smokin' ... heavy ... inspire ...

so ... after he passed i was inspired to write something about JOE FRAZIER

and how he helped to make ALI such a icon ... how they really didn't like each other ... and how they came to forgive each other and be at peace ... but then i read

THIS...

and then when i heard about the transition of emcee-actor-executive-father HEAVY D ... and i was again inspired to write

i was gonna tell my story about how i was 5ft 3 and he was 6ft (+?), and how he tried to holler at my (6ft) girlfriend the time.

see what happened was ... i went to the bathroom and he stepped to her. when i came out ... he was like ... "THAT'S your man?" then he introduced himself, dapped me up .... stepped back and was like "word ... i'm not mad."

but then ...i saw a blog from one of my dudes ... @stuckeywriter ... he's a real writer that just happens to also be a blogger ... everyone should follow him on twitter and check his blog ... BEFORE I AM NO LONGER YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK

but since everyone did all the writing i figured that i didn't need to write anything ...

so i'll just leave you with HEAVY D's last tweet ... 

@HEAVY_D "BE INSPIRED"


and i'm back ...

SHINE

vulnerability

i just had a moment ...

my homegirl @msavril2 just tweeted something from @FXRAVIN ...

"The strongest & most confident women want to share their vulnerabilities with their man. So handle them with care!”

in this moment i realize that i think people gravitate to me because they feel that i am sensitive to the many peoples vulnerabilities. i'm not threatening or judgmental (don't confuse that with me being a soft and/or not haveing an opinion!). that's a honor and at the same time a responsibility. now, as i think about it ... i felt fake ... see ...

although i am truly receptive/empathetic/sympathetic ... i don't think that i've been vulnerable. it's hard to explain ... and honestly ... true vulnerability isn't something that you can pullout on demand. so understand ... this isn't me being vulnerable ... its me talking myself through a process ...

i share what i'm comfortable with. sometimes i feel that i may share more than what others share, but my standards are not the same.
this is what comes to mind ...
if my well is 20 feet and others are 10 feet deep then going 7 feet under isn't as much a deal, right?

i think my work in the arts has given me a deeper well of empathy and understanding of feeling, emotions, experiences ... and people in general.

ok ... now this feels like i'm trying to be make myself vulnerable ... so i'm not gonna try to make it more than it is.

i'll get into the transitions of gil scott heron, ji jagga geronimo pratt & will "da real one" bell at a later time ... maybe. (i'll addd pics later ... i just need to get these thoughts out.)

let the people you care for know that they are special to you ... and those that share things w/ you that help make you day a little better ... and do it today ... tomorrow isn't promised

and that's all ...

SHINE

Some Stuff ...

first ...

so ... i'm feeling a little proud because my peoples are doing good stuff ...

and ...

first ... i want to let my DC peoples know about this show that they should go check out ... not just because they are my peoples ... also because they present a great show ...

CrossRhodes ... W. Ellington Felton & Raheem Devaughn
(and you didn't hear it from me but ... there may be some special guest coming out to join the show!)

crossRhodes = my dudes w. ellington felton & raheem devaughn

U St. LIVE
featuring
the Cross Rhodes Reunion
featuring
Raheem DeVaughn
and
W Ellington Felton

Incwell will also be performing!

Hosted by Alison Carney & D. Chase

ORDER TICKETS 2day @ http://crossrhodes.eventbrite.com/

DOORS OPEN @ 8PM
SHOW STARTS AT 9PM
EARLY BIRD TICKETS $25
ADVANCED TICKETS $20
(worth every dime!)

here's a taste of the fun ...




marcia jones



http://untitled1972.me/index.html


the jolly twins at the kennedy center ...
(you can't tell, but the twins are on the keys & drums)

click the pic to see them at the kennedy center

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M462


maimouna youssef (twitter: @maimounayoussef)

peep her at the kennedy center ...

get her EP, BLACK MAGIC WOMAN ... here ... http://maimounayoussef.bandcamp.com/

phil ade (twitter: philade301) on shade45 w/ tony touch ...



more here ... www.368musicgroup.com

and if you read this all the way to here you might as well go cop this ...

rock star cuzzo's SAUL WILLIAMS new album ... VOLCANIC SUNLIGHT


OHHHH ... and my dude BILAL SALAAM

has new tunes for you to download ...

