thoughts – DropaJewel, because someone has to

[Thoughts] Is Everything Dead…Again?

Greetings from the apocalypse…again. If you are reading this, the hyperbolic umbrella corporation hasnt wiped us all from civilization just yet. Covid is still hanging around and has done damage in more ways than imaginable. Unfortunately, we lost some loved ones, of whom are irreplaceable. We’ve lost some Mom and Pop local businesses during the pandemic. We’ve lost our empathy towards others. This is a safe space, for you and I, reader. Lets talk about the death of it all. The death of empathy. The death of privacy. The death of optimism. The death of our hopes and dreams as we know it. Or…not?

In 2022, there are those that see the glass half empty. There are those that see a glass half full. There are those that dont even see a fucking glass at this point. I salute you, all of you. Let us consider…this one last hurrah, that all is not lost. What if hope is on the other side of the horizon, the one we forgot to look for? What if healthy, maskless, mouth breathers live on in our imagination? What if we have the courage to see them into existence? Are we brave enough to dream of a simple smokers cough in walmart, yet again; no more pearl clutching the inevitable?!

Let us rise up and take heart. We are stronger than we think. Let this serve as a declaration of life and the ability to overcome anything. Hang in there baby!

Make Cynicism Great Again

I bring you greetings from the hyperbolic death bed of a conspiracy theorist; here is my eulogy.

I saw a tweet from Yoko Ono, wishing Paul McCartney a Happy Birthday. As tradition would have it, I quoted the tweet and added a “Paul is Dead” for good measure. As I scrolled the comments to see who had done the same, I was disappointed. No one had mentioned Paul’s very non existent death, a theory as old as the Beatles themselves. What a fucking world”, I thought to myself…”or am I just old?”
The state of the current free world (pun intended) is in upheaval. Anarchy of sorts is upon us and many are excited or scared to death of: the pandemic, the importance of Black lives, killer hornets, the return of sports, a president and his twitter account as my list could continue on and on. What I am NOT seeing is a bunch of the conspiracy theorist in record numbers. Where are the people who believe this is all a government cover up to bring on the new world order? Where are the breakdowns about the book of Revelation and mark of the beast? Where are the urban legends about the loc ness monster in the chlamydia infested artic ocean? In my Lestat voice “come out come out, wherever you are.” Lets make modern philosophy and cynicism great again.

LIVE! Views From The Apocalypse

Greetings, ye quarantined! If you are reading this blog post, you are lucky enough to fall into the category of the living. That sentiment alone should be enough to make you want to thank the most high God for another chance at life. With COVID-19 running through the hyperbolic streets of planet earth, we’ve been forced to take a moment and get the hell away from each other. Literally. Some of you have been sent to work from home, others carrying on their day to day work life in the trenches. Others have been laid off completely. Some are currently sick and quarantined, others are praying they arent sick and trying to keep others safe. Regardless of where you fall, I want to extend to you a hand of hope.

In my short lifetime, I have not experienced a pandemic that effected me directly. I have seen mass tragedy in media alone, and sent prayers for others in time of sickness and war. Nevertheless, this coronavirus has forced each of us to examine the life we are currently living. This is not just a virus that affects the poor or the “third world country”…this is for us all to endure. Our belief systems may differ all over the globe, but I encourage you to look deep within and find that glimmer of hope. This is a time where we can each do our part to keep each other as safe as possible and try to beat this thing. Wash your hands. Stay home if you can. Call an empath and lend an ear, because they are carrying the world in their hearts. Get social on social media. Join a mediation line.

I know we were expecting the zombies to come, but take heart. They will not let us down. But on a serious note, I’m praying for our world. Let’s take care of each other. We shall overcome. We always do. Love, light and blessings.

