AIMLESS THOUGHT

Bird Watching

2007-12-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Went down to San Pedro (Ca.) this Saturday to do some BIRD WATCHING and shooting (photography), and this is one of what I was able to capture.

I think it's pretty cool and majestic. Hope you like it too.
See more of my work by visiting my website Gallery at www.robersonimages.com.

Thanx 4 Viewing my work!

Real Giants

2007-09-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! I went to see the Giant Sequoia Trees. It is very hard to explain how large and unrealistic these natural giants are, but if I could, in a word, I'd say Jurassic! They are so beautiful and majestic, it almost brings tears to your eyes...if you're a nature lover like me.

Anyway, here is one picture for you to view to kinda get an idea of what I am talking about, but if you'd like to see more, visit my website (www.robersonimages.com) gallery entitled Travel. There you'll see a gallery entitled Giant Sequoia Forest.

I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I did.

GIANT Sequoia Photography

2007-09-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

It's back on you guys! I am on my way to shoot the Giant Sequoia National Forest. Next week Saturday (9-29-07), I will be out on a trek to see these Great Marvels up close and personal for myself.

I have seen photos on the internet, but they do it no justice. Now, don't get me wrong, I will be displaying my photos on the net as well, but I give you my promise as an advanced amateur photographer that my images will be of the highest quality, and able to be more than just seen on my website (www.robersonimages.com), but will also be able to be printed for you to have in your home, office or business.

I will definitely upload beautiful pictures as soon as I return, but I just wanted to let you all know now so that you will have something to look forward to ;-).

I will be making my trek and taking my photos on the 29th, and will have them up for display by the 30th.

If you would like to have me take specific photos for you throughout the forest, please contact me here, or through my website.

I look forward to reading your comments on the images I take.

Super clear day at the Pier.

2007-09-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

So, this past Saturday, I was down at the Beach in Long Beach, and decided to stroll down to the Pier and take some pics of the days events. This is what I was able to capture. Hope you like 'em.

You can find more HERE! Just click on Gallery, and look at the Street Photography, and Flowers, Birds, Insects & Trees section to see all the rest.

San Fracisco Bay Area Tour 9-8-2007

2007-08-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I have to postpone my Photo Trip to shoot the Sequoia National Forest. I have something a little more important and personal to do instead, but do not fret, I will be shooting the forest very soon, but 1st, I want to....no, I HAVE TO shoot the San Francisco Bay Area!

I'm not just going there to shoot the obvious...Bay Bridge, I'm going there to shoot EVERYTHING...or at least try to ;-).

On the days of Sept. 7-8 (Fri-Sat.), I will be in San Francisco, starting with a couple of Night Shots on Fri, and the rest of (most of) the city on Sat.

If you are interested in having me shoot a particular location in a specific way, please let me know. If not, you will be able to find all of the photos taken on Monday, 9-10-2007 in my photo gallery under TRAVEL, entitled San Francisco Bay. These photos will all be available for print and purchase on CD, so feel free browse my website (www.aimlessphotography.com), purchase some photos, and decorate your home, office, or personal place of business.

Thank you for visiting,
www.aimlessphotography.com

General Sherman

2007-08-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

In two weeks, on the day of 8/18/2007 (Sat.) I will be visiting and shooting the Giant trees in the Sequoia National Forest. These trees stand roughly 290+ feet tall, and are wide enough to drive an SUV through.

I will be there to see, and shoot great photos of these majestic giants. If you'd like me to shoot specific pictures for you, please visit my website for details.

Thank you.

www.aimlessphotography.com

I'm Back....and on a Quest to see the WORLD!!!

2007-08-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have read my blog and seen my photography website, you would have noticed a category in my navbar entitled "Photo Trips". Basically, my "Photo Trips" are trips that I am taking, or am going to take to see all the 50 states (and not just drive through, but visit), as well as most other countries of the world.

I have a quest to be a Travel Photographer, and why not start with our own 50 states?

I haven't traveled in 15-years prior to my recent "Photo Trip" to North Carolina, and that trip did exactly what I thought it would, which was awaken my Travel Bug! Now that I have gotten over my slight fear of flying (somewhat), I am plotting my next state to visit and photograph.

My next quest is the state of Arizona...namely, the Grand Canyon (unless I decide to stay in Cali and visit Yosemite first....I will let you know. Just visit my website (Photo Trips) to stay up on where I'll be. I'll post my trips at least 2-weeks before I go).

Now, I know this is nothing all too special, and most of you reading this have probably seen more of the world than I have, but for me, it is EVERYTHING! I am not built for the 9-5 corporate world! I'm not saying that I'm going to stop working and live like a bum, but what I am going to do is continue to pursue my career/dream, and keep traveling and photographing ALL of my trips to the 50 states, and when I conquer that quest, then it's onward to the other countries and continents. I WILL see Australia before I die ;-)!!

Anyway, here's two pics of my trip to Fayetteville, North Carolina. There was not much to see, but I did my best ;-)

Visit my website to see the rest of the collection. www.aimlessphotography.com

IN A WHILE

2007-07-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in long while y'all, but I have been extremely busy with my latest passion/career...PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

Please take a moment to view my site. I think my work is pretty good, and I am getting better by the day.....or at least I think so ;-)

Anyway, please visit www.aimlessphotography.com and lemme know what you think. Purchase a picture or two if you see something you like ;-)

If you need me for a shoot, and you're local, we may be able to meet. If not, you can always book me to shoot something out here in Los Angeles or Orange County California for you. You can find my rates and ALL my info on my site.

Have fun viewing ;-) and thank you!

WHAT'S IN A SMILE

2007-06-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

Why do the smiles that we receive from strangers make us feel so good? Is it the fact that they are acknowledging our existenced, or just that they are courteous enough to do so? Well, have you ever taken the time to really look at someone's smile, or more importantly, how fast their smiles drop as soon as they past you?

I like to smile when I see co-workers, or strangers because I know that it makes them feel good, but when I smile, I like to make sure that it is genuine. I'm not one to smile just as I'm passing someone just because.....I like to smile if I mean it. If not, I may grin a little, but I don't over-do it.

But....there are lots of people, if not most of us, that do.

I really love people watching, and monitoring people's social behavior, and what I've noticed lately are the fake, or passing smiles that I receive daily. I have to say that I tend to receive more fake, or passing smiles from foreigners that natives/locals, but I do receive passing smiles from natives just the same. Maybe foreigners do it as a nice way of communication, but what about the locals. Is it because we're taught to do so, or do we really mean it?

To clarify a little, what I mean when I say "passing" smiles, I mean those big bright, make you feel good smiles that you get when you're near, or passing someone, but, as soon as they are out of your sight, their faces drop as if you were never there. That is so fake and worthless to me, and that's why I ask, "What's in a Smile"?

Is a smile really worth it if it's not heart-felt?

If it's not real?

If it's just done until you're out of sight?

For me, the answer is no.

I tend to smile at those I'm either happy to see, or that I may find cute ;-), but still, my smile is real. When I smile at someone, I usually hold it for a while...maybe out of habit, or out of pure consciousness, but that's just me. What I also do when I smile is look back at the person who just smiled at me to see if he, or she is still smiling, and often times, they are not and that just kills my "happy" mood. It pretty much makes me not want to smile, but then that defeats the whole purpose of being sociable, and that is something that we could all stand to be a little more of.

Everyone often seems to be either high stressed, or too caught-up in work or their own social agendas to where all we can do is try to smile, and continue to move on. It's a feeble attempt at being polite, but without that fake passing smile, where would we be?

These are just my thoughts on how people interact and although they seem to be weak at best, I guess it's better than nothing.

So, what does a smile mean to you?

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!

2007-05-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

These were sent to me by my Uncle. Check these out!

* Can you cry under water?

*How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

*Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"?

*Where's that extra penny going to?

*Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

*Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

*What disease did cured ham actually have?

*How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

*Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

*If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

*Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

*Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

*Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

*Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

*Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp,
which no decent human being would eat?

*If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

*Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

*If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

*Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

*If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

*If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

*If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

*Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

*Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

*Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

*Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you,
but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Well.....what did y'all think?

J.O.B. Just Over Broke!

2007-04-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

To me, the word JOB means Just Over Broke! We all are....well most of us are, very happy to have our jobs, because is sustains our way of life.

Our lifestyles.

Our ways of living.

But on the flip-side of the whole JOB system that we live (and die) in, we are restricted, and forced to conform to a drone-like living.

What is your daily work-scheduled routine?
Wake up with the Chickens,
shower (if you didn't the night before),
wake the kids (if you have one or more),
get dressed,
wake the kids...again ;-),
dress them,
feed the kids,
feed yourself,
get the kids ready for school and the bus ride, or take them yourself,
then it's off to the races.

We spend more than half our day/life going to and from, and spending time at work. Over the last 5 years (which were really noticeable for me), our work-loads and expected times to be at work have increased dramatically, without the increase in pay. We are working much harded jobs, and working much longer hours without the raises necessary to compensate or compete with the rapid rises in the cost of living, all the while taking away from our personal/family/life time.

There have been times when I have found myself waking from sleep early to start my day, rushing to work,
spending more than half the day there,
fighting traffic for hours trying to get home, or close to home,
trying to stop off at the local Walmart to do some last minute shopping,
getting home,
cooking,
eating,
hopefully not having to wash clothes,
cleaning the house,
showering and before falling off to a deep and very much deserved sleep, trying to market and promote my own business(es).

When is there time for that!? Not to mention if you're married and/or in a relationship with kids. YOU WIL NOT HAVE TIME FOR ANYTHING! You become a robot, and that is what I refuse to do!

As much as I appreciate the fact that I do have a steady JOB that appreciates me, I also know that I desire to have my own business(es). I have (successfully) attempted writing, and now my newest venture is photography (http://www.aimlessphotography.com/) which is starting to become a successful business for me as well. It's just that I find it very hard to try to chase and follow your dreams while trying to manage a "Normal" life. My social life is non-existant, and I bearly have time to sit back and try to enjoy a 30-minute tv show,...but that's the cost of doing business...especially your own, right??? Is that why we all, well most of us, choose to work for someone else, so we don't have to bear the brunt of running our own businesses? I think so.

Working for someone else is somewhat of a safety net. By working for someone else, we do not have as much liability as business owners, therefore alleviating us of the full responsibility if something goes wrong. But on the flip side, we become slaves to our jobs, which control our lifestyles, our ways of living, and our futures.

I cannot leave my life in the hands of no one but myself, so I spend everyday and every minute that I have trying to make my own business(es) a success. I will be my own boss someday if it kills me! I just can't be afraid to take that chance and lose what I have established with my semi-corporate 9-5, so I, along with my close friends live by the mantra (did I spell that right ;-) of:

"Money and success Lives on the Other Side of Fear"! You should try it yourself. You should NOT be afraid to venture out and try to do what makes you happy. You may become a success at what you're trying to do too, but you'll never know unless you try! I'd rather try and fail now, rather than sit back and say, "I wonder what would have happened if"..., or "I wish I would have...". I hope I've inspired you to feel the same way.

Imus has been FIRED!....Now what?

2007-04-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

Imus has been fired!!! Now, what do we do? Do we just sit back and celebrate the fact that we got a racist fired, and start "feeling ourselves", or do we do like Michael Baisden is asking, and take the next step?

What is the next step...

How about taking the "N"-Word out of our daily vocabulary!?

How about showing all women, and especially our own women a little more respect by not making the music that perpetuates our negative connotations towards them!?

How about not playing that harsh music when our children are around!?

How about making sure that our young boys learn to respect women, as well as each other so that we can make a change in this new generation, so that they do not continue to do the wrong that we are doing now!?

We are so far gone when it comes to self respect, cultural respect, and general respect for women. To me, all women are a lot "harder" than they used to be back in the day. I am very old fashioned in the way that I like my women. I like my women quiet, soft and soft spoken. I like my women smart enough and strong enough to know that you do not have to be hard and rough to get respect, and I like my women with enough self respect to not tolerate anything less, but if we do not teach our young men and our culture anything different, how will they learn, how will they change, and when will they change?

Let's use our collective strength in the Imus controversy as a new beginning.

Imus is a RACIST!!

2007-04-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

This post was submitted by my older brother. No matter how many times we try to forget, or ignore it, racism sadly still exists in America. Please feel free to comment, and link to and circulate this post.

One thing that I've learned over the years is that you can suppress your true feeling for so long. Eventually your true feeling will surface. White America would like us to believe that racism is dead. Contrary to what is said, racism is alive, breathing and growing. The comments Imus made about the Rutgers female basketball team wasn't the mistake. The mistake was that MSNBC didn't censor it or had a five second delay. The mistake was Imus used his radio show to voice what he really feels about African American women and African American's as a whole. The mistake is MSNBC gave a racist a public form to broadcast his racist views. Imus comments weren't a joke in poor taste. The only people who would find those comments to be a joke are Imus, the other man on the show at that time and the many other racist people in America. I'm offended by his comments but not suprised. I'm smart enough to know that there are plenty more so called celebrities or high profile people that feels the same way he does. I personally reject his apology, MSNBC's apology and will ask any self respecting African American or human for that matter to reject their insincere apology and boycott anything that has to do with Imus and MSNBC until Imus is fired. Please continue to circulate this email and feel free to add any comment about this issue.

Yusef A. Roberson

HAMMER TIME

2007-04-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

When I saw this photo, I HAD TO stop and take a pic. I almost felt like dancing!! Hey, I'm just trying to be a good citizen, and obey all of our traffic laws ;-)

LIKE CRAP!

2007-03-28T14:58:00.001-07:00

Today, I had to leave work early because I felt like crap! It must have been something I ate last night, because I didn't have any energy, and I really felt like....crap! I really hope it subsides, because I have work to do, and I need all the money I can get. My rent just went up!!! Ugh...not only do I fell like S&%T, but my monthly living expenses just increased! Man, I swear, sometimes...most of the time, it's like, for every step forward, there are two-steps back!

THE FIRST OF MANY

2007-03-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

I have not received the camera that I ordered yet (Fuji S6000fd), but I still wanted to showcase another photo I took a while ago. This is one of my "Artsy" type photos. I really like it. I like the color and the shadow that I got from the tree. Well...at least it looks "Artsy" to me ;-).

Anyway, there was no Photoshopping on this photo. It's just what the camera (and my eye) sees. As soon as I get my Photoshop "Elements" CD-Rom, I'll repost this picture, processed, so you can see the difference.

Once I get my new camera, I will refocus my attention on my picture website "THE CAMER-ATEUR PROJECT" (www.picsbyahmed.fotopic.net) in which I will showcase the same photos that you see here, but without post-processing. Everything here will be Photoshopped, and everything at "THE CAMER-ATEUR PROJECT" will not...get it ;-)

Also, all of the pictures you see here will be on my "FLICKR" site too. That is where you'll get ALL of my photos....the Good, the Bad, and the....well, you get the picture ;-)

CHANGING INTO A PHOTO-BLOG

2007-03-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am officially converting Aimless-Thought into a photo/story blog...meaning, I will be taking a little break from just writing and sharing my feelings. I am going to refocus my attention and energy on one of my other hobbies/passions...photography. But this time, every picture that I take will be of great quality with a story (long or short) to tell.

They say that every picture is worth 1000 words, so I will show you 1000 of my visions, and share my words to boot!

Stay tuned, because the stories will come daily, as I see them.

FEELING OURSELVES

2007-03-21T10:01:00.001-07:00

I have to ask.....why, when our fellow African-American (Black) brothers and sisters make a success, or what appears to be a success of our lives, we turn our backs on our other "brothers and sisters"?

What I mean is this. I am an up-and-coming entrepreneur who hasn't fully landed on a solid foundation of what I am attempting to do (beyond gaining my own financial freedom), but my struggle continues. Whenever I see a fellow brother who has the appearance of, or has made a success of his/her lives, I am ALWAYS quick to say hello, or at least give a reassuring/I'm proud of you "what's up", or head-knod, but what I get back in return for my cordial attitude is....nothing! Why is that?

Why is it that when our brothers/sisters "make it", they all of a sudden become too good for us "regular-folk"? I've been looked at as if I'm a groupie, or "all on their jocks" as if I'm looking for a hand-out or something. For those of you who really know me, you all know that I am intelligent, focused and very professionally business-minded, and the last thing that I look like is a thug or something. So when I give that look of pride to a fellow brother/sister that is currently where I am trying to get, it hurts to not get a positive response, if any response at all.

This is similar to my "Crabs in a Barrel" blog that I did a while ago stating that us as black people can't stand to see one of our own become a success, or get ahead without dragging the rest of us along for the FREE ride, but the difference is, I don't want the FREE-Ride. I want the information! Just teach me, or tell me what you know, or what you did to become a success so I can earn my own. Taking hand-outs is not my thing, and for all who know me, you know that to be 100% true! I work day and night to get what I have, and if someone could show me a quicker, more efficient way, I'll do that, but don't be afraid to let me know what you know....unless you're afraid that I'll surpass you in your own profession ;-)

I just find it a little troubling to see how our own treat each other. We should be focused on our success as a whole, instead of leaving others you consider beneath you behind.

......JUST MY THOUGHTS....

TRUE AMERICANS!

2007-03-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

The year is 1907, one hundred years ago.....but the speaker knew what he was talking about.

READ PRINT UNDER PICTURE

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Every American citizen needs to read this!
KEEP THIS MOVING

KODAK for SALE...CHEAP!!

2007-03-12T16:01:00.001-07:00

Kodak Z-650 6.1 MP-10x Zoom digital camera, 1.4x Telephoto Lens, 2-Kodak Rechargeable batteries and rapid charger, Kodak High Performance 512MB SD-Memory Card, and Carrying Bag all for sale! Only 8-months old, never dropped, scratched or damaged! Very well taken care of. Paid $500+, only asking $275 o.b.o.

I'll accept PayPal payments or cash. You can leave a comment, or contact me via email at nethedd@yahoo.com for shipping and PayPal information.

Thanks, and spread the word ;-)

You can see lots of sample photos taken with this camera at www.picsbyahmed.fotopic.net. My favorites are of the Drift Show at Irwindale Speedway!

SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES!

2007-03-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Here's another one of my Unique Custom T-Shirts for that SEXY SASSY lady out there that know's she's just Too Cute For You!! Click HERE to place your orders, and to see some of my other Unique Creations....JUST FOR THE LADIES!!!

NOTE: There are other colors available, but I kinda like the Pink one! I think it's sexy!

FEATURED ITEM OF THE WEEK!

2007-03-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the first edition of my Unique Clothing Creations! The "Power" T-Shirt! Express yourself, and your committment to changing the negative connotation associated with the "N-Word"! Normally priced at $25.99, it's a STEAL at $19.99! Black history and pride doesn't have to end in February. Express your pride and dismay with the notorious "N-Word"!

Place your order, and/or see more of my Unique Creations HERE!
Also available in Natural, and Light Blue colors.

Subject: Dave & Busters in Marietta , Georgia

2007-02-21T08:43:00.001-08:00

The 'struggle' has not ended!!! Read on. . .

Urban Soul of Atlanta, Georgia is no longer promoting Friday Happy Hour
at Dave & Busters in Marietta , Georgia because of the unlawful
practices and comments made by management against African Americans.

In four years, Urban Soul had generated over 10 million dollars in revenue
for Dave & Busters. After meeting with management and corporate officials
on Thursday, December 14, 2006, it's clear that African Americans are not treated the same
as whites.

One of the comments that management made was 'I think the Urban Soul
crowd should enter through the back doors, so our white customers won't
be disturbed.' Another comment made was, 'The Black crowd doesn't spend
any money.' Since they said African Americans don't spend any money and
we disturb their white customers, the only way we 'disturb' Dave &
Busters is to hurt them financially. Let's see if they miss that 10
million dollars African Americans have spent in the last four years.

Do not spend any more money at Dave & Busters. Take your birthday
parties, evenings out, after parties, and other events elsewhere. Call all
your friends and send this email to everyone you know.

SOURCE:
www.urban-soul.com

You have to wonder, why would a business, whether it be white or black owned, say something
so stupid to ruin their revenue? Money is money, no matter who it comes from. If we actually take the time to boycott Dave & Busters for them to see the impact, it would be a small victory for the black and hispanic (I know the hispanic community is probably mentioned in this as well) communities, and a good lesson learned for ignorant racists' across the world. I just don't understand why we as a people try so hard to make successes out of our lives, then say and do such dumb acts to ruin it all.

I USED TO love going to Dave & Busters, but I hope they fail miserably, because of their stupidity. What do you think?

Providers

2007-02-16T16:21:00.001-08:00

From the day we enter this crazy world, we are pressured and molded into "men" in society's eyes, and how does society see us.....as 'providers'.

