Kelvin's Corner

Details, Details.....

Okay,

Now I have been looking around at cruise packages and decided that I am going to list the details of 3 that sounded nice and take votes on which one we decide to do...

Once again, we need to set a cutoff date for the decision of which package we decide to go with...so I deem it to be the April 15th...yeah, I know thats Tax Day too....so what?? We need to get the ball rolling on this..:o)

Here they are and the links if you want to check them out for yourselves:

Package 1   Departing from Miami, FL 3 nights

Package 2   Departing from Port Canaveral, FL 3 nights

Package 3   Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL 5 nights

Now keep in mind that the prices shown may be negotiable since we are going as a group. Also keep in mind the dates of departure. They range between July 18th and the 22nd. Package 1 and Package 2 are both for 3 nights...Package 3 is for 5 nights and thus a little more pricey. I think all of them are reasonably priced and the only other thing would be the airfare for those flying into Florida. I will leave that up to you guys to arrange and reserve on your own. I say go ahead and book now to get a decent fare. I will keep you guys updated on the particulars if anything should come up, but this is what we have so far until the votes are tallied.

You guys can vote in the comments section, that way everyone can see what the totals are and you guys won't think I am being biased picking the one I want to go on...cause to me it really doesn't matter, I like all of them....:o)

Oh, and just another FYI.....I was looking at air fare to Florida and the rates are REALLY cheap right now so it would be very advantageous to book now!!

Here is where I went...

Hotwire.com
Jetblue.com
Travelocity.com

Check them all out....

Chew on this........

This is the year for me....Come this July 28th I will be the big 3-0....*sigh*

I am not tripping though like alot of people would probably be doing. Instead I am embracing 30 with open arms..:o)

I was talking to Golden and Singing and the idea of what would be a GREAT way to bring in 30 for me came up. I originally wanted to do a 70's party but then thought about it and scrapped that idea. It might be fun but the idea of a Cruise would be even sweeter!! Now although nothing is definite and we have yet to make any concrete plans, I thought that I would put this out there to see who all would be SERIOUSLY interested in joining us on this cruise. I already have a couple of verbal confirmations from Bloggers who might be interested in going but I thought I would put it out there so that all who read my page on a regular can be invited too...Make it an extended-extended family thang.....:o)

So if you are  sitting at work reading this ( knowing damn well that you should be doing something more constructive for THE MAN) and feel like what I just typed in parenthesis is a bunch of horseshit....Need a damn vacation, want to actually meet some of the people whose lives you follow on a daily, weekly, or hell even monthly basis, and last but not least want to come help your boy bring in the big "3-0" on a cruise ship somewhere nice and tropical. Where the drinks are flowing, the atmosphere is euphoric, the music is just right, the potential for having a good time is ENORMOUS!! then start getting your money together and calculating those vacation, sick, personal, and hell even bereavement days to see if you can get a few of them off.....cause we gonna do it sorta, kinda BIG for my 30th Birthday!!!

So those of you who feel like this is something you want to be a part of then shoot me and email and let me know. Those of you are not too sure just yet and need a few days to parlay on it.....thats cool...I am only asking that by Friday April 8th, 2005 you let me know something. We are gonna start getting group rates no later than that....so think it over...comment if  you wish....but this is what I am trying to get together for the big "3-0"...

What- What!!...LMBAO!!!

...Kudos and The American Dream...

[edit] 10:30 p.m. Just got this GLORIOUS News in my inbox.....this just keeps getting better and better..LOL [edit]

All seems well on the homefront....

On the way home yesterday, I decide to call my tenants to see how the re-inspection went with Section 8 today. Found out that the house passed with flying colors!! *Whew*....Glad I didn't have some anal retentive inspector that would have tried to nail me on some petty shit.....I would not want to have to go downtown to their offices and show my true colors...:o) But don't twist it, I would have if it came down to it...>;o)

So remember wwwaaayyyyy back when I said I was shopping for a new television? Well I finally went and picked one up this past weekend...I know, I know...a brother is thorough on the research what can I say...so I got this TV on Sunday. Caught it on sale and got a really good deal. So last night when I made it home, I decide to call Direct TV and order the HD package...hell might as well enjoy all the features of this new toy..hehehe. And you know whaaaaaaat?

*Chorus of wwwwhhhhhaaaaatttttt?*..LOL

....for somebody that RARELY is the recipient of good customer service on the phone, I actually did recieve it this time....I damn near passed out when I hung up the phone...lol. Seriously, I had to go get a beer and sit down for a minute to reflect on what had just happened.

"I actually spoke to a real, live, knowledgeable customer service rep. named Christina...who answered my questions to my satisfaction, explained the billing options to me, told me the detailed descriptions of each particular package, scheduled an installation date (still skeptical about this one..), and thanked me and got off the damn phone. Didn't try to sell me some extra shit I really didn't need, stayed within the pre-discussed price range....I WAS VERY IMPRESSED!!"

