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.