The Lord Has Been Kind...and Soooo Wonderful!!

Today was crazy y'all!! I got up at the butt crack of dawn and went to the Capitol. We were toured by an intern from the Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton's office(she is the non-voting delegate from DC), if you haven't seen it you need too!! and all of this stuff is free!! My legs and feet are aching so bad, we were walking for hours!! and I walked more than most other people, I woke up early and thought i was late and went to the Capitol an hour and a half early...so I just had to walk around for the time until the rest of the interns came over.

I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown today y'all, I had no money!! I didn't even have money to pay my fare back to the room from Capitol Hill!! But I called on the family and as usual, they came through BIG TIME!!! They gave me their last just so that i could make it for the rest of the week!! OMG!!! What would I do without these people who love me??? I would definitely perish, or maybe I would just learn to make due without things(I'm gonna go with perishing, but one never knows until one is in the situation). Any way, they put money in my account, which allowed me to continue with the travel associated with the internship orientation!! I, of course, got lost once again trying to get to the lunch from the National Museum of African Art! I went the wrong way on the train and arrived 30 minutes late...y'all...this can't happen again!! and tomorrow it won't; we don't have to be anywhere until 12:00 PM!!! I will sleep until 9!!! YAY!!!

and I did what I have been dying to do ever since the sun began to warm our part of the earth in March: SWIMMMMMMIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!(read with Oprah's Voice) It was wonderful!! and it felt good on my aching legs and feet. But I did realize, i can't swim!! I will re-learn this summer. I found out by jumping into the twelve feet deep end and being terrified!! I scrambled to the surface and clung to the wall until I reached the 5 ft. section...lol but I will be able to jump into the deepest part and not wig out by July 26, 2008. I am also trying to do some kind of exercise daily. Does swimming count as cardio??? I'm going to lift today, after a nice 20 min cardio session!! and then I will finish my work out with another 20 minute cool down cardio session...see Lucky-in-life?? I can take advice too!!! incorporating cardio into my workout!! and I have been doing good!! I haven't been eating the fast food folks have been offering!! I am really trying to be good!! i even wake up and eat breakfast(which I despise, by the time lunch comes, I am beyond ravenous...I feel as though my stomach is eating itself!! and I did it again today y'all, I went and talked with a group of practical strangers!!! i am trying to build some sort of relationship with folks other than my roommate, but I really hate trying to get to know new people, especiall college students...all of these folks are party animals, and that is definitely not me...but, I digress. But I am working to improve myself...I of course cracked folks up today, folks were asking where I was, btu the were asking me...let me explain: I came to DC with a mini afro, I met them with that hair...now I am practically bald!! and they were like oh, did we leave the bo with the fro and the glasses??(I had on contacts) I was like no, I'm here. They all like dang!! Forreal??? I said "Yeah(sounding like Karla), I do it for dramatic effect..." and then everyone just started crackin' up!!

But anyway, read the poem, comment, update your blog, and head on over to going down in flames...I updated it yesterday and am about to do so again before I go work out.

Family

© Antony Smith

Family is, heaven sent from our father above, bonded by the power of love.
No matter what family has each others back,
when push comes to shove.
Family is, understanding, never demanding, all for one and one for all, I will never leave you alone standing.
Family is, one in itself, my love is your love, your pain is my pain, my wealth is your
wealth, I promise to never leave you by yourself.
Family is, the strongest team, the strongest unit; if love could be visualized, family
would be the blue print.
Family is, forgiveness and patience, it's sweeter than the sweetest fragrance, the
power of family is a reflection of Gods compassion and magnificence.
Family is, never turning our back, and never shames, lend my helping hand and not a finger pointing the blame.
No matter what a family bond can never be broken, even through a nuclear explosion,
if one of us lives we all live. Forever to eternity, we are family, my father, my mother,
my sisters and me.

Antony-Tyrone Smith
AKA
Pen Dragon

In DC, finally!!

