Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!

This past weekend's White House Correspondents' Dinner seemed like a hoot.  At least, Jimmy Kimmel's speech was!  Maybe one day I'll attend one of these!  Heck, if Kim Kardsashian can, why, oh why, can't I???  Haa!

It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White

I just came across this YouTube video of a young lady discussing how she deals with Vitiligo.  I applaud her honesty and would love to share her story with anyone who stumbles across this blog post.  God bless her.  I think she's stunning!  

It's About That Time

All my life I have run/walked/crawled/skipped away from confrontation.  But, the time has come to make a definitive decision about the children's book I wrote last year.  At the time, I was psyched about collaborating with a phenomenal, young artist who lives in TX.  He created four, stunning illustrations for the book, then...nothing.  I have called him and left messages.  I have e-mailed him.  Still...nothing.  He eventually e-mailed a message that was written in a rhetoric he seems to enjoy but others find undecipherable.  Well, I understood it.  It said---without saying---that I need to find a new illustrator.  So, although I don't like the idea of having to move on without him, I reckon he's made this decision a lot less difficult than I thought.  Thus, it looks like my book and I are HAPPILY on our merry way to KEMPVILLE!

Final Notice

This woman, DIANA MEY, took on the malicious world of debt collection and has won some serious money!  No, she'll probably never see a dime, but I betcha she won't be receiving anymore calls from the debt collecting clowns, either!!  Yippee for the little (wo)man!!!

Criminal Justice

Jennifer Hudson on witness stand

Singer/actress, Jennifer Hudson, is currently in a courtroom daily during the multiple, murder trial of the man (her ex-brother-in-law) who allegedly murdered her mother, brother and nephew a few years ago.  I hope & pray justice prevails and, if the guy is truly guilty, that he never enjoys the blessing of freedom again!  God bless her.

That's What She Said

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14

Hug It Out

Several hours ago I was standing in the bathroom and heard a loud bang!  I immediately knew it was an automobile collision.  I went outside to investigate and sure enough, a car driven by a young woman had slammed into the side of a car driven by a young guy.  By the time I got outside, both of them were out of their cars and taking photos of the damage to their vehicles.  The young lady was weeping.  I walked over to them and both said it was their first collision.  She admitted that she was at fault.  She said her car was two weeks old.  And that it was the first car she had purchased with her own money.  Wow.  Before too long, her father and the young man's mother came onto the scene to offer their parental support.  Neither person was physically hurt, so that was good.

When all was said and done, I was happy that both parties were able to drive away from the collision.  Yes, emotionally, both of them were shaken up for a bit.  But I hope that they realize that their cars are only cars.  They can be fixed.  It made my heart jump for joy, though, that the young man and young woman might even become friends from this.  And I say this because I saw the young man do for the young lady precisely what I did for her within the first, two minutes of talking to her.  I HUGGED her!!!  Yep!  Sometimes a big, warm hug is just what the doctor orders to calm the nerves.  And you know what?  I fully intend to do it for everybody I encounter who appears to be in dire need of the same, tender, loving care!!!!!!

It's All Right

Here comes the sun.
Here comes the sun, and I say,
It's all right.

Food, sleep, friends, family and sunshine.  My reasons for LIVING!!!!!

Kim Kardashian's World

Yes, this is Kim Kardashian's world and we're just living in it!  Yesterday, she, her sister, Khloe and their mom, Kris, made an appearance at Woodfield Mall outside Chicago.  And sheer pandemonium ensued!  I mean, geez, look at the number of people who came out to get a glimpse of the woman.  And, yes, I'm willing to bet the farm that 99.9% of them in attendance were there to see KIM!!!!!  I gotta admit, she looked hella nice for them, too!!!

People can poo-poo her success all they want, but it's glaringly obvious that a whole heap of a lot of folks really like whatever it is she's got to offer the world!!  What I wonder, though, is what kind of head trip goes along with that kind of adoration.  Whatever it is, I bet she thinks it's worth it...For now, anyway!  God bless her!  And God bless those who adore her!!!!!!  Must be nice!!!!  Or, at the very least...interesting!!!

52 & Counting

Today marks the sweet 52nd birthday for my fun-loving, spirited, older sister, Honey!!!!!  I'm tellin' you, before I take my last breath on this planet, I'd like to have experienced at least a week of living life as FULLY as SHE does!!!!  God bless her!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sister, with your shaved head and braces-wearin' self!! :) ;)

My Lifelong Friends

&

Optimism

Without them, I'm NOTHING!

Caine Is Able

The story of this little 9-yr-old boy named, CAINE, warms my heart!!!  He took an idea to create his own arcade and made a lot of people happy.  Well, a lot of people made him very happy because of all the work he put into his idea.  God bless him!!!!  And may this world crank out more little 9-yr-old boys just like him!!!

