Ambassadors

When Ben and Frankie were little guys, I used to remind them that no matter where they were, or what they were doing, someone was watching them.  As such, they needed to be mindful to be on their best behavior.

I used to also say, "You are ambassadors.  You represent me.  You represent your school.  You represent your city (mostly stated when they played away games). You represent black folks.  Like it or not, you are the 'stand in' for young black males everywhere.  A heavy burden?  Maybe.  Not so much though, if you're doing the right thing anyway."

So given that broad definition that we can apply to anyone, we're all ambassadors, aren't we?

That's especially true here, where we have people from all over the world.

We represent our countries, our states, our schools, our families, and our religions, etc.

The reason I chose to visit Egypt first, was because of the wonderful guys I met who were Egyptian.  I wanted more of what they had to offer.  And thankfully, the trip didn't disappoint.  I met fabulous folks on this journey.

They were my Egyptian ambassadors.

Likewise, I've all but replaced another country on my list because of they way the folks act that I've come in contact with.  I can't imagine dealing with a whole country of people like this.

Is it fair to judge on this scale?

No, of course not.

But we do it everyday.

I've been reminded a lot recently, of the times when I was married, and Frank would stop strangers on the street, telling them about God.  I was never comfortable with this "witnessing."

I'd much rather let my actions speak for me.  If I'm doing the right thing, living in peace, helping others, then I felt (and still feel) that my actions speak louder than anything I could say to convince someone to follow me.

Likewise, I view other religions through their followers.  Are these folks I want to emulate?  Are they treating people they way I want to be treated?  Do I want to "buy" what they're selling?

Ambassadors.

All of us.

How are we representing our world?

Until next time.

Cheers.

Having Fun?

Watch the kid's expressions.  They're priceless.  I wish I knew what the man (his father?) is saying.

Nature or nurture?

Whatever it is, this kid has talent galore.

Enjoy!

http://www.wimp.com/pianokid/

The Jetson's

This car is giving Luther a run for his money.

The Google Boys have done it again.

http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=39089

Families

There's this great Microsoft commercial that features two brothers, a year or two apart, and it shows the fun and sibling rivalry as they grow up through the years. It ends with them still competing as grown men.

It reminded me of the men in my world.

In many ways, your siblings know you best.  They have been with you from the beginning.  There is the exception, of course.  It doesn't hold true when there are many years that separate you.  But, for the most part, if you grow up together, it does.

What, or who, makes a family?

Brothers, sisters, moms and dads?  Extended relatives?

The people you meet in life, that you connect with on a deeper level, can't they be considered family, too?

What makes some folks better at being families than others?

Forrest and I were chatting about the recent death of a dear friend of his.  And we marveled at what a wonderful man he was, but we also noted that his whole family were just "good people."  People who made you a better person by knowing them.

Why are some people better at being families than others?  What did this family do that made such an extraordinary difference in how they all turned out?

If, we as families, basically all start off the same, why don't we end up in the same place?

Why are some families so dysfunctional you wonder how they made it all at?  And others, like this family friend's, made it look easy and are models for us all?

Here's to families everywhere, trying to figure this out, and doing the best we can.

Powerful Letter

This was written by an Iraqi War veteran, to Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney.  It is as touching as it is damning.

http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/the_last_letter_20130318/

Petty People in Charge

Petty people + power = where stupidity reigns supreme.

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/03/19/the-journey-home/

Spock's Message

Although this was written in 1968, the message is apropos for today.  "Spock" responds to an interracial kid on fitting in.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/spock-teenage-outcast_n_2863113.html

Makeup & Stilettos

When you see women with makeup on, it's usually layer upon layer of it.  Like they're made up for the stage, or like Forrest says, that "embalmed" look.

Side note - I can't remember if I've written about the use of makeup here, and of course, I'm too lazy to go back and check.  So, if this is a repeat, please forgive me.

I'm still surprised when I see a woman all dolled up.  Especially since, on the one hand, they go to great lengths to cover up so they won't be seen, but then many wear makeup that makes you take a second look and go  . . . hmmmm.

Every mall has at least a half dozen stores that sell makeup exclusively, and they do brisk business.

Shoes, namely stilettos, are popular with the locals, too.

I was reminded of this when I noticed someone at work with heavy makeup and shoes with six-inch heels.  Of course, I was then curious to know what she had on under her abaya.  Designer clothes, too?

I think most women dress up to be seen or noticed by guys, but since dating in the true sense doesn't happen here, what's the point?  Are they dressing to be noticed by other women, maybe?

The malls are also filled with stores selling formal wear.  Some of it pretty risqué. These are worn to weddings, where only women are in attendance, until late in the evening when the groom shows up.

They start this practice young.  When we have special programs, our girls as young as first grade, wear formal floor-length dresses with full makeup.  Reminds me of "Toddlers & Tiaras."

So, when it comes to makeup and shoes, our worlds are not that different.

Emma

Thirty seconds of fun, thanks to a French-made commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RRDSj62tlvQ

A Sigh of Relief

My Mom used to say, "Tell me who you follow, and I'll tell you who you are."  I didn't really get this one until I had Ben and Frankie, and even then, it didn't gel until they were off to college.

It all came together for me when I met their friends.  It was only then that I could breathe a sigh of relief, and rest in the knowledge that they had chosen their friends wisely.

A deliberate act or a fluke?

No matter.

As parents we stumble along, praying that we get things right.  Sometimes we do. Sometimes we don't.

Should we earn an "A" for effort?

