Balance: My Weekend Metaphor

This past weekend marked one of the most spiritually combative weekends of my life.  Not that there was anything tragic that happened, but this weekend showed me so many things about myself and life.  What I can share that won’t confuse the reader (or myself) is what I observed about my balance.

One of my best friends, 2 of his very young neighbors, and I were walking through an obstacle course on Saturday.  We did not have the proper equipment to go all out on the obstacle course, but there was one obstacle that we could work with partially; the suspended log.

 No, our log obstacle was no where near this high, but you get the idea.  Again, there were 4 of us.  The first to try it was a youngster who was around 8.  He walked across with some difficulty, but not much.  The same could be said about his older brother who had a slightly more difficult time, but again, they both walked across the beam with little effort.  Then my friend attempted it.  He swayed  back and forth, regained his balance, and made it across most of the beam.  Then it was my turn; I got on the beam, somehow gained my balance, walked a step or two, and somehow managed to fling myself off of the beam.  So much so that the beam swung violent in the opposite direction of my body.

This probably means nothing, but in my hyper-sensitive, self-effacing spiritual state, I reflected on those few moments and concluded that this was a metaphor for we as people in stages of our lives and how we maintain balance.  As a child, if we’re lucky enough, our stresses and imbalances are few.  At that age we worry about how fast we can run, who or who is not our friend that week, or something else that we as adults would consider trivial.   The kids’ balance on that beam from the weekend was strong; they were able to maintain a focus across it several times. My friend and I struggled across it; both of us forty-somethings with bills, kids, and risks that will effect everyone who is connected to us.  But to break it down even more, my friend, who has always maintained a healthy balance of  work, family, and spirit managed to walk across the beam with difficulty, but walked across nonetheless.  Me on the other hand, I have at various points of my life struggled with all 3 of those aspects; sometimes simultaneously.  It should come as no surprise that I was the one who struggled the most with the beam.  My balance both physically and spiritually are obviously still in disarray. I was barely able to get a step forward before not just falling off of the beam, but having it swing wildly after I disembarked.

Does this mean that I am or my life is so unbalanced that I cannot take one step forward without totally being disengaged from my path and having to start over and over and over again?  Probably not.  However, the fact that in retrospect of that sunny, metaphoric afternoon, that there may be any connection to that instance and my life as it stands whatsoever, I may have serious changes to make in my life.

When we desire change in life for balance, we have to be very careful in our pursuits.   Those desired changes must be made based on our stages in life; are we fresh out of college, nurturing a family, or are the our communities’ elders? Each of these changes requires a specific level of determination.  In our early twenties, our intentions and goals are extremely simplistic; good job, decent car, nice place to live.   In our thirties and forties, the intentions and goals are similar yet more specific; good job, decent car, nice place to live with respect to a spouse, children, and sometimes aging parents.  As elders, the intentions and goals actually become more important as the realization of limited time left on the Earth is more clear; enjoyable activities, family, and a safe place to live.  For an early forty-something, I have many things to consider for making changes.  The main thing is knowing change is an absolute necessity given my self-perceived shortcomings.  The question de jour is how to I go about doing this?  I’ve accomplished goals before, but many times those accomplishments do not turn out the way I had foreseen them.  I turned to my spiritual muse, Deepak Chopra.  Oddly enough, this lead me to my favorite source general information, Inc. magazine and  Mallika Chopra.

Mallika Chopra believes that the power to specify and pursue intent is the key to personal peace and fulfillment.  “I am a big believer in the ritual of actually setting it and articulating it. A lot of us have so many things in our head and hearts that we always want to do, but the process of actually articulating it is important. Whether you go on Intent.com to place it there or you write it on something at home, the actually process of writing it out and letting go of it is very powerful. Of course there is a fine line, but we have to, in some ways, let go. Like with a seed, you have to plant it, but you don’t go and take the seed out every day and check it. It’s going to grow, because we nurture it and we give it time and we give it space. In achieving intents, we can’t be obsessive and too attached. And part of the practice in all of this is the act of letting go.”

