Urban Observation

For The Record Pt. 2

Dan-Sean Mankind — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

There are just some things about people that really turn me off.

I’ve been quiet for quite some time now and it’s about time that I expressed my thoughts on this.

Please allow me to introduce to you four people who really are in need of a wake up call.

Mr. & Mrs. Me are often people who live their lives with this attitude that they can treat people however they choose to treat them, yet demand to be respected. These people are quick to point out your shortcomings, but give them some constructive criticism and they get defensive. These people have voices and want to be heard, but will quickly cut a person off when the topic of conversation isn’t what they want it to be or you’re taking too long to get your point across. These people are only interested or concerned when it benefits them. They will, effortlessly, turn the topic of conversation around to themselves if it isn’t about them to begin with. They tend to take on this role of “victim” and find it easy to blame others for their problems — never admitting any wrong doing or taking responsibility for their own actions.

Mr. & Mrs. Pessimistic are the type who approach almost every situation with a negative attitude. They want to succeed in the things they do but lack the ability to face the fear that is holding them back. As a result, they block their blessings by being a pessimist. You can share with them the most exciting news and their facial expressions, body language, and attitude changes instantaneously because in their mind, anything that isn’t going to benefit them doesn’t really matter; it becomes so routine that the negative behavior is more of the norm. It is clear that these people seek progression because they often complain about being in the position they are in, yet they don’t trust the other alternatives to work in their favor.

Letters

The Orange Phoenix — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:00:19 +0000

Letters

In taking the time to place pen to paper writing my tangelo blend of
truth,
My shouts of I love you are tossed together with
PAST DUE and
“renew your subscription here”
All of us stuffed in canvas mailbags,
temporarily housed in the belly of Postal planes.
As the price of cutesy stamps lift like yeast
I hope this note brings you
Good tidings, sweet nothings and the
sudden waft of my love like warm bread.

For The Record

Dan-Sean Mankind — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:29:41 +0000

I love you…

Those three words, when spoken, will be recieved and registered by the recipients in different ways.

Some people take these words and can reciprocate the exact same sentiment, while others are threatened by them.

The way a person chooses to recieve the words, “I Love You”, is beyond my control.

I know that people’s actions can be misread and people have their ulterior motives, but I’m a respectful person who assumes responsibility for my actions. The ways of the people in this world won’t prevent me from expressing how I feel to the people I care about. People spend too much time keeping their true feelings to themselves, and regretting not saying those things long after the person they felt them for are dead and gone. I am not going to be one of those people.

So, if I tell you I love you know that I am expressing genuine care to whatever extent I feel. Please don’t take my words out of context and think that I want you sexually or that I’m professing my love — I am just expressing my love.

One love.

Weather Confusion

Urban Thought — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:53:31 +0000

What is up with Mother Nature and why can’t she grasp the concept of warm weather being welcomed by all?

The picture above is a true reflection of confusion, as the minds of the people in NYC don’t know what to put on before leaving the house. Some are mixing it up just in time for the change of season. Sure, a long sleeve shirt is necessary for damp weather for today, but the sun may also join us at some point calling for shorts and t-shirts. And like true New Yorkers, some are ready for a swift change.

Now that I’m writing this post I realize today is supposed to be Wordless Wednesday. I haven’t posted in a while so bump that and allow me to share my thoughts. I’m done really… I just thought I’d share.

Hope you’re enjoying the weather as much as I am. Sigh.

Youthful

Dan-Sean Mankind — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:51:38 +0000

I am here thinking about the kids that attended my program, and the kids that I had the pleasure of working with over the past week. When I think of children and all of the qualities they possess at such young ages, it brings a smile to my face. All children, in my opinion, are special with minds of their own and heavy influence the lives of others they come in contact with. Taking into consideration that children are just like adults but have less experience and responsibility, I see that they have alot to offer the world. They are always longing to be heard, wanted, accepted, cared for, loved, just like any other person. Listen, really listen to a child, never forget that at one point in time you too were a child, and the bond is much greater. I love how children are so loving and manipulative at the same time. They are always working on something. At times, I have to be stern and though their feelings may be hurt, at the end of the day they still respect and look up to me. I’m just not sure if I’m ready 4 1.

