Where faith lies...

Its more evident, moreso now a days, that man, likes to have there faith lie in man, and on the words man says, and not on things that arent seen... With the aligations placed on Bishop Eddie Long, it just goes to show that man, isnt trust-worthy at all... Its easy to believe man, but, is it easy to believe what they try to teach you? Is it worth falling in faith because of one man? Is his teachings worth your soul? Trusting man, without questioning intentions, logic, or even if what they are teaching is vital to life... Man hates to be told what to do, but loves the names that do tell them how to live life. Instead of man just leading us, to do right, and to warn us if we continue to go down the path we are currently traveling, we allow them to rule us... although we may have the freedom in politics, religion, assembly, and what not, we can't break the spell, of our dependence on man, as if they are our best friend... Now, the nature of man, is simple... we want everything, and we dont care who we beat down to get what we want... we always want to do whats wrong, for our own gain, our pleasures, our desires, whatever... Sometimes, we fall for the "love of man" so hard, that we abandon everything that we have been tought from birth... When you sit back and think about it, how many lies did your family tell you? How many secrets have they kept from you? Do you know of the losses before or after you? Do you know the sacrifices that they have done for you? Have they been honest when they told you? Are you sure? So, that kinda puts a bend in the whole love condition dont it? A great speeker, and philosopher said it best when it comes to love. Paraphrased, he said, that, no one knows what true love is, because, we are all conditioned to like, and dislike, certain things... if we were to really love, we would love everything, and everyone equally and without bias... again... its paraphrased, but its an enlightening word from J. Krishnamurti... If man, gets you thinking, and wanting to dig deeper into whatever it is, that they are saying, then its definitely from the heart. The heart, is the last trusted muscle of the human body... And even that, is starting to turn black, just like the hearts of everyone whos been hurt by man, in the many different forms of pain given by mans fears... just keep an eye out for yourself, and question everything.

::incert head-shake here::

Oh Friday nights... The temperature changes for the cool, the kids are running all around the new metal bleachers, and you cant really pay attention to the game, cause, you watch every MTV show happen in front of you, at the game... Tonight, I decided to go and witness a high school football game, for the first time in over 5 years... last time, I did, I was coaching, and left with the feeling of killing a kid or 2... Thank God, I never acted on those feelings, but, the stress, the accidents, and tickets, were enough to allow me to move on from that profession... I love learning what will and will not work for me. :) Easiest way to grow... But tonight, seeing 2 familiar faces, and a bunch of the same things that make me thank God EVERY FUCKING SECOND I am not in high school anymore... But it wasn't all bad. I got to sit down, and enjoy a pretty decent game from 2 pretty decent teams, although the score says otherwise, it was a thoroughly enjoyable game... The Patriots of Mt. Pisgah Christian School, took on the Golden Bears of Holy Innocents High school, and it was good to just see pure football again... the bad calls, the great catches, the hits, the weather, all of it... amazing. But, while talking to the father of one of the kids that I coached at Mt. Pisgah, I was explaining to him, why I hate some of these rules set for high school football... One rule, that I know is prevalent in Georgia is that after the score is separated by 35 points, they allow the clock to run... so, you literally play 12 minutes... And, I don't agree with that... what is the lesson that the kids should learn? Cause that's not sportsmanship... that's bullshit! So, if the score is 35-0 they will just run the clock... I don't like it at all... how are those kids to learn how to tough it out when the world is beating you down? How are you to teach the kids, how to win with grace, and allow your teammates to have a chance to gain experience? I just don't like it at all when rules are made to keep kids from learning how to deal... Maybe about 7 years ago, Georgia made a rule that said, if the state championship game ends in a tie, then it ends in a tie... Reason why they made that rule, is because, as the story goes, a young man, who was a kicker for one of the teams in the championship game, (I don't have the details, but you can probably look it up), missed a game winning or tying field goal, and ended up loosing the game... later that night, committed suicide... so, they made a rule that said, that, if it ends in a tie, its a tie... over one kid who couldn't huff it... really? now, I don't mean to sound insensitive, but seriously!? That is crap... since then, the rule has been revised, but its just not pure football... like, if the ball goes out of the end zone on a kickoff, there is no return possible... its dead, and the ball goes on the 20. so, they cant return it or down it? They just stop the game so they can set it up? but, when its on the one, they can return it? WHAT?! I just don't get it... who are they trying to protect? I mean, they have on pads, and a helmet, totally upwards to 25lbs, not to mention, they a coached to play as safe as possible, so, why not allow the boys to fly around? KIDS ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE!!!! Tell me, when you watch kids, as they run free, they don't get hurt... they bump there heads, get up, and laugh and run again... they fall down stairs, laugh, and get up, just to do it again... they jump off of roofs, with umbrellas, trying to slow there fall, not knowing it wont, and back at it... run into walls, and making breakfast the next morning... so, for these rules are not protecting the kids, they are soaking the mothers worn out vaginas... They are made so they can sleep easier at night... and I think its bullshit... LET THE BOYS PLAY!!! that's all I'M saying...

