From New Bern..., 2 Charlotte, NC!!!

Mood: Vacation Mode
Music: Gavin Munoff "Live Concert" CD's

2day's Message: "Blood Should Always Be Thicker Than Water... Unless The Blood Is Thin & The Water Is Oh Soooo Soothing!!!" A.L. Jones Sr.

Just wanted 2 say that I'm sitting here in Charlotte, NC trying 2 get my bearings... I DEF Love it down here Bcuz it has that wonderful City Vybe... Reminds me a heck of a lot like home... Fast food, malls, sports team, downtown scene, parks, & night life...

I came South cause I made a personal pact with myself 2 visit my Xtended Family... They live on the East Coast outside of New Bern, NC. They had a Big BBQ Saturday & I surprised them all by sneaking in 2 C them... I actually arrived Friday..., but didn't C them until Saturday...

I have about 2 minutes of video footage & I was like the Returning Conquering War Hero... Folks went krazy when they saw me... The #1 comment was, "I Knew U Were Coming Bcuz U Told Us 2 NEVER EVER Bet Against The Black!!!"

The 2nd comment was, "I Knew U Were Coming Bcuz U Got Quiet On Facebook!!! U Stopped Posting & It Made Me Think U Were Coming Cause U Didn't Want Folks 2 Know Your Whearabouts!!!" WOW!!!

It was great 2 C sooooooooo many people I haven't seen in 5 years... It was equally great 2 C my own family... All 4 of my Aunts & Uncles (Jessie, Geraldine, Maryann, & Charlie)... Countless cousins... My own true only niece (my sister's child)... & a whole generation of NEW kids who I really Do Not know @ all... That was worth the trip alone...

My Family was MAD @ me Bcuz I chose 2 stay @ a hotel in New Bern rather than out in the sticks with them... C'mon Son!!! I do that @ least every other tyme... They should know me by now... I can't handle sitting out there in the sticks... It's Mind Numbingly Boring!!! PHEW!!!

I was also amazed @ how difficult life has been 4 a large sum of my family... Several have done prison time, several had drug problems, several had poor appearance due 2 health issues, & some have fallen upon some hard times... The youth don't seem 2 have strong role models..., lack of hope 4 the future..., nor guidance in what they can do 2 B successful in their own lives...

They all remark on how Amazing I LQQK!!! I smiled 2 myself bcuz 2 me..., it's the way I Always LQQK??? 2 them It's Amazing..., 2 me It's Normal!!! It clearly shows why I've never been able 2 spend major time nor identify strongly with this region of the South... I'm 2 intense, I quest 2 hard 4 knowledge, I'm 2 vain not 2 LQQK GOOD, I'm 2 technical with toyz/gadgets, I'm 2 self motivated, & I need much more culture in my life than they do...

But..., @ the end of the day we R still family..., & I love them ALL dearly... They love me..., they miss me..., & it's up 2 me 2 keep the bonds connected... Leaving them I traveled 4 hours across the state 2 Charlotte..., a city much more conducive 2 my mindset... I'll visit some other folks over here..., then head home on 2morrow...

Still a wonderful trip 2 reconnect with my roots, my past, my history, & my people... Remember..., U can run from many things..., but U can never run away from yourself... That's The Way Life Goes!!! PEACE!!!

aljonessr