Step back...evaluate

I don't know what it is about you. Whenever you open your mouth to speak, I'm already rolling my eyes...Heavy sighs mixed with head nods. Encounters with you are something I try my hardest to avoid. Just the sound of your voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I'm not the only one who sees it. Everyone has something to say about you - usually the same thing. Drives us crazy. That's why I had to take a step back. Evaluate this situation. Although everyone has something to say, what they CAN'T say is that you’re disrespectful. They can't say you're rude. They can't say you’re not a team player in fact you're one of the hardest working people I know. They can't say that you've done anything wrong or said anything wrong to or about anyone that I can ever remember. I had to take a look and evaluate what comes out of your mouth and see that I have no issue with the actual content. Strange... Your delivery is what trips people up. It might even be unpleasant and sometimes abrasive and somewhat overbearing but remove the tone and awkward syntax and sheer quirkiness and the message is always as good as gold. STOP JUDGING, PAUL. Especially by such superficial means. You are quite genuine in essence and dedicated to your craft. Unique. Take the value of the conversation rather than the way you feel it should be presented and let people be themselves. Who throws away wrinkled 100-dollar bills just because they're wrinkled?

Robin Williams

     On August 11, 2014 I was leaving work when my phone popped up a message that would consume my thoughts for quite some time. When I read the words on the news bulletin "Robin Williams Found Dead..." I was in disbelief and had to read the words again. After confirmation, I breathed a heavy sigh of contention. Over the next few days, I would come to realize that the man known as Robin Williams was not only my favorite actor/comedian but that of a worldwide outpouring. He had definitely touched numerous lives.

     Not only was he a genius MC of comedy, but he embodied the definition of a living soul. Few would doubt the fact that everything he did had a special animation associated with it. He could make the most simple things appear to be so enjoyable and lively. When I think of him I can't help but to think of my dad who has passed away as well. So many similarities run past my mind. I can remember being very young and watching Mork come out of his space egg in Mork and Mindy. I also remember nearly shedding a tear when at the age of 5 when my dad took me to the opening night of Popeye and the line was so long, wrapping around the building we weren't able to see it. When we finally did, a five year old felt as if he had won the lottery.

     After over 100 television/movie credits, the world appears to be left a little less funny and a little less bright. One of the great ones has again left us. Although the world is full of many talents, one like him may only appear once in many lifetimes. He was definitely on the list of people that I would have loved to meet at least once.

     The exact reasons for his decision to leave are unclear but what we do know we should respect. It is not for anyone man who will ultimately be judged to pass any judgement on his actions. Some don't agree on the how to feel about his choice. What we can all undoubtedly agree on is that the actions are deeply saddening and have left the world with a tremendous loss.

R.I.P - Robin Williams August 11, 2014

Andre Hicks AKA...

MAC DRE, AKA Mac Dreezy, AKA Dredose, AKA Thizelle Washington, AKA Cold Crest Creeper, AKA Thizz Laden, AKA Pill Clinton, AKA Mohammad Ali Boo Boo, AKA The Genie of the Lamp, AKA The Make it Happen Cap'n, AKA Andre Maccassi, AKA Ronald Dregan, AKA Dre Helsing, AKA Dre Van Halen, AKA Thizzy Marley, AKA Thizz Marque, AKA The Thizzard of Oz, AKA Mac Drevious, AKA The Mac named Dre, AKA Mac Dammit, AKA Judge Dre Mathis, AKA Dre McGyver, AKA Silky-Slim, AKA  and last but not least Mr. Furly (Furl) "The owner of the buildin"

"Pull up a chair let me make you a plate
Of this game that's seasoned like a tasty steak
Since '88 I've been servin em well
I was servin yayo when L was rockin bells
Clockin mail get, get, gettin it
Coppin it flip flip, flip flipping it
Now I'm spitting it bar for bar
European whipping it car for car
No doe hoe? You know I say no
I need you like jaws need a rain coat
I fadangle stay high as the star spangled
Choke the blood out you b* get strangled
Get mangled f*ing with this pimping
Hot as Lipton Dre J Simpson
You better pay attention it's all gamed up
Peep the bio the file see how I came up" - Since '84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7GKzcQ225Y

The President's Speech...

