Ok, So You're Doing Well...So What!!

I'm starting to see why people say, "it's lonely at the top". And the sad part is, I'm nowhere near the top! I noticed that as soon as I started doing positive things with my life, I accrued some haters! To make matters worse, these are some of the people who I THOUGHT would be in my corner. I mean these are people who know my struggle. Who know most of what I've been through. You would THINK they would be happy for me. I guess most people are only happy for you as long as you are in the same situation as they are, or worse. As soon as your situation gets better, or theirs gets better, the relationship strains until it becomes nonexistent. When you start to focus on your goals, there are going to be things you have to cut out of your life in order to do that. Sometimes it's something as frivolous as our leisure activities. And sometimes it's something as precious as a old friendship. Of course we would all like to sit on the couch, drink, smoke, and play video games with our friends, while amassing a fortune. There's only one thing wrong with that dream...IT AIN'T GONNA FUCK'N HAPPEN! The more you sit on your ass, the further you get away from your goal. Goals are targets...that MOVE! What's easy now, wasn't as easy ten years ago. And ten years from now, the same will reign true. I've said all that to say, don't go expecting a fucking party when you start doing well. Don't expect the majority of your "friends" and family to give a fuck. History has proven many things..and one is that, nobody cares, until you're rich. So while many will smile in your face, while having internal discomfort at the thought of your success, just know they are really thinking "So What!". They don't want to hear about your success...ESPECIALLY if they aren't having any. As sad as it may sound, I have learned that success is a dish best served, never. Keep your success to yourself. You'll have a small circle of people are genuinely happy for you, but even they will get tired of you expressing things and it will began to look like you're gloating. Nobody likes a show-off...so the next time you're around people who you THINK are your friends and you want to share how good things have been going in your life, do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up about it.

How Real is the Thirst?

I've noticed a disturbing trend amongst the social media sites. It's a term being coined as "thirsty". Not really sure where this new phrase spawned from, nor do I care much about who was responsible for the boatload of nonsense stemming from it. While the concept of the phrase is pretty simple to understand, it's true value to society is confusing. As I understand it, being "thirsty" is wanting or lusting after someone, often with persistence that may be perceived by that someone, or by others, as too much. I guess there's a fine line between being interested and being "thirsty'. Of course uninvitedly messaging a person everyday, multiple times a day, would be overkill. However, I'm noticing people clearly blowing things out of proportion. A person sends them two messages, or likes a few pictures, and all of a sudden, they're "thirsty". I mean it's Instagram, the whole basis of the damn site is for people to enjoy the pictures and interact! Whatever happened to showing a genuine interest in someone? What's wrong with persistence, as long as it's not disrespectful, or to the tune of psychotic behavior? I see the term often used towards guys. There are tons of beautiful women in the world, and it seems as though every one of them has a social media account. I understand your page is YOUR business, but if you are putting up half naked pictures of yourself in the mirror, you can't expect it to go ignored by all the perverts. I am by no means condoning the derogatory remarks or gestures you receive on a daily basis, but you must understand that this is just "the cost of doing business". I mean you DO want to be admired, don't you? Why else would you post a picture half naked, in the mirror, with your ass cheek on the sink while making "duck lips"? I know you women wish all the perverts couldn't get a social media account, but then again, how else could you get 1,000 likes on your low clarity homemade photoshoot? And guys aren't exempt either...they are taking pics in the bathroom as well smh. I don't care how many abs or biceps you have, when you have your shirt off taking a picture in the mirror, YOU DO NOT LOOK COOL! Of course you will get some likes and maybe even a few private messages from some "thirsty" women, but the quality women are going to say to themselves, "look at THIS clown". I know you've worked hard on your body and you like to show it off, but that's better done in person. Some things just have a better effect in person than it does online, and that my friend, is one of them. The whole "thirsty" thing is funny to me. People are provoking a certain type of response and then are turning right around and criticizing those who give them that response. And for the record, there are plenty of people who may appear "thirsty" by these twisted cyber standards, but are just genuinely interested in getting to know you. But life is so ironic; people who SAY they want true companionship will bypass a person who seems "thirsty," when all they really value is a little time and attention. Ultimately they'll substitute a "thirsty" person for a person who could give two fucks about them, just so long as they look the part of happiness. Maybe I'll just never understand.

