Turkey! Turkey All Around~

Thanksgiving is a holiday that keeps giving and giving! It will be back again on Xmas believe you me~ I guess I am getting tired of turkey all around,turkey salad,turkey soup,turkey sandwiches, and turkey necks in everything. The humor that goes along with this wild bird is nothing short of game!

Bikeshare Program in DC Who knew? and Who is it really for?

Well by now a lot of you have seen the clutches of bicycles all over the city. Most are near the subway lines and in well lit areas. The access point is your credit card  and it goes by the amount of times that you keep the bikes.  I went around the city last week taking photos to see exactly who was putting the new mode of transportation to use and why. I interviewed a few people that were in seemingly in awe as I was about the bike share the newest name that techno nerds gave this mode of transport. I first spied the bikes uptown next to the Reeves Building during my evening foray near that part of town. Across the street is the street the 24/7 Vegan deli store and the Noodle a 'Hot Spot" that young professionals flock to during their weekends off. I have seen skirted woman jumping on the bikes and making a mad dash to the next subway stop or even to meet up with a suitor that evening. What I have failed to see is a lot of People of color accessing the bikes. I do see the benefits of the bikes whereas you can use it for quick, short rides but what I failed to see was the overall importance of it. Maybe I am missing something here? I asked a black gentleman one day as I targeted Minnesota Ave near Dupont Park area to photograph the Bike Share racks that they have there. He sided up to me and said"Hi there Miss "do you work for these people?" I glanced back at him eager for some type of dialogue from someone that lived in this area, and responded"Yeah sort of" and smiled. The man said 'well to me it seems like a waste of money because most people around here don't utilize the bikes'. My point exactly who was there at the meetings and the decisions to incorporate the monies enlisted for this project? I never heard anything or is it just me? perhaps they spoke of this but under another psuedonym because Capital Bike Share wasn't told to most folks until it was upon us. It just goes to show the disconnect problem that DC government has with its residents and home owners. This could of been a marvelous idea but the marketing and projected niche is just not where they are putting them and the people that use it aren't the ones that live right there where they are all at. I see them in areas like East of the River where there is a lot of unemployment  and not many riders of bikes. The word on the street was that the company had to put them everywhere because it would have been discrimination okay! we know that but still come on couldn't we as a government for the people by the people have come up with something more feasible for the residents to use? or was this for just some?? Again I wouldn't see a reason for a man or woman riding one of those and you don't even have a job? Then I look at the fact that there are a lot of young black females on this side of town (East of The River) with young children and there is not a basket or wagon attached to any of them. The biggest question that I pose is the fact of cost and who will end of paying the most for the tax that it is sure to impose! Whenever there is a bright idea on the horizon the powers that be should at least warn us that they're putting something in our midst that no one but a relegated few can use of will use. I am sure that each of us have been exposed to 'Going Green' saving fossil fuels all the neat, cutesy saying that are trending subject titles of mountains of blogs and articles but another one should also accompany that informative title of GoingGreen! How about Going Useable and give us things that our residents need like more jobs instead of ways to get to one that's not in your immediate horizon  and probably for most that have little cash or no credit cards. How about better hospitalization and providers instead of ways for us to possible get hit trying to navigate the city streets as I often see the riders do. Not so funny either my friend. But as each of us reflect upon not being selfish and paying it forward this year lets keep people in mind that don't have much to share with others and always keep in mind that we who are blessed with more are required to do more lets just keep our hearts right with our minds and remember that old saying what does a fish need with a bicycle and maybe just maybe you'll see my point! Have a wonderful week and stay prayed up folks!

Do you know who you are?

