Sometimes You Have To Give Up What You Love Most

On 27 March of this year, change came into my life once more. It may seem like it wasn't a change for the better, but some 93 days later I would have to say that yes, it was for the best. My position was eliminated at Georgia-Pacific and I like the others out there, became a statistic, a number in a system that tells one of failure. But, I have been through this before 12 years prior and the lessons learned from that experience has gotten me to this point.

Tomorrow I will reach a crossroads, the veritable fork in the road. I can let it consume me or I can consume it and move on with the next phase of my life.

I have lived in Atlanta since April 1987 and seen many changes in the city and it's people. Almost four years ago I made the plunge, moving downtown because I was sick and tired of the suburbs sucking my quality of life away. The move has been no less than a renaissance, a rejuvenation of my soul, food if you will. I said "this is it", making the Luckie-Marietta district my home for the duration.

My living here has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. The lifestyle is one I have been seeking since my youth. What I finally understood from the photo slides of my early years was that mom and dad exposed us to all that was good in the city of Charleston, with the good being the Battery, Hampton Park and Colonial Lake. It was these moments I held and still hold dear, making Centennial Olympic Park a new focal point of my rebirth.

Now the time has come where I may have to give this up, to a certain extent. If all goes well tomorrow, I will have to make a decision that could affect me for the next several decades. It is one I don't take lightly, but will if the opportunity presents itself.

The time has come for me to leave Atlanta and specifically where I have laid roots. But I also realize that in order to grow, new roots have to be laid elsewhere. For the past 93 days I have undergone a reinvention. Now is the time to take what I have learned about myself and put them to practice.

I love where I live, but it's time to grow.

Genius In A Glove And Anvil

Words cannot describe the sadness I feel inside at this moment. Several days after by birthday and in a week of inexplicable change we lost individuals of incredible talent and depth.

On Tuesday, one of the greatest artists of the 20th finally went on to do greater good in God's kingdom. Out of all the people lost this week the least one who received press coverage was Philip Simmons. Mr. Simmons, who passed away in his sleep at the age of 97 will be remembered as of of the greatest citizens the city of Charleston, SC ever raised. Listed as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century he grew up from humble beginnings to become a master blacksmith, crafting some of the most thought provoking and inspiring art pieces ever to grace the Holy City. If there is a gate on an Charleston home Philip Simmons crafted it. In his genius Philip Simmons remained a humble soul, becoming an ambassador for the city with in kind and gentle nature.

I remember as a boy when dad used to take me by his home and shop at 30 Blake St. The inside of where he worked was dark, with only the light of the hot fire giving pretense as to what he was creating, and the anvil, one of which now resides in the Avery Institute at the College of Charleston, where he used to take the hot iron, pounding and pounding on it with his hammer until he got it right. Little did I realize the genius he was creating with his work. We are lucky to have the genius of what he created in my parents home (see pics). But Philip Simmons was more than that, he brought people of different races, creeds and faiths together making us realize that we do share common hopes, dreams and desires. A man with no more than a sixth grade education who never let the lack thereof defeat his dream and purpose in life.

What else is there to be said about Michael Jackson, I'd just be repeating the obvious. The triumphs, tragedies and missteps, pale in comparison to the man himself. Always trying to get us to look within ourselves, accepting our shortcomings and overcoming them. An American Dream who was as simple as apple pie, but also a complex equation. Michael never was happy with himself or where he was in life. For him the four-letter word, life, was an open book for all to see even during the times he didn't want them to. For me, the Michael Jackson I take to me to my grave was the person Joan and I saw at the old Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, GA in 1988 during the Bad Tour. That night I saw an man in his realm , telling all who would listen that he was the greatest, bar none.

We also lost Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett and it would be a disservice to them if I leave them out, but it is Philip Simmons and Michael Jackson that will forever haunt my memory.

Photo

Open Gate created by Philip Simmons separating the living and dining room of my parents home in Mt. Pleasant SC (creation: late 1960s)

http://www.philipsimmons.us

It's A Gen Y Thing

Below is a very interesting article on where the future of our nation is heading in these uncertain times. This listing pertains to the twenty-five top cities that attract the "creative class", specifically those between the ages of 20-29. What is reveling are the cities listed. Out of the top twenty-five, only two those are from the South, Austin, Texas and Raleigh, NC.

No where on the list do you see Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC or Miami, FL. What is also very interesting is the number of "cold weather" cities listed. The South always tout it's temperate climate as one factor is attracting companies and people, but that doesn't seem to be a factor for Gen Y's. What seems to be a big factor is quality of live and the "coolness index".

Several weeks ago, Georgia welcomed a new corporate entity to it's state. NCR decided to pull up stakes and move it's world HQ and other facilities from Dayton, OH to Duluth, GA. While this is welcome news for a state nearing double digit unemployment, it is also a reminder that we have a long way to go in trying to attract the best and brightest to come here.

NCR is a company founded in 1884, more than 120 years ago. In it's heyday it employed more than 60,000 people, now it has about a third of that number. The question is this: Where will this company be twenty-five years from now? How many people will it employ and what will be the make up of it's work force.

Several years ago, Georgia was able to persuade Newell-Rubbermaid to move it's headquarters here. The fanfare was grand, touting this move as a new beginning for the state to grow economically. The results have been mixed at best. What has to be understood is that companies such as the one mentioned are mature ones that have seen the bulk of their growth take place. What this state needs are new start ups with a platform for future growth. If you can't get the creative class to live and grow in your state the final result is stagnation.