Is that pressure warranted? Is it fair that we become the providers while the women are being trained and molded into housewives? I'm not saying that being a housewife is totally easy, but being out on the daily-grind M-F, 9-5 SUCKS! There are times that I'd rather sit back at home, cook a little, clean a little and watch my favorite stories, but nooooo. What do I HAVE TO do...get my lazy, good for nothing butt up, and go to work! It's our training that places us into these roles, and we really have no control over it.

When I first started to REALLY realize that I was destined to become a "man"/"provider" for the lady in my life, I was frustrated...plus I was in high school, so I really didn't have a grasp on how things really work. I thought it was totally unfair for us men to HAVE TO have the nice cars, nice clothes, money, and be cool and popular on top of all the others stuff mentioned. That was totally unfair to me, because the only thing you women HAD TO do for us was look cute, wear our favorite outfits, and hit us with the "Colgate Smile" every now-and-then;-) What did we do when y'all did that for us...we broke our necks trying to be that man for y'all, and it killed me! ;-(

Well, shortly after my little rude awakening, I had another thought. I thought to myself, if I'm going to HAVE TO get the nice car, good job and decent clothes, my lady is going to HAVE TO continue dressing cute, cooking for me, and continue to keep the house clean for me when I get home from my dreadful 9-5, and do other things to/for me that I will not mention here ;-)

I guess it's just the way we are taught from our society's old rules, and it's really ok, but sometimes, it's a little unfair. What's really unfair about it all is, I'm willing to bet that just about every woman that is reading this right now is totally not agreeing with me about having the nice car, good clothes and money, but how often do you see a beautiful woman with a broken down man...not very. On the other hand, a woman could be totally car-less, broke and living with her mom, and that would be ok with us...why...because we're the providers, and all we want to do is provide for you, and make you happy...but what about us????

Society's rules suck! I think I should try to find me a Sugar-Momma or something ;-) Just wanted to share some more of my Aimless Thoughts with y'all. What do you think?

Fascinated with Death and Destruction

2007-02-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

Why are we so compelled to look at death and destruction more than happiness and construction? When we see an accident on the highway, we break our necks to see how bad the damage is, but if we're driving down that same highway, and they're building a new bank, or apartment building, we blow right by it as if it didn't exist.

What about events like Drag Racing and NASCAR? Ask any fan, and even though they may be reluctant to say, they'll eventually tell you that they watch in hopes of seeing a crash...or two. Why? Are we so dissatisfied with our own lives that we can't wait to see something bad happen to someone else to take our own pain away?

The other day, on my way home from work, I saw a MINOR (in all caps for a reason) motorcycle accident where the rider basically fell off his bike, skinned his knee, and was sitting on the curb talking with traffic officers. You would NOT believe the back up of traffic and rubber-neckers stopping, looking and HOPING to see some death or a ravaged body so they'd have a story to tell to some other miserable $%*&! I was in traffic for an effin' hour!!! I don't see the big thrill of seeing someone get hurt, but that's just me. I'd rather get my butt home so I don't have to be on the streets fighting traffic....caused by bored, miserable, unhappy with their own lives rubber-neckers.

I say, get a life!!!....but that's just me ;-)

2007-02-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

Marco Tempest - PhoneCam Magic #8 - Proximity

It's it cool how little magic tricks bring out the kid in you? This guy is pretty slick with his slide-of-hand, but I love it anyway. It's the whole mystery of making something so obviously fake, look as real as you and me ;-)

Gotta Love it!

A Little More About ME ;-)

2007-01-30T07:47:00.000-08:00

I swear, I REALLY love the blogthings site. Maybe that's why I have it on my list of favorite sites...hmmm? Anyway, just like I stated in the previous post, I LOVE to be analyzed and broken down...or summed up. Well, being that I like it so much, I went back to the blogthings site, and took a quick personality test, and here are my results. Once again, for all of you out there who KNOW me, HERE I AM...and for those who don't know me, you will get a good idea after reading these. Enjoy, and take a moment to try the site. You may like some of the surveys. If you don't see one that you like, just hit the refresh button, and another will pop up.

HERE I AM:

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:

You have medium extroversion.
You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.
Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.
But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."

Conscientiousness:

You have high conscientiousness.
Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life.
Most things in your life are organized and planned well.
But you borderline on being a total perfectionist.

Agreeableness:

You have low agreeableness.
Your self interest comes first, and others come later, if at all.
In general, you feel that people are not to be trusted.
And you're skeptical that anyone else really feels differently.

Neuroticism:

You have low neuroticism.
You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.
Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.
Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is high.
In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

This personality profile is sooooo cool. This is pretty much the real me. I am a total loyal friend, and will go to battle for all of my "friends", and even some associates. I guess I'm just cool like that ;-) What about you? Click on the link below my analysis, and take the test. You'll be surprised at the results!

ME....In a Nutshell

2007-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

For all of you who KNOW me, you must know this. I am a KNOW-IT-ALL, and I LOVE to be in the KNOW of everything about, and around me. You must also know that I do not open my mouth unless I know what I'm talking about, and when I do talk, I am usually right......that's why I don't open my mouth unless I know....get it ;-) Anyway, being that you do know me, you also have to know that I love...or should I say, I have to be PROVEN wrong when I feel that I know something, and that I also LOVE to analyzed and broken down. I really love it when people know me. Maybe that's why I like the zodiac and horoscopes so much (but I don't follow them to be the absolute truth...they're just entertaining to me).

Speaking of entertaining, there is another blog site called "Blog Things", and they have ALL TYPES of different "THINGS" that you can do to add to your blog. The thing I chose to do was the sleep analysis. It asks "how do you sleep"....fetal position, on your side, on your back, or on your stomach? I almost ALWAYS sleep on my right side, and this is the answer that I received. This is TOTALLY AMAZING, because it is totally TRUE, for all of you who KNOW the REAL ME, you'll agree. I love this kind of stuff. If you go to this particular site, you'll see that I did not make-up my results. It is just who I am ;-)

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are calm and rational.
You are also giving and kind - a great friend.
You are easy going and trusting.
However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

ROLE PLAYING

2007-01-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

Today's topic class, is actually about Gender Roles. How do you view society's gender roles? Do you feel that the man is the head of the household (when married, or in a committed relationship), or do you believe that everything in the relationship is 50/50?

I for one am very old fashioned in this respect, as you all may already know. I do believe that the man is the head of the household, and the main decision maker when it comes down to bottom-line decisions, but that doesn't take anything away from any woman in my life. It's just the roles that have been instilled in my mind since childhood.

But look at it this way. What if we didn't have these preconceived "rules and roles" placed in our heads as youths? What would our society be if everything was REALLY 50/50? It's kinda hard to imagine a society where all women would be paid the same as men, in power positions as men, and in bottom-line gender roles as men. Now, before you get upset with me, I'm not saying this to say that women cannot be in any of the positions above, but what I am saying is it's hard to imagine it, because of how we've been programmed as children.

Other than the possibility of a few hard core feminists reading this post, are there any other women that can REALLY actually imagine a society where all major responsibilites and power positions would be split down the middle? We have been programmed for so long, that we've instilled the same "rules" and values that we've been taught in our children.

Men have been programmed to be the 'providers and protectors' while the women were taught to be lady-like, cute, quiet and/or shy housewives. Now, in the new millenium, women are taking on more important roles in their lives, whether it be in the workplace or household, and in some instances, it's causing men to feel a little inadequate. If we (men) are to taught to be tough, and not cry or show sensitivity, what happens when women start doing the same? What happens when women start being just as tough and hard as men? What happens when women start providing for the household just as men do? Does society stand and get better, or will this have a negative impact? There is a hierarchy placed in our society for multiple reasons, and one of them is gender roles.

Women are the mothers, and nuturers by nature, and the men are the warriors, protectors and providers. Maybe it's like that for a reason. Men are physically stronger, and in physical instances, our mental strength is a factor as well. There are lots of women that I know that just do not know how to handle mentally stressful physical acts such as fist fights, and attacks, therefore making the mens role of warrior and protector warranted. If this part of our roles was split 50/50, what would our (men) purpose be in the household? It would pretty much make it seem like women don't need men to feel safe and/or protected. With the way society is now teaching women how to be more self reliant, where do the men fit? I'm not saying that women should not be able to protect themselves, or be able to make as much money as, if not more than men, but if we start splitting our roles completely down the middle, what would we need each other for other than sex and companionship? If women can protect themselves as much as men can, and men can nuture children just as much as women can, where will we end up....all self reliant, self protected and all alone.

I like the way things are, and I am up for change, but at the same time, I do not want to be alone ;-).....what about you?

Is Not Knowing, Better?

2007-01-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

If you are a major "24" fan like I am, you would have witnessed the beginning of another masterful season. If you're a major thinker like I am, you've also come up with an answer to the now ever popular question, could that really happen?

If you are not aware of the latest "24" craze, I am talking about the "terrorists" detonating 1 of 5 brief-case-enclosed Nuclear Bombs. "24"-heads like myself are all asking whether it is possible or not for terrorists to be able to have, and easily detonate Nuclear Bombs right under our ATF, DEA and CIA's noses. Some may call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think the answer is YES.

Why?

Well, why not? Our government is SUPPOSED to be aware, and prepared for all worst-case scenario's, but we cannot, under any circumstances, stop any terrorists attempts on our soil.

The Oklahoma City bombing.
The SECOND, and sadly successful World Trade Center Attacks.
The attacks on the Pentagon, and many more that we are not fully aware of, are all indications that we are NOT prepared for the REAL worst-case-scenario, which is a Nuclear attack.

So, being that we are not prepared, do you think it is our govt's. duty to inform the people of this great country, or should we be left in the dark in order to preserve our regular work-a-day lifestyle? I for one think it's best that we do not know. If we were to find out all of our govt's. doings, the information alone would incite a riot to say the least. World wide panic would ensue, and there would be no possible way for us to maintain, or regain order.

Moreover, I think we like to be left in the dark, because if we were allowed to see roughly 5-minutes of footage of what our govt. keeps from us, our 'regular' minds would shut down, and we'd be up for a major rebooting.

For example, look at cellular phone technology. Do you honestly think that these new small and slim phones are really NEW? I think not! These technologically advanced phones have been around for years, but since we're on a set schedule, we cannot exceed our govt. set tech allowances, because there would be nothing to look forward to, or prepare to buy. Keeping us in the dark, or one step behind helps keep the economy flowing.

I am willing to bet everything I've ever owned on the fact that when Zack Morris was all too popular on "Saved By the Bell" , walking around with his all white, super big brick cell phone, these smaller and more advanced phones were already available, but just not in mass production. If they were, what would we be using now...microchips? You get it? We just can't handle technological advances handed to us at a much faster pace than we've been preset to.

Think back a little further, and see if you can follow me. Let me paint a quick picture for you. It had to be roughly around early 2004. There was a commercial where there was a man sitting on a park bench, possibly somewhere downtown New York, and he was wearing a nice set of small stylish sun glasses. There was another man sitting next to him, but they weren't speaking. All of a sudden, the man with the sun glasses started yelling out "BUY", "SELL", "TRADE", "NO", "NO" and so on. He was wearing a set of internet/tv glasses, and he was trading stock online....through the lens of his glasses! How cool is that!? That was shown to us, and taken away from us back in early '04....or maybe even '03.

That commercial has had me excited about that product since then, and I still haven't forgotten about it. I'm just waiting for them to release it to the world...just like the in-home picture phones.

You see, our world is much more advanced than we are allowed to know, and I think with good reason. "We cannot handle the truth". We are a simple society with a majority of simple people who do not wish to have their boats rocked, and I do not blame them. I for one can handle the onslaught of new technology, because I'm just a brainy geek like that, but the world can't. If we were to be informed that we are really always under constant ORANGE and RED alert, people would be afraid to leave their homes, and our economy would suffer as a result. We have to be left in the dark about our already available technology, and terrorism threats in order to survive in this somewhat perfect world that our govt. has created for us.

So with that being said, am I wrong? Do you think we can handle what the world REALLY has in store for us, or Is Not Knowing, Better?

Waiting for the World to Change!

2007-01-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

I've never met John Mayer, and I doubt that I ever will, but I absolutely love this song and the message within.

I am so tired of my brother having to go back and forth to the War Zone, and I am really frustrated with G.W.Bush and his total disregard for our troops, family and friends in the War. I can promise you that NO ONE in his family is anywhere near this War, and they NEVER will be.

Please, just take a moment to listen to the song, and hear the truth in the lyrics. There's pretty much nothing we can do but wait....and it is so sad.

Make Love, Not War!

John Mayer Waiting

We're Accepting Pesos Now???

2007-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Dallas, Texas.

What is happening to our California/American economy when Small Pizza Chains begin accepting Pesos as a form of payment...for American food or products?

It goes back to my previous blog (Illegal Immigrants in Our Economy) post when I gave my views and opinions about how illegal immigrants are effecting our American economy. One of the examples that I stated was one about Landscaping companies being undercut by illegals to do just as good a job as our American businesses for a small fraction of the price. Now, don't mistake what I'm saying by thinking that it's wrong to look for better deals and save money overall, but as a whole, by accepting the "better" offer from illegals, we are hurting our own economy rather than helping it.

If we begin to accept pesos in our small chain, and National businesses, what do you think is going to happen to our economy? We are already feeling the impact of what illegal landscaping companies are doing to us, so how much of an impact do you think accepting pesos is going
to have? What that does is make it ok for illegals to spend their dollars here, when the American dollar used to hold the higher value (overall), and it shows that we are accepting any illegal immigrants or money here, no matter what.

The more we begin to accept, the more these rapid changes are going to continue to take place. Pretty soon, the American economy will change over to ALL foreign currency and laws, and we will become the minority...in our "suppos-ed" land.

I know that California/America is a capitolist society, but this is too much of a transition, especially after the BIG controversy over deporting illegals back to their respective countries. If we accept their form of currency, why not accept all illegal immigrants in without penalty? Why make a big issue over jobs, medicare and minimum wages, if you're going to accept it overall?

Please do not take my opinions on this issue as me being a racist, or separatist, because I am truly a Liberal. I just want to point out what we all as a society tend to overlook...just as I always do here at Aimless Thought.

To read more, and get the whole story, click the source. (wfaa.com)

CATS AND DOGS

2007-01-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a little something different!

This chart was sent to me by my uncle, and I thought I'd share it with you.

As much as we love and compare ourselves to animals, I'm glad our lives don't blow by like theirs.

I have to know one thing though.

Who's the Veternarian that came up with these statistics, and how do they really know?

Maybe it's the way their (animal) bones and organs mature compared to ours, but then again, why are you comparing animal organs to humans?

We are similar, but not THAT similar.

Dog----------Human
1 year-------15 years
2 years------24 years
4 years------32 years
7 years------45 years
10 years-----56 years
15 years-----76 years
20 years-----98 years

Cat----------Human
1 year-------15 years
2 years------24 years
5 years------36 years
7 years------45 years
12 years-----64 years
15 years-----76 years
18 years-----88 years
21 years-----100 years

My Favorite Magician

2007-01-03T20:24:00.000-08:00

This guy is just too slick! I love how he tries to distract you from the focal point, but keep watching til the end so you can enjoy the turn out. ;-) I will have to say however that this is pretty cool. I've seen art like this, but never with the accent of optical illusions. Pretty slick though.

New Years Eve

2006-12-31T10:46:00.000-08:00

What to do on New Year's Eve???

Why must we feel obligated to celebrate the beginning of a New Year?

Isn't it just another day, or the beginning of a New day?

The New Year is SUPPOSED to bring New hope and New resolutions that were left unsettled the previous year, but does it ever really happen??? NO! No one ever sticks to their New Year's resolutions, and IF they try their best to do so, it usually only lasts the first two weeks of January, then it's back to the same 'ol thang. Once we get past the excitement of surviving another year, it's back to working waaaaay too much, and continuing our regular lives.

WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION???

So, before we embark upon another hard year, who's going to be partying tonight, and why? I'm not saying you SHOULD stay home and do nothing, but why do you feel compelled to go to a night club or party, and pay triple what it normally cost to dance/party to the same music, with the same crowd in the same location?

Why do we feel like such losers when we end up staying home for New Years Eve, or even worse, why do we feel so bad when we don't have a date to bring in the New Year?

We've gone all year long without dates, so why do we feel the NEED to have a date for this "special" night?

I blame it on the media.

The media is responsible for putting ads in papers, and promoting the "No date for New Year's Eve" headlines, that always make you feel like crap if you're dateless on our traditional night.

Personally, I've spent New Year's Eve with and without dates, and honestly, there's no difference. I guess the older I get, the less important it becomes.

I guess I'm just realizing that it's just another day in our sad existence.

A day is a day is a day.

What do you think?

A SERIES OF MY PET-PEEVES #2

2006-12-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

Here's another one of my rants, but first I have to say that I am sorry for the long break between blogs, but the Holidays....you know how they can be.

Anyway, speaking of the Holidays, is it me, or do the Holidays bring out all the idiots?! I don't know what it is about Christmas shopping, sales and good food, but there must be something in the air (or food) that causes people to lose all basic motor skills. Is it me, or has any one of you noticed how hard it is to navigate through a shopping mall? There's ALWAYS someone there that should NOT be under ANY circumstances! He's/she's the one that's in the mall wondering around in slow motion looking at EVERY SINGLE STORE in the mall like it's their first time outside of the house. Then, there's the group of people who can't seem to go anywhere by themselves, so they come to the mall with EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, including slow walking, not focused, first time in a mall Grandpa. You and I both know that Gramps needs to be at home in his recliner trying to sneak and watch the playboy channel while granny's in the kitchen baking Ginger Bread Cookies, and not in the mall walking in the MIDDLE of the aisles in everybody else's way. It's just like driving. People walk just like they drive, and we all know how grandpa drives, so that means, we all know how grandpa walks....JUST LIKE HE DRIVES!! We need to leave the grandparents at home, and keep them away from the mall. Besides, I don't think they really want to be around a %&$^-load of kids, just like we don't want to be.

On a slightly different note, what about the people in the malls that bring all of their children with them, to let them roam around while they shop? That is a definite no-no as well. That's just as bad as bringing grandpa to the mall. It's almost like these children have been caged for half of their lives, then let loose into the wilderness of the Mall. I'm not a parent, but I know what it is like to be around, and raise (a little) children. I know that the laws have changed when it comes to the levels of disclipine towards children, and I also know that it is a well deserved break when you can let your kids loose for a while, but what about the rest of us? What about the people who don't have kids? Think about how much it irritates us. Don't let your kids run free like wild animals. Think back to the days before you had kids....now think back to how agitated you used to get when someone's wild-child would run past you, bump into you, or even worse, step on your toes (ladies). You already know your kids are bad, so don't release them onto the general public just so you can chill! Have some basic consideration for those around you, and realize that you are NOT the only one on the stinkin' planet!

Anyway, that's pretty much all of what I had to get off my chest. Maybe it's the whole hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but I just had to release a little of my frustrations by sharing another one of my pet-peeves. I hope you can understand.

Merry Christmas ;-)

Some Food for Thought

2006-12-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a little Food for Thought for y'all. Last night in the shower, for some random reason, my mind started to wonder (Aimless Thoughts) about my close family members and friends, and I started to think about how much I love and appreciate them, but then it hit me. How will I feel when the times comes for them to pass? The thought alone saddened me, but then I started to think (Aimless Thoughts) again, and wondered....'what if we as people didn't do so much good in our lives, to have positive impacts on our immediate friends and family members lives, would they miss us as much when we passed'? Then it hit me even harder...'do we miss our loved one's more because they've impacted us so greatly, or do we miss and feel saddened for people when they pass, as a whole, because we are good and compassionate people'?

I wonder....would we really not miss people when they passed if they were not pleasurable to be around? I know you've heard people say it before when someone "less desirable" passes away, 'he won't be missed'. Is that a true statement, and if so, do you think that if our loved one's started to act like butt-holes when they knew they were close to passing, we wouldn't hurt so much when they did? Do you think that would help alleviate the pain of them passing, and if so, do you think we all should agree to do so when we reach a certain age to make sure that our loved one's don't feel so bad once were gone?

I know that there are a LOT of people in my life that I am going to miss dearly when they are gone, and I guess this is just one of my Aimless ways of trying to prepare myself for the inevitable. What do you think? Should we charish them now, and start distancing ourselves near the end, or should we just do our best to just try to grin and bare it?

Illegal Immigrants in our (California) Economy

2006-12-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

Based on the most popular vote from the previous poll/post, it seems that you all would like to hear/read my views about whether I think Illegal Immigrants are negatively effecting our economy. Well, ultimately I'd have to say no, I don't think so, and here is why.

