The Women of Williams Hall

If there is one thing I enjoy, it is conversations with grown folks. And I don't mean 30, 40 years old grown, I mean 55 and on up. When they talk they spit fire. No they aren't rude, they are real.

Being real, is spitting fire to me. I sat amongst them today and listened, and even chimed in at random times.

The Women of Williams Hall are no all old, they are literally four generations of women. None of them related, but all from different times.

From grownest to youngest Miss Carolyn, Miss Bessie, Miss T, and Samantha a.k.a. boobie are all very different but one thing binds them...

The burg. Petersburg, Virginia is where these four women were born and raised. And it it here where they chose to stay.

Boobie, is in her late 20s early 30s, no older than 32. She is the loose cannon. Straight hood. She has a saying, that she says to anyone whether she cares or not. "B*tch I don't give a f****ck!" Then she goes, I don't mean b*tch in a rude way, but b*tch...

She is a mother that, was doing wrong by her kids. Not caring in the beginning, but stepping up and getting a job and being a mother. She said, "Miss Carolyn taught me that, to love my kids because they mine. Because at the end of the day all they got is me, and I wanna be there for them."

Miss T is, the freak. I'm laughing... but she is, she rocks this extra long tongue ring and literally gets off on the dryer. Nasty I know, but she ain't ashamed. "It's how I get ready to go home sh*t. Girl, ain't nothing wrong with gettin' it in every night. WITH YOUR HUSBAND!"

She is full of sexual knowledge, things I never even heard of she tells me. She doesn't drink like she use to, but I believe that every time I see her I think she is drunk or hungover. She kinda rocks and drifts when she walks.

She always tells me, "Babygirl, when you find you a man, I know you ain't got one you too tense, give everything he wants. Because if you don't someone else will. So learn how to give head." She said, "I don't have no kids so I'ma tell you what I would tell them."

Miss Bessie is the crazy one. She has a let it all hang out type of vibe. It's not wise to ask her where she is going because all she'll say is "I'm going to hell b*tch you wanna go?" She doesn't care who is around she is going to say what she wants to.

She likes things done and placed where they belong. If something is on the floor then she takes that as a way of saying, trash it. She, is very proud of her daughter. She speaks highly of her and her grandchildren.

Miss Carolyn is, the realest. When I met her she seemed very quiet, like the little old lady that everyone loves. But she is very much a talkative woman. She asks a lot of questions. I asked her now many kids she had and she responded, "two living."

She had twin boys and an older son, but lost one of her twins to a drive-by when he was six. I wanted to change the subject but she said not to feel sorry for her. She kept saying, "While my baby was on this Earth he was smart and well-behaved. Losing him made me tough, want to love my others more."

She is funny to in her own way, she picks with people and their inability to be honest with themselves. She is so quick to call someone out.

These women, all different, all struggling with hurts unknown and known, are the people we should listen to and learn from. Their lives are guides on what to and what not to do. They are quick to admit faults at times, but...

It does hold them back a bit. All tied together by the burg, their laughter is soothing and their stories are, unreal. I'm going to record them one day... it will be something to laugh at, and maybe even think about if the day is like today.

Wise Words From A Decent Man

Mr. Anderson is an RE at State, and to be quite honest, I wish he was my RE. This man is choc full of knowledge, advice, and stories that will truly capture your attention and hold on to it.

I talked with him, well I listened for the most part, for almost 3 hours. He's seen me play basketball a few times, but I didn't really know him then. He told me I could be a much better ball player in I increased my stance when drop stepping. "Work on your balance and you'll be able to widen your stance and stay tall up top."

I'll definitely try that tomorrow.

The NBA and NFL, and many other pro sports leagues are composed of those who deserve the break they got, but who can't seem to leave behind the life they lived before the money. It's sad.

He told me about some of the guys he played against. How he thought he was the best until they played UCLA. He talked about getting pancaked by a 6' 10 center and scoring only 2 points that whole game, on the free throw line.

He talked about, his kids and his wife. How, his last girlfriend before he me his wife got him kicked out of 9th grade. He mentioned 10,000 times how sorry he felt for girls today, doing all they can to impress some "idiot with his pants below his draws."

He hated watching the girls sneak into his building to meet up with boys they'd just met in orientation days before. He said he couldn't understand why anyone would be so eagerly ready to decrease their self worth for minutes of fake pleasure.

He doesn't understand the Y Generation. What is the purpose of wearing your pants under your butt, why? Why do girls let their behinds hang out of their clothes?

There is nothing that says I don't want you to ever meet my momma more than booty cheeks and butt splits.

One thing he was very adamant on is self respect and determination. He feels that it lacks in this day, and he's right. People just don't care anymore. That's why, he, a retired military man, chooses to work in an all male freshmen dormitory.

He wants to mold his residents, make them better people.

Mr. Anderson gave me some sound advice that I will never forget. Before I left his office he aid something to me that I'll never forget.

