A Product of your Environment.....

So this evening I was walking down the street, actually heading to the local corner store to buy a pack of gum, when i was greeted by an old friend of mine. Back when we were younger myself and this young man (who shall remain nameless) were on the same baseball team. That team was unstoppable, I mean stacked. Just imagine Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Jimmy Rollins, who ever your top baseball players are, all on one team...Thats how you could have described us. All the talent that we had on that team that year, actually led us to a league championship. At 9 years old, everyone had dreams of playing major league ball, and some had to potential at that age to make it there one day. This one young man had that potential in two sports, baseball and football. He was fast as lightening on the football field, and could utilize his quickness and his mobility to his advantage on the baseball field. 10 years later I pass this young man posted up outside of the corner store smoking a cigarette which is quite depressing because the storefront is the "hangout" spot for the dudes with no life and who a long time ago chose to take the route which can and will lead to ultimate destruction. After we spoke briefly, i began my journey to wherever i was going but my entire walk was taken over by the thought of how many people I know personally who have chosen to travel this similar path and have become a "product of their environment."
Mt. Vernon, NY isnt a large city at all. We composed of about 4.4 square miles of rugged streets, abandoned buildings, drugs, and alcohol...your typical urban city (i guess). But within the walls of these 4.4 square miles lives some of the most talented men and women that I have ever met. I graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 2008 and I was a member of both the baseball and football teams. Ive had the pleasure of playing with young men who were blessed with talent that I dream every night that I had. If it werent for the negative influences that surround us, I could be watching them on TV, or even playing against them or with them in college. But for many more reasons than one, these young men chose to live the life that they see around them. They chose to follow the drugs, the girls, the lifestyle of crime. I remember one of my coaches saying "If you ever leave the program, the odds of you making it are slim." Now from the outside looking in, one might think that the statement he made was harsh, but to this day i stand amazed at how true and accurate that statement is. There are dudes who had great talent who are struggling to finish school, who have taken to the life of drugs, who totally dismissed the thought of persuing a higher education, and unfortunately have either lost their lives or are sitting behind steel bars in a prison cell. Many may look at this as a story line for a television series, but for me this is my life. I hope that I can touch on this topic at a later time, because as this matter isnt getting better we must turn the tables quick.

The Absolute Measure...

I know im a little late, but Happy New Years to all my readers, followers, friends and family. 2010, much like 2009 has brought about new change in my life. In 2009 I took for granted how blessed I was. I began my journey as not only a man, but a Black man in our world, and our struggling society. I set myself among the elite men, the future of our world, our next generation of doctors, lawyers, politicians, professional athletes, CEO's, presidents and so forth as I embarked on my matricultion through Morehouse College. It was in 2009 that I realized that there was no one step that I took on my own, rather it was the grace of God that carried me through each and every day. But in 2010, I have come to the realization and understanding that God works in mysterious ways, and through mysterious people. As 2009 came to a close, I began to turn to African American authors, writers, and motivational speakers as my source of inspiration. Now as I said, God works through mysterious people, Ive never met any of these writers whose work ive dilligently deciphered, nor have I spoken to them on any occasion, but through their words I feel as if ive known them all of my life, and I have spoken to them about everything and every problem or issue that is in my life and weve developed a bond similar to that of an older brother with his younger brother. Ive found answers to all my questions and ive began to develop my identity as not only an individual, but as a Black man coming from not a whole lot looking to give it all. I guess you can say that ive reached my "coming of age." I am truly blessed.
Many people at the beginning of each year, set aside goals that they seek to achieve throughout the year. Commonly these goals are called "Resolutions." Well aside from your typical, "I wanna lose 15 lbs", or "Im not going to eat red meat", or "Im going to faithfully attend church service"...i decided that im going to be different and set a more personal new years resolution if you will. I look back on those who have been influential in my life, and I look back on the events, and the surroundings that I have been in that have inspired me to succeed. I feel that its necessary to be the beacon of light, that influential figure to all that I can. So ive decided that my 2010 resolution would be to inspire at LEAST one person per day. Now many may look at me and say why? But lets think about this...If I inspire at least one person per day to live a positive and a healthy lifestyle, if i inspire at least one person per day to live each day striving to reach whatever goal that they may set, or to reach their personal level of success, or if I inspire at least one person per day to inspire another individual...that should leave me at the end of 2010 with at LEAST 365 people whom i have hopefully inspired, and if out of that 365 each person seeks to inspire at least one person, imagine how much positive damage can be done in this world? Thats positive change that not even President Obama cant bring about. Now as you may or may not have noticed i love to write, and I personally feel that my writing at times is more influential than the words that I speak. So on that note, im going to leave you with a quote by author Elmer G. Letterman: "Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open"

Remember positive thoghts lead to positive words which lead to positive actions ultimately leading to a positive lifestyle...

Stay tuned for more! I love you all , and God Bless.

