MIKESTANDS...

So, Mike Manasseh has just re-released his album MIKESTANDS! You should go and get it. I have the original release and trust, it is HOTT! I haven't got to listen to the 5 Bonus Tracks yet (just snippets), but if it's from My Boi! It's HOTT!

You can extract yourself a copy here or you can go to SoulMana.com... your choice.

*Editors Note - Finding Local Talent of this magnitude is an awesome experience. I say to all who have dreamed to do great things with their life, whether you are a fan of Hip-Hop or not, go and download this album! To help one achieve their dream, is a push for you to achieve yours. Hard work, perspiration, and (Amazing) talent has made this re-issue a possibility...

Weather Confliction

I wish I had a front porch! Some of my most relaxing times were spent on the front porch watching the rain. While the sun is up, it brings a change of temperature and the rhythm of the day. I love before it rains too! That smell is so peaceful... They can try, but it can't be bottled. No matter what my day had in store, a good shower could put most plans on hold.

Night time is an amazing porch-sitting experience as well. The heat slowly dies as that fireball in the sky slips over the horizon. The front brings in a blast of wind that makes you have to grab a fleece pull-over or a long sleeve shirt. Ahhh! Watching the mircle of a light show as the whole world flashes clearly in front of you. Though brief, you can see your whole neighborhood through a haze; sometimes a down pour as heavy as a waterfall on a country creek. The smell is the same, yet somehow different. There is no need for a radio playing some classic rock or light jazz, I think the rain sounds better at night too. It could be that less people are moving about, the night is more still or maybe it's just in my head... Either way, nothing beats a good rain! They say anhour on a motorcycle is as good as 4 hours of therapy. I say sitting outside, with some iced-tea or lemonaide (summer)/ coffee or hot chocolate (winter), watching the sky rejuvenate the Earth is better than any therapy!

That brings me to the conflict I have. The thing I hate about storms is when they have the word Severe in front. I feel guilty loving the rain while others lose so much because of the things those same clouds and wind brought with them. Floods that literally engulp entire towns and counties, tornadoes that demolish everything in their paths for miles, and even that beautiful lighting can strike down horrific consequences. I guess bueaty IS in the eye of the beholder...

I leave you with this. If you have a porch, covered patio or balcony, take advantage! Tune out the entire world (except your loved ones) and enjoy the best theraputic moments that nature and God give you. If you don't have any of those, I'm sorry about that... But, I like to take walks when it's misting... You could do that.

Horoscopes

"You still have a hard time accepting your childhood, dear Cancer. As a Cancer, you are such a perfectionist about your life that you often forget the learning period you went through as a child. But did you know that the people close to you love the child they see in you, the one you just can't seem to get rid of? If you can learn to accept that child, you will be on the road to feeling fulfilled as an adult."

Hmmm... Not that I believe in them, but I read mine almost daily. I like to see if it matched up to my day or the tone of my thoughts at the moment. Do you read your horoscope? Is it acurate? Where do you get yours? I read it in the news paper and it's different than the one on MSN. How can that be if it's all about my astrological sign, the alignment of the planets, and whatever else? I'm not sure if they are true (I'm pretty sure they're not), but I think it's a fun way to reflect on your day. If that's all I get out of it... I'm ok with that. It's better than when you're lieing in bed, trying to go to sleep, and can't stop obsessing about parts of the day. What you would have said, done, or how you should of reacted.

All that said, I post todays (MSN) 'scope because I think it's pretty accurate. I AM just a big kid... I'm fine with that too! I like to think with all the bad stuff in this world (Ex: war; famine; murder; the Guilt Trip[LOL]), it's best to live like you have not a care! I like being up-beat and happy (99%). Making jokes and laughing at stupidity is just my way of saying, "Hey! I can take whatever you got!!"

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for giving me the courage to laugh at the mudane, the right to be myself, and the sense of knowing when to be serious. I thank you for giving me a sense of humor that I vow to utilze on a daily basis! For all that I see wrong in the world, I thank you for allowing me to try to set things right... in my own way, with your guisance. In your son's name, Jesus Christ.

God Bless Mother, God Bless Father, and God Bless the purpose of Demolay. Amen.

P.S. To Albert Pike Chapter (FS), Yes! I still say that after I pray... I'm sure I always will ;)

An Observation...

Here's a question... Has anyone tried to research (or just read the archives) of a newspaper? I was searching for articles about empathy during therapy, when I stubbled upon an article from '07. Chicago Tribune has the nerve to charge people to read old articles! Not just $0.50 or whatever the paper cost, but like $4.00 for a one article pass!! What!? Then, I noticed that the "Lifetime Pass" was $350.00! Seriously!? Maybe I should start collecting The Daily Oklahoman now and get a web site going, that way when ever someone is looking for an old article on Google, my site will pop up and I can rip people off! Yeah! That's my new business plan.

