Time stands still , when the coin isnt flipping

Yesterday I was in my neighboorhood Walmart buying some items that are vital to my exisitence for the next week (Chex Mix, Animal House on DVD, and Apple Juice), when I passed though the beer aisle and I saw a look that I havent seen in months.

There were 4 middle aged black men huddled over a couple of cases of Bud Light, with the biggest smile I think I have seen on some old black men in a while. This wasnt a " Im going to toss back a few beers with my friends" type of smile< it was something diffrent. Then as I glanced down at my watch, and noticed all of the men in the beer, chips, and chicken wing aisles, I rememebred that today is a day ordained by the pigskin gods. When man can stop watching Nascar, golf, and Desperate Housewives, and instead turn to the sight of two 300lb men clashing on the field like the warriors that they are. Thats right boys and girls, are you ready for some football.

You see, ever since the Lakers won the NBA title, time has stood still for me and most men that I knew. We lost track of the days, because the only counter that we knew consisted of "__ days until the start of _____ football". Yesterday at 7:00 pm my clock hit 00:00, and I nearly cried. I didnt like either of the team playing yesterday (Titans/ Bills)... yet it was one of the greatest games that I have ever seen. Maybe I set the bar kinda low because I just wanted to see football (probably true) but I still liked the game. I couldnt tell you who won or loss, but I can tell you that if I were able to convince my tear ducts to release water, then yesterady at 7pm would had been the perfect time.

Education Education for Black Males

University of Pennsylvania PhD Prep Program for Black Males

The University of Pennsylvania is launching an 18-month Academy focused on preparing Black males for admission to Ph.D. programs in education immediately upon completion of their undergraduate studies. They will begin the Academy this fall with 10 Black males who are in their junior year of college. Check it out here: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/blackmenEach Academy participant will receive a 4-day all-expense paid visit to Philadelphia this fall; opportunities for meaningful engagement with the dean, faculty, graduate students, and Black male alumni; free enrollment in a 3-month Kaplan GRE Prep Course (for which Penn is paying $1,200 per participant); a current Black male Ph.D. student who will mentor him through the application process; and an application fee waiver when he applies for Fall 2011 admission to Penn (valued at $85). Most importantly, those who are admitted to our Ph.D. Programs two years from now will be fully funded for their entire 3-4 years of doctoral study.

Please forward this information to Black male undergraduates you know and encourage them to submit applications by August 21st. The Academy is only for Black men who are starting their junior year this fall and planning to graduate in Spring 2011.

The Heat Is On!

Over the past month a bill has been crawling through the Louisiana Legislature that would ban all smoking within bars and casinos. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gary Smith (D) Norco, was originally meant just for bars, but it was amended the a House committee to include gaming establishments except open air patios and Indian Casinos. Management at my job reported to me that when this same bill was passed in Illinois gaming revenue went down by 20 %.

As a self professed Health freak/monitor , but also someone that is sympathetic to small business and big businesses alike, it was admittedly difficult for me to come to a conclusion about this measure.

We all know the health risk of second hand smoke, and its been proven that this contact can almost be as lethal to the recipient as the giver. For me, I hate to go to a club, and along with funky sweat, I have to go home and wash off the overwhelming stench of Black N Milds and Kools. I loved the fact that when I was in D.C. I could talk to the person next to me, and not worry that they may mistake me for a smoker and the only smell they will get a whiff of is my Doublemint Gum (shameless plug).

On initial thought, I would have voted for the ban for a few reasons, but only if it had been amended certain ways.

Sometimes we have to protect people from themselves (ie seat belt and helmet laws), and other times we have to protect people from each other, and that is where this bill lies for me. No one ask to go out with their friends or families and ask for a side of emphysema or a second shot of lung disease. Smokers know what they are doing is an extracurricular activity, and that activity should only be shared by those lucky few. Bars make most of their revenue off of drink sales, not smoking so I doubt if this will seriously affect their sales. Those who choose to smoke can still step outside and smoke their Virginia Slims.

Personally to see this bill passed I would have wanted to see a few amendments added to this bill. The tax revenues from casinos in all of the metro areas of the state are too much to lose, especially in tough economic times. I would have liked to see an amendment where smoking is allowed in facilities that contain a certain amount of table games , or that were a certain amount of sq. feet. This would have prevented destination casinos from being affected by the ban, but for the common LA citizen that attend bars more frequently, would help them to stay respiratory system healthy.

Politics as usual

You know I have to say I am disappointed in my city.....the progress of my city in particular. Four years after Katrina we are still dealing with the same issues as we have been before. We have a mayor and a city council that dont communicate with each other; a council member that whether she believes it or not is enticing racial tensions in the city, little to no new business or residential developments, but probably the worst of all of this cities ill have to do with the cycle of corruption and stupidity in and out of office.

Im not gonna name any names because that would be really tacky of me , but as I look at the races for judge, council in Jeff. Parish, and State Rep.... I have to say that I am not impressed with too many of the canidates. One canidate has openly shouted "white power" at a meeting in the Irish Channel, two canidates are going back and forward about taxes from two years ago...and one canidate doesnt even live in the district, yet they are supported by every public official in the city. You know the thing I really dislike about theicity is the nepitism and the system of supporting those that you know rather than those that are qualified. Many of the cities residents feel so disenfrinchised by the current political establishment, that those who can run refuse to. Its my hope that in the future, more young people can step to the plate and help others to destroy the current political establishment from its core. Lord knows I want to throw the first stone.

Intro...

Welcome friends to the blog ..the inner mind...the soul of a man, Landon. In this blog I will discuss the following:

- politics
-marketing
-business
- music
- public policy
- community issues
- and the random thoughts that run through my brain.

I hope you enjoy these entries as much as I like writing them. Please comment on each entry because your comments will help my critical thinking processes and my subject matter.