The debonaire Matt and his beautiful wife Jess will be gracing us with their presence very soon. (FRIDAY)
Huzzah!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Can't Wait To See These Guys!
The debonaire Matt and his beautiful wife Jess will be gracing us with their presence very soon. (FRIDAY)
Huzzah!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Son, You Make The Call...
on Sunday, June 3rd my son is going to be Baptized.
I really don't know what to expect. I have only witnessed what? Two Baptisms. I know there is a "class" that the wife and I have to attend, but I have no clue as to what is to transpire. My wife's uncle is a Catholic Priest, and he will be performing the ritual. He's the same guy that married us, so I guess having a padre around can be quite handy.
I wonder if having a priest in your back pocket grants you a free spot on the Heaven Express?
I sure hope so.
Although I don't believe in all the fantastic miracles contained within the Bible, I do believe that the logical occurrences described actual events.
I guess I consider the Bible a history book.
I don't believe that Christianity is the one true faith, and that all others are doomed to the Pit.
I can't bring myself to believe that Ghandi is in Hell because he was not a Christian.
Bearing that in mind, my dilemma is this.
How valid, or effective can the boy's Baptism be if he is raised to believe/understand that NO individual who lives a respectful and righteous life should suffer simply because they don't adhere to a SPECIFIC group of morals?
The beliefs we plan to instill in the boy will contradict some of the beliefs we will PROMISE the Church that we will instill in him.
Why do the baptism then?
Well, I think that initiating some of the teachings of Chrisianity will help provide the basic understanding of right and wrong, and positivity projection.
I Completely disagree with most of the past and present actions and ideas carried out and/or enforced by organized religious groups, but I realize that religion creates HOPE, and sets standards for acceptable behavior toward our fellow man. A morality reminder nudge if you will.
I don't know.
Lord knows I have a bit of a problem with organized religion, but it's not fair to bombard my kid with my hangups in regard to religion's less desireable aspects.
All we can do is try and provide the boy with enough information so that he can form his own opinions about which (if any) religion/faith is right for him.
PEACE.
I really don't know what to expect. I have only witnessed what? Two Baptisms. I know there is a "class" that the wife and I have to attend, but I have no clue as to what is to transpire. My wife's uncle is a Catholic Priest, and he will be performing the ritual. He's the same guy that married us, so I guess having a padre around can be quite handy.
I wonder if having a priest in your back pocket grants you a free spot on the Heaven Express?
I sure hope so.
Although I don't believe in all the fantastic miracles contained within the Bible, I do believe that the logical occurrences described actual events.
I guess I consider the Bible a history book.
I don't believe that Christianity is the one true faith, and that all others are doomed to the Pit.
I can't bring myself to believe that Ghandi is in Hell because he was not a Christian.
Bearing that in mind, my dilemma is this.
How valid, or effective can the boy's Baptism be if he is raised to believe/understand that NO individual who lives a respectful and righteous life should suffer simply because they don't adhere to a SPECIFIC group of morals?
The beliefs we plan to instill in the boy will contradict some of the beliefs we will PROMISE the Church that we will instill in him.
Why do the baptism then?
Well, I think that initiating some of the teachings of Chrisianity will help provide the basic understanding of right and wrong, and positivity projection.
I Completely disagree with most of the past and present actions and ideas carried out and/or enforced by organized religious groups, but I realize that religion creates HOPE, and sets standards for acceptable behavior toward our fellow man. A morality reminder nudge if you will.
I don't know.
Lord knows I have a bit of a problem with organized religion, but it's not fair to bombard my kid with my hangups in regard to religion's less desireable aspects.
All we can do is try and provide the boy with enough information so that he can form his own opinions about which (if any) religion/faith is right for him.
PEACE.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
C'mon Chris Bradley, Predict Us Some Rain!
So a few days ago, I noticed this billboard about a block away from my house. The lovely wife and I were walking the dogs, and I happened to see a giant pair of...
(insert crude nickname for breasts here)
Now, because falsies don't tend to raise my eyebrows, I noted that for a fake pair they were pretty ok, and that the punchline was pretty funny.
Cool. I was done with it.
But then-
a few days later,
(today)
while looking up funny billboard post sites, I happened upon this billboard that changes due to PRECIPITATION(!)
