Five Minutes

It's funny how the things you rely on, (like a certain laptop), work oh so well when you are goofing off, but as soon as you need to use it for something important, it decides it wants to take a moment off.

I want to drop Beloved (Seminar Paper....remember) off a day earlier than the deadline, just to cover myself. Mind you, I did get to the school about ten minutes before the secretaries punch out. Anyway...I peek my head in the office, tell the secretary I will be back in 5 minutes to drop Beloved off. The secretaries around here are all pretty kool, (well there is that one that, no, leave it alone). So she is like kool, see you in five. I roll up to the Sauna Room aka Computer Lab, to do a routine task. E-mail Beloved from Laptop to Computer in lab, then print. Simple simple task, done everyday, flawlessly.

Clock is rolling, Somehow my wireless does not want to kick in. So I have to reboot.

Four minutes - Opening AOL.........Opening AOL.......HMMMMM. AOL done froze.......

Bet, use Explorer,......Damn, AOL got the whole system froze.......Sweat begins forming on my forehead.....

Two minutes - Lord, give me the strength not to chuck this laptop across the room. Reboot...... One Minute - Lord, did you hear me, a minute ago? Loosening tie.......Click on AOL. AOL pops up......Yes! Entering my password.......AOL locks again......I think my eyes rolled back like that Exorcist chick...........a brotha took a deep breath......said a silent prayer.......picked up the laptop..........and chucked it across the room......... SYKE............I got up and took a walk back down to the office, and told the secretary, I'll get at you tomorrow.

Darn you Beloved.

But the messed up thing was no sooner did I walk to class, my laptop was up and at it.

Since Beloved is out of my hair for a few days, I can get at Sherlock (Bar Application) Damn, they wanna know every place you've had a bowel movement........For real.

Can I find six folk that will say I am a decent enough person to sit for the exam? Hmmmm.....does moms and pops count? No? Damn.......

Academic Probation? You talking ever ever?

Moving violations? Can we say Daytona 500?

Every job I have had? Does that include the time I...uh...nevamind

Oh well, anutha project, I'll holla...

So I am watching Ford Jr., on Bill Maher, and I am wondering when did this dude get all holy and religious, and when did he get that Southern drawl? No really. And I am not hating, I hate strictly on his voting record.

Mo Bump Fo Da Library

Tupac's deepest cut.

Stark Reminder

Just when I think I can take no more of Beloved, I remember that there are others who have it a million times worse than I do. Take a second and read about Carl Johnson.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/15728861.htm

Little Lady's dad is gone. That's pain that takes a lifetime to heal. You have to honor her father's service no doubt, but he should have never been there.

Mana-what?

I must admit, I am one of the many uninformed in the City. I dare to say I haven't read our local paper, or even watched any local news in quite a few days. So I guess I am the last to know that there's a manatee chillin off our shores in the Mississippi River.

I can imagine the first person to see it sticking its head/snout out of the water. "Mane call the zoo, its a damn Hippomatatomus in the River" (I'm sooo wrong for that)

It is kind of amazing that the endangered creature would even make its way up the River. Reports estimate it to be about 700 to 750 miles away from its normal habitat. That's one hell of a swim upstream, for the large slow animal. How long has it been lurking along the river? Quite interesting actually. What has it been eating? Heck, has it been eating? I was one who thought the River did not have a living creature in it, besides catfish. Darn manatee done proved me wrong.......Hope he survives the ride back to Florida. Mr. Manatee, you're on your way to Sea World!

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Enviro/envENV01102606.htm

That's My Jam!

You know how u can be sitting in your car, chillin, wathching out for those crazy drivers surrounding you, and all of a sudden a tune drops..................Aw ish, that's my jam!!! You darn near lose focus of what you were doing as all your attention goes to trying to turn the volume up.

Well I was lucky enough to have had one of those moments while fooling with Beloved (who is Beloved?).

Enjoy.............

Dumb Ads

Inaccurate and foolish political ads. Take a look at two of them. Only the uninformed would even fall for this ish.

I think everyone knows I am not a fan of Ford Jr., at this time, based on his voting record alone, but I was amazed by the foolishness of this ad paid for by the Republican Committee is quite foolish.

