Lyrical Shot Out To All Boroughs By Jay Shells

I saw an interesting article  in the newspaper of the metro this morning, about a graphic designer named of Jay Shells who is using his vision to pay tribute to hip hop greats by hanging up rap quotes. Jay is placing lyric street signs at location referenced in hip-hop songs as part of his Rap Quotes Project. Since New York is the Mecca and birth of hip hop, that produced some of the most gifted lyricist that our generation has ever seen from the late BIG,  Jay-Z, Nas, Run DMC, the beastie Boys and those who hail from the Big Apple. Jay Shells is doing something original, but at the same time its a little outside of the box. Its clever and genius to pay homage to the greats that show so much love and appreciation to the hoods they rep, It makes the art come to life. Hip Hop has come a long way and from its baby stage back in the 70s to where it is today, it speaks volume to the influence it has had on our culture.

Octogenarian Japanese Climber Aims For Everest

The word that seems to be echoing from this dear devil mind from Japan is, if you  aim high you will reap the  rewards and that's what actually what he is doing. An 80-year old Japanese mountain climber who has had heart surgery four times is heading to Mount Everest to try for a third ascent of the world's highest peak and will become the oldest persons to reach the top if he succeeds. Yuichiro Miura climbed to the summit of the 29,035-foot  mountain in 2003 and 2008. He skied down Everest from an altitude of 26,246 feet in 1970. For me, what he is doing is a true testimony of the human mind and spirit. He is doing something that will surpass him long after he is gone. Best of Luck!

Education Goes Viral

I had a chance to catch up on some daily reading in the metro this morning and It stated that since campus space is a hurdle more and are students are resorting to the Internet to deal  with classroom  at universities.  There is a growing number of MOOCs- massive open online courses, which makes life a little less hectic and easier for students who don't want to attend lecture halls or attend classes on campus. For me personally, I think new method of education can have its advantage and its disadvantages. Students have the privilege to be more independent and have more control over their own lives. The other part of the argument is that students don't have the one on one with the professor to do research and learn how to work in a community which is missing more and more from our society. More importantly the complacency and laziness that comes with not having someone  there to push you, or make you think differently when solving  a problem. At the end of the day, things you learn at the university are simply, different than things you learn from an online course. In my argument I understand both sides are relevant but lets not eradicate our old traditions, because it the end its our teachers are the real heroes..

Meditate Regularly

There are many benefits to when it comes to meditation. Whether through natural herbs or sitting down thinking of a place where you would rather be for a few moments, it has been proven to be the stress reliever. Especially for older adults who are always on the go and always worried about bills and appointments. These ancient practices can help improve overall mental health, improve focus, and reduce essential hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that tends to develop over time and is very common in African Americans. Forty percent of African Americans have hypertension which can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. For me, over the years the added stress has given me  the perfect opportunity to step outside myself and  take me to a  place of relaxation where I  can't be bothered, because my mind and body are at ease. Over the course of our lifetime life tends to become hectic so I take great pride in taking care of myself  physically and mentally to keep my mind and body sharp. I still struggle with hypertension because genetically it's in the genes, but I can do my very best to control it, instead of it controlling me.

ALL I Have 2013 ( dedicated those with dreams)

I don't have much actually all I have is a dream,

It all apart of my  development and futuristic scheme,

All I want is a better future  to wipe the slate clean,

Hopefully my vision will help me get there,

Can you help me fight the anger and despair?

My constant progression as a man will give me the oxygen of air,

For the future of our kids are in shambles, so lets show them we care,

I will gladly sacrifice my services for others,

For the future of the planet is what matters,

So If I fail, Its been a heaven of a tale ,

For my dream is all I have left to share.

Save After-School Programs

 

In the metro news this morning, there was a article about the growing concerns that parents are worried their day care programs will be cut under the major's budget.  Hundreds of parents and children who attend after-school programs plan to protest the possible cuts at City Hall Park Thursday. The campaign for children says 47,000 children would be from child care and after school programs if the mayor;s budget does not change. Under the Bloomberg's proposal about 75 percent of after school spots will have been slashed since 2008. I stand very strong on this issue especially when it regards kids and education.  After school programs is an essential part of  a kids development. Especially when it comes to keeping them off the street  where they are more likely to be exposed to drugs, sex, and  the harsh realities of life. I believe children need to be in a positive environment where they will have the ability to develop and acquire the skills they need socially and academically . I have also been an advocate when it comes to program for children, because the more opportunities we give them, the less likely they will head down the wrong path. When I was a kid coming up, After school programs gave me the tools to socialize effectively, engage in sports to work well  with others  and develop my passion for writing. Look where I am today! A published author that has written two books. Just imagine my life without the after school program, so why take something away that is going to benefit our kids future. Instead of Mayor Bloomberg taking his 12 million dollars to promote an ad on gun violence, why not invest in something that will help our kids future, that way they don't have to think about ever picking up a gun, because they have other alternatives like the after school program. Just something to think about.

 

More Healthy Endorsements By Celebrities?

I came across an article this morning in the metro news about the growing phenomenon on how foods advertised on TV are unhealthy and can affect a child's health. It went on to say, Celebrities who endorse specific foods in TV commercials are powerful influence on children. I know most times when  I watch a commercials on TV I see celebs advertising beverages and foods  loaded with salts caffeine and sugar. The article also went on to say, past research has shown that kids are more likely to pick foods endorsed by celebrities, even when its fruit.  Which brings me to my point. I would like to see a shift that would eventually lead to a change when it comes to the choices we present to our kids. Since a little bit more than half of the US population of kids are obese. Why not educate them so they have more choices of what they put in their bodies. I would like to see more celebrities pick up a water bottle saying drinking water is so beneficial for your health, it not only good for your skin, but it also cleans their blood eliminating bad toxins in their bodies . How about picking up a fruit or vegetable and talking about the nutrients it has and how it can help them learn in school.  Current advertising is worrisome, since most foods advertised on TV are unhealthy and could affect a child's future weight and health. The visualization of images that celebrities endorse have a long impending affect on kids developing stages. I'm not saying food advertisement are cause of children obesity but its sure a contributing factor. What I would like to see is more celebrities advertise more healthy products so children can  have more choices. There was a part in the article that I found intriguing,  A 2012 study found kids who were offered both cookies and apples where more likely to choose the apple if it had an Elmo sticker on it.