Note From The Book

The Empty Classroom Is the Receipt

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:12:31 +0000

In the mid-1990s, overcrowded classrooms were deemed problem. Thirty students in a classroom could be considered too many, and the prevailing educational conversation increasingly emphasized smaller class sizes, more individualized attention and school environments where teachers could better reach each student.

And over the next three decades, that philosophy became part of a much larger transformation in how schools were organized, funded and populated.

Now move forward to 2025 and 2026.

We're looking at schools closing because enrollment has fallen.

That Sounds contradictory, Right?

Well, Thirty years ago, the concern was that there were too many children for the available classrooms.

Today, in many places, the concern is that there are too few children to sustain the number of classrooms, schools and buildings that remain.

That's not the same problem. And it didn't happen overnight.

Something happened between the overcrowded classroom of the 1990s and the empty classroom of the 2020s.

The Thirty-Year Gap Matters

The mistake is treating today's enrollment decline as though it appeared independently of everything that happened during those thirty years.

From roughly 1995 to 2025, several things changed at the same time.

School systems pursued smaller class sizes and different school configurations. Charter schools expanded. School choice changed where students attended. Neighborhood / District school relationships weakened in places where students could travel across a city to attend different schools.

New Orleans experienced Katrina and the enormous displacement that followed it. The city's public-school structure was radically reorganized.

Families moved. Birth patterns changed. Parents delayed or reduced childbearing. COVID disrupted enrollment and accelerated changes already underway. Meanwhile, the school buildings themselves continued aging.

None of these events alone explains today's school closures.

The thirty-year timeline is the explanation for why they don't have to.

New Orleans Changed the Equation

New Orleans didn't simply lose or gain students.

It changed how students were distributed.

The expansion of charter schools transformed the relationship between school and neighborhood. A child could live in one part of the city while attending school somewhere else, meaning the school physically located in a neighborhood was no longer guaranteed to be populated primarily by children from that neighborhood.

Thirty years ago, the neighborhood itself was much more directly connected to the school.

The children lived nearby. The families lived nearby. The school served the surrounding population. The neighborhood helped produce the enrollment.

Now transportation is part of the educational structure. All the schools are competing for very particular children to attend their schools otherwise they fail.

Now consider what happened to the buildings during those same thirty years.

A school that was already seventy years old in 1995 could be roughly one hundred years old today.

A building designed for a large population doesn't become less expensive to maintain simply because fewer children attend it.

The roof still needs work. The plumbing still ages. Electrical systems still require investment. HVAC still has to operate.

Security, insurance, maintenance and accessibility don't disappear with enrollment. So now the school system can face two problems simultaneously:

Fewer students and aging infrastructure.

That creates pressure to consolidate students into fewer buildings. And when schools consolidate, the remaining schools may become larger while other buildings become unnecessary.

This is why a school closure in 2026 cannot always be understood by looking only at enrollment in 2026.

You have to look at the building. The population and school structure.

The closure is the visible event. The accumulated conditions are the story.

Then we reach the part that cannot be solved by school policy alone.

For decades, Women were told to delay having children, establish careers, become financially stable and avoid having more children than they could responsibly support.

Those were individual choices.

But individual choices accumulate.

If a generation has fewer children, twenty or thirty years later there are fewer adults becoming parents and fewer children entering the school system.

That doesn't happen immediately. That's why demographic change is so easy to miss. A decision made in the 1990s can become an enrollment statistic in the 2020s.

Demography is delayed consequence.

Then COVID arrived. Enrollment patterns shifted. Parents reconsidered educational options. Household finances changed. Some families adopted alternatives they continued using afterward. But that's only a small part of the problem.

But here is your receipt:

We started with too many students.

We spent decades changing the system around that problem. And now we're confronting the fact that it's Too few students.

The point isn't that the original effort to reduce overcrowding was wrong. The point is that every solution operates inside a moving system.

Population changes. Families change. Neighborhoods change. Institutions change. And eventually yesterday's solution has to answer to tomorrow's reality.

And the empty classroom is not the beginning of the story.

It is the receipt.

The receipt tells you what the system produced.

This is 40: A Reflection on Life’s Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:17:00 +0000

In my 40 years on Earth, one truth has become abundantly clear: we live, and we die. The journey between those two points differs for everyone, and it's not a race, nor is it a competition. Growing up, we often tie our worth to time—thinking we should reach certain milestones, possess specific skills, or hit particular markers at some preordained age. We associate certain abilities or achievements with adulthood, and society often pressures us to compare ourselves to others.

Some people excel in sports while others thrive in the arts. Some are academically sound; I found my rhythm in music. While some friends collected degrees and certifications, I walked a different path. My life might not fit society’s traditional definition of "success," but it’s mine, and it’s full of stories that have shaped me into the person I am today.

I’ve been told, "Oh, they’re doing this, and you’re not doing anything with your life." Comparisons like that sting. But they also remind me that fulfillment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sure, some may call me a “bum” because my resume doesn’t match theirs. But by definition, that’s not what I am, nor is it who I’ve ever been. My path wasn’t about chasing prestige or riches; it was about doing what I loved, being part of the things that brought me joy, and sharing those experiences with others.

For me, life has been a blend of both hard lessons and exhilarating moments. I’ve had the privilege of being part of major book releases, and while I jokingly call myself a “backstage celebrity”—famous only among the people who know me—those moments mean something to me. They’re fun, and they remind me of the richness of my experiences.

Looking back, I realize that what I lack in formal accolades, I make up for in skills and stories. I’ve given countless hours to volunteering, which has made me rich—not in money, but in experience, knowledge, and connection. Life isn’t perfect, and it’s certainly not easy. There have been days where I’ve wished for more—more money, more recognition, more clarity. But every step, every choice, has brought me closer to the person I’m meant to be.

In many ways, my train is still moving. It might not be the fastest, but it’s steady. I’ve lived, I’ve learned, and I’m still learning. Life has taught me to embrace the tension between joy and struggle, to recognize that every setback has the potential to be a setup for growth.

A good friend once asked me, “What do you want to do?” My answer? “I want to be the man.” Today, at 40, I feel a little closer to that goal—not because I’ve arrived, but because I’ve learned to be present. I’m living to be all that I can be in the moment, and that, to me, is what it means to truly live.

This is 40. And while it might not be the best life, it’s my life. And it’s enough.

Don't Kill the Interest. Educate the Interest.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:55:00 +0000

There is a conversation happening about our children, music, education, and what we consider a "real" future.

And I understand the concern.

Somebody says the city would be better off teaching children things that lead directly to financial stability instead of teaching them music that might eventually leave them working low-paying tourist gigs.

On the surface, that sounds practical.

But I think the premise deserves to be questioned.

