Reunions and Looking Forward

Greetings,

It occurred to me today that I managed to upload pics from my trip to VA this past weekend to my Facebook profile but I still haven't posted my pics of my cousin Nelson's visit to NY yet!! What's wrong with me... smh. AH YES! I remember what happened now... Problems with the Facebook photo uploader. [Update: I managed to make it work while writing this blog entry. Hooray Beer!]

Speaking of VA, I HAD A BLAST this weekend catching up with old childhood friends in Richmond. This was the first time that all of us have been together under the same roof in almost a decade. We even made time (at the last possible minute, of course) to recreate the photo we took the last time we were together on that cold December night years ago back in T's house. This reunion also included a few new additions to the 'family' (a high school friend of T and Lex, and Lex's girlfriend, Cyn).

The only regret I have from this past weekend (it's a minor one, mind you) is that I missed out on the chance to check out the bar scene in downtown Richmond. I will say, though, that visiting Busch Gardens and spending time with childhood friends was a fair trade-off. On a related note, Busch Gardens was surprisingly fun and was better than Six Flags in NJ, if I do say so myself.

What else do I have planned, you ask? What's next for me?
Well... after talking with the fellas... we're trying set up a week-long cruise in Sept/Oct to the Caribbean. It'll be a chance for all the single guys of the crew to hang out and do our thing. Sorry Lex, though I'm sure you'd rather spend the time with Cyn anyway. =)

A few days ago, I had announced on Twitter that I was considering stopping by Atlantic City to get some money to go on this cruise (without having to tap into any savings) to which a friend responded: "geez vegas, road trips, ac, and a cruise! Lol crazy." I suppose it is... but I'm loving every second of it!!

To add to that "crazy" list of activities, I'm considering going skydiving in late August right before the Fall '09 semester starts. I'd prefer to do this with a friend but I'm willing to do it solo if no one steps up to join me. Anyone down?

I may also get my tattoo once the summer is over. I'll probably do it at the start of the school year (with that first paycheck of the semester). Some of you may have heard me talking about it since the start of the year but when deciding between ink or traveling, sight-seeing won over every time. I am serious about getting it so you can expect it to happen before the year's end.

There are a few things to sort out in my life between now and the end of the year but everything will happen in due time. Maybe I'll write about it next time, who knows.

Nevertheless, I have visions of craps tables in my head and may head out to Atlantic City soon. I've been dying to go since I've been back from Vegas. Wish me luck in case I decide to go!

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I added a new MCB playlist today. It's been a while and my apologies to those of you who actually tuned in weekly for them in the past. This week's playlist features Beatles songs. No real reason other than it's great music that will never go out of style.

I'm also working on some new "Ultimate" playlists so keep your eyes open for that. For those who haven't read some of my earlier writing, the 'Ultimate's are lists of quintessential songs that define a genre and are must-haves in anyone's mp3 collection. They're an excellent starting point for people that are new to a particular genre looking to build their musical collection. I've completed playlists for Salsa, Bachata and Freestyle thus far. The genres I plan to tackle next are Vallenatos, Merengue, and Samba. When considering 'Ultimate's for English music, it gets a little more complicated but I will probably work on songs by genre and decade (a.k.a. rock from the 80's, R&B from the 90's, etc)

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I'll leave you with this thought, borrowed from a blog I stumbled upon today:

"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I'd limber up.
I would be sillier than I've been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously, take more chances, take more trips.
I'd climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who lived seriously, sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
I've had my moments, and if I had to do over again, I'd have more of them.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had my life to live over, I would start going barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances, I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies."

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Until next time, faithful reader......

My Life According to Twitter (or This Week's Recap via My Tweets)

Hello there...
To my repeat visitors, welcome back!
To the RaUM newcomers, ENJOY!

I joined Twitter a few weeks ago despite going months bitching about how annoying and useless it is. Boy, was I shocked to see how quickly I took to it. I love Twitter! Consider me a bandwagon jumper, or whatever other clever moniker you may have at the tip of your tongue, but there is something refreshing about posting a short comment or quote in a tweet as opposed to writing a passage about it on Blogger.

Lately, I haven't had the time to dedicate to a full RaUM entry. It's not for a lack of inspiration but simply not being able to make the time to type things out. (I know... it's crazy right?? Funny how sleeping is more important than blogging...)

