I never met this man. He died a couple of years before I was born. He is my Uncle. My father's older brother.
I say this because it is truly amazing how many of his personality characteristics I embody.
My father loves to tell the story of how Jr. would sit out in front of our funeral home in downtown Athens and speak to the people walking by. He would always speak..."Hello Mr. Smith, Good Morning." Nothing wrong with that right? Well I pity the fool who comes back down the same street and speaks again! Jr. would curse up a storm! He cursed a lot. (So do I.) "Damn, didn't I just speak to you? You don't have to keep speaking. I have more things to do than sit up here and speak to you every time you walk down the damn street. WTF is wrong with you?" That's basically a paraphrase but you get the point.
I am the same damn way. If we have spoken once for the day. I am cool. Unless something else has occurred that needs my attention. But in no way do I want to talk to someone 5 times a day. WTF? And really that includes some of my friends and family. Ugh.
I know that may sound cruel and mean. And I should be thankful that people find me so engaging that they want to continue to engage me. But some days I don't. I want to be left alone.
Instead of understanding I get "You are just being mean", "You need to let more people in your life", "You are selfish". So the FUCK what?
I can't be who you find so engaging unless you allow me the time to regroup. To find myself again. Let me be.
Remind me to tell you about the time Jr. shot a whole in his door to prove a point.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The BlackList...
I am late watching the Blacklist on HBO...I DVR most of my TV viewing...
I loved and relate to Gwendolyn Brooks...
I read numerous articles regarding the doc and began the viewing believing that it was the same ol same with the same Blacks who are always quoted. However, for me it was not the case.
Beinging the piece with Slash, someone who most Americans believe is Jewish and not bi-racial, he is not one I would expect to be included. Faye Wattleton, Vernon Jordan, Zane, Suzan-Lori Parks, Dawn Staley, and many others. It is a testament to our race, our struggle, and our accomplishments.
And who knew about "The Blacks" a troupe governed by Jean Genet spoken of by Lou Gossett, Jr.?
Of course there was Russell Simmons. We know he will be always asked for his opinion. And rightly so. Just like we ask for Jesse, Al and John Lewis. We always ask the old heads because they bring a prespective. Russell is an old head in the hip-hop game. Don't hate. We still need Russell, because the mess that is out there has to stop. But I digress.
There was Puffy. Diddy. Whoever. But his monolouge does not matter. What matters is the doc incorporated other accomplished Black Americans from Government, Business, the Arts, and we are those people. Black people are seeing. Believing and having a new idea take root that they can become something other than what they see everyday. Whether you come from a long line of Dr.'s or a long line of hustlers. You have a choice. Make your choice and do not allow someone else make the choice for you.
I loved and relate to Gwendolyn Brooks...
I read numerous articles regarding the doc and began the viewing believing that it was the same ol same with the same Blacks who are always quoted. However, for me it was not the case.
Beinging the piece with Slash, someone who most Americans believe is Jewish and not bi-racial, he is not one I would expect to be included. Faye Wattleton, Vernon Jordan, Zane, Suzan-Lori Parks, Dawn Staley, and many others. It is a testament to our race, our struggle, and our accomplishments.
And who knew about "The Blacks" a troupe governed by Jean Genet spoken of by Lou Gossett, Jr.?
Of course there was Russell Simmons. We know he will be always asked for his opinion. And rightly so. Just like we ask for Jesse, Al and John Lewis. We always ask the old heads because they bring a prespective. Russell is an old head in the hip-hop game. Don't hate. We still need Russell, because the mess that is out there has to stop. But I digress.
There was Puffy. Diddy. Whoever. But his monolouge does not matter. What matters is the doc incorporated other accomplished Black Americans from Government, Business, the Arts, and we are those people. Black people are seeing. Believing and having a new idea take root that they can become something other than what they see everyday. Whether you come from a long line of Dr.'s or a long line of hustlers. You have a choice. Make your choice and do not allow someone else make the choice for you.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Community organizers have inspired and written good books
Last week, a political candidate took a swipe at the work of community organizers, in an attempt to denigrate the work of another political candidate who was once a community organizer.That attempt to score political points on the backs of people who do good work in this country bothers me.It bothers me a lot.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Update-Sgt. Courtney Gale
Wanted to update on the happenings of Sgt. Courtney Gale who I have posted here and here.
Quick synposis...she was attacked in a Kroger while on duty and nearly lost her life. She spent time in Atlanta at the Shephard Center to relearn how to do the basic life behaviors.
Well look at her now!
Recovering officer to dance with Athens stars
By BETH JONES beth.jones@onlineathens.com Story updated at 11:31 pm on 9/10/2008
Courtney Gale receives applause after it was announced Wednesday she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.
