Black Lives Matter, Lady Liberty, The Bell, & Declaration!!!

America’s Dirty Secret Has Finally Come Front & Center Of Our Daily Lives & It Was Triggered By The Senseless Death Of George Floyd A Black Man On The Ground In Handcuffs, Not Resisting Arrest, Insisting He COULD NOT Breathe As A Police Officers Knee Was On His Neck.

The World Watched This Play Out Live For Almost 9 Minutes (8 Minutes & 46 Seconds To Be Exact) Until He Slipped Away Into Unconsciousness & Then Subsequently Died When He Was Finally Taken Away & Pronounced Dead.

This Happened In Minneapolis, Minnesota The Home Of The Icon Prince. The Roar Of Rage As Could Be Anticipated Was Immediate From The Black Citizens In The City. Protesters Hit The Streets To Demand Accountability & When They Felt No Charges Were Being Brought Against The 4 Officers (since 3 stood idly by) As The 4th Knelt On George Floyd’s Neck, The City Was Lit On Fire Burning Areas To The Ground, Burning A Police Station, & Stores Were Ransacked.

As Has Happened Time & Time Again Over These Short 59 Years O’ My Life We March To Voice Our Displeasure As Well As Demand The Civil Rights Which We Are Due!!! But This Tyme Something Different & Amazing Is Happening. THE WORLD IS WATCHING!!!

When Events Like This Unfold In Predominately Black Neighborhoods It Is “US” The Blacks Who Hit The Streets To Demand Justice. This Time White America Also Rallied Rapidly To The Cause As The Ripple FX Multiplied. From Minnesota Protest Jumped To L.A., Atlanta, Chicago, New York, & Many Major & Minor Cities In Between. My Immediate Reaction Was “Oh Boy Here We Go Again?!?”

But Then A Lil’ Sumthin’ Sumthin’ Happened As The World Reacted!!! Protest Began In London, In Australia, In New Zealand, In China, With All Of Them Chanting George Floyd’s Name & Black Lives Matter!!! I Had To Sit Down & Take A Deep Breath As This Was Incredibly Moving!!! One By One Countries Around The Globe Climbed Onboard To Add Their Voice To This Human Rights Out Cry!!!

& Now For The 1st Tyme In A Long Tyme America Is Undressed In Front Of The Entire World. The Emperor Has No New Clothes & Has Been Naked All This Time…, Yet Unlike The Little Boy Who Told Him So…, Nobody Over These Last 400 Years Truly Wanted To See/Hear/Speak The Truth Until Now When The Uglynezz Of Systemic Oppression Against Her Black Citizens Has Been Undeniably Broadcast www global!!!

Those Who Disagree & Want To Keep The Status Quo See The Protesting…, The Rioting & They Condemn Black People For Exercising Their Rights To Voice Their Disapproval Of Their Conditions. They Condemn Us For Being Un-American & Not Adhering To The Due Process Of The System As Though We Are Doing Something Un-Patriotic & In Fact Contrary To Our American Values.

Well Let Me Remind You Of Several Things. The Boston Tea Party Was A STRAIGHT OUT REVOLT Against “Taxation Without Representation.” Those Mofo’s In Boston Lost Their Damn Mind Over Some Daggone Tea!!! The Revolutionary War Was America’s Fight Against Great Britain For Independence Under What They Considered Immense Oppression; & The Civil War Ripped A Country In Half As It Fought Against Itself To Preserve The Institution Of Slavery In The South Against It’s More Liberal & Progressive Neighbors In The North.

So You Can Keep The Bullshit To Yourself About Protesting Being Un-American!!! To Protest Is THE AMERICAN WAY!!! We Fought & Died For The Right To Voice Our Displeasure & Right Now In Black America There Is A Revolution Going On To Address Our Basic Human Civil Rights In This Country That Continue To Be Eradicated Black Body By Black Body By BLACK BODY!!!

The Sad Part Is We Had A Chance To Get This Right So Many Years Ago. Slavery Landed In America Long Before America Became America. So Those Folks Were Partially Absolved Of Trying To Make Change As This Truly Had To Be Like The Wild, Wild West. However When It Came Time For America To Break Free From Great Britain & Become Its Own Independent Country, The Declaration Of Independence Was Drafted & Could’ve Solved Slavery Right Then & There As The Words Were Perfectly Formed For This Nation To Start New, To Start Fresh, With Equal Opportunities For All. Read It For Yourself From The Pens Of Your Forefathers!!!

The Declaration Of Independence July 4, 1776 States:

“When In The Course Of Human Events, It Becomes Necessary For One People To Dissolve The Political Bands Which Have Connected Them With Another, & To Assume Among The Powers Of The Earth, The Separate & Equal Stations To Which The Laws Of Nature & Of Nature’s God Entitle Them, A Decent Respect To The Opinions Of Mankind Requires That They Should Declare The Causes Which Impel Them To The Separation.”

“We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident, That All Men Are Created Equal, That They Are Endowed By Their Creator With Certain Unalienable Rights, That Among These Are Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit Of Happiness – That To Secure These Rights, Governments Are Instituted Among Men, Deriving Their Just Powers From The Consent Of The Governed, That Whenever Any Form Of Government Becomes Destructive Of These Ends, It Is The Right Of The People To Alter Or To Abolish It, & To Institute New Government, Laying Its Foundation On Such Principles, & Organizing Its Powers In Such Form, As To Them Shall Seem Most Likely To Effect Their Safety & Happiness.”

“Prudence, Indeed, Will Dictate That Governments Long Established Should Not Be Changed For Light & Transient Cause; & Accordingly All Experience Hath Shewn, That Mankind Are More Disposed To Suffer, While Evils Are Sufferable, Than To Right Themselves By Abolishing The Forms To Which They Are Accustomed. But When A Long Train Of Abuses & Usurpations, Pursuing Invariably The Same Object, Evinces A Design To Reduce Them under Absolute Despotism, It Is Their Right, It Is Their Duty, To Throw Off Such Government, & To Provide New Guards For Their Future Security.”

“Such Has Been The Patient Sufferance Of These Colonies; & Such Is Now The Necessity Which Constrains Them To Alter Their Former System Of Government. The History Of The Present Kind Of Great-Britain Is A History Of Repeated Injustices & Usurpations, All Having In Direct Object The Establishment Of An Absolute Tyranny Over These States. To Prove This, Let Facts Be Submitted To A Candid World.”

