Rainy Dayz & Mondayz & I'm Still Positively Glowing!!!

Mood: Uplifting
Music: John Patittucci “Avenue D” On The Corner CD

I must start off with Saturday’s gig… It was probably the smoothest gig that we’ve ever done as a band… The Spain Inn in Piscataway was an Xcellent venue as we had a full stage 2 ourselves… The crowd was incredible as they loved the music along with fully being active with the band… By that I mean they were so into the music they sang along with us, they danced on the floor 2 us, & when I went into MC mode 2 get the party started We/They Really Lost Our Minds!!!

As a band we fired on all cylinders & everything was Xcellent!!! Our mistakes were so minimal we shocked ourselves… We finally felt like we did 2 sets back 2 back that were equally impressive (usually 1 seems stronger than the other…) Tasha was in rare form vocally as she nailed every song xspecially MJ’s Butterflies, Jayson was stretching out adding xtra flava 2 his bass playing, JR (sang, played keys, & directed the band) beautifully, & I was the Groove Regulator in the caboose keeping the train Rolling Hard Down The Track!!!

Highlight of the night was DJ Max Jerome coming through 2 DJ the gig so I didn’t have 2 pull double duty… That allowed me 2 concentrate on drumming & working the room… Right B4 he started we presented him with an official “Flip Da Skrip” tee-shirt since he’s an honorary member… He literally stripped on stage & put his shirt on “Right On The Spot” he was Sooooooooooooo Ecstatic!!!

Then he ripped up the 1’s & 2’s as only he can do… While he did that…, I hit the dance floor & literally incited the Party into a riot… I got them 2 do a Conga Line, a Soul Train Line, & I was on the floor grooving with the Party People… I mean literally because I had my wireless head-set on as I bobbed & weaved through the crowd… It Was Bananas!!! I think Jay & Tasha finally saw the Head Flippa’s vision 4 a real Flip Da Skrip performance… We Were On Fire!!!

Sorry the NY Jets lost but nobody was totally shocked or surprised… The Vikings should B kicking themselves this morning because they had that game won in regulation, blew it with 19 seconds 2 go, & lost in OT… So its Peyton Manning & the Indianapolis Colts vs. Drew Brees & the New Orleans Saints in 2 weeks for the Soopabowl Championship!!! Should Be Xciting & I Can’t Wait!!!

2day's Message: Did you know that faith can be alive or faith can be dead? There are a lot of people who are missing out on the abundant life. They love God, but they aren't overcoming their obstacles or accomplishing their God-given dreams simply because they are not putting any action behind their faith. Their faith is dead, and it isn't activating God's power.What can you do today to keep your faith alive? It doesn't have to be something big. Just simply obeying God and doing your best keeps your faith alive. When you go to work every day and give it 100%, you are demonstrating your faith. Sometimes just putting a smile on your face when you feel discouraged, that's putting action behind your faith. Just taking time to go to church—that's faith that is alive. That's faith that activates God's power. That's faith that opens the door for God to move on your behalf. With faith that is alive, you'll rise up higher. You'll overcome obstacles, and you'll move forward into the abundant life God has in store for you! Joel Osteen

Sometimes we need these messages of inspiration… There is so much meat in there it might be hard 2 dissect it & swallow it all… 1st let me say this about myself… I think folks have a hard time dealing with me because I Xhibit Xtreme Confidence!!! It is very rare that you will see me down, defeated, depressed, bored, or just evil 2 be around… There are things that I cannot do…, but B4 I throw up my hands & walk away I will research & Xhaust all my options…

My confidence can seem cocky 2 some…, but that is because I TOTALLY believe in myself… I am more amazed when I meet people who DO NOT believe in themselves… When others fell short or failed..., I used 2 walk away disgusted in their weakness… Now I realize we all have different levels of “Stick 2 It-Ness!!!” I cannot force you 2 meet me on my level so I’ve got 2 accept you for who you are… I also realize I’ve been blessed with Xcellent people skillz so I should know this about people & position myself accordingly… These are lessons I’ve been applying over the last 10-15 years of my life…

