Dubai

This quick video (less than two minutes) highlights the extremes in Dubai.

Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHCTKOGDnA&list=UUKWNmkPKEKcKWyMskssytGg

Overcoming Obstacles

This article is a reminder that these esteemed folks dealt with some serious obstacles before they achieved success.

How many powerful folks of the next generation are waiting to debut their talents?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/successful-people-obstacles_n_3964459.html

Battered Men

Several days ago, I posted a link about battered women and the ripple effects of this on the greater society.  But my family knows first hand, that abuse against men is just as real.

This article is an example.

http://thegrio.com/2013/09/24/when-men-are-battered/

The Land of Geniuses

The MacArthur "Genius" Grants were announced today.  It is an incredible group of folks from a wide range of disciplines.

Check out the links below.

The first one gives information about the grants.  The second list the honorees. Please note the ladies. Many are rocking the hard sciences.

http://www.macfound.org/fellows-faq/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/macarthur-fellows-2013_n_3977420.html

The Afro Comb Exhibit

I stumbled upon this article today about an exhibit featuring afro combs at Cambridge University.

Fascinating history!

Check it out below.

http://thegrio.com/2013/09/23/cambridge-university-hosts-major-exhibition-devoted-to-afro-combs/#s:black-fist-comb

Nudged into Change

I think it's safe to say, most of us like our routines, doing the same things, the same way, every day.  But, we also recognize that change is inevitable.  Even when it's planned and we know it's coming, change can bring with it plenty of anxiety.

Recently, say the last five years or so, I've come to appreciate change so much more.

Sometimes, in order to move from where we are to something better, we go through difficult times.  Of course, we can't see over the horizon, when things get better.  All we see is what we face every day. Sometimes this stuff is our fault, and sometimes it's other folks causing the disruption.

The typical reaction is to push back to maintain the status quo at all cost.

However, I've come to the place where I'm understanding - sometimes when crazy stuff happens - it's happening to move us from one place to another.  Chances are, we wouldn't have made that move without a nudge, or a flat out push.

But then, we find ourselves faced with a new reality.  A new job.  A new home.  A new city.  New friends.  New everything.

No matter how we got there, now we have to figure out what we're going to do - make the most of it, or cry and complain.

I've tried both ways, and I can testify, making the most of it is so much better. Trust me on that one.

So, sometimes when aggravating people invade our world, especially when they're aggravating bosses, we have to make a decision.  Do we live with the craziness that makes for a intolerable work environment, or do we step out, in faith, exploring other options, and hope for the best?

These decisions can be tough for single folks, but I think they're especially tough for people with families.  The decisions that are made will affect everyone in the household.

It was discontentment and poor treatment that caused me to explore other options for employment.  If I'd been happy, chances are, I'd still be in Sacramento.

But when the crazy stuff started to happen, that gave me permission, if you will, to seek a job/happiness, elsewhere.

That, of course, led to this, and this has been great.

Has it been perfect?  Far from it, but it has allowed me to explore the world in ways I never imagined.

Change is tough, but living in misery is a lot tougher.

I honestly believe there is something each of us was born to do.

Find that, and you find happiness, peace, and contentment.

Will it be perfect?

No.

But when you wake up excited to start the day, you'll know you're moving in the right direction.

OK.

That's it.

This concludes my sermon for today.

And the choir said, "Thank God."

I heard that!!!

That's a Keeper!

A five year old gets an absence excuse from President Obama.  That's one she needs to keep.  She's too cute!  Check them out below.

https://socialreader.com/me/content/Bsolk?chid=2476&_p=trending&utm_source=wp&utm_medium=Widgets&utm_campaign=wpsrTrendingExternal-1-opt

Fifty Cent Bets

I am blessed with terrific people in my life.  Every place I've lived or visited, I've been touched by amazing people.

Today I want to tell you about one of them.

We met more than ten years ago, when I landed my first principalship.  She was the office manager at the school.

Now, the most important person on any school campus is the office manager.  She keeps things running smoothly through all of the normal school days, but especially during the wild and crazy ones.  She is the anchor of the building.

This lady was that and so much more.

She could teach a class on organization.  Her system was impeccable.  She had a folder or binder for everything, and could find things at the drop of a hat.  I know seeing my piles caused her heart to palpitate a little faster, but she was patient and kind, as she rolled her eyes at my messy areas.

She was a wiz with the school finances.  Schools have several funding sources with each having specific guidelines on how the money is spent.  She was a walking encyclopedia of budgeting knowledge.

She was an excellent ambassador for the school, the community, and me.  She was the first person someone saw when they entered our building, and they were always greeted with a warm, genuine smile.  You see, whoever is out front, the first person that folks see when they enter your world, is a reflection on you.  If they're friendly and helpful, it reflects on you.  If they're snotty and rude, that reflects on you, too.

She had this incredible sense that allowed her to know what I needed before I knew I needed it.  She anticipated my needs, and had things prepared for it, before I even knew what to ask for.  This was an absolutely amazing gift.

She was my sounding board.  She provided a level-headed, objective point of view. I trusted her judgement and knew she would tell me the truth, whether I wanted to hear it or not.  Everyone needs someone like this in their world.

And . . .

