Stimulus Plan/Package

So...It seems like people just want this to just go through and they can get their cut. Are people really paying attention to what is being distributed though? I would hope so, but I don't think so. I'm still formulating my opinion of the plan, but I follow a few newspaper articles and this website (www.readthestimulus.org) which helps me stay up-to-date for right now. It's very comprehensive, but I think it will get the job done. I have faith in President Obama. What people should be worried about is whether a large portion of people will take heed to what the President is actually proposing. He really is hoping that individuals will be smart with the small amount of money they will be given. What stands out to me mostly are his plans at saving the US money over time by improving the technology we rely on, and government buildings as well. I'm curious as to how others feel and whether or not they think it will work? We will shall see. I've attached a graphic from the Washington Post which is a relative breakdown of what the Stimulus should look like. Comment as you see fit and express your perspective. Thank you.

ManWomanBoogie

Gotta show some love not only to Q-tip and Amanda Diva, but a spotlight to a good friend/poet/singer/sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc...Shanelle Gabriel...Google her...lol

Q-TIP - New Music Video - Man Woman Boogie

Coaching and Correlations

I can't believe it, but I've been assistant coaching my old high school's wrestling team for two years now. This is the second year of course, and my first year was great. This year hasn't been as exciting, but definitely a learning experience for me. It's one thing when you experience something from one angle, but you learn so much more when it's from the other side of spectrum. I was once apart of the very team that I coach. Granted there were different people and personalities, but definitely similar experiences. Here are a few things I've learned and examples of similar situations other people are in or I've been in to see the correlation...

One of the very first things I noticed is that I entered the coaching realm not only to give back to my high school, but to get out just as much. In teaching these young men some of the knowledge I have come to gain while wrestling through the years and the skills as well I am learning more about the sport and what I need to work on to be a better coach and wrestler. It's the endless circle of what is called reciprocity. This realization is what keeps me coming back day after day even though a lot of them are knuckle heads.

Second, if the minds of babies are like sponges, then the minds of young adolescent high school boys must be like mops! All the pick up is the dirt and grime of your day-to-day conversations. I'm not gonna front...I swear a little bit, but that's because when it comes to wrestling I'm very passionate about it. I know what I'm talking about it, because I've been doing it for over nine years. Now they're not picking up on my swearing ways but I noticed in one of my athletes that he's picking up an old habit of mine, which was an uncontrollable temper. He gets frustrated easily and I did not notice that last year. In any case I just have to watch certain things I say.

Third, I definitely don't get paid enough for the amount of time and energy I put into what I do. Along with that comes the realization that it isn't about the money, which is crazy. What means more to me is making sure these young guys take something from their experience being on the team; plain and simple.

Finally, I love my old high school, but I see myself making more of a difference with public school students or inner city youth. They actually have a program called "Beat the Streets" where they have implemented wrestling programs all over the city throughout many high schools. The thought is great, but there need to be good coaches out there and I know I can take a beginner public school and turn them into some of the most feared and respected wrestlers New York State has to offer. That's not being cocky though. That's just me being confident ;-) Wrestling is a sport that is dominated mostly by Whites, and here in NYC African-Americans and Latinos can take over this sport. They just need the right guidance.

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I also have been mentoring outside of my fraternal organization and in more ways than one coaching is very similar to mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and a slew of other things. You make the correlation it is there though. When you teach someone else something you are efficient in over time you become a professional; an expert; and sought for advice on a regular basis.

Abstinence

I was surprised, but overall excited to see Jamie Foxx encouraging women to remain abstinent on a radio interview a few days ago. Not too many people encourage that. They just say use condoms and stay safe. Hearing that some people choose not to use condoms, and still have monogamous partners, proves that most people let desire get the best of them without using that thing that lies between the ears.

This past weekend on a bus ride to a tournament with my High School wrestling team I was asked by a curious teammate, "so when did you lose your virginity?" This was so random, but I chose to give an answer, and replied, "When I was nineteen." Everyone on the bus was surprised, especially the gentleman that asked. When I put the same question to him he replied, "Thirteen!!!??" I couldn't believe it. At thirteen all I was thinking about was getting straight A's, not getting a beating from my uncle or aunt for not completing something they asked me to do, and reading. I was baffled. He explained how it happened. In short, he had a girlfriend of four months and told her one day, "I want to see if it can fit." It fit and he's been having sex ever since...SMH...Then I explained why I waited so long, and it brought me back to the cornerstone of why I had originally wanted to wait until I was married to have sex.

(clouds appear and all that is seen is white)
(the mist settles and clears up and there sitting at his desk is 14 year-old Amir)

It started in one period of my Freshman year in High School. My teacher, Mr. Homer, was a cool guy. Married for a long amount of time with a few children who he loved and adored. So explained to the class the main reason to wait until you are married to have sex. And it went a little something like this..."When the time comes and you get a little older, and you meet that special someone. A special someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with, you will have experienced many things in your life thus far. You will have had friendships and relationships, if you decided to take it that far. Through the good and bad you will have accomplished tons of things that will mold you into the man you will come to be. Now, when you present yourself to that special someone and vice versa, what will you be special to your union that you haven't shared with anyone else? The sacred act of "making love", "sexual intercourse", or just plain ol' SEX. What a gift to share with just one person. How sweet to have waited, and waited and given in to only person."

Now in a perfect world that sounds great. It sounded great to me. I went with it wholeheartedly and didn't falter through High School. I always did it for myself and for my own reasons, though. When you're 17 and younger you really don't understand all the intricacies that come a long with sex. When I made the decision when I was 19 I was ready...well not really, but I thought so. But through it all I have learned a lot. That's what's most important. Learning. But this young one's coming up are losing their virginity at these ages it's crazy!