This next one is way over the top. I guess the aim is to scare us into voting for the Republicans because they will keep me safe from Bin Laden and his posse. But these are the same cats that have had 5 years or more to try to catch him. I could not find the actual commercial standing alone, but here is an analysis of the commercial. Oh and Yes, I am SpikeZee and I approve this commentary.

Preciate It

These last few days Beloved has been on my azz, and I admit walking around looking crazy. (I hear that is my normal look, but that's neither here nor there.) Beloved and I were at school till 3:00 am Saturday, and a brotha is behind on sleep. I am leaving Court, and as I am headed out I run across a Judge, who I became acquainted with while working for his brother when I only talked about going to law school.

I was trying to get to my car, so I just wanted to acknowledge him, by greeting him, dapping him up and rolling on.

Instead he wanted to chat it up for a few. I was kind of being fake, you know, when you really not in the mood to chatter, cause you got ish on your mind. The question about school was posed, and I gave the generic, all is well speech, one day at a time kind of answer.

So I guess he's reading me, he proceeds to tell me, "You know Zee, I know that face, I remember that face when I was in school." He then stopped me, put his arm on my shoulder, and said, I remember when you were just talking about going back to school, now you are at the end of the journey. He shared some of his struggles with me when he ways in school and contrasted it to my experiences, and when he ended it, he told me in one of the most sincerest voices I have heard in a long time, (not counting mom's, pops, sister's or mt or pk's) that he was proud of me, and he shook my hand at the same time, the kind of handshake that reinforces ones words.

I wasn't really expecting this type of exchange from him, I really didn't. And for that moment, I kind of forgot about Beloved, other academic deadlines, MPRE's, Barbri fees, Bar Application fees, how many jobs, tickets, and homes I have lived in in ten years. I forgot all of that mess for just a few.

I guess the ironic thing is, those words did not come from my own,(you feel me?). It wasn't from those I consider to be mentors, from those, you think you want your legal game to be like. It wasn't from those old school lawyers you try to impress or have recognize your abilities. It came from a cat, that I only see now and again, but who had not forgotten my face.

So Judge, I appreciate your words, the exchange meant alot.

Time to put Beloved to rest.

Grubbing

Big ups to those celebrating Eid today! Get your grub on!

A Lil Bump Fo Da Library

Still Harping

I have been chatting up on the Military Commission Act, and the issue of Habeas Corpus. By now, I am sure you have read up on it. Beloved is on my azz so here is a good commentary on this foolish act. And in honor of all the election time commercials, I'm Spike Zee and I approve this message,

What a Wonder

I put Beloved (Seminar Paper) to the side for a few hours to volunteer some time at the National Civil Rights Museum 2006 Freedom Awards Dinner. It was a good opportunity to participate in one of the City's finer events. This year those honored were Civil Rights leader Dr. Joseph Lowery, Stevie Wonder, and Dr. Bernard Kouchner.

BLSA represented the list of volunteers. Big ups to E and T, lol...

There were some great speeches and presentations during the night, you know those type of speeches that kind of remind you why you work hard, and go through heck to get to the finish line. The words were very beneficial to me, Lord knows I need the motivation these days.

When Stevie Wonder received his award, he took about 15 minutes expressing himself, talking about his mother's recent death, his realization of the existence of racism as a child visiting the south, and his views on war and peace. He then sat down at a piano, and went old school. I remember my mom listening to Stevie Wonder Cd's, syke, records, back in the day. Brought back those childhood memories that make you smile. It's like his voice hasn't changed, sounded just like the records. But he threw down, receiving a standing ovation after he stood up from the piano. Experiencing this live and in living color was worth the time I sat in that boring volunteer orientation meeting.

There was a VIP reception after the Dinner, and of course a brotha was present. There was a live local band performing, and the award recipients were all present. All I know is the band was performing a Stevie Wonder song, when Mr. Wonder, gets on the mike, and says, this will be the only time he gives a free concert. He sits down in front of the keyboards and proceeds to jam with the band for what seemed like 20 minutes or so. It was once again, like listening to old records. I had to throw a few elbows cause some folk did not know how to act up in there jockeying for Kodak moments.

