No man is an island, not even a peninsula

Family Ties.

The worst thing to be in this world is lonely.  Even if you are successful, that feeling of accomplishment is extremely short-lived if you don’t have anyone to share it with.  I can’t say that I’ve ever met an unhappy person who has people in their corner that love and support him. There’s absolutely nothing like being a part of a family.

Long time... no speak...

Old Friends

As I stepped off the stoop of my mom’s house, I looked down the block and saw you leaning against your car.  I was on my way out but I headed over to where you were and asked, “what’s good?” to which you replied, “Same ol’ s**t”.  You asked the same question and I responded quickly with “Chillin… workin, ya know.”  When we were kids, our interactions lasted for hours, but now our relationship is reduced to a two-minute exchange.

Why didn't you vote for her?

Pride and Prejudice

In 2008, history was made when we elected a black man President of the United States.  Given the years of slavery, the Jim Crow laws and other institutional obstacles that plagued the black community, President Obama’s triumph marked incredible progress and change.  However, I’m not sure that we as a country have made as much progress as we think.  Because of all of the major candidates for President in 2008, the person with the least chance of winning wasn’t Barack Obama.

Stay in Line like some skates...

The Lineup: October ‘10

What I can’t live without: Playoff baseball.  You couldn’t pay me to watch a baseball game in June but I absolutely love playoff baseball.  To me, there’s nothing like the crowd’s reaction when there’s two strikes on a batter with two outs left in an inning or the feeling of momentum during a late rally.  Must. See. TV.

(UNrelated: Yankees championship dreams – smh)

Probably won't recommend this to be Netflix'd

Burned

My roommate asked me the other day if racism factored in my decision to stop watching the show Boardwalk Empire.  I explained to him that since the show is based in the 1920’s, I expected to see some racism and rather I thought the show was boring.  I then told him that shows almost never bother me because I’ve dealt with racism for so long that most of the shock has worn off.  Later on that day, I realized that wasn’t entirely true.  In fact, there was one movie that thoroughly offended me; so much so that I tried blacking it from memory and refuse to watch it again.  It is truly the worst movie that I’ve ever seen.

Sam Cooke said it, now pay attention.

Growing Pains

Like most men, I have had the same leather wallet for over a decade and if you were to look inside it, you would see a small plastic pocket that is large enough to fit two quarters.  In a world of ATM’s and credit cards, you may have forgotten just why the wallet manufacturers made an attempt to ensure that I have a place for those coins.  Well before cell phones made it into the hands of millions, you kept a quarter or two in order to use a pay phone.

Making you cry...

Love/Work

Would’ve came back for you

I just needed time, to do what I had to do

Caught in the life, I can’t let it go

Whether that’s right, I will never know

Hope you forgive me, never meant wrong

Tried to be patient, it waited too long

But I would’ve came back, would’ve came back for you

- Drake, “Paris Morton Music” (2010)

Stop me if you heard this before…

“I want to be with you, but I’m focused on my career right now”

It is said that men avoid commitment and they use their career as an excuse.  Well being a man who has done the former and has been accused of the latter, I am here to tell you… don’t believe everything that you hear.