Impossible is Impossible

This blog is my way of reflecting upon life. Life is about living and learning. As I live and learn I’m going to reflect upon this life I lead. Hopefully I'll offer something insightful with my postings. If you learn nothing else from me, know this that “impossible is impossible”.

Friday, September 29, 2006

A GREAT SHOW

The Blue Sea Grill

Coconut Shrimp

Crab Cakes and Grilled Asparagus

Sprite

Water

The India.Arie Concert

I Am Not My Hair

Private Party

There's Hope

Wings of Forgiveness

Good Morning

Headed in the Right Direction

The Truth

I particularly enjoyed the story behind "Wings of Forgiveness" because India talked about meeting Nelson Mandela. She said the first question Mandela asked was if she had a boyfriend, and when she made a face and said she didn't, it opened up a deep conversation. She said that she was inspired by his spirit and his ability to forgive. She spoke of how he was able to forgive and how it told her that she could atleast "try." Arie later said, "Forgivess is supernatural.....you can look back and close the door behind you, or look forward and walk through the door which is in front of you."

Her essence real, her spirit true, such an inspiration. A gift to be in her presence!


On the guitar Posted by Picasa


Feeling it Posted by Picasa


Yes, she is on fiya Posted by Picasa


In the moment Posted by Picasa


Singing to the people Posted by Picasa


On the keys Posted by Picasa


India playing the flute, yea she added yet another instrument to her rep Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 25, 2006

Today I Totally Lost It

This morning I woke up and felt as if my throat were closing in on itself.

I went to my 8am and I couldn't talk.

I went to my 9am and could barely talk.

I came back to my room and e-mailed the station manager that I couldn't anchor the 12:30 spot.

I worked on the news in case someone else could read it.

I ended up going in and anchoring.

I grabbed lunch, showered, changed clothes and went to work.

I got to work today still feeling as if my throat were going to cave in.

I made it clear to the kids that I couldn't yell.

Then a kid tried me and I told him not to play with me.

His response:
"Are you a member of the KKK?"

I stood up and told him to go inside and tell my supervisor what he said to me. I was so disgusted and upset.

I then followed him in and stood waiting for him to tell on himself.

The big boss just happened to be there, and when she asked me what was wrong. I lost it.

I told her,
"That kid asked me if I were a member of the KKK?"

Then I started balling.

1) I'm sick, 2) I had just spent an emotional weeekend addressing issues of diversity, and 3) That wasn't the first time a kid had made a racially insensitive remark.

I know the exact reason I do the work of diversity is so that ignorance doesn't turn into bigotry.

I just can't believe I cried in front of everyone. I'm going to blame it on being sick!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

I'm Home

So I'm back from Seattle.

What I saw of the city was great. It's an interesting place, and very unique when compared to cities with which I am more familiar, haha okay is very unique when compared to Baltimore.

It was great to spend the weekend with a uniquely talented group of folks who taught me a lot. The process was supposed to be to help prepare us to nurture student diversity leaders, but I know just being there nurtured all of us.

In remarks last night I said basically the following:

"I've been thinking a lot about my first time coming here (to the conference) five years ago. I've thought a lot about how I felt emotionally. I know for sure that one emotion I felt was fear. Then I thought about something I once heard said, "Fear is the only thing which makes us live." I realized that our work, the work that we do (as diversity practitioners) isn't easy. That's not why we do it, we do it precisely because it is a challenge. We can't think of what we do as a burden, we have to think of it as an opportunity. An opportunity to each day live our lives more authentically, so that we might be the light which helps others live their lives more authentically."

There was time for seriousness, but there was also time for fun and fellowship.

We had a group which was very diverse in terms of age, ability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and soco-economic status. We had the Harvard people, the Brown people, the Duke people, the HBCU people (Spelman and Oakwood), the public university system people (UCLA and UMBC), and others, and then me. We had come from places literally and figurately vastly different from one another. We all however were able to do three things I think always need to be done amongst a group of people who seek to better themselves: acknowledge the presence of differences, affirm the different voices and experiences of those gathered, and accept differences as being essential parts of our existence.

