"In a perfect world we would live like the 'Cleavers'. Instead because of all the imperfections, I believe it’s seasoned us to be the beautiful, strong, intelligent and at times dysfunctional people that we are!"
~ Michelle Brown
“… your faith as well as your existence really lies within you and your relationship to God”
- MizRepresent
Conversations via Technology VS Conversations via Phone
♬ People don’t talk no more ♫ all they do is this ♪ all they do is this …
Textersations, e-mails, blog posts and social media sites are the new Moto M900’s.
I know smart people and they will argue that a phone could be considered technology. Sit ya’ll smart asses down. Ya’ll make me cuss. Please ASSume that I’m referring to traditional vs written.
Conversations are interactive, extemporaneous exchanges of thoughts and feelings between folk(s). Mr.TramueL is neither a proponent or opponent for either; the pros can be cons, cons can be pros. Science is true, don’t be misled by facts.
Technology
Multiplicity of conversation(s): Emailing your co-worker, on g-chat with your boo, texting your ex, messenger with your sweetie, Tweet’s about the cold sore on your lip, photo’s on Facebook of your freshly painted toe(s). Ya’ll already know how I feel about feet. Ladies, inbox me!
Spontaneous: With respect to Twitter, Facebook, BBM & now LiveProfile, depending on the number of friends or followers your conversational partners are endless. Smashing random folk through tech is a lot safer than smashing random folk in real life. Tech responsibly my friends.
Rules: Don’t apply. They are contextual, they apply in certain situations and not in others. I’m … my age isn’t important, but I won’t curse in front of my mom but I can text the F word while she is sitting right next to me.
Phone
Protect Privacy: Mr.TramueL has recently become green, while trying to save some green I’ve become a frequent rider of CATS, no not that! Ya’ll are so nasty! Charlotte Area Transit Authority & nothing is more important than the ability to move a conversation to a private area. I mean not everyone needs to know the result of your stool sample.
Structure: A beginning, middle and an end. Have you ever had a conversation on a Social Media site were you respond and eagerly await a reply to your rather witty response? How did that make you feel? Sad, I know. No words hurt, abrupt departures can hurt. While using the phone, unless you are using an iPhone on A T & T-Mobile & your call is dropped, there is usually a formal close to spare your fragile ego.
Engagement: You can not detect mood, tone or inflection through technology.Voicetime allows you to demonstrate understanding. It also allows you to maintain coherence. You know what I’m talking about, we all have that friend that rambles on with messages all over the place while texting, communication should be relevant to the previous message. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that friend is you.
What ya’ll got? Any pros or cons to Teching VS Calling?
Mr. “These are my fingers, this is my phone … I use these for pleasure, I use this for fun” TramueL
Oh! Introducing my new closing, shout out to September ‘cause I stole it from her …
I love Blogging you!
" Today's word is ANOTHER. You are successful but have you helped someone else up the ladder with you? Is there someone you could mentor? Find time to help another ... "
~Leslie Tramuel
A Thought About Happiness & Love
... apply separately or together.
Sometimes we don’t believe we are deserving of happiness & or love. Subconsciously we attempt to block, make excuses for and deny ourselves the opportunity to be great. Don't allow all of the "injustice collecting" you've done over the years to block you from happiness or love. 'Injustice collectors use their powers of mind to conjure up different ways to feel offended, cheated, or otherwise victimized'
Be Great.
A Thought About Complaining & Faith
Sometimes I complain about my present place of employment and the nature of what I do. GOD is infinitely creative at providing us opportunities as lessons.
Most of my day is spent fielding questions & listening to folk vent & complain about my place of employment and the nature of what I do. Irony. Today presented an opportunity and a lesson about faith. I spoke with a woman who has experienced every hardship imaginable but told an incredible story of unyielding Faith & how GOD saw her through.
He Said, She Said ...
"A Christian must keep the faith, but not to himself"
~Some Random Dude or Dudette
Mr. TramueL
"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."
~S.D. Gordon
M.Dolphus Avatar
The Touchy, Feely Moment
Lil’ Mr.TramueL “ Hey Dad, What you doing?”
