Will It Ever End?

My son's as you all know, have different fathers. I believe I may have also commented on the fact that although neither of them led a life that would characterize them as "upstanding citizens," but my younger son (Little D)'s father has, for the most part been BOTH their fathers. And although both of them have their shortcomings, I have (of course while holding my breath) been receiving child support for the past 3 years+, and regardless of Little W's father's random disappear acts, he finds comfort in knowing that Big D loves the both of them just the same...I digress.

Big D's past which includes several arrests, time in County, and time in the Penitentiary is not one he is proud of. And a few years ago when he and I decided to "give it another try," he had an epiphany---since that day, he has been working the SAME job (WITH benefits), has gotten his license, bought himself a car, and actually pays bills! Even though (and I blogged about this) he was with my friend of 13 years before I could even settle in Kentucky, I have to hand it to him...he has been doing quite well for himself...until this most disturbing recent chain of events.

Quite frequently, after his 2nd shift day ends at work, he and others from work who are members at a "private (for the purposes of avoiding the smoking ban) bar" head over there. They play pool, have an after work drink and just shoot the shit. Well, this day in particular, Big D happened to be the minority...in fact, the ONLY minority in the bar. Other patrons decided he was too loud, so a spat began. The spat turned into EVERYONE in the bar jumping him, and his friend who was with him (and tried to help him) was forced out, the door was locked, and the ass whipping commenced.

Shortly after Big D could no longer see, his face was all bloody, and his eye was swollen shut, the basic instincts of survival kicked in, and he pulled out a pocket knife and waved it frantically---blindly. 2 men were stabbed a total of 6 times, one in the armpit and I believe in the side, the other 3 times in the back, and once in the stomach. When everyone realized he had a knife, he was able to shake loose, unlock the door, and run...but by that time, the police arrived...he was arrested.

Of course the media being the fantastic, and most honest and objective people that they are printed an article in the local paper clearly stating nothing but "factual" information, all the way down mentioning that one of the "victim's" intestines were exposed. The information also included the "fact" that Big D was arrested facing 2 charges of felonious assault, the picture of his beaten and battered face was put in there (he was barely recognizable)---there was however no mention of the fight...other than it being those 2 men of course---there also were no statements made; there has been no follow up article---and no mention that Big D has been in the hospital twice.

I am one who most often gets upset when people make things about race, so I had to ask myself...what was this really about? If the majority had been the minority in this instance would others have been arrested? What do you all think?

Yet Another Meme...

Since I am sitting here waiting for roadside assistance, I decided to go ahead and kill time by doing this. My car has been running since 7:30 a.m. since these fancy ass new cars automatically lock when you shut the door I guess (and the other doors are/were frozen and locked too). In my frantic frenzy, I didn't think to call the insurance company FIRST before my dozens of friends and the car dealership, so now I wait...but I digress.

The Rules

1. Post these rules before presenting your list.

2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.

3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.

4. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names.

5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.

6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.

1. Uh, did it.

2. Acquire at least one good friend who will be there for you through thick and thin. Graduate from high school AND enroll in post-secondary education be it college, or some kind of trade school. Set at least 3 attainable goals for your life which encompass career, financial stability, and family. Do a deed for someone or your community---from the heart. Own something---whether it be a DVD player, or stereo...preferably a car...but have something to call your own. Lastly, make a mistake.

3. Great to know.

4. Since everyone has been tagged, I guess this does not apply...wait, Kofi were you tagged?

5. If you haven't been, have at it! I know you will have a great list of 6!!!

6. Will do!

Hodge Podge VI

Since the New Year has come in, I have hoped for brighter days and new beginnings. I am finding that this is certainly not the case in all aspects of my life, so I am going to give you a bit of the bitter mixed with a little of the sweet....

Income Tax time pisses the shit out of me! You have thousands of people rushing about to pay nearly $500 for a rapid refund on their loaded EITC checks (haven't seen one of those in YEARS...I think because I am over the limit by like $3.04 or something) so that they can go buy lemons that will break down on them in a month, rent furniture that will be repossessed by spring, and splurge on clothes and shoes for their kids that will fit for an average of 3 months!