This is not to say I'm replacing this blog with my Twitter feed but I'm in the process of finding the happy balance - the middle ground, if you will - between the two. I get my Mets news feed (and opinions), updates from a few select celebs (including my BIGGEST celeb crush, Alyssa Milano. I still love you and you don't even know it!!), and other random people whom I've found to have common interests. I wish I had more friends and family who actually tweet but it's no big deal. I'm making due just fine with who I have.

Well, without further ado, lets take a look at some of the more memorable tweets from the week (along with running commentary/explanations for some of them):

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Be careful what you wish for: Spring weather returning also means killer allergies affecting me for the next few weeks. *ugh*
[1:40 PM May 19th]
Ahhh yes... Spring time and allergy season. One of the things I love best (Spring) and one of the things I hate most (allergies). I only developed these allergies in the past few years. When I was younger I was never affected by the seasons. And this year it seems worse than usual... *ugh*

I got a gift from one of my students tonight along with a very nice message in a "Good Luck" card. I feel so privileged to do what I do. =D
[8:58 PM May 19th]
=D Still makes me smile thinking about it! I am very grateful for the card and the Ralph Lauren scented candle. If I can manage to get a date sometime in the next 10 years or so, I may end up putting that to use... lol.

waiting in bk before heading out to philly
[1:22 AM May 20th]
My friend Jorge had to drop off his wife and daughter at the airport in Philly. Before you ask, it was a last minute emergency travel decision on a budget. I knew Jorge would get very little sleep (if any) on Tuesday night and I know how grueling the ride is from Philly back to NYC when you're exhausted. I decided since I had nothing going on Wednesday that I would accompany them so they could arrive in Philly safe and sound and J would get back in town in one piece. I had a HS classmate that died traveling back home from college one winter and sometimes that memory creeps into the back on my mind when I hear about my friends driving home (or anywhere) alone. Call me a fatalist all you want but Uncle Alan got to spend quality time with my fave little lady! =D

dude!!! Massive roadkill. Stunned me and somewhat nauseating.
[3:20 AM May 20th]
OH YEAH!!! That was kinda gross... Jorge and I looked at each other and had the only WTF faces! It was larger than your average roadkill but not large enough to scrape under the car. All we saw, in that split second it was highlighted by the car's headlights, was a pretty mangled carcass with a huge splotch of redness in the lane we were driving in. Quite a gruesome sight...

at Philly International Airport. Really wish I had my camera with me... #fb
[4:36 AM May 20th]
I had realized once I got into Brooklyn that I had just wasted a unique opportunity to take pics in places I may not revisit. As a passenger in the car for most of the trip I could have had my hands free to take a lot of interesting pictures. Oh well, done bun...

Two cop cars to pull over one car in NJ. In NY? One cop had 3 cars pulled over at once. That's what's up!!
[8:00 AM May 20th]
Nuff said.

Having breakfast with @gerlombian
[9:05 AM May 20th]
Got to shoot the breeze with the ol' bff.

carne... carne... carneeeeeeee!! starting it with my inferiors!
[3:42 PM May 20th]
Yes, carne. You know? Beef... I was sleep deprived after breaking night. This seemed hilarious at the time... Looking back on it... STILL hilarious. You had to be there!

Does anyone know where I can find a golden calf on the cheap? Looking for something to worship...
[2:00 PM May 21st]
To which someone responded that

Nice bright sun-shiny day... and one last final to give tonight before I bid adieu to my class for the semester.
[3:40 PM May 21st]

I'm on this freestyle kick this afternoon for some unknown reason... I'll be tweeting during tonight's exam FYI.
[4:58 PM May 21st]
Yes. Something about freestyle music and warm spring days that just go together. It's been that way since I was a kid and will not change even when I'm in my 80s.

Trying to finish up my next blog entry... hard to do that when my students are asking me Q's! I'm the one doing the asking around here! lol
[6:10 PM May 21st]
HAHA! I was busy writing up a RaUM entry and tweeting while proctoring my final exam. They probably thought I was doing something important...

And with that last person ladies and gents... my semester (in class) is over. Now on to the grading!
[7:28 PM May 21st]
=/ Time to bear down and get to work, I suppose.

@isamarchajon Thank you very much, sir! I was lucky to have two great classes...
[8:15 PM May 21st in reply to isamarchajon]
I was congratulated on finishing my first semester. As I mentioned in my previous entry, it was a great semester. It was easy for me to do my job with all the good students I had. At least SOME of them understood my sense of humor. HA!