All I can say is that is was an event to experience. Even if you did not like Stevie Wonder, you could not help but feel the energy in the room. It was an experience.

I did have a chance to take photos with some other celebrities as well,

Lynn Whitfield

Yolanda Adams "look right" ugghh

No time to edit, excuse any errors or omissions, I hear Beloved creeping.....

Habeas Who?

I was talking bout the Military Commission Act last week some time and the suspension of Habeas Corpus (no, its not a dead body). You could do a little reading on the act or ff you are too busy for all that, watch Olbermann break it down.....http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/OlbermannHabeusCorpus512K.wmv

Damn who is that calling me......crap its Beloved....(my seminar paper). Peace.

Who's it Gonna Be???

I know I am not the only person sitting in front of the tube at 10:18, watching a commercial, waiting for Flavor of Love to come back on so I can see who Flav chooses...Shame on ME...........

Congrats!!!

I want to congratulate all of my former classmates who successfully passed the BAR today!!! Big ups to each of you!! Time to make a difference.....

Estimate Who...Estimate What...

Last time King George was asked about death estimates for Iraqis since his war, he guesstimated about 30,000. Everyone who heard his estimate and who at least had been keeping up with events in Iraq, knew that figure was quite modest to say the least. (You thought that didn't you?)

Well today, the results of a study on the deaths in Iraq was released. The study was overseen by epidemiologists at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health (Credible if you ask me) http://www.thelancet.com/webfiles/images/journals/lancet/s0140673606694919.pdf .The study indicates at least 655,000 people have been killed since we went of this foolish journey some call War. And folk still walking around wondering why those people hate us.

You can read an article on the study if you want, might have a slant to it though, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/10/AR2006101001442_pf.html

I hear something calling, dayuuum it's my seminar paper seeking attention......ughhh....

Damn, Erybody Gots a Gun

Guns, guns, guns, everybody has a gun. Everybody does not need a gun. More fools have guns than responsible people do. Gun violence is out of control, not only in the hood, but in the suburbs, deep in the suburbs, if you consider Amish country the burbs. I know, everyone except felons have the right to own a gun, but.............felons have guns anyway.

How is it that guns are so easy to pick up on the streets. It's was too easy, I did it just to see how easy one can come up on a weapon. (Duh, I turned it in) You have kids taking guns to school on a regular basis, they claim they need protection......given the state of our schools, that might be true, nonetheless, its not acceptable.

Jiggas pull triggas with no remorse...a bullet can't come back when the trigga pulla changes his mind.

Gun control, the NRA has a kick azz lobby in D.C., aint no major gun legislation getting passed no time soon. Hey Bubba, what do you need an Uzi for to hunt squirrel? As a child, my folks took me to shooting ranges, actually the mountains of California. But those experiences did not make me want to pack heat when I strolled to the grocery store. It did not make me run to the nearest pawn shop to start my gun collection.

Can a brotha be a gun collect? I guess.......do you.

I guess the question is, how the hell do all of these guns make it into the inner city? Who's making guns in Orange Mound? Are they delivered by truck? Is there a secret gun swap meet in Hickory Hill?

Sure, people need to protect themselves and their property. You need a gun in your home? Cool, that's reasonable, but do you need 6? Can't shoot them all at once can you?

Back when I had a real job, I was made privy to the location where MPD stores all of the weapons it confiscates. I was amazed by how many guns are actually taken off the streets. But the confiscated weapons are by far outnumbered by the many guns that remain on the streets daily. How do you get the illegal weapons off the streets? Give free Grizzley tickets and turkeys to those who drop a gun off? Doesn't work. People just drop off the worse gun in their illegal collection to cobtain the loot.

Oh damn, I did not conclude with a potential solution........nope.......I am clueless too...but click on this maybe collectively we can come up with something http://www.bradycampaign.org/

Verbal Buffet

Birthday weekend was pretty good, found a little time to hang with friends and classmates. Thanks for hanging folk......much love to PK as well....

