Posts filed under: ‘William sister’s facts‘
Venus & Serena US Open…and women’s health and heart attack issues
Busy in New York City, Venus and Serena Williams are at it again. ![williams_sisters_1474882c[1]](http://bsmith101.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/williams_sisters_1474882c1.jpg?w=305 "williams_sisters_1474882c[1]")
Busily working their way through the Women’s Single and Doubles tennis matches…truly they are a force to be reckoned with.
Though injured…Venus limping and with a heavily bandaged 
knee…yet a true fighter all the way, she is refusing to give up…or in. Determined to not let a little thing like severe pain or a weak knee stop her from attempting to take yet another grand slam tournament title. While all the while…her little sister is hoping for the exact same thing.
Currently ranked Number 2 & 3 in the World of Female Tennis players…clearly Venus and Serena can be ranked right up there with all of the top all time tennis greats such as…Althea…Martina and Christie…and Billie…as being not only 
highly talented athletes…but gifted as well.
They really should be making lots more money for what they have managed to accomplished… not to mention for the beauty and excellence that they both have brought to the game of women’s 
tennis. Venus and Serena are truly endowed with that something. And I think that Billie Jean Kings says it best in the article linked below…if you care to read it.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/08/29/2009-08-29_10_years_after_us_open.html
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-us-open3-2009sep03,0,2200533.story
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32658936/ns/sports-tennis/
UPDATE (September 7, 2009): Venus is out in the 4th rounds of the ![couch-venus[1]](http://bsmith101.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/couch-venus1.jpg?w=305 "couch-venus[1]")
US Open…and Serena is still in after having won her match.
There is no doubt that going in…Venus knew that her shot at another championship was going to be an up-hill battle…due to the problem with her knee. But she didn’t let it deter her.
She went for it…and took the pain fighting her way through every round…every point…and every game. She didn’t cry about it. She went out there on the court knowing what it was that she had to if she wanted to make it into the finals…and she almost made it.
http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/06/aged-venus-williams-will-compete-again/
http://tennis.fanhouse.com/players/wta/serena-williams/168339
Packaged as the ‘all American girl’, Melanie Oudin an attractive 
young blonde from the deep south…is being touted at as ‘the Great White 
Hope.’ A tennis power house who may be able to do for those too shallow to feel that they can cheer whole heartedly for 2 young sisters born and raised in a ghetto in the worst side of Los Angeles, CA…known as Compton.
Yeah, they come from Compton…though they 
currently live in Florida. Compton with police helicopters patrolling the neighbors night and day…one of the toughest and most dangerous areas in L.A. The home of hard core rappers like Snoop Doggy Dog, Ice Cube, NWA…etc…etc. But yeah…it was the place of their humble tennis beginnings. And some how they beat those mean streets of southern California.
It is sad that since the days of Jack Johnson the heavy weight boxer of the 1930′s. ..many white people in this country still feel that it goes against 
their grain to totally except and celebrate anything or anyone but someone who looks like them. The same is even quite evident in how many in this country feel about Barack Obama. Many have yet to truly embrace him as President of this country. And are strongly oposed to him…and intended to do everything they can to make it as hard on him and his administration as possible…with a sincere desire to undermind his ever move and effort. This kind of thinking is truly sad…and quite sick.
Oh, sure they love to win the games and do take to the athletes who possess the skills to make it happen for their favorite teams. But it is the white players on the team that they make the coaches…move to the front of the team…and put in front of the TV and newspaper cameras…etc.
It is sad that as much as Venus and Serena Williams have managed to do…and from very humble beginnings…without the benefit of 
suburan country clubs and well kept tennis courts. They are a true American success story…and well worth celebrating and holding up before the world as the stars and champions that they truly and really are…and gracious and humble young women regardless of their vast success both on and off the tennis courts.
You can read the below story on Oudin by CLICKING the LINK below…to clearly understand my statements regarding this issue of ‘the Great White Tennis Hope.’
