E-ntertainment: After Work Wind Down

Enjoy!

I'm having a 90's moment...join me!

E-ntertainment-IMSTINE

I absolutely loved this SWV mix...you know back when children trying to save a killer whale was cool (Free Willy). I miss that early 90's rock (a type of dance)...everyone knew you were really jammin' with the "rock". It's like a head bob gone wild...too cool to be "the wop"...like I can't stop with just a head rock, I gotta throw my arms and my shoulders in...lol I'm going to bring it back! What were y'all doing when this song came out?

I could put this ENTIRE album up here, Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is loaded! But seriously, s/o the Dungeon Family...3000, Big Boi, Big Gipp and Cee-Lo were spittin' lyrics that should still be heeded in 2011. Goes to show that music is definitely timeless.

Yes, I used to dance to this in my room with the homies. "I thought I told you that we won't stop..." RIP B.I.G.

I can see you standing there alooooone.....yeah that was my favorite part! lol I thought I was on stage EVERY single time that part came up.

I sang this song almost every day at my school for a month lol

We gone show you how we paarrrtay! yes!

Missy Elliott was one of the most edgy creative artists in her time! She really set the standard for the industry to follow with this one. Go Missy!!!

Joan Osborne definitely got a lot of us to think with this one!

"And would you want to see

If seeing meant that
you would have to believe
in things like heaven and in Jesus and the saints..."

I sang this song entirely too much...Lisa Loeb looked kind of like Ugly Betty. LOL smh

I'll post more another time...back to work! :)

No More Excuses!!! Go Get it! Mountains and Molehills by PJ Morton

E-ntertainment-IMSTINE

May this song inspire you to follow your dreams, once again.





Lyrics to Mountains and Molehills by PJ Morton

There's this girl from this small town
She doesn't really fit in
Wants to leave and spread her wings
But she feels that she's boxed in
She says, "I'll never make it in the big city,
'Cause things are always moving fast.
Besides, where will I live? Where will I work?
So much to search, and I'm fresh out of cash."

[Bridge 1:]
Stop the excuses, don't believe the lies
Make up your mind and you've gotta try
Instead of...

[Chorus:]
Making mountains out of molehills
When they're not even real
Need to go and follow your dreams
Not as hard as it seems
(You gotta) try-y-y
(You gotta) try-y-y
You won't know unless you try
(You gotta) try-y-y
(You gotta) try-y-y
You won't know unless you try-y-y

[Verse 2:]
Now let's fast-forward to the present
She lives in a high-rise right downtown
Makin' more money than she ever has in her life
Now she just looks back and laughs
To think she ever thought twice

[Bridge 2:]
She made up her mind
She did what she felt
She listened to her heart and nobody else
And she stopped

[Chorus:]
Making mountains out of molehills
When they're not even real
Need to go and follow your dreams
Not as hard as it seems

[Vamp:]
If there's ever a time you're doubting
I'll be right here to encourage you
If you feel like you're falling
Then just take my hand
I'll pick you up and show you
It's not as bad as what it seems

[Chorus:]
Making mountains out of molehills
When they're not even real
Need to go and follow your dreams
Not as hard as it seems
(You need to) try-y-y
(Just give it a) try-y-y
You won't know unless you try

LA is on my mind...

EIMSTIN-eat things-E

My producer/director friend Wes Beard shared this and I was TAKEN!

LA Light from Colin Rich on Vimeo.

Please Enjoy...

Wrap it up and take it home!

Where's The Faith In Between?

EIMS-pirituality-TINE

I'm a member of a church where I know I am supposed to be. I'm always fed when I go. When I lived in California, I wasn't able to attend or listen to CDs, but when I talked to people who attended, what God shared with me and what He'd shared with the house always seemed to be one in the same. I can truly call this church my home.

