The Lack Thereof

I often see freshmen and sophomores and I try to help guide them the right way, telling them how to dress in a professional setting or schooling them on how they should carry themselves when going into a business-oriented function, be it a dinner, meeting, social event, et cetra. And that is ok because these gentlemen (and sometimes ladies) are young and sometimes come from situations where they never had to learn to tie a tie or eat with the proper fork. Had I not taken it upon myself, I wouldn't have learned how to do those things.

But I have digressed; this post is about those who are seniors and juniors, know about proper etiquette and the resources available to them, and then choose to ignore them. I know I have a lot to learn but at the same time, I'm light years ahead of most people my age in terms of the professionalism I display. And being professional is not always about being the best dressed nor is it about always speaking the king's English. More importantly, it is about your mannerisms. Are you punctual? Are you clean and well-manicured? Can you put together a sentence that can convey what you mean to both the simplest person and to a Rhode Scholar? Do you read?

I don't feel like anyone should find total contentment where they are at any point in life. I want to grow in every avenue until the day God calls me to be with Him. Even though I am good at all of these, I want to become an excellent Christian, leader, mentor speaker, boyfriend (eventually husband and prayerfully father), reader, writer, scholar, athlete, friend, son, brother, and anything else I may do. And when I reach that level of excellence, I want to strive for perfection.

Too many people don't think like this and that is why I am going to be so successful... because I'm Goliath in a world of Kevin McCallisters.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

We Used To Be Tight

You ever lose a friend?

Not "lose" in the sense of death. I mean "lose" like "Damn. We used to be so tight. Now we don't talk at all. What happened?"Last week I kicked it w/ some of my boys from home. Today I talked with my best friend from high school who I haven't spoken with since December. I really miss my friends even though we have taken different paths.

I have lost too many friends during my time at UNCG. Some I lost the moment I graduated high school, others I lost gradually as I worked to graduate from college. It really isn't a good part of life, but I guess it is a necessary one.

As we grow people change. I sure as hell have changed. Sometimes we change at a rate that mirrors that of our friends. Sometimes we don't. I was thinking about grad school when I graduated from high school. Now that I'm preparing to graduate from college, I'm planning my steps toward being stable enough to have a family and retire by 50. Humbly speaking, I am always mentally ahead of most of those who are demographically beside me.

But that makes life hard. I get frustrated with people not having aspirations. You don't need to know where you will be step by step in 10 years but you need to be taking some steps toward somewhere. Complacency is not attractive. But I find that so many people who are initially interesting lose their appeal because they have no real life goals. "I want to be rich" or "I want to get married" isn't enough. You have to know what you want and how you plan to get there. Otherwise you are just going through the motions, only to eventually hit a wall that you can't scale because you've been taking baby steps toward nowhere your entire life.

That's why I lose most of my friends. There are a certain relationships that I let go of because it just wasn't there anymore. But in those situations, I still say "Damn. We used to be so tight."

To everyone who I consider a friend, ever considered a friend, or will consider a friend, I will always give you my first and my last. That is a promise..

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Dead Ends vs. Highways

Life doesn't always go according to plan. That's real life. But sometimes our plans aren't the ones that life should be going according to. The route that my life is taking in 2010, in every aspect, is one that is keeping me excited because it is a very new path. I am nervous but at the same time, the path is fresh and just full of opportunity. Not a long post, just an observation. Don't push away old paths that are working, but don't be afraid to give up dead ends for highways that have the potential to never end.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Turn Your Lights ON

I had this lil’ bad thing, somethin’ like them 10’s
She gave a aggin mad brain, somethin’ like the Wiz
But you see the sad thing fuckin’ with her is
Is the chick ain’t even have brains, dummy like a bitch
So I tried to show her
About the world and about just who we really are
And where we’ve come and how we still have to go really far
Like baby look at how we live broke on the boulevard
But all she ever want me to do is unhook her bra - - J. Cole

Sitting here, listening to J. Cole, I figured out the perfect thing to write about. Dumb females. This, in no way, is a shot at all females. And if it's not you, please talk to your dumb friends, b/c we all, male and female, have dumb friends of both sexes. Yes, dumb is a mean and politically incorrect term, but the shit is real life. The type of dumb I am talking about is being one dimensional, unable to do anything but physically please me, expendable female.


Not to toot my own horn (TOOT TOOT) but I am something like the man. Not the man, not the HNIC, but I have my hands in every aspect of college life in Greensboro. I am in touch with the chancellors and provosts at the two biggest universities in my city (on a first name basis with 2 of those 4 people), I have the cell phone numbers of the Deans of business schools across the state, and I always have internship opportunities even though I don't seek them. I don't pay to get into parties, I have girls who can easily be called dimes calling my phone to come over even though I don't pick up (anymore), I am the president of the Black Business Students Association and I am a proud brother of the Playboi Pi Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I am dark (check), not short (nor am I tall), and in good shape. Alright, maybe I'm tooting my own horn, but continue to read and it will make sense.


