woman as nomination for the Supreme Court. And from the Boogie Down Bronx! (Only New Yorkers, past or present can appreciate that point.) All the naysayers might as well go sit down. A Black president and Latina woman on the highest court in the land. GO TEAM!!!!

Thanks

2009-05-27T19:45:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who read my blogs on a regular. I do appreciate it. Keep reading and feel free to respond.

Thanks

Can we get an Amen?

2009-04-25T22:27:00.005-04:00

Had a talk with a young lady today about not getting responses or comments on her blog. She said her freinds. etc., have been informed of her blog. I assume their responses are positive. They will verbally inform her that they have read her posts or like what they read but none of them have responded with a comment on the blog itself. Why is that?

I have a similar problem. I have several people on my email lists from both of my blogs and I've only gotten a couple of comment/responses. I am indeed happy for those responses ( and to know that I have a couple of followers) but I get the same answers. "Oh yes, I read your last post. It was good" or "You really upset the apple cart this time" or whatever.

So the question is, how do we get folks who read to comment (hopefully positively even if they disagree)? I know that I like to comment on posts that speak to me in some way. I'm in several writing groups on Linkedin and I visit the groups regularly and try to comment on posts that I feel I can contribute to. Sometimes the comment is as simple as "good luck on your book" or my opinion on whatever the post was about.

Anyway, all bloggers would appreciate your comments to whatever posts speak to you. I would prefer comments on the comments link at the bottom of the post itself but a comment is a comment. So to those who regularly read my posts, I sincerely thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I enjoy which is to write. Look forward to hearing from you.

Law of the Garbage Truck

2009-04-20T22:45:00.003-04:00

HOW TRUE THIS IS!!

Law of the Garbage Truck. One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets... The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it, ninety percent how you take it! Have a garbage-free day!

Another goodie sent by a friend.

D E S I D E R A T A

2009-04-20T20:32:00.001-04:00

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.

Sent to me by a friend. Thought I would share it with you.

De-Clutter

2009-04-18T16:49:00.003-04:00

It's spring cleaning time! Time to get rid of stuff from last year (or the last ? years) that you didn't use, will never use, refuse to use again, etc. I'm reading the book, Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke which tells how to go through your entire living space and throw out, recycle, or sell "stuff". Also talks about clearing out old thoughts, mindsets, etc. that may also be weighing you down.

I just started reading it and already I've cleared out my jewelry boxes, recyling most of it. Going through the rest of my closet. It is truly liberating.

Have fun.

More Memories

2009-04-11T08:50:00.003-04:00

Got some more great memories.

The bakery I spoke of earlier was Cushmann's. It was located on 125 between 8th and St. Nicholas Avenues and it would run circles around Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme if it were still open. All of their items were delicious: glazed donuts, jelly donuts, brownies, etc but the apple turnovers were unmatched by anyone. They were huge and overflowing with apples. They went out of business because of competition from supermarket entries like Sara Lee cakes. (By the way, is Sara Lee still around?)

Todays list just proves that I was (still am) a party girl. These 2 places still exist but with the changes taking place in Harlem, I don't know how long they will be around. I'm talking about Showman's and Lenox Terrace. Never really hung out in either but they are a fixture uptown.

I did hang out in Doral's on 7th between 145th and 146th Streets with the guys from the 369th Armory. Wild bunch of guys. Drank each other under the table! By the way, they had great parties at the Armory. All you could eat and drink and loud music. What could be better?

Another food spot was Copeland's on 145th Street. Copeland's had been around for years. Sunday brunch, good soul food. Copeland's even tried a 2nd restaurant on 125th but it didn't last long and the both stores bowed to economics (or so I heard.) Rents too high, or their prices were too high, etc.

As I was writing this, I remembered a BBQ place that was around the corner from the original Copeland's, on Broadway and about 147th St. Can't think of the name but the ribs were wonderful. So much so that I got off the bus coming home from work one day, in an unexpected snow storm (had on heels so I had to walk slowly to keep from falling) to get a rib dinner!!! Now that is some good food. And I'm sure many of you remember Singleton's BBQ. I think there was more than one but I remember the one on Lenox Avenue across from Harlem Hospital.

Let's keep this going. If you remember Harlem from back in the day, put your comments on this post. (Just wish I had pictures of all these places. Never thought they would disappear.)

Memory Lane

2009-04-01T19:54:00.005-04:00

For my Harlemites, let's go down memory lane:

Remember Teddy's Shanty's hot dogs on 8th Avenue at 125th St? Every time I went there, they would charge me a different price for the same order: 2 hot dogs and a grape drink. Or the original Wells, Chicken and Waffles. Sherman's BBQ (when the food was good), Mister B's, The Flash Inn, Thomford's ice cream parlor (125th St, corner of St. Nicholas Ave.) And the best Chinese restaurant in NY as far as I'm concerned, Len Fong, which was on Broadway at 145th St. Food was delicious and Cantonese and you could get a nice buzz off the drinks while waiting for your food. Just found out that M & G's diner, corner 125th and Morningside Avenue, has closed!!! Oh the shame of it all. They had one of the best music collections on their juke box. The soul food was great and they were open 24 hours a day and you got to know the waitresses who called you by name. You could eat breakfast at 5pm or 3am. Oh and don't forget Wilson's up on Amsterdam Avenue.

