the inside job

the last night before I went back to Atlanta, I had my whole room packed and ready to go. Three days before, I was away on a trip to Dallas for two days and I told my roommates I would be leaving when I got back.

I go to bed around midnight ready to leave Norman in the morning and spend the day with my girl during 4th of July. Sleep falls upon me very quickly from the exhaustion of packing and the excitement of barbecue food for a whole day, then suddenly I hear a noise. In less than a second I decipher the noise to be from my window shades and my window was closed.

I jump straight up to a sitting position facing my window to see a black figure holding my window shade halfway from its base and my window completely open. Hearing no sound but my alertness upon the bed, the dark figure drops the shade and runs away.

What happened? Was it a dream? Was I hallucinating? Did I almost just get Ezheal'd (*Friday reference)? I step lightly to window. Alert if the perpetrators decided to come back and finish the job. My window was wide open. My screen was lying on the concrete floor. My laptop was sitting right next to the window along with my hard drive. Nothing stolen but the deep sleep and the expected dreams.

For the next hour with the light on, I pondered. I'm on the second floor. I don't keep my window or my shades open. They didn't steal my laptop that was sitting right next to my window. What in the world just happened? Were they trying to get into the room? If so for what? To hurt me? I hardly know anybody. Who would want to do that? What did they want?

The thoughts rambled on. I was led to an assumption, this was an inside job. How much of a coincidence was it that on my last night this happened? When I was away for two days with my window unlocked, my front door unlocked (the roommates never locked it), my bedroom unlocked and on the night that I'm there (the last night), someone decides to climb through my window. This had to have been planned by someone who knew something about me. And I've always heard that most crimes being committed is by someone you know.

*Just so you know what reference was.

The Cleveland Show

http://www.zshare.net/video/620914104b4d02e4/

The pilot is hilarious. I hope this means more work for black actors. Real black actors not just Tyler Perry's crew.

Ohhhh! Chef Boyar G's new batch of hate.

chef's choice: Escape From Cubicle Nation

so while attempting to escape from dull life in Atlanta: unemployed, unmotivated, and dissatisfied; I went in search for some inspirational reading to help me become my own boss. I hit the Barnes and Noble business section and just started browsing the books for entrepreneurs. I knew what I wanted but I didn't know which book was right for me. Some of the books look like textbooks from school that I despised and others looked like entrepreneurship for dummies.

Then I found Escape From Cubicle Nation by Pamela Slim.


At first I thought, this doesn't look like a serious book. Maybe I shouldn't waste my money. But then I thought, I have no idea where to start and I have fears that I shouldn't be thinking about entrepreneurship anyways, so why not have something lightweight in jargon. Then I looked at the cover because I do judge actual books by their covers, and I saw the people poking their heads out like groundhogs and thought, that's exactly how I felt when I had a job. I was too scared peek out of my own dull existence and see my shadow of disappointment.

So I bought the book. Yes I bought it for the cover but this time I wasn't disappointed at all. After a good read, I realized this book was just for me. Great inspirational quotes, lots of resources, lots of real life examples, and great motivational tools. Escape From Cubicle Nation was a great start. It didn't teach me everything I needed to start a business plan but it help get my fears out of the way by giving me real life expectations and much needed stepping stones. Pamela is straight forward in delivering achievable action steps that will get you one step closer to your tipping point.

move forward

one of the famous quotes my father used to say after watching me play a soccer game is, "you haff to move forward!" It never made any sense to me because I played defense. But nowadays I find myself using that as the answer as to why I need to take risks. I need to move forward.

I'm back in Atlanta. Back from my "extended vacation". What I really feel is that it wasn't a vacation at all but an answer to my prayers. I was looking for something or someone to motivate me and I did. I found someone to give me purpose and a new place to keep me interested. The risk worked out and I'm happy. So why am I still scared?

Is it wrong to find happiness? That's what we are all looking for right? Either someone to be happy with or things to keep us happy. I've found one if not possibly two of those things. So why do I still fear this risk won't work out and I will fail? I keep thinking that I should abandon the idea of starting a business and just rely on a regular job. Give up my happiness in an uncharted land and stick with my roots.

But, (and I quote) "Everything that I have done up till now has been unsuccessful. Its time to try something else" (okay that was a paraphrase from Pamela Slim Escape From Cubicle Nation). I need to put my fears aside, rely on God, and the warm bubbly feeling inside (I hope is not just gas). And I need to follow the line of my father, which will probably be a title of a book one day, I need to move forward.

Plus if I wasn't scared I probably wasn't doing anything right in the first place. The funny thing is that my father has been asking me to come back home. Sorry pops. You raised a good boy who was taught to listen to his parents. I gotta keep going. I need to move forward.

life can be so... "SQUIRREL!"

i don't want to get distracted. I'm in full force mode in life and I would hate for something to happen to discourage or distract me from where I need to get to. I feel like that dog on the movie "Up" who in the middle of talking has to stop and notice a squirrel. Sure to a dog the squirrel is something to chase and have fun with but will it really help it to accomplish his goal of being the best dog it can be. No. I understand I must have some fun and I want to have fun more than feel like I'm working but I don't want to waste time.

The real problem is that I have gotten great at wasting time. I've always been a shy kid and a loner so inevitably I've created time wasting activities to help me get through the day. This is bad if I want to be a business owner. I have to learn to be active in the right ways and if I'm wasting time it should be helpful in some way.

That's why I'm off of facebook (*pause* here comes a facebook rant so brace yourself). Facebook teaches me nothing. I don't care about people I don't care about so why do I need to know that such and such is enjoying an ice cream at two o'clock in the morning. At least my other time wasting sites offer bits of information or news. For instance verysmartbrothas.com teaches me how to be a better man and the ten top movies I should have seen by now. Okayplayer.com provides me with music I love and people that love it too. Even Kanye West's blog kanyeuniverscity.com has cool design stuff (shameless plugs over). But facebook gives me nothing. Sure they say its a great way to network. But does anybody really talk about important things on there anymore. No. Because soon they will own you and everything you put on the site. (Rant over. I feel like I said this before).

What's really funny is that this blog is distracting me as we speak (well I speak you browse for something worth reading). But at least this blog teaches me something about myself. One thing I've learned is that I want to see the movie "Up".

you left a stinky trail

i just discovered that if you google my old alias I found a trail of embarrassing youtube clips, blackplanet pages, comments on random boards, and a string of other things I did when I was bored and had a job. Man the internet sucks. Not only that but my old alias was part of my email address that I have been giving out to employees for an interview. So what does that mean, when I went in for a particular interview she made a reference to a video I made years ago that included me being intoxicated (this was just for fun). I didn't fully realize the reference at the time of the interview. All I could think of is, "Hey I made a video about that." A week later it dawns on me. I google the alias and guess what number my incriminating video shows up as: #4. How embarrassing.

Well you live and you learn. I've deleted most of the old stuff with that alias and I will now give a different email for business purposes. The internet sucks for that though because the average person doesn't go online as a professional. They go to fool around and waste time. Plus any video, picture, blog entry made was at a different time in my life but a random reader won't take the time to view the time-stamp and say, "well that was years ago. I'm sure he has changed."

So from now on I will be referred to as chefBoyarG on this blog. I'm still cooking with grease. Its a shame that my most unprofessional moments can't be viewed as attempts to release my creative energy. I'm proud of my creativity. It's what makes me special and I wanted to share it with the world. Unfortunately the fat cats have sticks up their butts.

INC

I'm starting a new business and I need a target market. A specific market. I can work with just anybody because I lose the focus I need to work for the right people. Plus I hate working with people. I don't mind working for people but working with us tough because I'm a do it my way or no way type of person. There's nothing worst than spending your time to complete a project with my own expertise than having some amature decide they can change or have input on something. Sounds terrible doesn't it? But that's how I feel.
I Ve figured that the type of people I want as a client is someone who wants in and out. No long term updates or continuing projects. Just a logo, a template and that's it. Now don't get me wrong I know I need to build relationships but I also want the new business to work on what I can give tham first before you decide I'm your new on the spot designer who likes calls at 3 am to design a flyer. Take the logo, take the template and are what works first. Then when you have a particular project come back to me with proof that it can work.
I dunno this is mostly hogwash. Most of it is fear. Starting a business is scary.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tat tat tat tat it up

Getting a tattoo is like getting and extra piece of your soul attached to your body. You should think about it like that because it forever. Well you can zap it off but that's not the point. A tat should be something personal. Something that represent a part of you that not many people should know. That's right wear soul on your skin.