If you pay close attention to the changes in California's population and economical standing, it has nothing to do with the direct effect of Illegal Immigrants. Our government has allowed Illegal Immigrants to enter our state/our economy for monetary purposes, and that is all. The "jobs" that our Illegals (I say 'our' because they are a part of our world/economy now) accept/choose to do are jobs that 1. We as proud Americans would not do as adults (McDonalds, Burger King, Car Washes, Landscaping, etc.), and 2. Are jobs that our work-a-day economy is based upon, and I'll tell you why.

We work so much as Californian's/Americans that we do not have time to be mother's, father's, husbands, wives, friends and still maintain a healthy social/hobby filled life. We NEED those fast food restaurants to be there for us between our work schedules and our rides home, to quickly feed ourselves and our children. If it weren't for 'our' Illegals, not one of us 'too proud' Americans would be caught dead working the counter, cash register or kitchen of a burger joint....at least not as seemingly successful adults. Maybe if our luck was down, and we couldn't find another job to save our lives, then yes, but while California (although saturated and over-crowded) is still a booming economical state, it would not happen. California is the land of opportunity, that's why everyone wants to be here (besides the weather), and by us having Illegal Immigrants here to work these fast-food/laborous jobs that we refuse to work, it gives us more opportunities to attain our goals and find the life changing careers that are oh so available to us.

Don't take my thoughts wrong by thinking that I think that I am above anyone working in the fast food industry, because I am not, by no means. The job that I am currently working is not all that prestigious either, so I would never allow my pride and ego to get me to think otherwise. I could be easily be fired and placed into a desperate situation where I would HAVE TO work a 'demeaning job' (by California's standards) to stay afloat.

I believe that we (Californians) believe that we deserve the first chance to place our bids for jobs opportunities/openings over Illegal Immigrants. I believe that we feel that we are being undercut by Illegal Immigrants in the job market. The Illegals that are able to get jobs (under the table) at businesses other than in the fast food industry, are viewed as indirect and unfair competition. Why, well, look at the landscaping industry for example. I know all of you may have seen some very nice, professional landscaping companies/vehicles where it could possibly be that although they would do a very nice job, they would be expensive as opposed to a group of hard working Illegal Immigrants. With that being the case, any homeowner or business owner looking to save a few dollars, but still get a good job done would easily choose a group of Illegal Immigrants for say....$100 a month, as opposed to a landscaping company that charges $400-$500 a month for the same quality work. I would consider that to be a direct impact on our economy, but then there's a trade-off as well.

Look at how many Illegal Immigrants our government has allowed to come into our country/state that are willing to work without tax or health benefits. Our government pays them low dollar amounts (sometimes below minimum wage) in exchange for tons of work (that we are too proud to do ourselves) without the luxury of health benefits, which means our government gets high productivity from cheap labor at half the cost, because although we co-pay for our benefits, our government still pays a lot. What if our government had to pay for 'our' Illegal Immigrants' benefits. We'd be in a much greater deficit than we are in today, so maybe there is a good side to having Illegal Immigrants in our economy afterall????

Now I know that our state is severly overcrowded, and we are on a downhill slalom, but what type of effect do you think we would suffer if we didn't have the Illegal Immigrants here to do what we refuse to do? Where do you think our state/economy would be then? I think there's good and bad on both sides, and I don't know if we'd be in a utopia if there weren't anymore Illegal Immigrants. What do you think?

ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME?

2006-12-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

If you have any other suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments section, and in 3-4 days, I will have your most suggested topic ready to read and agree or disagree with.

Ten Truths about Our People (pt. 5 of 5)

2006-12-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

Well folks, this is the last installment of the Ten Truths. 
Just remember that these were sent to me from a close friend of mine,
and they are just jokes, so have fun ;-)

TEN TRUTHS WHITE, HISPANIC, ASIAN, AND BLACK PEOPLE KNOW, BUT
NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. There is a life outside of the reservation
2. Getting a job and earning an honest living doesn't make
  you a traitor.

3. Hickies are not attractive.
4. Blankets are not curtains.
5. Alcohol is a depressant and only makes you more sad.
6. This was your land and it was taken from you, but you get
  school, healthcare, food and housing for free so get over it.

7. Pow-wows are a time for celebration...not a hook up party.
8. It's not polite to give dirty looks to everyone.
9. If your car has no windows and you have to hold the door
   shut with bungee cord, it's probably time to get a new one.  

10. There doesn't have to be a fight at every party.

WHY?

2006-11-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

Life is full of questions, and with my inquisitive mind, I've come up with a few for you. Somebody please tell me:

*WHY....is gas STILL as high today, as it was last year?

*WHY....can't we foresee the end of this war, and normal gas prices in our immediate
future?

*WHY....have we not seen any positive results from this war?

*WHY....must we sit back quietly, while our brothers and sisters are overseas putting
their lives on the line while our government gouges us with high gas prices?

*WHY....is our cost of living & minimum wages rising, but our quality of life
declining? We spend sooo much time working, that we can't seem to enjoy
any extra money we earn with wage increases.

*WHY....is every major freeway under construction, to compensate for the overcrowding
California, STILL not yielding any positive results?

*WHY....are racially motivated police beatings & shootings happening in waves? It
seems like once one event becomes public, multiple stories emerge.

*WHY....do people act surprised when 'now captive' animals attack their trainers?
Why should these animals be punished because of their survival instincts?

*WHY....are relationships so hard to maintain?

*WHY....is the one you love, the same one you hate...but can't seem to get away
from?

*WHY....do you become more desirable once you're in a committed relationship?

*WHY....can't you seem to BUY a date when you're single?

*WHY....can't we just be HAPPY????

My Imagination

2006-11-27T15:59:00.000-08:00

Being that I'm a Pisces (and I'm sure all of you other Pisces out there can agree with me), I have a very wild and very vivid imagination, and one of the two things that I like to fantasize mostly about is winning the lottery. Now, don't take this short-story as a hidden message, cause I am BROKE ;-), but I just wanted to share one of my many Aimless Thoughts with you.

I've often talked about, and wondered along with my family, about how life would be if I was to hit the big-one. I've often gone as far as doing the math (taxes) and deciding who I would give money to, and how much, and everytime that I've mentioned the 'giving money part' to my family members, I've gotten the same answer every time. "You shouldn't have to worry about who you're giving money to! It's yours, and IF you decide to give money to whomever, they should be happy with whatever you give them, because they didn't have whatever you gave them to begin with", which could be true, but is NOT at all. If I was to win 1-million dollars/$600K after taxes (give or take), and ONLY gave my closest family members something like $5-$6K each, and bought myself a BMW 745Li (Charcoal Gray...my favorite car...which is $80K by the way), they would have a fit!!! There's no way they'd feel comfortable with me driving an $80K car, while they're still in debt, but only $5-$6K richer. They'd have something to say, and you know I'm right.

People always seem to say the noble thing when there's no real money involved, but when you actually get that money in your possession....things change. It's so bad with me and my friends that there have been times when I may have found $50 or so at work, and they wanted me to treat them to lunch and put gas in their pacers....I'm not feeling that! I'm the nicest person that anyone would ever want to meet, but I'm no push-over. Just because I found the money doesn't mean that it's a free-for-all. I may not have 'earned it', but it's mine.

Now, what would I do if I did win the big-one? I would definitely give my family and closest friends some cool loot, but I would not relieve them of their debts, and I would not buy all of them cars. I'm not going to go broke trying to be a good friend to you, but I would give enough to make sure that they didn't hate me and my good luck....but I would have my 745 ;-). I would definitely retire my mom and dad, and I would make sure that my little brother was able to get himself somewhere to live, cause I would definitely have my own place!!! ;-) Other than the basics like shopping and vacationing, I would seriously invest, and NEVER WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE AGAIN!!! I would retire! What would y'all do if you hit the big-one? I would love to see if your imagination is anything like mine. Leave a comment if you'd like.

Ten Truths about Our People (pt. 4 of 5)

2006-11-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

These were sent to me from a close friend of mine.
They are just jokes, so let's all laugh and be happy.

TEN TRUTHS WHITE, BLACK, NATIVE AMERICAN AND ASIAN PEOPLE
KNOW, BUT HISPANIC PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. Tattoos are not attractive.
2. Chicken is food, not a roommate.
3. Jesus is not a name for your son.
4. Your country's flag is not a car decoration.
5. Cars are not meant to touch the ground.
6. "Jump out and run" is not in any insurance policies.
7. Ten people to a car is considered too many.
8. You're in America, you speak our language.
9. Mami and Papi can't possibly be the nickname of every
  person in your family.
10.Letting your children run wildly through the store is not
  normal.

* What do y'all think?  I think they are pretty funny,
and best of all, they're about ALL OF US, so let's not
get personally offended, and just laugh a little ;-) *

*Don't forget to check out my services offered at
www.mybusinesses.blogspot.com *

CRAZY MICHAEL RICHARDS!!

2006-11-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

I'm quite sure that EVERYONE has heard about the racism of Mr. Michael Richards...Kramer from Seinfeld. This has to be the second most disgusting thing that I've heard/read since my last post about the Racist White Girl Group on the Billboard Charts (article link) ! Am I in the dark here, or is racism still prominent in our world? In the eyes of the Racist White Girl Group and Michael Richards...YES!!!

It is so sad how something so old and done can be reawakened by a failing actor and sorry comedian. Comedians have to know...coming into the field of comedy...that you're not going to be funny to everyone, and that you're gonna get heckled. It comes with the territory.

As a professional, you should be able to acknowledge the heckler, make a joke about him or her, then continue with your act. You are NOT supposed to lash out at the heckler with racial slurs! What is wrong with you!!!? Are you such a loser that because your act sucks, and everyone came to see "Kramer" as opposed to Michael Richards, that you have to result to calling Black men "Niggers" and Latinos "Wet-Backs",etc.?

His actions are totally disgraceful, and he should be banned from t.v....PERIOD! In a moment of rage, and embarrassment, he has just destroyed his career and put the reputations of his close friends on the line. You know the old saying. 'birds of a feather, flock together'. Now, everyone is gonna start looking at Seinfeld and the cast of the show...and all of his friends kinda sideways.

If you are at all unfamiliar with what took place, this past Sat...or Sunday night at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Ca. (I think), Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) was on stage performing his weak comedy act. An African American heckler in the audience was giving him trouble because of his tired act, when Richards lost his composure, (and his mind) and started calling the heckler a 'Nigger' and said racist statements like...'you can't talk like this to a white man'....and 'if I had it my way, you'd be hanging from a tree, with a pitch-fork in your ass!' That is absolutely disgusting, and totally immoral!! If he is EVER hired for another t.v. show or movie, that should immediately let you know where the hiree stands. He/she may be a racist as well. It's so sad, yet so true.

As a black man, I am totally offended, and just as upset when I posted the article about the Racist White Girl Music Group. When is it all going to stop!? Does anyone have an answer?

You can see the video at www.tmz.com or by going to www.youtube.com and typing in Michael Richards in the search box.

Ten Truths about Our People (pt.3 of 5)

2006-11-19T02:20:00.000-08:00

I would just like to say that before you read these,
just know that:

*1. They were sent to me from a close friend of mine, and
*2. They are just jokes!!!

If you look at the series, this is part 3 of 5. 
Parts 1 & 2 were about different races, and they
were jokes as well. So please, view these "Truths" with an
open mind, and comical spirit.  Enjoy.

TEN TRUTHS WHITE, HISPANIC, NATIVE AMERICAN AND BLACK PEOPLE
KNOW, BUT ASIAN PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:
1. You can't drive!
2. Disneyland is not the happiest place on earth.
3. The peace sign is outdated.
4. Rice is not a main course.
5. Taking pictures is fun. Taking pictures of strangers
  is just weird.
6. Feet were meant to grow.
7. You need girls just as much as you need boys.
8. Dogs were meant to be pets, not eaten.
9. You don't need above a 4.0 to graduate.
10. Fanny packs are not an accessory.

NEW BUSINESS

2006-11-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of my loyal and faithfull (and new) readers! I would like to take a short moment to welcome all of you to my new BUSINESS BLOG! I have 3 different businesses that I am involved in that I'd like to share with you that is VERY LIKELY to be beneficial for you, and/or your friends and family.

Please take a moment to click on the link in the right column entitled MY BUSINESSES, or just click on the link at the bottom of this post. Over time, my blog will change with lots more business ventures that WILL BE helpful and beneficial to you, so stay tuned, and please sign up for my FREE RSS Syndication feeds, and feel free to leave your comments. Also, don't hesitate to contact me via email at nethedd@yahoo.com if you have any personal questions or inquiries. I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to help you with ANY, and ALL of your needs.

Thank you for all of your continued support.
www.mybusinesses.blogspot.com

I made Time....for The TIME!!

2006-11-14T00:13:00.000-08:00

Long Beach, Ca.

The Queen Mary

The BIG Trade & Fashion Show with special guest....Morris Day and The TIME!! A gala event that was supposed to be just like the movies, but sadly, was not. The event was HEAVILY advertised ALL OVER THE RADIO for weeks, so naturally, I expected a BIG turn-out....NOT!!

Don't get me wrong. The crowd was there, and the Fashion and models were right where they needed to be, but something was missing. Was it the aura...no. The people....no. What about the unique "fashion" on display that NOBODY ever wears.....no. Then, what was it? It was the movie type setting and barrage of Paparazzi that was missing.

You know, usually, in the movies, the cat-walk is really big and white, highlighted with curtains and spotlights and maybe a podium with a stiff announcer in a suit and glasses, while the barrage of Paparizzi surrounding the stage nearly blind the models with snap-shots. This however wasn't the case.

As far as the crowd goes...yeah, there was one....but not in full force, especially considering how much radio advertising they did. They could have saved themselves a lot of money by not putting us in the ballroom-type section that they had us in. There were three floors available for the crowd, but they could have just put us on one...but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.

You would think that for only $20 a ticket, that more people would take a chance and show up, but then again, for only $20 bucks, I should have known better. It's just that I had this movie-type fantasy in my mind of what a fashion show should be. I had my camera ready and everything....you know...to take pics for my Cam-Ateur Project. With the exception of the two guys on the cat-walk floor, I was the only serious photographer there. That's pretty sad for an Annual BIG Trade & Fashion Show.

Anyway, as the night grew older and colder, when we almost thought we couldn't stand to be there much longer, out came our salvation....Mr. Morris Day and The TIME!! I've truly got to say that after all these years, that group has STILL GOT IT!!! They put on a hell of a show! They were all tight, and perfectly in synch. It was like watching them perform next to Prince in 'Purple Rain' all over again. They did all the classics (Jungle Love, Gigolos get Lonely Too, etc.), and even invited the crowd on stage for a little group participation. Because of them, it went from a somewhat dull and daunting night, to a party under the moonlight. Even in 3-piece suits, they got the job done. I'm maybe 15 years younger than The TIME, but I KNOW I would have been sweating twice as hard. Youth does not always equal physical fitness, and Morris Day and The TIME proved it in full force on the Gray Ghost (Queen Mary). I don't know if I'll ever attend another one of these low-budget-type fashion shows, but if Morris Day and The TIME is going to be there again, I might consider it.

If you'd like to see the pics of The BIG Trade & Fashion Show, and Morris Day and The TIME, check out The Cam-Ateur Project by clicking the link below

picsbyahmed.fotopic.net.

Ten Truths about Our People (pt.2 of 5)

2006-11-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

These are just a few truths about us, that we NEED reminders of ;-)

TEN TRUTHS WHITE, HISPANIC, NATIVE AMERICAN AND ASIAN PEOPLE
KNOW, BUT BLACK PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1. O.J. did it!
2. Tupac is dead!
3. Teeth should NOT be decorated.
4. Ranch is a salad dressing, not a side dish.
5. Your pastor doesn't know everything.
6. Jesse Jackson will never be President.
7. RED is not a Kool-Aid flavor, it's a color.
8. Church does not require expensive clothes.
9. Crown Royal bags are meant to be thrown away.
10. Your rims and sound system should not be worth more than your car.

I must admit that every time I read these, I can't help but to agree. But you know, #3 & #10 is just black people's way to shine. We already do not have much, as it is, so we have to highlight what was God given (our teeth). Not saying that I would ever do anything like that, but I understand. As far as #10 goes....been there, done that...but never no more ;-)

Hope you enjoyed the truths.

Gilligan's...I mean Catalina Island

2006-11-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

Juuuuussst sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a tiny ship.....that's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the last time I went to Catalina Island. I swear, the last time me and my ex went to Catalina, the season was changing, as well as the weather.

When it was time for us to leave, we gathered all of our luggage, took the last shots we could take with our disposable Kodak, and headed towards the dock. When I saw the S.S.Minnow (our tiny ship) approaching, my heart started racing, and it seemed to be in rhythm with the Gilligan's Island theme song. When the song says that the 'tiny ship was tossed', they meant it! If they were going to film a 2001 version of Gilligan's Island, they could have used our ship for the intro.

That little ship was all over the place!!! I've NEVER seen a ship tossed from side-to-side so easily. Honestly, I never knew a ship could be tossed like that. I've seen it on t.v., but, that's tv. It's not supposed to be real...or so I thought.

When we finally got on the ship, and headed back towards Long Beach, we were rocking so badly that I thought we were going to flip over. My ex and I did our best to keep our heads down, and refuse the barf-bags the shipmates were handing out...cause if we would have taken them, we would have felt the urge to hurl....and that wasn't gonna happen. We did, however, try to test our sea-legs, and go to the rest room. We're young and strong, so we should be able to handle the rocking of the ship...so we thought. She gets up, and BOOM hits the floor like a sack of potatoes. She composes herself, and crawls to the restroom. Then comes my turn. I'm thinking, I'm a man. I'm strong. I can handle it. I get up to walk to the restroom, the boat rocks, and I tumble like a t-shirt in the dryer. Man, I rolled all over the boat! So much for my manlyness. That had to be the craziest experience I've ever had.

Fast forward to 11-05-06...Sun. Me and my lady decide to go to Catalina for a hike. It was her first time, so it was going to be an adventure for her. Me, once again, trying to be 'the man' took the role as our tour guide. Seeing as how the Island isn't that big, I felt no need to get a map. I figured I'd just wing-it, and get us to the top of the mountain to start our hike on the trail next to Wrigley Memorial.

Not remembering how long it takes to get to the top of the mountain without riding the trolley, we start walking. It had to be at least a 70 degree day on a 2+ mile walk uphill at about a continuous 45 degree angle....for an hour! Man that sucked!! I felt like a total man, but not in the good way. I felt like the typical man that THINKS he knows everything about everything, but soon realized that I sucked!

We had really been focused on going on the trail.....but not after hiking up the hill for 2+ miles. Now, I'm at the point where I can't be a quitter. The hill wasn't the 'trail', and we didn't pay our money to try to go hiking on the trail, and end up substituting it by walking up the hill due to my manly arrogance.

After our long trek, we make it to Wrigley Memorial to rest for a minute or two, then head up the trail. Happy to say, we did conquer the trail, but coming down was a bit of a nightmare. The hills were so steep at some points, which caused us to run down a little, which wouldn't have been so bad if we hadn't wasted so much energy hiking up the hill in the first place...but anyway ;-).

We finally finish our hike, and make it down to the bottom of the trail to make our way towards the Trolley pick-up so we could ride back down to Island civilization. We stop at the top of Wrigley Memorial so I could take a few more pics, when we see a Trolley. We head down the hill to wait for the next one, but soon realize that the one we just saw (and missed) was the LAST TROLLEY FOR THE DAY!!!! Man, what a nightmare!!!

After sitting on the bench and resting for 20 minutes, and confirming that another Trolley wasn't coming (no thanks to the W.M. booth lady), we pull our boots up, and head BACK down the hill. By this time, we are hurting, and ready to just lay down and cry. We're walking slow (not by choice), but we're trying to find the energy to get down the hill cause our boat was leaving in an hour....and it didn't look like we were going to make it by walking. After a few feet, our Knights in a Shining White Golf Cart (the Island's mode of transportation) comes to our rescue!!! There was a couple that rode the same boat we were on when we came to the Island in the morning. They saw us, and could easily see that we were spent.....and offered us a ride. I have NEVER jumped into a car with strangers so fast in my life, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat to avoid walking down that hill again! Man I love the good nature of people ;-)

Needless to say, and to sum it all up, we made it to our boat in time, got some comfortable seats and floated peacefully back home. It was an adventure within an adventure, but I'd do it all over again if I had the chance.

See the photos HERE!

