Pointy-headed boss, por que no te callas????

http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2007/11/chavez-por-que-no-te-callas.html

TV Dah Brain Killer

http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2007/11/turn-it-off.html

The Privacy of the Whole World

Recently, Mentwabe Dawit - the biological mother of Angelina Jolie's and Brad Pitt's adopted 2-year old daughter Zahara - announced to Reuters that Zahara was conceived during rape. Mentwabe was attacked in 2004 when walking home from work at night in the Ethiopian town of Awasa. Mentwabe was unable to support her child, and instead of watch her die from starvation, she gave Zahara up for adoption.

Rape is of course a horrific episode for any woman (understatement!) and a crime that should be reported. However, telling the entire world that Zahara was conceived during rape is a definite NO NO. Mentwabe should have waited until Zahara came of age and then together they could have decided whether or not to share this news and with what audience.

Mentwabe has eliminated any choice on Zahara's part and while she obviously experienced extreme trauma, how much trauma has she now inflicted on her daughter, Zahara?

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL1926134020071120?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Chavez, por que no te callas?

Shut Up, Chavez!

Two weeks ago at a Chilean summit, Spanish King Juan Carlos I interrupted a verbose Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez by saying "Por que no te callas?", i.e. "Why don't you shut up?"

Chavez had repeatedly called the former Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, a fascist and when he was asked to be more diplomatic and show respect for other leaders, Chavez began to retaliate - but before he could, Juan Carlos leaned over and asked Chavez to shut his mouth.

Carlos' comment has spurred a lucrative industry. Many were so amused/fascinated by his words - commentary arguably many would like to say to Chavez - that technophiles turned the retort into a ringtone. According to Time Magazine more than 1/2 a million people have downloaded the ringtone, generating more than $2 million in profits. The ringtone is not only a hit with the Spanish, but some Venezuelan students are downloading it as a form of protest against Chavez. Also, the industry is moving beyond ringtones, and now encompasses t-shirts

"The king said what Venezuelans have wanted to say to Chavez's face for a long time," said Jenny Romero, 21, a student sporting one of the T-shirts in Caracas. "I'm wearing this T-shirt to protest everything bad that has happened in the country." (CNN)

I find the whole episode refreshing and hilarious. Sometimes you need to tell people to put a sock in it. Forget about being PC - if someone is obnoxiously blabbering on and on, why tolerate all of it, just ask 'em to stop...but do it King Carlos style! Way to go Carlos!

For more on the spat, see:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/19/spain.shutup.ap/index.html

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!!!

I thank God for all he has blessed me with :)

Think Before You Threaten

Congrats to GQ's Man of the Year...Kanye West!!

Bee S!

If you are living in North America and have not heard about Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie then I encourage you to get out from under that rock where you apparently live.

Jerry has blitzed us from every corner with promotions about this movie, and hey, I have no problem with that. I was a big Seinfeld fan back in the day, and despite the ridiculous racist behavior from the dude who played Kramer (sadly, I can't look at Kramer the same anymore - Michael, why did you have to ruin it for me?!), I still rank the sitcom as one of the top comedic shows of all time. But, I digress...back to Jerry and the Bees.

The premise of the movie seems unique. The main character, the bee Barry B. Benson, goes to war against humans for exploiting his species - we eat their honey, have created a lucrative industry based on their output, but they get no benefits from the sales. Also, the film boasts well known names, Jerry Seinfeld as Barry, Renee Zellweger as a florist that Barry falls in love with, and other greats such as Chris Rock, Matthew Broderick and John Goodman. So, given the huge investment in marketing, the unique premise and the talented cast, did this movie live up to expectations?

If your expectations were very low, then this movie passed with flying colours. I haven't seen the movie yet, and given the scathing - but funny - review by Joe Morgenstern in the Wall Street Journal, I probably won't - well at least I will wait for the DVD.

Here are excerpts from Joe's review in the 11/02/07 WSJ :

• 'Bee Movie' isn't a B movie, it's a Z movie, as in dizmal


• This animated feature might have been tolerable, though for what demographic I'm not sure, if it's hyper vocal star, Jerry Seinfeld, had chosen to drone. Instead, he delivers every line - every stupid bee joke that he and his cronies could cook up - with a pounding, punishing triumphalism that recalls not the Seinfeld of "Seinfeld" but Milton Berle on a really bad night


• As you may have gleaned from a publicity campaign that's been slightly less invasive than the influenza pandemic of 1918...


