Backtracking

I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles to visit a law firm I'm interested in clerking for over the summer. While there, I had the opportunity to return to the neighborhood where I spent about 5 years of my life (9-14). It was in the heart of LA, a mixture of low income blacks, hispanics and koreans. It was not the best of neighborhoods, it had its share of crime, and gang related gun violence. I recall playing outside outside one day when a car pulled into the driveway of a house across the street, the driver of the car jumped out with a sawed off shot gun. Someone in the house opened the door, and when he did, the driver shot him. I recall seeing the man, falling backwards into the house, and the shooter blasting off in the car. Funny thing is, I watched that sh@#, while standing on the gate of our apartment complex, did not move or anything. I learned how to play baseball in the alley behind our apartment. I wonder whatever happened to some of the kids that I played with. Man. I just shake my head when I think about those times in my life back then. Times were hard for my folks back then. I have to give credit to pops for keeping his head up then. I know my fam would not be where it is today, had he punked out or gave in back then. We lived on the bottom floor, 5 of us in a one bedroom apartment.

Anyway, I got to go to the First Black College Hoops Classic in LA. http://www.blackcollegehoopclassic.org/home.php I expected a greater turn out, but I recognize this is the west coast. The event took place on the campus of USC. I lucked up on a free ticket from this old lady after some dude tried to pimp me for a $50.00 floor seat. I had a good time though. The game was actually televised on ESPN-U. Viginia Union took it to Bowie State. There was a greek stepshow after the game. My bruhs laid it down, I was impressed with their performance. There is a definite difference between those greeks who pledge in the south and those on the west. I was still shown love by the Bruhs and the AKA's from U-C Irvine and UCLA. Regardless of the low turnout, I think I will support the event next winter. My homegirl, Spicer was also in the house representing Howard U.

Home of the USC Trojans

Strong Message

Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, recently lost his oldest son to suicide, made this statement to his team while at his son's funeral. "I want to urge you to continue being who you are because our young boys in this country, they need to hear from you," he said. "If anything, be bolder in who you are. Because our boys are getting a lot of the wrong messages about what it means to be a man in this world. About how you should act, and how you should dress, and how you should talk, and how you should treat people. They don't always get the right message, but you guys have the right messages."

Though the statment was made to his team, I am sure he did not intend the message to be limited to those present. Did those who were present really feel him? Strike that, do those who have read the statement, feel him?

Coolin

Winter Break in San Diego is not all that bad. I am enjoying the family and all the home cooked meals. What have I been marinating on and doing. Lets see......

Grades. University of Memphis must endorse torture. It takes the entire break to post grades, which is really flipped up because, I know my azz lays in bed wondering what the hell I got. Its the worst feeling, because you really can't gauge how well you did on an exam, especially a 60 question multiple choice exam. Got Damn NB, post the grades already!!!

The Mall......gotta love Fashion Valley Mall...Especially when you have a lil cheddah in your pockets. In my case, I've been window shopping with my little sister. Lots of things a brotha wants....not necessarily needing....but nonetheless wanting.....Damn I need a sponsor.....

Working at the Family Store....that's always fun.

Convincing my middle sister not to move to Fresno, also now as Fresburg. What the hell can one do in Fresno? Its boring as hell, and you're gonna be by yourself. Stay home kid....

Hanging with old friends. Found out one of my old school buddies is the Official photographer of Arra Kelly. All he does in walk around Arra taking pictures. Hmmm....where was he when Kelley was making.....let me hush....

Any way, I hear my sister calling me, we are in the middle of a watching the entire Star Wars Episodes, one through six. That'e entertainment baby!

Boot Camp

I've been catching a little grief on my lil comment on love. I think I said, "Love, damn if you do, damn if you don't". All I was getting at is that it is extremely hard to survive the dating process to make it to love. Walk with me.....if you get lost, don't worry, the blind never could lead the blind....

