Blog Plug: Another new entrant - presenting David Wilson

Bro. David Wilson is my minister at the Kings Church of Christ in Brooklyn, NY. Check out his blog! The address is:

http://expalot.blogspot.com/

Here's a little teaser to get you going...David's current article is entitled "Making Love"...


Enjoy!

Thank you

God,

Thank you so much for all the blessings you have provided to me, seen and unseen. Today, I got a glimpse of how much "unseen" actually occurs. Thank you, again. You rock!

Love,

Keri

The Color Purple - A must see!

Saturday June 2nd was Novelette's birthday and to celebrate we (Novelette, Stacey, Brian, Sejal & I) went to see The Color Purple - The Musical about Love. Oprah Winfrey has outdone herself (again). I strongly recommend that you see the show. It was entertaining and impressive from start to finish. The music, story, and cast were all stellar. Sejal said it was the best play she had ever seen. Special kudos to former American Idol winner, Fantasia. She put on an Oscar-worthy performance.

The show ended with a multi-minute standing ovation - it was that good. So good in fact that I volunteered for high-way robbery and bought the $25 soundtrack. It was a great night.

Happy birthday, Novelette!

It's only a sharpener!

The situation was unbelievable.

I was 8 years old. We were in an after school class at my prep school in Jamaica, diligently working on a problem set in our exercise books. My pencil point was a bit blunt, but I had left my sharpener at home and didn't have another pencil. I leaned over to the classmate on my right:

Keri: "Hi [X], may I borrow your sharpener, please? I need to sharpen my pencil." *I show him my dull pencil point*

[X]: "No." *He looks back down at his problem set*

Keri: "Why not?"

Huh? I am in semi-shock. Kid, do you realize that I am asking to borrow a sharpener? I am not asking for

• half of your jelly donut
• any of your banana chips
• a gulp of your box drink
• a piece of your icy kisko pop

I am not even asking to borrow a complete pencil! I am asking to use your SHARPENER! I will literally need 45 secs to sharpen my blunt pencil and return your precious sharpener to you. I promise.

[X]: "I don't want to."

He said that or something equally inane. I was no longer listening to him. I was extremely puzzled by the fact that someone could be that mean. After a few more moments I remembered that despite [X]'s wacko behavior, I still had to sharpen my pencil and finish my problem set.

I turned to the classmate on my left:

Keri: "Hi [Y], may I borrow your sharpener, please?"

[Y]: *[Y] picks up his sharpener and hands it to me - all without a single word*

Phew! My faith in the world has been restored. Normalcy has returned to my planet. [X]'s behavior was a mere aberration.

Music, Twins & The Sophisticate

Way back in the days of VHS & VCRs, before reasonably priced Cable or Satellite TV, a family of 5 owned a few videos. (Out-of-scope: The father's library of cricket, football and boxing cassettes and the really long History of the Bible tape). On weekends or holidays, when the 3 children felt 'bored' and/or wanted to have some 'fun', and los padres had not rented any new videos, the kids would watch and re-watch the few in-scope videos.

Mum and Dad were always surprised at how their 3 would never tire of watching the same content. Lines would be recited in sync with characters ("For once I put my foot down in this house. Let! Them! Alone!"*). Jokes were still hilarious during the 30th viewing ("So, you're the one they call peanut [pronounced peaaaaanuhhht] face???"**). Pretending that suspense even existed after the 50th viewing made watching more entertaining (Will Fraulein get caught by the Captain?***). Singing at the top of your lungs was required when you heard your favourite song (...The rain in Spain****... I'm getting married in the morning**** ...I am 16 going on 17***...). The fun was non-stop.

Today, in the time of Cable TV, Satellite TV, DVDs, etc. , those yesteryear videos are still favourites of the 3. Some of the videos have been upgraded to the new! X-year anniversary extended editions - with bonus! deleted scenes & interviews with the original cast. Showings on Cable TV are watched and re-watched - sans loud singing and pretended suspense, but with the occasional line recital and laughter.

If ever you are 'bored' or want a bit of 'fun', the 3 highly recommend that you watch the following videos:

- The Sound of Music

- The Parent Trap*****

- My Fair Lady

Feel free to borrow any of the 3's accompanying actions during your own viewing.

--------------


*The twins' grandfather in The Parent Trap. He said these words to his wife who constantly meddled in her daughter's affairs
**The twins' prospective step-grandmother in The Parent Trap. She said these words to one of the twins - Susan
***The Sound of Music
****My Fair Lady
*****Hayley Mills' version tops Lindsay Lohan's - but both are approved by the 3

Cadence of Emotions - Act 3

Evidence shouts the truth...






...doubt retains a loose grip

• Answer is self-evident
• Data already proved the case
• I verbally acknowledge
• Doubt (illogical) hinders my complete acceptance
• Let. Me. Go
• Successfully shaking you off

Cadence of Emotions - Act 2

Poised for greatness...






...mired in the old

• Action plan ready
• Positive attitude in place
• Initial implementation successful
• Feeling great
• Reverting to past behaviour
• Cognizant of reversion, yet allow it to continue
• When will I stop?
• Beyond tired