The Good with the Bad

Man, today was full of ups and downs for me. I've talked about it a lot with a few people because they felt for me. Nothing to serious, but to me, I was upset. Let me start off by talkin' about this morning. I got up to get ready for church. I wanted to go to church, but the weather was just so bad that I almost reconsidered. See, I had to ask my dad for his Durango because neither my car not my mom's car had any traction in this 9" of snow on the ground. So, he let us, but the hard part was yet to come. It was so cold just walkin' outside to get in the truck. I had to clean the windshield (which I kinda skipped at this point). After really not bein' too bothered with that, I had to turn around to come pick up my moms. But, smart me, knew that turning around in the middle of the street wasn't goin' to work. So, I decided to drive around the block. So, with very minimal visibility, I drive to the corner, and guess what? Get stuck. Spinning out, with a car behind me, and no visibility ahead of me, I'm stressin'. Later, mama told me she was tryin' to call me and ask that I not just get out the truck and walk back home. See, I have a short temper, and true enough, I would have just left it there while I walk it off. But, stuck with it, and finally made it back around to pick her up.

Church was good. I mean, it was cold, but good. I enjoyed the sermon and the kids put on their Christmas play. It was too funny. The impersonated different members of the congregation and for some odd reason, my baby cousin Bryce was in every part of it (not saying he was supposed to be though). Either way, it was all very entertaining and I was glad I was there.
Perhaps the best part to me (and you'd never guess this) was when my sister lead the choir in the song Now Behold the Lamb. I mean, I made fun of her afterward about how her back-up singers all ran out the crowd to help her, but it was a cool sight. Well, to me it was. Because I see beyond the obvious. But still, the song was great and I'm glad I was there to hear her sing it. I had only heard her sing it one other time, and if you know my sister, you wouldn't know how in the world they got her to have lead. I mean, she didn't do her adlibs, but that was cool. She had back-up, remember?



After church, where the story gets bad, is at the store when I'm buying gas for the snow-blower and some ice cream and the grocery store (for some reason, ice cream is better when it's cold outside, go figure). Anyway, I gotta call sayin' that mama car was stuck and I needed to get back home to help. So I stopped what I was doin' and went back to the truck. As I'm backin' out, I hear faint horns just before I feel this loud thud. I had hit this lady who decided to back out the same time as I. I didn't see her at all. I had saw a white care that began to come, but decided against it, so I believed I had the go-ahead. But, for some reason, I just totally missed this lady. Only now do I think about how mean this chick was and what I should have said as she was takin' down my insurance info (I was so spooked, I forgot to get hers) what I could have done, but like I said, I was so startled at the moment, I couldn't think. I wasn't hurt at all, I was just concerned about the damage I had done to daddy's truck. After I found out mama had gotten out, I surveyed the damage. I saw that I had cracked his bumper. I was so hurt. I hated bein' the one to mess up his ride. I would have preferred it been my car. I called him and explained what happened. Then, he asked me to bring him a pop home. When I got home, I couldn't even say anything. I was embarrassed and ashamed that I was one of those reasons why insurance rates are so high for kids my age. As I was getting the snowblower out of the basement, I told him that he could return any Christmas presents I had to pay for the damages done. I meant it. I didn't feel like I deserve to have nice gifts if I'm wrecking other people's property. To my surprise, all he said was "Accidents happen. And this weather, you can't control that." I was so lost. I mean, I almost would have felt better if he were mad, because then I would have had a reason to feel bad. But, he just went on like nothing was the matter. We blew the yard, and around the cars and had a long conversation afterward. Not even about the accident, but just talked. I guess I couldn't have asked for a better way to end a bad situation.


With that being said, as good as today was, it was just as bad. But, as I sit here now, listening to my sister's lead song, I feel much better. And very tired from the snow we handled. It's so so cold right now, I can't find the words to describe it. Upsettingly cold is the best way I've found. But, Christmas is almost here, I may go make some money tomorrow (God willing), and I just can't dwell on one thing. I have to keep it movin' until it's time for me to rest. Below are some pics of my baby, and the house just to show you how bad the weather is. Until next time, stay warm, stay inside, be safe, and don't be a failure.