This is phenomenal advice for me or anyone who has read this.  I have some things that I am attempting to achieve and they have not come to fruition.  We have to let the seed we plant grow; which it will if it’s nurtured properly.  If it isn’t, then it won’t grow and sometimes it won’t grow because….well, it just wasn’t meant to be.  Chopra also talked about how people seek a great job or money only to find out that what they really truly want “…if you dig a little deeper you’ll find that people want love, they want to feel connected. They want a feeling of purpose, meaningfulness, and relevancy. These are things we see a lot of coming out of people’s intentions on our site. People are expressing those deepest aspirations of why they want to be. ”  Personally, I take all of these things to equate to balance.  I don’t have to be rich, powerful, or popular.  I have to be balanced so that I can continue to enjoy life as it presents itself.

With that said, its time to visualize the goals, form the intentions, and do like EPMD said “time for some ak-shun (re: “action”).

The Basketball Tight Ends

**in grandpa voice** boy, lemmie tell you a story…..

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It all started in 1997.  Most die-hard football fans know the story; Tony Gonzalez, power forward for the University of California, decided to make himself eligible for the NFL Draft even though his first love was basketball.  Pat Riley, then head coach of the Miami Heat said in hindsight that Tony G actually had a good shot to become an NBA player.  Doesn’t matter, Gonzalez made the right decision as he had a 16 year career as a Kansas City Chief and an Atlanta Falcon and will surely be a hall of famer.

But we’re not here to discuss Tony G.  We’re going to explore the phenomena (more than likely started by the drafting of Tony Gonzalez) of what I call the Basketball Tight End.  A kinder, gentler Tight End **in George Bush voice**.  I kid…no, the bigger, faster, more athletic Tight End.   They are all coverage nightmares; men who can outrun/jump a Linebacker and can run over/jump over a Defensive Back.   Again, the trend started with Gonzalez, and has increased in frequency.  In fact, the new Tight End is so effective, many teams use the 2 Tight End set as their primary formation (i.e. Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals,).

Usually the type of Tight Ends that can perform in these sets are former basketball players like….Tony G.  Their footwork, agility, and athleticism have been developed over years of running fast breaks and other various basketball plays.  The added bonuses that come with converting a basketball player (particularly a Power Forward) into a Tight End is that they can post up; the act of using one’s body to gain leverage to the goal.  This is helpful during a mismatch in the end zone with a smaller defensive player.

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Also, the fact that a basketball moves quickly and frequently on the court gauges hand-eye coordination.

Guys like Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers have proven that with the right coaching one can make the adjustment from catching the big round ball to catching the oblong ball.  Let’s look at the trend from a per year basis.  I’m an analytical man by nature and trade so let me use the good ol’ bar graph.  Here are the players per year:

Antonio Gonzalez (Chiefs, 1997)

Antonio Gates (Chargers, 2003)

Marcedes Lewis (Jags, 2005)

Martellus Bennett (Cowboys, 2008)

Jimmy Graham (Saints, 2010)

Julius Thomas (Broncos, 2011)

Jordan Cameron (Browns, 2013)

Demetrius Harris (Chiefs, 2013)

Darren Fells (Seahawks, 2013)

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2014???)

Note the slow increase in frequency of drafting Basket Tight Ends from 1997 (Gonzalez) to 2003 (Gates) and 2005 (Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars).  Note also, according to my research, Gates was the first Basketball Tight End that didn’t play football.  Now look at the sharp increase from 2010 (Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints ) to 2011 (Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos).  Neither Thomas nor Graham played college football.  Actually, Graham played 13 games for the University of Miami, but that’s so few I didn’t count it.  Graham was drafted in the late rounds of the NFL Draft and Thomas was signed as a free agent.  What this means is that the NFL is recognizing the value in developing these players into the schemes they run.  Thomas sat for a season and has slowly worked his way into the starting lineup as well as one of the best Tight Ends in the game.

So who will be the next Basketball Tight End?  Draft experts say Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a Tight End who played both sports at the University of Washington.

He meets all of the criteria, however, my personal pick is a wildcard from the U, Erik Swoope.  Swoope is a 6’4, 220 lbs.  He can jump out of the gym and as you can see from the pic, he has some SERIOUS GUNS.  Did I dig this up from the football rumor mills?  Noooooooo….I’m starting the rumor baby!

