I Triple Dog Dare Ya!

I was 'dared to go after my passion' about a month ago. When I first heard that, I felt like the Christmas Story movie..."I tripple dog dare ya!"

















The thing about a 'dare' is that it's not only a challenge, but it's something people choose to go after or choose to ignore it. (There are some challenges in life we cannot go around, and we may stay there until we get over it- I.e. Breaking up, passing a class, illness, a loss of a loved one). Of course if we choose to ignore it, we have nothing to lose. But if we step up to these dares, we are putting ourselves in a vulnerable position- we can win or lose. With a right mind and common sense, we would also step up to dares that will only benefit us...or else its gambling.

Have you ever won a dare before, any kind of dare?
(Think about it...)



Ha! It's fun, right?
It's fun, because its a decision we made that others won't- because of fear. It feels good, because it's an accomplishment. The best thing about winning a 'good' dare, is that it decreases fearness, it eases the tension of the next challenge to come.

I've been dared to go after my passion. After spending time thinking about what I really want to do with my life, three things came up: food, fellowship, and artistic expression. I've always TALKED about owning a restaurant. I TALKED and TALKED about it so much without any action, that I would burry it in the back of my mind. I didn't want to be 'that person' who does all that TALKING, and no walking... so I kept it to myself.

We always encourage each other to do 'whatever makes you happy". But no one's actually DARED me before, and I don't think I'm going to back down either...plus I have God on my side!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Throwback of the Day

Sounds of Blackness- Optimistic

Michael's auction items...

If I could...I would buy...

3.) The Gold Jacket
2.) The painting of MJ as Royalty
and...(drum roll)
1.) The MOONWALKER- Robotic Face, that he used in the greatest movie of all time...Moonwalker.

Check it out...



Word on the street is that MJ is coming back...stay tuned!

Throwback of the Day

Quincy Jones F/ Tevin Campbell- Tomorrow

A man hit by train and truck and survives...

So I tried to make a PODCAST!

So I tried to make a Podcast last night. What are they, you ask? A podcast is an episode-like file for digital media. So a podcast can be used to record lectures, presentations, radio shows, books. These files can be downloaded to your computers, media players, and/or distributed through your web feeds. And as a listener, you can subscribe to the podcast and be notified as soon as new a 'episode' is published. You can learn more here

So If I were to....I don't know make a... 90s Jams Vol. 1 podcast, you would be able to download it and subscribe to it, and listen to it in your iPod, on iTunes, on webfeeds, blogs...(you get the drift).

So since, I haven't figured out how to publish my podcast, without buying a website. I have made it possible to download :) my first 'almost podcast.'

Check out it out here:

90's Jams Vol.1

Throwback of the Day

HQ in NYC

Carnegie Hall Presents:

The Neighborhood Concert, featuring the

Harlem Quartet

Info:
Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center
(map)

Saturday, March 14, 2009

At 2 PM

Cost: FREE

FACEBOOK

Videos:

Identity Theft through music downloads

Yo, I know our parents have been telling us 'don't download, bla bla bla bla...' but now that I got my own money, and my own computer, I can't afford to be robbed. I'm not saying to stop downloading illegal music...but I will say you should upgrade your LimeWire to 5.0

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Throwback of the day...

So I'm starting a daily dosage of Throwback videos and music. It is way past due to pay hommage to such a great Decade...the 80s. If it wasn't for the 80's there wouldn't be the 90s (early 90's).
And if 'you're not first...you're last...'- Ricky Bobby

EBC- Black History Concert

They let me be the photographer! It could have been better, but I couldn't use flash...but a great concert none-the-less.

Lent Day 3 2.27.09

Day 3
I don't know what's going on...I just lined up another meeting...guess where!
Yeah church. Ha ha!
Today, Friday, was a stressful day, I had to ask for patience. (We can talk about that off line). But I will say this...Work can be demanding, but it can be the people around you that can make it the best or worst experience.

I'm on my way to the Black History concert at EBC. They allowed me to be the photographer! Ow!