(Or for you neanderthals that are just reading this post for the boobies- RAIN)
If the billboard in my hood is anything like the ones in germany, I think there are gonna be a lot of people watching the forecast a Hell of a lot more intently.
Including me.
Yeah, yeah ladies.
I know I'm a PIG just like all the rest of the guys...
PEACE.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Still Here...
Lots of stuff has gone on since my last writing, like:
The lovely wife's first mother's day
My brother came to visit
Ms. Rohr if you're nasty's birthday celebration
FINALLY getting to work in the yard (Photos will be posted as the summer progresses)
The boy laughing uncontrollably when I sing mariachi songs to him
The mother-in-law (cue the thunder, and ominous piano "dun-dun-dunnnnn!") had to have a knee replaced-
man do I feel for her
work is great
and I am in a state of perpetual motion.
As the week progresses, I will scribe about intimacy (not that kind) building excercises, what is to be an ongoing report on the billboards in my neighborhood and all around the city, what it takes to bring the idea of a website into fruition, shaving (or lack thereof), the next recipient of the "Thanks for being so gosh darn groovy" award, and my thoughts on the act of baptizing a kid.
So, stay tuned, I have a lot of crap on my mind, and not a lot of time to say it...
PEACE.
The lovely wife's first mother's day
My brother came to visit
Ms. Rohr if you're nasty's birthday celebration
FINALLY getting to work in the yard (Photos will be posted as the summer progresses)
The boy laughing uncontrollably when I sing mariachi songs to him
The mother-in-law (cue the thunder, and ominous piano "dun-dun-dunnnnn!") had to have a knee replaced-
man do I feel for her
work is great
and I am in a state of perpetual motion.
As the week progresses, I will scribe about intimacy (not that kind) building excercises, what is to be an ongoing report on the billboards in my neighborhood and all around the city, what it takes to bring the idea of a website into fruition, shaving (or lack thereof), the next recipient of the "Thanks for being so gosh darn groovy" award, and my thoughts on the act of baptizing a kid.
So, stay tuned, I have a lot of crap on my mind, and not a lot of time to say it...
PEACE.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Crazy Whirlwind pt. 2
So,where was I?
Ah yeah, I left you hanging with #'s 5,6,7 & 8 to go.
On to it then.
5. As was alluded to in Crazy Whirlwind pt. 1, the wife and I have devolved into the "roommates" area of our relationship.
We are both guilty of allowing this to happen, and I wont bore you with divulging who is the perpetrator of specific actions which helped contribute to our relatonship becoming what it seems to be today.
We come and go, grunting the most basic greetings to each other.
"Man" and "Dude" are used as terms of endearment.
Kisses abruptly end due to assumptions of other intentions.
And the biggest problem...
WE DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER.
There are various other factors involved, but the biggest reason for our disruption of wedded bliss is once again-
The T.V.
For me, T.V. has got to be the most addictive of stimuli out there.
On a nightly basis, we come home, eat, (really fast) take care of whatever the sprout needs, and commence to watching television. It's gotten so bad that when we feed the boy on the couch in the t.v. room, (can you believe there's a room dedicated to an appliance?) his eyes avert to the idiot box, and he then becomes distracted. As a result of the distraction, he stops eating.
Is television more important than eating to some?
As I said, there are other factors that can be blamed for our problem, and I have been contemplating various solutions to our problem. After reviewing various strategies I've narrowed the list down to three which will help us become the HOT&HEAVY couple we used to be. Okay, maybe not hot&heavy, but I know for a fact that we were well beyond luke warm.
One of the solutions to our problem may be finding some excercises/games/books that require us to work as a team, and prompts us to rely on one another to find a solution.
Another solution could be for us to GO OUT. We could do dinner, or a movie, or just visiting friends for the evening.
But most importantly, we need to just turn the t.v. OFF! I have condmned the evil powers of television many times before, and will probably do so at least a thousandfold more.
I honestly think that if the t.v. stays off, and we allow ourselves just three t.v. shows a week when in the company of each other, then we'll have more time to do interesting things, and interact with one another.
We succeeded in keeping the television off this evening, and we were able to converse like we actually LIKE each other. (That was sarcasm. We DO like, and even LOVE each other immensely, it's just that we've become too comfortable sitting within the crackly haze of the t.v.
