Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free
Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas we'll see a Man
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care
Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shining moment my heart ran away
From our world today
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Take hope because your love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Happy Holidays to You and You
I am amazed at the amount of people frothing at the mouth due to the expression "Happy Holidays". While it is true that the majority of America is Christian, let's not forget the other percentage that celebrate other holidays. As a child I celebrated three holidays in December.
Down here in the South, there is only one holiday in December and that is Christmas. Here we set up the tree, exchanged gifts, you know the routine. I was fortunate enough to have a Jewish Uncle by marriage, Uncle Danny. December visits from Uncle Danny meant presents almost everyday as he introduced me to Hanukkah. Not to be outdone by her husband, Aunt Clara and her friends taught me aspects of Kwanzaa. So I grew up celebrating multiple holidays. As I grew older, I met people that celebrated Winter Solstice and things like that. No they did not try to convert me, but I respected their holidays and they respected mine.
So my question is what is the big deal? Well, I can understand how Southerners would find it offensive since we haven't learned that there are other alternatives to Christianity yet. But what about the rest of the country? Have we all lost our minds?
Instead of focusing on what we should be calling the season, we should be focusing on the greater meaning. For me, it's a time of reflection. A time to appreciate those that are here with us, and honor those that have passed on. Time for me to improve my own Spirituality. This is when I (try) to let go of a year's worth of negativity and prepare myself for a fresh year.
With that I know I will probably offend some of you Christmas purists, but come on, I'll be typing all night if I try to list all the Holidays. So instead I wish you all
Down here in the South, there is only one holiday in December and that is Christmas. Here we set up the tree, exchanged gifts, you know the routine. I was fortunate enough to have a Jewish Uncle by marriage, Uncle Danny. December visits from Uncle Danny meant presents almost everyday as he introduced me to Hanukkah. Not to be outdone by her husband, Aunt Clara and her friends taught me aspects of Kwanzaa. So I grew up celebrating multiple holidays. As I grew older, I met people that celebrated Winter Solstice and things like that. No they did not try to convert me, but I respected their holidays and they respected mine.
So my question is what is the big deal? Well, I can understand how Southerners would find it offensive since we haven't learned that there are other alternatives to Christianity yet. But what about the rest of the country? Have we all lost our minds?
Instead of focusing on what we should be calling the season, we should be focusing on the greater meaning. For me, it's a time of reflection. A time to appreciate those that are here with us, and honor those that have passed on. Time for me to improve my own Spirituality. This is when I (try) to let go of a year's worth of negativity and prepare myself for a fresh year.
With that I know I will probably offend some of you Christmas purists, but come on, I'll be typing all night if I try to list all the Holidays. So instead I wish you all
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Friday, December 09, 2005
It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas
It's never really Christmas until I hear certain songs. I know many places started playing Christmas music long before Thanksgiving. But there are some songs that just aren't piped in the store Muzak system. This morning I was thrilled to hear Boyz II Men's Let it Snow. Now I need to hear Donny Hathaway's This Christmas (it MUST be Donny's version), Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis, and Stevie Wonder's Someday at Christmas to make my holiday complete.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Monday, November 07, 2005
See, What Had Happened Was
Have you ever noticed that whenever a person uses a variation of "What had happened was..." they are telling a lie? If it's not a complete lie, then a misrepresentation of the truth. Think about it.
I never really noticed it until I was in college. One event in particular drove that fact home. The college I was attended has failed to enter all the Financial Aid information in the system; which resulted in over half of the student body being kicked out of the system. Many of us were in danger of losing our housing in the dorms unless we had the mess straightened out. The problem was that only ONE person could fix the problem in the system and she didn't like to work. We camped outside this woman's office for almost a week. When she finally made an appearance, she was really rude and tried to blow us off. Fed up, a group of us decided to head to the President's Office. I will never forget it . This woman ran up 3 flights of stairs in a too tight leather skirt to beat us to the President's Office.
She didn't beat us there, but as we were speaking to the President's secretary, she came busting in the Office. "See, what had happened was..." is how she started. No hello, no pause to see what we were saying. "What had happened was..." she interuppted us breathlessly. I can't remember the rest of the story she told (I was too busy watching her gasp for breath and secretly hoping she would pass out).
After that incident, I began to notice how often people start an excuse with those words. I transferred to another college, and still I encountered the "What had happened" phenomenon. I mentioned it to my mother, who thought it was funny at first (ok, she still thinks it's funny) but she had to agree. Usually when people start a sentence with "What had happened was..." it's going to be a lie.