If You Read These Words & Substitute “Black America” For The Colonies You Could Be Talking About What Has Been Happening To Us Over These Last 400 Years. The Blueprint For What Needs To Happen Going Forward Is Contained Therein As It Was For The Colonies In Their Un-Happiness With The Heavy Handed Rule Great Britain Exercised On Them.

They Bristled Under These Conditions & Ultimately Rebelled Into The Revolutionary War. They DID NOT Go Into This Blindly…, They Spelled Out Their Demands & When The King WOULD NOT Meet Them; They Had No Recourse Except To Declare War & Fight For Their Very Freedom & Independence They Desired.

Are We Blacks Here In America Today Any Different???  I Would Argue ABSOLUTELY NOT& Quite Frankly We Are At War With The Systemic Oppression That Birthed Slavery, Jim Crow, The Klu Klux Clan, Separate But Equal, & White Supremacy.  America Knew She Was Wrong & The Bill Came Due On Abraham Lincoln’s Desk When He Signed “The 

Emancipation Proclamation” September 22, 1862.

People Think This Document Freed All The Slaves…, But It Really Was A Call For The Rebellious States To Rejoin The Union. In Addition To That Ask…, It Was An Order To Free Slaves In 10 Confederate States. In Part It Read:

“…All Persons Held As Slaves Within Any State Or Designated Part Of A State, The People Whereof Shall Then Be In Rebellion Against The United States, Shall Be Then, Thenceforward, & Forever Free; & The Executive Government Of The United States, Including The Military & Naval Authority Thereof, Will Recognize & Maintain The Freedom Of Such Persons, & Will Do Not Act To Repress Such Persons. (Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, Virginia, & Louisiana.)

This Was A Leader Who Knew His Nation Was Torn Apart & He Tried To Deliver A Compromise To Help Usher In A New ERA For Black America. Unfortunately Even Though The Northern Union Army Won…, The Resource Rich, Economically Wealthy, & Still Slave Dominant Confederate South WAS NOT Having It & Immediately Implemented Tactics To Undermine Any True Chance Of This Doctrine Succeeding.

America Has Always Known It’s Had An Equality Problem For All Of Her Citizens & It Rang True Even In Her Own Cities As Slavery Was An Ill That Anyone With Eyes Wide Open & A Pure Heart Could See From The North To The South Of This Young Nation. Take The Historic City Of Philadelphia & The Liberty Bell.

Though It Is Iconic Today, The Liberty Bell Was A Lot Less Famous In The 1700’s, When It Was Just A Big Fancy Bell In The Pennsylvania State House In Philadelphia. Later, The State House Became Independence Hall, & The Bell’s Home Turf Became Famous As The Place Where Both The “Declaration Of Independence” Was Drafted & “The United States Constitution” Was Debated & Adopted.

The Bell Itself Still Wasn’t Famous, & It Remained Relatively Obscure Until Abolitionist Groups In The 1800’s Began Using It As A Symbol Of The Movement To End Slavery. They Gave The Bell Its Current Name, The Liberty Bell, In The 1830’s. In The Nearly 2 Centuries Since Then, The Bell Has Been Used For Various Other Movements As Well, Including Women’s Suffrage & Civil Rights.
Source: Independence National Historic Park – Date Updated June 3, 2020

The Early Abolitionist Found A Symbol To Rally Around As They Worked Towards Freeing The Slaves Who WERE NOT Afforded The Opportunities To Build A Life On Equal Footing Compared To Their White Counterparts.

If You Think These Injustices WERE NOT LQQKED At From A World View…, LQQK No Further Than The Tiny Nation Of France. One Of The True Benefactors Of Early America As They Gave Us The Might To Set Forth The Revolutionary War In Our Fight Against Great Britain For Freedom. You Could Say That Was France’s Greatest Gift To America…, But A-Ha…, There Is But Another!!!

Lady Liberty Is So Synonymous With Immigration That The Emma Lazarus Poem It Bears On A Plaque – Urging Foreign Lands To Send Their Tired, Poor, & “Huddled Masses Yearning To Breathe Free” – Is Almost As Well Known As The Statue Itself.

Between 1892 & 1954, More Than 12 Million Immigrants Were Welcomed By The 150 Foot Tall Copper Statue On Their Way To Ellis Island. However, When The Idea For A Monument Was 1st Conceived In The 1860’s, It Was For A Different Reason.

After The Civil War Ended, A French Abolitionist Named E`douard de Laboulaye Proposed Gifting The United States With Something To Commemorate The End Of Slavery. He Convened A Meeting Of Like Minded French Citizens To Raise Funds For A Statue, & Commissioned Sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi To Design It.

According To The Washington Post, Bartholdi Initially Considered Having Lady Liberty Hold Broken Chains In Her Left Hand, To Symbolize The Emancipation Of Slaves. In The Final Design, However, These Chains Were Replaced With A Tablet. Broken Shackles Are Still Part Of The Statue, But They’re Difficult To See From Most Angles Because Of Their Placement Near Lady Liberty’s Feet.
Source: Washington Post Date Updated - June 3, 2020

So Even Today, As The World Watches The Treatment Of America’s Black Citizens From Afar…, They’ve Always LQQKED Over The Border To See Exactly How We Are Doing!!! Those Chains Under Lady Liberty’s Feet Are So Symbolic Of The Struggle Of Black People In America As Although We’ve Broken A Few Links Here & There…, The Oppression Continues As We’re Still Being Crushed Under Feet Or Kneeled Upon If You Will…

The Bill Of Rights September 25, 1789 States:
Amendment XIII
Section 1. Neither Slavery Nor Involuntary Servitude, Except As A Punishment For Crime Whereof The Party Shall Have Been Duly Convicted, Shall Exist Within The United States, Or Any Place Subject To Their Jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress Shall Have Power To Enforce This Article By Appropriate Legislation.

When Slavery Ended This Bill Was Put On The Books Officially In 1865 & That Should’ve Solved America’s Slave Problem For Good. But How Could It??? You Took Roughly 4 Million People Who Were Subservient To The Dominant Culture Who Had No Land, No Homes, No Means Of Economic Support, No System To Help Integrate Them Into Their New World & Set Them Free To Fend For Self.