So, I think we're gonna try and keep the tube turned off.
Wish us luck in getting rid of our pesky roommates.
6. I went to the old job last monday, and took the boy with me. It was nice to see the old gang. The receptionist's desk had a new rug beneath it, (the last one was done for a while ago) the floor mural had beenrefreshed, and the break room was painted. Before the entire room was just white. Now there are browns, and rusty orange colors all over the place.
It looked pretty nice.
I was more than pleased to see the Canuck whose blog she and her husband contribute to which you can check out by just clicking Jaqui&Ryan's midwest adventure located in the Links section to the right of this post. I've always considered the Canuck a smart cookie, and I miss conversing with her about books, and movies.
I got to see Minty, who was unfortunately busy with clients, and so I really did'nt get to chew the fat with her. It was really good seeing her though. Oh well, next time dear Minty. Next time.
I got to see Ms. Rohr if you're Nasty, who is doing pretty well. I'm sad to say that we have'nt hung like I thought we would after leaving. She and I have been busy with "life" and time offers us very small windows of opportunity. That sucks, because I LOVE being engulfed within the positive, selfless, nurturing energy that she exudes. Ms. Rohr has the uncanny ability to make those around her so comfortable that any and all defenses are unconciously lowered within the span of moments.
But who I wanted to see most was Wisconsin. I kid you not- even though we grew up separated by several hundreds of miles apart, I would swear that snippets of our lives were one in the same. It seemed we had the same influences, quirky habits, interactions wiith others, musical tastes, dark senses of humor, and heavily protected/guarded feelings and insecurities.
Just speaking with her for moments at a time made me feel a bit less like the odd man out.
Sorry I missed ya' buddy.
We'll see you soon for those pictures of the boy.
7. Look up Vegas Vic's Tiki Lounge for all your surf, exotica, crime, & swinging musical needs. Mmmm. Retro musical goodness.
Also check out Bunch of Betty's podcast/blog. It's a neat blog/podcast that features female musicians of damn near every genre of music. You can also download ALL of the music you hear on her podcast legally, and in most cases, for free! Check it out.
8. This Cinco De Mayo found us drinking margaritas and watching the Mexican/Latin television show SABADO GIGANTE! with Jeffro and Rachel Jam. Boy oh boy I love me some Sabado. It has it all. Over the top mexican progamming, clothing which sometimes leaves little to the imagination, cheesy leading men, Silly sketch comedy, artificially bouyant blonde wanna be's, and women who look like women are SUPPOSED to look. (No bony chicks)
The show is sort of a rip off of some popular shows on t.v., like The Price is Right, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, and Saturday Night Live, with a little Benny Hill thrown in for good measure.
GOD I love that show, and I try to make time for it every saturday. It's on the Univision channel, and even though I can only make out a few words/expressions, I can't stop watching the show.
Fortunately, our guests seemed to enjoy the show as much as we did.
Well, I have run out of steam and things to say, and the boy is ready for his midnight snack, so I'm gonna sign out.
PEACE.
Ah yeah, I left you hanging with #'s 5,6,7 & 8 to go.
On to it then.
5. As was alluded to in Crazy Whirlwind pt. 1, the wife and I have devolved into the "roommates" area of our relationship.
We are both guilty of allowing this to happen, and I wont bore you with divulging who is the perpetrator of specific actions which helped contribute to our relatonship becoming what it seems to be today.
We come and go, grunting the most basic greetings to each other.
"Man" and "Dude" are used as terms of endearment.
Kisses abruptly end due to assumptions of other intentions.
And the biggest problem...
WE DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER.
There are various other factors involved, but the biggest reason for our disruption of wedded bliss is once again-
The T.V.
For me, T.V. has got to be the most addictive of stimuli out there.
On a nightly basis, we come home, eat, (really fast) take care of whatever the sprout needs, and commence to watching television. It's gotten so bad that when we feed the boy on the couch in the t.v. room, (can you believe there's a room dedicated to an appliance?) his eyes avert to the idiot box, and he then becomes distracted. As a result of the distraction, he stops eating.
Is television more important than eating to some?
