Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Like Clay

You have to be broken. In rock/paper/scissors... Rock beats scissors, but paper covers rock...With us, trying to be the rock, we won't always win. I say that to say, a rock IS strong...but we aren't called to be The Rock in life... We should be more like clay, not necessarily wanting to "beat" our opponent, but shape ourselves around them, or atleast show our flexibility. We have to show that we fit. We have to be more like clay...man...we really do. We NEED to be KNEADED.

-Jirod

Monday, March 15, 2010

God, Bells & Whistles

***DISCLAIMER*** I respect the feelings and thoughts of those closest to me. If you are reading my blog and you feel disrespected, chances are you are probably not close to me. If you are reading my blog for the sole purpose of telling someone that I wrote an entry about them, and you feel disheartened, those were not my intentions. Lastly, if you feel, in any way that my views are immature, one-sided (biased), illogical, or just plain CHILDISH, I respect the fact that we are all entitled to our own opinions. Also, if you've read my blogs and were offended, and then read again, and again, you were offended, then you should probably stop reading my blogs. Thank You.



On To The Next One...


In general, "good people" don't like to cause confusion. On the whole, "good people" don't like to stir up emotions by bringing up controversial topics in discussion. Quite frankly, "good people" believe in some type of "harmonic balance" that exists, birthed from the Cosmos. When I hear the word "Cosmos", I think of a really style-savvy man, with a blazer, a hot-pink Express shirt, black rimmed glasses, penny loafers, and a drink in his hand... (TANGENT)

What do I know...

What do I believe? Ha, what I know and what I believe...If I told the absolute truth on both to groups of people who each have several passions for the many facets of human life, or death...I'd be stoned, or in the least, unfriended on facebook and unfollowed on twitter.

I believe that there is good, and there is evil. I believe that there is darkness and there is light. I believe JOY and PAIN exists beyond that very catchy song from the late 80's early 90's. I don't really believe that many people are ignorant...they're just lazy.

If laziness is next to ignorance, then sure...they're synonymous.

I believe in one of the most famous books, IF not the map or guidebook to living the proper life, which,these days is only made evident through a divine revelation after one feels he or she is being punished for an act of disobedience...usually. I believe in that book. Do I believe it was written by men...YES. I also believe that it was inspired by God. Do I believe there are many fallacies as this GREAT BOOK has been rewritten and translated numerous times? Fallacies? NO. Differences from translation to translation. SURE.

Have you ever done something completely and totally out of "character"? Have you ever felt the urge to do something in which you felt you had no real control over? Like, your hands or feet just had their own agenda?

Isn't it amazing how we can say that God is real, all-powerful, and all-knowing, and then we turn around and speak on all the things that could not POSSIBLY be true. Intelligent Intellectuals are a group of people who know the truth, but seek a truth that is beyond the "Ordinary Curve" of other believers.

I had a discussion with a man over the use of the word homosexual in the Bible. He explained to me that because the Bible had been re-translated several times over time, He, being a homosexual and Christian, could not except the fact that in black and white, a scripture in the Bible mentioning homosexuals "not inheriting the kingdom of Heaven" meant what it said. Of course, to be taken into account are the context clues, the different translations, and the origin of the word in several other languages used in the days when that book of the Bible was created. However, it was quite interesting that a verse like, "Honor Thy Mother and Thy Father..." is so crystal clear to him.

I think we copy and paste parts of the Bible that fit our lifestyles so that we can justify our "wrongs" or "transgressions".

(These are just observations)

POWER: Everyone wants it to some degree. The fact that a BEING...ONE WHO has no beginning and no ending. ONE whose power is immeasurable... ONE who knew us before we were, and knows everything we do, when we do things, with whom we do things, and what will result of our doing things. Nobody wants to believe that they're not in control. It's scary to lean on an absolute POWER, especially when you cannot physically SEE God.

I sat among a group of people at a restaurant the other day. The four of us; young, black, the eclectic type...you know...the natural haired, earthtones, and big turquoise stones wearing type... We began discussing some very intense conspiracy theories. My theory is this... Yes, I believe there are evils in the world, but I also believe that some things, some phenomenons are SO incredibly, unbelievably shocking, and unexplainable, that there has to be SOMETHING or SOMEONE to place direct blame on. I say to people; on the issue of epidemics sweeping our nation, natural disasters, the recession: Do your level best to support your community. Encourage and Enlist, and Educate. Encourage young men and women to practice safe sex. Enlist in efforts to stop world hunger; volunteer to help out in your community. Educate others in areas where you know you can bring about change in the minds of people around you. The trick is, you have to know what you're talking about before you go and educate people.