Because somewhere along the way, we've created a false choice:

Education or music.

Financial stability or culture.

Career or creativity.

Why?

Who said they can't have both?

Music is education.

Let's start there.

Music is mathematics.

It's science.

It's history.

It's technology.

It's art.

It's discipline.

It's coordination.

It's memory.

It's communication.

It's teamwork.

It's problem-solving.

It's listening.

It's timing.

And if you're talking about marching band, you're adding physical conditioning, spatial awareness, memorization, accountability, leadership, and the ability to execute complicated instructions as part of a larger organization.

You don't just learn how to play.

You learn how to function.

That's education.

And for some children, music is the very thing that keeps them connected to education.

A child who doesn't necessarily care about sitting in a classroom can become deeply invested when you put an instrument in their hands and give them something to work toward.

Suddenly, they have a reason to practice.

A reason to show up.

A reason to listen.

A reason to improve.

A reason to be responsible for something bigger than themselves.

That's not trapping a child.

That's giving them an entry point.

Look at New Orleans

You don't have to theorize about this.

Look at a New Orleans football field.

Look at John F. Kennedy High School's Cougar Marching Band.

A student who walks into that band room isn't simply being trained to entertain tourists.

They're learning an instrument.

They're learning music.

They're learning drill.

They're learning discipline.

They're learning how to read.

They're learning how to memorize.

They're learning how to perform under pressure.

They're learning how to depend on the person next to them.

And then something else can happen.

That student can perform at games.

They can perform at competitions.

They can perform in community events.

They can encounter college recruiters.

They can become visible to HBCUs.

They can pursue scholarships.

They can travel.

They can meet people from outside their immediate environment.

They can discover that the world is much larger than the neighborhood they grew up in.

That's not a trap.

That's a pipeline.

And music has already taken many of our kids places before they even graduated high school.

Some have traveled across the country.

Some have traveled internationally.

Some have gone to college because of it.

Some have discovered careers because of it.

Some have found community through it.

And some simply discovered that they were capable of more than they thought they were.

That matters.

New Orleans Already Understands This

This city has been proving the point for generations.

Look at the Rebirth Brass Band.

Look at Jon Batiste.

Look at the Marsalis family.

These aren't examples of music being some meaningless hobby that keeps people trapped in the same place.

They're examples of what happens when culture, talent, discipline, education, opportunity, and persistence intersect.

Now, before somebody misunderstands me, I'm not saying every kid who picks up a trumpet is going to become Jon Batiste.

Of course not.

And that's exactly the point.

Not everybody is going to become a superstar.

Not everybody is going to become a billionaire.

Not everybody is going to become an NFL player.

But we don't tell children that football is worthless because only a tiny percentage of them will reach the NFL.

We understand that the experience has value beyond the professional contract.

We should be able to understand that about music too.

I'll Give You a Personal Example

I don't even have to reach for a celebrity.

I can give you somebody I actually know.

My friend Greg Fassitt.

Greg and I went to high school together.

He was in the band with me.

He also played football.

And football took him somewhere.

He went on to play college football at Grambling and eventually reached the NFL. He was with the New Orleans Saints during their Super Bowl season.

Now Greg may not be the most recognizable football player in the world.

And that's okay.

Because he doesn't have to be.

He got the opportunity.

He experienced something extraordinary.

He has a Super Bowl ring.

He has an education.

He has a career.

And he has the experience of having pursued something he loved at a very high level.

That's the part people sometimes miss.

The value of the dream isn't determined solely by how famous you become.

Greg is important to me for another reason.

He was in the band with me.

So here's a kid who could play football and play music.

Football took him as far as football could take him.

But the music didn't have to disappear.

That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.

Why are we so eager to force a child to choose one thing before they've even had the opportunity to discover what they're capable of doing?

Why can't the football player be a musician?

Why can't the musician be an athlete?

Why can't the artist be a scholar?

Why can't the scholar be an entrepreneur?

Why can't the child become several things throughout the course of their life?

Who made us believe human beings have to be one thing?

Not Everybody Is the Honey Badger

Let's be honest.

Not everybody is going to be Tyrann Mathieu.

Not everybody is going to be Leonard Fournette.

Not everybody is going to become an NFL superstar.

And that's okay.

The purpose of youth athletics isn't simply to manufacture professional athletes.

We understand that.

Sports teach discipline.

They teach teamwork.

They teach leadership.

They teach perseverance.

They can create scholarships and opportunities.

They can expose children to places they would otherwise never see.

They can give a child confidence.

They can give them a community.

Music can do the same thing.

So why do we suddenly become suspicious of it because the instrument is a trumpet instead of a football?

Stop Calling Everything You Don't Monetize a Waste

There is another problem underneath this conversation.

We have become obsessed with asking:

"How much money does it make?"

That's a useful question.

It is not the only question.

A child can gain discipline without getting paid.

They can gain confidence without getting paid.

They can develop friendships without getting paid.

They can learn leadership without getting paid.

They can travel without getting paid.

They can discover their talent without getting paid.

They can find purpose without getting paid.

And sometimes those things become the foundation upon which money eventually gets built.

We have a strange habit of respecting people's interests only after those interests become profitable.

Before the photographer gets paid, it's "just taking pictures."

Before the filmmaker gets clients, it's "playing with a camera."

Before the musician gets a contract, it's "just playing around."

Before the entrepreneur builds a company, it's "just a hobby."

But every profession starts somewhere.

Every craft begins with an interest.

Every skill begins with practice.

Every career begins with somebody learning how to do something.

So instead of telling a child:

"Stop doing that and get an education."

Why don't we say:

"Keep doing it. Now let's educate you about what you're doing."

That's a completely different philosophy.

Educate the Interest

If a child loves music, teach them the music.

But also teach them business.

Teach them technology.

Teach them contracts.

Teach them intellectual property.

Teach them financial literacy.

Teach them marketing.

Teach them entrepreneurship.

Teach them how the entertainment industry actually works.

Teach them how to recognize exploitation.

Teach them how to recognize opportunity.

Teach them how to create opportunity.

Teach them how to negotiate.

Teach them how to save.

Teach them how to invest.

Teach them how to build something.

Now you've taken an interest and expanded it into a skill set.

That's education.

And maybe that child eventually becomes a musician.

Maybe they become a band director.

Maybe they become a composer.

Maybe they become a producer.

Maybe they become an engineer.

Maybe they become a teacher.

Maybe they become a videographer.

Maybe they build a media company.

Maybe they become an entrepreneur.

Maybe they leave music completely and become something else.

That's fine too.

The first door doesn't have to be the final destination.

The Tourist Gig Isn't the End of the Road

This is where I disagree with the idea that teaching music necessarily "traps" children in low-paying tourist work.