Now before I go what still has me laughing:

The Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants:
On the Flight to Kansas City:
When giving safety instructions specifically about oxygen masks:

"If you're traveling with a child, that's you're problem."

"If you're traveling with more than one child, choose the one with the most potential, right now."

On the Flight home to Baltimore:
"This is a full flight ladies and gentleman so avoiding eye contact with the person coming down the aisle, isn't going to work today."

"Welcome aboard, if you're just joining us, there are plenty of the highly coveted middle seats still available. You'll have plenty of friends once you get there, or not."

Okay as we leave dinner at our hotel
Win decides to ziplock one of the mini chickens. B tries to talk sense into him she says:
"In all seriousness Win you can't eat that chicken without refrigerating it, you're going to get sick, you're going to get food poisoning."
Win responds:
"I can put it on ice."
B responds:
"This is not "Grey's Anatomy", this isn't not a chicken transplant. You can't put the chicken on ice."

"How you going be five feet, when you looking up at me, and I just said I was five feet."
-Ti to Ash

"Have you seen the bathtubs? I'm taking a bath before I leave here."
-Win had me laughing

I already miss my folk.

Words of the Week

Sunday-

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
-Mahatma Gandhi

Monday-

You are either alive and proud or you are dead, and when you are dead, you can't care anyway.
-Steven Biko

Tuesday-

I should like to be remembered as the man who raised a voice against... placing limitations on the freedom of the individual
-Dennis Chavez

Wednesday-

In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.
-Thurgood Marshall

Thursday-

You are never strong enough that you don't need help.
-Cesar Chavez

Friday-

Hope is like peace. It is not a gift from God. It is a gift only we can give one another.
-Elie Wiesel

Saturday-

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.
-Maya Angelou

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Poems

May I Have This Chance?

May I have this chance?
On this day, is it possible to begin again?
I cannot undo the deeds, nor can I take back my words.
Forward is the only direction in which my life can go.
May I have this chance?
Can I attempt to redeem myself?
Might I change my fortune?
Change is the only thing which makes us grow.
May I have this chance?
Could you forgive me for my fears?
Can you trust I'll not let my mind overthink things?
May I have this chance?
Not to be judged,
Just to be loved
May I have this chance?
Might I finally receive a chance to just be, to exist, and to exist with you?

Whose the Boss?

How is it
that we
sit justifying
someone else's actions?
How is it that we grasp at the
pieces of sanity,
knowing damn well there are complete elements of insanity?
How is it
that we'd dare sacrifice
who we are
because of fear?
Fear of what they'll
do?
If they scare you,
if they instill fear in you.
Doesn't that mean
they have control of you?
Why cede control?

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

So What'd You Learn In School Today

Well I learned the following:

9:25am Class
Professor: Why are there no bodies of water on Loyola's campus?
Pause.Silence.
Profesor: That's right cause you're all drunk, and someone's going to fall in, and you know what happens. Loyola's insurance goes up 20% if someone falls in. Now there could be a pond at the library cause you guys never go there. The only people over there (at the library) are a couple of Notre Dame girls. (CONDOM aka College of Notre Dame of Maryland=all girls school.)

10:50am Class
Professor: How do we know if a person has a penis?
Laughter. Chatter. Someone offers up an answer.
Student: You look for an Adam's apple.
Professor: So we assume that if a person has an Adam's apple, they have a penis...We assume, we don't know whether or not a person has a penis.

All in a day's work, I guess.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Words to Ponder

Sunday-

There comes a moment when it's more than just a game,
and you either take that step forward or turn around
and walk away. I could quit but here's the thing, I
love the playing field.
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, "Grey's Anatomy"

Monday-

Peace isn't merely the absence of conflict, but the
presence of justice.
Harrison Ford as James Marshall, "Air Force One"

Tuesday-

We've come to understand that who we are is who we
were.
Anthony Hopkins as John Quincy Adams, "Amistad"

Wednesday-

I need to believe, that something extraordinary is
possible.
Jennifer Connelly as Alicia, "A Beautiful Mind"

Thursday-

For the first time in my life, I got people respecting
me. Please, don't ask me to give it up.
Julia Roberts as Erin Brokovich, "Erin Brockovich"