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I came to this assessment after watching Swoope play in 2 games this season.  He literally bullied and ran around his opponents yet at the same time you can see that his game is not one of domination.  His skills just might be better suited for today’s gridiron.

Yes, this is my 2nd post about the draft.  I can’t help it, I’m fascinated by it; it’s probably the most intriguing draft in all professional sports.  We shall see all of the big school players shake Roger Goodell’s hand and give him the man hug, but what I’m looking forward to is to see who the next standout Basket Tight End will be and how many there will be.  My wildcard pick Erik Swoope may have a surname that better fits his current sport, but I can definitely envision him and the other Basketball Tight Ends going up for jump balls; and I don’t mean on the parquet.

The Johnny Manziel Dilemma

The NFL Combine is over.  The big story of the combine, the Michael Sam question, is no longer who will draft him but WILL he get drafted.  Usually, a DE/LB who runs a 4.79- 40 yard dash, has a vertical leap of about 40 cms, and a shuttle run of 40 days and 40 nights usually doesn’t get drafted.  But hey, we shall see; the NFL and its happenings are a universe all its own.

One thing that has emerged (as usual) from the combine is the scout talk; who has made what impression.  From those talking heads, it seems as though the unflappable Johnny Manziel aka Johnny Football has become the new enigma.  Talks are swirling that he won’t be the 1st pick, nor the top 5, and maybe not even top 10.  Remind you of someone?

I have created my own mock draft with a ton of “Manziel what-ifs”.  I don’t think he’ll have a free fall like Rogers did, but if he doesn’t make it to 5 with the Raiders, its my guess anything could happen.  Note, in all of my years trying to guess the outcome of the draft, I’ve only been right about 2 QBs; Blaine Gabbert and Cristian Ponder.

Ok, let’s exam this.  If neither the Browns or the Raiders pick Manziel, there is a high likelihood that he will do an Aaron Rogers.  Outside of the Vikings, there are 7 other teams who are content at QB and more than likely wouldn’t draft him.  If it weren’t for the Michael Vick rumors, the fall would stop at Minnesota. The next team that would more than likely pull the trigger on Manziel if he falls  would be Chicago.  Cutler is still pretty decent, but at 14 there is no way Chicago would be able to ignore him.  Cutler might take his toys out of the toy box and go home, but hey…if he does, they’ll have a QB waiting in the wings.

This is already a silly post, but if by some reason other than senility that Ozzie wouldn’t pull the trigger, there would be literally fights over Manziel at that point.  I can see Rex Ryan making the call about 4 or 5 seconds after the Ravens would have said no.  Manziel would compete against Smith for the starting job.  Funny thing is, I think Manziel would actually lose that battle…don’t ask me why.  Miami would be the same scenario except I think Manziel would win that battle.  And last but not least, the Cardinals would definitely pick him given the age of Carson Palmer; Manziel could sit on the bench for a year and then come in to start or compete the year after.

As much flash and dash as Johnny Football has, he has equally enough potential to duplicate Aaron Rogers’s Draft Day free fall.  Which in the long run, worked out very well for Mr Rogers.  Maybe a free fall won’t be so bad for you, Johnny.  **smile**

The Cultural Competency of Getting a Cold Beer in Prince George’s County, Maryland

Disclaimer:  The following is a farce of the all important concept of cultural competency.  To read what it really entails and how it’s applied, please check out “Cultural Competency in Community Nursing”.  

      Its been a long day.  Payroll issues. Unemployment issues.  Reports to be drawn up.  Calls to make.  Calls to answer.  Webinars. Drive 45 miles just to find out that the meeting was canceled. All I know is that it all started at 8 this morning and I gave my final handshake at 9.  My mind said “let’s end this day right; you, me, and an iced cold beer.  I got in the car on an empty tank of gas and set on my way.  The area I was in was very close to the Washington, DC border; an area with plenty of fast food joints that don’t serve alcohol.  With a closer look there were plenty of liquor stores, however.  Cultural competency assessment: this neighborhood is just that; the hood.  What is telling about a neighborhood without a neighborhood watering hole or sit down restaurants says “if you eat it here, you better do it fast…damn fast.  And as far as a neighborhood bar, well, ain’t nobody contributing to you getting your dome caved in while you stumble home drunk.”