UPDATE: (September 8, 2009) Serena is on to the Semi-Finals…and the predictors are saying that she is on her way to taking her 3rd Grand Slam win this year…having take both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Turning 28 on the 28th of this month, Serena has won 11 Tennis Grand Slams, 2 Olympic gold medals and over $25 million…having become the first woman athlete to win over $22 million a few months ago. To date 
Serena has won the US Open in 1999, 2002 and 2008.
She and Venus are on their way to taking the Women’s Doubles at US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open…etc…etc… Venus who is 29 years old…and yet they continue to keep reeling in the wins. And as a team they are unbeatable. CLICK the LINK BELOW to the full stop and to see video footage of the Open.
Didn’t know though that Venus and Serena are part owners of the Miami 
Dolphins. Wow…they are really smart. Not to mention being authors having written some books…Serena working on a screenplay…and Venus working doing interior designing and fashion. And I almost forget…Serena designing and selling jewelry (as you caught in the video above). But check out their videos below and Serena will tell you all about it herself.
I am really happy for them. I like to see successful people…and they also give back to their community via their tennis camp for inter-city youth. Bravo!
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=4458868
UPDATE: (Women’s Semi-Finals…September 13, 2009) Evidently Serena had some type of melt down today during her semi-final match against Kim Clijsters. Maybe it was bound to happen at some point or other. I mean how long can you just sit around…or go out one game after another…come out the winner and never get the claim or fame …or the real big bucks for having done so?
How many times can you get called the “N word” during a tournament…heckled…boo-ed…or look into the eyes of your opponents knowing what and how they really feel about you. On top of that…to be ignored by the tennis world in general…who run after the young blond haired girls with their batting blue eyes…with their microphones and cameras…and can’t seem to get enough of them. And they didn’t have to do half the work or win a game…but reap all the fame.
How long can you tolerate that…and not experience some type of emotional melt down?
http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/serena-knocked-out-in-bizarre-finish/
http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/serena-williams-fined-10-500-for-tirade/
http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2009/09/serena_williams_outburst_will.html
It is unfortunate, because it is what they had been waiting. Something to tarnish your squeaky clean image…taint your name…some character fawl to ![90644421[1]](http://bsmith101.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/906444211.jpg?w=305 "90644421[1]")
justify why they haven’t cover you the way they cover your white opponents…plastered your face over all the popular magazines…or offered you some of those major big dollars advertising contracts.
Oh, they were waiting alright. And finally the right button was pushed…the straw that broke the camel’s back…and the flood gates burst open. And all those nasty little words started flowing out…and when the flood gates opened up…all you had been trying to hide and hold back for months just came rushing out.
It is not like melt downs haven’t happened during tennis tournaments before.
Who could tell you more about that than John McEnroe?
Who by the way said what amounted to that Serena’s behavior was shameful. This from a man who never walked out on the court without wild outbursts and one swear after another.
I am certainly not condoning Serena’s behavior…but I have seen a lot of black folk who after awhile just got plain fed up. And once they did… Well…you can figure out the rest.
Baby, it is just hard to contain them…until they get it all…and I do mean all…off their chest.
Serena’s apology…
I don’t know…I guess as we all get older we start to think more and more about our health. Maybe it has something to do with seeing others go 
through some many different kind of health issues…that we suddenly begin to think about our own mortality more and more.
Whatever the cause that brings us into a mind that we need to start taking better care of ourselves…it is all for our good. And hopefully for a better and healthier future…or for our continued good health.
As women our schedules, families, jobs…and various other choices all sometime supercede us taking care of us. But the truth of the matter is this…if we’re not in good health…nothing else can operate well either. And everything comes to a halt.
So, before that happens…now is a good time to start caring for you. 
I now find myself listening to my body. Mostly, because my body now has began to make me listen to it. Whereas I used did not…I now have to. Otherwise, my body will put me out of commission for days…and I do mean days. And in a way it is like listening to your 
car.
