Derailing Obama's Bandwagon

I'm probably the last person that would be mistaken for an Obama Bandwagonner. I didn't hop on when it started rolling, and I'm still not on it! I don't put my faith in people because of hype. I support those who provide results. With that said, at the same time, I think it's absolutely ridiculous how so many people are hoping for him to fail and are monitoring every single thing him and his family does. I mean seriously....if the "first dog" took a doo-doo in the south lawn of the White House and they didn't go out there with a pooper scooper to get it up, they will probably run it through the media that he doesn't respect the history of the White House or something like that. The most recent is the circus around Michelle Obama hugging Queen Elizabeth II and whether or not it was against "protocol." I say screw protocol...I mean even if it was...it isn't illegal, and the Queen initiated the embrace so what is all the hoopla about? They say people rarely touch the Queen because monarchs are looked at in a "sacred" light! Really? LOL...there are people that are popping up all over the place saying that they hope Obama fails as president. Does that even make sense? If Obama fails, then America fails! We just had a failure of a President...why wish for another? In all cases, you should hope the captain of your ship succeeds! I just think it's stupid to hope the ship you are sailing on sinks!

Performance VS Perception and the Influence of Expectations!

So, I was sitting around facebooking, and thought I would write another note today...after a few minutes of trying to decide what subject I wanted to drop knowledge on I decided to go with this one! Of course we have all heard the adage that opinions are like buttholes...that everyone has them, and some people disregard opinions because they are all biased. Even the most unbiased opinion is till biased because of the influence of Expectations. Let me give you an example...if Michael Jordan played a game and scored 25 pts, had 5 rbs, and 4 asts, everyone would say that he had a bad game. That's because we expect him to get at least 30 points every game. Truth of the matter is that those are pretty good stats for a game, but because it is Jordan that we are talking about...our expectations alter our perspective and skews our opinion on the performance. Similarly to Lil' Wayne's Carter 3...of course it wasn't as good as the first two Carters, but I've recently heard plenty of people consider it trash. If a handful of other rappers were to release the same material, then it could possibly be the shinning moment in their career. Now the question is...is it fair to hold people to expectations and let those expectations influence how we read their performance? I don't think it is...of course as always...let your own voice be heard!

April Fool's Backfire!

So I'm sitting around, and a cousin of mine decides to come to me for some advice. She has told a guy that she has been talking to for some time now, about 9 years, that she was pregnant. Now the guy, lives Memphis, TN and is unemployed and borderline homeless! Now, she should have come to me and asked my opinion before she even made the declaration. My girlfriend did the same thing last year and I could have told her how pissed it made me and to not try it...however, she doesn't use resources that are readily available to her....i.e. my supergenius! Anywho, the guy gets sad and depressed bc he can't afford and is in no position to take care of a child. He is, somehow, excited by the idea that my cousin, Trisha, who is his "best friend" who he "cant" be in a relationship with is carrying his child. Now, Trisha, comes to me and asks how she can get around her lie...of course, myself being an advocate of honesty, tell her that it was a stupid decision to joke around with in the first place and that she should tell him the truth. So after sending an April fool's txt, he gets pissed. She apologizes and expresses her sincere regret for using this scenario as a joke. However, he will not accept the apology....he remains bitter and suspends communications with Trisha. Now she is all distraught and continues pestering me about what she should say next. I let her know that it is a game of chess, and that she has been playing checkers. After some immediate coaching, she asks him if he is not talking to her and he says no...I told her to ask when he will want to talk to her again and he says that he will let her know! Now, at this point, she has already apologized and there is nothing else to do...personally I feel that she should tell him to man the hell up and stop acting like such a punk ass!!!! I mean the guy is damn near 35 and it was a joke. Of course, pregnancy shouldn't be joked about, but really...people are way too sensitive...get over yourself and let it go! I'm not a stickler for rules, but I do feel as though there is one critical rule to life....and that is: NO BITCHASSNESS!!! Let me know what you think, and what you think Trisha should do.


P.S. the people, relations, locations, ages, and time lengths have been fictionalized to protect the identity of those involved, but the situation is real!!!

Marital Obligations

So I was talking to a pretty good friend of mine the other day, and she feels as though when she gets married she isn't obligated to do anything for her husband. She feels that if she feels like doing it, then she will, but she doesn't have to do anything. Of course, she is completely unsubmissive, and hey some guys like to wear the skirt in the relationship, but I prefer my pants!!! Thankfully, my girlfriend/future wife, as opinionated as she is, knows I wear the pants!!! I feel as though in a relationship both parties should do their best to make each other happy, and I feel that in a marriage, both parties have the obligation to do their best to make each other happy. This all spawned from a convo we were having about doing the dishes. I said that I don't plan on washing dishes, and that I don't plan on my wife taking out the trash. She completely disagrees with the notion that the man is the "head of household" and that both parties are completely equal. Now I know how my baby feels, shouts out to Raychelle, but I just think that this is an extremely interesting view of relationship roles. Let me know what you all think!!!

P.S. Babe...can you iron my pants for me? LOL j/k...I love u!!!

Perfection

Time and time again, everyone keeps telling me that no one is perfect! I get tired of hearing this. The bible clearly states that there have been perfect people...and yes..someone other than Jesus. Job for instance...plain as day states that he was perfect. Now I think perfection is easily obtained, but extremely difficult to maintain. We all agree that God is perfect. The fact that we are created in his image would consequently mean that in form, we are perfect. Correct? Let me know if you think I'm wrong...I love a good debate. Now that leaves us to sin. We are all born into a world of sin yes, but that does not make us evil. According to my beliefs, in the time period between when I have last sinned and repented, and when I sin again, I am indeed a perfect being? As well all know, after repentance, God Of course, I can't say definitely, and wouldn't stake my life on it, but I would think that God would view me as perfect in that span. So who would disagree?

Shyness

So, this topic spawned from my earlier note about swagger...we sat around and debated for a while about it the misuse and overuse of the word when we came across this discussion. Can someone be shy and have high self-esteem or high self-confidence? I don't think so, but to properly answer this question I think we need to consider a definition of shy. The dictionary defines it as everything from bashful and timid to reluctant and suspicious. Now for the purposes of this debate, I will toss out the existing definitions, because they don't necessarily define precisely enough to today's meaning of the word. My proposed definition is: an overwhelming feeling of unease or uncomfortableness that is sparked by a fear of perception, which results in being more reserved or less outspoken then one normally would. If you disagree, then please feel free to pose your own definition. Now according to my definition, I don't believe that someone could have high self confidence and then be overwhelmed with a fear of perception. I am not going to assume that there are an abundance of people out there like me, who simply have very, very, very little, if any concern for others' opinions. Most people care somewhat, but also if you have high self confidence then will you let other's perception cast doubt over your own perception? For example, I have no problem speaking in front of crowds of people. As we all know I have HIGH HIGH HIGH self esteem! My self perception is that I am a great orator, that I have a captivating charisma and personality, and that I have a presence and voice that while speaking will command attention. Now when I speak in front of others, how they will think about me is not even a thought, definitely not a concern! Now let me state, that being naturally reserved is not the same as being shy. But if you are outgoing then around a larger group of people you aren't yourself, then it isn't reserved it's shy. Saying that you are outgoing, but you are going to be reserved around people you don't know doesn't make sense. If you are only yourself around those you know, then that is more so being comfortable as opposed to being outgoing or outspoken. Who is shy around their own family? Think about it...let me know how you feel!