I'm not ready for my tat yet. But I have an idea of what it will be. I feel bad cause I made a promise not to get a tat but things done changed and the dead don't mourn. My new life must be marked on me before the breast comes.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Outkast was right

you need to get up, get out, and do something
You'll never make it if you never even try

But just because you are trying doesn't mean you'll win. That's the hard part. Sometimes you are just not allowed to do your brilliant idea. I mean legally. When you start to think about it though, this is the land of the free (America's slogan, right?) but not the free to do what you want without paying the man (yeah I know he is black now but he's still "top cop").

So if you get this ingenious idea to sell something, you first gotta pay for a license, pay for a place to sell, pay for marketing, damn near pay for protection. That's right, you're stepping into gang territory. That's what it feels like. I'm trying to make just some extra cash for myself but before I can do all that I have to pay so many people before I see a dime. That's capitalism folks. You pay rent to these bullies who stand behind a legal system and call it fair.

I'm moving to Brazil and living off the river.

my soul is a mess

when you begin transforming your life, you can feel like your soul is a mess. You know how people do soul searching, yeah well mine is a mess. There are just things that I believed deep down in my soul that aren't even true. So in the process of changing those things, life experiences get miss placed, dreams get misinterpreted, and your role in society is reassigned. All these things make up a soul or what I believe is the inner core of oneself.

So now, I have to clean up that mess. Put things where they should have been. Throw out the garbage that has plagued me from the beginning. I need to fung shway my soul.

Does someone know the number to extreme makeover?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Eighth wonder

I find it interesting that my ideas and actions aren't being contested like they used to. If people eventually knew they would let me figure things out on my own then why all the harassment from the start? Nowadays I feel like I can do whatever I want and there is no better freedom than that. Now all I worry about is what will truly make me happy. I'm close to understanding what that is. The question now is whay is it going to be like getting there and how will it feel?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

life as a Sooner

that's right. I've changed locations to Norman, OK. Tornado country, Soonerville, Indian Reservations, and jaw-jacking white folk. I'm spending the summer here with my girlfriend. Glee! (like a little school boy). I'm in a impulse mood right now. I'm willing to try everything and anything until I get to where I need to be. Where that is I don't know but I know some things that I will need. $$$$That do-lo$$$$ So if you catch me selling salt to snail don't be surprised. Its better than selling illegal stuff (which is still crossing my mind. Why doesn't everybody sell illegal stuff if it makes so much money?). You know you've thought about it too!

Worst air ride ever

I already hate flying so its even worst when I have a bad flight. First of all you have to carry all your luggage that's awkwardly shaped and scratches your left thigh every time I take a step. Now for those with rollers screw you. You need the exercise anyway.
But the worst part of today flight was that the airplane did a marathon lap around the airport before taking off an hour late. So when I get to my layover I'm too late and have to take the next flight in three hours.
BULLOCKS!
I finally get on the plane and I'm delayed again because the engine needs air to start. What you say? That s right air. The molecule that surrounds us. Which also means there is not air inside the plane in ninety degree weather. Sounds like fun right?
But someone finally farts some air into the engine and we are on our way but wait there's more.
Some guy sitting behind me (he's white) decides to tell the extra friendly male flight attendant something that causes him to get all upset and demand an apology or else he'll kick him off the plane. Boy oh boy. To that the old white man reply, "Screw you."
*sigh* I love white people.
Now threatened the attendant calls for back up and we have to wait for the guy to apologize before the plane can leave. Aint that something. Worst air ride ever!


Except for that one time my brother decided to throw me off the porch.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Swine flu is what your mama called you.

I'm not surprised that once again we have to be scared of something in america. Its like they found a strategy to distract us long to get away with some bull spit (the economy isn't fixed yet people. Recognize game!). Swine flu hasn't killed no more than seven people in the world. "the world Craig!" I see that they found the first person who spread the flu and its a kid. If the flu couldn't kill a kid then what the hell are we scared about? Its just a flu. If it was a disease then I could understand equating the word "pandemic" with this situation. But. Its. Just. A. Flu.
Does cnn really have to tell me to stay in bed if I catch the flu? Is there nothing else going on in the world that you have to advise me to drink more fluids? Something isn't right. I hope the dark ages do come soon cause we need to reevaluate what's important. Wake the eff up!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

i ain't asking to pass GO

i'm back "home" (a state of mind if you ask me), in ATL. Its only been a couple of days I feel like its I've already over stayed my welcome. Its time to go. A funny feeling came over me when I walked through the door on Sunday evening. It felt like disappointment. Go figure.

I was glad old Besty (aka green eyed bandit, my car) made it back home. I was on cruise control the whole way listening to Raheem Devaughn and pretending I was in a band. The whole time though I was worried that my tires would pop like last time or the squeaking noise from the brakes would be more than I thought. Every bump on the road made my heart beat harder.

After everything, the trip was great. Not that I did much but I learned a whole lot and that is what is important to me in these days. Its easier to apologize than to ask permission.

Now give me my $200!

on the road again

it was Sunday afternoon. I was talking to a friend but really just thinking about what am I going to do this week while unemployed and have nothing left to accomplish since my portfolio is done. I couldn't think of anything. Then I started to think about a new philosphy I recently heard thanks to my brother: Ask better questions.

You see in life we ask a lot of questions: what am supposed to be? what am I supposed to do next? how do I get that weasel out of my wall? But those questions always have the same answer (for the weasel you just call an exterminator). So ask a better question tommorrow and stick with the answer.

Back to Sunday. My better question is how am I going to figure out what motivates me? Because that's my main problem is lack of motivation. The answer to that question is doing things that I like. This envitably went to what do I like? Easy: music, travel, design, etc. So at about 3 pm on Sunday I told myself, I love to travel right? Mainly because I like to see new things. So why not do it. Right now. Carpe Deim. So with the help from my friend on the phone (thanks friend) and a friend in North Carolina who's about 6 hrs (thanks buddy), I packed a couple bags hopped in my car and bolted.

I'm in NC now. Chillin. No real strong plans just calling them how I see it. I've only been here for a day and I've seen more country then I've ever seen in my life. This is a good thing. Don't care for it but still a good thing.

right of passage

i've been thinking.

You know how every boy challenges his father at some point in their teens? When I become a father, I'm gonna challenge my son on his 13th birthday. I'm gonna take him to the woods, hand him a knife while I'm holding a rifle, and tell him this is the time when we find out how much of a man you want to be. Then start counting to ten.

I figure this will be a lasting memory when he decides to go against my wishes years later. And if he still decides to challenge me, we going back to the woods. This time he'll wake up to me counting to ten, along with a gun cock.

oh what a feeling.... to be young

last night i was socially raped by some women.

In an effort to stay young and keep my mind off the boredom of being unemployed, I checked out this new club that opened in the south side ATL. Its a decent enough club but nobody was really enjoying themselves (aka the girls weren't shaking their booties hard enough). So I'm making my selections of who I'm willing to get rejected by and stumble upon a group of older chicks. I'm dancing with one but she ain't bumping and grinding. She calling her other friends to come sandwich me. That's cool. Hey at one point I was surrounded by four good looking girls. That made me smile.

Then they turned on me. (cue in horror movie sound) So they start rubbing my hair and I'm thinking, whoa violation! I know its silky smooth but you crossing a line here. Then they start grabbing and then spanking! I started having flashbacks of being whooped in my younger years. And nobody was helping me. Usually when a dude is surrounded by more than one woman other dudes come to help out (its called counter-action). But no. I was being mauled by these women. I was being socially raped.

Lesson learned:
If you start off with rum don't switch to henny.

some people need this right now

Drake - So Far Gone

Classic.

I haven't bumped an album on repeat for so long now. This dude is laying down tight flows over dope beats. "Successful" is number one on repeat. It speaks so much for people that just want to make it in a dark tone. The bonus track is just cherry. In these days that question comes up all the time with the opposite sex. Dopest line is from "Say Whats Real": "Cuz I just see my ex-girl standing with my next girl standing with the girl that I'm fucking right now"

Download approval:
http://www.getrightmusic.com/2009/02/13/drake-so-far-gone/

xbox gamertag

"SURVIVE TO KILL"

shooting the sheeit.

i've been going to the courts when I get really bored and need to get out the house. Basically I shoot free throws and then from the top of the key. I think I'm getting better. I've focused my muscles during a shot and worked on my follow thru. My shot is getting nice. I feel like I'm getting ready for some tournament or something but not really. I've discovered I need to strengthen my lower back. It hurts like a mug after 20 shots.

another realization is that I've got a huge belly. Too many beers man. Now I gotta look at my big belly ass in the mirror every day. I wish I was just prego and it would go away in 9 months. No Homo! (if anyone knows how to lose a beer belly, let me know)

Lastly, Jimmy Fallon show, sucks! Sorry Roots Crew. You got put on a sinking ship. Dude is just not funny. The writers my just be horrible but his delivery is weak as well. I miss Conan. Hey! Where is Conan? When is he taking over?

great moments in history

can't help but think these days. I'm unemployed.