Friday-

We're not only wired to want what we can't have, but
we're also wired to want what we really don't want.
Calista Flockhard as Ally McBeal, "Ally McBeal"

Saturday-

I am nothing special; just a common man with common
thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no
monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be
forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as
gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved
another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this
has always been enough.
Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun, "The Notebook"

Saturday, September 16, 2006

No Words for Them, Though They Had Me Laughing

"That little girl needs to put some ice in her drawers!"
-Terrell


"We don't give it up to get gifts, if they ain't giving gifts before they get it, than they ain't worth it."
-Terrell


"I don't even kno how to "label" him even tho he's so frickin nursty, nasty and thirsty= nursty."
-LoLo aka Lauren

Thursday, September 14, 2006

"Dead Man Walking"

The other day the Station Manager at the campus radio station mentioned to me that Sister Helen Prejean, the author of the book "Dead Man Walking" would soon be coming to Loyola in order to give a lecture. This I believe was on Monday. We didn't realize that she would be here on Wednesday. When I found this out I worked hard to set up an interview for the station, but the Sister's schedule was jam packed. In case something came through I wanted to be prepared, so I did a bit of research.

In doing some background research in an effort to learn more about the Sister, I discovered that she was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I also discovered that she had gone to school in New Orleans and had spent much of her adult life working on various causes throughout Louisiana.

I attended last night's lecture and learned about her book "Dead Man Walking" because I'd never read the book, nor had I seen the movie inspired by the book. It was an interesting speech during which Sister Prejean discussed her crusade to end the death penalty. She spoke of witnessing five executions in the state of Louisiana. I couldn't think of watching five people be put to death.

My feelings about the death penalty have always been quite muddied. I do believe that people should be punished if they commit certain crimes, but I also know of how unfairly the death penalty seems to have been applied in this country.

During last night's lecture Sister Prejean said that "85% of the states which practiced slavery, practice the death penalty", that "95.8% of those on death row are poor", and that "90% of those on death rough have been abused".

The Sister didn't just speak about the death penalty, but she also spoke of being a proponent of social justice.

She said to varied crowd of over 270 people, but in particular reference to students, "We need you to be the social transformers of our society."

Too often it does seem that we forget that being in a position to obtain knowledge is a gift.

The Sister spoke of not really understanding her obligation to help those who are considered the least of us, until she thought about Jesus and his ministry. She said of transformation, "We never know when the spiritual trajectory of our lives is going to change...something rips across the consciousness of our soul, and we're never the same."

I was very much encouraged but challenged by this, Sister Prejean said, "When you make something happen in the world, there's a passion in your heart and you don't stop at the obstacles."

I then thought back to something Tavis Smiley once said, "You can live for a cause or you can live just because."

Ain't that the truth?

This note it's weird that one of the stars of "Dead Man Walking" is on Larry King Live as I finish this post. Talk about irony.

Tis all from me this day!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

"Today" and "Inside Edition"

Did ya'll see "The Today Show" today? I love Meredith Vieira. She's just so nutty I love it. Only Meredith would say, "I'm going to be the 'broad' in broadcasting." I also found this review funny.

So I'm watching "Inside Edition" and what do I see but a story about a "procreation vacation".

Procreation Vacation
Trying to conceive a child? The right romantic backdrop, lots of relaxation and perhaps a few native cures may just do the trick.

Each three-night package in St. John, Puerto Rico or the Bahamas includes:

suite accommodations
unlimited sea moss elixir for him; it's the Caribbean version of Viagra
unlimited pumpkin soup for her; rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, it is believed to promote fertility
50-minute couples massage
one in-suite dinner
one romantic restaurant dinner

From hotels.about.com

MMmmmm K!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

AN APOLOGIST

The other day I came to the realization that too often I am an apologist. I find myself saying sorry for a variety of reasons 1) things not being perfect, 2) fearing I didn't live up to expectations 3) not being able to do more to help someone.

Then I realized that my generous spirit, and my spirit of giving has most certainly done more for people, than it has done to hurt them.

I don't believe in the idea of a perfectionist, and I should know that thats unobtainable. I for one should know that the best is what's expected because I speak so much of giving one's best effort. Who knows? It may be only my internal voice saying it's just not good enough.

