Love Me or Hate Me

Love me or hate me, it's still an obsession
Love me or hate me, that is the question

If you love me then, Thank You!
If you hate me then, F*ck You!

Go on then, go 'head report me
I'm English, try and deport me.

Starbucks Experience

I just got home from Starbucks, where I was greeted by a very lovely voice with tons of energy and excitement. I was so impressed with her attitude, I engaged her and started responding with tons of happiness and energy.

Then she mentioned as I was smiling, "You have a beautiful smile!" I was just about to say, "Do you have a camera" when she piped up and said, "Yes we do have a camera and u do have a very beautiful smile." I was starting to turn red, but moved up to the drive thru window to pay for my Tall Carmel Apple Cider w/o whipped cream ($2.30).

When I got to the window the same lovely voice accepted my Visa card and another guy w/ a lot of energy handed me a my drink in a Venti ($4.08) cup, not a Tall. On the side of the cup, was written "To the guy w/ a great smile." Followed with a smiley face (see example --> :-)

That definitely created a WOW factor for me and despite their expensive price tag, I will continue visiting that Starbucks because they know how to dazzle and amaze their clients.

Clarity through Feeling

It's not what you say, before we start to play. It's what you say after that makes me want to stay.

Blame it on the rain?

The title reminds me of fraud, lies, and false-hoods. If for a moment you can recall the Milli-Vanilli scandal that rocked the American public in the 1990's with the discovery that they lip-synced their way to winning a Grammy. Talk about sketchy. YIKES!

That is exactly how I feel about every story related to "Global Warming". If it's too cold outside, it's because of Global Warming. If it's too hot outside, it's because of Global Warming. If I sneezed because my nose itched, it's because of Global Warming. GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK! I do not dispute our global climate is changing because of the things we as humans are doing, but seriously...can we find another "thing" to blame?

The US Northern plain states are experiencing a warmer-than-normal winter. Seasonal birds have not migrated south for the winter, blah, blah, blah.

To make a change, there has to be smarter people making valid, reasonable, and concrete suggestions, correct? Obviously, we are not smart enough to stop making gas-guzzling cars and SUVs, so why not teach our future voters/tax payers/drivers to be more efficient? But since we are all wrapped up in appearances and perceptions - who would look cooler a 16-year old driving an economical Toyota Prius or a sexy full-sized Land Rover? Where is the incentive to leave gasoline powered cars behind and opt for something more efficient?

True, there is a tax credit for the 1st buyer, but what about the family who cannot afford a $25K new hybrid (which may not include the dealer mark-up)...what if they can only find a used one? The RESPONSE IS "Sorry folks, nothing for you. Enjoy your over-priced used Hybrid!"

So, rather than just target "Global Warming" as a newly discovered token word of the week - Let's shoot for a global overhaul on vehicles. I know the technology is expensive, but if large oil companies can get tax-credits and not pass them to us, why can't car manufacturers get huge tax-credits and say pass them off to purchasers as well? It's merely a suggestion.

Dawn of a New Day

So, here we are - another year behind us and birth of the New Year 2007. What will this new age mean to you?

All the statements and resolutions mean absolutely nothing unless you actually believe in them. Often, I am perceived as shallow and impervious to feelings less than skin deep, but I am determined to make someone else feel proud!

"I am stepping out of the ordinary. I can actually feel my soul ascending and you can do the same."

Welcome 2007 - may we all have an amazing & dynamic year.

One of these mornings

One of these mornings,
it won't be very long.
You will look for me,
and I'll be gone.
I'll be gone.
I'll be gone.


Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends.

"Ascension" was painted by John Pitre

Life is a Journey.

I saw a great movie this holiday, Cars. I know, I'm probably the only person in the world who has not seen this movie, but I must say it was, SPLENDIDLY DONE.

Cars has a great story, great characters, and great soundtrack. I admit, I am not a country fan, but hot damn Rascal Flatts are some bad ass guys! Their cover of "Life is a Highway" is brilliant. I first heard these guys as their song "Bless the Broken Road" played at a friend's wedding.

My point is about the movie - sorry, I tend to get side-tracked often.

Impressed by the words of Nissan Motors North America founder and race-inspired "Father of the Z car", Yutaka Katayama:

Love Cars. Love People. Love Life.

See ya on the road of life...Enjoy the Ride!!!

Dots of Life

When I first arrived in New York City, it was this cluster of massive dots, all jumbled and disconnected. It was pretty disorienting.

I hung out with my family and met new people. They introduced me to more people. All of a sudden, I find myself sharing stories of friends back home and looking forward to keeping the new ones I met here.

I like to think from God's perspective it all makes sense. We are not just dots, instead we are all connected, and it's beautiful, and it's funny, and it's good. We cannot expect it to make sense right now, but I believe I have learned something important from them and them from me.

Maybe that is the glory of faith - it is not something external but something you possess inside. And it's beautiful, and it's funny, and it's good!

