E.L.O. MEMBER KILLED

Michael Edwards, the 62 year old cellist member of the Rock group Electric Light Orchestra from 1970-1975 been killed in a car accident like none other.

The accident occurred when Edwards' van was hit by a bale of hay that rolled out into the road that he was traveling.

The bale, estimated at 1, 323 lbs rolled down a hill, jumped a slope and landed on the top of Edwards vehicle crushing the vehicle and killing the driver. After the bale of hay hit the vehicle it swerved into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head on, with the driver of the second vehicle being uninjured.

Devon and Cornwall police are now searching for family members of the victim to inform them of the accident but have had no luck. Edwards left the band in 1975, became a Buddhist and changed his name legally to Deva Pramada. Since leaving the group he had been making his living teaching cello in Devon, England.

NY CHILD FOUND BOUND AND MALNOURISHED TO DEATH

In what is turing out to be the most heartbreaking story I have received news about this year, today in New York a 4 year old chid has been found deceased from apparent neglect at the hands of her parent. 

Brooklyn police were called to the home of 4 year old Marchellla Pierce this morning at 6 a.m. by her mother that claims she discovered the child lifeless and unconscious this morning. The mother, Carlola Pierce told police detectives that she checked on the child this morning at 4 a.m. and she was fine but  then when she checked at 6 a.m. the child wasn't breathing. Pierce then waited almost two hours before she alerted medical officials and police of her child's status. When police did arrive they discovered the child, weighing only 15 pounds, with her arms and legs bound to the side of her crib with twine in a house that described as "exceptionally filthy" and cluttered. The mother has been arrested and is answering further questions at the police department and her other two children, a 5 year old and a 9 month old have been taken to social services. There are reports that the agency has been called to the home on prior occasions in reference to neglect by the mother.

Just so you know, the average weight of a 4 year old is 35 pounds and the weight of this poor little victim was equivalent to that of a 6 month old.

GREENSBORO POLICE CHIEF SWORN IN

NC FUNERAL HOME LEFT BODY IN HEARSE

The David B. Lawson funeral home located in Graham, NC is under investigation by the NC Board of Funeral Services for violating the main ethic of care; leaving a corpse in a hearse.

The victim, Linda Walton died last week and her body was removed by the Lawson firm after being released by local police. After removing the body, owner David Lawson admitted that he left the victim in the hearse for approximately 3 days because legally he could not process the body until the next of kin was informed of the death. After being informed that there was no next of kin, Lawson then sent the body to the crematory but it was returned after a day and a half due to the smell of the corpse.

N.C. Board of Funeral Services representative Paul Harris said that the firm is under investigation as they decide whether "responsibility of care and custody to treat bodies with respect at all times" was followed by the firm. The disciplinary committee will meet on September 8, 2010 to decide what discipline should be applied to the David B. Lawson funeral home at that point.

It's a shame when even after death you cannot receive respect by those employed to take care of your remains....even when you have no next of kin. I hope that the committee comes down hard on this guy as this is just unacceptable. With the lawsuits that can be filed from this offense I bet there will be some family to come to the surface and file a suit in the upcoming days.

GERMAN POPSTAR FAILED TO DISCLOSE HIV STATUS NOW FACES JAIL TIME

What happens when you have unprotected sex with various men and do not tell them that you are  HIV positive? In the UK they arrest you and make sure that you answer to the lay of the law and to your alleged victims. UK popstar Nadja Benaissa has found that out the hard way as she now finds herself in the midst of a legal battle that may have her jailed for up to a maximum of ten years.

Benaissa, who became a member of the German band, No Angels, after she won top prize on the UK American Idol-model television show POPSTARS, faces a total of six (6) felony charges. Five (5) counts of Attempted Grievous Bodily Harm, for sleeping with partners without protection and one (1) count of Grievous Bodily Harm for infecting one man whom she dated briefly in 2004 with the HIV virus. The partner has stated to officials that he did not have any knowledge that Benaissa was carrying the disease until her Aunt asked him if he knew in 2007.