I do know I have to stop saying sorry for not be able to do more, before I sincerely on most days give 110% to all that I do.

Why do we beat ourselves up? I really think I do all the work for people. But maybe a "thank you" would let me know someone was grateful. Then again you can't wait around waiting for thank you's which might never come!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Time Moves On

Five years ago today, I was just days into my sophomore year of high school.

I still remember how great it felt to live on campus. I was in my second year of living in the dorms and was determined to come into my own. I had motivation to do more than I had done as a freshman. I wanted to explore more, risk more, learn more, and see more, cause I knew just how fortunate I was.

On that Tuesday morning I was in between classes, and had ventured into the computer lab. I remember the Technology Coordinator Mrs. I coming into the lab and telling us that a plane had gone into one of the World Trade Center Towers. At first I thought like a lot of other people that it was a small plane which had mistakenly flown into the building. Not an hour later we were called into a special assembly where we learned we were under attack. I remember fearing for my aunt's safety cause she works as a security guard at the SSA Headquarters. Yeah, the likelihood of terrorists unless they're domestic wanting to take out SSA, slim to none. We didn't however know that at the time.

The rest of the day was a blur, but I can remember watching the towers fall in Spanish class.

We went on throughout the day unable to focus, unable to concentrate, wondering aloud what was happening, afraid of the unknown.

After school let out, I went back to the dorms. The common room became a place where we all congregated to watch CNN, NBC, MSNBC. I remember watching replays of the towers in NY, hearing of the downed planes at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, watching the tears flow. I remember watching Congress gather on the steps of the Capitol to sing. I remember a defiant President Bush return to The White House and addressing the nature.

Now I sit here five years later wondering what freedom means? Wondering if we have changed more than on the outside? Wondering if we understand really that to fulfill America's promise to all of its citizens is the highest tribute we can give to the nearly 3,000 people who died five years ago today!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Words to Contemplate

Sunday-While there's life, there's hope. -Cicero

Monday-The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. -Edward R. Murrow

Tuesday-Children's talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives. - Maya Angelou

Wednesday-My essential qualities. I think that more than anything, I try to do the right thing, I think about doing the right thing.- Maurice Ashley

Thursday-I think a lot of people have lost respect for the individual, you know, the individual, the person who doesn't conform. - Erykah Badu

Friday-I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with all my heart.- Alice Walker

Saturday-You have to expect that if you cuss out the world, the world is going to cuss back.- Andrew Young

Saturday, September 09, 2006

So last night was the first Friday night of the school year for LoCo (I rep '08 cause we forever setting the record straight). It was also the first Friday of the school year for my high school alma mater where I still have a legion of friends. So in order to honor my good friends from the class of '07, who are now seniors I invited them over for a dinner party/gathering. Terrell and I went grocery shopping and then he and Bianca cooked dinner chicken and mac and cheese. For dessert we had fresh baked apple pie. For appetizers we had chips and dip. Don't I know how to entertain? LOL! I cannot cook however. Terrell and Bianca were joined by Brittany, Christina, Lauren, and Ryan. Britt, Ryan, Tina, and Lauren had the chance to see LoCo. While walking around we found a freshman who seemed like a fish out of water. In an uncharacteristic move I invited him to hang out with us. Dude just seemed sketchy, but not at first. Gradually we just all got the sense that he was a sketchball. I also made the mistake of giving said sketchball my cell # so I guess it's back to screening my calls. After picking up the sketchball we then all hung out ate, chilled, talked, took a lot of pics, and had an all around good time. I love '07 cause they my peeps. They came into my life as freshmen and freshwoman, and now they're all grown up!


Terrell, B, and Me Posted by Picasa


The '007 Crew Posted by Picasa


L Elliot and I Posted by Picasa


B Harris and I Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

AN OPEN WINDOW POLICY

You know how there are some places where employers
have an open door policy. You are supposedly "free" to
come in and air your greivances, and maybe speak
"candidly".

Well at my old high school, the school's Headmaster
aka Principal has an open window policy for the
school's students.

