Push People Up!!!

Mood: Weekend Mindset
Music: Trey Songz "Heart Attack" Chapter 5 CD

Great Day In Da Morning 1nce Again…,

The Message Below Is Truly Near & Dear 2 My Heart!!! Bcuz 4 All My Intense, Demanding, & Difficult Personality Traits, @ The End Of The Day…, The Reason I Am So Tuff On U Is Bcuz I Don’t Want U 2 Shortchange URself!!!

I Want U 2 Rise Up & Reach UR Full Potential!!! Most People Settle 4 Mediocracy As If They R Afraid 2 B Great!!! Oh No, Not Me!!! U Can’t Tell Me I AM NOT “THE CATS MEOW!!!” Bcuz Even If Nobody Else Believes It…, Trust Me…, On The Inside I SURE AS HELL DO!!! ROFLMAO!!!

When I Challenge U & Push U & U Say I Hurt UR Feelings…. Itz Not Bcuz I’m Being A Prick…, Itz Bcuz I Care Enuff About U 2 Pursue The Best U Have Within U!!! Yeah I Got OCD & I Like Ish The Way I Like It…, But U Know I Will Bend & Compromise In Order 2 Make Sure We Share In This Journey Of Success… Case In Point…

Last Night Instead Of Our Standard Rehearsal, I Had A De-Brief Session W/The Band As We Spoke About The Gig That Passed Last Friday, New Tunes We Need 2 Add 2 Our Catalog, Potential Gig Opportunities, & General Ways 2 Improve The Band!!! The Highlight Of The Night Was Our Discussion Of The Intro To Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing” Which We TOTALLY BLEW During Our Show!!!

They Chuckled Bcuz All U Hear From Me Through My Mic 1^st Is “Alrighty Now,” 2nd “Let’s Get It 2gether,” & 3rd “Clean This Ish Up,” & Then Finally “Let’s Go” As We Launch Into The Vocal Refrain Of “I WILL LOVE U NE WAY!!!”

It Was My Son’s Mistake On Keyboards That Threw It Off & They Said My Comments R DEFINITELY My Normal M.O.!!! I Start Off Nicely W/A Warning, I Get Slightly Stern W/Escalated Concern, & Then I Tear Into Them W/Paternal Love 2 Get ‘Em Back On Track!!!

In The Heat Of The Moment On The Bandstand As My Brain Is Processing 1,000 Signals…, Sometimes Itz Hard 2 Make Everything Flow Along Seamlessly…, So I Revert Back 2 My “GET IT DONE” Leadership Style!!! I Tell Them “We Do This Thing We Say We Love, On Stage We R Professionals @ Our Craft, We Put The Work In 2 Excel @ What We Do, So Making Mistakes R Unacceptable!!!”

Now Of Course We All Make Mistakes…, I Just Set That Bar That High 2 Demand They Reach 4 The Best They Can Possibly B!!! Most Mistakes R Simple, Minor, Correctable Things!!! Its Rare We Have A Total Flameout, Train Wreck, Crash & Burn Situation!!! I Attribute That 2 The 3 Years Of Training They’ve Spent In The “AJ Bootcamp Of Musicology!!!” Just Know That U Tooooo Have Been Enrolled In The “AJ Bootcamp Of Love” If U Feel My Wrath Coming UR Way!!! Have A Fantastic Friday LMAO!!!

2day’s Message: We all need somebody to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. We all need people who will push us up, so to speak. After all, there are enough people trying to push us down in life. There are enough people telling us what we can’t become and how we don’t have what it takes.

I know in my own life, I wouldn’t be half of who I am if it were not for Victoria. She has spoken so much faith into me. She has called out the potential on the inside.

I believe we all have the responsibility to do this for others. Let’s push people up. Let’s look with our eyes of faith and see their potential and tell them what they can become. If you will be that person for somebody else, God will make sure somebody will be that person for you.

