I must say, I am quite exhausted. It has been a long two weeks. Between working on hundreds of pictures and then doing papers to help my mom out in her speech class, I haven’t been getting much sleep these days. Well, I can’t say that this is all that’s to blame. If you add a get together Saturday that last until the wee hours of the morning, unexpected drive to Killeen to drop off my niece, whom I love, but that trip was taxing and then we didn’t even get a nod of the head in thanks afterwards. Hosting friends for a few days. Now maybe it’s easier to understand why I’m exhausted. I just want to take a long, hot bath and wind down with my book. That sounds like a plan.
MJ Tribute July 8, 2009
Okay, so the Michael Jackson public memorial was held yesterday at the Staples Center in LA. I tuned into the online broadcast by streaming video. I must admit that I expected to have alot of technical difficulties with the video, but there were very few. Great job, CBSNews2!
The memorial was quite somber. Although there were several celebrity performances, it was not forgotten that it was also a funeral. Many spoke of MJ’s charitiable efforts and his musical talents. Today was not about the negative publicity that overshadowed much of his life. It was a celebration of life. A homegoing. I sat in front of my computer screen, wiping tears and slanging snot as if I were there. As if I knew MJ personally. Neither of these are true. I never met him. Never even saw him perform in real life. But I knew him all the same.
My day started out at 12 noon. From noon until 6 pm I was glued to my computer screen. The memorial…the newscasts…I had to see it all. Much to my husband’s frustration, I would not be moved! Around I say 6ish, I’d gotten my fill and then it was time for my own tribute. With drink in hand I cranked up my music and sang and danced to everything MJ. It was our night! My poor husband sat and watched as if I’d lost my everloving mind. But he just didn’t understand what MJ and I had all those years back. So I ignored him and kept drinking, singing, and dancing. I had myself a grand time! Sufficiently, my tribute ended at midnight, after which I showered and then I climbed into bed. I spent the next few minutes reflecting over MJ’s life and career. Thinking how sad it was for him to have died with such a negative stigma attached to his name. I thought of his children, left without a father. Then a line from one of MJ’s songs came to mind: I’ve been a victim of, a selfish kind of love…Damn right, you were…
The Grim Reaper has been busy July 5, 2009
WOW! In just nine, short days, the world has mourned the loss of five celebrities: Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, and now Steve McNair. All of this makes one re-evaluate ones own life. I know it does me. I think about all of these people, who had all of the money in the world to do whatever they pleased. But yet, that money outlived them. I’m not saying that in a spiteful way. I say that to mean, that everyday, people do things in search of the all mighty dollar. Many people tie their happiness to the amount of moolah they have stashed away in their bank accounts, 401Ks, CDs, stocks, etc. But yet,when it’s all said and done, they still fail to have acquired that happiness they worked so hard to obtain. In the meantime, families have been destroyed, reputations ruined, and childhoods lost. Just maybe that search should be for something else instead.
As I listen to discussions about the events surrounding the death of MJ and Steve McNair, it amazes me how cruel our world has become. It’s funny how we can all make assumptions about other people’s lives but dare we to peer into the window of our own and do the same. I’ve had friends and acquaintances make the comment that “Steve McNair got what he deserved because he shouldn’t have been cheating.” But we do not know the circumstances in his life. All we can do is make assumptions. Regardless of what the circumstances were, this man did not deserve to be shot to death in his sleep. As for MJ, I will not get on my soapbox. But I will say that there is only one perfect entity with the authority to pass any judgement. And that person is not me. Whatever MJ did or didn’t do is not for me to say. I look at the man and the music.
Needless to say, the last few days have been crazy. And the sad part is, it’s only going to get crazier…
Farrah Fawcett Majors passes away June 25, 2009
The grim reaper has been hard at work. I know that sounds harsh, but sometimes the facts are as such. In the wake of finding out about the death of Michael Jackson, I also came to learn that one of my childhood heroines also passed away today. Farrah Fawcett Majors, the stunning, beauty with the most perfect feathered locks of hair I’ve ever seen passed away from cancer. As a kid, I used to daydream that I would be the black Farrah. I never missed an episode of her in Charlie’s Angels. Jill Munroe kicked some major ass! I was saddened to see her fight her battle with cancer. But she fought a courageous battle, just as Jill Munroe would have done. RIP Farrah!
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, Passes Away June 25, 2009
I guess the best word to describe how I’m feeling right now is speechless. The world lost a musical genius today. Michael Joseph Jackson, the King of Pop, passed away from cardiac arrest. I absolutely looooved MJ as a kid. I remember my friends and I performing dance routines to his songs, with big dreams of winning Star Search. We knew every move to almost every video! My bedroom walls were plastered with Michael Jackson posters and pictures. My mother thought I was crazy when I found out about MJ being burned while filming that Pepsi commercial. I mean I broke down crying and was almost near depression I think. LOL Needless to say, I was a huge fan. Yes, MJ had his share of demons. Just like the rest of us. Who am I to pass judgement. All I know is the world lost another legendary icon today and my heart is a little heavy. RIP MJ!