Talk About Making An Entrance!

GCH Jaset's Satisfaction "London"

Last Sunday, while sitting on an oh-so-comfy couch with a resident in the assisted-living residence where I volunteer, I picked up a colossal, dog show magazine.  The resident has a subscription to the publication because she used to be a celebrated, dog show judge.  Anyway, as I flipped through the magazine, I came across an image that almost took my breath away.  The image was of a sleek, black, standard poodle named, "London."  Or, more formally: GCH Jaset's Satisfaction "London."  The "GCH" stands for Grand Champion. --- I'm tellin' you, London looks so majestic I suspect she has her own servants!  Geez, what a beauty!!!!!  Seriously, one look at that beautiful creature and I had to learn more about her; which I did right HERE & HERE.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel

Just a bit ago I did something I wasn't sure I'd ever do.  I watched a 3D movie!  And, dangit, I liked it!!  Okay, I didn't watch the film (Disney's Tangled) in its entirety, but what I saw, I enjoyed. --- I've steered clear of films in 3D because I was certain that wearing the 3D glasses would give me a headache.  Well, I placed the glasses over my own prescription glasses and sat back to enjoy the incredible spectacle before me.  And incredible it was!  Of course, watching the film brought me back to my youth when everybody loved Fisher Price's View-Master toy.  I'm tellin' you, technology moves at a lightning pace and I'm only doing myself a disservice by fighting it!!!  So, no more fighting it.  Now that I've finally given in and purchased a smart phone, I might as well see 3D movies and eat more sushi!!!!!  Haaa!

Not Guilty!

Today was my second time going downtown for jury selection.  And, just like the first time, I sat around the courthouse all day to be told I wasn't needed.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll be sent another summons within the next 18 months.  It seems that if you respond to a summons, you are on their "go-to" list from that point onward.  Once, I was even sent a summons via CERTIFIED mail!!! --- As always is my custom, I made the best of my time today.  I continued reading Robert McKee's, Story and enjoyed a delicious lunch at California Pizza Kitchen with my homie, Chris.  He works only a few blocks away from the courthouse, so, visiting him was a treat.  Oh, so was the lunch!!  I'm not sure why, but I always love it when someone else picks up the meal tab!  Haaa!

Mama's Song

One of my mother's most favorite gospel songs was, Precious Lord.  And nobody has performed it quite like The Queen Of Soul did back in the '60s & '70s.  The power and emotion in her voice could raise the hairs on even a bald head like mine!!!!  So, Mama, this is for you!!!!!!!

My Brother---My Friend

Today marks year 47 for my beloved, younger brother.  It amazes me the man he's grown to be.  Intelligent.  Kind.  Generous.  Hard-working.  Accepting.  Honestly, he possesses many of the attributes we all should strive for.  I deem his existence on this planet a gift to us all.  I hope his day is filled with everything he desires and nothing he doesn't.  Although my devotion to him is immeasurable, carrying the weight of his presence ain't heavy.  'Cause he's my BROTHER.

T.G.I.F.

I'm...

Okay, so today I resolutely made the decision to nail down the final drafts of three of my writing projects: a screenplay, children's book and novel.  A part of me feels a little bad that the illustrator for my children's book has quietly backed out of the project.  I say, "quietly," because I've sent him a text and left a voicemail, but he hasn't responded to either.  I've been around the block long enough to know that no response IS a response.  And virtually never leaning towards the positive!  Oh well, I'm gonna have to get on Craigslist or some other avenue to find a new one.  I don't remember everything my mama used to say, but I sure as heck recall her saying, "One monkey don't stop the show!"  So, a new illustrator is a-comin'!!!!  TRUST!!! And the screenplay and novel are gonna get tidied up so that they're salable, too!  Again...TRUST!  This ol' boy is finally steppin' out of a life of watching others live their highest lives!  I wanna join 'em!  And I SHALL!!!!! --- Feet & Faith...don't fail me now!

Acapella Separates The Men From The Boys!

I just HAD to post Luke James singing this song acapella!  DAYUUUUM!!!!!

Sing, Brother, Sing!!!!

Again I've been livin' under a rock, 'cause until a few days ago, I had never heard of a new, recording artist on the scene named, LUKE JAMES.  I stumbled across him on YouTube as I do almost everybody I hear for the first time.  What a vocal range on this kid!!!  I can tell you, if he comes to L.A. to sing live, I'm gonna go check him out.  I love a beautiful voice.  Just love 'em!!!!  God bless him.  And I wish him continued success!!!

I'm Writing This Post On Purpose!