SONG OF THE WEEK!

so yeah... last week, was too long to even think about the blog, but its a new week, and new music has been coming in and out of the record stores on my dime... this weeks song comes from Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio... He stands out in the group, cause, hes the only member that isn't black. HEH! but anyways, his side project is called Maximum Balloon, and its a GREAT album (self titled)! And it starts off strong with this seeks song, which is titled "Groove Me." This song, is exactly what is great about the overall band that is "TV on the Radio." Kyp Malone, has his side project called "Rain Machine." Tunde Adebimpe, is acting, and Dave is making the noise, and honestly, its amazing, that these 3, out of the 5 members of the band, can make such beautiful music together, and separately... With every song featuring a singer from either the band, or from another band... and it blends beautifully with there different talents... so, I highly recommend you picking up this album... but with no further delay, "Groove Me," by Maximum Balloon. Enjoy :)

Always in a goddamned marathon...

This week had to be the longest week this side of the year for me... but not only that, this has been a long stretch of time... going back about 3 weeks now, there has been in my world, about 5 different deaths that hasn't affect me directly, but has really affected those in the world, outside of my world... just in 2 weeks, there were 3 deaths has directly affected members of the University of South Carolina football team, the biggest one coming on Monday, when the reception and yards leader, legend, and all around good guy, Kenny McKinley committed suicide... One of our linemen lost his father before Saturdays game against Furman University, and on Sunday Night, C.C. Witlock lost his brother due to gun violence at his hometown of Chester, South Carolina... So, a huge bug known as death has touched the university... a friend of mines went as far to call God an "asshole," When a good friend of his was found dead 2 weekends ago, when the friends parents went to his house... that's sad... But no death is more important than the other... everyone gets affected, who knows the people who are affected... never an easy pill to swallow... When you loose a close family member, or if someone you know looses a family member, its never easy to try to help, cause all you can do is console... last thing anyone who's grieving, is to be given the same day bullshit... what I mean by that, is by being a friend... you know, trying to joke, and be funny... not the time for it... But the best way to honor the dead, regardless of how they died, is to live your life. Just learn the lessons, that are left from there absence, and move on to make your life mean something in there honor... But, like I said, this has been a very long week... Outside of the loss of life, I saw the girl I had a crush on, and her super awesome boyfriend... blah... And I think I'M getting sick... but all in all, I'M still kicking, and life is grand... I still have a job, I still have my health, and I cant complain about anything, except for the fact, that there is nothing to complain about... The lesson I think I was to learn this week is this... Everything has its time and its place... and although you may not agree with God's decision, or whomevers choices, just go with the flow, and you will be surprised, at how big the blessing is at the end of the change... So, keep running... and your Marathon will have an end, when the Good Lord is ready for it to end. :) goodnight.

