Reaching Back 2 Friends W/An Eye On The Future

Blue Tooth, Reading Glasses, & My Droid!!!

Mood: Reflective
Music: Urban Knights " (WALJ Best Of CD)

Although It's Been A Minute Since I've Checked In..., A Lot Has Happened Over The Course Of Several Months... Hurricane Irene Swooshed Thru The Northeast & Caused Havoc From Florida To Maine!!! Hell, I Even Had 2 Work The 11PM-7AM Shift Down In Lawrenceville Supporting Our Electric Division...

The Damage Was Amazing As Places That Have Never Flooded, Got Water A Taste Of Water, Places That Normally Flood Got Hammered, With Trees Down, & Power Cut Off It Was A Disaster Of Epic Proportions... I've Seen Shit Happen During This Event That I've Never Seen B4!!!  Even My Backyard LQQKED Like A Lake, But Nothing In Da Crib That A Towel Couldn't Handle!!!  PHEW!!!

I Was Featured In Our Company Paper's July/August Issue & That Was A Rewarding Yet Humbling Xperience... 4 All Da Ish I Pop..., When U Receive Praises From UR Peers, UR Superiors, & Good Friends Along The Way It Does Sumthin' Good 2 Ya!!! I Am 4ever Grateful 2 All Of U Who Truly Love & Keep Me In UR Thoughts & Prayers...

I Had 2 Great Conversations W/Old Friends!!! The 1st Is Someone Who Truly Has Had A Strong Impact In My Life As We've Rolled Deep Over The Last 10 Years & Have Kept A Wonderful Bond 2gether... Even Though We Haven't Communicated Strongly The Last Coupla Of Years..., I Know We've Peeped Over The Fence 2 Make Sure We Knew Each Other Were Still Alive & Doing Well!!!

But Upon Re-Connecting The Bond Was Re-Established We Caught Up On What's Happening & Laid The Foundation 2 Simply Keep The Lines Of Communication Open So We Can Be Ready If The Other 1 Needs That Strong Connection 1nce Again... We Were Good 4 Each Other, Have Been Good 4 Each Other, & Will Continue 2 B Good 4 Each Other As Long As We Both Have Breath...

The 2nd Conversation Was More Of Purging In Order 2 Move FWD... We're In The 7 Year Frame & We Have Sparodic Conversations Here & There... We Shared A Strong Connection 7 Years Ago & That Set The Groundwork 4 A Pipeline Of Communication...

Since I Wasn't As Committed 2 Keeping It Going Strong, Things Kind Of Morphed On The Strength Of Their Holding It 2getha... 2day I Apologized 4 My Lack Of Being Truthful & Dedicated 2 A Friendship & I Made A Pact 2 B A Much Better Friend Going FWD Because I Was Told My Words Of Wisdom, My Personality, My Lifestyle, & Just The Strength Garnered From Me Kept Them Going!!! So I Hear Ya Loud & Clear!!!

2day Is My Mom's Bday..., She Wudda Been In Her 70's & Going Strong!!! However Cut Down Nearly 20 Years Ago..., She's DEF Been Gone 2 Long!!! I Miss Ya Lady & I Know U've ALWAYS Had My Best Interests @ Heart!!!

2morrow Marks The 30th Anniversary Of The Start Of My Career With PSE&G!!! Who Knew All Those Many Years Ago I Would Still B Going Strong & Having Fun W/O Getting Picked Off As Many Of My Peers Have??? I Got A Bottle Of Moet In The Fridge Chilling As I Was Told I'm Celebrating W/Friends & Fam 2morrow!!! Good Work Brotha..., As ALWAYS Brotha Jones "U DID IT UR WAY!!!"

So Keep On Keeping On & Know That Life Is A Gift As We Make It What It Iz!!! I'm NJoying My Journey..., I'm Piloting The Ship..., & I Still Got That Silly Azz Grin On My Face As Itz All Good Baby & I GOT A LOTTA MUFFIN' 2 GO!!! SHALOM!!!

 

P.S. 2 My Facebook Connect This Blogs 4 Uuu!!!

aljonessr

Time Management 101!!!

Mood: Calm & Happy
Music: James Brown "It Cost To Be The Boss" Greatest Hits CD

I Recently Took A Time Management Course Offered @ My Company!!! 1st Question Instructor Asked Was "Is There Enough Time In The Day 2 Do All The Things You Need To Do???" I Answered “YES THERE IS!!!”