I am watching Oprah's Lifeclass On Tour as I type.  Bishop T.D. Jakes and Lady O are discussing living our lives on purpose.  They are now talking to a young lady who is the legal guardian of her young nephew because his father (her brother) is incarcerated.  Not sure where the little boy's mother is.  Anyway, the aunt is feeling that the little boy is getting in the way of her life and she doesn't want to feel bad about not loving the boy the way she wishes she should.  T.D. and Oprah are certainly asking her some very important questions.  She seems to be truly listening.  God bless her.  And God bless that little boy. --- When I went to return my rental car today I saw one of my fave salesmen.  I told him I missed seeing him last Friday when I picked up the car.  He told me that he was away because he had to go back to AZ to get to the bottom of his two-yr-old daughter testing positive for cocaine.  Come again, I thought!  Turns out her mother was arrested last week with a DUI conviction.  The daughter was tested, too, for some reason, and, lo' & behold, she wound up positive with drugs in her system, too.  Now, the little girl is in the hands of Child Protective Services.  Wow!  I told the salesman I'd say a prayer for him and his family.  And I have.  It'll be interesting to find out how this all plays out. --- I am watching this Lifeclass because I am in the process of changing my life and living it on purpose.  I am too talented. Too kind.  Too smart.  And too ALIVE to NOT be living on and/or with purpose.  The recent, professional success of a guy I know has shaken me to my core.  I am genuinely happy for him.  Honestly, I am.  But I am also genuinely envious of his success.  And there's no reason to be because what he did to garner the success, I can do.  Plain and simple.  Sowing the seeds to get our professional gardens to grow is the hard work.  It's what separates the haves from the have nots.  I'm sick & tired of being the latter.  Enough said, though.  I have work to do.   

Pet Peeve #4

I can't stand when someone rings my doorbell and I'm not expecting a visitor and/or delivery.  Usually when I answer the door in those instances it's either someone wanting to sell me magazines or introduce me to God.  On a few occasions it's been a friend.  And once, shocker of shockers, it was a PAROLE OFFICER!!!!  And I had no idea the person renting my spare room at the time had any reason to have a parole officer!  Well, I'm saying all this to say that early this morning my doorbell rang twice.  I ignored it both times because I wasn't expecting anyone.  I went outside maybe an hour or so after the first ring and lo' and behold the ringer was simply sitting on the front stoop.  Waiting!  When I walked out of the house, he jumped up immediately and said, "Oh, I must be at the wrong house!"  Turns out he was looking for a guy who lives in the building next to mine, so he could get his taxes done.  Luckily for him I knew who he wanted and directed him to the guy's place.  Now that I think about it, I could have saved the fella a lot of time if I had just opened the door and helped him in the first place.  Oh well!!!!!  :/

Pass The Potato Kugel, Please

Potato Kugel

Matzo Ball Soup

I don't know how many Passover Seder dinners I've worked over the years.  Suffice it to say I've been to plenty!  I gotta admit, though, I love much of the food served at these events.  My all-time favorite is potato kugel; followed closely by matzo ball soup.  I know kugel is not for the cholesterol watcher like me, 'cause it's made with chicken fat.  But, hey, eating it once or twice a year works for me!!!  And with the matzah ball soup, the bigger the matzah ball, the happier I am.  I like them nice and spongy.  Yum!!!  The beef brisket is pretty darn tasty, too, as long as it's tender, tender, tender!!!  Well, tonight and tomorrow night I'll be feasting at Seder dinners!  Okay, working and feasting!  Haaa!  I hope & pray there's potato kugel at one of these dinners.  It isn't always prepared, so I'm keepin' my fingers crossed!!!!  

I'm Feelin' Goooooood

It's a new DAWN.  It's a new DAY.  It's a new LIFE for me.  And...I'm feelin' GOOOOOOOD!!! 

Pumped Up Kids!

I think I've been sleeping under a rock lately 'cause until today, I have never heard of the rock band, FOSTER THE PEOPLE.  And I have NBC's The Voice to thank for waking me up!  I was just on YouTube watching a battle round on that show and the two girls were singing a song I had never heard called, PUMPED UP KICKS.  Their performance was so entertaining to me that I felt compelled to look up the song.  When I did, I learned that the song was a huge hit last year.  And that the young band that originally performed it is a local, L.A. band.  Who knew?  Well, apparently lots of people did.  Now that I "know" them, I'm gonna have to listen to other songs by them.  Pumped Up Kicks is about a kid who feels isolated and shunned by the popular kids in school, so he fantasizes about coming to school and shooting "the kids in the pumped up kicks."  Hmmm.  Sound familiar???    

Extremists?????

This year is my first time observing Lent.  I have given up drinking alcohol and signing onto Facebook.  I just read this article about a group of young men in the Philippines who are observing Lent a lot more intensely than I am.  In my humble opinion, these young fellas are taking things a little to the extreme.  Geez!