Hectic Hump Day

It's that time of the week when I just share random thoughts.  Here we go.

1.  I got to go to one of my old stomping grounds today.  It was awesome to see people I hadn't seen in a while.  I was kind of apprehensive about going there just because it had been so long.  However as soon as I got there, people were really thrilled to see me and I likewise.  It felt awesome to know that I still left an impact on a place 2 years after I last went there.

2.  I'm against all marriage.  I'll just leave it at that.

3.  There is still no one worth voting for in this Presidential election.  Seriously, it's just silly how all the campaigns are negative against the other candidate.  How about telling me what you're going to do to fix the mess that this country is in.

4.  I was listening to Michael Baisden one afternoon, and he brought up a good question.  Where are all the black men doing things for kids nowadays?  We have everyone but black men doing things for the youth of America.  Not all black men, but there are probably less than there should be.

5.  I just realized how close we are to the end of the school year.  Pretty exciting and pretty sad at the same time.

6.  My opinion still stands about how cute my new haircut is.

7.  I just called my haircut cute, what is wrong with me?

8.  I can't believe how much input and insight I got from my friends on Facebook about Netflix.  Kind of impressive that my friends are caring enough to give me opinions on the service.

9.  Kroger didn't have my favorite Lunchable.  I have to remind myself to get one from another Kroger before work tomorrow.

10.  We're going to the zoo tomorrow for a field trip. This zoo has a cool wolverine exhibit.  They say the wolverine is pound for pound the most vicious animal on the planet.  Obviously, the experts haven't met a couple of kids in our program.  It could get demoted to third after tomorrow.

Best Feeling

I try to think of some of the best feelings in the world.  I think of a warm bubble bath, because only women like them really hot.  I think of a good massage.  I think about sitting on my couch in my slippers and Snuggie (with clothing underneath).  However the best feeling in the world, to me at least, is the feeling of a fresh haircut.  

I just love getting my haircut.  For a while, I was doing it myself.  Mostly because I didn't trust anyone but Maurice since I moved from Salem to Roanoke.  Maurice works at Hair Attitudes over at the Lakeside Center.  He did my hair right.  However when I moved to Roanoke, gas prices didn't allow me to go back to Maurice's.  So I shaved my own head.  I looked good, but I can't see behind me and I didn't trust any of my roommates to help me.  People like me have to have the right barber, and by right I mean black.  Truth be told, black guys know how to do my hair.  So when I found Custom Cutz around the corner from my place, I figured I'd give them a try.  They're really good.  It looks old school, too.  Old school barber shops are exactly where you need to go.  I didn't have that crazy conversation about politics or sports, but it wasn't full of brothers.  I'm guessing if I went on a Saturday afternoon, I'd get more of the barber shop that you see in those Ice Cube movies.  

A fresh cut is a wonderful feeling.  I would have to say that it's great to go to a shop, get styled, and look good.  Truth be told, my haircut looks good on me.  You know what the best part is, my haircut is significant and noticeable and cost me 12 bucks plus tip.  Women go to the salon, basically leave looking the same and spend triple digits.

I love being a man.

Good Call

I don't know how many of you are aware of this story, so I'll give you a bit of background.  In 2011, Robert Champion, a drum major for Florida A&M University marching band, was found dead on the bus travelling to a football game.  The death was ruled a homicide.  However the perpetrators were his bandmates.  He was a victim of hazing.

If you don't know what hazing is, it's basically a rite of passage to a group or team.  It usually involves doing some absolutely disgusting things.  Sometimes, hazing can go too far.  There have been stories of deaths from alcohol poisoning, hypothermia, and blunt force trauma.  It's absolutely frightening that this stuff happens.

The thing I want to commend is the fact that the entire band has been suspended for the 2012-2013 school year.  They will not make appearances at football games.  They will not exist.  It's awesome to know that someone cares enough about their reputation to give consequences for heinous actions.  You kind of wish that more people would get punished for their actions.  People like O.J. Simpson, Charlie Sheen, and George Zimmerman come to mind.

It bothers me to no end that hazing exists.  Gangs do hazing but they know enough to at least stop before permanent damage takes place.  However in places of higher education, the kids seem to be slightly less concerned with a happy medium.  They seem to want to show everyone that you have to be tough to be in a band or a fraternity.  I was in middle school band, all I had to do was play my instrument well and I got respect.  I didn't need to get beat up or have to swallow something gross just to prove myself worthy of playing a bass clarinet.  So why in the world does hazing take place even with all the news coverage of deaths and permanent injury?  It's because not enough people care about their fellow man enough to just respect them for their skills.  They obviously have to be good enough if they made the band.  I know of a lot of good that fraternities and sororities do for their community, but I don't think they need to be able to drink a barrel full of whiskey to prove their ability to feed a soup kitchen.

If you know of any group that does this sickening mess, don't bother joining them.  Social status is not worth risking your life for.  Make your own hazing free group or band.  Trust me, you'll live without being in that group.  In fact, you'll just live.

Mine Is Better Than Yours

I was thinking about how cliche it would be for me to post a standard issue Mothers' Day blog.  Then I thought about how awesome my mom is compared to everyone else's.  It's nothing against your moms.  In fact, I'd venture to say that most of you reading this have a pretty awesome mom.  I've met a few of your moms, they're great.  However, mine is the best.  My mom is super supportive of me.  She always tells me how proud of me she is, even when I'm an idiot.  Actually, I'm never really an idiot, so basically, I get affirmation all the time.  I love her daily texts to me.  However I need to let her know when I have days off so she doesn't text me while I'm attempting to sleep in.  My mom is a great mom.  If you're actually looking for an example of how to be an awesome mom, just ask me and I'll tell you about my mom's ways.