• It's just that the movie aims so low, and still manages to miss all distinction


• At one point in Barry's honey trial, an exasperated defense lawyer asks, "How do we know this talking bee isn't some kind of Hollywood wizardry?" Would that wizards had left their mark. This is Hollywood hackery

One of my colleagues recently mentioned to me that he took his 8-year old son to see the movie and that his son then had another opportunity to see the film as part of a play date. His son refused to watch the film again. From the mouth of babes...

Better luck next time, Jerry! Seinfeld still rocks (except for Michael Richards).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Movie

http://www.beemovie.com/

Quote of the Day - Weight Loss

"This diet is so strict that now I view vegetables as a treat and water is my new dessert. Boy am I thirsty. Also, I can't wait until I can eat fruits."

- Anonymous

So Proud of Jamaica - American Music Awards Feature

Wow!!! Experiencing the warm and fuzzies...my Jamaicans were just prominently featured on the American Music Awards. Several of our talented performers (Junior Reid, Chaka Demus and Pliers and Beenie Man) partnered with the awesome Alicia Keys to create a jamming couple minute session.

Thanks, Alicia!!

Great job Junior Reid, Beenie and Chaka Demus & Pliers!!!

I LOVE Jamaica! Always have, always will. We are global players, babies! Rock on!!!

Stevie Wonder headlining A Wonder Autumn Night -11/17/07

I had worked all day, was going to have to work for most of the night, and on top of that I was experiencing fever chills and body pains (painful hints of a future cold) - BUT nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to prevent me from seeing Stevie Wonder perform live in concert on Saturday.

My determination paid off. The concert was the best I have seen in my life. I still haven't returned to planet earth from Stevie-land. Please don't rush me, I like it up here.

My cousin Karyn and I- thanks to my company - had the privilege of Club Lounge tickets to see Stevie Wonder perform on Saturday at Madison Square Gardens. We arrived at 8:45pm - the show was scheduled to start at 8pm - and started freaking out when we heard that Stevie was already on stage. There were no opening acts! We calmed down a bit when we realized that we had only missed one song. Phew!

Stevie is a master. It took me a second to grasp that I was actually witnessing this legend perform live. Mr. Wonder captivated us all - aside from his tremendous vocal ability, his superb skills on the piano and harmonica and his cadre of hit songs - Stevie utilized multiple other techniques to ensure that we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

Here are some examples of how he did it. Stevie

• Duelled aggressively on the harmonica with another expert player to the tune of For Once in My Life; at one point Steve and the other player actually got down on their knees as they continued to musically duke it out
  
• Teased the men in the audience about their sexual prowess - he felt that Detroit men were more skilled than NY men, since the NY men were unable to properly sing a somewhat risque chorus after much coaching from Stevie
  
• Coaxed the audience into singing one of his hits using a country twang
  
• Shared stories of his fumbled attempts to hit on a girl when he was 15 or 16 and then launched into the love song he wrote for her (My Cherie Amour)
  
• Showcased his very talented drummers
  
• Altered his voice as he "sang" and played the piano to a medley of non-Stevie popular songs (oldies and current)
  
• Pushed strongly for world peace; he went so far as to suggest that anyone who was only focused on a hate agenda should just die and go to hell, so the rest of us could get on with the peace and love business
  
• Topped it all off with HUGE SURPRISES

Now, here's more on the HUGE SURPRISES.

Stevie at one point during the concert began speaking about his mom and mentioned that she had 2 favourite singers - Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Years ago, Stevie had taken one of Tony's songs and created a new version, i.e. his hit For Once in My Life. Mr. Wonder then told us that it was his honor to be able to perform this song live with Mr. Bennett. This didn't really register with the audience, until we saw THE TONY BENNETT walking out on stage. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. Was this really happening? Both legends proceeded to sing. Mr. Bennett was a bit tempered at first, but he was just teasing us, and for the rest of the song he belted out the notes. Tony still has it, folks.

Best concert ever? By far. AND, as if that weren't all way more than enough, we got the shock of our lives when Stevie began performing Superstitious and guess who walks out on stage in a full black, body-hugging suit with high-heeled boots and an electric guitar?! Prince!! YES, Prince!!!!!!!! Do you know how much I love Prince? I grew up on his songs. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. Still can't. As my cousin said, "Prince does not walk among us". Well, ultra-superstar Prince, performed wonderfully on the electric guitar (duh!), walked the stage like only Prince could, and smiled/smirked at us as he rocked the house. I really wanted him to sing, but it was Stevie's night. Prince strutted off at the end of Superstitious to thunderous applause from the audience.