35 things that you might not know about me ...

some things many don't know about me ...
(honestly ... these are not that deep ... if you wanna know something just ask)

1. i don't like crowds ... but i occasionally work in a industry that forces me to deal with it.

2. i love PROCESS (the word, idea and action!)

3. i used to DJ

4. i had locs for 11 yrs

it was serious ... real serious!

5. i have a sister and nephew that i LOVE & they live in DC

thank you @jatiphoto

6. i'm a balance of both positive and critical (... some say that means that i am mean w/ a smile)

7. i don't like too many people but i'm good with people and i make a point to be nice, respectful & a positive influence to nearly everyone i encounter (KUUMBA)

8. i support the term BLACK. i think african-american is not accurate for me & many others.

9. i was born NJ & will defend it passionately, but i'm not hanging out in trenton!

10. i lived in springfield, VA for a while before my family moved to durham, NC

11. i am pro-peace but not a pacifist ... and believe that violent revolution has a role in society

12. i was offered vocal scholarship to college but turned it down because i don't like to sing in public

13. i'm an actor

14. i don't like public speaking or being in front of a crowd of people, but when i'm in the situation i'm a great workshop presenter, teacher & speaker.

15. i love to work

16. i am superhuman

17. i don't have degree (if you know of a school that may accept me ... holler!)

18. i was vegetarian for 15+ years ... now i eat fish

19. i don't like to cook ... BUT ... i love to eat!

20. i love to be up early ... take a power nap(s) ... and be up late

21. i used to like to fight ... actually ... i still do ... i just do it differently

22. i would rather be truthful than spare your feelings (stop crying!)

23. my favorite sport is futbol/soccer ... my teams are manchester u ... ghana black stars and ... FC HARLEM

to find out more click the picture ...

24. weusi baraka, was given to me at birth by my parents, it means "black blessing" ... i have always been proud of it ... others had issue with it

25. i have 2 tattoos

26. i don't like to drive ... plus it's not good for the environment

27. when i get my big money ... i'll buy a few pieces of property, employ a driver and a cook

28. i can dance ... i know that some of you know this but many have never seen it happen ... they just hear about it

29. i don't take good care of myself because i tend to put other first

30. i have great genes ... my grandmother on my moms side is 96 and on my pops side my great-great grandmother lived to 106!

31. i used to host a reggae radio show in college. i liked when the DJ was late for the next segment because i could spin slow jams!

32. i like country & blugrass music ... great lyrics, storytelling and musicianship

33. 333 is my old pager code ... holler at me if you know about that!

34. i feel i'm oxymoronic because i have skill sets that conflict w/ my personality ... hence the worlds shortest giant & socialite misanthrope, most careful risk taker, etc, etc, etc ...

35. i can keep a secret really well ... some of us share some jewels! ;)

see ... for real i'm a regular dude ... with super powers ...


shine

nothing ... poem ... dr. angelou

I really don't have anything to write about ...
But i'm commited to write today ...
So it's time to be creative ...
And since i can't share the music in my head or sing this song to you ... here's a random poetic thought ...

...

The moon held the kind of secrets only life tells death
the kind that scares hope, burdens fantasies and dews dreams before a day starts

The sun wandered in wonder ... yet stayed silent
watched the tides ebb & flow
saw the awkward shift in the sea ...
in the morning he shifted to the other side
That's when he knew she was scared

Time had tricked fire into pulling a heist
But an onynx cloud spit on the idea ..

And sun prayed for the winds to whisper coltranes bassline to her ...
and the she was soothed



And ...
Oh ...
I found this great quote from maya angelou ...