Recently we've been challenged to learn about the changes that occur in a group of people who are moving from one place (with which they've grown familiar), who are currently in a place that is uncomfortable, only to be transitioned into the right place where they were intended to be. I appreciate the heart of our shepherd, in that he shares with us what God put on his heart, then tells us to GO DO OUR HOMEWORK, that God's word may be proven and established in our hearts. There are a million things to talk about concerning group dynamics, flexibility and individuals making proper adjustments to dwell in a different scene. What I want to write about today addresses one's mindset in the midst of a major change into something better.

I've been able to spend a lot of time with my family lately, which has allowed me to draw some parallels between natural family and church family. Let me preface all this with an "I don't know everything and I don't profess to know everything!" I'm just here to deduce and ask questions. I believe we're all in this together and those of us who are drawn to connect, can help each other move forward in life. Ok.....so family. Whew, family. If you don't have anyone crazy in your family, shoot me your email, so I can tell you you're lying! It takes transparency and humility to accept the horrible truths about oneself; even further, it takes a huge dose of courage and love to accept the bitter, nasty truths about your cousins, your siblings, your parents...there are some people in this world that just don't want to believe that anything is WRONG with "me and mine."

If you have any aunties or great uncles who express that pride that says "no one needs to know..." then I pray God teaches you the harsh lesson of humility [Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall]. If you know of any deacons or URshers at your church who express the same pride...I pray the same prayer. See I've decided that church family is a lot like your real family. Spiritual battles in life are just as real as family drama. I've noticed that for one reason or the other, "church folk" are a lot less forgiving of the people who God joined them to in a church, than they are of people God joined them to from birth. Who has your trust? And what makes them more or less trustworthy? Truly trusting in God produces a completely different motive for commitment, follow-ship and fellowship...but that's another blog entry. I digress...

Your church family is the body that God has joined you to for your spiritual development. Just like your natural family is the body of people that God has PLACED YOU IN (on purpose) for your natural development. Your natural family was there to help you learn to read and to speak properly to each other. They helped you determine what is funny, what is unacceptable, gave you "street-sense," and they SHOLL "got yo back" if something were to ever go down...in the natural. Who has your back when evil spirits attack? Who's there to teach you how to speak what you read to shape your spiritual strength and integrity? Have y'all ever had that one person at church who just pulled you aside and asked what was going on...or just told you something that changed your whole perspective...something that made you thankful that God put you on their heart that day? I'd like to call those people your spiritual family. Some members you fancy, some members you don't. That doesn't make them any less chosen to be a part of your spiritual growth and development!

One day I'll talk about corporate worship and the benefits of being joined to a particular group of people. God honors and values unity among us so much! Just like synergy-- |ˈsinərjē| (also synergism |-ˌjizəm|)--noun-- the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate--is real, God blessing individuals who convene on one accord, with one faith, and one mindset, especially in honor of him...that's real too! [Matthew 18:20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.]

Without being too "deep," I just want to say, no one is perfect. Not you, not your mother ("WHAT she say about my mama??!?!!"), not your granddaddy, not your deacon, not your greeter and not your pastor. Surely give honor where honor is due; but let's not place unfair demands and unrealistic expectations on PEOPLE who live, breathe and have to die to flesh just like we do. By NO means am I offering an excuse, or justifying "bad behavior" by seasoned LEADERSHIP in the church, I'm speaking more on the individuals who have not yet been placed to lead or to serve...those who aren't yet required to be accountable to a massive group of people. As a member of a body of believers, we have the responsibility of valuing and considering the other PARTS of the body (See I Corinthians 12 below). Your brother or sister who goes to church with you, they have a purpose in life to discover, just like you. They have daily, HOURLY, SECOND-ly challenges, JUST LIKE YOU. They need someone to understand and someone to be loving and merciful...uh huh, just like you. They need a kick in the butt sometimes and correction with love, just like you. Having said that, how can we express compassion to our fellow sisters and brothers in God, keeping in mind the burdens we bear and the hope of a righteous life?