One Less Life Line

Urban Thought — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:47:49 +0000

The absent-minded me left my cell phone in my locker. I wasn’t aware that I didn’t have it on me until I was forty minutes into my commute. At this revelation the invisible light bulb over my head lit up, and I shouted “oh sh*t.” OP, author of Finding Love series who was riding the train with me, perked up and asked me what was wrong. I told her and all she said was: “I guess it will be a much quieter night.” Indeed it was. No frantic calls from the fam. No random text messages. No updates from Twitter. Nothing. Not a voicemail. Not a ring.

Wonder comes over me trying to figure out what we would do if we had no cellular service these days — trying to coordinate meeting up with people or connecting with people on the fly. I don’t even have a home number because I have a cell phone. I’m sure I’m not the only one. But to have that life line disconnected is some sort of weird anomaly that takes some adjustment. Right now, I don’t actually miss the phone but this feeling of technology abandonment (liberation?) will get old very quickly. Good thing is… I’ll get to my phone later.

Side Note: I’d rather my cell phone be ringing off the hook than have callers greeted by a message that states: “At the user’s request this phone number is not active at this time. Please try back later.” Which basically translates to “The mofo you have tried to reach did not pay their cell phone bill on time so we won’t provide service until we get our money. Until then, kick rocks.”

Let’s just hope situations of importance haven’t arisen while I’m sitting here disconnected.

Free Writing: Just Because… (Random Thoughts)

Urban Thought — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:58:26 +0000

This post is being authored because: 1. I haven’t blogged in quite some time and 2. because I haven’t blogged in quite some time. I’ll use the free writing format so I can actually get these words, which may mean nothing to you at all, out there before I edit to the point where I delete the entire post.

Thank goodness it is Friday. As New Yorkers expect warm weather through out the weekend, I’ve taken the time to plan out what may be an adventure filled trek through the streets of New York City. The way I see it, the warm weather on the horizon will have me venturing out to parts of the five boroughs I’ve never been to before or revisiting those which I haven’t quite been to in a while. This spring/summer time should be interesting.

So, tax day has passed and I’m happy that most people have gotten that burden out the way. The reality may be different for other people, as they filed their extensions — some people just procrastinate. Taxes always remind me of how single I am and how singled out I feel. Most people get that feeling on Valentine’s Day. For me, it actually is a reminder every time I look at my pay stub.

Single people who don’t have kids or (alleged) dependents get taxed a whole lot more. Why? Probably because the government feels we don’t have any extra mouths to feed so we have no need for the extra cash. Don’t they realize that the majority of single people stimulate the economy by buying other people drinks? That should count for something. But it isn’t all about alcohol. Of course, I’m hitting happy hour a little later.

While I’ve been away from the blogging front I’ve spotted the trend in traffic to this site — mostly generated by search queries. As you know Spring is upon us — although it is sneaking in and out and doesn’t appear to want to stay around too soon — many people are, once again, kicking folk to the curb. We all know this as Spring Fever. Cause everyone wants something new to play with. Are you aware that 11% of text users are comfortable with breaking up over text messaging? I think this is more of a sign of the times than anything else. We’ve become so comfortable with IM conversation, e-mail, social networks and all that online stuff that we fail to see the necessary conversations that require physical attendance. Certain parts of communication should be left for verbal, not textual, conversations. Face-to-face interactions tops all. Unless you have one of those faces that people can’t stand to look at sober or with the lights on.

I don’t think it has been ten minutes yet but I think I’m done ranting. I’m ready to get started with my work for today and complete a few projects.

Enjoy the weekend ahead and make a phone call to that person that you actually care, but haven’t spoken to in quite some time.

Make a move, Make a difference.

An April Fool, No Joke

Urban Thought — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:18:28 +0000

Today is supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, but I have no pictures to post and it has been sometime since my last blog entry — so I’m saying my piece. Thank you to all that have inquired about the whereabouts of the folks that makes up the collective of Urban Observation. We’ve all been on our separate journeys of character development and relationship building. Actually, that applies to the others more so than it does to me. I’ve been busy trying to get right for summer. But that is another post for another day.

