losing a good man

She tried really hard to make her relationship work

That can be difficult when you are emotionally hitched to a jerk

She was captivated by visions of love, marriage, and kids

But his actions made her feel like she could no longer live

Bound by confusion and grappled with fear

She made up her mind that she had shed her last tear.

The relationship that she longed for had finally come to an end

3 kids from 3 different baby daddies later...the third time wasn't a charm

It was a dud. And it was at that moment that she became alarmed.

She realized that she had lost that friend

You know that friend...the one who was always around to hear her cries

But for him, there was no real attraction in her eyes.

She knew that he liked her despite her mistakes

But when she made her final call to him...it was too late

Her anger in his "disappearance" was something she couldn't understand

Simply put...she had lost her best chance at landing a "good man".

Charleston...through our eyes

Charleston...

Nine beautiful lives taken away from us in a rage of hate and terror.

Tonight, we'll talk about it.

9pm-11pm est

(347)215-7162

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle

a letter to my kids...

I have often said that one of the great things about having this blog is that people can read it and get to know how you feel about things. I think one of the reasons why I've kept the blog and haven't deleted it is that I want my kids to read it and gain a different perspective as how their father saw the world through his eyes. Honestly, they know this blog exists but I don't think they've read much of it. But that's cool. One day they will.

Tomorrow is Father's Day. It's a special day for me because it's a day that I celebrate because of THEM. My children. Instead of writing a post about something random or silly, I decided to write this open letter to them...

Deion (age 15)


My first born! You were the first to make me a father. I still remember the day that you came into this world. It seems like it was yesterday. I remember standing in the delivery room and looking at you with amazement. You had only been on this earth for a few minutes before you urinated on the doctor who was trying to weigh you. The doctor smiled at us and said "Well...we know that part works." You and I are alike in a lot of ways. I have told you since you were a baby to always be a leader...not a follower. You are a great leader and I truly feel that you were put on this earth to be a leader. Am I hard on you? Yes! But it's only because I want you to see the greatness that is within you. The sky is the limit for you. As you move forward in life, you'll realize the lessons that I'm teaching will take you far in life. You're father is pretty smart...but you already know that by now. I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!


Kameron (12)


You are...by far...the most talented child. And that's no knock on your siblings...because everybody has multiple talents. You just have more. Anybody that has ever been around you will tell you that. I've found over time that you can be extremely shy around unfamiliar faces and the life of the party around friends and family. I am like that, too. It's not always easy being someone's little brother and someone's big brother...but you've done it well. Your mother and I realized a long time ago that when Kameron wants to do something, he's going to do it on his terms. That's what makes you who you are. Keep being who you are and keep shining! I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!

Brandon (8)


You are the star of our family! There's no doubt about it. I've never seen a kid this young be so cool! I WISH that I was as cool as you were when I was your age. I was cool but not like you. I've never seen a child so competitive and driven to be the best and win at everything! It's a rare gift. You and I look alike and our birthdays are only separated by a day. And maybe that's the way it was supposed to be. I can't imagine how it feels being the baby boy...but you are no baby. You don't walk in your brothers shadows. You've created your own trail and I like that. Most kids are fearful when it comes to performing in front of an audience. You...you seem to relish in that spotlight. Sometimes I look at you and think to myself..."Is that really MY kid?" Of course you are! And I wouldn't have it any other way! I am proud of the young man that you have become. I love you!


Skyler (3)


Where do I start? I never envisioned having a daughter. Even when I was a kid, I knew one day I'd get married and have a son. I never thought about having a daughter. Words can't describe how I feel about you. You and I have a very special bond. My friends told me that a little girl would make melt like ice cream. And I've been melting ever since the day that you got here. Our relationship grows each day. To say that I have spoiled you is an understatement. You've learned how to use those big brown puppy dog eyes to get what you want from me. As much as I want to say no...I can't. Sometimes I look at you and I don't want you to get older. Getting older means that one day you will...want to wear make up, want to wear something that I might not like...like boys and want boys to like you back...be approached to do something that you know isn't right. It'll be those moments when you'll hear a voice in your head say..."I can't do that. My Daddy would KILL ME!!!" Simply put, you are a "Daddy's girl" and that will never change! I am proud of the little lady that you have become. I love you!

I know I can be difficult at times. Sometimes I'm James Evans...then I'm Cliff Huxtable. But I'm preparing you for this world that you'll have to live in. Being a father to the 4 of you is something that I take very seriously. It's the most rewarding job that I will ever have. It's a job that I can't afford to fail at...and I won't. Your grandparents have set a high standard for me to follow in becoming what I think a parent should be. If I can become half the parent that they are...I'll be fine.

Right after Deion was born, your grandfather gave me words that I will always remember.

There are 3 things that you must give your child...LOVE, DISCIPLINE, and an EXAMPLE to follow. I will continue to do that until they throw dirt on me. I thank God for loaning you to me!

I love you,

Dad

the gunshot that changed my life...

It's June

Every time the calendar hits June...most people think of the end of school...summer vacations...hot weather...and cookouts

I think of those things, too. But one of my first thoughts is about one particular June

June ' 88

It was the last day of school. I was about to complete my sophomore year of high school at Wilson High. It was a typical morning in our house. Everybody was asleep except me and my cousin, Eric. He too was finishing his sophomore year. We had just finished eating breakfast and were about to leave for school. Since it only took us 3 minutes to get to Wilson, we weren't in a rush. I told him that I had to go back upstairs to my room to get a book. I got the book and came back downstairs. When I got downstairs, I saw Eric holding a black gun. I stopped. I said "what are you doing with that?" I knew where he got the gun from.

The gun belonged to my aunt. Apparently, she was cleaning the gun the night before and had left it out. She kept it in a black bag. The bag looked like a small purse. I had seen the bag many times but it was always in her room. That day, the black bag was on the floor in our living room.

Eric was waving the gun and pointing it. He was pointing it like a little kid would point his toy pistol. Then he pointed it at me. I ducked and said...

"Man, don't point that at me!!!"

"Chill man. I took the clip out." he replied

That calmed me for a second. By now, my curiosity was getting the best of me. I wanted the gun.

"Lemme hold it."

He pointed the barrel downward and handed me the gun. I grabbed it and immediately felt empowered. I had never SEEN a gun before and now I was holding it. I found myself doing the same thing that Eric was doing...pointing it like a little kid. I was pointing it at objects in the house and acting as if I was shooting it. While I never intended to point it at Eric, he was in the room with me. Then it happened...

My index finger barely GRAZED the trigger

BANG!!!!!

All I see is fire as the bullet is discharged. It happened so fast that I could believe it. I stood in shock. My mouth was wide open. I look at Eric...and he can't believe that I fired the shot. The bullet missed the tv but went through our living room wall...then through our dining room wall...then through our brick chimney. There was so much smoke that I was coughing. I yell at Eric...

"I thought you said you took the clip out!!!!"

"I did"...he yelled back

We didn't know anything about the bullet in the chamber. By this time, I'm scrambling. I know that I have to hide the gun because my mom, aunt, and uncle will be awake any minute now. I almost put it in my waste band but the barrel was too hot and I couldn't run the risk of shooting myself (even though there were no bullets). I decided to put the gun back in the black bag. By this time, my aunt and my mom run into the room asking what happened. At this time, me and Eric did what any other red blooded American kid would do...

We lied.

We said the gun "went off" from the bag. Looking back on it, we didn't know how dumb that sounded. The bag was on the floor where my aunt had left it. Logistically, there's no way the gun could have fired high enough to go OVER the tv from the floor. We managed to get out of the house with that lie and head off to school. The plan was to stick with that lie once we got home but we eventually caved in and told the truth. It wasn't like we had any other options.

The punishment was "house arrest". We couldn't talk on the phone nor go outside for the rest of the summer. It was horrible. It was the longest summer of my life. While I can laugh today at firing a loaded gun in my house, the reality is that I could have died that day. I could have killed Eric. The guilt of what COULD have happened that day haunted me for a long time. Honestly, I changed that day. I became a person who cared more about life. My whole outlook changed. I got even more serious about school and my first love (football). On a day that I could have died...I was reborn. Simple put...it was the gunshot that changed my life.

State of Hip Hop Vol 2

We're BACK...again!!!

The 12 Radio Show is back on the air! On this episode, we'll talk about the State of of Hip Hop Vol 2. We'll talk about the GOOD...BAD...and UGLY of Hip Hop.

Past and Present! We'll also talk about our visions for the art form!

Join host 12kyle and special guest, Q the 6th Man. If you're a fan of Hip Hop, you DON'T want to miss this show!

Tonight's show will air from 9pm-11pm est. You can call in (347)215-7162 or listen online www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle

PODCAST: Freddie Gray & Baltimore...through our eyes

WHO: 12 Radio Show - host 12kyle &co-host, Krishna

WHAT: Freddie Gray and Baltimore...through our eyes

LISTEN BELOW...

Freddie Gray and Baltimore...through our eyes (show preview)

WHO: 12 Radio Show - host 12kyle & co-host, Krishna

WHAT: Freddie Gray and Baltimore...through our eyes

WHERE: www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle or (347)215-7162

WHEN: Tonight from 9pm-11pm est

WHY: You know why!!!!

are you EMOTIONALLY intelligent???

"He/she is TOO emotional"

How many times have you heard that said about someone? If you're like me...you've probably heard it alot.

I learned at an early age to always keep my head. No matter what was going on. Never get too high or too low. One thing I also learned was to never be TOO emotional...about anything. Use your emotions to the bring out the best in yourself. There is a such thing as being emotionally intelligent.

I came across this article and I wanted to share it with you...


How to be Emotionally Intelligent


1. SELF-AWARENESS
Realistic self-confidence: You understand your own strengths and limitations; you operate from competence and know when to rely on someone else on the team.

Emotional insight: You understand your feelings. Being aware of what makes you angry, for instance, can help you manage that anger.

2. SELF-MANAGEMENT
Resilience: You stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from upsets. You don’t brood or panic. In a crisis, people look to the leader for reassurance; if the leader is calm, they can be, too.

Emotional balance: You keep any distressful feelings in check — instead of blowing up at people, you let them know what’s wrong and what the solution is.
Self-motivation: You keep moving toward distant goals despite setbacks.

3. EMPATHY
Cognitive and emotional empathy:Because you understand other perspectives, you can put things in ways colleagues comprehend. And you welcome their questions, just to be sure. Cognitive empathy, along with reading another person’s feelings accurately, makes for effective communication.

Good listening: You pay full attention to the other person and take time to understand what they are saying, without talking over them or hijacking the agenda.

4. RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Compelling communication: You put your points in persuasive, clear ways so that people are motivated as well as clear about expectations.

Team playing: People feel relaxed working with you. One sign: They laugh easily around you.

The question is...are you emotionally intelligent? If so, which qualities do you have?

PODCAST: State of Hip Hop Vol 1

We're BACK!!!

On this episode, we discussed  the State of of Hip Hop Vol 1. We talked about the GOOD...BAD...and UGLY of Hip Hop.

Past and Present! We also talked about our visions for the art form!

Check out host 12kyle and special guest, Q the 6th Man. If you're a fan of Hip Hop, you MUST listen to this show!

LISTEN BELOW...

off tha dome - 12 Radio Show preview

Check out the 12 RADIO SHOW. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on Blog Talk Radio. Tune in tonight at 9pm EST as the host, 12kyle, informs and entertains! Don't just listen to the show...be a part of the show and participate in the interactive chat room...or call in to speak with 12kyle and his co-hosts.

TOPIC - off tha dome

On this week's show, we are going to have random questions about life, current events, pop culture, love, sports, relationships and more with co-host Coogie Cruz. We'll have an entertaining and funny show! 

You can listen online (www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle) or via phone (347)215-7162. Press #1 if you want to speak to the host. 

Follow the show on twitter: @12RadioShow. Also follow the host 12kyle on twitter: @12kyle and on facebook (www.facebook.com/12 Radio Show) (www.facebook.com/twelevekyle) 

Big 3 (Bad Boy, Death Row, & Rocafella)

Welcome to the 12 RADIO SHOW. This is the most innovative and interactive show on Blog Talk Radio. Tune in tonight at 9pm EST as the host, 12kyle, informs and entertains! Don't just listen to the show...be a part of the show and participate in the interactive chat room...or call in to speak with 12kyle and his co-hosts.

On this week's episode, we'll feature our infamous BIG 3 segment. 

This week's Big 3 dominated the music industry for the 90s...Bad Boy Records, Death Row Records, and Rocafella Records. We will break down the rise, dominance, and demise of these record labels. We'll also discuss the artists and albums that were produced from these labels. Join 12kyle and co-hosts VaEazy & DLuvhall. Don't miss it!

You can listen online (www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle) or via phone (347)215-7162. Press #1 if you want to speak to the host.

Follow the show on twitter: @12RadioShow. Also follow the host 12kyle on twitter: @12kyle

To Pimp A Butterfly (album review)

Hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar just dropped his 3rd studio album, To Pimp A Butterfly, on March 16. The album was supposed to come out on March 23 but was released early and set the music industry on fire.

For the first time on the 12 Radio Show, the host 12kyle will have a full album review for To Pimp A Butterfly. If you're a fan of Kendrick Lamar or a hip hop fan...you don't want to miss this!!!

The show will only be for an hour and will air March 21st (Saturday) at 2pm est. You can listen online at www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle or (347)215-7162

What Women Want

Check out the 12 RADIO SHOW tonight at 9pm EST!

On this week's episode, we'll talk about WHAT WOMEN WANT. We will have a frank discussion about some of the issues that women deal with. Join us and get a better understanding of what makes women tick. Join 12kyle and co-hosts Ieisha and LMarie. 

You think you know...but you have NO idea! 

Don't miss it!

You can listen online (www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle) or via phone (347)215-7162. Press #1 if you want to speak to the host.

Follow the show on twitter: @12RadioShow. Also follow the host 12kyle on twitter: @12kyle

around the house music...

Music is probably one of the few things that we ALL share an interest in.

We all don't like the same music but we all like SOME form of music.

What was the first song that you ever learned? Think about that for a second...

It was probably the same song that I learned...the ABC song! We all learned our ABCs to that same song! For all of us, that was our introduction to music.

I'm not sure how things were in your house growing up...but in my house my parents always played music around the house. We had a big stereo/record player back in the day and they seemed to play music almost every day. I can remember listening to music as we got ready for school in the morning. We'd also listen to music at night before we went to bed. I was born in 1972...so I was exposed to some GREAT music. Being exposed to music early in life helped my appreciation for it later in life.

My parents were old school. My mom would play gospel music in the house on Sundays before and after church. But the rest of the week, we listened to a little bit of everything...Earth Wind & Fire, The O'Jays, Commodores, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and Marvin Gaye...just to name a few. She would play music almost all day Saturday as we "cleaned up" the house. That always stuck with me. My dad had a great record collection. He had this one record that I grew to fall in love with. It was Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder. The album cover stood out to me at first glance. I was only 7 yrs old but I quickly learned that this Stevie Wonder fella was pretty good. My favorite song was All I Do.

Baby just suppose I should happen to cross your mind

And by some chance a boy like me you're really been trying to find

Well let me tell you girl

Think of how exciting it would be

If you should discover you feel like me

If you should discover this dream is for two

We'll I'm gonna tell you girl

I'd light a candle every day

And pray that you'll always feel this way

And pray that our love will forever be new

'Cause all I do is think about you 

Listening to it now...takes me back and makes me remember.

It also reminds me of how little music that I play around the house. When I do...it's in my headphones. I play it in the car all the time but hardly ever in the house. Maybe I should do it more in the house. You'd be surprised how your day can be changed by listening to some good music before you get your day started.

What about you? Did you listen to music in your house growing up? Do you listen now?

What's On Your TV???

WHO: 12 Radio Show...hosted by 12kyle with special co-hosts...Krishna & ShellyShell


WHAT: Topic - What's On Your Tv???


WHERE: You can call in & listen (347)215-7162 or online http://www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle/2015/03/12/whats-on-your-tv


WHEN: Tonight from 9 pm-11pm EST


WHY: Because WE SAID SO!!!! You don't wanna miss this show!!!!

Childhood Memories 850

Check out the 12 RADIO SHOW. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on Blog Talk Radio. Tune in tonight at 9pm EST as the host, 12kyle, informs and entertains! Don't just listen to the show...be a part of the show and participate in the interactive chat room...or call in to speak with 12kyle and his co-hosts.

TOPIC - Childhood Memories 850 co-hosted by Dluvhall & VA Eazy. Join us for an entertaining and comical look childhood as we stroll down memory lane. You don't want to miss this show!

You can listen online (http://bit.ly/1GrIZTc) or via phone (347)215-7162. Press #1 if you want to speak to the host. You can also send tweets if you want to have your questions answered or comments to @12kyle

Follow the show on twitter: @12RadioShow. Also follow the host 12kyle on twitter: @12kyle

how to survive a relationship in the world of social media...

While I was doing some research for last night's 12 Radio Show, I came across this article. Pretty interesting if you ask me. I have highlighted my thoughts in red...

With our quick paced, technology driven world, is it possible to have and build a lasting relationship? The answer is yes but you have to follow these key rules.

1. Never have arguments online - Your business is your business and the world should not be involved every time you and your partner gets into a spats. This causes unwanted attention and advice. It can also add fuel to the fire. A fight that can be easily fixed can turn into world war 3 because you let in unwanted troops. My mom always use to tell me no one should know 100 percent of your relationship, the good or the bad. Telling the wrong people the wrong things can set your relationship up for failure. | I've seen a few of these play out on twitter and Facebook. All I did was grab my popcorn. This should NEVER happen. People make certain assumptions about your relationships by what you say (or don't say) on social media. You have to understand that you can't control that. The minute that you have an argument online...everybody knows that you've been "frontin'" and there is trouble in paradise. 

2. Talk to each other - Put down the phones, get off of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and talk to each other. Get to know each other. Ask questions, dig deep to see if this person is who you want to be with. Communication is one of the biggest factors in a successful relationship. You cannot talk with a cell phone or tablet glued to your face. If there is a problem talk about it. Ask about your partners day. Find out there likes and dislikes. Become an active listener and communicator. This is essential in building a strong foundation. | I've struggled with this from time to time...honestly. I like being connected to the world. But sometimes you gotta put the phone down. If not, bring them into what you're reading or looking at on the phone or computer.

3. Explore - Have date nights and explore the world around you. Put the phone away for an hour or two. You are not going to miss a thing trust me. Do a technology free date night. Try out that trendy new restaurant downtown. If that’s not your thing try out indoor rock climbing or a murder mystery dinner. Events that requires you two in interact far beyond the physical. Building a bond and finding out things that you two can share together. | Date nights are a must. Make them whenever you can. Get out and live life. See new things. Never be afraid to step outside of the box. 

4. Stop lurking - It is cool to still like pictures but once you are in a serious relationship stop lurking on your ex’s page or other potential mates. It is disrespectful. | Not cool. Not cool at all. Why would you do that? Are you THAT lame? 

5. Trust - Yes you should stop lurking but if someone likes a picture don’t act like you caught them sleeping in your bed with another person. Ground and surround your relationship in trust. You know the person you are with and if they really want to be with you they will never do anything to intentionally hurt you. | A relationship without trust is like a car without wheels. You're not going anywhere

6. Stop doing things for likes - Life is not based on the opinion of others. They do not go to sleep with you. They don’t pay your bills. They have no factor on your life. So, who cares if a status or a picture gets a 100 likes. Those likes are not putting any money in your pocket. Social Media should not display every aspect of your relationship. Every time you kiss, you should not have to make an announcement. | Remember back in the day when your momma told you "whatever happens in this house...stays in this house!" Same thing applies here. Every detail of your life...especially personal stuff...isn't meant for public consumption. I share a lot on this blog...but you don't know my deepest darkest secrets. Some things just aren't meant for everybody to know. Period. 

In short, Keep your relationship to yourself. Guard it and protect it. 

A relationship can be complicated to understand between the two people who are involved in it. You only complicate things when you bring others...especially nosey people in it. 

Dating & Relationships (good, bad, & ugly)

Check out the 12 RADIO SHOW. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on Blog Talk Radio. Tune in tonight at 9pm EST as the host, 12kyle, informs and entertains! Don't just listen to the show...be a part of the show and participate in the interactive chat room...or call in to speak with 12kyle and his co-hosts.

TOPIC - Dating & Relationships (Good, Bad, & Ugly) co-hosted by MzKayotic. Join us for an entertaining and comical look at dating and relationships. You don't want to miss this show!

You can listen online (www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle) or via phone (347)215-7162. Press #1 if you want to speak to the host. You can also send tweets if you want to have your questions answered or comments to @12kyle

Follow the show on twitter: @12RadioShow. Also follow the host 12kyle on twitter: @12kyle

4 Resumé Secrets That Give You an Edge

Here's another pretty good article from the good folks at Men's Health Magazine. Check it out!

It doesn't take long to leave an impression: Recruiters and hiring managers spend an average of 6 seconds reviewing a candidate's resumé before they make an initial assessment, according to a study from the job-search website TheLadders.

Six seconds.

Now that you’re done shaking your head, give you resumé a 6-second look and ask yourself what you took away from it.

If you scan documents like the majority of hiring managers, your eyes moved over your resumé in an F-shaped pattern, finds a study from the research and consulting firm Nielsen Norman Group. That means you probably read all of the top one or two lines, the first few words of the next lines, and very little of the bottom portion apart from section headlines. And knowing that, you can rework your resumé for better results, the study authors say.

First of all, your most impressive and relevant accomplishments need to find their way into the top-left portion of your C.V., the researchers advise. Applying for a sales job? Consider a headline like “Award-Winning Sales Experience” for the career portion of your resumé. Right away, you’re announcing to the hirer that if he keeps reading, he’ll see something impressive. You could even begin your resumé with one or two bullet points highlighting your greatest professional feats. Just get the good stuff up top and to the left, the study suggests. 

Here are four more gems to help you spit-shine your resumé:

1. Drop in an achievement stat between your former employers’ names and the dates you worked for them, TheLadders study suggests. Hiring managers spend a big chunk of those 6 seconds looking at who you worked for and how long you were with them. So force employers to read about your successes by wedging them into that portion of your resumé. For example:

ABC Labs, New York, NY - Awarded Chairman’s Chemist Honor 2008 to 2013

2. Emphasize numerical rankings if you’re part of an elite list, says Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D., of the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University. We’re talking “Top 10” or “Top 25.” Such rankings are inherently impressive and eye-catching. Just make sure you’re not on the outside of a round number. For example, mentioning you’re #11 or #6 will give the resumé reader the impression you failed to make it into the most-successful echelon. In both of those cases, it may be better to say you’re in the Top 15 or Top 10, Isaac suggests.

3. Don’t hide your time off after college. Employers will likely see this break as a sign of your “flexibility," a trait that’s especially valued in creative fields like entertainment, marketing, or architecture, says study coauthor May Ling Halim, Ph.D., of California State University, Long Beach.

4. Present your accomplishments in the simplest, most-flattering context, urges a study from the University of California, Berkeley. For example: If you grew your team’s profits by 10 percent in an industry that averages just 2 to 3 percent growth, don’t assume the interviewer will figure that out. Instead, point out that you “tripled the average growth rate”, the research suggests. On the other hand, if you achieved 30 percent growth in an industry that averages 50 to 60 percent improvement, leave out the context. “Play up the interpretation that shows you in the most favorable terms,” advises study coauthor Samuel Swift, Ph.D.

24 with 12

I've been writing this blog 7 years. I think one of the first things I said before I started writing. I told myself "you're a cool dude but people aren't gonna want to read about your life...it's not that interesting."

That said...I want to give you a small glimpse of what a day in the life of ole 12kyle is like...

SATURDAY:


7:15 am - The alarm clock goes off and I'm up. I've never been one to "sleep in". We weren't allowed to just lay around as kids. You had to get up and do something. Nevertheless, on this day...my wife is out of town so it's just me and the kids.

7:32 am - Skyler (age 3) runs in my room and jumps on my head. "Daaaadyyyyy!!! I want some pancakes. The princess gets what she wants.

7:36 am - Brandon (age 8) walks in the room. He wants to know if he can watch SportsCenter.

8:01 am - After a quick shower, I get dressed and make my way downstairs. I walk down the hallway and wake up the "big kids"...Deion (15), Kameron (12).

8:25 am - I crank up Pandora on my iPhone to so that I can listen to music while I cook.

8:30 am - Brandon asked "Dad, did you watch SportsCenter on Saturday mornings when you were my age?" No son...we had REAL cartoons back then...

8:47 am - Breakfast is served...pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs

9:12 am - Skyler needs to get dressed. This is always interesting because she's at the point now where she may say "I don't want to wear that" Huh?

9:18 am - Incoming phone call. Face Time with my Mom. I think FaceTime might be the best thing since sliced bread. My mom, who lives in South Carolina, gets to actually see the kids. We use FaceTime 4 or 5 times a week. Once you get older and have kids, your parents don't wanna talk to you...just the kids. LOL

9:39 am - "Clean your rooms!!!" I'm yelling this to the boys. It's too early to be yelling...

9:46 am - Skyler's hair is done...from the previous day. But I see some hair sticking up. I think I can fix it. But she won't let me touch her hair. I don't know how to do hair. Maybe she knows that. She won't let me try to fix it

10:15 am - The doorbell rings. I wasn't expecting anybody. I look out the window and it's the Jehovah Witness crew. Damn!

10:17 am - I give out the instructions to clean up. We've got to sweep and vacuum the floors. I don't mind these chores

10:25 am - While the boys are doing that, I start to wash clothes. I hate washing and folding clothes

11:11 am - Brandon and Skyler are playing football in the living room. I'm amazed at how rough she is. I guess it's like that when you're the only girl.

11:45 am - Incoming phone call. It's my boy Melvin (aka Melly Mel). He's one of my boys that I played football with at South Carolina State University. We talk once every two weeks. The last time we spoke, I told him that I was eating and I'd call him back. So, when I answer the phone...he says "Hey bruh...you still eating?" LOL. That's how we are. We're always clowning. He is one of my favorite teammates.

12:15 pm - Skyler has to eat lunch then take a nap. Unlike most kids, she doesn't make a fuss when it's nap time.

12:35 pm - The boys all eat pizza for lunch. I skip lunch. Not sure why but I wasn't hungry

12:40 pm - Deion and Kameron make an attempt to explain to me who the Migos are. No thanks...I'll pass

1:22 pm - They go outside to toss the football around in the back yard. I watch from the deck. It's good watching them play together. Sometimes...like most brothers...they are teasing each other.

1:47 pm - I find a game on tv. I check in and browse twitter and Facebook

1:52 pm - The twitter timeline is buzzing about something crazy on tv. I pass on tweeting about it. Most of the time, I tweet my thoughts and stay in my mentions. It's more enjoyable that way. Facebook is hit or miss. Some days it's good. Other days...you question who these "friends" are.

2:12 pm - I forgot about the clothes that were in the dryer

2:15 pm - Incoming phone call. It's the homie, JFresh. 

2:45 pm - I'm hungry but I'm totally confused about what I want to eat. I hate when that happens

3:22 pm - Reading tweets about the pending divorce for Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon. Somebody said they couldn't figure out their favorite song by Mariah. For me...that's easy. We Belong Together. That's my joint!

3:35 pm - Skyler is up from her nap. She runs downstairs and asks for some cookies. I shouldn't give them to her...but I do. 

3:37 pm - Clothes still not folded. I forgot about them

3:52 pm - The boys head to the back yard to play football.

4:01 pm - An episode of The Chappelle Show is on tv. It's the Rick James episode. My favorite episode of Chapelle Show. Hands down. I always watch it and laugh as if I've never seen it. RIP  Rick James

4:45 pm - For some strange reason, my eyelids are getting heavy. Not sure why...

5:45 pm - That was a great nap. The boys are back in the house and are playing video games. Skyler is watching Dora the Explorer.

6:15 pm - Deion challenges me to play against him in a game of John Madden football. This is a trap. He's been playing and has gotten better. As for me, I'm a Madden champion. I was a monster in college. But I hardly play now. Playing Madden is like riding a bike...once you learn...you never forget. So...against my better judgement...I settle in on the couch to play him.

7:00 pm - I win by a field goal 24-21. The kid is good. Not better than me but good enough to beat me. Rule #7979 as a parent...never let your kids beat you in ANYTHING. Once they can beat you, stop playing! LOL

7:15 pm - I'm not cooking so I ask the kids where they want to eat and they yell McDonalds. I don't want no stinkin McDonald's so I convince them to pick somewhere else. We decide to grab some Chinese food and bring it home.

8:25 pm - Bath then bed for Skyler.

8:57 pm - While the boys are watching tv, I sit down the computer with the hopes of writing something for the blog. I write when I feel I have something to say. If I don't have anything to say, I don't write. You can't force creativity. I have plans to write a poem about a woman who fell in love with the perfect guy.

9:02 pm - My 3rd grade teacher always told me that the first two lines of any story are the most important. That's always stuck with me.

9:07 pm - 1st two lines are done

9:10 pm - The boys are in the living room arguing about what to watch on tv. I walk in the room...grab the remote...and turn the tv off. Nothing to argue about now

9:15 pm - Group messages from the fellas. The conversation comes up about _____ who went to high school with us. I'm laughing so hard. Tears

9:54 pm - Another win for the Atlanta Hawks. We're looking good

10:02 pm - Wait...let me fold up these clothes

10:33 pm - I tell the boys to jump in the shower then go to bed. Gotta get up early for church tomorrow. 9:30 am

10:36 pm - Skyler's hair is fine. I won't have to do it for church tomorrow. This is good because I can't do hair. I never learned. At some point...I will. Right now, she won't even let me TOUCH her hair. If I ask her if I can do her hair, she'll say no.

10:50 pm - I sit back down at the computer. All I have is 2 sentences. Damn!

11:05 pm - dozing off at the computer

11:10 pm - gotta shower and hit the sack. Tomorrow is a new day. Another day to be better

See...told you my life is boring.

Haaa