The reason I am successful & the reason I am blessed is because I Fully Xpect 2 Be!!! If I want something I set a path 2 go get it… I wanted 2 pursue music in my life so I worked on my skills, built a studio in my house, & weaved a heavy dose of music into quite a bit of my lifestyle… When I wasn’t happy @ the JOB I LQQKED 4 my next opportunity then pursued it hard… LQQK where I am currently… Of course NE Thing new is always Xciting… But if I fully NJoy this position & like where I am & what I am doing… Watch The Work I Put In 2 Stay Here!!! There is no Secret 2 My Success… It’s Hard Work, Passion, & Xpecting The Best 4 Yourself!!!

When my life isn’t going good, when things don’t go my way, or when I get handed setbacks… I don’t view them as Deal-Breakers!!! They are just rocks in my footpath that I must navigate around… I will never sit home pulling the “Woe Is Me” card… I don’t hang around people who stay negative & depressed… I hang out with positive, motivated people who humble me & inspire me 2 be better than I am… It’s the only way keep my NRG levels high & keep making that FWD progress I NEED 2 SUCCEED!!!

So as the message said, “Is Your Faith Alive Or Dead???” Are you putting in the necessary action behind your words 2 fulfill your dreams??? Luck can only take you but so far…, somewhere down the road relationships, skills, & opportunities must be maximized 2 be successful… Everything in your life doesn’t have 2 be BIG or played out on life’s GRAND STAGES!!! Sometimes the smallest things go the furthest… Sending a text 2 a friend, buying someone a cup of coffee, listening 2 someone’s problems, or talking a walk 2 relieve some stress…

Never underestimate what your presence in someone else’s life can mean 2 them… When you walk in a room & folks faces light up… When you leave someone & they tell you how good it was 2 see you… When you do something small 2 you…, but it seems huge or is right on time for someone else…, then you know you are on the right track… Those are the small things we can do that put deposits in the bank of faith allowing us 2 reach further & go higher as we pursue this thing we call life… Peace, Love, & Blessings!!!

aljonessr

M.L.King Day 2010 Stand Up!!!

Mood: RelaxedMusic:
Custom W.A.L.J. PROD. INC. Bassmixxx CD

2day’s Message: An Individual Has Not Started Living Until He Can Rise Aboe The Narrow Confines Of His Individualistic Concerns To The Broader Concerns Of All Humanity. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sagittarius Week Ahead: Family plays a huge part in your life now – spend as much time with them as you can.
Love: If you’ve recently met someone wonderful, enjoy their company rather than have expectations.
Career: This is a time for thinking & creating something new.
Money: Money comes & goes; make sure you are living within your means.
Key Words: The Future LQQKS Bright!!!

My life has been flying along @ a hectic pace & I Am Not Complaining!!! I’ve got a lot of plates I’m juggling in the air & they R all things that keep me happy, motivated, & moving FWD… Let’s back track a week ago & Feel My Flava…

Monday saw me enter into my Temporary Position as an Office Supervisor for the Materials Management organization. Walking in the door I am the Senior PS man in our group & probably have the deepest tentacles spread throughout the company… They know not of the Gold they have struck with me…

The Supervisor training me is a Temporary employee & is probably in the most difficult position because if he perceives me as a threat, who knows what his motives could B??? I haven’t seen that yet & I’m quite sure on a personal level I’ll win him over & we’ll do what we’ve got 2 do… But…??? Shhhh!!! LOL!!!