The observations haven’t stopped though. For instance, just this morning…

…while making my way to street level I hopped onto an escalator, ascending behind a lovely young lady with a nice figure — I couldn’t help but pay attention to her. And then I heard the thunder of someone rapidly climbing the adjacent escalator. He made eye contact with the lady in front of me and said, “you’re a spiteful bitch.” She looked at him and said nothing. And as she proceeded off the escalator he took her right flank as if he said was ‘good morning baby’.

This reminded me of a story old co-workers once told me. My co-worker was attending a CUNY game. While sitting in the stands he noticed a young couple and an interesting exchange of words: The young girl jumped from her companion’s side and proceeded toward the concessions area. Her companion shouted to her, “Yo bitch! Get me a hot dog while you’re over there.” Without skipping a beat she looked back to him with a grin and said, “You want mustard?” He nodded in the affirmative and sat down as if this was a normal exchange between the two.

I’m wondering… Is saying the word bitch to a woman you’re with a term of endearment?

Is bitch (when referring to your female companion) the new baby, sweetie, honey, sugar?

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Wordless Wednesday: No Bed, No Breakfast

Urban Thought — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:00:32 +0000

Midnight Marauder

The Orange Phoenix — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:48:32 +0000

Midnight Marauder
(Based on a photo by Gordon Parks)

Cracked glass
crumbling like ash
Cigarettes on drawn in lips
Crusty
from running, ducking and dodging
being a male
Of the wrong hue.

Shadows of good still reside
in the gleam of his
pearl handle,
reluctant to use it,
waiting for morning
when MAN-CHILD can be just CHILD
and the only MAN around
stems from Algebra

The Road to Obama, Part 2

The Orange Phoenix — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:00:05 +0000

The road to Obama was paved with a spiritual awakening — the realization that we as humans aren’t alone in this world. I’m not trying to get all preachy, but on this leg of my vacation, spirits moved and protected us from harm and the dangers that two women could face alone on the highway side.

Basking in the beauty of the beach, something occurred to me – the reason for our instant relaxation was because of our proximity to the water. As the elixir of life, the ocean smiled at us, sunup and sundown. By pure accident, we were upgraded to an ocean front room and stared at the moon as it rose each night, listening to her waves calling us to come and play. . . and one night we did.

So the way I was raised, when visiting someone you bring a gift with you. It’s not only in good taste, but your host is more apt to invite you back — right? So what do you get for the Ocean? — the gal who has everything. . .

Why not bring a little light?

By day, the ocean is warm and tender at the shore side; at night, from afar, she glistens, crashes, and howls both encouragement and warnings to stay away. For three nights, I watched the sun arise from and sink down into her sometimes murky/sometimes clear bosom wondering when and if I was daring enough to go say hello.

I was and I did.

On our last night, my friend and I hell-bent and determined to say that we got in the water in January bounded towards the water, tiptoeing across the wet sand — our footsteps leaving no visible trace that we had been there. At a rare moment during low tide, we walked what seemed like miles into the uncovered sandy seabed until our lovely hostess with the most-ess beckoned us to sit and chat with her.

“What are your dreams, your hopes, your fears? Hand them to me and let me take care of them for you” she said. As much of a burden my problems are, I hate to unload them on anyone, even a deity as awesome as the ocean. With great abandon, I cried into the sea, leaving the bullshit behind: fears of being unloved, unwanted all unwarranted, but still as real as the water under my feet. I left her my hopes of success for the future, both personally, professionally and globally.

So after leaving more water with the ocean, we left some gifts — a candle, just in case she gets afraid of the dark, and some melon to eat cause she must get hungry churning up the rolling tide and a glass of rum to keep the good times rolling. We bid her adieu and walked away hoping that she would spirit us safely on our long journey North — our own North star on the way to freedom with bigger challenges to come.

Foreplay

The Orange Phoenix — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:00:36 +0000

Foreplay

In my soft bed of hope
I wait and watch
You,
A minotaur
With Pegasus on your back
Overseeing a land
For my eyes only.

And in exchange
My two legs will open
Providing a world of sunsets
Bellowing and
Sighs
For your ears only.

Urban Observation

For The Record Pt. 2

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