Politics as Usual?

Sooooo. No matter how one feels about voting, I am sure most individuals at least appreciate the right they have to vote. As we know, many countries do not extend the right to vote to their citizens.  No matter how complex our system is, I still appreciate the fact that I can exercise my vote if I so choose. This year, that right was yanked from me. Like a thief in the night, the Election Board swiped my voting privileges right beneath me, and without giving me a fair chance to be able to correct the situation in time for me to vote today. They sent me a letter notifying me of their findings WEEKS after I registered to vote for this year's election. Whether I was going to vote today is irrelevant. Who I was going to vote for is irrelevant. What IS relevant is that I do not have the right. Somehow, the Election Board's records indicated that I am a felon, and therefore, am not capable of voting without a pardon from the government. Now, the issue here is I AM NOT A FELON! I have NEVER even been in a court room for anything involving a felony! I do not know who made the mistake, and really, WHO made the mistake is not important. The important part is that the mistake has been made. The bottom line is, this election is arguably one of the most important elections in history. It definitely is the most important in my lifetime. The fact that I cannot participate in it, deeply disappoints me. How could such a mistake be made, but more importantly, why can't such a mistake be corrected in a reasonable amount of time...especially considering the speed of modern technology. When I went to see about correcting this mistake, I ran into a brick wall. Not only do I have to file a formal appeal, but I have to wait 6-8 WEEKS before my situation will be corrected. I guess maybe by the time the 2016 election comes, they will have it all ironed out? What really struck me was that the receptionist I spoke with shared with me some disturbing information. She said that she has been working with the Virginia State Police and closely with Election Board for over 20 years; She stated that never in her 20+ years has she seen as many "mistakes" with people's criminal records when election day was nearing. After inspecting my letter, she was baffled at the form they placed on the back for me to fill out; she had never seen this type of form before. "Wow?" she said. She added that the previous election in 2008 was pretty bad, in concern to mistakes made with criminal records, but that this 2012 election has been disheartening to see. Not only with me, but with MANY minorities. WHY is the burning question....

YOU Said "They Ain't Shit," Right?

I'm so sick and tired of women AND men talking about the opposite sex "ain't shit". But who's the blame here? I mean think about it....you walk around screaming (or fb posting) to the top of your lungs that these people aren't right, yet you promote their behavior. Ladies, you met him WHILE he was still in a relationship...what did you THINK was going to happen? Oh, so YOU thought you was going to have one big happy f'n family with this guy??!! You THOUGHT you was "stealing" him away, huh? Let's be serious here!  You was simply borrowing him; he was NEVER yours to begin with. You let him get away with "having his cake and eating it too," then you want to be mad because he felt your expiration date was up, and tossed you to the side.  Don't try to apply his sorry ass to EVERY man you come across. People only do what you ALLOW them to do. If all these guys you are getting in relationships "ain't shit," what does that say about you? And yeah, I understand we ALL make mistakes, but when we keep making them, they are no longer mistakes, they are bad habits. And fellas, you're not exempt either. Y'all do the same thing! You met her in the club, and she told you RIGHT THEN, she didn't have a man, and didn't want one! YOU (like a dummy) got a taste of the goodies and decided you wanted to take the cooch off layaway and buy it. You probably thought it was cheaper to keep her, huh? Wrong! Some women are better left on the shelf! She still wants to do her own thing and explore; instead you're walking around with your cape on trying to save her. Meanwhile, everybody else is laughing at you, because they seem to get the point faster than you do. She wants to be FREE! She doesn't want to be stuck under your lame ass every night. She wants to party, have fun and go home with some random dick every now and again. And normally people might say she's wrong, but she's not! She TOLD you that from the beginning, but YOU thought you could rescue her. Now you're finding yourself salty, because she finally decided that your company was no longer worth keeping. So now you're gonna walk around saying women "ain't shit". Well, you're wrong my friend. You simply tried to make something out to be that wasn't. The saddest part is you'll probably do it again. Moral of the story is there are both good women and good men out there y'all, so PLEASE stop trying to compare apples and oranges.