It’s Like We Say About Diversity & Inclusion. Diversity Is Being Asked To The Party…, But Inclusion Is Being Asked To Dance 1nce You Get There. Well We Were Begrudgingly Asked To The Party…, But NOBODY Wanted To Dance With Us!!!

When You Are Dependent Upon The Dominant Culture For Every Fabric Of Your Survival…, How Can You Ever Truly Be Free??? Is This Not But Slavery Of A Different Name???

Yet In Spite Of This Black America Began To Survive…, Then Began To Thrive!!! Upon Watching Success By The Least Of…, With Limited Resources…, White Supremacy Sprung Forth & Destroyed Major Black Strong Holds As They Did Tulsa, Oklahoma. Black Wall Street Is Not A Myth…, IT WAS FOR REAL!!!

We Left Hardcore Slavery, Lynching, Rapes, Murder, & Inhumane Treatment Across All Socio-Economic-Philosophical Levels Of The Deep South Only To Be Greeted By More Of The Same Disguised As The New World Order. How In The World Could Black America Every Survive These Terroristic Threats Against Our Very Existence???

Somehow We Did & Even In The Face Of The Civil Rights Minded 1960’s As Blacks Rallied Together Standing Up For Their Rights In The Face Of INCREDIBLE Sanctioned Brutality. Go Watch Any Of The Clips From The Diner Sit-Ins, The Dog/Police Attacks, School Integrations, The March On Selma & Ask Yourself What Group Of People Would Do This To Another Group Of People Considered Your Own Country Men & Women???

America’s Dirty Lil’ Secret Is Again On Display For All The World To See!!!  It Is With Great Pain & Sadness In My Heart That I Write These Words!!! All We’ve Ever Wanted Was To Be Treated Fairly & Equally As The Constitution Says We Should Be..., Yet Here We Are 400 Years Later Still Fighting For Those Same Basic Human Rights!!!

As A Black Man On The Cusp Of 60…, The Civil Rights Movement Was In My Lifetime!!! Malcolm X & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Died On My Watch!!!  I’ve Been Alive For Every One Of These Brutal Video Injustices Of Black People By Police & Citizens Alike Whether It Ended In Death Or Violations Of Our Rights!!!

Enough Is Enough!!!  Black America Is Mad!!!  White America Is Mad!!!  The World Is Mad!!!  We Are At An Incredible Crossroad Where The Iron Is Hot & The Time Is Now To Strike.  We Need To Dismantle A System Of Oppression That Has Never Had Our Best Interest At Heart.

We Must Weed Out Racist, Corrupt Behavior, & Instill New Equal & Just Policies That Has EVERYBODY’S…, But XSPECIALLY BLACK AMERICAN’S Rights On Full Display!!!  The Day Of Reckoning Is Upon Us & The Time To Act Is Now!!!  What Side Of The Sword Do You Fall On???  Are You On The Side Of The Righteous???  Or Will You Stand Idly By & Allow The Wickedness To Continue???

I Fear For My Life…, My Family’s Life…, The Lives Of The Brave Black Youth On The Front Lines Protesting…, & The Messengers Who Speak Truth Upon Death Ears As They Wrap Those Truth Words Into Convenient Excuses To Do Nothing Or Twist The Words Into Making The Accusers The Aggressors!!!  We’ve NEVER Been The Aggressor…, You’ve Held All The Power For 400 Hundred Years!!!

We Need You To LQQK Deep Into The Mirror Of Your Soul To Examine Your Own Moral Conscious & Realize That Even Though You ARE NOT Slave Owners Today…, You’ve Benefited From A System Of Systemic Oppression That Has Given You A 99 Yard Head Start In A 100 Yard Dash That Not Even Usain Bolt Or Carl Lewis Could Recover From.  

BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!

White America We Need Your Help.  Black America CANNOT Do This Alone..., & For This Country That We All Love & Call Home…, This Could Be Her Undoing If We DO NOT Get This Thing Right!!!  Barack Obama Was The Hope Of Something Amazing In This Country That No One Ever Thought Could Be…, Then Trump Quickly Dimmed That Hope With A Divisive Leadership Style Heavy Handed On The Haves vs. The Have Nots & You Better Know Your Place On The Scale.

I Love My Country…, I Love My Country Men…, But I CANNOT Love A System That In Return Shows Me No Love In Return!!! I Have Always Been A Proud Strong Black Man & It’s By The Grace Of A Higher Power I Still Stand Here Before You As I’ve Been In Some Situations I Probably SHOULD NOT Have Survived.

I CANNOT Stand Idly By & Turn The Other Cheek As Suffering By My People Is At An All Tyme High.  A Change Is Gonna Come…, Because If Not Now…, When???  You Can Be A Part Of The Solution Or Continue Being A Part Of The Problem.

Unlike Marcus Garvey I AM NOT Preaching A Return Home To Africa.  I Don’t Know Africa As My Home. I May Be An African-American To Some…, But My Roots Go Back To The East Coast Of North Carolina!!!  That’s Where My Mama, Her Siblings, & Her Parents Came From!!!  So If You Want Me To Go Back Home Somewhere…, It’s Back To The Tar Heel State Of North Carolina Where My Forefathers Came From.

Unlike Elijah Muhammad The Soft-Spoken Yet Fiery Orator Who Led The Nation Of Islam…, By Taking Black Men From The Depths Of Despair & Molding Them Into Upstanding, Forthright, Self-Reliant Citizens I AM NOT Preaching Separationization!!! In Reading His Book “Message To The Black Man In America” He Goes In Hard On White America (rightfully so) Explaining The Sins & Transgressions They Put Upon The Black Race Here In America!!!

But Ultimately He Wanted A Separate Space & State For Black America To Live In Run By & For Ourselves W/O Your Intervention.  As Interconnected As The World Has Become In The 21st Century Separation Is Not Feasible As I Think We All Need To Embrace Each Other & Come Together For The Greater Common Good. Because As Difficult As It Would Be To Figure Out Reparations For America’s Black Citizens, No State Is Giving Up Prime Real Estate When It’s Already In Their Hands!!! Frederick Douglass Said “Power Concedes Nothing Without A Demand. It Never Did & It Never Will.”

