What Do Bobby Jindal and Bobby Brown Have in Common?

They both took "my prerogative" to heart when they had the mic. Listening to the GOP rebuttal yesterday, it's clear to me (now more than ever) that Bobby Jindal has already started his 2012 presidential bid. Unfortunately, he too may have drank the trickle-down-economics kool-aid. If I were he, I would do what Jamal did in "Slumdog Millionaire" and phone-a-friend. Preferably a non-GOP friend from New England. He may not get the answer he's looking for, but it will spur some much needed innovating thinking the GOP needs to engage in. Here's a primer.

• What would it take to keep a GOP primary loss in Massachusetts to single digits?
• Why did Democrats like John McCain.
  
• What can the GOP learn from pro-life Christians?
  

Personally, as a currently, registered Democrat. I believe Bobby Jindal is the best shot the GOP have..for 2016. That's for another post though. Gone are the days when a presidential candidate can win with just the folks from his or her party. The electorate has been fooled and burned twice already, recently AND by the GOP.

I love to see the GOP work furiously to reinvent itself. Realization that one has a problem is usually the beginning of wisdom. However, they will have to be legitimately interested in the broadening of their base. No Palin, no Rove'n, no Shock and Awe, and no aw shucks.

The Real Secret to Marriage

I'm reading an interesting book, Here Lies My Heart, A Beacon Anthology, and I stumbled upon quite a gem. The secret to marriage appears to be in the realization that it is a "long patience." Nice.

Is There Ever a Waiwer for Selling Out?

In this current economy those of us who have had to put in some extra hustle for cash-flow may find ourselves looking for work or gigs in some unusual place. For example, a techie might one day find herself interviewing for customer service position at an insurance company. Or a mutual fund manager may find himself filling out an application at Borders. No harm, no foul, and I've been there (in similar situations) myself.

However, some people have a point where they may find they have to take a job they wouldn't ordinarily take in brighter times, but have some misgivings about it. It may be a moral, psychological, or philosophical barrier that has been skated across, but...the baby needs shoes. Or, I'm about to get evicted. Or, to quote the singer Gwen Guthrie, "Bill collectors at my door! What can you do for meeee?"

What then? Well, it's hard to tell until you've been in that particular situation. What do you think? Holla back.

One Benefit of this Recession: Contentment

Like a lot of folks, regardless of their employment status, this recession has concentrated my mind more on the financial aspect of life, than normal. Likewise there have been more sermons at church over the last few months regarding money, than usual.

Last week I stumbled upon a sermon worksheet from Church of Pembroke Pines, which I attended while I lived in South Florida. Although it's titled, "Don't Let the Grinches Steal Your Christmas," it's main points are quite relevant this February.

1. Materialism and greed, versus recognizing the limitations of wealth
   
2. Envy and jealously, versus contentment
3. Busyness and noise, versus stillness and solitude

There were quite a few scripture tracts that supported the points such as Matthew 6:25 and I Timothy 6:6. Although one that wasn't listed but that I stumbled upon, was Philippians 4:11-13.

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who give me strength."

Ask Not How Your Country Can Stimulate You...

So, I first heard about Mark Cuban's stimulus plan via Seth Godin's blog posting, Calling Your Bluff. I had to run out of the house, so I didn't have the opportunity to check it out. Also It sounded too good to be true, so I forgot about it. Then today, while attempting to find where I could downloaded the, now famed, 1000-plus-page, Obama, economic stimulus plan (ahhh fun), I actually came across the post in my Google search. The Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan - Open Source Funding. In a nutshell, if you post a business plan that has a tangible project that generates its own cash flow within 60 days of start-up and breaks even by day-90, you may be eligible to get some boost funding.

I do like the premise as well as the requirements. It forces the entrepreneur or prospective entrepreneur to think about what she or he can start or work on today, that can help boost the company AND the economy by generating cash flow RIGHT NOW and would necessitate employing or contracting people to grow. Funny, my wife's company Double T Catering (yes, shameless plug) actually could make a pitch. Viva la economia!

Flowers = Valentine's Day?

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and once again I didn't send flowers. I know, I know, but hear me out. I like flowers, but I like to think of them as my phone-a-friend option, when all else fails. When I've sent flowers in the past, the woman in question (now including my wife) knew, okay--this is a special, special occasion. I feel flowers, especially roses, can become as casual as "I love you" if the context excludes sincerity.

When I was younger, I was really into the single rose and carnation. The latter was certainly more affordable as a high schooler. Once I graduated college, I could aspire to getting them from 1800flowers.com. My high school would have flower sales on Valentine's Day as well as during other holidays. The first time I saw a green carnation was on Saint Patrick's Day. The idea was that you could buy a carnation for about fifty cents, and then include a note with the name, classroom, and class period of your beloved. You just had to make sure you got the details right, or the person didn't decided to cut class that day.

One of my best jobs ever was working for the Arts and Event Department at University of Massachusetts at Boston, in the early nineties. One Valentine's Day, a colleague and I had to pass out as many single roses as we could, to everyone on campus who would accept one. I was amazed at how many women were more than happy to take one, and how many men wanted to beat me up for even suggesting they take one. A few guys did though. Don't worry gentlemen; your secret is safe with me.

You Can Put Anything in a Calzone

So I went to dinner with some ex-colleague (ex in a good way) and I ordered a calzone. Few Irish-esque restaurants in the Boston area, that I've been to, have calzones on the menu. None do actually, now that I think of it. Anyway, I figured it couldn't be spectacular, because that calzone of distinction belongs to a joint on my street that is Italian, owned by Italians, run by Italians, who speak Italian, as a first language.

Anyway, even though I was settling (yes I'm a calzone snob), I became intrigued when I discovered this "jambalaya" calzone, as it was billed, contained okra. First off, as a chef, you get points for style and must have huevos if you can pull off putting okra in a calzone. It turned out to be better than decent.

Now Faith

I love the idea that faith doesn't require you provide an explanation, only a direction to walk in it.

Why I Love American Football

The Steelers beat the Cardinals a few hours ago in Super Bowl XLIII. It's funny. Of all the thing I learned in primary school in Nigeria, it never occurred to me learning how to convert Roman numerals would be so useful in my life. I can figure out which Super Bowl I'm watching, what year The Departed was made, and when the Boston Public Library was built, just by looking at the haphazard collection of capital letters. Compare that with Calculus, which I still have found no use for. Please don't kill me math majors, I just ended up taking more math than I needed in life.

Anyway, I love American football because it, to me, is a nice metaphor for life. It's divided into four quarters, which one can compare to the seasons of life. In the Spring one is born. In the Summer one comes into strength. In the Fall, one matures. In the Winter, well...we all wait our turn to be one of the departed.

What I also like about American Football is that how one starts the game is not necessarily an indication of how one will end the game. In some quarters, life feels like a marathon, in other quarters, a sprint. Sometimes you hit, and sometimes you get hit. We all fumble at some point. Sometimes one makes progress and gains yards, and sometimes we lose yards. God is the referee and He's always watching.

The winners are those that realizes they are part of a team, have a good set of coaches, have AND execute their game play, can be flexible when needed, plus maintain momentum, and remember the ref is the boss. Sometimes the winner last year, becomes the loser this year, or vice-versa

So, If you're in the second quarter and just fumbled the ball, no worries, you still have time to redeem yourself.