Archive | June, 2009

Showing Some Love For Charlie Hustle

By on June 30, 2009 in General Interest

If you’re wondering why I chose to write about Pete Rose of all people there are a couple of factors. First is the pleasant surprise that my home town team is hosting this year’s all start game next month in the new Busch Stadium. And it occurs to the purist in me to give Charlie Hustle his credit where it is due as a player since I saw him play in person a few times (in Bush Memorial Stadium) and on T.V. regularly. He was a master of the game.

However it is evident from hearing non baseball fans comment ignorantly over the years about his playing skills (you know, the people who say “he wasn’t that good anyway”) that some history needs to be recounted about one of Ohio’s finest. No matter whether you thought he gambled or not Pete could ball with anybody on the diamond. The actual facts are that no other player in Major League Baseball history has been an All-Star at five – count ‘em – five different positions. And you say dude wasn’t that good? Pullease!

And who else could routinely make that head first slide into a base, fully lateral like Superman, without jamming fingers and dislocating shoulders in a pitiful heap?

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That was the best part of the old “This Week In Baseball” closing credits back in the day, seeing Pete fully extended hitting the dirt palms first. When I was playing I slid like Pete and I can’t think of many others in little league or high school who tried it. Didn’t seem like a big deal at all to me and it was easy to do. And I looked way more cool than anybody else kicking up a cloud of dust, if I do say so myself.

Pete was also a hero to those of us who couldn’t out-athlete the rest of the guys. I wasn’t the fastest, tallest or most muscular in anything. But I could outlast – outhustle – most so yeah, Charlie Hustle was my guy.

Now he may never make it to the Hall of Fame and he may not deserve to be inducted but at least let’s leave the man’s baseball talents out of the discussion because those cannot be contested. There is no Big-Red-Machine era in Cincinnatti without him, and no Phillies first World Series championship without him. Reds and Philly Fanatics have to show him the love for the championships he helped bring their cities. Yes, the media must do its job and deny him Coopers Town if they decide that Pete hasn’t done sufficient public relations penance but you can’t knock the fact that he is one of the greatest of all time to lace on cleats.

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White Power!, White Flour?

By on June 25, 2009 in facebook, General Interest, Society

Did you hear the one about how a bunch of clowns showed a bunch of racists what a bunch of clowns they were for being racists?

Here’s the outrageous counter rally where a group of clowns verbally outjousted a group of white supremacists at a KKK/Nazi rally in Knoxville, Tennessee. The title of the post is only one of the many humorous exchanges that seemed to unhinge the racist rallyers in counterintuitive fashion.

Who would have imagined the circus practicing civil rights? Thanks to Nathalie Thandiwe of the the Women Body and Soul blog for the facebook link.

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Blogging While Brown Conference Review – Milt Haynes

By on June 24, 2009 in Blogging, twitter, YouTube

Blogging While Brown was a true blast. I got to meet a bunch of people face to face for the first time. Some were facebook friends. Others I had touched base with on the phone before and finally put voice to face. It was also a pleasure to make lots of new friends including many bloggers I hadn’t heard of before.

I missed the key thing that I really wanted, the beginning blogger boot camp, on Friday June 19th. That was the hands on, how to do everything blogging workshop. Things didn’t work out logistically or financially to fit that in this time but I’m making it a priority for next year.

There are lots of things that were a part of the regular conference on Saturday that stood out to me. I took in so much over the course of the day that I’m going to have to share just a little with you day by day as I continue to reflect and review my notes. Today I’ll tell you about Milt Haynes’ presentation, “The Competent Blogger”.

Milt covered a wide ranging variety of tools we can put to use in our blogging repertoire. He talked about Pod casting for iTunes and YouTube. He gave us some features of the Black’s Gone Geek web site including the Careers In IT page (check it out). Blacks Gone Geek will begin doing research on social media careers. The site also has an Online Community Start Up Guide. As well, Milt recommended that we also have a regular website to match up with our blogs.

