User blog posts with the category "Lifestyle"

Proposition 8 and Civil Rights

November 17, 2008

I had said that after the election that I would educate myself more on the Proposition 8 amendment that passed in California and Utah (whcih I understand was a clear majority in that state).  From what I gather, in California in particular, over 75% of African Americans supported the proposition, which bans same sex marriage.  It is interesting that the term civil rights and African American, at least in my mind, are synonyms, but we are willing to infringe on the rights of a group that feels they should have the same kind of rights afforded to them.  Don't get me wrong, I am not sure myself how I feel about this issue.  I am not certain that I think that what you do in the bedroom, between consenting adults, should somehow translate into a civil rights issue, but I still find it curious that a majority of Blacks in a certain region object to the issue.  I don't know what to think. 

2 response(s) | Make a commentBy cbmw


Do they love the human being??

November 17, 2008

I have been very fortunate in my career.  Through hard work, dedication, intelligence, skill and a lot of luck, I have been able to move up the ladder quickly.  It has been exciting and afforded me the opportunity to interact with a lot of people who I have admired and dreamt about meeting.  Never did I think I would be able to sit in meetings and exchange ideas and give my opinions to these people.  It has also allowed me to come to know people who I respected from afar only to meet and learn that my respect wasn't earned and should have never been bestowed upon such repulsive people.

 

Meeting people who seemed highly successful, but were lacking in many human qualities has been a learning experience.  It has taught me that success is not about the quantity that a man has, but the quality of the man.  My position, wealth, accomplishments, and so forth all could contribute to a following or a level of respect, but the question is whether when all of those 'things' are stripped away will those people still be around, will they still respect?

 

To this day I still say thank you to people at work.  I know it’s their job.  I know it’s a part of their job description.  I know they are my subordinate.  I know they are my boss, but at the end of the day, I am still respectful of the people and know that we all juggle multiple things at work.  A simple thank you will go a long way to move my needs to the top of the list. 

 

It’s never about the position, the fear, or the money but rather it’s all about the person.  I want people to respect the human being, not the title.  If I am not respected because of the quality of my life and the character within, then I do not have true respect.  Ultimately if that's the case, I have failed as a person.  So my goal is to have respect as a human being and if I am not succeeding, I hope my friends and family take the time to inform me.  So my new addition to my goal list is to be loved as the human being.

No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason


What's With The Haterade??

November 12, 2008

I have a question.  When did being a "fan" of something become sooooo taboo?  I am a fan of pretty much anything and everything.  I have a lot of passion towards a multitude of things and I take my interests very seriously - I mean I love Gossip Girl so of course I would support the show and announce to the world I love it by representing it in T-Shirt form.  I've always been like this.  I love me some merch of my favorite things!!

However, as I have gotten older being a fan is considered juvenile and pathetic.  I feel that is crap.  The passion, excitement and love I have for things is what keeps me youthful and happy in life rather than lame and miserable like many old folks become!  What's SO wrong about having a cup with your favorite TV characters or hanging a picture of your favorite band?  It's not hurting anyone is it??? (Ok, maybe my Michael Phelps shirtless pictures could be toned down a bit, but it motivates me each day to work out - phew, good save, I was NOT looking forward to taking those down!)

I work at a music label and you should see the looks and comments I hear about me loving an artist.  First of all, EVERYONE loves Justin Timberlake.  I don't care who you are, male/female, old/young, white/black, dead or alive, you love JT.  However, being a fan of him causes controversy!  Same goes for all the artists on my label.  What people don't realize is that my dream since I was very young was to work for a record label.  SOOOO if I get excited over hearing the newest track or see an exclusive image of one of my faves before it hits the web, I should be able to do so freely, but we always have to act like we don't care.  

We all started in this field because we loved music - whether it be playing it, listening, showing, etc.  I'd love for someone to tell me they got into the business for the "business" side.  As we grow older and see how NOT glamorous it is, we tend to be "over it" a lot quicker than we'd imagine.  Believe me, I can be just as much of a hater as an appreciator. 

This turned into a venting session that I wasn't planning, but bottom line, keepin it real, you have to love yourself, things and than money (Suze Orman style - JK got distracted)...You have to love things in order to have passion and I don't see myself changing nor would I want to.....

I want you all to go and put on your favorite record, wear your favorite fan T-shirt, buy some of your favorite merch and be PROUD of it!  Remember you're NOT famous, but you WANT to be, so be a FAN.  It's not a bad thing!!!

No responses yet | Make a commentBy EDub


Proposition 8 in California

November 1, 2008

I confess that I have been obsessed with the presidential campaign and know little about Proposition 8 that will be voted on by Californians next week.  From my understanding, a "yes" to the proposition means that you are in favor of banning same sex marriage.  it is also my understanding that the proposition will probably pass.  I am curious that California, of all places, would support a referendum.  Aren't they one of the most liberal staes in the U.S.?  The most tolerant?  What is going on there that the ban is supported?  Hopefully after Tuesday, I will get a better sense of what that was all about.  In the mean time...things that make you go huuummmm.

