Living in the past!

A lot of people tend to let their past dictate their present and structure their future.It makes no difference where they presently are in life because the past anchors them.For most of us it holds feelings of fear,doubt, hurt and misery.In some cases there is joy ,satisfaction, a feeling of self worth.No matter what the feelings are, the past should stay where it is, in the past. The future is not guaranteed the only thing that matters is what you have done now!

For so many people their cry is "if only I had this now" or "if this hadn't happen to me I would be here".When they get to the point they wished for they still can't appreciate it because they are always living in yesterday.Their eyes are clouded with the smoke of a past life blinding them to their bright present.So live today as if it was the best moment in time.Be grateful for what you have in your possession now. I may not be the world's smartest man but there is something that I know.

Now is the appointed time!

A truly great week!

(Sung to the Christmas tune "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year")

Its the most wonderful time of the year
With sharks that are biting
Blood and sharp teeth it will have you in fear
Its the most wonderful time of the year
Its the hap-happiest season of all
With predators preying and lot of maiming
I will have a ball
Its the hap-happiest season of all.

Yes folks it is "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel.One of my favourite time of year (James Bond week a close second).I am fascinated by sharks and their predatory nature.An amazing fact that I learned last "Shark Week" was that some sharks are on the verge of extinction for being hunted too much out of fear for them.Imagine what that would do to the ecosystem.I am not much of a television watcher ( more of a movie guy) but I will try to catch as much of "Shark Week" as I can, I love it!

Which brings me to talking about my two other joys,the Internet and the Discovery Channel.Besides books the best ways to retrieve information.When I want to learn about document management,or about accounting software,or when I am looking for that 2nd mortgage the Internet is the place.When I want to learn about dirty jobs,the most deadliest catch or "Shark Week" ,the Discovery Channel.

When these two forms of media no longer exists then I know that western civilization has finally collapse!




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Reality bites!

Recently I ranted about reality shows and their authenticity.Late last night I saw an episode of "Hogan's Knows Best" and there was a glimmer of reality that touched home.For those who aren't familiar with the show ,it is where cameras follow wrestler and entertainer Hulk Hogan and his family.The episode I saw showed where he and his wife were having problems and seriously considering divorce.

As always there where some theatrics,but the realism was when they went to a counselor and they aired out their problems.A lot of problems in a marriage are commonplace but that episode was like holding a mirror to it and the reflection was my relationship.As I watched in silence,every scene seemed to be taken from my life.The problems talked about,to the way they see each other was so similar and as my wife and I watched, I couldn't help to wonder what she was thinking .

It was like a show called "Our Marriage" ,Hogan and his wife were the cast and our day to day life the plot.If this episode was scripted they have done a good job.Watching I did not see them I saw my wife and I.Whatever the case may be it spoke to us.

My philosophy on most experiences in life is that I am not the first one to go through them and I won't be the last.This episode ,scripted or unrehearsed has shown me that. Unlike that episode though all won't be solved in half an hour.

Life just isn't fair!

Yesterday Atlanta Falcons quarterback,Michael Vick, pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty.He was met by throngs of angry protesters who booed and jeered him.Obviously he has been found guilty in the court of public opinion even before the U.S. courts begin their trial.Animal activists have threatened to picket and boycott N.F.L. games if he is not dealt with.Keep in mind he has not been found guilty of anything yet.

On the other hand Lindsay Lohan was arrested again for DUI.She failed a sobriety test , she carjacked some dudes, kidnapped them, had them on a high speed chase,almost ran over her assistant's mother and then turn around and said it was the black kid who is driving.Car theft=federal offense;kidnapping=federal offense,attempted vehicular homicide=state and federal offense just to name a few.Was she greeted by protesters and angry people threatened to boycott any studios which produced any media format with her in it?No.Where is MADD and SADD?

Both things are despicable in my sight if they are found guilty of any of these charges but I assure you Lohan will get a slap on the rest while Vick's career will be over and
he will get the maximum penalty.Lohan's image will be enhanced as a "Bad Girl of Hollywood" and probably make more money,while Vick will be shamed , disgraced and financially ruined.

Lohan a potential killer of people,Vick a suspected killer of animals.One a lil white girl the other a big black surly man.I love animals as much as the next guy but human life is far more important to me.Shit I am a meat eater you have to kill animals for that.If racism isn't playing a part in all this then a bear doesn't shit in the woods.

White America like Common says in the his song "The People" ......"more concern about dogs and yoga".What a mad, sad state to be in.

Thank you Lord

In all things, give thanks.

