Just Keep It 100

As I get older, there are a lot of things that I no longer have time for or accept in my life. With age comes wisdom and discernment (for most people) and you know when things are not legit or better yet when people are not legit or in your corner.
If you are a working professional like I am, our schedules are packed and tight. It seems like sometimes days and weeks run together and before you know it is the weekend. Your personal time is very limited so whom you choose to spend it with is a very careful well thought out process. Therefore, you want to spend that time with people who genuinely love and care for you, who make as much effort to spend time with you as you would.

The problem is that as you get older you are able to decipher who is genuine and who is just putting on lip service and spewing out tired compliments about you every time they see you, yet their actions conflict and contradict that. You have those people you meet in settings maybe at work or through mutual friends who begin to call you “friend” and say all the right things, “Let’s hang out sometime. Let’s have a drink.” Or whatever they say. Of course, it’s always nice to have people who want to hang out with you. The reality of the situation is that some of these people have no intention of ever making time to hang out with you. You begin to wonder is it timing? Maybe schedules just contradict, maybe this maybe that, but the reality of the matter is that ultimately if this person genuinely liked you, they would make the effort at some point, or you would make the effort either way it goes. Sometimes it’s not just people you meet, but people who have been in your life for years and years, which is a harder pill to swallow.

As I get older, I do not have time for people who continue to do this. Do not get me wrong, I have friends who are down for the cause whenever. I am a busy man myself so I get the struggle. It is hard to often make time especially when you do not have a lot of it. So you want to spend that time with people who genuinely feel about you as you feel about them. What I think it comes down to is that ultimately some people just don’t like the person I am but they are too cowardly to admit it. They do not want to hurt your feelings. But what is not realized is that it’s actually worse to continue to put up the charade or the façade. Hey I am not everyone’s cup of tea and that is OK. As I get closer to 40 that does not bother me. I have made peace with it. What I do have a problem with is you pretending we are friends, but your actions contradict that.
Honestly speaking I am not the type of guy that talks about the number of women I have slept with, or eat, sleep and breathe sports (even though I do enjoy them) or looking to get laid every time I go out, so for some guys who are in those categories they find my personality different and maybe offensive to them or just see me as a weird person that they don’t even get to know and that’s okay just be upfront about it.

Some of you maybe reading this, and might be thinking “Who is he talking about?” “Is this about me?” The answer simply is if the shoe fits, then put it on. It is not just about one person but a few people. It is also an accountability check for myself. Am I saying this to people, that I have no intention of ever hanging with? Let me know waste people’s time either. Also, this can be applied to family as well as sometimes some of your cousins and other relatives can be in this category. They never have the time for you, even though they say they love you.

Now there would have been a time in my life where if people did not like me or want to make time for me, my feelings would be hurt. At this stage in the game, I am not really bothered about that. What does bother me is you pretending as the famous quote goes, “Aint nobody got time for that!”

So if you are one of those people who continue to not have the time to hang or just do not respond, then keep it 100. No harm no foul.

Life goes on…

More Random Observations

1. Why in this day and age that some people still do not wash their hands in the bathroom? Is it laziness? An allergy to soap? A religious reason? Can somebody who is bold enough to say they don’t wash their hands give me a reason?

2. If some of these people would put more efforts into completing a job application or looking into a legitimate job then looking for creative ways to file a lawsuit or hack into someone’s bank account, they would be an unstoppable beast. Use your powers for good instead of evil.

3. People who do not watch their kids in the store are the first person to file a lawsuit if their kids get hurt due to their negligence. The irony….

4. So you say you are tired of hearing about Ferguson and issues of racism and other world events? Imagine living these events. Sorry someone’s misfortune and tragedy is inconveniencing your perfect day.

5. ABC is killing it right now with their dramas. Scandal, American Crime, Secrets and Lies, Revenge, shall I go on? NBC is trying but ABC is unstoppable right now.

6. So I finally caught up with the rest of America and watched all of Empire. Great show. Its like Dallas for music. For those that complain that it perpetuates stereotypes…(yawn)….get over it. It’s a television show. Does Nashville on ABC perpetuate country stereotypes? Have a seat haters! Speaking of which Lil Bow Wow says he would never be on Empire because of its stereotypes. This from the guy who did Lottery Ticket... as you were.

7. Why do some people keep posting on Facebook that they need to be in a relationship but they spend all day and night on their computers?

8. So you don’t have a job and not working but you keep bragging about all of the items you have brought and then in the same sentence complain about how broke you are?

9. Maybe Nona Gaye should ask Lee Daniels or Shonda Rhimes for a part on one of their shows. It’s clear that she needs a job and some exposure.