Is your life a collection of great moments or great moments in a collection of bad ones? The question is not that profound. Either way you know that all people have bad moments and great moments. But if you focus only on the great moments does being in a bad moment seem frivolous and unimportant? Life is just a bumpy road. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. Enjoy it all.

cabin fever

i've been trapped in my own home. Being at home for days upon days is something I never thought I would hate. I didn't go out everyday when I did have a job but just being out of the house was something I didn't realize was so important to my sanity. Even the simple act of buying fast food is something I miss. I don't hate cooking, I just like the ease of pre-cooked food.

I think I've never been so focused on my design before. This is the positive of my cooped up days. The shock of being unemployed is still wearing off but I'm definitely focused.

thanks for your patience

i love not being in customer service anymore. I don't have to kill 'em with kindness. I can just kill it.

If I design, or give advice to anyone in the future and I see that they don't appreciate it, I'm going to end the agreement or conversation immediately. I'm not wasting time anymore (unless it comes with a beer and a good movie). The only way I'll continue to listen to nonsense is if money has been fronted to me to do a job. No dollo no mojo.

I hate the salesmen type. They have nothing but their words. Even what they offer isn't theirs, but they feel that they can barter with it. Get the f*ck outta here with that. I've just learned a valuable lesson: I have a price.

Joy! (geeked like a little school girl)

And its all about the principle. There's princibalities in this.

first date feelings

when Adam and Eve shared that apple together, I think that was their first date. I know that whole event has a negative feeling because it took them from paradise and separated the human race from God but think about it at love's stand point. When Adam took the bite it was like he was saying, "Girl, I'm with you to the end. Lets ride or die this bitch" (ebonically interpreted). And how could he resist? God made the most beautiful being on earth for him and he's supposed to say no to her? I don't think so. God set Adam up for a purpose. The Devil just used it as an advantage.

Side bar: why do we call it The Devil and not just Devil? We call God, God without "The". Think about it.

I just think that maybe we should celebrate that moment more often. What if at a wedding the couple takes a bite out of a apple at the same time to signify that we are taking a risk together in this life? And its not like the apple is the bad symbol. Its the fruit of knowledge from the tree of life (I think that's how it goes).

Message to future wife: we eating an apple after our vows. I'm starting a new trend.

gsmooth Radio presents First Date Feelings
Podcast coming soon.

music makes me high

I've created some podcasts. Having trouble making them mp3s but for now if you have itunes I believe you can listen to these.

gsmoothRadio.m4a
http://www.divshare.com/download/6399723-bb5

MidnightClouds.m4a
http://www.divshare.com/download/6399724-b9c

Last Words

See you at the top.

And that's where I plan to be.

its time for change

this year will be about change (Obama got niggas feeling it). The biggest change I hope to achieve is accepting who I am. I think the reason why I'm ever nervous or doubtful is that I imagine myself as someone else or I compare myself too much. I know who I am and what I like and don't like; its time I accept it and love it. Sure I'm a solo cat. But put me in any room and I can charm the hell out of it. I also wear glasses so I look less cool and too smart for most people (that's right, I am). My confidence is more arrogant than proud. My feeling is I'm the right guy at the right time. A great addition to any party. I'll add insight, intelligence, and enlightenment. I'm the guy that covers the details.

lost without you (c)Robin Thicke

it only took about an hour but I'm officially bored again
I gotta focus.
Not just on the amazing evenings of the past but the upcoming days of the future
the endless search of love is not in the discovery,
(Because no one ever unveils its true smile)
But in the endless search where love continues to remain.

all G, all the time

I've decided to wear glasses all the time. No more contacts. No more trying to fit the social norm. Next year I'm going to get a second pair of fashionable glasses and just start collecting. I'm going to the club in glasses, dates with glasses, accepting all awards with glasses.

I remember the first time I got glasses in seventh grade. I wasn't ashamed of them at first. I thought it made me look sophisticated and older. So when I walked into my homeroom with my fresh pair on and got laughed at by my friends I was more than surprised and embarrassed. But I had to wear them; I couldn't see. After a while it just became who I was. I loved wearing them with a suit on Sunday. I felt classy.

Now I'm older and I don't care what anybody thinks I look like. I know I look like a G. So that's who I'll be: all G, all the time.

we in a recession B!tch

i wondered how this recession business was going to effect me personally. I figured it wouldn't bother me that bad. I'm black. I know how to live on $6 per week. This will be easy. The biggest thing I've noticed is the price on products have gone up but gas is going down so it's evening out. What really hurts is the liquor tax. Makes me not want to drink anymore. That sounds like a good thing right.

i just hope that the plans I have for next year can get accomplished. My biggest fear is layoffs. My company plans to ditch 30,000 people. Not the right time to ask for a raise. Hopefully though by this time next year, my assets will be thick, my mercedes will be fly, and I will have realized my full potential in life.

A change goin' come (c)Sam Cooke

reflectionnnnn!!!!

aight so I stopped drinking for the month of december. Its like lent for me. Really though, i'm just want new years to be extra special drunk. Third dimension drunk. The problem is, being sober for a month is tough. Man I didn't realize how much I was relying on being drunk after work in order to feel free for just a moment through out me days. The hard part is the taste. Man can I taste a beer right now. But I've been holding strong. I feel an addiction is just a learned behavior. Its like learning how to drive or something. It becomes so innate, like you don't have to think about it. Think if you didn't drive anywhere for a month and just walked or biked. You'd miss the laziness. And really that is what drinking is all about for me, laziness. Whenever I come home and drink I feel good for 20 minutes and then fall asleep. That's the ultimate feeling of laziness. Damn codependency.

very simple

you set a goal and want nothing else. your ultimate goal maybe greater and much more significant but achievement of the primary goal is of the utmost importance.

I got 4. I'm feeling good.

ahhhh. *puts feet up*

i had a healthy day of nothing. No plans, no work, no stress. Just got up this morning, worked the shits out (drinking last night), watched dave chappelle season one, cooked, cleaned, cut my hair, and played video games. Yup. Today was a good day.

I say this because I joined a gym last week and have yet to step back into the bitch. My alarm clock is set, my schedule is made, but my heart is not in it. I don't know what got me motivated last time because right now, on my off days (which are few) I don't want to do nothing except zone out: enjoy what I like, take it easy, and don't worry about the usual stress of the day.

a knock knock and a ding dong

lately I've been getting strange people knocking at my door at strange hours: eight in the morning, nine at night; I don't know these people! So I stopped answering the door. I'm not expecting anybody, I don't know anybody, the people I talk to in Georgia have no idea where I live. I have roommates so at first I answered the door because it might be for them. Maybe a pizza man, maybe a female friend, maybe a package that I need to sign for; no more. If I'm not expecting something or someone I'm not getting up for random people. I don't care if they can hear my tv playing or see me through my window. I ain't getting up.

Unfortunately there is side effects. I feel like I'm trapping myself from the outside world. Like I'm purposely being unsocial. But what are the odds that some beautiful woman will open the door and offer free sex? Slim to none right? So its not me being unsocial, I just don't want to be bothered.

So stop ringing my doorbell, knocking on my door, trying to get me out of my couch. If you need me call me. Otherwise, I ain't your friendly neighborhood black man. Leave me alone.

pump... you up!/Obama Wins!

i joined a gym today. I feel like its just fat tax. Will I go for the three months I signed up for? Who knows. The only good thing is that I talked with a trainer (who tried to sell me protein shakes) and took a physical assessment. So I know where I am (out of shape) and I know where to go.

The amazing thing is that I have to eat five times a day and that my previous two times is dangerous. Five times?! That sounds like work. Eating has become my mood relaxer: one big meal then sleep like it'll be my last. Now I have a schedule of when I should snack and have a meal, what I should eat, how much; this is too much.

Once again the goal is to lose 20lbs of gut and thigh. I also need to lower sodium intake. The trainer showed me a chart that said I'm in a red level of heart attack risk. Well that's not good.

