Office Rest Room Chronicles ....

This morning as I approached the men's rest room to "drain the main vein", one of my coworkers was exiting.  He said hello, but not in his usually over enthusiastic manner (yeah, he's one of those).  I noticed it was unusual, but I thought nothing of it ... that was until I actually entered the rest room!!  I then  realized that his seemingly dismissive greeting was actually his post rest room walk of shame!  

Good Gawd the atrocity this man committed in there!!!   He had every right to not look me in my eyes! ..   but damn, he coulda atleast given me the John Witherspoon warning from Friday "Dont nobody go in there for 35-45 minutes!!"

I tried to hurriedly use the facility while holding my breath the entire time.  While washing my hands, I happened to notice that my shirt pulled out of my pants and I dont like to look disheveled (most of the time), especially since it wasn't even lunch time yet  ....  so just as I finish adjusting my shirt and pants in the mirror and I'm buckling my belt, in walks another co worker who immediately gets a whiff of the crime scene, furrows his brow, and gives me the look of horror and disdain!!

OH NO, I'VE BEEN FRAMED!!    

At this point, I thought of the uttering the words of Shaggy 'It wasn't me', but instead I just figured he probably wouldnt believe me anyway ... i didnt even try to explain, I just bowed my head and exited in my post rest room walk of shame ... damn

That dude is probably composing his blog post about me right now ... lol .. but then again, what do I know ... 

34 things about me ..... that you'll probably stop reading at 3 or 4

So I had this brilliant idea that I would write a blog that listed 34 things about me.. .. then I realized 34 sure is a lot. So I tried to condense it to 3 to 4 instead .. but that was too few.. lol

Anyway, I'm just gonna write some random stuff about me and stop when i run out or at #34 or when you stop reading .. whichever comes first.....

 I'll start with some of my favorite verses:

1) "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James ... I'm not exactly sure how a righteous man is defined, but I can attest to having some effectual fervent prayers answered

2) "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want" - David .. I have an entire blog dedicated to just this .. David's pen game was sick!

3) "... I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly"- God .. so dope

4) "..You have not because you ask not" - Somewhere in the Bible .. google it

5) "Remind yourself, nobody built like you, you design yourself..." - Jigga .. I never specifically said Bible verses

6) "The only man better than me, is embedded in me ... " - Chris Emdin

7) "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds .." - The late Bob Marley .. pardon me yall .. the great Bob Marley

8)  "Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry" - James Allen .. it all starts with a thought (both the good and bad)

9)  "..Your values is in disarray prioritizing horribly, unhappy with your riches cuz you're piss poor morally" - TI

10)  " Same sword they knight you they gon' good night you with/ ish, that only half if they like you. That aint even the half what they might do/ Dont believe me as Michael See Martin, see Malcolm See Biggie, See Pac, see success and it's outcome See Jesus, See Judas See Caesar, See Brutus See success is like suicide/ if you succeed prepare to be crucified..." - Jigga .. Dont worry about naysayers, it just comes with the territory .. keep grinding!


 Some wacky ideas i suscribe to:

 11) Love is a decision, not a feeling

 12) God only intended to save Noah and his family... he built that boat on the low...

 13) Women often encourage men to be cheaters 

Lol @ all the people that read those and was like "How you figure?!" or "what?! He's not even elaborating?!" ... nope, "aint nobody got time for that!!"

 Some goals for next year:

 14) At least 2 trips - at least one international and Jamaica doesn't count (neither does Canada .. lol).. I gotta get some stamps in my passport

15) Run a 5k .. maybe a 10k (that might be pushing it)

16) Become a Six Sigma Master Black Belt (A Professional Goal .. no its not martial arts)

17) Become a certified PMP (not to be confused with PIMP.. already certified ..LMAO)

18) A 20k pay raise (1 percenters here i come.. lol) - Yes that is realistic ..If your mind can conceive it...

19) Cook more often - This has been my goal for the last 3 years .. smh

20) Participate in at least 3 charitable events - Greg loves da kids and seniors

21) Find at least one new business venture to try .. no I'm not investing in your new record company

Some things I am grateful for (here's where it starts to get mushy)....

22) My parents - These people have been my everything: My biggest fans, my harshest critics, my spiritual, professional, financial, and life role models .. You have always led by example and for that I am grateful

23) My bro - I guess I could have just included you in the above one but I'm tryna come up with 34 of these things and I'm running out.. lol You have always been the dude I have looked up to. You always looked out for me whether it was teaching me the easy way to do math, or beating someone up on my behalf, or even just there to hear all the stuff I could never talk to anyone else about .. 'love you for that no matter what bruh'

24) Friends - Those of you near and far - You have no idea how much I appreciate you guys. So many of you motivate me to keep grinding, keep me grounded, encourage me, laugh with me, and more importantly, laugh at me. (funny always wins) Many of you always tell me how good I am to you, in actuality I am just reflecting what you are to me ... and those of you that think I'm a jerk, the same thing applies ... lol

 25) Associates - Those of you whom I am not that close to, but whether its an online motivational post, or a funny status, or some informative information, or hilarious ignorance .. I am grateful for ya.