Vince my peer will fill me in some other things I need 2 do in order 2 B successful there & he’s already tapped me 4 my next project… Jim my peer who I in essence replaced is dealing with probably our most “High Profile” location down in Old Bridge coordinating all efforts there. That’s where I was 1st slated 2 go & glad the “Brain Trust” re-thought their vision as they saw a better fit 4 my Skill Sets…

Compared 2 my old position I’ve got a lot more things on my plate I’ll have 2 handle & not just 2 get up 2 speed… My cubicle space is half the size, I took 4 boxes of stuff out of there & literally only used 2 boxes worth of that 2 outfit my new space… The NY Giants, NY Yankees, & NY Nets posters immediately went up!!! LOL!!!

I took my company car home on Tuesday so I am back mobile!!! They R also getting me a company cell phone so No Mo’ Flying Under The Radar!!! Aww Man!!! Tuesday saw us visiting Clifton & Oradell. Wednesday we hit Harrison & Jersey City. Thursday we hit Summit, Plainfield, & New Brunswick. Friday we hit Audubon, Burlington, & Trenton. That’s just 2 show my face 2 those in the organization & work on my 1st project involving Security & Flammable Storage. Only location I didn’t make it 2 was Oakland but I’ll B going there 2 do inventory.

As I settle in & get my bearings I think this opportunity will B a Really GOOD LQQK 4 Me!!! I bring Managerial skills, PC skills, Fresh Viewpoints, & Relationship skills 2 the table that will enhance our presence with the districts. My 2nd project will involved overseeing the delivery of roughly 5,000 regulators 2 all the districts & minimizing the disruptions 2 their floor space… Hmmmm!!!

My Leadership Newark group met as we had our 1st C.L.I. Team Meeting. Our team is going 2 fun & krazy as we work on our project 2 complete year two of our Fellowship. We had some mini drama already (not within the group), but the organization we are partnering with… Seems they’ve had major changes & we had our contact bring them up 2 speed on what is going 2 happen with us…

The hard work begins now & we’ll have 2 manage our time, our responsibilities, our roles, & deliver a viable living breathing Business Plan utilizing all we’ve learned & what we can build as a cohesive team…

On the M.I. front we’ve finally nailed down the Registration Packet so the Career Conference is a go… As a member of the Participant Team we’re ahead of the curve on our early stuff…, but we must stay on track 2 make sure we deliver the Xperience our participants are LQQKIN’ FWD 2!!! The event is literally a month away & we’ve got 2 watch out so we don’t get tripped on small stuff that can turn into a major headache…

The Band has a gig this Saturday as I was able 2 nail down a spot on the Brotherhood Of Black Utility Workers New Year Kickoff… The event was scheduled for Jan. 9th, got cancelled, & now it’s back on… They wanted me 2 DJ event so I’ve offered the band as part of that package & Away We Will Go!!! We rehearsed last week 4 1st time in the New Year. Added a few new tunes 2 the mixxx & can’t wait 2 go perform 4 some live souls 1nce again…

2day is M.L. King Jr. Day & those of U who know me well no my routine… I will Not work on this man’s day because of what he meant 2 the entire Civil Rights movement from a Black perspective… Not just he alone…, but countless others who endured incredible adversity that some even gave their lives up 4 in order 4 the rest of us 2 move FWD!!!

Dr. King is an incredible hero of mine’s as I feel deep in my heart he knew he was going 2 B sacrificed in the process… Imagine living with that burden as U go on 2 pursue your life’s work??? 1 listen 2 his “I Have A Dream” speech & U can feel the NRG that resonated forth from this incredible man. Malcolm X is probably the man most folks compare me 2 in terms of my “Fire & Brimstone” approach 2 life… But M.L. King Jr. taught me quite a bit of playing my cards close 2 my chest & putting on a good front while strategizing quietly in the background… I haven’t mastered that non-violence thing yet…, cause I’m quick 2 wanna Step Up & Whup Yo’ Azz!!! But I’m Workin’ On It!!! LOL!!!