A job can be a starting point.

A gig can be a starting point.

An internship can be a starting point.

A scholarship can be a starting point.

A local performance can be a starting point.

Nobody knows where the road ends when they're standing at the beginning of it.

And here's something else:

There's nothing inherently shameful about working a tourist gig.

If somebody is making an honest living playing music, paying their bills, supporting their family, paying taxes, and living their life, why are we automatically treating that person's work as failure?

It may not be the destination.

But it doesn't have to be worthless.

And if that musician decides they want something else, they can build toward something else.

That's life.

We all start somewhere.

Education Doesn't Have to Mean Abandonment

This is where I think we need to change the conversation.

We shouldn't tell children:

"Music isn't going to make you rich."

We should tell them:

"Music may not make you rich. Now let's learn how to make good decisions anyway."

We shouldn't tell them:

"You can't do that forever."

We should tell them:

"Learn everything you can while you're doing it. Then decide where you want to take it."

We shouldn't tell them:

"You need a real career."

We should tell them:

"Let's help you understand what a career actually is."

Because sometimes the person telling you to abandon your passion in the name of stability doesn't actually know what stability looks like either.

A traditional job isn't a guarantee.

A degree isn't a guarantee.

A trade isn't a guarantee.

A business isn't a guarantee.

Neither is music.

Life doesn't come with guarantees.

What we can build is capacity.

The ability to learn.

The ability to adapt.

The ability to think.

The ability to work.

The ability to communicate.

The ability to create.

The ability to recover when something fails.

That's what we should be giving children.

Culture Is Not the Enemy of Progress

New Orleans should understand this better than almost anybody.

Music isn't an accessory here.

It is part of the ecosystem.

It connects generations.

It preserves memory.

It creates community.

It creates employment.

It creates identity.

It gives people a reason to gather.

It puts our city on stages around the world.

And our children are part of that ecosystem.

We may not be making the same kind of music that makes a handful of rappers billionaires.

That's okay.

A culture doesn't have to produce billionaires to be alive.

Sometimes the wealth is in the transmission.

A tradition survives.

A child learns.

A student travels.

A musician teaches another musician.

A band director passes down knowledge.

A young person discovers an HBCU.

Somebody gets a scholarship.

Somebody finds a career.

Somebody meets the person who changes their life.

Somebody simply finds a place where they belong.

That's wealth too.

Not all wealth is measured on a balance sheet.

Some of it is cultural.

Some of it is intellectual.

Some of it is relational.

Some of it is the knowledge that survives because somebody cared enough to pass it forward.

We Don't Need to Choose

So no, I don't want our children trapped in low-paying tourist gigs.

I want them educated enough to understand the gig.

I want them educated enough to negotiate the contract.

I want them educated enough to understand the economics.

I want them educated enough to recognize when somebody is taking advantage of them.

I want them educated enough to own the company hiring the musicians.

I want them educated enough to build something better.

And if they eventually decide music isn't where they're going?

Fine.

They'll carry everything they learned with them.

That's the point.

Education should expand a child's options, not eliminate their interests.

We should be teaching our children how to take what they already love and add education, technology, business, financial literacy, and professional development to it.

Because the ultimate goal isn't simply to produce another musician.

It's to produce a capable human being.

A person who can think.

A person who can adapt.

A person who can work.

A person who can create.

A person who can build.

A person who can contribute.

A person who can make a living without having to surrender the things that make them human.

And sometimes the road to that person begins with a kid picking up a trumpet in a New Orleans band room.

Sometimes it begins with a kid stepping onto a football field.

Sometimes it begins with a camera.

Sometimes it begins with a computer.

Sometimes it begins with a paintbrush.

We don't always know what the first spark is going to become.

That's why you don't extinguish it prematurely.

You educate it.

You discipline it.

You challenge it.

You give it structure.

You expose it to the world.

And then you let the person decide where to take it.

Because you can never take away someone's dream and call that education.

You can prepare somebody for reality without convincing them that their imagination has no place in it.

And you can teach financial stability without teaching cultural abandonment.

That's the balance.

Not music versus education.

Not culture versus progress.

Not dream versus reality.

Dream plus discipline.
Culture plus education.
Passion plus strategy.
Opportunity plus preparation.

That's how you build people who can move.

And that's what I want for our children.

Not a smaller dream because somebody is afraid of where it might lead.

A bigger capacity to pursue whatever that dream becomes.

Don't kill the interest. Educate the interest.

Because sometimes the thing you call a hobby is the first language through which a child learns discipline.

Sometimes the thing you call entertainment is the first doorway to opportunity.

Sometimes the thing you call a dead end is simply a road you haven't learned how to read yet.

And sometimes all a child needs is somebody willing to say:

"Keep playing. I'll help you learn what comes next."

It's been awhile!

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:41:00 +0000

I'm rarely here because, facebook etc.!
"Knock, Knock".... If you're here! I'm here!
For me, 2022 had many blessing and many losses.
The year was a good one but somber at times.
I've had a number of family and extended family members pasa away,
Yet on my Joh, I've progressed and moved up in the ranks.

For the first time I have been able to feel secure financially.
Maybe not enough to have my own Appartment in 2022.
But Enough to feed my family, Get safetly home in a Lyft etc. or even buy Gifts for people.
I'm just glad I am able.

The last time I was here, I complained about being Gyp'd
I now know that guy's full name. It's sad that I can't do much about it. but I think I've recieved my blessing already though.

I'm just thankful for all the opportunities that have come my way! for example; I'm going to the BOWL!
To work, but still, I'm going! lol!

It's things like this, I live for!

It's also Parade season! Mardi Gras! I'm ready!

I'll be back sooner than Later.

#TAKENOTE!!!

⬆️ See what I did there!........ HAHA! I'm BACK!

Gypped and angered.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 20:30:00 +0000

While taking a brisk walk earlier this week, someone begged me for change . "My wife is pregnant. and we're trying to catch the bus." I gave the guy a hand full of whatever i pulled out of my pocket. 2 minutes later they passed me up again, the woman is smoking a Cigarettes as the guy was basically done with his Money hustle. My concern immediately turned to Anger. Part of it is because they came up to me unmasked and looking all rough.

Fast forward Yesterday: I'm taking another walk in another part of the city and an older guy yelled "Hey you got 43 Cent? I resoponded" "Sorry I don't have it" He yelled "Man F%$ YOU" ...
I just kept walking as he yelled more obscenities.

For the first time in my Adult life I desired knock somebody out.
This is not norma for me but It's what the world has become.

I will never put myself in the position to go to jail for nothing. and that's all i'm gonna say about that.