Because It's Quite Clear We Do Not Need, Nor Will We Ever Be Granted More Time; Unless Of Course You Considered May 21st, 2011 The End O' The World, Then We All Are Living On Brand New Borrowed Time For Sure!!!

It's Simply A Matter Of What We Do With The Time We Have!!! As A "Classic Procrastinator" (i've written volumes 1 through 7 on this subject, i'm working on the rest) I Have Learned To Shift Time By Simply Prioritizing!!!

I Do The Highest Priority Task 1st, Getting It Out My Way, So I Can Procrastinate Longer Later!!! Why Do Today What I Can Put Off Until Tomorrow??? Shhhh!!! Ha-Ha-Ha!!!

I've Learned That We "ALWAYS" Make Time For That Which Is Truly Important To Us In Our Lives!!! So I'm Able 2 Fit Work, Family, Music, Traveling, Photography, Relaxing, Friends, & Fun Into Each & Everyday As I See Fit To Do!!!

My Answer Is I'm Already Doing Everything I Love To Do Because I've Prioritized Things By Need & Importance Allowing Me To Fit Them Into Each & Everyday Of My Life!!! So Make The Most Of UR Time In Order 2 Live Hard, Celebrate Life, & Have Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun, FUNNNNNNNNN!!!

The Bro J!!!

The Summer Heats Up!!!

Mood: Positive NRG
Music: WOTE Soundtrack

Great Stretch Of Activity 4 Me...,

On Saturday May 7th The Band Performed @ L'Affaire Mountainside, NJ 4 A 90th Bday Party... I Had Dual DJ & Band Duties So I Went In There 2 B Mellow..., But We Ended Up Rocking Out..., Complete W/Folks Getting Down On The Dance Floor... LOL!!!

On Tuesday May 10th I Was Reached Out 2 @ The 11th Hour 2 Have The Band Provide Instrumental Background Muzak 4 A Networking Mixer Event Between Leadership Newark & Leadership NJ... That Was Held @ 1 Of My Fave Bldg's In Newark, NJ..., The 744 Broad St. Bldg Affectionately Known As..., The Millennium Bldg.

Sneak In There 1 Day 2 C The Beautiful Staircase Leading U Up 2 The Wide Open 2nd Floor Lobby With These Incredible 25-30 Foot Murals Painted On Various Walls Up There. It Always Brings Incredible Joy 2 My Face 2 C Such Incredible Artwork When I Enter That Space...

We Were 'Sposed 2 B Instrumental Trio..., But I Told My Vocalist If She Just Happened 2 (A-Hem) Show Up??? Of Course I'd Sneak Her In On A Song Or Two... How Come Me & JR Come Off The Elevator Pushing Our Cart O' Gear & She Was Already Sitting There Waiting On Us??? ROFLMAO!!! So Yeah I Snuck Her On Near The End & We Killed Anita Baker's "Been So Long!!!" Mmmmm....

Saturday May 14th Had Us Playing A "Harlem Nights" Themed Surprised 21st Bday Party In Society Hill Newark, NJ... That Means Other Than Getting Suit & Tie Decked Out..., I Had No Idea What 2 Xpect Other Than We 'd B GETTING ON DOWN!!! Well It Ended Up Being A Marathon As We Played As Long As We Ever Did Straight Through With No Break!!! By End O' Da Gig I Was Xhausted & Stumbled In The House Like 2AM!!!

May 19th, 20th, & 21st Will Have Me In My 1st Fave City New York City @ The Producer's Club On 44th St. Working Behind The Scenes As A Stagehand Delivering A Self Financed Play Supporting The "Women On The Edge Project!!!" Actually I've B There All Week As We Prep B4 The Show Opens...

I Totally LQQK FWD 2 What That Will Bring... I'm B Working The Lighting & The Sound System!!! Monday Arrived Home @ 1:30AM, Tuesday It Was 11:45PM, & Wednesday Was An Early Nite Home By 10:30PM, & Thursday Was An 11PM Nite!!! LQQKOUT!!!

Friday Opening Night Was Spectacular!!! Tie It In With A 50th Bday Celebration & It Had A Recipe 4 Success!!! The Event Superceded Not Just Mine's..., But Everyone Else's Bcuz It Was Amazing How Everything Came 2getha Perfectly & We Knocked It Out The Park!!!

The Crowd Had Arrived From California, North Carolina, & Washington Area 2 Support Their People!!! They Also Brought Incredible NRG Into The Building That The Cast Feed Upon Allowing Them 2 Take Their Performance 2 The Next Level!!!