Too Picky for my Own Good

2006-11-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's that I'm spoiled, or that I have access to too much, or not enough financial responsibilties cause I'm already in the market for a new camera. Just two month's ago, I bought two Kodak Digital Cameras which are great, but I'm a spoiled geek. Once I got the cameras, I was intrigued and fascinated with how they function, and now that I've figured them out, I am no longer just a Freelance Creative Writer for hire, I'm moving towards the field of Freelance Event Photography, so you know what that means...I NEED a professional camera!!!.....but I'm not rich, so now here comes the dilema. I have to try to sell my Kodaks first, to come up with at least half of what I will need to purchase the Nikon Camera that I NEED/want (typical guy to say that I need something, when in reality, I'm just spoiled) to even consider myself a photographer.

I'm not bragging or anything, but I think I may have a handle on this writing thing. I've always been pretty good at speaking, so transferring my thoughts onto paper/my blogs is a walk in the park...pretty easy. Basically, all I do is talk to myself as I'm trying to write....good thing I payed attention in typing class in high-school, huh? Now, I have to get a handle on the photography game. What do I do:

Step One: Buy a Pro/Semi-Pro Camera. Where am I going to get the money for that....anyone interested in buying two Kodak cameras? The price is unbelievable, and I'll ship it to you too (for free)...if you're close. Check out my temporary 'for sale' blog at www.camerasforsale.blogspot.com (simple enough, huh?)

Step Two: Start circulating the business cards that I've already created (I'm already one step ahead of the game...see how determined I am). The only problem that I've encountered with that is there was a FREE dog parade around Long Beach (15 minutes away from my home) that I wanted to attend to get some practice shots, build my portfolio and hand out some cards. I thought ahead to contact the person organizing the parade and ask if I could take random photos (just to be on the safe side, and not waste the gas [you already know how expensive gas is] driving down there). He said yes....for a small fee of $175. WHAT!!!! You've got to be kidding me! In order to take shots, and publicize (did I spell that right?) your FREE (you see how I keep highlighting FREE?) dog parade, you want me to pay to play...you've got to be crazy. He said, if you're taking photos for Press purposes, it would be free, but if you were out there to take photos to sell, and hand out cards, you would have to pay. Needless to say, I didn't get any close-up shots of Rex. So, what am I to do......

Step Three: I'm going to have to continue with my photo blog (With Every Blink) and my photosharing gallery (picsbyahmed.fotopic.net) to showcase my growing talent, and try to solicit my event photos to ALL the car/sports and Event magazines and websites....what a nightmare! Well, if anything is worth while, you're gonna have to earn it....trust me, I know. Maybe that's why I spoil myself...cause I have to work sooooo hard to get any little thing I want ;-(

Anyway, I thought I'd share another Aimless Thought with y'all. If you know of any Cali/Orange County based Events that need photographers (cheap) let me know ;-)

Wish me luck!!!

Ten Truths about Our People (pt.1 of 5)

2006-10-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

These are just a few truths about us that we need reminders of.

TEN TRUTHS BLACK, HISPANIC, NATIVE AMERICAN AND ASIAN PEOPLE KNOW,
BUT WHITE PEOPLE WON'T ADMIT:

1.Elvis is dead.
2.Jesus was not white.
3.Rap music is here to stay.
4.Kissing your pet is not cute or clean.
5.Skinny does not equal sexy.
6.Thomas Jefferson had black children.
7.A 5 year old child is too big for a stroller.
8.N-SYNC will never hold a candle to the Jackson 5.
9.An occasional spanking helps a child stay in line.
10.Having your children curse you out in public is not normal.

A SERIES OF MY PET-PEEVES #1

2006-10-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Again with the whole traffic thing! My very first blog entry (DAILY STREET LIGHT TRAFFIC) was about how much I HATE TRAFFIC! I am not your typical...when it comes to road rage. I'm an 'Internal Rager', as I like to call myself. Please...allow me to explain: I'm not the type of person who honks my horn at people when they can't drive. I don't give people hard looks (well, not too hard). I don't tailgate on the highway (not too often). And I don't give people the finger. This is what I tend to do: I scream at my windshield, and at their rear-view mirrors. I make rude statements (aloud) like...."you've got to be kidding me!", or "where the hell did you get your license from?" and stuff like that. It seems to work though, cause when I'm having my internal fit, they respond. They either drive faster, or get out of my way. Maybe it's the tone of my (internal) voice, or maybe it's the look of disgust on my face when I'm giving them the evil-eye from behind.

Anyway, the First in my Series of Pet Peeves is old men in their sports cars. Man, I can't begin to tell you how much I can't stand being caught in traffic behind one of the "still thinks he's 30" (even though he's pushing 100) geezers cruising at 30mph when the speed limit is 60.

These are not the old 'Sweet Valley High' days when old dudes with Hot Rods got all the girls. And besides that, what the hell are you doing cruising for chicks in rush hour traffic? I don't know about you, but if I had a Corvette, or Ferrari with over 500hp under my hood, I'm going to be moving too fast for one of those stop light traffic cams to get a shot of my shiny bald head. I promise you, I'd be driving like a BOH (Bat Outta Hell), but that's just me.

I'm not saying that you have to terrorize the road, and scare the living daylights out of 'Sunday Drivers', but what's the use of having all that muscle, if you're gonna cruise? Hell, if you really want to just cruise, take MY Dodge! That POS doesn't do anything but cruise! I'm all about using my possessions for their purpose. Corvettes are sports cars....so step your game up and get into the sport. Use the car for what is was made for...speed and sport. Besides, you're too old to be cruising around town with young chicks. What are you, some type of pervert or something?

It might just be me, but I'm not into dating younger women. Too much drama, and too much time invested in entertaining their short attention spans. If I ever end up with a muscle/sports car, you better believe that if there's an older chick in there with me, she's gonna have one hand on her heart, and one hand on her wig, cause we're gonna be doing damn-near 80 in a school zone ;-)....just kidding!!!

CUSTOM & CLASSIC CARS

2006-10-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of photographing a timeless classic...Classic & Custom car show here in Westminster, Ca. Every year, as I understand it, this car show is open to the public to marvel in the presence of, and enjoy these fully restored Lords of the Road....FOR FREE!

How sweet is that!? A car show of this calibur...for FREE!? You've gotta love the enthusiasm. I'm a car guy to the fullest! I love my POS Dodge, no matter how many times it's stalled on me..but I digress.

I love the glistening paint, the attention to detail, and I can truly appreciate the blood, sweat and tears put into adding the personalized, and finishing touches on your ride.

Cars like these ruin relationships...trust me, I know. It's funny how you meet a girl who's totally in love with your sweet ride...until she realizes that you love your car just as much as you love her...then comes the drama...but once again, I digress. Custom and Classic Cars are like members of the family. You've got to bathe them(detailed car wash), feed them (premium gasoline), dress them (ArmorAll and Tire Shine) and buy them new shoes(custom wheels) from time to time. You can't expect your car to take care of you, unless you take care of it, right?

See, I've been neglecting my Dodge lately, so she had to speak up and raise her voice a little. In the last 2- days, she stalled on me in the middle of homeward bound rush-hour traffic (I know what you're saying right now...you want to kill me too!) at least 3-times. Talk about embarrassing. I tend to give lots of dirty looks on the road (my silent form of road-rage), but when it's directed towards you, you can't do anything but bow your head in shame.

If I would have been taking care of her (like her man should) like these Custom & Classic enthusiasts', I wouldn't be running off on my own little tangent about my sassy lady....but I'm proud to say that I took a moment to look under her hood, fix her issues and give her a nice, and well deserved bath. Now my baby shines like a new penny ;-)...and there's no more stalling..so far.

My car in it's current stage is not worthy of competing in this local annual Show n' Shine (since she was stolen and stripped of all her goods), so instead, I'd like to invite you to see all of the Pride and Power in these beautiful beasts'. Take a moment to look at the photo shoot and appreciate these beauties of the past (and present). Actually, some of these rides look a little better than some of these weird spaceships we're driving around today...but that's just my opinion. What do you think?

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT & TO PURCHASE PHOTOS! (Listed in the Westminster Classic Car Show Gallery)

Racist White Girl Group on Billboard Charts.....A Follow-Up to My Previous "Some STILL View Us This Way" post.

2006-10-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is truly disturbing, and unreal!

By Claudia Rosett and George Russell

What does it mean for Black America that a hate preaching music duo could debut on the Billboard albums chart?

This week, the Billboard albums chart's top five is packed with nothing but new releases, with Bakersfield , CA Pop duo Prussian Blue shocking the nation by taking ..4 after selling 91, 000 copies of "End of A Black World" its first week out. The album is also serving as the soundtrack to a remake of one of the most controversial movies in U.S. history "Birth Of A Nation".

"End of A Black World" is the third and most successful album for 12 and 13 year old Lamb and Lynx, who have recently relocated to a private compound in Salt Lake City, Utah after their last album gained them national attention and death threats. The girls were lost, especially in December of 2005 when
their father was shot twice by an AME Minister. However, their father survived and their career was revived by what seems to be an unfathomable paradigm shift in American values.

"It really breaks my heart to see those two girls spewing out that kind of garbage, " said Ted Shaw, civil rights advocate and president of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund.

"This is bullshit. Right now I am more so shocked that an album advocating the extermination of the black race could be so widely received by America , " continued Shaw, who plans to protest the girls' album and call for black artists to boycott Billboard.

Jessie Jackson of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition gave the following statement, "White America has spoken. Billboard has spoken. This is only the beginning."

The beginning is just what Lynx and Lamb, who have been nurtured on racist beliefs since birth by their mother April, are hoping for. "We hope to bring about change in our people, " said Lamb. "We hope that our album and Birth Of A Nation will show our people exactly what needs to be done to make this
country safe and white."

When asked about their inspiration for their latest efforts, Lynx gave this response. "I saw white people hating white people. I was afraid that America wanted to be black, " said Lynx. "I saw that funny nigger's show where he made a mockery of the KKK and white people were laughing. This broke my heart."

Lynx was speaking of Actor/Comedian Dave Chapelle and his comic sketch depicting a blind, African American, Ku Klux Klan leader who was unaware that he was not white. Dave Chapelle is also believed to be the inspiration of their single, "Funny Nigger, " which describes the gruesome fate of blacks who taunt whites. Dave Chapelle was not availible for comment.

Prussian Blue appear to have gone from one of America 's dirty little secrets to Pop princesses overnight. The group is now fielding offers from major record labels such as MGM and Geffen. This may be only the beginning.

Track Listing for "End Of A Black World"

1) Dawn of A New White World
2) Birth Of A Nation
3) Purest Soul
4) Tainted Blood
5) Affirmative Blaction
6) Reggin & Ekik
7) The Cleansing (interlude)
8) Short Drop and A Quick Stop
9) Burning Cross
10) N.A.A.C.P. (Niggers Against A Colorless People)
11) Funny Rich Nigger
12) Crack Babies
13) Nigger Lovers
14) No Darkie In Me
15) End Of A Black World
16) Hess' Praye

Some STILL View Us This Way. Seeing this gives me a Heavy Heart.

2006-10-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

These pictures were forwarded to me from a family member. It saddens my heart to see what my/our Grandparents had to live through and deal with. It's a shame that people can't be viewed as just that...people. I'm not trying to stir anything up, but please take a good look at the pictures below this article, and ask yourself how would you feel if you were considered to be nothing more than a slave, or a Circus act?

Black People have been ridiculed for more than 400 years, and here today, in 'modern society', these same Black People that are made fun of, are now our idols. We are Pro Basketball, Football, Golf and many other sports icons. We are Oscar & Emmy receiving and nominated Actors and Actresses, we are great Singers and Songwriters, Movie Directors and so on. Even with our popular and evergrowing Urban youth and Rap/Hip-Hop Cultures, although often imitated and duplicated, we are still made to look like untamed animals, and uneducated thugs. There are many PEOPLE of EVERY Race and Culture that are 'bad seeds', but Black People for some reason STILL end up becoming the focus of all negative attention. There is absolutely no reason for anyone, whether they be Black, White, Latin or Caucasian to be mistreated as the pictures below indicate. Side Bar: I can't believe they STILL sell 'Aunt Jamaima' (did I spell that right?) products! That's just as racist as the pics below.

Formula Drift

2006-10-15T02:15:00.000-07:00

I know this is a little off topic from the normal direction of my articles, but then again, there is no REAL normality in my script...for this IS Aimless Thought.

Anyway, yesterday I went to Irwindale Speedway (Ca.) to witness the Final Round of Formula Drift racing. If you're not 100% sure what Drift Racing, or Drifting is, basically, it's like this. Drifting began (to my knowledge) in Japan roughly 3-4 yrs ago, and is now gaining heavy popularity in the US. It's kinda like the movie "The Fast and The Furious, Tokyo Drift". Racers local, and world wide come to showcase their driving/racing skills, and manueverability through highly modified racing/sports cars sliding around the oval racetrack....hence the name Drifting. There is always lots of smoke, from the burning tires, and lots of crowd excitement.

To me, it's kinda like the Dukes of Hazard used to do around the corners of Hazard County when they were running away from Roscoe P. Coltrane. What they do is get their cars going around the track between 65-75+mph, and then the sliding begins. They're hooking around the corners with the tail-ends of their cars swinging so close to each other, and the walls of the track that you think they're gonna rip their cars to shreds. And the best part is not the racing, or the pretty models...no no no! The best part is that some of these professional drifters are racing in fully-loaded Lexus's (did I spell that right?). These luxury vehicles have leather, tv's and sound systems in them. Some of these cars are their Daily Drivers!!! How do you drive to work in the morning, and drift in the evening...in the same car?

It was really unbelievable, and I can't wait til the next show. Until then, enjoy the short video below, and enjoy the photos that I took over at With Every Blink.

D1 vrs Nascar twin drift part 2

FIRST AND FIRST. I WON THE CONTEST!! ACTUALLY, I TIED FOR FIRST

2006-10-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

I WON!!!! I AM SOOOO EXCITED! THIS WAS MY FIRST WRITING CONTEST (I have to thank www.contrarywoman.blogspot.com for the invite, and www.lespiritdescalier.blogspot.com for providing the contest) AND I ACTUALLY WON! WELL, I TIED FOR FIRST PLACE...THANKS TO YOUR VOTES, BUT THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR ME, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY TO WIN THE NEXT ONE.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ MY SHORT ENTRY, CLICK ON THE LINK IN THE POST BELOW.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

l'esprit de l'escalier

2006-10-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

l'esprit de l'escalier

Here is where you can read my short/winning story!

My story is # 4

CALIFORNIA HAS NO SELF ESTEEM

2006-10-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

In our world of glamour and glitz, there lives an underlying feeling of insecurity and low self esteem. Women in our society are held up in the highest regard, only if they are physically capable of being molded into what "society" thinks is acceptable. I may be old-school, but I am not really impressed by the "new styled" woman of the 2000's. I'm into the natural woman. I like the natural breasts (whether big or small), the natural butts (preferrably BIG ;-) and the natural look. ( If you must wear make-up, try to use as little as possible if you're aiming to please me).

Recently (at least for a year now), I've been hearing lots of commercials on ALL of the popular radio stations advertising breast augmentations, face lifts and tummy-tucks. Althought plastic surgery is not new, I still think it is a terrible mistake. That has to be one of the worst things you can physically do to your body (besides drug abuse). Our women are so into pleasing the public eye that they are not considering the long term effects that plastic surgery has on their bodies. Ok, so your 45 year old breasts look like they're 20, but what happens when you turn 60+? Your whole body is going to be sagging (that's natural with old age), but your breasts are still going to be sitting up like war missiles. That's NOT going to be attractive...not even to perverts. What are you going to do then, go under the knife and get cut once again? Our bodies are extremely resilient, but this is going way beyond.

In a previous article (If you've Ever Wondered), I wrote about how many women are subjecting themselves to plastic surgery to get approval......from who? Men tend to say that they don't really care whether breasts are real or not, but honestly, if you take a close look at how some of these women look at 100lbs (with 30lbs of that being fake breasts), there's nothing attractive at all. I don't know about the rest of you, but I remember learning in high school that in some other cultures, women with the most 'meat' on their bodies were considered to be the most attractive. Weight was an asset as opposed to a defect. Now, I'm not encouraging obesity, but after all the diets that I've tried, I always felt better when I wasn't starving myself to look "Hollywood Good".

It's almost like these commercials are making plastic surgery ok, and if we don't do anything to change this, the "Nip-Tuck" tv show is going to soon become a reality show, and we really don't want that. More importantly, these commercials are targeting women. Men, we HAVE TO step up and let our women know that a little cushion is A-OK!! Another sad thing about this is that it's mainly happening in California. I just came from Vegas, and while I was in my room (trying not to gamble) watching regular tv, not once did I see a Bally's or 24-hour Fitness commercial. Hollywood is turning our women into Frankenstein Monsters (all chopped up and put back together).

I had an associate a while ago who was dating this rich 16 year old girl (it's ok, he's only 17). She had everything a 16 girl would ever want, and then some. In her rich little circle, all of her friends were "glamour girls". Tattooed make-up, liposuction and breast implants. At the time, she happened to be the only girl (I did say girl...she's only 16) in the circle that was under-developed in comparison to her friends, so just like any spoiled unsupervised and self-parented teenager would do, she asked her "too-busy to parent" parents if she could have breast implants for her 17th birthday. Do I really have to say that they said YES!!!? Does anyone else see the underlying problem with this? There's the obvious problems that come with plastic surgery (scars, mistakes, malpractice and sometimes death), but what about her age, her under-developed (late blooming) body, and the fact that when she hits mid-17 through 20 when her natural breast try to grow under those implants? This is what I mean when I say that people are not paying attention to the real problems with plastic surgery.

Our accredited doctors have turned plastic surgery (which was generally used to help burn and accident victims, and so on) into a marketplace for chopping up teenagers, and over-weight adults. We absolutely have to do something about what's happening to our society. No one is happy with who they are. What's going to happen when these young implanted women become mothers and grandmothers? What are our future grandchildren going to say when they see grandma with boobs like Dolly Parton? And what about the men???? I've seen reality shows on MTV where men were getting peck and calf muscle implants to help with their body-building competitions (as well as their self-esteem). When is it ever going to stop? Somebody talk to me please!!! Does anybody else see what's wrong here?!!!

(If you're not into web surfing, try getting Aimless Thought through my RSS Syndication feeds. Click on any feed to subscribe...totally free and effortless....and have all my latest posts sent to your favorite newsreader, or your MY Yahoo, MY Google, MY MSN, or MY AOL Home Page).

No Pride in Poverty

2006-10-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

Contrary to the photos that you'll see at the end of this article, I actually do live in a decent neighborhood where you can leave your door open overnight, and wake up in the morning with everything you had when you went to bed.

Lately, I've been under the impression that I make a decent living (although I'd like to make a better one....as we all would) considering all the extras that I have..i.e, computer, my own apt, my own car, digital cameras and innumerous unecessary toys that I've been led to believe I can't live without, but when I see people who are generally in my same situation struggling, it kinda puts things into perspective. It really seems petty to me when you're complaining about not having the fanciest car, or the latest cell phone or iPod while your next door neighbors are struggling to make sure their kids have a solid meal to eat.

I decided to spend an hour in my front yard to play with my new camera (go figure) and take random photos of what I call life. What I was able to capture in 'my own back yard' was disheartening as well as eye opening. I was able to take a few photos of my neighbor and his family as they worked together to prepare their work truck for another haul. As far as I can tell, he's a salvager. He takes old appliances and electronics, and rebuilds them for resale. It turns out that he's actually very good at what he does. My brother purchased a vaccum cleaner from him for $25 over two years ago, and it still works to this day, with no problems (except us being too lazy to change the bag...go figure).

I also caught a photo of this young Asian lady who visits my neighborhood for her daily recycling. She can't be much older than 23 years old, which further proves the title of "No Pride in Poverty". I don't think I've ever met anyone in that age group that wasn't too proud to walk the streets and rifle through trash dumpsters to look for plastics. I do understand that California is slowly becoming a 3rd-World Country, but with all the glamour and glitz in Hollywood and the other surrounding cities, you'd think she would be a little embarrassed to push her cart through the street. My hats' off to her.

I have much respect for those who bite the bullet and push their pride aside in order to survive. You've got to try to image what walking the streets with a shopping cart, and rifleing through trash cans does to you. I'm not anti-California, and I'm not going to give up what I've earned to bond with the "common-man" to see life as they live it, but I can never look at someone who's living a hard life as someone beneath me. In some instances, they are above me, cause I don't think I'm built to walk to streets to stay alive.

As sad as it is for me to see people experiencing financial hardships, it still doesn't stop my motivation. It actually adds to it. I refuse to let myself end up in their situations. I know that sometimes things like this are totally out of your control, but as long as I have two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes, two ears and two feet (knock on wood), I will NEVER live like this. There's no pride in poverty, but there's a lot of pride in me, and that's what keeps my wheels spinning every day of the week.