Friend, every person has seeds of greatness inside. You can cause your children to rise to a new level. You can be the catalyst for your family to do things they never thought possible. Your words have creative power. When you speak vision, that can be the seed God uses to thrust them to a new level. Joel Osteen

aljonessr

Pursue Loyalty!!!

Mood: Determined
Music: Jill Scott "It's Love" Jill Scott Words & Vol. 1

I Just Had This Conversation The Other Day…,

2day's Message: Have you ever noticed that righteousness and loyalty go together? In other words, if we’re not being loyal — to our family, friends, country, job — then we aren’t going to experience God’s best. Loyal people are honorable people. When you’re loyal, you stick with someone through thick and thin. When you’re loyal, you keep your word to people — even if you get a “better” offer.

Loyal people are respectful of their country and leaders. Loyal people honor their parents and defend their family. When you’re loyal, you are a person of integrity. You build trust with others. Is this an area where you can rise higher? Are you faithful in the things you’re committed to?

Can you be more loyal? Don’t let the distractions of everyday life keep you from being dedicated. Look for ways to show honor to those around you. Is there something you need to set aside for the sake of a loved one? Show love by staying loyal. As scripture promises, when you pursue loyalty and righteousness, you will find the abundant life God has planned for you! Joel Osteen

If There Is 1 Trait I’ve Carried W/Me A Lifetyme…, It’s LOYALTY!!! I’m Loyal 2 My Sports Team, My Friends, My Family, My JOB, Products That I Buy, & Musical Artists That I Love!!! I Am The Type Of Loyal Person U Need In UR Corner…, Bcuz If I Am W/U Then We Go Down In Flames Swinging 2getha!!! My Loyalty Is Not Fleeting…, Nor Here &There…, It Iz 4ever & A Day!!!

The Way That Bond Is Broken Is By U Walking Away Or Doing Something Detrimental 2 Me!!! 1nce U Breach That Trust…, I Won’t Say NEVER…, But The Odds R U Ain’t Ever Coming Back!!! Bcuz W/O Loyalty, Honor, & Trust…, Nothing Solid Can B Built!!! I Will Give U My All If I Know U Would Ride Or Die & Do The Same 4 Me!!!

If U R A Fair Weather Type…, U Will Get The Same In Return Bcuz I Will Put ZERO Investment In U Bcuz My Tyme Is Precious & Valuable 2 Me!!! Itz The 1 Thing That I CANNOT Get Back No Matter How Hard I Try!!! I Choose Those Connections Wisely Bcuz I Know How Difficult Life Can Get & How Many People Turn Tail & Run 4 The Hills When Things Get Hard!!!

Itz In The Difficult Tymes When U Truly Find Out Who REALLY Has UR Best Interests @ Heart!!! Others Quickly Show Their True Color (Yellow – Cowardice), (Green – Jealousy), Or (Red – Envy) & Away They Go Believing They Have Sabotaged U & UR Efforts!!!

If U’ve Got An AJ In UR Camp…, U Have That Person Who Will Get Down & Dirty W/U So That We Both Can Rise Back Up From The Ashes Like A Phoenix Shooting Higher, Faster, Stronger, & Farther!!! Choose UR Soldiers In UR Camp Wisely…, Cause Even Caesar Got Taken Out By Brutus!!!

P.S. 2day Is 9/11 Another Day Like My Birthday Dec. 7th That Will Live In Infamy In America's Psyche!!! 2 All Of Those That Lost Their Lives & Those Who Suffered In The Process..., My Heart Goes Out 2 Ya!!! 2 All The Rest Of Us..., "KEEP UR HEADZ UP & NEVER EVER 4GET!!!"

aljonessr

The 1st Of Several 7th Reminders.....

Mood: Forward Motioning
Music: Nas "Summer On Smash" Life's Good CD

Well, Well, Well, LQQKY What We Got Here???


As We Get Closer 2 The End Of The Year Itz Been A Minute Since I've Been On My Reminder Game!!! Well, Just 4 The Record It Iz About That Tyme!!!