So tomorrow...Day 4, I will be in church again at 10:30am to help with an IT class teaching about presentations. I ASKED if they needed help, and I RECEIVED an invite to help. It all started when they asked for blog entries about the Inauguration, so I c&p'd (copy and pasted, I made that up) my Inauguration blog post and sent it to the church webmaster, as well as some photos. Tomorrow, we'll see what the meeting brings.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Lent Day 2 2.26.09

Day 2
Day 2 hasn't been that bad. Thursdays are usually difficult because most of my friends and peers go to happy hour. We have these two great spots we go to faithfully. Both have live music, and they play some classics...and they JAM too!
The real challenge starts tomorrow...for tomorrow is "I don't care Fridays" and also the weekend begins. Unfortunately I don't have plans at night other than going out which I made plans to do before my decision to participate in Lent.
So I don't know what to do. Do I not go out, and break plans...what would that imply to my friends? Or do I go out and face temptation, and not allow it to hinder my great time I will spend with my friends this weekend? (to be cont'd)

My thoughts are: If I quit eating meat on monday, would it make sense to go to a BBQ Cook-Off the next day? (We'll get to the conclusion later)

God works in mysterious ways. I say this because...lately I've been trying to get more involved with church. So I've been leaving work "early" (like 6:30p) just to make it to church programs before it ends! (Jk, but I'm always late). Today- 2.26.09 I made it to the men's group meeting, I was only 20 minutes late this time-ha! And as I walk into the meeting place, late...I hear orchestra-like music coming from the sanctuary, I stopped to look in there, and it was an orchestra :p. The Black History Month concert is tomorrow, Friday 2/27, I completely forgot!

Now the question is: Do I attend this concert I've been wanting to go, or do I go out with friends and dodge temptation? PRIORITIES!

The decision wasn't hard once I thought about it after the men's group meeting (that ended at 9pm)...because I sat in the sanctuary for two hours as I heard the choir rehearse. That's when I decided to stick with my plans...and attend this concert- which happens once a year! I talked to the music director too, he's going to let me be the photographer! OW!

The hardest days of fasting... and I find myself in church two days in-a-row, and then tomorrow for the concert. It looks like I'm prioritizing and refocusing already.

Butch Berry's World

Lent! I'm Fasting too: Day 1

Lent Day 1



Transcript:
What up! So today is Ash Wednesday. And I have decided to participate. I thought it was a Catholic practice, and apparently everyone else did/does too. Except my church Emmanuel Baptist, who is open to anything that encourages ones relationship with God and improving spirituality. I'm not aware of other Baptist churches involved...if so please share...if NOT, please share. I'm glad to know that an event like this can involve all the Christian practices. If I wasn't involved with EBC like I am now, I probably wouldn't have known either.

So Ash Wednesday is the kick-off day for LENT! OW!!!! What Lent is in a nut shell is...
"The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance.... It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians." - Dennis Bratcher (http://www.cresourcei.org/)

I decided to participate in Lent for two reasons 1.) prioritize, re-evalute...time to step it up...be more responsible, and increase my relationship with God...and Lent seems like the best time to 'Begin again more intelligently' and 2.) It was my Girlfriend's idea! There's something about a woman who can bring you closer to Christ...

I've 'fasted' before...for about 5 months, and I've never been as healthy since. In the summer I fasted for 5 months. And with this new "free time" i began working out everyday, studying, I had worked 2 jobs...in all I became less distracted. I actually woke up at 6am naturally, and gained a solid 15 lbs...like I have horrible shoulders, but since I was working out...I was able to do pull ups with weights hanging off my waist. The first part of the fast was the hardest...but then I got used to it, I became less tempted.

But after those 5 months it was business as usual...and since then I've been handling that same business. So from 19 to 25...a good 6 years of 'experience' I feel like it's time to get a promotion...time to handle some new responsibilities. Shoot I'm almost 30.

So this is my 40 day Fast for Lent, I would encourage you to join me in this experience. Blog me, let me know how you're doing, and check up on me once in a while.

What is Lent?

Today, Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance. This season of the year is equal only to the Season of Advent in importance in the Christian year, and is part of the second major grouping of Christian festivals and sacred time that includes Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.

Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some churches today still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, sweets, and other types of food. Other traditions do not place as great an emphasis on fasting, but focus on charitable deeds, especially helping those in physical need with food and clothing, or simply the giving of money to charities. Most Christian churches that observe Lent at all focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, repenting for failures and sin as a way to focus on the need for God’s grace. It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians.

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New Videos

Welcome to Heartbreak...(don't adjust your computers)



Day and Nite- Kid Cudi

"President' replaces the N-Word...

on a lighter note....this is hilarious! I wish it could be that easy!

DING DING...The NY POST WINS...

Good Job everyone...

The Post got the attention they wanted? The Post wins.

I bet, if no one called attention to it, the Post wouldn't get the publicity it got yesterday and today...and the Post thanks you- 'the offended.' They successfully got under your skin.

...just like in 4th grade when the 'class clown' would pesture you in class..."Just ignore him."

It's ironic how everyone else is talking about it, except Obama! Probably because there are more important issues to worry about.

I'm upset about this whole thing too, but the damage is done. People love to push the envelope with the 1st Amendment. Fox is known for it, and it probably won't be last time they do it. People are going to get mad, then Fox gains popularity (good or bad)...then the cycle begins again.

And now Rev. Al wants to protest. Protests were great, but we can't apply the same 1950s ideas against an institutionalized racist society of 2009. It's a NEW DAY...protest are only relevant if something can be reversed like Facebook's content issue...I'm being facetious-kinda.

BLACK Folks...we have bigger issues to deal with! We've been called outside of our names for centuries, yesterday is no different. I'm not saying 'we' should sit there and be disrespected, but if you going to complain about it...do something about it...talk is cheap.

We have more imporant issues to worry about.

Bad economy forcing immigrants to reconsider U.S.

Very interesting...

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Pedro Pablo slowly folds up his American flag blanket and stuffs it in his duffel bag. With it goes his American dream.
"I left my family and lost four years with them. I will ask them to forgive me," he said.
Pablo is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who came to the United States to support his wife and five sons back home. When he arrived, construction jobs were plentiful. Over the last year, he says, he's worked three days.
He recently boarded a bus with a one-way ticket home, paid for by the Guatemalan consulate in Los Angeles. "I thought I could get ahead here. I regret coming."
Read more

Daily Therapy- C. Hayes

A familiar smell passes by,

only lingering.

It's not long,

but I think of you the whole day.

Aroma Therapy.

A melody hits my ear

"Always By Your Side."

You're now tired,

because you have been running through

my mind

is at peace by the softness of the

song, soft like your touch.

Music Therapy.

A tickle in my throat,

A Halls in my mouth,

I chuckle,

it sounds like a sneeze,

"God Bless You!"

You would not put that Halls

in your mouth when we first met.

my cough

drops--I have a soothing

Taste this

Laugh Therapy.

I lay swinging in a hammock,

swaying back and forth,

forth and back

I think of your touch.

The sun kisses me,

a breeze whispers in my ear,

You are near.

I smile,

Hard?

A chill runs down my spine--

Thank God you're mine!

Physical Therapy.

Laying in my bed,

Sleep finally reaches me.

Eyes close, and I

see

you finally for the day.

Will it only be for a

New York minute?

You hold me in your arms,

and I look into your

eyes--they are so

beautiful.

I am relaxed and peaceful.

Happy, you are too.

Love at first

Sight Therapy.

Stay With Me- C. Hayes

Motivation.

One has to learn to be engaged?

Inspired, she has to taste the desire.

To want, her heart has to be in the

Right Place,

to embrace,

her beauty and grace.

In the face of others, she has to stay

Strong.

Love Long.

Love Hard.

Passion over comes her body

compiling her to Just Do It.

With her game face in place,

her eyes reflect her soul.

Anxiety turns into determination.

Determination turns into will.

Will turns into action

and passion pours from her heart.

Knowledge - O she knows.

She knows her soul

confident she is.

Tall she stands, Against all

Man.

She has fears

but she doesn't dare let anyone see

that inside she

cries.

Instead, she flashes a smile.

Her smile is calm, she is collected.

She is style, class, and she has

Control.

