Encouragement Sunday

Psalms is full of encouragement, Christians. 

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself... O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:2 & 8

I say, be encouraged today! Though the rain may tire and depress others, stay strong and remember that He above knows you like no other! He sees you, he knows what is going on with you, he understands your every desire, and he always always always wants the best for you!! I say, Be encouraged today!

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Psalm 119:89-90

Some Early Morning Thoughts, Part II

Ok so sleep is currently eluding me lol. I'm sitting here while Boyz in the Hood is playing just thinking what if again. And of course, thinking of this movie I instantly pair it with Menace II Society, and more recently Waist Deep (which can't really be grouped with this but ok.) which kind of ventures deeper into another side of my "what if" thoughts. But anyway, I'm watching this movie and I'm to the part where Cuba gets pulled over with Morris Chestnut in the car, and the black officer shoves a gun in his face. I remember when I first saw this, and my initial reaction was, "Wait, he's a black guy! Shouldn't he be...idk...less harsh? Cuba ain't do nothin!!" But unfortunately, that's the way the movie goes. And then there's the part where Cuba lashes out from that moment and such. I can't really relate because I've never been in this kind of situation before.....but dang? Do things really need to escalate to that point of displaying your ignorance? 

And then there's the end of the movie :( so saddd :(((((

But that's how life sometimes ends, right? No happy endings in the hood, or so I've been taught. Success stories seem too far and in between. But it's always nice to uplift the black man considering his history. So....let's uplift ourselves. Go to college, get an education, set future goals for yourselves, get married, have kids, and live with no regrets.


I'd like to conclude with this quote:


Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.
-Stephen A. Brennan


Let's all work towards whatever our goals are, big or small, conquerable or percieved to be impossible by some hater's standards.


-Ron :) 

Some Early Morning Thoughts

What if you were chosen to uphold the responsibility of teaching others valuable lessons they might never learn? What if you knew they would pass the point of no return learning nothing? What if you learn you're next for this responsibility? What if you believe in people being left alone to create their own destinies? What if you feel you're next? What if you realize that this is it for you? What if you feel like your time is now rather than later? And what if you feel blindsided completely? What will you think of yourself then? Would you feel that it is inevitable to escape completely? Is it truly game over or is there something underlying a true lesson linked in the fate of someone else? 


Will you survive after you hear these infamous words: "Live or Die. Make your choice."

Just some early morning thoughts. Don't ponder on them too long.....they might just consume you.....

Saw - A Recollection of Sorts

Think of this as my recollection of the Saw Movies. 

It all started with one movie about people learning lessons from 

their wrong turns from the straight and narrow.

Then, the story....and the lessons got deeper as more participants were forced to play,

and apprentices were put into action.

 

The tradition every Halloween ensued. People seemingly deserving of the lessons Jigsaw had layed out

continued to unfold before our eyes. A desire to keep the legacy of these lessons alive continued.

Some by Jigsaw......and some by his apprentices.

As in the Saw movies, the recurring theme is "Live Or Die. Make your choice." As one watches, the survival rate becomes blurred; enigmatic. Perhaps the true meaning of the lessons are that some people are bound by their vices and past mistakes.

It would seem that people would become further baffled and horrified at the deaths that would unfold.

Jigsaw highlighted that some people are undeserving of the lives they live, whether it be a multitude of people playing the game or an individual quest for survival. Nonetheless, the story continues.

And now, the inevitable continues. More lessons will be learned. Perhaps a climax has finally been reached. Who's to tell what will happen next? On October 23rd, the franchise continues.

Cacophony at HU - Miss Hampton Crowned, but there's nothing you can do to change it.

So while I'm taking a leave from Hampton I see that the new Miss Hampton has been crowned. Now, her name is Nikole Churchill and she's a senior nursing major.....hmm. It seems that people are not only highlighting the fact that she doesn't attend the main campus, but it seems that people are highlighting the fact that she is not BLACK! She says, “It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn’t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African American.” I must say, I never saw this coming from my HIU. We infamously made national news (yes, BET unfortunately means national and you can see the article here) and now she has written a letter to Obama persuading him to come down and spread some "Aloha spirit" since she is actually Hawaiian. An interesting background has brought this lady to the pinnacle of success on Hampton's campus. 


Now my thoughts: It appears that Hampton has some acceptance issues. So now it looks like, "OK, we would have loved it if she were black." But she's NOT! Sorry! A sister didn't win. I think we'll be ok. There's only two months left in this semester, so we should ALL be working toward ending the year strong? I know I am, and you should be too! Don't get caught up in the overhyped mess...I bet no one cares how she is feeling. If she were to read this, I would want her to know that PEOPLE ARE STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN HATING!!!!! That's all it is!!! And if Obama comes down to HU (which is highly doubtable) he should say the same DAMN thing. So enjoy your new tiara. Enjoy the smiles, the lights, the rewards. Sigh after the hard work is done, because it's only just beginning. You are going to do great things with yourself!!! Keep yourself grounded, never forgetting who you are, and you will be ok! Your time will pass, and someone new will take your place. Only you have the honor to pass down that torch because, um.....who else can say they're Miss Hampton at this point in time? My point exactly.