Normally I Start Celebrating My Own Incredible Birthday In June..., June 7th 2 B Xcact Bcuz That My Boy Prince's Bday & I Figure Whatz Good 4 His Lil' Purple Azz Should Start Off Good 4 My Tall Dark Azz!!!

Then Normally On The 7th Of Each Upcoming Month When It Fell During The Work Week U Would Get That AJ Reminder So U Could Adjust UR Budget Accordingly!!!

With 2day Being Sept. 7th..., That Gives U Xcatly 3 Months 2 Save Up & Get UR $$$'s Right So U Can Make Sure On My Special Day Dec. 7th U Will Have The Appropriate Gift Ready 2 Celebrate The Birthday Of 1 As Legendary As I Am!!!

3 Months & Counting..., I Accept Cash, Credit Cards, Xpensive Gifts, But No Checks!!! Cause I KNOW How Some Of Y'allz Credit Iz!!! So Get On UR Grind & Make Sure This Black Man STAYS HAPPY!!! A-hem..., U've Been Affectionately Reminded!!! LMAO!!!

aljonessr

Mood: Uplifted
Music: Rashaan Patterson "I Only Have Eyes For You"

 

Good Morning 2 U...,

After That Incredible Rousing Speech By 1st Lady Ms. Michelle Obama..., I Was Tingling All Over!!! Of Course The Haters & Nay-Sayers Will Have A Field Day W/Her Wordz..., But That's Okay Bcuz Her Message Wasn't 4 Them!!!

It Was 4 Those Folks Who Identify W/Her As An Intelligent Black Woman, Who Is A Mother, & Happens 2 B Married 2 The President Of The United States!!! She Was Articulate, Passionate, & Delivered A Heartfelt Speech That Rocked The Hizz-House!!! Barack Better Watch Out..., He's Got Some Stiff Oratory Competition In The White House Now!!! Go Shelly, Go Shelly!!! LOL!!!

Check 2day's Message & Ask URself How Do U Celebrate Others??? Do U Encourage, Cheer, Rip Down, Or Destroy Them??? Bcuz That Karma Thang Can B A MOFO If U Not Placing UR NRG In The Right Space!!! Read On!!!

2day's Message: When a friend or family member succeeds, gets promoted, or experiences an unexpected break in life, how do you respond?

Some people wonder, “What about me?” Others criticize or say, “It won’t last long.” But really, the way you respond to other’s success will determine the level of your own success. Whether you respond in a negative or positive way, you are sowing seeds for your future. That’s why scripture tells us simply to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” God wants you to be successful. His commands are for your good. He doesn’t want jealousy or strife to enter your life or rob you of His blessing.

Today, make it a point to find someone who is celebrating and celebrate with them. Congratulate them on their success no matter how small it seems in the natural. Rejoice with those who rejoice, sow seeds of blessing, and open the door for victory in your own life in return! Joel Osteen

If U Know Me Well U Know Just How Much I NJoy Poli-Tricks!!! I Ran 4 District Leader In My Own City In The Mid 90's So I Got A Good Taste Of The Action!!!

I Like 2 Say "Even If U Don't Think UR Involved, U R Involved Bcuz Politics Determines The Outcomes Of Our Lives Every Single Day In Every Single Thing We Do; & Those Who R Involved Effectively Help Make Those Choices As Opposed 2 Those Who Sit Idly By On The Sideline & Watch The Parade Go Down The Street W/O Them & Wonder Why Nothing Good Is Happenin' 4 Them...."

& @ The End Of The Day If U Don't Do NE Thang Else..., Please Vote..., Bcuz I Also Say, "Sure They May All B Crooks..., But I Need 2 Vote 4 The Crook Who's Gonna Have My Best Interests @ Heart!!!" U Should Do The Same!!! Strap In & Hold On Tight Cause Things R Gonna Get Smoking Hot In These Upcoming Months!!! Uh-Hmmmm!!!