MSNBC reports the death of Michael Jackson
Video Clip of brother, Jermaine Jackson, announcing the death of MJ
Mother’s Day Brunch May 10, 2009
Yesterday we went to The Can today for Mother’s Day Brunch with the moms at Aunt Gloria and Uncle Bill’s house. We also dedicated this day in memory of Auntie Nell, may she rest in peace. We had a great time. There was plenty of food, had the domino games going, and eventually the young, old schools got a game of basketball going. The day was going well, with no incidents.
After leaving Auntie Gloria’s, we took the party to Debo’s. And of course, it was on then. It would take my husband and I to cause a ruckus, however. As we were turning into Debos, Seon kind of did a slight spinout because she lives off of a gravel street. Leave it to me to suggest to him, “You should’ve done a full donut. I’ve been wanting to do that every since we got the car.” And what does my dear hubby do? He backs up and does the donut. Now, we were thinking we were the only ones outside. We didn’t see the people sitting in their cars across the street. Needless to say, they come across the street talking about their kids being outside and they could have gotten hurt. Seon apologized, saying he didn’t see the kids and if he would have he wouldn’t have done it. Of course, they didn’t want to let it go. As I’m walking up they are still yakking. I’d had a few drinks and was not in the mood to listen to it. I walk up, ready to do the Bonnie and Clyde thing with my husband. He couldn’t hit her ass, but I definitely could. Debo was walking up talking about coming out of retirment. Needless to say, nothing jumped off. Fish kind of calmed his neighbors down and we headed to the house. About 10 minutes later, four cop cars come pulling up. But the night ended well. No one went to jail. Seon admitted what he did and apologized. The cops accepted and let us enjoy the rest of our evening.
I enjoyed seeing crazy, rowdy family. I realized that I miss it and that I need to go home more often.
Photos to come soon.
Friday Gathering May 1, 2009
Seon and I invited a few family and friends over for game night. We had a blast. In the beginning, it was supposed to be a Texas Hold’em Game Nite, but as in typical Walker fashion, we just rolled with the punches. I’d thought about cancelling due to the fact that we are supposed to be in “quarantine” around these parts. But I know I’m tired of sitting and doing nothing and I’m sure I’m not the only one. So we went on with our plans, hoping that we would not be wasting money on drinks and food. I’m glad we did. Our friends and family came and we were able to remove ourselves from the crazy world that has seemed to become enveloped in nothing but fear of swine flu. The cards games were quickly kicked to the curb because Karaoke was the showstopper. Thank you to everyone who came. Plans for the next gathering are already in motion.
Pics to come soon. That is once I’m able to get to a computer to upload them.
FWISD HAS CLOSED SCHOOLS!!! April 29, 2009
Well, maybe God has been listening and answered my prayers. Schools have been closed effective immediately due to a swine flu epidemic. According to the news reports, there are three schools in the district that have confirmed cases of the swine flu. Now let me say, this was not the way that I was wanting to get a break, but I will take it! I really need to clear my mind and regroup. This has been a very stressful year. Much more so than last year. I just don’t understand why our school can’t be NORMAL!!! But nonetheless, I get a mini vacation and I’m thrilled. Now let me find something for us to get into!
I hate this damn computer April 21, 2009
Okay I know I’ve posted about this several times before. And here I go again. Why didn’t I listen to the Sales Rep at Best Buy when he told me not to buy a Toshiba computer. But what did Tina do? Tina goes ahead and buys the Toshiba. After everything else that I’ve dealt with with this laptop, not the freaking monitor goes out on it. And the janky thing is only 2 years old. So I guess I’ve learned a very expensive and time consuming lesson. DON’T BUY A TOSHIBA LAPTOP!!
Did You Know – Easter, The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg, & Natural Egg Dyes March 22, 2009
Easter was always one of my favorite holidays growing up. The religious aspect of the celebration didn’t mean much to me. I knew it had to do with Jesus’s resurrection but that was about it. What I looked forward to was coloring eggs and the egg hunts. As a parent, I strive for balance. As I teach my kids the meaning of the holiday, I also try to make Easter just as fun and exciting for my boys as it was for me.
Here are some facts about Easter…
* Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays.
* Easter is celebrated by Chrisitians to observe Jesus’s resurrections three days after his crucifixion.
* Easter marks the end of Lent, a season of prayer and penance.
* The Easter Bunny, a well recognized symbol for Easter, orignated in Germany. It was introduced to America by German settlers who immigrated to the Pennsylvania Dutch country.
* Long ago, in Pagan times, the egg was considered a symbol of new life and rebirth. Chrisitans embraced this theory after Jesus’s resurrection, likening it to the tomb from which Christ arose.
* Easter eggs have almost no part in the Easter celebrations of Mexico, South America, and Native American Indian cultures.
Compliments of Wikipedia and about.com
Last year around this time, I posted about how to make the perfect hard boiled egg, which as a matter of fact, isn’t boiled at all. Since Easter is right around the corner, I thought it fitting to give this information again. Click here for how to get the perfect hard boiled egg. In addition, you can also click here to find inexpensive ways to naturally color your eggs and save money in the process.