Who doesn’t listen to their car?
Only a fool wouldn’t.
And that is how we should fell about listening to our bodies 
when it starts sending warning signals out to us.
In the link below…listed are some warning signs that women should pay close attention to in regards to on-coming heart attacks. One of the first keys to prevention is being informed. Information is important…then paying heed to it can be essential.
I set my glasses down the other day…then carelessly knocked them 
over onto the ground. While searching for them…I stepped on them. Now, I am working with a pair of broken eye-glasses. What a cross to bare…when I have so much work to do. And can barely read a thing with these lopesided glasses.
Spent my whole day…well, most of it outside today on my parent’s 
front porch reading. Well, as best I could…considering my delemma with my glasses.
But the weather was great…and I am trying to soak up as much of it as I can…as I believe that we will be in for a very cold winter this year. Sorry, I know your probably did not want to hear that.
So, I am already laying my plans for it. I only wished the fireplace worked. And it does…but I am afraid to lite a fire in it because I don’t want to burn down my parent’s house.
I have read and heard too many stories about faulty fireplaces to want to risk it.
Still looking very much forward to the day that my
book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, rolls off the press.
So, I am going to go back to working on my website now that I have completed my book trailer for youtube. And I will also finish the radio commercial that I intend to air in various markets to promote my book. 
Since I have to wait…I might as well use this time well. Because when my book is finally pubished…I will have to hit the ground running. And I won’t have a moment to spare.
Well, God bless… and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass 
it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK this LINK to purchase my book. You do not need a paypal account to purchase, and you can purchase using a debit card. Thank you. 
Add a comment September 6, 2009
Serena and Venus $50 mil…but not half of what they should… O’mama… Michelle…war…
While the Obamas have been taking Europe by storm 
the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena have been hard at it on the courts.
Just finished reading that between them Venus and Sererna have amassed 
over $50 million in tournament earnings. Wow…that really should 
motivate some people to get up and go out and learn how to play tennis…big time. However, as strong as they may be on the court the endorsement dollars still have not totally represented who they are and their standing in the tennis world.
Considering the fact that there are other players who have yet to see the 
type of wins and tournament money that Venus or Serena have managed to win…yet they have not been able to match their court success with bigger endorsement dollars…unlike some of their white counterparts.
For 
example Maria Sharapova reportedly has earned about $30 million in endorsements while having won only a mere $10+ million in tennis tournament money.
It seems to me that something is terribly wrong with that picture. Considering the fact that Serena Williams most recently became the highest grossing female athlete of all times. Based upon this fact alone the ad agencies and major companies should be running to her to sell or aid in branding their companies and/or products. But this is far from the case.
Perhaps, Venus and Serena aren’t complaining about it. Maybe through the years they have come to grips with the way the world is…and how it operates. But it is a shame that with all their skills and finesse upon the tennis courts…the mega ad deals and corporate sponsorships have not come their way. Clearly they have earned the right to reap the full benefits of their labor…not just the tournament wins…but lots more 
of that other money too.
In her joyous victory over Serena in the Women’s Final, Saturday, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus jumped for joy…she managed to do what many wish to do. She beat Serena. 6-1, 6-1.
Wow…what a lost.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_360463.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008976683_digs03.html
This past weekend Serena and Venus had another finals show-down. Playing 
down in Florida in the Sony Erricsson tournament, They played hard…and in the end Serena won over Venus, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3…in the Women’s Semi-Finals.
It is amazing how they can compete against one another and not let it interfere with their love, appreciation and respect for 
one another. It is just amazing…truly in their own rights they are not only great sports women but also fantastic role models for how siblings should feel about and treat one another.
Oftentimes, when one isn’t playing…the other is up in the 
stands cheering on and rallying support for her sister…which ever one it may be whether she is awaiting her turn to play…or out of the tournament because she lost. As well as, their mother, Oracene, and other family members…including 
their father…who by this time has probably married his young girlfriend (that is in another blog along with a picture or 2). As he had planned their wedding for the end of March or sometime during the first of April.