Moving along...speaking about the environment where the body of believers are on one accord, understanding that where they've been is NOT it...understanding that where they are going is a FANTASTIC place of greater respect, greater value, and a more intense worship experience with The Creator...Many of us are standing in an extremely uncomfortable place... a place of transition. That place when you've got five minutes left to your workout and after all that sweat and HARD WORK, you are considering quitting early. That place when you've declared if my boss does this ONE MORE TIME, "I'ma give him a piece of my mind"...and he's doing it--one more time. That place where you've put in your two weeks notice, because you got a new job that pays more...but you've still got two days left on the job--that you now HATE. That place where you are sick and tired of being sick and tired...where you've been expecting God to show up for HOW long now? And you still don't think He's performed to your liking...That place where if GOD doesn't, you don't know WHAT you'll do? That place where you've served your fellow brother and sister, in and out of church, and you are just about burned out. That place where I've waited so long for the right one, and the right one is STILL M.I.A...That place where you know God is bringing you back to something good, then He takes every good thing you thought you had going away from you...then tells you to wait, there's something better ahead. Yeah that place, where you are afraid to "womp" God, because He's God...and you've dedicated your life to Him...but you just don't understand!

You know where "that place" is. I dare ask, when you are in the darkest, coldest space of "that place," what kind of mindset do you have? Do you expect to get up out of there? Are you determined to believe that God hasn't brought you this far to let you down? WHERE is your FAITH? Where's that faith you had when you were just a baby in the things of God, but you just knew He died for you and had something better for your life? That faith that said I'm going to do this in response to what I think God is saying, and then He blessed you... That faith that led you to make that right decision last time that kept you from losing your marbles? I don't know where you are, or what your faced with, but I do know God is faithful and He is just. I want that kind of faith that LITERALLY moves mountains! I want that faith that believes for me and my family, when their faith is gone. I want that faith that only God can drive into my heart...that EXPECTATION that God MUST do what He said for His own namesake!

I've seen people with great faith. My own spiritual father believed God for changes in my life when I wasn't even on the right page to know I needed changing! But God changed me. And now I know. I used to doubt a lot of things, but I asked God to give me the faith I needed for Him to do what He needed to do in me. I have greater faith now than I used to! I had no faith in myself to change my "foolish ways." So I put a demand on God, I told him what I thought I could do and promised to do it...and for those other things, I had faith that He'd remove the desire for me to do things I shouldn't. And God simply changed my desires. [see Ps 37:4 below]

See there are somethings you must be patient with, like changing 2,000 preferences and habits to go from looking like YOU to looking like GOD. You should also be patient with other Kingdom children you know who actually strive to look like God. On the contrary, there are somethings that require your immediate response, and sheer obedience. I believe God is going to move in a way that the body of Christ hasn't seen in a long time. He longs for us to understand what lives of true worship looks like. And we must be truthful about our faults and do our VERY BEST to correct our selfish behaviors, and turn our hearts and lives toward Him. He created us to commune with Him and to have dominion in the earth (shining in HIS glory, representing Him). God has his own government, it supersedes any government worldwide. He is wise, all-knowing to establish long life in and through us even in the presence of opposition.

I pray that as believers we will expect God to increase our faith. I encourage you to take some time to encourage yourself! Take 5 minutes to STOP and sort through your own life experiences, and remind yourself that God is indeed sovereign, and remember how He has ruled in your life for your own good. Take those positive memories and FUEL YOUR OWN FAITH. Talk to a buddy about their experiences with God showing up [and showing out :)] in their lives. There's nothing more attractive to God than your faith in Him! Transitions are only a PART of the process in going from one thing to another. Don't get stuck on the pains of the transition and forget about the great and favorable expected end!

Walk with me over into the land of milk and honey (goodness and healing) where we can celebrate God in a new level of freedom! #GoJesus

(The Amplified Version)

Exodus 3:17 And I have declared that I will BRING YOU UP out of the affliction of Egypt (the familiar place) to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey (where you are intended to be).

²¹And I will give this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed.

²²But every woman shall [insistently] solicit of her neighbor and of her that may be residing at her house jewels and articles of silver and gold, and garments, which you shall put on your sons and daughters; and you shall strip the Egyptians [of belongings due to you].