Many Great Nations In History Past…, Have Collapsed Under The Weight Of Its Own Inequities…, DO NOT Let America Be Next. Since 1776 We’ve Been The Gold Standard Of What Is Possible When All Citizens Have A Voice & We Are Governed “For The People, By The People, Of The People!!!” We Must Get Back To Those Ideals Of Being Inclusive Of All Our Citizens To Truly Make This Nation The Greatest Place It Can Possibly Be!!! Until America Does Right By Her Black Citizens…, She Can NEVER EVER Truly Be Great!!!

Peace & Blessings The Bro J!!!

Purple Rain, Purple Rain, Purple Pain!!!
Mood: Reflecting On A Legend’s Legacy!!!
Music: Prince Hit-N-Run Phase 1 CD “Shut This Down”!!!

So Here It Iz, June 7^th, A Day That Since 1979 Has Been Equally As Important As My Own Birthday!!! As A Matter O’ Fact, Those Of U Xtremely Close 2 Me Know That 4 Quite A Long Tyme…, Every 7^th Day Of The Month (starting in June)…, If Itz A Work Day…, U Would Quite Possibly Get A Birthday Reminder From Me…

That Means That On The 7^th Of June, July, August, September, October, & November I Would Send Out A Blast Reminding U Of The Countdown 2 My Own Amazing Birthday On December 7^th!!!  I Started All Of This Bcuz Of Prince’s Birthday!!!  It Became That Classic AJ Running Gag & Continues On Even In 2016!!!

Sitting Here Writing This 2day I Still CANNOT Believe My #1 Muzikal Influence Has Passed Away & Iz No Longer W/Us Physically???  Itz Hard 2 Wrap My Head Around It Bcuz Of His Incredible Precision Of How He Lived His Life & Took Amazing Care Of Himself!!!  He Was Healthy As All Get Out, Rail Thin W/O An Ounce Of Fat On Him, A Vegan Long B4 It Came Into Vogue, As Well As Not Drinking Or Using Drugs Outside Of This Pain Killer Found In His System @ Death.

Just Like Muhammad Ali Dying As A Shell Of The Icon He Became In His Life Due 2 Parkinson’s Disease Robbing Him Of His Flawless Physique & Wonderful Gift Of Gab!!!  I Choose 2 Remember Him & Prince As Those Vibrant Tsunami Like Forces Who Galvanized Not Just A Nation…, But A World Full Of People W/Their Amazing Talents & Humanitarian Gestures!!!

From The Moment I 1^st Discovered Prince On His 2^nd LP “Prince” I Have Loved This Man!!!  When I 1^st Heard “I Wanna Be Your Lover” I Was A Lil’ Taken Aback By This Slight, Frail, Pretty Boy, W/Doe Like Eyes, Long Flowing Hair…, & This Effeminate Man W/This Amazing High Azz Voice!!! Visually I Was Like, “Who Iz This Girly LQQKIN’ Dude W/This Wonderful Falsetto???”

Then I Heard “Sexy Dancer” (having no idea they were from the same lp) & I Was Like, “Who Iz This???” The Response Came Back “Thatz Prince!!!” I Was Like, “That Light Skinned Skinny MF’ker W/The High Voice???”  I Immediately Ran Out & Purchased That LP!!!  I Put It On & Was Floored By The Lyrics, The Music, The Musicianship, & The Sheer Brilliance Of Listening 2 An LP That Mixed Multiple Genres Of Muzak On The Same Project!!!

When I Found Out This Same Dude Not Only Wrote Everything, But He Played Everything, Sang Everythang, & Produced/Engineered The Whole LP Himself I WAS DONE!!! Songs Like “Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad, When We’re Dancing Close & Slow, Bambi, & I Feel For You” Blew My Mind As An 12^th Grader Who Was Beginning 2 Find His Own Self In Life.

 I Ran Back 2 The “WRECKA STOW” In Hackensack & Asked The Owner George, “Hey Man…., Does This Prince Dude Have NE Other Muzak Out???”  I Then I Purchased Prince’s Very 1^st LP Dropped The Previous Year 1978 Entitled “For You!!!” 1nce Again I Came Home, Shut Out The World, Put This Project On & COULD NOT Believe This Record Had Slipped By Me W/O Ever Hearing It??? This Tyme Songs Like, “For You, Crazy You, Baby, So Blue, & Soft & Wet” Transported Me & My Raging Hormones Into A Whole New World Of Freedom, Independence, Sexuality, & Utopia!!! 

If His 2^nd LP Fed Me Emotionally, His 1^st CD Opened Me Up 2 The Possibilities, & Then He Dropped The Punk/Rock-N-Roll Flavored “Dirty Mind” & I Was Completely Onboard & Behind This Trench Coat, Bikini Brief, No Shirt, Knee High, High Heeled Boot Wearing Guitar Wielding Phenomenon!!! Songs Like “Dirty Mind, When You Were Mine, Uptown, Head, Sister, & Partyup” Took Me Over The Top W/Itz Controversial Take On Taboo Topics!!!

In These 1^st 3 Records Alone I Was Given An Incredible Muzikal Foundation Upon Which 2 Build!!! I Have ALWAYZ Loved Muzak As Long As I Can Remember…, So Around This Tyme I Had Finally Gotten My 1^st Drum Set!!! Straight Out The Gate I Was Blessed W/Enuff Natural Ability 2 Make Sense Rhythmically As Those Early Prince Records Fueled My Sonic Backdrop W/Grooves!!! 

Hip Hop Had Just Started Xploding On The Scene & Just Like My Peers, DJ’ing/Rapping Was The Thing We Did Late 70’s Clear Up Thru Early 90’s!!!  Although I Was Incredibly Verbal…, I Never Truly Gravitated 2 The Mic As A Rapper…  I Did Howenbesoever Fully Immerse Myself Into The Music Side Of Things & Immediately MC/DJ AJ Was Born!!!  I Still Love Nothing More Than Going Down Into The Studio, Firing Up The Sound System, Putting My Headphones On, & Getting Bizzy On “The Wheels Of Steel/Discs Of Plastic” As I Mixxx Myself Off Into Eargasmic Glory!!!