Remembering that having a burger sit in my lap alongside a tallboy beer can is illegal, I decided to hit a not yet popular West Indian restaurant off of I-495.  On the way there the amber light reminded me that “if we go any further on these fumes, you’ll be pushing this car to the bar.”  I pulled off of I-495 and headed to a gas station.  this community is more affluent; not a Bill’s Chicken & Fish to be seen or a liquor store (no check cashing places either, the previous neighborhood had about 3).  The strip was a 6 lane road with commerce on the right and residents on the left.  On the right were 2 hotels; nothing extravagant, but there was no Motel 6′s either.  (Other neighborhood?  Your chances would be better to ask Miss Bertha if you can crash on the couch for a day or two.)  I get my gas, and head to the other restaurant.  Maybe I’ll blog about how terrible the service was there some time later.  Man, I was there for 10 minutes.  No menu, no drink, no nada.  With my stomach angrily complaining, I head to trusty dusty Outback Steakhouse.  I park, think about what I’m going to order…mozzarella sticks?  Sliders?  Maybe some…..

CLOSED.

The door would not budge for me no matter how hard I tried.  Then I read the hours of operation….Monday – Thursday  12-10.  Friday 12-11 (one hour longer?  Hmmm…..)  Back to the car again.  Cultural Competency Assessment: This neighborhood ain’t having it.  You want a beer at 10 PM?  No problem.  The liquor store stays opens until 9.  What’d you say? You want a late night mug of hops?  Stock up, homey.  Learn how to home brew.  We don’t/won’t have any neighborhood bars around here.  You’re gonna have to get in your car at a decent home of the evening to satisfy your urges.  Wait a minute….don’t you work?

I literally drove 3 exits on I-495 and pulled off.  I was hungry at this point and knew that looking for a place that was still open, serving adult beverages and food at 10ish may have been a bit frivolous.  Besides, hunger was overriding my urge for a hoppy beverage.  There was a moment of hope though.  Off of the exit ramp was a  Mexican chain restaurant that may or may not have been still serving (I was too frustrated to find out) and an IHOP.  I was CLEARLY not in the mood for a stack of damn pancakes.  It’s dark, but I’m familiar with the area.  I know in the big plaza where the IHOP and the TheFastFoodChainWithTheGirlWithTheRedHair restaurant reside there is nothing else there except the Safeway grocery store.   Further away due east or west are high-end,  non-luxury condos and one of the county’s magnet high schools.  No dice.  Let me reiterate; SADLY, I get in the drive thru line for TheFastFoodChainWithTheGirlWithTheRedHair.  It begins to rain almost symbolically.    Cultural Competency Assessment: We the people, in order to form a more perfect neighborhood, establish shops for your convenience including A liquor store.  A as in “1″.  That’s all you get.  Hey, didn’t they tell you in the last neighborhood to stock up?  Yeah, that might be a good idea for you.

Final Cultural Competency Assessment: We have plenty of liquor stores here for a reason.  Plan accordingly, stupid.  

My Greatest Hip Hop Producers of All Time and Why

Not that any of y’all asked me, but here my list of top producers in hip hop history.  Criteria?  Diversity of acts, impact on hip hop, and the all important head-bob-ability.  And please comment; I know I’m missing some cats.

Hi Tek

Lord-Finesse

Puff Daddy

Marley Marl

Pete Rock

Dr. Dre

1994, Los Angeles, California, USA --- Rap artist Dr. Dre sits in front of recording equipment at his home in Los Angeles. --- Image by © Neal Preston/CORBIS

MadLib

RZA

DJ Premier

J Dilla

Un Mensaje Del Presidente

Pardon me, everyone. This is how I plan for the future….I create my own stuff and try to make it come to fruition. Yes, I would LOVE to head the Puerto Rican Winter League. Definitely a dream job. So Señor Ruiz, when you’re ready to step down, I got you.

