Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Don't ever take life and the love of family for granted!



Hundreds pay respect to Colts coach and son
LUTZ, Fla. (AP) -

Tony Dungy blinked back tears, straining to compose himself. Dungy remembers his son Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy thanks his supporters and speaks of his son James who was found dead in his apartment last week. "Parents hug your kids every chance you get," he said. "Tell them you love them every chance you get because you don't know when it's going to be the last time." The Indianapolis Colts coach buried his eldest son, James, on Tuesday, lovingly recalling the 18-year-old who died in an apparent suicide last week as a "mama's boy" with a "compassionate heart." Someone who loved to smile and have fun. ...

Click here for the full article

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

College Advice

MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) put on an alumni luncheon last week for current college studetns. My colleague, Justin, and I presented some material and advice that someone may find helpful so I'm posting it here. Soon I'll have a site dedicated to educational tools that will hopefully be useful enough to teach and expedite learning.
BTW- I'm working on a documentary, also with the vision that it will change the way we pursue our passions...more as a lifestyle and less as a hobby.
Anyway, here's the college advice handout. ENJOY!

Thursday, December 15, 2005

I couldn't help it...


I couldn't help but post this! Being the modern day geek that I am I had to inform the masses of one of the coolest/funniest/weirdest things you can buy this holiday season. In fact you can buy it for me if you so please!

Presentd by ThinkGeek...Desktop Carnivorous Plant Set.



















And as quoted from the website:
Each Complete Kit Includes:
Growing Dome
Planting Mixture
Carnivorous Seed Pack:
Venus Fly Trap
Yellow Trumpet
Hooded Pitcher Plant
Purple Pitcher Plant
Pale Trumpet
Temperate Sundew Plants
Cobra Lillies
3 Photo Decals
3 Bog Buddies
Swamp Rocks
Instructions and Information Manual
NOTE: Unlike Insta-Pets(TM)like Sea Monkeys or Triops, your carnivorous plant set will take several weeks to get started. But have patience friends, the blood-curdling plant-on-insect action will be worth the wait! We guarantee it or pay us double!


Let them eat to their stems' content...teehee!

Happy News...

So some time ago, I wrote about putting actually good, uplifting news on this this. But we all know that's potentially a full time job....so, I refer you to HappyNews.com! I think you'll definitely enjoy. One of today's stories:
"Japanese get fat penguins to exercise"














Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

My first site

Well,
Thanks so to my very amazing computer scienctist friend, Justin, I've built my first site. Now it's crude (so don't clown) but I don't care becuase it's the first thing I've built CS wise since I was a freshman in college! DIG IT!?!

Monday, December 05, 2005

Tax savingss

This is a message froma friend regarding Tax Savings. Worth looking into.

For tax information, I recommend you get Sandy Botkin's book Lower Your Taxes Big Time.
Also, check out his web site http://www.taxreductioninstitute.com/. His CD series Tax Advantages for your Home based Business is excellent. If you can attend one of his workshops, it is well worth it. I saved over $4000 the first year I used his system.

I recommend the SOHO TaxSaver 3.1 to track your business. You can find it at http://www.alliancemarketing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse&id=15497&pageid=76.

Friday, December 02, 2005

This Brilliant Man...

This guy, Paul English has a cheat sheet of how to reach a human voice on phone calls. You know how you call any bank and get sent through a slew of teleprompters?! Well, have at it. Check out The Cheat Sheet!

Sites to see...

These are some sights worth looking at.

eLance Marketplacehttp://www.elance.com
eLance.com is as much a site for companies looking to outsource projects to independent contractors as it is for free agents looking for new projects. Think of this site as the matchmaker that even allows you to see how much different vendors are earning.

Young and Successfulhttp://www.youngandsuccessful.com/
Y&S is a media and education company dedicated to giving young people the
critical tools, insights and strategies they need to succeed at an early age.
I receive a weekly newsletter from this site from which I learned about eLance.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

December 1, 2005 - 50th Anniversary of Rosa Parks Sit-in

Today is the 50th anniversary of the dar Rosa Parks kept her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, AL. I need a PowerPoint presentation to commemorate. Check it out...
The Life and Legacy of Rosa Parks

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Ugly Dog just died



In case you didn't know...the worlds ugliest dog, Sam, just died; just a few days short of his 15th birthday.