I'm not writing this article to lead you to believe that you should be ashamed of your good living, but I do hope that you realize and recognize that this could be any one of us at any given point in our lives. Who knows what type of lifestyle they all came from? I've met lots of people who were millionairs now living in their cars. Although there's no pride in poverty, having to live in your car after you've "had it all" has to hit you in the heart. It takes a real strong man and woman to keep their heads up when all else around you has fallen.

I am very thankful for the life that I am living, and I will continue to push to make it better. There's is nothing that can get in my way to stop me from becoming a success, no matter what path I choose. I just hope that I can help all of you see what see through my writings, as well as through my photos. Please have some pride in yourselves and try not to disrespect those who are less fortunate around you.

(You can see the photos for this article HERE!)

Words of Wisdom

2006-10-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

This set of reality shorts was sent to me from an old friend of mine, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Some of the Truest Words Ever Spoken (Written)

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy
_____________________________

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
_____________________________

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.
A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.
____________________________

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
____________________________

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
______________________________

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do,
but married men are a lot more willing to die.
_____________________________

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
_____________________________

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
_____________________________

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling,
telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

26 Crazy Facts

2006-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

I know this is probably useless and all, but I thought you'd enjoy it. It was sent to me from another good friend of mine, so in turn, I'd like to send it to y'all. Enjoy...

*QUICK NOTE* {Don't forget to get your Official Question Man T-Shirt, and other custom apparel here!}

26 CRAZY FACTS:

1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

2. Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a bellybutton.

3. A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 yrs.

4. People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more.

5. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop---even your heart!

6. Only seven per cent (7%) of the population are lefties.

7. 40 people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.

8. Babies are born without knee caps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old.

9. The average person over fifty will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.

10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.

11. The average housefly lives for one month.

12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.

13. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.

14. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.

15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than the rest of the day.

16. Most of us have eaten a Spider in our sleep.

17. The REAL reason Ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.

18. The only 2 animals that can see behind it without turning its head are the Rabbit and the Parrot.

19. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Tootsie."

20. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State anthem.

21. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little paint thinner is used in place of the milk.

22. Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane just in case there is a crash.

23. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.

24. Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are reused in vein transplant surgery.

25. Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were 7th cousins.

26. If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.

I hope you enjoyed these 26 Crazy Facts as much as I did....
Please Note...THIS IS A TRUE TESTAMENT AS TO WHY THIS SITE IS CALLED "AIMLESS THOUGHT" ;-)

SHEEEE'S BAAAAACK!!!! OUR STAR IS ON THE RISE AGAIN!

2006-09-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

I've got some Hot News for y'all!

Our girl is back!

I'm quite sure y'all remember the article that I wrote in early August entitled "Fallen Icons" where I talked about how our favorite musicians had fallen victim to substance abuse, and ruined their careers or ended their lives. Well, I am happy to report that our girl is back!! Our beautiful song bird Whitney Houston is back! After leaving Bobby Brown, and checking herself into rehab, she is finally ready to strut her stuff down the Red Carpet once again, and boy doesn't she look good!

Check out these photos that were sent to me, and tell me what you think.

Go ahead Whitney, and do your thang!!!

The Vegas Photos Are In

2006-09-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, but I've got 'em y'all! The Vegas photos are in! I suggest you read the previous post first, then click HERE to see the matching photos.

Enjoy!

VEGAS BABY!...Oh, what a Night!!

2006-09-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

SCENE....

Friday night....

Las Vegas, NV....

12-midnight....

Club 'Taboo' in the MGM GRAND (the one that ALWAYS pays me ;-)....

Me and my family (Craig Mack, Stephanie, Renee, Tina, Shane, Jackson, Baby-Momma, and their big-baller cousin Melvin) are in the club holding it down like we owned the joint! I felt like I was in a rap video or something. The only thing that was missing was a big-booty stripper get Champagne poured all over her ;-).

We're in there chillin' in our own little baller section (thanks to baller Melvin), dancing on the table like Coyote Ugly (rock on Shane). EVERYBODY in the club is checkin' us out, tryin' to get close to see who we are, and what we're doing. The girls are watching, and the boys are hatin', but it's alright. I know how it feels to be on the outside...but never no more!

We've got our own waitress to keep the drinks flowing (but y'all know I don't drink), our own secure guards (to keep the groupies away) and our own couches and foot stools to chill Big-Willie-Style. Every time one of the crew went towards the liquor to get themselves a drink, here comes our waitress to make sure they didn't do anything but party, chill and get their drink on. The only problem with that was, she was good at her job, but maybe a little too good.

Now, y'all know I don't drink, so I'm sober and trying to keep a watchful eye over my family and I'm noticing the waitress making the drinks. Instead of doing a somewhat 50/50 mix, she's giving my crew a 70/30 split. 70% sauce, 30% fruit juice/mix. Maaaaaaannnn, by 2a, my crew is $&#%(*-UP!!!!! Oh my God. My main man Jackson is sleeping on the couch, trying to call God knows who on his cell phone, but all he can do is dial number 1. Baby-momma is shouting at him trying to get him up, and I'm looking around for another sober face to help me organize (with no avail) our leave.

I look towards Craig Mack and Shane, but they're still dancing on the tables. Renee and Tina is standing there with me, but the ladies are not very helpful when trying to move a 180+lb drunk grown man. Melvin is on the other side of our table looking at us, but he's just as drunk, if not worse than Jackson. Craig and Shane try to get Mel up, to pay the tab and get out of the club, but by the time we get them out, and into the Casino, they're both 'yakkin' up liquor like no tomorrow.

The club security comes up to us with trash bags to catch the vomit, and a wheel chair to help get Jackson back to our hotel (which is about a mile away....which is nothing when you're sober,but when you're carrying your drunk boy, it's like walking a marathon). He can only take us half way to our hotel because of property issues, so we have to carry Jackson the rest of the way. Boy what a nightmare!! Jackson's damn-near passed out on his feet, baby-momma's in back shouting out instructions like a drill seargant and fighting with the other local party drunks, and then there's me trying to hold Jackson, and keep baby-momma focused and out of a fight so I don't have to lay Jackson on the floor and put my fist in somebody's mouth.

We finally get to our hotel, and thank God there's a floor-type escalator (the one that you can ride through the hotel) that we can stand Jackson on and coast through to our destination. I hate to offend some of you religious types out there, but it was like we were carrying Jesus on our shoulders. Everybody in the hotel was pointing, looking and laughing with us, and sharing their familiar stories. By some minor miracle, we get Jackson to the elevator, and up to the floor where our rooms were. I don't know why, but for some reason, they ended up with the room ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DAMN HALLWAY! That hall was so long, it looked like we were in the movie Poltergeist (you know...when she's trying to run down the hallway, and it keeps getting longer and longer)!

We get my man Jackson to his bed, and all he can do is smile briefly, and pass out. Now, to check on Craig Mack, Shane and Melvin. We rush back down the elevator to get to the lobby to see where they are, and the first thing we see is Craig, Shane and Melvin on the same floor escalator-belt holding Melvin like the second....coming of Jesus. He's asleep on his feet just the same, and all I can do is laugh. How I WISH I had my camera so y'all could see what I saw. The funniest thing of all this was that Jackson and Melvin are COUSINS!!! Their both 6'+, 180lbs+ and drunk as hell! You gotta love your family, cause if we weren't there to get their backs, my boys might STILL be sleeping on the floor of the MGM in a pool of pink liquor...if you know what I mean.

Well, that's the end of my little Vegas adventure story. I hope I painted a picture good enough for y'all to see it like I did....and with that being said, now comes the cliche...."what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"....unless you're with the genius mind of Aimless Thought.

(I will be posting the club photos at With Every Blink in a day, so stay tuned!)

This is a Man's World

2006-09-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a very close family member, and I thought you guys would appreciate it as much as I did....Enjoy.

Finally, the guys' side of the story.
(I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear "the rules"
From the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!
Please note... these are all numbered "1"
ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon
or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport.
And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we
do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of them makes you sad or angry, then we meant the other one

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle, besides we know you will bring it up again later.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about, unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation
or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight.
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

A REAL Lady Knows

2006-09-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

I know you have, but I have to ask anyway…..Have you all heard that song by Fergie (from the Black Eyed Peas) called ‘London Bridge’ (or something like that)? There’s a line that she says in the song that goes “I’m such a lady, but I’m dancing like a Hoe” (or something like that), and I just Gotta Know…if you’re a ‘lady’, but you’re dancing like a ‘hoe’…and you’re fully capable of dancing like a ‘hoe’…..and you STILL consider yourself to be a ‘lady’…..do y'all see where I’m going with this?

You see, I’m not a ‘pimp’, and I can TRY to ACT like a ‘pimp’…, but I don’t have it in me to smack a hoe! So…if I TRY to act like a ‘pimp’, but turn out to be unsuccessful cause I can’t smack my hoe…I’m just not a ‘pimp’…period! Now, on the other hand, she’s such a lady, but can’t seem to help herself from dancing that way…then…she MUST be a….well, y'all know where I’m going with this ;-)

There are lots of lady’s in the clubs and in the streets that believe the same thing. It’s just like Chris Rock said about women in the clubs dancing to the nastiest music being played…..’he ain’t talkin’ about me!’ If they continue to believe that, and have reinforcement songs like “London Bridge” being played for them, they’re gonna keep rump-shakin’, dancing like a hoe, and sayin’ ‘he ain’t talkin’ about me!’.

I don’t know about y’all, but I think that’s madd funny! People are always doing one thing that’s supposed to be out of character, then try to excuse it by saying that they’re not a certain way. It kinda relates back to the “Get my Drink On” article I posted a month or so ago. If you’re gonna do it, do it with pride, and represent the skank in you ;-) CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO.

Imagine a ‘lady’ in the club dancing like a ‘hoe’. You’ve a couple of shots of ‘courage-juice’ in you, and you’re feeling bold. She walks by and you say something like ‘damn…that #&$^% was dancing like a hoe!’ Naturally, she’s gonna get mad because she doesn’t think she’s a ‘hoe’, but you think differently. You start arguing and making a scene all because you brought attention to the fact that a ‘lady’ was dancing like a ‘hoe’. You see ladies…if you don’t act like, or dance like a ‘hoe’, you won’t be labeled as a ‘hoe’. It’s pretty simple…if you don’t want to be treated like a ‘hoe’, stop acting like one, and stop trying to excuse it by saying ‘he ain’t talking about me’….A Real Lady Knows if she's a 'hoe' or not. What do you think? Lemme know your thoughts.

Welcome to Aimless-Thought

2006-09-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Aimless-Thought! Soon you will notice this website/weblog taking on a new appearance, with new topics, juicy gossip, and great photos.

I have added two new websites to my list of blogs in the upper -right corner. www.everyblink.blogspot.com. With Every Blink (listed as SNAPSHOTS PHOTOGRAPHY) is strictly a photo-blog that I use to share how I view the world...with every blink of my eyes, and www.gimmeatopic.blogspot.com/ CREATIVE WRITING is my resume of articles that I have written for other online magazines and websites. (If you have a topic or an article that you'd like me to write for you or your publication/website, send me an email at nethedd@yahoo.com, or visit the site{Gimme A Topic} and contact me through comments there).

Thank you for your patronage, and I look forward to entertaining you with all of my new and unique articles/topics, and unique/strange photos.

*Home of the Free---Lance. Damned if I Do...The Freelance Curse

2006-09-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....In the world of Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, there lies an inherent struggle for the self-employeed....the Freelance Artist.

In our desire to take our futures into our own hands, and offer our professional services to the world at a greatly discounted rate, we ultimately have to endure the sea-saw, cat n' mouse up and downs of negotiating. For some unknown reason, potential customers that we encounter feel that they are entitled to 'franchise' quality, at bargain-basement prices. I'm willing to give the quality, but the bargain-basement prices are OUT OF THE QUESTION........MAN ;-)...get it...Question Man ;-)

*QUICK NOTE* Don't forget to pick up your Official Question Man T-shirt, and other custom apparel here!

In almost every experience that I've had as a freelance 12-volt installer (my previous career), or freelance writer (my new career ;-), my customers have ALWAYS wanted the best (as we all do) for less. Now, there's nothing wrong with wanting the best, but let's be fair about this. Just because I'm offering my services on my terms does not mean that they are not of the quality of a National Chain Store. Think about it....where do you think I got the skills and the qualifications to offer my services in the first place? Ultimately, it's just that we (Freelance Professionals) know what the services are really worth, so we offer them at what we feel the REAL rate should be....a little below retail, and right above 'cost' (us artists' have to eat too ;-)

There have been times, in my previous career, where my customers would drive me insane! Everybody wants a 'hook-up' beyond the 'hook-up' that you're already giving them. What's the problem....do they think we're on crack or something? I loved (past tense) the 12-volt industry, but I couldn't allow them (begging customers) to steal my passion away from me. I had to take a step away, and re-assess my situation. Now that I'm writing(and selling articles), I'm having a lot more fun, and I don't have to haggle with potential customers. I set the (fair) prices, and they agree...plus I think my writing is good ;-)

Either way, what are we to do? Are we to give up our freelance professions and desires to work for ourselves, and fall back into 'the system'? No! We are going to stay strong and stand tall, and not fall victim to 'Silver-Tongued' fast-talking negotiators. Seriously, how do they expect us to make a living? I understand the whole game of 'big business', but being that they're a part of 'big business', you'd think they'd have a little compassion for the little guy...but then again, little guys don't fit within the parameters of 'BIG' business, huh?

With every service known to man being duplicated and exploited all over the internet, we are being programmed to conform and follow society's guidelines. I say 'screw that!' Who's with me!?...

We, the sruggling few freelance artists' need to stick to our guns, keep our services above average and remain strong when negotiating for our futures. 'Big Business' was a solid foundation before the internet became fully available to the world, and with that came the introduction of the 'freelance artist'. Our world is the internet....Blogs, personal/small business websites, MySpace, Craigslist, and enumourous networking services that provide gateways for all of us who live and die by our budgets.

We all should unite and take a stand against 'BIG business'. The next time you get a contract, and someone tries to renegotiate your prices, hang the phone up in their faces!!! ;-) Just kidding, but we do need to do something. I understand human nature when it comes to paying for services outside actual 'stores'. We tend to feel like we're making an unsecure investment. When dealing with Freelance Artists', there are no REAL garauntees. We, as Freelance Artists' just have to make sure that we continue to provide good enough services to show the negotiating world that there is a standard of quality that we, (Freelance Artists') live by. Once we do that, there will be more respect for us, and less room to haggle.

....and with that being said....as always....WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

...This Article was inspired by Rob Arel http://www.blackdoorcreative.com/... my Question Man logo Designer...

*If you've Ever Wondered

2006-09-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Have you guys EVER wondered why my Question Man logo is always looking soooo @%$#&! off? It's because of the little things that we have to endure Every Stinkin' Day! Let me get to it, and break it down for y'all real quick.

*QUICK NOTE*:{Don't forget to pick up your Official QUESTION MAN T-Shirt Here!}

These are the little things that drive me nuts on a daily basis:

1. How everybody in California seems to think that they are better than one another. Everybody has this major complex about themselves that drives them into the doctors office for a little Nip Tuck. Maybe I'm biased and a little sexist, but for women, to a very small degree, it's kinda ok if they decide to get a little work done...sometimes. Why you ask...cause some women (that I've encountered) have deep-rooted self-esteem issues. Even the 'beautiful' one's have these issues. Don't believe me...take a look around the mall, or the Santa Monica Pier the next time you're out on a beautiful Southern California Day, and count how many 'beautiful' women you see with butt-ugly men. You can't help but wonder why she's with him, but if you ever get a chance to conversate with one of the 'beautiful' one's, or sit close enough to eaves-drop, you'll more than likely to hear her complain about something (something minor in our manly minds) that she'd like to change about her body. Women are constantly being ripped apart by men and other women (especially) about their image, so you can't blame them if they have a little complex about themselves...but even with their little complexes and all, they are still quick to turn up their noses to you, and pretend to be too good to talk to you....that's California for you. As far as the men go....Man, you better not take your @#$ to a damn plastic surgeon....what the #%$& is wrong with you! Now don't get me wrong...I'm not sitting here complaining cause I look like Shrek, I'm just expressing myself as I always do ;-). Us men are just not criticized as much as women are. Hell, it's normal and accepted to see a middle-aged man with a 10-lb beer gut. How do you think society would act if a woman had one too???

2. How life in California has become so difficult lately. I'm not starving or really struggling, but life is not as easy as it was for me when I was 17. It's like we're all programmed to work, eat, sleep, #%&$, and work. I feel like we're drones or something. No wonder so many of us party sooo hard on the weekends that we end up loosing our lunch in the back seat of our friends' Pacer on the ride home. Seriously, have you taken a real good look at the freeways? They are out of control! Where do you think road-rage comes from? Now, after however many wasted years, Arnold finally decides to use some of our ill-gotten tax money to widen the freeways...for what...to let the rest of us who have been trying to take the streets (to save 5-stinkin' minutes) home back on the freeway? That's just gonna make the problem worse! If I wasn't bald, I'd be ripping my hair out right now!

3. This is the one that really #$%#& me off!!! (You see the number 3 is in RED). I REALLY hate those car commercials on the radio when the guy at the end talks soooo fast and soooo cluttered that all you hear is ($&%()$&#)%U)!!! MAN, that #$^%^ me off!!! When I'm riding home from work, in a daze, I sometime find myself letting the radio play, not caring what's on. Then, after being able to ignore EVERYTHING ELSE on the radio, I suddenly hear that stinkin' commercial! They're talking so fast that you can't hear or understand them, but I guess by law, they have to say it. If I had a choice, I'd rather read of novel of small print explaining the contract, than listen to that guy. Maybe I should start paying attention to the radio, or just turn it off altogether. I'll say this though. If I ever meet that guy, I'm gonna pour a cup of Alum down his throat to suck his lips in!

Anyway, I just thought I'd share some things about my logo, vent a little, and share my thoughts, just incase you guys had any questions about it. If you have similar situations or annoyances, feel free to share them. I'd LOVE to read your stories....
and with that being said....as always....WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*How'd he do that?

2006-09-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Marco Tempest - Jigsaw Puzzle (Japanese)

This is what I Gotta Know....
This guy is pretty slick with his magic and illusions. Although it's based on distraction, and slight-of-hand, it's STILL impressive. It's kinda like the card tricks where they ask you to write your name on a card, shuffle the cards, then throw your cards against a window and you find it stuck to the glass. All you can do is laugh, and wonder...'How do they do that?' Nevertheless, this stuff is impressive, and I thought y'all would enjoy it as much as I did.

I can't help but wonder how he does it? Does anyone have an answer for the Question Man?

*The Starbucks Clean-Up. It is BIG no more :-(

2006-09-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have just received an email notification that the Starbucks promotion has been pulled (D'Oh!)! It's kinda funny how major corporations ALWAYS seem to find loop-holes in the system in order to free themselves from their 'somewhat legal' obligations. MAN these guys are quick!

Talk about a real I Gotta Know editorial....I REALLY Gotta Know how they can get away with crap like this? Is big business truly ABOVE the people who make them....big? To save-face, and a couple thousand dollars (peanuts for them), they're gonna take away our freebies!!! D'Oh!

Anyway readers, here's the actual news editorial from The Associated Press. This is not my article, and I give FULL CREDIT to The AP.....and I (QUOTE)...

"Thursday, August 31, 2006

Starbucks promotion got too hot

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

There's no such thing as a free iced coffee at Starbucks -- at least not anymore.

The world's largest specialty coffee chain has pulled the plug on what was supposed to be a nearly five-week promotion after an e-mail coupon spread farther and wider than the company anticipated.

The offer began Aug. 23 with an e-mail offering a free Starbucks iced coffee from noon to 9 p.m. through Sept. 30. It was sent to "a limited group" of employees in the Southeast with instructions that they share it with friends and family.

The company put the kibosh on the promotion Tuesday night, issuing a statement saying the e-mail had been "redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond Starbucks' control."

Starbucks spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said Wednesday that the company had no estimate of how many free iced coffees it had served up or just how far and wide the e-mail had spread.

"We're continuing to monitor it and see it spread," O'Neil said.

Asked if Starbucks would give this type of offer another shot, O'Neil said only, "We're always looking at different ways we can share our products." (END QUOTE).

You can find the actual article here: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/283238_nofreestarbucks31.html

Wow!!! I guess they had an ANSWER for the Question Man ;-) 2-pts. for Starbucks!

*The Starbucks Screw-Up. This is BIG!!!

