(Originally created as a FB note 7/8/09, decided to share my thoughts on this blog).

If someone said this to you would you really do it? I doubt anyone would say this but actions speak louder than words! There are many ways a person can show that they are not going to be a good thing in one’s life and even though this may be true, why do we tend to cling to the fantasy in the words used to make us stand still while they shoot? A shooter can be anyone capable of holding a deceptive piece of steal in their hand. They can be a family member, friend, lover, co-worker, whoever we allow in our personal space. I have almost fell victim to someone’s gun but thankfully my self worth has served as a bulletproof vest. Even though I did not die, the connection to my shooter has. Mournful I am, for my fantasy has revealed itself causing disappointment. However, I am thankful for my rebirth and the clearer view I have gained to see the errors made.

So excuse me while I re-enter this world and dodge many bullets. I may have tripped but I never stood still for anyone to shoot. A moment of silence please for the deceased… Now let’s get it!

So Valentines Day is tomorrow February 14th the day that single women and tight pocketed men dread the most! The commercialism surrounding this day is controversial and debatable. I could appreciate the concept behind Valentines Day but not the origin. If you love someone you should be able to show that every chance you get because life is not guaranteed and you never know if today is the last day you will share with your loved one’s.

Ok so on to my title “Good Old Fashioned Love…” My generation and the generation that is coming up just do not understand the value in a solid relationship. If you look at your parents, your grandparents and your great-grandparents they may have a love that withstood the test of time. What was happening in their time that provoked such dedication and why don’t we have it?

My personal belief is that the idiot box a.k.a the television single handily killed the dedication. Media and the internet killed the personal connection that we once shared! The message today is “be yourself” which really means “be what we market to you”. People are obsessed with the so-called “Celebrity” and take their lifestyle as the bible.  So let’s look at “marriage” in the media, it all boils down to money! Who has what? who gets what in the pre-nup (if any) it’s like these people marry to anticipate the divorce all for publicity to get that reality show or to sell music, etc. Meanwhile the followers (that’s you and I) look on and some may have an Oprah moment “Girl I know he didn’t make her sign that pre-nup! When I get married I’ll make sure I get half and then some when I divorce”. SMH We are training the universe to deliver our demise before we give our future a chance. Who or what coached this type of thinking in our society?

There is another aspect of why our generation just does not have that profound “Good Old Fashion Love” and it’s called woman’s liberation! The woman of today is far from the woman of yester year. The woman of today works and pays bills. The woman of today makes her own decisions. The woman of today is outspoken and opinionated. The woman of today is a single parent. The woman of today is bombarded with a flawless images they must compete with day in and day out. I am all for woman’s liberation but in a way I feel like we have been stripped of certain characteristics of what a woman is! We’re so busy trying to be Independent and secretly suffer from not being able to be our natural selves which is a nurturer, caregiver, lover, friend, merciful being that God created us to be. Everything and everyone MUST evolve so I’m not retiring my dreams to slap on an apron for whoever may come along but I do find personally that when I am in love I do tend to cater to my man almost by default (but that’s another blog post).  Furthermore, Yes I make my own money but I want him to treat me  and it’s not the material aspect of it all more than the thoughtfulness. No matter how strong or how paid a woman is she will always want to know that her man is willing and capable of taking care of her needs and wants and to protect her. Everybody wants to feel cared for and no one was born to walk this life alone (just my thoughts).

The final reason (of course there are many) I feel we don’t have that Good Old Fashioned Love is The American Education System failed us, Welfare and the Economy! What kind of education did we have in the 80′s and 90′s? Little by little the school system deleted home economics, socialism, music and other vital programs from the curriculum. Many kids (especially young black boys) were dropping out of school left and right. This lack of education can only produce a certain breed of human beings who are not productive enough to have much of a healthy anything. Some may say well that was the parents responsibility to make sure their children stayed in school and focused but look at what happened to households once the economy changed and welfare came into play. Broken homes and for the homes that were not broken two parents had to work to pay the bills.

We are still living in such society where unprepared and uninformed people raise children in a cycle of love is money and materialistic items equals your worth.  Gone are the days of family and structure there are way too many distractions nowadays. These are just my thoughts and I know there is so much that can be added to this topic and debated.