Court documents show that the singer dated three men from 2000-2004 and did not inform any of them about her medical condition. Benaissa has said “I was careless during those days!” “I am sorry with all my heart and the last thing I wanted was for my partners to get infected!” Benaissa first became aware that she was HIV positive when she was informed at a doctors visit for a regular pregnancy checkup in 1999 when the singer was sixteen (16) years old. Benaissa has said she was told by her doctors that her risk of passing the virus to her partners was “practically zero.” She further states “Therefore I also concealed the fact that I was infected to my acquaintances. I did not want my daughter to be branded by this. I told the band members because I trusted them. I never made it public because I thought that would mean the end of the band."

The trial is underway this week and looks to last for approximately five days after all evidence is presented. 

Feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com & on twitter @zmorgan

A.J. BLAKE FIRED OFFICIALLY FOR SECOND TIME BY CITY OF GREENSBORO

In what seems to be a never ending saga involving former Greensboro police officer, A.J. Blake, there has been another development handed down this afternoon. Blake has been relieved from duty, yet again by the City of Greensboro, for the second time in just over one year. Blake, who has been embattled in legal issues with the City since he first joined the lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of Officers citing discrimination by the former administration of ex-Chief David Wray, has been on the losing end of yet another legal decision so we will see what his teams next chess-move shall be. Blake had hinted recently that if the decision today was for him to be fired, then he would file a lawsuit against the City. He has 10 days to appeal the ruling which seems to be inevitable as he and his advisors are going to exhaust all legal remedies available. 

The complete story with reference of how Blake has ended up in the position he currently is at the following link: 

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/08/16/article/aj_blake_fired_from_greensboro_police

(photo courtesy of Jerry Wolford-N&R)

RYAN DEISS PERPETUAL TRAFFIC INTERNET SCAMS!

You know as a blogger I am online all day everyday and I enjoy 90% of the information that I am able to run across. There is a plethora of information on the net, much more than there was in the 70's when there was no "internets" for us writers and laymen that weren't friends of Bill Gates and other technology forward brainiacs. Various sights will tell you that they have the "white-rabbit-way" of making money online. But as you go online you always run the risk of hitting the scam wall as there are always individuals out there that make the net a scary place as they attempt to defraud others.

I wish to make money just like the next man so I am on the hunt for advice from other bloggers and such that may have some information as to how this has or can be done. Recently I came across the Ryan Deiss Perpetual Traffic Formula and couldn't help but laugh. This gig alleges that for a mere $2,000.00 he will ensure that you make boatloads of money from your site after reading his expensive formula. 2 GRAND?! FOR REALS!! Dude, if I had 2g's just sitting around gaining interest in the bank or dust under my mattress then I wouldn't be worried about making money on the internet, I would be more concerned about what vacation or silly purchase I am going to spend that 2g's thats burning a hole in my pocket on! I read the information and was all the more disgusted as I delved deeper and the words started to resonate in my mind like I was having a biscuit and cheap cup of coffee while listening to a time-share pitch on a dreary Saturday morning in a smoke-smell-stained conference room at the local ran down Radisson! Why must they do it to us?

Bloggers please don't fall victim to any scams. They are prevalent and are popping up every minute but we have to be vigilant as writers and owners of our own virtual businesses so that we can pass the knowledge on. Bloggers, if you run across any scams such as the aforementioned Ryan Deiss Perpetual Traffic Formula, pass it on to others so that the less informed become the MORE informed and are on the same playing field as we are. It's a damn shame that there are people that are in business just to take advantage of others but if they didn't exist then we wouldn't have anything to rant and rave about. Watch out for yourselves and others and keep everyone in the know, BLOGGER-FAMILY!

SH-COOL SCHOOL!!

The calendars almost state that it is time for classes to begin so there are many updates and last minute sprucing being done to the campuses and surrounding areas. At the school crossing for Southern Guilford, here in Greensboro, NC, there was a surprise! After a local contractor was hired to complete a painting at a student crossing, they soon discovered a problem.

Ohhhhh nooooooooo!!!! SHCOOL!!!

After school officials noticed the error they reached out to the contractor and had his team come back out and repaint the error. Of course, the contractor claimed he had no knowledge of the error and trusted his staff that he sent out. Ahh,, the NC educators must be proud!!

SLOW-COOKED BAR-B-Q RIBS

This recipe is one that I have prepared on numerous occasions and have always had very positive feedback from. The prep is very simple, as is the sauce that will be spread on the racks. This recipe is perfect for either grilling or baking in the oven. Although this recipe shows the oven process you follow the same for grilling. It is a slow process but one that is worth the wait. Below you will find the step by step process complete with pictures. 