Do you know who you are? You are not that girl on the video shaking your hind parts and being bootylicious
You are not that woman beat down sucking on a crack-pipe!
You are not that woman having no hope with eyes cast down listening to man saying to only fear him.
My sister we are so much more than what the human eyes see or the scenarios played out for the lokkers to glance upon
You have been watched more than a Swiss clock on any given day for your beauty as well as your wretchedness possessed of want and lust..nobody talks about that?
Thes parts are relegated for those of us that eluded to the episodes we knew nothing about , a script written not by our own hands but someone far away in a strange man's land.
Someone who needed our strength ,our passion ,our genes,our young to poulate and navigate the crops of his seasons not ours
someone to fight wars that we knew nothing of to run races that we got none of the currency now we play the baskets and hit the balls to the pitcher that makes the men richer than we ever dreamed he could be.
those are the hidden episodes that we are starred in but hidden when the screen credits come on the page because we don't matter. Only when our currency is needed are we then heeded and sought out as deer in headlights to be used again and again by our psuedo overseers who get us to do the dirtiest work imagined ..To tell us lies to let us believe that this a a right thing to do to let us know that if I do what the 'master say do then it must be right for you? How can it be right my brother when my tears run buckets in the night when my children don't have a safe home at night when education is but a thought not a verb it's a noun something that just sounds like it's going someplace. how is that right my brother or is it sister? they transform the light so bright sometimes I can't tell which one that you are all i know is that you bring the beautiful lies and you bring them to my bedside when I am half awake when i bend down to pray for my sake you bring them on whispered feet and you say? The episode you choose will be with you forever my child so choose wisely and precisely but brother i don't know the meaning of the word I haven't gotten to the W's or the P's yet!

Know this my sister you and I are so much more the beauty of the obsidian glance upon the eras long gone and past. our wit our charm nothing but extra appendages that GOD in man gave us for donation to give as gifts to man.Our charm our smile inbred instinctive yet paused has been harnessed by those who knew our beauty our wealth that we knew nothing of and had no idea who we were. We created sciences, history ,we educated than forgot what we knew..what we knew has been overtaken, hidden, looted, pillaged, duplicated lied about never knowing just how we began but feeling that we were here and realizing and awaking now not to an everlasting dream but as a phoenix risen from the prophetic ashes and finding himself far away from home but righting our bodies and steadying life so we can again blossom and live out life where we find ourselves to be. Simple electric pulses that reveal in my mind that this is not who I am nor the lot that I find by my side is not mine not by design someone' else caricature of me.. Knowledge bought me the key I possess that's always akin to the life we choose never are we broken because the pieces were there for us to find to become who we were from the ages long gone we filled the edges out inside to create fulfillment in our souls remember we were always born whole!

The vastness of a universe lingers within us

Everybody knows how to do the 'Electric Slide" Ha! Ha! even the KidS!!@^&#

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This has got to be one of the most famous dance moves that people of Color originated! Although I have seen numerous attempts to change it and rename it "Electric Sliding is something we do with zest and fun! and we do it well and don't forget 'ON TIME' Got to love the dance~ Come on and let's party right!!!!

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Jammin @ Malcom X Park on 10/17/10

Memories of a beautiful day in the park. To preserve and reminisce on those days that go off into the dusk all to soon!

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Do our lives have a parallel?

Sometimes I believe folks think we are aliens from another planet like
I said before want te self-same results that you want!

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Do our lives have a parallel?

I see the same motions that folks go through each day~ We feed our young ,we protect and have dreams about where we are going.We glance upon the stars and breathe a sigh of relief when troubles past. We all share the same death and birth woes that everybody else does.. Why then is everything s different? I watch as the media shouts that for every crime committed another neighborhood is not safe. I too want what other folks want a safe environment where my children grow and prosper along with children of all races. I don;t want the separation of society like the racists do. i believe there is a chance if we put trust and communication in front to see just what our fears actually are! Are you afraid that your children and mine will become friends? If so then it's much too late, they go to schools together they date and interact during educational engagement. They see each other at the malls and often times they even sit near each other on the bus. How then can you still teach them to hate? Hate is such a monstrosity of a word

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of a word, conjures up themes of dark caverns and doom, it shows how prehistoric our minds still remain. technology dictates that we become modern in our thoughts and deeds. Why is it so hard to let go of the past and go on to our futures. Does hate have to continue to be on the plate? Time is of an essence now will we relegate our children to hate like we have or will we allow them the freedom to choose their friends and allies as their own? Let go and give them permission to become unencumbered by that weight tied around their necks please let them be free from hate,prejudices and animosity. There is no room for those emotions anymore our lives are much to full with other more important things to be taken care of~ Live and let live is the motto for all or should be! Let it go and become FREE!