THIS WEEK:

If you love someone...Please, please tell them. If your love for someone is overshadowed by any pain that you've caused them, pray for them, and pray for their healing. Love is definitely something we all need every once in a while.


Jirod

Friday, March 12, 2010

Feeding My Soul

I'm so fortunate, and the weekend isn't even over.

I don't know what I'd do without my bird...my falcon.
Quiet, yet responsive.

There was a show in Houston, and The Legion, LLC. was definitely in the building, even if no one else was! LOL

I don't know man. I'm just so blessed to have met so many positive people.
The club, well, we won't get into that. I saw so many faces. (Some familiar)

You know how it's awkward when you're in a place with associates of a person with whom you no longer communicate? Well, that was the night for me. It hurt a little, because a few of these people who treated me like they didn't really know me were people who I really have a lot of respect for, and really admire. We did the "hi, and smile", but I mean, atleast we were cordial, right?

Besides the fact that I was staring at the door wondering if "she" would walk in, hoping that "she" would walk in..."she" did not walk in that night.

Show goes on...Besides the duo from Austin, TX... The rest of the entertainment was typical... You know how it is... A bunch of dudes decide that they can rap, and they rap about the hustle and they get up on stage and perform for themselves...dappin each other up and what not...while the audience is standing their with their "WTF" faces on, lookin like, "Y'all need to engage us...please"

So after endless hours of what seemed like a "Big Weiner Competition" because every rapper was talking about how much they "plex" and what not...finally it's my turn...
The crowd was kinda sparse after being beaten with the repetitive loud beats, muffled voices (because of poor usage of microphones) and the baggy pants...

SIDENOTE: Let's get into performance...some rappers hold the microphones a certain way, and it muffles their sound because they're blocking the mic from getting a clear sound...That sounds ok sometimes, but if we don't know you and we don't know your song...We need to hear it...You are not famous yet.

So anyway...I performed a 3 song set...I got a really good response from people in the audience. Two of my favorite supporters and dear friends, Charlie and Amy were there and showed their love. That made me feel really good. I performed my song "Still In Love", and as much as I'd like to send a personal message to "her", and although having her friends their, whom I'd hoped would send a personal message to "her", I knew they were too mature to do that...

Anyway, I ripped it...and C. Skillz did as well. The two Aggies/Legion Boys killed the show. The other artists were feeling themselves too much to sit around and respect our set and hear us, except the duo from Austin. They were the truth.

After the AGGIE love from our classmates and friends and whatnot, the 3rd, Da Mastamind and I went to iHop. Our waitress just made me realize how much I love Houston.

ANOTHER SIDENOTE: I am NOT from Houston, TX, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that city. Living 45 minutes away from Houston does not make me a Houstonian, but I can claim whatever city I want...The waitress was so southern and hilarious...and kinda cute too. She just reminded me of home.

Sitting up talking to 3rd and Mastamind and laughing ourselves to sleep, man, I pray more nights are like that. My father and brother picked me up in N. Houston and I hadn't seen them since Christmas. I was so happy to see them.

Then we got home and I see this beautiful brown eyed princess at my parents door. My sister. THE most beautiful girl in the world greeted me with a "Hey BUBBA" and a hug...and then the other most beautiful big brown eyed thing in the world, my pissy dog, OSCAR greeted me by humping my leg and peeing on himself in excitement. I love that silly lil dog, even though I'd cussed him out about 4 times since I've been home...because he's so hard headed.

The queen walks in and I'm in love. My mother...such a beautiful woman...I miss her. I hadn't seen her since CHRISTMAS, are you kidding me? We hugged. I don't think I've been this happy in months.

My mother, my sister, my brother and I went out to eat at our favorite restaurant, Shanghai! We laughed and dined and reminisced about old times, and things that my brother and my mother remembered about me that I didn't remember just made me realize how much I need them to remember things about me, because as good of a memory as I think I have sometimes, it's the people who see you for more than you see yourself...it's them that see the things you tend to forget, or the things about you that you never notice... Even my kid sister remembered things that I did not remember.

I'll be heading back to Austin soon. I usually look forward to coming home, as it recharges me...so, I'll hold on to this small portion of nourishment, and carry it with me until I can come back home.

Love,
Jirod

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Motions

up lie
wake down