Of which…being that the young woman isn’t much older than them…or somewhere near Venus’ age…and for other obvious reasons the girls…Venus and Serena were not quite tickled pink at the announcement that their father was heading to the altar with the young woman whom he has been seeing for some time now. And it seems that she loves to shop…which means…spending their money.
Mighty Michelle…that is the name that the folks abroad have dubbed
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her. She was indeed stunning…with beauty and brains to match it is hard to 
beat First Lady Michelle Obama. And with his hand in hers…and hers in his they looked liked 2 teenagers in love over in Europe.
It is marvelous to see a man and woman who obviously love each very much that every chance they get they find a way to 
connect themselves with one another.
The Queen too was smitten by the Obama aura…something which seems to have swept the world. France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy loves him…and calls Obama friend.
Who would have thought that a man who many had debated whether he would 
be able to answer the call if a call came in the wee hours in 
morn concerning some type of U.S. calamity. They questioned his…what they called ‘his lack of experience.’ They questioned his ability to be able to handle foreign affairs…and how he would be able to handle himself around other world leaders.
Well, Obama put all those fears to rest this past week during 
his first visit to Europe for the G-20 Summit. For a guy who many scoffed at…and grinned over what they called ‘his lack of credentials.’ Told him that ‘he was wet behind the ears.’ I don’t know…but maybe that community organizing stuff that people laughed about paid off this past week…when Obama managed to mediate between a 
riff that developed between France and China during the summit…when both men became angry at one another and were nearly about to fight.
Obama not only managed to calm them both down but also got them talking and they came to some type of an agreement.
You know what?
There are benefits to learning how to work with people in the community 
that can really pay off when you come together with world leaders…and it is
called knowing how to break up a fight…how to negoiate…and things like that. You can’t learn that sitting in some office shoving papers all day and playing like politics is all there is.
Imagine…at his first time on the world stage as 
President of the United States, President Obama brokered a peace agreement between 2 nations…that were well on their way to disrupting the entire G-20 Summit by having a fist fight. That’s pretty good. Better than good…for a man who many questioned whether or not he was qualified.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D97AHEDG1.htm
At the location where I am currently working to launch my website…there is this guy name Josh, who coincidently shares my birth date…he was telling me the most interesting story about his little niece, who happens to be the apple of his eye. He says that every time she sees Obama on the television she begins pointing at the television screen saying gleefully-
“O’mama…O’mama…”
She is only about 2 years old…and can’t pronounce ‘Obama.’
Well, that will clearly change as she grows up. She will learn in history that one of them started the war and that other one put an end to it. As I am sure that the history books will be filled with information on the controversy that the Iraqi War brought not only to this country but around the world.
After 8 days of trying to re-new the spirit and trust of foreign leaders in this country…Obama paid a surprise visit to Iraq. There is something about going somewhere in order to get the full impact of the real situation. I found that out for myself following my mother’s passing.
I had relied upon others…my siblings…as we spoke on the phone or during my weekly visits home…which would always be on one of my days off from my job…but I depended upon others to be my source for what was happening at home…in the house with my father once my mother had passed. I never would have believed that the sources of my information were anything but truthful. It was not until I was forced to go home to stay amid my father being what literally amounted to kidnapped…by another sibling (who was more interested in his money than him)…that I found out the truth…and nothing but the truth…as it started to be revealed to me slowly over time.
Had I never been forced to return home…I would still be living in oblivion and listening to lies about what was really going on at home.
Going and seeing for himself…was something that yes…President Obama had to do. And judging by the pictures…the troops were happy to see him…greet him…and take pictures of him. All of which was something I never saw in any of the media stuff when Bush went to Iraq.