We Left There Under An Incredible Aura Of Success, Invinceability, & Just Being Totally On Top Of The World!!! Then Saturday Morning We Get A Call From The Venue Saying The City Inspectors Shut Them Down & The 2 Shows We Had Slated For Saturday Were Effectively Cancelled!!!

Talk About From The Highest Of High's..., 2 The Lowest Of Lows!!! But As We R Prone 2 Do In Life..., We Sat Down Strategized & Came Up With Plan B!!! We Reached Out 2 The Cast, 2 Those Who Purchased Tickets, Ran 2 The City 2 Remove Our Material, Then Set Up Meeting W/Potential Sites... Stay Tuned On That Front!!!

May 27th, 28th, & 29th Will Have Me Down In My 3rd Fave City Philadelphia, PA Bonding W/The Natives There As I Take In A Few Events Over The Course Of The Memorial Day Weekend... Guess U Can Say I'll B Channeling My Inner Benjamin Franklin!?! What A Great City 2 Xplore....

Then Kicking Off 1st Week Of June I'll B Flying Out 2 My 2nd Fave City Las Vegas, NV 2 Get Burnt Up In The Sun, As I Xplore The Grand Canyon, & Deal With The Decadence & Debauchery That Is The New Sodom Of The 21st Century!!! (Gomorrah is Miami & I'll have 2 get back there soon...) So This Is What I Call A Great Stretch Run 2 Kick Off The Summer!!! PHEW!!!

P.S. & Just What R U Doing??? ROFLMAO!!!

aljonessr

Feeling Great 2day!!!

Mood: Wonderful

Music: Marcus Miller "Amandla" A Night In Monte Carlo CD

2day's Message: The Bible tells of a time when Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand with only five loaves and two fish. That day, everyone had more than enough to eat, and there were still twelve baskets full of bread and fish leftover—more than what they started with! We serve a God of abundance! I love that Jesus told the disciples to collect all the leftovers "so that nothing is wasted." With God, nothing is ever wasted. He'll never waste an experience, He'll never waste a hurt, He'll never waste a dream, He'll never waste even a single piece of bread.

If you've felt like you've wasted years of your life in the wrong job, hanging around the wrong people, doing the wrong things, God will gather those years and restore them back to you. He'll take those experiences that the enemy meant for your harm and turn them around for your good. He'll make you stronger, wiser and better off than you were before. He can launch you further into your destiny than before. Be encouraged today because with God all things are possible and nothing is ever wasted! Joel Osteen

I think this is an Xcellent message. So many times we get Xtremely down on ourselves as we think about the "Shudda, Wudda, Cudda!!!" 1 of The Gifts in my life is I have a very short memory, (i plead the 5th on chemical intake during my youth), with mistakes & issues I cannot change in my life... I can't LQQK back, worry about it, or let it impede my FWD progress...

Now imagine that all those opportunities U wasted, all those chances U missed out on, all the time U've squandered will actually B credited back into UR Life Account someway, somehow as a positive & productive event... Talk About "WINNING!!!" Sorry Charlie Sheen..., I couldn't resist & just had 2 snatch that 1 up...

So stop beating Urself up, let things go, & continue the daily incremental process of simply being "The Best U That U Can B!!!" That's how I'm rolling & I'll catch U in the "Winner's Circle" with me... Peace, Love, & Blessings!!!

aljonessr

Facing Adversity 101!!!

Mood: Relaxed
Music: N'dambi "Nobody Jones" CD Pink Elephant

We All Get A Chance In The Fire...,

I have to be honest & say that since Thursday 4PM I've DEFINITELY been that ANGRY BLACK MAN!!! With what I would say are “Justifiable Reasons.” I will celebrate 30 Years of employment with my company in September of this year...

The last 10 years of my career I have been on the Management side of the business. The 1st 7 of those years I was the Supervisor of the State Gas Meter Shop Springfield, the next 2 as a Training & Development Specialist at the Edison Training Center, & last year I was hand-picked to slide into the Materials Management group as an Office Supervisor in Orange Gas...

At no point in my journey have I EVER received anything less than a "Meets Expectations" on my Performance Appraisals. Whether I was a Union or Management employee... This year for the very 1st time in my career I received a "Partially Meets" & I Damn Near Flipped Out!!!