"Every human being at some point will have clouds in their life. Some darker that others. You can go through the cloud, you can go around the cloud, or above it. No matter what, the light is always there. Your to seek, and to find."



Have a great day ...
Shine

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sheen.biggie.change.japan ... HUMILITY

I had a kinda whirlwind week emotionally ...

on top of feeling a little detached, a job search that's trying to break me, my want to give my nephew & my sister some attention ... i was thinking of a tiger blood transfusion ...

but then ...

i got tired of hearing all the talk of charlie sheen's winning, whining, tigerblood and warlocks. And at the same time ... I'm glad that he feels good about his self. I'm glad that he worked out a situation that he and both his girlfriends are happy with. sorry that the situation wasn't supported by your ex-wife. I found myself defending charlie sheen. Despite his manic tirades, I saw him as one of those victims and pawns of the media. It was kinda funny to me and it made sense to me when he said some things to the likes of “they're jealous that i'm a rock star and they aren't”, “i've been quiet for years. I come to work do my thing and i like my lifestyle. But now ... I will stop hiding that I love my life and my greatness, and instead I will tell the world how great I am and defend it and myself violently.'” come on ... how can you be mad at that? i'm not mad at that ... I want everyone to live fearlessly ... but ...ummmm .... well ... you aren't really that important. I don't want to see you on the news everyday.


SOOO ... I was relieved when I heard BIGGIE everywhere in honor of the anniversary of his passing




but because things seldom hold my attention for long ... and because I tend to be critical of things that I enjoy ... the thrill of hearing Biggie (what seemed like every third song on radio & video!) was short lived.

I started to think about how many people I'm cool with that could remember where they were when Biggie passed but ... don't remember the transitions of ron brown (4/3/96)



or betty shabazz (6/23/97) ...



or the release of nelson mandela (2/11/90)?



yes ... Biggie is one of the greatest at his art and his tragic story has become one of hope, change and positive evolution for many ... but for real ... he's just an entertainer.

While avoiding charlie sheen & biggie i started to look at some of the changes/struggles and freedom fights happening in the world right now. AS YOU READ THIS the rest of the world is changing/evolving/revolting ... Egypt, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique,Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe ...

***sidenote:***
did you know that Belgium hasn't had a government for over 300 days! hmmm ... why aren't you hearing about that political instability?but you hear about it in northern africa!\
need proof? (thanks @aja_monet)

It reminded me how privileged I am to be in america. (i still have trouble calling myself an american ... that another blog). Then I actually started to feel “some kinda way” for not having a cause that I feel is worth, living and dying for. and then ... I realized how narcissistic that was ... these people are fighting for their lives and i'm whining about not having a life that's rough enough to make me uncomfortable to fight back.

... then ...

japan's earthquake reminded me of how fragile life is and how we are at the mercy of the universe and how time is the keeper of us all.

and this is where my mind rest and reflects ...

stay humble ...



thanks khalil (@negrotambor)

i'm off in search of a humble job ...

SHINE

OHHHH ... and i'll tell you about the beauty in watching a seed meet a oak tree next time!

I'm a spiritual person.

I believe that I am a small part of something that is so vast and expansive that it is truly beyond the realm of a mortal's imagination.

my belief is that everything happens for a reason. the logic that schedules my moments and movements in this universe may or may not have anything to do with me. I am but a pawn in the grandest scheme of things ... yet ... this philosophy works in unison with the idea that we are smiliar to stars.

How? There are billions of stars out there in an infinite number of galaxies, yet to be discovered. .. but even within those glaxies there are some stars that SHINE brighter and are more relevant and influential to certain planets/rocks. Some stars are suns. Some stars become black holes, which in a way are inverted suns that instead of giving off light & heat energy, they absorb it. And yes, there are some stars that are bright and do nothing!

All that to say we are like stars in the sense that some people & stars are here for no apparent reason. And others are more influential and control planets, worlds & universes. Because of that some of us must take more responsibility for our actions/motions due to their influences on others.