Hey, y'all!! I'm here, in the nation's capital!! And so far I love it!!! I am broke of course, but come Friday, I will not be eating cereal anymore for breakfast and dinner!! They have kindly been giving me lunch!! I was downtown today and it was amazing!! I love how fast the city is...I swear I done sweated (is that a word??) out about 5 lbs in just one day!! But the pace is just fast enough for me!! I love the metro system, it is so comprehensive, and y'all know I like to go and get lost and find my way back. so I've been doing just that!! I had to get up at the butt-crack of dawn and go get a haircut, I made it to the barbershop at around 6:35 AM, I left the dorm at 6:00, the man was ten minutes late, but he did a good job!! I was of course late to the meeting, but it was only because I got lost and went to the wrong location (our morning meeting was different from the luncheon location), but I figured it out and went to the correct place, spending money I ain't got. but anyway, everyone was worried about me and was "so glad" I made it, like I was gonna get murdered...lol ;-D

I am so glad that this day is over, I will not be wearing a suit tomorrow!! I was sweating bullets, plus, I'm wearing it again on Friday, so I want it as clean as possible. I had on those hard bottomed shoes, and I gotta tell you, my dogs is BARKIN'!!!!! I really don't see how those women were doing it all day. I just found out from my roommate that our third is not here because he is just now graduating...wait for it...wait for it...High School!!! and there is this one girl here from Cali, she came even though her school still has classes going on...how random is she?? She is staying up all night writing papers...so glad I go to school in the south!!(gotta find something good, right??) all in all, I'm wondering what the apprehension was about!! I did something that is so out of character for me: I went to a table full of strangers and actually sat with them and laughed and conversed(that was for you Lucky...you know what I was thinking, and it ended in -ating). I can't wait until I have the money to go exploring the city, I found a "Filene's Basement" (Upward Mobility, that was for you, you know my tie collection is about to be off the chain!!)

I also decided that I am not gonna do that thing that I had planned to do...y'all know what I mean...that one thing. I just don't have the time or desire to deal with all the bull that comes along with it! so that lifts a weight off my shoulders. I am gonna try to work out every evening. I think I do enough cardio walking all over this campus, but I do love that the walks don't seem so far!! The only thing I'm not liking is the Humidity and the heat!!! it is too crazy!!!

I don't know what else to say right now, but if I think of something I'll update!! Off to my daily blogroll!!

The Woman at the Washington Zoo
by Randall Jarrell
The saris go by me from the embassies. Cloth from the moon. Cloth from another planet. They look back at the leopard like the leopard. And I. . . . this print of mine, that has kept its color Alive through so many cleanings; this dull null Navy I wear to work, and wear from work, and so To my bed, so to my grave, with no Complaints, no comment: neither from my chief, The Deputy Chief Assistant, nor his chief-- Only I complain. . . . this serviceable Body that no sunlight dyes, no hand suffuses But, dome-shadowed, withering among columns, Wavy beneath fountains--small, far-off, shining In the eyes of animals, these beings trapped As I am trapped but not, themselves, the trap, Aging, but without knowledge of their age, Kept safe here, knowing not of death, for death-- Oh, bars of my own body, open, open! The world goes by my cage and never sees me. And there come not to me, as come to these, The wild beasts, sparrows pecking the llamas' grain, Pigeons settling on the bears' bread, buzzards Tearing the meat the flies have clouded. . . . Vulture, When you come for the white rat that the foxes left, Take off the red helmet of your head, the black Wings that have shadowed me, and step to me as man: The wild brother at whose feet the white wolves fawn, To whose hand of power the great lioness Stalks, purring. . . . You know what I was, You see what I am: change me, change me!

I'm so tired of it...all of it...go ahead take a bow...

I am so sick of folks thinking they can tell me things at the last minute and it's okay. I do have my own plans, and I enjoy them! I don't just sit around and wait for others to say "Robert! Go do this, and go do that...and so on and so forth," this shit drives me batty!! I was just trying to relax last night, just like everyone else in the house, but no!! I had to fix Gram food(which wasn't an issue, at first), then I had to feed the dogs(again, not an issue at first), and then I had to go pick up Nigel at Uncle's house. The biggest issue was that i couldn't do it on my own schedule, I was reading an article, and had every intention of feeding the dogs right when I finished the two remaining paragraphs...but no, I had to get up and do it right then!!! WHY??? Then I was trying to finish reading the same article, what do i hear as I sit down??? "Robert, go get my dog. I left him at your uncle's house." I say, "OK, I'll go get him," but I continue to try to finish this last two paragraphs!! "Did you hear me??" "Yes, ma'am." "Then, go get my dog!!"

I was so over these folks at this point!!!

And the coordinator of this internship program is pissing me off!! It was unclear about whether or not orientation began on Sunday or Tuesday, so I asked and he told me the program begins Sunday, and it was told to me in my acceptance letter. Obviously, I needed clarification. And then he had the nerve to say, "well, I think you you should get into the habit of checking your e-mail more often during the day. We send out several e-mails per day, and they all have the info you need." I just asked if orientation started on Sunday or Tuesday...why the attitude??