Think Bright

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 04:04:00 +0000

Seems like 2019 I've came inside this space with a bunch of messed up thoughts due to what's been occurring. Do the whole lot I should have written about, but I'm glad I did not. I have so much work to do and it's time to get it right. But also it's time to leave the the bad things alone and focus on the greater good. It's time to change the course and fix all the problems one day at a time. I need to make this happen for my life to change, and to get what I want out of it. I am nearing 35, existing. Existing in a space that is beyond my control. But these things will change. I'm not young anymore oh, I am too old to be nobody. When I mean so much to many.

That being said, I just have to put this out here. I've always had this concept of who I want to be, but it was never clear to me and it's still not clear today. But the person I should be now, I am not. This is because I've made bad choices to remain stagnant, and now there is something that I want and I can't have it waiting for me. I don't want to jinx myself into going another 15 years hopelessly roaming the Earth. It's my time and I got to take advantage of it. Trying to be ready for the world.

I need to free myself

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 22:29:00 +0000

No Lie man, I have been out of it, I lost interest in a whole lot of thing that lovely. And it's not that I don't care oh, because I do care, I care so much that I lost myself in it. And everyday I'm waking up trying to find myself., I feel like my life have been interrupted, or it's on pause, and on hold for other people. I'm sorry folks but, I got to make my life about me.

For years I have slept away my days, only to wake up overnight to do nothing for hours and hours and hours. And that's getting tiresome. I want to take control of my life. I want to be free.

Thank God for allowing that to happen

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 00:23:00 +0000

It was because of her, I was able to not only release my thoughts but have them questioned and thrown back at me, Now these are problems I need to fix in order to make myself great. I’ve said a lot, I said too much. but that’s just me. I can’t excuse it. But I deserved and needed and wanted the responses she gave me. Therefore I am thankful for her. I really hope that We meet again and that my mind is clear.

Listening to music, made me realize that I listen to songs that are sad reflections. I need positivity and some of those songs have it. They’re just sad. Maybe I need to change my list a bit.

She Likes me and I am the problem, I am my own problem. I allowed her to say No without saying no. but she didn’t walk away. I think it’s time I limit communication for the spirit I’ve been dealing with to Wind down.

I Pray for better days, greater success and to LIVE AGAIN!
I want my life back and She reminded me that I have to take it.
Every choice I made was mine and I must own it and change it.
Dang I love her for challenging me in that way..
I value my friendships and I think she’d rather have me as a friend until I am able to “make it" … I respect that. I told her I always wanted to be the man, but everything I’ve become, I tried to avoid and it all hit me at once.. Now I must shut up and heal, as I read in a recent blog..

To that girl.. I needed you and I let you know this, Thank you for you words.
Thank God for allowing this meet to happen. It’s just time I act and say nothing more.

Looks like that dream is over.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 05:01:00 +0000

I guess talking, and letting off too much information got me hit with the code words that put me in a zone that I don't want to be in. .

In part, I did that to myself trying to speak my own truth. Living in my truth is like living in a box. Yesterday I told her that are the song called "man in the box" by Alice in Chains. That song reminds me of myself and a place where I really don't want to be.. I told her that, I don't want to believe that there is a box. But I know that this song basically Defines me.

,, there was a point where she felt like I was not telling the truth and that I was missing things, she said that it's like I am giving her pieces of information, and they don't quite fit together. That in itself made me think of another song, "pieces of a man" by Gil Scott-Heron.

And then there are also these lyrics

That's me in the corner. That's me in the spotlight Losing My Religion trying to keep up with you, but I don't know if I can do it. Oh no, I've said too much, I haven't said enough.

Loaing my Religion by R.E.M

For some reason I connect everything to music, she knows this about me, she knows a lot about me now, and I see that now she does not have any words, she's just letting me talk. I hope we continue to talk, I lost a potential love, and I gained another friend. That saddens me but I am forever grateful. Someday, someday, someday.

If anything, from what I have learned about her which is not much, LOL this is the girl I love to be with but I know that it's not going to happen anytime soon. Why, because I need to get it together.

I guess I should stop trying to save the world.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 23:46:00 +0000

So I came to Houston last Thursday for a battle of the bands event. I also came to see a friend. This is a friend who I have had interest in for over a decade, I like her a lot, and finally this week we have had our first date.

So much has been said and it's so much to say, but I like her a lot. She got me to realize that much of the philosophy that I I have myself, I'm not using it for my own progress.

I have spent my days trying to do right by other people and have slowed myself down in the process. There are things that I haven't done that I need to do to see progress in my life, the problem is , I haven't acted upon it . Yet I really want to act upon it, that sounds weird, but that's just the way it is.I'm at war with myself.

As for her!
This woman, if I could make this one work long-term, I would be very happy. I could say a whole lot, but in a way I can't. I would hope to make something of this. If not now, in the future, I am hopeful. And this is something that I've told her in the past and it is the sum of everything that we have actually discussed. In the end, in order to do right that someone like her, I have to get myself together. I'm just glad she likes me for me.

She brought along another friend who I've known forever up. It was great to see her as well. Honest truth I just wanted to be alone with my date, but in a way I'm glad to have had that third party.

Today hopefully I will take the lead and make this happen, I just want to do right for the right reasons. For myself

I don't live to impress people, but I do want to make everyone feel happy for me, and that's a problem because I'm not happy myself, happiness is temporary, but it is still attainable through progress, how am I going to progress if I am idle purposely, as my friend said, it's a choice. And it's time to choose to better myself.

The subject of visual change

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 00:32:00 +0000

Today I was sitting here after the last entry, getting ready go to my paint shop Pro. I was about to change up my backdrop for the blog, when I decided that you know what, everything along with sidebar was obsolete therefore I chose to delete.

There is more that will be on that side bar by end of this fall. There are many things that I would like to do. Expanding this book multimedia thing, not too far, making it something bigger than what it already is. A podcast is coming. You will hear the voice of the book. The book about to be media podcast, the note from the book podcast, whatever works.

All Is Well

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 18:35:00 +0000

We’ve been in here for 20 days now officially and we are dealing with problems with the utilities, the cable, the internet. The Plumbing, Parking, Nosey Neighbors etc.
ALREADY!!

We reside in my grandparents former home. Prior to us moving in, This was used as a “Party house” for the family. My uncle resided here, as well as some others since the death of my grandma. Here are a few of the issues with the home..

Pluming: We were aware that one of the bathrooms wasn’t installed due to pluming issue. In that room, you could see outside. We now have someone going to fix all of tthis, but he doesn’t have the parts he needs. My cousin, who normally would work on the home, decided to not deal with it due to his equipment being stolen, Thus delaying his project. With the help of my aunt, we have a someone to fix it all now,. But he needs parts. luckily my cousins equipment is here, just not everything this man needs. We have been consulting with my aunt, my cousin and this man in the process.