So when someone asked me why I hadn't posted in almost a month; I couldn't help but say "Well, see, what had happened was..."
I never really noticed it until I was in college. One event in particular drove that fact home. The college I was attended has failed to enter all the Financial Aid information in the system; which resulted in over half of the student body being kicked out of the system. Many of us were in danger of losing our housing in the dorms unless we had the mess straightened out. The problem was that only ONE person could fix the problem in the system and she didn't like to work. We camped outside this woman's office for almost a week. When she finally made an appearance, she was really rude and tried to blow us off. Fed up, a group of us decided to head to the President's Office. I will never forget it . This woman ran up 3 flights of stairs in a too tight leather skirt to beat us to the President's Office.
She didn't beat us there, but as we were speaking to the President's secretary, she came busting in the Office. "See, what had happened was..." is how she started. No hello, no pause to see what we were saying. "What had happened was..." she interuppted us breathlessly. I can't remember the rest of the story she told (I was too busy watching her gasp for breath and secretly hoping she would pass out).
After that incident, I began to notice how often people start an excuse with those words. I transferred to another college, and still I encountered the "What had happened" phenomenon. I mentioned it to my mother, who thought it was funny at first (ok, she still thinks it's funny) but she had to agree. Usually when people start a sentence with "What had happened was..." it's going to be a lie.
So when someone asked me why I hadn't posted in almost a month; I couldn't help but say "Well, see, what had happened was..."
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Well, A Good Man is Hard to Find...
Flannery O'Connor wrote your book. Not much escapes
your notice.
Which Author's Fiction are You?
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What Kind of Writer are You?
You're a Plot writer!
What kind of writer are you?
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You're a plotter, someone who carefully crafts an
intriguing plot to keep the reader hooked from
one scene to the next. You thrive on knowing
exactly where your story is going, and what's
going to happen along the way. Although you
might veer off your original plan for the
story, mostly you stick to your carefully
planned outline. You're a born storyteller who
enjoys sharing your stories with others.
What Kind of a Writer Are You?
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Wednesday, October 05, 2005
What's Your Planet?
.:Pluto:.
"You are shrouded in mystery, which you love,
but you have a lot of trouble expressing your
feelings. You are very loyal and possessive,
and you become jealous very easily. You have a
great deal of courage and are very clear on
what you want and how to get it. You are
protective and will seek revenge on those who
wrong you. You are also very clever and expect
your lover to be attuned to your needs and
wants."
. : : Which Astrological Planet are You? : : . [10 Gorgeous Pics!]
brought to you by
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Small town = Small minded
There are good things about the South and there are bad things about the South, that's life. It doesn't make it right or wrong, it's just life. Waving at a passing car from your front porch - Good. KKK having its annual march through town - BAD! Someone asking "How Your Mama and Them doing?" - Good. A store selling racist propaganda on the town square - BAD!
Southern life is a mass of anachronisms and contradictions. We are a region steeped in archaic traditions and beliefs. Our traditions are neither all good or all bad, they just are. Here, you learn quickly that change does not come swiftly or quietly. You have to fight for progress from all angles; so it is best to choose your battles wisely.
I mention this because I have been griping about the local event going on in my town. (I won't use the actual event name, because I don't want to have to cuss someone out later if too many locals stumble across this blog.) This event like all others in the past are never planned with the general populace in mind. The entertainment lineup always looks like this: Bluegrass bands, 2 or 3 groups the play a "variety of music" which consists of beach music and a few general oldies. They stick a gospel choir in somewhere to keep the Blacks happy. That is the entertainment. This formula NEVER changes.
In my town only the upper-class people have a hand in planning local events. Oh they say everyone is welcome; they even complain that they can't get minority participation in planning events. What they never mention is that they hold the planning meetings during the week at 1 pm. When the working class people are at work. Just to make sure we don't give our input. We may try to change things.
This year, mother and I decided not to go to the event. I told mother, I am tired of these people taking our money, but refusing to provide diverse entertainment. It is not worth it! I know that they won't hurt from the loss of our money, but I will feel better about myself. I may not be able to change the town, but I don't have to be completely complacent.
Southern life is a mass of anachronisms and contradictions. We are a region steeped in archaic traditions and beliefs. Our traditions are neither all good or all bad, they just are. Here, you learn quickly that change does not come swiftly or quietly. You have to fight for progress from all angles; so it is best to choose your battles wisely.
