RIP Steve Jobs

Photo:apple.com

I can't even fully express how saddened I was when I checked my Twitter stream on the device that he created to learn that the great Steve Jobs had passed away.  He was 56.  Only 56, in today's times that is extremely young and he was another victim of that shitty disease - cancer!

I remember my first encounter with a computer as a child in the 80's. It was an Apple IIc, today it's a huge clunky old thing compared to the products that Apple is turning out nowadays but to me it was everything. When the iPhone first hit stores I was one of the first people to purchase it. The first time I used my iPhone took me back to the first day I used the IIc, I felt like I was part of this great and wonderful thing bigger than me. No, seriously that's how Apple products make you feel.

Apple has the best out-of-box experiences of any company. I mean you are almost as excited about the packaging and opening it as you are about the product itself.  Steve Jobs is a pure American Dream.  He was a visionary, an innovator and a creator. He took nothing and made one of the biggest somethings of our time.  His accomplishments and contributions will be experienced and appreciated by generations to come. He is in a word a GENIUS! I didn't know Steve Jobs personally but I felt like I did. I was at my computer to watch almost every keynote because I knew I would witness something that the world would be seeing for the first time.  Steve Jobs was a magician, clad in a black turtleneck and jeans instead of a wizards robe and hat.

My prayers go out to Steve's family, friends and all those at Apple and around the world who had the pleasure of knowing him personally.

If we take anything away from Steve Jobs' life it should be that anything is possible. I think President Obama summed it up best when he said this of Jobs: "Brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it."

Misery Loves Company

In my post yesterday I briefly mentioned a bad situation that I would provide details here.  Well I’ve decided against it but I will share what I’ve learned from this unfortunate situation.

All I can say is that now more than ever I know that Misery truly loves company. But I don't want Miss Misery or any of her friends to visit me.

There are people that are unhappy with the paths they decided to take in life and the negative people they’ve wasted time and energy in relationships with and don’t have it in them to change.  These people will try to steal your joy, upset the balance in your life and bring you down to their level of dysfunction.  We need to pray for these people. Pray that they find peace and happiness and that they turn to God for direction in all decision making in life. This has worked very well for me.

These people for whatever reason always want to get their point across but not let you get a word in edgewise. This is because the truth hurts them.  I’ve learned that when people are unwilling or unable to accept and take responsibility for their state in life they often blame other people.  I am no longer going to let anyone that is having a bad day, week, year or life steal any of my joy. Life is just to short.

If you have a friend or relative that sounds similar to this person and they don’t want to listen or are constantly bickering with you all you can do is give it to God.  Pray for that person because on the outside they may be trying to put up this bad bitch persona but really they are a sad shell of a human being that needs help far beyond what us laypersons can give them.

I've learned that it's not good to get angry because you're only letting the other party win. They are out to make people as miserable as they are and nothing good will come of it.  Feelings get hurt, words are exchanged and sometimes relationships/friendships are changed forever. 

Today’s lesson: Let go and let God.

I Am From.....

After what has been a tumultuous few days I am starting to feel like myself again. The source of the tumult will be addressed in tomorrow’s blog post and tomorrow’s blog post only as I’m trying to address things once and move on. Today this space is dedicated to my oldest niece, Amber.  Amber - or MooMoo as we affectionately call her - began middle school this past Monday and I’m still in disbelief that this child whose diapers I once changed is 11 years old.  Amber by genetics like most of my family is extremely intelligent so much so that she still amazes and surprises me with each passing year. 

I was out walking at the park with my older sister, Deanna, when her phone rang. It was our sister Danae, Amber’s mother. At this point I didn’t know it was Danae but asked once Deanna started tearing up and then full on crying. She said it was Danae and that she was going to put her on speaker. I said “Why the fuck are you crying?” and looked at her crazy.  Danae begins reading a poem.  Not just any poem but a poem that Amber had written for school.  Now me being a poet myself this really made me smile and then like Deanna it made me cry. The poem is titled I am From and it’s Amber’s own words about where she’s from and what she likes and loves.  I was so moved by it that I would like to share it with you. Check it out.

I Am From by Amber N.

I am from a black walkway that leads to a big white house. I am from two picture windows and finely cut grass, I’m from a white fence that leads to our backyard. I am from Los Angeles the GREATEST city in the world!

 I’m from bike riding in the summertime. I’m from jump ropes, hula hoops, and home cooked meals. I’m from the computer era. I’m from iPods and flat screens. I’m from the new millennium.

 I am from my Mom. I’m from Denita. I am from Danielle. I’m from Deanna. I am from Decia. I am from Jasmyne and Chris. I’m from love.

I am from Christmas parties at Stanley & Sabrina’s house. I am from Halloween parties and trick-or treating with my aunties. I’m from New Year’s Eve parties with my family.

I’m from the words, “Oh my gosh!” I’m from the words, “I don’t know. I am from the words, “Not me!” I’m from phrase, “Shut the front door!” I’m from texting age. I’m from LOL. I’m from TTYL. I’m from ROTFL!!! I’m from tweeting… I’m from, “Amber it’s bedtime!”

I’m from a family that believes in God. I’m from a city that believes the LAKERS are the best! I’m from the home of the happiest place on Earth. I’m from Disneyland. I’m from Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm!

I’m from hot days, I’m from tank tops & flip flops, I’m from eating watermelon, I’m from cold days eating gumbo. I’m from red beans & rice, I’m from oxtails, I’m from black eyed peas. I’m from a loving family that cooks this stuff…

I’m from trips to Oklahoma City in the winter time. I’m from hot summer days splashing in water in the backyard with Dezon. I’m from trips to Disneyland. I’m from trips to the Grand Canyon. I’m from trips to Palms Spring. I’m from a family that loves me.

I’m from Los Angeles where it never gets too cold. I’m from hot summer days. I’m from cool breezy summer nights. I’m from warm beach water and a glistening sun. I’m from rainy winters that doesn’t bother me… 

I’m from a city where people sit in traffic. I’m from an area where people leave work and head to the gym. I’m from shopping malls and palm trees. I’m from amusement parks. I’m from the Hollywood sign and City Walk. I’m from the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I’m from parks and beaches. I’m from the City of Angels.

I’m from surfing the web. I am from downloading music. I am from going out to eat. I’m from spending time with my family. I’m from curling up with a good book and a blanket. I’m from shopping, going to church, and singing. I’m from having a good time with whatever I do!!!

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. 

Where Has The Time Gone????

So, way back in January I resolved to blog more often. Add that to the fail list!  Now it's almost the end of the freakin' summer and I've barely posted anything all year but I regularly update my twitter, but I guess that doesn't really count. I have not been posting regularly but I've decided I'm going to now since I've embarked on my latest and what I hope will be final weight loss venture. I plan to chronicle this tremendous anticipated weight loss on this blog and on a vlog (to be named at a later date).

Well, my birthday is just around the corner and my plans were to attend the Saints vs Raiders game on August 28th since it's in Cali. Fabulous - I know. How lucky would I be to have my hometown and favorite team coming to California the weekend of my birthday? Pretty damned lucky. It turns out that the saints are going to be practicing a quick 90 minute drive away in Oxnard the entire week. So you know who's going to be there. Yep, bitches -ME!

I can't wait to see Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints. This is going to be one of the best birthday weeks ever. I just love, love, love them.  Anyhow, this is going to be a pretty short post and I'm wrapping this bad boy up right here.

Arrivederci