The Enigma Of Charisma And Greatness

I just recently got a tumblr. Its fun actually. The link is http://charismatickrm.tumblr.com ... and my new branch of expression, which is poetry (just trying something new), the website is http://charismatickrm.blogspot.com ... hope all is well with you all ... feel free to check out the links I just gave U all ...

#PEACE

I know I haven't posted as much as I should, or promised but I will once I'm done with the bulk of my assignments. I have a new blog address now, so plz follow that one ... blogger had messed up my posting, and I lost all of my drafts ... but I'm back in action on my other one and will update as soon as everything is all copacetic. The new blog address is http://charismatickrm.blogspot.com/ ... if U all would follow that one, I would be truly grateful ... and look out for my new method of posting ... instead of thoughts in complete sentences, its going to look something like free-verse/incomplete thoughts/rambling-that-makes-sense type of posting so be on the look out ... I'll holla at ya'll #PEACE .... once again the address is http://charismatickrm.blogspot.com/

Hey, hope everyone is well. I'm doing pretty good. I'm sitting here watching the 'Nova vs. G'Town game on ESPN, listening to Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, and writing this. I've realized that applying yourself is very hard, especially when your trying to reach a certain academic goal. I never knew that getting a 4.0 GPA was this hard, but I should have seen this coming. I've been reading so much that History is getting mixed in with Law and Literature. Law and Lit is getting mixed in with Biology. Bio with Health, and Health with the Miko Kings novel for English. *shakes head* Intro to Computers is killing me with all of these assignments. And I call myself trying to get ahead, but all the assignments that I do aren't even the ones that need to be turned in ... It's hard trying to be a great student, on top of all of the stuff I want to do. I wanted to start a new blog with my guys, read my newly-purchased Michael Eric Dyson book, "Can You Hear Me Now?," and draft this contract so I can help distribute my guy's BlakRoses mixtape. It's also a host of other things that I'm trying to do to, but I have to keep my priorities in check.

But that's just a few things I'm doing, I'll get at ya'll in a minute, this CSC homework is calling my name ... UGH!!! A couple of though-provoking blog post will be coming so stay tuned ... PEACE

Hey everyone. Hope all is well. This blog post was originally SUPPOSED to be completed during Winter Break but I needed some insight on this topic. I was going to ask a few of my friends, but I'll add/edit this post at a later date. The basis of this blog post is motivation. What motivates me? What motivates other people? What motivates you? I was listening to T.I.'s Motivation on his 3rd CD, Urban Legend thinking to myself what drives me.

Q: What is motivation?
A: Merriam-Webster says motivate is "to provide with a motive." A motive is "something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act." Motivation to me is giving a person some type of action or maybe just words to do something POSITIVE in their life as well as other's lives. Motivation is pertinent to society, be it positive or negative. Hopefully it's more positive, but sometimes things do happen. People who motivate me: *thinks* Parents, family, friends, peers, teachers, haters, outside influences (i.e. the world). Proving people wrong also motivates me. I love it when someone tells me that I can't do something because I don't have the "right set of tools" (i.e. brain power or tactical skills). It's very satisfying when people get the "sucking-teeth face" and then they say "Man, whatever." *waves* Hi Hater!!


Q: What motivates me to rise and grind?
A: My parents instilled a couple of virtues in me. Hard work and dedication. Watching my father doing what he does has inspired me to do better that he has done. He has worked 3 jobs and sacrificed a lot, just so he can support me, my older brother, and my younger sister as well as himself. But he always puts himself as the LAST person, so that's what I call dedication. My mother has done the same thing, just in a different way. She's made enough money where she struggled to put me in private school for four years and then after graduation, put me through my 1st year @ HU ($30,000 a year). My parents do a lot for me, and even though they never married, they still maintain a GREAT relationship. I am very, very happy for that.

Q: How do I motivate others and am I successful?
A: I try to motivate others by giving advice and my personal experiences. Me and my best friends mentor each other ... in a way. We talk about different situations, and we work things out. Our problems are like algebraic equations. There are different ways to solve many situations, and you can solve different situations with the same method. I try to motivate my little sisters from school to do some of the things I did wrong. So not only can they do better, but so they can be successful in what they did. I motivate my peers to do positive things, through my blog, my actions, and my words. Hopefully, I've struck one of their nerves. If I passed away today, I want to look down at the people I've helped in someway, shape, or form, and find out if I inspired them to do something positive. I have no clue if I've been successful so far. I hope I have, but we'll see.

