women-food... food-women...

There are many different types of foods, just as there are many types of women. Some are good for you, some are bad. Some are sweet... and some are salty. Sometimes the ones that you know are bad for you, you want anyway. Other times the ones that you know are good for you, you would rather do without. Some are appetizers(girl you may be with for now... until you find something else), some may be side dishes(girl on the side), and some are late night snacks(girl you only "crave" at night). Some women may be a combination of a few these things... I like to call those women salads.

Now women can be categorized in many ways, but there can only be one main course. This is what I would consider a committed girlfriend or wife. People always wonder how a man can have a beautiful woman, but still cheat on her. In this instance, lets compare the girlfriend or wife, to a perfect steak. She is warm, tender, soft, and delicious. She is the finest delicacy in the world, and no other food can compare. Now even though it is delicious, no man wants to eat steak every day. There are those times when a man just wants to eat a sloppy cheeseburger. So even though a man has this beautiful, one of a kind woman... he may get tired of her. He may start craving something different, even if the quality and taste isn't as good as what he already has.

So one might ask... why don't all men cheat? Well most do, but I can use my personal experience to tell you why I don't. My woman is like chicken. I loooove chicken. She is never the same type of chicken though. There are days when she is tender baked chicken, soft and juicy. Other days she is fried chicken, rough and greasy. She has also been grilled chicken, bbq chicken, teriyaki chicken, cajun chicken, chicken nuggets, chicken pot pie, so on and so forth. She may do different things to present herself differently, but she is still chicken. She may switch up her hair, sassiness, style of dress, make-up, attitude... but she is still the same girl. She keeps me guessing, keeps herself fresh, and always keeps me coming back for more.

So yeah... I compare women to food. I guess I just think too much... I don't know. Some may not agree. I just felt like I would share, and give people something to chew on. All I know is that all of this talk is making me hungry. I going to call Nani now... and ask her what she is cooking up for me tonight.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Mom...

Mothers day is this Sunday, so I wanted to take a moment to talk about my mother.

My mother is a great woman. She is the model of sacrifice, dedication, and hard work. She instilled morals and values in that I still call on to help me get through life. I couldn't have asked for a better influence on my life, and for her I am forever grateful.

Growing up, it was always just me and her. I had no father, and no brothers and sisters. She never got any child support. We got a little assistance through welfare, but that was it. She was a white woman... no money... raising a minority child... all alone. I know it was hard for her, but she never let me see it. She was always optimistic and positive, and I needed that.

Times were hard though. Food was always a problem. We never had enough. We would walk to the IGA on 12th and Walnut and go food shopping every Saturday with like 20-30 dollars. My mom would somehow stretch that out and make it last for the week. My dinners may have consisted of liver and lima beans, but I was always fed.

I have a lot of food stories. I remember there was a time when my mom didn't have any money for food, and she was just sitting on the kitchen floor crying. I was like 12. I had 5 dollars in my pocket. I got the money by selling my free lunch ticket at school. I used that money to gamble... that was my hustle. I would always find something to eat along the way. So while she is there crying, I went to my friends house where some of the older kids gambled. We pitched pennies, rolled dice, and played cards. That must of been my lucky night, because I ended up turning that 5 dollars into $120. I was soooo happy. I will never forget running home down 9th St and through Hess's, excited to tell my mom. When I showed her the money, she gave me a big hug. I was so happy to have been able to help her, because I hated to see her struggle.

When I got a little older and 30 dollars just wasn't enough for both of us to eat, we started to go to the Food Bank. I will never forget there was this one Saturday morning that I DID NOT feel like going. You see I was in 11 grade then, and I was the starting quarterback on the football team. I will never forget that morning, because it was the day after our first game that season. We played Lancaster McCaskey and I had a good game--such a good good that my name was in the headline of the newspaper article written about it(even though they spelled it wrong :-/). Well duty called, and no matter who I thought I was, my mom still made me get up and help her carry food home from the food bank. What made it worse is that when you get food from the Food Bank it doesn't come in bags, it comes in boxes. So here I am... nice big article in the paper that morning mostly written about me... and I'm walking home with this box of food from the food bank. Those were the most embarrassing experiences for me, but also some of the most important. She made me humble, and I needed that.