On top of that though, we still don’t have Hot water due to a bad hot water tank. We’ll have a new one installed soon though.. In our Laundry room, The water from the washer backs up into the tub as well as on to the floor. of the washroom. Something isn’t right in there. Lastly, there was a toy stuck at the end hole of the toilet. It was working badly until that was removed. Crazy right.. All’s well though.

Electricity: I think the house is wired badly. Certain lights don’t work when others are powered down etc.
Phone lines aren’t working,properly and wires are everywhere under the house from what I know.
The Flickering of the lights every time the air unit powers up.
Our WIFI is just Terrible in here.

and out neighbors just act like we don’t live here.. Their company parks in the space dedicated to this home. etc.. It’s WAY more than this. But I’m tired of writing now. LOL!

I’ll change the way this background looks and Blog sometime Later, Hopefully about something happy.

The Day I Overheated.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 18:13:00 +0000

So, A few days after moving in. We didn’t have air conditioning in the home, thus hindering our ability to work on things. it was tough. we didn’t have fans or anything.
One of those nights I decided to catch some air on the porch ..My Mom had left with my sister to go Bathe at the other home before we give the keys back. The other home still had hot water, as well as an air conditioned home even though the power was finally off.. The plan was for my sister to bring my mom there to take a shower and then get some food to eat for the evening.

My dad was gone elsewhere, My Brother was in the house and my nephew was outside talking on the phone and pacing the street. I was just hot, I had a damp towel over my chest while sitting in a chair shirtless on the front porch. So I fell asleep trying to cool off. At some point I woke up feeling queasy.I felt bad but I knew that standing would just cause me to “Struggle puke” while dizzy, so I just dozed back off at attempts to ignore the feeling. Suddenly i woke up draping in sweat. It was like a water fall. I felt so bad but I couldn’t say anything.

I then positioned myself on the steps so I could be seen by whoever right away just incase I black out. I tried yelling my nephew and brothers name, but to no avail
I think I blacked out again.. Then I looked up and my Dad was there! ..I asked my brother to grab me a water.. I then went over to the car and basically Cried because I felt as if I was dying. I had never felt this way before.

I was Thankful to be able to cool down. I then was able to type to my family what I had experienced and I got a call from my eldest sister. she was genuinely concerned… My mom and Sis roll up to come get myself and my brother, They also had tacos. I was still feeling bad but I was also glad to have the food.

My mom was acting as if I did something wrong.. My Older brother called me upset saying “Why would you Write something like that In A group text. You know everybody think you too dumb to take care of yourself…” he continued to ramble on,.,., Meanwhile I’m being yelled at by my mom for the very same reason but rushing me to exit the home to go shower… I was able to do all of these things. but Just t hose moments were overwhelming in itself. ..

Later that evening after a disagreement with my mom, It was stating again .. “YOU ACT LIKE YOU DYING, WHY WOULD YOU WRITE THAT..”” … I remained silent and went into my room to find as much peace as I could…

This is a rarity. I don’t Normally get into it with family and I’m not disrespectful to them at all, But I am constantly being shunned away, and this is has become my motivation to Get away from here.. Man’ I’m 34, i shouldn’t be here anyway…..

Continuation

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:40:00 +0000

So We’ve “Moved in” and nothing is “right” because everything is everywhere.
From the day we’ve gotten in, My mom complained that the house was Junky.
We’ve unpacked slowly and things are in order now but still not like she wants it.

All the complaints about everything and my Ideas are still being dismissed regarding the placement of Items, I’m constantly dismissing insults as I am performing random Tasks… So I Sat in a “praised chair” that nobody could sit in and I get yelled at because nobody’s allowed to sit in the chair. But at the end of the day She places the chair in the living room facing the TV. There were some other disagreements but that one took the cake for me, because as soon as my sisters came in, she acted as if the chair was the greatest thing in the room. She asked me to sit in it and I refused. Why? because when I sat in there as I was setting up the PC and internet connection, I was told I wasn’t allowed to sit in the chair. Therefore I REFUSE!

But It’s beyond me now. I know that as long as I'm here I’ll be miserable because of the things I’ll constantly be dealing with.

This house has no privacy. In order to get to my room. you must go through my mothers room. Inside my room is the Laundry Room & the door to my brothers room. This means that I can’t lock my door because My mom washes clothes every morning at 4am while I’m trying to sleep. She and my dad has been coming in my room interrupting my slumber since day one.. leaving doors open. Smoking cigarettes' etc. I can’t sand it.

I am pretty much bound to tune everything out at this point. because it’s gonna be hard. My brother likes to have company. Company that I don’t need in my room. The problem is, they have no choice if they’re going in his room because it’s not mine.

My biggest deal though is just trying to be informative and getting shut down for it.
I just hope my time in here goes well because I plan on getting away from here fast…

Since That Day All Kinds of stuff happened

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:23:00 +0000

Check this out folks, I have no hate for my family. but there are things that I dislike that happen, especially when it happens to me. In this post I’m going to give you a rundown of the things that occurred since then.

At the time I wrote that post. It was as my Brother and his family was exiting the home going back to Texas.They came here to assist us in the process of moving to our new home. We began the process of moving on June 28th. But it was on the 29th where All kinds of things happened that killed my spirits.

First thing in the morning of the 29th my older sister came in asking me why didn’t I order a U-Haul. That wasn’t my responsibility. I was only asked to research the info in preparation. She assumed it was my responsibility and totally used this against me during the moving process.   As we were moving I was constantly being asked to do things that I couldn’t do. mind you, I was trying to make sure our dog didn’t leave our presence the whole time.

Fast-forward, Later that evening we were done moving,m but there were issues with the home beyond our control at the time, So the family decided to spend the remainder of the day at our former residence. Day two, we continued to move the extra things we had in the home, We even ate a mean while in the home…

On this day, we decided it wasn’t okay to stay in the heat, so Prior to leaving. I was looking for Our Dog, Cheddar to give him some water (because the house was 90+ degrees. I couldn’t find him. As I began looking for him, I decided to ask where is he? My folks began to respond to me yelling as if I was stupid for worrying about the dogs well being. Eventually they informed me that we were going back to the other home to use the restroom and to be in the cool for the remainder of the night. They wanted to leave the dog. . I was like “NO” . They were all upset at me.