I know which group i am in. I shine. And i say that witha humility that acknowledges that i am such a small part in this massive universe that i'm the equivalent to a hydrogen atom in the ocean.

(I used examples of the sun & water because i feel that theses are the most powerful yet under recognized influences on our planet.)

*note: this is just one of the many philosophies of mine ... no, I haven't done any research on it.

SHINE

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(a short ramble) moon ... process ... work ... balance

I've always been drawn to the power and beauty of the moon. A few months ago during the eclipse i truly felt a magical moment which i still have yet to understand.
I do know that often times i get my creative insight & artistic impulses. I also know that i am most productive when i have the energy of women in my immediate area. when this is combined with the power of community and it's role in my life my "superdude" comes out and then i need help focusing on all my great ideas.

I think i'm mentioning this because ... well ... actually i don't know.

But i do feel like things are about to take off and i want you to know that when u have a clarity in your process and in your macro & micro role in the universe then you are in a position of power. The kind of power that allows you to make things happen as well as the kind of power that allows you to recognize & adjust to those things that are not in your hands.

For me this life is about maintaining balance and connecting my community resources/social capital, mental capacity, spritual well being,emotional & physical health.

This is what i'm trying to maintain as ritual in my life so that i can focus on more creative aspects of life.

That's all for now ...

I look forward to gsharing a few COMPLETED projects w/ you in the next 2 moths as i get a little more external sunshine in my life! (Thanks spring!)

Do your thing ...

Shine,
Weusi

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kool herc ... egypt ... STARBLAZERS 2011 ... my peoples ... my people ... explain my heart (saul williams)

the past few days have been heavy on my heart ...

the health issues of KOOL HERC (combined with the dismissal of the health care reform bill)




i believe that any radio station that claims to be a HIP-HOP stations should donate to assist with his health cost ... they have the money are going to continue to make money from hip-hop. the artist aren't really making money so i don't think that they should be the first ones called upon ... but ... it's not a million dollars! these cost can be covered in one fell swoop by the right person. (jay-z, diddy, jermaine dupree, russell simmons, andre harrell, etc)

but as a fan ... and believer that you should do what you can instead of waiting on others to do for you ... here is where you can donate ... http://www.djkoolherc.com/


the other thing is ... the beauty and madness of the changes in egypt ...






many of you know that i am a man of the people ... i get excited when u see the people step up and take control over a situation that they feel is unjust. so much so, that i get physically agitated.

power to the people!

and now ...

i'm trying to focus on this event that i've put together in LA ...



JUST BCUS & HEDRUSH PRODUCTION present ...

STARBLAZERS 2011

Part Party ... Part Jam Session
good people ... having a good time ... while enjoying GREAT music

this is the most casual non-pretentious Grammy weekend event!

performances from artist from around the country ...

jenna andrews
alison carney
c. clear
emoniFela
the fanatic experience
tamika jones
the native criminals
poet & the future
russell taylor
mr. turner
j. white
Yahzarah/purple saint james
and 2011 grammy nominee
CAROLYN MALACHI

+other SPECIAL GUEST
*it's grammy weekend, So you know it's gonna be PLANTAINS*
(that's like bananas but bigger!)

your DJ's
2 Tone Jones ... Munch ... Underdog
spinning everything!
coldplay to kid-n-play ... def leopard to mos def ... steel pulse to steely dan ... & more!

leave your ego at home and come kick it ... come enjoy the vibe ...
JUST BCUS ...
only $10 ...

and tell your friends about it ... but get your ticket early because the venue isn't that big!



i don't think i need to say much more about that ...

and for BLACK HISTORY MONTH ... 2 things ...

an old pic of my mom & pop ... they made black history by making ME!



what's funny is i'd never seen the the picture ... i just found this picture on friends facebook page! (thanks U!)

and ... don't tell rah but this is one of my daily motivators ...

yeah ... i love my people ...




oh and this is a little something new for the people ... here's some heat ...