KUDOS TO DIRECT TV CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS!!!

So if everything is goes as planned. I will be taking Friday off to be here for the installation. Now its supposed to happen between 1-5 p.m.....I won't hold my breath on that one...did ya'll forget already....I live here...LOL so that BASICALLY means that my installation could be as early as 6:00 a.m. and as late as 8:00 p.m. No joke...these cats out here be hustling...for real. All the installs they can pull before they are scheduled to....somehow or another don't get logged the proper way...You may be asking yourself "huh?"...I didn't get it at first either so this may clear it up some....

so say I have an install scheduled for Friday and the guy shows up and "offers" to come back on Sat. or Mon. "early" to do it for me.....and all of a sudden I have an all-over-the-house-hookup that I didn't have to pay for.......sweet I tell you sweet....LOL The American Dream at its F-I-N-E-S-T...LMBAO

Well when it does get here, its supposed to come with a new receiver and all that so I will have some new toys to play with..I am really looking forward to that...and all the gadget freaks out there can feel me on this one...

Well I am all typed out....all the damn linking and coloring text has got me in the mood for a little Fight Night 2004 and *aroma therapy*

G'nite ya'll

Random Hood Observations

Ever notice how shit seems to just change when you go from one part of town into another. Chicago is very diverse indeed. From the people, cultures, food, etc. There are countless museums, parks, theaters, and even the historical society.....but today I want to just point out a few things that I have observed everyday while making commute to and from work.

This one came to me yesterday on the way home from work. Just a few random observations that I made while making the transition from suburbs to hood.

Observation #1:
Suburbs:
3 people standing at a Pace bus stop. No big deal right? These folks are all well dressed, appearing sane, upright decent citizens? No biggie again......normal shit.

Hood:
2 winos and a hype standing near the bus stop....all appear to be scheming on their next caper...."Why they gotta be plotting a caper Kelvin?" some may ask... Because....they let 2 buses pass without even attempting to flag them down. Mind you they are in front of the corner store that keeps shit right near the door. You know snacks, and shit...easy to grab and take off with and there are people coming in and out of the place so the begging potential is enormous....I'm just sayin'...LOL

Observation #2
Suburbs:
I am about to merge onto the expressway heading toward the city and see that one of the lanes is closed on a two lane street....I notice 3 police cars all with their lights flashing. They have a car pulled over....there are no other cars around, couldn't be an accident... so I am assuming the guy ran a light or a stop sign, etc. Some sort of moving violation.....3 cars= 6 cops....one moving violation??? Hhmmmm.....Point: Suburban cops don't have shit to do except "help out" on traffic stops...3 cars at that...can't they find some REAL work to do??

Hood:
Make it to the city...sitting at a traffic light near my house. Undercovers have a car pulled over...1 car = 2 cops..makes sense, right? At least to me it does. You don't need to call the damn S.W.A.T. team out to make a damn traffic stop...I fucking hate the suburban cops...don't be Black and have the nerve to drive a nice car...you WILL get stopped...that's why I come out here to go to work and back home. Thats it. No extra shit.....Period.

Observation #3
Suburbs:
Folks in the suburbs tend to drive alot more minivans, and SUV type vehicles. This is expected in the burbs. Familys, soccer moms, that type of shit.....normal again. Cars are kept pretty much as they came from the factory.....

Hood:
There is more chrome and spinning shit than I can imagine!! Yes this is a sure sign that you have made the transition from suburb to hood. Niggas riding on 20's, 22's, 24's...LOL Its crazy. I admit, I have wheels on my shit, but they make the car look like a whole nother vehicle....and mine are two years old, but they still look good cause I only put them on in the spring/summer months....I'm talking about everything is sitting on chrome!! From buckets that could sure benefit more from an engine overhaul than some nice new rims...to Escalades fresh off the showroom floor...in the hood, we ride on chrome!!!LMBAO

I'm just sayin.......LOL

Aaaahhhhhhh..............

Peace and tranquility reign supreme as I sit here at my desk composing this Monday morning entry. Only the gothic dinging of the period changing bell echoes thru the hallways every 45-50 minutes.....I love this time of year. Its the end of one season and the birth of another all starting with this week, Spring Break. No students, no teachers, no phones ringing like the world is coming to an abrupt end....aaaahhhhhh, its gonna be a good day..lol

The weekend was GREAT to put it lightly. Thursday night was spent with the guys watching the Illini give it to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. What a great game!! I didn't think I had ever heard that much shouting and cheering in a crowded basement until the game on Saturday....What a comeback is all I can really say. The game between Illinois and Arizona damn near gave me a heart attack!! I was glued to the screen. Down 15 points with 4 minutes left and then to come all the way back....my heart couldn't take it...I can't wait till this Saturday when they take on Louisville. I already know this one will be a nail biter. Alot of folks slept on Louisville this year and watching some of the commentary let me know that their road to the Final Four was not an easy one. Well see what happens this weekend though.