Rebecca Cheney, left, hugs Tammy Gilland after both women won slots in the dancing program as the People's Choice winners Wednesday.
Courtney Gale shares a laugh Wednesday with her dance instructor, Ron Putman, after the announcement that she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.
Courtney Gale came close to death after she was stabbed in an Athens Kroger last year.
Now, nine months after the Athens-Clarke police officer was attacked while working an off-duty security job, Gale feels strong enough to lace up her dancing shoes.
Pat Priest, co-executive producer of Dancing with Athens Stars, announced Wednesday that Gale would be one of 12 local stars in this year's fundraiser.
"I told her I would do cartwheels if I could when she said, 'yes,' " Priest said.
This is the second year of the event, which will be held March 1 at the Classic Center. It raises money for Project Safe, which helps battered women and their children.
Organizers of Dancing with Athens Stars approached Gale with the idea a couple of months ago.
"I jumped on the thought," she said.
The show, Gale said, will be a way to give back to the community, a community that supported her during her many months of healing. "I can't say it enough how much it helped my recovery," she said.
Gale's medical team gave her the go-ahead to participate if she followed one rule: Be careful.
"Just to be aware of my pain," Gale said. "Not to push it. Just to be aware of when my body says, 'Enough.' "
Although Gale still wears a leg brace and lacks some motor control in one foot, she's already started practicing with her dance instructor Ron Putman of Freedom of Movement in Oconee.
Gale admits that she's no Ginger Rogers. "This is going to be challenging on many levels," she said.
Still, she's excited to learn.
The attack, Gale said, taught her that life is fleeting. She wants to embrace every experience it has to offer - including the chance to cut a rug in front of hundreds of people. "It's about having happy moments," she said.
During Wednesday's kickoff event, Priest also named 10 other star competitors, ranging from music producer John Keane to state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
Beth Gavrilles, who competed in the first Dancing with Athens Stars, gave a pep talk to the next group of dancers Wednesday.
"You're going to get to wear a really cool costume," she said. "You'll become very adept at asking people for money."
Also Wednesday, Joan Prittie, Project Safe's executive director, announced the winner of Dancing with Athens Stars' People's Choice contestant, the would-be dancer who earned the most votes (with each vote bringing in a dollar donation to Project Safe). The winner will be included in this year's line-up of stars.
Voting for the People's Choice winner brought in a whopping $25,000 for the organization. Prittie was bowled over by the response.
"It became apparent to Pat and me it was going to be heartbreaking to pick a winner, so there are two," she explained.
Rebecca Cheney, a UGA graduate student, secured one spot in the line-up. Tammy Gilland, the senior director of constituents programs at UGA's development office won the other.
Other 2009 Dancing with Athens Stars competitors are:
Fausto Sarmiento, bank manager at El Banco de la Oportunidad
Mary Kay Mitchell, news director at WUGA (91.7 and 97.9 FM)
Dean Paul Kurtz, associate dean of UGA's law school
Theressa Dorsey, St. Mary's Emergency Center nurse
Paul Cramer, executive director of the Classic Center
Jim Moore, plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Stacey Venker, director of Tennis for Life
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 11, 2008
Quick synposis...she was attacked in a Kroger while on duty and nearly lost her life. She spent time in Atlanta at the Shephard Center to relearn how to do the basic life behaviors.
Well look at her now!
Recovering officer to dance with Athens stars
By BETH JONES beth.jones@onlineathens.com Story updated at 11:31 pm on 9/10/2008
Courtney Gale receives applause after it was announced Wednesday she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.
Rebecca Cheney, left, hugs Tammy Gilland after both women won slots in the dancing program as the People's Choice winners Wednesday.
Courtney Gale shares a laugh Wednesday with her dance instructor, Ron Putman, after the announcement that she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.
Courtney Gale came close to death after she was stabbed in an Athens Kroger last year.
Now, nine months after the Athens-Clarke police officer was attacked while working an off-duty security job, Gale feels strong enough to lace up her dancing shoes.
Pat Priest, co-executive producer of Dancing with Athens Stars, announced Wednesday that Gale would be one of 12 local stars in this year's fundraiser.
"I told her I would do cartwheels if I could when she said, 'yes,' " Priest said.
This is the second year of the event, which will be held March 1 at the Classic Center. It raises money for Project Safe, which helps battered women and their children.
Organizers of Dancing with Athens Stars approached Gale with the idea a couple of months ago.
"I jumped on the thought," she said.
The show, Gale said, will be a way to give back to the community, a community that supported her during her many months of healing. "I can't say it enough how much it helped my recovery," she said.
Gale's medical team gave her the go-ahead to participate if she followed one rule: Be careful.
