The Middle Passage

I believe the only feeling that can replace the excitement of starting something great is the happiness associated with finishing something great.  Think about it; when you got accepted into that school or got that loan to start that business you were ready to conquer the planet.  But when you graduated or started turning a profit, there was nothing that could dull the shine of your pride.  That's because at the moment that you "made it" you had that 50-picture-in-2-seconds flashback about what it took to win.  And while everyone around you was celebrating your success, you rejoiced knowing that you survived the middle passage.

Sides

The 27 year-old gang bangin' rapper struts out on the Radio City Music Hall stage with his employed friends.  His bloodshot eyes are draped with Versace shades to conceal the marijuana side effects; and also because its the look of the culture these days.  As he and his rented entourage approach the podium to receive the award for Best Rap Song, he tosses his hand in the air to signal representation of the gang he joined just last year.  Then, after he grabs the award with his left hand, daps up the male presenter with his right hand, and kisses the female presenter on the check; he pulls the podium microphone down and shouts with exuberance "what the [explicative] is up!"  The crowd goes wild.  Then he calmly utters, "First I wanna thank God...'cause you know...ain't none of this possible without the man upstairs."

Eighty-Five Year Long Party

On the eve of our first anniversary, Melicer and I had to give up our rings.  Due to maintenance and scheduled repair, our symbols of commitment were whisked away to a jeweler who the company feels should work in another location.  We completed the paperwork with the customer service reps when one of them suggested, "well, you get to be single for about 10 days."

"Nah, I'll never be single again," I responded.

"Good answer!"

Certified Illogic

"Yeah God told us to have faith, but He also said use common sense."  You ever been told that before?  Right after you've been tossing and turning half the night; wondering how this is going to get done?  How that's going to happen?  What will it look like?  Or for my achievers out there... thinking can you do it?  And then, right when you've made up in your mind that you're (ahem) walking into victory in Jesus' Name, you run across that co-worker, or that friend, or that family member...who politely tells you whatever it is isn't a good idea.  Unlike the last time when you meekly responded, "yeah, I guess you're right"; this go 'round you say something like, "I have faith that the Lord will bring this to pass!"  That's when you hear the classic phrase, "Yeah God told us to have faith, but He also said use common sense."  Along with that, the person adds the logical reason why the plan you were told by the Lord won't work the way you envision it; or won't work at all.  Seconds later, that faith you had in the midnight hours has evaporated...

All Self Righteous....

One of the sports talk shows I listen to some mornings posed this pretty good thought provoking basketball question:  Who's the best player in this generation - Kobe Bryant or Tim Duncan?  Great one; and even as a Laker fan I honestly can't give the run away answer to Kobe just yet, because Tim Duncan is arguably one of the best forwards ever.  Still, asking your general sports fan may garner an answer based mostly on emotions.  Plenty people, for no basketball reason whatsoever, hate Kobe Bryant - so they may select Duncan by default.  But there are also those who don't like Tim Duncan because of his alleged squeaky clean image.  I actually was involved in a conversation with a few people who don't want the Spurs (Duncan's team) to win because he appears "do everything right."  I'm pretty sure I would want my four-time NBA champion power forward to do everything right.  I assume winning isn't as important as having a bad boy image.