The President's speech lasted about 2 or 3 minutes....It was exactly 272 words. The speech was divided sharply along partisan lines...not well received by nearly half of those who heard it. One side saying this is the right thing to do and must be done. The other side crying vehemently in opposition to what the President proposed. The actions of the speech had already taken place. It was irreversible yet one side refused to accept it. No I'm not talking about President Obama and today's partisan quibbles between Democrats and Republicans. I'm talking about a war that divided a nation which created a valley; still separating both sides to this day - exactly 150 years later. Some things never change....when will both sides accept one another?

The Gettysburg Address - November 19, 1863

Of the people...
By the people...
For the people...

Pure

Take a cup of water. One atom of oxygen, two atoms of hydrogen - fused to form a perfect molecule. Water, in its perfect state: colorless, odorless, and tasteless yet completely fulfilling and refreshing to the palette. No living soul can exist without it while composing the majority of the body. Now take just one drop of the world's deadliest poison and mix it with the water. You no longer have water but rather...poison.

It only takes a small amount of what is bad to disrupt a lot of what is good. Our association is no different. When on the path to righteousness (that is, what's morally and divinely correct) we cannot indulge in negative company, negative behavior and quite importantly - negative thought. Yes, every thought that enters the mind should be scrutinized by wisdom. Each thought is a seed that can quickly grow. The fruit that is produced from these seeds oftentimes become actions we make either in the direction of virtue or of our own fleshly desires. Maintain every thought as if you truly believed the Heavenly Father is directly above you.

In this sense, we must continue to 'purify' ourselves allowing no poisons to infiltrate our temple (mind and body) - starting with the things we let enter our minds. Extinguish the very flames of negative thoughts and replace them with affirmations, hope, faith, love and wisdom. Think thoughts of Him and of His divine purpose - He who granted you the ability to even think! Putting away what we want and thinking in terms of what He wants.

The process is not simple. If it were, all would be perfect and without sin. We must strive for these things and work continuously, even diligently towards them in the same manner we seek other pleasures in life. The difference in striving for spiritual balance as opposed to material or social and economic balance is that spiritual balance affords us an entire lifetime of reward whereas the other things are quickly and easily replaced, deleted, upgraded, thrown away, and even put away or forgotten.

- Paul Charles



"Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water  bubbling up to impart everlasting life.” - John 4:14

Put on Your Spiritual Suit of Armor

Ephesians 6:10-18

"Finally, go on acquiring power in [the] Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. 11 Put on the complete suit of armor from God that YOU may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; 12 because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that YOU may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after YOU have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. 16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, 18 while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end keep awake with all constancy and with supplication in behalf of all the holy ones,"

Nails...

Thanks. I give thanks. Thanks for all that I have. For all that I have become. Looking back on life and its trials, how could one trade their experiences for anything? My tribulations are those things that I have endured which only add to my life's story. I do not wish to be anyone but who I was created to be. I do, however, admire many people for their many talents, abilities, virtues and characteristics. There is greatness in men and women in every corner of the earth. Sometimes, it helps me to embrace these strengths when I feel lacking in any particular area. Presently, I wish to be more patient. Oftentimes I speak or act or even react too quickly. It's only afterwards when pondering the transpired events that I realize that better approaches may have been able to be made. We can apologize for wrongs we commit but we cannot undo nor change what has occurred. That very notion reminds me of the story of the father and the child and the picket fence:

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said “I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you.”

“Of course I can,” said the father.

