9/11

As the memorials and tributes become far and few between, don't forget to remember.  Don't forget to remember what happened on that day. Don't forget to remember the evilness that exists in the world. Don't forget to remember those who parished.  Don't forget to remember to live your life and cherish those that share that life with you..

It's almost over and it seems so fast.  Hopefully, you've enjoyed your summer as much as I've enjoyed mine. I had my first trip to Hawaii and I don't know why I don't live there..LOL

It is such a great place that shows all of natures beauty, from the trees, beaches and the sunsets.  Fantastic night life and of course shopping..OMG!  I can't wait to go back.

Had a great time this summer and it's not over yet, so gotta take in some Mariner games and hopefully a Seahawks game before the weather turns cool. The fairs and festivals this summer have been very refreshing.  However, we do need a local Blues festival in the Seattle area.

Enjoy your summer!

Okay, I haven't updated my page in a while, so here ya go. Sporadic ramblings by Mocha.

 - Your Job -

Become a YES man/woman. Today's economy has been trying to turn me into just that. Mind you, I have never been an azz kisser, but this is not the economy to be unemployed. So, if you gotta stroke a MF's ego, learn how. At the end of the day you still need to put food on the table. Protect that because these fools can be off the chain when they think they have a little power.

- Your Love Life -

- Love don't concquer all. Search for passion. Be honest with what you need and don't settle. --- Don't be lonely, do something...there's nothing worse than meeting someone who is LONELY or worse yet, if the lonely person is you.

- Get out of bad relationships - Act like you're thankful if you're in a good one - Stop being so dayum picky (you prolly need to lose a few pounds too)

- Self Esteem - Like Kat Williams said, it's esteem of yourself, so can't nobody take that away from you. Recognize if you've let your self esteem slip and take it back. If you have trouble getting it back, I have plenty to spare, you can have some of mine.

- Your Soul - It sounds very simple doesn't it? Take the time to do nothing. Rest, meditate, go for a walk. Plant some tomatoes, buy a dog or fish, take a class on something you've always wanted to learn, go out for lunch and get away from the office gossip. Go to glamour shots, buy that suit you've had your eye on, actually use your gym membership, buy those twinkies (just don't eat them all..lol), ask that girl out that you've had your eye on, get a new hair cut. You get the drift.

- Your child/grandchild - So often we forget what's important, so let me list a few here. - hugs - call them for no reason - stop cursing around them - teach them to respect themselves/others - tell them you're proud of them - teach them about money..every day - ask them what's going on in their life (here is where we learn what is making them hurt. Bullies, suicide thoughts, friends or no friends...etc) - don't over react - don't ever just be their friend - tell them you love them - teach them about abstinence and sex - listen

- the economy - It ain't getting any better and is sure to get worse. As hard as it is to do, here are some things you can do. - Eat less meat. Have a grill cheese sandwich and soup, it costs less. - Shop sales and ask for a better deal. - Make an attempt not to stress about it. "It's gone be what it's gone be"...you can quote that..LOL - Stop spending needlessly. If that 42" tv is a fantastic deal...don't buy it if your savings account isn't equal to what you're spending. - Know what's going on...read, listen and pay attention. - Have a garage sale - get rid of anything that you're not using and someone else could ..make money in the process. You can also put it on eBay or Craigslist, but be careful if meeting strangers in person. = Save money, even loose change

JMO

It's a new day people. A new country, a new President and a new you. You are a different person next year. You are not the same ole person you used to be. In 2009, you are the best you that you can be. You have more money, you are skinnier (if you want to be), you are healthier, you set goals, you achieve goals. You brush your shoulders off to leave the haters behind. You surround yourself with more positive people. You stop drug use, you stop getting drunk, you look at the world in a different light. You wake up before noon, you look for a job and take what you can, you look at your finances and get your house in order. In 2009, you stop co-habitating for convenience (if you like it, put a ring on it), you begin to respeck (respect) eachother and love like you mean it. Or, leave it alone so someone else can. You teach your children about life. You teach them to do chores, count money, appreciate their belongings and communicate with you without repricussions. You teach them that people and relationships mean more than anything else. You teach them that education is the key to success. And last, you leave your kids a legacy to remember and live up to. You leave them a trust fund, you leave them real estate or just leave them a head start. 2009, if a new day....for you!

I had a conversation with a young Morehouse college educated Brotha yesterday and it went a little like this. Him: How do you put this moment in perspective and what can you share about your past? Me: I was 10 years old when MLK was assassinated and on that nite in Chicago there were riots, looting and violence. My family and I were standing on the sidewalk watching the flames and smoke..while men folk tried to keep our homes from burning. The white firemen were on the opposite side trying to keep the businesses from burning. Mayor Daley called the National Guard who drove army tanks down my street while megaphones blared 'We have orders to shoot to kill, please return to your homes' Him: Oh my God, I never knew. Me: Yeah. That's why it hurts me to even see a Black republican who says 'I pulled myself up by my bootstraps'. No you didn't!!!! You rode on the backs of those couragious Black people that sacrificed so you wouldn't have to. Him: Thank you for sharing that with me. I have a new perspective now and understand why my Mother was crying. Me: I have never considered myself an American and have always refused to call myself an African-American. For 2 reasons: I've never been to Africa and this was not my America. Don't get me wrong, I always knew and was grateful to be here. I never pledged allegiance at events..Hell, I just started even standing up a few years ago. But, I woke up Wednesday morning and for the first time in my life that I was an American. I am proud to be a Black American now. Him: Wow, I felt exactly the same way. I was still sitting down..lol, Now I gotta stand up for real. ---Share your Black American Conversation