The Associated Press described Sam thusly:
The tiny dog has no hair, if you don't count the yellowish-white tuft erupting from his head. His wrinkled brown skin is covered with splotches, a line of warts marches down his snout, his blind eyes are an alien, milky white, and a fleshy flap of skin hangs from his withered neck. And then there are the Austin Powers teeth that jut at odd angles. He's so ugly that even the judges recoiled when he was placed on the judging table . . .
(http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/uglydog.asp)

I like the picture below just because he (Sam) doesn't look quite so bad in it. I mean he's a sweet pup right. Plus, the poor guy was suffering from cateracts and old age, hence the cloudy eyes.


But I must say, I'm quite impressed to have found Sam & Suzie's (the owner's) actual site...check it out http://samugliestdog.typepad.com/
View to your heart's content pictures of the amazing Sam. May he rest in peace (Scary grill and all!)

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A note on taxes...

We all need to know more about tax structures. So here's a quick read for us lay people.

Progressive & Regressive taxes/taxation explained.
Progressive & Regressive taxes describe the tax table, not a political opinion. It's like a mathematical function. Most often these are called progressive or regressive tax tables or taxes. In a progressive tax, the more you earn, the higher your tax rate.In a regressive tax, the less you earn, the higher your tax rate.
Sound confusing? Read more here...

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

A site for you...

So I've heard of people who make hundreds of thousands of dollars selling random/weird things on the internet. Well I found one. Is anyone interested in "bacon bandades"?!? check it out... http://www.mcphee.com/index.html

Friday, October 14, 2005

Please check him out...

Someone...Anyone!
Please check out this comedian Dane Cook. I mean for real, out of control white men don't usually tickle my fancy but this is one of the funniest dudes I've ever heard it my life. His new cd/dvd Retaliation just made #4 on the Billboard 200! Please Please Please...take a minute and laugh your butt off 'cause this dude is crazy funny! If I was little more posting savvy, I'd have a little clip here but since I'm not, here ya go...http://www.danecook.com/ .

Friday, October 07, 2005

from another Libra

From a fellow Libran (if that's a word. Maybe I should just say another "Libra") regarding our thinking patterns; I couldn't have said it better myself:

From a 'textbook' Libra, I feel your pain. All that extra thinking will pay off. We Libras are a motivated type not to be stepped to lightly. I've found goals aren't worth having if it's just about time, they've got to be about something a little bit more (ideology, progress, enlightenment, etc) in order to be worth OUR precious time.

From the brilliant,started college at 15 and is now working on her PhD (damn she's more brilliant that I thought now that I actually think about it)....Lauren.

uhhhhhhh......

So unlike most who selflessly comment on the affairs of the world...I am commenting on me. Yes, it's my site and I can do what I want....uh, I'm a big girl now (just to take it back). So after posting that last log, I went back and read what I'd written on my 24th Birthday and just to bring it all in my face, I'd made a 1-year goal to purchase a home, upgrade my car and start a small business...and well I'm not too pleased to report that it ain't going so great. I've got the business, but it's not like I'm rolling in the dough! I guess you have to start somewhere eh?
As for the house and the car...I finally managed to move from my parents house just a few months ago effectively breaking the umbilical chord on the way out. The car-well, let's just say I'm saving up for something big LOL! ie., I'm still rocking my old one. But hey at least I'll appreciate the good life when I decide to get it right? Riiiiight...that's what they all say.
That joy of infancy really is wonderful...induldge yourself TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!

25...

Well,
I'm 25 now and I hate to write such an anticlimatic and uninteresting piece after such a long hiatus; however, tragically that's how I feel and that's definitely how my debut to the 1/4 century club went. As a Libra (and yes I have found fierce (def #3: Extremely intense or ardent) validity in the whole zodiac thing)... I've found like most (Libras) I definitely think too much. In fact the whole thing is quite exhausting...the thinking that is. I have friends who really just take life as it comes or moreso enjoy life as they live it, while I on the other hand not just plan, but over-analyze each phase that I'm going through. I'm not sure if most libras plan so intensely (not that it's really working for me as I'm not even good at that part of my character) but I've found that we are definitely some of the most intense people I've ever met. Recently, I've found that a few folks I know share the scales (Libra sign for those that don't know) and it always seems to explain why they/we are the way they/we are.
In an attempt to not incriminate myself, December will make three years since I've been back in Tacoma (after graduating) and I'm definitely ready for what's out there!
On a lighter note...I was googling dictionary.com and misspelled dictionary as dictioanry. Now that tragedy comes in the fact that not only were there websites related to a misspelled word but that there was one that actually had a ton of content on grammar, etc....Now is it really completely sane to trust a site on grammar and essay writing that already starts out wrong? I'm not sure...you be the judge. www.dictioanry.com. At least I got a chuckle for the day LOL.