What would you do at this point in the concert? Well, despite being completely entrenched in my Stevie alternate reality, I continued to clap and rock with Stevie through a few more of his hits. Mr. Wonder then closed the show by walking arm-in-arm with his backup singers to each corner of the stage, bowing, shaking his bootie, and smiling hard. The audience continued clapping for about 5 mins after Stevie's departure, hoping for an encore which never materialized. I didn't really care...I had already died and gone to Stevie-land.

Mr. Wonder, you are magnificent. Thank you for a fabulous night.

Quote of the Day - Bumps in the Road

"You're a bumpy road, but at least you're going somewhere"

- Anonymous

Someone Crazy Glued the Blinders On

Been here before
Predicted it, could have prevented it
Didn’t
Walked in with the blinders on…again

Afraid to remove the blinders
With blinders, it all seems so beautiful…so special
Short-term fix, long term hell

Must be a slow learner
One day this lesson will stick
Hopefully soon
Tired of this rubbish

Got to…need to…pry these stupid blinders off
Get off
Wait! Are they permanently glued on?!
No, can't be
Won't let it be

Keri S. Smith

The Ugly Days of Blah

Boxed in, suffocated
Up with anxious anticipation
Down with disappointment
Up with fleeting moments of blinding joy
Down with reality
Filled with need
Thirsty for fulfillment

Pretending it is OK
Hating it all
Negative energy with no rationale
Pay attention
More attention, much, much more
That’s just what is required right now
Embrace it, love it, live it, be it
No questions

Happy ending will come
Now it’s just wallow time
Stubbornly digging in and feeling it all
Just part of the process
Till I get sick of it and it will be complete

Soon will return genuine happiness
Soon will return lightheartedness
I will be ready soon; I can change this energy in a heartbeat
Not yet though
Still have to give appropriate time to the ugly blahhh of it all
Ridiculous maybe, really don’t care
Soon is just around the corner, let me be

Keri S. Smith

Always Listening

I am addicted and I won't give you up
I listen to you and I transform


Brutal day, I was on a rampage
I listen to you
You blast through me
I dance hard and collapse laughing


Feeling nervous, a bit unsure
I listen to you
You motivate and remind me
I am burning with power, ready to conquer


Sadness overwhelms me, can't see through the tears
I listen to you
You soothe me
I know that I will overcome


Can't get rid of this lonely feeling, there is no one there
I listen to you
You keep me company
I am content


Music - it's me and you forever, babe
I am listening

Keri S. Smith

i am still searching for your point...

We Like 'Em Confident

Hey Tony - Why Fire?

Mr. Robbins, why did you make us walk on fire?

"The firewalk has fascinated the media to the point I fear its message is getting lost. The point is not to walk on fire. I think it's fair to assume there's not great economic or social benefit to be gained from a blissful stroll across a bed of hot coals. Instead, the firewalk is an experience in personal power and a metaphor for possibilities, an opportunty for people to produce results they previously had thought impossible.


People have been doing some version of firewalking for thousand of years. In some parts of the world, it's a religious test of faith. When I conduct a firewalk, it's not part of any relgious belief. It teaches people in the most visceral sense that they can do things they never thought possible, that their greatest fears and limitation are self-imposed.


The only difference between whether you can walk on fire or not is your ability to communicate to yourself in a way that causes you to take action, in spite of all your past fear programming about what should happen to you. The lesson is that people can do virtually anything as long as they muster the resources to believe they can and to take effective actions." (Source: Unlimited Power, Anthony Robbins)

Amen!! Thank you, Tony. I am a proud firewalker*!!



*See http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-walked-on-fire-and-burneth-not.html for more details

I walked on fire and burneth not!!

The coals had been burning for several hours. The average temperature was now at about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. I stood in front of the bed of coals and got nervous.

Earlier, we went through a pep talk with Tony Robbins preparing for our fire walk. Images of singed flesh, deformed feet, and falling flat on your face, were not good we were told. Don't pay any attention to the fact that Tony got burned years ago - it happened after he completed the walk, because coals stuck to his feet. Forget the fact that he burned off flesh and got a huge bag of pus on his foot. No, think positive, get your mind in peak state. Tony has been doing this for years and no one has been injured.

I was so psyched! I psyched myself up and also my partner. We could do this. Yes! We marched purposefully towards the bed of coals. I was so sure of myself.