26) Opportunities - I am grateful for the many opportunities that have been extended to me. I am also grateful for the new ones I received and been able to take advantage of after the many I have squandered.

27) Life - #nuffsaid

28) Good measure of health - This one is especially important to me. ( I deleted and included this one several times) Many dont know this but in 2005 I was diagnosed with Lupus. I remember a pastor anointing and praying over me that year. I also remember determining in my mind that I wouldnt be defeated by it. Since that year, I have never had any major flare or set back ... I only put this out there to encourage anyone else that may be going through it, your healing starts with you ... if you need someone to chat with, feel free to reach out to me and we can laugh at it together .. somebody needed to hear that

29) God's Impact on my life - please reference all the above

Finally, my prayers:

30) For my family - I pray for continued guidance, continued blessings, and continued protection over you and your life daily

 31) For my friends - I pray for continued success, prosperity, and love (if you believe in it.. lol)

 32) For my haters (everybody always claims to have these) - I pray that whatever I've done (whether real or perceived) that you will forgive me and that we may be able to work through our differences and resolve it

33) For the generation coming up - I pray that you will be able to stay focused and avoid the many distractions.  I also pray that you will not allow your mistakes (cuz you will make several .. we all do) to define or defeat you .. Also know that I'm here if you need someone to talk to.. I got you .. for the low low price of ... lol.. j/k

34) For myself - I pray that I will be a better person daily and that my influences on others will only be positive ... my fortune cookie yesterday said "the nearest way to glory is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be.." yup, that sums it up

*whew, I'm exhausted*

Peace,
Me

The Poetry of Psalm 23 - David got bars!

Often times I tell people that I believe the 23rd Psalm were some of the illest verses ever written.  The pictures painted within the poetry are so vivid... David had bars son!! lol  Anyway, I once read a blog Toure did where he broke down a Jay-Z verse that he appreciated line by line and explained his interpretation.  I decided to try something similar with the 23rd Psalm .... so here goes:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

- The Psalm starts off crazy! Usually when we think of God, we think of him supplying all our needs.. David takes it a step further still and says that even beyond his needs, God has supplied all his wants!  Clearly either David had a much closer connection to the Big Homie than I, or he didn't 'want' as much as I do.. Lol

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: 

- The picture painted here is so serene.  When I read this passage, I picture blue skies, the best manicured lawn, a refreshing still stream of water that it is easy to drink from without having to fight against rushing waves crashing into your face. David takes this picture to the next level by indicating that resting peacefully in the green pastures and drinking from the quiet stream, don't only satisfy his physical refreshment needs;  He lets us know the peaceful refreshment reaches into the deep recesses of his soul.  This leads me to believe the green pastures and quiet streams he speaks of are also metaphors for giving us a snapshot or foretaste of the scene in Heaven.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

-Here David reminds us that if you follow the Shepherd closely, he will keep you on the right path because you represent him... Cool line but blah in comparison to the rest of the psalm.. But no less important

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

- At this point, David's swag is on 100 thousand trillion as he diddy bops through difficult times knowing that he is protected by The Big Homie, who is bigger and greater than any trial and tribulation he may endure

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 

- This is easily my favorite line of the entire psalm ... A continuation of David's swag (he might be at 400 thousand trillion here) .. Here he in essence says 'you dont want it with the Lord's anointed ...  We will feast on you chumps' .. Dinner is served!

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

- David finishes up strong by writing words that reminds us 'who Jah bless no man curse'.  David has been ghostwriting for centuries!  A reminder that once you have been anointed and blessed by God, those blessings will follow you for life and those blessings continue even after when u are dwelling with Him in Heaven.. 

Amen - The End

DJ Mr Cee .. Still One of The Greatest!

Over the last 5 or 6 years, if you asked me who my favorite Hip-Hop DJ was, without hesitation I would answer DJ Mr Cee.  If you asked why, I would tell you because he DJ'd for one of my favorite rappers of all time (Big Daddy Kane), he was responsible for bringing Biggie to Puff's office, he is also the only DJ who can kill it when he plays any genre: hip-hop, r&b, reggae, konpa, etc. and not just play the surface or commercial tracks either.  He's not afraid to do parties in the most hood spots.  He also isn't afraid to put his reputation on the line when trying to break new records, expose new artists, and work with people who are not necessarily reputable enough to work with a DJ of his caliber.  He is simply one of the best at it.