Busted

Man vs. Wild the survivalist show that airs on Discovery channel featuring former British special forces officer Bear Grylls has been busted for being fake!The survivalist shows concept is that Bear and his camera are dropped in the harshest of environments with a flint and knife and he goes about showing viewers how to actually survive conditions.

A British station that airs the show made claims that instead of roughing it out totally during each episode, Bear and his crew actually on more than one occasion stayed at a motel.Then the magic of editing set in and made it to appear that he was still "in the wild".

Being a testosterone filled male I have watched the show a few times.Even though I wondered how an island boy like me would ever get stranded in places like the icy plains of Iceland, I thought the survival info was worth knowing.Once again reality bites!

The wave of so called reality shows has come to the point of ridiculous.Real life isn't that exciting all the time.Reality shows are pumped at as because it saves alot of production companies money by not having to pay writers but still collecting the same amount of advertisers' dollars.To air a show that writes itself.

I guess Bear Grylls found out the truth,real life isn't that easy.In order to entertain you have to use some theatrics.

What next!

Every time you turn around there is some health report of what is good and bad for you. A recent report is now saying that diet soda isn't good for you!What next!Vegetables and fruits.....ohh I forgot they aren't good for you because some companies uses pesticides in their growth process.


UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

One minute chocolate was bad now it is good then bad again!Food is like a comic book heroe who turns bad and good as the series goes on.It seems these health experts are really not that trustworthy if they can't make up their minds about what we should eat.I never was one for people telling me what to do.I rarely listen to so called experts because they are usually experts paid and bought by lobbyists.


In this world with ever increasing choices someone is always trying to steer you towards their choice.And that what this is really all about.We know generally which foods are bad for us especially if you are like me, a person who has been fighting the "Battle of the Bulge" all their life.But this is getting ridiculous.

As for me I will eat and drink as I see fit.The real key that I have found is moderation and exercise.Basically that is the key to healthy living!

The week ahead

This week feels like it !This will be the week when it all comes together and my plans come to fruition.I feel good even though I ended on a bad note last week.Today is a fresh start one step closer to coming full circle!

Death of an angel.

Tammy Faye Messner, the former Mrs. Tammy Faye Bakker has passed away at the age of 65 of colon cancer!Tammy Faye along with her husband Jim Bakker built a tele-evangelical empire in the 80's.It came apart in disgrace under claims of fraud and all kinds of criminal allegations.Her trademark,heavy makeup and the Bakker's lavish lifestyle was funded by them bilking millions of faithful supporters.

I try not to pontificate when I do entries,and definitely this is not one of the times.The story on one of the newsfeeds was followed by some mean spirited comments as well as some good one, as they always do.When this scandal took place I was a young boy but understand that the Bakkers had done one of the most heinous crimes imaginably in the Judeo-Christian world;using the name of God for profit.I remember my grandparents watching their PTL show religiously on Sundays( no pun intended) ,as it reached even our local Bahamian T.V. station.They might have even made a contribution.

Like the rest of the world I gloated when they were caught and smiled inside when on Sundays at my grandparents, the T.V., for that time slot, fell silent . I found out later that not only was I happy but also their colleagues were. They attacked their empire like vultures and shared the spoils. Tammy Faye got the courage to divorce Jim and Jim did some time.The Bakkers gave many if not all these tele-evangelists their start.Their lives a living testament to the do's and don'ts in tele-evangeling 101!My general view was good riddance and they deserve exactly what they got.

But then it was a secular show in a strange sort of way that changed my view about Tammy Faye and even Jim Bakker himself.After watching the Surreal Life and seeing Tammy Faye interact with her cast members eventually even becoming friends with Ron Jeremy,one had to be Attila the Hun not to forgive her for her transgressions.Not hearing from her in years and the Surreal Life putting her in the limelight,I went and read up on her via the trusty Internet.

Her life after PTL is one that is tragic as well as inspiring.She lived her life through the shame, disappointment and eventually cancer with her head up and holding firmly,it seems, in her faith.The Fall (as I call it) not only destroyed her but it altered the lives of her family,especially her children.You might not agree or even despise her religious views but one can admire her conviction to her faith in a age of wishy- washyness.When she gave a speech on the show ,I think it was at her book signing, it had an effect on all her fellow cast members.She basically said not to let fear rule your life.By the amount of people at the book signing and their comments, it showed me her life inspired others.At that moment, she earned my respect and received my forgiveness.