When I have children I will devise a similar speech the way my Religion Teacher did, but in my own way and in my own words. I will always tell them that the decision will be their own though (i.e. when they are old enough to be out of my house, until then they will be having NO SEX...hahahahah!).

[God bless a very close brother to me as well. He's expecting a new born, and I'm very happy for him. He's going to be a great father. I will come to him for advice when the time comes for me.]

What Really Grinds My Gears (Volume I)

Before I head home from work something was on my mind...You know what really grinds my gears!!?? These young boys in NYC, mostly Harlem, but NYC in general wearing these rosaries!! That's what really grinds my gears. All I can think is, "WTFF (what the FLACK for...working on my cussing)!!" They're not wearing one, for sentimental reasons, more like five to ten on their neck, for no reason at all!!! So this leaves me disturbed and confused. Maybe I'm judging these young boys to early before I even question one on my own. It's either one of two possible reasons as to why they are wearing them: (1) one rosary is for every person close to them that they have lost, or (2) the wood rosaries just look hot and accentuate their look (...smh...which I hope is not the case) . I really feel compelled to stop one of these young "whipper-snappers" (I am not old just using it for sheer laughs....hahahah...ok; that's enough) on the street and ask them, "Why?! Why!? O! Why!? Do you wear those rosaries the way that you do." Maybe it's me trying to stay clear of being shanked, shot (more times than there are super bowls) or jumped by a small gang...lol...i'm being a little sarcastic, but that's just who I am. I will keep you updated on that effort. Better yet, if anyone knows of why they wear more than one, please post a comment and enlighten me. I am ignorant to this new fashion statement. My ear isn't that close to the streetz. I'm focused on other things, but this definitely grinds my gears!! What about you?

We are so much better than this...

In wake of the loss of Abraham Biggs. I felt compelled to make a real important post. If you aren't already aware Abraraham was 19 years young. He committed suicide live online as people watched and pushed him to do it. He used a combination of opiates and prescription drugs for patients who are bipoliar. Here is his note he left behind:

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To Whom It May Concern,
I am going to leave this for whoever stumbles across my bookmarks later on. I hate myself and I hate living. I think that if someone who knows me reads this they will know who I am. So I will leave this unsigned. I am an a@#hole. I have let everyone down and I feel as though I will never change or never improve. I am in love with a girl and I know that I am not good enough for her.

I have come to believe that my life has all been meaningless. I keep trying and I keep failing. I have thought about and attempted suicide many times in the past. I used to think of my failure as some mystical way of telling me that I was really meant for something meaningful. The only thing I dread, besides the pain, is the way my family will suffer.
I do not want my mother or father to think that it was anything they did that lead me to kill myself. I never really had any plans of leaving a note. I thought that I would not be able to describe why I want to do this and I am right. There is no way to tell you or anyone else why I dread every new day. My father had such high expectations for me and tried to give me every opportunity to improve upon myself. I let him down. I think that I am a major disappointment to him. I have a job but I'm always broke and I am in college but barely, I show up to class but that's about it.
I want my life to end. I am tired of f@#$ing up everything. I am tired of people always telling me that they do not like me. I am tired of trying to be decent. I hope that someone finds this post and I hope that my parents know that I f@#$ed up not them. It is my fault I screwed up my own life.
The hate that rages within me, rages not for those I love so dearly or those who have crossed my path. This hate rages full force towards me and only me.
I have long forgiven those who've hurt me, but I have not and cannot come to terms to forgive myself for the things I have done to myself, and the things I've done to hurt those in my life.
You have all touched my life in one way or another, especially those whom I call family. I cannot tell you how sorry I am for ending my life the way I did. I hope that you can all find it in your heart to see it as way for me not suffering anymore and that I am finally at rest with myself, for being at rest with the guilt that constantly ate at me for so long. Please forgive me all for taking my own life so early. I tried so hard to fight against this strong battle. I have reached out for help so many times, and yet I believe, I was turned away because of the things I did, that it is a punishment I am willing to take, for I know that being who I am has only brought myself and others pain.

I love you all and will forever live within the memories we created. Forgive me.

Love always and forever,

As for my signature I will leave you with a quote so that if anyone reads this they will know it's me, "Can't feel pain if your dead? Just Saying"

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I am at a loss for words. I'm not surprised that people watched and cheered him on. That's just how some people are, but that isn't an excuse to be used over and over again. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. This young man was troubled and that is known. He seemed to be troubled juggling a lot of things internally. Love has to start from within and he didn't have that. Bless his heart. I pray that the Lord will now take care of him. He was going through a lot mentally. I still don't think that is enough to make someone to want to take their own life. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. The world offers so much more than self hatred. We all have a purpose. Some find their purpose a lot faster than others. The journey is what makes it worth everything second, minute, hour, day, year, decade, and century, God willingly. The ups and downs have purpose. There is light at the end of the tunnel. There are good people out there. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. I have no shame for those individuals that watched him and didn't do anything at all. Abraham was disgusted with people who make it a daily routine to express their negative thoughts online because only because of the anonymnity that comes with it. Be MAN/WOMAN enough to let people know how you feel with your information attached. There are a lot of cowards out there. That is cowardly.

Yet I remain faithful that we can be better. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS.

Too much of anything is bad for you (Part I)

Ruby Tuesday
"Colossal Burger"
~2,000 Calories
~150 grams of Fat

Those are rounded numbers. But they're just shy of what I have stated previously...SMH...This is one of the main reasons why Americans are obese and gluttonous. 150 grams of fat is two days worth of what you should be getting and not in one sitting! Be wary of what you it...That's why I just don't eat beef or pork at all, but that's for another discussion. Would you eat this?