She was the absolute best when it came to the 50 cent bets.  We would bet about silly things, like whether the next person walking through the door would have on glasses or not.  Really silly stuff, but it was so much fun.  Actually, the bets started off as five dollar bets, but after loosing the first ten dollars to her, it was changed to fifty cents.  We both kept a supply of quarters on our desks because the bets had to be settled immediately.  No IOU's allowed.  I know it all sounds silly, but that little game helped to keep the office a fun place to be in the hotbed of stress that was an ever present thing.

I've had office managers before and after this lady, and I loved them all . . . but she was one of a kind.

Please join me in raising a glass to my dear friend Deb.

Jerusalem

Whatever your stand is on Israel, from a religious or political standpoint, the video clip linked below shows stunning aerial shots of the city of Jerusalem.

http://vimeo.com/15034110

I was hoping to get to Israel when I was in Jordan, but as I've mentioned before, the UAE doesn't recognize Israel as a country.  Getting my passport stamped there would have prevented my re-entry to the UAE.  I'm told you get around this by having a piece of paper for the stamp, that can be discarded, so there is no evidence of the visit.  In spite of this, Israel remains on my bucket list.

Enjoy.

Atheist vs. Christian

An intriguing debate.

https://www.upworthy.com/a-debate-between-an-atheist-and-a-christian-has-quite-a-surprising-result?c=upw1

Fascinating Study on Addicts

This study shows that when given a choice, crack and meth addicts, can show restraint for their drug of choice.

Very, very interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/science/the-rational-choices-of-crack-addicts.html?hp

Side note - The author is the guy pictured.  He's 46!  Seriously, he is a great example of the cliche that "black don't crack."  Brother man looks great for his age.

My Youngest Sweetie Pie!

Plus Mommy & Daddy

Milu @ 8.5 months

The Ripple Effect of Battered Women

This is the story of a young boy who watched in horror as his Mom was beaten, again and again.  And this is the story of the lengths that someone will go to, to make to the terrorizing beatings stop.

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/14/i_had_it_in_me_to_kill_him/?source=newsletter

Of course this brings up many other questions, like . . .

When do the beatings start?

Why would anyone stick around after that first one?

Why do some women feel like any man, no matter how bad they are treated, is better than no man?

How many times does someone have to be mistreated to decide that enough is enough?

Is it the shame that victims feel that keeps them quiet?

Or, is it the threat of even more violence if these horrors are revealed that makes them mum?

Some how, some way, we must expose this behavior by uncovering it and hope that the victims have the courage to step away and stay away.

And . . . without a doubt, the aggressors must be punished.

My recommendation?

A public flogging, to shame them and beat the sh*t out of them.

Please pardon my French.

The Power of Kindness

This commercial from Thailand has a universal message that needs to be shared far and wide.  Please pass it on.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/tear-jerker-truemove-thai-commercial_n_3922857.html

Weird Customs

Weird to us, normal for them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/14/weird-cultural-differences_n_3875360.html?ref=topbar

New Phone Concept

Very intriguing.

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/09/13/that-last-phone-youll-ever-buy/

My Oldest Sweetie Pie!

What a little lady!  Ready to conquer the world!

Zadie Faye at 2 years, 10 months

A Special Grace

I believe that God bestows a special grace on new parents.  Especially new parents who are absolutely clueless about babies and how to raise them.

This is the state I was in when Ben was born.

I was the youngest in my family, so there were no siblings to practice on.  And I never babysat while growing up.  So when Ben arrived, 32 years ago, this September 16th, God made him especially tough.

There's a picture of him taken at a week old, with an expression that said, "please figure this out soon."

I was determined to breast feed him, and boy, was that colorful!  My breasts were huge, but there was only a trickle of milk coming out of them.  Ben would nurse for a few minutes and then scream for me to just give him a bottle already, which of course, I did.

Neither of my guys were big milk drinkers, but Ben loved juice.  He went to bed with juice and woke up with juice.  It is absolutely miraculous that his teeth didn't rot.

In spite of my ineptitude, Ben was a happy baby.  He always woke up with a smile. It was like he was rewarding me for effort, when we both knew I had no idea what I was doing.

For instance, it didn't occur to me when he started to roll around, that he could fall off the bed.  The first time it happened, (yes, it happened more than once), I said a special prayer, thanking God for making him tough.

When Ben started to talk, one of the first things he said was, "I'm always on duty," from the cartoon, Inspector Gadget, which I finally figured out when I was watching it with him one day.  Was the TV babysitting him?  I'd like to say no, but his first words prove otherwise.

So this was the start of Ben's growing adventure.

I believe most first born kids are like science projects that we hope will turn out OK.  And so it was with Ben.

But, in spite of it all . . .

He made it.

And not only did he survive, he thrived.

I am so proud of the man he has become, knowing that he made it in spite of my ignorance.

Happy birthday Ben.

Love, Mom

The Return of the Afro

Don't you love how we recycle styles?

What was old is new again, and the kids sporting the "new" look are surprised when we old timers remind them that it's from "back in the day?"

On that note, please allow me to present . . .

The Afros of Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow

http://thegrio.com/2013/09/12/dante-de-blasio-brings-back-the-fro-thegrios-favorite-afros-of-all-time/#s:jackson-51

I Love This Guy!

Outspoken, outrageous, and fiercely talented . . . Mr. Andre Leon Tally, fashion editor icon.

http://thegrio.com/2013/09/11/andre-leon-talley-slams-russell-simmons-he-should-not-be-front-row-at-fashion-week/#52985999