So today I woke up and had an e-mail from him telling me what I was to bring and what to leave at home. I can't believe they think we can bring all this shit on a plane...whose gonna pay for it??? I could barely afford the ticket, let alone any extra baggage and a TV...shithell!!!

But in other news: on Tuesday, I went to the graduation at my alma mater, and met up with my buddy, Cliff. I rode there with Rachel(friend, not sis), and I was able to see my old JROTC teacher, which was nice!!

Yesterday, I went to the graduation of my little cousin, at the Kansas School of the Deaf. It was so odd to be the one that needed the interpreter(the whole program was in sign language and there was an interpreter for us hearing folks...lol, talk about walking in someone's shoes!!

MOnday, Monday...

Monday was a cool day, I finally went to the park!!! I love the park...it was nice to hang with Helly-Belly, Meeks, LC, and Ty-P!! We just chllaxed for a few hours, then went to Uno's Pizzeria...it was da' bomb!!! It was fun though!! and after that we dropped Helly-Belly back off with Momma...and then went to see "Baby Mama," go see that!! Then I received a phone call from my Buddy Shonda(she lives in NC, and goes A&T, so I never get to see her!!!) and she picked me and our other buddy Rae Etoile up and we went to Sonic(and no I didn't eat!! I've been doing so much better y'all!!!) I just had a shake, but, let me explain, I haven't had any kinda Ice cream cake things in a while. We talked for hours, they wanna come down and see Spel-House Homecoming, but the are really trying to come down for their fall break, I'm starting to get upset at these fall break things...we need one!!! but overall Monday was cool, laid back, and fun!! I'm starting to dread leaving!! Sunday is so close now!! My family is gonna BBQ on Saturday instead of Monday since I won't be in town for any the good family BBQs!!! Don't you just love family?? oh and I'm trying to find a study abroad program for spring 2009...look some stuff up, and let me know y'all!!!

This song isn't how my Monday felt, but this is how most of them are!!

Weekend...major Brain fart

This weekend was pretty boring, I didn't go to church, and I didn't go out. I stayed home and enjoyed it. Me and Helly-Belly hung out and we ate everything that wasn't nailed down. I read some blogs, and I made Thai Red Curry..kinda weird, but then again kinda good. I befriended a few more folks that will be in DC this summer. I stayed up all night on Saturday and read Harry Potter #7 and watched The Bill Moyers Journal...learned about this family where both parents are former CLinton officials and they are both superdelegates, a Black man and a Latina woman. Of course, they are supporting Obama and Clinton, respectively. I also had a great talk with my uncle's girlfriend and that about sums up my weekend!!!!

Sorry!! Forgot to put up something art Related!!(the Weekenders Theme Song)

Everybody's running and the world it gets so crazy,
When you work so hard there's no time to be lazy,
The weekend comes I'm down with that,
Grab your ball, grab your bat,
Head to the beach, grab some rays,
Better hurry up just got two days,
Playing games,
Hanging out,
Rollercoaster,
Theres no doubt,
Go to the mall,
Lot of fun,
PIZZA RUN!

It's time for all of us to bring it on out,
Hey thats what the weekends all about,
SHOUT!

Best buds, hanging strong,
Best friends can do no wrong,
Just two days, when we roll,
Video games I'll beat your score,
Watch cartoons, on TV,
Drink that frosty chuggafreeze,
That's what we like to do,
C'mon y'all, I'm talkin' to you!

Oh-oh
I'm a livin' for the weekend,
I'm a livin' for the weekend.
HEY!

Is it Friday already??

I cannot believe its Friday already! I didn't do anything today!!! I talked to Upward Mobility today, and of course he helped work through some of my issues I've had lately with one of the besties!! I also had a photo shoot with Helly-Belly, the photos will be posted below, I ate a Double Cheeseburger, and some Strawberry Ice Cream. I also tried once again to get Marrell to start a blog, I tried the "all the cool kids are doing it" approach, needless to say he rebuffed me immediately!! ;-P I am still slightly depressed about this friggin' "C," and Gram did something unprecedented: she actually applied some pressure on me to decide upon a career...as you can imagine, I was appalled!! Other than that...I restarted the 7th Harry Potter Book, The Deathly Hollows, I just couldn't resist it...so at this point I'm reading 3 books at once...too bad I can't do this with my textbooks...lol...but not really, it's kinda sad!!! I'm feeling a little melancholy, but I hope to get over it tonight...and be good to go tomorrow. OH, two of my cousins graduate on Wednesday...isn't that the trashiest..and they graduate at the same time. This happened when I graduated too, I graduated at one end of the city and my cousin, Lee, graduated at the other end!! How rude...why don't these schools consult us before the file for these graduation dates and times???(asking a lot, right??)

