I'm Grateful

In my father's dialect, there's a response to the greeting to "how are you?" which is "I'm grateful." I got to thinking about this yesterday about the measure of such greeting as we look forward to tomorrow's Thanksgiving.

My thoughts were no wonder statistics have showed that particular country in Africa comprise of some of the happiest people in the world. They are not happy because everything is oh so rosy. Far from it; they have chosen to define happiness for themselves. It has less to do with the material things and more in the simple things of life like family, friends and a sense of purpose of being.

I'm also reminded of the scripture, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you." So just because we're living in a crummy economy and some unexplained times, shouldn't stop us from giving thanks and being grateful just to still experience this world called Life.

Tags: Thanksgiving

Awkward Conversations

I look forward to the start of a new holiday season. What I'm not looking forward to is the awkward conversations and settings I'd rather not be in with some family and friends. You know those awkward conversations: "You're not married yet?" "I'm waiting for the day you bring a guy here." Or conversations which lead me to count to 10 or higher from some archaic thinking.

Once, there was a guy I was meeting for the first time but was known to the others in the family. This knucklehead decided get in testy assessments of me. I was like (in my mind) "Negro, I don't know you." Well I did tell him in no uncertain terms he was bucking on the wrong tree. Come to think of it, that was the last time I saw him. And he got uncomfortable a little while later and left (Thank God for the small miracles).

So this year, I've been going through the settings and timing schemes in my mind I could avoid those oh so awkward moments with some family's houses. When all or most of the coupledom would have left and me sashaying in there (alone) is still cool and those who are progressive couples - those who know it's okay to enjoy being single and then being married is just cherry on top will be in place for some enlightened conversations. Wouldn't that be grand?

Tags: Social Settings, Thanksgiving

Introducing Tim Geithner

Just a quick note: I absolutely LOVE this pick (Tim Geithner for Treasury Secretary) from President-Elect, Barack Obama. In case you're new to this blog, my day passion is numbers (all things Finance). Great to see someone who's proven in the time of crisis to handle this mess we call the economy.

Tag: Tim Geithner

Ed Young's 7 Days of Sex Challenge

I've wanted to give my two cents on the hoopla on Rev. Ed Young's sex challenge but other stuff was more in the forefront of my mind until this morning when I saw Young and his wife on TV (again)about what they gained since Young issued the mandate to the married congregants in his church. Newsflash: They could only hold up to six days of the challenge (so to speak).

If you've been a consistent reader of this blog, you can peep I'm a person of faith even though I don't wear my faith on my sleeves. And besides, this is not a "faith" blog but all (or most) things I have an opinion about. So when I heard Young's mandate last week, I imagined myself in Ed Young's church and what would have been my reaction to this juicy news.

Well, in my current stage in life (single), my first reaction would have been "why do marriage folks get to have all the fun!" Then I would have thought why couldn't Young tell the married folks this piece of news at a marriage seminar somewhere. Lastly, I wondered how the singles in the congregation must have felt; what did Young say to them while their married counterparts are planning to go on this "sexcapade" - keep hope alive, your prince/queen is coming. I'm just saying . . .

But I digress. The secular (mainstream) world found this piece of news "shocking" as one to be taught from the so-called pulpit. So Young and a few others Ministers of various faiths (I saw a Rabbi talking about this over the weekend) have had their say. Here's my take: I'm all for the idea. Sometimes, the subject of sex and sensuality have been seen as taboo subjects when the Bible CLEARLY talks about them. Anybody read Songs of Solomon lately? You'll have to do a double-take and check the back of your "Bible" just to be sure it's still the Bible and not an Harlequin novel.

Besides, it's great for Young to open up the minds of folks to see sex is not just for procreation (as I had a heated debate with some "deep" folks some years ago) but also (first) for pleasure. And that's my take . . . what's yours? (love to see your comments)

Tags: Ed Young, 7 Day Sex Challenge

Few Musings For The Week

It's been a while since I did the "rundown" of a few things buzzing in my mind and in our world, so why not now:

ObamaMANIA: Is it only me who's getting fed up of all things Obama 24/7 especially when it comes to merchandising? I get it! This is a historical time but a few days ago when I saw GQ named Barack Obama as one of its Men of the Year, I exclaimed "aaarh!" Faithful readers of this blog know I've said I made a decision a few years ago (after Obama's 2004 DNC keynote speech) to buy most magazines he graced. But I find that decision to be fiscally irresponsible these days. Then a couple of days ago, Lewis Black of The Daily Show was along the lines of my train of thoughts . . .

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Obama Merchandise

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Cabinet-Proof Selections: Okay I know I said I'm getting tired of the Obama-Mania. But hey, the cabinet positions weren't part of that. So I agreed with the Eric Holder pick for Attorney General. The man is a brother and if confirmed, he'll become the first African American AG (he served as deputy for Janet Reno in the Clinton years). But I'm confounded with the Hillary Clinton pick for the Secretary of State. I thought she will be GREAT at Health but Tom Dashle (who's equally qualified) got that position. I don't know . . .

By the way, Obama needs to start picking a few Latinos (there are rumblings) for his cabinet. Two-thirds of Latinos went for Obama, so they are justified in wondering when their turn in seeing a visible cabinet member who represents them.

Hugh Jackman is Sexiest Man Alive: Well-deserved! Jackman is not really my type, Psyche, he's exactly my type with the rugged good looks, "nice guy" character and OMG, the British accent - what can I say . . .But I will say this to People Magazine, it's been a long while since you had a brother on the cover as "sexiest man alive." Only Denzel (excellent choice) has had that honor. I believe you could find more guys of color.

To All The Single Ladies - Have A Good Laugh with this (Justin Timberlake is sick):


Tags: President-Elect Cabinet Positions, Justin Timberlake, SNL, Single Ladies, Beyonce

Happy Birthday Joe

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite guys in politics, Joe Biden. He turns 66 today and I wish the Vice-President Elect many happy returns.

Tag: Joe Biden's Birthday

Florida Early Voters

My kudos today goes to Early Voters in Florida. As I was driving today, I heard on the radio that the final tally of votes casted on November 4th showed John McCain beat Barack Obama by five points. But the great thing was Barack Obama had banked more votes from the absentee and early voters which brought the final results as Obama beating McCain by three points.

So thanks early voters for turning the purple (which some pundits call red) state blue. You showed the truth in the adage that the early birds do get the worms.

Tags: Florida Early Voters