I returned to my alma mater today to drop off some
gifts from this summer's trip to Italy, and to visit a
friend who is visiting from Japan. My friend Yumi
attended our alma mater for nine years. Her father had
been sent to the States in order to work and then he
and his wife returned to Japan, when Yumi was in the
seventh grade. Luckily he allowed her to stay and
finish up her education at the school. If it weren't
for that decision I would not have gotten to know
Yumi. We worked together for two years as leaders of a
grassroots diversity advocacy and action group, which
we cofounded with two other students.

After saying my goodbyes to Yumi I walked past the
Headmaster's office window. I didn't expect for him to
be there, but he was. I waved, and he waved me around
to the old mainstay, an open office window. The
Headmaster's Office is right off the Senior Quad. It's
huge, but I know it's sometimes hard for him to have
meetings in there, because he as hundreds of students
yelling as they walk past. Most days his window is
left open I guess unless he needs to filter out noise.
I remember during our freshman year scavenger hunt
climbing out of that window, instead of walking out of
the door.

The headmaster and I always have these funny
exchanges. I asked him if he's trying to get me banned
from campus, for still causing a ruckus after earning
my diploma. He laughs it off, thinking "Hell yeah," on
the inside. I've gotten to know him well over the
years, his poker face isn't good with me. What can I
say if I'm a little subversive? I ask him about
getting on the payroll. He tells me about the
realities of teaching. I told him that LoCo is
teaching me about how to "negotiate for proper
compensation." He shoots back that "No one who teaches
here is properly compensated," which is probably more
true than not. But that probably was said to make me
stop asking for a job as I actually get closer and
closer to graduating from college LoL. He then picked
up a magazine off his desk and read to me a passage
which is attributed to a variety of people, one of
those people being Alan Brinkley, the Provost at
Columbia.

That quote speaks volumes about the levels of
ignorance, illiteracy, and intolerance which plague
our society.

That quote said simply:
"Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is
a lost tradition."

Deep, deep, deep.

Time for me to work, work, work and sleep, sleep,
sleep!

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Tuesday, September 05, 2006

The First Day of School

The first day of school is more than halfway over.

I woke up this morning at around 8:30, which is late for me, but me and the roomie were up late talking.

The weirdest thing is that I'm almost 100% sure that all five of us living in the apartment have a 9:25 class, which means that the bathroom situation will be interesting. Yes, guys have the problem with bathroom time too. We have two bathrooms but one is inside the biggest bedroom, so it makes it icky as far as getting access to that bathroom. I don't want to invade the other guy's personal space.

I had my first class Communications: Public Relations at 9:25 this morning and it went well. The professor Dr. A is my advisor, and he's great. He's intelligent, witty, and compassionate. I talked to him about the trips to Seattle, and he told me he didn't see a big problem with any of the professors. I think I'll enjoy that class. I have some experience in PR so it'll be interesting to see if my actual practices favorably compare to the traditional strategies which they teach.

My second class Sociology: Gender Studies was at 10:50 right after that last class. It went well too. The professor in that class Dr. V is one of my favorite people. She's funny cause she has a southern accent cause she's originally from Birmingham, though I doubt she's lived there in the last twenty years.

Class ended a bit early and I then went to the Records Office to put in a transcript request and proof of enrollment request for a scholarship that I have.

I also had to visit the Center for Academic Services and Support to see why I didn't have 3 credits that I should have had.

They couldn't help me then so I went and anchored the 12:30 news update live for campus radio.

After that I went to my room. I then went to get my transcript changed, dropped the history class I didn't need, visited my friends in Financial Aid, got a refund for my books, grabbed a chicken quesadilla.

Now I'm in the room chilling out before the debut of "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric". I may be one of the only people excited for her debut, but I think she's qualified and has earned this opportunity.

I work at the radio station from 8pm-11pm tonight.

I don't know how I feel about 3 hr shifts, but it means only having office hours three days a week. Does it matter for me since I'll be there 6 or 7 days a week anyway?


