Stuff That I'm Dealing With Pt. 1

Hello World,

Its been a while since I have written. As I am writing, the feeling discontent is trying to settle in but I won't let it. This writing is my release. My release from the world I live in. I remember those days when rapping was my passion, and how I would write till my hand was sore. Though I would smoke weed and drink liquor- altering my state of consciousness -I felt some type of mental stability. Keeping emotions and thoughts bottled up is not safe, and could cause mental instability. The year and a half I worked with the mentally ill taught me that. If we do not express ourselves , continually take in and not let out we would be in trouble. So what are the things that I need to release? These things I share with the world, because I feel we should be transparent.

So...I've been doing some self-searching. I've realized that I have a tremendous amount of ambition and I'm heading in the right direction, but there are some "giants" (I'm using the term "giants" because of a sermon series that my Pastor is preaching this month) in my life that are in my way. I mean I can go around them but think about this. When you stand face to face with someone, you could see what's behind them. If I ignore the fact that these "giants" are there, when I encounter people during my journey they will see them. They will be like tall skyscrapers behind me and very much visible.

So what are these Giants?

First off is the "Debt Giant". Going into college my financial literacy knowledge was none and I didn't know the ramifications of taking out private student loans. Whats happening now is, Chase, AES, Sallie Mae and Nelnet (my subsidized loans) are all contacting me. And guess what? I do not make sufficient enough funds to pay them and take care of my family at the same time. What makes matters worse is that I did not need to take out the private loans because my mother was on disability at the time and I attended college for basically free of charge. Chase won't allow me to forbear my loans but I am in the process of consolidating the others to mitigate the damage to my finances. Word of advice to those entering college, "leave the private loans alone!!! They are a trap!!!". Check out the Foundation Center and other grant providers to see what type of grants they may have available for you. Thank God I am an ambitious young man who doesn't dwell- and with God's guidance -searches and finds solutions to issues that arise. I educate myself daily to keep current in this ever so changing tech industry, so when landing my next job I know it will be lucrative.

The next giant is the "giant of procrastination". This giant I fought before I started writing this piece. Procrastination is to delay or postpone action. I could be a lot further along in life if I didn't postpone action. I probably wouldn't have this financial burden on my shoulders if I didn't procrastinate. Daily I am fighting this giant, and daily that giant is falling. I want to give you a poem that my friend Cyrus Charles Weaver put together that helps me deal with procrastination.

Just Do It

Its easy to procrastinate...

All you have to do is sit there and do nothing...

Or just do everything else but what you're supposed to be doing...

Instead of trying to gather up the motivation to do the things you know you want to do...

Just get up and do them...

So often, the hardest part of doing something is getting started...

So instead of thinking about getting started..

JUST GET STARTED!!!

Well that's it for now. I do have a few more giants to slay, and will post as soon as I start dealing with them. I am not procrastinating, just handling one thing at a time (another giant I'm facing).

Till the next time, Grace and Peace

Why Can't We Keep Love New Over Time

Hey World,

I have a question, why can't we keep love new over time?

I spark this question based on things that happen within my own relationship and in others.

I had a late night convo with a good friend of mine who's relationship is on the "brink of whatever she may say it is", and from our dialog I came up with the aforementioned question.

I have realized- both and in mine and in others relationships- that over time we decrease the passion we have for our significant other. Why is that?? It kind of reminds me when I bought my Xbox 360 a couple of years ago. I couldn't put it down when I first purchased it, but now I hardly ever play it. Is this how we portray our relationships over time? We gather excitement in the beginning, but as time runs its course we lose our thrill.

In certain aspects I see this happening in my own relationship ( I will not mention these things because I believe our issues could be improved upon and fixed). Having this conversation with my good friend who has been in a relationship just as long I have, we both see the comfort in our significant others. When I say comfort I mean the feeling that you have won the person over and no longer have to do the things you once did to steal their heart.

In my friends case, I am finding out that their significant other is getting bored and is "testing the waters" again (even though it has not been admitted), meanwhile having his cake and eating it too. My question is, "What causes this?" Is it that the person gets bored and decides to try something new while holding on to their current relationship just in case things with the new "blow up"?

The real issue is keeping the flame kindled. How do we do this? I have a solution. How about keeping up the same routine from when you first met. Guys, if your massaged her feet after a long day of standing in Victoria Secret's all day, continue to do it even if she changes jobs. Ladies, if you cooked a meal for him and ran his bath water for him, continue to do so. Don't stop!!!

So, I'm going to take my own advice and get my Wife some foot scrub and lotion and give her a good foot massage. Why? There is always another person ready to step in and do it for you. Let's try and keep Love new over time.

Signing off,

Twinminded

"the write error to a port occurred. printing is finished"

Hello Word,

This post is kind of contrary to my previous posts, but I decided to write about this because I could not find a solution for it on the net.