P. S. (Tribune) I Google the article name and found it free on your own website... Just Sayin'

Great Plates!

I was commenting to a friend today...

and I had a relatively smart moment (I think). Simply put: If you are at a point in your life where you are not sure how things are going to work out and you seem to need more than you are being provided, it's time to Reexamine... Revamp, if you will! I hit this person with 4 questions... I think that I know someone else that needs to answer these questions, but instead of calling this person out, I will post them here so that they too can "Revamp."

1. What do I (we) have?
2. What do I (we) need/want?
3. What do I have to do to aquire those needs/wants?
4. Am I going to be able to achieve those goals by keeping things the same?

I think if you look at these questions with all honesty and an open mind, you will be more empowered in your life and your decisions that affect the outcome. I have never claimed to be motivational or an advisor, but I think I'm on to something here... Maybe I can make a few $$'s by writing a book on bettering your life... I think I'll call it "Revamp Your Life: The blog that changed mine!" LOL

Rock Star Status!? Part 2

When did this occur!? Was it sometime during the election of a former movie star(Ol' Ronnie)? After Clinton went on Arsenio Hall and played his Saxophone (wearing his hipster-shades)? Maybe it's the combo that lead to the kind of President we could "drink a beer with..." I'm not too sure when the whole thing started... But I know when it went too far!! Check out chiaobama.com. I'm all for respecting your leaders and giving praise to those who deserve it, but at what point does it become just another plot to make money and send a message of idiocracy? I bet it's at the fore-mentioned website!

John L.

Rock Star Status!?

My Favorites!

This is a list of some of my Favorite 80's T.V. Shows!!! Some of them started at the end of the 80's, but out of love I put them on anyway :)

Alf
Doogie Howser, MD
Punky Brewster
Cheers
Coach
Cosby Show
Different World
Family Ties
Growing Pains
Empty Nest
My 2 Dads
MacGyver
Mama's Family
Married... with Children
Miami Vice
Mr. Belvedere
Perfect Strangers
Rosanne
The Wonder Years
Who's the Boss?

Last night got me thinking...

About a lot of things; Fashion, T.V. Shows, Music, Cars... I wanted to take a little time and have a couple of post about the thoughts and memories!

So, Fashion!!

The 80's

That 3rd picture is The Ghostbuster's, btw. Also, you have to excuse the quality... I took these on my iPhone in a pretty poorly-lit ballroom.

The 80's was Stellar!

Tonight I am at a prom themed... The 80's! I've seen my fair share of "Miami Vice" suits, Madonna look-a-likes, and more neon to last a life time. I will try to take some photos and post them later. I'm having a blast just playing "Name that Tune!" VH1 was right... I Love the 80's!!

If you didn't know...

We distribute various merchandise. Vitamin Water is among the top... and Poweraid!

Learned a new trick...

This photo comes to you straight from the iPhone! I just learned how to email a post to my blog. In case some of you don't know, this is my life these days... Slangin' Coke! Throwin' Cases! Whatever you want to call it, it's a hard gig. I love my job though... John L.

April's Revenge

5:30 a.m. Phone rings
"Hello?"
"Hey. What's going on?"
"Well, I just woke up... Guess I should go to work, huh!?"
"That might be helpful!"
.....

I arrived at my second account only an hour late! By the time I left, I was right on time. Finished Target in record speed! When I pulled up at Homeland, I noticed it was rather dark... Great! The electricity is out!! After waiting an hour, I finally got to go inside and throw my load. When fished, I had to take a lunch (I hate taking lunch) and go pick Becky up to take her to get the Jimmy from the shop. After all the Universe's trouble, I still made it to my meeting early! Nice try, Cosmic Forces :)

P.S. I made it with enough time to post this... Just sayin'

The Universe's April Fool's Joke!

I had to take the Jimmy to the shop today. I arrived about noon-thirty and got a quote and everything by 1:15. After some text exchange with Becky, we had a deal.. Only I forgot that I put my check book in the Milan and Becky was driving it today. Had to go home to get one. Well, that's not that bad, so I trech home and grab a check (while I'm here I'll grab my iPod and headphones). I get back to shop and start to check around... iPod, headphones, candy... I'll leave the keys in it. They're going to pull it in shortly, no biggie! After sitting in the waiting area for 45 minutes, the manager comes out and ask, "Do you have keyless entry?"
"Why yes, but not on me," I replied.
"Well," he states, "Your keys are locked in!"

Great!! I spent about 20 minutes with my antenna jammed in the door frame to no avail. I eventually called my wife to see if she could push the unlock button over the phone (read somewhere it works... It doesn't)! Sigh. Time to call AT&T to use my Roadside Assistance (life saver). They show up, pop the lock, and away goes the hero into the sunset!

After all that, I still have to leave the Jimmy over night because it was too late to get the job done! Happy April Fool's Day! At least your pranks didn't waste a whole day...