I grew up with Christian values and hold most of them true.One thing I believe in is that God does things for a purpose.Tammy and Jim Bakker's life and fall from grace is a testament.Don't mess with the Big Man's name for your glory. It is reserved for His.Also, that which He breaks, He can mend so that others may be healed.It is human to sin but divine to forgive.

Rest on Tammy Faye,my condolences to her family.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade! So true Tammy so true.

Staying out of trouble

It is sad when in a society our youth must take part in extracurricular activities just in order to keep them out of trouble.Parents and guardians have plunged their children into these activities, whether it be arts or sports so that these kids are not delinquent.There was a time when kids partake in these activities to further develop talents that they had.Now they are just truancy programmes.

During my youth I never took part in these camps and clubs and I never got into any serious problems ( adulthood was a different story).A fist fight here and there,stealing fruits of a neighbor tree but that was it.There were many other boys like me.But nowadays it seemed like the youth want to be hardened criminals before they reach 18.

Where does the fault lie? How do we solve it?Are parents at fault?Is society so malfunctioned that our youth follow suit?Where ever the fault lie I know the solution is not a simple one and it must be a conscience,collective effort.Keeping them busy won't do it.Where there is a will there is a way.We must kill the will.

A higher population

For years growing up in the ghetto I have heard that drugs were bad.Now everyday I turn on my T.V. I see an ad for a new drug to relieve some type of pain. The ads then tell you of all kind of side effects.Replacing one discomfort for another.So what is the different between illicit drugs and these? Drugs such as cocaine,heroin,valium xanax are all man made drugs which are being used by the medical profession.

Alcohol and tobacco have killed more than most of these drugs combine but yet is still legal.Marijuana is still criminalized even though it is a natural substance and been found to have many medicinal purpose.The cries that today's marijuana ( even the term marijuana itself is a racist term geared toward Hispanics "1937 Marihuana State Tax") is more potent than yesterday, for me, falls on deaf ears.

These pharmaceutical drugs are being constantly being recalled for some adverse affect they cause.Governments are not investigating if these companies knowingly put these drugs on the market with the adverse affects but yet will spend millions and millions of dollars to incarcerate a drug user.Why not spend this money on rehabilitating the user or prosecuting these companies? I saw a pamphlet of a list of pharmaceutical drugs and the list seemed endless.

These companies are the legal "Pablo Escobars" and should be grouped as "Cartels".Granted some of these drugs are very helpful but I think these companies are going too far.When since do I need a drug for restless legs,my goodness just rest your legs.I am not a fan of illegal or legal drugs because I have seen what abuse of them could do.But don't lie to me and tell me one is bad, the other good when you know it is the exact opposite.

You know what it is,whose pockets the profits stays in.If it is in the elite pockets,good, the not so elite,bad.We won't even begin to speak on where and who most of these companies test these drugs on that's another criminal topic.Shameful.Lies have become truths.What message are we sending kids?Any discomfort you feel just take drugs.

Better living through chemicals!The harmful store bought kind!

Just a thought!

Sometimes life can get in a rut.Home ,work,home work.A change of environment will give a new perspective of where you are and possibly where you are going.Taking a different route to work can make a difference.Being at a standstill in life is depressing but it is up to you to make the change to reach your full potential!

Rumour and Urban myths!

On May 2 2007,fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show to officially debunk a rumour that said he had made racist statements on an earlier Oprah show.Oprah herself said it was false and that Hilfiger had never appeared on her show until that point.The statement was claimed to be made about Blacks and Asians.

I am not one who is sympathetic toward fashion designers because most of them take part in sweatshop practices but this is an interesting development.Hilfiger has appeared because it is obvious that this rumour has had a negative impact on his image and sales.The two most important things to any designer, looks and money.

The situation to me has a positive and negative aspect.It shows that to truly protest in America the use of economic warfare is an effective method."Withhold your dollars, make em holla".The downside is that a rumour can destroy a person reputation and livelihood.It was probably started by a competitor who is either too lazy or not innovative enough to compete with Hilfiger.Decreasing Hilfiger's market share increases theirs. A despicable way to earn profits but so is running sweat shops with no union representation and poor working conditions.

Maybe I need to start a rumour that Eugene is rich and has lots of cars.I might get to appear on Oprah to debunk the myth.Worth thinking about.

Hot Ghetto Mess!

There is a new show called Hot Ghetto Mess which is suppose to be aired on BET in the near future.It claims to be a show which will put a mirror up to the black community in America and help it to reevaluate itself. According to BET execs the show consist of viewer submitted videos and man-on-the- streets interviews.It has been reported that several sponsors have pulled out with out even viewing the show.