As Black Americans living in AmeriKKKa we can NEVER EVER 4get our past… Neither can we view those past trangressions & let it hold us back from future success… But U MUST know your history so U can understand the journey & ensure U DO NOT disrespect those who came B4 us & got us 2 here!!! It’s our JOB 2 take that ball, run with it, & take it 2 the next level so the future generations can do the same… Each 1 Teach 1 & the whole community must raise each other up so we can continue 2 B Movers, Shakers, Educators, Thrill Seekers, & Historic Figures In Life!!!

Use this day 2 reflect on what your life would B like without figures like Dr. King & what U would B doing or have 2 do just 2 Xsist??? I am 4ever a Kunta Kinte…, could never B a Toby!!! I Come From Greatness, I Deliver Greatness, & I Xpect Greatness In Return!!! Dare 2 B Better Than U Think U Ever Could B!!! PEACE!!!

aljonessr

Last Day In My Old Life (Speaking On Fri. Jan. 8th)

Mood: Anticipatorily Xcited
Music: D'Angelo "Devil's Pie" Yoda Monarch Of Neo Soul CD

Good Afternoon 2 U…,

2day's Message: To run optimally, you have to trim the excess. Lose the unnecessary things in your life that wear you down and ultimately defeat your purpose. Clean out your refrigerator, closets, attic, garage, file cabinets, bills folder..., & definitely your mind clutter, body temple, & spirituality. Replace the waste with focus......, love, & a sense of purpose. Streamline & live prosperous! Z. Chamberlain

Sagittarius It's important for you to feel like you have the tools necessary to accomplish your goals. Your frustration level will be high today if you lack the resources to do your job. However, you might not be in control of what's happening now and too much ambition could add to your anxiety. Don't give up, but exercise common sense by being extra flexible with respect to your expectations.

2day seems like a surreal day 2 me… I feel like I am moving in Slow Motion & I am disconnected from myself… There is so much going on around me right now & folks R just turning out 2 show me Incredible LOVE!!! If I didn’t believe that I was moving on 2 the next phase of my life…, here was a stark reminder that come Monday Jan. 11th, 2009 I would move through another set of doors that open up in my life…

From: KK Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2:50 PMTo: ETDCSubject: COME JOIN US.....

Please join us on Friday, January 8th to wish AJ the BEST OF LUCK on his temporary assignment in Materials Management. We will be having bagels from 9am to 10am in Room 247.

Hope to see you there!!!

I am thankful that they care enuff about me 2 send me off… I am also grateful 4 the faith the Leadership of our organization have in selecting me out of everybody here in the Training Center…, not 2 mention they 400+ folks in our UOS organization… Because they will always LQQK in-house B4 they step outside of our group & go company wide… U know the classic line, “I Know What I Got…, But I Don’t Really Know What I’m Gonna Get!!!” Probably why we stick with some of the people in our lives… ROFLMAO!!!

I did a presentation 2day for our College Students trying 2 get into PS… I had 2 deliver a presentation on Good Attitude & Ethical Behavior… I was able 2 weave my career journey inside of the conversation as I delivered this message… Hopefully I’ve impacted a few of them 2 strive as hard as they can 2 have an opportunity 2 Xperience the road I’ve traveled…

2day’s message was right in line with my “Letting Go” message from Monday… It’s a New Year with a new start & we need 2 make sure we don’t let our old issues hold us back… I CANNOT walk into the door Monday carrying old baggage from the Training Center with me… I must make a fresh start, carve out a new space, & seize this opportunity 4 all that I am worth… If not…, OH BOY LQQKOUT!!!

I will say 1 thing though. They obviously have seen something in me that they think is a Great Fit 4 their organization… So in essence…, they’ve chosen me… If they’ve chosen me…, then they must feel something very strongly about me… Knowing that…, I can walk in the door confident I am the Right Man 4 The Job!!! I can also walk in the door truly as myself, Alban Lewis Jones Sr. They fully know they have a Bonafide Winner On Their Hands!!! What U C Is What U Get!!!

