Me and Harriett

I'm not talking about me and my pug, her name has had many evolutions since its original incarnation. I'm talking about the fact that Harriett Tubman and I share the same name, "Minty". Her birth name was Araminta, aka "Minty", from which it evolved into "Moses". I'm not sure about the exact flowing evolution of her name, but will find out this Saturday when I go to a reading at the Reginald Lewis (first black millionare) Museum's reading of "Minty and Moses". And then I'll be sure to fill in the missing details.

Strength definitely runs in the blood for anyone who carries the name Minty, and isn't it coincidental that she is also a "Harriett"?! Just as my grandmother was a Harriett (and a) Minty at the same time. I think Tubman was Minty Harriett, and the social monarch was Harriett Minty. Shit man, that would be one historic lunch to have with the two of them at the same table at the Kansas City Country Club!

The Day the Earth Stood Still

That would be today, "A" Day, as in "Asshole" Day, a day that will live in infamy when Tough Jr. called Tough Sr. an asshole to his face, or at least his ear. Don't worry, chitlins, my "lawyer" was definitely present for this lively and memorable conversation. If only I had it on tape! There is enough material in this one conversation for a whole season of SNL skits. Chalk up yet another long day at "the office" for this pilgrim. But yet, she is still standing tall and even smiling, which says a fucking lot given the shit that went down.

What a Month!

I'll say. I've said good-bye to 2 royal jerks and hello to our country's latest Visionary in power, to a number of assorted fruits and nuts from my past, as well as to a surprisingly rare and exoctic fruit and nut dating all the way back to the 1950's, otherwise known as my parents. I've experienced firsthand what it feels like to be inflicted with football fever, to look my adversaries in the eye, and to discover my own Visionary community. Shit man, I don't know if I can keep up with this Glorious lightening speed pace, but I'll sure give 'er a try. Fasten your seatbelts, Kids, T minus 40 days until the world turns upside down with abundant Pugh-love!

Econ 101

Is it just me, or is the real root of our "global economic crisis" the fact that the global population is increasing at lightening speed, which results in more people joining the work force, which results in a need to create more 'creative' venues for generating a household income that can result in such wondrous inspirations as a Gucci-esque line of high end totally non-essential accessories for four-legged household creatures? According to my mental math, which stops at the algebra skill level, an increase of heads in the work force results in a decrease in annual income per individual head, at least according to the way things are run right now. But I got an ingenious economic resolution that I was convinced would solve our country's economic woes when I was in the 6th grade, and I'm still convinced it could work. Why don't we just start handing out cash from the mint as it comes off the press?! I mean, it's really just paper we give to people in exchange for important things, like post-its, food, and art as well as other stuff too. And everybody knows the more pieces of paper you have, the happier you are. Except I've found lately, that that's a half truth and not a complete truth.

And this is why I want your vote in 8 years! So I can solve any remaining problems we might have that Obama didn't get to, but at his current rate their won't be anything left to fix as he will have already done it with his Super-Presidential powers. I think this will really distinguish me from my running mates, Clinton and Palin, and set me way ahead of the pack. So vote for the Juliep in 2016 for a Fresher America!

The Tie that Binds

For my dad and me, the tie that re-bound us together, loosely that is, was Super Bowl 46. I won $13 off of him the weekend I voluntarily watched 12 hours of NFL action. Which was a triumph in itself, in addition to my financial triumph. But then I lost $8 the next weekend when both of my teams, the Ravens and Eagles, lost their tickets to Tampa. But then I found a dust covered alligiance with #13, Kurt Warner the Arizona QB. Back in my glory days when I was a Missouri-native, Warner was the QB for the St. Louis Rams and helped them win Super Bowl 36 in 1999. I remembered that game, as it was one of the only football games I have ever really been 'into'. And knew, that as a fellow Visionary, that if he could do it then, he could most definitely do it again 10 years later. And he almost did tonight. If those stupid Steelers didn't eat so much meat and potatoes, but ingested a healthier spa-like diet, as the Cardinals do, then the Cardinals would have showed them who looks better in a swim suit. Hands down, I never want to see a Steeler in a swim suit, even if they are wearing their new diamond studded game ring. As this year's Super Bowl flower commercial stated, "No One wants to see you (ANY STEELER) naked (or in a swim suit!). That commercial I thought was in particularly bad taste, and I hope that company realizes how they just blew $3 million running that it.

So here's to you, Kurt Warner and Jennifer Hudson/E Street Band/NBC, thank you for not only putting on a great show, but also giving me a reason to reconnect with my dad!

My A-Sexual Phase

Just wanted to clarify my current sexual orientation. Not into guys, not into women, my eyes are for ART only, and all its colorful forms. Just got off the phone with my dad, and when he asked if I had met any new friends recently, I enthusiastically and honestly replied that I just went to an art opening with a new friend of mine, a woman who runs a fair-trade global artisan craft shop in the city. The line was silent, and knowing my dad, I feel as though he might suspect that I fancy women, from a few comments I have made in passing over the past few months. While I respect that inspirational lifestyle choice, I am not attracted to women for any reason beyond friendship. Nor will I ever be.

Nananana Nananana Hey Hey Hey...

GOODBYE! Sianara Bruce.