Saturday Thoughts…

What would it take to get inside of you?Just thinking about what makes that brilliant mind of yours tick, makes my stomach ache. Butterflies? Does the thought of flutters make your heart shutter?
I’m not ready to know you just yet. But if I was…I can’t help but wonder how many disappointments you’ve faced; how many loves arrived next to you, and never took place. Did some guy get to hold your hand or touch your heart with memories too soon erased?
You see me, but I cant find you. I’m looking at you, and you don’t recognize me.
Embrace yourself.
I’ll write a love song for the good times we haven’t had yet…the kisses that may never happen. And the thoughts I’ll never tell you.

[Thoughts] Bring On The Chlorophyll…Happy New Year

Laying here in the comfort of my bed, Im confronted with thoughts of the new year and what it will bring us. A new decade is under way, and the optimist inside of me can’t help but celebrate the strides made previously and joys of the unknown. Oh, the new people I will meet and the habits I will break! Will I take better care of my health and my wallet? Will the snow torment me in the upcoming weeks, and will I beg for the warmth of the sun? Will I ever love again? Lets not get ahead of ourselves, heaven is solitude/hell is other people. In any event, I believe we have plenty of time to create an awesome 2020 for ourselves, given the aliens don’t come for reckoning this February. Bring on the Chlorophyll! Happy New Year!

The Top 3 Reasons I’ll Never Be Considered a Gamer

Greetings! Welcome to 2019. I hope the holidays have treated you well and your New Year’s Resolutions are under way. Over the holidays, I decided to take a break from my usual music search to get into some old school gaming. I took a visit to BoxCar arcade in North Carolina, and went old school style on the likes of X-men, The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Mortal Combat to name a few. As I died, many many times, I thought about my childhood journey through video gaming. I have never beat Sonic the Hedgehog or Resident Evil. I usually get stuck on a part and cut the game off never to return. I can’t tell you any shortcuts or secret levels on Super Mario or Mario Cart. In any event, I give you my top 3 reasons I’ll never be considered a gamer. Tell me if you relate at all…

I often use the term “If Snake were here”… If you’ve ever played Metal Gear Solid, bless you. This is one of my favorite gaming series of all time. Snake was a stealthy CIA agent uncovering secret alliances and global destruction weaponry. The possibilities were endless as you were able to smoke a cigarette/cigar while sneaking up behind an enemy to break his neck quietly. Snake could do the cool stuff: walk around in a cardboard box, camouflage his outfits to hide from foe, and fight the supernatural. Snake had all the heavy artillery: guns with silencers and laser beams, c4, missile launchers, the list continues. Even controlling him was easy for PlayStation. Since playing and actually beating a few Metal Gears, I’ve wanted all the characters I play to move like Snake. Every. Single. One.
I get an attitude when a new game system comes out. We all know that new gaming systems mean more money. Your favorite gaming systems will inevitably (and probably soon) stop making new games…so you will HAVE to upgrade eventually. Your old games will be sitting there collecting dust as you try to maneuver through game systems for games you want to play. #fail I don’t want 5 different game systems…that’s probably another reason I’ll never be considered a gamer.
I don’t own any gaming systems that came out in the past decade. I sold my ps2 last year with a truck load of games. I didn’t want the clutter anymore. *Kanye shrug* I wanted a ps3, but then I forgot and the ps4 came out. Hell, the ps5 is probably on the way. I’m not a huge fan of xbox, and my wii works just fine.

God bless all the gamers far and wide! Here is to you, Blade God Syg. May you light the way for all of us. What are some of your favorite games of all time? Feel free to comment below and share.

Happy New Year!

[Thoughts] Oprah’s Golden Globe Win

I didn’t even make an attempt to watch the Golden Globes last night. I was in bed drinking juice, watching Pokemon and reliving my childhood. I DID however hear of some Black girl magic happening when Oprah was the first Black woman to win the Cecil B DeMille award. Let me drop a quick Jewel on you…

I’m glad that Black people are FINALLY being recognized for excellence in their respective fields. I think seeing people as equal is a great way to break your best ‘A game’ in every aspect of life. Imagine if we could all just be on a leveled playing field? I think we often spend so much time comparing our differences, we often forget how similar we are.

I’m also sad that we have to have so many ‘first’ for Blacks in 2018. That shit is fucking ridiculous. We have ALWAYS displayed excellence, whether the academy sees it or not.

I guess my real question is…

Should we value these award shows at all?

In any event, good Job Oprah. We’ll deserved. Keep inspiring little girls all over the world.

Check out the speech in the buzzfeed link below.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/marcusjones/oprah-golden-globes-speech?utm_term=.fpA1qy1xKw#.fpA1qy1xKw

[Thoughts] 4 Ways to Better Yourself…Today

I would usually give you a link to a well written life hack article on the things you can do to make yourself a better person. Today, that’s not going to happen. Nope. Today, I give you my thoughts on things that have helped me on my never-ending journey of becoming the best me humanly possible. I also invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions on some things that have helped you grow. Lets Go!

Consider Others: Too often we are consumed with our own thoughts, desires and plans instead of thinking of others. Try your best to remember, that the slow cashier at Wal-Mart probably isn’t making a lot of money before you snap at her. Consider that the asshole who cut you off on 95 may not have seen you. Feel free to give that homeless guy on the corner a dollar without judging him or wondering what he’ll do with it.
Open Your Mind: Read more books. Take up a meditation class. Listen without forming an opinion on everything someone says. Understand that you can’t control every situation that arises and be at peace with it. Be honest with yourself and your feelings when you are stressed and be open to productive ways to deal with it.
Take Care of Your Body: In an attempt to be productive I was ALWAYS busy and eating on the run. I would eat junk and stay up late in the studio working on different projects. Soda, Coffee, fast food, takeout, alcohol and cigarettes were some of my closest friends. In the end, all that awarded me was an auto immune disease. This is a story I’ve discussed with folks everywhere and most could relate. Either they gained weight rapidly and got sick, or lost weight and got sick. EITHER WAY I encourage you to start taking care of yourselves today. Drink more water, get more rest, take more walks, and eat more green veggies. You will be grateful later.
Do Something You Enjoy Everyday: This is self-explanatory, but trust me, it’ll save your life.

#DoItNow

It’s February- Do You Know Where Your New Year’s Resolutions Are?

Over the last few months I’ve spoken with friends about the things they would like to accomplish in 2017. Some wanted to focus more on health while others simply wanted to pursue a more challenging career. Alas, the sweet smell of February is upon us. Do you know where your new year’s resolutions are? Are you drinking your water and minding your business? Have you finally quit smoking? There is NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW to get started if you haven’t already. I believe in you. #DoItNow

do-it

Happy MLK Jr Day!

My earliest memories of Martin Luther King Day include my Dad sitting us down as a family to express his gratitude for the late Reverend. Sure, years later the public school system would try to teach us the ins and outs on the civil rights movement…but my Dad was insistent that we were taught its importance, among many other things, at home. He told us stories on how they, he and my Mom, joined with Blacks worldwide some years ago in protest to make MLK day a holiday. Image that! As a kid I was so proud that my own parents had stood for a cause so great, and I wanted to be as great as Dr. King was. I secretly wished I could march too.

Every MLK day we would go down to Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and watch the parade every year! Marching Bands, Candy, Hot chocolate, non profits and peace organizations were everywhere! People of all colors could be seen on this day, celebrating the dream Dr. King spoke of and the legacy he’d left behind in his quest for equality.

I’m an adult now, and the parade doesn’t seem as great as it used to. Dad hasn’t been up to it since his stroke, but my sister and I still go every year. It’s like our little way to say thank you to all the men and women who died for us to be seen as equal. Thank you to all those who marched to keep Dr. King’s dream alive. Thank you Dad for teaching us the importance of spreading love and standing up for what we believe to be right.

Thank You, Dr. King.