What about some of the bars in Harlem? The Top Club, The Baby Grand (which I think is now a Radio Shack), The Oasis up on Broadway. The Paradise, which was on the corner of 110th Street and 8th Avenue and was a "bucket of blood" where even the bartender would tell you not to turn your back on your drink!!! The other paradise was Small's Paradise, of course. Had lots of fun in there. I used to hang at a bar called The Four Pheasants (weird name for a Harlem bar.) It was a 3 for 1 and they did not water down the drinks. Happened to know the guys running the the place. Sometimes I would have 9 to 12 shots lined up in front of me. Woo Hoo!!! Occasionally stopped in The Flame, 141st Street and Lenox Avenue, which I considered a neighborhood bar. Mostly older folks from the 'Hood, kind of the quiet.

What about the dance halls? I can only remember The Savoy, 149th St in the Boogie Down Bronx and The Carlton Terrace on 96th Street and Broadway. Think I went to all of the dance halls at one time or another because my uncle gave a dance once or twice a year.

Remember when you didn't have to go downtown to the movies? I think there were at least 4 theaters on 125th Street including a Loew's and RKO on 7th Avenue between 125th and 126th Streets. There was another Loew's on 116th Street, along with another RKO, I think.

What about the bakery on 125th Street between St. Nicholas and 8th Avenues? Don't remember the name but they had huge apple turnovers that were full of apples (would you believe) and wonderful glazed donuts. Speaking of glazed donuts, no one, not ever Krispy Kreme could compare to Georgie's Bakery which was down the block from Con Ed. Little tiny place and the line was down the block at holiday time! Had a small menu of pound cake, chocolate cake, coconut pie, sweet potatoe pie, brownies and the best glazed donuts in the world. A tray of freshly baked glazed donuts would be sold out by the time you got to the counter - and - you were already in the store. Across the street was Wimp's which had delicious cakes.

Can't end without mentioning Majester's Fish and Chips. (the original store on Lenox and 129th Street.) There was always a line of people, no matter what time of year it was. I never went to that place and walked right up to the counter. Best fish and chips in town and they were open late for the bar crowd.

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Hit me back with some of the places you remember.

Correction to Willie Lynch Post

2009-03-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

The etiquette school (DFI) is reconsidering the option of expelling the student who was fighting so at this time, no decision towards dismissal has been made. When reviewing the mission of the school and our target audience, it was felt that other things need to be investigated before a decision can be made. The rest of the post stands. Let's remember our greatness.

Willie Lynch Lives On

2009-03-29T10:47:00.000-04:00

Had an unfortunate event happen this weekend at the etiquette school I work with. The school, The Development and Finishing Institute (www.TheDFInstitute.com) is Harlem, New York's premier etiquette school. We hold classes at Columbia University. In our 7 year history, we have never had to expell anyone. We've also never had to deal with a child fighting another child-until now.

Details of the incident are not necessary for this post. Suffice it to say, the young lady who started the fight was also disruptive in class 2 weeks ago. Because of this, DFI has no choice but to immediately dismiss this young lady from attending classes with us.

What does this have to do with Willie Lynch? You tell me. I recently learned that the Willie Lynch speech is not authentic. The article gave many facts about when someone named Willie Lynch lived, which apparently was many years after the speech was written. Article also talked about other great Black leaders who spoke out against the horrors of slavery and NEVER mentioned this speech.

The speech may be a fabrication but what are we as a people doing to live it down? Why do we treat each other the way we do? The mother of the young girl who started the fight was there at the school. If we (anyone) are the product of our environment, then what does that say about the young lady's home life. And what about her self-esteem? How bad do you feel about yourself that the only way you can get your point across is by fighting?

Why is it that things we do to each other we would never do to someone of another race? (Not talking about crime, etc.) DFI is constantly asked to make concessions that these same people would never ask for if the school were run by Whites. We hold classes at Columbia University but we are not a part of Columbia. If Columbia were running DFI, none of the mothers enrolling their children in DFI would approach the registrar asking for a discount in tuition other than whatever may already be offered. I've seen this in other areas too. Why is it that we would degrade another AA's product or service but would not consider doing that at a Macy's or Target's, etc? And if you (or your child) started a fight in one of those stores, you would find yourself in Central Booking. Why do we feel that because we both have Black faces, I have to "give you a break, give you a bigger discount, let you pay late, or let you otherwise break/bend the rules etc?" No I don't! Nothing personal but this is business.

And let's not forget about the crab mentality. Personally I am very happy when someone of color (which is just about everyone in the world) is successful. You would think I was a relative!!! Contrary to the media, there is enough to go around. I don't have to badmouth someone else's success. It does nothing for me. Lighting your candle does not put my candle out. It adds more light to the room.