Mr.TramueL “Nothing, “ Talking to you, What you doing?”
Lil’ Mr.TramueL “Nothing, Talking to you”
Mr.TramueL “How was school?”
Lil’ Mr.TramueL “Dad! We’re on Spring break!”
Mr.TramueL “I know, I was just messing with you 0_0”
My days run together, don’t judge me
… That conversation would continue for another twenty minutes until something on the t.v. caught his attention or until he became bored with me so let’s end it there. The significance of the conversation comes when I discoverer all of the conveniences, sacrifices and all around concern his mother displayed for the kids this week. It is not significant because I observed it, but because it goes without saying everyday, three-sixty-five. The love she exudes for her children is amazing. Shout out to my mom, your mom, baby mama’s, my sister’s, future mama’s and to all of you women reading this post. There is no substitute for you.
The Lesson
The photo above is a pretty accurate depiction of the ex in looks and gifts. Well the hips are a little smaller in the picture but I digress. She is a classically trained lyric soprano but owns and operates her own business working with disadvantage youth.
The last sentence is relative to the conversations, discussions, textersations, blog post, blog comments & thoughts I’ve had this week concerning purpose, vocation & listening for the voice that calls you.
He Said, She Said … Vision
“Don’t let YOUR vision stand in the way of GOD’S dream”
Mr.TramueL
"And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy." ~ Khalil Gibran
Destroy: To render ineffective or useless; nullify; neutralize; invalidate.
Rebuild: To re:place, re:strengthen, or re:inforce.
With excitement and enthusiasm we all look to conquer the task at hand. Whether it is something in our personal lives; weight loss, repainting our bedrooms, rebuilding our relationships {Immediate & Extended} or the eco system surrounding our lives; education reform, neighborhood revitalization, green living, alternative fuel and even more specific for me, world domination. We are ultimately faced with a challenge and it can be summed up with one word ... bureaucracy.
The amount of work might be the same, however bureaucracy makes both sides of the "VS" equal. Science.
Science is true, don't be mislead by facts.
Mr. "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT out to get you" TramueL
♬ You lookin' for an answer ♫ Searchin' for somethin' better ♪ You don't have to look further ♬ I'll put you back together ♫ Got that S on my chest ♪ Now you don't have to stress ♬ I'll fly ya away … ♫
"Oh Lisa's calling cuz she wants some sweet midnight chit chat" ...
The Intro
Waiting for Superman provides an inconvenient truth that exposes the inadequacies of the public education system. The documentary should be taken as an opportunity to open up important dialogue about our future, your children(s) future and hopefully spark a thought, a thought that will ignite a fire, a fire that causes us to leap into action.
Put an S on ya’ chest.
The Outro
I know you have seen, heard or witnessed me and my {in}famous saying “I need a she” … Lisa challenged dared me to write about it. She has transformed my thought process. No longer am I searching for a “she” I am now seeking a Superhero, one with ample bust girth to affix an S on her chest and can do this …
♬ I can leap hills and bounds ♫ I can move a mountain ♪ I can carry us over ♬ Put your hurt on my shoulder♫ I'm no woman I'm steel ♪ My love gives strength to heal ♬ Let me rescue you baby♫ Let me save the day ♪
Mr.TramueL’s Corollary: Don’t hold back, great things are possible. Give yourself to the experience.
Mr. “Obey.Love.Serve.Excel!” TramueL
"You ever get the feeling you won't have any peace until you fulfill your purpose in life?"
- The Beautiful and Talented Dr.Kari
"Ever feel like your whole life is a dream? Like when you wake up you are just entering another dream? The face in the mirror is changing daily and it's finally hit me that I'm older."
~ September
[slideshow] "Just because you are aware, doesn't mean you care."
~ Mr.TramueL
"What were lacking the most is living for others. Most of us want someone to give us something, add something to our lives ... We don't have NEW great leaders anymore because most of us don't understand what a movement is. Don't be a hype, be a movement! Put others first, your immediate family doesn’t count!"
