Shoe Game...

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, I traveled to visit "the Beautiful People" of Martinsville, VA. We had a blast with our friends and family enjoying the festivities surrounded by giving thanks to those things that God has blessed us with. With every Thanksgiving there is eating, drinking, partying, and above all else SHOPPING. I find it amazing that people brave madness, chaos, and rudeness to get the latest tech toy at the "lowest" price available. One word for that, BRAVE!!

I on the other hand was not so brave to venture out on Black Friday as I ventured to the retail jungle on Saturday, and waded through the aftermath of the Friday shopping explosion. We began our expedition at the Four Seasons Town Center in Greensboro, NC. Immediately I knew what this trip was meant to be, an upward buildup of my SHOE GAME... While meandering through the mall, I found the coolest shoe store of the SOUTH, JARMAN. The fresh black suede PUMAs you see in photo above came from this store. Rarely, do you find stores where the people are cool, and are able to suggest the right SHOE GAME to fit your unique style. So if you are in the G'BORO, check it out..

A person's shoe game in my opinion is a direct link to a person's character. We often sacrifice comfort, for style. Then we see those shoe disasters in which style is totally compromised for comfort. Whatever the case may be, shoes are just that shoes. It is a shame that in our culture kids are being harassed for the shoes that are not wearing, and robbed or even killed for the shoes they are wearing. No matter what the shoe remember to commit to being beautiful, both inside and out.

If you have recently up'd your SHOE GAME, or anything in your fashion wardrobe post a pic, or hit me up on my Facebook with the details.

Back on the Blog...

I have not been blogging lately because I wanted to sit back and just view the world for a while. I find solace these days in watching movies. Tonight I sat watching, "Notorious", the cinematic depiction of rapper Christopher Wallace's life. This morning it was watching Tyler Perry's Why did I Get Married, then rapper TI's ATL. As I watched these movies, I find that the reason that I am drawn to the silver screen, is that within each story, a systematic blend of culture, along with drama and art is blended into motion. Last night, I got the opportunity to view Michael Jackson's, This Is It. I highly recommend this movie as it captures the KING of POP at his creative peak. One thing that I realized is that inspiration is a gift that we all can obtain and give. Michael Jackson, inspired those around him, and it was excellent that we were able to share with him one last time, before he departed this earth.

I would like to add as a piece of advice that we all should strive to inspire through our daily motion picture. You never know who may be inspired to record!!

I'm mad in the U.S, and I will say whatever I want...

Wow, what a week for people being so disrespectful! Let's start with Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech last week. It seems that in this country people are getting so emotional about the health care issue that public humiliation of your opposition, even if he is the Leader of the Free World is allowable. It seems that Joe Wilson is getting a free pass for shouting "you lie" during President Obama's speech to the joint session of Congress. In this age of Internet, blogs, and media, Mr. Wilson would have gotten ample opportunity to show his disapproval for President Obama's Health Care Plan. But no, he is "Angry" in the U.S. and that gives him a free pass to be disrespectful. That is truly unprofessional and doesn't solve anything. My thought is Health Care is a logical discussion not an emotional one. We have turned this into a competition, similiar to a tennis match. Both sides are slamming winners down the sidelines, arguing with judges and letting out loud roars when our side, whether it be LEFT or RIGHT,wins a point in this health care debate. Our country is so emotional and charged by competition, that we are missing the true issues when it comes to health care.. Let's end the competition, and begin logical discussion.

To back up my claim that this debate has become a competition, and competition brings out the worst in those who are not poised to handle adversity, is Serena Williams meltdown at the U.S. Open and Kanye West's humiliation of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. Serena was the victim of a bad call. I am a competitor and like her I would have been pissed off as well. She reacted very unprofessionally, due to the fact, she personally has a lot vested in the match. She handled the situation wrong, and her hating to lose led her to a profanity filled outburst. Basically, bad call led to pissed off player, which led to a line judge getting cursed out. Rep. Joe Wilson acted the same way, he does not want to lose in the Health Care Competition. Just like Serena, he resorted to the best tactics most Americans know, Blatent, Public, DISRESPECT. It seems as if that is all we know. My next example, Kanye West at the 2009 VMA's embarrassed Taylor Swift by stating Beyonce had one of the greatest videos of all time. Kanye views award shows as competition, and when he or others of his liking do not win, he resorts to what most Americans know best, public humiliation. Here we have a 19 year old country singer crushed in front of her music peers. Kanye used her acceptance speech as his venue to show his disapproval of the judging. Does this sound familiar?

My point to all of this is pure competition is emotional especially to those who play professional sports. Since Americans have a cult like infatuation with Friday Night Football, NFL Sunday, Monday Night Football,UFC,PGA, Major League Baseball and other sporting events with such pride and emotion, those who do not want the Health Care issue to be discussed resort to making it a competition, where on side loses, and the other will come out victorious!!! If that is the case, could somebody tell me what decides a winner... Sadly, the majority of zealots yelling and screaming when asked this question can't answer it.

The Re-institution of Man's Best Friend...