Let's remember our greatness and stop repeating the ideas put forth in the Willie Lynch speech, whether it is authentic or not.

So late you're absent!

2009-03-22T22:06:00.002-04:00

Oh boy. Sarah Palin again. Like a bad penny, you keep turning up. You're so late you're absent. President Obama recognized his mistake and apologized about the remark he made. And since when does the pot call the kettle black, pun intended? You certainly are not umblemished. Neither is your family. Clean up your own backyard before trying to clean up someone else's.

Not a Penthouse!

2009-03-14T01:46:00.004-04:00

It seems that Bernie Madoff wants out of his little cell. Wants to go back to his bazillion dollar penthouse apartment to await sentencing. His attorneys said he would not be a flight risk. I guess not. Didn't he have to wear an electronic bracelet? Besides, the press was camped outside his apartment night and day. Get Real!! How about if all his assets are sold to repay the people who lost their money dealing with him? Of course, if it were you and me, the little people, we would have been so far in the jail that they might not be able to find us. I'm not gloating but it's time for some justice. Last night's news showed one of his victims, who has to work for $8.00 an hour after losing about $700,000 to Madoff - and he is 90 years old!

Let your arms show

2009-02-28T20:13:00.004-05:00

Isn't there more important things to discuss than Michelle Obama's bare arms? Probably the ones making the most noise are those who dare not show their bare arms!!! Leave the First Lady alone. She is not like the other first ladies. She has her own style and it is refreshing.

The real question is, what can you do to make this world a better place? I would think worrying about sleeveless dresses is not it. What do you think?

LOVE

2009-02-28T19:51:00.005-05:00

News reports that teen pregnancy is on the rise. Wow!

Young men, you need to stop dropping your precious seed (translate babies) in any and every well you come across. Any male animal can produce offspring. Any human male can produce a child but that does not make you a father. And who is left with the result of that act while you move on to the next "starving-for-love" young lady? A young lady, who is a child herself, who now has a child that she and her mother and grandmother will raise.

And young lady, why is your body, your virginity so value-less to you and that young man? Why are you having sex anyway? Why are you so void of self pride and self respect that you feel you must have sex with someone, young or old, because he said, "if you love me, this is how you prove it." No! What it proved is that you fell for the same line he used on the other 2 or 3 young ladies who had his other babies. Then the baby mama drama begins.

THIS IS NOT LOVE. This is not respect. This is how many notches he can put on his belt (or bedpost.)

Young ladies (and young men). You are worth more than an orgasm (which probably only one of you experienced anyway.) Don't throw away your dreams to do or be whatever you are dreaming about. Break the cycle of single parent homes in the Black (or whatever) community. Look at the new President and his wife. Let that be your example.

Hiding money

2009-02-23T22:39:00.002-05:00

It seems that some of the banks that received bailout money are helping wealthy customers hide money in offshore accounts in places like the Cayman Islands!!! Duh. Is anyone surprised to hear this when some execs are still getting billion dollar bonuses and the banks who got the money have so far refused to say where it went? And where does AIG get off asking for more money? I understand what the President says when he explains that the banks must not be allowed to fail so the economy can stabilize. But if it were up to me, I would be in their books EVERY week until this crisis is over and they would not get a cent unless I was satisfied about where the money was going.

Just one taxpayers opinion. Because the truth of the matter is that ALL money is taxpayer money whether you put it in a special account or it's part of the bailout money. What do you think?

RAPE IS NOT A GAME!!!!

2009-02-23T22:31:00.005-05:00

So who is the rocket scientist who created a video game showing girls/women getting raped? What is entertaining about rape? If the makers of this game find it entertaining, they should be placed in mental institutions. I believe the game is created by a foreign company. I hope they go out of business. They should be shut down. This is as bad as the Post cartoon. These people also don't see what the problem is and why people (in their right mind) would take offense. Everyone knows rape is a power play and has nothing to do with sex. Totally disgusting. They should be glad our legal system is not "an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth." In some countries, men are castrated for such crimes.

Cruise Reviews - Read Celebrity Royal Caribbean & Norwegian Cruise Reviews and Vacation Blog Entries

2009-02-23T00:17:00.000-05:00

Cruise Reviews - Read Celebrity Royal Caribbean & Norwegian Cruise Reviews and Vacation Blog Entries

Nation of cowards

2009-02-20T05:23:00.003-05:00

The new and first African American attorney general said in reference to the New York Post racist cartoon that America is a nation of cowards. Of course the news media and others attacked him for those words but perhaps he is right. Let's face it. The police have not really endeared themselves in the African American community. Rodney King, Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell and others come to mind. It's sad that this ugliness is still alive and well in America. It's also stupid. No one had anything to do with the color of their skin (at birth). Of course those same White people who spout racism spend millions of dollars yearly to get brown, risking skin cancer, but claim that people of color are inferior. Inferior to what? It's sad that some people think this way and it's equally sad that African Americans do not realize their own power. Think about it. You must be worth something great if one group of people tries so hard to keep another group of people down. Stop the put downs, the hatred, the stupidity. So much energy going into the negative. Enough already.