Joshua 3: ⁵And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves [that is, separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

¹⁶Then the ^[a]waters which came down from above stood and rose up in a heap far off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt [Dead] Sea, were wholly cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho (to the place they were intended to be).

Psalm 37:3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

⁴Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

⁵Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

⁶And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.

⁷Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

⁸Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself--it tends only to evildoing.

⁹For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.

I Corinthians 12:4

Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, ^[a]extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same.

5 And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord [Who is served].

⁶And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.

⁷But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.

⁸To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;

⁹To another [^[b]wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

¹⁰To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (^[c]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.

¹¹All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

¹²For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

¹³For by [^[d]means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and ^[e]by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

¹⁴For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.

¹⁵If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?

¹⁶If the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?

¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell?

¹⁸But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.

¹⁹But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be?

²⁰And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body.

²¹And the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

²²But instead, there is [absolute] necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak.

²³And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum),

²⁴Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance],

²⁵So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.

²⁶And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.

²⁷Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].

²⁸So God has appointed some in the church [^[f]for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.

²⁹Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles?

³⁰Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

³¹But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love].

I Corinthians 13:1

If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such ^[a]as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

²And if I have prophetic powers (^[b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

³Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or^[c] in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.

Too Much Pizza!

EIMSTINE-ating

I confess...I woke up late this morning, had a late coffee and three eggs. I didn't think about food again until 10:30pm when a friend of mine asked me did I want pizza. Um, YES! Of course I want pizza! Spinach Chicken Alfredo pizza to be exact! At 12am I get a pizza delivery (Thanks Friend!) and I tried to eat the whole pizza. I ended up eating 3.5 slices. That was just way too much for me to eat after midnight. According to this chart I ingested 1015 calories which I will have to run 10 miles to rid myself of. I must express my shame, disappointment and disbelief. I just feel so full, they were big slices!

I don't know about you, but the last time I worked out...there was a woman who looked younger than me on the treadmill about 2 machines down from me. I was embarrassed because the headphones I brought were broken and I spent a good five minutes trying to set my phone up to play through my headphones. On top of that, my battery started to die so I plugged my charger in and had the cord running up to the elliptical's cup holder where my phone wrapped in headphone-cord rested. Some other day I would have deemed my make-your-headphones-and-phone-work experience as "ghetto" or "doing too much," but y'all have got to understand, I hadn't worked out in weeks. And before that one time I worked out, it had been months. I was focused on running my 3 miles. I was going to RUN, I was going to SWEAT, and I was going to be EXCITED about it!!! Years ago, I used to run 6 miles before I hit the weights...but years later....those 3 miles took 30-45 minutes...and after stretching, I looked at the weights, and told 'em holler back! #problem

The following unanswered question is the source of my dilemma: Is it more important for me to manage my diet so I don't have to work out so much, or will I whine and scream at myself (inside my head of course) to keep running until my workout is finished because I wanna eat whatever, whenever?? Ahhh....like the song said Tuesday: I'm only one decision away!

If any of you out there feel like me, or can offer any insight, please share your indulgences and advice! Everyone needs a little encouragement every now and then, right?

Morning Coffee with CHD:WCK!

EIMSTI-ngesting coffee-E

Good Aftermorning World! My good friend, CHD:WCK! just came to town this morning, so naturally, we decided to have coffee. He and I went to school together years ago and our artistic souls have "clicked" ever since. It's been interesting watching our ideas develop (or fail to develop) along the years... you can find some of his work here.

A few of the things that came up in conversation this morning: Ghostface Killer's annual "Top 10 softest...." and his apology to Chris Brown (which I won't include); the origin of the word "stuff;" branding/web marketing; never again ordering french pressed coffee at Amelie's; life coaching; neglecting crying babies who don't belong to you; leaving and returning to a familiar city; and the importance of consistently following up.

Stuff

You'd be surprised the stuff i found on the word "stuff." A clothing line by Hilary Duff? A term for illegal drugs or narcotics? BOOOOOOO!

