A note to self

When I’m blogging I tend to blog about random things that are present on my mind. Sometimes my topics are super serious. Sometimes they are mildly amusing. Sometimes times they deliver moments of clarity. Sometimes they’re just glorified rants.  One thing that’s a constant is me writing from my perspective, keeping my integrity by refusing to succumb to gossiping about celebrites just for some blog traffic.( I do want some blog $$$ though) That’s nonsense. I'm trying to revive the lost art of conversation. Hence my coin phrase.(If Hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!)  

I usually pull my inspirations from things I’ve noticed about others. This time I’m going do something different and point my finger inward. This one’s coming literally out of my neck of the woods.

I live in Des Moines, Iowa. I was just out for a little stroll. I was enjoying the nice weather. All the sudden I look up and see this graffiti tag. It read Black might be beautiful, Tan might be grand, but white is the color of the big boss Man.

I studied it for a second. I read it to myself two or three times. I said it out loud two or three times.  I made my mind up. This was racist and must not stand. I didn’t call a local news crew and report it. I took a picture and sent it to a sibling. I posted the Pic on My FB page and another social media networking site I’m a member of. I even showed it to some people I go to church with. SMH

Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I wasted a whole lot of time worrying about it.  I never stopped to think that the person that wrote that might be a politically aware person of color and was attemptimting to make a deep point. The thought never crossed my mind that it could have been a really bored juvenile with nothing else constructive to do with themselves other than to deface public property or a homeless person off their meds.

What am I saying: I do this a lot. I point the finger. I judge. I don’t take responsibility. I jump to conclusions. I choose to feel singled out. I don’t take action. I blame.  In my defense it is a learned behavior among my people. I can’t get a job? The white  man’s keeping you down. Can’t get a decent education? Whitey. Can’t apply the education that you did manage to earn in life. bobo.  I can run it down it down all day.

THE Bottom line:I didn’t march in the civil rights movement. I wasn’t beaten with bats and clubs for being black. I wasn’t sprayed down with fire hoses. I didn’t wake up to burning crosess in my front lawn. I did however get called the Nword quiet a bit  and receive less than friendly customer service from time to time from local business establishment, but I digress.Even so its  still; pale in progress to all that fought, risked their freedom, and struggled for the luxuries that I have today. I didn’t have to go through any of those horrible things on a daily basis growing up. Yeah not even here; in little unprogressive Iowa. If you got the time to complain you have the time to strike a blow. Lead the charge! Demonstrate!  We live in the information age.  Your ammunition to fight this war is at the tip of your fingers. Litterally . USE it! Get informed. Get active. Get real.

This was really just an out loud letter to myself but if hit home great.  I can’t promise my next one will be a thunder moment like this one, but you better belive it'll be blog worthy.

I’m Hallzie. This my blog. These are my views.

 If hallzies not blogging about it its not blog worthy!

no more guns?

The toast, burner, strap, itchy, fire, thang, iron tool, wammy, stinger, thumper, pound, viper,  piece, steel, hawk, whatever the terminology they all spell gun. Guns have been around since the 14^th century.

Since the invention of the gun man has used guns to hunt wildlife, police territory, protect life and to take life.

The gun has become embroidered in the fabric of American culture. In colonial times it was customary for men who felt that their honor was sullied to challenge another to a duel by smacking them across the face with a pair of white gloves. Once the challenge has been issued the two duelist then walk ten paces in the opposite direction turn and fire. Then whosever not dead or lying on the ground mortally wounded was the clear winner.   

It would seem the American culture has always been fascinated with guns and gun violence. Our society seems to feed off the energy and mystic surrounding guns. Gun culture and violence is has been taught in schools for ages.  In our schools we learn about people like Jessie James, Wyatt Earp, and Billy the kid. They were all known gun slingers.  On the big screen you see the imagery in action adventure flicks all the time, the most epic cinematic movies depict gun violence.  Even though the actors that star in those movies do not direct or write the movie script. Their names are always going to be associated with that imagery.

We have a serious problem with guns here in the US. There being used on a daily basis by people to kill. Shooting deaths and injuries caused by gunshot wounds are astronomical. Every time you think it can’t get any worse here it does.  The Sandy Hooks massacre should have been an eye opener for how out of hand guns are getting in our society. Obviously it wasn’t because since then shooting deaths have been on the rise.

The second amendment grants a US citizen the right to bear arms.  Actions are currently being taken to stiffen gun laws. They’re purposing to place bans on assault weapons and weapons with high-capacity ammunition magazines.

The burning question is will it work? If the bill does pass; will it stop or cut down on the shooting deaths in America?  Can law makers come up with a bullet proof law with no loop holes or grey areas? If they do will what will be the penalty for breaking the new law?

Reflection: I do believe an individual has the right to own a fire arm to protect their selves. I do believe gun purest have the right to own guns for collection purposes. I do believe people that like to participate in marksman tournaments and go out to the gun range to buck off a few shots should be able to that no matter what ammunition magazine they have.

The bottom line: Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.  They can pass all the anti-gun laws in the US if they want. If a person really wants a gun they’ll get it. If a person really wants to hurt or kill they’ll do it. It’s not just an American issue. It’s happening all over the world.  To stop gun violence world leaders all over have to come together and say enough is enough.

This is my blog. These are my views.  

If hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy! tm

Dead right

OK just come’n off black history month. I consider myself fortunate for being a part of such prominence.  Every year I learn a new fact I did not know the year before about my people's contributions to this great nation. I must say I’m pleased to descend from such a proud beautiful race.

 Sometimes though I wonder why we do the things we do. Were such a beautiful race but sometimes we do and say the ugliest most reprehensible things to one another. What ever happened to black love? We use to be able to say I love you to someone of the opposite gender without being perceived as something sexual or even romantic. It was just a heads up to let the other person to let them know that you see them struggling and to let them know not to give up and that somebody besides god cares about them. Ya know I… love you brotha. I love you sista. Like that.

We use to be able to say hi or what’s up as a form of greeting. Nowadays if you say hello or even nod your head to another black person to acknowledge them you can get severely hurt or killed all together.

We gotta stop this man. It always trips me out. You spend about close to a thousand dollars to go out.(or a lil over 100 if balln on a budget..just sayn) The only catch is that you may not come back from your evening out in one piece because you felt the need to check somebody for stepping on your J’s. You’ll shoot another man down at an event because he’s sitting in a seat that you don’t own; the person hosting the event does not even own.  You’ll see twenty other unoccupied seats, but you want that one. That’s your seat. Why?! Beacause it’s a matter of principle. You felt disrespected.

  This is how that conversation about a seat will go. You: say brah you in my seat. Other guy: aww this you?  You: yeah. Other guy: my bad I’m sorry. You: don’t be sorry. Just get up homie. Other guy: aww hold on. Who the fuck you talkn to?  You:  talk'n to the nigga still in my seat.  Other guy: No respone. .bang bang bang.  News at 11.

They say you shouldn’t dwell in the past and that retrogression is a bad thing but, back in the day we use to be so happy. We use to be so less aggressive. When we did get into altercations the dispute actually made sense. Nowadays we’ll fight each other over frivols things like a parking space, somebody commenting on your timeline on FB or twitter,IJS.  We gotta get back to basics and knowing when to let it go.

Here are a few instances where you should let it go.

Somebody brushed past you in a crowded loud night club. Let it go. They're drunk. You can’t hear the apology. They can’t hear you demand one. Let it go.

You’re in the grocery store and somebody sees you reaching for an item and they basically snatch it out of your hand. Let it go. If they want the last pack of store brand hotdogs on sale that badly let them have it. Those hot dogs will probably be breakfast for them.

You’re in a gang. You’re at the mall and the opposition throws up their gang sign to your side. Let it go! Mall. Kids. Old people. White people. Security cameas, Security guards, off duty cops.(figure it out) Let it go dumby.

You’re at work and somebody drinks your beverage out the cooler. Ahhh Idk bout that one.

In closing: We’ve come too far as a people to fight and kill each other over stupid things. We got to start using our heads and explore alternate options to defuse a conflict. Nowadays people always say I’m living that life. What’s that life though? Going to jail for shooting a person over a pair of sneakers that the person who designed the sneakers does not even ware? Hmm?!

We can’t always win at everything. When people of any race argue there is bound to be one person that is right and one person who is wrong. How far are you willing to prove that you are right?

This is my blog. My opinion, My views.I’d love to know what your opinion is. leave a  comment, follow, like, forward,tweet, G+1, add to your Google circles. Whatever you do just check me out and remember that this is a blog worthy topic… and remember.

If Hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!tm  

Wall beef

It seems like every social media site these days has a wall. Everyone loves to post there innermost feelings on that wall. Some things people post on their wall are trivial things like; hmm I wonder what I should have for dinner tonight. Other things are clear cries for help like; I wonder if anybody would miss me if I was gone. I  fill most of my free time reading other people’s wall comments.

If your in a relationship or like talking in subliminal code to people on your friend list or follow you on another social site here are some simple rules you should follow to avoid wall beef.

Tip1 # If you're just thinking out loud and venting when you post; make it crystal clear in your post that your blowing off some steam when you post the comment. This will avoid people hitting up your wall asking you what’s wrong with you.

Tip# 2 If you’re in a relationship and the person your involved with is on your list or you have a good feeling that they stalk your wall post’s you probably shouldn’t post things like I need some new loven,  time for a change, I don’t see where this thing with us is going, or it’ s about to go down tonight. If you post anything like that you’re just opening up the door for interrogation by the other person.

#3 If you are affiliated with a gang, crew, click, squad, fam, or street organization of any kind you probably should not be posting death threats , drug references, crests, emblems, or things that may be interpreted as gang activity or drug dealer lingo. You might as well hang a sign around your neck that reads arrest me.  Police read walls too idiot!

#4 Never comment on someone’s wall that you don’t know or hardly ever speak to.  That takes a lot of nerve. If you don’t know the person or hardly ever speak to them what do you think gives you the right to throw your peanut gallery comments their way? Get a life. Mind your own business.

#5 Never ever ever  leave a comment on someone else’s wall pertaining to grammar or spelling.  Who do you think you are? How bored does a person have to be to point out spelling errors on a person’s wall? WTF? Give them a benefit of the doubt and chalk it up as a type-o not a misspelled word.

Try following these rules and you should be wall beef free.  Read the wall.  Respect the wall. Love the wall.

This has been another blog worthy topic courtesy of Hallzies blog worthy blog. Remember if Hallzies not blogging about it. Its not blog worthy!

Word players

Some people like splitting hairs or being inconsistent with the things they say. It’s like their playing games with their words. I think most people refer to it as beating around the bush. They believe if they word it in a certain way it won’t be so offensive and if you get offended by the message it’s because you choose to be offended. I say that’s a load of garbage. Having said that I’m going to jump right into a list of phrase word player’s love to use.

#5 No offense: Now when a word player utters this phrase the next couple words out of their mouth is going to be totally offensive. That was the whole point of the statement. Their objective is to offend you. FOH with that no offense BS!

#4 Not to knock you:LMAO. Ok when a word player uses this phrase their going to talk real bad about you. You better believe they’re about to seriously knock you. Their going to call you every name in the book and a few that they took some special time to make up just for you. Not to knock you for using this phrase, but your full of shit.

#3 If this sounds wrong I apologize in advance: OK now whoever uses this one is planning on being blatantly being disrespectful. They know it sounds wrong before they say it but they’re going to say it regardless.  If this sounds wrong I apologize in advance. Kill yo self!

#2 I hope you don’t take this the wrong way:  If a word player tells you this they’re  really hoping you take whatever they’re about to say to heart. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but you suck as a person if you use this phrase.

#1 No disrespect. LOL when a word player uses this they bout to disrespect the hell out of you. No disrespect but fuck you.

Reflection: When communication gets choppy you have to know how to slice through it.

Hallzies blogs are:Blog worthy blogs Insightful observations from an urban pov. No celeb gossip, raw, fun, breath of fresh air. Blogging that's straight HAM

Remember: If Hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!

Yes Black people live in Iowa

The world is full of misconceptions, stereotypes, and unintelligent assumptions about pretty much everything. People in vision a certain image about a person or place based on things they have either seen in movies or heard other people talking about. They have not gone the distance to find out if these things are true before they start assuming things. They have not talked to a person or visited a place or tried to collect the accurate amount of data they need to make an informed decision about something. It’s like people can’t differentiate fantasy from reality. For example, an actor or actress might do such a great job in a movie brining life to a fictional character a fan or admirer of the actor or actress might call them by the fictional character’s name they portrayed in the movie instead of greeting them by their stage name.

The same thing is true when it comes to places. A person should never jump to conclusions about a place they have never visited before. I think out of all the places in the US people jump to conclusions about is a little place called Iowa. To make matters worse with all this modern technology and information sharing people still don’t act like they know black people inhabit this state. So in the true spirit of my blog I’m going to give you some blog worthy tips on how not to jump to conclusions and how to avoid messing around and getting found.

Tip #1 Acknowledge the fact that black people live in Iowa. It never fails every time I speak to another person from another state the very first phrase out of their mouth’s there’s black people in Iowa?  It can be a person well into their fifties that utters this ridiculous phrase. Yes idiot there are black people in Iowa, I’m black. What did you think they did clone me in a lab?

Tip#2 Learn the difference between Iowa and Ohio. I can’t believe I even have to give this tip out but for some odd reason people get the two states mixed up. They do not sound alike nor are they spelled alike. O-Ohio. I-Iowa.   Get it?

Tip#3 Do not stereotype. Ok here’s the deal black people and most people that live here in general don’t grow their own produce in their yards, we don’t drive around on tractor’s on city streets, we don’t use the grocery store parking lot as a hang out spot (the police won’t let us),  sweet corn is delicious but we don’t eat it with every single damn meal. We know about BET, MTV, satellite radio an all that other shit black people watch and listen to.

Tip#4 Don’t complain. The black people that inhabit this state are in a general consensus that the social activities that exist here are subpar at best compared to other activites of  larger states in the US and we don’t want to be constantly reminded of this fact by other black people not native to Iowa by saying this place sucks ya’ll aint got shit. Ok we know this already. Heres’ a question I’d like to ask you though. If it sucks so badly why are you down here? Go back to where ever you came from. Oh wait a minute. Your punk ass got ran up out of where you originally hail from. Don’t say you got tired of seeing people getting killed every day, don’t say better jobs or school, just tell the truth. You thought black people in Iowa were slow witted and soft didn’t you? Then you came down here thinking you could just take over and you got checked and put in you place very quickly by the natives didn’t you? Yeah of course you did.

Bottom line: Ok if you follow these tips you should be alright. If you are black yourself just use common sense. If you now or have ever lived in the streets and have ever had to follow a street protocol where you lived to survive then you shouldn’t underestimate locals and assume those same rules would not apply here.  You can’t run up on Mike Epps with that ole dae dae shit, or Katt Williams with that ole pimpn pimpn shit and think they’re not going to check you. So don’t run up on a black person from Iowa with that ole field of dreams shit.

As always:  Hallzies blogs features real bog worthy topics. No celebrity gossip, no blow up, no hype, just real life down to earth observations from my POV. And remember if hallzies not blogging about it it’s not blog worthy!

Forgivness and Haters

They say forgiveness is a virtue. I believe in that saying. I may not act like it all the time but I’m all about forgiveness. Forgiveness cleanses the soul by flushing out hate filled emotional bile.

I know there are people in the world that do pretty despicable things and seem to get their rocks off by making others miserable but, the one true way to beat then is to forgive them. After you forgive them they no longer have dominion over your happiness or all the great things that make you… you.

So having said that here’s some sure fire ways to shut down a hater.

#5.  Try using this phrase. Hey. You know what you’re right. Most haters are insecure about their own intelligence so they love spouting off about random tidbits of knowledge in hopes of making someone else feel inadequate. They’ll probably do this by displaying an immense vocabulary skills, knowledge about politics, being informed on current events, or being techno savvy, or whatever. Nine times out of ten this person wants to debate or argue about something. Saying hey you know what your right completely shuts them down.  It’s the equivalent of saying you win, whatever, or I could care less. Haters always want center stage but you give them the spot light they never want to perform.    I’m not saying taking pride in reading or learning about new things makes you a snob or a hater it’s the way you go about sharing the information that you have acquired. If you intentionally put someone down or mock someone because of their lack of knowledge then you my friend are a hater.   

#4 .  Try offering them something. Haters are always out for themselves. They’re not use to people being generally nice without expecting something in return. Be nice and offer them something. That will blow their mind they won’t know what to do next. Especially if it’s something they could really use.

3. Ask them to repeat their selves. Haters are always muttering something unpleasant underneath their breath. Ask them to repeat their selves.  They’re usually too cowardly to repeat themselves but asking them to do so A. puts them on blast. And B. It lets them know you heard them. Now every once and awhile one might repeat   their selves and try to put on a show. When that happens, just walk away. As long as they don’t touch you just walk way and let them continue to make a fool out of their selves

#2.  Compliment them.  Haters are always busy putting other people down. They love to talk bad about people. The best way to counter act their negative vibes is to say something nice about them. That will put their hater brain on overload.

#1. Smile The tride and true way to shut down a hater is to laugh.  Hater’s absolutely cannot stand to see people happy. When a person is smiling or laughing a hater is completely blown away. They can’t take not being a part of the laugh. Smiling is like hater kryptonite.

Final note: 

I don’t know if these methods will work for you but they always seem to do the trick me. Don’t become a hater. Hatred is a waste of time. Why spend all your free time thinking of rotten things to say and do to people when you can just enjoy life? Hatred will consume your soul and deteriorate your physical health. You’ll lose sleep, have body aches, and age quicker.  Don’t hold on to grudges. It may take you a really long time to forgive a person that has wronged you, but as long as you are making a conscious effort to forgive them then you’re on your way to a hate free life.

 I’m Hallzie

This is my blog. These are my views.

If Hallzies not blogging about it. It’s not blog worthy!