...Back to me; you can see how all is going. It took me more than a week to even write about my birthday. Remember this time last year (minus 9 days), on my 24th birthday, I inaugurated this site. Oh the bliss of infancy....BRING IT BACK!

Friday, August 12, 2005

Now, Disover your strengths, A MUST READ...Must DO! This book will change your life.

Have you ever wondered why we do things we hate to do, aren't even good at and zap our energy? I mean we do them just in general. But I especially speaking about those who do them for work! 8, 9, 10, maybe even 11 or more hours per day, we sit, stand, direct, calculate, whatever it is, just to get a paycheck or just to feel halfway accomplished. Well, I know everyone has been asked this question before, but what if you really could and DID do what brought you at least a tolerable amount of joy?! See, the problem is not that we (as people) don't want to experience joy, it's that we don't even know how. If someone told you, " I want to give you the perfect job, the perfect life, something that you love to do every second you're doing it...now tell me exactly how to do it. What's the perfect job for you?" Would you be at a loss for words? Do YOU even know what you like to do?!?!?! - Therein lies the root of the problem. How are we going to seek what we love, when we ourselves don't even know our loves? Huh...how ya gonna do it?!?!

Yes- a long intro to my original intent for posting, but sometimes I just have to get the thoughts out.

So, I was praying (as we all should do) asking God to reveal what I like to do. I mean, I know what I like to do, but how could I ever make a living of it? What are my real talents? What are my strengths? Help me put everything together. I've heard that we should do what we love everyday to be most happy, but what the heck does it mean if I just want to sit and read magazines, learn random stuff, [insert what you love to do but doesn't pay the bills]. So what are my talents?!

While in Borders, I came across a book in the management section,
NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS, by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton, PhD. The premise of this book is: capitalizing on your talents brings success...personal, emotional, spiritual and financial. Our talents are what we should focus our lives around.
Again, we know this. The problem is often WHAT are our talents and HOW do we use them daily?

NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS gives you the insight to find your talents, so you can first discover what you brings you inherent joy, build our talents into strengths and focus our lives around them. (The book explains the difference between stenghts and talents.)

Here's an excerpt from Marcus Buckingham's bio:

In a world where efficiency and competency rule the workplace, where do personal strengths fit in?
It’s a complex question, one that intrigued Cambridge-educated Marcus Buckingham so greatly, he set out to answer it by challenging years of social theory and utilizing his nearly two decades of research experience as a Sr. Researcher at The Gallup Organization to break through the preconceptions about achievement and get to the core of what drives success.

The result of his persistence, and arguably the definitive answer to the strengths question, can be found in Buckingham’s trio of best-selling books, First, Break All the Rules (coauthored with Curt Coffman, Simon & Schuster, 1999); Now, Discover Your Strengths (coauthored with Donald O. Clifton, The Free Press, 2001); and The One Thing You Need to Know (The Free Press, 2005), in which the author gives important insights to maximizing strengths, understanding the crucial differences between leadership and management, and fulfilling the quest for long-lasting personal success.

What would happen if men and women spent more than 75% of each day on the job using their strongest skills and engaged in their favorite tasks, basically doing exactly what they wanted to do?

AND...
A piece of the book's intro:

"The simplest explanation is that most organizations' basic assumptions about people are wrong...Most organizations are built on two flawed assumptions about people:
1. Each person can learn to be competent in almost anything.
2. Each person's greatest room for growth is in his or her areas of weakness.
Presented so baldly, these two assumptions seem too simplistic to be commonly held, so let's play them out and see where they lead....

- Your organization spends more money on training people once they are hired than on selecting them properly in the first place.

- Your organizations spends most of its training and money on trying to plug the gaps in employees' skill or competencies. It calls these gaps "areas of opportunity." Your individual development plan, if you have one, is built around your "areas of opportunity" or weaknesses.