It Wasn’t Until The Late 80’s That I Finally Started Adding Keyboards, Drum Machines, & Live Instrumentation 2 My Own Musical Setup. 1nce Again I Was LQQKIN’ 2 Prince 4 Inspiration!!!  By Now He Was An UBER STAR Having Dropped, “Controversy, 1999, & Purple Rain” That Later Being His MAGNUM OPUS!!!  No Longer Was He This Underground, Weird, On The Fringe Dude Who Only A Few Of Us Knew…  Now He Was w.w.w. WORLDWIDE & GLOBAL!!!  The Genie Had Been Let Out The Bottle & No Way Was He Going Back In As The Rest Of The Planet Had Finally Caught On 2 This Special Guy Who Was Just RIPPING IT UP!!!

My High School Friends Had All Gravitated 2 Michael Jackson…, I Kept Telling Them About This Dude Prince…  When Purple Rain Dropped They LQQKED @ Me Like, “How Did U Know He Was Gonna Be Somebody!!!”  I Simply Laughed & Said, “I TRIED 2 TELL Y’ALL!!!” ROFLMAO!!!  Xspecially When MJ Had All His Legal Issues…, Prince Was Simply WILDING OUT Against His Record Label & NEVER EVER Stopped Dropping Muzak!!!

By The Tyme I Brought My Hme & Put 2gether My Own Music Studio I Was Beyond Being In…, I Was Fully Hooked Up & Plugged Into The “Purple Pied Piper Of Minneapolis!!!”  I Had All His LP’s…, Jumped On The CD Bandwagon…, Had Obscure B-Sides/12” Singles Only Us “DEDICATED FANS” (he hated that word fan because he said it was short for FANATICS) Had In Our Possession, I Brought The Prince Merchandise…, But Waaaayyyyyyy Beyond All Of That…, I SAW HIM LIVE IN CONCERT MULTIPLE TYMES!!!

 If All U’ve EVER DONE Is Listen 2 The Muzak & Watched The Videos (trust me, we appreciate u)…, But U Can Only Have A LIMITED Conversation W/Me!!!  If U NEVER EVER Got A Chance 2 Witness & Feel Him Live In Person…, Then U My Friend Have Been Gravely Deprived Of C’ying In My Humble Opinion “Da Baddest Live Musician In The History Of Muzak 2 Hit Da Stage!!!”

When Prince Hit The Stage He Was Electrifying & U COULD NOT Take UR Eyez Off Of Him!!! He Would Dance, Sing, Play Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, &…….. Hell During His LoveSexy Tour He Played Basketball On A Court He Had Set Up On The Concert Stage While The Band Just Kept Blazing Awayyyyy…, IN HIGH HEELS NO LESS!!! ROFLMAO!!!

1nce Bold Enuff 2 Call Myself A Musician…, I Was Now Playing In Local Bands, Developing My Own Craft…, & Finally Put 2getha My Own Band Flip Da Skrip!!!  I Like 2 Say That I Am The Musician I Am 2day Bcuz I Have Dug Deep Into The Prince Files 2 Study How He Constructed His Songs, The Sounds He Used, His Melodies, His Harmonies, His Incredible Orchestral Structure, His Lyrical Content, His Vocal Delivery Style As Well As His All Around Quirky-Ness That Makes Him The Amazing Genuis He Remained Right Up 2 His Death!!!

If U’ve EVER Wanted 2 Know Just Xcatly What Iz Wrong W/Me After All These Years On Da Planet (EZ On Da Jokes Y’all Know I Was Dropped On My Head Several Tymes @ Birth)…, But U Can DEFINITELY Blame Prince…, 4 Breathing This Muzak Thang Deeply Into My DNA!!!  He’s Been A Huge Influence In Shaping The Krazy-Nezz That Iz Alban Lewis Jones Sr!!! R.I.P. Prince Rogers Nelson!!! UR Special Day Will Never Be The Same 4ever More!!!

aljonessr

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock Da Countdown Begins.....

Mood: Xcited
Music: Prince & 3rd Eye Girl PlectrumElectrum CD "Stop This Train"

Greetings & Good Tidings…,

 

As This Year Rapidly Closes Out On Us…, Normally U Would’ve Received Email From Me On A Very Special Day (7^th)…, In Every Month…, Starting June 7^th…, Prince’s Bday!!! 

 

That’s The Official KICK OFF Of The AJ Bday Countdown!!!

 

Since I’ve Been Lax In My Duties…, I DO NOT Think Its Fair 2 Simply Spring Things Upon U W/O Fair Warning…, So This My Scream It From The Mountain Top Message!!!

 

AJ’s Bday Iz Literally 1 Month Away!!!

 

2day Iz November 7^th, & In A Mere 30 Days…, On That Most Infamous Day That Will Live In Infamy…, Much Like 9/11 Has All These Years Later…,

 

SUNDAY DECEMBER 7^TH, 2014

Will Be The Most Amazing Day In History 1nce Again!!!

 

On That Day Da Man…,

                                   Da Myth…,

                                                  Da Legend Was Born…,

                                                                                      & The World HAS NOT Been The Same Since!!!

(okay technically i wasn’t born in 2014, but u know what i’m sayin’, stay focused man)

 

 

If U Received This Email Just Know U R LOVED BY ME…, & HECK YEAH Much Iz Xpected Of U…, BY ME!!!

 

U Have 30 Days 2 Get UR $$$’s Right Bcuz U’ve Been 4warned As 1nce Again I’ll Accept Cash…, Gift Cards…, Credit Cards…, Trinkets…, Dinner…, Alcohol…, Mortgage/Car Payments…, Local/Exotic Trips…, Music Concerts…, Broadway Plays…, Sporting Events…, etc……

 

But U Know Da Drill…, I WILL NOT Accept NE Checks From U What-So-Ever…., I’ve Seen Some Of Y’all FICA Scores!!! AWWWHH HELL NO!!!

 

I Will Now Sit Back, Wait On UR Benevolence, As I LQQK FWD 2 My Stash Rollin’ In!!! ROFLMAO!!!

 

HAVE A GREAT & HOPE THIS MADE UR DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

 

Da Clock Iz Ticking…, Tick…, Tick…, Tick…, Tick…, Tick…, Tick…, TOCK!!!

aljonessr

Reflecting On Life & UR Greatness Within!!!