At the end of that evening., My brother prepped to leave.My the family decides to Let the dog out the house to pee.. So he’s in the front yard and gets close to the curb and toward the neighbors yard. We are all paying attention to him, but as he began to wander, everybody starts yelling the dogs name trying to get his attention.
I countered by asking them to “Let the dog Be and he’ll be fine” As I tried to get my point across, I was constantly being cut off by members of my family. Eventually my mom is like “Don’t raise your voice at me” .. Which I wasn’t, she was just being combative.   I was told to shut up by multiple family. So I walked inside as my mom constantly rambled on about me and what I was doing… As if i hadn’t helped during the process of moving. So, I decided to go into an empty room and chill out until they all calm down.

____________________________
Mind you, Every time I say something, Everybody comes against me because they think its funny to say “Aww here he goes being Google, The Encyclopedia, he thinks he knows everything.. ha ha ha”   .. I DON’T FIND THAT AMMUSNG. because they use it to Dismiss me. and I hate that they do it but I deal with it.. But maybe I decided to reject everything by keeping quiet It will show them why they should value my thoughts..
____________________________

So Basically That day ended on a sour note for me because everybody wants a voice but nobody’s listening…

TO BE CONTINUED..

Book

I am tired of being shut down

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 02:15:00 +0000

Everyday everything I say is being questioned. Everybody is combating my thoughts, nobody is listening. I cannot hold a conversation, I can't even State how I feel because nobody cares. But they want to dictate how I do what I do. I can't make a statement without it being rejected. I cannot say a word without having some type of rebuttal. I can't get a complete sentence out because I'm constantly being cut off.

They think that it's funny to reference me as encyclopedia, as Google as all of these things, they think that all I worry about is computers. That is not the case. There is a reason I explain things in detail but nobody wants to listen and that is why they fail. But I'm the big dummy that apparently knows everything. That's not the case. It's not about what I know or what I don't know, it's about are you willing to listen? Are you listening? Can we hold a conversation without negative remarks? Why am I the bad guy? All I ever do is try to do right by my people and they reject me and I'm done with this. I'm just tired. From now on I will not say a word I would just allow things to happen because nobody wants me, and nobody needs me. I will do for myself and let them be.

So messed up that my own family doesn't care about what I have to say, you don't have friends all over the United States that I can't even talk to you in person and they respect my opinion. Why am I not felt you was in my own home but Bill you everywhere else? That is insane talk to me. I love my family but I'm constantly being shut down for no reason. And when things go wrong who do they come to?. I may not have a job but I have money when they need it. I may not have a license but I get to where I'm going when I need to get where I'm going. They don't even care about what I do with your laughter it's done. That's the world I live in. And I'm ready to get out of it. No privacy, I can't talk, nothing. But the minute I get quiet so it's going to be a real problem because I'm going to get out of there.

We moved in my grandmother's old house. And I'm sitting here in the room with my dog that nobody seems to care about. I tried to not stress myself about nothing but they all come to me stressful things and I can't even say anything to them about my own issues. But I'm talking to a screen at the moment, and it accepts my words. Maybe I need to get back to blogging everyday.

Hey Blogspot, I used to talk to you all the time but I'm sorry I haven't been here. The world is a terrible place, and hopefully I'll be here to tell you about it

Pure insanity.

An Indirect Influence of Mr. Brimmer and the Fortier Band.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 20:02:00 +0000

As an alumnus of John F Kennedy High School, one of our greater rivals was Alcee Fortier High School, especially when it comes to the band. Due to the history of these programs we still go one-on-one or group for group taking shots at each other day after day non-stop, and it's always all good. But personally, Outside of all the smack talk, and ribbing. Fortier was an indirect impact on my band career.

The first band tape I saw of Kennedy, was 94 vs da Fo. I was in my house, with a load of Kennedy cats with band tapes. That's where I heard the name Benny Pete for the first time. The Kennedy cats were constantly hounding my cousin who marched Tuba on Mac, about how Bennie Pete will smoking everybody in the city.

Between that year and 97, although I hadn't heard for sure live I was able to stand on my porch in the st. Bernard project and was able tell who was in Pan Am Stadium, based off song selection alone. When the Fo played cold-hearted and Go the Mighty Tarpons, you could hear that in the Saint Bernard.

I joined Phillips band in the fall of 96 by then I was able to sneak two games but I still have not seen da Fo live.. parade season 97, I heard the full crank up cold hearted from a distance, the swing and sway rocking hard as cheese.

Fast forward my 8th grade year(97), I still hadn't seen for she live but by then. Phillips got a new band director of Mr. Ford. He was from Fortier. And all he ever did was talk about mr. Brimmer.
At the time I couldn't tell you how mr. Brimmer looked, but I learned a whole lot about him thru mr. Ford.

We we're taught Fortier way to the opening whistle commands to Spirit Cadence. But we eventually went back to doing it to John McDonough way due to some people not being able to catch on to the 1-2-3 Knee Drop. We had played "Go the mighty Vikings" .but does would always say "Go the Mighty Tarpons".

During my 9th grade year, Ford will constantly ask me if I wanted to go to full shade, but I still had no clue where it was. And by then I had heard all the stories that I needed to hear from alumni and Kennedy folks that convince me why I shouldn't go. due the reputation the school had.

Fast forward fall 99 I'm in 10th Grade. Unlike most Kennedy students who had to get up early to go to practice, I had to head to NOCCA.
On my commute I encountered nothing but for straight people. A number of times I was asked where I was going with a blue and white uniform on by everybody else on the bus had on the Fortier uniform. Riding that Nashville Express was always tough, because it was always packed and I was always in the back seat. Because I was new to going to Uptown, a place that I had never gone before until then, that ride was always scary because I didn't know what to expect. Eventually I have come to meet a few cool people, as well as some of the rowdy rowdy and Bout It Bout It.

Being in Kennedy's band made that trip a little bit worse, because I had to conceal this especially being that it was my crab year. Of course I made it to NOCCA almost everyday lol. But being in pain and having to see the Fortier from across the field every year was always fun. Same for parade season. Throughout those years I met a bunch of cool friends from for Shay and I even got to meet Mr. Brimmer on a number of occasions.

I will the fan of what forshee did for our band community way back then as I am a fan of it now. Over the years, even with the school being closed for all those years, the Fortier name still bit Rings bells in the city for its reputation and it's band. No matter how you take it, mr. Brimmer played a great part in this because of course he was a music educator.

There are folks who are unaware, but every year the Fortier and Cohen High School alumni Honored Mr. Brimmer. Not just because he was an educator, but because he was a staple of that Uptown community. When you have an impact on the lives of children for over 40 years, two of that's a legendary status.

The one time I was called out

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Tue, 21 May 2019 18:55:00 +0000

A few years ago I got into an argument with a woman in a group. After commenting on her decision to put one of the moderators on blast for allowing a white person inside of a black comic fandom group. During the argument. she and the league of incompetent ignoramuses begin to call me homophobic misogynist and metrosexual.