#wompwomp...I don't much want to repeat much more than that so... check out what urbandictionary and wiktionary had to say if you care that much. I've concluded to remove the word "stuff" from my vocabulary as often as possible. Overall, it's nonsense.


Branding and Web Marketing

In an age where there is indeed such a thing as "media takeover" and where the new Facebook is really just a Facebook/Twitter inside of a Facebook (where you can see what your friend's friend posted and EVERYONE who "liked" it, even if they are not your friend), it can be difficult maintaining authentic ingenuity. What is a brand anyway? I say it's more than a name...it's every picture, sound, word, color, opinion, font, style and affiliate presented with the name that distinctively identifies the purposes and function of a company. In building a brand, especially online, you lose or gain credibility according to how well you connect with your targeted audience. The fact that someone who you haven't met or shared a real, live conversation with can view any or EVERYTHING that you put online should heighten your sense of urgency to resolve the need to personally connect with a potential customer, a "follower" or a "Facebook friend."

Such a need poses a challenge to much of my generation who "lives" on the computer and finds it very difficult to start, much less maintain, a decent conversation with a stranger. Young and Naive Entrepreneur who may not know how to look someone in the eye while speaking to people for fear of misreading a text, Old-Man Gravy, Old-Woman Gravy who may have difficulty understanding why Google Mail and Gmail are the same thing, I ask you, "How will you change your habits to benefit the greater productivity of your life? How will you reach those with whom you are unfamiliar to build your brand?"

What you were waiting for an answer? I charge for that! Consultation is free though. Moving along....

Dark Roast, French Pressed, One Pot, One Cup, NO BUSINESS! C'Mon Amelie's!

I love Amelie's (NoDa) for many reasons. But today, after enjoying a wonderful free cup of half-caff Starbucks coffee (Thanks Pam!), I wanted more. I decided to buy 32oz of French Pressed coffee (less than $6) so we could share, and after the first sip, I imagined myself acting as Spitter (aka Rusty Cartwright from ABC Family's Show "Greek"). o_O. For those who don't know, Spitter earned his nickname because he spewed the first shot of tequila he ever took at a Frat house all over a pretty girl....#fail. The egg/spinach/asiago/bacon croissant I had was FABULOUS! But I swear if they ever serve me "old coffee" (as CHD:WCK! put it) again, I'm going to accidentally trip and fall and ask for a cup of brewed coffee instead. UUUGGGHHH!!! Moving on....


Life Coaching

I think many things about life coaching. I even considered it as a profession. Who knows, 10 years down the road I may have certification and mucho dinero from coaching someone else's life. But really, after 200 hours of "Coach Training" and 2500 hours of "Coaching Experience" I'm supposed to PAY YOU to help me move forward in life? I mean really, isn't that why people pay for college classes...or pay for psychological or psychiatric counseling...or go to church (a FREE service, giving tithes and offerings is a part of a lifestyle, not DUES, ok??)? Is coaching not just another way to conceal one's crazy?? To convince onself that I don't need professional help I can just drive my Life Coach nuts? I'm not judging don't get me wrong, I'm just here to ask a question. Okay and maybe make a statement: my Grandma trumps any coach I've met, AND she offers sheer, comedic entertainment with 70+ YEARS of experience. #takethat2x (Get your coaching certification TODAY! by clicking here...)

Neglecting Crying Babies Who Don't Belong to You

This subject is difficult for me to talk about, as babies are close to my heart. However I will reach into my courageous parts and BLOG ABOUT this sensitive matter! Let me build the scene for you: I'm in the inside corridors of a business complex...some would call it a store front. There are offices, restaurants, a deli, a convenience store along the outside and there are plants, and tables, people and Wi-Fi along the inside "hallways" that offer entrances to these offices and stores. There's a pair of young fair women enjoying a french press that is apparently more delicious than mine, what seems to be a Toastmasters-For-Jesus Club meeting of 8 men and women, and in the distance...in the far corner, a homeless man, who is awake (because the signs on the wall say: "Management reserves the right to ask anyone to leave who is found sleeping in the atrium. Thank you.") Long story short, as we sit and sip and chat, I see a woman bring a baby in a stroller into an office about 7 feet away from me. She disappears. The blinds are lifted so I can see the child in her rolling walker through the glass door. I see an older woman, who clearly doesn't like dogs, walking a strange looking unidentified (by me only, I know not breeds) dog with fluffy hair on its legs and an oddly long, skinny tail on a leash, into the same office as the baby.