Music: Pharrel Williams "Gust Of Wind" G.I.R.L. CD
Mood: Reflectively Optimistic

Itz Anotha Van-Glorious Morning...,

 

In Keeping W/Those 9/11 Type Thoughtz In My Head; Everybody Has Doubters, Detractors, & Challenges In Their Lives!!!  U Can Fall Down, Crawl Into The Fetal Position & Give Up On UR Life!!! Or U Can Realize U R No Different Than The Rest Of Us..., Suck It Up..., & Just Get Thru 1 Mo' Day 2 Make It To 2morrow & Have Another Chance @ Getting This Thang Right!!!

 

2day's Message: "If you’re going to pursue greatness, if you’re going to be a great businessperson, a great teacher, a great parent, a great leader, you have to understand that not everyone is going to cheer you on. I’d love to tell you that your family, friends and co-workers will celebrate you, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Some people simply can’t handle your success. As you grow and increase, as God pours out His favor on you, someone will get jealous. Someone will start finding fault. Don’t be surprised if a relative tries to belittle or discredit you. You can’t focus on making everyone around you happy or you’ll start changing and lose sight of what God has placed in your heart.

Remember, your destiny is too great to be distracted by people who are never going to affirm you. Don’t take it personally. It’s not about you. It’s their problem. Shake it off, run your race, and be great anyway.Having greatness in the midst of criticism begins with forgiveness. Don’t hold a grudge. Bless those who curse you; pray for those who spitefully use you. As you keep doing what is right, God will honor you. He’ll promote you, and you’ll be great in the midst of criticism!" Joel Osteen

I Recently Finished Reading Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist!!!"  It's A Great Book Regarding UR "Personal Pursuit" Of Staying True 2 Who U Really Were Meant 2 B!!!  As The Above Message States U CANNOT Lose Sight Of Who U R, Or Let Those Who Seek 2 Bring U Down Stop U From Achieving Greatness On UR Road 2 Self Fulfilment. 

The Alchemist Xplains How By Taking Into Account The People Who Cross UR Paths, The Omens That R Placed In UR Path, & Whether Or Not UR Willing 2 Push Through UR Own Faults/Fears So U Can B All That U Were Destined B!!!  Great Inspirational Story & A Quick EZ Read!!!  

AJ DEFINITELY Recommend This Book!!!  Next Up Iz Sheila E's "The Beat Of My Own Drum: A Memoir." Stay Tuned!!!

 

P.S. R.I.P. 2 My Mother Cora Mae Swann, As 2day September 17th, Iz Her Birthday!!!  She's Been Gone Since 1992..., But NEVER EVER 4gotten Bcuz Her DNA Continues 2 Live On Strongly In Her Last Remaining Child!!!  U Know..., (oh lawdy not that middle child),,,, YES That Krazy Middle 1!!! 

She Alwayz Told Me, "I Never Worried About U..., U Were Determined From An Early Age..., Itz Those Other 2 Who R Tryin' 2 Drive Me Krazy!!!"

 

My Older Sister Carolyn Passed Away In 1990 & My Younger Brother Larry Passed Away In 2012!!!  We Were All Roughly 7 Years Apart & Strange 2 Know That I've Been Left All Alone From The Very 1st Social Circle (family) U Build In UR Life!!!

 

So If'n U Wanna Know Why I'm As Difficult, Demanding, & Intense As I Am..., Walk A Mile In My Shoez!!!  I Will ALWAYZ Live Xtremely Hard In "My Present" As Itz All I Know & Can Control..., "My Future" Iz Simply Not Promised..., & I CANNOT Go Back & Relive "My Past" As It Over & Done With!!! 

I Luv Ya & Miss Ya Mom Dukes..., Just Know UR Baby Boy Gonna B Aiigghhhhhhtttt!!! 

aljonessr

AJ's 2014 New Years Resolution!!!

Mood: Optimistically Hopeful
Music: Robert Glasper "Canvas" From Canvas CD

 

My Real New Year’s Resolution…,

I Am Sharing This Article 2day As It Embodies All I Xpect, Pray, & Hope 4 All Of U In 2014!!!

This Past Year Has Truly Been A Roller Coaster As I’ve Run The Gamut O’ Emotions From Happy-2-Sad, Xhilirated-2-Depressed, Thrilled-2-Pissed, From Blessed-2-Stressed, & Everything In Between!!! I Am Still Grateful That My Supreme Power Allowed Me 2 Keep Standing So That I Could C Another Year Come Into Fruition!!!

Thanxxx 2 All Of U 4 UR Support & Encouragement Along The Way…, Regardless Of How Big Or Small It Was…, & Of Course I’m Wishing U The Xtreme & Utmost Success Going FWD Into 2014!!! SHALOM!!!

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So this year is over and we are ready to welcome in 2014. Some us with have limitless excitement in anticipation of the year, others couldn't care less. Either way, for the upcoming year we should “StriveTo Make Ourselves Happy And Quit Depending On Others To Find Bliss Or Inner Joy!!!”

This was probably the year when everything people said to you caused a negative reaction: like making you upset or ruining your day, but those days are over come 2014. Claim It!

Life isn't just going to just hand you a bag of chocolates, plan it, make it happen for you. There are plenty of simple things that help; like spending time with friends, reading a good book, learning something new, exercising, or travelling to the countryside and having a relaxing afternoon — a new outfit can’t hurt.

When you constantly allow the words and actions of other people to negatively impact your life, you begin to DEPEND on others emotionally and allow external actions to affect your pursuit of happiness, which quite frankly, is a state of being that only “YOU” can create.

Use the five tips below to help you learn to live a healthier, happier and more productive life which takes place of the number one person in your life — YOU!!! Take control of your life and write your own story.

1. Accept What You Have: Truly happy people very often have modest levels of expectation and aspirations, and they know how to avoid disappointment. Accept where you are in life, set realistic goals, and stop complaining about the things that you can't have at this moment. Instead, work towards them. Google “Vision Board.”

AJ Thoughtz: Although I DO NOT Have A Modest Bone In My Body (EGO)…, I’ve Learned 2 Live & NJoy Quite The Simpler Lifestyle!!! It DOES NOT Mean I DO NOT Like Nor Want Nice Things…, It’s Just That I’ve Learned 2 B Comfortable W/Who I Am & What I Got!!! Bottom Line Is If I Want More Than What I Currently Got…, I’ll Need 2 Put In The Necessary Work 2 Achieve Those Next Level Goals!!! I Don't Plan As Well As I Should Bcuz I NJoy The Thrill Of Flying By The Seat O' My Pants!!!