I could go on... and on... and on... and on... about the lesson's in life she taught me, but I will keep it short for now(I may write a book about it one day though). I am very lucky to have had her in my life. There have been many times in my life when there was a crucial decision to be made, and instead of going down the wrong path, I called on the advice and lessons from my mother. It always ended up being the right decision. There were so many negative influences all around like drugs, guns, and everything else, but no influence was as strong as the influence from my mother. Thanks for everything Mom. I love you. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. If you ever read this, I hope you liked the digital picture frame I got you for mothers day.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Experience...

I have been an assistant high school basketball coach for the last three years. During that time, I have tried to teach the kids as much as I could about basketball. More importantly, I have tried to teach the kids as much as I could about life.

You see, I was one of these kids. I went to the same school. I came from the same single parent, low-income households as they did. I walked the same streets and had the same experiences. There aren't many male minority role models in our community, so when I was approached about helping out, I was more than happy to accept. I felt it was my responsibility to give back.

Earning the kids respect was no problem. I was young, cool, and I could still play. I also had no problem with the kids opening up to me. In our conversations, I tried to stress the importance of education, being humble, and just being an overall good person. I also tried to convince the kids that sex is something they should wait to do. I understood I was dealing with young 10th graders with uncontrollable sexual curiosity, so I also stressed the importance of wearing a condom if they were going to experiment. I tried to make sure they knew I wasn't saying this to try to deprive them of anything, but that I was just talking from experience.

You see, I had a child when I was 17 years old. I was in 12th grade. I was a good athlete, and I was getting letters and calls from colleges across the country. Having a child limited my options. My life and my choices were no longer just about me. Having a child was the defining factor on where I would eventually go to school. I couldn't go too far away, and leave my responsibilities as a father. In talking to the kids, I always used myself and my experience as an example. And for the most part, it seemed like they got it.

Well about a month ago, I got the news that one of the kids who was graduating this year is expecting a child. The moment that thought processed through my mind, this feeling of disappointment came over me. It wasn't even disappointment in him though... it was disappointment in me. I kind of felt like it was my fault, and I felt like I failed him. Maybe I didn't talk about sex enough with him? Maybe I didn't stress enough the importance of wearing a condom? I just kept asking myself if there was anything I could have said or done differently in our three year relationship that could have prevented this from happening. After I let it sink in, I realized that it wasn't my fault. I realized that I can't save the world. I can just give advice about things I have learned through my experiences, and hopefully some of it will stick.

I recently had a long conversation with the young man, and I tried to again use my experience to help prepare him for what he is about to go through. He said he and the girl aren't on the best of terms right now. I tried to make sure he understands the importance of that relationship, and how he has to do whatever it takes to make it remain civil... even if they don't end up together. This is an emotional time for her, so I made sure he understands he needs to console her, and help her though this. This is not the time to be macho. He has to swallow his pride. He has to go to appointments with her, talk to her, be supportive and positive at all times. He has plans on going to school 4 hours away. I urged him to reconsider, and maybe go to a community college for 2 years. His help will be needed at home. Not only that, but he wants to make sure he builds a strong foundation with the child while the child is young. I tried to explain to him that there are certain moments that he will never be able to get back if he is away. Sacrifices like this are part of becoming a father, and becoming a man. Throughout our whole conversation, he looked me in the eye and it seemed like he was really valuing what I was saying to him.

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This past Sunday, I actually seen him and her together. They were talking, holding hands, and they looked relatively happy together. He looked back at me and he smiled. It was kind of one of those thank you smiles. At that moment I felt good, and I felt like he took something away from our conversation. Hopefully he can continue to use the advice from the things that I have learned through my experiences, to make his experience during these times a positive one.

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Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Pictures...