- Darren Vincent
Human Resource, Policies & Procedures, Code of Ethics, Employment At Will & Brown-nosing … office politics. It is not necessary to run for a public office to be immersed in politics. Politics by definition refers to the process and method of decision-making. Awww, that’s nice but I graciously decline your definition Mr. Webster, sir. Politics is about power; the ability to impose ones will on another.
I’ve given thought to and observed behaviors on my current cubical farm that closely match that of brown-nosing. I write closely because I don’t like all of the connotations associated with the phrase. I don’t know if you should list your ability to compliment and fawn as a transferable skill on a resume nor do I believe it would be a desired trait, however flattery is powerful. We've all used flattery for some sort of personal gain. Imagine the dynamics of your current relationship, sucking up to the love of your life because they hold the power to give you what you want or to make your life hell. Extreme? Yes, but only to make a point that most of you seek ways to gain favor with those who have or hold some form of power. To quote the intricate teachings of the honorable Mr. West “No W{o}{ne}Man should have all that power.” No One, No Woman & No Man should have all that power.
The Point
I believe in improving working relationships with peers and management. In order to get things done and to advance you may have to actively participate in office politics. There is a difference however in brown-nosing and providing positive feedback.
Be Real.
Brown-nosing is not real or authentic, it becomes self-serving an obvious after a point. I am not a member of The Institute for Workplace Studies but I have applied fifty times so that makes me an expert … by default, Science. So listen to me now and believe me later. You can be successful by using the transferable skills you copied from your friends resume. You know; Effective communicator, Strong interpersonal, Ability to build collaborative relationships & Self confidence. The last skill is probably were it gets gray for most. While you live & breathe positivity you don’t want to come across as someone who is too aggressive, on the back hand side you shouldn’t play the Herb by being too afraid of being seen. It is a delicate duality, find balance. The best way to achieve this is to Be Real. We See You. Stroke folk when they do something you genuinely appreciate, or when they create and implement great ideas. Do not stroke them because you believe it will gain you favor.
CounterPoint
My motto has been “Pay Me, Don’t Stroke Me” … I believe my performance should speak for itself. I don’t believe my ability to bullshit should be the basis for anything. My work ethic along with real competencies; Fostering teamwork, Managing change {‘cause isht changes every week}, Customer orientation, Forward thinking, Conceptual thinking & Managing performance should be seen, I mean I’m monitored for everything else. What it all confirms for me is that I am not built for indentured servitude. We need our own.
Mr. “Get Out Of My Nose Trying To Be The Booger Man” TramueL
"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
~Langston Hughes
The SetUp: “She” ~ Our connection is non romantic, there is no attraction even though “she” is highly attractive. I want to preface my next statement by writing that no one has been inside my home since I’ve moved, with the exception of my kids. All of that to say that it is not common for me to ask someone to come over unless they plan on coming'. “She” stopped by briefly to pick up her machine, I installed some software and set up DNS settings for her to use Google Apps with her domain. Wait, that reads funny, I see the words ... but in my head it translates as technical code for sex. "I inserted my software into her hard drive & updated her virtual memory."
The Breakdown: “She” and I communicate(d) in small burst via sms or very short phone conversations, my incessant need to make small talk to avoid dead air led to small discoveries about her personality, as I’m sure she was able to make small discoveries about me. Our most common theme: Astrology, naturally this leads to the question … “What’s your sign?” I have no doubt that after I informed her that I was born on the Cusp of Virgo & Libra that she raced home to learn all she could about the incredible Virgo man or maybe she had previous experiences to draw on. Get like us.
In an effort to keep these “He said, She Said” post short, here are her first words after she entered. I felt conflicted, then amused. Insulted, then complimented ... I think.
“It’s extremely rare to find a stereotypical nit-picky, exacting, "clean freak" in modern-day Virgos.”
~ She
"It's amazing how we sacrifice truth for convenience."
~ Leon Timbo
Vulnerable
Susceptible to physical or emotional injury. Liable to succumb, as to persuasion or temptation.
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way; stable. Assured; certain. Free from fear or doubt.
We are all vulnerable, We all must also be secure. A note for you & you, you(s) know who you are.