I mention this because I have been griping about the local event going on in my town. (I won't use the actual event name, because I don't want to have to cuss someone out later if too many locals stumble across this blog.) This event like all others in the past are never planned with the general populace in mind. The entertainment lineup always looks like this: Bluegrass bands, 2 or 3 groups the play a "variety of music" which consists of beach music and a few general oldies. They stick a gospel choir in somewhere to keep the Blacks happy. That is the entertainment. This formula NEVER changes.
In my town only the upper-class people have a hand in planning local events. Oh they say everyone is welcome; they even complain that they can't get minority participation in planning events. What they never mention is that they hold the planning meetings during the week at 1 pm. When the working class people are at work. Just to make sure we don't give our input. We may try to change things.
This year, mother and I decided not to go to the event. I told mother, I am tired of these people taking our money, but refusing to provide diverse entertainment. It is not worth it! I know that they won't hurt from the loss of our money, but I will feel better about myself. I may not be able to change the town, but I don't have to be completely complacent.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Songs that Make You Go WTF- R.Kelly Edition
R.Kelly has been the reigning King of Hip-Hop R&B for over 10 years. During that time R. Kelly has released some interesting songs.
The Song "Half on a Baby" gave us this wonderful line
I don't know what mathematical equation R.Kelly was using but 2 minutes is not equal to carrying a baby 9 months, labor, and then raising the child. What the heck was he thinking?
"Heaven I need a Hug"
He would do better to sing: Heaven, I need Johnny Cochran; Heaven, I need soap on a rope; Heaven, I need an acquittal. That's what he needs to be asking for.
"Sex in Kitchen"
Not in my kitchen! Matter of fact, I will make sure to never eat at your house or the casserole you brought to the potluck!
WTF Video
Now the Epic that ruined my summer, "Trapped in a Closet". If you haven't heard it or seen the videos; you haven't missed much. The premise behind this "hip-hop opera" is the strange connection between a cheating husband, his equally cheating wife, and the folks they are sleeping with. It is broken into 5 parts, each one just as dumb as the last. My advice is to read an E.Lynn Harris novel, you get about the same story, but it is much more enjoyable.
The Song "Half on a Baby" gave us this wonderful line
From my toes up
To my knee caps
To waist line
Now slowly lady
Can we go half on a baby
I don't know what mathematical equation R.Kelly was using but 2 minutes is not equal to carrying a baby 9 months, labor, and then raising the child. What the heck was he thinking?
"Heaven I need a Hug"
Heaven, I need a hug
Isn't anybody out there willing to embrace a thug
Feelin' like a change of heart
And all I really need is a sign or word from God
So shower down on me, wet me with your love
I need you to take me, and lift me up
He would do better to sing: Heaven, I need Johnny Cochran; Heaven, I need soap on a rope; Heaven, I need an acquittal. That's what he needs to be asking for.
"Sex in Kitchen"
Sex in the kitchen over by the stove
Put you on the counter by the buttered rolls
Hands on the table, on your tippy toes
We'll be making love like the restaurant was closed
Not in my kitchen! Matter of fact, I will make sure to never eat at your house or the casserole you brought to the potluck!
WTF Video
Now the Epic that ruined my summer, "Trapped in a Closet". If you haven't heard it or seen the videos; you haven't missed much. The premise behind this "hip-hop opera" is the strange connection between a cheating husband, his equally cheating wife, and the folks they are sleeping with. It is broken into 5 parts, each one just as dumb as the last. My advice is to read an E.Lynn Harris novel, you get about the same story, but it is much more enjoyable.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Meh
I have been rather trifling lately. I haven't posted in 2 weeks. Not that I didn't have anything to post, I just didn't feel like making the effort. You know how you may have an idea; it's not great, it's not bad, it's just meh. Well that is how I have been for the past 2 weeks. Just Meh! So hopefully I will return to my regular schedule.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Songs that make you go WTF
It's Friday and that means another episode of SONGS THAT MAKE YOU GO WTF!
Today's victims are country videos.
***WARNING: Country Guy Slaughtering R&B Love Song ***
Today's victims are country videos.
***WARNING: Country Guy Slaughtering R&B Love Song ***
I don't know what his name is but some country dude is murdering the song "Back at One" by Brian McKnight. For those of you unfamiliar with Brian McKnight, trust me on this, his version is a lot better. My ears are still bleeding from such blasphemy. Maybe if the video had a storyline to it, it would have been more tolerable. Ok it wouldn't have but at least the video wouldn't have sucked as much.
