Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanks to you...

On this day when we are especially thankful for all the blessings that GOD has showered us with, I thought it would be the perfect occasion to address the people and things that I am particularly grateful for (or thankful to).

... To my parents, who brought me into this world and have helped me to become the man I am today. I am nothing without them and they have provided me the opportunities that I have this day. And a special thanks to my mom, who continues to be my rock.

... To my younger brother and big sister, who insist on telling me how much they love me every time we talk. And for also being two of my closest friends.

... To all the rest of my family, who continues to support me through all my endeavors.

... To my close friends, who have given me balance, kept me grounded, and defended me. And for never being afraid to tell me when my sh*t stinks. Most importantly, for listening. (... and blah blah blah Seghen blah, Thanks luv).

... To all the mentors and advocates that have spoken and vouched generously on my behalf, and for helping to put me in the position I am today.

... To all the haters who waste their time hating on me, while I keep my sh*t moving to the top - right where they want to be. No point in saying F*** you because then I'd be stooping to your level, "lame-o" (credit to Ryann W.).

... To the ex(es) for giving me different perspectives on relationships and making me a better partner because of it.

... To YOU, whoever you may be. Whether you are a friend, a hater, a loved one, a stranger or someone that I have yet to meet, I am thanking YOU for what you have given this world and what you have given me either directly or indirectly.

... To my future. Although we may not have met yet, I thank you today because I know that a lifetime will never be enough to show you how grateful I am for you being a part of my life.

... and most importantly, I am thankful to GOD for these people that I have or will encounter on my path to salvation and his calling for me. I am thankful that he gave me the breath I took first this morning and the privilege to live this day. I pray for myself and for you, that you may have tomorrow, another year... a lifetime for which to be thankful for.

Happy Turkey Day!!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Double Standards

So I added this new "Stumble" feature to my Firefox and I happened across this website...

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/dating_60/70_dating_list.html

... and of course it got me thinking.

Now, don't jump to conclusions... I thought there was some truth to a number of them, but I don't agree with everything put forth in the article. Anyways, back to me thinking (of course about double standards)...


So first I was wondering what's the whole deal with makeup. Makeup? Yes, makeup.

Whoever said you had to wear it, ladies? I'm not trying to speak for all the fellas out there, but first, some of you need to lighten up a bit. And secondly, I like you just the way you are - feeling and looking beautiful in your own skin. I mean, if I don't like you then I am sure there is somebody else out there that likes you just the way you are (that is without all the makeup). And, don't catch me wearing makeup without being a celebrity or something, because I might get called 'flamin' in a heartbeat. I know, I know... you guys have your blemishes and pimples and so forth, but I'm gonna love you "flaws and all" - if you will. I wake up with a pimple, check it out in the mirror, verify it's a pimple, and keep it movin. But, I digress... I know some of you have become machines and that it's just a part of your daily routine. And, I also know that it's probably because mom or big sis told you that it's just what you were supposed to do, but the real question is - why haven't you questioned that yet? Anyways...

My next beef - the military. No, not the military, itself, but more specifically the military draft. Has our culture already established that women are incapable of fulfilling the same duties to their country as a man can? Or, is it that the men of our culture are trying to protect their pride because they don't want to be shown up by a lady? Regardless, why is it that men are drafted and women get to volunter?

This brings me to my next blurb - housewives. First, I want to say this... I know that our culture has established that women are left at home to nurture and protect our youth, while our men are fighting for our country. But, look at it this way... When our men are overseas "fighting for our country", it is undoubtedly true that men, WOMEN, and CHILDREN end up tragedies of war. Furthermore, why is it that we expect our women back at home (who have not been trained) to put up any resemblance of a resistance to insurgents of our nation? We all should know that women greatly outnumber men in our country, so maybe we should give up this whole housewives concept and move towards drafting (and training) women... or maybe make it all voluntary.

I know that some ladies are opposed to the idea of being a housewife, but the word exist for some reason. What I mean to say is that the word "househusband" exists; it just carries a stigma around it saying I'm "a guy who clearly wears the skirt or dress in the relationship."

Check out what dictionary.com has to say...
Housewife versus Househusband and notice the subtle differences.

Anyways, speaking of marriages and relationships and all that jazz, I had just one more thing to add.

My Mom used to always tell my big sister that "If you put your hands on your man or you strike him, then you'd better be prepared to be struck and you had better not be surprised if you are. You're the one who told him you were ready to get physical." Yes, I have seen the statistics (Dometic Violence), indeed they are appalling, and I am ashamed that the stereotypes associated with these findings may affect my relationships. However, many of you may not know there is another side to the story - DVAM.

Regardless of the points made on either website, I think it would just be fair if frustration in a relationship never escalated to a physical nature. I don't know how others feel about this, but I am curious to know what others think about what my mom and other moms have had to say.

Anyways I could go on for days about the double standards in culture, but my big question is - why haven't others been questioning?

Women have fought their entire lives to gain equality to men and I think they are MORE than deserving of it. That being said, I still think that women (and men alike) carry double standards and expectations that contest the equality that they have willed for and so been granted.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Just Wondering...

So, I was just wondering whether FIGURATIVELY being "kicked to the curb" is really all that different from LITERALLY being kicked to the curb.

How would you define either and what situations would you qualify as "being kicked to the curb"?


... and obviously, whoever came up with the phrase must have thought there were some distinct similarities between the two.

Let's say for example, you have been dating someone for quite some time. Things were going really well until you notice there is a distance growing between you. As the distance grows, so does your curiosity. And your trust?... Well, your trust follows suit, just in the opposite direction. Is it fair? No, but the findings from your potential investigation may not be either. So, you pursue and you discover there is someone else. I need not go further with this story, but would you agree that this situation may evoke the classification "being kicked to the curb" - in a figurative sense?

Now let's say that you (having discovered the news) pack his or her sh*t up, remove it from the living space you both share, and tell 'em to "keep it movin". From "his or her" standpoint, does this circumstance warrant the classification "being kicked to the curb" - in a literal sense?


I invite you to think about both circumstances and what kinds of feelings, emotions, and reactions either situation might elicit. Are they really all that different? Might one feel abandoned, displaced (or replaced), or even frustrated? Might one question the fairness of the circumstances? I'm not sure...


... Just curious.

What if...?

Let's say for example, Sue met Joe. Joe knocked up Sue. Sue named him Johnny. Johnny who?...

Well, let's say Sue slept around and wasn't sure Joe was the father. So, let's get a paternity test right? Well, Joe's gone. One night stand? Sure, we'll go with that.

SOOOOO, I guess Johnny Walker then, since Sue's last name was Walker.

You still following?...

Anyways, Johnny Walker grows up and meets Mary. Mary Who? Well, let's see...

After Sue, Joe met Kate. Joe married Kate and made her Mrs. Kate Jane. Joe and Kate then made Jack Jane, Bill Jane, and Mary Jane. Mary Jane grew up and met Johhny. Johnny Who?... Yep, Johnny Walker.

Oh Wait?!?!?... ewwwww.... NO!!!... really??!?!?.. So, you mean Johnny, who's Joe's son, later grew up and hooked up with Mary, who's Joe's daughter?

Does that really happen? Well, you tell me...

Are YOU sure you know who you've been with?