We'll that's it for today, gotta get to this homework. I hope my book from Amazon.com comes on time for my class, because I'll be quite pissed. But I'll holla at ya'll a little later. I've had another suggestion that wasn't really suggested. It was brought on by a little dialogue by my friend Ryan. You all will see in a few days. But meanwhile, I'll get at ya'll ... PEACE

Hey, hope everyone is well ... Hope everybody had a prosperous 2009 and hope you all have a blessed year in 2010. 2009 was a great year for me. Ups and downs plagued the year 2009, but I'm blessed to be here telling you all about it. Right now, I'm done adding/dropping classes, so now I have my final schedule for my 2nd semester. Its been a stressful week especially coming back from break, but hopefully it won't be a stressful semester.

The year 2009, like I said, was GREAT! I went to my high school prom with my homegurl Jazmyne. I graduated Seton Academy with the people I had shared a bond with for four years. Even though it was a tumultuous four years, we made it through in ONE PIECE. Also, I went on two Kairos retreats. Those were some of the best moments in my life. The first one was with the men of Marian Catholic High School. Me and a group of my friends were getting trained to lead Seton Academy's 1st men's Kairos, which was also a success. Bringing a group of men together in the graces of God was a task in itself, but being able to connect with people on a personal and spiritual level is something that will not go unnoticed. It was truly a great experience.

Spring Break 2009 was terrible. Not only was I bombarded with homework, Kairos stuff, and a host of other things, but I found out my paternal grandmother passed away on Easter. Even though we didn't really see each other as much as we could have, it still left a void in my life, as well as, my father's life. For people that know me, know that I hate going to funerals and the like. 1) It's too sad and 2) In times like that, I like to keep myself isolated because I can't take people being sad around me. The reason why is because I like to keep people happy and smiling. That's one of the reasons God put me here. To keep everyone's lives balanced and stress-free.

On a happier note, I started off going to Florida A&M University and ended up going to Hampton University with a $10,000 University Grant based on academics. I wasn't too fond on the idea, but because I was awarded money, I was somewhat forced to go. I tried to find another school at the last minute, but I finally picked up all of the pieces and came to HU. I was very apprehensive to come to HU, but it's worked out well so far. I've met some great people. I've been exposed to a lot of positive things, and just a few negative ones. But that makes you a better person. I was just to eager to come home for Thanksgiving break. Being away from home strengthens your bond between your parents and others that you left behind and keep a relationship with. I'll tell you first hand, that people I clashed with on a daily basis, I didn't expect them to miss me as much as I did.

Thankgiving break, I visited those who I hadn't seen in a while. Visited my old school and rekindled a relationship with someone who I've known for a few years. (More on that in a minute) I was very appreciative of the great food I had, because cafeteria food does a body bad. LOL Then, it was time to go back to HU and finish out the semester. Eager to come back to Chicago for Xmas break as well.

Finished out the semester okay ... Didn't get the grades I had hoped for, but its an okay start. I had a 3.0 GPA for the semester. But I need a 4.0 this semester, so I can maintain this scholarship I'm on. I know what to expect for this semester, so I will be GHOST, and will be keeping my head in these BOOKS for the rest of the school year.

Ended 2009 off right. Spent New Years Eve and Day with someone special. Actually most of Xmas break. Me and TCT started talking Thanksgiving break. We eventually started talking and dating. We've had different pasts when it comes to relationships and things like that. Hopefully I can bring a change in her life. In 2010, hopefully we can become more than friends .... if we allow it.

But I'm done with this post. I'm really behind in terms of posting on my blog. It will probably be like that since I have a lot of reading and writing classes ... Law and Literature, Written Com II, and A-A History ... I'm really going to enjoy those classes ... But until next time ... I'll holla @ ya'll PEACE

Hey everyone, hope everything is all good. My break has been going well, and I'm not missing HU at all because I've been missing home for a minute. And to be honest, unlike others, I actually have more freedom here at home, than my other peers @ HU have. That's why I'm not ready to go back yet. LOL Back to the task at hand: I've been having random thoughts in the past week. Since I've turned 19, I feel somewhat older. But I can tell that I've become wiser and a lot smarter, especially being away from home and on my own.

Before I start though ... I received my grades from HU ... Decent at best. Momz doesn't think so. Popz can tolerate it, but I know that there's more room for improvement. Even though my GPA is an even 3.0, I know that it's not my best product. I haven't really explained the transcript to my mother yet, but my actions speak louder than words. Yeah, it was a transitional and acclimation-al period in my life, IT still is NO EXCUSE. Momz, if you're reading, I know what you're going to say. I've already talked to Popz about it. But you're probably going through it in your head now. I'll say it for you: "You're paying too damn much for me, to be getting a C on a semester grade. All of those B-'s need to come up to A-'s. All of those B's need to be A's, and the lone A is good. I've sacrificed a lot for you to go to Hampton U, and I don't need you to mess up a great opportunity. Especially when you have a scholarship riding on it." So, what I will do is focus more, use study groups to my advantage, and spend my free time wisely. TRUST: you will see better from your only son, Kyr R. Mack.