Now, it was my turn. One of the assistants started to prep me, I looked at the coals and I got nervous. Whooa, could I do this? This feeling of fear was not unfamiliar - I had it moments before I plunged off the bridge, spread eagle when I bungee jumped in California. It reappeared as I stood looking through an open plane door in Pennsylvania, looking out at the sky and mother earth, minutes before I jumped out of the aircraft. I knew I was going to walk on fire. As Tony says, I just needed to dance with the fear. It was there, it was real, but it would not stop me. It rarely does.

A few deep breaths later, positive energy in place, I strode across that bed of burning coals and was greeted with cheers as I finished. Yay! I did it! I am a fire walker. Awesome! Another life milestone.

What's next? Bring it on!!!

Quote of the Day - Stockmarket Trader

My time is more important than your feelings

- Stockmarket Trader

All Comments on My Blog Are Welcome (?!)

Turn it Off!

TV is the electronic income reducer

- Joseph McClendon III

I have no time for Normal!!!

Normal is the lowest common denominator in a culture

- Tony Robbins

The Blame Game

A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Proverbs 19:3 (New International Version)

Combine Zeal with Wisdom

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Proverbs 19:2 (New International Version)

Keep an Open Mind; Listen to Both Sides

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Proverbs 18:17 (New International Version)

Some Gems From Tony Robbins' "Unleash the Power Within" Event

*Whatever you focus on, you will feel

*When you say something repeatedly, you hypnotize yourself into believing that it is true and the brain creates a blindspot, where you can't see what is actually there

*People will violate their values to meet their needs, because needs are more important

*Listen and learn as if you were going to teach what you learned to someone else

*TV is the electronic income reducer

*The best study of life is what it is not what it should be. You can get pissed off or learn

*To say you don't have a special purpose is to slap the face of your Creator

*Most people are unhappy because they are dabblers; going deep makes us feel alive

*We are the accumulation of our communication

*God's delays are not God's denials

*Fear is your imagination and so is faith;except fear is undirected, while faith is directed

*Success leaves clues - model someone outstanding

*Pain is a signal to change the strategy

*Normal is the lowest common denominator in a culture

*What got you where you are, won't get you to the next level (the highest level)

*The best thing you can do for poor people is not be one of them

*All progress comes from breaking patterns

*Change is never a matter of ability, it is always a matter of motivation

*Who you spend time with is who you become

*People's lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group

*Proximity is power

*Find a team to challenge you, not just support you

Reflection - Psalm 130

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

This Weekend Tony Kissed Me

"There is always room in your life for thinking bigger, pushing limits and imagining the impossible" - Tony Robbins

I just came back from one of the most amazing 4-days of my life. And, I will never be the same again. Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!

My parents and I met up in Atlanta - they flew in from Jamaica, I flew in from NYC - on Thursday night in order to attend this event, along with 3,000 other people:

We stayed with my dad's sister and her daughters for the trip - thanks to the Gayles for their usual warm hospitality.

Before this event in Atlanta, my first experience of Tony was via one of his books - Awaken the Giant Within - which I read several years ago. After reading the book, I was inspired to take action at work and was able to drive significant impact in a short period of time. Ever since, I had always wanted to attend one of Tony's live events. The opportunity came this year, and I invited my family to join me. Unfortunately, my sisters were unable to make the trip (Tessa, and Tamii - please put this event on your Life Must Do List), but thankfully my parents came. Being a part of Unleash the Power Within was truly a gift and we loved ever millisecond of the experience.

The event started before 10am each day, except for Friday, and on average ended at 10:30pm, except for Monday where we ended earlier. My parents and I had a blast. We pushed ourselves, actively participated and met some really great people. Over the 4-day weekend we not only walked on fire (literally), but we were privy to deep and practical life insights based on Tony's 30-years of

• learning from top global experts
  
• reading over 700 books
  
• practicing the ideas on himself first - getting the results, and then distilling the learnings into easily understood principles
  
• transforming the lives of millions of people around the world

In effect, we were able to gain insights based on ~ 30-years of intense work during a 4-day time period - talk about not having to re-create the wheel!!

Tony Robbins in person is pure magic. Aside from stature - he's a very fit 6' 7", he wowed us with his multiple talents. He is one of the most well-read/knowledgeable men on the planet. He is charismatic, energetic and has an obvious deep caring for and connection with humanity. Tony started from very humble roots and rapidly rose to extraordinary success, e.g. he made $400 million in one day when his company went public. His ultimate passion is serving others and enabling them to live outstanding lives: he has shared his toolkit with over 3 million people worldwide; acts as advisor for the top talent in the world across sports, business, health, etc.; and makes significant annual contributions to charitable programs. Tony practices what he preaches and his life stands as such an amazing testimony. You cannot help but me inspired to act by this man.