"Know matter how bad things get, and know matter how much you want to give up, you keep pushing. There aren't many here willing to do what is necessary to reach their goals. You like to work for what you want while others want it to be given to them. Don't you ever get lazy, be willing at all times and things will come easy to you."

Athletes in Action

Had Bible study today. Coach talked about relationships. It was kind of odd though because everyone in the summer group has been struggling with matters of the heart.

We read from Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Wife of a Noble Character).

Coach fed it to us as if it were a guide. Showing us what we need to be able to see, not look for, in a significant other. In them we should see full confidence and value. A true love will do no harm, only good and will do all that is necessary.

The relationship must be composed of, what some today would call a Power Couple. Two people willing to do anything and everything to provide not only for each other but for a family.

We talked about sex too. How it manages to complicate things. Change things, make them... weird. I guess that's why it's become so easy for me to not be physically dependent on it like I use to.

But coach was right, I've experienced that, things do change... kinda makes me nervous. Is that normal though?

Got Passion?

The court. My heart resides there. Sometimes I wonder why I try so hard, push myself to push for it so much. At times I question my ability, wonder if my skill set is where it needs to be.

I do know this though, as hard as I try, and as much as I give, I deserve all the good that will come out of the hard work and effort I put in.

I know if I do what is required of me, I will be unstoppable.

Gotta love the game of basketball.

Sometimes I wonder if those who tell me basketball is just game are passionate about anything, if they have lives. I believe that anyone who is not passionate about something is doomed to hit a dead-end in life.

What is your purpose for living when you have nothing to live for? Why wake up everyday mad because what you do is not something you're passionate about?

To try and push someone away from their passion is like the same thing as killing them. If anyone ever told me that I couldn't play basketball ever again, I would die, emotionally. See the thing most people are passionate about isn't just a hobby.

It is life.

An artist's studio, a teacher's classroom or study, a dancer's hall, a racer's car, a mother/father's home, a preacher's church... they are where life happens, where the adrenaline rush is so great it inspires others to want to be great.

In here, nothing else matters, the outside world is but a dream.

My heart resides in the gym, where does yours reside?

Your Face Is Funny

So, I'm in the middle of a conversation but a thought just occurred to me. What is something absolutely ridiculous to do?

What is the one thing that will make people think you're weird, special, and telling the truth all at one time.

I sit in an office facing a window. And outside, there are people, tons of them. Everyday, walking by just living their lives.

Watch them.

They do some quite funny things. Some sing, badly, others talk to themselves, no there was no blue tooth, and some just... are different.

Take for instance this guy I saw a few days ago. He tripped and fell... but the funniest part was the way he began to look around to see if anyone saw him. HILARIOUS!

My favorite thing about people are their expressions. Who cares what just happened really. What kind of face is the person making as it is happening.

Take America's funniest home videos for example. People are capturing some extremely funny moments. But it is the facial expressions that win me over.

I Should Be Worried

But I'm not. A little scared, but that's normal. My response to this news was typical... a few tears and a phone call to my mom.

I had the hardest time telling my bestfriends, I guess because I'm in denial. I kind of knew, like you know how sometimes you can just tell, well unfortunately this was this kind of moment.

And although this is another sign that I should probably take it easy, I'm ignoring it. All I can think about is how this is going to slow me down. But I won't let it. I can't afford to. I'll still be working out and running.

This isn't major but it is major. So many people beat it why should I be any different. I am blesses enough to not stress about it. I'm already focused on when I'll be able to get on the court.

Gotta do this asap. Don't think things will change though...

...still going to work and still taking my vaca to the beach. And, I really have no time to worry about this because I have family and friends who need so, I gotta be there for them. Especially my family back home.

We seem to be losing a great deal of people we love. Cousins, uncles, aunts, family friends. But we'll get through it. We are some strong people, and we never ever, stay down for to long.

I can't wait to get home so that we can all be together. There is nothing like sitting outside at night watching the old men play dominoes and the women drink that evil juice lol.

Well, I gotta run. But I'm in one of my moods so I wil def be blogging all day long.

I been prolonging the inevitable. I've been holding in this cry for 2 whole days now, and frankly I'm about to let it all out.

I LOST MY FREAKING VOLLEYBALL SCHOLARSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like having to choose between two sports was bad enough, but damn, to hear we're just gonna take your volleyball scholarship away so you can focus on basketball was like telling me I couldn't handle it.

Because that's how I feel. Like everyone thinks I can't handle playing both sports. How the hell do they expect me to function in the Fall? Oh yeah, that's right...

Track. WTF!!!! I have nothing against track but my heart isn't all into it. It's just a hobby really. But, I guess I gotta get the money from somewhere.

This is a feeling I really can't shake. It's like being told that I suck. That I'm incapable of performing the task at hand.

Can't let this phase me for to long, still got a job to do. Gotta be mad now but over it right after now.

Currently Screaming.

This may not seem like a big deal too anyone else, but for, this is life. I live to play. Well, After the important people in my life... I live to play.