Back in the days there was more of a family structure in households than there is today. Some may argue that there was a lot of family secrets as well like abuse, adultery, etc.. and this is true but in comparison to now the structure was there because said behavior still exist today. I consider myself an old soul and if I could incorporate the positive aspects of the women of yesterday and the woman of today I would and I am trying because personally the two has alot to offer towards the making of a great woman. If we all, men and women, could incorporate the hard work ethic of yesterday and smart savviness of today along with the rule of family is the foundation to success and is sacred we all would know what Good Love is and some of us are blessed to know but most of us? eh!

Home Place: Canada

Birth Date: May 2, 1843 (birth date may not be accurate)

Elijah McCoy a.k.a The Real McCoy was an African Canadian Engineer & Inventor who held many patents for his inventions including lubricating oil for steam engines which allowed trains to move faster. He also invented the folding iron board and sprinkler system.

Fun Facts:

• No one knows his exact birth date
• “The Real McCoy” or The real thing is said to have derived from railroad engineers in reference to Elijah McCoy’s patented lubrication oil.
• In 2001, he was inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Ohio.

See more on Wikipedia.

**check out my previous post (Femme Edition)**

In no particular order:

Name: Tremayne “GS” Johnson

Age: 29

Where he From?  New Rochelle, NY

Where he Stay?  Brooklyn, NY

Who he Be?  Author/CEO, Strip Kidz Entertainment/Rapper

Why is he dope? I always love to see people PROGRESS than DIGRESS and given the cards “GS” was dealt he has played his hand correctly. Regardless to what we face in life it is our responsibility to make the best out of a situation. Tremayne has been in the street life but he did not allow that to bury him.

Currently the CEO of StripKidz Entertainment and Street Literature’s newest Author, Tremayne manipulates his past to secure his future and enlighten people along the way. His first novel “A Drug Dealers Dream” is a gritty tale of choices, wrong decisions and consequences of those who chose the addictive drug game to finance their lifestyles. This book is a great read and will not disappoint!

Tremayne “GS” Johnson is surely someone to look out for – I predict that 2009 will see much success for the homie! or should I say Homme? (that’s french for man – lol)

How can I find Tremayne “GS” Johnson? MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, STRIPKIDZ.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN TO K581 RADIO ON SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2009 @ 9 PM FOR A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH TREMAYNE “GS” JOHNSON!

Name: Jon Bibbs

Age: 28

Where he From?  Richmond, VA

Where he Stay? Newport News, VA

Who he Be?  Singer/CEO, The Jon Bibbs Company/Song Writer

Why is he dope?Infamously in a vest (so I’ve heard) Jon Bibbs delivers his heart and soul through his music. I first heard Jon Bibbs live in Richmond, VA and I was blown away by his voice, his stage presence and his song.

Obviously not jaded by the format of today’s popular Hip Hop R&B music, Jon Bibbs (autotune not included) delivers an old soul type feel and markets using the latest web interaction from his KYTE TV to his NING social network. Jon keeps his fans abreast of all his wear abouts (no bathroom footage thank gawd!)

Jon is definitely on the come up and the world will soon be saying his name!

How can I find Jon Bibbs? MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, WEBSITE.

Erykah Badu announced yesterday on twitter that “our daughter’s name is MARS MERKABA .”

Always know for her eclectic style and unique taste in names for her children this does not surprise me. Best of love and blessings to Badu, Jay (Electronica), Seven, Puma and little baby girl Mars (I bet she’s a cutie pie)!

Oh she also posted this tweet yesterday:

“her eyes are looking right into mine . she struggles to focus . so much ♥ in her . i wonder where she just came from. i mean .. her spirit .”

These were my absolute favorite pair of Nike Air Max 95′s!

Homeplace: Baltimore, MD

Birthdate: November 7, 1731

Benjamin Banneker was a “free” astronomer like his grandfather. He also was a surveyor, an almanac author, mathematician and farmer.

Fun Facts:

• He was born to a “free black man”
• He made a clock of wood that ran for 40 years at the age of 21.
• He was said to urge Thomas Jefferson to work towards abolishing  slavery.
• He never married
• He was self taught in astronomy

See more on Wikipedia.

“Feb 1. 2009 my first child, my daughter was born at 1:30 pm exactly. Its the happiest day of my life. ” – Jay Electronica via Twitter

“ i c ant believe its over . home birth , no pain killers , bout 5 hours . she was lil passed due date but i didnt mind waiting . breathe “

“im tired . but i wanted to show love and appreciation for all of your beautiful thoughts . we are blessed (and) highly favored . peace 4 now” – Erykah Badu via Twitter

Classic Robert Townsend film “Hollywood Shuffle” circa 1987. If you never saw this movie you done lost your mind in that “hoe cake thing” lol.