Dre's Ramblings

Casting a new vision through our past

2010-07-25T23:21:14Z

The sound of a train’s whistle filled Shed #1 at Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces, competing with the sounds of a city’s history echoing through the open ended space from speakers close to the screen on Friday evening.

The picture I’ve included probably does not do the crowd justice but I hope it shows the level of interest and excitement surrounding the free public premiere of APT‘s one hour documentary, Sloss: From Industry to Art. It would not be an understatement to say that it was a packed house despite it being one of the hottest evenings of the summer. For many it was the beginning of an incredibly action-packed weekend of choices, ranging from participation in Birmingham’s 6^th annual Member Day to the 25^th annual Function in the Junction allowing thousands to enjoy the sounds influenced by the city’s west side.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that I’m sure most of those in attendance will be glued to their televisions at 7 p.m. either tonight (Sunday) or Tuesday evening.

The piece, produced by Chris Holmes, tells the story of how Sloss Furnaces helped build Alabama’s largest city via industry, the fight to save the complex from demolition and how it’s helping to cast a new vision for The Magic City through its participation in the world of cast iron art.

Those wondering about the impact that Birmingham has nationally and internationally these days despite the constant focus on negativity within its city limits need only take a look at this documentary. It allowed me to think about several ways that the city continues to forge a new path forward and how some choose to fight for what they believe in despite the belief that nothing will ever change…

I’m thinking it’s a message that’s desperately needed right now. I still think some patience is needed as well.

Hopefully you’ll get a chance to watch this incredible piece this week and then you may be willing to share what you thought about the film and what it means to you.

Or you could just answer that question now – heh

Cheers.

Talking with Dad

2010-06-21T03:26:33Z

Today was Father’s Day in the United States, meaning that I made a phone call home to The Bronx to talk with my dad not knowing quite what to expect.

For many of the years that I spent in Birmingham on the third Sunday in June as a visitor on vacation (for the now defunct City Stages music festival), I was usually the last one to make his phone call home from Christopher’s phone. It was normally a quick call home where I spent more time talking to my mother than my father.

As my jobs in Savannah led me to finally get a cell phone, I still delayed making the phone call as we waited to head downtown from Highland Park.

I’ve long worried about what he thinks of me and my attempt at bootstrapping my way to happiness via blogging. I walked from my dream job in March 2007 (mainly due to frustration) with what I then thought was a somewhat secure safety net to help cushion the potential stress from things going wrong. Needless to say it’s never gone quite as planned. I’d always thought he’d get it since he’d done something similar when I was one, though I’m thinking he’d hoped it would have been different for me…

It’s nearly 3½ years later and I still get the question “How are the job prospects going?” whenever I call home. The other question that has finally started to appear in the last year is “How’s the website going?” I consider that a small victory as it’s at least acknowledged that I’m trying to venture out on a new path that I’ve long sought his approval on, despite knowing that my happiness was the more important goal.

I’m much more like my father than I ever thought I’d be. I hadn’t really thought about it much recently until I heard someone else talk about similarities between him and his father late last week.

You can replace a love of Calypso, steelpan and soccer with jazz, Hammond B-3 organs and baseball. Actually, I’d probably place all of the above as equal on my end as those who’ve attempted to follow my tweets and Facebook status updates during the World Cup may finally be realizing.

I remember making an emergency trip home after a week of certification training in Washington, DC. I remember the tone in my brother’s voice as he said, “you need to come home.” So I did, and I saw my father in bed just before we had to call the ambulance to take him to the hospital after refusing to go in for several days before my arrival.

I saw him laying in the hospital bed in the ICU and I thought about all of the questions I’d never asked about his life and that of his father. Apparently I’m a lot like Granddad as well with my love of working with wood but I don’t know much else.

Many of the questions still remain unanswered as shortly after he averted the reaper things returned to what they’d been before – walls of silence broken only once in a blue moon. I returned to Birmingham thinking about getting closer to home, going so far as to consider a job back up there shortly after the fact only to let it slip out of mind some time later.

The phone call came even later than I’d intended this year as my body decided that it wanted to take a nap, sparing me from watching what became an extremely sloppy Brazil vs. Ivory Coast match as well as a relatively short Yankees rain delay. The phone call was probably one of the longest ones that I’d had with him in some time. We talked about how ridiculous the referees were being with handing out yellow and red cards and about the falling price of gasoline.

