RMHH Blogs

A slight take on the song by Jay-z and Too Short, "A Week Ago..." On this the year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I'm here thinking about just how little has been done. I watched Brian Williams last night recount all the things he went through in the city. I've heard about the Spike Lee jawn that's been showing on HBO. I have to wonder... what in God's name is wrong with our government? This was the most catastrophic natural disaster in our nation's history and the best we can do is say "dern dawg, you gon' be alright." I mean the missteps, the lack of decision making, the lack of planning, the FRIGGIN' LACK OF CONCERN! These are people and their LIVES that are being toyed with. I understand the hindsight is always 20/20 but you know, the question has been asked, if this was Nantucket, MA, if this was South Beach, FL, if this was LI, NY, if this was Connecticut or Maine, would the response have been the same? Hell, if it was Philadelphia or NY would the response have been the same? Too many politicians dance around this question but we all know the answer is a resounding NO. Why? Because in each case there's a support system for the city, government, or people. In the cases of Nantucket, South Beach, LI, Conn, and ME, that's political suicide. The power of the New England states and South Florida should not be underestimated. This is where $$ is. And, even though Miami is a racial mix, these are largely places with "white" $$. That's just real. So, why after months and months do large portions of New Orleans still sit in ruins? Why do we still see the effects of Hurricane Katrina? Why will half the city NOT return home? Why is crime worse there than it has been in years (not that it was America's safest city before)? There are sooo many factors involved in post-Katrina N.O. I don't think I have a good enough grip on everything to go into it here. What I do know is that our government, LA state government, and NO city government screwed up royally and things have been very slow to return back to normal. Is it because the neighborhoods effected are largely poor, is it because the neighborhoods effected are largely black, is it because outside of the French QUarter and Riverfront, there isn't a WHOLE lot in the city? I don't know. I'm not a New Orleans resident and I've only been there once in the past 5 years for about a week. What I do know is that something Brian Williams said (and something Michael ERic Dyson told Brian WIlliams) keeps ringing in my head. M.E.D. said Katrina gave us (Americans) the perfect oppurtunity to talk about race, class, poverty, and something else in America. And we didn't capitalize on it. B. Williams said it was the media's duty to address these issues after Hurricane Katrina. And nobody did it. Not on an ongoing basis.

The tragedy in my mind is that we're quick to forget things and lessons of the past aren't easily learned. Katrina was a once a century storm and a series of events led to the breakdown in socity that we saw in New Orleans. It should NOT happen again but my fear is that it will. My fear is that in 5 years, no one will remember Katrina, just as few people remember Andrew-- devastated south Florida and Miami but FAR fewere deaths. Hmmm... The talk about Katrina has been weighing on me lately. I may speak on it tonight in prayer and praise. What is a Christian's responsibility when a disaster like this strikes? Is it any different than any other time? If I have a moment, I'll answer this question tomorrow.

This weekend, as I was working the 5am shift [again], I began to think about how each of us plays a role in life. We each have a specific role to play, a purpose, and many times we run from it because the road is too difficult, too tough, too stressful. But I was reminded in church yesterday that it "bes like that sometimes." Really, as Christians whose lives are not our own nor are they lived for us, we should expect there to be trouble, to be issues, to be storms. But just as you go through surgical pains to achieve a healing so also do we have to go through pruning pains to achieve where we want to be.

The issue, sometimes, is whether or not we are following God's path or our own. I forget what I was doing, seeing, or thinking about but when you're around a group of people who all know their role, the organization, ministry, or service runs like a finely oiled machine. There are very few interruptions or distractions occuring and everyone is content with doing their thing because the ultimate is being achieved. When someone is not there, that can cause an issue because someone else has to play their part, however if we're all familiar with the role a certain person plays, than filling in isn't difficult. The same goal is achieved. However, when someone is trying to play a role that is not for them and they keep attempting it or they try to play multiple roles, the machine's timing is thrown off and things do not go as smoothly. At times, playing the wrong role can totally mess up someone or someones else. Then, a goal cannot be achieved because the machine, the organization, the ministry, the service is functioning properly.