SONG OF THE WEEK

If anyone knows anything about GOOD music, then you should know the name "Howlin' Wolf." This is one of the many artists that has graced the Chicago Blues scene of the 40's and 50's, and early 60's... He was recorded at the famous Chess Records Studio, where we have gotten the greats, such as Etta James, Little Walter, and of course, Muddy Waters... But what makes Howlin' Wolf stand out, is the fact, that he sounded different... With such a voice, it was made to sing the blues, and This weeks song, doesn't disappoint. Its called "Spoonful," and it talks about how just a little bit of your love, can make the world a better place... its a great song, and, it needs no explanation about the emotion, cause, its the blues! :) So, I want you to feel, and enjoy this weeks song, by Howlin' Wolf, Spoonful. :) Enjoy!

SONG OF THE WEEK

This weeks song, is the reason that, I should now listen to an ENTIRE album, instead of buying it for just one song... I finally listened to Fiona Apples' album "Extraordinary Machine," from beginning to end, and I found the most emotionally driven, yet subdue song of just taking time out, to think about what really means anything to you, and why things bother you, and what should, and shouldnt bother you... "Red Red Red," Is that song... Talking about how she dosent get complimentary colors, and the importants of diamonds... Its such an intresting, and beautiful song. What makes it the most beautiful, is how subdue, and mellow, she displays the rage. I cant believe that I have had this album for almost a year, and never heard it all the way through... I am glad that I did. Life lesson learned... if you buy it for one song, you will suprise yourself at how good the album is. So, with no further delay, I give you "Red Red Red," by Fiona Apple. enjoy.

FOR THE RICHARDSONS

So, as I write this, I think and say this... First impressions are EVERYTHING! Ive made many a mistake that made people think of me as what I'm not... And sometimes, you get that second chance, but its rare... This is all leading up to my first ever Georgia Tech Football Game... This past Saturday was probably THE MOST beautiful day Ive ever witnessed in a long while... It was just beautiful... Georgia Tech was playing The Bulldogs of South Carolina State University. Before the game, it was trying to meet up with family, and say hello, and exchange greetings, and all that good stuff... it was good to see John, Uncle Yank, and Lil Yank, Grandma, Al, Aunt Freida, and it sucks that I missed everyone else that was there, but oh well... Well, before the game, I went on to get into my seat, Section 129, Row 1 Seat 13. warm-ups just beginning, and I'm just sitting there, taking in the beauty of the day, and the stadium. And just before the end of warm-ups, I meet the cutest old couple in the world--The Richardson's... 2 alumni of SCSU, who has been married for years, and was there to cheer on there bulldogs... I was there to cheer on my cousin Yari King #13. So, ultimately, I was cheering for the bulldogs as well... But, in the splendor that is Gold and White, outlined with blue, playing the Garnet cladded, trimmed in Blue, the game wasnt what I was there to really observe... I was there to watch the crowd... Now for those of you who don't know... the majority of all HBCU schools fans are over the age of 60, and most of the time, they sit and watch the game, and dance when the band is playing... That's how its always been... Its not like the major universities of the SEC or the ACC, where you stand all game long... Well, The game started, and after the national anthem, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson sat down to enjoy the game... a little ways into the first quarter, this Asian lady came by to get her seat (section 129, row 1, seat 10), and she not only stood up, but leaned over the wall... to me, it didn't make no never mind... I could move around and make watch the game from either leaning over, OR, turning my head and watching the scoreboard located to my left... But, because, Mrs. Richardson couldn't see the game, she politely asked the Asian lady, if she could sit down so that her and her husband can watch the game, to which the lady said to her: "You know you can either stand up, or you can look at the scoreboard..." Mmhmm... OK, kinda assholish, but slide able... A little later, the same question was asked by Mr. Richardson, to which the lady responded with the same thing... So, after a little bit of game has gone by, the score by this time, I think, is 7-3 GT, the ladies husband comes to claim his seat (section 129, row 1, seat 9) and he commenced with the tradition of standing... Like Ive mentioned before, The Richardson's was well into there 70's and the nicest people in the world... Mrs. Richardson was pretty funny. Something about old people... they always have something funny to say, cause they've been there, and done that. lol And she was very knowledgeable of the game... it was fun. So, back to the story, Mrs. Richardson asked the man to sit down so they can see the game, to which he tried to get big with Mr. Richardson, talking some noise... now, I'm watching this, just making sure that this guy wasn't going to do an asshole move, cause, although I may not know Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, I wasn't going to allow anyone to try to make themselves feel big, by picking on the elderly... luckily, Mr. Richardson, didn't flinch in the slightest... This little man was trying to show that he wasn't scare, but, as the old saying goes "Don't start what you cant finish." And so after this thing, that claimed to be a man, tried to get in Mr. Richardson's face, he had his wife, who was obviously stronger than him, hold him back, and switch seats, so an incident wont go down... after that, it was over... People finally got tired, and started to sit down, and Everyone was able to enjoy the game... All of this should have been avoided... but it wasn't, cause Georgia Tech has made an effort to have fans that will respect there team, and the opponent, and make it a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone, friend or foe... The Gold Standard states:

THE GOLD STANDARD PLEDGE:
I pledge to honor and uphold The Gold Standard. I will strive to create a positive environment for my team and fellow fans. I will cheer for Georgia Tech, rather than against the opponent. I will conduct myself in a positive manner, showing respect, responsibility and leadership to Georgia Tech. It's up with the White & Gold...Georgia Tech is out for a victory!

This comes from the official GT athletic website... And, with this being played at the beginning of the game, and on the website, as fans, cheer on there team, regardless, should know what this is, these 2 shit suckers, did not show that initiative at all... So, that did not leave a good impression with me. Another thing that I noticed, that I didn't like, was the way the fans showed there displeasure with the resound that was and is The Marching 101 (SCSUs' marching band)... Because, the fans on the far side of the stadium could not hear there band play, they decided to boo the visiting band, because, they were the only thing that they could really hear... And The Marching 101 was very entertaining in all aspects, from the shiny silver sousaphones, to the passion that they played every note, I enjoyed what I heard... even the same nerds that were pissed off that they decided to go to a blow out and not to the True Blood Q&A at Dragon*Con, doesn't give them the right, to boo a band that clearly outplayed there own band... They are the same ones who was cheering them and applauding them after they played there portion of the halftime show... pretty classless I think. But the kicker was the douche bag frat fags that tried to sneak alcohol into the game, and got caught by there friend, who is campus police officer, were being dicks... the man, by himself, confiscated 8 flasks of alcohol from there fuck holes who wasn't willing to get drunk before, or after the game, and acting a damn fool, saying some pretty fucked up shit to the cheerleaders in front of us... Those pretty ladies, I must say, did a great job, although I wasn't cheering, I was watching there skill, and it was awesome to see how much time, and work they put in. That is commendable for sure. After the game, I said goodbye to the Richardson's, and I hope nothing but happiness for them together, cause, they were so cute and amazing, taking the bullshit from strangers, and its fucked up, that they had to go through that, but, at the end, GT's weaknesses was exposed, and it shows that, regardless of the score, Georgia Tech showed why the ACC sucks, and why SCSU is 4 time MEAC champions. But with all that said, I say this... My first impression with the whole game at Bobby-Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field, was one that I wont forget, but hate that I will remember... I was not pleased with any aspect of the fans around me, outside of Kevin... a GT alum who actually had since enough to just enjoy the game. Cool guy... I was not happy at how the fans acted, and it was something that I have learned, to never be around again... I just know that I will not be in that section again, BUT, I will definitely go to another game... but I will be cautious of the people that are around me. Georgia Tech should live up to that Gold Standard... especially those who graduated from there... and goes there, but wants to be the everyday frat fuck... Its embarrassing, and sad, and should be addressed... but I'm just one observant person from one side of the stadium... I don't know how it was elsewhere, but my first time, as fun as it was, was not a good first impression... G.T. (GET your shit TOGETHER tech.). Not to mention the refs mic wasn't working all game... In a school full of engineers, you would think that 1 person, could have had that working properly... STEP YOUR GAME UP GT! So yeah... Saturday was a day that was awesome. Goodnight.