JUST BCUS ...




yea ... i know ... some of those shots look kinda like my videos from the roof of my rock star cuz's place in paris last year ... ehhh ...



SHINE

ray ... ritual ... last year ... STARBLAZERS ... rob ... KCH ... MVP

so ...

this is what i posted on christmas eve last year ... and i'm doing it again ... because ... JUST BCUS ...




now ... this time last year ...

i was in paris ... rock star cuz & lil cuzzo looked out lovely!

i remember not being able to sleep on dec 23 09 because on the 24th we were going to do one of the things that i really wanted to do while in paris ... go under the city ... go into the catacombs that even many parisians have never gone to. i was there ... with rock star cuz and a few new friends ...


i started this blog to help me talk out my thoughts and flesh out my ideas ...

this is the first time i've really looked back and read some of these blogs from last year ... my M.O. is usually to write fromthe heart and let go of it ... this allows me to write form a place of no regret or care for who's reading ... just speak my truth in the moment and move forward. after reading these things i think i need to systematically review my thoughts and ideas from my blogs. and write more often. (once a week!) i think that i said that before but i have some new support systems in place that will allow me to create more structure in my life again/refreshing my

for those of you that were following me last year ... i have been holding on to some of the rituals that i established for myself last year.

morning ritual stuff: take my time to get out of bed (control the day don't be controlled my the day ... take a moment to thank the universe, angels & ancestors, listen to my body & the universe for at least a minute) , wash face w/ cold water 4 times (representative of cleansing & refreshing myself mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, be creative (tell a story out loud, sing a song, freestyle, start a creative idea ... this usually happens in the shower!)


this is me on the friday before christmas last year ...



see more here

honestly ...
this year was a real challenge but i like the way that the start of 2011 looks ...

I'm a little more rooted now ... emotionally, creatively, physically & mentally ... i've got a few projects that although they didn't get out before the year was over they are still going to be shared in the first quarter of 2011 and ... i'm excited that i'll be doing my party in LA again...

shoot a e-mail to irrelevant333@gmail.com if you are intersted in getting information about STARBLAZERS 2011: here2there ... the grammy edition! on friday, feb. 11, 2011 in LA at the VIP lounge in the KEY CLUB ...

part party ... part jam session (featuring grammy nominees & a few friends from DC & LA & everywhere! it's gonna be FUN! you should be there ... ok that's enough of that ... i'll post a flyer soon ...

anyway ...

right now i'm kinda sprung on watching rob dyrdek's fantasy factory on mtv 2 ... i dig this cats story ... he's like me (just w/ more money and not as scared ... but if i had his money i'd be little less scared!) ... he's into giving back ... worked hard and created his own thing ... his fantasy factory ... i wanna do that ... i can't front ... i really dig what he's doing ... his brand management and how he's event helped his lil cuzzo take his brand to the next level ...

this may look kinda crazy but it' all makes sense to how his lifestyle contributes to how he embodies and presents his brand!

yo ... for real ... peep his story ... i mess with this cat rob dyrdek!


and i'm adding this because ... i'm feeling like this is what i want every artist to strive to obtain. the ability to embrace a emotion ingest it and then return it to the audience in the most honest and beautiful way that you can ...

ladies and gentle man ... BETTYE LaVETTE



and because i worked the Kennedy Center Honors again this year ... it airs on dec 28th on CBS

i'm not going to say anything but ... there were some INCREDIBLE performances and bits of comedy! (if you only knew!)
watch it and peep steven tyler's tribute to paul mccartney


and for a little twist ...
mike vick for nfl mvp ...



see you in 2011!

SHINE

missing tunes ... old vs. classic ... excitement ... found

so ...

i missed homecoming at WSSU last weekend and i'm missing NC a little ...
i wanna share some tunes from NC peoples ...