Apparently she was a lesbian, and I was supposed to know that. So they Banned Me from the group because of it. Hilarious.

That's the world we live In.

Attention Seeking

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 09 May 2019 17:07:00 +0000

Looking at this Ayesha Curry thing has my Facebook timeline raging. But I have been making random statements about it since just like the other folks. Because her stating that she doesn't get the same kind of attention that her husband gets, that whole concept just took Facebook by storm. But today, it made me think of something from a few years back.

This!

I know a woman who had an abundance of male attention. She was very friendly and open to it. There were Men saying great thing about her, whether she was around or not around. In the same breath they would despise her boyfriend and state what they would do if they had her or a woman like her. But outside of all of this attention, she wasn't happy with who she was at the time.

This was a woman who I would talk to 4 hours, sometimes about nothing, but other times about her specific situation. And one day she informed me that she just wasn't happy, though her relationship at the time mother okay. And she was getting all of this attention. The stuff she was dealing with in her personal life, didn't reflect in the eye of the general Public. She was dealing with school, in the midst of changing Majors because she wasn't happy. She had things wrong with her vehicle, the guy she was with wasn't necessarily good to her, but she loves him. Also, she just felt that when she was out and about in front of people, she had to put on a facade to hide what she really was feeling.

I constantly found myself on the phone with her affirming things that she already knew, but I think she needed to hear them from me because I was a good friend, and she respected my view. I wasn't speaking on behalf of the whole male Society. But I felt that she should know some of the things that were being said while she wasn't around, and for the most part they were good. This is the woman we all fell in love with visually.. And I'm glad I got to know her personally, so that in itself made me love her a little bit more LOL. She was one of my best friends and I respect her to this day.

She was the center of attention for all the right reasons, but the person she really wanted it from, didn't really see it that way. But that is not all, she just needed a supporter that was really there for her, and not just a fan. That is a woman I wanted to be there for, but we were hundreds of miles away.

I don't really have an endpoint to this, but I was reminded of this situation because of the current topic is brought to you by Jada Pinkett Smith' red table.

My Thoughts on a Parental Dress Code

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:09:00 +0000

Everybody's raving about this situation in a Houston School, where the principal sent home a letter to parents, was told them how they need to dress inside of their building. Maybe it was a bit harsh, but I think it was necessary. Because of this discussion, I decided to share my thoughts here, rather than commenting on a Facebook post. Which I find myself doing very often. So here goes...

I'm not a fan of dress codes myself, but I do understand the phoniness of the business environment.

The school is only a business environment for faculty and staff. Each person in whatever Department, always wore attire that reflected their position. Also they were there setting an example for each student.

Students had a uniform policy that would get them detention or suspended for violating the dress code

Visitors should already know how to present themselves in public without being told what to wear.

But if you are representing your child, and you don't send your child outside misrepresenting your household, then why would you do so? That is my beef. I understand it, but at the end of the day how they're dressed shouldn't really matter and they should not be denied service on the campus because of their attire.

Pretty Wednesday on the college campuses cause people to dress their best on purpose self-confidence as well as to get people in the spirit of dressing in a professional environment. Versus the normal going to class in your pajamas like most students do after they realize nobody's trying to impress each other on the average day.

It's so much that I can say about this, but all in all, I know my mom wouldn't have allowed me to Exit the house misrepresenting the household. Oh, when I was in school, we were rib folks parents among ourselves if they came in the school looking like trash. That's just the way that it was. We would have a good laugh, but in essence that still was a negative effect. An enjoyable one for the students, but not so enjoyable for the person who was the target due to their mother coming on campus looking like a dirtbag. But that's just the way it was.

There's a lot more than I can say, but at the end of the day. If you are a parent of a child you don't want to misrepresent that child, because it had a lasting effect on you other person.

Reflection on a Doctrine

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 21:54:00 +0000

The one thing about Bible believers that I love it that we all pretty much believe the same stuff, the problem that leads to our arguments is always in the chosen Doctrine. Because no matter the church you attend, there is a primary focus on that Doctrine. Whether it be tradition than Customs, or preaching points. It becomes apparent the type of church that you're in. And of course it's okay to have the discussions. But of course it's not really necessary to thrash somebody with your beliefs based on a Doctrine.

I grew up in the Pentecostal Church. It was called "Apostolic Outreach Center." Of course I made your focus was on your own salvation.

Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy , Romans Kings, Acts, and Revelation. Were major books.. though I hadn't been to that church normally since the mid-90s, much of the teachings stood with me in my life.

Other major focuses was, following the Commandments, the birth, death, and Resurrection of the Christ. The day of Pentecost , Your personal relationship with Christ. As well as, end time.

Over the years, I have read and even seen movies as it relates to how Pentecostals have been deemed by other Christian denominations as well as other religions. They say we are The Crazy Ones, we are the most charismatic, they even say that it's a cult. I could see why they say that. But my personal belief is in a reflection of a cult.

I came up as an Apostolic Pentecostal. To me this has always meant that we are to do and the apostles did. Which is spread the word of God. Folks would refer to Apostolic Pentecostals as the white Pentecostal Church. And yes my pastor was a white man. There is also the Church of God in Christ. (COGIC). Otherwise, the black Pentecostal Church. It all makes sense to me because they are all organizations with specific types of leadership. But I personally don't follow all of that. My reason for going to church is not because of all the fancy things that make up the church, not the pastor, not the choir, not the theatrics. Those things me keep a person going to church, but the major thing is, are you really learning? Does this church make you feel confident in your journey with the Lord., any sense of conviction, or even spiritual uplifting? To me when things like that hit you, you're in the right place.

My Church leaders names at the time. Cupit, Ford, Watson. Though they and many others including the women of the church made a great impact. The church was not about any of them, it was about being in one Accord. At the old church, when exiting the main room, there was a sign which said, "in one Accord" in big bold letters.

When I look back at old photos of myself inside of that church, I am usually pointing upwards. To my knowledge, I may have done this because the sign. Because outside of the church I did not throw up a number one hand signal in any pictures.

At the end of the day, although respect in church leadership, as well as the members in the church. It was clear that we were there for one thing and that was to hold firm to our beliefs and to do right by the word of God. Anything else really didn't matter.

Of course I haven't been there normally in years. I'm not a regular churchgoer. But my beliefs stand firm. These days my brothers have been connected to churches in a major way. So have I. But I do not attend one at this very moment. Maybe I need a church home. But until then, I'll continue to read, not specifically 2B scripturally sound, but to gain some knowledge that will help me live my best life LOL

- Book

Looks like I've made it back.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 21:49:00 +0000

Today, I am here blogging from my phone. This is something I rarely do, but today I just thought of the fact that I could voice type my whole session. Recently I've been stating a lot of thoughts online while typing vocally. This gave me a reason to install the Blogger app on my phone. I would normally be sitting at a PC typing away, using some of my favorite blogging applications or the web to do my posting. But after a while I had got the consumed by other social media platforms. Thus I State my opinions elsewhere and it's stop me from being the Blogger I once was.