The job that those young people and others have been forced to do was 
huge and the outcome was never one that was going to be good. For one thing though no one says it…it was an act of aggression on the part of the George Bush Administration to initiate a strike against a country that posed no possible immediate threat or otherwise to us. Thus, there was and is no way that what started off as being bad in the first place could possibly be turned around…as nobody who lost their life…or a limb…or mental or physical state of being…or other problems or complications due to that war…there is never any way that they…or their families…or their love ones will ever be the same. Nor this country…but perhaps somebody thought this when we dropped that bomb on Hiroshima …and then on Nagasaki.
When President Harry Truman, in August of 1945, made the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Like Bush…Truman had committed political suicide by believing war and killing people is the real show of power. Truman’s fear of communism…the Red Threat…and whatever else that was running through his head at the time…including like Bush…he too had a plunging voter approval rating.
It is interesting how past Presidents used war like some type of commodity to use at will…as a means of vamping up their voter approval. War to them has long been held as a means of engendering country loyalty and solidarity. And they used war also as a means of creating jobs…and all with little care for the lives these wars would exact in return.
The unleashing of the single most dangerous weapon known to all of mankind…the atomic bomb by Truman was the most atrocious thing that any country could do to any group of people. And from that time to this…this country has sought to wide the memory of it from history.
To view just DOUBLE CLICK the LINK BELOW…ignore the text.
It is my hope that such weapons are totally removed from society…as the technology is entirely too dangerous…to even be used as an energy source. And as it renders those countries which have it trying to monitor and prohibit others from obtaining it…which speaks to the fact that the world would be a far better place without nuclear weapons.
But I applaud President Obama for being strong willed about bringing to an end a war that never should have been started in the first place.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53820
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/story/989579.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-obama-iraq8-2009apr08,0,642881.story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/ap_on_re_af/piracy
I really do not know how long the Somali pirates believe that they can continue to interfere with the waterways by pirating ships?
At some point somebody…some country will not take it. And frankly, I do not believe that Obama is somebody to be played with. I know that there might be those of you who have a different opinion of him…but I can tell that he is nice and easy-going as long as you do not cross him. It was in the way he looked into the camera and kind of smiled one morning…though you knew he really wasn’t smiling…and then he said-
“Leave my wife and my children alone.”
You do remember that…that is when the Republican party during the campaigning period decided to go after Michelle Obama. Once Obama stared into that camera and said what he had to say…that campaign launched against Michelle Obama came to an abrupt halt. An immediate halt. I couldn’t blame them…you could tell that Obama meant business. And that is why I say-
“Obama is not a man to be played with.”
Yes, he can kid and joke with the best of them. But for anybody who believes there is not another side to him…look out. Everybody has another side…even me. And as kind as I am (lol)…I have scared my share of people…and
still do…when I have taken all that I was or am going to take.
It would be very foolish of the people of Somali to believe that the events that happened when that Black Hawk aircraft was shot down in their country years ago under Carter…will ever be allowed to be repeated again…with them dragging the bodies of Americans through their streets.
No…I don’t think so. America is not going to take that twice.
First Lady Obama, Michelle’s mother, Marian Robinson, is gracing the pages of Essence magazine. Didn’t like the make-up job though…or maybe it was the photoshop touch-up…but she is still beautiful. And Michelle 
looks just as beautiful sitting beside her mother.
I have said it before…and I am going to say it again.
“What a family.”
It is great to see the type of black families I have known all my life finally hit mainstream media in a continuous manner.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=12897430&ch=4226714&src=news
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/ap_on_re_us/meltdown_shriners_hospitals
I think that the above story is sad. The Shriners Hospitals are really just too valuable to allow them to close…even one of their facilities much less 5 of 
them. There must be someone who is capable of aiding them. The number of children who need special medical care is growing…and the Shriners Hospitals because they are made to service children their medical facilities are happier and brighter places for children who have to be hospitalized due to a variety illnesses and accidents…burn victims etc… And can provide them with long care treatment right in their hospitals.