Before you get all up in arms about how I'm being arrogant about how great my mom is, let me ask you a question.  Does your mom belly dance?  That's what I thought.  Okay, that wasn't fair.  Most moms don't belly dance.  However my mom beat cancer, by the grace of God.  Yes, other mothers have beaten cancer, but considering she's my mom, I'll say my mom is the best fighter in the world.

It's kind of hard being away from my mom.  However I also know that I'm exactly where God would like me to be.  I sacrificed a lot to be where I am today, however I know that my mom instilled in me a work ethic and a faith in Christ that is unshakable.  Thanks mom for being my hero.

Happy Mothers' Day to all the mothers out there.  You are a blessing.

Music Friday

So, yes.  I was wondering what song to post for this week.  However it was pretty clear when The Vibe played this song like 11 times this week.  This song takes me back to when I was in the 3rd grade.  I remember three things.

1) Dude, New Edition is gonna suck without him.  I was mildly wrong.  They were still good, just turned into more of a soulful R&B group with Bobby's replacement, Johnny Gill.

2) That Bobby Brown dance is ridiculously hard to do.  It was at my age then.  It's harder to do at my age now.

3)  I so want a "Gumby" haircut.  My mother refused to let me have one.  She wouldn't let me have any type of fade haircut growing up.  I do remember one time my mom cutting my hair trying to make it look cool.  She put a 4 inch line down the right side of my head.  It was hideous.  Add that to the missing teeth and bo bo shoes, I'm surprised I don't have a complex.

Life was crazy for me in elementary school.  Never had the name brand shoes, cool haircut, or stylish clothing.  I didn't really care, honestly.  My babysitter's teenage daughter mocked me for my lack of style compared to a rapper.  I told her, "I'm 7, I don't have a rap contract, and no one really cares.  If I can go a day without peeing my pants or seeing a clown, I'm good."  The fact that there are people who pick on people because of their choices of clothing is sad.  Except Tapout shirts, but that's mostly because the guys that wear them are complete toolbags.  Truth be told, clothing doesn't make the person.  The inside does.  Bobby Brown had some cool style, but look where he is today.

Look, if you are being picked on because you don't have those stylish clothes that the cool kids have, don't flip out.  Just remember that their parents are spending all their money on clothes and shoes instead of heating bills.

Be Mindful...

I've noticed that there are a lot of people taking stands on different subjects.  You know, I don't really have a problem with people taking stands.  In fact, I'm all for people standing up for what they believe in.  I think there are far too many people that just follow along for the sake of following along.  However there is an issue with taking stands.  It seems that at times, the people that are taking the stands aren't living the way that reflects their stands.

I think my biggest issue is hypocrisy.  Look, I want to say that I'm not claiming perfection.  Far from it, actually.  However I just wish that those who tend to stand up for things be accountable and real.  I feel like there are proponents and opponents alike of particular causes that don't really live like the causes they stand for.  I don't know if I want to get into specifics.  In fact, if you want specifics, you can just get at me privately.  My point is, if you're going to be against something, you had better make sure your house is in order.  You had better make sure that your life is worth the scrutiny that will come from being so outspoken about this or that.

For example, if you're all about family values and morals, you'd better be living a truly moral lifestyle.  If you're about equal rights, you had better be okay with people who aren't just like you having an opinion that may differ from yours.  My point being, walk your talk.  Again, not claiming perfection.  I'm far from perfect.  However I try to be who I say I am.  I try to be what the Good Lord wants me to be.

This isn't very long, mostly because I'm exhausted.  However, I just know that there is way too much hypocrisy from all sides of life, present company included sometimes.  If you're going to fight for something, that something had better be a part of your life.

Hectic Hump Day

It's another week of original thoughts and opinions.  Enjoy.

1.  North Carolina voted overwhelmingly to ban same sex marriages.  Whatever you think of same sex marriages, I have a bigger issue with some of the other crimes that are happening in this country.  When a woman who was being abused and had her life threatened multiple times by her ex-husband gets arrested and is facing 20 years for shooting the ceiling of her own house, I kind of lose concern for issues like who marries who.  I know that sounds heartless, but there are much more pressing issues to be concerned about.  We should be worried about the single moms working multiple jobs just to keep their lights on.  We should be worried about 8, 9, and 10 year old boys joining gangs because their fathers aren't around.

2.  I took my fella to a church group run by Young Life called Capernaum tonight.  I have to say that they do it right.  If you live in the Roanoke area, I truly suggest you check this ministry out.

3.  Space Jam is an awesome movie.  It just crossed my mind to say that out loud.

4.  Anyone remember when Cartoon Network was nothing but cartoons?

5.  I'm pretty happy that Vibe 100 changed their name to The Vibe.  When you have 100.1 and 97.7 as your channel number, the 100 seems a bit obsolete.  If you're a fan of Neo-Soul, R&B, and classic music, program that channel.  They even have some Gospel.

6.  Words with Friends is getting brutal.  I'm getting some ill will from some peeps.

7.  I honestly don't mind working a little harder to get the job done.  I just don't like working a little harder because others don't want to work at all.  Now I know what a Republican is thinking all the time.

8.  Speaking of, I'm tired of politics.  I'm tired of the two party system.  I'm tired of hearing people say that "Obama must be stopped."  He's not an evil villain in a comic book, he's the president.  Use some class.  Oh, and all the name calling of our elected officials is disrespectful.  It's terrible.  What happened to respect for other people.  Can't claim Christ's love if you're going to go that route.

That's all I got this week.  If you have any comments or thoughts, get at me.