Significant Other, Father, Friend

Good Day All,

For Etrice Gonzalez

Yesterday I posted some preseason NFL tickets for sale online. One of our friends in common expressed interest in those tickets. At first I was going to just simply exchange the money for the tickets until that person told me why she wanted them. The tone of the statement concerned me. After I told her to send me a message containing her telephone number, she further stated the reason she wanted these tickets. She expressed that she and her two sons had been going through a pretty rough time. As of today, it has been 11 days since she lost the closest person to her heart. Her significant other...the father of her children...of all the days in the world - on Father's Day. I'm not a person who is easily emotionally stirred but this situation really hit me especially after just being able to spend time with my beloved daughter whom I could not imagine being eternally separated from. I immediately spoke to a co-worker/friend/confidante who is a minister and at times deals with tragedy. I asked if he knew any way I could raise money for a cause. After pointing me in the right direction I was able to set up a fund specifically for her and her. A fund that would show her that people do care. That many hands make the load light. I know that no amount of money can fill that hole in the heart that has been created by tragic circumstances but as a fellow member of our small family of friends, I thought I could help to make a difference. My goal is to raise enough money to hopefully pay for those tickets, and possibly a meal for her family before or after the game. I will pay for her fuel costs out of my own pocket if I'm capable. I only ask that you give a little and please share the link so that no friends are missed. Again, we are a small family of friends. I have been in similar situations and have received a down-pouring of love from family and friends. This is my opportunity to initiate such feat.

Just hit donate and help out a little. Thanks friends :)

The Villain is Born...

Today marks the day of the birth of Star Wars. It was Memorial Day weekend in 1977. Americans lined up to generate revenues of $461 million in the US and nearly $800 million globally - in 1977! It would become the greatest saga of entertainment history. Often considered the greatest villain of all time, [http://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-50-best-movie-villains-of-all-time?pageNumber=5] Darth Vader's iconic appearance and commanding voice [James Earl Jones] has set the bar quite high for entertainment - even 35 years later!

Dear Mr. Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,

I know people forget. We see that especially when the going gets rough. I know that the vote on the Buffet Bill was quite insulting. Maybe we need to give less-rich people more power to clean up corruption - democrat and repiliCONs. Well, again, sometimes people forget what you've done so I thought I'd remind them of just some of your accomplishments:

• Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court
• Promoted social responsibility through creation of serve.gov, a national database of volunteer opportunities
• Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco for the first time
• Increased average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg, starting in 2016
• Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers
• Launched recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, providing transparency and allowing the public to report fraud, waste, or abuse
• Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America's Veterans
• Signed the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids -- 4 million of whom were previously uninsured
• Issued executive order to repeal Bush era restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
• Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis
• Developed stimulus package, which includes approx. $18 billion for nondefense scientific research and development
• Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system
• Issued executive order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay
• Ended Bush administration's CIA program of 'enhanced interrogation methods' by requiring that the Army field manual be used as the guide for terrorism interrogations
• Increased minority access to capital
• Established Credit Card Bill of Rights, preventing credit card companies from imposing arbitrary rate increases on customers
• Health Care Reform Bill, preventing insurance companies from denying insurance because of a pre-existing condition
• Tax cuts for up to 3.5 million small businesses to help pay for employee health care coverage
• Tax credits for up to 29 million individuals to help pay for health insurance
• Require health insurance plans to disclose how much of the premium actually goes to patient care
• Added 4.6 billion USD to the Veterans Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health professionals
• Significantly increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act
• Lifted restrictions granting Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island
• Eliminated subsidies to private lender middlemen of student loans and protect student borrowers
• Increased funding for national parks and forests by 10%
• Significantly expanded Pell grants, which help low-income students pay for college
• Expanded hate crime law in the US to include sexual orientation through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• Appointed nation's first Chief Technology Officer
• Signed financial reform law establishing a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to look out for the interests of everyday Americans
• Signed financial reform law requiring lenders to verify applicants' credit history, income, and employment status
• Signed financial reform law prohibiting banks from engaging in proprietary trading (trading the bank's own money to turn a profit, often in conflict with their customers' interests)
• Signed financial reform law allowing shareholders of publicly traded companies to vote on executive pay
• Cut prescription drug cost for Medicare recipients by 50%
• Provided $12.2 Billion in new funding for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
• The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: a $789 billion economic stimulus plan
• Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during entire Bush years
• Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history
• Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court
• Went after banks and bank executives for paying themselves outrageous bonuses
• Saved an auto industry
• Saved countless jobs in the auto industry
• Extended unemployment benefits of those who would otherwise be without
• Was a part of the Administration that captured the world’s most wanted criminal
• Vowed to end war and bring troops home
• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
• Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
• Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
• Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
• Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
• Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier’s family
• The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
• Limits on lobbyist’s access to the White House
• Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
• Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
• Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
• New federal funding for science and research labs
• States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
• Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
• New funds for school construction
• The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
• US Auto industry rescue plan
• Housing rescue plan
• $789 billion economic stimulus plan
• The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
• US financial and banking rescue plan
• The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
• Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with theGeneva Convention standards
• Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
• The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
• Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
• Successful release of US captain held bySomali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
• US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
• Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
• Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
• Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
• Expanding vaccination programs
• Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
• Closed offshore tax safe havens
• Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
• Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
• Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
• Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
• Lower drug costs for seniors
• Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
• Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
• Improved housing for military personnel
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
• Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
• Increasing student loans
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
• Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
• Established a new cyber security office
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
• Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
• Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
• Improving benefits for veterans
• Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
• The FDA is now regulating tobacco
• Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
• Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
• Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
• Making more loans available to small businesses
• Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
• Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
• Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
• Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
• Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
• Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
• New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
• Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
• Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
• Held first Seder in White House
• Attempting to reform the nation’s healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
• Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
• Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
• Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Emmett Till 2012