Ingredients:

2 Racks of Beef or Pork Ribs

Salt

Pepper

Garlic

1/2 Cup Budweiser Barbecue Sauce

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1/2 Tsp. Tabasco Sauce (Habernero Flavor)

Our first step will be to give the rack of ribs a dry rub. Start by taking a garlic clove and after shelling, simply rub onto the top and bottom of the ribs. You can rub the garlic rather liberally or if you are like I am, a garlic-nut, you will want to rub the garlic on rather thick. Next add sat and pepper evenly to both bottom and top of ribs making sure that you have covered the entire portion so that there are no unseasoned spots. Lightly sprinkle cayenne pepper on both sides and with hands rub the seasoning mx into the meat vigorously. Once done, place on baking rack let sit for 30-minutes to an 1 hour covered in non-stick foil. 

While the ribs are setting, grab a glass bowl and mix the following. 1/2 cup of Budweiser bar-b-cue sauce, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper and 1/2 tsp of Tabasco Sauce. With a whisk, mix all the ingredients together until they have all married together and thickened. Depending on the consistency and taste that you desire you may leave as is for a nice thick savory sauce or add more brown sugar to sweeten and/or add ketchup to loosen the texture. I like the sauce to be thick so that it soaks into the ribs and makes each bite full of sauce so I leave as is, but it is up to the cook.

Place the baking rack with the ribs on it onto a baking sheet and fill the baking sheet under the rack with water (this helps to steam the ribs while cooking) and set the oven temperature to 250 degrees. Place the ribs in the oven covered and let cook for 1 hour. Once they are removed they should be similar to the picture below.

After the hour of cooking raise the temperature of the oven to 300 degrees, remove the foil and allow the rack of ribs to cook for the next 1.5 to 2 hours (use a timer). 

After 30 minutes check the ribs by pulling them out and using a knife or fork to check the tenderness of the meat. At this point the meat should be browning and ready for the sauce to be added. Take the sauce that you mixed earlier and using a brush, dip the brush into the sauce and liberally coat the racks with the sauce. 

Replace the racks back into the oven and repeat the process every 30 minutes for the duration of the time left until you have allowed the sauce to marinate and penetrate the meat and then coat the outside of the racks. When the timer sounds, turn off the oven, open the oven door and simply coat the ribs once more with the remaining sauce. Allow the racks to cool (approximately 20-30 minutes) and then remove from the oven and from the racks. At this point cut the ribs individually or in pairs and plate them for presentation to table ( see below). 

Happy eating and should you have any questions or concerns about the process or ingredients feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com or at twitter @zmorganII.

CLUB THER-RO-P!!

So a couple of nights ago I went out to The UnderGround, a very happening piano and sofa bar in town. The bar is a mix of patrons and ages and is one place that you can either kick back against the old brick style cutouts, post up at the bar, get ya dance on while grooving on the raised platform stage or grab a sofa and drink and watch the varied flat-screens displaying the sports news of the day. As I interacted with others and in the ambiance of the club I noticed a few things that REALLY caught my fancy. Noticing these things brought me to ponder the different groups that are present. Clubs normally have the dancers, the drinkers, the pick-up artists at the bar and the wallflowers in attendance. When you go to the club it is the one place of leisure that all of them can go and be totally open and free? One of the best ways to free yourself...Dancing!

I noticed many dancers come in with a sort of passive attitude but when their favorite song was played by the D.J. they lost all track of where they were and scurried to the dance floor like Tom (from Tom & Jerry) as he tried to escape the Bulldog!  Musicians are powerful motivators to the end of the "shy" personality whether their song is two months old and climbing Billboards Top 100 or ten years old and hasn't been heard by the masses unless they were lucky enough to hear it on their Pandora QuickMix while exercising or mowing the yard. Witnessing the rush to the dance floor when "The Cha-Cha Slide" came on and the formations that were formed on the dance floor to the direction of Mr. C The Slide Man

To the right now

To the left

Take it back now y'all

      One hop this time, one hop this time

Right foot two stomps

Left foot two stomps

 Slide to the left

   Slide to the right

             Criss cross, criss cross

         Cha cha real smooth

as ladies knew exactly which way to slide & cross before the suggestion was even played! It's an amazing sight as the disco-lights dance to the beat transitioning thru the rainbow of available colors, casting light off of each dancer as their gyrating bodies seem to be spotlighted in their own secretive romance with the bass that is beating against the walls. 

At that moment I realized that these people that are dancing and enjoying themselves and have no regrets. They don't care about the people that are watching, they don't care if they are ON the beat or not and they certainly don't care what opinion anyone has of them as they dance! They will leave the floor when the song is over, go right back and try it again and do as the Drinkers do.

The Drinkers are the individuals that come to the bar to throw back some shots of Jägermeister, Patron and the occasional deadly Tequila shot to end the night (as we all know that the night is over when the Tequila comes to the table)! The drinkers table resembles the table seen in many an Irish bar filled with an overflow of shot glasses, empty beer steins, leftovers that have been picked over for the last five hours and the stack of napkins that have sopped up spilled drinks throughout the night. This is the table that the  barkeep loathes clearing when they leave but loves the tips they provide as well as the jovial-drunken conversation they receive every-time they visit the table with another platter of rounds!  The drinkers much like the dancers just want to have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere as they occasionally crack a playful joke at the bloke that just had a full shot thrown in his face! This club-goer is known as the PUA!

The Pick-Up Artists, PUA, is usually positioned at the best point of contact, which normally is the bar! What better place to be when a potential dance mate appears than the bar because at some point of the night all persons visit this base. The PUA can be male or female (don't be fooled, women have just as much pick-up game as men do) so don't be alarmed when you hear a clever one-liner and turn and they are wearing 6-inch heels and fire-engine red lipstick instead of Jos A. Banks finest. The PUA is a master at their craft because they have decided that whether I get turned down or accepted, I'm still going to have fun! Many PUA's only rock this role for the pure adrenaline rush that comes along with the chase, much like the Dancer gets on the dance-floor and the Drinker gets from playing a high-stakes game of quarters. I find the PUA to be extremely entertaining because they could actually take their show on the road and perform stand up comedy! It takes a lot of heart and self-esteem to be this role as it can get quite physical from thrown drinks, constant rejection and the occasional unexpected acceptance. But on Monday morning the PUA can go back to their accountant, teacher or clerk position and revel in the weekend that they enjoyed when they let it all hang out for 48 hours as they wondered why the people standing up against the wall weren't following suit.

Standing against a wall and making it look good is an art in itself! Think about it, how cool can the average person look just standing around on the lean? Well let me tell you, the Wallflower achieves it like none other. The Wallflower is that trio of guys (yes they travel in threes because guys don't use the bathroom together so when one has to go they have one left to chat it up with) that are Abercromied-down, complete with pressed slacks with a crease that could put your eye out. They like to take in the sights of the club and watch the others dance and drink and bar-talk. The Wallflowers are persons that simply enjoy being in the club for the therapy of being out of the office, out of school and/or out of the house! The therapy of the music, the smells, the drinks and the people present give them the fix that they need to enjoy where they are. They aren't interested in hooking up or being loud as they just want to fade into the background and enjoy the scene. You will see them crack the occasional joke amongst their trio but for the most part they nurse their $4.95 Heineken until it's gone as they catch up on the latest headlines being ran by ESPN or the occasional "all-important" text or email received on their smart phone. They enjoy the wall and wouldn't have it any other way because just like everyone else they are enjoying what they are doing.

How awesome of a mental place to be!! When you don't care as long as you are enjoying yourself!!! Throwing all caution to the wind seems to be the attire to donn when one takes in the club atmosphere.

 Many people I know and interact with have issues with their appearance and/or what someone has said or is going to say about them. Regardless the age, it seems to still be a personality trait that needs to be abandoned! When you worry about what others say or may say about you simply visit your club of choice and look around at the dancers, the drinkers, the pick-up artists at the bar and the wallflowers standing guard at the nearest doorway. Pay attention to the uninhibitedness that they display in their different roles and how comfortable they are in them. They don't care who is watching because they are there to have fun and enjoy their time out with friends or simply enjoy letting their hair down and dance...OUTLOUD!! That is true club Therapy that needs to be employed by all of us. Life is short, WAY too short to add the stresses of what others may say about you because of how you dress, how you talk, how good/bad your body looks, how weaved or not your hair is, how tall/short you are or how bad of a person your are! Live your life like you are always dancing on stage under the dark lights and bass driven heat of life and I bet cha when it comes time to take that last breath, you will not regret it in the least bit.

Feel free to leave your comments below and contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com and via twitter @zmorganII

THE BUSINESS OF FRIENDS

FRIENDSHIP: N. DEFINITION.

What do you think of when you hear or state this ten letter word? Loyalty, Truthfulness, Love, and long laundry lists of other adjectives and verbs that may come to mind?  Rightfully so, as we all from the time that we start play dates and daycare begin this thing called friendship. We let our friends play with our favorite toy, eat with us at our lunch table, wear our favorite clothes and most of all we open up to our friends and share with them the most intimate AND embarrassing facets of our lives. We do this because with our friends we aren’t ashamed. The same shame that you feel when you stumble up on a curb or on the last step of a flight of stairs, or when you ask someone out and they refuse the invitation is an embarrassment that has us turn red faced and flushed with wondering who seen that. It’s nothing like when we share this with our “bestie” good or bad news! The “bestie” is the one that we can count on till the very end. The one that knows us better than we know each other and will feel comfortable enough calling us on that.  Seasons aren’t the only things that change in life so we all know that there comes the possibility that our group of friends will also. What happens when friends part and it isn’t on the best of terms?

Most of us as adults understand and respect the confidences of our friends and what we have put in the “vault” as we have journeyed on this highway of life. Best friends are not supposed to let the proverbial “cat out of the bag” when it comes to secrets even when the relationship goes south and they never talk again. But there is always the thought of what are they going to say about me? Will they tell my other friends this deep dark secret that I told them and only them? This feeling of inadequacy causes us to constantly run through our mental rolodex trying to remember what is the worst that they could use against us. This is a feeling that will drive most of us crazy with the simple “wondering” and will drive others to even further drastic measures, some even criminal.  What happens when the ex-friend feels that they have been betrayed so now it is open season on all of your secrets and all that they know about you. What happens when they make an anonymous call to your husband about that indiscretion on the girls trip to Vegas? Or when they call your Mom and Dad and begin to spew out all the places you REALLY were when you said that you were spending the night with them? It is basically mental blackmail as we go into a shell trying to keep a low profile or we try and combat what they may say by doing the very same thing and starting to make our own calls in order to sandbag them. Is it right? NO. But it gives us that tool of retaliation in order to feel complacent about what we have just endured emotionally.

My position on the matter is that if we for whatever reason are not “besties” or friends any longer then that’s that. Nothing more nothing less! I can go on about my business and so can you without having to live in fear of secrets being exposed to those that we love and or worse yet in this day and age on the internets. We are not in high school so therefore should have the mental integrity to keep secrets secrets, all the way to the grave no matter how badly an argument or disagreement we have. I would never bash another verbally after we have an issue that makes us no longer able to be friends because in the words of Cedric the Entertainer…”I’m a Grown Ass Man Dawg!” Most people may think I’m alone with this line of thinking but I know there are others out there that feel the same way. Friendship is not something to be taken lightly but also not something that allows ANYONE to load up the emotional gauntlet and broadcast all that you shared in confidence with them either. Friendship can be a beautiful thing when it is respected at all times during and after the friendship has run its course. It’s sad that others don’t realize that when they begin to expose how dirty, callous, uncaring, thoughtless and vengeful  a former friend was, the only one that is showing their true traits that fit that mold are them.

Feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com and via twitter @zmorganII

HEY SHAKE THAT BOOTY, GET DOWN & DO THAT DOOTAY!!

Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere

Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere 
Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere 

Rockin' everywhere, Rockin everywhere.....

I found you MS NEW BOOTY

Get it together and bring it back to me
Hit the playas club for 'bout a monff or 2
Put his hand on it then see what he do

                                   (Bubba Sparxx f/Ying Yang Twins)

Speakers blaring and bass bouncing to the clapping of a big 52-inch butt jiggling to the sounds is the way that many males wish and love to spend a weekend night. The sound of the music, not to mention the sights of the bodies gyrating to the sounds, is a lullaby that will rock many a male into a slumber of peeling off dollars from their roll of ones wrapped under two or three twenty dollar bills and their losing of all respect for a female. The strip club is a place to hang out, get away from the bump and grind of the everyday and enjoy the sounds and relax...right? How many ladies will tell their significant other to go hang at one of these clubs and not feel a certain uneasiness about that decision? Now, with the answer being understood, the next question is why? He is just going to hang out with his friends and have a shot or two or three of Henny and then come home to me! Why would a woman feel unsure about agreeing that her b/f (boyfriend) or hubby can visit this establishment without concern of what occurs when he is there or be upset when she discovers that this is where he has been?

Pay close attention ladies as I am about to hip y'all to some insider information that you otherwise would not be privy too, although you probably intuitionally (my new made-up word) know already! When we go to the strip club we are going for a reason. True enough very man loves watching Cherokee D'Ass, Mowett Ryder, Beaty Dior or Ms. Cleo shake what their momma gave 'em but it goes deeper than that (thats what she said (guys will get that))! It is not to listen to music....just to hang out...just to watch the girls and drink...or just to get away and have some quiet time! Personally i am not a fan of the strip club or of strippers as I think it's a waste of money to go see a woman jiggle around on stage, go back to a small room ad have her slide all over you with the germs and juices from her last ten, two minute dances and then go back to the table -$30.00. I have bills to pay and gas to put in my car and if I'm paying a stripper then one or both of those things is going to have to go. Now, I understand that strippers must make a living also but if I am paying a womans bills she damn well better be my wife, a family member or one of those woman on the lat night infomercial that you sponsor! 

Most men frequent the strip club because honestly it is one of the ways to be able to shop for a willing participant to some unattached sex. Whether married or in a relationship there are men that get the urge for some "strange" as they call it. You have basically three choices: 

1. Call an ex.

2. Call an escort or ride around to the prostitution block of town (normally MLK wherever you      

    live).

3. Go to the strip club and window shop.

Now option #1 is a strike most of the time because thats an ex so although you may have been apart for some time she still isn't "strange". Option #2 is too expensive with an escort and most men are cheap. Option#2 is also unattractive in the sense of saying prostitute makes US feel cheap and sort of scummy. That brings us to option #3...the skripp club! this is the normal winner because we can go there and shop like at a brothel as their is always a Baskin-Robbins assortment of pleasure on display. It may cost you a little...it may cost you a lot...but either way it's gonna cost ya. Once the choices made then it's time to get down to business in the Champagne Room where the bartering will begin. The cheaper the establishment, the cheaper and more wide open the action is going to be inside of the club.

Over 2.400 strip cubs exist in the U.S and they employ over 200,00 women. 200,00!! Can you believe that there are that many women that will degrade themselves on a nightly basis just to have someone "make it rain" on them and push money that has been God only knows where into her available orifices as they cop a cheap feel? I have befriended some women and men that have been or are strippers and they seem to be some of the loneliest people around. The woman don't like men and the men don't like women and I wonder then why do what you do? The answer is always the same...Money, money, money monayyy....MONAYYY!!! I have done some strange things in my time and it hasn't ever been for cash (that I can remember) so I don't agree with the subscription that they strip only for the duckets, the dinero, the cream, the Benjamins, the cheddah, the simoleons, the moolah, the dolla-dolla bills y'all! I think strippers are attention whores that simply want the attention from whomever seems to be available at 2am with no life and a pocket full of 1's. Some strippers would strip for the approval of "how good I and my body look" as they are empty inside. The fact that a person has to pay to look at me grease a pole with my sweat and tears is so self-serving to a stripper that it makes them feel good about themselves until they go back to the dingy, crowded locker room loaded with boas and size 5 stilettos and look in the mirror at how life has defeated them and they haven't even made it 40. They don't strip for the money...they strip for the adoration that their "clients" pay them by faithfully coming in every night or weekend to see them "perform". They are the only one that  knows what their life outside of the club entails.

I hear younger people frequently saying that they have a dream of stripping when they turn 18. It makes me wonder why is THAT a dream? Out of all the other things in life you could be, you choose pole-gyrator as #1 on your list? It's amazing how even as young adults that the already blurred decision making is so driven by the vision of money. When that so called dream is reached then what happens? You strip until your body AND looks fail, until gravity sets in to those once youthful, bouncy parts of your body, until you cant make enough money to pay your rent and keep your lights on, you lose your regulars to the new "pert" dancer that has started at the club last week or until you finish paying your way thru college? Whatever the answer is, it is still the wrong answer! 

contact zmorgan@: zmorganII@gmail.com, zmorganII@twitter.com,zachary morgan@facebook.com or blogspot.com/thoughtforfoodmedia.com

JOBS TO UNVEIL NEW iPHONE4G

Steve Jobs is set to unveil the 4th generation iPhone Tuesday at Apples Worldwide Development Conference. Jobs speaking about the new item stated today in a preview "beyond a doubt the most precise thing, and one of the most beautiful we've ever made." The new phone is 24% thinner than the 3GS, includes a front-facing camera and a noise-cancelling mic. Jobs, who is known for introducing many new gems at the conference, noted that along with the new iPhone the NetFlix app will also be unveiled, version 4.0 of the program that powers the phone as well as a new version of the Safari browser (complete list of new features below). The phone is to be released in July 2010.

A few features of iPhone 4G:

Unified Mailbox (all email accounts in one area).

Application folders.

New wallpaper/background options.

A new, sleeker body design.

OLED screen.

Multi-Tasking. (use multiple functions at once without going in and out of apps).

iChat camera (on the front so you can have video chat!!!).

32G (basic) and 64G of memory. You're sure to never run out.

Removable Battery.

Hi Definition Camera.

Hi Definition Camcorder.

Hi Definition audio.

Messaging light.

True GPS built in.

(list courtesy of hubpages.com)

VIRGINIA TEACHER & CHILD PORN

Fauquier County, Virginia Middle School teacher Scott Howe has been found Guilty after a bench trial on charges of three counts of producing child pornography. After a call by his landlord to local police led to officers finding marijuana plants growing on the back deck of Howes' home police then obtained a search warrant and while searching the home found 9 videos of Howe and the student engaging in various sex acts that occurred in his classroom and also bathroom on the campus of the middle school. The alleged victim, a 15 year old student, stated that Howe provided him with marijuana and alcohol and he knew that the encounters were taped. The relationship is said to have began after the student, who was referred to Howe for special tutoring, requested that Howe help him find a female third-party for sexual activity. Howe was convicted for using a video camera to record sex acts and will serve 17.5 years in virginia State prison for producing child pornography.

FORSYTH COUNTY NC TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX CHARGES

In the sentencing phase of what has become a very fashionable charge recently in our school system the Honorable Judge Patrice Hinnant speaking to defendant Amy Yarbrough stated "as a teacher, the court would expect the words of a teacher would be like a fountain of information. The lips of a teacher should be used to dispense knowledge, not to perform oral sex."  Yarbrough pled guilty to Felony charges in Forsyth County criminal court before Judge Hinnant and will spend 24-30 months in the custody of the State of North Carolina as part of a split sentence plea. Yarbrough is still employed as a teacher at Atkins High School, although she has been on suspension since December 2009 when she was caught by staff members in a compromising position almost nude with a student in her classroom during a basketball game that was held at the school. Terms of the plea have Yarbrough having pled guilty to 7 counts of Sexual Activity with a Student and 3 counts of Indecent liberties with a Student. Upon release she will be required to serve an additional 36 months on Supervised Probation with six months being served on Intensive probation, where she will have certain stipulations that she will have to adhere to based upon court and probation officer recommendations. Registration as a sex offender is also a must for the defendant so that her whereabouts can be known. Yarbrough stated at sentencing that she disgraced an honorable profession and she hoped to have the strength to deal with the consequences.

The Forsyth County School Board will meet June 22, 2010 to make a final ruling as to whether the suspended teacher will be fired.

GREENSBORO MURDER

A story continues to develop in reference to the latest Guilford County murder of 2010. The crime looks to have occurred on or about Pisgah Church Road in Greensboro. No word yet on the victim and/or suspect at this point but I will continue to follow leads as they become available and keep you updated.

MAKING A MAN EYE CATCHING

       What truly measures the value of a man? Is it his looks, his wit, his earning potential, his arms, his lips, his sexual prowess, his brain or none of the above? As men we attempt to place our best foot forward every day, especially in business and personal endeavors, so that we can make a lasting first impression. As first impressions can only be made once, we want to ensure that it is just right and women remember us for something. Now when we move past the first impression then it brings to mind what is it that she will remember? My physical attributes or my mental savvy? My flash for attire or is it more than that because she is a well put together woman herself so she sees deeper than what is just visually eye catching?

        Answer to that is your attire. Ask any woman what she notices first about a man and she will comment its how he is dressed. When he gets close, it’s his shoes. Even closer, it’s his hands and nails. Thought I didnt know that huh ladies? 