I told my new Manager that this was unbelievable, I could not believe he allowed this to happen to me, & that I was being penalized for issues that have been a problem for over 10 years... Yet now it's my problem to solve & I'm being killed for it... My two employees at that location will tell you that of all the Supervisors they’ve had I was the “ONLY ONE” who even got some of the excess material sent back… That was like a $25,000 reduction in inventory levels… I was FUMING as I sat there listening to the BS!!!

The next day was Friday & I had an all day meeting with our CEO, along with all the Energy Resource Group Diversity Leaders in the company... It took everything in me not to lay my cards on the table & tell him/them what a CROCK OF ISH our entire Performance Management System was... I’ve always expressed it privately, but I knew this WAS NOT the forum to speak those views…

Friday night I performed with my band & that allowed me to use all of that aggression as I laid into the drums beating out primal rhythms... We killed our performance might I add… Saturday morning I had my own Personal Pity Party... This allowed me 2 feel sorry 4 myself, play the woe is me card, & just work on Getting My Mind Right!!! Sunday I was allowed physical exertion as I had my 1st dance lesson for a "Dancing With The Stars" fundraiser I am tapped to perform in... All of those things allowed me some clarity...

Then I saw what I’m using for 2day’s message from Joel Osteen & I knew it was my time for me to take on my albatross, to bear my own cross in order for me to sharpen my own skill sets so I could overcome my own adversity...

Point blank, me & my Manager will not see eye-to-eye again, because I feel like he sold me down the river… But that Will Not affect my relationship to the business & the people I support... You just will not get the INCREDIBLE DYNAMIC & AMAZING AJ!!! U'll get the 150% version rather than the 777% Always On High Beam AJ!!!

2day's Message: Did you know that God has already written out the story of your life? He’s written out plans for your good, plans to prosper you, plans for peace. That doesn’t mean that you won’t go through negative situations. It means that God will use everything you go through to move you forward toward that good plan.

When things happen that we don’t understand, it’s easy to think, “Why did this happen? Why did this friend betray me? Why did this company lay me off? Why didn’t I get that promotion?” But, you can’t let the things you don’t understand keep you stuck on the same page in the story of your life. You have to decide to turn the page so that you can see the victory waiting for you in the next chapter.

If you are facing a difficulty today, know that God’s plan is to turn it around and use it for your good. The story of your life isn’t over! Keep moving forward, keep believing, keep hoping, keep forgiving because your days are written out for good, and it’s time to turn the page and see the blessing He has in store for your life!

MAY UR OWN JOURNEY BE EQUALLY AS DYNAMIC!!!

aljonessr

Adjust UR Sails As We Focus Straight Ahead!!!

Mood: Optimistically Aware
Music: Serato Mixing

Hey It's A New Year & We're Here...,

As January draws 2 a close..., & we’ve had 2 deal with a boatload of snow trying 2 detour our minds… Let's just make sure we're focusing in on the goals we set in order 2 B successful... Don't get complacent this early in the game... U've got 11 months ahead of U in order 2 maximize UR year... Also don’t 4get 2 spoil Urself or treat Urself 2 a lil' sumthin' sumthin' nice... Bcuz U will need 2 stay motivated 2 get off the canvas 2 Do What U Need 2 Do!!!

I live my life by 2day’s message because @ the end of the day I am just a Creative Creature on this planet who’s been given gifts & talents that allow me 2 do xcatly what is stated below… If U really know me…, then U know this is the AJ Blueprint 4 his own life…

I invent, experiment, & grow through the process… I take Incredible Risk (sometimes @ my own detriment), I am a World Class Rule Breaker, & yes I Do Make Mistakes (print this out cause u finally got me admitting it in writing shhhhh…) LOL!!! But the #1 thing I do in my life in spite of ALL my Ups, Downs , Left, Rights, Back, & FWD’s…, IS DEFINITELY HAVE FUN!!!

2day's Message: “Creativity Is Inventing, Experimenting, Growing, Taking Risks, Breaking Rules, Making Mistakes, & Having Fun.” Mary Lou Cook

Bonus Message: This year, I believe, is going to be a year of great harvest for many people. Maybe you’ve been facing some difficulties. Remember, great difficulties lead to great victories.
Maybe you’ve felt like the storms of life have been blowing against you, trying to hold you back. I believe this year that the winds are changing direction, and now they are going to start propelling you forward.

Due season is coming. It’s not time to sit back. It’s not time to let up. It’s time to press forward. It’s time to rise up! Don’t grow weary while doing good. Keep doing good and don’t lose heart because it’s your time, and it’s your season!