Talked to a 'friend' the other day. That person asked me if it was necessary that the President weigh in on the Trayvon Martin incident. "Doesn't he have better things to do?" My reply, "WOW."

I think people have forgotten what Black people have gone through in this country for HUNDREDS of years. What is more important than stabilizing the ethical fabric of life we all use to adorn our livelihood? Rooting out bad weeds that poison the entire crop is quintessential in maintaining/restoring/cultivating positive race relations in this country. I can't think of anything better that should captivate the attention of the Leader of the Free Market. Take care of home on the homefront first. Then tackle the issues that lie abroad the global spectrum secondly.

Many pundits have spoken words of truth: any death to occur by another is a tragedy. One murder is not greater than another (some have spoken on intra-racial [black on black, brown on brown, etc.] crime and gang violence) At it's peak, gang violence begets more gang violence - one block vs. another block whereas racial violence, well, begets entire segments of a culture retaliating on one another - on a much larger scale. A scale that encompasses masses of populations. Earthquake the comedian referred to forgetting the Taliban, heck, we have our own terrorists right here in the United States. Geraldo Rivera said that the hoodie killed Trayvon and he received considerable backlash. When listening to his words, however, I heard at least half of my family members voices from Uncle Quincy to Aunt Gertie: "Pull your pants up, young man. Don't wear your hair like that - you will be perceived as part of the world. Take that ear ring out. Stand up straight when you walk. Be presentable before your Heavenly Father and not to the wolves of the world which only consume and leave carcasses to rot upon the soil." This is precisely what has happened. No, we should not judge others by what they look like but the fact of the matter is IT WILL HAPPEN NONETHELESS. As a people and society, we must present our best countenance, and put our best foot forward at all times - staying on guard. We must keep our children as safe as possible with the realization that we must release them into this wicked world outside of our grasp. In this sense I can concede Geraldo's words. I can't count how many times I've seen a young male harassed or beaten for wearing a color although it was clear that the victim was obviously "unaffiliated." Quick fix - don't wear that color. Sorry, this is the world in which we live.

Back to the subject at hand: The people have spoken. The people want justice. Although it is most difficult to 'unlearn' traits, behaviors and things that have been inculcated into the mind for many years, reasonable persons in this case are not asking for epiphanies, heart-felt change, or any miracles but rather due process and the moral aptitude to follow the letter of the law without hindrance of existing corruption, wether it be Public Official, law enforcement, or legal representation. This should not become another tragic case entitled "Modern Day Emmett Till" where a young black boy armed with nothing more than charm was kidnapped, beaten, mutilated and shot in the head before being thrown in the Tallahatchie River with a 70-pound anchor tied around his neck with barbed wire. His killers were acquitted. Please don't forget what this is truly about.