Saludos Fanáticos: Reciban una cordial invitación para que disfruten la emoción y diversidad que representa la participación de seis equipos, por primera vez en años recientes, en nuestro torneo invernal que comienza el jueves 11 de noviembre de 2012 para el deleite de nuestra fanaticada. Iniciamos la presene temporada con un nuevo nombre: Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, para conmemorar las hazañas deportivas, honrar el carácter humanitario y los valores que representa nuestro astro boricua, con motivo del 40mo. Aniversario de su Hit 3,000 en las Grandes Ligas; y el Aniversario Número 75 de nuestra Liga. Otra vez este año, el torneo se le dedica a la Familia Clemente, encabezada por la Sra. Vera Zabala viuda de Clemente. Es nuestro firme compromiso con el béisbol boricua y la fanaticada, convertir la LBPRC en el peldaño que impulse el desarrollo y mejoramiento del talento joven para que sean los novatos y profesionales del futuro. Estamos muy conscientes de que la LBPRC constituye un proyecto social que contribuirá a mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestro Puerto Rico. Acompañemos a los equipos Criollos de Caguas, Indios de Mayagüez, Gigantes de Carolina, Leones de Ponce, Cangrejeros de Santurce y Atenienses de Manatí para disfrutar cada una de las nueve entradas de los 144 partidos que jugarán las seis franquicias en este Torneo Invernal. Los esperamos a todos, Ralph Williams

Business as Reality Show

   I don’t care what anyone says, the best unscripted material for a reality show is anything that has to do with the wheels of commerce.  Look at it this way, in the current reality shows that are hot are based upon drinking, partying, and gossip.  That’s cool. but why not look at goes at a business on a daily basis?  Particularly small ones?  You have the same thing, except you have unpredictable end results.  On any  of the “Housewifes” shows someone is gonna be pissed off because someone else said something about them.  The end result is always the same; the 2 kiss and make up or they fight (sometimes physically).    I guess the material is the in between but I wouldn’t know because I don’t watch any of those shows.  I watch the real estate reality shows , the hospitality business shows, and the bakery shows.  I didin’t  realize it until I began writing this but these all have to do with commerce and the personality bs comes 2nd.

But maybe its the American audience.  Maybe the American audience like to see conflicts and conversations about things that have little to no relevance.  Perfect example….last year my family had a family reunion.  I’m also the #2 person for a small business.  Guess what aspect of my life was as by a producer to be the subject of a reality show?  Right…the family reunion.  I guess they felt that there was potential for one of those big this-side-of-the-family vs that-side-of-the-family type blowup when in reality those type of blowups happen almost daily at work!

So if any of you tv producers out there are looking for a show idea, man do I have a concept for you!

Random Reflection May Something or Another

In my house, hot cocoa is essential.  For my son, its a quick treat.  For me, its that and my equivalent to an infrequent cigarette; I drink it and get that “ahhhhh” effect.  In this pic, the box is unside down because there are no more packets left.

Must…get…..more……**scratches arm vigorously**

Thanks to my neighbor’s odd desire to listen to his music in his car at strange times of the night and my girl’s reaction to the aforementioned; I’m wide awake.  Now would be a good time for sleep inducing show like Matlock or Law & Order.  (I actually love those shows, but the pace is so steady that if your sleepy, you always miss the ending).

For some reason, I’m just realizing that Atlanta is Black Hollywood.  10+ years ago, I would have been happy to say that; not so much now though.  Why?  Because first and foremost, this Black Hollywood is an inferior knockoff of real entertainment production.  In Hollywood, you have television and movie production.  Real tv, that is….the kind that involves clever and creative script writing.  Most of the television produced in ATL is reality tv and show production.  Those things are fine, but not what I was expecting when Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin got on a Baltimore stage and prophecized the coming a Va Beach Black Hollywood via the oracles known as Jada Pinkett and Will Smith.  I was looking forward to that as that was a time period where a lot of Black-based movies had been released.  I thought it was going to be the start of something big.

But now we have ATL with its psuedo-cosmopolitanism in the guise of the 21st century version of the Old South.  I can say that; I’ve done business in ATL and there’s a lot of shine without a lot of substance.  That’s reflective of this new Black Hollywood donning.  At best, there is a Tyler Perry movie in production every now and then.