Ok, dating is like a big azz military obstacle course, with barbed wire, land mines, explosions, and live rounds buzzing overhead. As you make it a short distance within the course, you are able to grab the Relationship flag. You exhale for a moment, and that;s when the explosions are unleashed left and right. Those explosions may be Big Booty Trudy slipping you her number, cellie ringing at 2:00 a.m., an unexpected knock at the door, or possibly being spotted somewhere you claimed you were not. The slightest step to the right or left, or the slightest slip can cause one to have to return to the beginning of the course. Sometimes you have those risk takers on the obstacle course, who love causing the explosions, or one who believe thinks they can jump over the mud pond without the aid of rope. They are willing to take a few gambles, in hope of not getting jacked. For those who take the cautious approach, getting through the obstacle course can seem like an eternity. Some, thinking they have a clear path to the end of the course, make that mad dash or the finish, only to step on a hidden mine. They explode right before they get to the promise land. Those who are cautious can either nut up, scared to push on cause of the hidden land mines, or take too long getting to the finish line, thus losing out completely. By the time you finish the course, u lucky to to still have both legs....

The description above, however inaccurate or exaggerated it may be, is simply too exhaustive. Too much work involved. First of all, how do you know you have the one? How do you know when to make that mad dash for the finish line? All in all, its like a math class, and lord knows how I did in math. Tomorrow, perhaps I will give some hypos.

Things to Make You Say Hmmm.....

Bored? Answer these questions then......

Why do certain blacks feel the need to have to compete against other?

What happened to each one teach one?

Why do blacks feel the need to hate on each other?

What causes black on black crime, and how do you stop it?

Why do black parents want to blame teachers for thie childs lack of success in school?

Why are black kids so able to learn every lyric put out by Fifty, but can't sit down and read a book, or for that matter find a word in a dictionary?

Why do black kids prefer the thug look? Sagging jeans, long t's, earrings, grillz, wave caps (outside the house). Mind you, fashions that either orginated in prison, or once symbolized gay lifestyles

Why do blacks put more value in what is on the outside, rather than on the inside?

Why can't blacks unify politically?

Is the NAACP relevant anymore?

Why don't black people vote?

Is voting Democrat, the best thing to do? Hell naw, I aint got to ask about the Republicans....

Why do those who eat or are eating from the Affirmative Action tree, so quick to snatch it from others seeking it?

Why don't black people give a f about anything, period?

Free For the Time Being

Finals are done!!!! Lord willing, a brotha got at least a C+ or higher on each exam. Law school exams are so freeking iffy, especially multiple choice exams where there are two right answers, anyway, I aint gonna dwell on it. Its done. Now I have to sit around and wait for my results. It's kind of hard not to dwell on my results though with all the time I have during break.

This semester I learned a lot, but what I learned created more questions than answers. 1. Why am I in law school? 2. What type of law do I want to practice? The law I am interested in does not pay da bills. 3. Pay bills or go where my heart is? 4. Why are my black classmates so intent on competing against each other, rather than being allies? I will elaborate later... 5. Is the idea of the Talented Tenth dead?

Love...... Darn if you do, darn if you don't. Love bites.

Congrats to RH on graduating, big things lay ahead.

I had enough pennies in my penny jar to buy a ticket home, off to San Diego I go. Hang with my sisters and rest my brain. Figure out why I keep f'n up on certain things.

Trapped in Da Library, Part 3

Exams are almost over.......one mo to go....... Since I've been down in the basement trying to be studious some folk say, I am letting myself go..............that's kinda true.........aint really trying to be cute or you know make impressions these days.........got a lot on the line.......trying to stay focused.........someone said.......you look the same to me..........DAMN........do I look like shit all the the time?????????sheeet.............I guess I need a makeover when exams are done then..............

Trapped in Da Library, Part 2

One exam down, three mo to go! I just came out for a little air, but the chill in the air makes me retreat. I've got a lot of non-legal issues on my mind, but no time to express them. Get at me.