My house is so pretty this time of year

Home is where the Hatred is

Everyone, I would again like to apologize for my long absence. I just got back to Detroit today, and after a long Finals week (which I barely survived), I was just really tired. My mind wasn't focused on what it should have been. But, I'm back now, and hopefully still with your attention. I want to start by displayin' the beautiful gifts I received for Christmas from my bay. With the distance between us, we have to exchange early. Before the semester ends. I loved them. Pretty much everything I asked for, and it wasn't even about the physical gifts themselves, it was more about her willingness to make me happy in the ways she does. I really appreciate all the things she does for me, above and beyond the monetary value of anything in the picture. Although, she has helped me out so much with these things. The Audacity of Hope written by our President-Elect Barack Obama, I asked for because the man is a true role model and a testament to the fact that, indeed, we can do anything we put our minds to. Also, readin' his book will help me form the structure of a book I want to write. 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West. I haven't listened to it all the way just yet, but I can't to listen and love it, so I can review it, and shove his talent down the throats of his haters and megacritics. Also, I just appreciate good/great music. I have been blessed to understand the difference, and even though its harder to find that now-a-days, its a true pleasure when I do. The Dark Knight, one of the best movies I've ever watched. That goes beyond comic-movies, Batman movies, or anything. Simply, one of the best movies I've ever watched. I don't think I can stress that enough. Just wait 'til I get to watch it with all the extended features and extra footage. Hours of time to myself right there. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is the new installment of the Mortal Kombat franchise. Technically, Mortal Kombat 8 if you're countin'. Anyway, despite what review say, I'm havin' hella fun playin' already. I didn't want to put down the joystick. The story was gettin' good, and I was eager to see what was goin' to happen next. Plus, gettin' to beat up Superman with Batman in a realistic way is a great concept in and of itself. The card she gave me was beautiful. Her words really touched me, which made openin' it first, not only polite, but well worth it. It is just as important to me as anything else she gave me. I want to thank you again bay. Everything was beautiful. I hope you enjoy your Baby Phat outfit, with your new purse, while bumpin' your new Beyonce' cd (Had to throw in what I bought her lol!).



Now, the thought provokin' part of today's conversation. Home is where the hatred is:

My Way Home (Feat. Common) - Kanye West
Since the last time I was in Detroit (a couple of weeks ago), I had been thinkin' about how I felt about it. And honestly, I was down because things around me just don't seem like home anymore. My room may still be there, and my family, but a home is more than that. A home is more than a place to stay, its a place of my affections. I feel like I may have turned my back on my city, and in turn, it's grown cold. It's changed a bit, and that small bit seems so unfamiliar to me now. Family members have grown since I've last seen them. It was only a few months, but everyday, growth and maturity happens, and I hope in the course of that they learned something new. I hope that my absence will be used as a way to show them what decisions they should make in their lives, and how to somewhat avoid the bad ones. The major difference between this trip and the last is that my father is back from California this time. It's bittersweet to see him back because we've grown so far apart recently. There's no animosity between us, but it's just weird that your father is "that guy" in California. I would never make assumptions about his absence, but I'm not stupid. I like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent young man, I would hope to be treated like that. But, I won't speculate on anything specific. I told my moms that I didn't want to ask him for anything, because I didn't care if he came back. I didn't. So after sittin' down and talkin' with him for an hour or so, I realized that I wasn't as mad at him for leavin' as I was for just how awkward he seems to make things sometimes. Like, it's difficult to understand what kind of situation is goin' on in this house. I talk to mama, and I talk to daddy, yet I don't know if they are even a family. I've seen this a lot and I understand that they are adults, I am too. But, it's hard because I grew up a mama's boy, who was spoiled by both parents, and my only memories are of all of us close and happy. So now that I can see clearly, it's a difficult to adjust my feelings. I'm sure as I grow and get used to it, things will be better. After talkin' with you all, I feel better about the situation. I still don't feel at home, but I'll take stayin' at the house until God handles things in my favor.


Well everyone, it's cold outside, so wrap up. I'm in Detroit, so it you're here, then I'm here. I will be back with more to talk about soon. Reviews, thoughts, and answering any questions you may have with the The Gentleman Perspective. Until next time, be good, and don't be a failure.