Many questions still remain unanswered and will probably remain that way for some time as I probably inherited my father’s stubbornness.

I do question what I’ll be like when I finally have the opportunity to be a father. I hope that I can make communicating just a little bit easier. Hopefully I’ll get a chance someday and maybe that child will get a better chance at helping me understand just where my father’s been…

Cheers.

Shake the Dust

2010-06-20T23:35:42Z

My friend Alice and I still fall into this habit where we’ll talk about “taking a step off” in hopes that we’d be comfortable afterwards about what was said or written and accept it because it had to be shared.

This is one of those times…

About a month ago I stumbled across a tweet by Amber Naslund that led me to a post she’d put up earlier that evening.

As soon as I finished it I ended up adding this comment to the conversation.

It also ended up convincing me to change the talk I’d planned to give to my men’s prayer breakfast group the following morning to one that dealt with living with depression for several years, with a specific emphasis on the last eight months. I’m still not quite sure how it was received, but I needed to be open and share how I felt with someone (or a group of somebodies as the case would be). It’s made it easier to deal with – at least a little bit easier…

I’ve heard people talk about being in a room full of people but yet feeling incredibly alone. I kept wondering if that was supposed to be a given since that’s exactly how I’ve been feeling.

This virtual space (compared to the others that I’ve found hard to maintain recently) is supposed to be a place that lets me share some of what I was thinking (though never everything). I thought it would also be a way to break the ice with people that may want to talk about what I was writing about – hopefully a way to not feel so out of place after taking a leap of faith by taking a job that I thought would make a difference. I still haven’t quite found that group, though the virtual connections that I’ve made throughout the years have helped. I found a community that was willing to listen to me, even if they didn’t quite understand why I shared what I did and still do.

What I learned were some interesting life lessons.

I learned that words can hurt much more than people care to realize – and that most people are not always aware of their power. Those labels can and do sting and while I’ve been trying to live by Ruiz’ second agreement, it is a difficult adjustment.

I’ve learned what true friendship means and who some of those people are. I’ve realized what people may be willing to do for you even when you don’t want their help. I’m sure that some will wonder why I didn’t say anything sooner. I joined several tribes in the process, learning that just jumping into a group doesn’t solve the issue of filling a void.

I’ve learned that it’s important to share, even when you aren’t sure if it will help anyone (even yourself). I’ve been reminded of the importance of living life (even when you don’t want to).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Amber challenged us towards the end of her post to stop being silent, to not be afraid of the labels that may be cast upon you because of sharing. The most difficult thing for me to do right now is share. It is why despite several attempts placing my fingers on the keyboard to write recently has been so difficult.

I’ve long wanted to find a way to explain why I enjoy and appreciate my friend (fellow SCAD alum and two-time National Slam Poetry champion) Anis Mojgani‘s poem, “Shake the Dust” as much as I do. I wanted to know if I could share how much the words to that piece have inspired me at times when I looked in a mirror and saw someone lost and buried deep in the midst of a dark cloud hanging overhead despite the sunshine around me.

I think I just found a way to do just that. Thanks, Anis. I think it’s time to shake it off of me now, though it will always be there.

Cheers.

Photo: Of opened arms. Dani Gama/Flickr

Walking through the front door

2010-06-08T14:31:29Z

How often do you use the front door?

It’s a simple question that probably says more about us and our level of comfort than we realize. A regular routine of mine had me thinking about it yesterday…

Almost every Sunday morning that I’m in Birmingham, AL you’ll probably find me standing in front of the set of doors pictured off to your left between 10:30 and 11 a.m. They’re located on the 19^th Street North side of First Church Birmingham, the city’s oldest United Methodist congregation (it’s also the city’s oldest church, period). It’s a pretty comfortable perch from which you can watch a Sunday in central Alabama just meander by. People are taking advantage of how quiet it is downtown and running into their offices while others are heading to other churches or activities…

The most peaceful part of my week takes place between 10:45 and ending promptly as the sounds of the organ fill the main sanctuary at 11 a.m. That’s when the bells from The Cathedral Church of the Advent and those in First Church’s bell tower join together for their weekly mini-concert – one that rings through the streets of the mostly quiet central business district.