Maybe.

Probably . . . because . . .

Parenthood is no joke.

As wonderful as it is, I think it's the hardest job we'll ever have.

Somehow, if you're lucky/fortunate/blessed, once your kids grow up, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

That's when the real fun begins.

She's My Hero!

Watch this granny dance and listen close as she gets in the car.  I love her!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/dancing-nana-grandma-dances-video_n_2823349.html

Questions?

If you know someone who is cheating in a relationship, do you expose them, or let the certainty of karma take it's course?

When the dirt is all out there for everyone to see, do you continue to embrace that person, or kick them to the curb for their indiscretions?

What if this person is family?

What if the aggrieved is family?

Do you shop around for a hit man?

Or do you do the humane thing and forgive?

Is there any indiscretion that we should deem unforgivable?

Do kids from broken homes make better mates because they want to be better than the disfunction they witnessed and were inescapably a part of?

Or, do they make the same mistakes because they were never taught how to create, or be a part of, a caring, positive environment?

Finally, why do people screw around in the first place?

Is it just because they can?

Or, is it because they think something is missing, and so they look for greener pastures?

How much of their inner conflict is based not on what their mate is or isn't doing, but on their own shortcomings that they have refused to deal with?

I know you're thinking . . . I missed my calling.

I should have been a shrink.

You can stop rolling your eyes now.

Think about it though.

They're master at asking questions (although I'm not claiming to be).  As part of their training, do they have a mandatory class on questioning strategies to get people to give up and share their deep dark secrets?  Does this trait help them in their own relationships?  Or is it an annoying tick their mate has to deal with?

OK.

Maybe psychiatry/psychology is not my thing, but it sure is interesting looking from the outside in.

What are some of your questions?

Last Words

The link below from Salon features famous last words.  Interesting.

http://www.salon.com/2013/03/07/famous_and_infamous_last_words/

Classic Quotes

Hat tip to Roz for sharing this.  It's the closing remarks of an email.  I've cherry picked the best to share with you.

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,

YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE.

SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

 

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!

 

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

 

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

 

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with theTV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

 

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

 

~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ???

 

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

 

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear again.

 

 

~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

 

Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!"

 

 

The Corniche

The Corniche is a beautifully designed stretch of beach that I pass every time I drive to Abu Dhabi.  Below is a link with pictures of it.  Take the time to read the captions. They speak volumes to the way of life here.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/in-pictures-abu-dhabi-corniche#1

Chris Tucker and the Russian Embassy

Last Thursday I trekked to Abu Dhabi to see the comedian, Chris Tucker.  What a treat that was!  Surprisingly, there were lots of local men and women.  I kept thinking, do they know this guy?  Do they know that he can be risqué?  And if, or rather, when he is, is that going to be a problem?

Nope.  Not at all.

They were lapping it up.  It helps that Chris comes off as the cool kid that everyone wants to hang with.  Some of his best material were the local jokes.  Again, the crowd loved him.

Now to the Russian Embassy.

I'm headed to Moscow for Spring Break, and so is one of my teachers and her family. She asked if I've gotten my visa.  Of course, I hadn't thought about it because in most places you can pick them up at the airport when you land.

Anyway, thank God for this lady.  In order to visit Russia, you have to go online and get an "invitation" to visit the country, and complete a lengthy application.  Without her help, I would have been up a creek.  She also shared the GPS coordinates, which was critical to finding the place.

Interestingly, it is not anywhere near Embassy Row, where most are located.  It is housed in a large, old nondescript building surrounded by storefronts.  The only clue that you've found the place are the guards posted at every corner.  They were kinda cute.  Very laid back.  Teddy bearish.

Inside, the place was manned by Russians, unlike the American Embassy, which didn't have an American in sight.

There were Russian speaking folks there for visas, too.  Not sure why they needed them.

Here's is how it works.

You present your paperwork to a clerk, who checks it, and when its all good, she takes your passport and gives you a bill for the services.

Here's the wild part.

They don't handle any money directly.  You have to go to their bank where they have an account, deposit the money, bring back the receipt, wait for a while for them to complete everything, and then you're done.  My friend suggested I park Luther and take a cab to the bank and back.  Again, this was great advice.  It took a total of two hours, although with all of the running around, it seemed a lot longer. The only branch of the bank open after hours is in Abu Dhabi Mall.  What a madhouse that was!

Anyway, thankfully, with the visa in hand, I'm ready to go.  Come April 2nd, I'll be on my way.  The following week I'm headed to Ethiopia.  You can be sure I'm checking their visa requirements as soon as I post this.

Things have been crazy busy at work, so the break will be a welcome reprieve.

Hope that all is well in your world.

More soon.

Cheers.

Good Doggy!

This was forwarded to me from Roz.  Huge thanks to her for sharing this clip of this amazingly helpful pooch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=P9Fyey4D5hg

Jailed

A woman in Abu Dhabi was jailed for handing out bibles.  Probably not the smartest thing to do in a Muslim country.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/abu-dhabi-woman-accused-of-proselytising?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Daily%2BNewsletter%2B28-02-2013

Chastity Explained

A very interesting and surprising article on a recent study by researchers at CUNY about religious affiliation and pre-martial sex.  It was found on "The Dish."

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/02/24/which-religions-are-the-most-chaste/

Global Warming?

Hat tip to Forrest for sharing this video.  It's four minutes.  Stay with it to understand the enormity of what we're witnessing.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/hC3VTgIPoGU?rel=0