Montgomery Gentry (I think that's their name) - You know how in most country duos there is always one guy that wears a cowboy hat and usually plays a guitar and the other guy without the hat sings lead vocal. Well in this group, the big guy with the hat doesn't play a guitar nor does he appear to sing lead vocal; although he is handy with twirling a microphone stand. Hey cowboy hat guy, here's a tip, just stand there with a guitar and fake it. We won't know and it would look a lot cooler than playing with the mic stand (that you really aren't using). Come to think of it, why do you have a mic stand? It's not like your hands are occupied with a guitar or fiddle.
Alison Kraus and Union Station - Can you make a video that doesn't involve Alison and Co. walking/riding around with a vacant look on their face? Special Effects are not that expensive nowadays. Matter of fact, live a little, get one of the hip-hop directors (Dave Meyers, Little X, Kanye West, heck even Diddy) for your next video. PLEASE!
The final song gets a WTF, hey that's kinda cute award
Alcohol by Brad Paisley - This is the one line that saves this song, "Helping White People Dance". Lawd, I almost died when I heard that line. Hey anyone that makes fun of white people dancing is ok with me.
Sexy is as Sexy Does
You know what's sexy? A man that is willing to put himself in harms way to help others. Looks are nice, but they eventually fade, but a good heart...
I saw an article that listed some of the celebrities that are going the extra mile to help the Survivors of Katrina. Sean Penn (Bless his Heart) took a boat to New Orleans to rescue trapped children. His boat sprung a leak before he could even get started. Although he came to New Orleans with a complete entourage, including photographer, he still but forth an effort. Several people criticized him , saying he was just doing this as a publicity stunt. So what if it was a publicity stunt that went awry. He still is doing more than many of us. He left his nice expensive home to voluntarily jump into a nasty cesspool of decay. This man willingly stepped into a stagnant, crap-filled, bacterial breeding ground to help people he didn't know and didn't have to care about. That's more than what our government leaders are doing.
Ginny's Sexy Men of the Week:
John Travolta- flying supplies to victims
Sean Penn - Rescue efforts
Harry Connick Jr.- Does he really need a reason? Visiting evacuees and Habitat for Humanity
Jamie Foxx- Visiting evacuees and monetary contributions
Anderson Cooper- Having the balls to lose his mind on national television and say what the people are really thinking
I saw an article that listed some of the celebrities that are going the extra mile to help the Survivors of Katrina. Sean Penn (Bless his Heart) took a boat to New Orleans to rescue trapped children. His boat sprung a leak before he could even get started. Although he came to New Orleans with a complete entourage, including photographer, he still but forth an effort. Several people criticized him , saying he was just doing this as a publicity stunt. So what if it was a publicity stunt that went awry. He still is doing more than many of us. He left his nice expensive home to voluntarily jump into a nasty cesspool of decay. This man willingly stepped into a stagnant, crap-filled, bacterial breeding ground to help people he didn't know and didn't have to care about. That's more than what our government leaders are doing.
Ginny's Sexy Men of the Week:
John Travolta- flying supplies to victims
Sean Penn - Rescue efforts
Harry Connick Jr.- Does he really need a reason? Visiting evacuees and Habitat for Humanity
Jamie Foxx- Visiting evacuees and monetary contributions
Anderson Cooper- Having the balls to lose his mind on national television and say what the people are really thinking
Friday, September 02, 2005
Songs that make you go WTF- 90s Love Songs
I love to listen to music (shocking isn't it) but I have this bad habit of actually listening to the words and trying reason it out. Now don't go thinking this is an attack on Hip-Hop, cause it's not. I decided I would start a weekly post of these songs (and Videos) that just leave you scratching your head. All genres of music are subject to the list. And if you know of some songs (especially in the Country, Rock, and Christian categories) leave a comment so I can make fun-- discuss it here too.
This week's victims are 90s Love songs by male R&B groups.
"She's Playing Hard to Get" by High Five - Denial anyone?
I can tell by the look in her eyes
That she's into me
Cuz when she passes by and say "Hi"
I can tell by her smile
Cuz she's shy as can be (She's playin')
I don't think she can see my pushin' her
But I can feel her crushin' me
She's playing hard to get
She just won't admit
That she likes me She likes me
She's playing hard to get
She just won't admit, oo yeah
That she likes me She likes me
She's playin' hard
Tell me that is not a defense for a stalking or rape case. I wonder what ever happened to those boys...