Now back to the real RANDOM MOMENTS ... Just had on Will Smith - Just The Two Of Us from his album Big Willie Style. Right now, I have Keepin' Yo Head Up by the one and only Tupac Shakur playing in the background. Tupac in many ways was a misunderstood individual. But his words were very inspirational. Hopefully mine can be as well.

I was on the phone with my best friend Ryan the other day, and we were just talking about the world in our prospective. The world and the people in it have changed so much over the years. Some of it good and some of it bad. I was thinking to myself, how I could change the world. How could I inspire others to do well and not go through some of the negative aspects of life. So, I said to myself that I would love to start a mentoring program for African-American youth, boys and girls. A mentoring program for children between the ages of 8-16. I picked the 8-16 demographic because I believe its a critical age where young men and women are influenced by what they see and what their peers do. But, a few roadblocks appeared within my mind. The roadblocks that came to mind was money and volunteers. How would I get the money to sponsor the program and who would volunteer for such a task? I have great ideas in my mind, its just the course of action that needs to take place for the fantasy to become a reality.

I guess its a curse I have. I want to help others so bad that sometimes my compassion imprisons me. I use the words "curse" and "imprison" because I'm not really a risk-taker. The words "curse" and "imprison" are words that are derived from the characteristics of fear. Fear that things won't go my way or that I will FAIL. But I know deep down that I cannot fail because people are watching. People like my peers, my family, my friends, neighbors and so forth.

But that's just a few thoughts I had. Some of the thoughts were triggered by my friends and their situations, observations of the world around me as I know it. And just plain old experiences. I'm about to go clear my head and do what I do best. And that is chill, watch ESPN, and text. I'll catch ya'll on the flipside. Remember: You Can Do ALL Things In CHRIST Who Strengthens YOU!! ... PEACE!!!

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but here it is .... I'M BACK!!!!! And I'm feeling too good right now. I'm home for winter break and I have more time to chill with people I didn't during Thanksgiving Break. As you all know, I do my blog posts to music. So I'm listening to Lupe Fiasco's Enemy of the State: A Love Story mixtape. He went in on this one, for real.

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 19 years old, and I thank GOD for allowing me to be on this Earth for 19 years and hopefully more if he allows. I'm glad for everything he has done for me and continues to do for me. Even though, I didn't do anything yesterday. I'm glad I'm home. Thanks for everyone showing me love for the phone calls, FB messages and wall posts, text messages and everything. I appreciate it truly.

First semester @ HU was ... an ADJUSTMENT! But I believe I had a solid 1st Semester. But I know what I need to do to get at least a  3.7-3.8 GPA. Focus more, more effort, and concentration. Loved English, hated Math. Humanities was okay, Oral Communications was overall, decent. Loved the speeches though. Bowling was just what is was, bowling. I refuse to talk about University class, just like all the other freshmen don't. LOL .... But 2nd Semester will be better, because not only will I know what to expect. I've become a lot more wiser and smarter. And I know how to spend my free time.

Winter break will be spent with family and friends. Christmas will be enjoyable, because it will be my first one as a VISITOR (who lives out of a suitcase now, lol). Being away @ school has made me a better person and I'm glad I chose to be more than 3 or 4 hours away. Also, being 19 years old, I've realized that I've be come a wiser, and more knowledgeable person. I've seen the world in a larger perspective and have interacted with people from different regions of the world. So I've learned from them, just as they have learned from me.

UPDATE: In one of my earlier posts, I alluded to the fact that I wanted to start a blog with one of my friends. Well, one of the friends ended up being two friends. So, we as in three people, are starting a blog next semester, where we will chop it up on any and everything. Sports, relationships, college life, family, being a young African-American male in college with high expectations, politics and other things. The title of the blog will be called "The Triumvirate of Realism." The Triumvirate includes myself, my friend Jeremiah Carter, and my other friend, QT8 President Isaiah Stewart. Hopefully, it will go live at the start of second semester. More details on that on another post.

But, I'm getting out of her. Momz wants me to go to the grocery store because its starting to snow. You know us. Bernie Mac (RIP) put it best when he was talking about Y2K in The Original Kings of Comedy, "White man told you it was the end of the world, ya'll went out and bought bottled water, potted meat, sammiches." LOL .... But I'll holla at ya'll lata....... PEACE!!!