Sunday: Ditto...watched the Wisconsin and North Carolina slugfest and then the Michigan St. vs. Kentucky game.

I guess my weekend was NCAA filled so not too much to write about execpt the peace and tranquility of the building this week. Oh and thanks God for giving us a break on the weather this week. Its supposed to be in the high 50's and 60's ..:o)

Happy Monday!!

Just Rambling.....

Since I started so much shit up in here the last two days I thought I would go easy today...LOL.

I really appreciate all the love you all showed and the comments were very interesting. I look at as one small step towards helping men and women understand each other a little better.

I didn't really have much to talk about this morning hence the title of this post. I tell you all what though, I AM looking forward to this 3 day weekend leading up to Spring Break. I have to work but the "lovelies" (read: students) won't be here so it should be pretty quiet next week. I hung out with my buddy Dorian last night and he kicked my ass in Fight Night 2004....*gotta brush up on my combos*
Got in around 10ish and crashed. Watching the news this morning and its supposed to rain the entire weekend......now let me just say this and anyone who has read me in the past can tell you, I am SO READY FOR THIS CRUMMY WEATHER TO CEASE AND DESIST!!....I mean what's really going on?!?!?...well I won't go there but looks like any outside activities will be put on the back burner this weekend.....let's see....what else? hhhmmmmm.......oh, Illinois plays tonight and you best believe I will be glued to the tube for that action. Probably hang out with some of the fellas. We are supposed to be planning a 2 week long, chartered bus roadtrip for one of my buddies getting married this July.....as usual, his fiancee and her girls have their shit booked and paid for and our asses are still trying to get shit together...*smh* I tell you .....it's sad..LOL. But we will get it together this weekend hopefully and all my BLOG Family up around NYC, Miami, and N'awlings....get at your boy cause we may be rolling thur your town this June/July....I would love to meet some of you guys.

Well I have talked your ears off or should it be typed your eyes out?? Either way you all have a GREAT weekend and I will see ya Monday!!

STAY TRUE.....

Well allow me to retort.....

So I get in this morning and am going back over yesterday's entry, and reading the comments and whatnot and I noticed that alot of the women..(only ones that commented) tend to agree with what I had to say for the most part.

Then I got down to Dee's comment and she wrote something that actually got me to thinking again...*my mind can go 100 mph if I let it...lol* What she said was something to the tune of " Yeah, us women dictate when we give up the goods, but men determine if its gonna be long term or not".  Then Kajuana piggybacked onto what she said and called moi out on it...I replied in the comments section with this:

....wellllll I have been sitting back watching this unfold all day and I can concur. Men.Do.Have.Categories.....

I could list them here and run the risk of having my Male Species card revoked for infinity, but fuck it, I'll do it...

1.Cool Ass Girlfriend- as in, she is basically just like one of the guys, she just has to sit down to pee...lol But she is just good people. ( I have a lot of those)

2. Booty Call- This one is obvious, no explanation needed....

3. Wifey Material- Someone that you could definitely let all the miscellaneous chicks go for...she has her shit tight, or seriously working towards it, and you would not have a second thought about taking her to meet momma......

Now there are probably subcategories to the 3 main categories, but I won't get into that here cause this in and of itself deserves a whole nother post...

...Now I gave a taste of it and like I said, I would have my Male Species card revoked if I gave up too much info. So I know you all understand. What I think may be a better idea would be to get the women's perspective on which categories they THINK MEN place them in....I am curious to know if what Kajuana wrote is the general concensus among women.

** Awaiting comments section to blow the fuck up because of this request...ROFLMBAO!!**

You know what's amazing....

.....To me is the fact that I when I am interacting with various folks through out the course of my day, I get inspired to write about some of the subjects of conversation. Its like the conversation I am having with them at that time leads my mind into so many other directions that I sometimes lose focus of the conversation at hand....

Did ya get that...??LOL

Last night was a perfect example of this....

I am talking to a friend of mine on the phone and we are shooting the shit and all of a sudden the topic of men and women comes up...no big deal, but then I mentioned that its the woman that controls everything from jump....women know within the first 5 to 5.53497650 seconds of meeting some dude whether or not she is going to sleep with him....THEY KNOW!!! Trust me...within the first 5 minutes your ass has been sorted, categorized, and filed under one of three categories:

1. Platonic friend- Which basically means just what it says...you will be a homie and don't ever expect it to move into something else.