A client of mine (I am freelance Network Administrator) has a Muratec MFX-1430 Multifunction printer on his network.

Recently, one of the users on the network was unable to print to the printer, receiving the error message, "the write error to a port occurred. printing is finished". I searched all over the web (Muratec's web site had no documentation on it) and to no avail, I was unable to find a solution. So today I decided to call the manufacturer and see if they had any troubleshooting techniques for me to try. Below are a list of things you should try if this error occurs on your watch.

1. Ping the printer to verify the device is properly connected to the network
2. Check the port setting within the printer properties on each PC to make sure the port starts with "MX" and the description is "Muratec Network Port".
3. Reset the print spooler within the "Services" Microsoft Management Console. (This worked for me)
4. Make sure you can reach the Office Bridge service using the IP address associated with the printer from a web browser.

Hope this helps someone,

Twinminded

"Why do Nice Guys Finish Last"

I was asked the question, "why do nice guys finish last?" by @aprilnicky via BBM earlier. My immediate response was, "because they aren't as aggressive as the bad guys" followed by, "that's why I am in between". But being who she is @aprilnicky was not satisfied with that answer. I elaborated some more and said, "I really think about being a nice guy sometimes but people tend to take advantage of people who are too nice.". That was my explanation for being in the middle. I went on further to say, "I'm not going to let my mate walk all over me- that's not me. I lay down my rules and if it comes out the wrong way, "SORRY...get over it". Now I'm not trying to sound mean y'all but, if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. Of course you don't want to be too harsh where the person will run away but, you need to have some sort of "shield" to put up once a person tries to declare you as a floor mat. Sistahs will push Brothas to the limit if you allow them and at the same time that Brotha might get sidelined for being a punk. So therefore,- both Brothas and Sistahs- have a tiny bit of "meaness" within you for the times when you are about to get "stomped" on!!!

Signing Off....Peace


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rockland Pl,New Rochelle,United States

Response to "Why Can't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man"

My Boy Duece Duece made a video blog based on ABC Nightline Face-off's "Why Can't a Successful Woman". Here is my take on the forum.

The problems that were mentioned are not only Black problems they are universal. What happens though is that black people are exposed more than our other racial counterparts. The black male (mentioned in the Assassination of the Black Male Image) is depicted as a "brute, beast, animal, and ape" by society. We are degraded in the media (look at the way a black basketball player is described compared to a white player) and we live in a time where the media (to some) is used as the source of truth. Hill Harper truly enlightened the forum with facts and not opinion. I have read "The Conversation" and the issues touched on in his piece of literature has opened my eyes to a lot of things that are going on in the Black Relationship Community. Women should have a certain standard when choosing a man but, do not shun away potential. If a man has the ambition to own a McDonalds while he is currently "flipping burgers", roll with that man. As far as dating outside your race, I believe you can find love in any man/woman but a white man (or woman) cannot understand the history of our people. Its almost like the afflicter trying to sympathize with the afflicted, its not going to happen. I love "Black Love" so I settled down with a black woman because when attempting to date outside my race the scrutiny I received from the woman's family was degrading and I refused to assimilate and lose my identity. A powerful woman is not intimidating to me. I love when a woman holds herself to a certain esteem and not downgrade herself as a "video vixen". If my Wife were to make more money than me, so be it, what's her's is mine and vice versa. This is my take on the forum but do read the "The Conversation" by Hill Harper to get a more in-depth look on this issues discussed.

In My Mind

Hey World,

I had a lot on my mind tonight so I figured I'd blog. So yea this is my last week of school and I'm excited. No more homework due at the end of the week, no more labs, discussions, just no more school!!!! But it's time to chalk up another victory. Thank God. I swear 5 years ago I thought my life at this age would be spent in jail or death!!! But God has a way of turning around things. Foreal though, I've never been so stressed in my life. It seems like soooooooo much is riding on my shoulders. The damn transmission EXPLODED on me on Monday and, I had to shell out $1900 to get it rebuilt. The optimism of that situation is that I have a warranty and the transmission is covered (whew!!!). Having a Wife and 2 kids exacerbates (I know that's such a harsh word) my stress level even more but, honestly I'm learning to turn that into eustress. I trully believe the 6 weeks i was enrolled in that Abnormal Psychology class has helped. There are some days where I feel like exploding like my transmission (great analogy lol) but, between prayer, soft music and CNN, yes CNN I make it through my day. On a business note, I have a few opportunities lined up for me. Met a great smart guy who shares the same ambitions as I do who has 10 years of experience in the field, so it's almost time to develop an action plan to move forward. Twitter and Facebook have skyrocketed my clientele too. I'm coming across things I have never done and I am so loving the challenge. On a personal note (this is where it gets interesting), I am on a serious spiritual and emotional rollercoaster. I'll ride a spiritual wave for about 2 weeks then BAM, I fall right back into a slump. I would disclose what makes me fall but that's between me and the Lord. As far as the emotional instability, one day I feel like I could take over the world then others I feel like everyone is better than I am. If I could ride in the middle of the two I would be straight, kinda like a "humble conqueror". Sidebar: 16 and Pregnant is cracking me up right now (yawns). Well I think I got a few things off of my chest and feel that I could got to bed with a peaceful mind. Gotta get up earlier..I have a 7:10am pickup. Peace till next time