P.S. Congrats Michelle..., U KILLED IT!!! We Celebrate UR Success!!!

aljonessr

Beyond Critical Voices!!!

Mood: Xcellent
Music: Rihanna "Talk That Talk" Talk That Talk CD

& A Wonderful Wednesday 2 U...,

 

This Is Some Great Commentary Bcuz Just Like When U R About 2 Make UR Greatest Breakthrough…, Things Get Xtremely Difficult!!! What Happens 2 Most People Is That They’ll Quit Right B4 Crossing Over The Other Side!!! We’re So Used 2 Instant This, Immediate Gratification That, & Not Having 2 Work Hard & Struggle That When Things Get Tuff…, We Shut Down & Fold Up!!

Well If U’ve Dealt W/The Difficult, Demanding, Stubborn, Intense Al Jones Sr…, Then U Know How I Roll!!! I Will Put The HEAT Upon U So That U Will Need 2 Dig Deep Within URself, Find That Inner Strength & Reach Those Higher Heights!!! 

 

I Am So Loving 2day’s Message Bcuz I Live These Wordz Every Single Day Of My Life!!! Cause Unlike Most Others…, I LOVE My Haters!!! Nobody Inspires Me Like Those Who Want 2 C Me Fail!!! Well…, Keep Waiting…, Cause I Got A Hella Lot More Successes Inside Of Me 4 U 2 Keep Hatin’ On!!! SHALOM!!!

 

2day’s Message: Anytime you set out to do something great in life, there will be critics. If you’re going to be a great businessperson, coach, student, leader or employee, there will be opposition.

The more success you have, the more opportunities there will be for distractions. The higher you go, the more haters will come out. When you start stretching to a new level and pursuing what God has placed in your heart, the jealous people, the critical people, and the small-minded people come out of the woodwork and start making negative comments, but you don’t have to let that distract you.

If you are under pressure today, if the critical voices are coming against you, know that it’s because you are making a difference. Don’t let them throw you off course. Instead, dig your heels in, set your face like a flint, and say, “I will not get distracted. I will not get drawn into battles that don’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others think; it matters what God thinks!”

Today, look beyond the critics. Stand strong in adversity. Press forward to what lies ahead and win the prize of life that He has prepared for you! Joel Osteen

P.S. Remember…, People Do 2 U What U Allow Them 2 Do 2 U!!! Nobody Can Steal My Joy Xcept Me!!! Fight Back & Stand Strong In UR Conviction Of Just Who U B!!!

aljonessr

The Agreement!!!

Mood: Monday Morning Blues
Music: Kem "Share My Life" Intimacy CD

Hope UR Weekend Was Amazing!!!


I Actually Had A Chance 2 Hang Out W/Some Friends Who I NEVER Get 2 Hang Out With & We Had An Incredible Time 2gether!!! It Seems Like In Life These R The Moments We Cherish The Most As We Take This Journey Through Time & Space!!!

It Also Made Me Think Of Who I Am??? Why I Do What I Do??? & How I Live My Life??? Then I Ran Across This Quote On 1 My Friends Facebook Page…, So I Will Share This W/U 2day!!! This Is From A Book Of The Same Name!!! The Red Highlights R Things I Personally Need 2 Work On..., Although I've Gotten Pretty Good @ The Red In Section 3!!!


THE FOUR AGREEMENTS

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
a. Speak With Integrity.
b. Say Only What You Mean.
c. Avoid Using The Word To Speak Against Yourself Or To Gossip About Others.
d. Use The Power Of Your Word In The Direction Of Truth & Love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
a. Nothing Others Do Is Because Of You.
b. What Others Say & Do Is A Projection Of Their Own Reality, Their Own Dream.
c. When You Are Immune To The Opinions & Actions Of Others, You Won’t Be The Victim Of Needless Suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
a. Find The Courage To Ask Questions & To Express What You Really Want.
b. Communicate With Others As Clearly As You Can To Avoid Misunderstandings, Sadness, & Drama.
c. With Just This One Agreement, You Can Completely Transform Your Life.