No responses yet | Make a commentBy cbmw


Recently, I was in Atlanta on business.  I frequent the city quite often because there are a lot of musicians living there now.  So as a part of my job I have to go down there and work with different artists.  There is a very popular chain in the South called Waffle House.  It is basically a grease spoon similar to the diners of Jersey.  But you always know what you are going to get and it is fairly quick.  So recently I happen to go in for an order to feed 6 people.  Nothing too expensive but the bill was around $37.  I find that if the waiter/waitress is semi-pleasant and quick with my order I will usually give a 20% tip. 

A 20% tip has actually become quite regular for me.  I think I will have to change that though, because most of the time these restaurants don't have the service that deserves 20%.  I mean, a tip is for the service, not the food.  Anyway, I say all of this to say, that since the bill was $37, I found myself giving the woman a tip of $6.  After she seen me writing on the credit card slip, the amount of the tip, she began saying how grateful she was of me and how nice I was to give her such a nice tip.  She then began to tell her fellow co-workers, I am so glad that I didn't cash out my tips yet. 

We also had conversations about my blackberry and phone, while she explained to her co-worker that the blackberry was like having a computer.  First, let me say, I wife and I began typing away on our 2-way pagers as we began our relationship so from there we moved on to a blackberry.  I remember getting a blackberry from Nextel for free in 2003 and selling it to a friend for $100, because I had no idea what to do with it.  Little did I know, I should have invested in the stock.  Anyway, to give a $6 tip wasn't even a thought; it wasn't anything but a reaction to the number 3, in $37.  I just simply double that first number for a tip.

While for this woman, I had just made an impact on her.  I had just been so generous.  I had just given her a "big" tip.  Obviously we are in two different financial places in our life, but it doesn't mean that she does not have the same dreams as me.  I have been very fortunate.  Don't get me wrong, I have worked hard for what I have accomplished and always tried to do better for myself and my family.  But this woman reminded me that I have to be grateful for all that I have and that I am capable of attaining in the future.

Some days it is hard.   You turn on the news and all you hear about is the bailout, the Dow dropping, and the impact on the housing market.  All which I have a huge interest in as I own a home, have money invested in the market and am concerned about what kind of tax breaks I will receive with this new plan.  I doubt any of this is what that woman at Waffle House is concerned about, as she probably has other worries; worries that I am fortunate enough not to have at this time. 

Some days it is hard.  Some days my wife and I are very concerned about money.  Some days I am unsure.  But I will remember that $6 difference I gave and how, even though I might believe it to be hard, it can be much worst.  I am reminded of how much I do have and will use that as my barometer of hard.  Not just because I want more.  Wanting more isn't hard; not having and needing is the HARD.  Luckily I can say, all I want is More.  I have all I ‘need’.

1 response(s) | Make a commentBy Jason


Being Black in America

July 23, 2008

So last night was a night to remember. I went to six clubs, saw a crazy Heavy Metal show that gave new meaning to a Great concert and stage performance, saw an R&B show, was in close proximity to a shooting (hate saying involved or saw) and came home extremely late, only to begin watching tv, because my mind couldn't completely grasp everything that happened to me during the night. It was like a movie, but it was real events happening to me.

I will start by giving you a dry run down of the events that took place. I left work at 7pm and went directly to an "after work set" to meet up with my previous boss and a friend of mine. We left there and went to a Rock concert at another club around 9pm. We left there around 10pm to see an R&B concert at another club. We left that club around 10:30pm and went to another club. We decided that we had enough of that club, went to another one, only to leave there around 2:30 and then arrive at our last club for the night. Finally I was home about 4:30am. What a NIGHT!!!

By most standards that is a crazy night, but the devil is in the details. At the Rock concert, first I have to explain that it was a HEAVY METAL concert and it was a great experience. The lighting and staging was especially well done. The instrumentation was great and everyone played their part bringing together a sound that I usually wouldn't purchase, but it was a site to see. I was pleasantly pleased and as I was leaving, I saw a lot of music industry veterans that I knew. They were shocked to see me and the people I was with at the Rock event. There was even a statement that "we were the only Black people there." Now there is nothing truly offensive about the circumstances, because it was true, I think I counted 4 other black people total in the entire building. (Note to people who don’t give Rock a chance, so far I have seen 3 heavy metal shows and trust me, they are something to see at least once. I will go back and see a show. The group I saw was “Shinedown”.

My issue comes in that there are numerous white people who work rap/urban projects in music, but there are not many minorities working Rock. I have even heard some people say they don't listen to "certain" music they work, but they are still working it, because they understand the job and how to reach a demographic. Well why is it that the gatekeepers in the industry feel that minorities can only work "minority" focused projects? If I am a marketer, shouldn't I be able to market anything? It's always amazing how many white people are in a meeting about the new "street" project, but when it comes to Rock, if anyone other than a white person gives a suggestion it is seen as a remedial comment?