There are a few other interesting concepts he introduced as helpful tools for blogging. He touched on the e-mail blast. If you get a lot of those unsolicited emails that you have to unsubscribe from, that’s an example of an email blast. Of course you also receive them from groups that you do want to stay informed of. Another tool is MindMeister, a site which allows you to do online mindmapping. You can also collaborate with others and share your mindmaps. HootSuite gives metrics for who’s twittering you. It’s billed as the ultimate twitter tool suite.

You can also generate reports of your blogging activity. MicroSoft Office Live and Google Analytics are prominent options.

A couple of good traffic tracking tools are Hubspot and Inbound Marketing, two sites that help your site get more traffic and more notice. Inbound Marketing also has what’s called “Inbound Marketing University” which includes a certification exam and a webinar from their marketing guru Mike Volpe.

Milt gave us a lot to chew on and I could spend an entire week just checking on his tips and seeing where they could lead me. I bet you could too so go ahead and check into some of these knowledge nuggets and I’ll share more conference gold with you tomorrow.

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My Day of Worship Aboard the Ship

By on June 22, 2009 in Faith, General Interest

The fam is continuing our visiting tour of local churches. Yesterday we attended Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church – or “The Ship” as it is affectionately known by the members – pastored by Rev. Charles Jenkins. He is a young animated preacher and he did a really good job illustrating the Bible for everyday life application.

His sermon yesterday was “Run Tell That”. His subject verses came from John 4:46-53. It’s the story of a father of a sick son near death, who heard that Jesus was in the area, asked Jesus to come see his son and whom Jesus healed from a distance – while talking to the father – without actually traveling back with the father to see the boy.

As you read the text you’ll notice how the man’s servants came to meet him and told him that his son was healed (Run Tell That). Rev. Jenkins referred to an earlier part of the chapter, verses 28 – 29, when the woman at the well went to tell the towns people about the amazing man she had never met who told her all about herself (Run Tell That). If you’re not familiar with her story start at the beginning of the chapter. The stories of the woman and the father segue in the middle of chapter 4 showing Jesus moving from one event to the other.

But getting back to the main part of the sermon, Pastor Jenkins used a series of H words to paint the picture in our minds. The boy’s father was HURT, he HEARD about Jesus and hearing of Him gave the father HOPE. The father didn’t stop there though. He was wise enough to ask for Jesus’ HELP and therefore his son was HEALED and his entire HOUSEHOLD was ultimate saved.

A couple of key points that stuck with me are (1) that we should not let our pain or our feelings keep us from hearing and (2) before we move on to the next thing we need to pause and thank Him for “this blessing”, whatever it may be at the time.

He gave us some really good supplemental scriptures to compliment the sermon including John 16:33,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 5:16,

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

and Hebrews 11:1,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

We thoroughly enjoyed the services, especially the Men’s Choir singing for Father’s Day and leading the praise and worship before the sermon. Had a good praise dance team too. I’m definitely paying attention to this dynamic place of worship. A “go back” some time soon is definitely in the plans. So where did you go to church yesterday? Tell us what we missed.

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Honor Thy Father on Fathers Day 2009

By on June 21, 2009 in General Interest

Happy Father’s Day to all the men who play or have ever played that role in some kid’s life. Even if you’re not the biological parent, you qualify as extended family to someone if you are that teacher or preacher, coach, deacon, neighbor or something that some child looks up to. Or as in my case there’s an adult who remembers and appreciates your example from years before.

So today, especially to my brother, uncles, baseball coaches, Sunday school teachers, church deacons then and now and neighbors who lived a life of responsible moral example I say thank you. I strive my best to match your standards as I walk each day.

And for those who may not be feeling it for your old man today, for whatever reason, keep this scriptural reference in mind and let go of the hard feelings. (Dang, is he going Bible again? Uh, yeah. It’s Sunday.). My sister had to hip me to the unconditional nature of this verse a few years ago. I hope it helps you too, who ever you are.

From Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. ”

I guarantee you that preachers and priests all around the country are going to be reminding you of this today during your services. You don’t do it when or if you feel like it. Doesn’t matter if you think he deserves your love or respect. Not dependent upon how he’s living or acting at the moment. God’s not flaky like we are sometimes. He just said do it…period.