4. Always Do Your Best
a. Your Best Is Going To Change From Moment To Moment; It Will Be Different When You Are Healthy As Opposed To Sick.
b. Under Any Circumstances, Simply Do Your Best; & You Will Avoid Self-Judgment, Self-Abuse, & Regret.

aljonessr

Mood: Reflectively Subdued
Music: Spryo Gyra Career Vol. 1 WALJ CD

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

On This Day When Those W/Romantic Aspirations Get Geared Up 2 Profess Their Love..., I Am Going 2 Lay My Brother 2 Rest!!! So From This Day FWD It Will Always Take On A New Meaning 4 Me... I Read This & Loved It..., So Now I Will Share This With U Bcuz This Is Truly How We Should Love!!!

Of Course Being Human I Did Not Love As Eloquently As It States Here..., But Do Know I Tried My Best 2 Love As Best As I Could Given My Own Human Limitations...

1 Thing I've Never Done Though Is Even When I Was Angered By My Love 4 U..., I Keep No Record Of Wrongs Bcuz I Have Enuff Flaws 2 Cover Both Of Us!!! So Accept My Flawed Love 4 U Bcuz Just Like Ms. Whitney Houston Say's, "I Will Alwayz Love Ya!!!"

2day's Message: In our culture today, so many people are confused about what love is. We love pizza, movies and sports, but we also love our family or spouse. If we look to the Word of God, we see God’s definition of love.
First Corinthians 13 tells us that “love is patient and kind. It does not envy, nor boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not seek its own way, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love believes, hopes and endures. Love never fails.”

This is how God responds to us, and this is how we should respond to the people in our lives — with patience, kindness, hope, humility and love. Scripture tells us that God is love, and His character never changes!

Today and every day, know that God loves you with an everlasting love. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is for you and has a good plan for you. Receive His perfect love today and let Him transform you from the inside out. His love is the greatest love and will last throughout all eternity! Joel Osteen

R.I.P. 2 My Brother Larry & The Houston Family!!! But Never 4get..., Life Is Truly 4 The Living!!! So Let's Keep On Living & Loving Stronger Than Ever!!!

aljonessr

Mood: Heavy Heart
Music: Adele "Rolling Through The Deep" CD 21

 

A Terrific Tuesday Morning 2 U!!!

Can U Believe That Our NY Giants R Soopabowl Champions Again??? OMG!!! I Am Still Sitting Here In A State O' Shock Bcuz Of Where We Came From, Having A 9-7 Record 2 End The Season, Then Knocking Off The Green Bay Packers 15-1, Along W/The 49ers 13-3, To Advance 2 The Soopabowl!!!

1nce There We Faced A Team We Beat During This Year, A Team We Faced In Our 2007 Soopabowl As We Humiliated Them Bcuz They Were Undefeated @ 18-0 & NOBODY Gave Us A Shot 2 Win Against Them!!! Hell..., They Were Even Favored This Tyme Too!!! But Talk Is Cheap As Itz ALWAYZ About RESULTS!!!

The Giants Whupped The Pats 1nce Again 2 Capture Our 2nd Soopabowl In 5 Years!!! Can U Say DYNASTY??? Shhh!!! Eli Shut His Critics Up W/His 2nd Soopabowl MVP!!! That Puts Him 1 Ahead Of His Legendary Brotha Peyton In Both Catagories (Soopabowl Victories & Soopabowl MVP Awards!!!)

So Although I Was Whooping & Hollering With Glee, Joy, & Xcitement..., It Was W/Heavy Heart I Celebrated This Victory... Let Me Walk U Thru My Timeline...

Last Friday Night I Stopped In @ Loft 47 To Celebrate A Lil' Pre-Bday Party For 1 Of My Homegirlz!!! I Had Tickets 2 The NJ Nets Game That Night & The Loft Is Right Across The Street, So It Made Perfect Sense 4 Me 2 Go Hang Out!!!