THE BEAST ... you may have seen them on Okayplayer’s new jazz culture blog, THE REVIVALIST The Revivalist is the leading online journal for the burgeoning jazz community.it's about music innovators, musicians, and music lovers documenting and foretelling the stories of jazz and how it has influenced today’s popular music.

THE BEAST are fresh because they aren't only about music but are also educators with great engaging workshops and are about empowering people to institute change ... starting with themselves.

and ... quill ... the emcee & and the poet

this cats is a hidden jewel of NC ... someone is gonna catch the vapors!

and yea ... in know this is really Miguel's song but i gotta big up NC's J.Cole ...
plus miguel rocked at my STARBLAZER pre-grammy party in 08 ... good peoples/humble hella talented dude ...



*here's new jawnt from J.Cole called I'm coming home ... thanks Quddus (peep the Q SIDE)


AND ... i've been noticing something ...

in ny ... people are really interested in what's new. the new style/look. the new music. the new phone/technology. i think that has led to mentality of wanting to be young. i think many would go back being a younger age if they could. i grew up around a group of people that thought a little differently. my peoples believe in staying young at heart. doing things that make you enjoy your everyday reality. making every moment special instead of trying to live in a fantasy and partying like a rock star.

all that to say ...

at 40, i really like being older. my zest for life keeps me from being old. my community of peers me with a youthful outlook and creatively engaging life.
i don't want to be young ... you can't outrun a clock ... aging is something that is going too happen ... no need to fight it ... accept it, embrace it ... make time your friend ... instead of getting old ... my goal is to become classic (a standard of excellence; historically memorable).

i want to be that older dude that all the young dudes want to be like when they get older. not that old (antiquated, out of style/fashion, discredited by reason of age) dude that is trying to be like the younger cats. i want my accomplishments in life to be the kind that people talk about and want to emulate. i want my body of work to be recognized as epic ... classic. i'm not gonna be the old cat w/ the timbs, fitted yankee cap and the velor sweatsuit talking to my friends about ... nothing. ok that's enough about that ...

JUST REMEMBER ... as i get older ... i won't get old ... i'll become CLASSIC!

on another note ... i'm a little excited ...

i took some time to catch up on some reading today ... that alone is exciting but ... specifically ... i read a few back issues of FAST COMPANY,
(here's a great bit on procrastination)

and jumped a little deeper in to the book SWITCH: how to change things when change is hard by chip & dan heath ...

when this is combined with the fact that i've also been looking at academic programs and think that i found one that really fits me so much that i'm excited about it. but a little scared at the idea of going back to school ... but i'm gonna ride that horse. (it's my way of saying overcoming the fear ... i used to be scared of horses.) now i just have to get in to school.

and in closing ... i just found out that Q tip had a video for this ... so i wanted to share it ...

Q-Tip - Gettin' Up from Deviation on Vimeo.

and i'm out ...

SHINE

process ... sweetback ... hiphop theater ...

this is going to be a quick blog and it may have a million and one typos because i'm making myself writ it in 10 minutes! the goal is to make sure that i write one this week! i gotta flip the process ... i think i have to do it this way ... other wise i want to think and talk about too much ... so here i go ...

last week i ran into melvin van peebles. if you don't know about him you should do the research. he's a considered the father of blaxplotation. his 3rd film, "sweetback's baadasss song" set things of in 1971 because if pulled $4 million despite the fact that it we so controversial due to its racially and socially charged matter that no one really knew what to do with it!



plus there is a sceen early in the film w/ his son, mario, that is makes you think ... "DAMN, his pops really put him in this film!" if you haven't seen the film i'm not gonna give it away.


and then there Putney Swope! he stars in it and it was directed by robert downey senior in like 1968. and is a all about a ad agency lead by the putney swope who mysteriously inherits the agency. he starts the truth and soul campaigns. the outcome is satiric genius! it pissed off a lot of people but hey ... i like it!

here are 2 clips that let you know how the movie starts ...

the first kinda sets up how things get to where they are going and the second clip is when putney starts getting busy ...









since my time is short ... that's all i have to say about that ...
i'm gonna call the brother today and try to book a interview with him for www.BLACKADEMICS.com

then ... i'm i'm back to work on the HIP HOP THEATER FESTIVAL NYC 2010 ... www.HHTF.org ...

