EarthWindFire82's Blog

Hello people I haven't harassed in a while!

As some of my readers know, I have recently graduated from college with an Associates in Business.  I have since started a Bachelors program pursuing a degree in Organizational Security and Management...which explains my out of pocketness.

I don't know if that's a real term, but I'm going to use out of pocketness periodically.

Anyhoo, the purpose of this blog is to tell you all that I am offically beginning my pursuit of better health.  I have decided to start working toward a minimum 50 pound weight loss.  While I think that I am one of the baddest broads this side of Scuttlefield, I don't want that engraved on my tombstone.  My doctor and I have agreed to work toward this goal because it's best.

I am blessed to say that in spite of a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and high cholesterol, I have NONE!  I don't brag about that because as long as I'm carrying around this load, I am changing that possibility into a reality slowly but surely.  It isn't going to be quick and easy, but it's something I want and need to do.  I am 26 years old and I don't want to die young.  I also don't want to risk ruining my quality of life over laziness.  While I have never been small, I have been lighter than this.  Years of office working, ignoring my eating habits, and budding confidence has resulted in this 40+ pound gain.  I know, "budding confidence" doesn't seem logical, but the more I accepted myself as beautiful and so many wonderful things, I ignored the weight.

I do believe that you have to think highly of yourself in order to function in society, it doesn't mean that you let your good health fall by the wayside.  I'm going to be beautiful regardless, but I want to live.  So I come to this conclusion:

I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!!!

I have asked my Facebook and MySpace communities to help me, and I am now here asking the Fox 13 family to help me.  I don't have a lot of money, but I am ready to get right.  I've picked up the Wii more, and I have stopped eating late, but I need more.

Recommend some exercises!

Give me dinner ideas!

Or just pray for me!

I need to get the fire lit under me.  I don't want to look back at the end of the year and say that I could've been a lot lighter if I had've started this sooner.

Please, PLEASE keep me in your prayers.  I will update you guys with progress and updates.

Thanks Fam!

EarthWindFire82

p.s.-if you're out and you see me...please honk or pray.  I think I'm going to start walking places.

p.p.s.-if you see me at Zaxby's, make me change my 10 piece hot wings to a salad...

another p.p.s.-just HELP any way you can!  LOL!

What it DEAUX?

I'm officially graduated! For those who didn't know, I walked across the stage at the Gwinnett Center Arena in Duluth, GA Sunday afternoon. For those that DO know, you are also aware that anywhere I go, there is a story. I got an Associates of Arts in Business, and have already gotten ahold of a scholarship to work on my Bachelors. I am thinking about going all the way up to the Masters, but that is another blog in itself.

This blog, my friends, is going to tell you all aboot the comedy that was my graduation day. As I said earlier, I can't go nowhere without hilarity being afoot!

9:45 am I finally decide that I should proabably get the hell out the bed. However, it's hard to tear thyself away from a bed that is firm, yet cradles you gently like a child that doesn't wear huskies from Sears.

10:25 am Lex wanted to take her first shower. What the hell did I do that for??? Apparently, Nutbush turned the back of the tub into a waterslide only to get mad at the shower. She proceeds to tell me not to do that again.

10:40 am I put on the official Graduating Dress that I highjacked from my mom. Cute, and such.  I'm a little mad that my mom owns such a dress. I decide not to ever return it.

10:55 am Ralph rises from the dead. He is oddly able to shower, accessorize, dress, and brush his teeth and hair within ten minutes time. MAN, I love that Rican...

11:05 am We leave the Renaissance Concourse Hotel and head to Duluth, GA. The highway was quite open, so Ralph proceeds to ball. MAN, I love that Rican...

11:45 am We arrive at the Gwinnett Center Arena for my graduation. I have to go get the complimentary tickets for the kinfokes, and be in the meeting area by noon. Lex gets annoyed that I'm leaving and proceeds to scowl. I then take a picture.

Noon I'm sitting in my cap and gown in the arena. I have no camera, no phone, no nothing because I figured you were supposed to leave personal effects with the fam. Boy was I misled.

12:40 pm The speaker chick begins to tell us the instructions for the ceremony. Apparently, the instructions were a little too short for my tastes, but I kept wondering what she forgot to discuss. I say to hell with it and get giddy again for obvious reasons.

1:00 pm We are instructed to line up according to our degrees, yet not in alphabetical order. I say to hell with it and get giddy again for obvious reasons.

1:30 pm My feet hurt.

1:35 pm My feet really hurt, and looking at the random people in stilettos make my feet hurt. Apparently, only 10% of us wore flats.

1:40 pm I sat the hell on the floor by the friendly chick in the red snakeskin stilettos. I complimented her on her style, and she complimented me on my common sense for wearing flats. I cosign.

1:45 pm I join in a conversation with a lady who brought a folding chair. I admire her common sense, and she asks where I got my hair done. I said:

MS. CHRISTIAN DEANS OF MEMPHIS, TN

She ain't from Memphis, but she said she liked it.

1:50 pm The Dude says "eight minutes to showtime"! I said back to him "Doug E. Fresh only needed SIX minutes". Everyone laughs.

2:00 pm I began to feel misled again. We ain't walking yet. My feet get mad too.

2:10 pm I hear bagpipes. I get mad as hell because I was NOT dreaming to walk in on bagpipes. Fortunately, it's for the Administration to march in on. Bag-damn-pipes.

2:20 pm SHOWTIME! I get the graduates hyped and we march out! I look around for The Rican and nem. I see them not.

2:30 pm DAMN, graduates are still marching in! I find The Rican and nem! I wave until my shoulder pops. Then I stop.

2:40 pm I'm suddenly really sleepy.

2:55 pm I began to tell jokes to help the time pass by. It works and I develop a cult following.

3:30 pm It's time to grace that stage! We are asked to stand, and I face the left side of the stage. Then I remember what they didn't discuss!!!

THOSE SAPTAPPERS DIDN'T TELL US WHICH WAY TO MARCH UP AND BACK TO OUR SEATS!!!

Calamity ensues...

3:35 pm We are told to follow the line in front. Apparently there were three lines and we all ended up in the wrong spots! Didn't matter because they called out "Tamara Wicks" and I heard the fam! I don't know whose seat I took though.

4:45 pm They are still calling out the Masters Degrees. Apparently, MBA's are popular. So popular that almost 400 people got one that day. Including one dude who wore Icy White Nikes, shorts, and a metallic graduation gown!!! He was a fool, yet so clean!

4:50 pm They call out the Doctoral cats! They all got a Standing Ovation from us. Including the 7 foot tall African Cat! He brought half of Mother Africa with him, too. I suddenly want to watch "Coming to America".

5:00 pm It's OVER! I turn my tassel. I also remember my feet still hurt.

Well, as I mentioned before, I've finished step one.  Pray for me going into step two!!!

...why not gang up on the drug dealers, thieves, and robbers in the neighborhoods?

I'm just curious.  I mean, allegedly 40-something odd people jumped that 33 year old woman who assaulted that 9 year old!  I wish people would use that same anger and protect their neighborhoods from other senseless acts of crime.

I shouldn't encourage violence, but if you're going to fight...fight a drug dealer.

Don't get mad at me.  I just call it how I see it.

A group of teens have decided to get pregnant and raise their kids together.  Reports say that they were actually upset when some of the tests turned out negative.  Those who found out they were going to be mothers hugged and high-fived each other out of sheer joy.  This story spread around the country like wildfire, and I thought it was high time to share my thoughts about this incident.  People have said things like “being a mother is hard work”.  They mention the sleepless nights and the crying that drives you insane.  Well, I would like to share some of my mothering experiences.

(Pardon the following bluntness)

That whole childbirth thing HURTS and is gross!  LOL!  There’s no tactful way to say it!  Epidurals wear off and you bleed afterward, and it’s not like the monthly thing where you use a pad or a tampon and you’re fine.  I’m talking about days and days of heavy bleeding!  There’s the whole part where a few days after the birth, your breasts get heavy and lumpy and it feels like you have forty dollars in your bra…all in quarters!  In addition to that, I pulled a muscle in my back trying to push out said offspring!  Soooo…I’m on heavy narcotics, bleeding profusely, and carrying around heavy boobs!

That’s not even bringing up the part where you still have to deal with the infant.

Well, my first day home, I had been prescribed Hydrocodone since I’m allergic to aspirin and ibuprofen.  I took two (as instructed), and laid my daughter in her crib and crashed.

Two hours later…she was awake.  I, however, was still high on meds.  Guess what saved me that night?  My mother.  I had a mom who understood that I was in pain and she came and got my daughter so I could rest.  After that, I had so much dedication to prove that I could do this on my own.  I was blessed to say that I was able to sleep while my child was asleep, and within two weeks, we both slept all night.  I had so much fun feeding her, clothing her, playing with her, and everything.  I took Lex everywhere with me (except to the movies), and she was always cute as a button.  I really enjoyed motherhood.  We would roll in the floor and I watched her crawl, then walk.  She had a few little illnesses here and there, but I took care of it.

I worked part time, and I had government assistance until I was promoted to full time.  Her father and I weren’t together, but he came by to see her, and he had no qualms about paying for daycare each week while I worked on my career.  I’m graduating with my first degree soon, and I’m still having the time of my life being a mother.

It sounds like motherhood was super easy for me, right?  Well, it wasn’t hell.  I love my daughter, but here’s the difference between me and those teens…I WAS A GROWN WOMAN WHEN I GOT PREGNANT!  I had a JOB with BENEFITS!  I had TRANSPORTATION!  I had a support system and my daughter’s FATHER was around!  I’m not being a braggart, but I’m being real.  You can’t expect motherhood to be easy when you’re still relying on your parents to raise you.  I moved back home with my mom to save money, but I continued to work.  These kids think it’s cute to get knocked up in high school, but it’s hard work to raise a kid when you can’t even get a real job.  Someone should tell them the truth.  I was 23 when I became a mom, and I still worked my butt off for her.  Now, there are some people I know that were WAY younger than that and still raised their kids well, but it was WORK! 

Let’s see them raise their kids together with no job, no diploma, and no skills.  I bet the high-fives would cease and desist.  Sure, the government will help, but not forever. 

I can't believe how stupid, trifling, and ignorant some people can be. Instead of cheering them on, someone decided to steal from them. I know that crooks don't care what you do or who you play for, but at the end of the day, these are young men--students, who most likely can't replace these quickly, nor accept certain gifts due to NCAA rules. 

(Memphis 4/09/08) While the Tigers were away, Hashim Bailey says a burglar was at play, putting his greedy paws on his stuff and roommate Jeff Robinson's. It all happened while the team was in San Antonio, hoping to bring home a national title.

"It's a hurtful feeling because we're out of town playing for the city of Memphis, thinking we're going to get something good back but we get something heartbreaking: Your valuable stuff gone."

Andre Allen, the only player who didn't make the trip, called campus police about a broken window at the team's on-campus apartment. Reports indicate the burglary happened between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Sunday. Campus police say they're investigating the incident at the Carpenter Complex. For now they're calling it vandalism. Bailey says otherwise.

"They took a VCR, DVD player, clothes, sneakers. That's really it. iPods and other electronics you can sell." Players say break-ins at the team's apartment are nothing new. "It's happened four or five times already." Bailey says most times, they occur under similar circumstances, while the team is out of town on tournaments.

The news has fans crying foul after all the team's done for the city. "It's dirty. It's green. That's crazy! They must be Volunteer fans." "It's a hard feeling coming back not to see stuff there, and you can't feel safe at home," explains Bailey.

So, the city is abuzz about Mayor Herenton's resignation.  In the short period of time since the announcement was made, the 60% of Memphians who voted for Carol Chumney and Herman Morris are shouting with joy.  Those who have been longtime supporters of his are shocked.

I am amused.

The speculation that is flying around the city is that he is planning on going back to the job of Superintendent.  The thing is, we need him in that seat more than we need him as mayor.  One thing that I can truly say is that as a child in the Memphis City School System under Dr. Herenton's leadership, things were a LOT better.

So, I can say this with a straight face, hate him as Mayor all you want, he was a h*ll of a Superintendent.

Also, I think it's funny how many people think that he should go ASAP.  I know a lot of people want him out of that seat, but you still have to do things the right way.  The city does deserve notice.

*prays that Dr. Herenton becomes Superintendent again*

I'm going to make this relatively short and sweet. 

Why did a little boy have to die of an accidental gunshot wound this week?  Is it me, or criminally negligent homicide is a compliment for Mr. Jerome Black.  This man is 19 years old, and for some reason found the need to leave his LOADED gun in a place where six year old Charlris Fleming, Jr. and another seven year old could have access to it.  It is a shame and a disgrace that he is only being charged with that.

People have to understand that owning a handgun comes with responsibility.  There is more to it than having a permit and enough money to buy the weapon.  You have to understand that you are responsible for every person that touches that gun, as well as every life affected by that gun.

I may seem a little self-righteous, but if you are dumb enough to leave the gun in an accessible place, you deserve every bit of time you are given.  I am not familiar with how the law works, but I believe he should be charged with Child Endangerment IN ADDITION to Criminally Negligent Homicide. 

I am firmly for the right to bear arms, but I just wish that people were truly responsible with that right.

Within a week of Memphis, Tennessee's worst mass murder, a culprit has been caught.  One of the surviving children was able to identify "Uncle Jesse" as the man who murdered their family.  I then saw on the news that Uncle Jesse was among those at the crime scene on the night the bodies were found.  It is unbelievable just how insane he had to have been.  What reason did he have to even be there?  Was he trying to find out who didn't die?  Was he taking inventory of his handiwork?  I also saw him on the telephone while leaving.  I wonder who was he talking to and what was he talking about?  Was he comforting a relative who cried "who could do this to those babies" or was he plotting with someone to make sure that the surviving children never said a word?

The issue I have with "Uncle Jesse" is why was he even free in the first place?!?  For those who have not heard of "Uncle Jesse's" background, here's a little bit of information:

*He was sentenced to 18 years in prison after killing a man in a drug deal gone bad.

*He pleaded guilty on a lesser charge of second degree murder.

*He was reprimanded 29 times while in prison, including an incident where he stabbed a fellow inmate.

*He was identified as a gang member while in prison, and was moved to four different prisons during that time.

*He was released on probation in August of 2007 after serving 13 of those years.

*His early release came after the completion of an anger management and family reunification course.

In other words, "Uncle Jesse" has not had one moment of peace in his adult life.  He has repeatedly shown himself to be malevolent, angry, vicious, and without concern or care for the life of another.  Yet, he took a class and got out of jail.  I could go into how insane that is, but this is not about the jail system.  Besides, as indicated by "Uncle Jesse's" presence at the crime scene, he is a very good actor.

The next issue I have is the reward money that appears to be well on its way back into the pockets of those who offered it.  Crimestoppers said that the money cannot be given to the child who told police that "Uncle Jesse" killed his family because the tip was not called in.  As quickly as the $81,000 was placed on the table, it was taken away over a technicality.  I am pleased to say that Governor Phil Bredesen is trying to see that the young man who identified his "uncle" gets the money.  I hope that the City Council, who offered $30,000, decides to place that money in a trust for those children.  I think that the ultimate slap in "Uncle Jesse's" face is to not only see these kids survive, but to see them survive and have a future.  Ideally, I would love for them to go to college, but whatever they decide to do, I am just thankful to God that they can live to decide.

If you are not comfortable with giving the surviving custodial relative(s) any money, then remember that they will need support in other ways.  They will have to go back and forth to the hospital, so they may need help with gas or a car if they don't already have one.  We don't know what all the insurance will cover for the kids, so offer to help with doctor bills.  They will need assistance with childcare, clothing, and at the very least a therapist. 

Now that I am done with the negativity of this Saga, I am going to give my personal thanks to the doctors, nurses, counselors, and security team of LeBonheur.  I would like to applaud them for taking care of those babies and helping them to make it through such a trying time.  I also thank them for turning a deaf ear to the harsh criticism of those who barked and yelled that the family needed to see those kids in the hospital.  Yes, I am ready to admit that I was one who said that they needed their family near, so I will apologize and give respect where it was due.

Besides, who knew at the time that "Uncle Jesse" wanted them all dead?

Please keep the victim's families in your hearts, minds, and prayers.

p.s.-Good luck to you too Attorney Gerald Skahan, you'll need it.

The surviving children are improving at LeBonheur. Here's a little more about the situation as I heard it from The Commercial Appeal:

The children have contact only with the doctors and nurses involved in their treatment, said LeBonheur spokeswoman Jennifer Parris.

But that doesn’t mean the kids are left alone, said Susan Steppe, director of LeBonheur’s child assessment program. She said children who have suffered severe trauma are constantly attended to.

“They are no not left alone in that situation and in a frightened situation,” Steppe said.

Steppe leads the hospital’s Child Assessment Program that evaluates all children entering the hospital who are possible victims of abuse and neglect or who have suffered a severe trauma.

These children receive a medical and psycho-social evaluation to determine whether the case should be referred to the Department of Child Services.

Steppe said child abuse, including any attack on a child, affects thousands of Shelby County children year. Since Monday, the Child Assessment Team has been involved with five children in addition to those found at 722 Lester.

In 2007, there were more than 8,000 investigations of possible abuse and neglect in Shelby County. In the past eight months, the assessment team has reviewed more than 250 children suspected to be victims of abuse.

“On an ongoing basis we see many, many children growing up unsafe and who are unnurtured,” Steppe said.

While I am thankful that the children are being taken care of physically and mentally, I don't like the fact that they are not able to see their surviving relatives. I really don't like how many of the relatives are left in the dark. We now know the victims are Cecil Dotson, 30, Hollis Seals, 33, Shindri Roberson, 20, and Dotson's girlfriend, Marissa Williams, 26. Two of Dotson's children were also killed and three surviving children were taken to Le Bonheur in critical condition.

I pray that the family is able to work toward rebuilding and healing, but I don't think it's fair to keep them away and in the dark.

Memphis has experienced one of the most traumatic experiences in my 25 years.  For those who aren't familiar with what happened, here is the information that has been uncovered:

*Six people were found dead in a rented home on 722 Lester Street.

*Of those six, four were adults and two were toddlers.

*Three children are still alive: ages 7 years, 4 years, and 10 months.

*The bodies were found Monday evening.

Now, there has been information uncovered about the man who rented the home, 30 year old Cecil Dotson. 

Please read this sad, but true story:

RIDGELY, TN - TBI investigators say an 18 year-old woman got into a fight with a rival, then hit another woman with a car, pinning her between the car and the wall of a carport.

Investigators say Latandria Kimble, 18, and another woman had an ongoing dispute over a shared love interest. Investigators say on Sunday, March 2, Kimble and the other woman got into an argument, which escalated into a physical fight. Officers say after the fight, Kimble got into a car and drove it into a driveway where Andrea Pierce, 24, was standing. Pierce was pinned between the car and the carport wall.

Pierce died from her injuries. Kimble and the other woman involved in the fight were taken to the hospital to be treated.

Latandria Kimble is charged with first degree murder for the death of Pierce and attempted first degree murder following the fight.

The phrase "over a shared love interest" pissed me off completely.  A woman had to lose her life because of some fool fighting over a "shared love interest".  I have said so many times before that men (or women) are NOT worth all that ignorance.  Time and time again, it has been proven that once these women are done fighting over this man (or woman), he (or she) often goes to be with another person.

***sidebar***  I had to say man or woman because I have seen women fighting over another woman before.  Ignorance knows no gender, race, creed or sexual preference.  But, I digress...

Latandria Kimble is only 18 years old and is facing first degree murder charges.  At that age, your biggest concern should be trying to come into your own as an adult.  You know, deciding whether you want to go to college or the workforce.  Instead, the desire of love from one man (or woman) resulted in her going to jail, possibly for life.

Where is that shared love interest now, I wonder?

Hello people!

I was sitting around the house yesterday, and I came up with an idea:  I've decided to come up with a new blog just for young people. 

I've made an entry today explaining my motivation, and I hope that I can get it off the ground.  Basically, I wanted to put some of my thoughts, advice and ideas in a central place for them to look. 

Like I said in my blog, I'm not trying to replace communicating with their parents, but I know that some of these young people aren't talking at all.  It may get a little blunt at times, but I rather have them read it from my blog or others like mine than to hear about things from their peers who aren't even telling them the right thing.

I want all of you guys here to comment and give me ideas.  I also want you all to post your thoughts as well.  I just want to help these kids the best way I can...but I need your help.

Check out my intro:  http://earthwindfire82-youthtruth.blogspot.com>

Thanks,

EWF82

A fight has broken out at Wooddale High.  It appears that an ambulance has been called for the victim of the assault.  I don't have full details right now, but I will try to find out more soon.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of these kids acting like school is a place to settle the score.  I guess nobody is trying to learn anymore.

A student was beaten with a baseball bat after school at Northside High.  At the time of this blog (which is about 15:56 cst), there are still eleven police cars on the scene and the injured student has been taken away by ambulance to The Med.  There was a fight between two students that led to this assault.

This is yet another sad example of violence occurring in a place that parents trust to be safe.  These students are scared and angry and they need to feel as if they can go to school, learn, and come home in the same shape they left in. 

Of course, there will be more information as the hours pass, but I can't wait to hear the explanation offered for this situation.  MCS puts metal detectors in schools, so these fools bring bats. 

When will it get better?  When will it end?