Another great part of the event, was the impact on my relationship with my parents. I already thought that my parents were fantastic, and through this event I found that my respect for them could go even deeper as I learned more about their passions, their goals and experienced even more how much they love and support me. Also, they got mad cool points too - you have to go to the event to understand more about this...let's just say loud music, water guns and hot coal.

Oh, and it doesn't end there....Tony kissed me...on the cheek (he's married, guys)! I was able to meet him up close and personal on Sunday night, and he shook my hand and kissed my cheek. I will never bathe again. I was touched by a legend. Haha.

I highly recommend Unleash the Power Within, and encourage you all to sign-up and make sure to bring with you

• an open mind
• a willingness to listen to and try new concepts and
• your party hat and dancing shoes

Now, a day after the event, I cannot go back to where I was before attending. I am already leveraging the momentum to push the limits and create adventure for myself on a different level - which includes joining one of Tony's next stage programs where I will have the privilege of accessing more of his time and insights. I cannot wait!!

Cheers to much bigger, and much better. Thank you, Tony. Thank you!!

www.tonyrobbins.com/Home/Intro.aspx

When Honesty is Not the Best Policy(?!)

Does Being PC Mean I Need to Accommodate Your Bad Manners??

Hypocrisy

1 "If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers—would you now return to me?"declares the LORD.

2 "Look up to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been ravished? By the roadside you sat waiting for lovers, sat like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.

3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.

4 Have you not just called to me: 'My Father, my friend from my youth,

5 will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever?' This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can."

God, Jeremiah 3:1-5

Quote of the Day from Jeremiah

17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.

18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.

19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

God (Jeremiah 1: 17-19)

First of November

Happy November 1!!!

Today's the first day of a new month. Let's get back on track with the goals we set for ourselves this year, last year or whenever. Look at today as a new day, a fresh start, the first day of a fantastic month. The first day of the rest of our new life.

Let's get up, shake off the procrastination...the naysayers...the doubt. We are only about taking action. We are only about making the most of this new moment, because the next is promised to no one.

Let's do it, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENERGIZE!!!! ACT!!!! GO!! GO!! GO!!

I Pay You...So You Gotta Pay for My Kid's Party

In today's NY Post, there is an interesting piece on David Brooks. He supposedly stole from his company's employee pension fund to throw lavish bar mitzvahs for his children. $10 Million dollars worth of lavish!!!

Who thinks in that order of magnitude for a party?? $10 Million??

See below for the full article:
-------------------------------------
November 1, 2007 -- DISGRACED David Brooks, who allegedly looted his body armor company to throw a $10 million bat mitzvah for his daughter, did the same with his company's employee pension fund to pay Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore and Barry White to perform at his son's bar mitzvah five years earlier, says the agent who booked the deal.

Brooks, who was denied bail Tuesday by a federal judge, allegedly stole $200 million from DHB Enterprises Inc. to fund his lavish lifestyle. In October 2000, he gave Jeff Allen, co-owner of Universal Attractions, a deposit check for $250,000 for his son, Andrew's, coming-of-age bash, held Dec. 16 that year at the Pierre Hotel.

Brooks signed a contract to pay the remainder of the $500,000 bill before the party. But just a few weeks later, he abruptly tried to cancel the acts and demanded his deposit back, according to Allen.

"I get a phone call from him saying he could get Britney Spears instead for one million," said Allen. "She's on top of her game in 2000, you think she's going to sing at a bar mitzvah for that price? No way." Allen warned Brooks he would be sued if he failed to pay. "Then he tells me, 'I paid with the wrong check, anyway.' I look and it's marked DHB Enterprises Employee Pension Fund.

"I almost fainted," recalls Allen. "He's taking his employees' benefits, pension and retirement, and they don't know the money being put away is being looted for Britney Spears." But Allen refused to return the dough and told Brooks he'd better replace the check with one from his personal account.

"I didn't trust that he'd send another, so I held his feet to the fire," said Allen. Brooks eventually agreed to go through with the party. He even paid $16,000 to have Simpson show up with then-boyfriend Nick Lachey to sing "Happy Birthday" at his other daughter's Sweet 16 party around the same time.

"He ended up sending me the balance of the money and to be honest I don't know where it came from, so many checks come in," said Allen. "My job was to make sure my clients were paid and that's what I did. Whatever he did is his problem." "I don't believe that the information is accurate but I hope that Miss Simpson did more than lip-sync," said Brooks' lawyer, Paul Shechtman.