:::::OBAMA WINS:::::

Alright so history was made last night. I almost cried but I stiffened up quick. During the Barack's speech all I could do is squeeze and squeal because all I could think of is, "Please don't shoot him. Please. Not in front of the kids, his wife, and Oprah." I'm sorry. People have been telling me to stop saying that, stop joking about it but sadly history never changes people. They killed Lincoln, Kennedy, King, Malcom, Jesus. Anyone trying to do some good in this world has a early death sentence. So as excited as I am that times are changing in USA, I'm scared for Obama's life and his family. I don't think anybody should disagree with me.

But let's do this though. I'm talking to black people. Tighten up. Work hard. Make sure this period in your life is the best it can be. Because we have to make an overdue statement. The Civil Rights was the last time we made the world listen, now their ears are open. Lets tell them what we want and its not too far from what they want so it won't be hard for them to understand. In other words:

Black people don't f_ck this up!!

blissful ignant shit

i don't want to learn nothing new
i don't want to hear nothing new
i don't want to see nothing new

I just want that ol' time good stuff
That backyard, climbing trees stuff
That passing notes in the hallway stuff

i've learned what I could
and all I got was this lousy moment of life
for'git it. I just want some blissful ignant shit.

::::::::::

Just at this moment I'm feeling like maybe I just need to do something new: kickboxing, yoga, read a book, learn a instrument, etc. But then I think of all the frustration I'll have to go through to do stuff like that. First the money, then the time, then the focus; haven't I learned enough? I'm just looking for a distraction from work while I figure out how to get out of the bloody thing. But learning something new would just add more frustration. Why can't what I already know be enough?

making it to work

if you wanna know how I'm feeling
just take a look at how i stand
when I'm slouched to the front I'm unhappy
when my chest is sticking out I'm a man
each day is a different exact day of the first
you know what I'm talking about while sitting in traffic
i wish a meteor would crash down in front of me
so I could say something interesting just happened
like how i saved Susie from being crushed by a tree
while ducking hot flaming rocks and squeezing between cars
only to still make it work on time for the meeting
pour me some coffee, grab me a cookie from the cookie jars
i just wanna know that something else is going to happen today
so while I'm sitting at my desk filing these papers
and Bob from account comes over asking about expense reports
I can say, "Later! I've got to sharpen these knives and kill the ninja in the elevator."

i'm a ninja bitch!

I miss my xbox.

unfit world

So I take a test for a promotion. Its a personality assessment, you know: what would people say about you, what's your strongest attribute, how well do you work with people. In the end of a 105 question assessment i get the message that I'm unfit for the position. WTF? I'm unfit for my jeans cuz i drink too much but unfit for the job that I'm already doing on top of the other jobs I have to do because the brand spanking new employees have no idea what to do, makes no sense to me.

I can't tell you how frustrated and disappointed I am. I was honest and that's what failed me. Had I lied and chose the best answer for every question I'd make more money right now but because I wanted to see what honesty would bring me; I failed. I guess corporate thinks that if I don't think that I am the highest and best person they can hire they won't bother hiring me. Being human doesn't matter.

I can't help but think that this is just another sign that I don't deserve this crap. I need to do this career thing on my own. Answer to nobody. Kiss no ass. Fuck the man. I just gotta save up enough to do that.

morning tea

i grew up on tea. Moms first introduce me to coffee when I was seven years old. Thinking back now she was crazy. She had me running around with all this caffeine at such a young age. No wonder why I wasn't as big as my brothers. Then she started buying tea, Lipton tea (which to this day, as I type I'm still drink). My favorite thing about tea in the morning is the phrase my mom used to say every winter, "here drink some tea so you can heat your core." This is roughly translated from the kreole phrase, "shofay coh". I can't spell in kreole either. But every time I drink tea I think about how the liquids heat up my insides.

I've grown to love other teas as well but nothing brings me back to home then lipton tea. That and hot chocolate. That's all I will drink for christmas.

dreaming...

i've been having paralysis type dreams (when you are frozen still: can't move, can't speak, and everything seems real even the people in your dream). The last two out of three nights I've been stuck in my dreams, literally. Ever since that study I went to in college about sleep paralysis and how common it is in Caribbean folk, I've had these dreams more and more. I don't like it. I'm the type of dreamer that has total control. I fly in my dreams, dream myself out of dreams, control other people in dreams. I can't be paralyzed in my dream while someone antagonizes me. Its not a good feeling. Could these dreams mean I'm losing control of my own life?

Damn it to heck!

trustworthy?!

so you ask me to trust you but you give me no reason. Then you say, you trust me so I should trust you. That's the exact reason why I don't trust you: you put your trust in someone that has trust issues. I perform to the best of my ability but I know i'm bound for mistake. And when that happens you start to mistrust me. Should have never trusted me in the first place.

untrustworthy.

*points at you with a stinky face*

i'm going back to not caring about work. Life was better than. I got more important things to worry about than will I get a talking to for not getting my referrals today. The problem is whether or not I get my referrals I will get a talking to, so who gives a damn!

More important things are getting some new clients for logos. Its free for now but soon I'm coming after all the pennies in your piggy bank. Its time people. The man has had too many of my sweat and tears. I'm gonna get mine. Yessur!

i want my swagger back

its my birthday!!! so of course I'm looking at old pictures and reminiscing about the good times, bad times, oh and I'm drunk off my mind and can't figure out why I'm cold times.

So while questing through my history, I feel a sense of something lacking from my life currently. My swagger. Who stole it? I want it back and I want it back now!

Since it is 4 am eastern standard time I have to be truthful and honest. I know what took my swagger: work, alcohol, and the love of life. Alright I know how to deal with the first two, but the latter...

How can something so good for me be so wrong? Wanting and desiring more from life should be my sole motivation to keep my swagger up but sadly and with a lot of disappointments, life has stolen my swagger.

I wish life would let me borrow my swagger for one moment.



Oh and a stripper gave me this scripture the other day. John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Only in Atlanta.

when everything is done and said

weekends off consist of me making up do it yourself projects in order to make daily accomplishments. I've had this feeling lately at work, after realizing that I hate it so much, that I don't do enough when I'm not at work to really complain that I shouldn't be in the confined space. So these projects consist of gardening, building a shelf, painting my bathroom and bedroom with full insignia, cleaning the garbage disposal, organizing, and giving myself a haircut. All of that boiled down to 5 hours on Saturday morning.

WHAT THE HELL DO I DO FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!!!

So I watch movies a lot. I've especially enjoyed my netflix and the tv series that i rent. Its like I'm watching tv but not watching tv cuz there is no commercials and other crap to distract me like waiting a week for the next episode (hey birthday ideas here people pay attention). And of course when i get really bored. I create my own videos. That's why we are blogging today folks.

cheeba, cheeba yall

a moment of silence

yesterday I had an argument with a customer about such and such transaction. She felt that I didn't do the transaction the right way (her way) and was angry that I didn't want to do it over again. So the usual happens, "Let me speak to your manager." And the managers weren't there. No. First she asks me if I was the manager and I smiled and said no (pissed her off). So we do the back and forth and I'm keeping my composure (she's standing and I'm sitting down leaning against the desk with my hand supporting my head). She asks who the manager is and I tell her and then...

Silence.

Well it started as a pause, then a silence, then anticipation, then anxiety, then the staring game. It was the strangest feeling because that all came on me in a matter of seconds and when I realized the staring game started all I could think of is, "I wonder if there is something funny I could do at this moment."

You know how dogs show their teeth in a staring contest to show who is the alpha? I wish I could do that. Next time I'll hit them with the sit up straight, fold hands together, look straight into their eyes, and slowly turn my head sideways while opening my eyes (just like in the movies).

These people don't get it. Its just a job.

its not gucci...

its just me. And I've got my own gucci pattern. Let me know what you think as always.

I'm broke. I haven't been broke in a while. usually I've got this nice cushion to sit on that I do a good job of not touching except for emergencies but this week, I'm broke. They changed my payroll to bi-weekly, so that first week I'm cruising.

"yeh put it on my card, no worries. I just got a raise." The start of the second week and I'm down to my last dollars. I'll admit it, I got a little excited and decided to treat myself to things. But I never thought I would be this broke. Oh well. It just means its time to budget my expenses.

Cuz its all about the "dolla dolla bills yall." Wu-Tang had it right, C.R.E.A.M. In the U.S. that's all life is really about but they make it to seem like something. As if you really can just follow a dream and everything will fall into place and you'll be making enough money to buy a home and have 2.5 kids. Just follow your dreams little man. Forget that nonsense! Its all about making money in order to follow your dreams. You can't just be an artist anymore. You gotta have marketing in order to make a living or you are just that guy in the neighborhood that can do thangs.

