4

I got this from a website. Many people have done these and posted these on their website so I did one and posted it on mine.

Four jobs I've had in my life: 1. intern for Clear Channel 2. employee of WHUR (Washington, DC) 3. Saint Louis 22nd Judicial Court employee 4. intern at Big 100.3

Four nicknames I've been given:1. Lyle Lovett 2. Dj Old Skool 3. The "Clearly" Man 4. Skeeter

Four movies I would watch over and over: 1. Coming 2 America 2. House Party 3 3. Can't Hardly Wait 4. Boomerang

Four places I have lived:1. LA 2. Saint Louis 3. Washington DC 4. ....there isn't a fourth

Four TV Shows I love to watch: 1. Fresh Oil 2. The Boondocks 3. CSI NY 4. Power For Life

Four songs that I listen to often: 1. One Thing - Marvin Sapp 2. When You're Mad - NeYo 3. The Blessing of Abraham - Donald Lawrence 4. Blue Touch - Gregg Karukas

Four books that I recommend: 1. Letters to A Young Brother - Hill Harper 2. The Art of War - Sun Tzu 3. Loose That Man & Let Him Go - TD Jakes 4. Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

Four of my favorite foods: 1. carne asada 2. chicken chow fun (PF Changs) 3. eggs with chives, garlic and cheese 4. apple pie a la mode

Four blogs I recommend you read: 1. Life After Graduation 2. Arian's Inspirationals 3. The Cynical Ones 4. Waiter Rant

From 50 to 99

I am scratching my head here at what I am reading in regards to 50 Cent and how he was changed by a Creflo Dollar teaching. I respect any man of God, but for 50 to change his name to 99 Cents is hilarious to me. His reasoning stems from a message preached by Dr. Dollar on how words can shape reality. It is said in Proverbs that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I wholeheartedly agree - but let us reason here. 50 Cent has enough money to retire.....does he need more? Is that why he's changing his name? To get some more bling bling. I am not judging here, more power to 50 for submitting to God. I praise God for anyone who sacrifices themselves for HIS will. I guess 50 cent's name is going to evolve like Puff Daddy did to P. Diddy.

Dearest HU

I started to think as to why I should even write this. I guess it is because Howard despite, its flaws (I mean nothing is utopic) taught me a lot about the world, people and myself and there were some positives about my experience there. I learned for the final time how things can be up one moment and down the next. I met many interesting people and professors who had a profound impact on my life. For example, I will never forget Arian, my sis, who was directed by God to bring me back to HIS house; Reka, who was the first person I met at Howard in the financial aid line. One cannot forget Chev, who I had a few classes with, including Spanish, where the teacher said that since he studied romance languages that he'd never been the same. I'll leave your mind to ponder on that one. I have to also thank Chev for giving me the name "Dj Old Skool," a name that reverberates amongst many of my fellow peers from HU. Then there's Amir, who was one of the few people at Howard who was genuine. That is rare in this world. I got to know Lauren through Reka. Our relationship emerged over sophomore and junior year. I will never forget Lauren driving up to Virginia with me and she was one of the few people who regularly listened to my radio show. I always think of her when I hear "Candy Rain," by Soul For Real.
As for John, he was one of the few people who I believe I was able to encourage during his time at Howard and John was one of the first to continue calling me Lyle after the lady in the health clinic mispronounced my name. Dom, I met during Campus Pal week. I will never forget how people called him Little Demetrius. David, was one of those people who I felt was cool. I will remember him for being the one who always hung out with Chev, Claudia and I; (i.e. trips to Ihop). As for Claudia, her and I bonded mainly during Junior year and I will try to keep in touch with her as well as some others mentioned. Carlton, was always the one who kept me in the know regarding frat stuff and he is from STL, my hometown. Naeesa was someone I met through my cousin. He knew her from high school. Our relationship has been muddy since I told her that I liked her. For that I learned not to put my cards on the table too early. Kia, was another friend of my cousin's. She and I had Pre-calc together, and both kindly received horrific grades from the old geezer. Those were fun times in pre-calc. Shani, was one of those people I know who liked almost the same types of music that I did. She was one of the few who did not try to change the song on my Ipod. I will remember her and I taking random trips to Target in Wheaton. I never really got to know Alexis and Steve, but they did attend my birthday dinner, which was an experience too. I wish all of you the best in your future endeavors and wherever the road of life leads you. Even if any of us have parted ways, do not forget me - the one & only DJ Old Skool.

As for WHBC, I was taught never to put all my energy into something because you never know when the rug may be pulled out from under you.

Dearest Howard,

I will miss you. You taught me a lot. I will recommend you to all of my Black friends. We all need a good Black experience and Howard is definitely the creme de la creme of HBCUS. I will never forget registration, which is a highlight of the so-called HU experience. But all in all, I do not regret you for one second.

Sincerely,

KCJ

Sometimes You Just Wish Things Were Simpler

It's 3:15 in the morning and here I am once again dealing with insomnia. I pondered at just sitting up the rest of the night writing or listening to the radio, but I want to go to sleep. I close my eyes, yet do not drift off into sleepworld. Random thoughts begin to enter my head. Why is life so complicated? Is there meaning to life? How can one discover the true meaning to life? Even with the solace and serenity found in faith, you often wonder why certain things happen in your life. Can one be happy at all before the happiness is brought to a screeching halt? This journey of happiness, or the pursuit rather, promised to us in whatever that document is called, (it's 3 something in the morning, there is no time for me to reach back into what I was taught in history class at this time) often has me puzzled. I often question what on Earth makes one happy here while they are on Earth. With all the tribulations and trials, pitfalls and failures in life, how can one be happy? They say that all those come to perfect character and strengthen you. I cannot see how crying and pain is somehow tied with character. I have to wonder if memories of betrayal and deceit are somehow tied to strength. I tell you one thing, it makes you leary of new people you meet. That is not strengthing character, that is fear and distrust. There seems to be this cookie cutter approach and nonchalant thing the world tells you to do (just get over it)....get over that distress and anguish. It is certainly easier said than done. I am convinced that each and everyone of us deals with stuff differently. For some it is easier to put stuff aside, but you often question as to why things just happen. It is almost as if we are put to the test all the time. I scratch my head sometimes as to the stuff that I've gone through over the past twenty-one years and some of the things that have happened to people I know and yet somehow we keep going. We get up and trudge through the deep swampy waters of this river called life hoping for a remedy and a breather from our troubles. I have often dreamed of what life would be like with non-stop happiness. No pain. No confusion. I guess I'll have to find that out when I get to heaven, until then, I guess I'll just have to make it through whatever is thrown in my path. I sometimes feel like shouting at the top of my lungs to let the world know that behind the smile I so often exhibit, there is some questioning and confusion as to whether true happiness can be obtained. When you ask someone what happiness means to them, they often answer having everything you could possibly want, as to say that money provides happiness. Creature comforts like cars and clothes do not satisfy that yearning to have a permanent smile. I used to wonder why people turned to alcohol, drugs, and other things; these are merely things to send them into a state of temporary bliss. It is almost as if you let your troubles go and happiness is somewhat found. I am not sure that happiness can be found in a Black & Mild or in a shot of Jose Cuervo, but I am wondering if happiness can be found at all due to the negatives in life.

Life has many parts -

Last songs to play....
The Verve - Freshman
Norah Jones - Toes
Everything But The Girl - Troubled Mind
Carbon Leaf - Life Less Ordinary
Jason Mraz - Sleep All Day
Leo Delibes - Flower Duet
Shelby Lynne - Thought It Would Be Easier
Train - Cab