New York Post

2009-02-20T04:54:00.002-05:00

Those who know me know that I was not going to let this one go by without comment. I'm sure you have seen the cartoon published by the New York Post linking 2 stories together, the stimulus package from President Obama and the chimp that was killed by police after it attacked a woman. So how is this not racist when it shows a cop holding a smoking gun, commenting about the stimulus package and a dead monkey on the ground? The Post said it was a parady (seems everyone uses this word to justify what can't be justified) and that it was really directed towards the speaker of the house who wrote the bill. And that makes it right??? It's an insult to her also. And what about the lady who lost her pet chimp? (Of course, that's another strange story but I digress.) So just what was the editor in chief really saying? That the President is a monkey? Anyone who lived through the Martin Luther King era and the history of racism in this country knows exactly what the symbolism means. Was this a veiled message to the idiots who would want to hurt the first African American president in this country? This is no parady and those responsible should step down. The non-apology issued by the paper means nothing. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

Lets follow this example

2009-02-07T18:16:00.004-05:00

African American Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta recently met with the White man, Elwin Wilson, who attacked him in 1961 during a protest when Lewis was a young civil rights leader. The confrontation took place at a bus station in South Carolina. Wilson apologized and he and Lewis embraced. Lewis said Wilson was the first person involved in attacks against him during that turbulent time to apologize and he offered forgiveness without hesitation.

I thought this was worthy of mentioning because I grew up in North Carolina during the sit-ins at places like Woolworth's 5 & 10. I also remember the hot waiting rooms for "Colored people" in bus and train stations (no fans), colored signs over water fountains (water was not cold if it worked at all), bathrooms, etc. And the entrance to the movie theater that was on a side street, around the corner from the main street white entrance, that lead to a small balcony. I was quite aware of racism as I grew up in the south and in New York. I had to remember which part of the country I was in and make the adjustment. Up north, I sat wherever I wanted on the bus; below Washington, DC, I sat in the back. In a store that serviced white and Black patrons, I had to wait until the white person was waited on first though I may have been first at the counter. I decided to leave NC after completing the 9th grade because I knew my New York state of mind would get me hung.

I am happy that this reconciliation occurred and hope others of all races follow suit.

Surprise. Surprise.

2009-02-07T18:10:00.002-05:00

I hear that Etta James is now stating that the remarks she made about Beyonce and President Obama were jokes. Hummm. I've read that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. In other words, what you say is what you feel.

Etta's tirade

2009-02-05T20:49:00.002-05:00

What's with stars like Etta James (and Aretha Franklin's uproar about Beyonce calling Tina Turner "Queen") stomping on Beyonce for singing James' signature song, At Last, at the inauguration? I happen to like that song and thought Beyonce did a great job. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Besides, Beyonce just played James in a movie. I don't recall James saying anything bad about that performance. If she had messed up the song, I could see James saying something about it. James also had negative words to say about President Obama. Whatever.

When are we (all people) going to learn or remember what we were taught as children? If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

I truly believe that if you know who you are and are comfortable in your skin, it shouldn't matter what people say about you. (Hope Beyonce reads this.) I stopped caring what others think of me years ago. My motto is, "you don't have a nickel in this dime - and if you do, I gave it to you. It's still my dime!"

Big Bonuses

2009-02-01T12:30:00.003-05:00

Just saw part of Meet the Press in which the panel was discussing the $18 billion bonuses some Wall Streeters received for work done last year. Panelists pointed out that this was not taxpayer money but money in a fund set aside for these perks. Everything is ultimately taxpayer money. AND YOUR POINT IS WHAT? I wouldn't care if that money had been set aside from when money was first created. What about perception? You have companies (obviously not all on Wall Street) asking workers to give up future raises, freeze their 401K and other pension plans, if they even have pension plans left, work less hours for the same pay, no overtime, people being laid off and you have other people "crying" because their bonus is a couple hundred thousand dollars less than usual. Don't get me wrong. I don't begrudge anyone getting compensated for their work but did it occur to the people running these companies who were asking for bailout assistance to say, "why don't we freeze bonuses if we are going to ask for help?" And what happened to the money that was already given out? How come no one seems to know where it went? Wall Street, banks, etc. should not get another dime until they account for what they already got and they should be made to show their books monthly.

I have a solution: get rid of those CEOs and other execs, etc. who ran their companies into the ground instead of giving them compensation "for a job well done." Like the CitiBank exec who was about to buy a $50 million jet.

Another solution: have execs of the companies laying off workers give up their bonuses, raises, etc. so the workers can continue to work and support their families because in the long run government (taxpayers) will end up paying for these workers through foreclosures, evictions, unemployment, public assistance, food stamps, and Medicaid.

Get real, Wall Street!!!

And so it begins

2009-01-26T17:27:00.003-05:00

Just read an email stating that the Black Artist Association was upset because Michelle Obama did not choose a dress by a African American designer. Her husband did not choose an African American designer either, did he? I know he likes Hart, Schaffner and Marks for his suits. Are they African American? At any rate, the email made it seem like this is the only chance Mrs. Obama would have to select an African American designer. I think they will be in the White House at least 4 years. I would think there would be other opportunities for her to wear designer clothes.