This blog needs some pictures. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will provide a brief description, and let them do the rest of the talking. Some of the pictures are graphic, but I feel they need to been seen. Often times we get so caught up living in our own little bubble, that we become oblivious to everything else that is going on in the world. Ok enough of me talking, here you go...

Wow...

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Undying Love...

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.How can we as people let this happen???

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Is being a hero really worth it?

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Imagine what this man has gone through

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Education

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Too little...

...too late.

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This picture is of a Sudanese child attempting to crawl to a United Nations food camp, while a vulture is waiting for the him to die so he can eat him. The photographer who took this photo later committed suicide due to this and other unbearable things he witnessed.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Popeyes...

To say Popeyes chicken makes me happy is an understatement. Some people say it's just chicken... but I say it is more than that.

Every time I visit this fine establishment, I never go through the drive-thru. I would be cheating myself of the full Popeyes experience if I did. Upon setting foot in the restaurant, there is this feeling of euphoria that comes over me. No matter how hard my day was, or how much stress I am feeling at the time, it all goes away as soon as I enter.

I think it has the same effect on others as well. Complete strangers of all different backgrounds come together while they are in Popeyes. People who wouldn't have otherwise interacted, are engaging in conversation, smiling, even giving hi-fives and hugging, all while waiting for some chicken. There has to be some sort of ingredient they put in there food that brings out sheer joy in people.

Despite the great atmosphere inside Popeyes, I always take my food home. I have to eat in calm, controlled environment. It helps me fully enjoy the moment. I keep the TV off, put my phone on silent, and just sit piece and try to take it all in. I also have to make sure I set aside about an hour after I am done eating for a nap.

The food is just soooo good. The chicken is so tender, the skin is always fried to perfection, and the right amount of grease is always applied. I don't even need napkins. I refuse to waste any of the grease, so I just lick it off my fingers. The mashed potatoes are always so warm, so buttery, and so are the biscuits. The gravy is the perfect compliment to both. The french fries are perfectly seasoned, perfectly crisp. A glass of any calorie packed beverage makes the meal complete. Some may think this kind of meal isn't good for your health, but I couldn't care less. Sometimes you just have to live.

I really didn't want to write this much about Popeyes, but it just shows how strongly I feel about them. So the next time you get hungry and aren't sure what to eat, go to Popeyes. You will not be disappointed. You may want to go to Popeyes, even when you aren't hungry. Maybe you are having a bad day... you are arguing with your girl... or you are just bored. Stop by Popeyes, and I guarantee it will make you feel better.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Welcome...

This world will never be the same.

My friend Toomey just celebrated the birth of his first child. GraceAnna Elizabeth Anderson was born today at weighing in at 8 pounds 2 ounces, and measuring in at 20 inches. I got kind of emotional(I didn't cry or anything) because it kind of brought me back to when my I had my children. There is an overwhelming feeling of joy and purpose that comes over you when you become a father, so I know how he is feeling right now.

I just wanted to take the time out to congratulate Toomey and Liz on this wonderful day, and their wonderful addition to the world.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Just me...

I have no support system. I have nobody to talk to, nobody to confide in. There is nobody to go to when I want to vent, or when I need help with my problems. So what do I do??? I just talk to myself...

You know my story. I'm not close to anyone. The situation with not knowing my father, and how I held a grudge against my mother for it. Not growing up with any brothers or sisters, and not having any other family I could talk to. I have a lot of acquaintances, but only 3 real friends. Two of them are in prison. When me and the other friend speak, he does most of the talking, and it usually about sports. We do have other conversations about life, but not my life, and not my issues specifically.

So here I am, same as it has always been. It's just me. I'm just a man, trying to figure out things all on my own... all as I go. I can count the amount of people I have truly opened up to on my thumbs, and those relationships are all but over. I just don't feel comfortable with just anyone knowing my thoughts and problems. So if I handle a situation poorly, or make a bad decision, I apologize. I am trying... but I am a work in progress. Through it all please remember... it's just me.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Stay...