But now that I have this app installed on my phone. I think I'm back in a Star Trek e kind of way LOL. Hopefully this will be the first of many more to come. Sometimes I have so much to say, but I can't get the words out because I'm not near my computer to type it away. And also I don't think about writing with my mobile device because I actually hate to do that. But this vocal typing has been my thing for a while. But it's time I use it, where it mattered most. Unleashing the madness through this blog.

Looks like The Book is back.

I Do It For The Bands.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 22:58:00 +0000

Back when I started recording bands, my goal was to bring the madness to the masses. I would be all over the place while attempting to get a few seconds of footage. I wanted it to be raw and In your face,

Sometimes I paid for the event and had no pass. Other times I was allowed because of reputation. Otherwise, I showed up with a camera to do as I please. There were many cameramen at these events. In a time where folks were making DVD's and selling them. I was posting online. What secured that for me was, everybody knew me and exactly where my footage was going.

I used my notoriety to my advantage; In 1998, If you waked between a band, you got beat up. In 2005 I broke many ranks, nobody stopped me. There were also times I've gotten stopped before entering events because my camera was "Too High Tech" and I didn't have a pass. I've even had to talk my way out of a hater attempting to get me kicked off the field. That was due to a guy thought I was ranking on his hustle. My notoriety saved me.

Over the years, the number of people with Passes has grown.
I've seen Media teams come about and I Love it. I've also seen people with passes doing absolutely nothing. Some stand there with their phones out, getting in the way of those of us trying to capture the greatness in action.

Every big SU game, 40 people are on the sideline with passes watching SU's band. Gerard, Barry, Spiderman and myself are the only folks recording from the field while Kevin Robinson was snapping pictures. Guys like Eddie Rideau were recording in the stands. I wasn't very knowledgeable of what I was doing. But I stood among the few, the proud.
For us, there were unofficial rules among our ranks that we followed. Sometimes I broke the rules to get exclusive footage. That footage is still hotter than some of my better quality footage to date.

Individuality mattered. I showed up to do events to capture things nobody else would record. That's where I found my audience. I wasn't directly doing it for hits. I was doing it for the people in the band to see themselves online.
With youtube allowing more clip length. I began trying to tell a story with my footage. My goal was to capture not only the bands but the essence of the band community. I think I accomplished that.

Eventually, it became a game of "Who could upload fast enough to get the hits, then it became quality over everything, which is GREAT! Now when I go to events, there are 20 Monopods in the air at similar angles capturing the same thing. That itself is a double-edged sword. Quality isn't a problem because we're all using the same equipment. The big difference takes place in the handling of the camera and when producing the videos.

There would be nothing wrong with that if folks weren't trying to impede on others. We are all in the same gang. Individually, you have to find your niche. Yes, you can capture the essence of the event without trying to outshine the next man. Know your role, do your part.

Most of the guys today provide visually stimulating footage, and I love it.
It's way better than anything I've ever done. I don't even have to do it anymore because I've done my part. I have learned that this Video thing has never been about me. So I don't do it for me. I don't do it for the hits. I do it for the Bands.

- Book

Toxicity Begins at home.

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Thu, 24 May 2018 22:14:00 +0000

Sometimes the toxic male is created in home by the parents who are doing too much to protect them from the dangers of the world. Too much sheltering of a child came make them stray from you,.. that's not a good thing.

I see on my timeline a lot, guys who hat their own Mom and its sad. Guys who constantly refer to woman by names that they wouldn't want their moms, sisters and daughters called, its a shame. and a lot of that happens because of something he experienced while young. Being Sheltered for the right reasons, but being ignored while sheltered can be detrimental

What happens when you keep a pet in a cage. He rips up your furniture when you let him out.. and you lock him up more..

But if you teach them to not jump on your furniture, you to limit their cage time. or eliminate that cage completely, your pet will behave accordingly. they grow up and they will respect your decisions for them. Its the same thing with humans.

You teach a male child to be respectful and he will respect you, he will value you and all he encounters. That doesn't mean there won't be difficulties when dealing with others,

My point though, The toxic male starts in home, and it doesn't have to be that way.
I could say more but, that’s just it.

One App and the Need for Good Schools

noreply@blogger.com (Book) — Fri, 11 May 2018 21:25:00 +0000

Patrick Dobard is the former leader of the Recovery School District and was once on the BESE. He now is the leader of a charter system in NOLA, He wrote column via NOLA.com basically stating why he believes OneApp isn't the problem, I don't totally disagree with him, but here's what caught my eye.

He says "Our children's futures are not a game of musical chairs." The problem is that It has been just that. it's the fault of both One App and the Charter model.

Check The Screenshot:

Here's why I feel It's both:

Charter Schools are required to use it as a selective process. Thus eliminating the option to attend a school in your neighborhood.

There have always been few Good Schools in New Orleans. The Master Plan was turnaround failing schools by bringing in Charters. Those systems have failed due to how they operated. Unqualified teachers & faculty lead to unaccredited courses and students being unable to pass classes nor state exams. Those charters have gotten revoked and replaced only for the same cycle to continue.

To my knowledge, The one app selection process allows the parent to choose from a limited number of schools which their children qualify to attend. GPA's Matter for the Good Schools and seating is limited. If those schools have reached their capacity, The lower ranking schools become your only options. If the student doesn't qualify for any of the schools selected, They're automatically bound for a failing school with open enrollment.

Other factors include special needs accommodations, Extra Curricular Activities, and other academic programs or special interests. When a school isn't equipt with the needs of a student, Parents may not want their child enrolled there. It's possible for One App to choose a school that doesn't appeal to the parents and their kids. The only real hoorah for Charters themselves is to say the Schools before Katrina was worse.

Example: Fortier becoming Lusher wasn't a turnaround, that was a takeover.
It was for a good reason, but still a takeover. Katrina made it easier for Lusher's expansion. With nobody here, they renovated and restored the building. They opened up to a limited student body. You had to be in the Lusher system, Qualify with the GPA OR be the child of Tulane University Faculty. Under this model, no former Fortier students would have been able to attend anyway. That's pretty much what all Successful Charters are doing.

For Failing Chapters, they close, get Rechartered, They get renamed becoming a new school with a new standard. Whoever doesn't qualify has to attend the next failing school. The cycle repeats itself continuously.

it just is, what it is!

- Book