Gustava Fradue, Momma, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great-great Grandma

Losing a loved-one sometimes reminds people to "stop and smell the coffee, or the roses," if you would. To "live life to its fullest." As of late, I have been thinking quite differently - It is not time to smell the proverbial roses but rather time to go to work. Yes there is work to be done. We can 'eat, drink and be merry today not knowing if we will die tomorrow' but the ultimate goal, if you do so believe, is to reserve our place in the Heavenly Father's Kingdom. In order to do so, we have been commissioned to perform certain and specific tasks. The work is neither easy nor always well-received. When commissioned, Jesus did not rest, nor had he even a place to rest. (Mt 8:20, Lu 9:58) Instead of storing up riches on earth, we must strive to store up riches in Heaven which are far greater than the treasures of the here-and-now which have a definite end date. Yes - To work we must go. Let us not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has its own anxieties that need to be delt with tomorrow. We love you Gustava Fradue! You have taught your children and your children's children how to love and treat one another and most of all, you taught us who Jehovah is. For that, we could not ask anything more of you!

the Apple's seed has returned to earth

Love him or hate him, the world has lost a brilliant icon. He's being compared to the likes of anyone from Benjamin Franklin to John Lennon to which I agree on all accounts. He changed the way we live: listen to music...communicate through telephonic devices...watch movies...view the concept of what a 'computer' is and basically interact with electronic devices - period. Although not the only person to make prolific changes to the ways in which we interact with electric pulsations, he set the bar at the highest levels and standards in the entire world by which all other devices are measured, compared and scrutinized. Having over 300 registered patents which include the mouse, the dock (equivalent to the M$ taskbar), portable display devices (iPods), portable computers (iPads), and the electronic device which is specifically identified by what we know as the "iPhone," he has left a lasting imression on the very sphere of earth itself. The Apple seed has returned to mother earth.

Peace be to you, your family, friends and loved ones

Onward

Never stop trying to become a better person. Can't always wait for good things to happen in your life in order to do good things yourself. Exhibit strength in the face of adversity. This is when I feel stronger...

Be Thankful

I can guarantee each and everyone who reads this has at least 5 of these:

1. If you're reading this, you at least have internet
2. Smartphone
3. Laptop
4. Desktop
5. Maybe a roof over your head,
6. Refrigerator with food to eat,
7. Some kind of clothing for your body,
8. Perhaps a car to get you to different destinations,
9. Jewelry of some sort,
10. Your own things/possessions/etc.,
11. Extra 'toys',
12. Hobbies,
13. Pastimes,
14. Spending cash to go out occasionally,
15. Credit card(s),
16. Debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo,
17. Checking account,
18. Perhaps a savings account,
19. A stock option here and there,
20. A pension,
21. Benefits,
22. A 401K,
23. Some family members...who share their love with you,
24. FRIENDS who adore you
25. Everything else you consider to be 'yours'

BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL

go to http://www.globalrichlist.com/ and enter your yearly salary to see how you rank in the entire world. [[SPOILER ALERT!!!]] Scroll Down













If you make $10,000 per year, you are in the top 13.31% on earth......

BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL

Nothing Grows in the Dark

LIGHT: –noun
"something that makes things visible or affords illumination""

The body is a vessel of energy. We chose whether or not, and, how much to do so. The simplest things can effect people in ways unimaginable. Call it the butterfly effect. I strive to become a pillar of fortitude to those I encounter. I try to touch the soul whenever possible. Many people have in fact had this effect on me as I've grown in this world. I am human, though, and not above reproach. Sometimes my light does not shine outward. Dark crevices swallow the light at times. I know I have to better quell my darkness in order to grow. As titled, Nothing Grows in the Dark. Shine your light on others. Whatever that light may be....it can be as simple as a smile (which I believe is a tremendous beacon of love and respect), the words "thank you" go a long way with many people. Respond with "yes" rather than "what" or "yeah." Pay attention to detail. Avoid confrontation and pitfall with kindness and wisdom. If I shine with you, it's only a matter of time before more shine with us. Do you go out of your way to help people out when you can? Do you live for yourself or for others? Do you feel apart of the human family?

Continue to shine. Continue to share and effect those you encounter - no matter the race, color, or creed.

A Message in the Sky

June 6 and we still have rain here in the Central Valley. Unbelievable. The clouds are so beautiful. The sound of raindrops is therapeutic. Thunder. Lightening high above. It makes me think of the delicate nature of life. How small we are.

