Electricity, Jay
/
Act II: Patents of Nobility [The Turn]
A Gift and An Opportunity
/
Last week I told Brian he was selfish for not thinking of others / only thinking of himself.
This week he won a $30 Target gift-card and bought himself t-shirts [prep for ETES Fourth-Grade Field Trip] and a watch for me, the gift.
While that was not my intent, I kept the gift [& gave him back the $ he spent on the watch] and used this situation as a teaching moment, the opportunity.
Read MorePush Me. Pull You.
/
In completing my work I'm always in awe of the inspiration others provide to/ for themselves. Vision boards, sticky notes, a screensaver, refrigerator magnets, pictures,
... infinite.
Read MoreCause and Effect
/
Pragmatic discussions with my mother always spark a thought. Either challenging my point of view, providing a new way of thinking or confirming my own beliefs.
Read MoreFriday Night Sensory Inputs
/
NBA on ESPN, players playing
A gust of wind pushes through, wind chimes chiming
Coconut oil fills the air, The Future moving closer
Black, leather iphone case adds weight & comfort [rotates to landscape]
Last bite of Break Fast for dinner; tomato, cheese & egg [white] on wheat.
No antipathies.
Running
/
I've sourced these social streets for running tips and I've received great advice in addition to a few highly personalized choices. The real take away is that running itself is highly personal. There are millions of running communities, however we are all just one... alone in a crowd. If you polled a million living souls you would find they all do it for their own reason, for me it not only benefits my body but also my head.
Read MoreLife & Music. Sail Out
/
I’ve expressed my love for music & ya’ll know I’m a bit kooky. I often relate things happening in my life to the music I am listening to. While it is not specific to the songs lyrics or meaning; a phrase, a verse or the hook may spark a thought.
Life set to Sail Out, Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo
Read More7N Beatties Ford Road
/
A little over 2wo weeks ago the TramueLites were down to one vehicle while the other was being serviced.
First world problems.
The merciless god of perfection aligned the stars on this day; everyone having to be in different places at the same time. I was working an alternate schedule that required an earlier in-time, Brian had tutoring before school, Geneva had choir rehearsal before school and Michelle had to sharpen her sleeping skills. I’m kidding [because sometimes she reads my post], but no seriously. She chauffeured the kids and I rode the city bus.
Read MoreThawing Ice
/
I returned to work on the third day of February after a brief leave of absence. Without system access I partnered with co-workers, I believed it was a good idea to exchange ideas on streamlining individual processes and/ or working more efficiently.
The corporate culture is problematic for me in that we are expected to participate in team building exercises as if we are a family but competitiveness in this "pay for performance" environment is anything but. Also, I dislike my input not being valued [regardless of my contributions to the team] simply because I do not seek validation for something I'm paid to do.
Pay me, don't stroke me.
Read MoreBeauty & Balance
/“What protects you in this world from sadness and from the loss of an ability to do something? … Work and love.”
Throwback Thursday
/
November 2007.
Scene: Business luncheon for social purposes.
I was dining with my direct manager, our portfolio manager and a team of portfolio managers from servicing. Our team managed commercial loans before they were packaged into securitization. Portfolio managers from servicing managed pools of loans after they are securitized. This is relative.
Not so random observation: The restaurant was located in the Gateway Village which has been a problematic location for restaurants. I’m witness to three great concepts unable to maintain.
Read MoreFine Tuned Sensibilities
/
Today I exchanged emails with an ex, it was standard operating procedure; How are you doing? How are your people? We both have sons that graduated high school recently, so how each of them chose to navigate their way into adulthood was the theme of our discussion. Also, there was the subtle mention of “even the little one.” When we were together she adopted a dog so I assumed she was referencing him. I’m pretty quick-witted and quick with it, but it took me a few messages before I decided to ask how Rocky, the Bijan Frise was doing [that dog hated me, his favorite bone was in my leg] to which she replied I gave him away, he was getting out of pocket.
Pause.
Read MoreThoughts (We've Got)
/
The Low End Theory
Without fail every woman in each relationship sector; family, friendship, vocation and a four letter word beginning with L and ending with E require the blinds to be open upon awakening.