2. Enjoy What You Do: If you do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do, without thinking of money and glory, you may find yourself genuinely smiling more. It makes no sense sticking to a job you hate just because the money is good. If you spend too much time trying to make money, you may be sacrificing yourself in the process.

AJ’s Thoughtz: I Was Always Told That If UR Life Work Is UR Life Passion…, Then U’ll NEVER Work A Day In UR Life!!! Well Currently…, That Ain’t Happening 4 Me!!! But I’ve Done Pretty Daggone Good Here In The Utility World Over 30+ Years!!! My Trick??? NE Tyme I Felt Boxed In, Stale, Bored, Or Frustrated, I DID NOT Sit Idly By & Simply Stew…, I Worked On My Skillsets & Positioned Myself 2 B Available 4 The Next JOB!!! Don’t Cry About It…, Do What U Gotta Do So U Can BE ABOUT IT!!!

3. Find Your Happy Place: Identify things that you enjoy doing and do them more often. Make them part of your routine. Don’t wait on a holiday to have fun.

AJ’s Thoughtz: Clearly If U Know Me…, U Know Fun Is A HUGE PART O' My Daily Life Focus!!! Muzak Iz My #1 Passion!!! I Have Ensured That It Will ALWAYZ B A Part Of My Life As I’ve Built Special Places In My Home That Keep It 1^st & Foremost In My Thought Process!!! I’ve Used Technology, Old Skool Things, & Continue 2 Educate Myself So It Never Fades Away!!! Between Muzak, Photography, Videography, Reading, Writing, & Technology I’ve Got Enuff Things 2 Keep Me Interested 4 A Lifetyme!!!

4. Maintain A Positive Attitude: Having a bad attitude towards life will attract negative energy in your life. Turn down the "BITCH LEVEL". You’ll find that you smile more and even the colors you wear will smile back. Put optimism into practice, recognize you hurt, but don’t dwell on it.
AJ’s Thoughtz: I Call It P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude!!!) The Only Person Responsible 4 UR Attitude Is U!!! U CANNOT Control What Happens 2 U…, But U Can Control How U React & Respond 2 It!!! I Strongly Believe In Karma & Negative NRG So I Work Hard 2 Keep The Good Vybes Flowing Around Me As Well As Rejecting All That Negative Drama!!!
I Can Get Incredibly Toxic When I Cross Over Into That Dark Evil Space So I Try Not 2 Go There!!! I Slip Every Now & Again (hey i am sort of human)…, But 4 The Most Part I Stay Relatively Happy & I Think That Iz Why More Folks Gravitate 2 Me Than Run Away From Me As They Feel That Kinetic Positive NRG I Try 2 Give Off!!!

5. Be Yourself: Don't compare yourself to others, and try not to worry about what naysayers think. Happy people are spontaneous and natural. Being yourself makes you feel free and authentic. Love yourself for who you are and not for what other people think of you. Your well-being is the most important goal in your life. Find meaning and purpose in your life.
AJ’s Thoughtz: I Never Wanted 2 B Normal & I Could NEVER Be NE 1’s Clone!!! I Am An American Original As God Truly Broke The Mold After He Made Me!!! I Am Cold, Callous, & Confident Enuff Not 2 B Concerned By What Others Who Mean AB-SO-LUTE-LY Nuthin’ 2 Me Think Or Say About Me & My Wayz!!! & 2 Those That Do Mean A Lil’ Sumthin’ Sumthin’ 2 Me…, If U R Going Against Me…, I Could Care Equally As Less…, But I Will @ Least Entertain UR Comments W/Some Thought Power Bcuz I Do Believe U Actually Have My Best Interests @ Heart!!!

I'm A Free Spirit, A Free Thinker, & Folks C The Authenticity (right or wrong) That Drips From My Soul!!! I Am Intense, Funny, Happy Go Lucky, & Deep Thinking All @ The Same Tyme So That Makes Me "SIMPLY COMPLEX!!!"
I March 2 My Own Damn Drumbeat & I Live In The Moment Oblivious 2 Those Around Me!!! I Dress The Way I Wanna Dress, I Go 2 Places I Wanna Go 2, & I Do The Things That Make Me Happy!!! If By Chance U Can Share In Some Of That…, Then Thanxxx 4 Being Brave Enuff 2 Take The Ryde Along W/Me Bcuz I NEVER EVER Truly Know Where I’m Going!!!

I Xsist In Tyme & Space As An Empty Vessel Continually Filling Myself Up On All The Wonderful Life Xperiences That Life Bestows Upon Me!!! Bcuz @ The End O’ The Day There Is NOBODY On Planet Earth Better @ Being AJ Than Me!!! I Am Still Supremely Happy W/Myself & Who I Have Turned Out 2 Be; Bcuz If U Don't Know U'd Better Learn 2 About URself..., As I LOVE ME SOME ME!!! LOL!!!

The bottom line is we cannot control other people's actions, but we can control how we react to them. Going forward into 2014, let's make a point of living a happy life without letting others influence how you live. The happiest people appreciate and realize that being happy adds years to their life and life to their years.

HAPPY 2014 PEOPLE!!!

 

aljonessr

LQQKIN' Back A Mere Year Ago 2day!!!

Let’s Go Back Into The Time Machine…,

With Me Coming Back From Los Angeles California, Las Vegas Nevada, A High School Football Game In Hamilton NJ, A NY Giants Victory Over The Philadelphia Eagles In Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field No Less; & Truly Just A Great Week Of Vacation, I Neglected 2 Write About This The Other Day!!!

A Year Ago Yesterday I Was Deployed Down 2 Our Southern Electric Division In Lawrenceville, NJ 2 Man Their Storeroom In Anticipation Of A Major Hurricane. I Had Worked Down There B4 On Storm Duty, But I Don’t Think NE Of Us Was Prepared 4 The Extent Of What We Were Going 2 Deal With 4 This During This Historic Event That Became Known As Hurricane Sandy!!!