"Just to be aware of my pain," Gale said. "Not to push it. Just to be aware of when my body says, 'Enough.' "
Although Gale still wears a leg brace and lacks some motor control in one foot, she's already started practicing with her dance instructor Ron Putman of Freedom of Movement in Oconee.
Gale admits that she's no Ginger Rogers. "This is going to be challenging on many levels," she said.
Still, she's excited to learn.
The attack, Gale said, taught her that life is fleeting. She wants to embrace every experience it has to offer - including the chance to cut a rug in front of hundreds of people. "It's about having happy moments," she said.
During Wednesday's kickoff event, Priest also named 10 other star competitors, ranging from music producer John Keane to state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
Beth Gavrilles, who competed in the first Dancing with Athens Stars, gave a pep talk to the next group of dancers Wednesday.
"You're going to get to wear a really cool costume," she said. "You'll become very adept at asking people for money."
Also Wednesday, Joan Prittie, Project Safe's executive director, announced the winner of Dancing with Athens Stars' People's Choice contestant, the would-be dancer who earned the most votes (with each vote bringing in a dollar donation to Project Safe). The winner will be included in this year's line-up of stars.
Voting for the People's Choice winner brought in a whopping $25,000 for the organization. Prittie was bowled over by the response.
"It became apparent to Pat and me it was going to be heartbreaking to pick a winner, so there are two," she explained.
Rebecca Cheney, a UGA graduate student, secured one spot in the line-up. Tammy Gilland, the senior director of constituents programs at UGA's development office won the other.
Other 2009 Dancing with Athens Stars competitors are:
Fausto Sarmiento, bank manager at El Banco de la Oportunidad
Mary Kay Mitchell, news director at WUGA (91.7 and 97.9 FM)
Dean Paul Kurtz, associate dean of UGA's law school
Theressa Dorsey, St. Mary's Emergency Center nurse
Paul Cramer, executive director of the Classic Center
Jim Moore, plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Stacey Venker, director of Tennis for Life
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Family Time
Been MIA for a while...life is still making me stronger. (You see how I am making it a positive?)
So this past weekend my cousin Chase who you have read about a lot on my blog finally had the opportunity to come home and spend time with the family. It has been 4 years or so since most have seen him live in living color.
While in Hawaii visiting him I thought of having a BBQ or something for the family to see him and wish him well on his 4TH TOUR overseas. Yeah 4th. 23 years old. 4 times over there. I am sure that is abuse and a crime. Anyhoo....
It was great. The family behaved like they had sense although I am sure everyone went home and had some negative comment. Haters. Love my family but we have haters. Unlike most times we come together we had majority of the food catered. No one wanted to ask our 81 year old Grandma to cook everything. Although she did fix the dressing. Man....you just don't understand.
Below you will find a slide show of some of the pics....I love my family and love the size of it. It was weird to see how much we have grown. 2 new babies. New wives and girlfriends. Cousins who we remember being born now in middle & high school. Goodness these children are making me old. I remember when it was just me & my brother. My brother is almost 11 years older than the next kid after me.
Ok...I am rambling...check out the slide show...
Aren't we lovely?
My Grandma is in orange...check out the genes! (You know we are still scared of her. Even her children. They remember the backhand.)
So this past weekend my cousin Chase who you have read about a lot on my blog finally had the opportunity to come home and spend time with the family. It has been 4 years or so since most have seen him live in living color.
While in Hawaii visiting him I thought of having a BBQ or something for the family to see him and wish him well on his 4TH TOUR overseas. Yeah 4th. 23 years old. 4 times over there. I am sure that is abuse and a crime. Anyhoo....
It was great. The family behaved like they had sense although I am sure everyone went home and had some negative comment. Haters. Love my family but we have haters. Unlike most times we come together we had majority of the food catered. No one wanted to ask our 81 year old Grandma to cook everything. Although she did fix the dressing. Man....you just don't understand.
Below you will find a slide show of some of the pics....I love my family and love the size of it. It was weird to see how much we have grown. 2 new babies. New wives and girlfriends. Cousins who we remember being born now in middle & high school. Goodness these children are making me old. I remember when it was just me & my brother. My brother is almost 11 years older than the next kid after me.
Ok...I am rambling...check out the slide show...
Aren't we lovely?
My Grandma is in orange...check out the genes! (You know we are still scared of her. Even her children. They remember the backhand.)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Quote of the Day
Shut out all of your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrows. ~ Sir William Osler
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Quote of the Day
Often we can achieve an even better result when we stumble yet are willing to start over, when we don't give up after a mistake, when something doesn't come easily but we throw ourselves into trying, when we're not afraid to appear less than perfectly polished. ~ Sharon Salzberg
Monday, September 1, 2008
Quote of the Day
How can you come to know yourself? Never by thinking, always by doing. Try to do your duty, and you'll know right away what you amount to. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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