And while the news has gotten ahold of this story, let me just say I'm embarrassed that HU has made the news because of this. Stop being so one-dimensional and become adaptable to every situation. Become more acceptable of things beyond your control, and become versatile INSTEAD of spewing ignorant hatred. You can't expect this from everyone, but at least know you're not from PG County!! LMBO [insider haha.] But you get what I'm saying :P


So, in closing, we should not hate on Miss Hampton for not attending the main campus, or the fact that she's white. She won and there's NOTHING you can do about it!! I mean, she won! Embrace it. She is now, not later but NOW. P.S. she has yet to prove herself because let's be honest, it was based on looks, wasn't it? I don't really fully understand this whole beauty pageant election policy. Half of the winners don't even affect what goes on the main campus. So let's see what this Miss Hampton will do.


How high does this sycamore grow? If you cut it down....you will never know. -Damn right I quoted Pocahontas! lmao MEDITATE on this readers.


Let's increase the peace, because we all know shit could be worse. Right? Keep praying for a better tomorrow.


Peace and love,


-Ron

Sophomore Year, Semester 3 (with some reminiscing).

This title is actually misleading since it already happened (sorryyyy lol) but it's bringing me irreplaceable memories that I will cling to forever (and ever haha). You see, I attend (well.....not currently :-/ ehh....) a college prided on the BAND. People come for tailgating, southern hospitality, and the like. Now I hear only horrible things about what the band used to be. Freshmen carrying on and shit. When I was a freshmen, I held my tongue SO many freaking times because I KNEW about punishment all too well. And now.........I still can't believe what has happened within the course of the year. So much has changed...and now the question has been posed: How can the band get it back? How can we, as M.A.R.C.H.I.N.G. P.I.R.A.T.E.S. assume the status of the band where we can enjoy everything the band once had to offer? I'm not even at HU right now, and this answer eludes me :( But I'll tell you this, big brother Antonio is suffering alot more than I could've imagined. He's been here since (at least) 2000! He's pretty much seen the band mature and progress from a young age. I'd be hurting inside too, to see the band like this from his perspective. This is terrible, as Burgy would say :( 


Antonio says the band has made robots out of children which is crazy in itself. I should know, I was in "robot mode" for a minute lol. Looks like a change needs to be made and FAST. But I also see the futility in this only because this football season can only last so long. But SOMETHING must be done for the whole welfare of the band. If this keeps up, 1) alumni will continue to turn a blind eye to their alma mater, 2) no one will want to become part of the Marching F.O.R.C.E. which will then result in the band size diminishing :( and 3) every section, every hard-working individual, every line........will all be for naught..or will just end without a bang. Now the latter upsets me because I'm B.R.A.S.S.-D. (Trumpets by the Sea.) I don't want to see my section fail. At all. I won't have it. So, I'll do everything in my power to keep it going despite what the damn admin has to fucking say about it. In the meantime, there is a lot currently riding on two gentlemen......hmmm.


Remembering that discretion is the key, and the key is discretion, I'll say this. Either we live or we die. I say live. Hopefully everything will blow over soon. 


This weighs heavily on my brain because I'm a M.A.R.C.H.I.N.G. P.I.R.A.T.E. and I remember who created the acronym. But it can't be helped. I am......invalid. I don't quite know which role I will assume, but a certain lady should get a damn angry letter summing up some confusion some of us have felt and are feeling now.


He said, "I'll make a force to be reckoned, a band known far and wide. I'll give each section an honorable name to be heard by all mankind."


[ The foundation, fly bass sounds, alto voices, troopers to uphold the melody, funk, dancers, a breathtaking routine, and strong drum majors filled with 90's....all made with the same purpose in mind, to be the best band in the land. ]

Ahh that's us! ....and Lionel. lol but this is the only one of us in our

hot F.O.R.C.E uniforms (as of right this moment that is....lol)

P.S. I love you guys!

Ok! Enough about bad stuff. Let's talk about something good lol. My weekend was so much fun! I went to New Jersey and lemme tell ya that trip was awesome! I saw family that I never knew I never knew on my dad's side lol. It was a lot of fun and I reconnected. It was beautiful. The bride and groom were beautiful! Enos and Kirstin yayyy :D Congrats guys. You two deserve each other 'till death do you guys part! They better stay married too...you know how it goes with black marriages nowadays....LMAO!

You know what? I'm outta here, this heater is lulling my azz to sleep lol.

