STARS: DOT Certification

*DISCLAIMER: I have only undergone and am showing the first process. I am not a CDL, box truck or a step van driver.  I will be teaching drivers how to drive step vans soon so I did have to go through the initial process of obtaining a medical card. *

Transportation careers are becoming more popular as they are very lucrative, high turnover and good job security. The DOT physical, however, can be a challenge, especially as you get older. 

I would suggest first to schedule a regular physical with your MD. Ensure all of your medications and any afflictions you have are on point.  This especially goes for your vitals. If you have hypertension, sleep apnea, or are on certain medications, your DOT certification process will be delayed at best. 

I would then find a testing center if your own MD or private practice doesn't do this. DO NOT utilize an urgent care facility. I say this because many of them aren't on the same page, your wait will be longer due to them being backed up with COVID exams and vaccinations. 

The average exam and process without waiting or extra items should be two hours. This is why I suggest receiving a clean bill of health before then.  If things such as your eyesight, blood pressure and medications are questionable, you will not be issued a card. For those renewing your card, this could keep you off the road and your place of employment may not compensate you for it. 

I have definitely found out time is money and regardless of where you go, your time may not be valued. Therefore, stay vigorous and persistent until you receive your card. I'm noting the date on mine and any other recommendations. I find the date to be of great importance as I plan on preparing 30 days out so I can be good to go and recertification will not be strenuous. 

I want everyone undergoing this to have the best and efficient process possible. It was two months start to finish for me since I wasn't informed. Many folks are two hours same day. I want the latter for all. 

STARS: Grilling a Good Steak

It's officially Spring and with more folks getting vaccinated, we're about to be having more cookouts. At worst, more people will be grilling on their own. 

One of the things that people love but can struggle with is properly grilling a steak. It's not as hard as it seems but you do have to pay careful attention. 

I make sure my heat is medium at least on the grill and the coals are evenly distributed. I prefer to cook other items first to allow the coals to settle and burn some more. 

I also marinate the steaks the night before, regardless of the cut. I simply buy a marinade out of the grocery store and add some Worchestire sauce, and balsamic vinegerette. I also season them with basic salt, pepper, steak seasoning and Tony Sauterisseire. 

I then place the steaks on no more than 6 at a time, preferably 4. You need more room on your grill for the heat to evenly distribute. 

I tend to do around 10 minutes per side for medium rare or medium. I may do an extra 2-3 minutes per side for a well done steak.  

I have found through trial and error that doing these things will get you a tasty steak. There are always other techniques and such to really up your steak game. 

STARS: How To Post Spoilers Respectfully

This should be the easiest and most unnecessary STARS post I've had to write but here we go. This past weekend proved people still don't respect each other and possibly themselves. 

I like to give the masses a weekend, preferably a week,  before posting any movie or TV spoilers.  Everyone cannot see a viewing right away and do not need anyone messing that experience up for them. 

I look for and even form groups for posting spoilers and bonding. Group chats work wonders here as well. I also like what one of my social media friends did: made a post and said don't respond if you haven't seen the movie yet. I get that you're excited or disgusted and want to discuss what you saw. Here are some ways to do it. 

I also rely on talking to my personal circle as well and not posting at all on public forum. I also post reviews on Rotton Tomatoes, Yelp and other popular sites and apps. 

I cannot stand spoilers and doing these methods can mitigate them and enhance the overall viewing experience.

STARS: How To Really Portray a Toxic Love Story

*DISCLAIMER*: the following post contains spoilers and sensitive information. Proceed with caution before reading.  

I have received a lot of flack simply because I didn't share the same emotion and thoughts from the dramatic Netflix film "Malcolm and Marie". Not once did I say it was a bad film nor it wasn't displaying a toxic relationship. 

My main deal was based off of my personal experience and being a writer, I saw more effective ways to really bring home what the couple was feeling.  It came off like a overly dramatic back and forth when it could have been much more. 

I would have shown the awards show scene and the moment Malcolm admitted Marie's name. I wanted the audience to really see what Marie was feeling when she was omitted and any internal feelings that had been building up. I get the format but I feel the audience deserves a little more depth regarding how the couple got here. 

I would have had a little more face to face contact rather than the yelling across the room. I also realize this was filmed during a pandemic. There are workarounds to simulate the true drama.

