If there were in the world.......

If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Now isn't that a lovely thought? Why is it that the only time we pull together as a community of human beings is when there is a disaster? I am thinking of the horrific tsunami which killed 63,000 people in southeast Asia.
We spend more of our time gossiping, back-biting and tearing one another down over the pettiest of things. Why not just live the best way we know how and be the best people we know how to be. Try it, you'll feel better. You'll find while your working on yourself, you won't have time for any of the old negative stuff.

This was one of the best holiday's that I've had in a while.

There was no stress about gifts, or anything. I did what I could and let God take care of the rest. I rested the majority of the day because I was tired and had a headache. Today was about family. I made my calls to my friends and left messages where I couldn't get them. Imani and I ate dinner; she visited with her friends online as well as one who came over this morning.

I spoke with a friend who I've not heard from in years. She just happened to be in Charlotte vsiting her daughter. I haven't seen Ruby in probably about 15 or more years.

Sometimes you just have to drop out of the frenetic chasing about and just enjoy the small things: family, good friends, and of course, good food.

Phantom of the Opera II

Yesterday I talked at some length about Phantom. It was wonderful. What was so good about it, you ask? Well for starters, the cinematography, the staging and the music, of course. But the best part was Gerard Butler starring as the Phantom. This man is divine to look and and has a wonderfully flexible tenor which he knows how to use very well.

You may remember him from the movie adaptation of Michael Chrichton's book, Timeline, or as Dracula in Dracula 2000, or Lara Croft Tomb Raider where he plays Terry Sheridan. This Scorpio man (November 13th) is just plain lovely. Enjoy him!

Phantom of the Opera was wonderful!!!!!,

My friend Marie and I went to dinner tonight at PF Chang's. A wonderful place to go if you're looking for well prepared Asian cuisine.
Later,we went to see the movie Phantom of the Opera. What can I say about it? The actor who played the Phantom (Gerard Butler)was sexy. Maybe in 1870 there was no help available for his deformity, but in 2004, he could have been fixed.
The hero Raoul, well he was constant and exciting as pudding. I thought the heroine, Christine was , well , can we say spineless?
But the costumes, music and staging was superb!
Did I say the music was superb? I hope it's a box office smash. Go see it! Minnie Driver is has a wonderful comedic role. Who knew?

I was just thinking....

The other day I went to church. We had a guest speaker who took his message from Mk 6:1. -A prophet receives no honor in his home.
The gist of his message was to do whatever it is you are supposed to do as though God is looking and talking about you to his friends,"That's my boy or that's my girl!"
Later I had a conversation with a friend to whom I confessed- "I don't know that I do anything particularly well except speak." She said she felt the same about her talents. The comment astounded me because I see her as very talented.
Let me tell you about her. My friend has a kind heart. She is one of the most accepting people I know as far as other peoples proclivities. She doesn't gossip nor is she a backbiter. She has a wonderfully satirical sense of humor, she's imaginative, and is very loyal. She is somewhat shy until she feels comfortable with you. She's always there with a kind word or a kick in the ass ; whatever you need the most. That's why I like her. I tried to imagine what my life would be without her in it. Definitely poorer. That's my buddy Resa. Check her out at resathoughts@blogspot.com

Merry Chrismahanakwaanzica

Just wanted to wish everyone seasons greetings and a Merry Chrismahananikwanzica to uyou all.

Don't get stopped in Va

I just had the one of the most tramatic experiences of my life. I received the first speeding ticket in my 35 year driving history; hand-delivered by a young rookie type cop.
I wasn't able to get there on the original court date (November 8) so I had the thing postponed. Anyway, I received the letter Wednesday nite (December 8) advising me that my new court date is Monday December 13th @ 9 am in the town of Suffolk,Va. (A mere 5 hours away)
People, I live in Charlotte. I get my fanny up and leave my house at 3:30 am to arrive in time for my court date. As it turned out, I was not guilty due to mechanical failure so I had my certificate attesting to that.
After waiting approximately an hour and a half to get called. I found out that the cop didn't show up. The judge calls me and asks how do I plead, I say not guilty to speeding and explain that on the advice of counsel, I had my vehicle checked out mechanically and had equipment failure.
Instead of dismissing the whole thing, he reduces the mileage over the speed limit so "I don't have to come back up there again." I paid a $45 fine and court costs totalling $101
Dismissal would have meant me not having to come back again too.
Go figure. I leave court at 10:45 and drive back to Charlotte in my newly calibrated automobile at a sedate 55 in VA and 65-70 in NC. I made 1 stop for gas and 1 comfort stop arriving home at 4 PM. 13 frellin' hours for a damned speeding ticket!

A character study

The sun was a white-gold disk against the clear azure sky. She got out of her car humming the Alex Bugnon ditty Harlem on my Mind. Then she saw him and her heart lifted.
He stood there polishing the windows of his truck with slow even strokes. A watermelon smile split his brown face at her approach. He wasn't a handsome man- his nose was like a hawk's beak and his eyes were too piercing for comfort- but he had a presence that made you notice him. His movements were smooth, never hurried, but precise, smooth and efficient.
He said little, but listened well, giving the impression that everything you said was of interest to him.
She wondered idly if he made love as smoothly, precisely and efficiently as he did everything else. But- she was not willing to risk what little self-esteem she had left to find out.
If asked she would have described him as a strong but gentle man; someone who has mastered the knack of living with himself.
He was a man of tremendous faith, however. Time after time, she watched him get knocked down by life only to utter a prayer and get back up. They comforted one another with prayer and conversation through trouble and sorrow forming the tenuous bonds of friendship.

This weekend

....was a landmark one for me. I did more socializing than I usually do and had a wonderful time.
Friday was the Christmas party at the church I joined. We we asked to bring gifts for the Charlotte Battered Women's Shelter. I was glad to hear that this facility was chosen. It has long been a pet cause of mine and I've been supporting it privately for the past several years.
We had wonderful entertainment offered by the choir and some of the most delicious food. I invited my friend Addy who was glad to have a night out away from the kids.

Saturday, was the Holiday Gala at Discovery Place. This has been an ongoing tradition with my company for the past 7 years since they opened their doors in the Charlotte area. This year it was held at Discovery Place. They actually shut the whole place down and our employees and their families had the run of the place.
It was nice to see the children's eyes as they ran to and fro looking at all the wonders.
It was very crowded though, and we had so many new faces. It would have been nice to have had my family with me. I invited Addy and her youngest boy Aaron. They had a wonderful time. I think I'll have a small get together at the house over the holidays.