Having said that, I would like to add that Mrs. Obama shouldn't have to select an African American anything just because they are African American. I make my selections as a matter of taste, not because of the color or someone's skin. Isn't that what Martin Luther King said?That it should be the content of one's character that makes the choice, not the color of one''s skin. He was not just talking to White people. Let's leave the crab mentality in the fish market.

BS

2009-01-19T13:36:00.003-05:00

What is BS? BS is Belief System. Your belief system. What do you believe about yourself? About life? About God? About people? About anything, everything?

Did you know that your outer condition is the expression of your mentality?

Here are some things you need to consider:

Learn to combat negative influences. You really are in control of your environment. No need to blame anyone else. You did it. You can undo it. Be mindful of the things you listen to.

Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Focus on what you have, not what you don't have. What you pay attention to will magnify. Have you ever had a headache that seemed to intensify the more you thought about it? Did the pain lessen as you took your focus off the headache? Question: did something outside of you stop the pain? No, it was you and what you focused on (or did not focus on) that stopped the pain.

You are the person you are today because of the thoughts you had yesterday. Change your thinking and change your situation.

A great spiritual leader once said, when you enter into the theater of your mind and walk upon the stage of your imagination, you can create your own destiny.

Ponder that.

Missing the inauguration

2009-01-19T13:24:00.002-05:00

Some of you who know that I received my ticket to the inauguration may have strong feelings about why I should have gone to this wonderful historic event. As it turns out, the person I would have gone with (if I were going) was able to go, leaving today and returning Wednesday.

Watching the events on TV last night, I questioned whether I had made the right decision. (I hate crowds.) This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am well aware of that. I came to the conclusion that I should not second guess myself. Everything happens for a reason. I believe that my time will come to be in Washington, DC. Maybe even to meet President Obama face to face.

Anyway, I bless those fortunate enough to go. This is a wonderful year. It is a fabulous time to be an American.

Enough

2009-01-19T13:17:00.003-05:00

I saw this in The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen and thought it was appropriate for all of us.

Today I am enough.
Able enough.
I have enough ideas to pull off magic and miracles.
I am enough. I have enough. I do enough.

This is not the entire piece but it speaks to our new president and it speaks to each of us - if we believe. I truly believe that I AM ENOUGH.

Inaugural Ticket

2009-01-07T22:19:00.002-05:00

Received my ticket to the inauguration on January 20!

I am so excited. Problem is getting there and being up front and not freezing, etc, etc. Anyway, I got the ticket and I'm thrilled. This is history in the making.

Watch Night

2009-01-05T21:47:00.002-05:00

Do you know how watch night service came about? I found an email that was sent to me on December 25, 2004, entitled "African American Watch Night Service." In the email, it was noted that watch night seems to be an African American "thing" on New Year's Eve. Apparently White Christian churches do not include watch night services on their calendars, preferring to focus more on Christmas eve programs. For those who don't know, watch night services can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as Freedom's Eve. Blacks were anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had actually become law. Then at the stroke of midnight, January 1, 1863,all slaves in the Confederate states were declared legally free. Of course this brought about cheering, singing, celebration, and praising God. Since then Blacks have thanked God at these services annually. Nothing wrong with celebrating and being thankful to see another year. At least get the history behind it. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

No good reason

2009-01-02T19:43:00.005-05:00

I have a few questions for the lady who knowingly left a special needs person strapped in his seat on a bus because "if she drove him home, she would be late for church." What God do you serve? I'm sure you consider yourself to be a good Christian. What, then, would Jesus do? What is your church saying about what you did? What are you saying? Was leaving that young man worth whatever was going on at your church that you could not be a little late? Is it worth you going to jail and losing your job?And people question why the world does not want to be part of the CHURCH. Is it any wonder?

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T01:27:00.003-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Wishing you and yours a wonderful, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Remember what you put out is what you get back so make sure everything you put out is positive. As in the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, you are the master of your fate, you are the captain of your soul. In other words, life doesn't "happen" to you, you create it. So create a wonderful life for yourself for 2009 and may all your desires come true.

What happened to Christmas?

2008-12-29T19:41:00.004-05:00

Have we lost Christmas somehow? Did you notice that this was an extremely QUIET Christmas even though the weather was nice? There was no noise outside. No squealing children, no dogs barkings, no sound of skate boards, bicycles, nothing. And we wonder why we are a nation of overweight children. Because they sit all day. I know I'm dating myself but when I was a little girl, the only reason you stayed inside on Christmas day was if it were raining or there was a blizzard going on. Even the girls went outside with their dolls though it was the boys making the noise. I did not see even 1 child outside this year and I left my daughter's house at 3pm in the afternoon! Come on parents. Make some changes in the lives of your children. I am not against computers and technology. My 10 and 13 year old grand daughters are proficient with computers because they have always been around them. But what happened to the bike as a gift or even a jumprope (remember double dutch)? What about skates, either blade or ice skates? The quiet was deafening and very sad. Something to think about.