As I said, there are other factors that can be blamed for our problem, and I have been contemplating various solutions to our problem. After reviewing various strategies I've narrowed the list down to three which will help us become the HOT&HEAVY couple we used to be. Okay, maybe not hot&heavy, but I know for a fact that we were well beyond luke warm.
One of the solutions to our problem may be finding some excercises/games/books that require us to work as a team, and prompts us to rely on one another to find a solution.
Another solution could be for us to GO OUT. We could do dinner, or a movie, or just visiting friends for the evening.
But most importantly, we need to just turn the t.v. OFF! I have condmned the evil powers of television many times before, and will probably do so at least a thousandfold more.
I honestly think that if the t.v. stays off, and we allow ourselves just three t.v. shows a week when in the company of each other, then we'll have more time to do interesting things, and interact with one another.
We succeeded in keeping the television off this evening, and we were able to converse like we actually LIKE each other. (That was sarcasm. We DO like, and even LOVE each other immensely, it's just that we've become too comfortable sitting within the crackly haze of the t.v.
So, I think we're gonna try and keep the tube turned off.
Wish us luck in getting rid of our pesky roommates.
6. I went to the old job last monday, and took the boy with me. It was nice to see the old gang. The receptionist's desk had a new rug beneath it, (the last one was done for a while ago) the floor mural had beenrefreshed, and the break room was painted. Before the entire room was just white. Now there are browns, and rusty orange colors all over the place.
It looked pretty nice.
I was more than pleased to see the Canuck whose blog she and her husband contribute to which you can check out by just clicking Jaqui&Ryan's midwest adventure located in the Links section to the right of this post. I've always considered the Canuck a smart cookie, and I miss conversing with her about books, and movies.
I got to see Minty, who was unfortunately busy with clients, and so I really did'nt get to chew the fat with her. It was really good seeing her though. Oh well, next time dear Minty. Next time.
I got to see Ms. Rohr if you're Nasty, who is doing pretty well. I'm sad to say that we have'nt hung like I thought we would after leaving. She and I have been busy with "life" and time offers us very small windows of opportunity. That sucks, because I LOVE being engulfed within the positive, selfless, nurturing energy that she exudes. Ms. Rohr has the uncanny ability to make those around her so comfortable that any and all defenses are unconciously lowered within the span of moments.
But who I wanted to see most was Wisconsin. I kid you not- even though we grew up separated by several hundreds of miles apart, I would swear that snippets of our lives were one in the same. It seemed we had the same influences, quirky habits, interactions wiith others, musical tastes, dark senses of humor, and heavily protected/guarded feelings and insecurities.
Just speaking with her for moments at a time made me feel a bit less like the odd man out.
Sorry I missed ya' buddy.
We'll see you soon for those pictures of the boy.
7. Look up Vegas Vic's Tiki Lounge for all your surf, exotica, crime, & swinging musical needs. Mmmm. Retro musical goodness.
Also check out Bunch of Betty's podcast/blog. It's a neat blog/podcast that features female musicians of damn near every genre of music. You can also download ALL of the music you hear on her podcast legally, and in most cases, for free! Check it out.
8. This Cinco De Mayo found us drinking margaritas and watching the Mexican/Latin television show SABADO GIGANTE! with Jeffro and Rachel Jam. Boy oh boy I love me some Sabado. It has it all. Over the top mexican progamming, clothing which sometimes leaves little to the imagination, cheesy leading men, Silly sketch comedy, artificially bouyant blonde wanna be's, and women who look like women are SUPPOSED to look. (No bony chicks)
The show is sort of a rip off of some popular shows on t.v., like The Price is Right, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, and Saturday Night Live, with a little Benny Hill thrown in for good measure.
GOD I love that show, and I try to make time for it every saturday. It's on the Univision channel, and even though I can only make out a few words/expressions, I can't stop watching the show.
Fortunately, our guests seemed to enjoy the show as much as we did.
Well, I have run out of steam and things to say, and the boy is ready for his midnight snack, so I'm gonna sign out.
PEACE.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Choo-chooo! Chuckle-chuckle-chuckle-chuckle. Choo-choooo!
