A View of a Dream Lover

From the brilliant web comic, "Watch Your Head," by Cory Thomas



Back in college, I once had a friend who was so desperate to make a guy she was interested in jealous (because in her mind, once he was jealous, he'd demand to begin an exclusive relationship with her on the spot), she mailed herself a romantic greeting card (complete with a handwritten declaration of love and a spray of her favorite men's fragrance), plus she had a bouquet of flowers and a box of candy delivered to her house.  The plan was to leave these items out in the open where the guy she wanted - who was in a long term relationship with another girl and only saw my friend as a booty call - would see them when he stopped by on Sweetest Day, driving him into that fit of jealousy on which she hung her hopes, and thus into her loving (and delusional) arms.

A View of Laughter

Years ago, my uncle would throw a huge New Year's Eve party - food, music, cards, dancing, party favors, family, and friends.  One particular year, the atmosphere in the house was especially festive and boisterous.  People were dancing, and it seemed like everyone was a little tipsy, even those of us who didn't have a drop of alcohol in our systems.  The long, brightly lit living room adjoining the bar was full of people determined to have fun.

A View Of Memories

(In the middle of the night, I dreamt I was as at a poetry reading delivering what was, in essence, this poem.  The words came through so clear that the dream woke me up.)

A View of I'm a Feminist

(I don't know what inspired this poem, but it came to me during a slow period at work.  It pretty much speaks for itself.)

"Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction." Original draft of the Equal Rights Amendment, written by Alice Paul in 1923.

A View of Hope Lives Now

(A reminder on this solemn day that we should all strive toward the hope of better days, greater understand, more love, and the realization of mutual respect.)

A View of An American Tale

(This is a reworking of my earlier post, "These Colors."  The woman in that poem, based on a co-worker, called out to me, and I had to make her the subject of a poem of her own.  We've all met, will all meet someone like that woman - someone who is on this soil but not of it, but no less an American than any of us.  Think about that this September 11th, and every other day of the year.)

A View of What's Needed

"Did you ever think that love would be in need of love today?" - Stevie Wonder

As we remember the tragic events of September 11th, let's also remember to lead, to act, to rebuild with, through, and because of love.

More later, in humble remembrance.

A View of These Colors

(On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was at work, watching children play on a playground across the street from my Royal Oak office.  My mom called around 8:46 am to tell me about a plane hitting the World Trade Center.  We first thought it was the misfortune of a bad amateur pilot, but soon discovered that was not the case.  By the end of that fateful morning, the world had completely changed.  This poem is how I experienced that tragedy, and the fear that my family had lost a loved one to terror.)

A View of "Wow...Really?" (App not included....)

If a man with a gold tooth walks up to you in a McDonald's restaurant and tries to sell you a brand new iPad for $300, but is willing to settle for less than $200, you get what you pay for:

A worthless block of wood.

A 22-year-old woman in Spartanburg, South Carolina just learned this lesson the hard way.  You just know that, upon opening the FedEx box that was supposed to contain an iPad, she could only say one thing - the one thing she should've said when this offer was proposed to her:

Wow...really?

More later, and there's no app for that.

A View of Seven Cents

Anthony Stewart wants you to believe his current troubles are over seven cents.

He's the victim, he's the one irreparably damaged - facing a prison sentence and a permanent criminal record - and he's only 15 years old.  He wants you to fret over his future, feel sympathy for him, take his pitiful fate to heart.

A View of a Stranger

Remembering Michael Jackson, who would've been 53 today. Can't help wondering what sort of music he'd be making if he were still with us; what sort of person he would've been had his career, his life, his personal struggles, had allow him to be a person instead of an icon - an individual instead of a stranger to everyday human existence.



"Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends ...I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home." - Michael Jackson

A View of "Wow...really?"

Introducing a recurring segment on VOTT that I'm calling, "Wow...really?"  The pictures, posts, or other bits of ridiculousness will speak for itself, and all you'll be able to say after viewing them is...

Wow...really?

More later, after trying to decide if this is so funny its sad, or so sad its funny....

A View of Potency

My last post, "A View of Impotent Outrage," came from a Detroit Free Press article I posted on my Facebook page, along with the following comment:

Are you watching out for your neighbors? Do you know your neighbors - and do they know you? 

A View of Impotent Outrage

My hometown has 2,770 police officers, a population somewhere in the neighborhood of 700,000 people, and a violent crime rate that's down about 10% from last year.

It also has, to date, lost 230 people to homicide, most of which are from shootings.

A View of It Was 20 Years Ago Today

There were numerous signs on my wedding day 20 years ago today that my marriage was destined to fail.

A View of Reach Out And Touch

Just this morning, I heard another songwriting master had passed.  Nick Ashford, part of the powerhouse duo Ashford & Simpson, died in a New York hospital yesterday of throat cancer at the age of 70.

With his wife, Valerie Simpson, he wrote for a who's who of pop and R&B music - everyone from Ray Charles, to the Shirelles, to Chaka Khan, to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.  He helped create classics like, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love," and "I'm Every Woman."

While it's sad to know that another musical cornerstone is gone, we can be thankful his music is still here, still able to reach out and touch us all with the power of its melody and message.

RIP, Nick Ashford.  More later, but until then, remember the story of the glory when a shoe, shoe shine used to cost a dime, and a nickel could buy you plenty.

A View of Is That All There Is?

Hound Dog.  Searchin'.  On Broadway.  Yakety Yak.

Some of the wittiest, fun, and enduring songs of the rock era were created by lyricist and producer, Jerry Leiber.  A member of the Songwriters and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame, Mr. Leiber worked with some legendary artists - everyone from Peggy Lee and Big Mama Thornton, to the Coasters and the Drifters.  His career lasted over 60 years, leaving an imprint on stage, screen, televison and popular song.

Mr. Leiber died today at the age of 78 from cardiopulmonary failure.

Little Egypt.  There Goes My Baby.  Shoppin' For Clothes.  Jailhouse Rock.

Is that all there is?  Thankfully, no.  Jerry Leiber's legacy lives on through a body of work that still inspires singers and musicians to this day.  Through the stage review, "Smokey Joe's Cafe," a tribute to the work he created with partner, Mike Stoller.  Through songs that helped created modern pop, rock, and R&B.

RIP, Jerry Leiber.

More later.  In the meantime, check out the clip below to one of my favorite Leiber & Stoller classics, Big Mama Thornton's original version of the classic, "Hound Dog," then go searchin' for some more Leiber/Stoller hits.  You'll be surprised and entertained by the work they created.

A View of Where I Came From

"Did you hear about how Liberace tried to kill his mother?  He wanted to go back to where he came from and take his piano with him."

This is one of my Mom's favorite jokes, and truth be told, one of mine.  Not just because it's a good old fashioned corny line, but also because I think it's an excellent example of how we think about where we all have come from.

A vagina.

Why does that word illicit giggles?  Make people uncomfortable?  Generate controversy?