10. So the BBC Radio is not playing Madonna’s newest single because they are trying to reach a younger demographic? Basically they are saying she is too old (subtle shade). Keep in mind Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Miley, and others all try to emulate Madonna. Regardless or weather or not your feelings on Madonna this could easily be Paul McCartney, Elton John, or Stevie Wonder. Think about that. Our legends are being passed over for things like “truffle butter” and “purple cush”. Sighs…

11. I really wish the Kardashians would go somewhere, anywhere. I mean it’s been way longer than 15 minutes.

12. I feel like Kanye is trying to make up for some of his bad PR. does he have an Olivia Pope in his life?

13. Where has Angela Bassett and Kimberly Elise been? I think its time Shonda develop a series for them too. OR I would love for her to make an appearance on How To Get Away with Murder next season playing Analise (Viola Davis) sister or sorority sister or something with a deep dark secret. Maybe Kimberly Elise can play Analise daughter that was given away for adoption Can you imagine them three sharing a screen? Powerful.

14. In addition to #13. I think Michael Eely would be a great addition to the gladiator team on Scandal. We need a new gladiator. They never replaced Columbus Short.

15. Kevin Hart should host Oscars 2016. How do we make this happen? OR maybe Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Ellen co-hosting, wouldn’t’ that be fun? Neil Patrick Harris I’m a fan but no not again.

16. Monique…Monique…Monique, love you but you need to have a seat. You didn’t capitalize on your fantastic year from Precious because you felt you did not have to. Now you are blaming others for your situation. In Hollywood, you have to strike while the iron is hot. I am still hoping for a comeback though. She does have talent.


17. I hate the social media posts that base your salvation on a particular social media status. For example “Love Jesus = Click Like. Love Satan = Keep Scrolling.” Who comes up with that? I did not realize my salvation was contingent on a Facebook status.

18. If you are over 18 you should stop posting naked pictures, pictures of drugs, and excessive profanity on your social media. It’s not appropriate at any age but at least we can give the babies the excuse of the ignorance of their age. What’s your excuse?

19. I get that you like smoking weed, I get it. But do we really need to have thirty posts a day on your page about it? We already know you are going to smoke it. We don’t need to be reminded of it every single day. Legal or not you are still going to do it. Stop acting like you being deprived of smoking cush is like being deprived of air, water, and food. Can we say addicted? Again you are going to smoke it anyway.

20. I hate when people try to be so deep, so philosophical. Everything has to be perplexing and thought provoking. Some people take themselves way too seriously. Reading some people’s status/tweets/posts are like going through a Maya Angelou book.

21. In addition to #20 some people have their first up in the air for the wrong reasons. Let’s look at the bigger picture in some situations. Yeah I said it.

22. I just found out what “truffle butter” is about. Just when I think we cannot sink any lower. I really feel for the youth of today if these are their “artist”. Very inappropriate. Parents check your kids ITunes and social media. But then again some of these parents are right there singing it along with their kids.

23. Any man that is not the head of his household in his own house deep down is not respected. Just saying. Not saying be a caveman but the role of the man in the house is slowly diminishing (not talking about single mothers or houses without fathers). I’ve seen so many examples where that role is being diminished on television, in popular culture. Where is the father /husband like James Evans from Good Times? Why is that not celebrated anymore? The role of the father and husband is to be respected. That’s biblical.

24. The only two people I recognize on this season of Dancing With The Stars is Suzanne Somers and Patti Labelle. Rumor Willis is a celebrity? I know she is Demi and Bruce’s daughter but it’s Dancing With The Stars not Dancing with Star’s Offspring’s. Has she been in movies? Maybe I missed them. The Bachelor is a celebrity? What exactly is the criteria?

25. Raven Symone might I suggest you watch School Daze...especially pay attention to Furious Styles at the end.. WAKE UP!!!!

26. And to this very day I still dream of candy-coated raindrops. It’s the same my candy rain. (smile)….



Be Blessed. Much Love.
CG2

I Can't Take You Seriously Right Now...

Just when I think people cannot get any crazier, some fools come along and surpass my expectations….

What a crazy week this has been. There has been a lot going in in the world around me. Particularly in the news and in my daily life, and you all know that I am an avid observer of everything around me. I am very sensitive to my surroundings and to the things that people to and say and of course this brings me to the reason I am here. I love the title above because I have been saying it all week. It is fitting. It has been really hard to take people seriously. The world this week has been filled with all types of things that leave you scratching your head and throwing up your hands.