This is me

Live from New York, a city that can make some and destroy many - I just finished reading a quote that reaffirmed my belief in me:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

As I continue to uncover all the talents that make me, me, I look forward to seeing and learning what makes you, you!

The US vs. John Lennon

In the words of a musician and political activist John Lennon and his quirky wife Yoko Ono:

"All we are saying...is give peace a chance."

With a similar war waging on in Iraq and after watching the subject title documentary, I have realized, we are dealing with the same situation like the Vietnam War. However, this time, we do not have stand up persons like the Black Panthers or John Lennon to command that type of media attention. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the Dixie Chicks were "blacklisted" by the establishment/government.

In a world of confusion, conflict, and continued hatred towards everyone - I now understand if I want to make a change, I must be my own activist and vocalize my feelings/thoughts - then and maybe only then will we be ejected from all this despair.

Real Definition of Peace

In a world of war and violence, this is something to remember:

Peace is much deeper than the absence of war.

BELIEVE THAT!

God Hates America because...

I had a pretty fun evening with some friends tonight. We all went out to dinner at a local place called Fric & Frac, and somehow we got on a topic about a military funeral where a man and his followers from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS were protesting with this slogan:

"God Hates America because of Fags"

While thinking more about this situation, we uncovered some tongue-in-cheek satire that we are going to start sharing with other people. I've found over the course of history, many people find irony and humor in things they are oppressed by, so here are our ideas and slogans going forward. Basically, those people being judged will not find this organization as effective as they try to be.

Here are some sample ideas we'd like to introduce to the world:

God Hates America because of Kia
God Hates America because of ugly people
God Hates America because of stucco
God Hates America because of Lite Beer
God Hates America because of the AOL
God Hates America because of shag carpet
God Hates America because of the state of Montana
God Hates America because of the mullet hair style
God Hates America because of the color lavender
God Hates America because of trailer parks

As you can see, the people who are going around "preaching" this crap are pretty insane. I too have come up with random stuff to say why "God Hates America...". Does any of this really matter? No! Does anyone really care about this mess? I hope not. Can I get a National Talk Show? Let the Bidding Begin Now!

I think as more people encounter these types of protests and are quick to come up with their own rebuttals, the church's protests will lose it's effectiveness. Do not let this crap overwhelm you or consume you - only one judges and it's not the church of Topeka, KS determining if you are welcomed or not. Honestly, I just do not get it. It would seem more reasonable to get more flies with honey than vinegar. If I had never heard of Christ or Christianity before, I would not want to be in a faith that would say/do things like this. Ah, this is where the inbreeding begins...I get it now!

It's war Ladies and Gentlemen. It's not a physical war, but a war on craziness. I am no "Bible thumper", but I do not believe we can cherry pick topics in the Bible and target a group of people to attack.

I guess I am ready to step up to the plate and take on the world...Get ready, I'm busting loose. I'm ready for the challenge.

Value of Your Worth

Here is my hypothetical question...

OK, let's say that your employer calls you in for a meeting and says the following:

"Hi, thanks for meeting with us today. You do an excellent job and we admire your work & brilliance. To enhance your selling power of yourself and the company, we request only one thing...you maintain a weight of 135 lbs. give or take 5-pounds for your height. If you can maintain that position while working for us, we would gladly pay you X amount of $ per year."

When presented with this question, what would you do if X was defined with six digits?

Philoso-Me

There are a billion monkeys sitting at a billion typewriters typing. Last year a monkey typed "Romeo & Juliet" by accident. One of the monkeys typed a local weather report. Another typed a Michael Crichton novel that Michael Crichton won't write...for 10-years. And another typed the story...of your life, all by accident.

A billion monkeys sitting at a billion typewriters, typing. Who can say when they have exhausted every possible combination...of our 26-little letters? Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day they'll be done.

So when our language is spent, and we're all out of words...what will you say?

Saturday, 3 a.m.

Here I am wide awake. Waiting for time to mend this part of me, that keeps on breaking...

At 1:21 a.m., I received a call that my youngest cousin of 19 years old passed away. She could not sustain her life battling sickle cell anemia.

After a few hours or crying and thinking, I recalled all the wonderful memories I have to share with my future family. Details about a cousin who despite all odds survived and accomplished her goal of graduating high school.

This may seem trivial for you, but unfortunately, many people will not get that opportunity for whatever reason.

As I am sitting here reflecting on the different aspects of life, I wonder how can so many things cause people to be so cruel. What was that point in their lives that made them deviate from good? It may sound philosophical and all, but I guess tragedy causes me to think "Big Picture".

My cousin, Rebecca Byrd, freshman at the University of Texas did what she could for as long as she could. I watched her call up to heaven and I watched crawl down through hell, I still can't get over you and I know I never will.

Nothing I say can bring you back, I've got nothing left to show, but wonderful picture and memories of our time we spent hanging out with your folks! Rebecca, I will always love you now and forever, Rest In Peace and may God and Christ welcome you into their kingdom of peace.