Word of advice, "Get Money." Then worry about your dreams and accomplishments later. All the gangsta rappers are doing it.

organization

soooo.... I've been doing some organizing and I've decided to put my current work on Flickr. Right now its just logos and sketches but hey its a start. I don't think I'm ready for a full on website. Well the truth is I can never bring myself to finish one. Every time I think I have the look I need I think of a new one. So I'm using other sites to a least show what I can do.

check me out
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmilard

Craigslist
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/crs/775281409.html

if anyone is looking for a good logo, hit me up.

BUT THIS IS A BLOG FOLKS. Back to blogging and not a promotional advertisement.

I painted my room red. You think I might go crazy over it. I keep thinking that I will imagine the color to be blood and become a serial killer in my sleep. No, you don't think so? I've yet to finish, so I've yet to sleep in it. Why I chose red in the first place? Its the color of passion, life, alertness. I want it to motivate me. I'm going to buy a shelving unit to put up all the work I haven't finished. That way, every morning I'll wake up to my work and hope to think about it more often. Cuz right now its in a corner of my dining area collecting dust and its an eye sore. Its my own work, isn't it ironic that its become an eye sore.

Fiber up. (yeah i said it, I needs my fiber to stay regular)

my conditioning has been conditioned

i like lightbrites. I know. I feel bad. I'm a rather pro black brother but when it comes to the ladies nothing turns my head like the light skin sista. And its strange cuz you might think that I probably like white girls too but I don't. I don't even notice them. Even the top models don't interest me. But when I see a lightbrite enter the room with them pretty eyes and smile, I get happy. I'm not hating on you dark to caramel skin sistas cuz I got love for all my black women, but something about the light skin. I guess I feel like I'm the field slave dreaming of getting with master's house slave. You know the one.

all there is left to do is pray

you heard it before. Drop to your knees in reverence to the Lord pray through the difficult times. A lot of people believe in prayer. Well add me to the list. To be honest, I don't pray that much, nor do I go to church. I've been having issues with the idea and the experiences of church. There is a sense of hopelessness and surrender. They even say surrender to the Lord. But I'm not one to give up so easily. I understand what is being said: putting your trust in the almighty rather than your own ideas or other humans; but I don't like the wording. I'm a competitive person so I like to think that I will always give it my all even if I lose. So let me not surrender to the Lord but ask him to be by my side as I face the many demons of this world. Like, if I was on the battlefield and the enemy has catapults, arrows, and gigantic beasts (for some reason my life battle is set in medeville days) but I have a sword that glows bright from God's wrath and with one blow I destroy a whole army. That's how I want to feel in church. My real issue is probably that I haven't found the right church.

Prayer is very important. Not for the mysterious power of miracles that people believe it possess but because it allows us to believe in ourselves. If you pray continuously for something, speak it to yourself over and over again; you have no reason not to believe. Its simple human nature actually. Think about it. What is the color blue? Its the color that your parents first told you the name of, then your teachers told you the same thing, then your peers agreed with them, so you begin to begin to believe the color is blue. Why, because you heard it over and over again.

So people lets pray. Let's pray to believe in ourselves; believe in good things happening; believe that this is the good life. With that I believe that I will be a great graphic designer. Check my page on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/54552805@N00/sets/72157606443318136/

i've been told to love hip-hop

i've been asking mad questions lately about hip-hop and whether or not its worth listening to. My conclusion is I'm getting old. Hip-hop has always been about the young people. It is the voice for the youngins and new generation. I remember my hip-hop: the running man, vanilla ice, tmnt the movie, then I grew up with Blackstar, The Roots, Common. All the kids now that love the souljah boi, young bootsie, lil wayne will soon grow up and learn to listen to something more than funky dance music. So in essence, no one has to tell me to love hip-hop. I've been in love with hip-hop. Just because my hip-hop is not the same as yours doesn't mean we have to hate each other. I just love her for different reasons.

home again

brockton is my home and where I learned that... well I didn't learn much except 1+2=3 and i'm still iffy about that. But home is where I need to be at right now. Life in the A isn't all that its cracked out to be. I need a break. Being with fam and people that not only accept me for who I am but know who I am will be comforting. I want to make sure that I'm completely clear about life when I go back. Basically I want to show off: new clothes, new shoes, new attitude. People ask me about life in the A and i'm all about it being "nice!"

"And I don't need no hook for the shiiit!!!" (c) Jay-Z

chicken alfredo, 40hrs, lingerie party

i made chicken alfredo yesterday and it was scrumdumideahlicious. I think I'm getting better with cooking until someone asks me, "How's your cooking?" I can happily say, "No one's thrown up yet." And its always those people that have parents and grandparents that are licensed chefs and can cook their ass off. I feel like you just want to laugh at me when I say I steamed vegetables today. Don't be an asshole.

I've started working 40 hrs a week. Aaaarrrggghhhhhh!!!! The days are so long. I freaking live at work. Plus I hate most of the people at work for giving me such a hard time on how I talk. So I shut up. Then they say, "What's wrong? You're not talking." YOUUUU BITCH! YOUUU. I'm slowly learning that none of this is worth it. Now to figure out what is worth it.

A lingerie party. I just want to be a fly on the wall. It sounds sexy as hell. That's all.

And yall may not want to believe me but believe me its true.

a love/hate relationship

runners on your mark. Get set. Get out of bed and go running. So I've been running four mornings a week since March. I've gotten faster, stronger, and I go to sleep at 10:30 pm. Nothing else sums up the feeling of this part of my day then the new balance commercial: Love/Hate. I've been dying to get a pair of their shoes ever since I seen it. Its simple and describes everything I feel. Even the red is the exact color I feel while jogging 3 miles. The best thing that has happened is when I started sprinting. Boy I tell you I couldn't finish 3 laps before sprinting. My calves and shins were burning. My lungs were about to explode. Then I started sprinting. When you feel real pain from sprinting everything else is nothing. Now I can lap 3 with ease, sprint 3 and lap again 2 times. Its wonderful.

Now here is the terrible part. I'm outside and I love running outside rather than in the gym because of the constant change of scenery, the ease of running in front of my house and not get in my car to go work out, and it just feels natural. Just me and the road. But because I'm outside there are bugs. Bugs that crawl by your feet, fly into your eyes, your mouth. I just don't understand how there is more than 500 sq. ft. in the area, I take up about 2 sq ft. and a fly takes up .15 sq ft. How the hell does a bug find me and my nose to fly into. It doesn't make sense.

I'm hoping to continue running through the summer so that by my birthday I will have officially brought sexy back. I've lost 5 lbs so far. Not much but I'm only looking to lose about 15. Hopefully that will trim my gut.

assessment

Alright, lets re-assess what I've been doing. I'm "working on my portfolio" means I'm working on getting off the couch and concepting new things. I admit it, it should be done by now. I have no excuse. Bear with me ya'll.

I run 3 miles every morning on the street in front of my house (unless it rains, like today; its a love hate relationship). I also participated in my first walk for something (march of dimes). It was grueling. Atlanta is definitely not a walking city. There was no feeling of neighborhoods and friendly patrons. Just business building after building after highway after abandoned house and one big empty park. I miss Boston summers. I've also changed my eating habits. That means less fast foods and yes I have been eating corn (c) Friday (when Smokey was taking a dump and Eazell caught him).

I'm bitter while going to church. Yeh I'm back at a baptist church and I thought I might find a church buddy from work but I haven't heard from her since the first time we went. I'm bitter because I thought I'd be in a better position right now. I definitely thought I would have more money; based on childhood expectations and recent plans (both are disappointing me). So I'm wondering what the next move is.

I'm going to work now. You can see a youtube video about how I feel about that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-VONi7ei0
Yeh nuff said.

get busy

Yeh The Legendary Roots Crew is back with Rising Down. I am waiting for the album in the mail like a kid on christmas eve. Meanwhile enjoy the videos.

discipline

that's what life is about. All the times your parents set rules and punishments for you, it was all about discipline. You can't keep your job without it. You don't survive most relationships without it. So that's what I have to learn. I already know about work and social discipline but the hardest challenge is self-discipline. Getting up in the morning to run a mile around the neighborhood, shutting the television off and doing something productive, that's the hardest part.