Spread peace and not hatred!

Ron :)

Homosexuality and the Black Man

Being on the down low isn't fair to anyone. Get it together fellow black men.

This can be a completely irrelevant and disgusting topic for some, but I guess that makes it more interesting to cover, doesn't it? Especially for a black male like myself where some people consider being gay the ultimate sin. And it's funny because I've never been a complete outright homophobe, and I definitely don't advocate that you should hate anyone. Sometimes they're just a bit too fabulous for me lol. And that's ok because they aren't afraid to be themselves!


However, there's this term called being "on the down low" and that is a problem. It's immoral, first of all,  and it's unfair, second of all. It's horrible how infidelity can be at the forefront of lust. Yet and still it is more than a brotha being on the down low. Whites are getting up there too....but it doesn't matter. Wrong is wrong is wrong is wrong!!! Cheating is wrong (and embarrassing if you should happen to get caught) and it doesn't really justify anything but insecurity. Dang......


It makes me want to analyze this love thing now....and while lust has knocked at my door too many times, I realize that love is powerful. It's not boastful either :) And I've heard that when you do it right, you float off the ground....hmm :)


But back to this startling issue.....homosexuality is not accepted by everyone. People have their misconceptions about what it's like and what is looks like. I think that people should be able to live their lives as freely as they should. It's hard enough not being white....right? Wait.............what? Yeah, I probably shouldn't say that only because, well, there are some white people who do have it hard...right?


Gee....I find myself straying from the topic once again. Here are my final thoughts about this issue.


1) Don't cheat and DEF. don't get caught cheating.


2) Gay people are people too. Think of how you would feel if you knew someone would want to kill you because you sleep with someone of the same sex. I mean REALLY THINK about that.


3) You don't have to be afraid of what you are at any time during your existence on Earth, especially when you have something to be thankful for, like breathing right now as you read this. Appreciate and welcome in the blessings. Love yourself and the possibilities are endless :D

Current Thoughts on Obama

LOL. This guy can be described in many different ways. I'd like to think that he is revolutionary in the sense of the fucking WORD REVOLUTIONARY! Why you ask? Because it doesn't matter what color you are, he is the first black president in centuries of history. CENTURIES!!! And being a proud black man, it is a rare opportunity to truly be behind an influential figure in our generation! We as black people need to support Obama as much as possible. My dad made a good point: In centuries of history, in the year 2009, we have the first black president EVER!! And while we criticize him, we also have to understand that the man hasn't even been in office the whole year, first off. Second, the man has yet to make his gigantic imprint on the U.S. of A lol. Obama is far from over, and we as a nation need to support him!! We came, we saw, and conquered. Now it is time to preserve, celebrate, persevere and progress forward!

State of the Band....09

It was the fall of 2008. I was a fresh graduate from Bloomfield whisked away to Hampton for the band called the Hampton F.O.R.C.E. Mike would call this blissfully unaware lol. I would make the journey down to Hampton and become familiar with the band. I would play my horn to the best of my ability! But more importantly, I would become B.R.A.S.S.-D. :) And now comes this pivotal and interesting point in the section's history. The F.O.R.C.E. has undergone some interesting changes as of late. I wish I was at HU to witness these changes, but I sympathize with my fellow Marching Pirates. I feel that the sections shouldn't end based on some whack ass freshman who will NEVER understand what it means to be whatever section she plays in. But there's a bigger issue at hand......and that's the size of the band. WE NEED MORE INSTRUMENTALISTS MAN!!!!!! I feel I need to be there because I need to play! But there are a few things holding me back.....I don't know whether I will go back, but I do know that B.R.A.S.S.-D. shall never die. Still kicking since 1973. Never say die.

First of October....

It's the first of October. October has always been strangely good to me. It gets me thinking of a fresh start. Sort of. But not really. I don't know....I'll just keep plugging along I guess....Tennis is disappointing as of right this second, but it's ok. I'm stilly REALLY REALLY looking forward to the year-end champoinship in London soon :) In the meantime I pocketed two A's which I'm happy about. But yeah. Time to be more consistent.


But there's something else though......the return to HU is beginning to get deep. DEEP. My parents say no because of money. I say yes because of everything else. I miss the place! My father knows this, my mother needs to get with it. Of course as I'm typing this I realize I'd be at band practice.....yeah. :-/ As much as I love the band, it seems to have fallen off a bit. Plus it's highly time-consuming. But I love the F.O.R.C.E. DAMMIT :D so I have the confidence of a million M.A.R.C.H.I.N.G. P.I.R.A.T.E.S. when I say that the F.O.R.C.E. will be back on top very very very soon. :) I love the F.O.R.C.E.


P.S. I'm supposed to be exceptionally mad because my phone is out of commission, but it's ok I have a full stomach and a free bullshitting day tomorrow. Yay. :)