When you stop looking for some thing...

...is usually when it finds you.






image from itisdschools.org

A Tale of Two Policings

It was the better of pullovers, it was the worse of pullovers. Rewind to the early 1990s and my first car. A Boston cop pulled me over on the corner of Newbury Street and Mass. Ave. It was a summer afternoon and the city was bustling with traffic, construction, and people. He came over, politely greeted me, and asked if I knew why I was pulled over. I told him, no.

He told me my inspection sticker was expired. Something in my eyes must have asked, and how is that a moving violation, because he briefly explained that driving without a valid inspection sticker was not only a violation (moving or otherwise), but (very important if you're a broke a$$ student) also a three-point surchargeable event (read: you just made your insurance company richer).

I told him I planned to get it done the end of the week when I took my car in for service. He went back to his cruiser. About five minutes later, on his way back he yelled that he was going to let me go with a warning. When he was about halfway over, his radio went off with some new business. He quickly brought over the citation, and told me to get it taken care of as soon as possible. He ran back to his cruiser. As he stepped in, he smiled at me, and told me to have a nice day. He then got in, busted a u-turn, and was out.

Almost exactly twenty-four hours later, thirty seconds from home in Cambridge, I got pulled over. Damn! I thought. Friday couldn't come quick enough. The cop came over right by my inspection sticker and asked if I knew why I was pulled over. I told him, yes, my inspection sticker. I got pulled over for it yesterday. I showed him my Boston citation, still in the car, and told him I was planning to get it taken care of tomorrow (Friday). That's no excuse he told me abruptly. He walked back to his cruiser. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes passed. I could feel the dread well up within me. I was on the most quiet stretch of my street and no one was around but me and this cop.

It doesn't take this long to write a ticket I thought. I wished he could just give it to me so at least I could be on my way, as mom was expecting me. Now I was late. Finally twenty minutes had passed and he was walking back. I was ready for me ticket. However, he didn't give me a ticket. He gave me an inspection test.

Press you horn he told me.
What? I responded.
Press your horn! I did.
Right signal.
I did.
Left signal.
I did.

He then stepped to the rear of my car. At this point, I got scared that this could be one of those things I saw on the news. Nobody was around, and this could go all wrong.

Press your brakes, he barked from the rear.
I did.
Again.
I did. I looked to my mom's complex, thinking, she's going to kill me for being late.

Then I saw a tall black, statue of a man at the top stair of my friend's townhouse. I could only see his silhouette, but the muscular stance was unmistakable. My friend's dad stood watching. He knew my car, by at least how much time his son spent working on it, and he was watching hard. Thank you Jesus, I thought. At least if $#!+ went down, there would be a witness. Or at least someone to tell my mom.

The cop came back towards the front of the car, looked through the rear windows, and to the under-body of the car. Now thirty minutes into the stop, he give me the $50 ticket and left. I waited until the cop was well out of site, before I exhaled and drove into my complex. My friend's dad intercepted me before I reached the parking lot.

Everything okay? He asked me in his Trinidadian accent. I saw, he said knowingly.
Yes sir, I told him. Inspection sticker.
He grunted, looked down and nodded. It's okay. Go on, he said, gesturing in the direction of my mom's place.

image from dreamtimes.com

What are you #Thanksgiving?

• I woke up this morning and everything that's me works; mileage notwithstanding 
• There's probably still more food than I can eat for breakfast in the fridge
• Heat's working
• Working today, with the option to do it remotely
• The missus secured the bedroom so I could sleep in, until (wait for it) almost 8 a.m.
• Got to wish pops happy birthday 
• And of course, much more, including clean underwear ;)

Decision 2014 - The Fourth Quarter

The last quarter of a two-term, US presidency I suspect can be the most perilous. As a president, I imagine one is not only tired, but with nothing to lose but one's legacy, one might put all his chips on 44 black, or something. By now a president knows who his friends are. By friends, I means those who wouldn't push him off a cliff for the sake of maybe keeping their jobs.