I just heard the 10:00 train go past, (We live about a mile away from the rail) and the conductor always has to blow a warning when approaching the spot where cars can cross the tracks. So he blew his horn. Normally, this is nothing too exciting- there are more times that I Don't notice it's lazy, drawn out blare than I do. But tonight, the horn got my attention.
During the train's approach, the sly conductor honked "shave and a haircut".
Pretty funny.
Ahhh, it's the small things that make life so grand.
Wonder who else 'round here heard it and chuckled like I did?
PEACE.
During the train's approach, the sly conductor honked "shave and a haircut".
Pretty funny.
Ahhh, it's the small things that make life so grand.
Wonder who else 'round here heard it and chuckled like I did?
PEACE.
Crazy Whirlwind pt. 1
Wow. So much has transpired since last I scribed...
1. Computer crash
2. A TEN year miscommunication (or lack of communication on my part) and subsequent loss of a friendship has been repaired, and restored
3. Two Excellent reggae concerts (along with two sightings of a neighbor/stalker)
4. The boy is grabbing his feet, and engaging in conversation with us (in between the PERPETUAL feedings)
5. The lovely wife and I have officially become "roomies"
6. I went to visit previous co-workers, and did'nt get to see the one I wanted to see MOST
7. I Found a couple of cool music websites
8. SABADO GIGANTE!
Ok. Here we go.
1. Just last week my computer crashed. Oh how the mighty have fallen. (Apple computer) Why? I have NO IDEA... My guess is that all the crap I jammed into my poor lil' Mac Mini became the equivalent to a chicken bone lodged in the throat. I mean, there was a HUGE photoshop program (for salon ads), Loads of music, a MILLION pictures, a couple of movies, (no PORN- I promise!) flyers created in said photoshop programs, and all the extra peripherals that make a computer so great. I must admit, that although I ended up losing ALL that information when the local computer repair guy rebooted the system, (I should've gone to the apple store) my comp is running pretty well. But alas, I NEED the majority of those programs, so my new and (not so) improved slim and svelte apple must gain some the weight back that it shed in at the repair shop.
2. A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine who helped me form the Guild of Artistic Expression called me and had SAGE the WISECAT on the horn along with him. Sage was a fellow performance poet who was affiliated with Cleveland's Black Poetic Society. Now, before I go any further, let me say that Black Poetic consisted of some of the most accomplished performers of prose/poetic expression that I have seen. PERIOD. Their style, and delivery was completely polished and professional. They were excellent performers with an exceptional command of the stage.
That said, it was an honor speaking with Sage again. BUT, he was'nt as jovial as I was at first. He expressed that he was confused, and upset by our last meeting. Nearly Ten(!) years ago, Sage and I parted ways because of insecurity, and a desire to shield myself from scrutiny. I had begun dating my wife, and some of my peers expressed MUCH concern, and disapproval due to the fact that the lovely wife is of a different ethnicity. Let's just say that the wife and I have vastly different amounts of melanin within us, and that was not cool with some of my "friends". I KNEW Sage was ok with it, but I was'nt sure about some of the members of the Society. So, in order to avoid the possibility of hearing more dissaproving comments, from his crew, I just kinda cut him off. Unfortunately, he was'nt the only person I did this to. In his case I was rather flippant in the discontinuation of our friendship, just stating- "I'm out. Done. I quit. See ya!" I left the poetry troupe, and the artist's organization I helped create without so much as a look back.
DUMB.
Fortunately, I have now made ammends with the people who were involved, and they seem to have forgiven me for leaving them pretty much high and dry. Sage has also forgiven me. I think he just needed to hear WHY I severed our friendship. I know homeboy was mad, because he expressed that his general opinion of me was "F#%K Jay" up until I explained the deal. He was still kinda dissappointed to learn that I didn't consider his thinking to be beyond what I gave him credit for. But I got the chance to repair our friendship and I am thankful for that, because the cat is an excellent dude, a Great writer, and thinker, and we are now peers of a different sort- he's a dad too.
3. Thanx to Scotty-D I got to see two count em' TWO great reggae concerts within the span of 3 weeks! I saw Toots and the Maytals at the Alrosa Villa, and Ziggy Marley at Promo West Pavillion. He listens to local radio station CD 101, while at work, and he won tix to both shows by being the right caller when the D.J. gives the prompt. I had a great time at both, and saw a couple of people I knew at both. I also saw a guy who seems to know me from my neighborhood- but I have NO CLUE as to who he is. At the Toots concert this Hulking guy comes up to me and yells, "Hey man! You were walking your kid in a stroller today!"
