Whitney Houston: Forever An Icon

I am very saddened at the news of the tragic loss of a musical icon today. She has made history with her voice and her work in the entertainment industry. I think the first time I heard her, I didn't understand what all the big fuss was about. I was about 12 and wasn't really singing yet (well, not seriously). Until I heard one of the most intriguing songs I had ever heard. It showcased her voice so well that I had to hear it over and over again. Even to this day, anytime I hear "I Will Always Love You" I am drawn to a place I never thought music could take me. Since then, I have been and will forever be a fan. I love how down to earth she was. I also appreciate her closeness to my other favorite singer, Brandy.

Whitney has influenced my singing as well with her ability to take a song and not be confined to what's expected. Sure, she has had some down moments. But who hasn't. She has been a woman to stand by her husband, protect her family and did her best to protect her career. I remember one day, I was listening to WBLS New York with Wendy Williams. Whitney called in and confronted Wendy on the air without losing too much respect for herself. It was so funny and even though she was coming across strong, she was still classy.

I'm sending prayers up for the family. In particular for Bobbi Kristina, Bobby Brown, Ms. Cissy Houston and those who were closest to her.

Whitney, we will always love you and we'll miss you.

Bill Cosby "I'm 76 and Tired"

"I'm 76 and I'm Tired" by Bill Cosby

I'm 76. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service,

I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some some serious health challenges,I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.  
  
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic.I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.         
    
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honour"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.  
    
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia, New Zealand, UK, America and Canada, while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance..  
  
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off? 
  
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.  
  
I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. 

I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's bedeck themselves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government. 
  
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 76.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and her children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in.

I Hate Religion!

WOW! This poem says it all!

A Message To Dreamers

I am blessed to have so many influential people in my life. These words are from a man that I totally look up to and am inspired by. Bishop Wenzell Jackson is a Pastor who now resides on the East Coast. When he was in California, he would always have some great things to say. The following is statement he posed on Facebook that really impacted me and several others.

 

 "Tonight I am sitting in my office and reflecting on those who came before me, in struggles and movements to get us where we are today, of course Dr. ML King, who was the face of the movement for justice and equality but I just want to also thank God for those soldiers whose names we will never know, who were bit by dogs, hosed by water, sat at counters, lynched and arrested so that I can stand behind the Sacred Desk at Mount Hermon."

"Perhaps if our youth understood the sacrifices that were made the back of the bus/train would not be their seat in life, perhaps they would pull their pants up and represent the pride of our forefathers, perhaps they would no longer use language that is disrespectful to themselves and those who are on the streets and trains who have to hear them, perhaps Beats, Jordans and a blunt would be traded for a book, a newspaper (without the sports section), perhaps if they only understood the DREAM, they would become dreamers themselves and see themselves, stronger, wiser and better! I am a dreamer ... I believe many of you are dreamers too ..."

Summer Music Program

Summer Music 2011 So much fun!

I Won't Complain!

Well, 2012 is here and I am so inspired to do a few things this year. A few days ago, I was feeling so down. Reason was because I was feeling like I just have so many things I want to do but don't know which one to start on. Besides, I already have a full plate between being a husband, father, Minister of Music at my church, Director for my after school program Taste Of Class Chorus, choral teacher at Argonne Alternative School, Music Theater Teacher for Robertson Intermediate School, Producer and Host of my new TV show "The Cross Over SF" and on top of all that my own personal time.

So now I am working on a new album that we want to have finished by February. I now am stepping into a new venture of writing a book and I'm already preparing for a new Summer Choir program I will be starting.

At first, I was feeling down about it. But as I think, pray and reflect on my whole life I am so blessed to have these aspirations in life. I began writing the first two pages of the book and I am like, WOW! God put all that in me? Geez! I just want to make sure that I don't miss my purpose here on earth. There are seeds planted that need to grow and they won't if I don't cultivate them and allow them to be watered everyday.

How about you? What dreams and goals did God plant in your spirit that you haven't watered yet?

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Get Out There and Do it!

So I've been thinking alot lately about the direction of my music career. I really want to take advantage of the talents that I have. I need to use them because God gave them to me. Many people sit back and wish they could have but I don't want to be like that especially with all the possibilities out there. There are soooooo many ways to advance your career with technology so advanced now, social networks and websites that have ways to make things happen. This day and age there is no excuse for anyone not to be successful in life. I think the problem is most people are waiting for someone else to take notice and just post things on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. But what if the person you were supposed to get discovered by is someone who is not an avid YouTube lover. What if you were supposed to be discovered by going out and performing? You will totally miss your opportunity because you are just waiting instead of just taking initiative to advance yourself. So my decision is to just make some things happen. Not talk about making things happen, but actually get out and do some things. So, here goes something!