By faith begin to declare, “2011 is my year! I’m stepping into a new season. I’m letting go of what didn’t work out. I’m putting on a new attitude and enlarging my vision. I’m going to go into this year with a new fire and greater expectancy. I’m pressing forward to step into my season!” Joel Osteen

aljonessr

M.L. King Day January 17th, 2011

Mood: Reflective
Music: Stevie Wonder "That Girl" Definitive CD Collection

Every year this day comes around I always take a minute to sit back & reflect upon my own life. I LQQK back on my life from the perspective of how much better it has been due to the efforts that Dr. King & other Civil Rights leaders put forth.

I do not work on this day because I want to always honor what this man’s legacy means not just to me…, but to all of Black America!!! Think about it from this perspective… LQQK how many holidays there are across the American calendar… How many of them honor someone who LQQKS like me, went through the struggles I go through, & comes from a place I come from??? Xcatly!!! That alone will make me honor this man…

Before this day became a National Holiday, I was already in take the day off mode. I would take the day off without pay before my company guaranteed you could have it as a Floating Holiday. For me, it was never about the $$$’s, it was about honoring a true American Icon.

Due to the racial climate of Amerikkka during his lifetime, many have worked hard to use his human shortcomings against his legacy. Ms. Coretta Scott King was truly a Queen Under Xtreme Duress!!! Because not only did she lose her husband, her children’s father, & her life partner; but she had to do that whilst people were taking Pot Shots at her husband’s life work…

Although named Martin Luther, NO, he was No Saint!!! But the greatest measure of any human being is in doing a life’s work that is built around bettering the lives of others. The ultimate measure of a human’s life is in giving up your own life inside of that process…

I have often questioned myself & asked myself, would I have been willing to put myself out there on the front lines??? Would I have been willing to get spit upon, yelled at, beat upon, attacked by dogs, drenched by powerful water cannons, shot at, imprisoned in jail, getting house burned, getting it bombed, & my family threatened as I worked closely alongside this Amazing Leader???

My Ego & Strong Personality Say “HELL 2 DA YEAH!!!” That quiet inner voice inside me, questions my own validity & says, “AJ You May Have Just Stood On The Sidelines & Watched The Parade Go By!!!” Honestly I DO NOT KNOW??? But somehow I feel deep down in my bones I would’ve been an active player because of my krazy dominant personality…

So LQQKING back over all this time, I also ask myself how would Dr. King view the progress we’ve made as a Race Of People??? 1^st & foremost I know he would be TOTALLY THRILLED @ the fact Barack Obama is The President Of The United States!!! That would be the one place in his life where he would know he’s made an incredible difference… Xspecially given Barack’s MLK like oratory presence… Our President is truly an eloquent speaker coming after the heels of the fumbling, bumbling, George Bush. No disrespect to Bush, it just wasn’t his strong suit…

Now on the State Of Black America & it’s Urban Xsistance…, I think he would be disappointed. We’ve done a HORRIBLE JOB in passing the torch of Civil Rights education down to the next generation. We’ve allowed basic human decency & self respect to sink to levels that pain me… We’ve allowed mediocrity to become the norm & have shunned Xcellence & Education…

Harlem is damn near white, Da Hood (even B4 this devastating recession) is becoming worse battle zones than ever, & where is that next incredible galvanizing Black Leader on the scene who can reach our people to help us get back to the business of a Great & Rich People??? We can’t put it all on Barack’s shoulders… He needs H-E-L-P!!!

My charge to each one of us is what are we doing to continue Dr. Martin Luther King’s incredible work??? I would ask you to pick one thing & work on that as your platform. My work is around the next generation & doing things to help them reach their potential.

I’ve done Celebrity Reading, mentoring, & aligned myself with various organizations that allow me the chance to share the GOOD THINGS I’ve learned along the way so they won’t have to make the mistakes I did growing into an adult. That’s my way of trying to affect Positive Change into the next generation as I provide a bridge between our past history & their uncharted futures.

2day I give thanks to an incredible man, a preacher with a gift of voice, & a vision of equality that paved the way for me to be considered an American in this great country we call America. I’m not 1/5 human, I’m not a slave, or a boy… I am a man who is standing on the shoulders of the Giants B4 me… I appreciate all you’ve done for me as I promise to continue passing your words & wisdom on for the rest of my life… Peace, Blessings, & Love!!!

The Bro J!!!