The GOP's sweep may actually do more harm than good for the party. Now they actually have to do something rather than just be against something. I think they would have been better off saving their powder until 2016. Still, I do believe that bipartisan government is the ideal for a people as counterintuitive as that may seem. Some of my best teachers in life have been folks who's world views are opposed (anywhere from degrees to miles) from mine.

The GOP have an opportunity. If they use it well (unlike 2010), they could make a compiling case for the White House in 2016. It can even be gimmicky, say 20 bills (the people care about) in 16 months. Imagine that?

Unfortunately, hope is easy and change is hard. The older you get, the harder change is.

Mayor Menino: Ubiquitous

ebay.com

I heard the news about the passing of Mayor Menino, this evening on NPR, as I drove by Boston City Hall.

The first and second times I encountered Mayor Menino were in the same day. Back when my nieces were graduating from middle-school in Cambridge, I was surprised to find Mayor Menino speaking at their graduation, giving some simple words of encouragement. He couldn't stay long due to his scheduled, and apologized for having to run off.

Later that afternoon, I happened to be at Madison Park School in Boston, when in the gym I saw...Mayor Menino! I was flabbergasted. I marched up to him, and blurted out, "You were just in Cambridge this morning!" True to Menino's nature, he humbly replied, "Yeah, I get around."

MICE Was Nice

In my busyness I neglected to rave about this earlier this month. The Massachusetts Independent Comic book Expo was once again the best show on my tour (short) schedule this year. Its smaller size and cost of admission (free) made it a no-brainer for this comic fan / parent. It is also the most unique combination of styles I have seen in one place considering its scale. They also had a great collection of panels and workshops for adults, kids, and artists alike. Can't wait until next year.

Some Things I Learned About The Secret Service While Visiting The FDOTUS

It is much more diverse than I expected, in every demographic, except gender. The veterans appear to have the keen sense of how to put folks at ease, while switching gears depending on who and what situation they are addressing. They know more about The Whiite House than The History Channel. Even Bo Obama is safe.

We Can Be Heroes

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon: We can be heroes (of #faith)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Joseph: 

When life isn't turning out the way you planned, don't give up on your dreams. 
Don't give up.

Don't give up on your dreams...

1. Even if you don't start off well.

2. Even if those close to you don't support you.

3. Even if your journey is full of surprises.

4. Even if it takes a long time to realize it.

Read Joseph's story.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to 
them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and 
not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not 
tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just 
shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:3, 4 KJV)

1. Focus what happens in you not to you

What I'm I supposed to learn from this?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing 
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her 
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you 
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and 
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:2-5 KJV)

2. Your response to offense will determine your future 

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for 
you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, 
as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19, 20 KJV)

3. Every dream has tough times but God is with you.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch 
forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall 
save me. The  Lord  will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O  Lord , 
endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:7, 8 
KJV)

On This #911anniversary...

Remember to be grateful.
Remember to love someone.
Remember to forgive someone.
Remember what's important.
Remember what probably shouldn't wait until tomorrow.
Remember what to hold on to.
Remember what to let go of.
Remember you may be where you are for a good reason.
Remember right now.

Hope For A Better Tomorrow

myfreewallpapers.net

We all know in the news there is always more bad news than good. However, it has been more grim than usual this summer. IS[IS|IL|whatever], Ferguson, Boko Haram, Ebola, Gaza, Ukraine, etc.

It is really easier than usual to just say $cr@w it and stay in bed, or worse, run down into the panic room. To be sure, there are serious issues of global proportion out there, and sometime they hit home in ways we never see coming.

There are also those issues that are local and even personal. It is not too hard to give up.

A youth pastor I know revealed that one of the biggest complaints teenagers confided about the adults in their lives, is that they've got a bleak outlook on the future. Their point was that why should they even bother looking towards adulthood when the adults closest to them are all doom and gloom.