But maybe its a blessing for Blacks that I don’t see.  Now upstart entertainers can actually live in a dwelling that can be considered a home instead of a car or hostel.  Now all of the good studios aren’t in NYC or LA.  On the otherhand, some of these people who wouldn’t be able to get a waiter job in LA are gettin on reality shows with ease and showing up to ATL’s “A List” affairs.

Let’s hope it gets better.

Whats Amazing this Week 1-26-13

Tuesday-

Amazing we don’t see more dead deer in the winter. (talk radio)

5 Hour Energy is amazing (commercial)

Amazing dinner at cbslocaloffers.com

Amazing deals on Toyota Tundra (commercial)

“It was amazing to see how these fans reacted” (Pats fans)

“Eating lunch at the dirty buffalo in Norfolk. Omg this plate is amazing. Mac and cheese, home fries, chicken cutlets, and spicy chili.”

Wow….even websites:http://www.7amazingcreations.com/category/interior-design-2/

Yes……its amazing” (tv show “Cold Case” talking about apartment)

DirectTV is more amazing than….”

Wednesday- Student writes an amazing story. (From Who’s that Girl)

**singing** “I’m an amazing teacher” (From Who’s that Girl…again)
“Amazing work my man” (from Who’s That Girl….yet, again)

Thursday- Amazing Pro-B Formula

Amazing wine list in New Orleans restaurant

Friday-  Ed Reed says “amazing” 3 times in 5 sentences during an interview.

These facts about nature MUST be amazing: http://www.facebook.com/amazingfactsandnature

Why I Don’t Give Props to Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis has been a good (note I didn’t say “great”) leader of the Ravens for a long time. They could not have been a premiere defense for so long without him. However, in my opinion, his quotes, antics, and fading skills have practically nullified his previous successes.

1.) He’s useless in the pass game. I don’t think he can cover ME on an out or fade route, and I’m older than him. The Ravens now rarely have him in there on 3rd downs; and when he is, all he does is rush the QB. That leaves the entire middle of the field wide-open. If the QB can avoid the rush, he will always have an open man in the middle.

2.) He talks too much. I think he believes his own hype as far as being an NFL player to be heard. Remember this:
“Do this research if we don’t have a season, watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game,” Lewis told ESPN. “There’s too many people that live through us, people live through us. Yeah, walk in the streets, the way I walk the streets, and I’m not talking about the people you see all the time.”
Lewis wasn’t referring to the mounting amount of arrests by NFL players during the lockout.
Lewis said he thought there would be an uptick in crime simply because, “There’s nothing else to do.”
Seriously, dude….come on.
3.) Criminality. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance, but the idea of a 2nd chance for a Regular Joe like myself is to just GET a job; not get the exact same job you had before. That is typical with most NFL players who screwed up, but least we not forget Ray Ray was a part of a MURDER. Not a beatdown, not a DWI, but a murder; a man died that night. He wasn’t innocent, he plead out. Trust and believe that if he wasn’t the greatest LB ever (I’ll give him that), he wouldn’t be in an NFL uniform.
4.) Psuedo-leadership. We as fans believe that Ray is the leader of the team because he’s so vocal on and off of the field. That’s only partially true. On the field, he’s actually not the shot-caller; that was the job of former DL/LB Jarrett Johnson. HE put players in place based offensive formations. Hyping up the players, notice who’s surrounding Ray when he’s getting folks amped. Its either the youngest players or the newest players. The players who’ve been there awhile realize its the same speech as last year and the year before that. I’ve heard former players confirm this.
5.) Last but not least, the hyping him as this great individual. Besides the murder rap, the off the field issues way back in the days at the U, and the multiple baby-mamas. It amazes me how he’s hyped as this family man with about 6 kids from 4 different women and yet has never been married. I don’t think that fit the niche of a family man…hell I don’t even think it fits as the ideal nuclear family man. Supposedly, he’s there for all of his kids, but what do the women in his life have to say about this? How are you to create a family when you have sub-families all over the place? How are those children going to feel? Slippery slope, man.

He’s been a key to the success of the Ravens over the years. But the sum total of his achievements really should be scrutinized with what he brings to the party as a total person and what he contributes (not monetarily) to the community and his fans.