So if that man is still alive take that weight off your soul and put the ball in his court. How you think he may respond isn’t important. Follow the Godly imperative, call him today and tell him you love him.

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Blogging While Brown 2009 Reception

By on June 19, 2009 in Blogging, facebook, twitter

Tonight we had an outstanding reception for Blogging While Brown and many of my favorite actionists were on the scene for the second annual conference for bloggers of color. Man I love the energy and enthusiasm of this group! We had an awesome kickoff and I met lots of bloggers and facebook friends who blog that I’ve read or facebooked at some point. Shawn Williams of the “Dallas South Blog” and Ananda Leeke creator of “Author Ananda Leeke’s Blog” are no longer mysterious blog presences. Cheryl Contee of “Jack and Jill Politics” and our organizer Gina McCauley founder of “What About Our Daughters” are no longer just names.They are new friends now. I’ll fill you in on some newbies who are cool people and up and coming bloggers as well.

I’ll say it again, the energy was fantastic. We ate, talked together and got to know one another. We even had a spades tournament tonight. All the important relationship building necessary for a great meetup over the next day and the follow through after this weekend began in earnest this great evening.

Can’t wait until the serious sharing happens over the course of the day Saturday. I’m expecting great things of myself and my compatriots. I’ll share the innovative thoughts and comments as often as I can this weekend here, on facebook and twitter. If you’re not here, you’re missing out on the inspiration. I’ll keep you posted of course (smile) and do my part to help inspire you to save up your pennies for next year. Until then stay tuned to MartyBLOGs at Blogging While Brown 2009 and visit these and other bloggers’ links as I post them. More to come. Ciao.

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True Confessions That Matter from Lenny Kravitz

By on June 17, 2009 in facebook, Faith, health

Hat tip to facebook friend and fellow blogger La Shawn Barber for this link on Lenny Kravitz’s mature stand on his lifestyle and moral standards.

Lenny has been celibate since 2005 and says he’s not pulling his penis out of his pants for any woman again until he finds the one he marries. Let’s hear it again for abstinence as solid moral and health policy! Lenny is sticking to the scriptural imperative, not playing around with God and doing better to live his faith day by day.

Also amazing is his father’s last minute conversion to Christianity. Demonic visions in the hospital had him confess Jesus as his savior days before he passed. Amazingly still, the visions turned angelic afterwards. Just as for the thief on the cross next to Jesus, the last minute wasn’t too late to get it right.

Really nice read into Lenny’s world. Take a few minutes to check out this amazing article by Chris Heath for yourselves and share it with your friends.

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Easy LinkedIn Group Creation Tutorial

By on June 13, 2009 in facebook, LinkedIn

Here’s a link to the LinkedIn blog with group creation instructions. Just as with facebook or any other social networking platform, deciding upon or designing a logo is what you’ll spend more time on than anything else.

Have fun with it and if you think it’s relevant to what I’m doing send me an invite.

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Easy Facebook Group Creation Tutorial

By on June 13, 2009 in facebook

I found this “How To Create A New Facebook Group” wiki today. The most difficult part would be finding a graphic if you’re not the artistic type. If you know someone who is have them do that while you organize the group and you can upload the pic later whenever the two of you are ready.

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Creating a Facebook Email List

By on June 12, 2009 in facebook

Hi there people. Got a new Facebook tip for you in case you haven’t discovered it yet. Do you want to make a specific distribution group from your friends list? Here’s how.

Click on the “Friends” link at the top of the site, click “Create New List”, then check the friends you want to add to the group and save it. The maximum number of contacts is twenty. It’s just like creating an email group with your favorite email software.

When you’re ready to mail a message click on the “Inbox” link at the top of the page, then “Compose New Message”, type in your group name (a drop down list of likely group names will appear while you’re typing which you can choose from), write your message and send it.

This isn’t the same as creating a facebook group which other Facebook members can join so don’t confuse the two. It’s only a personal list created by you. Happy TGIF!

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