I believe I'm alive, functioning and able to maintain strictly from the prayers of my mother, sister(s) and The Future. "I have the desire to do what is good, but I can not carry it out." Romans 7:18
I've unsuccessfully attempted to honor my male body. Never have I stated "this time will be different" however I have and it has. Learning from my failures I've cut out high-fat foods, I've begun to eat more broiled and baked chicken, turkey and fish, fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts and I've completely cut out sugar. No more #SweetLife. One of my goals for 2014 was to get everyone in the house on board, it has been mildly successful [others won't give up the sugar completely] and contagious. Family and friends have committed to healthier living.
Read MoreGood for the Soul
/“It is a tremendous gift when we are able to be fully present for another human being in times of pain and suffering without moving to fix or solve or push away the emotion.”
Monday Musings... or What's on My Mind Right Now.
/Borrowed theme from author Diane Dorce's blog Miz's Write For Life
No matter my activity level in these social or real streets there is one constant anytime I return; singilism, a term coined by expert Bella DePaulo, Ph.D. that refers to the stereotyping and stigmatizing of people who are single. The conversations are one-sided, being single from a male perspective is missing or I follow and know too many single women.
Just prepped a few pieces of Salmon. I will pan sear and bake them for myself, (Michelle will make Salmon croquets for herself, Geneva & Brian for dinner) I'm in a no fry zone. I prepared breakfast for the family; bacon & eggs nothing significant, nothing I haven't done a million times. Maestro at my feet, begging for scraps. Brian on the couch playing Xbox. Michelle and Geneva still in bed. For all that I do I never get acknowledge for it. "Thank you mom, breakfast was delicious." Even the dog, after throwing him a few scraps worships Michelle.
Nothing but bad news for a few members of my extended family, close friends and co-workers this past week. Often I pray for others more than I pray for myself. I'm not afraid of bad things happening. I’m afraid of good things not happening.
I've seen a couple of events play out in the media and on twitter, I caution folks not to give into "Positive Image Mentality"; a phrase coined by Nelson George that suggests that the crux [among other things] of Black upward mobility is the concept that we must reject any and all information that highlights the flaws of African-American lifestyles & nuances, whether they are blatant truths or stereotypes.
Women be shopping & talking.
I've learned that there are things you shouldn't have to apologize for. Things I won't apologize for ... saying no, my introversion [desiring alone time to think, read, pray, sleep or whatever], not feeling well.
I Am.
Needs Vs. Wants
/
When I think of needs I think of basic necessities; shelter, food, health care, clothing and transportation. When I think of wants I think of ‘things’ or activities that increase our quality of life. We are advised to wait 30 days before purchasing an item; somehow we’ll likely realize how little we really desired it && the opposite, being advised to live life to the fullest; that we work hard and that we should play harder.
Read MoreExosphere
/“Stars have aligned as
the planets collide. I’ve lost
my mind to worse things.”
Dope.
/Amiri Baraka (1934-2014)
Rest.
Random Observation #2,915
/I have friends, co-workers and family members who always offer their opinion or love to make the conversation about them. What I haven't figured out is if this is simply their communication style or if it really should always be about them. I recently had surgery and wanted to keep folks informed, what I received from some were personal stories of failure and what I would do's if I were you's. Unlike the Compassion of Others.
I'm pretty good about self-solving [TramueL's Law: A theory is better than its explanation] but I'm also not afraid to ask for help when needed. My be you [tiful] mind broke it down so it is forever and consistently broke.
In communicating; verbally or electronically I will follow TramueL's Law:
Self-reference. I will regularly use "to-me" language. My views, value judgements, beliefs, assumptions and conclusions are my own. Just like everyone else.
Non-aggression. I will refrain from personal attacks on living souls who disagree with me; no calling out their name, talking about their mama, sarcasm, covert tweets or shade.
Providing advice. I will provide advice only if solicited. One of the keys to giving advice is knowing when a person actually wants it. I have a girl that is a friend that calls or texts to complain [sometimes daily] but she does not want advice. Even when there is a problem with a clear solution, she will ignore it and continue to complain. At those times, I realize that she only seeks to vent and get the thoughts out of her head. No solution is being sought nor will she implement one in the future.