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Unions with Solidarity: ONE NATION UNDER GOD

Today was a day that started out like any regular day did. I watched the weather channel to see what the climate was and proceeded to put on something comfortable and loose. I planned to take pictures of the activities on the mall. People were everywhere as you can see.There were a tatal of 1600 buses alone at RFK Stadium and 290 in Maryland anywhere they could be parked they were. The word on the streets was that people and the unions are in DC to have a showdown with politicians on working conditions and Social program reforms. I must say they are in need of upheaval for all the reasons that are listed. Congress doesn't want to pass any more reforms on HealthCare but will not go back on the promise to amend certain passages they already have let up on. For instance how can they take back the aid to veterans that have fought in the war? Concessions that they have given for medical aid to seniors Yes! we also know they want to privatize Social Security! Just how will that work? Have a bidding war over what companies will own and regulate the rest of our lives our monies, our investments? No that doesn't sound feasible either! Whan it comes down to the "Y" exactly who will govern those laws that maintain and keep us afloat upon the seas of life. I for one don't know thw answers but being a part of a movement to be counted does appeal to me in these ways. If one doesn't stand up to be counted you can best believe you won't be. Our society has gone to the point of indifference when it comes down to everyone having a vote and a point. of view. The march yesterday proved that we still care about our futures and the fact still remains that we do have power. Power in nunbers to be exact and we have to parlay that and send a message to the powers that be! That we won't sit down and allow politicains our president or any other entity to just go on making those decisions that lead to us not being involved in our own LIVES~ absolutely ludicrous to believe that we don't want to be a part of that Number~ We can all sing now- Oh! when the Saints come marching home!!

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Music to the masses via Vincent Gray

Vincent Gray had an election day event that left everyone hot,tired but enthused about the possibilities of new blood on the horizon via Mayoral candidates. It seems as though we are the forgotten ones a lot of people said as he purposed to end a long list of ineffective policies that have left many citizens of Southeast DC out in the rain. There will be renewed progress here stated Mr. Gray just before any of his several constituents started their vocalizations and spiels concerning this hopefuls steps along the corridors of Washington DC. Vincent Gray is definitely a fixture in DC these days there are not many days left until the election revs up and voters take to the polls. Adrian Fenty our present mayor has lagged in one of the straw polls narrowly coming out in first place in his own precinct Ward 4 . A lot of voters have said that they feel lost and forgotten in SE, a place that seems as though the politicians have time and time again over looked as businesses and development take to the outskirts of land that ranges around the Anacostia River and borders by the Potomac River too. The National Harbor w/ Gaylords Hotel and the Nationals Stadium are but two business ventures and accomplishments that bought jobs to the recesses of SE. The public subway transportation goes to only two stops.. subway that is Southern Ave, Station and Green Line at Anacostia. That's it! and the temporary stoppage of the transfer situation hasn't helped Washingtonians when a lot of them need at least two buses to get them home and to work. there were quite a few issues on the floor this weekend as Vincent Grey took the podium and said his not so practiced speech and shook hands and recognized many of the issues that should have been addressed by the last administration. Then the fact of the matter seems as though everyone is pushed over here as a separation move away from the more affluent white families across the tracks and it feels as such whether it really is that way or not. It reeks of a Southern racial movie albeit the fictional plantation overseers and bosses As it seems they saw the issues of a elite few and then what ever was left trickled down to the masses,those being the people of SE. As the last trickle of people left the enormous park after dancing,go-go and enjoying the band and speakers there were those that left with these last remarks 'I guess we will see what he does hopefully he will be better than the last and that is a shame considering they all are politicians but who will do the most for the other side of DC 'The predominately Black Side"?