Gorgeous weather in the Big Apple, Tweeters and Tweetettes (or twits and twats, as my friend said)
[9:59 AM May 22nd]

question: is it just me or has the word 'retard' reached the same level of taboo as 'nigger'?
[10:51 AM May 22nd]
I forgot why I thought of this but it's true isn't it??

I'm done for the work week. I'll be back in the office on Tuesday but will remain on Twitter (with tweets ribbed for your pleasure)
[3:08 PM May 22nd]

"She smokes weed with a crackhead because it makes her feel safer" .... WOW!!
[9:37 PM May 23rd]
A "re-tweet" of sorts. It was taken from a friend's Facebook status. Who the hell is he hanging out with?? lol...

I'm still trying to differentiate between comments that are tweetworthy and those that should be left in the confines of my brain.
[2:32 AM May 24th]
Still haven't figure it out yet... but I'm getting there. =)
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Before I forget, the obligatory request to follow my Twitter will follow:

You can find my tweets at: twitter.com/agsilver51
Follow me and join the tribe!

Thanks for indulging me!

Until next time, faithful reader......

Bad Habit and Coincidences

Howdy friend,

I've been really upset with myself lately for developing a pretty bad habit which had manifested itself first via online chats and has been more evident as of late IMO. Unfortunately, it has permeated my vocabulary and everyday dialogue. I now have a tendency to start sentences with the word "so". Perfectly capable conversation starters such as "How are you today?" turn into the ugly "So how are you today?" Normal statements like "I ran into John the other day" devolve into "So I ran into John the other day." (... and? what happened?) It may not seem that bad at first... but when every other sentence starts with "So..." it can officially be labeled a problem. I think it may have started as a nervous tic that I got too accustomed to using.

I'm trying to snap out of it. Occasionally, I catch myself when I use it and delete the offending two letter word.

Oh well... we'll see what happens... maybe I can also work on my two other 'problems': my incessant 'lol'ing and '...'ing.

*ahem* moving right along...

What was it that I was saying about coincidences last week when I was half drunk (*cough*cough* half?) and slightly coherent?

Ah, yes...

I sometimes find myself saying profound crap and forgetting it minutes later when I'm extremely tired or intoxicated. Both conditions require a state of mind that is different from the way I normally think.

This time I reasoned that there are no such thing as... coincidences.

I can't say if this qualifies as a profound statement or not because I still have lots of my life to finish living - presumably - but it makes for an interesting conversation (argument?) starter. I feel 'coincidences' are like signs on the roadway of our life. When we're out driving, walking, riding, etc... we don't read each and every sign on the road but every now and then there is one that will stand out and make you take notice. These are the times where we may notice the 'sign' while in the presence of someone or something that sticks in our memory. That is what a coincidence is like. It's simply the recognition of some seemingly random occurrence around us that we interpret as conveniently fitting into the present situation. Maybe it was just meant to be.

Coincidences are simply:
- just another marker on the path/road
- "sign posts" on our individual lifepaths

Granted, sometimes the paths cross with others. The road is shared and the "coincidences" may also be shared. It's not unlike driving with other cars on the road. You're not all going to the same destination but you may share time on the road.

Well, boys and girls, this is my exit.

Until next time, faithful reader......

The meaning of life... (on the blogosphere)

The other day I was talking with a friend about blogging and what it has meant to me. Despite only writing for 5 weeks now, this blog has come to be a source of comfort and has given me an outlet for my thoughts that I never imagined I could have.

I came to realize that blogging is much more personal that I first realized. It is also very cathartic. Yet, due to the very personal nature of the words, the author of any blog leaves themselves exposed, in way. It is a double-sided sword as the vulnerability can be very liberating and at the same time it can cause trepidation in future postings.

I can only speak for myself when it comes to blogging. Nevertheless, I think it can apply to others who decide to walk this path as well.

The conversation I mentioned previously came about as a result of a request for suggestions for this person's own blog. I felt this would be disingenuous to his audience as it wouldn't be HIS blog but rather a reproduction of someone else's idea.