Ponder this

2008-12-05T17:38:00.002-05:00

My young 27 year old cousin, Kyle, died last week. The funeral was Sunday. A year ago my Mom took a turn for the worst during Thanksgiving week and died on Dec 1. Not to replay those heavy moments but I was speaking to Kyle's mom just now. She wanted to know "why?" She asked God to tell her something. As we talked, she got her answer. Someone had said to her, "you don't know what kind of pact Kyle made with God!" I never thought of that. Perhaps Kyle said he did not want to subject his friends and family to seeing him waste away in a bed for years. As hard as it was to know that he had crossed over, it would have been very difficult to see him lying in bed for months and years, not being the Kyle we knew. We don't have the final say. That's between the person and God. We may want them to stay but that is probably our own egos speaking. I know that Kyle touched a lot of people and his life, though short by our calculation, was not in vain. God is still in control. He said lean not on our own understanding. Be encouraged.

Holiday time

2008-11-30T01:01:00.004-05:00

This is supposed to be a happy time of the year and usually it is. For my family, this is a bittersweet time because my Mom took a turn for the worst last year this time (Thanksgiving week.) So this is the first Thanksgiving without her. Then 2 days before Thanksgiving this year, my cousin died. And my sister lost her Mom earlier this year so this was her first Thanksgiving without her Mom. WOW!!! Not going to make the usual trite remarks that don't make anyone feel any better. I don't know why things happened the way they did for my family over the course of 1 year. Are we still blessed? Of course! Can we feel it now? Probably not. My cousin's family is mourning the loss of a son, brother who had not experienced all that life has to offer yet. Yes this pain will pass in time. But in the meantime, life goes on. I am grateful for the years I had with my Mom, my cousin and my sister's Mom. It makes me appreciate the friends and family that are still with me. So let me remind you to tell friends and family that you love them whenever you can. It will be appreciated. Don't forget the laughter of your friends and loved ones. Continue to enjoy life. I think they would want us to do that. Much love to all of you.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:27:00.002-05:00

Have a happy, full-filling and blessed Thanksgiving. Count your blessings for they are many. Remember those who are no longer with us and celebrate their lives, laughter, love. Enjoy your day. Take lots of pictures and eat lots of food.

8 gifts that do not cost a cent

2008-11-27T11:17:00.002-05:00

1. The gift of listening, really listening. 2. The gift of affection-be generous with hugs and kisses. 3. The gift of laughter-share articles, cartoons, funny stories. 4. The gift of a written note-a brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime. 5. The gift of a compliment-a sincere word can make someone's day. 6. The gift of a favor-every day go out of your way to do something kind. 7. The gift of solitude-be sensitive to the times when you (or someone you know) just want to be alone. 8. The gift of a cheerful disposition-the easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone like Hello or Thank you.

Today's thought

2008-11-27T11:13:00.001-05:00

Work like you don't need the money, Love like you're never been hurt and dance like no one's watching.

Happy holidays

2008-11-16T23:14:00.003-05:00

Hi Gang,
Just want to wish you all a full-filling Thanksgiving holiday. We, as Americans, have much to be thankful for. Be sure to count your blessings-family, friends, pets, job, the ability to walk, talk, think, the beauty of a sunset or sunrise, food in the fridge, a roof over your head, a great business idea-whatever your blessings, count them! Remember, what you say is what you get so be mindful of what you say.

WE DID IT!!!!

2008-11-05T00:01:00.003-05:00

God bless America!!! Change has come to America. The world was watching to see if America would be it's money where it's mouth is. Now let's get behind this new President and lift his hands high. Keep him and those around him in prayer. "No weapon formed against Barack Obama shall prosper." THIS IS AWESOME.

ROCK THE VOTE!!!

2008-11-04T06:50:00.003-05:00

Well, I just voted. As a matter of fact, I was at my polling place before 6AM. Some interesting tidbits: Let's look at the numbers. November is the 11th month. 11 and any double number is a master number. Very powerful. Today is the 4th. 4 is the number of foundation. 2008 reduces to the number 1 (8 + 2 = 10 = 1) which means unity. 4 and 1 equal 5 which is the number of CHANGE. (That is the message of this election.) Obama is 44 years old. There is that double number again. Check out numerology for more details. YES WE CAN. CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN.

Let's do this!!!