The show's concept is from a website with the same name , created by a black lawyer from Washington D.C. who is now a BET executive.

I have been to the website it doesn't hold a mirror to the black community it just puts a camera in it.The websites is full of photos of so called "ghetto" fashions.While I think some of these styles are ridiculous, why criticize, it surely doesn't help.This seems to be more of a fashion police website than anything.The creators throw in a few Martin Luther King JR. quotes and this is suppose to be the checkpoint.

I haven't viewed the show yet but if I had to make an assessment of the show just from the website ( the video section is You Tube on booty overload) I would run too if I was an advertiser.The sad part is, like myself alot of people will probably view it because of the controversy surrounding it even before it aired ( a win- win for BET execs) and we will see Black America once again exploited by her very own.Uppity blacks sorry, Afro Americans,against ghetto folks. Another way to conquer and divide.

I like the show's host Charlie Murphy so I hope the BET execs promise of the show exceeding the website is a truth.Dave Chappelle held a mirror to the Black community, I guess they are trying to ride of his success.Hope they are saddled in well!

Just a thought!

No matter what you do in life someone is always disappointed in you.The people in your life have expectations of what your life should be like .If you try to live up to their expectations you never seem to please them.Parents especially are guilty of this and so many kids are discontented and rebellious.It is natural for parents to want what is best for the kids but a person must, for themselves, figure out what is best for them at some point in their lives.

You should never have to live your life walking in someone else shoe or living in someone else shadow.For some of us this is ideal so that when things mess up, we have someone to blame.What really happens is that you find out you have wasted precious time accomplishing nothing and being miserable.

Be realistic with your goals and your dreams . Whatever you do try to live a life where you have made a positive impact on society,no matter how small.

Hoorah for New Jesey!

Miss New Jersey won the decision to keep her beauty crown after someone attempted to blackmail her with "inappropriate" photos she had taken in the past.

Who cares.

America is at war,flooding and disaster everywhere,Africa is constantly at war,crimes are being committed,human beings are triumphing over insurmountable circumstances and this the best the media houses could do.

If you want to take the viewing public's mind of catastrophes come with something better than a story about beauty queen moments of minor indiscretions.

Besides the photos weren't even nude.Go figure.

Just a thought!

Why is it that what consumes us can destroy us?Sometimes our desires are all that we can see and want and everything around us is a blur.We want something so bad and most of what we want is not good for us.The pleasure,whether it be for a moment or an eternity is what drives us.It is what makes us take chances.It is what makes us risk ourselves so that that part of the brain which experience pleasure can be subsided.We numb ourselves to the consequences at that one moment.But it is still there gnawing at us,pricking our conscience.The physical want to be pleased, overcomes all the sense and for that time etched in the universe,the want is our master.Enslaving the need to survive,the need to be trusted and respected.

Execution for bribes!

Recently the Western World fears have been heightened by the discovery of tainted products, ranging from toys to toothpaste, that were imported from China.One of the Chinese officials first reactions after investigating the problem,was to execute the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration Zheng Xiaoyu.It was found that he had accepted $850,000 in bribes so that companies could register their products without doing necessary checks.

The results was dog food tainted with the toxic substance melamine,toothpaste with toxins as well as other products found to contain toxic materials.Chinese toothpaste has been banned and pulled of shelves in Panama and the Dominican Republic.China exporting revenue has been threatened and officials there have began a serious crackdown on food and export products safety.

What a drastic, cold and chilling concept; execute officials who accept bribes.Enron could have used some of this "Chinese Justice" as well as countries in the Caribbean,Africa and Latin America.Instead of sending them to medium to minimum security "golf course jails", execute them if by taking bribes they have cause the public health and safety to be compromise.I doubt if we in the West could handle such a concept, but it is something to think about.

When much has been given, more is required.

The Bahamas

Happy Independence day Bahamas!

Egos

The other day, a junior coworker of mind asked me a heavy loaded question.He asked how I felt that I now had to answer to my supervisor who was once my peer?Figuring he wanted to start some strife and knowing the type of egotistical person that he has become I thought briefly before I answered.

My answer was, that first, I don't have a ego when it comes to that sort of thing.This particular job didn't define who I am.Secondly what separated me from my peer was that he was willing to do,without question,what the higher ups wanted and I wasn't. That was why he was promoted and I wasn't considered.Thirdly I was there to provide for myself and my family,nothing more nothing less.And last I really didn't want the responsibility of dealing with jackasses like himself.


