Here is an old pic of me and the fellas from Capoeira Uhuru Association (CUA) taken by Sugah in the Ocean View section of Norfolk. You can see Pele at the far left followed by Pharoan. I am rocking short hair... you will understand why i posted this picture.

Skillz....

If any of you have ever watched Napoleon Dynamite, there is a scene where Napoleon and his only homie Pedro are talking about girls. It's ill cause Napoleon said something that is so true: women like guys that have some sort of skill. If you peeped it Pedro wanted to kick it with a girl who was out of his social and economic circle. He bakes her a cake and boom! he has a date for the dance.

Looking back at my life, I realized two things: I am not handsomest dude in the world (actually I have always known this since the 6th grade...heck even in my baby pictures I look like the child from Omen). The second thing was that I was blessed with a tremendous sarcasm and wit. I think the latter is what has made me popular with everyone.

I can't front, I have dated women that most cats who kill for. Walking down the street with them I always got stares. Heck, when i am with my wife heads always got something to say under their breath. I watch folks too and i can tell they are thinking "what is she doing with him?" when i am with my wife (I am watching you folks out there, I know what you're thinking...).

It was my verbal skills and my snapping skills that got them. I hung around heads who were stronger, faster, and much more handsome than I was. So i had a lot of competition. Plus, I ain't no dummy, I know the deal. I learned that one should focus on one's strengths instead of moping about one's weaknesses.

No, I am not trying to be modest or humble (i don't think I ever been that) , just speaking from the heart.

-------------------------------------

Public Transportation chronicles... in Norfolk...

On Monday, I ran into this older cat and his wife. He seemed real cool. He was very jolly. When he explained that he survived Hurricane Katrina I immediately put away my book. He explained how hospital folks in my city have been to him. He felt very much at home here and enjoyed the people. He said he and his wife had wanted for nothing since they moved here and they are contemplating on staying instead of returning to New Orleans.

He explained that he wanted to tell us what happened because he felt the news was not telling it all. As folks gathered around to listen, one could tell that he was used to a big audience.

He began with "I had a vision that something bad was going to happen. No one really paid me any mind. I urged my co-pastor to tell every one to evacuate. we stayed behind and when we saw the flooding decided to leave. SO we crossed this bridge and got stuck there..."

I was open. So was everyone else. THen he went into all of these hallelujah's and such and such. Which i had no problem with because I know he went through some things and i am sure that the memories stir up much emotion in him. After about 50 of these however, this cat started stomping his feet and clapping his hands "oh jesus!" he started saying over and over again. THen he started singing like a preacher. everyone started looking at each other. he went on and on NOt about what happened but about King David and his beef with Saul.

This went on for about ten minutes. Heads started walking back to their seats. Man, i felt hijacked.