However, if you asked me what his real name was, I had no clue..  Is he married?, Does he have any children?, What are his hobbies?, What's his favorite type of music?  I don't know the answer to any of those questions...

Then today when I saw the news and details of his arrest, the Jamaican homophobic side of me was instantly shocked and appalled!!!  "What?!, Mr Cee is a Batty Man?!! .. Say it ain't so!!!"  I was so disappointed to read the news...

Then I thought for a second...  ok, ok it took more than a second but after I gave it more thought I wondered 'Why am I disappointed?' ..  'What has changed?' .. 'Why am I even surprised?' .. Haven't we heard repeatedly over the last 15 years at minimum that a huge percentage of the Hip-hop industry is gay or 'goes both ways'.. Why are we surprised when it is revealed that someone actually is....  Is he no longer one of the best dj's to ever do it?  Did he still not give us Biggie, has he not been an integral part of the Hip-Hop culture for the last 25 years?!  Did he not pay his dues and earn his respect in the game?

I argue that absolutely nothing has changed!!  I mean sure he used poor judgement by his act of 'public lewdness', but c'mon who hasnt had some form of 'inappropriate conduct' in the whip before.. Lmao!! He is a DJ for goodness sake!!  I don't even think that Bishop Eddie Long received the type of ridicule that Mr Cee is getting, and he was a minister .. someone that is expected to uphold moral values. Ultimately, I never knew anything about his personal life before I declared him one of the best at it, and now even though some of his 'dirty laundry' has been exposed, I say "Who Cares?!!"

In fact, when this is all said and done and if this does in fact turn out to be true, while we're all busy ridiculing him, he may be feeling the most relieved he has ever felt in his entire life because he is no longer mentally imprisoned by a dirty laundry cell / glass house that still holds most of us captive.  I mean ours may not be homosexuality,  but what if your husband/boyfriend ever found out the real reason you were voted 'most popular' in school .. or your job finds out about that arrest record that you had sealed, or the church that you love to act Holier than Thou in,  finds out what you're busy doing the other six days of the week .. All I'm saying is, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone... " - Jesus 

    DJ Mr Cee, keep doing your thing!!!!  Musically that is, I don't care to know anything else .. lol

My New Terrible Diagnosis

Dear family and friends,

Because I love you all, and because of the love you all have shown me, you have helped me build the courage to share with you.  I have received a terrible diagnosis... an incurable disease known as ILikeNiceThings has consumed me and there is no turning back.  This disease tends to flare up all the time, whether its a sick suit, a sick tie, a sick car, and for the most part I have been able to control it ... However, lately it has been plaguing me and rearing its ugly head when I pass the Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores at the Westchester Mall.  Every time I pass the Louis Store,  these shoes keep making me sick!!  I stare at them for minutes at a time, then finally when I muster up the strength to move, and start feeling a little better, I end up by the Gucci store and these damn shoes make me sicker!!  Ladies and gentlemen, you must help me in this cause ... here's how you can help... I have decided that on Sunday March 27th, I am doing a 5k walkathon (or 5 mile whichever is shorter .. I was never good with the metric system).  I am looking for sponsors for my walk to help my cause towards acquiring these shoes.  Please join me in my walk and gather sponsors. too  This is for a good cause... my health depends on it!!  To donate, you can donate via paypal (golewin@gmail.com) or on www.getgregshoes.com (no that website doesnt really exist, but the paypal account does :-) ).  Thanks in advance.



Sickly

A Toast To Love

Just figured I would share my toast with those of you who couldn't make it.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is indeed my honor and privilege to propose a toast to the bride and groom

For the benefit of those who don’t know me, my name is Greg Lewin.  and I have been a friend of Christopher’s for over 15 years and indeed it has been an extreme pleasure ….  Well, for him!

Over the many years I have known Chris, he has always been someone who has motivated and inspired me.  If I had to choose one word to describe him, it would be the word success because anyone who knows Chris knows that anything Chris sets out to do, gets done… and not only does it get done, but in most instances it gets done better than its ever been done before.

Case and point, Chris went away for 3 consecutive summers and came back with a Master’s degree from RPI, a highly reputable school.  He disappeared for what felt like a few months and next thing I know, he had a PhD, which I believe was the fastest period of time anybody has ever completed that program.  And those are just a few examples .. the list goes on and on

So when I hear Chris say that next on his agenda is to be a husband, I have no doubts that not only will he be successful in that role, but he very well may be one of the best we’ll ever witness in it!