2006-09-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
For all you Starbucks Coffee drinkers out there, it’s been said that there is a Starbucks coupon floating around giving away a FREE ‘ICED GRANDE BEVERAGE’! I was told that it was supposed to be for select Starbucks customers, but the group-email that was sent was flawed. Instead of the ‘special’ customers getting the email to get their exclusive offer, it went out to EVERYBODY! So, if you were lucky enough to end up on the Starbucks mailing list, you could be getting a chance to walk in there and get your freebie.

The problem that Starbucks is facing however is they can’t discern who is a ‘special’ customer, and who is a scavenger….like you and me ;-). That means that EVERYBODY who has this emailed coupon in their possession can get a sweet-treat from the Donald Trump of Coffee and Ice Mochas. It must really suck to be Starbucks, but hell….those guys are rich enough from all of us.

Now, because you are my loyal readers, I HAD TO let you all know about the screw-up, and that this coupon expires on SEPTEMBER 30th!!! The coupon is good at ALL participating Starbucks...but which one is participating....ALL OF THEM!! They didn't specify. MAN it sucks to be Starbucks!!! They can’t tell you no. They can’t say that they’re not honoring it. The only thing they can probably do is check to see if you’re on their ‘special’ mailing list, but who wants to go through all that trouble to save a dollar or two…Starbucks, that’s who. This faux pas is gonna cost them MILLIONS!!! I’d hate to be that employee/ex-employee who designed the coupon…or even worse, the guy who approved it. Can you say unemployment line?

Anyways, in closing, for all you loyal Starbuck-ers, what are you going to do to get your hands on that coupon? Who you gonna call? Who you gonna ask for a photocopy? ;-)

I don’t know about you, but I might have a clue.…
and with that being said….as always....WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

This short was inspired by HVS

*Can't it All Be so Simple!?

2006-08-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Do you remember the days of playing Stick-Ball in the street? Do you remember running through the sprinklers, and getting wet with the water hose? Do you remember hurting your stomach, and scraping your knees on the Slip and Slide…or better yet, not being able to slide all the way down the Slip and Slide cause you veered to the left and ended up on the grass? Do you remember being so excited about the Slip and Slide that you didn’t wait for your parents to wet it, and tried to slide down it anyway….talk about a pink-belly.

As adults, we’ve forgotten the simple things that used to make us happy. Now, it’s all work and no play. The only ‘play’ we really get to have is either watching our favorite sports program at family and friend get-togethers, or going to the local bar to get sauced-up.

I often dream…’only if the Twilight Zone was real’. Do you remember the part in the Twilight Zone Movie with Scatman Crothers, where he was visiting the old-folks home? It was the part when he showed them the game of ‘kick-the-can’, and they all turned back to kids. Wouldn’t that be cool…if only we could do it for just a little while? I know most of us have children of our own, and can’t take time to play, but sometimes you gotta let your hair down….even us bald guys ;-)

Now-a-days, all we do (well at least me) is work. No fun, no games, no smiles…and with every passing work week, we always start our Monday’s off by saying “hey, how was your weekend?”…patiently waiting for the inevitable “too short” response that we always hear. Funny, huh? It’s always the 'same ol’ $^&%, different day' with us adults. My mom often said “stay a kid as long as you can, cause once you grow up, you can’t go back”…and just like every ignorant kid, I responded with the “I can’t wait to grow up” line. Silly me….I’d pay through the nose to be a Toy’s R Us Kid again.

Those were the days when the biggest decision you had to make was deciding what game you were going to play….hide n’ seek, or hide n’ go get it ;-), or most important of all…what outfit you were going to wear on the first day of school. The only game I play now is, ‘let’s see who can dodge the credit card people’s phone calls the longest’. So sad...

Do you remember Tough-Skins!!? In the 80’s, my best outfits consisted of Tough-Skins, K-Mart shirts, Members Only Jackets, and Pro-Wings. Y’all know what I’m talking about. The craziest part about it was, we were happy to have it. We didn’t care about name brands. All I cared about was the fact that I didn’t have to change into my ‘play-clothes’ when I got home from school, cause my Tough-Skins could handle it. If by some minor miracle, I was able to actually rip a hole into my ‘Skins’, my mom would just sew on another patch, and send my wild butt on. Those were the days.

I know it’s a bunch of y’all reading this nodding your heads and reminiscing about the good ol’ days right now.. Me too, that’s why I had to share my thoughts. As an adult, all I do is count days. How many days left to work this week, and how fast my weekends go by. That sucks! I’m tired of feeling like a robot. It’s like life is a broken record..work work work …work work work. I’m sick of work. I say we all take ONE DAY off from EVERYTHING, and see how good we feel. Actually, we’d probably feel worse because we’ll be a day behind on all the work we had before this crazy idea.

Anyway, I was just chatting with one of my best friends, and his conversation inspired this article. You see, he just went to Fiji, and Belize while I’m stuck here in Orange County….getting excited about going to San Diego. Somebody please put some excitement into the life of the Question Man! ;-) I’m just kidding folks. Within these next 6-months, pay close attention to my documented trips to any, and everywhere! I’m going places baby….will you follow? I’m going to document my life for the world to see. I’m going to start off small, and work my way out of this see-saw country…first you love it, then you hate it. Right now, I love the free enterprise, but I hate the conformists’ ways, but that’s another topic. I’ll save that one for later. In the meantime….WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

THIS ARTICLE WAS INSPIRED BY K.BUDD. WWW.FASTLIFEONLINE.COM/

*I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL pt. 2

2006-08-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

BACK IN BUSINESS! ;-)

(READ PT.1 FIRST, to get the FULL story!)

For those of you who know the Question Man, you know that I'm a heavy thinker.....as well as a Big-Time do-it-yourselfer. Before I decided to take my butt to Walmart to purchase a new battery for my bucket, I had to investigate. I had to know the problem for sure (cause batteries just don't die like that...without warning), before I went out and spent my hard-earned dollars on something that I didn't need. It's not that I'm cheap or anything, but for one, I'm on a budget...just as all of us are, and two....I'm frugal....as you can tell from my "To Shine or not to Shine" article.

Upon my investigation, and slicing my finger,
I found that my battery terminals were corroded from here to next Christmas, as well as loose. That explains that radio lights flickering off and on. So, I proceeded to try to tighten them when I stumble across the the real problem. It was the negative battery terminal. Not only was it corroded, but it was broken at the seam. Now it's all starting to make sense....when I was driving (speeding) home, I noticed that whenever I'd hit a hard bump in the road, my radio would flicker. That was the terminal making, and losing the connection .

With me finding the problem, there was only one simple thing to do. Go to Walmart and buy a new terminal...sounds simple right...but this is me we're talking about. My brother, nor my cousin was home, so me walking to Walmart was out of the question. I had to go for the next best thing....walk to Auto Zone, which is a little closer. I strapped on my running shoes, and headed out the door. Now, my shoes are made for running, and I thought about it, but it was 'slave hot' outside, so that wasn't gonna happen....but then again, I ain't no punk!...

where was I....oh yeah, like I was saying, Auto Zone is fine, but there's this one old guy there who tries to be the employee of the month, so any time someone walks into the store, before we can get comfortable, he pops out of nowhere asking as loud as he can "can I help you find something"! The service is good, but let the door close behind me before you start attacking for commission.

Just like a hyper little kid, I have no patience, so I decided to run to Auto Zone, which was ok 'cause I was due for my weekly scheduled workout. As I said earlier, I made it to the store, and made a b-line straight to the parts that I needed. I tried to hurry and pay, (to avoid the old guy) but like Freddy Kruger on Nightmare on Elm Street, he popped out of nowhere..."CAN I HELP YOU FIND SOMETHING!"? Luckily, I already had my stuff, and was ready to leave.

I ran back home and applied my shiny new <--terminal,jumped in the car, turned the key, and the Mighty Dodge started without a jump! Thankfully, I am back in business. I only spent $10 on a new terminal, and some anti-corrosion acid (kids, don't try this at home), and with a little elbow grease, she lives again. Actually, with the new terminal, and newly desolved corrosion, my bucket is running better than before. Hell, this may have fixed the 'turning off when it wants to' problem. I swear, y'all should call me Al Bundy. With all the miles and problems that my Dodge has, no other name will do.

Well, that is all to my continued little story. Hope you enjoyed my trials, and with that being said....sometimes.....DOES THIS STORY WARRANT A POSSIBLE ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL pt.1

2006-08-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES......ME!

So, I decided to take a chance with my piece of $#%& Dodge, and go back to San Diego to my God Son's b-day party. Although I knew my car was in the midst of dying, I still HAD TO GO! That's my God Son's party for crying out loud. Anyway, I hit the road, and made it there in two stinkin' hours....traffic ain't no joke. The party goes well, and he gets more toys than he'll ever need. Everybody's happy, and so the party goes on. All the adults are playing Playstation, watching football, and crowding the propane bar-b-que grill waiting for the next batch of turkey burgers and hot dogs to hit the serving tray.

After we all fill our belly's, I decide to get my car and move it closer to my boys house so I can bring my travel bag inside. My car didn't start...but it was late, so I just said "skip it, I'll get a jump in the morning". So we go inside and turn to UFC-62 to watch The Iceman Chuck Liddell take it to Babba-loo Sobral one more time. Everybody's screaming and cheering as if we were there. They night was great....just as good as the day was....then sleep.

Morning comes, and worried about my bucket, I go down the hill to load my bag, and try to start the car again. Click, click, click.....just like before. I go back inside, and get my main man Jackson to give me a jump. The car starts, and we're all happy. See, we were supposed to go to Sea World with our other best friend Craig Mack and his wife and baby, but sadly, I couldn't go. I had to make sure I could get home as fast as possible to get another battery and make sure nothing else was wrong with my POS, and me leaving at 10a was the best plan to avoid traffic. Truth be told, this is California, and there is ALWAYS traffic!

I hit the road, and my car is acting a little funny, but then again, it's a Dodge so I'm used to it. About 5 minutes into my ride home, the radio goes black.......

and I'm like what the hell? I decide to ignor it, and keep rolling. Two minutes later, the radio lights up again.
Ok, I'm starting to get a little worried here, but I'm not crazy enough to stop. 'Stay on course, and get my butt home' is all I'm thinking. Then, the car jerks, and my dash board lights up like a Christmas Tree! What the $#%! Now, I've got my finger on the panic button. 'Aw man, I've gotta get home'!

I'm on the freeway driving like a bat out of hell! Mario Andretti has NOTHING on me!!! My dash is lit up, my car is jerking, and I refuse to use any electric accessories on the car in order to preserve battery life. At this time, my car is running off the alternator alone...no battery. I'm checking my dash like every 10-seconds, (and saying every prayer known to man) it's getting hot outside, and the air in the car is thick (or maybe I'm just panicing), and I don't want to use the AC. I get tired of rolling in thick dry heat, so I roll the windows down, but with the weak power, or lack there of, of the Mighty Dodge, the car is dragging. I can't take a chance with the weak battery and drag on the car, so up goes the windows.

My family knows, I have allergies. It's hot, thick, the car is jerking (a little), the dash is lit up, and now...here comes the sneezing. Man, what a nightmare! It's funny, but it's not....ya' know. Anyway, I continue on course, and to add insult to injury, I look in my rearview mirror, and here comes the Highway Patrol!! You've got to be kidding me! Talk about having my finger on the panic button. I can't afford to be pulled over, cause if I stop, the car stops. I try to slow down a little without being too obvious. It works, and he blows right past me!
Somebody was looking out for me. I was able to snap a pic though...cause your boy has skills.

Here we are, 30-minutes into my hellish ride home, and all is going somewhat well. Wait, what's this....clusters!

You know, the bunch of people on the fwy who believe that there's safety in numbers. There is about 15-20 cars, with nothing but wide open highway infront of them, and everyone refuses to leave the pack. I'm swerving from left to right trying to make my way through, and cursing worse than sailors at the nudie bar. I'm trying to get through, but I can't slow down cause I don't want the car to stop. I'm tailgaiting like Raiders-fans, and causing bad drivers to panic worse than I am. When I get by some of the bad drivers, all I see is women, and some "men" (if you want to call them that) driving slow as hell, and sitting so close to the steering wheel that if the air bag deployed, it would knock their nipples off :-)

Well, needless to say, your boy made it home thankfully, and now, all I have to do is get a ride to Walmart, pick up a new battery, and get my hands a little greasy so I can make it through another dreadfull week of work. The next time I drag my @$% back to San Diego, you better believe you boy's gonna either have a newer car, or a rental....and with that being said, as always, WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*Is this Real!!??

2006-08-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

PhoneCam Magic #1 - The Umbrella

I don't want to make a habit of doing this, but I REALLY Gotta Know.....is the Real or Fake!?!? I LOVE magic and magicians, but I gotta say, this stuff really bugs me out. You gotta love it! Let me know what you think. WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*The DON'TS of Social Etiquette pt.1

2006-08-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

For this topic, we’re gonna forego the DO’S, and get straight to the DON'TS of Social Etiquette for urban people. As soft, delicate and docile as women are, there often seems to be a few in our world that fuel the neck-rolling “no you didn’ts” that cause so many unsuspecting suburbanites to get that oh-so-famous “beat-down”. Instead of letting you walk into a bed of quicksand, I’m gonna share my wealth of knowledge on this subject with you. There are certain rules that we must follow in order for us live together in this rollercoaster ride called society. Let me break it down, and give it to you as straight as possible.

Number One: This is an absolute rule of thumb. There is no gray-area when it comes to
this particular rule. As a matter of fact, you should get this rule tattooed
on your forehead so you never forget it.
*NEVER CALL A BLACK WOMAN A BITCH, UNLESS YOU’RE READY TO FIGHT! As a matter of fact, it can be any woman. You
just don’t do it…period!That goes for men and women.

Have you ever been in a heated situation or even a joking situation where you called a black woman a bitch? Do you remember her reaction, or is there a blank spot in your recollection of that days’ events (cause you got the #$&% slapped out of you)? I’ve seen some of the most soft spoken women go from Snow White to Medusa
in a matter of seconds. It’s almost scary how fast you can turn a woman against you with a simple word. Now, there are words that you can say to some men that might get our blood boiling, but I’ve never seen anything like a woman’s rage after being called a bitch. I don’t condone men hitting women AT ALL, and I don’t encourage cat-fights (I don’t think women fighting is cute), but if you ever want to see a woman (I don’t care is she’s 5’ tall) try to fight a man, or tumble on the ground with another woman, call her a bitch. That’ll be the last time you say it to her face…..unless you’re ready to fight. There ain’t no joking with that word, so use it cautiously.

Number Two: Never go into a woman’s refrigerator unless you’re family. Even family members have to be cautious with this, but let it be a stranger, or new friend and it’s
on! This is just as bad as calling a woman a bitch, but just on a different
level. A refrigerator is sacred. You just don’t go poking around in some-
one’s goodies like that.

That’s the kind of thing that’ll get you cursed-out
in a quick minute. You just don’t do it. Hell, I haven’t lived with my
momma in years, and because of that, she'll give me a beat-down if I’m caught digging
in her fridge (like I'm a visitor or something).

Number Three: I think this is the ONE right here! This is an absolute no-no. You never,
ever, and I do mean NEVER put your feet on any woman’s couch!

If you do it barefoot, or with your socks on, you may be able to get away with it….for a little while, but I pray for you if you put your dirty shoes on her couch. Man, it is on!
Let me ask you….have you ever been chased around the house by a woman swinging a broom at you….I have. Put your dirty shoes on her couch(especially if she doesn’t have any plastic on it), and see what happens.

A woman’s home is not your kick-it-spot, or flop-house. It’s her place for peace and quiet…a clean place to rest her body after a long day’s work. It’s HER place to put HER feet, and cuddle up with a blanket and a nice book, not yours.

Ultimately, it’s all about respect. Some urban women tend to be a little more verbal when it comes to expressing their feelings about certain things, while some suburban women tend to just let it slide. Damn that, if there’s something wrong, something should be said! The same goes for men too, but it just seems like women have much more to say about these things. You see, for the guys, it’s okay to have a “flop-house” when we’re younger. It’s a place for the fellas to come over and watch the game, or stretch out while we’re chillin’ playing Playstation. A big old fluffy couch is "where it’s at" when it comes to kickin’-it, but try that in your girlfriend, or momma’s house and watch that broom come out with the quickness!

Typically, on any given Sunday, I could go on and on about this topic, but that’s all I’m gonna give you ...for now. I'd rather see what your thoughts are on this. So, in the meantime, post a comment, and a suggestion or story, and stay tuned for THE DON’TS OF SOCIAL ETIQUETTE pt.2
…..and with that being said, as always…WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION-MAN?

***This article was inspired by Mike Sheezy***

*As Seen Through My Eyes

2006-08-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

For all of you who know me, you know that I don't go anywhere! All I do is work, sit at home (or chill in my local area hot-spots) and take care of the household responsibilities. If it wasn't for my best friend Jackson in SD, I REALLY wouldn't go anywhere. Because of Jackson, and his loving family (my extended family), I wouldn't be able to share this small story with y'all.

Now, I don't want to make a big fuss about this small trip, but like I said before, for those who know me, I don't go anywhere, so this was a much needed break for me.

I tried doing the website business before, which was great (www.fastlifeonline.com), where I/we opted to hire professional photographers to fill our blank spots on our pages, and their work was fantastic, but me, being the big-time do-it-yourselfer, I decided to buy my own digital camera. It's a total amateur camera that I bought refurbished off newegg.com for like $90 bucks, but it is well worth it. Look at these photos.

Two weekends ago, I drove my bucket down to visit my favorite family in SD for my sister-in-law's (baby-momma's) brothers' wedding. The wedding was fantastic (congrats J and R), and I took a bunch of great pics with my amateur camera, and I must say, aside from the reception room being a little too dark for the flash, my camera is the bomb....or maybe I just have skills!!

These are the pics that I took of the wedding set up, and my ride home. Check this out folks. These scenic pics were taken with one hand on the wheel, driving 70+mph on the hwy, looking through a dirty car window, from a distance, with my amateur camera. All I have to say is Kodak is the bomb!!! For all you amateurs out there, who function off a tight budget like me, the Kodak C330 EasyShare is the one. The focus isn't that great, but in the correct lighting, that camera works for me.

Now, I'm not going to be bold enough to disrespect anyone and try to offer myself as a freelance photog, but I just have to pat myself on the back, especially for the photos I took on the way home. I've got that eye, and yes folks, the question-man does have skillz!!! Just kidding y'all. Please enjoy the photos as I did. It was a short break from all my hard, continuous work, but I did enjoy the time away from the desk. To some of you, this trip is probably something you do on a daily basis, but look at it like this. If I took time off to take road trips and such, where would you do your reading? I've got to stay home to entertain my fans ;-)

Again, for those who know me, don't worry family. I'm going to start taking lots of trips, to real distant-locations, and I promise, me and my amateur camera will save lots of pics for you to enjoy.

Just my thoughts....from the Question-Man. Anybody have any answers for this....?

*CRABS IN A BARREL

2006-08-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Why are we so compelled to talk about such a controversial topic, and still do nothing about it? In almost every black magazine or newsletter, there are editorials about how we as blacks are the only race of people that do nothing to help each other reach success as a whole. We are Crabs in a Barrel.

How many of you either talk about, or know of other races that do EVERYTHING for one another? You all know who or what I’m talking about. I am mainly talking about Latinos (Mexicans), amongst other races. Everybody knows of a Latino family or two that has moved into your neighborhood or community as a single family, and within a month or so, there are 2-3 more families living within a single family residence. Initially, you wonder ‘how can they do such a thing….crowd multiple families into 2 bedroom apartments’….then immediately say how there’s no way that you could do such a thing. Then, after you express your feelings of disapproval, you start with the jokes, not knowing that these families are actually executing a plan.

Initially, their plan is to get their families into the United States, so they can have an open opportunity to succeed just like the rest of us. Once they are settled in, they start making arrangements for their “boarder” families to get out on their own, and reestablish another executable plan to get the next family into the United States for their open opportunity as well. Now, I don’t want you to read too deeply into what you think I’m trying to focus on. This is not an article about how the United States is overcrowded with illegal immigrants and so forth. This is just an observation of how Latino families, amongst other races, have a much stronger family structure than Black Americans.

I have an Asian friend who was recently telling me about the same type of scenario, after she had read my article on “My Momma’s House”. She was explaining, or better yet, retouching on my perspective on how I thought it was ok for women to sometimes still live with their mothers. She told me that in Asian cultures, if a woman is not married, typically she is not allowed to leave her mother’s home. If she leaves her mother’s home before marriage, she is considered a slut, and is no longer marriage material. She also pointed out to me that that part of their culture also helps maintain the family bond, and structure.