And I think there is a difference between discipline and self deprecation. When you deprive yourself of certain things you are not in control of the desire, you are just torturing yourself. We all have things we want to do and have the right to do them but we must learn how much we can do these things in a given time. Its not wrong to do anything in this world (except for murder and adultery) so we should be afraid of doing what we want to do. We just have to know when to stop. That may be the hardest thing to learn especially in this world where we see everybody else living lives the way we want to but we have no idea how to do it. Well my friends even the most carefree rich guy has discipline. You may not even have to work hard to get what you want. Just discipline and consistency. That's all it takes.

daylight savings is %$&#ing up my high

I've been tired
I've been sleepy
I've been crouch in my bed from cold of the night

I've been creepy
I've been cranky
I've been fighting with all the peoples cuz something just ain't right

Cuz daylight savings is f_king up my high
Daylight savings, I'm missing an hour of my life
Daylight savings is f_king up my high
Daylight savings got me tired and I don't know why

Sunday Afternoon

I can not stop laughing.

remember that time?

There was a time where I had never touched a cup of liquor. When my comrades and I would sip the little drops of beer left over from my uncle's bottle and grimace from the bitter taste. There were times when people would ask me if I did drugs or alcohol and I would flatly refuse. There were times when I would taste a mix drink and wonder why the hell anyone would take another sip of this burning liquid of engine oil?

Then began the times of when I would feel the sensation of complete irresponsibility. A time where all of my actions could be dismissed in front of any judge and jury. The times when giggling was the only way I could breath for a half hour. The times when I would reach a second dimension and meet my other self who would rebuke me for my intoxication. The times that are most memorable because I don't remember any of it.

Another time is upon us. A time of fellowship. A time of intellectual stimulation. A time of instinctual communication with hormonal sexes.

Dudes Night Out. Part 2
Atlanta, GA

starving artist

i wonder if I have the gonads to be a starving artist. I don't want to be. I want to make art for me, for fun, to release my creative juices. I use it as an escape from this stressful, 9 to 5, alcoholic world.

Lately I've been creating for money and it doesn't feel good. What really feels bad is that I'm not getting any money for it. I'm spending money to create a portfolio that will get me a job that will pay my bills from trying to get a job. Nah that's not what art and creativity is about. I don't mind getting paid for it and I'm by no means one of those crazy artsy people that are too good to make money. I just don't want to create with that kind of pressure. If I have to make money, fine I'll get a job, but when I want to express something I feel I'm not doing it for fame or money. Its for the feeling of release, freedom, voice.

As an artist, you can't stop me from saying what I want to say and that's the beauty of it. America says that there is freedom of speech but we all know that's a bunch of malarkey. Because as soon as I do something they don't like I have the right to remain silent, anything I say can and will be used against me. But under the label of an artist, I can say fck 'em.

I don't want to starve doing art and I don't want my art to starve. I just want to do art and accept donations.

art is sacrifice

so my last video I Am Black History is a salute to Black History Month. I thought of it the last day of February while watching The Roots new video "75 Bars Black's Reconstruction" (its dope, the movie begins). I was trying my best with these old sharpies to write on my skin. One of the pens all of a sudden blow up with out me knowing. My bed gets inked up, ink is all over the pen, I'm thinking damn. I get another pen and finish writing on my self then I walk over to my macbook and ink is splatter all over. This ish is permanent. I got black ink blots on a white macbook. I try to rub it off but no go. The computer still works fine so I leave it alone. Hopefully I'll get used to it soon. All I know I will always remember this video: the day I made a sacrifice for art.

75 Bars Black's Reconstruction by The Roots is the greatest video so far this year. Of course it got me to thinking: man Thought is really using the "N-word" - naked. No I mean nigger. With all the recent backlash for black people still using the word and is it offensive? Most black people that use it say, "we're just turning something bad into something good." I never agreed with that. I understand it but it always felt like a week argument. It's like a girl who was raped and then becomes a pornstar as an adult, it doesn't make it any better.

But The Roots new song gave the word power. I am a nigger. I might be all the niggers he says in the songs or all the nigger stereotypes you know about. No matter what you think, people are scared of niggers (not just whites). Is fear power? No, but power is greater with fear.

And then niggers call each other niggas but white folk can't say it, why? Because its a way to express a nigger's power, "I dare you to call me nigger. I know you made it up, and we use it with each other but if you dare use it in front of me you catching a whooping. That's the kind of power I have." This might not make any sense but when is that ever important when dealing with power (eh hem, cough*Bush*cough).

for the coup des grande sauce

The Boondocks. I love it I love it I love it.

the fam ain't eating cheddar biscuts

what part of the game is that?

I needs my cheddar.

nowhamsayin?

riley's that dude

I'd move. I'm just saying. It's pee.

lets recap

I'm 24, college graduate, in Atlanta, working for the man, writing novels and screenplays.

Where do I want to be in five years?
Married, an author, respected creative, possible comedian, and recovering alcoholic.

I think I can make it happen.

Lately I've wondered whether or not I have a dream. You know what they say about people without dreams: they're worthless (I'm paraphrasing). But people have these dreams to be doctors, lawyers, actors, rich. I realize I have no dream job. I enjoy a lot of things and I'm a hard working man so nothing is too hard for me to do. To me I don't think it matters what job I have. As long as I can provide for a wife and kids I'll be happy.

My dream is to be able to provide for a family.

That doesn't satisfy you. That's fine. Its my dream. I'll get there however I need to.

crack music

i guess writing when you don't feel like writing is a good way to write. Sometimes I feel like I don't want to think about anything. But how can I stop myself from thinking. Especially when lately there is not a lot of people to talk to. I'm just trying to fill the quota for the month here. Nothing special will come of this.

Here's one thing I've thought about: music is way to easy to get with this internet thing. I never get a chance to listen to an album for a month straight. Everyday I download something and it's never a whole album but what artist makes a whole album anymore. Nowadays its all about the singles. But I remember back in the day I would put in a cd on repeat for six hours straight while doing homework or something for a whole month before I would decide to change it. Now with a library of music, I never listen to an album for more than two weeks. Of course I go back to the classics (Aquemini is the greatest album of all time), but new music never gets a listen to. This sucks because there are certain songs on an album from your favorite that you don't get the first couple of times and need to listen to it for a month straight to realize how good it is but you don't because you got a new album to listen to. And what I hate especially, my favorite artists that I still support by buying the album end not getting heard but I feel okay because I still supported. Its like crack, I'm looking for that first initial high from the first album.

I don't know what to make of the music these days, that's why I find myself listen to grown folk music. Can you imagine one day I will have to explain to my grandkids who Michael Jackson is or was? The king of pop. Weird, right?

crazy nights, scary days

the other day I woke up stressed. What's up with that? It was the strangest feeling. All night I was tossing and turning almost fighting myself in my sleep. Then I woke up and I felt as if I had a million and one things to do and not enough time to do it, just stressed. I wonder whats really going on with me. My dreams have become more vivid and strange lately. The other night I dreamed I saved a crackhead's baby from internally bleeding and Whoopi Goldberg was a bartender telling me I did a good job. I don't really like interpreting dreams but I get scared when they get so detailed. Cause I have de-ja-vu often and I believe its from my dreams.

During the day, everything is so routine. I feel like I need something different but I don't know if I'm ready. Just cause you wish for something don't mean you ready. And when you get something you never feel like you're ready. But all in due time, right? The only thing I know about this crazy life is that I don't know anything about this crazy life. These words have been stated over and over again but who still feels the same way, this guy.

happy MLK day

the animal personality test

You're a beaver. Beavers tend to be intellectually busy, always questioning why things are the way they are, and how stuff works. You think logically, and tend to be less emotional. You may be very organized, putting things where you know you'll be able to find them later, or use an "inner filing system" to record experiences. Beavers like to take things apart... and take people apart as well, making them some of the toughest critics. They set high standards for others, and themselves.

In relationships, beavers are advised to avoid the spontaneous, risk taking otter. They don't always understand each other very well. Instead, they are advised to pair up with a laid back Golden Retriever or an adventurous Lion.

AND IF I WERE AN INDIAN...

Your Native American Name Is...

Ahote Kotori Your name means: Restless Screech Owl Spirit

What's Your Native American Name?

why i'll never be white

*disclaimer: I have no ill will toward white people. I am an equal opportunity racists. I hate all kinds of people, even niggers (yes ni-ggers). I just realize why I can't be one of those negros that white people accept into their groups (Oreos).

I can never be white because I circle black on applications.
I can never be white because the law says I'm black.
I can never be white because the police pull me over and ask me, "Do you know where you're going?"

I can never be white because the sun doesn't bruise my skin.
I can never be white because I can't swim very well.
I can never be white because I need lotion to keep me black (I get real ashy).

I can never be white because "Oh my Gawd, Beckyyyy" doesn't come out of my mouth.
I can never be white because I can't speak proper English.
I can never be white because I speak multiple languages that aren't in their dictionary.

I can never be white because I can't wear a t-shirt without an undershirt.
I can never be white because I never wear sandals outside my house.
I can never be white because my jeans need to have room in them.