Don't leave me. I know I was stupid, and I know I did you wrong. Our relationship is the most important thing in my life, and now I realize it. You are so precious. I can't believe I took you for granted, and never took advantage of you the way I should have. It makes me mad when I think about how I did you wrong, and how I managed our relationship so poorly. I wish I could make it up to you, but I know I will never have that opportunity. So we just move on...

Despite all of that, you were still so good to me. You always kept me fresh, kept me young. I seen you take a toll on some people… stress out others… but I never let you get to me like that. I mean I knew you were important, but the best moments in my life were when I didn't have to worry about you. I would always have fun, be careless, and do my own thing, because I felt like you would always be there for me. I felt like I could always make up with you at some point or another. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Going through life, I started to observe your relationship with others. It made me more conscious of how delicate our relationship was, and made me realize I needed to treat you better. Even though there were moments I would look at you, and you would make me do something I didn't want to do, I still loved you. We would be hand in hand, and then you would leave me. I knew you got around, but I always knew you would come back. I and everyone else had no choice but to kind of accept it. We all played by your rules. One moment you will be around, be abundant showing a lot of love... and then the next moment, you would be up and gone. I couldn't get mad because that's what you do.

I will never forget when you were with my friend Bradley. You two were good together! Brad was the man. Everyone loved and respected him. He was a little reckless, but aren't we all at a young age? I guess you didn't like that. After he got shot, you cheated on him. I wish you would have given him more of yourself, so he could have tried to change and make things better. That's not your style though. You were stubborn, you were cold, and you left him forever.

Tramell misses you too. When we write, he talks about you a lot. You were taken from him, and he hates that. He even fought to get you back, but unfortunately he lost. He said no amount of money, women, or anything else is in this world is worth giving up for you. I wish you and him could just have one day alone together. There is a possibility that one day you and him will re-unite, but unfortunately that day won't be for a long, long while.

As for me... you made me mature, and I thank you for that. You taught me a lot. In a way, me wasting my early experiences with you was good. It made me appreciate you, and helped shape me into who I am today. It helped me understand how to handle you, and helped me prepare for what I hope is a long future together. I know a long future together isn't promised, so you also influence me to live for the day. I realize you are everything to me. I also realize my whole existence is basically nothing to you. That's OK with me though, I have come to accept it. I try to keep up with you the best I can, even though sometimes it seems like you are flying. I'm good for now, but I know the day will come when I can't keep pace, and you will pass me by.

Time… you are of the essence. Thank you for giving some of yourself... to hear me out.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Wow...

Try to digest this for a second...

Astronomy and space have always been fascinating to me. I have soooo many questions. I have come to realize that I will probably not get any answers in my lifetime, and that's ok. But I wonder...

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...

Progress vs. Profit

About a month ago I made a post entitled People, technology, and the quality of life. It focused on the technologies in life that made things easier, but at the same time also made us miss out on experiences and benefits I felt were necessary in making a well rounded individual. This post is the flip side to that.

The human race is very smart. The human race is also very greedy. When it comes to certain industries in the United States and around the world, what is their real motivation? Developing the best possible product for the benefit of man, or… money?

When pharmaceutical companies develop medicine, is there ultimate goal to cure people? Cure diseases? Or is it to help people stay alive long enough to be able to buy more medicine? When was the last time we cured anything anyway?

Do we really need gas? I don't think we do. I am sure that there is some technology out there man has discovered that make's our cars run without it. Will that technology ever be released? Sure it will. As soon as man has made as much money as possible, and all of our natural resources are gone, all of a sudden some miraculous new technology will be "discovered".

Why when I buy any type of electronic device, without fail, 6 months later something more advanced will come out? Did they not know about this advanced feature that I have to have to have six months ago? Or did they want me to buy the latest and greatest then… and now?

I could go on and on but you get the point. It just pains me that we as people would rather hold back intentionally for profit, then to use all of our resources and intelligence to go all out for progress. Does anyone do anything for the greater good anymore, or is everything we do about money? Sadly enough… I think I know the answer. Damn.

Ok that's all for now... thank you for visiting and stay tuned...