Then, I see a man, who is CLEARLY NOT the father (I didn't need Maury for this one!), carry another baby in the office. He leaves from whence he came, baby-less. Now I see a baby rolling in the walker and a baby playing in a playpen and the dog and the rolling baby collide pretty often. Now forgive me, I might have a slight case of Prosopagnosia, I saw two more babies enter and/or exit, but I can't confirm or deny that they were different than the children already in there. My online activities and conversation are interrupted by a baby crying. I'm like "CHD, that doesn't bother you?" He's like "What?" I'm like "The baby crying." He's like "Nah, I didn't even notice it." Now for the record, I admire his focus. And for your reference, I've earned the nickname "Mother Goose" from those close to me who know my unique ability to interact with and love on children from many different backgrounds. So I'm like maybe I'm just hyper-sensitive, and I tried to get back to acting like I had some important, business-related information to read on Facebook because I've become somewhat addicted to social media. A bit later, I hear the dog whimpering. I'm like "CHD! OMG, do you hear the dog is crying too!" His response was more or less to the effect of "I've learned to tune things out." My conflicted response included a comment from a sound friend of mine, "Dont' mess with other people's kids!" In addition to the understanding that apparently this goes on everyday that I'm NOT here, and these babies are still alive (to laugh and smile at me as they drool and pass by in the arms of someone who actually knows them, and who can walk), then I'd be better off "neglecting crying babies who don't belong to me." And......"scene!"

Leaving and Returning to a Familiar City

It can be hard, it can be exhilarating and it can be necessary. Either way, once it happens you'll be alright. If I say any more than that, I'll be writing a book....How many times have I moved again??? smh

The Importance of Consistently Following Up

How many times have we completely changed our opinion of someone because they failed to follow up on something they said they would do? Ladies, how many times have we written a guy off because you gave him your number and he didn't call, or y'all went out and you had a good time, but every future conversation included promises to do something with no execution of said something?? Now granted, people will tell you exactly what you need to know about them by their action or inaction, but I'm specifically talking from the perspective of maintaining self-respect and good rapport with your fellow-human by following up. Just do what you say your going to do, or follow up to say that you can't do it right now with a TBA. Something! Even Forbes suggests that following up after an interview that you bombed builds good rapport and can benefit you in the long run. (Click this if you want to learn how to follow up on a job interview)

Do you know how many businesses get referrals or make sales just by following up with prospects or former customers in a respectful or a courteous manner? It's not about being invasive, get to know your fellow-human and what their needs and preferences are as a person first. While they get to know who you are as a businessman (includes women), they just might like your approach and ASK YOU what you have for them! Every good business should have sound training on piquing interest and maintaining respect and value for one's own and the other's life and interests. That's just my opinion though (not Albert's). Check out this article on following up from the site that makes everything easier.

Imagine, you get someone's business card (with a custom-Vista Print logo on the front, and the actual Vista Print Logo and www.vistaprint.com on the back), and called them, listened to the ringback, spoke to them about a service/product you wanted to pay for because you have a project with a deadline, and they say they'll have something for you on Monday. Monday passes, they don't answer the phone, Tuesday passes and you're stuck trying to find someone else to do what Johnny Do-Little said he was going to do. Then you see him in the streets on Wednesday and he's like "Maaaaaannnn, I meant to call you the other day!..." Would you stop listening to Johnny right then and there, or would you continue? Would you say his rapport has gone down the drain, or is he a credible source of reliable business at this point?? I'm just saying.

Hollerz!

From Stine...yeah Eimstine...NOT Albert! Don't get it twisted. Grab a flat iron and smooth that ish out.