They say beside every good man is a great woman, and for many of Chris’ successes, there was someone who was by his side for a good portion of the journey.   Someone who would lend an encouraging and comforting word during the difficult or discouraging times, someone who would remind him of his schedule and important meetings, someone who would run errands to the ends of the earth for him so he could focus on writing and completing projects.  Someone who has played an integral role in his success.. and it comes as no surprise that Chris would want that person by his side for the rest of their lives.... That person is none other than the beautiful bride Ebone’.

I’ve heard people say that you have to be careful when naming your children because they very well may live up to the name you give them and when I think of the word Ebony .. I think strong, beautiful, black .. and when I think of the person Ebone’, I think beautiful, strong, black woman, who is also intelligent, sweet, kind, successful, patient, and someone who is perfect for Chris in every way!

Usually when people are looking for their soul mate they look for someone who complements them….  Someone who could be the Yang to their Ying…. And when I see Chris and Ebone’ interact you can feel the love spewing out of them, and I realize that Ebone’ doesn’t just complement Chris …. She completes him!!

And so without any further ado,  please raise your glasses as I propose a toast two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one ...  To Health, To Happiness, To Prosperity, To Posterity, To Joy, To Love, To Forever!!  Cheers!

Trey Songz ... Bringin' Morals Back??

This morning while driving, I heard the new Trey Songz single on the radio 'I'm Already Taken', and I instantly put on my hater hat.  I thought 'Damn homey, save some of the ladies for the rest of us!! .. this dude is constantly finding new ways every day to get all the women!!'.  Over the last few years, we have witnessed Trey Songz quietly rise from being the average R&B singer to the biggest R&B sensation on the planet.  From young girls to old hags alike, you'd be hard pressed to find a single one that is not crazy about this guy and I knew that this song would only enhance and bolster his position.  Everyone knows that if you ask any woman what they want in a relationship,  they will always say honesty and faithfulness (no, they aren't necessarily the same, but that's another blog), and here goes Mr Songz hitting them in their soft spot with 'I'm Already Taken'.

However, after the effects of my haterade wore off, I thought of a different perspective.  I thought instead that perhaps Trey Songz should be commended for this bold step that he has taken.  In a world where every entertainer and 'role model' (rapper, r&b singer, rock star, athlete, politician, spiritual leaders, etc) show us by both their words and actions that debauchery and polygamy are what define men (and many of us buy into it), Trey Songz has taken a different approach: Trey Songz has publicly declared that monogamy is cool.  He can go to the clubs and women can throw themselves at him and he has no problems  announcing 'I'm Already Taken'.   This isn't the first time he's done it either.. In his video for the song 'Your Side of the Bed', he played the role of a husband whose wife was deployed to war and he was anxiously awaiting her return, which she never did (She died at war and he broke down crying at the door further tugging on these women's heart strings .. Monogamy and a man not afraid to cry?!! .. That bastard!!! ... Hey, how did this hater hat come back on?!.. Lol). Anyway, I've digressed :-) ... How cool is it that the person who has the attention of all the ladies (and all the men that are trying to find out the secret to his super powers), is suggesting that its cool to be a one lady man?  Could Trey Songz (consciously or not) be taking the first step towards bringing morality back into our society?


Undoubtedly, pop culture plays a huge role in influencing all of us (not just our children).  While I do agree that parents ultimately have the responsibility of teaching children right from wrong, it is definitely pop culture that enforces or dissuades those teachings.  Pop culture is the reason our kids want these ridiculous looking clothes, why our grown folk want jewelry, why we bought the 4.6 instead of the 4.0 Range Rover, and why we want those expensive sneakers.. Because whether we admit it or not, somewhere in the back of our minds we believe that if we mimic them even if its ever so slightly we might somehow yield the same results.  So imagine when all our heroes from Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Bill Clinton, Shaquille O'neal, and music stars in their songs and videos reinforce that every man cheats.  It almost suggests that it's a prerequisite for greatness and a way of proving your manhood.  It is constantly being imprinted on the minds of our impressionable society (not just men either .. I've even heard women accept less than they deserve by saying things like 'every man cheats, but I'm who he comes home to at night' which then further gives us a license to continue that behavior .. thats yet another blog .. maybe I'll call it 'It's Your Fault').

One thing I have also noticed about recent pop culture, however, is that it lacks originality, so whenever somebody is 'hot', for the next year and a half every other artist is copying the one that is successful, and with Trey Songz being on top imagine if one by one artists continue in this vein and write songs that encourage our young men that it's ok to be faithful and respect our women... What a great thing that would be.  Trey Songz, I commend you for taking the first step towards getting society back on the right track publicly (even if u probably hitting off mad groupies backstage after your shows... There's that damn hater hat again.. Lol).  Good Job.

But then again, what do I know ... That I know nothing.