Let me start off with The Gaye Family. Now everyone that knows me knows I am the biggest old school music lover. I have two albums of Marvin Gaye’s hanging up on my wall in my house. Marvin was a game changer. The “What’s Going On” album set the standard for the concept album. Of course “Got To Give It Up” is a personal favorite of mine. It has been associated with my family for a number of years. I am one of the biggest critics of today’s music because I believe a lot of todays acts lack the creativity and sensitivity of say a Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon so I am fiercely protective of contemporary artist trying to mimic our legends and their work.

Then there is this story…

As the story goes, The Gaye Family lead my Marvin’s son and daughter Marvin III and Nona (an actress and singer in her own right) and Marvin’s ex-wife Jan Gaye sued Pharrel and Robin Thicke for allegedly copying verbatim “Give It Up” for the smash hit “Blurred Lines”. Apparently the jury agreed that and ruled in the favor of the Gaye Family, they will be awarded 7.3 million dollars. Now MAYBE you can argue that the songs sound similar. I think they sound similar not the same. I really do feel that there is a difference between copying directly and being inspired by something. Does not mean you are copying verbatim. Not the same thing. But a jury disagrees with me, who am I to say?
Fast-forward to Nona Gaye after the verdict doing a press conference dressed in all black, with sunglasses on and the crocodile tears saying she felt like she “was now free from the chains that Pharrel and Robin Thicke had her bounded by.” WHAT?? Chains? I’m confused was she held prisoner by these two? Was this a criminal trial? Had her civil rights been violated? Let’s start here then, did she write the song? I wasn’t sure if she was giving a press conference or trying to audition for a role on Scandal or Empire. I hope Shonda Rhimes and Lee Daniels were watching because that was definitely a performance. Maybe they can cast her.
You would think that they would be happy with 7.3 million dollars. I mean hey that is a lot of money. But alas the foolishness gets even more intense as they are now considering going after Pharrell for his colossal hit “Happy” because wait for it they say it’s a direct copy of Marvin’s “Aint That Peculiar”. I have listened to both songs back to back over the last few days and my conclusion is that the Gaye family needs to have several seats and count their 7.3 and call it a day.
I can’t take people seriously….

Cretio Dollar…. Ok. So I am to understand this man of God is asking his congregation to fund a private jet for 65 million dollars. First of all your last name is “Dollar” so the stacks are already against you. Secondly, you are a minister with the last name Dollar. You are asking your church a majority of which are probably struggling financially to fund a jet? A few questions pop up in my mind:

1. Will all the members who pay this money or contribute be able to schedule flights in this jet?
2. Is this in addition to the tithes? What would you even call this? “Flight of Faith” “Travel Ministry Fund”?

Secondly this brotha creates a Go Fund Me Account the same one that small non-profit agencies use to raise like a few hundred dollars maybe even more. You create one for 65 million dollar plane?
I can’t take people seriously….

I won’t go into much detail about my thoughts of our clergy and their income (That is a completely different blog article itself) only to say that I am not opposed to it. A lot of clergy have income from before they started ministries. They are entrepreneurs, business owners and have other sources of income such as their professions. Some clergy are lawyers, some are doctors, and some are accountants. Not all of their money comes from the church and they are not robbing the church. But then you have this fella right here asking for a private jet from his church? It does not help the stigma of rich clergy and it gives a bad outlook on the church, which is unfortunate. Why do you need a plane of this magnitude when you already have one? Your last name is Dollar…
I can’t take you seriously….

Kim Kardashan decides to go blonde. She thinks its spectacular. I think she looks like Val from Knots Landing...

I can't take you seriously.....

There were quite a few observations I made from people in my observations that have not made the news this week, but they get an honorable mention from me. They are as follows:

1. How do you have a Jherri Curl and a Mohawk and your are over 40?
2. You are taking bathroom mirror selfies in the bathroom and we see your dirty draws, nasty sink and tub with the shower curtain pulled back in the background talking about “Haters gonna hate..”
3. You talk about you watching calories but have been at McDonalds and Del Taco Twice this week.
4. You posting pictures of weed on your social media and post naked pictures of people but then go on about how you can’t find a job?
5. In one post on your page, you quote bible scriptures, the next one you quoting Lil Wayne.
6. The media made a big deal that Kim Kardashian uses drug store shampoo.
7. You ran 3 miles around the park by the office in your jogging clothes, then come back in and put your work clothes back on without any water being put on your body.
8. Every one of your status updates is negative and sad or full of profanity but then say “I’m tired of people judging me!”
9. You say racism does not exist anymore, despite all you see on the news.
10. You call yourself a baller because you just cashed your tax refund.
11. You say Scandal, Empire and How To Get Away With Murder degrade African-American women and are negative images… yet you watch Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop, listen to Lil Wayne, and have “Truffle Butter” on your favorites on Pandora. You also call Karrine "Superhead" Steffans a genius

I can’t take you seriously…