My kids are all still in their single digits, and I still see all the joy and hope in their eyes as they enjoy this life. We must give their generation something worth looking forward to.

West Medford Lobsterfest

I wasn't going to go...after previously agreeing to go. That's called reneging, for you law majors. I was exhausted after a long week, and didn't have the energy for such a social event. Of course the missus called me on this, and offered an artful counter to my why-don't-you-just-take-the-kids, with it-doesn't-start-until-later-so... My armor (as well as my argument) was getting weaker. The kids later sneak-attacked me, and that was that.

Now since I didn't know what later meant, I asked my young friend Google to find out when the Lobsterfest began. Instead I found out much more about my historic, West Medford neighborhood, "The Ville", from a Boston Magazine article. I felt like a heel after reading the first few paragraphs. By now my kids had discovered me on the couch reading intently. At that moment I realized that I almost missed an opportunity not only to share with my kids an important part of Black American history, but of their specific history.

I read aloud the rest of the article to them, explaining and answering their questions as I went along. After finishing the article and then some more digging, I found the time-frame for the Lobsterfest. It had already started. We headed off. It turns out the Lobsterfest, this year, was at our end of the The Ville.

What We're Working On at Zumbi Mobile Solutions - 2014

Mobile Development:

I decided to put the iOS version of MotrAide^TM on hold, and begin with the Android version instead. I hope to get the beta done by the Fall.

Kindle Publishing:

Much of 2014 was spent on getting It Sometimes Snows in May out the door, but we did it. In May no less.

Enterprise Technical Support:

Although demand for enterprise technical support remains strong in 2014, my focus has been on the mobile app and Kindle work for the year.

Off To The #BostonComicCon

Astro Boy's Alter Ego?

This is my first real comic book convention of the year, and my first Boston Comic Con. I hope to get some app ideas as well.

World War E

npr.org

E is for everything. Everything changes when someone you love or are close to, has a furious and potentially fatal illness. Don't kid yourself; it can happen to you. Like the lottery that is life, your number just may not have come up yet. Take nothing for granted.

E is for education. AIDS in the 1980s killed more people than it should have because of a lot of ignorance and prejudice driven fears. Don't be afraid to ask, if you don't know or are not sure about the state of your health. Don't take unnecessary risks with yourself or others. If you have a "friend" who you think may be infected, be a friend and get them the information they need, or at least point them in the right direction as best as you can.

E is for everybody. Everybody knows they need to clean their hands when they are dirty. However, we all need reminding of the best technique and it's importance.

E is for ego. I don't care how famous or/and rich you are (you know who you are). Go get checked if you know you've been compromised. There is no shame in doing the right thing for yourself and others. You'll get more support than you think. Plus it tends to set a positive example.

E is for empathy. Let's show some more. You or I may need some tomorrow.

"An Awful Lot To Live For"

Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

The Most Effective Relationship Advice I Have Ever Received

• Prayer
• Patience
• Peace
• Forgiveness

Or for you math majors: r = p³ + f.

Milk For The Children (and futebol)

Or leite por os filhos in the original Brazilian-Portuguese. A young carioca father said this to me in 2000, after I rebuffed his initial efforts to sell me a copy of the VHS tape he had miraculously mastered during our small cruise off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

I stopped after my final goodbye to him after disembarking, because I didn't understand what he has said at the time. This easy going man had worn several hats during our day trip including tour guide, historian, videographer, and futebol coach during our pick-up game (brasileiros contra estrangeiros as the contest was dubbed) on the destination island. He couldn't quite get my name right so he just called me Nigéria, with pride.

My Brazilian-American buddy translated, and explained the significance of leite por os filhos. The brother was hustling to support his family. I certainly could appreciate that. At first I was hesitant to buy something so touristy, but then it occurred to me that the VHS tapes he was hawking, plus the cost of the entire cruise was still just slight more than half of the cost of my ticket to the Vasco club match at Maracanã stadium I had bought via our hotel earlier that morning, and would attend the following day. We bought two videos.