My 1st action on Monday when I walk in the door is saying, “Thank QQQ, Luv The Fact I’m Here, But I’ve Got 2 B Out By 4PM Cause I Got A 5PM Meeting In Newark... Not 2 Mention, I Won’t B Here Next Monday Cause That’s M.L. King’s Day & I DO NOT Work On That Man’s Holiday!!! It’s Bcuz Of Him I Got The Daggone JOB!!! & The Tuesday After Being Off…, I Must Leave By 3PM Bcuz I Have A 4PM Meeting In Newark That I Have 2 Attend!!! & Oh By The Way…, Did I Mention Leadership Newark??? NO??? Well…, I’ll Need A Day A Month Off In Order 2 Complete My 2 Year Fellowship!!! R We Still Kewl…, Cause If Not…, I Can Go Back 2 Edison!!!” ROFLMAO!!!

That's How I Roll!!! U walk in the door & set the Xpectations right from the gate so that there is no room 4 misunderstandings & they fully understand my roles & my agenda… Just like they’ve chosen me…, I’ve chosen U… As U too have probably chosen me… If that’s the case…, we need 2 keep those strong feelings about each other & make sure we keep those bonds & connections strong so we too can move FWD through the New Year on a seriously high note… Cause I don’t know about U…, but 4 me…, It’s About 2 B On Up In Dis Piece!!! PEACE!!!

P.S. & Believe It Or Not…, I Am Sad 2 B Leaving Edison… Cause I Truly Did Have Some Good Tymes There & Met A Couple Of Kewl People…, So Trust Me!!! I AM NOT Burning NE Bridges In Case I Come Back!!! But I Am Clearly LQQKIN’ FWD Cause My Windshield Is So Much Bigger Than My Rearview Mirror!!! YESSS!!!

aljonessr

LG = Life's Good!!!

Mood: Ecstatic
Music: Cameo “Back & Forth” CD 20th Century Masters

The last few days have been a Whirlwind!!! As usual my life moves @ Warp Speed even when I sit down & try 2 B “Peace Be Still Myself!!!” But you know what??? That’s what drives me & makes me who I am. I always love 2 say that if I followed my own great advice I would be so much further along in my life.

I have that Classic Procrastinator Gene married to that Classic Sagittarian Attitude. As Sag’s we live life 2 the fullest with total disregard 4 “Rhyme Or Reason” as we are here 4 the journey as opposed 2 plotting & laying down a path of Greatness!!!

We tend 2 put ourselves in places that allow us 2 succeed in spite of ourselves @ times. We’re blessed with charm, wit, IQ, & a reckless passion 4 life that would probably kill other folks. If we sat back & really put it all 2gether, We’d B Amazing!!! A few of us can do that & will do so…
But speaking personally 4 myself, I think my greatness is in the people I infect around me with my krazy antics. I walk the planet secure in who I am, comfortable in my own skin, & relatively happy because life is way 2 fun 2 walk around suicidal & depressed.

This Y2K time we are cruising through is a wonderful time 2 B alive. Trust me. Matter of fact I am tying this entry on my Brand Spanking New Dell Studio 17 Laptop. Talk about a far cry from my 1st efforts @ PC’ing. I had an old Compaq or Hewlett Packard that had the dual floppies. Remember the standard 3.5 that we all knew & loved that has now went the way of the $2 bill. Well my 1st PC had that big ole 5 ¼ floppy drive too. & remember…, those were really floppy drives… The little one was actually hard… PHEW!!!

But I am wireless, the processor speeds are incredible, the hard drive space is humongous, & the screens rival your Flat Screen TV’s. What a wonderful, wonderful world we are living in huh??? & you want me 2 walk around negative??? It’s not going 2 happen in this lifetime.

I’ve got a play 2 attend 2day, the weather is probably going to reach 90, summer is slowly on the way, music shows are coming, vacation time is coming, & everything is going 2 B alright. The Leadership Newark Gala this past Wednesday was Xcellent. Our class represented hard as we rolled in the door about 20 deep.