10TH NYC HIP-HOP THEATER FESTIVAL from Hip-Hop Theater Festival on Vimeo.

check out the schedule ... you can get tix online ... and if you're in ny or are coming through and are interested in volunteering let me know ... weusi@hhtf.org


our first event is saturday DOUBLE TROUBLE a breakdance battle/jam ... there is a $2000 prize anad the big boys are coming from far and near to get it!

and follow us on twitter @hhtf2010 #hhtf2010 and there's a facebook page

i gotta go ... i went way over time ...

the end ... the beginning ...

SHINE

ice t ... lil granny

Hey peoples ...

I saw ice t perform the other night ...

don't think that this gangster rappin' pimp turned actor would have lost a step. he's a beast! old school! great performer! incredible control of the crowd! he pulled up in his owned (that's not a typo) candy apple red bently sports coup w/ his wife coco ... then requested fried chicken ... all dark meat! and of course his management came to request a few bottles! but then ... he gives the promoters/producers of the event a special gift ... a bottle of something special & exclusive ... ORIGINAL GANGSTER XO ... his personal brand of brandy! can u say gangster!

so ... he and the crew are backstage and he decides that he wants to go out solo and watch the opening acts. so, he nonchalantly goes to the back of the room and chills with his bottle in hand. but peep it ... it's a bottle of water because he doesn't drink! such a OG move!

so that was cool ...but the highlight of my weekend was time w/ grandmother and other family members ... I love my grandmother like ... like ... like ... words can't explain. she turned 96 on the Wednesday! (yea, I have great genes!)

In recent months her health has gone downhill. nowadays this firey 4ft 9in boss of a woman doesn't talk much. sometimes that's hard to deal with. but then are other moments when I look into her eyes she smiles back at me. I'm reminded that she's just getting older. she's not in any pain. she's said a lot more than many will ever think of saying. she doesn't have to say a thing now, unless she wants to. i'd like to think that she understands the economy of sharing words, breaths, sounds and thoughts. she's seen a lot. done a lot. she's lived through and survived a lot. she has earned the privilidge to do do those things that she is comfortable doing plus, on a selfish, egotistic note, she doen't remember a lot oh people so ... I'm happy that she recognizes who I am 1/2 the time. the other day ... she told me she was tired ... she also said that she loved me . with that, I know she's ok. and because of that, i'm ok.

she is the oldest. her mother, my great grand mother, (who went by big granny) looked to my lil granny to assist in raising the others ... aunt betsy, uncle donald, frair brown, boy baby and uncle bobby. and now the others are taking care of her since my mother is in nc and my aount is in san jose, CA and a cousin that was adopted has a family of his own in newark, nj but ... he can't come to trenton much due to some doing in his younger years. and even though people are carring for her she'll surprise them with her indepedence sometime. she likes to do things her way sometimes.

she's a strong willed, god fearing woman that married my grandfather when she was young. then some 20+ years after he passed, she remarried at the age of 75 as an example to the younger women in her church not to give up on love! she inspired many during her life time and has taught many people many lessons.

Of the many lessons she modeled for me, there are a few that I'll always remember a little more than others. Things like how there is honor and repsect in working hard ... and that you never have to give up on love. that's a choice that you make and even with that choice, love will never foresake you. love is always there. And most importantly, that believing in thing that are beyond our logic is not only ok, but it healthy and a critical tool for a healthy state of mind and survival. Ok ... this is sounding like a obituary when it's really a happy b-day statement for my lil granny ... I love you.

and that's all I got to say about that!

in fact ... I'm trying to say less so that all I'm gonna say at all!

life is a beautiful thing ... don't take if for granted ...

shine