-C

Monday, September 04, 2006

Roommates

Roommates
So my roommates are all here:

Charles aka Buddy : I told my mother, I thought I was weird until I met this kid. We shook hands and he's spoken to me a few times. Honestly, he seems nice, but extremely shy. I guess I can empathize cause quite frankly I was a lot like him at one point in my life. People think 1) because I want a career in broadcasting 2) I do very public community service like facilitating forums 3) because I like to talk that I am lying when I say I am shy! I've now ammended that to say reserved. I am extremely reserved in demeanor very picky about who I approach and talk to, though once I have warmed up to you, I'm good to go.

Ed: He's my direct roommate. He's cool and very funny. He always has a joke or something witty to say. His humor is self-depracating which is a little like my style. Ed is honest. The fact that he's very open and honest makes me believe we'll get along fine. Ed and I were actually direct roommates for a few weeks last year. Except for the time or two when I found myself sexiled . We roomed together until his friend got booted from his resident assistant position for drinking. I was a good guy and shifted rooms so his friend could come over. Ed's pretty cool. It was kind of sweet that when his mother came today. She said, "When Ed didn't have a roommmate I got worried....I asked whose going to be your new roommate?.....I said to him, call Chris," and I know for a fact she wasn't lying. His folks and little bro are really nice. Ed's already told me he'd need my help keeping his mind occupied because his girlfriend is studying abroad for the year. Since I won't be sexiled, I'll help him out and play counselor. My friend Jelisa says I'd make a good counselor, mmmm k.

Jimmy: I don't really know him. He seems cool. His gf made it known she'd be around too funny. He seems cool and nonchalant a like lot one of my old roommates Matt whose abroad in Thailand.

Tim: Tim's really cool. He's a fellow Comm major, a musician, and cool.. He's all over the place but seems to balance work and play, so he's cool with me.

The last roommate backed out, so we're going to try and save it for Matt whose abroad.

As long as the roommates and I can peacefully co-exist, then its aiight with me.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

'06-'07 its here

I cannot believe that the school year is here.

It seems like this summer went extremely fast.

Seems like yesterday I was in Italy (saw some of the ladies I went there with, it was great to see them and catch up if only for some brief minutes. Knowing them somebody is hosting a Cagli reunion PARTY within the first two weeks, no doubt! I hope I get an invite, lmao!)

People are moving back on campus as I write this blog.

Classes start on Tuesday, I'm thankful for the extra day to just be.

I have a 9:25 and 10:50 on Tuesday. I'm done classes at 12:05, yessir, I'm liking that for now.

After classes I'll possibly anchor a radio news update live at 12:30 (this would be my first update live) and if not Tuesday it'll be before the end of the week. The boss wants me live with 5-10 minute updates five days a week. Mmm shall be interesting

Thank God I don't work up at the school on Tuesday, need to get myself back into school mode, before I can mold the young ones.

I'm a junior.

Gosh I feel old.

Is it possible to already feel overwhelmed, just from thinking about what this semester might actually bring?

Still I chose optimism over pessimism.


EXTRA ...........EXTRA......... READ ALL ABOUT IT
I listened to the entire B Day, I have a real copy.

Deja Vu is actually okay. I may have prejudged this track.

Ring The Alarm is still aiight but that video is nutso, cracko, on el cracko.

Her good songs that haven't been released yet:

Suga Mama **
Upgrade U ft Jay Z ***
Green Light***
Irreplacable ****
Resentment ****

a bonus track inspired by her character in Dreamgirls!

It was decent, I say cop it, yes actually pay for it!

Oh but this review was actually true too! B-Day Review

Words to Ponder

With just hours to go befpre my fellow upper classmen moving on campus, and on the eve of the unofficial start to my junior year, I highlight commencement speeches. I'm a ways off, but I love commencement speeches for some reason. Odd I know, can't recall the three I've already sat through. Oh well...