What's your purpose, your role, in life, in ministry? There is no harm in seeking that purpose, please do not make that mistake. There is harm in knowing what your purpose ISN'T and still trying to play that role. At work, at church, at home, we all have roles to play-- whether we like them or not. THese roles keep things calm, smooth, and turmoil free. Isn't it worth it to seek the Lord and discover what your role, your purpose is in this life? What is mean, what does God have for you?

Just something I had been thinking on.

Also, here's the situation and some Godly advice would be appreciated for your dear reverend. Looked at a home a month or two ago. It was cool and all, etc. The only problem(s) were it's proximity to my church and work, and it's tiny 1 bathroom. Okay. Fine. Otherwise it was cool. Wife like's it alot. She would. We didn't have Any $$$ at the time. Now, we have enough saved up for some matching grants, etc., etc. Two folks' mortgages fell through and the house is still available. Now, I know God promised us a house. Earlier in the summer our Pastor talked about the promise vs. the plan. I.e., Abraham was promised a son but when the promise didn't come quick enough, he planned on getting a son. Right now, I'm at a point when I don't want to plan jack! I want everything to be about the promise. Logically, this would be something to go for. But I'm talking the plan. I know no one can really give me an answer but God but what would you do in this situation??

For those who know me from RMHH, this will look familiar. To everyone else, it's just a post-- er, blog-- about random things. At the end, I'll explain for those not familiar with RMHH.

*It's 8:40 and I have to be up at 3:00am, yet I'm here watching football (Colts vs. Seahawks). I'll go to bed soon, I promise. But watching the Colts, I'm thinking dern, why haven't these guys gotten to the Super Bowl? They have arguably the best quarterback in the league (yeah, I love Donovan but Manning's been a bit more consistent over the years), a host of role players, a good coach (and have had consistently good coaches) but still haven't been able to get there. Yet, you have a team like Seattle who, since becoming part of the NFC, have consistently improved and made it to the SuperBowl last year. The Seahawks! That's like the Saints making it to the SuperBowl. So, yeah, what's the deal with Indianapolis? Why can't they get their SuperBowl berth?

* Ordered my copy of the Roots' Game Theory online today. I ordered it from Okayplayer.com, got the bundle (J Period's "Best of the Roots" mix CD and the Game Theory tee). Alot of folk, lots of critics are saying this is the Roots' breakout record. They're on Def Jam now, they've got Jay backing them, this a dark cd, folks' are thinking this could be the one. Pardon me if I'm not all gung-ho. I love the Roots dearly. Been following them since 1994/1995. I'm one of their biggest fans in my circle of friends. And frankly, whether they go platinum or not, I think they've made their noise. They have a dedicated, loyal, almost cult-like fanbase. And critics have been hailing their "next record" as their "breakout record" since Things Fall Apart in 1999. They've dropped gem after gem after gem sicne their debut "Do YOu Want More?!??!???!" Like'em, hate'em, indifferent, the Roots have made their mark in hip-hop. A quote by AJ Shine at the end of Iladelph Halflife or THings Fall Apart still holds true. "Yet still, the concept of the Roots has not blown up and it is possible it won't." If it doesn't, I don't care as Thought said on the last album. They've dropped good music and as long as they can keep convincing labels to give them backing, I'll support them.

* I'm working on improving my spirituality. I've been lagging in everything, in study, in prayer, in meditation. I've got to get back into it because it feels like I'm disjointed, like I'm just here and not about anything. I need to reconnect with my God.

* Carol Riddick. Cop that. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

* It hit me this weekend, I'm 30 years old with 3 kids. 3! The last 4 years have really been a blur and I'm realizing that I'm almost 3/4 through this year. 3 kids. My oldest is going into 1st grade. Wow. How did this happen? Things have been constantly moving since I've been married. I don't know if I've had time to stop and smell the roses. 3 kids! If anyone has a minivan or SUV in good condition that just needs routing maintenance and they need to get rid of it, holla atcah boi!