2008-11-02T18:49:00.004-05:00

OK people. The world is watching America. Do you know why? Because they want to see if this country is really "the land of the free and the home of the brave." Can any child grow up to be President or is it just the usual hype and lies of the racist few? First of all, people of color need to realize once and for all that if someone is trying this hard to keep you down, then you must have something great to offer. Study your history, Black people. Look at the contributions of Blacks in this country. Look at the struggles. Our slavery is still present when someone can yell "terrorist" at a campaign rally and no one stops them. But get a grip, Black people. We may have been brought here against our will but this country was built on our backs. And for you Christians, "all things work together..."It was obviously in the scheme of things for us to get here. Well, we are here and have been here for a long time. Now is time for us to step up to the plate and hit it out of the park. Stop the negative talk. We have someone here who is for ALL the people. We haven't had that since the Constitution was written (probably). Stop saying Obama is not Black enough. What the hell does that mean? There's not a pure Black, Asian, Indian or white person in this country. Because the people in power were raping the women. So what is Black enough? And stop tripping over his name. Did you choose your name or did your parent(s) give it to you? White folks, stop tripping over his color. Must be good to be brown, black, yellow, red. You spend billions of dollars trying to get what we have naturally. The question is, is this the dream MLK talked about? I think so. And stop making excuses for not voting for Barack. "Well, if I vote for him, someone may try to kill him." (This come from people who call themselves born again Christians.) Whose report are you going to believe? Can the God of all creation take care of this man and those associated with him? Can He give him long life? Get out and vote for this man with the strange name who has a plan for this country. Don't believe the hype that it's in the bag. It's in the bag when you vote for Barach Obama on Tuesday. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc to vote for Obama and let's turn this country around.

Palin's poison

2008-10-09T01:51:00.003-04:00

For all of you racists, rednecks, unintelligent believers in the poison coming from the Republican campaign, let me point out some things.

First of all, no one chose their color before birth. And White folks spend billions of dollars risking skin cancer to "get a tan". In order words, to turn BROWN!!!

Second, no one picks their name with the exception of some who changed their name to be more acceptable in this country. Barack Hussain Obama was given his name by his parents. Be for real. How stupid can you be? That's his name. Get over it.

Next, as I heard someone say, this Black man was in the belly of a WHITE woman for nine months. Get to that, ignorant people.

And finally, there probably would be no America as we know it if it weren't for the "colored" people who built this country. This country was built on the backs of colored people: Black/Brown slaves, Yellow Chinese who built the railroads and Red Indians who were taken off their land, THIS LAND, by white folks. White folks have raped this land, have raped Africa and then have the nerve to make racist remarks about Barack Obama. Now, of course, this tirade is not against all White people. Only those small minded, ignorant folks who are just being stupid, as usual.

Your racism is showing. Now the truth is coming out. GET OVER IT!!!

How to handle a pit bull!

2008-09-06T18:40:00.002-04:00

OK people. Let's stop tiptoeing around the issue. Palin, you said the only difference between a soccer mom and a pit bull is liptstick. And the news media, instigators that they can be with their tales of woe, think the Democrats should be worried and that Biden should tread lightly. To HELL with that!!! First of all, a female dog is a B-t-h. Second of all, there are a couple of things you do with all dogs: if they are rabid, you put them down, otherwise, you train them as to who the pack leader is and make them get in line. (Check out the Dog Whisperer.) The pack leader is Barack Obama. My advice to Joe Biden-do what you always do: shoot from the hip and apologize, if necessary, later. No kid gloves for you, Miss Thing. As is said in the 'Hood, "You ain't so bad, you can't be had." If you are so bad, Palin, go out and tackle the press, the same press that you have already angered. What are you afraid of? And stop trying to act like you are on the same page as Hillary. She can beat you with blindfolds on and both hands tied behind her back. You can't hold a burnt candle to Hillary. By the way, you don't seem to understand protocol either. The 2nd in line is supposed to ECHO what the leader is saying, not create their own agenda. If you had an agenda or some issues to talk about, you would not have spent your first night up ranking on your opponent and the press. And as one young lady said (same age as your daughter), how can you handle the country when you obviously couldn't handle your own home. And why are you under investigation? Handle your own business before trying to handle this country. Let me break it to you, not so gently: you will never get into the White House as VP. Give it a rest.

Non-profit firing practices

2008-08-07T21:41:00.004-04:00

What's this I hear that non-profits can fire you for no reason and tell you it's the "right to fire" clause? In other words, the company has the right to fire you but they don't have to tell you why? SINCE WHEN??!! If there have been no counseling sessions telling me that I'm not meeting my numbers, quotas, etc, and no written or verbal warnings, no corrective action plans implemented - guess what? YOU WILL TELL ME WHY I'M BEING TERMINATED - AND - I WILL SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL - AND - PROBABLY SUE YOU FROM THE GROUND FLOOR TO THE TOP FLOOR!!! What kind of stupid business practice is this? This recently happened to a friend of mine and my advice is to: write a letter of protest to the CEO of the project, cc to the board of directors, the funding sources and since this happened in NY which now has a Black governor, I would cc him also. I would go to the labor board and to whatever organization has oversight over non-profits. And if it looks like folks are giving you the runaround, go straight to the media, TV, radio and print. Don't take this quietly. And if I'm not mistaken, you have the right to see your personnel record. Do what you have to do - and then tell them what they can do with the job!!!

Anyone else know of similar situations? What happened and what was the outcome?

10 Laws of Life

2008-07-27T13:06:00.003-04:00

Life Law #1: You either get it or you don't.

Strategy: Become one with those who get it.

Life Law #2: You create your own experience.

Strategy: Acknowledge and accept responsibility for your life.

Life Law#3: People do what works.

Strategy: Identify the payoffs that drive your behavior and that of others.

Life Law #4: You cannot change what you do not acknowledge.

Strategy: Get real with yourself about life and everybody in it.

Life Law #5: Life rewards action.

Strategy: Make careful decisions and then pull the trigger.

Life Law #6: There is no reality; only perception.

Strategy: Identify the filters through you view the world.

Life Law #7: Life is managed; it is not cured.

Strategy: Learn to take charge of your life.

Life Law #8: We teach people how to treat us.

Strategy: Own, rather than complain about, how people treat you.

Life Law #9: There is power in forgiveness.

Strategy: Open your eyes to what anger and resentment are doing to you.

Life Law #10: You have to name it before you can claim it.

Strategy: Get clear about what you want and take your turn.

Which of these Laws do you need to work on? Get started now!

Black in America

2008-07-25T00:21:00.003-04:00

Have you been watching the Black in America series on CNN? Powerful. I watched the episode last night that focused on Black men and the problems they face-the drug epidemic, especially crack cocaine-and the difference shown to whites busted for cocaine possession and Blacks busted for crack possession, Black baby daddies, who are absent from their children's lives and how women have learned to live without them, the whole issue of how educated young Black men are teased and considered "acting white" if they get an education and strive for the American dream and the disproportionate number of Black men in prison. It was a very good program but these kinds of shows always leave me angry. How dare white America condemn anyone for being different when none of us had anything to do with our color, etc. How dare white America try to make me feel inferior when they spend millions of dollars trying to get a tan, dreading their hair, stealing our words, our family remedies (which they market back to us as medicine), dancing to our music, eating our food and when they couldn't/wouldn't nurse their own children during slavery, we nursed them but they would still sell us and our children for a couple of dollars. Forgive the soap box. I agree with Obama. We must unite but sometimes old wounds open unexpectedly. This was one of those times. We are not without responsibility either. Cosby and Poussaint are right. Come on People!!!

Apocalypse

2008-07-06T17:26:00.002-04:00

Interesting that people are preparing for the end of the world as we know it in the year 2012. People all over the world are gearing up for the end of civilization in that year. Many of these people are believers in the Bible, I'm sure. That being the case, what about the Scripture that says no man knows the day or the hour. Why would God say that and then tell the Mayans that the year 2012 is THE YEAR? Just wondering!!!

Independence

2008-07-04T21:57:00.003-04:00

No matter what you have experienced in your life, it is truly wonderful to be in the "land of the free and the home of the brave." HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!

Proud of America

2008-06-28T21:26:00.002-04:00

I agree with Michelle Obama. This may not be the first time but it is one of the times I can say I am proud of America and proud to be American. That's because her husband is in line to become the first African American president and his campaign has brought out more voters than ever. For those hypocrites who act like she said something wrong, be for real. Unless you are deaf, dumb and blind, you can't convince me that you HAVE ALWAYS been proud of your country. I was not proud of the Vietnam war. I was not proud of the assasinations of both Kennedys, King, Sean Bell (yes it was an assasination), etc. I was not proud of the election fiasco during the last election. Not proud of the war in Iraq and as an African American, I am truly ashamed of this country and this government's response to Katrina and it's victims. Did anyone notice that when Hurricane Rita hit soon after Katrina, those folks, mostly white, were allowed to board buses as whole families and even allowed to take their pets. Is that blatant racism or what??? So yes, I am proud of my country but this is not always the case. I am very proud of the fact that I can disagree with what is going on in this country and not go to jail or get killed (hopefully). So let's keep things in perspective, shall we?

Enough is enough

2008-06-28T21:20:00.002-04:00

Go to www.colorofchange.org to see article on Fox News and their racist remarks concerning the Obamas and their lame apologies. Site shows other high profile events and how you can get involved (Katrina, etc.) Check it out. Get involved.

What's wrong with this picture?

2008-06-25T23:05:00.003-04:00

Take a look at a news stand. Notice that the magazines showing African-American women show them practically naked. Is that the only way we can sell magazines? Is that all Black women are good for, showing booty all the time? Look at the other magazines. Except for a picture or two of Britney showing all her business getting out of some car, the cover girls are dressed very nicely. So what is the problem? Why are our women dressed liked this?

Am I the only one that thinks this is wrong? Sure the cover models are making money but what image are they giving to young girls? We talk about rap music being negative (some of it). What about these images that flash across every news stand? When will we learn? Read the Willie Lynch speech and you will know what I mean? Slave mentality is alive and well in our community and we are perpetuating it, not the white man.

As Bill Cosby says, "Come on People!"

Michelle Obama

2008-06-21T01:01:00.002-04:00

Did you see Michelle on The View? Sistah Girl was fabulous! She needs to have her own show!!! Can't wait for her to get into the White House.

Public Money

2008-06-21T00:54:00.002-04:00

What is all the hoopla about Obama not taking public money. All the money he receives is public money. The money his supporters contribute is public money so what is the problem? The reporters have nothing else to do but dissect every thing the man says. Get a life!