It’s a sound that most of the members of the church don’t necessarily pay attention to.

Why? Most of them use the church’s courtyard entrance.

There are many reasons for this (and all of them are quite valid). The most obvious reason is because the church’s parking lot is located along 18^th Street North and AT&T allows us to use their parking deck. Both options make it easier to enter the church from that direction. A renovation of the historic structure some years ago also placed its elevator and a new narthex at the back of the original building.

Those who’ve been attending the church for some time know all of these things, so it stands to reason that they will use the courtyard entrance. I’ve noticed that while someone visiting the church may park on 19^th and come through those doors the first few times, after a while they will inevitably start using the courtyard entry. Life is going on behind those stained glass windows but for many driving by, until they saw the doors open with someone standing there, they didn’t know. Some members will still walk by the front door and make their way to the courtyard entrance.

While my example above involved a church, a similar situation exists in several communities nowadays. People enter homes from garages and side entries and rarely engage out front unless it’s for a special occasion. We also tend to look for back roads and shortcuts most days, avoiding opportunities to see what’s sitting out front and center around us in our community.

It’s tough for people to know what’s going on until someone makes you aware of it. Maybe we’ve become so accustomed to attempting to multi-task that we sometimes avoid opportunities to slow down – perhaps fearing that we’ll miss something.

That’s exactly what we’re doing though. We’re missing things that we maybe need to be paying more attention to – like bells ringing out on a quiet Sunday morning.

I’m just wondering what’s got to happen before we walk through the front door and pay attention?

Top photo: Front door – First Church Birmingham. acnatta/Flickr

Random Shots: Enjoying the view

2010-05-20T15:26:53Z

Boomer and Ed have enjoyed some pretty cool views over the years, especially since they’ve been living in Birmingham, AL.

When we first got here, they enjoyed checking out Vulcan and the City Federal sign from window ledges in the loft. Then they got to enjoy trains passing under the windows near Morris Avenue.

Their current view out one of the windows on the rear of the house is a back yard that may see some attention in the coming weeks so it may be used a little more than it currently is. I’m thinking they were wondering more about the birds just out of reach or the fact that I was had one of those silly machines pointed towards them again (only it didn’t flash this time)…

Or they’re just plotting to take over the world.

Photo: Enjoying the view. acnatta/Flickr

Huddled masses serve as a reminder

2010-05-20T19:40:08Z

I never got to see my grandmother take her oath of allegiance to the United States of America in 1996, but she was extremely proud of that moment of her life. I remember hearing it in her voice…

My mother also became a citizen on that day – she’s the one that made the phone call afterwards to let me talk to Granny. There was some excitement there too.

I found out that my father was becoming a citizen only because he told me in passing while we were driving around one day. It happened on his 65^th birthday. I didn’t see it either, but he mentioned it in passing when I talked to him that day on the phone.

All three of them became citizens long after arriving in this country. As much as any conversation with them would normally lead to fond memories of Trinidad, they chose to become citizens of the United States.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today, I had the chance to watch (and if you click on the YouTube video to your left, you will have too) the wonder and awe of sixty individuals, representing 30 countries, as they completed their journey of choosing to become citizens of the United States of America by taking the Oath of Allegiance. Charlotte Donlon and I decided to go ahead and attend the event this morning. I’m glad I did.

The Honorable Sharon Lovelace Blackburn presided over the ceremony and reminded the participants of the responsibilities that come with the words they spoke this morning.

The event was significant since it was the first time that the naturalization ceremony took place outside of the federal courthouse of the Northern District of Alabama. Instead, the candidates, their friends, family and observers enjoyed the setting of the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

The act of being an citizen of the United States and what that means is something that most of us born here take for granted. Many of us do not even think about what it means and how that is tied to doing our part to make it work.

The ability to dream that we enjoy comes with a responsibility to serve and give back when possible in whatever way you can. No, everyone does not realize their dreams (yet), but the fact that it’s more possible here than in most places is important – and something to celebrate when compared to elsewhere in the world.

