Grow Up...

I must be old – other than the date on my birth certificate (which I can provide) to remind me. Another clear indication of growing older is losing touch with today’s youth and I am lost for words with some of the fashions of young men.

I understand the need for comfort, I wore baggy jeans all my life but there is a current fad I believe is out of control. What I find most disturbing is most people who choose to sport the “ass out” look do not know where the look originated.

C'mon Son...

Some may dispute my conspiracy theory but let us exam this closely.

When an individual is arrested, his property is confiscated before he is introduced to other wrong doers (for obvious reasons). This includes their belts. This allows prisoners to walk around with their pants hanging from his ass….. “So sexy”

Others tell stories of some prisoners in state penitentiaries that walk around with their pants down to indicate they are “open for business.” You can not make this stuff up.

This is not just and “urban/minority” issue. Recently I was in an amusement park in a southern state and walking in front of me was a group of teenagers (all of whom were as white as snow) and everyone in the park can tell you the color of seven out of nine of their boxers. I am not saying these are bad children because I do not know them. What I am saying – someone needs to talk to them about carrying themselves as young men.

Young men are captivated by the prison culture and I am at the point where I can not blame them. Their favorite music artist’s pants are hanging from their ass, their favorite athlete’s pants are hanging from their ass, and in some cases their Dad’s pants are hanging from their ass. I understand music and sports influence fashions but when a certain culture is the source that influences the musicians and the athletes someone has to draw the line.



100 Million Plus...

I remember when David Stern implemented a dress code in the NBA (The NBA now requires all players who are not in uniform to be in a collared shirt or sports jacket if they are sitting on their team’s bench – no more sneakers, sweat suits, and doo-rags.) Players and advocates openly argued against the rule. Some called it a form of racism; others described Mr. Stern as a dictator. I thought it was wrong to tell men how to dress but looking back on it, David Stern was right. He never told the players they could not wear millions of dollars worth of jewelry, he never told the players they could not have corn-rolls, he just told them to present themselves like successful men.

In the end, that is what I want for my child – to carry himself and present himself in a successful manner. I refuse to allow my child to be influenced by individuals who can not operate in society.   

Happy Days

"Of course I love it"

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. The countdown has begun – the long lines for flowers are just about to form. Everyone will try NOT to be THE last person to pick out a mother’s day card.

Oh yes; happy, happy, joy, joy…

Moms get all the love and all the nice gifts.



Dads are usually rewarded with a pack of T-Shirts (v-neck or tank top?), an ugly tie, or who can forget about old faithful – a good pair of boxer briefs.

I am not here to be an advocate for equal gifts. I have noticed mother’s day has taken on a life of its own. It will never top Christmas or Valentines’ day but check out the 2008 recorded sales for mother day’s gifts. Let me remind you in 2008 the nation was on the brink of an economic meltdown – or so they wanted us to believe. Yet for this one day, we spent a total of 15 billion dollars.



I am just as guilty as anyone. I have never purchased my father a gift for father’s day. I never kept track of the day until I became a Dad. But like clockwork, when that faithful day in May rolls around I am compelled by some unseen force to show my Mom just how thankful I am to have her in my life.

The roll of a parent is a tough part to play. The role of a Dad is even tougher.

You see Dads cannot complain about not receiving anything nice for father’s day. Mom, well she can let you have it for the next 10 years if you do not come correct. A good Dad knows his role and plays it well. Not for the fame or the glory and definitely not for the father’s day gifts. A good Dad just appreciates the time he spends with his children and hopes one day his children will appreciate him.

Let me take this moment to wish all the moms a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY and remind everyone, June 19^th is right around the corner J