Posted from the corner of "Twin" and "Minded" on my iPhone

Location:Rockland Pl,New Rochelle,United States

Close to End of the Beginning of My Life

Hey World,

So as I draw near to the end of my collegiate career the anxiety starts to settle in. This anxiety for some can cause them to lose their mind, and for others it fuels the fire burning passion within them. I am between the two maybe because a few years back I didn't think I would be where I am today and all that is happening is so surreal to me. It hasn't settled in yet. When will the tears flow? When will that barrier that continues to guard my heart from what the beautiful things this life have to offer crumble? God has blessed me so much over the past few years and I just can't believe it. The question, "Why me?" continues to linger in my mind, "Why was I chosen?" festers everyday when pondering on the series of things that have happened in my life. Maybe I should stop asking and go forth with the blessing bestowed upon me and bless others with the gift given to me. It's funny, two weeks are left and I am excited so excited that I don't know how to handle the glee within me. I am excited for my Grandmother who will see her first grandchild graduate from college with a Bachelors degree (the first of her children and grand-children). Before overwhelming is now becoming strong-will and determination to finish the race and finish it strong. Writing this blog in particular has been theraputic. When I mean I was ready to shut down....You all just don't know but, in this piece I have found peace knowing God is with me and will give me the strength to press on and finish. So as I draw near to the end of the beginning of my life, I have in mind my black brothers who hang on the corner who believe becoming a street pharmacist will be their fate. I am here to tell them, "NO brothers this is not your end". Look at Ray Rice and Courtney Greene they made it, so can you. You don't have to be the ball player put something in your head to make good decisions for the younger generation behind you as I have done for you. The end of the parking lot to the store and back does not have to be the furthest you will ever go in life. See Italy, France, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Rise up and be those band of brothers who will stand strong for our sisters and not refer to them as "bitches and hoes", be better than that brothers. There have been many who have paved the way for us, let's take advantage of the road and build buildings on top of the foundation that was made for us. WHEW!!! As for me, I will finish....What about you????



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Pierce St,New Rochelle,United States

The Storm

Hello Blog World,

This is officially my first blog and what a time to do so. On Saturday, March 13th, the roughest storm I've ever encountered during my 23 years of life on this Planet we call "Earth" occured. Around 9AM I went to pick up my Wife's Boss' computer and on the way back I picked up a headlight for our week old 2007 Dodge Caliber. I received a phone call from Erika and she said, "Babe, don't come home a tree has fallen and knocked the power out". I replied, "wow" and she continued on to say, "...and the tree fell on Crystal's car". Suddenly, I felt a chill run through my body, not because I thought she was hurt she was in the house "getting her hair did" at the time but because I had a feeling that one of the two trees adjacent from each other were going to fall. Earlier before I left I was within the trajectory of the the tree that fell checking the left headlight I received a ticket from the night before but, I had a premonition of that piece of lumber falling so I followed my instinct and moved. I think I have a sixth sense of seeing things before they happen (Final Destination like lol). Crystal said to me, "you should've told me you felt that way I would've moved my car" (I do feel somewhat guilty for not telling her hopefully her insurance company totals the vehicle and purchases her a new one). What makes all of this worse is that I have 2 computers to fix with a third on the way, I missing out on money people!!!! The aftermath of this weekends rain and wind storm was cinematically horrific, the thought of the "end of days" did run through my mind I admit. Down powerlines, twenty-foot fallen lumber, and blocked roadways made me feel trapped in this huge world. Now if this doesn't scare or at least makes the non-believer ponder about God and who He is, I don't know what will. Here in New York we don't experience storms of this magnitude so when one passes through it kind of feels like the "Hand of God" coming down on His people.

So let's see what did I learn from this storm and blackout. Well first I realized that God's force is mightier than any force on this earth. Whose breath is that strong that it can knock down an 1 ton (I might be underestimating the weight) tree causing utility lines to snap in half and crumble to the ground? I also realized that we rely on electricity way too much. What would happen if we had a world wide blackout? One thing I am happy about is after a storm there is always sunlight. Who reading this blog is going through a torrential storm like the one explained in this reading


- Posted from the corner of "Twin" and "Minded" on my iPhone

Location:Hunter Ave,New Rochelle,United States