It's an amazing journey that we take with our future

I am seriously not amused at the way that people often view us as Americans and as a sub-culture. It has been an anomaly that we were lazy, poor spirited, over sexed and just no darn good as a species!As a black woman who has held her head up amidst the notoriety, poverty,slavery of our people the freedom and not wanting it of our people and last but not least the fact that we are more detrimental to self than any body else could be, now that's even more depressing! I tell you in view of our future generations I actually quiver to think that we are left to children that have no respect for their elders and the fact remains almost none for themselves. My own opinion may not be the gist of every other person because we can always find good within that is our 'faith statement'. The reality is that other ethnicity's are way ahead of our own and the sociology of this is that our culture dictates that we socialize children at a young age to be either more man than the average man or we over simplify the woman's part in history My grandmother used to say 'at the feet of women a nation is raised'. What kids even are at their moms feet now,our feet are constantly in pace running here and there not taking the time to even check in with our kids most of the time. Our excuses are that we don't have the time well I can say this for sure if we don't take the time now the time to undo will soon be over and all you will be able to do is shake your head and cry about why? This is not intended to be a parenting feature but an awakening one to take heed when the signs are at your front door. I see our children as a result of a sickness that has pervaded our space whether it is the media or just the world at large there is definitely a pervasive illness that eats our young then spits the blame at the feet of their families to ponder upon. I can say for sure that I have been down a road of blame why didn't I do this why? didn't I do that? all questions now that should have been upon my lips before but the ironic part was there wasn't a clue as to what I should do as a parent? There are no sure fire ways or directions to cut our paths through the growing up process we take a little from our parents, we take a little from the schools, then we even take some from the child and go to it like a new recipe that we are trying out for the first time and believe you me if it doesn't work out you will know by the first bite Naw! The random ways that we are about the climate that our society looks at us is even more non compliant in my mind we just take it ..no activism, no complaints we just take it like the man at the store would take a bullet to the head as if our fates are already written in stone!Why is it that we don't remember we are talented that we are creative that we are 'Queens and Kings' that were are more than conquerors that we can ultimately decide our fates WHY?? have we been destined to forget these truths? They are exactly that TRUTHS and as long as we as a people don't remember our Karma, our past lives who else will? Not the man on the corner,your employer, your other friends that smile when you come into the rooms are we going to be relegated to the dust by our own forgetfulness? I think not because every time I take this pen in hand and every time i think that things need refreshed every time I feel a little bit threatened I am going to remind all that will listen that we are greater than the sum total of 'ALL'that we set our gazes upon. The very foundation of the civilizations are based on the knowledge of our ancestors, this is not a fable this is scientifically proven but if it's not tangible and seen through the eye somehow we don't believe in it, and that is preposterous. If scientists know it and try to assemble all types of databases to support the knowledge why is it that we as a people can't begin to facilitate change using the already open books that are there for all to witness and view?~ Stop trying to duck 'Greatness' it is there for the taking don't get it twisted though it doesn't come on silent feet nor does it come as easily as it might seem.. you must seek it diligently and consistently because the world will be greater for your journey to find it! The mission is not the important part of the journey it is the actual journey that will enlighten and free you to become who you are AWESOME in Progress!

Poetrydivas~Now we're walking toward something

watching as the days meld into nights I couldn't help but remember those strange nights when you and I were alone talking softly on the telephone you saying that my life wasn't right until I let you move a chess piece to the light of play~ this subject triggered a rumor that you had me beyond just a suitor you toyed with me as a dalliance never realizing that this was a mere romance I saw you as my savior you sought me as one of several flavors you tasted I danced with you once you swore it was twice i see you as my hero you summed me up as worth more than the stereo now whose gonna walk this thing out? you might if I don't try you on as my stepping stone! or was it the rolling stone?