Sunday-
"...the richest and fullest lives attain an inner balance of work, love and play, in equal order, that to pursue one to the disregard of others is to open oneself to ultimate sadness in older age, whereas to pursue all three with equal dedication is to make possible an old age filled with serenity, peace and fulfillment."
-Doris Kearns Goodwin, '98 Commencement Speech at Dartmouth

Monday-
"Today is the day you enter into the real world, and I should give you a few pointers on what it is. Its actually not that different from the environment here. The biggest difference is you will now be paying for things, and the real world is not surrounded by three-foot brick wall. And the real world is not a restoration. If you see people in the real world making bricks out of straw and water, those people are not colonial re-enactorsthey are poor. Help them."
-Jon Stewart, '04 Commencement Speech at the College of William and Mary

Tuesday-
"Our earth is the home of revolution. In every corner of every continent men charged with hope contend with ancient ways in the pursuit of justice. They reach for the newest of weapons to realize the oldest of dreams, that each may walk in freedom and pride, stretching his talents, enjoying the fruits of the earth."
- Lyndon B. Johnson, '65 Commencement Speech at Howard University

Wednesday-
"But nothing important, or meaningful, or beautiful, or interesting, or great ever came out of imitations. The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."
- Anna Quindlen, '99 Commencement Speech at Mount Holyoke College

Thursday-
"Continue to expose yourself to new ideas. Trust your instincts and think for yourself. Make art, or at least value it. Look for the core of what makes each person human, appreciate the details that make them unique.

Find something that moves you or pisses you off, and do something about it. Put your self out there. Be brave. Be bold. Take action. You have a voice. Speak up, especially when something tries to keep you silent. Take a stand for whats right. Raise a ruckus and make a change. You may not always be popular, but youll be part of something larger and bigger and greater that yourself."
- Samuel L. Jackson, '04 Commencement Speech at Vassar College

Friday-
"The realities of American life have made it easy and understandable for all of us to note the obstaclesbemoan the circumstancesdespise the aggressors and debate the statistics. But at some point, we who are privileged to have an education and fortunate enough to know better, have to step forward and accept if not some blame for the plight of our own, than at least a modicum of responsibility."
- Bryant Gumbel, '01 Commencement Speech at Howard University

Saturday-
"So, Im left with the last thing that I sort of ignored as a topic. Happiness. Im sure you have been told that this is the best time of your life. It may be. But if its true that this is the best time of your life, if you have already lived or are now living at this age the best years, or if the next few turn out to be the best, then you have my condolences. Because you'll want to remain here, stuck in these so-called best years, never maturing, wanting only to look, to feel and be the adolescent that whole industries are devoted to forcing you to remain."
-Toni Morrison, '04 Commencement Speech at Wellesley

Friday, September 01, 2006

"Take the Limits Off"


My Buddy Kennedy Posted by Picasa

So two weeks ago I was fortunate enough to spend the afternoon with T, a friend from high school. The two of us are in charge of organizing events for the black alumni of our high school, in an effort to create more unity between alums and current students. We did as we always did, I met up with her and she drove to her house. I was happy to see her, but also wanted to see my buddy Kennedy. Kennedy is T's younger brother. He is without a doubt the cutest kid I have seen. He's always sweet and well behaved, which for the first time ever made me want a son. Once upon a time I said I could never deal with the possibility of another man growing up and reigning in my castle. Kennedy made me think otherwise.

He learned early how to catch the spirit. I hear reports he will most certainly throw his head back and say "Praise Him." He says it like he's saying it three times fast according to my sources.

Kennedy to me is just funny. He kirked out because he wanted a popsicle.

"Popsicle, popsicle."

Before he could get the popsicle, his mom Mrs. R fixed him some food: chicken and corn. He thought the corn was eggs. He thought the chicken was pancakes. My buddy is a breakfast kind of a guy.

"I want eggs," he said.

When his mom told him to let his corn and chicken cool, he ate it anyway, then said "Hot, hot."

Hilarious. Kids are just resilient.

As T talked to their mom, he interjected.

"Ma...ma....ma...ma.....Ma" in different intonations too cute. He's not even 2 yet but is hella articulate.

Then after dinner, he had his popsicle.

Later he sat down to play with his mother.

He had one of those square shaped boxes, into which you insert the shapes.

"He gets frustrated and takes the top off," T said laughing.

"He's advanced, he says forget the limits. Take the limits off," I said.

Then T and I broke into song. Israel Haughton's "Take the Limits Off."

But Kennedy reminded me that the scripture:

"When I was a child I spoke as a child I understood as a child I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." I Corinithians 13:11

That scripture has a converse.

When I am a man, I can still take the lessons from a child.

So as Kennedy does, I'll do to.

I'll continue to take the limits off!