The conservation ended and it dawned on me that we as men really have big egos.If Albert Einstein was our boss we would have a problem with him." Ohhh he thinks he knows everything". If the inventor of our equipment was our super we would have a problem." I know I could have designed something better than that."

Having confidence and being egocentric is two different things. Confidence, other people can see in you and will earn you respect.Egocentricity, only you can see in you and everyone thinks you are an idiot.Confidence is natural while egocentricity is superficial.

I live my life according to what I believe is right and refuse to let an ego get in the way of enjoying the human experience!

House repairs

Have to do some home repairs today.The life of a alpha male never ends!

Crossroads

At some point in a person's life,we reach a crossroad. A point in one's life where we must make a decision that will probably alter the course of our lives, perhaps forever.We can make our decision based on several factors. Many people make theirs because of heavy peer pressure, culture influence, weakness, fear,or just common sense.But if you carefully analyze the choice of your life's journey, it is based on you.You still have the final say no matter how insignificant the moment is.Outside stimuli might pushed you towards your decision but taking the first step is still in your hands in most cases.

Everyone has been at a crossroad or many crossroads in their lives.For me it came one day as I was locked up and was about to face either jail time,incarceration in a mental institution or both.

Growing up I had positive influences in my life but at the same time negative ones. My habits and thought process seemed to be genetically encoded in me , handed down from generation to generation.I was taught to do good but somehow always drifted towards that dark part of myself.The part that just doesn't give a shit.The part that wanted to do whatever I felt like doing.

But then that crossroad came!A decision had to be made to either keep going down the road I was heading and suffer the consequences,or try to live another way.Change is inevitable and hard.Change is necessary.Change is growth.That is what happen then and there without knowing what would come out of the situation,I chose to live better.

It is a constant struggle for me.And there are days that I feel bloodied and battered but never defeated.This is a constant.Until the day I stop breathing my intention is to experience as much positive and fulfilling experiences as possible.Bad things do happen and you have to just be equip to deal with them.

Your choices and decisions do affect you!

War and taxes!

There are some war opponents in the USA who have taken radical pay cuts in order to not pay taxes which has been attributed to building their war "machine". There are others, in the past, who refuse to pay taxes and have been jailed or heavily fined.Monies have been taken directly from their salaries or from their bank accounts.

While I am not anti or pro war,I believe that fighting and taking up arms is sometimes necessary to ensure tyrants and despotic rulers do not spread their disease of oppression.What I am pro about is the belief that a man must do everything within his powers to ensure that his family's needs are taken care of.If by taking these pay cuts , one's family suffer, especially children, that I do not agree with .The head of a household be it male or female has a duty to provide for their family.It isn't an option.

While it is a noble and bold gesture we should "render to Caesar what is Caesar's",besides freedom and liberty does come with a price.

Life

Live one moment ,one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself now is the appointed time!

Music

I often wonder why music seems to touch your soul.It truly soothes the savage beast.Whatever emotion I am going through I can always find music for that mood.I am a listener of all types of music,which is good because I have all types of mood.

On the beach here in the Bahamas, there is no other lovely music than rake n scrape and the music that waves make splashing on the beach.One to hype you up, one to calm you dawn.Laying back in the sand , hearing the seagulls chirp,the soft crash of the tide and your own breathing can take years of your life.


In this stress filled world music can be a stress buster!

The Three Main

One evening last week,after work, two old friends and myself went to a pub and had a few drinks.We met up with some other guys whom I knew but not personally. As we drink and consumed some appetizers,we caught up on things going on with one another.I noticed though that whenever male bonding is being practice there are three main topics of discussion,sports,women and politics.


These are not the only things we talk about but these are the core subjects on which the entire conversation experience is based on.Sports has a wide range of material from ,our amateur ranks to our beloved teams and players.No sport is taboo.Politics a more polarizing subject, begins locally and then the entire geopolitical sphere can be discussed.These two can often lead into heated debates but all in good nature. Women are a general consensus topics.It is never really personal but men generally talk about wives or girlfriends or both!Other topics follow from religion to cars to anything in general.


All in all male bonding is one of those things that separate us from the animals and add an element to our social fabric.The human element.These types of gathering, for some of us, are therapeutic and it is a break from our normal, most often mundane lives.I believe if governments met in such fashion over drinks and appetizers so much of the world problems would be solved.That evening we solved most of them with enough time to go home and catch a movie on cable!

Fear!

Fear is the great crippler.If you allow it to, it will stop you from being who you are.Fear will grip you and help in all your failings.