Let's try this again...First/Last of 2011

I left this blog back in Dubai, came home and got back to reality. So with that being explained, I am back in Dallas, ready to mentally purge for a spell...would you like to hear a mental regurgitation?

Shoulders made to carry the world...
I bear the world upon my shoulders. My legs quiver and shake at times due to the addition of burdens pertained by others, but supported by me. To my knees I cannot fall, my hands will never rest on anything other than the world my shoulders carry upon it. Previously, in the past, I would periodically "drop the ball", but never again...lesson learned and learned the hard way.

I lost my mother and almost lost my family, I had the best career year, but the worst personal experience of my life. I retained so much knowledge and patience, while I was away, but didn't have the ability to pass that on...to bring about peace for everyone else around me. FAIL and not for lack of effort, but more so for lack of understanding and communication. Pain is proof of existence, but only for you and no one around you. Humility...vulnerability is a two way street to successful communication of the heart, mind, body and soul, but sadly pride, arrogance, self justification and entitlement always seem to win the battle, but not yet the war.

My heart hurts for my Brother, because his mother is not here...My heart hurt for my father, because his was is no longer here, but he has found a happy place and I am okay with that. My heart hurts, but to place this world on the shoulders of others who cannot bare it's weight...it's my World to carry and I will not complain.


More to come...

Dubai the Bad: Taxi Hustle, 140 Degrees and the black market.

Dubai: The Bad
During my short time in Dubai I also found the "BAD". New let say that I am sure these things are evident in a lot of places, but this is my experience.

- Taxi Drivers: STRAIGHT HUSTLING!
It was the end of my first week, I figured out how to get from my hotel to the nearest Metro station, how much it cost and the shortest distance, as well as how to get to the nearest mall (Deires City Center...the basic mall that is like the best in the US). A few times, I had to check a few drivers, but they understood that I knew what they were doing and the RIGHT way to get there. They would laugh nervously, as I laugh and say "I see you trying to hustle me...bet you thought 'dumb American, I will take him the long way' huh...naw homeboy! Matter of fact this 5 Drham I was going to tip you (though tipping is frowned on in Dubai), you can forget about it." The rest of the ride is pretty silent after that, but I had one taxi driver during my last week, that it took everything in me not to backhand him in the mouth. Not only did he try to take me the scenic route, but this fool tried to correct me about where I wanted to go!!! I wanted to go to the Metro Station at Emirates Airlines Headquarters, he acted like he understood, but as we passed it, I called him out on it. This scam artist tried to tell me the other one was closer, in which I exclaimed "FOOL, YOU JUST PASSED IT!!!" Then I realized he was taking into traffic and that I would be paying out the @ss for this short drive. So I tell him to pull over and let me out...he gets in the center lane. I stay calm, try to be patient, but let's just say as soon as we finally came to a stop...I ran like a slave in the South when Massa turned his back. Moral of the Story: don't be a punk, when you think you are being hustled...SPEAK UP!!!

- 140 degrees: where they do that at?
While I was in Dubai, it was beautiful, 75 degrees, not a cloud in the sky and breezy, the weather was perfect, but let's be clear, Dubai was nothing but an empty desert 50 years ago. Passing through first time in September, it was 100 degrees and the humidity was at "Deodorant? Yeah right!" and this was at midnight. So as I am planning to live there for a year, I asked around about the summer and the first person I spoke said "It gets up to 120-140 degrees, you can't be outside longer than 30 minutes." Wait, WHAT!?!?!? Then I noticed a lot of little things: one floor of an apartment building was a children's playground, children's mini-amusement parks, Malls every where and the above ground metro station platforms were all indoors and air-conditioned. I hate I didn't go back, but I burn easily, so I guess it worked out for the best.

- The black market of EVERYTHING!
My favorite part about being in Afghanistan and Dubai, is that they don't give a good hot damn about trademarks and copyrights! From fake Rolex's, that most people can't differentiate from real ones, to Gucci/LV/Coach luggage, that your local New York bag man would kill for, but for half the price of US knockoffs, better quality and TAX FREE!!! Bottom line, don't ask me, because it probably is fake, I won't lie, because I don't care.

With all that being said, happy to be moving on to the GOOD!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dubai the Ugly: Prostitution that makes Las Vegas look tame.

After returning from Afghanistan and enjoying 12 days with my family, I hoped back on a plane for another 17 hour flight to Dubai, my new home for 2010/2011. I had spent a few days in Dubai previously, but now I was working and living there. I had heard the stories about this place, but had no idea what I was getting myself into. So here are my thoughts of the Great, Good, bad and ugly of Dubai.

Ugly of Dubai-Getting this out the way
Prostitution:
I get to my hotel, it's 11 pm and I have been flying for over 17 hours. I already miss my family and just want a drink. I drop my bags in my office/room and call the front desk to find out where I can get a drink, the clerk says there is a bar/club in the lobby that most of the Americans frequent and it stays open til 4 am...perfect! I walk down, turn the corner and hear "Teach me how to Dougie", excited and hopeful to see some other Americans, I walk to the door...cover is 50 Dharam, roughly $15 and you get two drink tickets SCORE!!! I walk in, hat pulled low, tshirt, jeans, Vibram Five Fingers on my feet and the stench of flying. I walk to the bar, order a Corona and vodka cranberry, not really paying attention to my surroundings. Pull out a B&M...wine flavored of course, put it to my lips and out of no where two lit lighters appear, attached to two beautiful women, one Asian of sorts and the other probably Nigerian. I take a drag, thank them, show them my wedding band so they will keep it moving...they didn't move. I tried to be nice and tell them I wasn't interested, but then the Asian utters in her broken Full Metal Jacket "You like a lady fo tonight?" WTH!?!?! My eyes opened as I glanced through the bar...I just realized I was in whore central. Stunned, I grabbed my beer and took a sip as I hear a deep country redneck say "Move over whores, can't you see doesn't want your nasty ass?" With an attitude, they moved in to the next potential victim. Redneck Jonathan sat beside me and filled me on Dubai's prostitution problem, the politics behind it and where not to go...I thanked him with two beers, besides fending off the vultures for me and telling me where NOT to go, he told me plenty of great places TO go. He left the next day and I never saw him again, but still remember his words "You aren't like these other contractors, you look educated, well rounded and street smart, don't get hustled. This is the UGLIEST...Most beautiful city in the world, but you make the choice the choice on which you enjoy." I made the choice to avoid places like that, unless we had a body guard i.e. Female contractors and large groups. The two other times we went, it was as if we were invisible, which made for great people watching, eve's dropping and hilarious "You got Served" moments between the locals on the dance floor.

Yes, though Dubai is considered a strict Islamic country, prostitution is running ramped. It isn't every where and it isn't like they are walking the streets, but walk into a hotel bar playing music that is friendly to the American ear, beware...these chicks are Slumdog Millionaire hustling. You can hear them negotiating prices like they are at a flea market. Women from Nigeria, Russia, Asia and the Phillapeans, seemingly either forced into the oldest profession by someone or poverty. Personally, I was disgusted by the entire situation, GhoniSiphaHerpAIDS is real, it would be like playing Russian Roulette with a Glock with a full clip and in the chamber, but many men, from the Sheik with 4 wives fighting over one girl in the street outside of my room, to the bus boy enjoying his payday feel they are invincible.

So word to the wise to anyone, man or woman, going to Dubai:
- Wear a shirt that says "I don't pay to play!!!"
- GhoniSiphaHerpAIDS is real...DON'T DO IT!!!
- Rich or Poor, they will come after you, so just say NO.
- Guys: if she is pretty, she is probably a "Working Girl", keep it moving.
- Stay away from 4 Star and below Hotels, but realize they are EVERY WHERE

Next on DECK:
Dubai: The Bad
- Taxi Drivers: STRAIGHT HUSTLING!
- 140 degrees: where they do that at?
- The black market of EVERYTHING!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Denton, TX

Well, here we go again!!!

I started this blog to document my travels abroad, but I was way too busy to document any creative thoughts. Now I am home, so much has happened since then and it is time to purge. With that here is a list of titles coming up!

- Dubai: What in the SAM HELL, but I loved the U.A.E
- Adelheid Jiles: Missed, but never forgotten
- My little girl to be, but God didn't feel it was time
- My career: The Master Plan and those I do it for
- I am a smoker and love it, but really need to stop.
- Race for the Cure: 4 city tour and the beginning of 2 books in dedication to my mother.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Poetry, ideas, dedications, dreams and creativity...a journey back into my mind. For now enjoy this short mental poetic purging to Momma.

You were, are and always will be my momma,
My heart, soul, dreams, aspiration and dedication to make you proud drives me,
It provides me,
That little extra motivation I need, to succeed,
Because I know what you expect of me.

I knew the day I left,
You wouldn't be here when I returned,
As you said to me, take care of your brothers and dad,
My heart sank, my soul wretched,
I have never been that sad, because I knew no matter how much I hoped to see you again...it wasn't going to be.

I miss you, love you and will carry you with me for life.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:The ManCave