...As long as an organization operates under these assumptions, it will never capitalize on the strengths of each employee....These are the two assumptions that guide the world's best managers:
1. Each person's talents are enduring and unique.
2. Each person's greatest room for growth is inthe areas of his or her greatest strength.

...However, we don't start there. We start with you. What are your strengths? How can you capitalize on them? What are your most powerful combinations? Where do they take you? What one, two or three thinkgs can you do better than ten thousand other people?

GET THIS BOOK! NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS

Monday, July 11, 2005

Self Enhancement, Inc. - Youth Potential Realized

Self Enhancement, Inc. - Youth Potential Realized

I just found out that this exists! This is more than a mentorship program or a "get kids off the street" type organization. This institute exposes youth (ages 8-25) to various avenues of life so God's given talents and gifts can be tapped into and developed. This is what life is about...discovering and being exposed to what God put you on earth for so you can do it. It takes exposure. It takes teaching. It takes encouragement. It takes vision. And it takes allowing people to be who they really are! Please take a look. Hopefull this model will spread across the world. It like a human development institute. Since, somehow, we humans are the best and developing ourselves and our specific constituents, we have a model to be used along with the Bible and God's teaching. Take a look!

Also,
PARTNERS IN DIVERSITY invites you to attend the next quarterly reception to welcome new Professionals of Color to Oregon/SW Washington. This fun summer event is one not to be missed! It is supported by a growing coalition of major employers and community partners working together to support diversity in the workplace and community.

The place to meet, greet and connect! All supporters of diversity in the workplace and community are welcome!

Thursday, August 11th, 2005
5:30 to 8:30 PM

Location: Self Enhancement, Inc.
3920 N. Kerby Avenue
Portland, OR 97227 Phone: 503-249-1721
www.selfenhancement.org (directions)

For TriMet directions: www.trimet.org or 503-238-RIDE

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
-Plan to attend and share the invitation with your networks! This is a multicultural gathering and we want the word to get out far & wide.

-Refer new professionals of color, who have relocated to this area in the last 18 months or less, to be introduced and welcomed at the next event on August 11th.

-Support the event by including information from your organization in the packets handed out to each person attending the event.

-Request information about how your organization can become a sponsor of Partners In Diversity.

-For information: Vicki Nakashima, vicki@partnersindiversity.org or 503-203-5624 Your suggestions, referrals and inquiries are welcome!

Monday, June 27, 2005

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

I NEEDED THIS!!! - Stanford's commencement address by Pixar CEO, Steve Jobs

This is the commencement address from Stanford University. It's good for us all to live like this.
~Jazz Bridges

http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505

'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says

This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

\/\/\/\/\/
Here's the crux: Read the rest HERE:
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

\/\/\/\/
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

Friday, June 17, 2005

Simply Reminiscing...

So,I was just reminiscing about Miami! And seeing as I still haven't developed my pictures (it's literally been TWO MONTHS), I'll direct you to Jojo's. She's so on point....photos always developed and posted asap. So look here and enjoy!
(You have to sign in to view them though)

Friday, May 06, 2005

We've Done it again!!!

Once again, African-American genius display the talent, perseverance and originality that has brought us from "rags to riches" (some more rich than others of course!). Anyway, God's newest rebels of the system as high-lighted by Ambra Nykol are doing what they do best....CHANGING STEREOTYPES AND MAKING A WAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Here they are:
(via Ambra's site of course!...)
Rebels: Damien & Tourie Escobar

Age(s): 17 and 19, respectively

Representing: New York City

Why You Should Fear Them: They're classical violinists and they rock cornrow braids. Need I same more? In a quest to merge classical music and hip hop, the Escobar brothers have formed the breakout group, "Nuttin' But Stringz," also known as NBS.

When most elementary school kids were staring at the television, Damien and Tourie began taking violin lessons. Raised in the inner city, they endured the taunting of friends and stuck with the violin in spite of its lack of popularity. Together, on weekends they studied at the Julliard School of Music as well as the Bloomingdale School of Music.