Well that was one of my first issues that kept me up thinking as I got home at an ungodly hour that should have sent me straight to bed. The second was that at the R&B concert, I was in the club, which is pretty small, when a shooting broke out. Let’s start with the following, the artist I came to see got off the stage, after talking briefly, he started walking towards a disruption. I realized I saw the guys involved in the dispute, when they came into the club and I had felt then that they weren't up to anything good. Then when I saw the pushing, I tried to grab the artist to follow me as I began to run for the exit. I reached the door only to hear the gun shot. I quickly ran outside, ducked behind a wall and waited a couple of minutes, finally reached the artist to make sure he was okay, then rejoined my friends (they had already left to grab something to eat) and we simply drove off to our next destination.

Even though, the entire gun situation is wrong, my issue came with myself. At no time did I feel like, "oh my god I was almost killed." Rather, I felt, "I knew this would happen when I saw the guys. Oh well, time to move on to the next destination." No other feeling came over me. I just rolled with it and kept it moving. A feeling came over me later when I got home that I was crazy for not being scared, nervous or unsure. I just knew what was in store and kept my eyes open for any disturbance to follow because I knew there would be some gun play. Something’s wrong with that kind of thinking. I am not sure if it is because of the industry I work in or just the perception I have from being in certain situations. Why didn't I become scared? Why did violence like that, which was so close, not affect me and cause me to go home and reflect?

At the end of the night, I just sat for a minute and could not believe the night I had been involved in. Mind you, I don't drink so there is an added adventure of watching people as they get drunker. Either way, it doesn't matter what's your status or your intentions, there is always something. I am just wondering, why? Does it have to do with race or choices? I don't have the answers, but I definitely will think about last night for quite some time.

2 response(s) | Make a commentBy Jason


Going the Extra Mile

July 7, 2008

The below story from CNN is a true testament of going the extra mile.  Do you think they are crazy or making the necessary sacrafices to make this world a better place?

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/07/02/hunger.house/index.html

No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason


Well write your own dictionary
-The Great Debaters, Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington's character)

Unfortunately, there was a movie that many people didn't see, "The Great Debaters.". It was well written, the direction was excellent and the young cast did a marvelous job at giving the characters depth. Overall it was an excellent movie, and it gave me a great idea; I will write my own dictionary.

I am not going to literally write my own dictionary, I mean that would be completely insane. Knowing me, I would probably misspell the words that I create. Rather I plan on creating my own definition of self and my presence in this world. I am going to create my own Jasonpedia. Everyday I will wake up and add a new page to my dictionary.

I doubt I will ever finish my dictionary, but it will be fun to create. It starts with my personal thought process and defining how I truly have come to understand and how I analyze life. It comes with a dose of reality and revisions that my family and friends will constantly provide for me. It will continue with insight that will be granted to me from the people and things around me. It will be my own dictionary; my own definition of fulfillment, responsibility, commitment, and analysis.

Everyday I will create my dictionary with the goal of making a perfect me. Not perfect in someone else's eyes, but rather the perfect that Mary J sings about, "I like what I see, when I'm looking at me, when I'm walking past the mirror".

No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason


News & Entertainment

Get RSS

IPhone update includes better Maps - San Francisco Chronicle

New York TimesIPhone update includes better MapsSan Francisco Chronicle - 24 minutes agoThe latest iPh…

Franken Campaign Claims It's Closing In on Coleman - FOXNews

FOXNewsFranken Campaign Claims It's Closing In on ColemanFOXNews - 24 minutes agoAl Franken's …

Downey Seized, Sold to US Bancorp as Mortgage Fallout Spreads - Bloomberg

Los Angeles TimesDowney Seized, Sold to US Bancorp as Mortgage Fallout SpreadsBloomberg - 25 minutes a…

Citigroup Shares Keep Sinking - BusinessWeek

New York TimesCitigroup Shares Keep SinkingBusinessWeek - 26 minutes agoBy Mara Der Hovanesian Citigro…

For Exiting Wal-Mart CEO, a Victory Lap - BusinessWeek

Washington PostFor Exiting Wal-Mart CEO, a Victory LapBusinessWeek - 26 minutes agoBy Christopher Palm…

A VIEWER"S GUIDE TO THE DAY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Hurdle for Texas Tech - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Washington PostA VIEWER"S GUIDE TO THE DAY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Hurdle for Texas TechAtlanta Journal Consti…

Sound Off

Will Governor Palin appoint herself to the Senate?

Please login or sign-up to vote.

Yes, she wants to be involved in National politics : 25%
No, she is happy as governor : 0%
No, but she will run for President in 2012 : 75%
Who cares : 0%
Total votes: 4
More Soundoffs