Man's best friend, when this phrase is often quoted we often think of those cute, cuddly, dogs that add fun, comfort, and security to our daily lives. Dogs are truly animals that have gained the utmost respect in the American society. But I sometimes wonder when will man's best friend, be just that, a human being? I love dogs just as much as the next person, but I believe our society is losing its faith in the human race. Michael Vick, is now rebuilding his life and career, because of crimes committed against the most beloved animal in the country. He now has to pay the price for his part in the crime and literally beg for reinstatement into the NFL. I though look at other cases in which humans are treated much worse or even killed and the person at fault does less time and suffers less humiliation than Michael Vick did. For example, Donte Stallworth, another NFL player, killed a man while driving drunk. MIAMI -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth took full responsibility for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida and began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter. There is a angry part of me that says how is that!! This was an unfortunate event, that could happen to anyone. But there are some extreme inconsistencies in our justice system. Human beings are made in the image of God, and when challenged has achieved great feats in the areas of science, music, art and technology. Humanity has healed and often conquered the severe darkness of evil and hate that can sometimes take over human goodwill. It seems though we as people allow those humans that hurt us to prevail. We begin to love the person we wish we were, hate the person who we really are, and be afraid of the people who are different than us. It is those fears, and insecurities that allow pets to be the perfect refuge for souls that have been scarred. Which is great, because pets are those creatures created by God, to be those humble listeners and loyal protectors of our sanity. At some point we must re institute love for our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Humanity when practiced, can be a great friend in times of need and just like any other creature should be protected and cherished.

Excuse me as I kiss the sky,...

It seems as if two hip hop legends are back with a new album that in my opinion will bring them back from the black. Yes, Redman and Method Man are back at it again with a classic track Mrs. International that was released on their new album The Blackout II which hit stores back in May. This song is very smooth and original. The lyrics though are as thorough as they ever were. If I had to pick a song to represent my blog, this song would be it. Meth opens up the song by saying "Dedicated to all the beautiful people in the house", you know who you are." In true fashion the single is loaded with metaphors that personify the duo's original style. For example, the chorus line I like the most is:
Mrs. International...
Hey, I like a girl that's thick in the waist you know,
The kinda girl that'd finish her plate you know?
You're not greedy,
You're international

My wife likes this verse:
[Redman:]
Yo, Hey(Hey) miss lady, my Boriqua,
I heard your apple pomme like bonita,
Your accent tellin' me you from the east side
Take off your shoes, you're bout five feet highhh!
I get highh! what about you?
A jungle brotha, and baby I'll house you.
Your feet lookin real good in them house shoes.
You're not a groupie, you're international.

This takes the mood Method Man's Your All I Need featuring Mary J. Blige. I haven't purchased the album yet, but this is going definitely going into my iPod ASAP.. If you have any reviews to share, send them my way!! Check out the link below to catch the video. Dream big and stay beautiful..


http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=50457

Presevere, and create a story for success...

Perseverance in the economic times we currently live is the cornerstone of character and confidence. Dreams of achieving your hopes and goals during times of financial crisis are often squandered. My first piece of advice though is to not base your plans solely on monetary concerns. Persevere in your belief that no matter what the obstacle may be, you can be of impact to society. In order to create opportunities one must first experience one. Make it a habit to take advantage of opportunities that others may run from. Opportunities give us a chance to create a story for ourselves and experience new things. Again, forget about those opportunities that involve money, focus on those that involve learning. Learning from others is the key to creating one's own opportunities and persevering until our biggest dreams take shape.

Avoid all major Highways...

Yesterday, I spent some quality time with my two older brothers playing golf at the Cameron Hills Golf Course, in King George, VA. The golf course is tucked away east of Fredericksburg between the mild transitions of farmland and tall mounting forests. As I exited off highway 95 and headed east of Route 3, I began to notice that the highway was quickly transitioning into the hallways of my past. The streets, signs, buildings and stores began to take the shape of the Virginia I once knew when I was younger growing up in Martinsville. Nothing similar to the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia. Here the world began to slow down as if a skilled artist was creating scenic paintings right before my eyes. After I played the hills and valleys of the challenging Cameron Hills Golf Links, I decided to take the Road Less Traveled back to Northern VA. I set my GPS to avoid all major highways, and began my journey back to Manassas, VA. I dipped and dodged through every backroad and unpopular sidewinder I could find. On these roads as people mowed their lawns, washed cars or walked the dogs, they all threw their hand in my direction greeting my passing. It was amazing how complete strangers took a second to acknowledge my presence. The more I drove the more relaxed and calm I felt. Yesterday, I got a great reminder of what Virginia was all about. It is about the "the Beautiful People" who live here. Traveling up Rt. 1, it dawned on me that I-95 was just west of me, serving as a speedy highway for the region's busiest travelers. The irony was most people choose I-95 because it is supposed to be the faster and the most direct path north. All traffic reports though told a different tale. I-95 was moving slow, jammed with traffic, and it was I that was moving fast, in a world that seem so slow and serene.

Ideology of the Concorde,reemergence of "the Beautiful People"

Ideology of the Concorde

I use the term Concorde as a reference to one of the most beautiful technological feats known to man, The Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde aircraft. The Concorde was often the vehicle used to transport the "jet set" society to destinations such as Paris, New York, London, and Washington DC. I use the term Concorde as substitute for quest or journey. The Concorde was the aircraft of choice because it could make these trips at record speeds. So what is your Concorde, and has it taken you to the places of your dreams? This blog will attempt to document the journeys, opinions and everyday happenings I experience with focuses in style, music, philanthropy, technology and motion picture.

Reemergence of "the Beautiful People"

In 1962 Vogue Magazine coined "the Beautiful People" as an expression which initially described the circle that formed around President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Readers of the 15 February 1964 Vogue could learn "What the beautiful people are doing to keep fit." My wife and I are always looking to absorb and experience God's gifts which are often presented to us through style, philanthropy, music, technology and motion picture. In our world "the Beautiful People" represents family, friends, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians and all of those who express their realities through their own unique form of expression.

As our new leader Barack Obama and his wife Michelle begin their "Concorde" to set an example for our communities and nation, I sense a reemergence of art, science, and individual chic. The Concordes of "the Beautiful People" is my attempt to chronicle the world of style, philanthropy, music, technology and motion picture as it relates to friends, family, and the world around us.

If you would like to experience the Concordes of "the Beautiful People" as I do feel free to subcribe to my blog!