As the brothers grew up, they found their love of hip hop didn't mesh well with their love of classical music. They sought to change that. The brothers began performing their music in the subway and in front of anyone who would listen. At first glance, the Escobar brothers appear like the average hip hoppers--hair braided, the bling, baggy jeans, and clean sneakers. But they wield a secret weapon that promises to upset the average traditionalist. While in the past, hip hop has often incorporated strings, there hasn't yet been a true crossover into the classical music genre. With their fusion of R&B, hip hop and jazz, the brothers wear head mikes and incorporate their own vocals into their performances.

As it stands, the Escobar brothers have deferred any college plans so they can tour schools, do concerts and gear up for their album release. Their first album, "STRUGGLE FROM THE SUBWAY TO THE CHARTS," is set to be released this summer. Thus far, the brothers have been featured on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Tonight Show," "The Today Show," "The CBS Morning Show," VH1, BET and Nickelodeon.

As the brothers often say at the end of their set, "Welcome to a new era."

Man I love my generation. I am sooooooo coppin' this album.

Website: Nuttin But Stringz

Press: New York Daily News and Times-Ledger, New York Cool.

Past Rebels: Roger Powell, Jr., Taylor Moore, Ben Shapiro, Erika Harold, Farrah Gray, Hans Zeiger, Adam Hunter, Dwight Howard, Sheri Valera, Princella Smith


Dang'it...i really do love Black folks! Soon you'll see my sister, the one and only J'nai Bridges: Classical pianist and vocalist. Performed in her first professional opera, TOSCA, at 18 years old. Going to college at Spelman in the fall is a blowing stuff up. If I do say so myself....SIS' IS TIGHT!!!!!!!! I guess I need to get a site up for her so you can check her out. If you want her CD....holla!

Monday, April 25, 2005

Oh my Gawwwwshhhhh...

I was so obsessed with her the first pic; well.... look what followed. I'm signing her up today. She's gonna be famous! Good lookin' out Ambra ;)!

Say, "MonCHHICHEEESE!!! Posted by Hello

My beautiful niece....what a monchhichi!

So Ambra has a pic of my niece on her site as a "Cute Kid". Now don't mind the fact that it shows that I obviously had to profusely peruse her site before finding it. Oh yeah...and look at this horrid evidence of my Nykola.com fanship (not the fanship but the evidence...i look like i've been sippin' on some Syzuuuurp!)

My Makala!

Now in case you're Pre or Post-Monchhichi...

Dang I loved Monchhichis. Can't you tell home much I even like saying it?! Posted by Hello

errr....uhhhh...that red syzruuuurp never was good for yeah. The worst part is that I thought I was a hot girl that day. Had just turned 24! hmphhh Posted by Hello

Friday, April 08, 2005

NYKOLA Reference

One more "rebel" that you need to know about. This is from Ambra Nykol's site (which I am as addicted to as Friendster if I actually have to say it).

Know Your Rebels: Roger Powell, Jr.
Rebel: Roger Powell, Jr.

Age: 22

Representing: Joilet, IL

Status: Recently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, star forward on one of the winningest college basketball teams in the nation.

Why You Should Fear Him: This man could've made even the diehard UNC Tarheel fan root for Illinois. Standing at 6'-6" Powell is more than just a star forward for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Nicknamed by his teammates as "The Rev," he's a star off the court too.

Go to her site for the more...

Thursday, March 10, 2005

The Brilliance of Nyokola.com

Friends and Family,I tried not to send this right now but I can't help it given the chance to to enlighten our community. Everyone check out Ambra Nykol's Web Log. She is a brilliant writer and a young Christian woman with a keen perspective. Further, she is truly tapped into a varitey of social goings-on that I am sure that I, at least, would know nothing about if it weren't for her Blog. Oh yes-Blogs are not just news providers, they often provide eye-opening commentary to go along with it.
For those who are not familiar with it, "Blogging" is the new wave of web media; keeping a "web log" of well...whatever the author feels is pertinent for publising. Now that's my own definition so in the spirit of indisputability, here's the Dictionary.com def. of a "Blog" : an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. Now I do feel it my moral obligation (and one of my God-given charges) to let's say provide/assist others (namely "My people") with whatever tools or insight I can to urge independent thinking, pursuit of purpose and...well... to empower others "By any means necessary!" First, a defintion. The word "blog" and all derivations thereof is new to English vocabulary. It's a neologism; A new word, expression, or usage. Or it's a nonce word; A word occurring, invented, or used just for a particular occasion. And moving on...For all of those unfamiliar with the world of "blogging" please tap into it. Through blogging we, the reader and consumer, are given nearly real time insight into social and political haps or any oter subject that may interest you. Everyone knows I like to eat so
http://tastingmenu.com/ is one that I love! I previously said blogs were a wave. Well, they are the new media staple, akin to the notion that hip-hop was just a fad. I am proud to say that I have been deemed Ambra's "First Fan": though a title that evokes a thought of fanaticism, a title I am proud to bear given she's going to be rich and famous on the literary/social/political front! (Who'd be ashamed to be M. Jordan's first fan?!)
I beg of you go to
NYKOLA.COM . You will not be disappointed!A bet you had know clue who these young world changers are:

Rebel: Farrah Gray
Age: 20
Representing: Chicago, IL/Las Vegas, NV
Why you should fear him: For starters, he probably makes more money than you. At age 14, this young entrepreneur was a millionaire.
FarrahGray.com
For more+pic:
http://www.nykola.com/archives/000534.html

Rebel: Dwight Howard
Why you should fear him: As a high school senior at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, he was the number one overall NBA draft pick of 2004 to the Orlando, Magic and has already staked his position on the court as being an unashamed follower of Jesus Christ out to change the negative image of basketball players. From the time that he was a little boy, he's had the vision to "raise the name of God within the league and throughout the world." For Howard, the NBA is his pulpit, but he plans on preaching through his lifestyle. Howard has an uphill battle ahead of him in a profession that seems to be breeding bad behavior (and infidelity). Howard however, has been open in interviews about remaining a virgin until married and desiring to set a standard of purity amongst a culture of womanizing and casual sex. Not too enveloped by the millionaire lifestyle, Howard is intent on staying humble and grounded by the reality of God's blessings. Plus he's 6-foot-10. He will crush you.

Age: 18 until (12/8)
Representing: East Point, GeorgiaStatus: A forward for the Orlando Magic, nicknamed "Choirboy"
Achievements: Winner of the 2004 Naismith Award, signifying the nationals top high school player. Winner of the Morgan Wooten High School Player of the Year award. Named McDonald's National High School Player of the Year. Named Co-MVP of the 2004 McDonald's High School All-America game. Played in the EA Sports Roundball Classic. Named to the PARADE Magazine All-American Team.
or More+pic:
http://www.nykola.com/archives/000463.html

Rebel: Taylor Moore
Age: 15
Representing: Chicago, ILStatus: Sophomore at Kenwood Academy High School
Why you should fear her: A sought-after inspirational speaker on the topic of abstinence, excellence, and non-violence to young people. Taylor Moore has been commanding crowds around the country since she was 10-years-old. She is the youngest speaker on the
Project Reality team, an organization focused on abstinence education. In addition to public speaking, Moore is a certified cable television producer and host. She hosts three shows locally on the Chicago Cable Access Network: "Making It," "Words to Live By," and "Behind the Scenes."
For More+pic:
http://www.nykola.com/archives/000573.html

To make it easy for you, here's today's blog, an exerpt of her site.

March 09, 2005
Linkology
(because there aren't enough hours in the day)
Morality TV: Just when you thought they'd done every scenario possible via "reality tv," Fox surprises us again. Their new reality show, "Who Wants to Live Forever," as described by the network, is a show on which " everyday people are confronted with their morality, motivating them to make surprising and dramatic changes in their lifestyles." I must say, I am very curious to know what standard of morality we're talking here....people who smoke? people don't make their beds? This one should be uh, interesting. Let me know how it goes.
Colorado University Keeps Churchill but Dumps Christian: Professor Phil Mitchell, a twenty-year CU veteran has not been invited back and he feels it's for both political and religious reasons. Kevin McCullough takes issue with this. Smart, young freelancer, Nicole Russell discusses Churchill's dishonesty and and poor example for younger generations.
Race and Retirement: Old news, but I thought "The Snob" made some interesting points in his piece on "Economic Apartheid and Social Security." I have a luxury of prentending to ignore the whole SS debate. Too bad I can't.
Abortion as Hate Discrimination: Joe at the Evangelical Outpost discusses a piece of Maine legislation that would prohibit abortions on unborn children who posses the "homosexual gene." The bill's sponsor, a conservative state representative is clearly strategic about this. I think it's ridiculous.
I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live. Martin Luther King Jr., Speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963

Thursday, February 10, 2005

I couldn't help it...American Idol

MSNBC - Hollywood drama, �American Idol� style
I didn't see American Idol this week, but I couldn't help posting this commentary from MSNBC. It literally made my gut hurt as I tried not to laugh out loud....