Empire State of Mind

So yes the Yankees Won! Its about time the Bronx Bombers are on top again.....Yesterday Millions of New Yorkers, Yankee Fans, and people who just wanted to celebrate, crowded the streets of NYC in the nice COLD weather to show thier love and support to the 2009 World Series Champions...Becoming the New anthem for the New York Yankees, Jay Z and Alicia Keys' Empire State of Mind has hit the NYC streets hard. Performing yesterday at the Yankee's Ticker Tape Parade, and also before Game 2 of the World Series, the hip hop duo has topped the charts with this new hit. Its not only the Empire State of Mind, its the new mindset for a lot of New Yorkers. From Ipods, to ring tones, to Youtube and more....Empire State of Mind has stolen the liking of almost Everyone....But who can blame them? New York is the Concrete Jungle where Dreams are Made of!! (yes this is bias because im a New Yorker)

Rihanna Speaks Out.....Months Later

So last night i watched on CNN Singer and alleged victim of Domestic Violence, Rihanna speak out on her and Pop Icon Chris Brown's Relationship. Now everyone knows what happened, as it has been posted all over the web, on TV, in magazines, and so forth for months now. Rihanna claimed that she was beaten and abused my Chris Brown one night as they were returning home from a Award Show afterparty. Now listen to this folks, i have a few issues with this incident here. Yea ok, i do stand behind the fact that no matter what, a man should not EVER put his hand on a woman, but in this case there has to be some behind the scenes action. 1. Last night, Rihanna said that she saw a text in Chris' phone from one of his ex-girlfriends. Now no matter what the situation is, I personally feel that NO FEMALE should ever go through a mans phone (Man Law # 23, Section 1, pg. 11, par. 5, line 16) Thats her fault...She doesnt know the background on that text, nor does she know how or whether or not Chris would have handled it accordingly. So for that she deserves it. 2. There is NO WAY IN THE WORLD that Chris could have done all of that to her while driving a car, without them both being seriously injured. I dont care what, when, why, or how we was driving, I dont see how he managed to beat her up like that and still live today to talk about it. Shoot, i have problems texting while im driving, better yet eating while driving. So give me a break ther Rihanna... 3. Is Chris Brown that crazy to just snap and start beating her??...See theres an issue with females right there, Last night she admitted that she wouldnt leave the situation alone. Females feel that they HAVE to have the last word. An "argument" can never end when it comes to a female. And then on top of that, i know the reaction of a female to situations like that. If a female sees something that has to do with another female, then their first instinct is to SLAP a man. But then they go and cry that Domestic Violence BS when a man hits them back. So i just cant see how Chris just flipped out on her for no reason... So something isnt right here. Is Rihanna not telling the whole truth? Is this whole issue being shaded to the fact that Domestic Violence is a big issue in the world today? What does Chris have to say about her appearance on television? Who knows..but let me know what you think Folks!

YANKEES WIN! THEEEE YANKEEEEEES WIN!!!

"Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of"....And those dreams came true last night! Congrats to the NY Yankess as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies to clench their 27th World Series Title. The Bronx Bombers posted a 7-3 win last night behind the hot bat of Asian Sensation Hideki Matsui and the powerful arm of Veteran Andy Pettitte. As the Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano fielded the last out in the 9th inning last night, no one could have stopped his teammates from storming the field as the Yankees 9 year wait for a World Championship came to an end. But what about Hideki Matsui??? Tying Bobby Richardson for the most RBI's in a World Series game with 6, he led the Yankees throughout the night earning himself the MVP award, well deserved on his part. Andy Pettitte working a short rest came out and gave the Yankees exactly what they needed in a veteran pitcher. The velocity, control, leadership, and poise on the mound proved to be the tools for success not only during the World Series, but throught the season. One can agree that the arms of the Yankee bullpen really propelled the Yanks to success, not to mention the on-field leadership and magnificent play of Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez. Its time to celebrate New York!!! I dont know about you, but i know that i will be in Big Apple on Friday to take a part in the celebration. Its time to get in that "EMPIRE STATE OF MIND".....CUZ IM IN NEW YORK, CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!

The NY Yankees Chase for their 27th World Championship

Tonight the New York Yankees will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the Bronx for Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. The Yankees are pushing towards their 27th World Championship, and their first in the Newly built Yankee Stadium. On the other side, the phillies are looking to post a repeat as they come to the Bronx preparing for war. On the mound for the Yankees is 37 Year old Andy Pettitte who is working off of 3 days rest which should provide for the explosiveness that the Yankees are used to. On the other side, the Phillies are following behind the arm of 38 year old Pedro Martinez, who has returned from injury to conclude his first season with the Phillies. This should be a great matchup, i believe. The two have not faced each other since May 31st, of 1998 which was during the playing days of Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Tonight is the night, will the Yankess feed off the hot bat of A-Rod, or will the Phillies Chase Utley force a crucial game 7? Catch all the action and more tonight at 7 pm on Fox

Id Like to Welcome Myself!

Good Afernoon all....this is the one and only Jamaar and i would like to Welcome you all to my first ever blogging network/site/you know what it is. It is currently 3:15 p.m. and im chillin in the crib trying to plan out my summer. I must say, i have been home from school (Big ups to Morehouse College) for about a month now, and I have been absolutely bored!...New York isnt the same to me anymore. But im definately looking forward to this summer. Got a lil bread under my belt, and a bright imagination so I definately have to make some MOJOR moves. But yes, although the date does not correspond, IT IS THE SUMMER TIME!...Lets make it happen. Im looking to kick off this networking thing real big, planning events, making big things happen so that we all can have a good time. So be ready to get off ya couches, and outta ya cribs because its definately about that time. So as i stated earlier, id like to welcome you all, and i hope that you stay tuned to my blog. Be Easy!

"The Absolute Measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy" -Martin Luther King Jr.