Now, I know that in American cultures we promote independence, and are encouraged to leave our mother’s home as soon as we turn 18-years old, to become “men”. But even as American culture goes, White America sometimes plays by the rules of other cultures. I personally know White men and women that still live with their parents while they are working, because they are either in transition, or possibly saving towards purchasing their own homes, and it is typically accepted. On the flip side of American cultures, how many of us personally know Black men and women that live with their parents, but are not making efforts to better their situation? It’s almost like it is ok for us to be living in the same home, with no goals, constantly complaining about how bad our situation is.

If you were to take a close look at a Black family living together as the aforementioned Latino’s, Asian’s, and White’s do, would you find that we were helping each other save money as a plan to get out on our own….no. What you would find instead would be a “tug-of-war” over who could get out and do better first…but not in that classic friendly family sort of way. We are in so much competition with ourselves that we keep each other down just to feel that we are better than one another. Every time one of us tries to succeed on our own, without carrying the whole lot behind us, we are pulled back down into our cultural barrel of self hate and destruction.

I also find myself looking at other cultures living together in the most uncomfortable situations, wondering ‘how do they do it’. I absolutely must have my personal space, so living with four families in a two family home is unimaginable to me, but there’s a much bigger picture than what we see on the surface. I also find myself looking at those same families when they’re pulling into the drive-ways with the nicest and newest luxury vehicles, while I’m still driving my bucket, wondering ‘how do they do it’. In my mind I’m thinking, “I know he works at Walmart, so how the hell can he afford an Escalade on 26” rims on a minimum wage salary”? I’ll tell you. That same family, that’s living with those other families, is dividing the rent amongst every member of that household. So, if you take the average California middle-class two bedroom apartment rent of $1,000 a month, and divide it by 6-adults, they are only paying $167 each per month. If there are working teenagers in the home, then the rent is even cheaper. Talk about networking! That leaves them with the rest of their paychecks to save for their house and new car. Wouldn’t you love to only pay $50 a month for rent? That would be fantastic. Just think of the money you’d save. Now, think of the drama you’d face with a house full of Black families. We are so “anti-each other” that we end up in competition with each other.

We all know that Black people can’t save money to save our lives, so we’re not going to talk about that. Instead, I’d rather talk about what we can REALLY do to get our Black culture to establish a better foundation for ourselves, and stop pulling each other back into our bucket of self destruction, and Black on Black competition. The floor is open for everyone, of any culture. Please leave your comments and opinions, and correct and educate me if I am wrong. And with that being said….as always…WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!

2006-08-15T23:24:00.000-07:00

WE ARE TEMPORARILY UNDER CONSTUCTION! I DO APOLOGIZE, BUT I WILL HAVE A NEW AN IMPROVED BLOG FOR YOU IN ONE DAY...I PROMISE.

UNTIL THEN, I WONDER...WHO'S GONNA HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

*Looking for Hand-Outs

2006-08-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Have you ever been somewhere…anywhere…and had someone ask you for some “spare change”? Have you ever given someone some “spare change” out of the kindness of your heart, and had them actually have the nerve to give you an attitude because of the amount that you gave them? Well, I have, on numerous occasions, and that’s what’s prompted this article.

Let me get straight to it. The last time that I encountered a rude pan handler was about 6-8 months ago. I was out enjoying lunch with my coworkers. After filling my belly, and ripping myself out of my seat to go back to my car to drag myself back to work, this gentleman approached me. I won’t be rude enough to go as far as calling him a “bum”, but you know where this is headed.

He came toward me, a little dirty and somewhat ‘ran-over’ looking, with a piece of paper in his hand. As he got closer, he started to recite his little rehearsed script (I knew it was rehearsed because it sounded a little too smooth and routine, plus I’ve encountered pan handlers with similar scripts). He started telling me how he was out of gas, and that he had a job that he was trying to get to. He started to show me the paper which supposedly had directions and a phone number to the job site on it, to try to prove that it was real. Before he could continue giving me the story, I stopped him by reaching for some change that I had in my pocket. I had a few loose coins and some dollars in my pocket (now…spare change and loose dollars are not the same). I pulled roughly .56cents or so out of my pocket, and gave it to him. Do you believe he had the nerve to look at the change that I gave him, look at me and say “man….what’s this?” as if I was supposed to give him some more money cause he was “really” on his way to a job. I thought “bums” and pan handlers were supposed to humble and appreciative for whatever you gave them. Since when do “bums” get attitudes over how much money you’re GIVING them?

I thought of this story that my parents told me once. My mom and dad were out and about enjoying a typical beautiful California day when, just like all of us, they encountered a “bum”. He sang the same song as the rest, asking “do you have any spare change for some food?” Noticing that he smelled like alcohol, my dad immediately said “if you’re hungry, we’ll gladly buy something to eat, but we’re not giving you any money”. He graciously accepted (or at least pretended to), and they proceeded to go into the nearest fast food restaurant. My dad told him to order anything he wanted off the menu. He ordered a hamburger, and before they made it out of the restaurant, he took one bite and said “this hamburger tastes like $&%#”! It was obvious that he didn’t want food. He was just reciting his script for some alcohol money.

I don’t know what may have driven some of the pan handlers that we see on a day to day basis into their new jobs of choice, but what gives them the right to demand or expect money from us? Do they think that we actually have extra or “spare” money to give them because we have jobs, and they don’t? I’ve seen seemingly able-body men and women standing on the corners for hours begging for hand-outs. I see it like this…if you have the time to stand on the corner ALL DAY LONG begging for change, you have the time to get a normal 9-5, or even a 9-1 just like the rest of us. Just because they think we have “good jobs” doesn’t mean we’re obligated to give them money.

My cousin told me of an incident (I’ve experienced this too) where he was at a gas station filling up his car when a lady pan handler walked up to him and asked him for some “spare change”. He reached into his pocket and gave the lady a handful of coins (except the quarters…those are for laundry ;-), and she looked at him, looked at his car, and looked in his ash tray where he had more coins and said “come on man…that’s all? You got a nice car, and a ashtray full of coins. Let me get those”. What does HIS car, and HIS money have to do with anybody but him? What’s up with these bold people? What happened to the old days when they were happy to get a coin or two? What happened to the days when there were more workers than “bums”? Now it seems like there are more pan handlers than there are employees of the world. I Gotta Know!

Tell me, what are your thoughts? I know that there are lots of you who have experienced similar situations that you’d love to share, which I’d love to read about. Please post your comments and experiences, for this topic should be one that hits home with all of us. And with that being said…as always…WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?

This article was inspired by J.Roberson (V.A.)

*FALLEN ICONS...R&B TRAGEDIES

2006-08-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

I wasn’t sure whether to call this article “Bad Influence” or “Fallen Icons”, but I chose the latter. This is about our favorite musicians who have let us down, and fallen victim to drug use and abuse.

One reason behind my minor struggle with naming this topic was the word influence. Many artists, especially Hip-Hop artists (‘Hip-Hop Tragedies’ coming soon), attribute their success and song writing aptitude to marijuana. I am unaware of the effects of marijuana’s positive influence (if there is one), due to the fact that I do not smoke, but I am aware of the debilitating effects it has on the human brain…not only through research, but also by witnessing many acquaintances smoke, and suddenly move in “slow-motion”. I’ve seen people smoke to “set”, or lighten the mood, or gain focus (how does that work) on writing songs. I’m guessing from their actions that they truly believe that they are more creative and a lot more uninhibited while under the influence. “It takes me to a zone where my words flow freely”. Yeah right! What they fail to understand is that their words are actually slurred, and poorly put-together, and the real sad truth that they’re unaware of is, all of those creative words that you attribute to marijuana, is really inside you.

Far beyond marijuana users, are our favorite artists that have made the songs that we’ve either been born to, or made our own children to, that have fallen victim to a much worse influential substance called “Crack”. “Crack” has destroyed many of our icons lives and careers. Is it me, or does it seem like some of our favorite idols tend to fall victim to the pressure of the music industry and Hollywood very easily? I don’t know about you guys, but if I spend more than half of my life dreaming about becoming a superstar, when I get there, I’m not going to destroy the house that my hard work built with drugs. There is NOTHING anyone can say to me to get me to try drugs of any type (not even “X”), especially if I’ve gotten to my promise-land. I can’t stand the pressure of being in the public-eye, or I want to be a part of the “in-crowd”, so you fall victim to peer-pressure. Now look at you. A TOTAL DISGRACE!

Some of you may be thinking….you just don’t know what kind of pressure they’re under, or you don’t know what they’ve had to deal with in their lives before they were superstars…which is true, but if you had a hard life as a child, and climbed this hard ladder that we have called “Life”, why, when you’ve made it to the top, would you tear all that down for a “quick-fix”? I just don’t get it, and honestly, I never will! Just to stray for a moment, look at Rodney King.

That man had a hard “hood-life”, as some of us may have had. He suffered a tremendous beating by our ‘beloved’ LAPD, and was fortunate enough to be awarded MILLIONS of dollars. Here we are, a few years later, and he is BROKE! Why, you ask…Crack!!! As hard a life as he’s had to live, why, when given an opportunity to leave that all behind, would you carry over the bad habits that you had when you were ‘down-and-out’ to your new beginning? Things like that are just beyond me…but I digress.

I’ve done a little research and found only a few artists that I can name to help refresh your memories of the icons that we’ve lost. First of all, there is our beloved Whitney Houston. We love Whitney to death. With a smile that can be seen for miles, and a voice that some Opera singers can’t compete with, she was truly a standard for all aspiring singers to attempt to meet. I recall seeing her sing many times with a cold, or sore throat, and still bring the house down. Now, look at her. I don’t know if it was Bobby Brown’s influence, or Hollywood, but something or someone introduced Crack into Whitney’s life, and has taken our beautiful song bird away from us. It is very sad.

D’Angelo! What the hell happened to D’Angelo? Now, that was one smooth brotha! That man could sing the panties off any lady in the building. With a strong and statuesque physique, and a style of singing that sent all of our Neo-Soul artists back to the drawing board ( to smoke a little more marijuana), D’Angelo was the beginning of an R&B revolution. Now look at him. He’s all fat now! He’s probably broke too. I can’t wait to see the next ‘BET Awards Show’ when he shows up at the gate trying to ‘sang like Eddie Kane’ .

Who could ever forget Rick James? You knew what Rick was all about in his songs. He didn’t even try to keep it a secret. I guess when that stuff is talking to you, you can’t hear anything else that’s going on in the world. ‘Mary Jane’! When I was a kid, I had no idea, but as I got older and wiser, I realize that Rick was turned-out. ‘Mary Jane’ was just something to keep him cool between his frequent visits to “outer-space”. Poor Rick. We loved him so, and we miss him. It’s too bad that he had to die from it. I guess rehab wasn’t a real concern of his considering that he was writing songs about it. It’s so sad.

I know that there are a lot more artists to mention, but if I did in detail, this article would be too long to tolerate, so instead, I’ll leave you with a short list of the other artists that I’ve found that were drug abusers….former and current. It’s so sad how many artists are using and abusing drugs. I know that they’re all human just like you and me, but like I said earlier, when you reach your goals of becoming a singer/icon, you have to leave that stuff alone. Don’t allow your recreational bad habits ruin your career. You don’t want to EVER say….”I was a BIIIIIG star, until I started smoking Crack”.

OUR ICONS:
Natalie Cole (former)
Ray Charles (former R.I.P)
Pattie LaBelle (former)
Charlie Wilson (former)
Marvin Gaye (former R.I.P)
Tina Turner (former)
R.Kelly (former)
Keisha Cole (former)
Etta James (former)
AJ McLean (Back Street Boys) (alcoholism)
Eric Clapton (former)
Kurt Cobain ( Nirvana) (former R.I.P)
Ozzy Osbourne (former, current, rehab), and
Eddie Van Halen (former)….just to name a few.

I know that there are many more artists, famous and up-and-coming, that I may have missed or forgotten. Please post a comment, and submit more names if you have any. And as always, with that being said…

**WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?**

*MY MOMMA'S HOUSE

2006-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is dedicated to all those "men" who STILL, for some unknown reason, live at their mothers' house. Before I really get started, if your mother lives with you...that's a BIG difference. That makes you a responsible adult, taking care of his business, and his mother, so I applaud you. If, however, you're that lazy, good for nothing, having every excuse in the world to not get out, sorry sap of a man, THIS IS FOR YOU!!!

Hear me out first folks. I know that there are extenuating circumstances that sometimes lead us hard-working responsible adults back into the nuturing hands and warmth of our mother's arms....but we're not talking about that. I'm talking about the MAN who's bedroom still looks the same as it did when he was in high school (cause he never left). The MAN who has his own shelf in the kitchen cabinets, the MAN who puts his name on his orange juice in the refridgerator, and the same MAN who instead of paying rent for his own apt. or condo, drives around in a better car than his momma. What the hell is up with that?!? Don't you think it's about time you got your 30+ behind out, and started living on your own? As a matter of fact, you should have been out of the house by 18...19 years old at the latest!

What reason could you possibly have for WANTING to continue living with your momma? (Remember, this is for the lazy, good for nothings that CHOOSE to stay home). There's no real freedom. I can come and go as I please. True enough, but can you bring your lady home after a nice date? Can your lady spend the night with you? As a matter of fact, do you even have a lady? I mean, if you do, what type of lady is she? I don't know ANY women that would seriously date a MAN (30+) who STILL lives with his momma. If she does....what's wrong with her...you know what I mean? She probably still lives with her momma too...but then again, that's a little more acceptable (to me at least).

There could be a lot of things to explain why some women still live with their moms. Their mom could be single, divorced or a widow, and enjoys and needs the company. The daughter could be saving to buy or rent her own place. She could be in college. She could just be getting out of a bad marriage, or she could be a single mom too. But, that's not what we're talking about.

Look at it like this. Men, have you ever met a woman, in her early 30's, and found out that she still lived with her mother? What was your reaction? It probably was just like mine.......there was none, cause it probably didn't bother you at all. Now, look at that same scenario in reverse. Have you ever met a MAN in his early 30's, and found out he was STILL living with his momma? What was your reaction then....EXACTLY. No MAN should ever want to move back in with his mother. You're supposed to be on your job! You're supposed to be the provider. The head of the household, and if you're single, you're supposed to be your own MAN, so you can eventually find that superwoman to make your circle complete. As a man, there should be no limit (legally) to what you would do to have your own, and make your own. So, with that being said...Get off your butts, and get a job! Get off your butts, and get out of your momma's house! GET OFF YOUR MOMMA'S COUCH, and STOP PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THE ORANGE JUICE!!! Get your punk-ass up and be a MAN!!!

The floor has been opened people. Feel free to post your comments, and as always....

***WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?***

*TO SHINE, OR NOT TO SHINE

2006-07-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Why must we all sit on chrome to make us feel good about ourselves? As much as it is a very bad investment, why is our car one of our most prized possessions? It is one of our biggest status symbols. Either we’re sitting up high on monster truck tires, or were sittin’ low on big rims and low-profile tires, leaning so far back you’d think we were driving from the back seat.

Maybe it’s because I’m broke, but I’ve taken time to reevaluate my financial situation, and I truly believe that breaking my neck to buy/rent-to-own the latest and greatest automobile is a BIG mistake. Maybe it’s just a mistake for me, but I think that I’d rather take that $6,000 I’ve scrapped so hard to save, and buy a quality used car outright (from an old lady that only used it for grocery store runs) (you can find them out there, you just have to take the time to research) instead of make high payments for 6-years on top of the down payment.

You go to the dealership, pick out the car and color of your dreams, negotiate a bad deal (you always loose) and sign you life away. To make things worse, your interest rate is super high, and they allow you 45-days before your first payment is due. Is that time given to you to prepare for the years of hurting that you’re about to endure? I have lots of friends that have the newest whips on the road, and they’re happy, but think about it...when that car is new, you’re sitting on top of the world, and it doesn’t matter if the payments are $1,000. You got what you want…period! But wait until that one-year mark rolls around when rent, food, electric, cell phone, gas, insurance and that payment start to creep up on you. $600 a month in nothing when you’re focused on getting what you want, and no one can tell you anything different, but after a while, the month’s start getting shorter, and that $600+ starts to hurt!

I’ll be damned if I’m going to work my butt off to TRY to save enough money to give to someone as a down payment, so they’ll let me give them more money for another 5-6 years! How does that work!? I’m cool on paying you, to allow me to pay you some more. Are they really car dealers, or loan sharks? A car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot! There’s no refinancing like houses. You can do it…probably, but you’re not getting any money out of it, and God forbid you try to trade it in. You’re gonna get served! Yes, I see the Blue Book value for your car is $8,000, but we’re willing to offer you $4,500……or even worse, they’ll tell you that you’ll get the full $8K for your car, but when you look at your contract, and break out into tears, you’ll see that they’ve tacked it onto the back of your payments. So, instead of paying $30K for that dream car, you’ll be paying $38K+financing…just like a sucker. Not the kid! I’m living and learning everyday, and I hope this can inspire you to do the same.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing better than having a ‘new car’ to call your own. No problems…it doesn’t smell like smoke(for those of us who don’t smoke)…and you can take care of it the way you’ve always wanted to. Don’t forget, you’ve GOT TO put some rims on it! Rims bring a car to life. They add that special quality that not many cars possess…the personal touch. Those rims mean this car is yours! Your choice, your design, your car…until it gets stolen, or your rims start to fade…and if you get a scratch on them….forget about it. That’s a real bad investment. You’re just throwing your money away. To all my personal friends reading this, I know what you’re thinking. I’m a hypocrite. I’ve ALWAYS had rims on my cars…until now. I’d rather take my money and invest it (www.msnmoney.com) (note: I’ve found that you can start an investment portfolio at www.sharebuilder.com for as little as $4). I’m tired of being broke.
How many times have we been in bad financial situations where we’ve said something like “I wish I didn’t spend that money on those rims” or anything unnecessary for that matter? We (black people) as a whole have to start putting our money to better use, instead of wasting it on material things that don’t really matter to the person you’re trying to impress in the first place. Mostly, they draw a lot of negative attention to you. You either get jacked or beat up for them, or your car gets stolen, and more importantly, the woman who you really want to/need to be involved with(pay attention men)doesn’t really care about rims anyway.

Trust me family, I know how much we like to shine, but is living check-to-check to save up for rims really worth it? Is being broke, but riding in the tightest car really worth it? Why not take that hard earned money, and turn it into something else…like more money? Let it work for you (www.msnmoney.com), instead of breaking your back, working hard to save that money, just to give it away to shine for someone who really doesn’t care whether you shine or not.

Am I wrong here? Am I the only one who’s broke here? Am I the only one thinking of saving my money for my future? Please let me know, and as always….

*WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?*
(This article was inspired by J.Curtis. www.fastlifeonline.com)

*I GOT GAS

2006-07-23T00:23:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
What the %#@& is up with these gas prices! It seems like EVERY $&#%in’ day, this ish is going up! What the #&%*!
Our beloved President…”W” is killin’ me! One week, it’s $3.07 (thank God for that), and the next DAY, it’s like $3.25! What is going on? I can’t stand it. You know it’s bad when you’re happy to see that gas is back to $3.07, and don’t let the gas get down to $2.99. The line will be wrapped around the block.

We’ve got our brothers (my brother is really over there) and sisters out there fighting and losing their lives in a fight that has gone well beyond what Osama did to us. Now, it seems that this battle is for gas more than retaliating for what took place in New York. This madness has to stop. It’s almost becoming too expensive for us to go to work…if you can follow me. More than half the nation (or at least the people I know) is living from check to check, and that’s hard enough by itself. Then, along with the normal cost-of-living increases, we have to rearrange our budgets to compensate for these gas hikes. Everything is going up except our paychecks. It hurts(financially) to drive to work (for us who have long commutes), but we can’t afford not to go either. This is the worst catch-22 I’ve ever experienced.

I’m so sick of the lame excuses of our crude oil prices rising I don’t know what to do. What ever happened to all of the oil that we recycle from our cars and other machinery? Why can’t we use that to produce more gas? I guess it takes oil to recycle oil. With that being the case, we’re back at square one.

I truly believe that we’re being served at the pump, and I’ll tell you why. In my neighborhood, the gas prices rise and fall like the sun, but what I don’t understand is how can one gas station on the eastern corner charge $3.07 for regular unleaded, while the adjacent gas station charges $3.17 for the same ish? I’m not making this up people, this is real (I would take pics, but I don’t want to get in trouble). Is it because they have a mini-mart on site? Why should we have to pay for their amenities? I don’t want anything you’re selling but gas…and I’m already mad enough about that! The craziest part of all of this madness is that I actually see people across the street paying .10cents more for the same gas! What’s up with that? You’ve got so much loot that you can throw that extra dime-per-gallon away. Man, slide that over to me, cause I need it. We are being gouged at the pump people. There’s no way in hell you can explain to me how one gas station charges $x, while the competing gas station, on the same corner charges $x+. They’re setting the prices as the see fit, and they are reaping the benefits. Don’t believe the hype when they say they’re broke, and not profiting. They are getting over.