The second paragraph is where it's at!
Pass the Kleenex
Runny mascara and red puffy eyes were also in abundance this second evening in Hollywood. Some dismissed contestants held their tears until they left the stage, saving the waterworks for the post-audition interview. Natalie Weiss managed a weak smile when she learned she was the only one in her group who wouldn’t be staying on. Once outside, she pressed a cellphone to her cheek and sobbed out the words, “Brian I didn’t make it…”

Other contestants exploded on stage the moment Simon made his decree. Most notably among the emotional was JP of the aforementioned Early-to-Bed gang. Post-performance, he and his unrehearsed partners seemed resolute, fully expecting their imminent exit. As the mighty Simon granted them a “second chance,” JP threw his arms in the air and broke like the Hoover dam. While John and Kurtis whooped like Patriots fans, JP shrieked his gratitude, his eyes and nose gushing with equal ferocity.

But it was Elizabeth Pha, the girl who was dismissed by both her teammates and the judges, who personified Hollywood’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Before slumping off in the harsh Los Angels sun, she turned to the camera and told all of America, “I’m a very beautiful person and … I just think it’s been very unfair.”

Oh, if only being a very beautiful person by one’s own estimation was all it took to make it in Hollywood.

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Some Must Knows.....

Friends and Family,
Ambra Nykol's site never ceases to amaze me with all of the seemingly underground (or maybe just underground to me) knowledge that she brings to we folk who don't read enough. So, in service, I first, direct you to her site NYKOLA.COM and second will highlight some profound knowledge ascertained just today.
1) Young Money
This site is for young people to get our money in order! Puts things in understandable terms and gives awesome strategies for becoming an individual a POSITIVE net worth.

2) Good talk on Black History Month: It's not Black History, it's history and should be included as such!

3)Erika Harold, a 23 year old Miss America from Urbana, Illinois preaching and teaching abstinence from sexual activity, drugs and alcohol.
An excerpt from Ambra:

In response to pressure to back down from one of her platforms, Harold said the following

"One of my jobs as Miss America is to be a role model to young people and to provide them with my story as an example of how they can achieve positive things in their lives. My personal commitment to abstinence from drugs, sex and alcohol in my opinion helped me to accomplish many of my goals. If I were prevented from speaking about that I think it would be very disingenuous in terms of serving as a role model."


CHECK IT OUT!

Friday, January 14, 2005

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebtrations

Puget Sound Area MLK Celebrations
by Seattle MediumThe Seattle Medium
Originally posted 1/12/2005

Annual MLK March And Rally
The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. community Rally and March will be held on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 at Garfield High School. The event will feature educational workshops at 9:30 a.m., followed by a rally in the gymnasium at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude with a march to downtown Seattle at 12 noon.

The theme of this year’s event is “Speak Truth To Power: End Racial Disparity Now!”

The event is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s Words and Legacy Are Focus Of Annual Community Celebration
(Sponsored By The Seattle Community Colleges)

The 31st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration sponsored by the Seattle Community Colleges will be held Fri., Jan. 14, 2005 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 1634 – 19th Ave. in Seattle.

This annual program is one of the area’s oldest and most significant celebrating the life of Dr. King, and is attended by people from throughout the community, including civic and social leaders.

Speakers and performers at this year’s program will focus on the words and legacy of civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program will include:
• A stirring recitation of excerpts from the famed “I Have a Dream Speech,” by 5th grade students from Bryant Elementary School.
• Inspiring gospel music from a combined mass choir of the FAME and Trinity Choirs from First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle.
• Keynote speaker William Bell, a nationally known leader in child and family issues, and executive vice president of the Casey Family Foundation.
• Emcee Vivian Phillips, noted Seattle communications and arts figure, who most recently appeared as “narrator” in the Black Nativity production at Intiman Theatre.