"The First Time" by Surface - Never have I seen a group of men be so proud of their overly emotional "sensitive" side as this group.
The first time I look into your eyes I cried
Do you remember the first time
We fell in love
You look into my eyes wiped the tears away
The first time
When we fell in love
I am trying to figure out if this is blind date that went horribly awry or if he is just "crying for the cootchie". Either way, grow some balls and tell her how you really feel in a manly fashion please.
"Shower Me With Your Love" by Surface - No thanks, I'll pass.
Shower me with your love
Shower me with your love that I look for
Shower me with your love
Shower me with your love I've been waiting for
Where is R. Kelly when you need him? These freaks would have paid good money to be in that infamous video.
"Freak Me" (Let Me Lick You Up and Down) by Silk - Y'all need to stop lying like that...
Let me lick you up and downCome on. No woman in her right mind is going to tell you to stop. Your tongue will fall off before she says anything. That's false advertising.
Til you say stop
Let me play with your body baby
Make you real hot
Ok, this is the last one. There is no need to use them all up in one weekend, right. This one is for Video
"I'll Make Love to You" by Boyz II Men - Do you remember the video?
Duane Martin plays a security technician or something. He falls in love with the owner of the house he is installing a security system. He's too shy (punk) to approach her, but listening to the Boyz II Men CD inspires him to write her a letter. Ok, that sounds pretty sweet and romantic but then he opens the CD case and begins to copy the lyrics from the CD cover. WTF! You're in serious violation!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Katrina
I hate that my first post has to be about Katrina, but I need to vent. I am so tired of hearing newscasters wax poetically about how Katrina affected everyone, rich and poor. "Katrina was a great equalizer", what a bunch of equalizing bull! You want evidence of the division between the haves and the have nots, turn on you t.v.!
I haven't seen anyone on t.v. crying from the affluent neighborhoods currently under water. Have you? No! Why, because they could afford to fly or drive to safety. They are chilling in hotels or are staying with family members. Right now, their biggest concern is contacting their insurance adjuster. The few that may have been interviewed (from the safety of hotels far out of Katrina's path) are griping about not being able return home to inspect the damage. All these people have to do is take a few pictures and they will rebuild and probably be reimbursed for the money they spent fleeing the hurricane.
Now let's look at the other side. Those people living in the "hood" couldn't leave their homes. Not because they were scared of looters and such, but because they lacked the means to go. Many don't own cars and for those that did, they didn't have the money for gas. Flying was obviously out of the question and those that may have had the money for bus tickets were stranded in New Orleans when the Greyhound station closed on Saturday. My question is why didn't officials provide buses to shuttle these people to safety? They had plenty of time. Why, because they were the lowest common denominator.
Now all that is left is the hope that most of these people can be rescued. Although that hope dwindles everyday. It doesn't help to see the heartbreaking stories of mothers forced to choose which child will ride with her to safety. Husbands that have to watch their wives wash away in the raging flood waters. Now, after admitting to the devastating death tolls, do city and state officials play hero. Yeah, Hurricane Katrina, the "Great equalizer".
Slate offers a great article about this.
I haven't seen anyone on t.v. crying from the affluent neighborhoods currently under water. Have you? No! Why, because they could afford to fly or drive to safety. They are chilling in hotels or are staying with family members. Right now, their biggest concern is contacting their insurance adjuster. The few that may have been interviewed (from the safety of hotels far out of Katrina's path) are griping about not being able return home to inspect the damage. All these people have to do is take a few pictures and they will rebuild and probably be reimbursed for the money they spent fleeing the hurricane.
Now let's look at the other side. Those people living in the "hood" couldn't leave their homes. Not because they were scared of looters and such, but because they lacked the means to go. Many don't own cars and for those that did, they didn't have the money for gas. Flying was obviously out of the question and those that may have had the money for bus tickets were stranded in New Orleans when the Greyhound station closed on Saturday. My question is why didn't officials provide buses to shuttle these people to safety? They had plenty of time. Why, because they were the lowest common denominator.
Now all that is left is the hope that most of these people can be rescued. Although that hope dwindles everyday. It doesn't help to see the heartbreaking stories of mothers forced to choose which child will ride with her to safety. Husbands that have to watch their wives wash away in the raging flood waters. Now, after admitting to the devastating death tolls, do city and state officials play hero. Yeah, Hurricane Katrina, the "Great equalizer".
Slate offers a great article about this.
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