* It also hit me that I've been working in tv for 5 years (at month's end). I walked into NBC10 3 weeks before September 11 happened. And when it did happen, I had the responsibility of calling all the guests of 10 at 10 (later called 10! and referred to as the 10! show) and letting them no there would be no show for the forseeable future. And I must have done that for a week before people understood it would be a while before getting back to normal. Yeah, that was my introduction into TV news and entertainment. And here I am 5 years later floor directing for the same show I pa'ed for (pa=production assistant). If my memory were better, I'd write a book on my life.

* Classes start up again in a few weeks. Keep that in prayer. I'm getting to be a better student. And I'm actually looking forward to continuing my seminary classes. I know, I must be crazy. I've never been excited about school.

I think that's all. Oh, short explanation of RMHH. It's a newsgroup I've been on for a ridiculously long time (over a decade). For those of you unfamiliar with newsgroups, they were the precursors to blogs, message boards, etc. RMHH stands for rec.music.hip-hop. Without going into the technical details, just know that's the newgroup address, if you will. If you go to groups.google.com and do a search for rec.music.hip-hop, you'll see it and have the oppurtunity to subscribe. It's free (as most newsgroups are) but don't expect much aside from a bunch of guys occasionally talking hip-hop but moreso discussing almost everything else in life. there are no graphics, no flash enabled meta files, no rss, nothing like that. Yeah, it's an antiquated way of communicating but this particular group has held it's ground since late 1994 or early 1995. Come on by and say hi. A bunch of folk who are on my friends list are RMHH regs (regulars)-- Beezer, Tim, Pizon, Jay, Fatboy Roberts (haven't gotten to the site yet but consider this a shout out), Luca, patrick, DJ A to the L, Jenna Shaw, and Sumran. RMHH forever!

Pakistan are refusing to come out after Tea for the last session due to being accused of ball tampering in the previous session. The ball was changed by the umpires but nobody seemed to know what the hell happened.

I'm in complete agreement with Ian Botham (for once), if they did nothing wrong then it's a matter of pride for the Pakistanis so fair play to them.

If they did do something wrong, there will be proof to back up the claims.

About Pete Doherty. I mean fucking hell, seriously who gives a flying fuck. I have yet to meet a person who cares yet he gets so many column inches. Who fucking cares if he's pumping the shit into his body and shagging a supermodel. He's supposed to be a musician...

Damn I didn't realise it annoyed me so much.

As what is happening in the world right now. Without detailing my political views and thoughts on the current world crisis (most people can probably guess) I would like to address a point which makes me angry, very, very fucking angry.

The USA and UK administrations have waged war in the name of "democracy", in fact the fundamental building block of a road map to peace in the world is democracy they claim. However, the US, UK and Isreal refuse to accept Hamas as the political leaders of Palestine. Ok, I might not agree with some of the views that Hamas hold and some of the methods they have in the ast used to comunicate their views However, they were democratically elected. Fact.

If you choose democracy as a political ideolgy, you accept the fact that some people will elect leaders/establishments who the majority of the international community may not like. This does not make the legitimacy of their establishment any less.

Fuck it, at least for the most part they try and hide these double standards, but this one is too big to hide. If you choose democracy and promote this ideology around the world, then you cannot go back on it.

Again, although I do not agree with some of Hamas' views, I do recognise that they were elected by the people. Unfortunatelt so was Tony Blair.

A good friend of mine is a very talented ameteur writer. Quite recently he has written an excellent essay which I think needs a much wider readership. So hopefully he won't mind if I post the link and say it's worth a read, if only for the fact that it forces you to think...and that cannot be bad. The essay is titled "Big Brother, Backwards" and can be found at: http://njh2005onwards.blogspot.com/.

Contrary to how it might seem, this isn't a case of trying to get a friend some shine. Plenty of my friends have blogs/pages on various topics, but it's rare that any of them appeal to me.

So peep it.....