I Want my MTV

As I read the latest clip on the news about today's technological setback to the O administration, Dire Straits' most notable chorus ran through my head. And while there are 3 million people on the waiting list to get a $40 coupon to help ease the cost of a digital converter that will be needed for older TV sets to be viewed in the new digital format effective next month, a different perspective simultaneously popped into my head along with the background music. So here it is: going Digital nationwide is not only an economic stimulus for the cable/TV businesses, but it can also be a community stimulus which in turn will most likely evolve into another economic stimulus. In plain speak, if people can't watch their TVs at home, they can still catch 'the game' or 'Thursday Night TV' at the neighborhood watering hole and even get to know their neighbors while watching. I know this is a little profound, but watching TV together, can lead to camaraderie, which can lead to social/business networking opportunities, which can lead to employment opportunities, which can lead to individual (financial) stability, which can help this country evolve into a stronger economy. What a brilliant possibility! And it's only one of the thousands that are possible!! So quit your complaining, save your Digital pennies, and in the meantime let off some steam at your favorite watering hole with your buddies and have a little fun, FOR YOUR COUNTRY!

Ode to an Asshole

No, this post isn't dedicated to our former president as I am so done posting, or even thinking, about him. This post is dedicated to my former best friend, who made an unforgivable assholeesque comment tonight, and thus is no longer my best friend. We had a good run, and I am truly grateful for all of the laughs we shared, and memories too, but it is time to part ways. Suicide is no laughing matter, but apparently it is to him, or at least it was tonight. And that is why I have to let him go. So long, Bruce!

GOOD RIDDANCE!

That's all I have to say to G.W.

I'm in the Market for a Partner

of the male variety, NOT an asshole. How hard can it be to find a dude with an ego of equal size to mine?! (Which I like to think is very small, but am getting the signal from the people in my head that it has recently been increasing in size). I've come across quite a few of the XY chromosomes lately that give the definition of a-hole a run for it's money. Lord, in my next incarnation, I'd like to be a duck. Life just seems a lot easier when you have webbed feet!

Bush is a Fucking Asshole

Holy Shit, I've been pretty tolerant of his presidential misvisions, but now that his days are numbered, I'm coming into a new realization of how fucked up this administration's sense of reality really is. However, 8 years ago, I felt confident that he was the better choice over Mr. Gore, as did the majority of the country. But after learning of one of the administration's latest inspiration sprees to see if a fucking shrimp runs faster or slower on a treadmill when it's feeling ill, and then also with a "loaded" duck tape backpack strapped to it, the voices in my head screamed at me that this dude is fucking ludicrous. It would be one thing if this were a show on Comedy Central entitled "Weird Shit", but it's not. It's our government. Breathe in and out. Repeat a million times.

So, upon reading the latest completely dysfunctional move this president has made, I learned that Mr. Bush has given his approving nod to withhold awarding purple hearts to soldiers who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of their experiences on the battle field. Being a survivor of PTSD myself, this came as a most painful jab way below the belt. Where do I even begin? First of all, the fact that the soldiers (everyday men AND women) chose to serve our country, through fighting on enemy lines, maintaining democratic order in certain countries needing a little help with that concept, or a variety of other useful and efficient ways, begs for recognition in itself. It is because we have these volunteers that our country doesn't have a draft! Hello people, wake up and smell the fucking coffee! So we should be honoring these souls, who have seen shit that no person should ever experience, and their time serving our country, our freedom. But with this latest move, the administration is saying that if a soldier is not able to keep up an Arnold Schwarzaneger-like Muscle of Steel exterior for their entire time both in the service and and way beyond the time that they have hung up their helmet, then forget it, we are not awarding you a Purple Heart, because it wasn't earned. GO FUCK YOURSELF, BUSH!

As is evident with this latest presidential dipshit move, all of one's past experiences from this life, and probably from past lives too, form a unique filter from which each one of us views the world. And apparently Bush was very neglected during his childhood and by his family's deaf ear to all his great ideas that he has taken it upon himself to prove to EVERYONE that his ideas are good ones.

T minus 9 days with this prick in the Oval Office. And then, thank God!, there will be a 720 degree turn around in the energetic vision of this country. If I ever see Bush on the street, or any of his people, he will be invisible to me. I appreciate the work he has done in his term, but it is time to move on. And time will only tell of the psychological repercussions that this term and presidential experience, where he has been severely scoffed at by the public and thus been forced to live with really tough love, consequently manifest in his life from here on out. Regardless, I'd be in support of an exile movement. Let's give this sucker a taste of his own medicine.

I am so done with you. Our country is so done with you. Our world is so done with you. Out out, damn Bush!

The Power of A-R-T

For some it's the power of love, for others it's the power of the fart, and while the latter is pretty powerful in the amount of laughter I exert after hearing each unique natural blast of sound, for me personally, the power of art tops it all. A piece that resonates with me is truly the most awesome force to behold. Art is a form of communication from the soul, and when a piece moves a patron in any way, it is because their soul is touched by the piece in some exquisite fashion. A picture is worth a thousand words.

I have recently come into this knowledge of how art empowers me through some of my recent art acquisitions. The most significant being painting 100 by artist Sheldon Drake. http://www.sheldondrake.com/PAINT/ptg100.html Through this piece, I am able to see in a way that I have never seen before just how invisible I have been to my family and my tribe. This piece contains the perfect balance of contrast between paisley pattern forming distinct lines and patterns and morphing dark nebulous shapes, grounded ambient colors and jubliant grounded pastels, a country club life and one of an artist. I've seen them on the same page for the first time ever in my piece, which I have renamed Phish Pose. Now that it is in my collection, I am making certain that I am seen AND heard by my tribe. I feel that it's a rather abrupt change for some members of my clan to absorb at the moment, but I'm confident that over time they will become a bit more comfortable with the latest permanent version of my authentic self.

And yes, love can be powerful in its own right as well. I know it may shock some of you, but even though I am still single, completely by choice!, I have had the periodic acquaintance of the power and beauty of love. It has been a rare occurance, as I think I can count on one hand all the times in my past that I have actually been in-the-moment, but to be able to share those moments with someone else, who was also hopefully in-the-moment as well, is truly special. Something I will hold onto forever. It's up there with the art of a fart! Toot on, fellow artists!!