I Landed There On Sunday Morning October 28^th, 2012 @ 7AM…, & I DID NOT Leave Until Wednesday Noon Time November 21^st!!! I Started Out Doing 16 Hour Days From 7AM – 11PM For The 1^st 3 Weeks…, Then Finally Tapered Off To 12 Hours Days From 7AM – 7PM As I Split Hours W/The Guy Who Came In 2 Relieve Me On The Overnights!!! 

 

Now Remember…, This May B Standard Operating Procedures 4 Our Electric Delivery Folks, But Ever Since I Crossed Over Into Management, OT Has Been Slim & None!!! That Very 1st 16 Hour Sunday I Worked..., Was More OT In That 1 Day Then I Had ALL YEAR LONG!!! LMAO!!!

My Manager Actually Called Me The Last Wednesday I Was There 1nce We Got Off The Daily 11:30AM Teleconference 2 Thank Me 4 My Service 2 That Organization As I Was Totally Removed From My Own Gas Operations. He Sent Me Home 4 The Rest O’ The Day (with pay) So I Could Relax, Get Myself Physically 2gether, & Report Back 2 My Regular JOB That Thursday Morning!!!

As U Can C…, I Was Plucked Away From My Desk Doing My Normal JOB & Thrown Headfirst Into The Electric Delivery Business (which is not my strength) 4 A 4 Week Stretch During The Most Incredible Event In The History Of Our Company!!! The Only Thing That Saved Me Was That I Was Sent Into A Great Group Of People!!!

Of The 4 Storekeepers I Worked With I Knew Jim Who Used 2 Drive A Truck 2 Springfield When I Was The Supervisor Of The Gas State Meter Shop, Kevin Knew Of Me Bcuz He Came From Springfield B4 Landing In Electric Delivery & He Stayed In Contact W/The Guys There Who Had Given Him The 411 On Me, & Ms. Gayle The Chief Who Had Ties 2 All My Boyz In Palisades So I Felt Like I Knew Her Already, (plus she’s a sister) So We Automatically Connected On Common Ground!!!

It DID NOT Take Me Long 2 Get Into A Routine, Establish A Rhythm, & Fully Integrate Myself Into The Electric Business!!! The Team Down There Xspecially Johnny & Doris Took Good Care Of Me 2 Make Sure I Wasn’t Left Off On An Island By Myself!!!

As Soon As I Got My 1^st Catered Meal Of The Day…, I Was DEFINITELY GOOD 2 GO Bcuz I Knew I Had Landed Into Something Really, Really, Kewl!!! I Met A Cast Of Characters Down There Who Made Everyday Interesting (slow motion sue, the ice queen val, wendy i am who i am, judy who r u, yuliya if u need ne help, krazy craig, customer ops michelle, mr. ambrose, the maintenance shop guys, & the senior leaders) The Mutual Aid Crews (utility workers from across the country responding 2 help us out during this event) Were All Comical!!!

Sidebar: 3 Folks Down In That Area Actually Passed Away Who I Came Into Contact With…, So It Just Proves Again How Fleeting Life Is & Why We Must NJoy & Live Life 2 The Fullest!!!

More Importantly, Even As Many Of Our Own Folks Were W/O Electric Power &/Or Gas Service…, We Got Up 2 Answer The Bell 2 Help Serve Our Over 1 Million Electric Customers As Well As Like 25,000 Gas Customers Who Were W/O Service!!! We Lost Like 75-90% Of Our Service Territory & That Was MIND BOGGLING 2 COMPREHEND!!! 

 

I Only Lost Power 1 Day In My Own Home, I Was In A Hotel Room (nice hotel) 3 Days W/O Power, Not 2 Mention Besides The Normal Bumrush On All The Grocery Stores 4 Supplies Was The Fact That There Was NO GAS Available As Major Refineries Lost Power & The State Of NJ Instituted Gas Rationing 4 The 1^st Tyme Since Probably The 70’s!!!

God Forbid If We Ever Really Had A Major Disaster Of Epic Proportions I Can C The Very Fabric Of What We Call Civilization COMPLETELY Falling Apart As Each Person Takes On A “ME FIRST” Mentality & 2 Hell W/Everybody Else!!! So Get UR Emergency Supplies Ready NOW As We Get Ret 2 Go Into The Winter Season!!!

LQQKING Back In Hindsight, The Destruction & Devastation That Ravaged Our Jersey Shore Line Was Krazy!!! The Water Swells That Came Inland & Destroyed Areas No One Thought Could Get Hit Was Amazing!!! & Just The Sheer Work Involved With Restoring That Many Customers From A Utility Repair Perspective Was Incredibly Daunting!!!

But We Did It, We Got Thru It, & We Survived 2 Tell A Tale That We Can Discuss 4 Many Years 2 Come!!! This Was Truly A Tyme I Was Incredibly Proud 2 Work 4 My Company Bcuz We Came Thru W/Flying Colors Compared 2 The Other Utilities In The State!!!  Now..., As Much Fun As I Had..., & As Krazy As It Was…, I Hope We NEVER Have 2 Go Thru Something On That Scale Ever Again, But If We Do…., I’M READY!!!

Take A Minute 2 Thank UR Lucky Stars U Came Thru Relatively Unscathed & Then Reflect How On How Hurricane Sandy Impacted & Changed UR Life!!! How It Forced U 2 Interact W/Folks U Would Not Normally Come Into Contact With…, & What Ramifications Still Linger On 2day!!! 

 

Because A Year Ago 2day…, I Stood Out On The Lawrenceville Platform W/A Bunch Of Folks & Watched The Trees Off In The Distance Bending Sidewayz As The Wind Picked Up & All Hell Was Beginning 2 Break Loose!!! Not 2 Mention That Lil’ Northeastner Snowstorm That Came In Right Behind Sandy & Added Just A Lil’ Mo’ Fuel 2 The Fire!!!

 

Just A Mere Year Ago 2day…, Our Lives Were TOTALLY Different Than They R 2day!!! We Were Changed By The Events That Happened That Day..., Much Like We Were When 9-11 Hit…, So Please NJoy UR Day 2day & NEVER 4get What U Went Thru No Matter How Big Or Small!!! CIAO!!!

 

Peep This Link 2 Unna-Stand Our Hustle!!!
Kudos 2 My Potna In Crime Brotha DeVon 4 Delivering Big Tyme!!!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PohsoxHurBM&feature=share

 

The Brother AJ