WHAT??????!!!!!?????
"Yeah man, you were walking your kid, and then you stopped to talk to Becky, and David!"
"Uh, yeah, WHO are you?"
"I'm Matt. I live next door to them"
"Oh. Ummmm, nice to meet you." The Hulk then stumbled back to his friends and that was pretty much it.
At the Ziggy show, "Matt" rolls up to me slurring, "Hey man, you don't even remember me! A couple of days ago, my dog was trying to attack you and your dog while you were walking, and you did'nt even speak! It's me Matt!"
"Oh yeah, from the Toots show! My bad man, it was dark at the last show, and I did'nt recognize you 'cuz I couldn't see what you looked like very well. What's going on?"
"Just enjoying the concert... Thanks to the GREEN! Heh, heh!"
LONG PAUSE
"Um... Well man, uhh... If I see you in the neighborhood, I'll make sure my dog does'nt eat ya!"
"Yeah. Thanks."
It never fails. Whenever I meet someone who smokes weed, they automatically assume that I smoke weed.
Ok. I know my dreadlocks kinda contribute to that idea, but don't just ASSUME that I partake because of my outward appearance you know? I find that kind of insulting.
4. The Sprout has found his feet! He now grabs his feet and coos while fingering his second set of digits. Each time he grabs his piggies, I pop them in between my lips and make sqeaky noises. He LOVES that crap almost as much as I do. He laughs, and smiles, and squeals, and talks till I stop. GOD that kid is KILLING me. The lovely wife is trying to teach him to say "Mama"&"Dada". He's not quite there, but he does mimic the shape of the lips when each word is pronounced by the wife...
He is growing like nobody's bizness! (It's no doubt because he is CONSTANTLY eating) Yesterday, he ate EVERY hour and sometimes twice an hour all day! Literally ALL day.
I'm starting to worry. I don't want this kid to be bigger than me when he is one year old. I won't be able to carry a 150 lb. kid on my shoulders, and lord knows I will NOT be changing his diapers if he's that big.
Ok. I have talked your ears off dear blog, so I am going to bid you adieu for the day.
I will finish the second half of this post tomorrow, filling you in on the rest of the crap that has been going on with me.
PEACE.
1. Computer crash
2. A TEN year miscommunication (or lack of communication on my part) and subsequent loss of a friendship has been repaired, and restored
3. Two Excellent reggae concerts (along with two sightings of a neighbor/stalker)
4. The boy is grabbing his feet, and engaging in conversation with us (in between the PERPETUAL feedings)
5. The lovely wife and I have officially become "roomies"
6. I went to visit previous co-workers, and did'nt get to see the one I wanted to see MOST
7. I Found a couple of cool music websites
8. SABADO GIGANTE!
Ok. Here we go.
1. Just last week my computer crashed. Oh how the mighty have fallen. (Apple computer) Why? I have NO IDEA... My guess is that all the crap I jammed into my poor lil' Mac Mini became the equivalent to a chicken bone lodged in the throat. I mean, there was a HUGE photoshop program (for salon ads), Loads of music, a MILLION pictures, a couple of movies, (no PORN- I promise!) flyers created in said photoshop programs, and all the extra peripherals that make a computer so great. I must admit, that although I ended up losing ALL that information when the local computer repair guy rebooted the system, (I should've gone to the apple store) my comp is running pretty well. But alas, I NEED the majority of those programs, so my new and (not so) improved slim and svelte apple must gain some the weight back that it shed in at the repair shop.
2. A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine who helped me form the Guild of Artistic Expression called me and had SAGE the WISECAT on the horn along with him. Sage was a fellow performance poet who was affiliated with Cleveland's Black Poetic Society. Now, before I go any further, let me say that Black Poetic consisted of some of the most accomplished performers of prose/poetic expression that I have seen. PERIOD. Their style, and delivery was completely polished and professional. They were excellent performers with an exceptional command of the stage.