2. Special Friend- We all know what this means so I won't delve too deep into an explanation...put it like this ....if you are over 25 and single you should have at least been approached with it or you've gone thru it...

3. My Man Material- Also self explanatory...This is a dude that for the most part has his shit together. Working, nice looking, basically handling his business. This is the dude that gets to meet the family and is always talked about to with the girlfriends.

Now, I know its just not me that feels this way, but there isn't alot we can do about it as men and that's all fine and dandy. I just think that as men we should have some say in what goes down. And I also realize that some men can tentatively be a category 3 guy, until......he approaches the woman and opens his mouth, all of a sudden he is in a category that I failed to mention...

4. Get YO BROKE ASS AWAY FROM ME NEGRO-No defintion needed....LMBAO!!!

Its crazy when you actually think about it...women hold all the power...yet there isn't true equality..sex discrimination runs rampant in the workplace, women, even in 2005, don't get paid the same salaries for doing the same job as their men counterparts, there has never been a woman President ( *cough* although some first ladies in the past actually ran the country for their husbands *cough*....) and a whole host of other shit. I know there are alot of women in powerful positons, but we all know that the shit isn't quite the same between men and women plus I am not sure if it will ever be....

I don't know....maybe its just ME and the way I see things...

Today was a Good Day....

The whole weekend come to think of it....

The weekend started off a little slow, but got better by Saturday evening....

Didn't do to much on Friday. I was still feeling the reminants of this bug I got. I did go to the doctor on last Thursday and The Good Doctor gave me some antibiotics. I actually feel great this morning and that sort of concerns me because after all it IS MONDAY Morning and those are usually chaotic around here..lol.

So Saturday, did some errand running in the morning, and can somebody tell me, please, why were there so many people out, so early this weekend?? I mean, I know that's when most people are catching up on shit they can't do during the week, but Sat. morning was CRAZY!! After I got done with the errand running, I had to head over to one of my favorite spots....yep, the Barbershop.

As usual, that was a good time. Luckily, the guy that cuts my hair was standing outside smoking a cigarette and I saw him as I passed by looking for a place to park. This meant two things:

1. The shop must not be too busy at that point in the day.
2. He (my barber) could get to me right away.

Both of which were like a hole in one on the 18th to a damn golfer. So I get inside and hop right in the chair. I am in and out in like 45 minutes, which is VERY good for a Saturday. After I left the shop, I went back home and checked the mail and Lo and Behold....Section 8 finally came thru for a  brotha..LOL

My girl Kim was having a get together at her place so I started getting ready for that, not quite to the extremes, that Ted described the other day, but sorta close. I went to the get card party and we all had a great time.

Didn't do too much on Sunday, chilled and watched some to the NCAA tournament games....GO ILLINI!!...

Well that's about it for the weekend recap and like I said, today the weekend was a good one..

Happy Monday!!

Cosigning with X...

Okay, its Friday....and I just want to sort of piggyback on Xquizzyt1's post about why we can't rise as a people..* Thanks X*..

So I just read this story on CNN about Lil' Kim who is facing up to 20 years in the penitentary....*Gasp*

My 2.5 cents on this matter:

Kimberly Jones, aka Lil' Kim burst on the scene back in the day as one of the Notorious B.I.G's cohorts and a member of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. Her first album was like the rebirth of H.W.A. ( Hoes With Attitude) remember them? She was hot no doubt and her lyrics were some of the ones that would make you hit the rewind button to make sure you heard correctly what she was saying. A couple of scandals, straight to DVD movies and mediocre albums later she is in the spotlight once again and over something so stupid that its hard for me to grasp. She lied to a Federal Grand Jury.....

*smh and looking up to the Heavens asking WWHHHYYYYY!!!!!!!*

Not that I am a huge fan of Lil' Kim or anything, but it hurts my heart to hear about one of our own people (female at that) possibly facing up to 20 years for lying to protect someone that probably would have tricked on her ass if the shoe was on the other foot. I mean c'mon!! What did you think they wouldn't find out?!?! Its a freakin' Federal Grand Jury!!WTF!! I truly don't understand this. To have the whole world as your oyster and then have it snatched away from you for trying to not "sing" on the stand. SSSHHHIIIITTT my Black ass would have been like the Georgia Mass Choir up in that bad boy!!ROFLMBAO Not to make light of her situation, but think about it. Would these same MF's that you claim to be your entourage and supposedly have your best interest at heart do it for you? If it came down to you or them, would they really LIE UNDER OATH to the Fed's to protect your ass? Well apparently one did cause she is facing charges also, but still....

Its never the entertainer, always the entourage that is starting some shit... *smh*

Yet another reason we can't rise as a people...

Happy Freakin' Friday....