How fragile things are. Remove a single element from the foundation and watch the temple fall. Could this all have simply just 'come to be?' in a cosmic cloud? A big bang? The arrangement of our very existence has too many finite variables to say that we are here by chance. Our human experience is undoubtedly handcrafted - designed. Rainbows in the puddles remind us of the Heavenly Father's promise to mankind never to bring disaster by water again. Will we instantiate our own disaster. Self-demise? (Well even that is foretold.) It is not for man to guide his own footsteps. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I remember hearing the thunder in the dorms in Oklahoma. It sounded as if God Himself was beating on the ceilings. I actually thought the end had arrived. I was in such awe of the power I was witnessing. Looking out at the flatlands seeing random rays of lightening touch the earth's surface forces you to pay homage to Higher Powers.

The Hour...

"Foolishness! Insolence! The hour has arrived! They want signs. I've given them numerous signs! What better sign than the air they breathe, the food they taste...My Heavens and earth which they cast their eyes upon every day. Earthly leaders claim My allegiance while seeking their own glory! I've delivered an entire people out of bondage, charging oppressors ten plagues and then to split a sea...only to have those saved worship false gods. I have given every gift and heard every prayer and granted favor to Holy men whose teachings serve as a light to all yet most run towards the darkness. I have given them my only begotten Son and what have they done with him? Oh yes, the weeping and gnashing of teeth shall commence. It is written "No man knows the hour, not even the Son" yet myriads flock to the concept of trying to calculate my arrival! Foolishness! Archangels! To your positions! Send the Seven to pour out the Seven Bowls of Anger upon the four corners of the earth as it is written...."
and so it began....

And so the angel Valtheniache appeared to me upon awakening. In my bed I was paralyzed but was able to vaguely see what was before me. My blinds were closed so the light coming through the edges of the window was minimal at best. The being that stood before me was almost transluscent with wings spanning the entire width of the small room. At the tips of his white wings were steel spikes as he was adorned in a warrior's accoutrement with a seal of a golden lion on the chest plate. The sword he wielded contained runes inscribed on the blade which appeared to glow in a pulsating fashion as if imbued with flame. The top of his head surpassed the nine-foot ceiling and had to duck slightly. The next thing he spoke to me changed the rest of my life. He merely said, "There is work to do."

Prologue

Woman

She is DAUGHTER, FRIEND, MOTHER, LOVER, WIFE...
Stronghold and foundation - the pillar of balance. Even a towering man of
bronze skin with a six-foot-four frame will turn to her in time of need. She
is....my rib...my flesh of my flesh...molded to curvaceous and voluptuous
perfection by the hands of The Most High Himself. Long, curly locks with
enticing lashes guarding sparkling oval eyes which give insight to what the
mind is thinking. High cheekbones and, oh! The lips...the lips of a woman
are a unique aphrodisiac that serves as a key to the heart's lock. Neck to
the shoulder; shoulder to the fingertips. So delicate and fragile yet still
firm and deliberate in architecture. Curves everywhere - bosom to backside.
Hips with dips. All the way to the base of her precious frame where polish
covers the extremity of nails. She is nature....she is nurture. Babes suckle life and are coddled through fear and discomfort. Friends will cry on her shoulder..and she will cry with them...and perhaps share a laugh for closure. She tells you the truth before you lose your way in the clouds...She reassures you when you're afraid to aim for the clouds. Her passion for the little things draws you closer until your curves compliment one another in unity. She is shy and she is brave. She is strong and she is delicate. Flesh of my flesh. I am man. She is woman and I love her dearly.

To Be...

From the curvature of my upper lip to the way I push out the bottom....to the stern look on my face....voice, sometimes imposing...I usually see a reaction when a woman looks into my eyes. Always a reaction. Put your lips against my neck...the taste of a man....African...American...from the jungles of Malawi to the edifices of populous U.S. city beurocracies...a warrior nonetheless. No spear. I think with my weapon - twice as lethal as gun powder pushing lead. Intellectually satisfying and somewhat challenging. Broad shoulders wrapped around your torso embrace the overwhelming feeling of safety, comfort...and submission. Standing upright at six-foot-four inches tall with skin of bronze possessing a base which can still catapult 255 pounds of...me...through the air to push the leather through the hoop and hang on the rim screaming epithets...A man of joy and love, a man of mystery and resolve, a man of strength and endurance...I'm a man...I'm just happy to be...me....