Here’s the worst part of it all! This is the REAL reality. Gas is NEVER going back down. Back when I was in college, gas was .89cents a gallon! We used to complain when it would go up to .92cents. MAN, how I wish for those days to come back. As a matter of fact, give me $1.50 and I’ll shut up, but at$3.07+ a gallon…..kiss my #$%!
This is how I know gas is going to stay the same, or get worse. Our government is finding ways for us to cope with these gas prices by giving us hybrid vehicles, and finding other petroleum solutions such as E-85 Ethanol.

That’s proof that gas will never have a significant price drop. With these new vehicles and solutions, why would/should they. They’re getting paid by the oil companies, gas companies and car manufacturers. They claim that our natural resources are scarce, so they charge us accordingly. Basic laws of supply and demand, and with all this money being made off our NEED for this super high gas, they’re not going to lower gas prices ever, even if they supply us with vehicles that give great mpg’s. Just think of how much money the industries would lose if they lowered gas prices back to normal, with all of these hybrids floating around. We wouldn’t have to fill up for weeks at a time, and you know they can’t have that. Why change the game if you don’t have to? They’re gonna keep sticking us, and there’s nothing we can do. Can we write letters…no. Been there, done that. Can we strike…no. If we picked a day to boycott the gas stations, all we’d do is fill-up on the day before the boycott, and the gas stations would make their money anyway.

I saw a special on our economy on PBS two years ago. It was about Hybrid vehicle manufacturers, and I believe the special was about Chevy Hybrids (don’t quote me on this). It was said that their Hybrids were so efficient with gas that our beloved government stepped in and enforced an all vehicle recall, because they were capable of an estimated 65+mpg. Our gas economy would have suffered such a surplus profit loss, that they wouldn’t allow it. Now tell me you don’t think we’re being gouged and lied to about our crude oil and natural gas shortage.

We are getting served people, and there’s nothing we can do. Am I wrong here? Please let me know.

***WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?***

*GET MY DRINK ON!

2006-07-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
Why is it that some people who drink get embarrassed about their decisions to drink and smoke? You feel cool when you're around others who do it, but when you're asked if you drink or smoke by people who don't drink or smoke, you feel compelled to say "just a little", or "occasionally". You're quick to say someone is a square if they don't party like you, but won't stand behind your own decisions to do what you do. Why is that?

I've come across women, and been around men who have lied to people who they're attracted to (if that person doesn't drink or smoke) for a chance to get close. Now, I know people lie all the time when they're meeting someone, but something like drinking and/or smoking is more than just a little white lie. How long are you willing to keep up the facade? What do you think is going to happen when you and your "other" go clubbing, or to a social event where everyone is drinking or smoking? You're gonna go CRAZY!! Eventually, you're going to get tired of not having any fun, because you're not used to partying without alcohol, and you're gonna drink your new relationship into ruin.

Why go through the trouble of lying about who you are, and what you do? Are you ashamed of who you really are? Are you not proud of your real self? Is that why you attempt to create a person that the one you're interested in would like? Why do we, on one side of the coin, make fun of those (our "square" friends) who don't drink, while, on the other side of the coin try to cover up our real drinking habits when we're around someone we respect? Why do we have so much trouble with who we are? Why must we choose to drink in order to have a good time? It's amazing to me how drinking is so good, yet so taboo.

What ever happened to that brilliant imagination we had as children? Is the REAL you so bad that you have to have some sauce before you can speak? Have you no charm?

Have you ever seen someone, who normally drinks, in a social setting where they could not drink? They look like their going to explode! They're so bored. They have no personality, and all they can talk about is the last time they were wasted, or how much they'd love a drink right now. It's sad to me, but I guess I can't really relate, because I don't drink. Nothing good comes from it, unless you consider hooking up with a tipsy female good...but that just proves to me that you have no game! I don't need a personality booster, or an uninhibitor, and I don't need any liquid courage to let loose the "me" inside.

I don't know people...am I missing something by not driniking? I know that alcohol is an acquired taste, but that ish is NASTY as hell, and I don't care what anybody says, those fruit drinks DON'T taste fruity at all!

A long time ago, a cousin of mine (who doesn't drink either) said something that really hit home. He said "why should I teach myself to like something that's bad for me?". If I EVER wanted to try to drink, hearing that resolidified my original decision not to. Alcohol destroys your liver, it slows your thought process and motor skills causing those intoxicated individuals who are dumb enough to drive to put many lives at risk! My cousin just had an accident where he was rear-ended by a drunk driver. Although he tried to move out of the way of the swerving driver's way (he could see him in his rear-view mirror), he was still hit. There was nothing the glassy-eyed driver could say but "sorry man.....I lost control". Where's the good in that?

Am I wrong in my assumptions here, or do I have a valid argument? Let me know people please.....

***WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN***

*GLORIFYING THE GHETTO

2006-07-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
What is it that’s so fascinating about the ghetto? Why do we take what’s bad about the ghetto, and try to make it good by giving it affectionate names like “Ghetto Fabulous”, and “Hood-Rich” instead of taking the necessary steps to make things really better?

Our ghetto-glorifying in the film industry has done nothing but given us type-cast roles such as Pimps, Drug Dealers, and Dry Cleaners while leaving Basketball and Rapping as our only ways out.

We’ve gone as far as taking the old cars that our parents had, that we used to be embarrassed by, and rebuilt them by putting ghetto-fabulous rims on it(23”-26” wheels on a car…that just ain’t right). Is that what we’re all about Black people? That goes back to my previous writing about our Hip-Hop culture. Is this a part of our culture too? Well, society seems to think so. If it’s not a syndicated tv show, or a movie role starring Denzel Washington or Blair Underwood, almost all of our other black actors have been given those type-cast roles of gangsters, pimps and hustlers.

How do you feel about the ghetto becoming a gimmick? What do you think the term “Wigger” is associated with…..someone White trying to act (whatever that insult is supposed to mean) Black. As bad as the ghetto is, it is surprising to me how reluctant our black people are to uplifting and renovating our communities. Whenever someone tries to make a difference by cleaning and painting the buildings in the projects, all we do is graffiti them, then blame white society for our living conditions.

We’re starting to give the ghetto’s and ghetto ways such good connotations that when we DO encounter a “Wigger”, he, or she is automatically given a “ghetto pass”. Shouldn’t you feel insulted if someone that is not black goes out of his or her way to try to act like our ghetto brothers and sisters? All they’re doing is purposely neglecting their proper etiquette, and pretending to be dumb because that’s how they are viewing us….and we’re not doing anything about it, except excusing it. Now, I’m not saying that EVERY urban white or latino individual is acting. Some of our Latin or Caucasian brothers and sisters (we’re all the same….really) have grown up in the slums, or in the trailer parks, and that’s how they really act, BUT THAT’S NOT OK EITHER!!! Education is the key to our salvation.

I am tired of being labeled, or predestined to be a rapper or ball player instead of an educator, CEO or government official (not that they’re all smart). Why do we have to accept the identities that are given to us, by white society, and give lame excuses to make it better? Don’t get me wrong, so of the tricks that I’ve seen done to some of those old embarrassing vehicles is showcasing talent beyond reproach, but do we have to take that, and use it as a label for who we are? Why can’t we take that talent, and use it for special effects careers, or vehicle sculpting for major corporations like Chevrolet or Ford, instead of allowing it to become something that we’re later made fun of?

I GOTTA KNOW***WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN***

*BLACK QUEENS, OR ANGRY BLACK WOMEN?

2006-07-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here’s a topic that’s been discussed, debated and argued over and over again, and yet, we still have no solution, and the problem still persists. Why are our Black Women so angry? Is it because most of our Black Men are not living up to the hype that we’ve created for ourselves? The Black Man is a soldier. The Black Man is strong. The Black Man is a King who should have a Black Queen by his side, but where is the Royal treatment that our so-called Queens deserve? I tell you. That treatment is out the door! What makes our “Queens” think that they deserve some special treatment? What makes them “Queens”? The fact that they’re black, and that in Africa, lots of black women were queens? Not all black women in Africa are queens. Our Americanized black women are definitely not queens by default. I am a Black Queen….according to who!!!? Definitely not me.

As always, I implore you, please don’t tear me a new one! I am NOT talking about ALL black women. There are lots of black women in my life that I absolutely love, respect and hold in high regard. I have a few black women that I consider Queens that I keep in my circle. The black women that I keep near me are strong, educated, motivated, respectful, and demand and command respect just the same. I'm talking about the single black mothers, who raise their sons (if that isn't hard enough) by themselves, pay the rent by themselves, hold down a job that they don't like, and go to school if they have to, just to try to make a better life for their families. These are black women that help keep me motivated with their displays of strength and success in their lives. These are strong, not bitchy black women. So please, don’t take this as Black Woman bashing, because it is not that at all. All this is, is reiterating the issues that we as a culture and community suffer.

Now, back to the topic at hand…Angry Black Women. Why do you think there are so many black men that have moved toward interracial dating? Naturally, your first response would be to say that black men date interracially because they want somebody weak minded that they can boss-around and take advantage of, and that is the furthest from the truth.

I’ve dated interracially before, and there was nothing that I said or did with my Latin or White girlfriends that I didn’t do or say with my Black girlfriends. I and a bunch of my black male friends have chosen to date interracially because of the FACT that most of the different raced women that we’ve experienced do not have attitudes, just for the sake of having an attitude.

Here’s a BIG misconception. A lot of black women that I’ve come across truly believe that Black Men just can’t handle a strong Black Woman, but that couldn’t be more further from the truth. I LOVE having strong Black Women in my life. The problem is that a lot of Black Women believe that bitching, and giving men a hard time, for no damn reason at all, is being strong. That’s not being strong at all. That’s just being a bitch!

I know a married black woman who swears that if she starts doing nice things for her husband (who is black), he’s going to expect it all the time, and take advantage of her. Well, I’ve gotta know….what’s wrong with doing nice things for your significant other, or for people in general for that matter? She’s actually told me once before that her husband, after a hard-days work (she’s an unemployed mother of two) asked her to fix him something to eat, and her response was “fix it your damn self”! I asked her why she would be that way towards the man that she loved, and her response was “if I make him something to eat now, he’s gonna want me to start making him something all the time”. I was totally blown away. I mean, I was speechless (and y’all know I can talk). What the hell is wrong with fixing your hard working husband (not unemployed boyfriend) something to eat for dinner? He IS the bread-winner in the family. I could see if he was hanging out on the corner doing nothing all day long. I wouldn’t have anything to say then, but he’s not. He’s working hard to keep you in new clothes (and y’all know she goes shopping all the time), keep the bills paid, and a roof over your heads, like a MAN is supposed to do. I could see if he was asking you to run his bath water and clean his feet…then you’d have an argument, but asking for something to eat after work….come on. Let’s be real here.

I did something once that had every woman in my family want to, and try to choke me out!!! I was a featured guest on a BET(www.bet.com)show called “Oh Drama”, with Kym Whitley, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Julissa Marquez. The topic of the show was “Why Black Men no longer date Black Women”. Do I even have to go there and tell y’all how my family reacted? I didn’t get to talk much on the show, but the point was made, and audience was heated! I had phone calls from cousins and aunts I didn’t even know I had! The only thing I heard was boy…..I’m gonna kill you!!! I had to explain my position and cool the fire, cause they were definitely going to burn me at the stake. After lots of long talks, I am welcome back into the family!

So, with all that being said, is there anyone out there who can explain to me why our beautiful black women are so angry, and unwilling to change their ways to get our black men back into their lives?
Is there a black woman reading this right now that can tell me where the anger comes from, other than the fact that you’re mad cause your men are dating other women? Is there a black woman reading this right now that can honestly say that she’s guilty of being bitchy towards black men (and other people in general) for no good reason? Is there a black woman out there reading this right now that can tell me that she’s made changes in to get black men back into her life, or better yet, is there a black woman reading this right now that can tell me that she’s given up on black men for a while, and decided to date interracially, and why? Please let me know, cause as always, I’ve gotta know….
*** WHO’S GOT AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN?****

*HIP-HOP....CULTURE ?

2006-07-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ok folks, here we are again, with another I Gotta Know editorial. Alright class, can we all say Hip-Hop?

What’s the FIRST thing that comes to mind when we say Hip-Hop? Black people and our so-called culture. Now, don’t get upset with me, for I am not here to offend any race, or anyone in particular. All I’m trying to say is, making Hip-Hop our culture is a joke…and I’ll tell you why.

In the beginning, in the days of Africa Bambatta, The Sugar Hill Gang, and groups like BDP (Boogie Down Productions…KRS-ONE for all you un-cultured Hip-Hop heads), Hip-Hop had strong tendencies of becoming a “culture” for under privileged blacks. It gave us an outlet that could allow us to vent our frustrations, and showcase our talents and our way of life, in a positive light.

Nowadays, Hip-Hop has become a joke. I say that because instead of us making music that hits home with all of us in our daily lives, we’re making, and celebrating music with gimmicky dances, and finger snaps. That’s not music, that’s not culture, that’s not Hip-Hop. So, what do we do in turn…we give our “Culture” different categories. We call Hip-Hop our “Culture”, and we call the finger-snapping, toe-tapping other stuff “Rap”!! What’s up with that!?!

We’ve excused ourselves, once again, from taking responsibility for the messes that we create. What do I mean….I mean, Ebonics for example. That was such much of an insult to me, I almost threw-up! What the hell is Ebonics, and more importantly, why the hell are we making it ok!?! Why, I’ll tell you why! It’s because we (black people) tend to make excuses for why we accept our inferior labels. I speak broken English, and I don’t have to change for nobody, so I’m gonna call it Ebonics. Broken down (semantically), that’s just Ebony(black/brown/dark) Phonics(the way we sound)…..am I the only one insulted here!?! What the hell is going on…but I digress.

Our latest crossover Hip-Hop artists have used the record label contracts as excuses to make inferior music, cause it sells, and the record labels don’t care about us anyway. Newsflash, record labels NEVER cared about their artists! They only care about what all of us work-a-day Americans care about, and that’s keeping our all-mighty-dollar! If ONE major rap artist stopped agreeing to make b-s music, the trend would change, cause that’s all the rap is…a trend. Once we get back to positive rap, or better rap for that sake, the Hip-Hop “Culture” would follow suit. We follow trends, we follow dollars, and we accept belittling labels just to fit in, to get a piece of an American Dream that was never designed for us in the first place.

We need to take back our “culture”, take it out of the hands of the major label big-wigs, and make music that we don’t have to feel embarrassed about dancing to. I’ll be damned if you EVER catch me in a club snapping my fingers and tapping my feet to some backwoods, country “Rap”. I’m a Hip-Hop head to the fullest. Play any song from before I was born, and I bet you I can tell you who it is, but start playing some of that gimmick-hop that’s on the radio now, and you’ll probably get a blank Homer Simpson stare for the record books.

As always, I COULD go on and on, but I’d LOVE to hear from you..so, with that in mind

****WHO'S GOT AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN****

*QUICK AND EAZY

2006-07-11T20:21:00.001-07:00

This is what I GOTTA KNOW....

What's the deal with fake-loss....I mean weight loss pills? How many times do we have to go through the ups and downs with our disappointments of our diet failures? Realistically, it took us more than a few weeks to put on the additional 100lbs. that we used to think was cute, cuddly and sexy, that we're now trying so hard (or at least that's what we say) to lose.

We all have put on many pounds sitting on our butts, so how do we think we're gonna lose pounds by popping a pill....and still sitting on our butts? Face it, it ain't gonna happen people! We've got to get up, do some...and I don't mean eat some... push-ups, do some sit-ups, and run a little. You've got to sweat to burn that fat....NOT sweat while standing over the stove, frying up bacon fat! You've got to earn it to burn it.

I'm no health-nut, eating and drinking grass shakes, but I'll tell you this. When I walk down the stairs, my ass doesn't shake.

I'm not trying to be heartless or anything, but I'm running out of patience for all those so called weight loss pill infomercials. If this pill was so real, why do the infomercials come on soooo late at night? And for the one's that DO come on during the day, you've got to have a magnifying glass handy (and be a speed reader)to read the extra small print at the bottom of the screen. Don't believe the hype people. The closest thing that we've had to easy weight loss solutions, without the addition of steroids, has been Slim Fast....and that didn't even work. Don't believe me...ask my dad. He tried it for 3-months, and he was miserable. Granted, three months in nowhere near enough time to see results by just drinking nasty milk shakes, but still, nothing changed but his motivation...from a believer, to a frustrated binge eater. Now, 25 EXTRA pounds later (on top of the one's he was trying to lose), we've got cans of 15-year old Slim Fast residue in the cabinet....acting as a stand-in pesticide for the roaches.

How many of you have had friends or family members waste $20+ dollars on these pills and swear to you that they have to go shopping to buy new clothes, cause all their old clothes are too baggy, and don't fit? How many of you, with those same falsly motivated family members have them tell you that your eating habits are all wrong, and that you should pop a fake-loss...I mean weight-loss pill to keep your appetite under control..."cause with the pill, you can eat anything you want cause it burns the fat while you sleep and sit on your butt all day long"? What's up with that? There ain't nothing worse than someone with weight problems (and fake remedies) tell you that your eating habits are wrong.

How many of you out there have gone through, or are going through the same thing that I've just described?
SOMEBODY...ANYBODY...PLEASE TELL ME....CAUSE I-GOTTA-KNOW

*DAILY STREET LIGHT TRAFFIC

2006-07-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is what I Gotta Know....
What’s up with daily street light traffic? I mean, when you’re on your way home from work, and the streets are more crowded than the free-cheese line at the neighborhood Church, and you’re at the red light roughly 8-10 cars back, how long does it have to take to get through? Here’s how it goes for me. The light turns green, and you’re waiting to go, but you’re sitting there for another 2 minutes (and you know the light doesn’t last no longer than 2 ½ minutes), then, by the time you’re lucky enough to move, you get to the light, and it’s red again. What the hell is going on!?! When it’s your turn at the front of the light, you go….simple as that. Why can’t they??? I’ll tell you why. Somebody out there is illegal, and scared to drive, so when the light turns green, they’re looking to the left and right to see who else is going, and they wait for approval. So, what happens when EVERYBODY at the front on the green light is scared to go? We all end up sitting through 2 green lights JUST to get up to the front of the light for our turn to go. That drives me crazy. I know that when I finally make it to the front of the line, the light turns green, I go. What the other people up front are doing is beyond me.

Ok, some of us have bad relationships and marriages, and you don’t want to go home immediately after work, and I totally sympathize, but don’t hold up traffic because YOU don’t like your lover. Take your ass to the park, or to the gym, or kill some time at your local strip club or something. LET ME GO HOME! Cali is way too crowded for cruising. The day of the California cruiser is over! You see, I don’t have those problems. As a matter of fact, I have more problems trying to get home, as opposed to being at home.

Oh yeah, what about this….you ever been driving home, or to the store, or anywhere for that matter, and been stuck behind someone who’s so afraid to drive that they actually follow the speed limit to the number!!!? What ever happened to going with the flow of traffic? They got the flow of traffic so jacked up that they’ve created a new flow that’s so slow, I might as well be driving backward. Trust me, I’m no chauvinist. This frustration is NOT directed towards women drivers, in case some of y’all were thinking that. I’m talking about ALL of y’all!!! I’m not saying turn the roadways to a ‘Cannon Ball Run’ raceway, but still. You don’t have to be a speed demon, but you don’t have to drive “grandma-slow” to be a law abiding citizen either. Let me also elaborate on the old, mid-life crisis men out here who buy these oh so expensive sports cars, just to drive around with the top down, looking for chicks. Get this through your gray haired skull...YOU'RE NOT COOL!!! Open that muscle up, and let's get to where we're going, or get the hell out of my way! Oh, and please don't get me started on cell phone drivers! I know I'm not a perfect driver, but I can get the job done, whether I'm on my cell phone or not. Some people, even with earpieces STILL can't drive! If it were up to me, I'd be revoking licenses DAILY!!!

Anyway…I could go on and on about this, but I’m here to open the floor and allow all of my peers to share your frustrations with the world as I am trying to do…so,…with that in mind.

**WHO HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE QUESTION MAN???**

I'm currently out of Aimless-Thoughts, and I wanted to know which topic you think I should try writing about next. Place your votes, and let me know:
	The current rise in Open-Racism?
	The direction of our world and our children's future?
	The population increases in California?
	Whether I think illegal immigrants are destroying California's economy?
	More of my Personal Pet-Peeves about California Traffic?
	Or, just a typical day-in-the-life of a mind filled with Aimless Thoughts?

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