Her composure is impeccable. She will

succeed but her confidence reflects even if she didn't

she would spin the loss into a win.

I know this girl. I know this woman.

I recognize her fears and cries. I know that smile.

I love her style, her class, her control.

I know that fragrance she wears, and that

"Just Do It" Attitude.

Her Grace is contagious. Her energy is

Right on Time.

I just want her to not leave me.

I want her to grace me with her presence.

Please don't leave me.

Stay with me.

As I find my purpose, I need you.

God, bring her to me because

She Is Me.

Denny's Free Grand Slams

I wish I was here...there's no Denny's in NYC :(

(photo from CNN.com)
By Jim Kavanagh CNN



(CNN) -- Denny's restaurants across North America were jammed Tuesday with patrons hungry to take advantage of the restaurant chain's Grand Slam breakfast giveaway.

Denny's Grand Slam breakfast consists of two pancakes, two eggs, two strips of bacon and two sausage links.

Denny's announced in a commercial Sunday during the Super Bowl that it would give away its signature breakfast from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. local time Tuesday at all its restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Media outlets reported customers lined up outside the doors of many of Denny's 1,500 locations.
Some patrons were still wearing their pajamas and slippers, and strangers were crowding together into booths, CNN affiliate KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, reported.
"You couldn't beat it. I mean it was a beautiful, beautiful breakfast. It was fit for a queen or a king," diner Annah Shoffner told CNN affiliate WNCN-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina.
"To do this is amazing and not something you hear of every day, especially in today's economy -- that we're getting something free," Debbie Brugger of Essex Junction, Vermont, anticipating a hearty breakfast at a Denny's in Burlington, told CNN affiliate WCAX-TV.
A college student who identified himself as DeShawn told CNN affiliate KFSN-TV in Fresno, California, that he came out for the free breakfast "to do better in class -- brain food, you know?"

Read More on CNN.com

David after the Dentist...

This has to be the cutest, saddest, and hilarious-est moment for a child...

High Taxes, High Budgets, and High Fives...

HIGH-FIVE INAUGURATION! - watch more funny videos

This is amazing

Inspiring Black History Quotes

Inspirational Quotes for Black History Month
Inspirational quotes in honor of Black History Month, by great African American.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/581827/inspirational_quotes_for_black_history.html

Inauguration 1.20.09

So I went to the inauguration this past weekend. If I had to describe it in one word...I couldn't. It was more than 'historic' more than 'unifying' more than a 'relief'...it was more than 'cold' (it was freezing, so it's less than cold).
This by far, has been one of the greatest moments I have experienced...so far.
It started with Sunday's concert on the Lincoln memorial. The nation's leading celebs were there speaking or singing: Denzel, Steve Carell (sp), Jamie Foxx, Tiger Woods, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Usher, Mary j Blidge, Beyonce...and STEVIE WONDER!
It was an amazing sight, especially to see Garth Brooks getting 'soulful' with "Shout" and the crowd (approx 1 million people) jumping simultaneously and kneeling on "...a lil bit softer now, a lil bit softer now..." No one caused problems with the tight spaces and the bumping and shoe stomping.
With this past week being such a historic moment for us all, everyone came out the woods to make sure they came to DC. It was great to see faces I haven't seen in a while, and catching up with old friends...and actually being able to share this special moment with them.