Photo Credit: "Rule of Thirds" © chris linscott
“The Stuff Of Legends"
By Lena J. Hopkins-Jackson
Before you attend a concert of ANY rock-star around long enough to live up to the term ‘legend’; you MUST realize a few things:1# They are NOT going to do every song in their music catalog, so-get-over-it and enjoy! 2#. Their fans probably resemble every, breathing thing walking the earth; as ubiquitous as water and as unique as finger-prints so the crowd itself is part of the experience!3#...and finally, whether it’s your 1st time or 100th time seeing said performer, ‘Nothing-Compares-To-A-LIVE-show”…especially with an artist who KNOWS how to give the fans their money’s worth ! With that said, I had an abso-freaking-lutely, great time at the Prince concert on Thursday March 24, 2011 in Charlotte, NC….and I recommend ALL fans , especially those who have never seen “His-Royal-Badness” in concert to see him now while he’s still in the prime of his twilight years as a performer.
Here’s why….
Well, the actual festivities began for me @ 5:45 (ahead of the 7:30 ‘shed-yule’) while still waiting in line to get into the “Time Warner Cable” arena. My dear, friend Chauncey who graciously bought both of our tickets the day they came out wanted to get there early AND she was convinced other Prince-fans would be practically sleeping outside the joint and lined-up for miles. I assured her that this was Charlotte, not Manhattan or LA, and our city is a walk-up market so folks would be buying tickets the day of and mosey-ing-on in leisurely-like.( one lady scrambled into her seat 15 minutes AFTER Prince opened…nachos & beer in tow because that’s what REALLY matters after buying $100 and-up tickets, riiiiight?) So after chatting-it up with everyone in our line within a three foot radius and snapping endless photos like European tourists; we hurried to our seats to wait for Charlotte’s own Anthony Hamilton to open the show!
The man did NOT disappoint either: clad in a dark blazer, crisp, white shirt with tie and blue-jeans (as well as his band) Anthony and his background singers resembled a sepia-version of Billy Joel mixed with some ‘Southern-Funk & Soul’. He performed with REAL musicians and his own trademark, church-choir, REAL singing pipes ( an anomaly now-a-days it seems) The crowd showed mad-love, especially his fans but to be honest I knew that as much as some of us enjoyed Mr. Hamilton’s set, there were still others who clapped the loudest AFTER he left the stage. Don’t-get-it-twisted: he was great but the die-hards were there to see “The legend”, who cares who opens?
Still, Anthony did his city proud; kudos and props to him!
After a mercifully quick, break & switch-up in sets the moment we were all waiting for…”His-Royal-Badness” took to the stage! We heard Prince before we saw him as he greeted us with a “Hello-ooo Charlotte!” and the unmistakable guitar rift from “When Doves Cry”! The audience responded with near-deafening applause and screams of ‘Iiiii-Ooooo-WAaahhh” and other indistinguishable, yelps of pleasure! Dressed in signature purple and black (the 1st of about four, dazzling costume changes including a bling-tastic gold suit) Prince turned every one in the crowd over 30 into seventeen year olds again before even reaching center stage. Blazing through his 1st set of 70s-80s medleys, “HRB” gently told his admirers this disclaimer: “If I perform every song I created that was a hit, we’ll be here all night!” Loosely translated: “Don’t-be-mad-if-I-don’t-play-YOUR-favorite-tonight,-there’s-always-the-CD-or-“Pandora Radio Station”-for that!” From snippets of “Alphabet Street” to “Darlin-Nikki” the fans new and old were certain within the 1st five minutes of a two–hour show-stoppa’ that tonight would be legendary! Indeed it was, Prince and his band took the theme of what the opening act started with and amplified it times a thousand: REAL MUSIC IN A LIVE SHOW!!! At 52 years old, “The Artist” still plays guitar, piano, sings and dances like a man half his age! From our excellent lower-level seats ( Thank-you Chauncey!)we could see not only every, funky, “James-Brown-School-Of-Dance” move he did BUT the random, bemused facial expressions he had on his beautiful, well preserved face ( good genes, y’all! I saw NO traces of “House-Of-Wax” Botox injection on that gorgeous visage!)