Two days later I would purposefully spend a 1000% premium (about three dollars US at the time) on a mini-pack of gum being sold by two kids under the age of five on Copacana beach, at past three o'clock in the morning. Meanwhile the acquaintances who had accompanied us, didn't even acknowledge the children's presence.

It's quite possible to have jugo bonito and leite por os filhos, at a fraction of the cost.

Two Questions For #YesAllWomen

Ask at least three men you know well, who have and do treat you with respect, the following questions:

1. How did you learn to treat women the way you do today?
2. Who were your teachers?

"It Sometimes Snows In May" - Now Available

Enjoy.

B.E.A.N. Police 3.0 - Available Soon

The next installment in the B.E.A.N Police, science fiction saga, It Sometimes Snows in May, God-willing, will be available on Amazon for Kindle* this weekend.

Also, for you original netizens, let me know if a Kindle version of the original B.E.A.N. Police novel is of interest. I'm thinking about doing a 15-year (i.e. 2017) anniversary edition for Kindle. If I can't find or get the digital master of the manuscript, I'll have to type it out (oh no), hence the heads-up. That's fine though, if folks are really interested.

*device or app

Free Comic Book Day - 2014

Usually, I don't realize I've missed Free Comic Book Day until after the fact. This year though the stars were in alignment. Since the kids would be with me all day and were already dressed by the time I woke up, it was easy to say, "I know what we're going to do today!"

"...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"*

A friend of mine asked via social media what was so good about Good Friday; Jesus Christ being crucified and all that (my words not his). He ended his question, by clarifying that it was a serious one. I know this friend pretty well, and it was a serious question.

He is of the Muslim faith and I am of the Christian faith. We have learned a lot about each other over the years with mutual admiration and respect.

His post got several answers. Some explained in brief. Some explained, but came off as a bit chiding. Some knowing that an intelligent and opened minded person asked the question, responded in kind. I simply thanked him for asking a serious question.

With all the intra and inter-religious-related violence in our modern world today, it's important, more than ever, that we each try to teach and learn from one another with humility and openness. It's important we treat each other with courtesy and respect. It's important to emphasize what we have in common, instead of emphasizing what we have in contrast.

I'm blessed in the sense that growing up partially in Nigeria, literally living next to Muslims (as I do now, coincidentally enough), that growing, learning, and living in a community of co-existing faiths is normal for me. While I know not everyone is in the same place, I also know the bridges we have in common can help bring us closer together towards healing our world, one connection at a time.

*2 Corinthians 5:17

"Everybody Hurts...

...sometimes. So hold on." - R. E. M. 

For you...wherever you are...whatever you're going through.

#GenerositySpeaks

So last Sunday I was still not feeling myself after what I can only describe as male morning sickness. After watching the church service by live stream, I found our pastor's challenge of extending ourselves in generosity intriguing. There were even green rubber bracelets to encourage us. I wanted to text the missus to grab me a bracelet, but didn't want her texting mid-sermon either. I decide I would grab one next Sunday. When my wife got home, she smiled and told me she had something for me.

Today, two days later, I decide to make a trip to the library before work. I wondered about the green bracelet on my left wrist and what would become of it. After gathering a few books I headed to the checkout line.

In front of me was another brother, about a decade-plus older than me, checking out a couple of novels. I figured he must either be retired or on vacation. I thought, wouldn't it be nice to be retired so I could have enough time to finish any novel. When I snapped out of my fantasy, I heard the librarian tell the man that he had four dollars in fines due on his account. It seemed to take him by surprise.

After a bit of back-and-forth with the librarian, and eventual resignation about the fine, I mustered up courage and told the librarian that I would pay the man's fine. She recoiled, startled. The man kindly protested but I persisted in insisting, and explained to him that it was to help me understand something my pastor was trying to tell me. He smiled, and relented. He told me he was a pastor himself, and that the world would be a better place if more people acted like this.

