Last weekend I attended a 2-day self-defense workshop. About midday Saturday, we did an exercise that I did surprisingly well at. I actually surprised myself. It's nothing like you might think and it starts with this video:
I used to drink a lot of Rockstar Energy Drinks. I can't stand the taste of coffee and I used to be a total caffiend, so energy drinks were my fix and Rockstar was my drink.
That was until the day I found out it was created by (and operated by the family of) Michael Weiner, racist, sexist, homophobic bigot talk-show host known as Michael Savage. That was over a year ago and I have not had one since. Whenever I happen upon someone drinking or buying Rockstar, I take a moment to let them in on the info.* Sometimes the person will look a bit surprised, either by the info or by the fact that a complete stranger is telling them something they never thought was important. The encounters have never been really satisfying for me until a couple of days ago. Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page (if it's not there, use the "+" to get to it), paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the upper right corner of the app) then click publish). Blah, blah... Y'all know the rules already. If you haven't written one because you think it's stupid... try thinking of it as a creative writing project and just do it. Man, I could do 3 of these, but here goes: 1. Currently, my name is Gerald Eugene Williams. I say currently because I intend to change my name to "Jerry Williams!" officially this year. I would have done it last year but I didn't want to risk a voting issue. 2. As a child, I spent a few years as a practicing Muslim, using the name Akil Musadeen. 3. I have never been drunk or high from any external substance. I don’t believe in being out of personal control. "Not in my lifetime."
For the entirety of my life, that was the answer I gave to the question “Do you ever think there will be a black President.” Call me cynical, I’m only 40 years old, but I never thought it would happen. That is, until four years ago. I remember the moment. The Democratic Convention was on the television and as I passed through the dining room, I heard someone introduce the Keynote Speaker, some guy I’d never heard of named Barack Obama. Now, I stopped to give him a bit of attention, well, because he was black, truthfully, and I figured I’d give a brother a little respect. Moments passed and I found myself standing flat-footed and stock-still in the middle of the room. Oh. Shit. |
Thinking is critical because sense is not common. AuthorI am a father, husband, creative, liberal and two-fisted atheist. I draw stuff and talk shit. Categories
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