After The Game I Had A Potna Playing W/His Band In Hoboken, NJ & I Was Gonna Go Check Him Out!!! Instead I Came On Home & Shut It Down!!! My Phone Was Blowing Up, Facebook Was Blowing Up W/Msg's From Key Folks Asking Me 2 Call Them ASAP!!!

I Woke Up Saturday Morning, Logged On Facebook Saw Some Commentary, Checked My Phone & Found Out That My Younger Brother Had Passed Away... I Was In A Surreal Place As I Had 2 Process This Data... It Was Like I Was Dreaming Bcuz It Just Didn't Seem Possible...

He Lived In Albany, NY & Was Found On His Kitchen Floor Within 2 Days Of His Passing... Thankfully People Up There Felt Sumthin' Was Amiss & Checked In On Him!!! The Police Were Summoned, The Fire Dept Broke The Door In As It Was Chain Locked From The Inside & Discovered Him There... The Word Is He Had Heart Failure...

So I Got That Call U Never Want 2 Get It & Put A Whole Different Spin On My Soopabowl Celebration... I Went Up 2 His Apartment Yesterday 4 The 1st Tyme & All I Could Feel Was His Presence In The Air All Around Me!!!

My Brotha Was A Lot Like Felix Unger From The Odd Couple & His Place Was Immaculate!!! He Was A Clothes/Fashion Horse With More Than 25 Boxes Of Shoes In The Closet!!! Now I Am In The Process Of Going Through All Of His Stuff As I Close Out His Life!!! LQQKS Like The Funeral Will B This Saturday In Nyack, NY Where The Rest Of His Father's Family Is From (we're half brothers 4 the record)...

As I Sat In His Place It Hit Me That His Father Larry Sr. (Late 40's) Passed Away In The Mid 80's..., Our Older Sister Carolyn (38) Passed Away In 91..., Our Mother Cora (53) Passed Away In 92..., & Now My Brother Larry Jr. aka Fats (44) Passes Away Here In 2012... That Leaves Me As The Sole Survivor Of My Own Immediate Family!!! DAMN!!!

This Is Why I Say U Have 2 LIVE, LIVE, LIVE UR Life!!! Don't Wait 2 Celebrate & Do Those Things U Really Want 2 Do!!! Don't Deny URself A Chance @ A Wonderful Life Doing Whatever It Is That Makes U Happy Bcuz U R Never Promised 2morrow!!!

& Don't Ever 4get 2 Tell Those Close 2 U That U Love Them!!! Bcuz No Matter What The Situation Is..., U Can Always Get Over It!!! Me & My Brother Made Peace In 2001 After Many Years Of Being Estranged... I Am Soooooooo Grateful 4 That 2day...

So I Just Want 2 Say 2 U Here..., That If U Feel That I've Hurt U, I've Slighted U, Or I've Disrespected U In NE Way... Trust Me..., I Did Not Mean It As Such & I Still Having Nothing But MUCH LOVE 4 U!!! It Did Not Take My Brother's Death 2 Feel This Way About Ya..., Bcuz If Truth B Told I've Felt This Way About U The Minute We Turned & Went Our Separate Wayz!!!

But..., What My Brother's Death Did Do 2 Me Is Not Let Me Wait Until Either U Or I Slip Away From This Life B4 1 Of Us Breaks Down 2 Say These Wordz 2 The Other!!! Regrets R A Terrible Thing & I've Worked Hard Not 2 Have NE In My Life!!! If I Did Sumthin'..., I Meant 2 Do It!!! So Quite Frankly..., I Do Love U!!!

Thanxxx 4 UR Love, UR Prayers, & UR Warm Wishes 4 Me & Mine's!!! & Thank Gawd Our NY Giants Sealed The Deal 2 Help Ease My Pain Too..., Cause If Them SOB's Wudda Lost........., Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!! LOL!!!

aljonessr