The NBA playoffs are flying along, the Yankees are already killing me, & the NFL draft is slowly winding down. NY Giants made some minor noise…, but the NY Jets pulled a coup by trading up with Cleveland in the #5 slot & snatching up USC’s Mark Sanchez. Is he the “Real Deal???” No one knows…, but the possibilities are intriguing.

So hold down the fort as I just got my Joel on & it’s time 2 run out & go get the daggone Sunday paper. As much as some things change…, some things truly, truly, truly remain the same. ONE!

The Conflict Diaries!!!

Mood: Upbeat
Music: Marcus Miller "Milky Way" Marcus CD

2day’s Message: A Good Manager Doesn’t Try To Eliminate Conflict; He Tries To Keep It From Wasting The Energies Of His People. If You’re The Boss & Your People Fight You Openly When They Think You Are Wrong, That’s Healthy. Robert Townsend

What a powerful message. I totally agree with this message because I’ve always said that I’ve never ever wanted a bunch of “Yes Men” around me. If people are afraid 2 confront me, then they all believe that AJ is the smartest person in the room & he has ALL the answers. & we all know “That’s Not Right!!!” I just have “MOST” of the answers. ROFLMAO!!!

A little confrontation is always healthy. I personally thrive on it because it’s a lot like competition. Nothing fuels your NRG like being under pressure 2 produce. When you compete against others in sports, work, or charitable causes…, it will feed your adrenaline. It makes no sense 4 any of us 2 stand pat in life & NJoy a life filled with “Status Quo.” We need 2 make sure we continually get better each & every day even if it’s in small increments. I don’t want 2 B where I was yesterday…, I Want 2 B Better!!!

I’ve also raised my own children not to be afraid of Conflict. I told them it gives them a chance 2 sharpen their skills as they learn 2 argue from a position of strength & power as opposed 2 weakness & being dictated to. When you lay down your theories in an organized & cohesive manner it allows your opponents 2 C your vision. If your case is sound through & through…, game, set, & match. Nothing else needs 2 b discussed…

If you come @ people all sideways or all discombobulated…, they will pick your argument apart like taking meat off some spare ribs. It is okay for things 2 get just a tad heated. As long as we remain respectful, respectable, & keep our hands & feet to ourselves It’s All Good!!! Cause the minute you come @ me physically ALL BETS R OFF!!! WE SCRAPPING NOW!!! & I DO NOT FIGHT FAIR!!! I’m Seriously Trying 2 TAKE YOU OUT!!! KA-POW!!!

The line that works the best is that “We Need 2 Learn 2 Respectfully Disagree!!!” When we reach a stalemate where neither side will bend. We need 2 regroup, go back 2 our respective corners, work on our arguments again, so they can be re-presented. One side will have 2 bend because even in a Win-Win situation… Somebody comes out just a tad shorter than the other. & I Play 2 Win All The Tyme!!! LOL!!!

In the business world we seem 2 work much better under conflict than we do in our personal lives. The #1 reason for this is because in our personal lives we definitely seem 2 “Take Conflict Personally!!!” Sometimes we need 2 let go & just understand it’s simply a conflict & we can battle intelligently within the rules of the conflict.

1nce we cross that line & seriously begin 2 attack each other. The die is cast, the damage is done, & it’s a whole ‘nother animal. Sometimes the wounds we inflict can only be healed by the hands of time. & most of us won’t be able 2 stick around long enuff 4 that 2 happen. The wounds we inflict go so deep & hurt so bad that the only possible solution is 2 simply Pack Your Things & Go!!!

So re-read the above message & decide how you will handle conflict in your life. Conflict is a necessary part of life & you see it in Mother Nature every day. Without conflict there would be no progress. It’s because of conflict that we have had progress. Those in charge would’ve never relented & let the slaves go free. They were happy with the situation. We needed 2 rise up & cause a ruckus so they could simply, “Let My People Go!!!” The Brother AJ