That said, it was an honor speaking with Sage again. BUT, he was'nt as jovial as I was at first. He expressed that he was confused, and upset by our last meeting. Nearly Ten(!) years ago, Sage and I parted ways because of insecurity, and a desire to shield myself from scrutiny. I had begun dating my wife, and some of my peers expressed MUCH concern, and disapproval due to the fact that the lovely wife is of a different ethnicity. Let's just say that the wife and I have vastly different amounts of melanin within us, and that was not cool with some of my "friends". I KNEW Sage was ok with it, but I was'nt sure about some of the members of the Society. So, in order to avoid the possibility of hearing more dissaproving comments, from his crew, I just kinda cut him off. Unfortunately, he was'nt the only person I did this to. In his case I was rather flippant in the discontinuation of our friendship, just stating- "I'm out. Done. I quit. See ya!" I left the poetry troupe, and the artist's organization I helped create without so much as a look back.
DUMB.
Fortunately, I have now made ammends with the people who were involved, and they seem to have forgiven me for leaving them pretty much high and dry. Sage has also forgiven me. I think he just needed to hear WHY I severed our friendship. I know homeboy was mad, because he expressed that his general opinion of me was "F#%K Jay" up until I explained the deal. He was still kinda dissappointed to learn that I didn't consider his thinking to be beyond what I gave him credit for. But I got the chance to repair our friendship and I am thankful for that, because the cat is an excellent dude, a Great writer, and thinker, and we are now peers of a different sort- he's a dad too.
3. Thanx to Scotty-D I got to see two count em' TWO great reggae concerts within the span of 3 weeks! I saw Toots and the Maytals at the Alrosa Villa, and Ziggy Marley at Promo West Pavillion. He listens to local radio station CD 101, while at work, and he won tix to both shows by being the right caller when the D.J. gives the prompt. I had a great time at both, and saw a couple of people I knew at both. I also saw a guy who seems to know me from my neighborhood- but I have NO CLUE as to who he is. At the Toots concert this Hulking guy comes up to me and yells, "Hey man! You were walking your kid in a stroller today!"
WHAT??????!!!!!?????
"Yeah man, you were walking your kid, and then you stopped to talk to Becky, and David!"
"Uh, yeah, WHO are you?"
"I'm Matt. I live next door to them"
"Oh. Ummmm, nice to meet you." The Hulk then stumbled back to his friends and that was pretty much it.
At the Ziggy show, "Matt" rolls up to me slurring, "Hey man, you don't even remember me! A couple of days ago, my dog was trying to attack you and your dog while you were walking, and you did'nt even speak! It's me Matt!"
"Oh yeah, from the Toots show! My bad man, it was dark at the last show, and I did'nt recognize you 'cuz I couldn't see what you looked like very well. What's going on?"
"Just enjoying the concert... Thanks to the GREEN! Heh, heh!"
LONG PAUSE
"Um... Well man, uhh... If I see you in the neighborhood, I'll make sure my dog does'nt eat ya!"
"Yeah. Thanks."
It never fails. Whenever I meet someone who smokes weed, they automatically assume that I smoke weed.
Ok. I know my dreadlocks kinda contribute to that idea, but don't just ASSUME that I partake because of my outward appearance you know? I find that kind of insulting.
4. The Sprout has found his feet! He now grabs his feet and coos while fingering his second set of digits. Each time he grabs his piggies, I pop them in between my lips and make sqeaky noises. He LOVES that crap almost as much as I do. He laughs, and smiles, and squeals, and talks till I stop. GOD that kid is KILLING me. The lovely wife is trying to teach him to say "Mama"&"Dada". He's not quite there, but he does mimic the shape of the lips when each word is pronounced by the wife...
He is growing like nobody's bizness! (It's no doubt because he is CONSTANTLY eating) Yesterday, he ate EVERY hour and sometimes twice an hour all day! Literally ALL day.
I'm starting to worry. I don't want this kid to be bigger than me when he is one year old. I won't be able to carry a 150 lb. kid on my shoulders, and lord knows I will NOT be changing his diapers if he's that big.
Ok. I have talked your ears off dear blog, so I am going to bid you adieu for the day.
I will finish the second half of this post tomorrow, filling you in on the rest of the crap that has been going on with me.
PEACE.
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