I would have sent further shockwaves by showing some violence and not necessarily towards the characters. The point was to show verbal and emotional abuse.  Maria made the mac n cheese for Malcolm and he ate it while he continued to go in on her. Maria could have came up to Malcolm, taken the bowl and smashed it on the ground. She would have challenged his manhood and sent the message that if you don't appreciate what I do, I'll destroy it.

Also the love/makeup scene was too soft and middle school like. When two people are in love but are feeling butthurt emotionally, that emotion should be shown sexually. We got a passionate kiss and some hugging.

I feel this would have made for more of a 3D experience of a potential classic or a 4K versus a standard resolution.  

STARS: Promoting Your Event/Place With Stiff Competition

We have seen, especially just over the past week, how the little guy can beat the big guy in a financial war. Point is, things happen all the time for good that shouldn't in the eyes of some. 

Think about in the case of Borderlands having a huge sale during Super Bowl weekend. Now many haven't heard of Borderlands first off. Secondly, this is one of the hardest weekends to get folks to your store and not just due to COVID. Bath and Body Works has made their sales work for many years due to a number of factors: timing, zoning in on their key market and starting early and often. Trust me, they're planning already for their next big sale and how to promote it. 

I would definitely buy a small TV spot, as well as social media time. I would do this at the beginning of January. I know a month out is a decent time frame for allowing the masses to know. 

I would have a campaign to add and recruit as many people to my store and possible. Visibility is also important. I would have characters like the squiggly creature seen at car lots and Lady Liberty at tax preparation centers.  People don't know you exist if they can't see you. 

I would offer plenty of online deals as well and would extend the in-store sale to an online venue that lasts throughout February (peak tax season). One is first or last in this scenario. 

I would go to investors and brokers (speaking of that topic) and gain partnership and sponsorship. Everyone in the big city will not know what goes on in small towns and vice versa and I would want to bridge that gap. Modern stores such as Borderlands are finding themselves on the chopping blocks due to the online retail giants. 

I take my lessons learned from Belk and BiLo: adapt or cease to exist. I ensure my events and market are well informed before any huge event and beyond.

STARS: How To Properly Notify Someone of a Death

This is definitely one of those: "I don't know who needs to hear this but"

We have had several deaths in the past week alone. Informing the masses seems easy due to social media but you want to make sure all family and close friends know in a timely manner. 

Travel arrangements need to be looked into and made with COVID and time off in mind (for those that don't receive bereavement). Therefore, people should be informed no later than 48 hours after the death. 

I have experienced this way too many times. I realize it's a challenge if it's someone closer to you and/or a shock death. 

I would designate someone to contact all via call, text, group chat, etc. It should be that strong, rock of a family member or friend that does this. 

I would then ensure that it can be posted on social media. To me, no family member nor close friend should learn about a death on social media. Making that contact is paramount. 

I would then get the arrangements together and communicate in a similar fashion. Social media is more appropriate here. 

I would find a good bereavement counselor/professional. Many morticians are equipped for this. Utilize this service, especially since you are paying them. 

I then proceed to make arrangements with others accompaning me, set COVID guidelines and proceed with the planning.

I then see who was left out and why. I then encourage for better methods of communication from that point forward. 

STARS: How I have honored MLK Day over the years

MLK Day is growing more and more in significance, even during a pandemic. I now have the day off with pay for the first time in over 20 years. 

I've seen many honor his memory with community service, public events, candlelight vigils and prayer breakfasts. 

I do the #1 thing I feel I can do to honor him: I go to work if allowed. Now it's easier to do since I get paid double time. However, let's not forget what Dr. King fought for and that was equalty. Without him, I likely would not have the opportunity to be in a leadership role in a company not owned by a Black person. That has happened and I feel the least I can do is show up to work. 

I also post pictures, quotes and videos and really reflect on his legacy. This includes moments of silence, talking with others about his impact and how we plan to keep his dream alive. We are in a great time to do this since many still do not realize his dream is unfulfilled. There is work still yet to be completed.  

I have also did the vigils, community service and prayer breakfasts. Since we have COVID now and mass gatherings are unsafe, you can do these things virtual and in small numbers. Continue to give to deserving minority and advancement clauses.  I want to do stuff by showcasing what the Black race, as well as the human race, has accomplished due to Dr. King. We can't forget the Black experience as it effects the American experience. 

I have already seen a greater appreciation for his day just from my company making it a paid holiday. Also from BLM, Jane Elliott, John Lewis and Stacey Abrams to name a few. We have had a black president and will have a black female vice president.  Dr. King is very pleased and we definitely can't stop.