Doors open at 11:00 am and prelude music begins at 11:30 am. For more information, contact the Seattle Community Colleges events line at (206) 903-3233 or
www.seattlecolleges.com/calendar

Seattle Young People's Project's 6th Annual MLK Hip Hop Show
The Seattle Young People's Project (SYPP) is partnering with the MLK Celebration Committee and the Vera Project to bring you the 2005 all ages MLK Hip-Hop Show on Friday, Jan. 14, at the Vera Project - 1916 4th Ave. in Seattle from 7 - 10;30 p.m.. Doors will open at 6pm and the show will be from 7-10:30pm. The show strives to bring youth together to honor the life of Martin Luther King and to teach them how they can be involved in the community. It also provides a place for youth to have a voice and have fun in a safe environment. The show will include spoken word, emceeing, DJ's, and a freestyle battle.

MLK CELEBRATION AT EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Everett Community College will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Thurs., Jan. 13.

At 11 a.m., the Black Student Union will hold a pre-rally in the Multipurpose Room, Parks Student Union; cake and refreshments will be served. At 11:30 a.m. a bus will take students and Everett Community College employees downtown for an MLK march around Everett. From 1 to 2 p.m. there will be an MLK community celebration with speaker Morris Dees at the Everett Events Center. Morris, the founder and chief trial counsel for the non-profit Southern Poverty Law Center, has successfully tracked and fought domestic terrorists for 20 years. His efforts brought about the Civil Rights Memorial, lawsuits that bankrupted the KKK and imprisoned perpetrators of hate crimes, and increased awareness of radical militias. Seating for the celebration is first come first served, with seating preference given to participants in the march.

Everett Community College is in north Everett, two blocks west of North Broadway between 10th and Tower Streets. Parking on campus is by permit only. Permits are available in the Security Office, Parks Student Union.

The City Of Seattle Celebrates The Dream Of Martin Luther King, Jr. At Seattle Center House A stirring, theatrical presentation of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ''I Have A Dream'' speech highlights the City of Seattle's Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, along with music, song and the opportunity for the public to create their own part of a special MLK quilt. The celebration takes place Mon., Jan. 17 from 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Seattle Center House.

The official celebration on Monday will feature a dramatic theatrical reading of the ''I Have A Dream'' speech by the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, who use multiple actors and music to create a thoughtful mood and enhancement of the speech.

Music, song and dance will be provided by noteworthy gospel and urban music performers such as William Demps, Sharon Bryson, the Darrius Willrich Band, and the Seattle Center All-City Youth Choir.

In addition, the public will get a unique opportunity to help create the ''I Have A Dream'' quilt. Between noon and 4 p.m., visitors will be given art materials to create their own patch for the quilt as a community art project.

The MLK Youth Awards will be handed out by John Franklin, the Mayor of Seattle's Chief of Departmental Operations, to youth who have done outstanding work in the community working for Dr. King's ideals of peace and unity.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Baptist Church Presents An Evening Fit for a King!
On Sun., Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. Marling Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist church will host its annual MLK celebration The theme for this year's event is ''When All of God's Children Get Together: Freedom Rings''!.

The keynote speaker for this year's event will be Seattle/King County NAACP president Carl Mack, and Dr. Charles Mitchell, Chancellor of the Seattle Community College District will also be featured as a guest speaker.

MLK Memorial Baptist Church is located at 13611 SE 116th St. in Renton. For more information contact Deborah Robinson - (253) 850-3488 MLK Day Chairperson or Vanessa Lucas and/or Susie at (425) 255-1446.


Article found at http://seattlemedium.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=52442&sID=4

Monday, January 03, 2005

URGENT REQUEST for ASSISTANCE!


This is an URGENT REQUEST FOR YOUR SUPPORT for THE JASMINE BRIDGES SCHOLARSHIP FUND!

In the wake of my Christmas Note, all is well BUT I need help funding my Grad Degree.

I need to raise $3600 ASAP!
As you may know, I am pursuing my Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and and I do not have the funds to continue for next quarter. My job does 75% tuition reimbursement for work related study so I am trying to convey that this degree effects all aspects of my personal life and therefore my work life. However, until then, I need your urgent support to continue. If you could donate even $20, it would help. I have been saving my own funds and looking for scholarships, but it is very difficult. So if you could assist me, I would be infinitely grateful. Also, if you know of any scholarships for which I could apply please forward me the information!
You can donate online at
The Jasmine Bridges Scholarship Fund (preferable) or mail donations to me.

Thank you!
Prayerfully,
Jasmine Bridges