I was thinking to myself instead of voicing my opinion on socially-immersed topics, why don't I just talk about what I want to do with myself, and how I want to help others. So thats what I'm going to do.


As you all know when I write blog posts, I need a theme song. So, I have on Jay-Z's Blueprint 2: The Gift and The Curse Disc 1, A Dream. Jay speaks to me in a way that some emcees do not. He uses his life experiences, dumbs it down somewhat, and then delivers it with a beat and rhymes. His flow goes with the melody of his songs and it's as if he's talking to you face to face. In the song, Hov talks about how in his dream he talked to the Notorious B.I.G., and Biggie inspired him to keep on pushing himself to become the greatest rapper he can become. In a way, Jay-Z, along with my English professor, Ran Walker, inspired me to create this post. I'm not going to put my blog post in words that rhyme, I'm just going to say what's on my mind about what I want to do and how I can try an become it. Hopefully, through this post I can inspire others to write about their dreams. 

I haven't posted in a long time. I've been bombarded with homework, so I haven't really had much time. I'm TOOOOOOO ready for Thanksgiving. But today's topic is about sore losers and why they do not show their opponents any respect after a well deserved win.

So, I was watching the Patriots-Colts game earlier. And when you're an avid sports watcher like I am, you notice little details that you may not see on highlights of the game. After Peyton Manning threw the game winning touchdown pass with :13 seconds left on the clock, Tom "the Great White Hope" Brady had one chance at glory; which resulted in a completed pass and failed lateral attempt and tackle. The final score was 35-34 Colts, but that is not the focus. The focus is Bill Belichick and the half-a** handshake he gave the Black head coach, Jim Caldwell congratulating him on the win.

Belichick called a questionable play on their own 28 yard line, going for it on 4th and 2. The Patriots did not convert, and the Colts took over on downs and Manning threw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne. Belichick gave his headset to one of his assistants and threw his hands on his face. As soon as the game ended, he ran to the 50 yard line, met Jim Caldwell, shook.... excuse me, "low-fived" his hand with NO EYE CONTACT, and trotted off the field. This isn't the first time either. He's done that to other head coaches he's lost to. Norv Turner, Rex Ryan, Mike Tomlin. He's also done that to all of his assistants-turned-head coaches that have defeated him. Eric Mangini and Romeo Crennel have been subjected to that. It will only be a matter of time before the Broncos head coach, Josh McDaniels, will get this kind of treatment. I guess winning makes a person arrogant beyond belief. That's crazy to me.

Belichick isn't the only one though. Lebron James can be convicted of this too. As a matter of fact, he didn't even shake his opponents hand, he sat on the floor and then walked off the court in disgust after he lost. I'm talking about the Cavs-Magic game, where Dwight Howard, his Olympic teammate, beat the "Cleveland Lebrons," en route to the NBA Finals. James also refused a press conference from the media after the game. Why wouldn't he show his friend and Olympic gold medal teammate love for defeating him and wishing him luck against the now-champions Los Angeles Lakers?

Not shaking a person's hand to acknowlege defeat is not only disrespectful, but its inconsiderate, rude, and it shows a lack of character. At least have the decency to say "great game" or "job well done." When winning goes to a person's head, it clouds their mind and blinds the virtues of kindness and respect. But that still is NEVER an excuse.

Well, that's all I have to say about this. I've decided to post weekly on this blog. I've also reached out to my Freshman class president, Isaiah Stewart, about blogging. We're thinking about starting a blog together. More details on that at a later date. I'm about to watch the inside of my eyelids, seeing as Mondays are always the longest for me (UGH, UNIVERSITY 101!!!) But, hey we'll see how that goes. Feel free to comment. Remember "You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!" (Phil 4:13) Shout out to my family and friends. (WE GOT 1 WEEK!!) I'll Holla @ Ya'll ... PEACE

Hey all, its been a long day. But here's a new entry about the State of BET.

Well, here I am World! ... I'm back for the first time (shout out to Ludacris). Let's see where this blogging takes me. Hmmmmm *thinks*, where do I start? Well, I'm in my room right now, listening to Weezy's "No Ceilings" Mixtape (Swag Surfin' on repeat). I'm supposed to be thinking about the topic for my new English paper, but I'm not.

Why Did I Choose To Blog Now?!

I was inspired by my professor's love of words and his writing style. The way he conveys information and analyzes a certain topic is amazing. So, I decided to start thinking about things on a intellectual level. PLUS: Everyone has an opinion, right?

What Am I Going To Use This Blog For?!