Being PRO-BLACK Does NOT Make Me ANTI-WHITE!!!

     I am sure I bear several names; some I'll gladly accept, and others I simply view as nicknames that ooze from the faucet-like mouths of my naysayers. I'll start with one name that fits me "Pro Black" It is a term whose definition is ultimately ambiguous; so rather than make a fool out of myself trying to do so, I will instead give you my own personal account of how it influences my way of life. To me, being Pro-Black is a state of mind. I look to support my race. I look to encourage my race. I look forward to improving the future of my race in such that I start by first improving myself as a member of such a unique group. I failed to learn much of anything about my race while attending grade school, and as adult, I have realized that information such as that must be sought out; it is not given material. Am I wrong for wanting to become more knowledgeable about my roots? Am I wrong for preferring to support Black owned businesses? Am I wrong for taking pride in the one thing that I feel mainstream America holds against me? I will let the readers ponder. I will not answer those questions; not because I am scared of improperly responding, not because I fear backlash, but because most could not fully digest my non-political answer. With all the words I have uttered, I have yet to utter what I deem most important about this blog. It is the fact that I am not racist. As scrutinized and as ostracized as I may feel at times in regards to the color of my skin, I dare not extend the same courtesy to others. I do not hate White people. I understand that the ways of some White people is not indicative of all. In the same breath I can honestly say that I know even people of my own race are not always rooting for me, or have my best interests at heart. All I really care about is the prospering of American culture as a whole. But let us face the facts, Blacks are trailing behind in several categories that I feel are essential to furthering the progress of generations to come. I just want to help where I can. Whether it is educating myself, or others, no matter their color. I simply do not want my race to be left behind. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there, and some of us are about as helpless as a new born kittens; tender, blind, and defenseless.

Tis the Season...to Spend Your F^%&in' Money

Anyone familiar with the phrase "laugh now, cry later"? Well, that phrase is going to become the reality for many American families this year. Want to know why?? Christmas shopping! I too was once fooled into investing in the "Christmas Spirit". And of course, it caused me to be rather frivolous with my cash. It wasn't until I snapped out of the capitalistic trance and realized that I didn't need to go broke to prove to my loved ones that I loved them. And that goes for any holiday, not just Christmas. Now, if one has the money, and they want to purchase gifts within their budget, that's fine I supposed. What is not fine is borrowing money now for a gift (that the recipient may not even use) they have to pay for later, and at a interest rate of roughly 15% or more...People often make purchases with credit cards and fool themselves into thinking, "I'll pay it off soon." Well, the numbers say, THEY'RE LIARS. They're going to wind up paying the minimum amount each month, causing the price of their Christmas to double in less than six months. It sounds bizarre when said aloud, but this has become an epidemic. I've watched my family scramble around Christmas time to get their children the stuff they longed for. Only for the stuff to sit in a corner, become inoperable, or just plain unappreciated. And to think some people deprive themselves of sleep, drive in extreme traffic conditions, and some even threaten or harm other shoppers so that they can receive the ultimate deal on Black Friday. Is this not absurd!? I bet every person reading this is either one of those people, or they are closely related to one. I have seen what the "Christmas Spirit" has done to my family, and families all across the states. Don't ignore the numbers...I know people like to think that "their" situation is different than the next guy's, but in all actuality, its not. We have more in common than in difference...and if you're in the ninety percentile of people who do not have majority of the wealth in America, I'm talking to you. With that said, try to have a happy December, without having a horrid January, February, March and so...

Don't Wait...TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM NOW!

On Thursday November 10, 2011 a good friend was extracted from the physical world. I say the term "friend," but in all actuality, he was family. He was my godfather. He was a man who acted as a father, as a friend, as an advisor and as a person who genuinely had my best interest at heart. I am fully aware that some individuals NEVER have the experience of  having someone like that in their lives. I am fortunate to have known him. No matter what I was doing, he was on my side. Never passing judgement and never pushing me away when I needed his help. He will be missed by all who knew him. Don't spend life thinking that loved ones know you love them. Tell them...and not later, NOW. We never know when our number will be called.

R.I.P Andrew Spruill