This is a man who LOVES his job and his fans; he was clearly having fun too and basking in it all! One of the show’s highlights came early on when he performed what was hands-down one of the night’s most memorable moments: a quick tribute to the “King-Of-Pop”, Michael Jackson! Mixing in parts of “Shake-Your-Body-Down-To-The-Ground” with “COOL” ( co-written & produced by Prince under alias “Jamie Strarr” and performed by his ‘royal-band-in-waiting’, “The Time”) Prince told the crowd “ This is my joint!”…and “I am kind of scared to sing this song!” so he let US and his background singers sing Micheal’s lyrics to HIM. For all those old-head fans who remember the ‘Prince-versus-Micheal Jackson’ beef that started in the 80’s, do note that it has been ground-up and finished as one legend paid homage to another who is sadly no longer with us.
Naturally, the audience lost it, and the generosity and greatness kept-on-a- coming!
Prince not only shouted-out local R&B station 92.7 twice but he shouted-out the WHOLE city of Charlotte for its southern-hospitality. He even sang a quick little ditty to us with simply “North Carolina” as the lyrics; proving that some artists can sing ANYTHING and people will love it! He then recognized Anthony Hamilton as continuing the legacy of REAL music and let the lime-light shine on various members of the “NPG” ( New Power Generation for newbies). ..and this MUST be mentioned: Prince had not only an almost all-female presence accompanying him on stage BUT I admire him even more for using mature, full-figured, back-up singers who brought an energy and feline-funkiness of their own! As a member of the “chunky-but-funky” tribe myself, I couldn’t help but ADORE what resembled a “Layne Bryant” runway show at times! As a sign-o-the changing times, Prince’s new band is a complete departure of the old “NPG” or “The Revolution” where most of the ladies-in-waiting on stage were below a size 8, café-au-lait or lighter, long hair and not older than 25. These women were big, bad (bald even!) and FIERCE in an un-Hollywood kinda’ way and I LOVED it!
Finally after inviting two, lucky fans on stage during a cover of ‘Play That Funk Music White Boy” ( one of which had an outfit labeled humorously by Prince as “Sesame Street”) then doing extended performances of various number 1#s such as “Controversy”, “ Nothing Compares To You” ( the beautiful, bald-headed back-up singer replaced Rosie Gaines and rocked it!) “Cream”, You Need Another Lover”, “The Beautiful Ones” and ending the set with “Purple Rain”, which as expected….brought the house down as well as purple confetti and ‘contraband’ camera-phones twinkling into the air for a perfect, near-climactic finale`.
Now the funny but sad thing towards the end was watching a few newbies leave the stadium thinking the show was over…SUCKAS! Any, self-respecting fan of a living legend musician KNOWS this: -Just because the performer says “Goodnight” doesn’t really mean its’ the end-! Presumably Prince was freshening up and relaxing below the stage while the audience gave HIM back what he deserved at this point in his over 30 year career : Screams and thunderous applause for an encore and in some cases….abject adoration!
After a twenty minute wait, he ascended back onto the stage from the hidden platform and rocked two final songs, ending with “Baby, I’m A Star” before telling us ‘Goodnight’ for real this time and like another legend, left the building.
Twenty minutes later people were still waiting in hopes that he was jiving us and would come back out to do any of the ones we didn’t hear that night..NOT!
My friend and I finally stumbled with our sore-feet and even more sore voices out of the arena; blissfully floating amongst a sea of purple wearing fans who were also utterly satisfied and exhausted from standing, dancing, House-Quake-hopping all night as well.( albeit willing to stay for another hour with Prince if permitted, I’d bet!.) It was a magical night and like the man himself……legendary.
My final words: see-the-show-if-you-can….as anybody who was there that night would tell you “Nothing Compares To Him”.
LHJ…..~NPG-fan-4-life~
... Sooooo I had to express what a great night it was; check this review out as my alias "Urban Carrie Bradshaw" and other cartoons like "Bohemian Cafe" that I'm doing on "Urban Tymes" magazine's website @ http://www.urbantymes.com/