These people wore their dreams and hopes on their faces today and beamed with delight as they exited the auditorium. Their enthusiasm – and that of their families – could be felt in the room. They stood and said their name and where they were from originally earlier in the ceremony, eager to embrace the mantle of being an American citizen. They each carried a story of hope and determination that is a nice reminder of the potential drive we all have within us.

Judge Blackburn’s words were particularly poignant and sobering considering the fact that we’re in the midst of an election cycle. It’s an opportunity to practice one of the most important rights afforded to a citizen – the right to vote. Exercising this right means more than pushing a “Like” button on Facebook; it means becoming truly acquainted with an issue or persons before blindly filling in a bubble based on party affiliation or popularity. I could hope that politics become less of a sport and more of a process, but that may be hoping for too much.

I do know of a few people who will exercise that right next week as they understand the responsibility that comes with it.

—

There was a gentleman I noticed when I first walked into the Steiner Auditorium. He looked over the paperwork handed out before the events of the day with a palpable excitement. He shook the hand of the woman that handed him the certificate that physically confirmed that he’d just become a citizen of the United States.

As I walked out behind him, I saw him clutching the print of the piece “Flags” in his hand, his certificate safely tucked away in his back as he spoke on the phone with someone saying that he’d just become an American citizen.

The smile on his face was infectious and told of the pride he carried from the moment.

Cheers.

About that new phone (finally)

2010-05-18T16:41:37Z

I’ve had some folks say that I’m just a little too excited about my new phone – a Palm Pre on the Sprint network.

I’ve even had a few folks say that it’s almost like I have a new toy.

I started writing this post in December but decided I’d wait until I’d had some time to really try it out to pass judgment.

Six months is probably just long enough…

The best way to sum it up is to say that I am now about as connected as I possibly can be.

I did luck into getting the phone. Those of you who visit this site occasionally may remember that one of the posts from late last year sang the praises of my new laptop. Well… that computer suffered a bad processor and a corrupted hard drive in late November. Asus stepped up and said they’d allow me to swap it for a new one once they figured out they couldn’t repair it due to no longer carrying 500GB hard drives.

I got an HP Pavilion dv4 (on sale no less), leaving me with just enough money to purchase said smartphone. The extra bonus was the $15 off coupon that let me get the phone for an insane deal.

Now I will not call it the iPhone killer since I’m not one looking for one. I will call it a game changer.

It is my first smartphone, though I did own a Dell Axim X30 that did a pretty good job being an extension of my life for a while. This phone picks up right where the Axim left off.

One reason I’m probably enjoying the phone as much as I am is the fact that I’m not looking for that many apps right now. I need ones that actually provide usefulness (though I’m loving my light saber and Radiotime apps). I’ve actually found that the web versions of Facebook and Twitter do exactly what I need them to do. I’m looking forward to using the Wells Fargo banking app as well.

I wished that LinkedIn’s mobile presence was stronger, but it’s OK. More important to me is the benefit of the phone’s Synergy technology that allows me to access contact information from profiles maintained by friends on Facebook and LinkedIn, making it easier to connect. The interface is easy to use as well and while I wish the buttons on the physical slide-out keyboard were a little bigger, I do appreciate it – a lot.

I was most excited to have access to a Pre-specific Evernote app allowing me to access what’s easily become my favorite online tool – an extension of my brain as some have suggested.

Pre owners were recently given the ability to shoot and edit video. The photos taken with the camera have been quite clear and I’ve only shot one video, but it turned out well. I do wish that we had the ability to zoom in on objects when taking photos or shooting video. I’m hoping that they’ll give us this capability (or that maybe I’ll figure out how to get the OS to do it) soon.

The battery life has not been as much of an issue as I thought it would be. I have found that the USB cord allows me to charge easily when using its outlet adapter I’m beginning to have issues charging directly from the computer. It does charge quickly. I’ll admit that I still haven’t read the manual for the Pre, so I’ve probably only scratched the surface – even after all of these months – in terms of what it can do.

The recent purchase of Palm by HP makes me feel much more confident about being able to use the phone in the future and supportive of what this phone and its operating system will enable me to do in the future. I’ve signed up for the web-based Ares development environment, hoping to gain some mastery of webOS and how it works.

I’d recommend it to anyone that was looking for a practical smartphone. It’s been quite useful as a business device and there are days I’ve operated almost exclusively on it. I’m thinking it was a great purchase .