What I don't understand is how a female can try to approach me (or any forward moving man) and not have her stuff together. If you can't carry yourself well in public, how can you expect me to take you anywhere? I've been at dinners with everyone from mayors to congressional representatives to presidential candidate John Edwards. I see UNC System President Erskine Bowles at family gatherings. I might not be rich but I will be and I am in what Brother DuBois named the Talented Tenth. If your only talent is being able to do the things rappers talk about in the songs I will hear tonight at the club, please don't even approach me for two reasons: I have a girl who makes me happy (so even if you can do more than that, fall back) and even if I was single, I wouldn't talk to anyone who can't make me want to be better.


What really made me want to write about this was the line "I tried to show her about the world." I tried so hard to change so many fine girls. I really wanted them to get some sense to match their bodies. It's really hard to see a gorgeous girl who only wants to get it in. You want better for them b/c you see that they have so much potential in them but some people really just want to rely on a man for their entire lives. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be able to rely on us but, in this day and age, a progressive man needs a woman (not a girl) who has the mental capacity to do for herself. I am not a politician but I have a hand in politics and I need a woman who will be able to step back and see things the way they should be seen so that she can give me good advice on the right decisions to make, not (just) which condom would feel best.

I didn't mean to seem vulgar or tactless in this post, but I felt like some of you potential ladies need to hear this. Mine definitely doesn't. Check back in on Monday. And Merry belated Christmas.



Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

That's Just The Way It Is...

"It's time for (me) as a (person) to make some changes..." -- Tupac Skakur

Done with yet another semester at G. 2 semesters left until I graduate. And now I'm changing my major. Crazy right? Wrong. I am doing what is best for me. So many people are afraid of change that they won't take a risk. I was the same way. But, as a result, I kept making the same mistake and, had I taken action when I first thought about it, I would be graduating on time with a higher GPA. But that is neither here nor their b/c I'm still getting out with above a 3 and I will still be successful. I am simply taking a different highway to get to the same place. Don't get me wrong, I wish I had known this coming into college, but I would not have had some of the opportunities that I have had if I hadn't started in the Bryan School of Business and Economics without having taken that original route. I wouldn't be president of BBSA, I wouldn't have been on the Dean's advisory committee, I wouldn't have met innumerable resources within the Bryan School, both from a professor and peer stand point. I am truly fortunate that so many great products came from a decision that, ultimately, turned out not to be the "right" one for me.

Some people say, don't quit. But I don't think of this as quitting. I came to college to get a degree. I want to go into the field of marketing. I will get a degree, and, unless I change my career path, I will go into marketing. I am just taking another avenue. The majority of people do not end up pursuing a career in the field in which they get their degree. I wish I had known that coming into school. Now I will get out with a GPA in my new major of a 3.7 (and that's if it doesn't go up, which it will). It's not so much that I'm taking the easy way out as much as I'm not taking the hard route and I am instead taking the second most logical avenue to make my way out of college. I switched my major and my minor around and now I'm on track to get out at the same time I was going to at the beginning of this academic year. My parents may be upset. Professors in the B-school may be disappointed. But this is my life, my time, and my money so I am doing what I need to do to move ahead.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown

Who Am I? Version 22

" ... I need to find another road to follow. One that's new and strong, not old and hollow..." - - LaRon James

As I step into yet another year of life (praise to my Savior) and another semester comes to a rather abrupt halt, I must look back and reflect on the role that these last few months have played in my life.
This semester has presented me with many challenges. I was in a pageant last night which I spent 6-10 hours each week this semester preparing for. I took on the role of treasurer for my fraternity. I helped mold and bring 3 new Alphamen into the chapter (2 weekends - shout to TRIumph ovE.R. Treason). My chapter competed for, and did the work required to win, fraternal chapter of the year. I serve as president of an organization of 80+ members. I met and developed relationships with the new chancellor, provost, deans, and various professionals. I worked 1 job, accepted offers for 2 more next semester, and paid off my extracurricular debt in full. I went to the gym on a nearly daily basis, stayed well dressed and well groomed for 80% of the semester. I kicked and pushed my way into new friendships while working to let go of ones that proved to be detrimental. I got even closer to my line brothers than I did during Spring '09 and found myself being drawn to get to know brothers from around Area IV, ANCA, and Alpha national (Shout to DI). I have done better this semester than I did in the entire 08-09 school year.
After assessing all of this, I have come to the conclusion that I am spreading myself far too thin. I don't believe in dropping any responsibilities, but I will definitely be stepping back on my journey to 23. I am also working on getting closer to God. Even though I definitely see that I am getting closer to my Lord, I am just rebuilding to get back to where I was in high school. I have matured tremendously. Pairing that maturity with my spiritual growth and the positive impact that I have on the campus could have a major impact. You have 3 options in life - you can use your power for good, evil, or God. God is always good but good isn't always God. So this year, I'm am going to work on specializing my leadership, tailoring it to being a great representative for Him. That doesn't mean I will be perfect, but I will be stronger and I will be working harder and harder to pull away from the sinful nature that we are all born with.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes, cards, balloons, gifts, hugs, etc. If you know me, you know I don't make a big deal on my birthday, so I don't have a problem if it slipped your mind, but I do appreciate the thoughts. Much love.

Litera scripta manet. - Unknown