A Friday Gift From Me To You
by Mark Kernan

Here's a little friendship gift, I wish to offer you,
It's words, so carefully chosen, to prove my feelings true.
Of all the beings, in this world, - six billion I believe, or so,
You are the one selected to reap what these words sow.

For every day that I've known you,
Richer I've become.
In thoughts, in deeds, and in visions of things yet to come.
Day and night you're on my mind,
And in my heart as well.
You and I - friends forever - time will surely tell.

The pain you feel, so deep within, is that, I hope to lift,
When today, you, my very special friend, receive this Friday gift.
For all your pain and suffering, God will take you in,
If you just remember, "You're on cloud nine headed for ten".

Thursday, What can I say??

Okay, so yesterday as most of you know, I went to Barnes and Noble. I found a book on blogs and copied all of the web addresses, they will be posted on here. Some of these blogs look hilarious, look them up and see how you feel. I found this other book about the Black Skin color Complex, I bought it, I had to. I had the craziest encounter with my Sister. She had the nerve to say something about having good hair...y'all know I nearly had a stroke...and I nearly choked her when she went on to defend the notion of straighter hair being good, while nappy hair is bad...this girl really needs some help...so I'm gonna read the book and then get the Gram or Mom to make her read it! here is the opening quote in the book, "This society measures the success of the Negro by how fast he turns White," (James Baldwin). Also Meeks said the darnedest thing: She said that she doesn't care for dark people...and tried to equate that to me not necessarily valuing diversity the way she does...I could not believe this!!!! and she said that our "problems" were of equal lunacy...I beg to differ, how do you feel?? Also, I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," one the funniest movies I've ever seen!! (yes, funnier than "Dan in Real Life" and "Juno"). Okay so I promised two poems and/or lyrics so here goes:

The Revolution Will Be on the Big Screen

My man Gil Scott Heron once said:
The revolution will not be televised
Well...
Gil Scott may have a point
The revolution may not be televised
But...
The revolution will be a major motion picture
The revolution will not be televised
But...
The revolution will be on the big screen

The Revolution will be a fifty million dollar production
The Revolution will be written by John Grisham
And directed by Oliver Stone
The Revolution will star Kevin Costner and Julia Roberts
And they will teach people of color
How to revolt
And how to fight and how to hide and how to kill
And how to SCREAM
The Revolution will be on the big screen, brother.

The Revolution will have one Latino extra
Playin' a thief
One Asian extra
Playin' a servant
And one Native American extra runnin’
down Florence and Normandie yellin’
Geronimo.

The Revolution will have one Black supporting actor
Denzel Washington
Who will be killed by Kevin Costner in the first
three minutes
For looking at Julia Roberts for more than
one minute
While Kevin Costner will have a picture of Whitney Houston
Burnin' in his wallet
The Revolution will be on the big screen, sistah.

The Revolution will be coming soon to a theatre near you
And will get two thumbs up from Siskel and Ebert
And will make more money than Jurassic Park and ET
The Revolution will cost $7.50 to see or $5.50 if
you got a student i.d.
The Revolution will go good with popcorn, bon bons and licorice
The Revolution will be on the big screen.

The Revolution will have a multi platinum soundtrack
Wtih revolutionary songs sung by
Guns 'N' Roses, Metallica and Madonna
The Revolution will be advertised on billboards, buses, t shirts
and at Taco Bell and Micky Dees
The Revolution will be on the big screen.

The Revolution will be distributed internationally
The Revolution will be seen in Cuba, Ruwanda and Haiti
The Revolution will change the way the world thinks about
Revolution
And the way the world thinks about
Change
The Revolution will be on the big screen.

The Revolution will have a sequel
The Revolution will have a part III
The Revolution will be too large for t.v.
Too large for the little screen
The Revolution will be larger than life
Larger than large
And larger than larger than large
The Revolution will not be televised
Will not be televised
Not be televised
Be televised
The Revolution will be
On the Big Screen.

D-Knowledge
(Derrick I.M. Gilbert)

and

Thursday's Child

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
--Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme