Monday, May 14, 2007

They're baaaaaaaack again!!!



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Two down, one more to go. That's what I said after the second birthday party was over. Once again we all gathered to celebrate with the girls. This time no huge outing at one of America's favorite indoor playgrounds, but a more chill environment in the house. Regardless, the girls still had their fun and uncle didn't have to go running after them every 5 seconds or re-uppin' the token stash for games and rides. That in itself was more relaxing for me. One difference this time was the birthday cookie cake that Ma got for them. Now, never in my life had I ever eaten one of these things and I can safely say without a shadow of a doubt, I'll never eat that again. You're talking about a huge chocolate chip cookie laced with icing, atop another huge chocolate chip cookie with a layer of icing. Anyone who knows me, is fully aware that I'm a sugarholic. But this thing was waaaaaaaaaaaay to sweeet!!! My teeth started hurting from the first bite. I couldn't even finish the piece sliced off for me. Even the girls were lookin' like "What is this thing?"... lol. They ate bits and pieces and then got up to play as usual. They got some sunglasses and decided to play "I'mma superstar" for a while, so I snapped a few pics of that experience. Other than that it was your usual kid's birthday party. One more to go folks... look out for that recap mid-June once that party is complete.

Peace-N-Love

G.Mo

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Time to Reposition Myself

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Over the past few days I've listened to Bishop T.D. Jakes in various interviews discuss his new book Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits and I've found his words quite inspirational. Now, nothing he said is brand new, but a number of things he said made the light bulb in my head come on. He talked about how people can jump-start their lives not only through their religious beliefs, but just as importantly, through faith in themselves. He said one phrase that really caught my attention though, "I believe you have a God-given destiny and you need to discover what that destiny is. Many, many times people define us by what we do. Don't let people put a period where God has put a comma."

I found out that he was going to be in DC area on Thursday and I decided I would try to catch one of his book signings. One in downtown DC at Border's around lunchtime and another at Karibu Books at PG Plaza at 6:30. It was my intention to try and catch him at the Border's, but I got caught up in work stuff and was unable to get away from the office. But when 4 o'clock came around I dashed from the office towards PG County. I got to Karibu about 4:45, bought the book and got my number which assured me a place in line. I walked around the mall for a while and window shopped, but surprisingly bought nothing.

Around 6:20, they made an announcement that he was en route and those with numbers lined up. The energy in the mall was incredible. Everyone was there for positive inspiration. I began to converse with those around me as we each talked about why he decided to purchase the book and attend the signing. It was refreshing to hear all the excitement that folks had there. A young brotha got on the mic and started singing a song and you knew right then that the atmosphere was going to be one of a spiritual nature. Bishop Jakes arrived, said a few words to the folks gathered in the center court of the mall and then sat down to sign the books. A group from First Baptist of Glenarden then assimilated directly in front of the stage and began singing. I tell ya, they had folks clapping and stompin'. At that point, PG Plaza turned into chuuuuuuch.

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When my opportunity came, I handed a young lady working for Karibu my camera. This was a few moments before I walked over to the table, but she promised to take a picture for me. I arrived at the table with my book, shook Bishop Jakes' hand and talked with him briefly. I didn't say too much, only to let him know that his inspirational words on the radio were really what led me to be there. He laughed, cracked a quick joke about Donnie Simpson trying to have church up in the studio and that was about it. We shook hands again and I was on my way. He was genuinely a nice man and I could really feel his positive spirit. The young lady returned my camera to me and I was pleasantly surprised to see that she had taken 2 pictures. I guess I was there running my mouth with Bishop Jakes even longer than I thought I was.

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With all that being said, I suppose we each need something or someone to motivate us or inspire us to greatness. I know that on occasion I have a way of getting stuck in that rut where I begin to question "what am I here for?" or "is this what life is all about?". For some reason I tuned into Steve Harvey's morning show on Tuesday and Donnie Simpson's show on Thursday. each time Bishop Jakes was on there with inspirational words. I really felt them inside my heart and just felt compelled to get the book. Now it's time for me to read it.

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Peace-N-Love

G.Mo

Thursday, May 03, 2007

They're baaaaaaaack!!!



(click on pic collage to view in larger size)

It's that time of year again folks. I've got 3 nieces and their birthdays are back-to-back-to-back in the months of April, May & June. Last week was the first installment of The Birthday Partying Uncle for 2007. This go round we ended up at Chuck E. Cheese. It was a weekday night and thus it wasn't crowded at all. Hell, I don't think there were more than 15 people in there and 8 of them were with our group. So I had a ball playing the games with the girl, running around with them and being the honorary "Hey, gimme more tokens" guy. When I wasn't trying to get them from cheating at skeeball, I was tearing up that Chuck E. Cheese pizza. Don't front folks, y'all know how good that pizza is. I would've eaten more but I happened to eat pizza at work that afternoon for Take Your Child To Work Day since we had so many kids in the office.

All in all, we had a great time celebrating another birthday for one of my beautiful girls. Let's see... that's one down and two more to go. In fact, number two is this coming weekend. I'd like to thank my lovely sister once again for my bank account withdrawals during this 3 month period. Those trips to the toy store are a lot of fun though. I take them with me to get their gifts and this year we'll do it again. We took a lot of pics and also I sat with each of them at the photo booth and had portraits done. One last thing though... is Chuck E. Cheese a mouse or a rat??? I say a rat. That's one hell of a big mouse if that's what they try and say he his. Oh yeah, I wonder what the E stands for in Chuck's middle name. Don't mind me, I'm just thinking a lil' bit too hard now...


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Peace-N-Love...

G.Mo