Beauty in the Eyes of the beholder not the pockets

I am a lover of churches the organized religion type church. The most beautiful depositories of man and his beliefs are housed in these vessels. Whether your Christian, Jewish,Muslim,New Age or atheist where you pray or don't pray has the most architecture that money can buy. I surmise that the more m,oney the church hs the more regal and luxurious the surroundings will be. When I remember the sermon on the mount in the days of jesus and even Muhummad before the people started to follow most of the churches were no more that a clearing in some woods or at some believers home~ My how the  housing for religions have changed. Money ,power and capital are what makes the mechanism go now it seems! The basket that's been universally used for donations are often times in the way of a check or American Express card,tithes now aren't $1.00 or $4.00 dollars a percentage of your monthly gross was what was required. Now they range with who's who of the elite in the hierarchies and the building fund has now become a whole church how's that for inflated services.The church at one time was the hub of family life the pastor or minister was the one man or woman that you could trust with all secrets! Now if Utube or the National Enquirer can get the news before God your lucky~ Sadly I still am a lover of churches I see the buildings as the last vestiges of a lost era when people gave reverence to their belief not belief in their reverence quite a change but all the same I love the facts that they probably will out last most of the parishioners only if they aren't put out to pasture as most outdated things are but who's to say they may bring it back to when a church was the house of the Lord and not the house of who ever is in power at that time. This was another of the for the people by the people instances that went out of the door with the cat?

We were in the Land of OZ and Dorothy said"Toto I wish I were back home"

if there was a faraway place that i could compare to this event it would have been me being Dorothy and wishing i was back home! Not in any weird or bad way but after the fun was over I just wanted to rest my feet and reflect upon the enthusiasm that was held here today. GLBT was at it's height in solidarity and freedom on the mall. people were definitely coming out as I saw Doctor's ,lawyers, profeesionals of every ilk take up their pompoms and sashay away! The many causes that were here to promote was awe inspiring simply because the people cared enough to stand behind what they believed in and that's all it should be about don't cha think?

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A Rose by any other name is still ?

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue or why that people who are supposed to love hurt you? These times reflect the many feelings that flowed through my mind and heart as I stared deeply into my woman's face the day she left. Sherrie and I met as she wondered through the mall that I worked at one evening. I was busy setting up the floor mannequins and she all but bumped into me as I squatted there perplexed breaking my fall with a hand. "Excuse me!" she said brow flushed and squinting at me with an open fresh face, and a beautiful grin. "Oh you should be " I said trying hard not to stare back at her. They say that the children know the children no matter where they meet up and here we were. I stood up straightened out my shirt and looked at her, she still seemed stuck so I went professional with her. "Is there anything that I can help you with? She glanced over towards the door and softly said "I'm kinda lost can you show me where the subway or bus stop is on this side. I stared over where she was looking and pointed to the stairways near a store post. That's the subway but the bus stop is over there. "You don't know where you are? She spoke slowly "No I don't I am new here and just came to the mall cause I was so bored" I saw a chance to get to know this lovely lady so I broke the monotonous silence by saying "Okay that's a bet maybe I could show you around the mall at least while I am on break". She smiled and that's when I knew damn sprung so soon?

Gay Pride Weekend Bash

here are some of the highlights that i caught with my trusty camera as i walked back through the crowds reveling on Pa. Ave. NW. these photos were my way of paying homage to a really fun day with absolutely true solidarity on the menu. the participants really put on the Ritz in everything they did. We had a smattering of every age group and race that could be reckoned with on the mall. Now this is what i call living out 'LOUD"

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Why God is crying when it's raining~

What has happened to me I ask as I watch the funeral possession that silently rolls out from the church. The pallbearers walk slowly with the remains of the woman that once was my grandmother ,my angelic cherubic nanny who had always taken her last to give to me as she had this very moment. her last, what could that be? my girlfriend asked me once when I told her the contents of my heartfelt thoughts around my granny'. She does everything and asks nothing but that i don't embarrass her and bring shame on my family"my friend exclaimed what type of shame would you bring to her Bren? 'What she meant I suppose is that the shame of being a loose woman or girl sleeping all over the place with men that type of shame and a lot of kids running around with different babies daddies" Granny knew what she was talking about as I watched the girls piling in to pay their last respects to a lady that also gave directions to a lot of them too~ tears were running down their faces just as the tears were slowly making their trails down many other folks who were there too give their condolences and prayers to this beautiful black grandmother! A mother of the heart is sometimes more honorable than a mother of the soul although there isn't much difference. My biological mom left me to this wonderful lady years ago out of her mind with grief and woe but in the  element with drugs,men and the streets nanny took me and several other stranded,neglected youth that had no place else to go and kept us as if we had sprang from her loins no different were we from her two grown children that took us back and forth to schools,hospitals,clinics anywhere and everywhere when the need arose and no back talk was her motto and nobody did either. It was like she really had eyes in the back of her head something we all said that she had tho! While we did our homework and studies she always considered that each of her brood was different some had smarts others had skills she promoted the best in all of us no matter what she made sure that we did things to make our purpose manifested upon this earth she also said the saddest thing was a purpose that was left out in the setting sun never to be fulfilled and she said that makes God cry! I agree to that as my nanny is set to rest God has cried many times over for those of us who left our God-given purpose in the dust to rot! We do our creator  disservice when we lose ourselves to the world and disregard the gifts that are bequeathed to each and everyone of his creations!