1.20.09
3:00 am: alarm goes off, SNOOZE
3:15 am: we get up and get ready, we are set to meet the group at 3:30a at the metro station
3:25 am: Randy and Brent walk-in from partying, and sees us getting ready to go to the inauguration.
"Are you coming?" I asked
"I might meet yall down there..." Brent replied
" I'll go." Randy said
Brent interjected "...well if he can go, then so can I...let's do this."
3:30 am: We're out the door
3:35 am: the metro hasn't open yet
4:00 am: we get on the second train, because the VERY first train that morning was already full to capacity! (PHOTOS)
4:30 am: We get off at China-town/ Gallery place (due to Jennings great leadership, ha) and followed the crowd. Because there were road blocks it was difficult to know exactly where the entry points were located.
4:45 am: We found this 'check point' that would let us in around 7am. It wasn't until...
6:30 am: when an officer let us know that this isn't the check point and that we have to go to the other side
6:31 am: the group of six, turned to a group of four. We sat in the cold 10 degree weather for hours, I couldn't blame the two for going home and watching everything from the comfort of their couch. I was about to head back with them, but I didn't come to DC to watch it on tv. Fortunately while we wondered for 40 days and 40 nights we found a convenient store that sold hand warmers $.99/ each...we put down $10 and bought some fruits snacks, and we were set to go!
9:30 am: after being directed three different ways by three different officers, traveling through an expressway tunnel, and an expressway exit ramp...we ended up on the other side of the mall...WE MADE IT! Now all we have to do here is wait...in the cold-again.
Just being apart of the 2 million people that day was great. Being able to look ahead and behind and actually, PHYSICALLY seeing 2 million people all united for the same purpose, was a great feeling.
Obama's swearing in was emotional (call me 'sensitive')...it finally happened. Until 1/20/09, I couldn't fully accept that this man is about to be the President of the United States of America. The same country that counted blacks as 3/5 human.
12:00 pm: Now, it's official, I witnessed Barack Obama become the 44th President.

I'm glad I didn't turn back! Thank God, we came across those hand warmers, because I would definitely have some fingers and toes removed from frost-bite. I'm happy I got to experience this with my better-half and my best friend. If I had to do it all over again...I would (but better prepared)

Pray for the US!
Obama has a lot of promises to keep, and expectations to uphold. Let's keep our government officials in our prayers.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

If you don't believe, now you should...

Am I Really Going to be Doing This for the Rest My Life? Part 1

Am I really going to be waking up at 7am every morning to the same morning radio show, with the same 13 song daily play list. I have actually memorized the songs that have been played on a weekly basis.

Am I really going to be wearing the same 10 shirts and slacks to prepare for work? The morning prep routine is the most demotivating part of the day, my only encouragement to wake up is so I can get to work on time.

Unfortunately friends, I'm starting to lose motivation with this daily routine to head to a job where I am the little fish in a cubicle. I have co-workers that tap on my 'glass bowl' just to say 'how's it going Ron?' or 'hey Ron, how's your day going' as they walk by...not even breaking stride to hear my reply.

Mondays are the worst! "So how was your weekend?"

"...the weekend was too short..."

Every week I've said this to the same handful of people who couldn't care two shots if I was at work or not. I spend more time with people I don't know personally than I spend with my girlfriend. And when I see these same people, I always ask myself...am I really going to be doing this for the rest of my life?




Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Am I Really Going to be Doing This for the Rest My Life? Part 2

Cont'd...

I guess this question can apply to more than my personal complaints, and lack of motivation. I could ask this same question and actually be doing everything I've always dreamed or aspired to do...Like my man right here...EATING.

But when it comes down to it...I don't know where I'll be tomorrow, next week, next year. I have an idea where I would like to be, but only if it's in God's will.



My pastor ironically addressed this issue last Sunday (1/18). He compared God's plan to his GPS application on his iPhone... Considering all our thoughts and actions are done with good will :)...God will guide us along His journey, from point A to point B. We can't look ahead and see the entire destination, but we will know when the next move will be, once we get to point B. This is where faith is essential...in those difficult times where getting to point B takes longer than we would like. With our personal will, we can choose to complain, and delay our Journey or stay in the faith and overcome challenges with God. Keeping the faith is the most difficult.

I guess it can be easy to forget that we are placed in different situations for a reason. When we forget, that's when we worry and complain a little bit more...i.e. Part 1. We also forget how we could always be in a worse situations in our lives. Even something as small as the millions of people getting laid off...at least we have severance packages, unemployment checks, and other support programs that give us some cushion to fall back on...instead of a cardboard box, and not knowing when/where our next meal is coming.
We have to remember that the imperfect government, those left-overs in the fridge, the boring job, and the noisy neighbors aren't that bad...and if we actually surrender our personal desires and let God lead our way, our worries and complaints can be disregarded. Of course our journey won't be easy, challenges will come our way, and we will be discouraged...we have to remind each other that He has something greater waiting for us.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry