These Dumb Rules

We have to have rules as a society for it to run effectively or the society will perish. Then everyone will basically be on a purge.

However, that being said, some of these made up rules are outrageous and left field smh. Who makes these up?

It's bad enough that many of the rules on the books are terribly outdated.  Now there are not only "rules" as to what you can say to something or what you can call them, there are rules on what and how to post on social media, how to look at a person, how to eat a certain food. Stop right here, geesh! We do have freedoms and the main thing we need is common sense to address all of these.

My favorite rule of all time comes from my high school agriculture teacher Mr. Bill Parker. It goes "allow common sense and reason to be your guide and act the way you want to be treated." Obvious rules aside, that's all you basically need. There is no use for some of these ridiculous guidelines.

I just saw where supposedly profanity is prohibited at Myrtle and Virginia Beach, both hot travel spots. See this is really digging deep.

Once common sense and judgment are removed from an area, you have lots of problems. All the rules in the world will not solve them either. 

Most importantly, let's love each other again. It's been a while since I have truly seen this.

WiseFire Coffee: Drink Wisely

Blacksburg, SC is a small town going through a lot of transition. A new football stadium is finally being constructed, the town has a new mayor for the first time since the early 90s, and we have some burgeoning small businesses.

One of which is Wisefire Coffee. This coffee house is owned and operated by Thomas Dover. Despite the last name, I don't think we're related. He certainly makes you feel like you're family. He has Blacksburg ties and brings that sense of family values and caring into his shop.

He has some awesome drinks, from lattes made from Uganda beans, some of the most potent you can find. He takes very care in preparing your beverage, whether hot or cold, coffee or tea. He wants it to be the best you're going to have.

Also, Dover realizes he has to have a great business, atmosphere and conversation. He nails all three and more. You can stop by and engage him about local and national issues, and even see what's going on in the town now and in the past. He's becoming more involved in helping out the town improve and regain its proud presence. He is also learning, as a business and as an owner, so Dover is very open to feedback.

Drop by Wisefire sometime and even if you don't like coffee, tea, or even books, see what he and his family are doing to better Blacksburg. He has had open mics and game nights in the past. Furthermore, he has some good plans and ideas for the rest of the year. Stay tuned for more from this small business and owner.

Mind Ya Business

People can't seem to stop worrying about each other when they need to worry about themselves.

They steady wait on them to mess up, quick to criticize but slow to praise. I pretty much know who these folks are. There are some that suprise you though. 

They throw dirt on your name, tell lies and spread continuous gossip. Maan you must be badder than Donald Glover if they're doing all of that.

Recognize who they are, and distance them quickly.  Don't become part of the circus and entertain the clowns.

Own up to when you are wrong but stay confident and powerful when you're right.
Be open, forgiving, respectful and loving. We definitely could use more love and courtesy. Some people are just miserable for no reason. 

Also, don't try the quiet, nice ones. They may not blow up your school or such but they are tougher than you think.

Let's live and love more and end the divide.

Rosa Parks didn't do, what?

Ok before there's further controversy, I have a point here.

Some of you remember the iconic scene in the movie Barbershop where Eddie, the elderly barber, basically stated (which most of it are facts). Rosa Parks wasn't the first person to refuse to sit in the back of a bus but of course she did more. She simply received more media attention for certain reasons, one was her NAACP connections and another were her ties to Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

That being said, enter on LeBron James.

He has been receiving mostly positive attention for the public school in Akron, OH that he plans to open. Basically, everything is funded for the students, even college. Bron has a long term plan for the funding, including involving the media, which he is good at and people will and are backing him.

I morally back this effort as well. However, I think it's good to remember that while what he's doing is monumental and unique, it definitely isn't original.

Enter Jalen Rose. Member of the Michigan Fab Five during the 90s. Former NBA player   ESPNU analyst now. He has been known for being salty and even negative. Early Wednesday following Bron's announcement, he made a very informative 3:01 video praising and applauding Bron, but making it a point to realize there are others that did similarly and are doing similarly. 

Not once in the video did Jalen say anything negative. He did mention that Bron is getting more attention due to his higher profile which is true.

What I'm saying is, the higher the profile, the more people notice you and your efforts. Think of which cars get noticed on the road more. They are rarely the grey or silver cars. They are usually the shiny, red and yellow luxury vehicles. And in this case LeBron and even the late Rosa are/were those cars.

Now while no one is really obligated to honor those from the past, it's a good gesture. They set the pace and paved the way for you to succeed. I don't put this on either figure either. Either people have short or zero memories of those that came before them and only acknowledge the here and now. 

I remember when Jordan was the face of the NBA, then Kobe, now it's Bron. The Golden State Warriors have won three championships in four years yet LeBron gets mentioned the most. Probably rightly so also.

People may not always possess the proper tone but the message is clear. The brightest flowers get picked first and that's life. However the other flowers matter also.

See my post on www.imjustdrew.com for more on supporting each other properly and honoring each other when we achieve more.