Words Becoming Flesh

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon 02mar14: Words Becoming Flesh

Use your words to declare what you want in the name of Jesus, to set you free.

Don't settle for less than what God has promised you.

You will have what you believe.

If you want something different in life it starts with you.

You can't stop the birds from flying over your head but you can stop birds for building a nest on your head

2nd  Cor. 10:5
Rom 12:2
Jos. 1:8
Prb. 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)

Do you want more of your reality? Or the life-changing power of God to change your reality.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Change your thoughts, change your words.

What's Your Olympic Sport?

Shani Davis - republicanredefined.com

We are all Olympians in some fashion; we just may not have realized it yet. Imagine, you live your normal life, as a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. You train nights and weekends, for as long as it takes. You and a select few put in money, time, and energy. There are no cameras or paparazzi. If you're younger, the burden to prove yourself and validate those who have invested you is daunting. If you're older, you wonder if you still have what it takes to shine at your passion. Heck, you don't even get paid, and if you do, it's nothing to quit your day job over. But once ever four years, if the Greek gods favor you, either by yourself or with 283 of your fellow citizens, you hoist your nations flag in preparation for a moment of your life, where you share your light with the world.

Danger, Do Not Walk On Ceiling

flickr.com

Affixed to the ceiling of the North Station rail terminal in Boston, Massachusetts. A public service announcement to Spider-Man?

The Problem With Social Media...For Some Folks

1. It's easy sending something to everyone on the Internet.

2. It's hard (to resist) to send nothing.

3. It's very hard to send something to just a couple of people

The Young Man On The Train

I guess there was a reason I caught the train I did tonight. When I got on, I noticed a young man, not more than 18 or 19, sitting across from me with his head down to his knees groaning. I thought at first maybe he just had a bit of too much something. By the next stop, it was clear. He was crying. No...He was sobbing.

The young woman to his left, my right, pretended he didn't exist. She was very uncomfortable. We all were, initially. The young man sat up. His inexperienced face was red and filled with despair. His fingers swiping his mobile phone, checking something, and not seeing it, returned to sobbing. One man moved away. The sister to his right, my left, took out one of her earphones (yes, he was sobbing that loudly). She asked him if he was okay. He said he was okay, and tried to man-up a bit. All the while, I'm really studying him now. I'm trying to figure out why he's crying. The young man asked her what stop we were at. She told him. She asked him if he new where he was going. He said he didn't.

He was dressed pretty well for was appeared to be a later-year, high school student. Based on his hair style and attire, and his comfort and easy in them, I would guess he was not from the city. He asked politely, and responded in kind. Nothing on him, including his school backpack was obviously, commercially branded. I decided I couldn't get off the train without connecting with him somehow. My stop was next, and my initial reticence was gone. When he lifted his head again, I let our eyes meet. I tried to convey that it was okay, whatever he was going through. Sometimes, a man for one reason or another needs to let it all out. Sometimes it won't be convenient. Better a cry on the train now, than taking out one's aggression on others later. He dropped his head again.

What could be that bad, I thought? Did he commit a crime? Did he get in a fight (I saw a dime-sized gash in the based of his palm)? It's a girl, I said to myself. It's gotta be a girl. It didn't matter. I started to say a prayer for him.

As the train slowed to my stop, with everyone now realizing this young man had something going on and watching, I got up. I stepped to the young man sitting across from me. His head down again between his knees; hand clasped behind his head.

"Hey," I said, then patted him softly on the shoulder. He rose slowly, and then looked up into my eyes. I told him, "Whatever it is, it's gonna be okay. You just hang in there. I'll be praying for you okay?" He said, okay, and then, thank you.

Start Small and Finish Something You Care About

Then help someone do the same.