I can never be white because I'm taught to spend not save.
I can never be white because a Mercedes Benz S-class is something on TV and not in the driveway.
I can never be white because I can go to sleep hungry.

I can never be white because God made me who I am and I'm a black man.

its the profressor

that's what they call me at work now. I don't know if I like it yet. I know I mess around saying I'm old but to call me a professor is admitting to it (not ready for that yet). I ain't even the oldest or know more in the job but I guess I be giving assignments to this people. Nah mean.

Another thing they do is call me bossy. I don't see how. Just because I ask you to do something in a form of a statement and not question does not mean I'm bossy. It has to be done whatever I say right, so why ask. What really gets people is when I tell them what I'm going to do without asking if I can do it. Listen people if I say I'm going to do something and you don't want me to do it, you better have a valid reason why I shouldn't do it or I'm going to do it anyway. And if you don't want me to do it you can tell me not to, my word is not final (yet). But I do what I do and want to do because I dare you to stop me. I demand this life to be lived.

Stop hating and get money my nig!

new years eve

Its the last day of the year 2007 and I've been drinking since last week. Welcome 2008.

Quotes of the Year 2007

January 2007
To all of those that are weak, unreliable, and no hope for the future I say throw them to the lions (which consists of a bunch of alley cats, but they got rabbies).

Basically, life isn't some precious thing that we all need to savor and try to make extra long. Live it! or kill yourself.

Februray 2007
I'm a lazy cotton picker.

March 2007
if that b**** don't get out of my spot on the couch, she gonna catch a elbow to her left temple.

You would be a horrible hobo.

April 2007
She can get it with a ladder.

... you stopped playing imaginary x-men in the backyard and started kissing Slutty Sherry down the street.

please look at this as the creative juice that flows through my veins (prolly tastes like red kool aid).

Liquor is me, liquor I be
Fun with liquor, I love liquor and me

May 2007
Take out the bazooka on his ass. Boom! Destroy everything: the path, the enemy, even a piece of yourself. When the ashes fall and the smoke lifts, look at the new ground in front of you and create your new road.

July 2007
The beautiful design/experiment/accident/confused state of mind.

nuff said.

August 2007
If growing up was hard, being grown is even harder.

a catch 22. Damn if I don't, damn if I can't get a moment of peace.

September 2007
when there is nothing left to say, smack a muthaf_ker in the face.

October 2007
Black people should kill niggas

November 2007
Does shit stink?

December 2007
I'm sorry for your lost ma'am. Have some peppermint tea.

normal guy

nuff said.

untitled poem

a precious thought becomes of us
together under the peeled sun
pressed against the skin of our gala
we are seeds that need love poured on our souls
so we... can feed the nation

death among us

so lately I've noticed a trend. And yes I have a late pass for it. Skulls, especially in hip-hop. Everything is either a skull or in the shape of a skull. I saw the other day a tshirt with colorful monkeys that formed a skull. Seems like every rapper has a skull tattoo or chain. I'm just wondering why is there so much reference to death in this genre. Is it just this genre or is every designer fixated on death.

I thing as people we always focus on death but I just haven't seen it in everyday clothing as much as I see it now. I don't know. Maybe when all my questions get answered this skull phenomenon will have been a sign.

Speaking of death, I think I figured out what I will do with my life if things don't go well in this design biz: funeral director. Think about it if I own a funeral parlor, I'm guaranteed to get paid because everybody dies. That is the one thing you can always depend on. Plus there is no big advertising, just great real estate. Put a parlor in the hood and I'm bound to get business. I'd even hook up the flower arrangements real gangsta like. I just gotta practice on my deeply sincere voice, "I'm sorry for your lost ma'am. Have some peppermint tea."

jesus, I had a dream

i have a lot of dreams but last night's dream seem to mean something. Now I'm not one to think much about dreams because I just believe they are wish fulfillments. Because if we could really dream the future or interpret the future than why aren't half of us psychics by now? Plus anything that I have dreamed before has never come true. I've had some dejavu which I believe were from my dreams but nothing that effected my life.

Anywho, let me get to the dream Jesus. At first I was watching these broke women who I swear were one of my customers at work. But one of them looked homeless and she had a black trash bag full of stuff. She started walking with this bag and quickly got out of my sight.

So then I started walking. While traversing down a street that resembled a street behind my house in Brockton, I noticed a dollar on the ground. I picked it up. I walked a few more feet and saw another dollar. Then I noticed it was a trail of dollars. I started picking them all up. Some were fives, one was a hundred. I was thinking at first this was my lucky day. But then I was thinking is this a setup. Is all this money really that homeless lady's money and she was leading to a trap.

All of a sudden I looked up and there were other people picking up the money. I didn't want to be greedy so I didn't say anything but continued to pick up the money that was around me. I wasn't trying to beat people to every dollar because I felt like this was everyone's to share.

That's it, Jesus. I'm trying to make sense of it. Initial reaction, ya boy about to fall into some money. Great! Maybe a raise, maybe win the lotto (i should play the lotto), maybe a business adventure. I think it might be about business. Because when other people in the dream started getting money I was willing to share. They weren't my partners, more like competition but I felt like everybody could get a piece.

But then I thought, money? Really? Is it that simple? Dreams never are. What if the money represents something else? What if I'm just going to gain something, an emotion, a friend? But I also have to share this thing. What else can you gain and share at the same time, Jesus?

I don't know. Maybe it's time to get back to church.

looking for new music

I stumbled on Mishal Moore. I know its cliche now to discover good music on youtube or myspace but she sounds so soulful. Can't help it. Check her out http://www.myspace.com/mishalmmoore

G are with me?!

I don't know why I feel like writing today. You know I have work to do right? Anywho, feelings right now are all confused (what's new right). I think it's cuz I only have two weeks left of school, that means crunch time. Means all those days I took a break for too long is going to equal many nights of coffee and 3 am hallucinations. Its fun when your eyes start to roll back into your head and you catch yourself like you're actually going to beat the sleepyiness. Or better yet, when you can't seem to stop cuz the red bull got your heart pumping three times faster than it should be and you're scared if you stop it will explode. Its like the ticking bomb on the movie speed, if you drop below 55 wpm its over.

I feel content for y'all that don't know. I'm proud of myself (pat on the back). I've been away from family and dealing with bills and responsibility for over 2 years now and there hasn't been a problem yet. Man, if I was honest with y'all I didn't think I would have made it that day I left my mom's house. I think I had more fear than she did. I didn't expect her to cry that day, but it almost made me feel like I was headed in the right direction. That sounds horrible but I knew I was very dependable on my parents and in order for me to grow I had to leave. Cliche I know, but if I didn't leave I could never be proud of myself. But more is to come and I hope and pray that I can continue to be proud of myself. There's a lot to learn out here. God if you with me, let's do this!

damn girl you got baggage

aint' nothing worst than meeting a girl and you find out she got kids. Like damn a niggga beat me to the punch. Not that I want to be the babydaddy but yeah I wanted to hit that. But now she got baggage including a living being that will never know what a stable fable is. Not to say that there are not a lot of single mothers that raise proud doctors and lawyers but lets be real that few a far between. Its already hard enough for the black man.

But that's just one thing I don't like about the ATL. Women got kids. What am i going to do with your kids? I'm a kid myself. You'll end raising to of 'em. And then the babymommas have a tendency to look at you like, if you were a real man the kids wouldn't matter. Because I'm a man I know not to mess with kids. Girl you on your own with that one.

I don't get it ATL do we not know about condoms down here or are you just doing it way too much. Find another hobby.

Does shit stink?

Think about it. Is it the actual smell that is bothersome or is it the fact that we have been trained to recognize that smell as something awful. We all know that feces can become a problem with diseases and infection so have we as human beings just made a correlation with the smell with something to avoid.

Shit doesn't really stink. Animals smell their own shit and other animals shit in order to identify territory. If the basic human being is an animal than obviously shit doesn't stink. It is just that we categorize the shit smell as bad at an earlier age so now as adults every time we recognize the smell we immediately say, damn that stinks.

what's wrong?

shit you tell me.

You mean I'll never get to see you again.

with the way its going I'm guessing so.

Well what am I supposed to say to that?

i don't know.

Where do we go from here?

are separate ways hopefully.

That's it, separate ways? You're so full of it.

am I?

Shut up. If I never see you again then that's fine. Get the fuck out.

you don't need to be harsh.

You stole my heart.

i'll have it back to you by Friday.

Whatever. Are we done here?

you see me leaving don't you?

That's right, get the fuck out and never come back again. Ignorant fuck.

you just can't get enough of this can you?

Enough of what?

the drama.

Oh I'm all about the drama! You want to see drama?! Drama this bitch!

*shotgun BLAWH!*****

today I hate my job

yesterday not so much, but today, I hate it. There is no sense of trust in that place. You wanna fire me don't setup some elaborate scheme to get me out. Just let me go with two weeks pay. I wish. I can't believe I'm still working there.

On another note. I think the end of the world is coming. No here me out. The other day, the sky was red. Sure the sun was coming up and there was a deep fog that illuminated the red flares but there's more. You know that feeling that things are closing in on you. Things keep happening closer and closer to you: from people on the news to people you know, to people that are your family. Its strange man. I need to brush up on my religion.

Other idea. Laziness pursues me. You get all excited about something. You have brilliant ideas then you get into it and laziness sits by you as you work on your computer in the afternoon. He knows you have all day to work so he asks, "So is this what you are going to do all day?"

Yourself: yeh, I got to finish this.
Lazy: Hmph. Just seems like there could be better things to do.

Yourself: Well it has to be done. If I don't do it now, I'll be tired tomorrow.
Lazy: How do you know that? Its not due tomorrow. So you have time.

Yourself: I don't think you're even listening to me.
Lazy: You're not listening to yourself. C'mon, whats on the tube?

Yourself: Nothing. You know that.
Lazy: Youtube?

Yourself: No.
Lazy: This couch is real nice to take a nap. You look like you need a nap. Lets take a nap and do this stuff later.

Yourself: Man, just leave me be.... This couch is comfortable.
Lazy: Yehhhh, you look a little cold too. Put that blanket over you.

Yourself: Its a little chilly in here. I guess I could lay down and do my work. Maybe I'll just....Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz

3 hours later

Yourself: Damn it!
Hunger: I could go for some pizza right now.

Black People Should Kill Ni$$as

Let's forget about a blackout. Lets forget about a march on Washington. Lets forget about picket signs and arguing and complaining. Lets educate. How about we get together and talk about how we spend our money. How we can change the economy to benefit us. How we can get millions of people out of credit debt. Lets do for self. The Civil Rights is over. The war is done. Lets build.

I'm not wearing black. I'm going to spend my money if I have to. I'm not walking to anywhere just to complain about shit. You know what I'm going to do. Teach my kids how to balance a check book, how to save money, how to make decisions, and how to look for resources. That's my fight. Sorry if it isn't glorious. I'm just part of a quiet storm.

And keep that dumb ni$$a T.I. in jail. I don't care. His ass knew the rules. Its all a scheme for more album sales. Oh it just so happens that his single says, "I still keep that thang." And then he goes to jail for having guns. He's just trying to get his street cred back. Sorry T.I. no sympathy here. You're bougy son. Ya bougy.

Welcome home Genarlow Wilson.

I'm a Rapper

We got players that will do for self, to do for wealth
Some things we got to do in stealth
Like that rak co-Kane flow, But not cocaine though
That Big Daddy, 18th letter of the soul
Pay respects to the legends even if they still breathing
So thanks for the lessons while you wait for new seasons

sleepless

you ever just can't sleep. Toss and turn all you want. You think you know your body, "I love to sleep on my stomach," but that doesn't work. I'll listen to some music only leads you to listening to the whole 90 minutes of the sleep button. Damn another hour awake. You go downstairs, get some tea, warm your belly, back into bed, but nothing. You yawn naturally. You think, "see I want to go to sleep. Go to sleep you stupid body." But nothing. You just sit up and think about things: old things, new things, things that haven't happened, things you expected, things that surprised you, things you wonder if they are true. You think about you long day and how a few hours ago you were passed out on the couch, made your move to bed and now you're stuck being up.

What the hell? I got a long tomorrow. Not a nervous day at all, but I have to start early so staying up all night is not a good look. Its all in my mind. I wonder if stupid people have this problem. I guess I can expect this every once in awhile. Just not tonight though. Not tonight.

what about grace and mercy?

when there is nothing left to say, smack a muthaf_ker in the face. That should be a quote in some movie or something. And then later, when the weaker character is asked a question that he has no answer to, he smacks his friend in the face. It'd be funny. Sometimes though I feel like smack people in the face. Just for asking stupid questions. When I say no, I say no. No one else is going to help, or I at least I'm not going to find anybody else for you. That becomes your job.

I think we as humans need a dose of violence every once in awhile, male and female. That's why we watch these violent movies and play these violent games because this docile life we claim to want is all boring and actually more tense. Think about it. When faced with adversity with someone and you choose not to physically fight them, your stress level sky rockets to a point where you feel like you want to kill someone. Now if you were "allowed" to fight in the first place, your stress would not be as elevated.

It'd be funny if right before a fight announcers (nearby witnesses) would call the fight like the game streetfigher. And after the fight is over everything would go back to normal. Nobody would die but things would get solved quicker.



This is a beautiful interpretation.

update

new money, get money, spend money, its all about the money. I've noticed that a lot of songs out right now in hip hop is all about money. True this is not some revelation, but everybody at once is talking about money. I think that is the main thing about these artist now, follow a trend. A couple years ago it was about booty shaking video girls, now its money. Is hip hop just a form of mimicry that we should appreciate. Not many artists, even conscious rapper, come up with new ideas in rap. Its just the same ol' "let me tell you about my hood and how much money I make."

Anywho, enough about rap. I'm repainting my house. My half bath is gonna be crazy. The color is purple and I got hand towels to match. But the way I'm painting it is amazing. Six inch stripes on three walls that leads to a full wall with a mural. You got it. Fresh.

a day off

Hard days work calls for a day off. Then your day off becomes a hard days work and you are left in a catch 22. Damn if I don't, damn if I can't get a moment of peace. But it'll soon come. Another year is close to an end for me and a day of celebration will commence (this time its more of a weekend). How I should celebrate is the main question? I might be getting too old to go all out drunk at the club, plus there is no definite way home. I have a good idea of what I will be doing and I'm sure the planned activities will be fun but I can't wait to experience the unplanned events.

Speaking of plans. Is it bad to plan ahead? To me if I don't plan then comes bad last minute decisions that lead to regret. Its especially worst with money. But then they say don't count your chickens before they crap on your car (or something like that).

relax yourself

These guys were and are the smoothest sound in hip hop. But they sound like early outkast. I think that's one of the reasons maybe they didn't make it. People always say you biting someone's style but that's pretty much always the case. Its just how much can you hide the fact. Either way, I love these dudes.

old man in the river

Every time I see my parents I think, "Damn I look just like pops." Its true. Day by day I grow into the man that I learned to respect but never liked. The man was hard on us but I've come to find out that he made a lot of important decisions for us, so much respect. But now I'm at an age where I gotta make decisions. I wonder if its going to be the same decisions he had to make and what I should be learning from him. I know now that he doesn't have all the answers. I gotta outsource for the proper knowledge.

If growing up was hard, being grown is even harder.

family sitcoms step your game up

I've figured out how to do a funny family sitcom. You either need a funny stand up comedian who can do more jokes than just about how funny their child was or you need a family in a funny situation. Everybody Loves Raymond is good cuz the parents are crazy and they live next door, Weeds is funny because the mother sells weed to get by in the surburbs, Married W/ Children: c'mon Al was a women's shoe salesman.

I'm speaking of this because House of Payne and The Bill Engvall Show (sp) are not funny. They lack the aforementioned techinques. House of Payne sucks because having your mom being a crackhead and you have to live with your grandparents isn't funny. Its sad and we all hope we never have to face that in life. None of those kids (if they were real kids) will look back in there lives when they grow old and think that was funny how mom was on crack. The Bill Engvall Show is just a normal family doing quorky things. Bill is not a real comedian, just a good story teller. The stories are funny on stand up sure but not in a sitcom.

Basically I'm tired of trying to give these shows a chance and just hope people can be more creative when thinking of a new family sitcom. I mean in real funny family sitcoms you can always go back to the foundation of the show and laugh. Every episode something funny would be happening on top of something already funny. Look at King of Queens: They are a couple living with a crazy father in the basement and Doug is a true comedian in his stand up. So anything that happens can always fall back on the interaction of the crazy Arthur and the Heffernans.

I love great comedy and I should not be denied.

all is forgiven

the pill

They don't sing lullabies about nights like this
The tunes play over and over in your head
As lights blind your direction to clarity
Moments pass as if your sleep is stealing your life
Regrets, afterthoughts, corrections will follow you in your shadow
And as the night draws near to an end
You appreciate those at your side
I hope they understand
I made a mistake.