D gets to go and race his Pinewood Derby car that he designed, crafted and painted for the District Title!!! He won first place in the race for the Bear Scouts division! Yay D!

I think W is tired of his saxophone. Totally in alignment with my better judgment I forbade him playing the flute, and this sax doesn't seem to really move him. I would really like him to give it longer than 6 months before quitting, so I am going to have to come up with a plan...stay tuned.

Remember I had to buy a car on December 8th as a result of totaling my car...which would have been paid off in June??? Well, there was a huge dent...okay maybe a ding, but the prior makes it much more intense...put in my driver door compliments of the BASTARDS who park in the garage where I work! That really makes my ass hurt!

I've been getting headaches lately, so my doctor gave me some happy pills because she thinks that they are migraines. I HATE to take stuff. I mean although I am a connoisseur of many alcoholic beverages, and have dibbled and dabbled with herbal refreshments a day or two in my life, that's as far as it goes for the mind altering substances for me. But one day last week, my temples were about to EXPLODE! So, against my better judgment, I took the shit...and MAN! All I have to say is why on earth would people be paying $20+ for the shit on the street, when they can get some legal stuff OTC?!

I have to drive home this weekend for not one, not two, but THREE baby showers (including Nina's), AND my sister's 8th birthday celebration!!! So as I fret about the weather, with gifts in tow for my 5 1/2 hour journey, you all enjoy your weekend and come back with a plethora of exciting news to share!

Prejudice Exposed

I am fired up about this, and I just can't seem to let it go! I just had the most horrible customer service with a supposedly reputable company which for the sake of ruining their reputation and making people think twice about using their services, I won't mention their name...AOL!

Here's the story...I have an account that I keep open and only leave a couple of dollars in at home. Mainly in case of emergency, but also so that my mother and family can deposit their usuall birthday or Christmas cash for the boys with ease since they bank there as well. It was also the first account I ever opened, so I am somewhat emotionally attached to it...but I digress.

My sister just started college and needed Internet access, but the phone company could not install DSL for a few weeks, so she decided to use the "free" AOL account in the interim. I allowed her to use the debit card from the aforementioned account to set up the account since she only needed it for 12 days on the "free" trial.

My sister is very detail oriented, so she spoke to 3 different reps who ASSURED her that the card wouldn't be charged and they only needed the number on file in case she went over the minutes. She also wrote down the confirmation number after she closed the account and was assured by 2 additional reps that NO CHARGES WOULD BE MADE TO THE ACCOUNT.

I received my bank statement, and lo and behold, not only is there a $9.95 fee, but of course an overdraft fee of $33.00!!! So OF COURSE, I immediately got on the phone to see what the hell happened. After about 11 reps, 4 supervisors, AND a letter to the Manager of Billing Operations & Services, of course I get the $9.95 back, but they don't give a DAMN about the overdraft fee they created!

And you see, my gripe isn't about the fee, because I'm sure my bank will reverse it, but there is a principle in this matter which I tried to communicate, and do you know that when their...well..."could not speak English-well"ians...who couldn't understand what I was saying and/follow my line of thought, they hung up on me? EACH ONE!!! I was also highly frustrated because for one, they have long wait times and a ridiculous voice activated promt, secondly becaus I had to keep asking them to repeat themselves because I didn't know what they were saying either!!!

So I had to pause for a moment yesterday after I asked, "Do you have ANY reps and or superivisors in the United States, and how do I reach them?!?!" Tera, that is not right!

Blogland?

Go Shawty...It's Ya Birthday!

Hello Blogland...today, February 2, 2008 is the day that my mother celebrates 8 YEARS of SOBRIETY!!! I am VERY proud of her and pray that the good Lord keeps her on this path for the rest of her life.

This is (TRULY) the day that the Lord has made... let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24