"Clean shirt, new shoes

and I don't know what I am gonna do.

Silk suit, black tie,

I don't need a reason why."

ZZ TOPP

I see males all the time spending money on clothes and rims and cars in order to garner attention from the suitors that they feel are worthy.  There is an old saying that “clothes don’t make the man, the man makes the clothes”…but I think that saying like a lot of things in this age have begun to get lost in translation. Many men should understand that you dress nicely because you want to ensure that you feel good about you. It should have nothing to do with impressing anyone. Dressing for success is something that goes a long way. I am a watcher of the public to the fullest as it gives me great material to write about and also analyze why we do WHAT we do as people. When it comes to watching females and how they interact with others it is an entirely different world from how males act. Think about it, how many women do you see that go out of their way to dress alike? It doesn’t matter whether they are cheerleaders, crew members, bus drivers, members of the same private sector that calls for them to dress alike; still there is a flair that they employ that is so subtle but stands out so drastically that they don’t look like drones.

        

        

Today’s man, on the other hand, seem to follow the same suit (and not a custom made one) when it come to fashion.  Teens and up to twenty five year old males will sport the same garbage- bag -size jeans accented with a tee that resembles more of Ms. Celies dress than a true t-shirt. When it comes to t-shirts I think of how James Dean, Clint Eastwood and even Bowser wore them. White, clean and just tight enough to hold a pack of smokes in the upper arm area when the tee is folded ever so crisply.  Twenty-five to thirty-five year olds seem to attempt to gather their pants closer and may even add a sport coat when going out but then they still are using the “Timbs” as the final top-off of the outfit. I’m sorry but boots never scream classic style or “welcome to the restaurant sir may I check your jacket”. This look is one that emits ‘I am trying the professional look but still not sold….Where the hell is my book bag?”Not to forget the later in years males that have yet to grasp that being a forty-year-old man means that you have beat the statistics and in a great way because you are still alive. You still come into contact with the forty-year old that only wears jerseys (NFL, NHL, MLB & THROWBACK NBA). Instead of spending $300-$1,000.00 on a jersey that Dr. J wore spend that loot on a nice tailored Trio suit, a new  Jos A. Bank Signature Gold French Cut shirt, and a nice pair of Cole Haan Ventician Shoes and then step out and and watch how the women that know fashion comment on your style and flair. Works much better than Timberland boots, a loose pair of jeans that everyone else wears,  a $4.00 t-shirt that last 3 washes before the neck becomes bacon-shaped-like and it allows you to meet a woman of substance. If I could wink right know to readers I would!! The man of style is a look that never goes out of fashion! Cue ZZ Topp!!

Step it up guys and become….gentlemen!!! :)

MOM & BIG-MOMMA-IZZIMS

LIFE & MOM-QUOTES

When I was a kid I was always told by my mother that “Birds of a feather flock together”! I always walked away wondering “what the hell does that mean and why does she keep telling me that every time one of my friends comes around”?lol Regardless of how her words perplexed me, she always held my hand and guided me through all the rough patches, whether it be verbally, physically or emotionally.

Now as an adult, older, wiser and way more tolerant to mature wisdom i realize that I have a friend now that fits this mold to a “T”, whatever that means. He and I used to hang out and visit each other’s homes and our children would play together for the past four to five years. Now recently, this friend has been in contact with a childhood friend of his and they have really been hanging tightly. A year ago the friend was implicated in a very serious crime and whom else does he implicate than this friend that we have in common. The friend had no idea what the situation was about, when it occurred and why his friend would bring him into it. After being picked up and questioned by local police, jailed, bonded out, indicted and finally receiving the benefit of the doubt from the prosecutor had his matters dismissed. During the interim because of the nature of the charges and the length of them being pending in the court system this friend lost a well paying job, friends in the community that abandoned him and most of all his wife and family.  I stuck by him because I had a gut feeling that he couldn’t have actually done what he was accused of. After talking for a while and getting the skinny on the whole ordeal he finally broke down and explained that he had nothing to do with it and was sick that he had lost all that he had because of his friend.  I then had to drop the famous line from my Mom on him….Birds of a feather….he perked up and said that his Mom used to say the same thing to him and he never understood until this moment now. Are there any other “Mom & Big-Momma-Izzizms” that you have never understood until life presented it to you? Let me know.