If it were you what could you have done differently?

while lying here upon my bed thoughts of the night before wandered all through my head,if it were you what exactly would you do if the decision were absolutely essentially up to you? To take a life of someone you love so that the other will live how can I make a decision like this? She was heavenly,soft as a cloud of cotton,brown as the sun could tan one ever so gently~touching my lips to her skin was like the wing of an angel just as it was set to flight. There was much to do that night as the footsteps cradled by the light I shut the door as scared by the fright of the nature of man who came in as if he had a right..he took my child from me and walked toward the door to the night,quickly I leaped as if I was on a high score running to him to place myself between the child of my heart my hopes my dreams as he stepped away i didn't see the knife or it's sway but felt it's handle on my fingertips i slipped to draw it to him but it fell and the ink was everywhere but the story remains the same as I lay claim to the song that I wrote it became my child, my soul, my heart, my life he stole it that night as if he had the right what would you have done if it were you?

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My back-pack of life contains?

Life is an extension of self ~when i look into the eyes of my young ones i am so grateful to God to have given me a second chance at parenting and getting the babies that are bequeathed to us a start in their respective journeys upon this earth. Their walk and paths depend upon the tools that their mothers and fathers give them to utilize along the way. Everyone knows that a little love goes along way so make sure that there is plenty,2nd tolerance because you won't be the only one going through the world on a path~ 3rd be compassionate even if the world is not always friendly ,smile as you go about your tasks a smile is easier than a frown and then too why turn your world all upside down. The 4th thing you must take as you walk into the space of work,education or what have you is your faith know that one has to be humble and small in your reasoning because the universe is such a great mystery to self and even tho we may know a lot about enough of life know that no-one knows everything so there's always room to learn more~5th Stay hungry for knowledge and wisdom, 6th be patient and trustworthy~there is nothing better than being a good companion and friend to someone. 7th never hate someone that isn't just like you because we were made as if flowers in a garden,varieties abound where we reside and there are no two exactly alike~ i have prepared this back pack with the necessities to go on with your life dear ones take your treasures out sometimes and examine them they are laden with my love as i love you- you love someone else during your walk~ treasures are in you handle with care!

the life that we live~

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Every since i was a little girl i have been curious about death and the comings and goings of the people we love! What i have learned could fit a book outside of the learning curve that scientist attribute to our learned behaviors there is a part of our emotions that no empirical testing can ever touch. This realm of self and soul is a place that earnestly has its own subconscious state of being that reserves those that we love in a cocoon of sorts whereas we absorb the energy that they have left to us to go on. the strength that comes from a life of nuances and realities that aren't explained as you or I could but in the transference of a look, a smile ,a touch, the wiping of your brow. These very intimate things are the mirrors that reach into our souls at the close of the day when they are no longer here with us we can touch and feel that spirit that was tangible but now is lost.We must keep that string of thought with us always no matter the consequence that which was here and now is gone will always have you as it's mainstay. Children, mothers,fathers,cousins,aunts,uncles,step children,great-grandmothers the whole role of matriarchs and patriarchs that pass along the way are but the depositors of the way to the light when it's your turn to bid a fond adieu! They pave the way and make the comfort real for you and i just be kind and remember that each in kind will do what has been done for us..later on is always there waiting for us,,remember to love those that are here for you and even those that aren't they see you too!