For all the talk of a fading "rust belt", that hasn't deterred the creative class from taking chances and setting up shop at least in some of these areas. As always, the youth of our nation overflow with boundless energy and spirit.

A new generation for changing times, it's so cool being young!

Photo

Kids at play

Fountains @ Centennial Olympic Park

2009

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/best-cities-for-gen-ys.html;_ylc=X3oDMTFwMnZhNjkwBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDOTc2MjA0NjUEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNjaXRpZXMtZm9yLWdlbi15cw--

Hate 88

The subject resides in my memory like old road kill. What could have been a slam dunk turned to ignoble failure. I am getting near the end of the diving board

- James von Brunn

In what should have been a history lesson on the past turned into reality yesterday for visitors at the Holocaust museum in Washington, DC. White supremacist, James von Brunn opened fire inside this solemn, hallowed place, killing a security guard, with himself being severely wounded.

This is one of a series on incidents that have occurred over the past several weeks. From a Muslim convert killing an army private in Arkansas, to the murder of abortion doctor, George Tiller, in a house of worship, the most chilling aspects of our darker side have risen to the surface.

People, on society's fringes are making their voices known loud and clear that they are here and here to stay. The election of President Obama was the spark that lit a fuse that will only burn brighter with time. Even more so in this new century people who are being left behind or feeling slighted are letting us know that they will be heard, no matter how violent the act.

There are also those out there, full of rage and hate who will never pull a trigger, but are just as bent on killing with the veracity of their words. Charles Manson never lifted a finger on his murderous spree, but his words and manipulation was the catalyst for others of his brood to.

Sadly, there is no amount of pressure and persuasion that will change these people's minds, they cast their lot with Satan long ago. The rage and hate that consumed James von Brunn has only intensified in others of his DNA. In his failure they see hope and another chance that someone else will carry his mantle and succeed, no mater how sick the mission.

Why?

Photo

Fountain Jet at Night

Centennial Park

Atlanta, GA

2009

Things Ain't What They Used To Be

The link is an interesting article to recent changes in the law profession occurring in NYC. Seems like the profession isn't the lucrative business it used to be and the effects of the recession are giving law firms a chance to do an introspective criticism of themselves and the true value they bring.

People, when you make your money billing clients and potential clients as much as $900 USD/hr then you know that better ways will be found to solve ones problems. The go-go days of the 1990s and our young century have hit the pin-stripped crowd with a thud, with paralegals, lawyers and yes, even partners taking it on the chin.

Was there any realisation that this madness go only go on for so long, with kids fresh out of law school starting at $160K USD/yr? Were we that gullible that these times would forever last??

The one thing about this current recession is that no one is immune from it. In the past people would explain away why lower rungs of society would be caught in the recession vice. I used to hear what was said, about people not working hard enough or Unions being unrealistic about their wages. Well, what about these people!? The outrageous charges and fees law firms were offering usurped what any stiff on the production line was making.

Now, the chickens have come home to roost and Wall Street is all of a sudden beginning to look more like Main Street USA. People at the top see that they're no more special or different than no one else and they to are vulnerable to change.

Today, I had to take care of some legal business. I faxed my papers off to a lawyer representing me at pre-paid legal. I pay them $26USD/mo. for basic legal service and have been more than satisfied with their service. Take heed Wall Street law firms because your painful change has just begun!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/nyregion/07law.html?pagewanted=1&em

Slide Photo

Me

Hampton Park

Charleston SC

1964

A New Century Awakens

President Obama today opened a new chapter of American "can do" spirit and opportunity in Cairo, Egypt. He laid down the gauntlet to the Muslim, Christian and Jewish world that while we have differences, our ties that bind are stronger. The tone and content of his speech was less strident and bellicose than those who preceded him and that is the biggest concern to those who foster war, chaos and mayhem.

Osama bin Laden and his so called surrogate, Ayman al-Zawahiri, sent out interesting messages before President Obama's visit. For two people living in a cave (Bush's line) they sure are keen on current events. They knew down to the very second when this visit was going to occur which leads me to believe that they have a well organized and funded operation with no concerns about be caught or destroyed. Naturally, the message from these two are the same, tired worn out shouting and mantras we've heard before. They and others, even others in this country on the right, have failed to realize or grasp that the 20th century has faded into history and people are looking at other avenues and ideas for peace and prosperity.

The world is rapidly changing and President Obama is effecting that change. The last known Titanic survivor died several days ago. The last WWI soldier from Australia is gone. WWII vets are leaving us at a rapid pace with Korean and Vietnam vets soon to follow. 

The merchants of death sense this and are determined to keep the fires of war and death stoked because that is how money is made, or so the say. 

But I sense the dawn of a new age, where peace and prosperity abound in an endless energy of confidence and innovation. We are on the threshold of something great if we let go of our past. We must embrace the past and learn from it, but we must not let it consume us. 

Today could mark a turning point for America, our allies and the Muslim world. Heck, we're all living on one planet. That is where we must start. Our destiny lies with a youthful community organizer, not two old, bitter men living in a cave!

Slide Photo:

Dad

Dr. Martin Luther Kings original grave site

South View Cemetery

Atlanta 1969