Below are some of my observations from that very chat:
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*sigh* never mind
if i think of anything that you can do weekly...
then it wont really be YOUR blog...
blogs have to be more... organic...
a reflection of who YOU are...
you know?
YOU need to create a uniqueness to your blog
it needs to be for (and from) your brain...
and don't fear experimentation
try something out and if it doesn't work for you... then move on to something else
if you work too hard to try and make a poignant statement... it usually falls flat
NO
you DON'T need a concept...
that's what I'm trying to say...
the "concept" should just be the natural evolution and maturation of the blog itself
otherwise, the novelty wears off and what was deemed cute and innovative simply becomes a gimmick
the blog needs to have an identity...
but it also needs to be "born" out of the writing effort
not something a friend suggested... or b/c you have a weekly deadline to post...
I established a self-designated weekly deadline b/c for me it's cathartic
not b/c I'm trying to FORCE myself to write
even tho I may bitch about writing and trying to get something in weekly... it's more b/c I have so much to say and don't feel everything I want to say needs to be out there for everyone to read
so the stress is in how to limit myself but stay true to the nature of the blog...
THAT is my struggle
but, again, your blog has to be a reflection of you
cuz otherwise... it's just work
and I don't volunteer my time for bullshit

you see how you WANTED to write...
that's how it should be
the desire to write should come naturally.. and it should be something you WANT to do
(it also shouldn't be a DIARY unless you're a masochist and WANT to bare your soul to everyone)
for me... the general theme (and purpose) of my blog is to have a repository for random thoughts that occur to me...
I chose that specifically b/c I didn't want to pigeonhole myself into one topic...
I wanted to have the freedom to write about goddamn near anything
but with a purpose... to get things off my chest or to simply put my thoughts to paper (digital shapeless paper... lol)

I try and put my best foot forward
in terms of my writing style... not necessarily in content... lol
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And ladies and gents, in many ways, this... this is the essence of what I am doing here. If you want to continue on this wild ride with me, then stay tuned as there are several things I am working on for me (and I suppose in some ways for you as well). Expect a handful of entries between now and the new year.

With that, I shall leave you for now, until next time faithful reader...

The Believer

I was rummaging through some old papers I had stored away and I came across some old poems I had written over the past 10 years or so. But the one interesting item I found is actually not poetry at all but the recollection of a dream.

I recall writing this passage immediately after waking up one morning. Rather than writing out the details of the dream... it was as if I was doing automatic writing. The words just flowed and I put pen to paper. It's still surreal and dream-like (to me, at least... but only because I remember the dream... lol)

Hope you enjoy it.

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The Believer

          "I believe that was a Chinese proverb." she exclaimed after yet another nonsensical statement. "She" was a middle aged black woman with a weathered countenance giving her almost an elderly look. Her hair was tied back so tight that her hair opened up resembling a mini afro about half the size of her head. Despite the age on her face, her afro-puff showed few signs of age as only a few gray hairs were visible.
          "Those Jehovah's Witnesses don't know a thing, but they good in my book because at least they believe in God and the Good Book." She tilted her head back partly in laughter but also to keep her horn-rimmed glasses from falling off her nose. The sunlight peeking through the bus window gleamed off of the silver house key dangling from the hoop earring on her right ear.
          "Oh, Judge Brennan B. Oh, the biggest mistake you made was when you took my baby girl from me." Shaking her head, she raised her hand to her mouth. With a delighted sigh, she savored what was left of the glazed donut she held in her hand. "Oprah can keep her chicken wings in her trailer. Maya is the one I want to meet. Oh sista Angelou. You are my hero."
          That last sweet bite of donut was washed down with water. She wiped her mouth with a flimsy piece of wax paper. "I believe I wouldn't be here were it not for my holy water" she proclaimed with donut crumbs flying in awkward arcs from her mouth. "Not like that Renee Washington! Everyone loved her. Never minding the fact that she was a PROSTITUTE. The whore had it coming to her."
          She turned around and stared me in the eye. "You know what I mean, sonny?" There was a flash of momentary sanity in her gaze that compelled me to reply with a nod. She let out a laugh that woke me from my hypnotized state.
          "I know YOU know what I mean, Mr. Bus Driver Man!" she yelled as she turned back around in her seat.

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And then I woke up.

I probably could add some more details to this and touch it up a bit but this was what I had on paper and I wanted to stay true to the original work. Maybe one day when I'm feeling... inspired.. I'll fix it up and maybe add to the story.

I hope to see you back here soon. Until next time, faithful reader....