I got a chance to watch the Ford Jr. v. Corker debate. I guess its damned if you do support Jr., damned if you don't support Jr. His politics are not my politics, and his voting record likely does not reflect the interests of his constituents. Jr., recently voted in favor of the Military Commission Act, which is an atrocious bill., (More on that later). On top of that, he voted for the war in Iraq, supported the bankruptcy bill and spoken out in defense of Bush's policies quite often. Those three yea votes alone make me shake my head in disgust. Nonetheless, don't I want a brotha in the Senate? Not when he is voting like a damn republican. What has happened is that Jr., has been selling out his base, to gain positive favor in east Tennessee. It's been calculated and planned over the last few years. I guess the question is, if elected, will JR., return to his roots, and represent, or will he continue as he has been, abandoning his original base? It's enough for me to just skip the Senate Selection on my ballot .

Don't you hate it when friends fall out? I guess it was my fault, maybe I was too honest when I should have shut up, and not frank enough when I should have been. One of those catch 22 situations. You still good peeps regardless.......

The Military Commission Act, put it this way, the Repubs are slowly giving our freedoms away. Peep game, the language in the bill is so bland, that anyone who donates money to a charity that turns up on Bush's list of "terrorist" organizations, or who speaks out against the government's policies could be declared an "unlawful enemy combatant" and imprisoned indefinitely. That includes American citizens. So, that means, if the president declares.... lets say, Huey Freeman, an enemy combatant, his azz is up the creek. He can be detained, prevented from consulting with an attorney, not be able to appear before a court to challenge the detainment and the evidence against him, get tortured some, and his whereabouts be held secret as long as the government chooses before appearing before a military tribunal that can use illegally obtained evidence against him to convict. I am not exaggerating either, read the bill yourself. Heck with the language in the bill, it allows the President to round-up both aliens and U.S. citizens he determines have given material support to terrorists. In other words, Huey's attorney too could be detained as well if the government chooses to do so. Scary aint it?

Seminar Paper..........page one......

Those downtown fires sure are suspicious to me. I mean, I am to believe that the glowing embers, flew over around and maybe even under, all the other surrounding buildings and caused fires to the abandoned buildings owned by the same owner. Now I will admit, abandoned buildings are more prone to catch fire, but I dunno. Hmmm.......insurance money......naw, upstanding business people would never do such.

Birthday Time

Wow, another Birthday!!! This one got here real fast! I am thankful to see another year, hope I am blessed to see many more.

Big ups to all the well wishers, via phone call or text messages or e-mail. This is the only time of the year that I get those early morning text messages. They are all appreciated. Thank-you for your friendship. Much love!!

Knock, Knock

Remember as a kid when your best friend would come knock on the door, but before you could get to the door, one of your parents beats you. The conversation always went like this......Can Zee come out and play? No, Zee is doing homework, and has chores, he will not be doing any playing today..........depending on the friend, the next question was..........well if he finishes all his work can he come out then?....................No..........................

It's kind of funny how things like that repeats itself. Only difference now is that, there is no parent opening the door saying no. Now it's that inner voice inside, saying, don't answer the door, nope, don't answer the phone, sit yo azz down and finish this darn assignment. Half the time, you ignore the voice anyway, and go on outside to play. But today...........................damn being a responsible student sucks.

Back to work I go..........

Take a Minute...

With all the hectic schedules, all the ripping and running, all the darn deadlines (outline for seminar paper ugh..), I took a moment today to marvel at the beauty of nature. Nope, did not go hiking, nope, did not go canoeing, nope, did not plant any flowers.

I've been noticing while driving,or walking to class, a lot of Monarch Butterflies. It's migration time for the Monarch. They travel from as far as Canada across the U.S. in to Mexico, some traveling as many as 3000 miles. Amazing aint it? Well I find it to be. So I decided to flush my brain of all my stresses for a few minutes and watch the butterfly flutter about. It was quite calming if only for a few seconds.

Even the little Butterfly has a mission, a hectic schedule, avoiding rain, avoiding cars, avoiding predators to accomplish its goal. Mr. Butterfly handle yo business, I gotta get back in the building..........good luck......

If you have free time, read more about the butterfly and the migration, http://butterflywebsite.com/Articles/uminn/monarchs.html