I have a younger cousin who fell out of a 3 story window years ago. She had to spend a very long time in the Shriners Hospital here. The injury impacted her growth andshe had other medical problems which were brought about due to that 
fall. It caused her to have to stay there for quite a while. That hospital provided for her a happy atmosphere with a great team of care providers who really know how to deal with every need of children from fear…to tears.
There have often been times when I wished I had money…so I could give it away. This is one of those times. I would give it to them.
I never knew that they offered their services for free. Wow…all the more 
reason to give.
If you would like to make a donation or contribution…you can do so via their website… http://www.shrinershq.org/
Or by contacting: Shriners International Headquarters
2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607
813.281.0300
Well, today is so beautiful…that I shouldn’t even tell you about it. But just keep it to myself…and not share it with anyone…as if I could bottle it up and store it somewhere.
Was in New York yesterday. Bought some things for Easter. I decided that I wanted something new and springy. So, I settled on something yellow and can’t wait to get my hair done and put on my new earrings and new wears.
I am looking forward to Easter…not because I want to show off some new clothes…but because I am just so thankful that God loved us enough to endow us with a special gift…his son. And that his son in turn loved us so much…that he laid down his life that we might live…might walk in liberty and free from the yokes and bondage of all the things we once allowed to hold us hostage. And if you did not understand that…you should get yourself a Bible and begin to search it out for yourself. It is something that I am still doing…and have no doubt that I will be doing for the rest of my life. Continuing to read and search it out for myself.
Well, enjoy your Easter…remember Him and eat an 
Easter egg for me.
And to all of those of you abroad serving this country with pride and dignity…I wish you well. And with God’s speed hopefully you will soon be home.
Well, it is just about Easter…
God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends…
“pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
Add a comment April 10, 2009
Serena Williams…. the top paid female athlete… Cha-Ching!
Serena is on her way…she made it through the women’s semi-finals. If she wins it will Serena Williams 4th win in the land down-under. She won her semi-final match 6-3, 6-4. If she continues to win, Serena stands to become only the 2nd female athlete to have eclipsed over $22 million in prize money earnings.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus09/news/story?id=3870020
Even if Serena were to loose the Australian Open…she has already with her total winnings thus far…including what has won already in Aussie land this past week is $22 million. And to think that in the first tournament she ever played…she received just a mere $250.00. But I guess it was enough to continue to motivate both her and Venus and master their craft…and they did it without the help of any professional coaches…just some little known guy they called ‘daddy.’
Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after winning over Russia’s Elena
Dementieva during their Women’s singles
championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aFSSc3E1T2KU&refer=latin_america
And I am so happy to see that Serena nor Venus take any junk from anyone trying to disrespect them. You have to watch the embedded videos below to understand just what I mean. It is refreshing. And what makes it even more refreshing…is the fact that it was done without cursing and swearing…or getting mad…but showing that a good intellect is worth its weight in gold.
Clearly the parents of Venus and Serena Williams, Richard and Oracene Williams, should be highly applauded. They have taught their daughters well. And through it all they have remained close and protective of each other…though they have had their share of folks who have tried to tear them apart including agents, professional tennis coaches…and rival forces etc. Hooray, for them.
http://www.nndb.com/people/205/000023136/
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus09/news/story?id=3868015
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html
http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2008-01-11/i.php
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1006465.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&refer=home&sid=aQsUC0gi84i4
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jEDQ9pl_KRtKk617Xx2lIJL60Xpg
Well, it snowed again the night before last…then came the sleet and the rain. So, it is pretty slippery. But while shoveling I happened to meet a young man who was out trying to earn money by shoveling people’s sidewalks. Mine was just about done when he came upon me but one of my neighbors…a new family…I had 
noticed that they really didn’t care to shovel. So, I told the young man to try them. And he did…and he got the job.
You would have to have seen the job that he did. It was very well done…and he was quite pleasant as occasionally I would speak to him. When he finally got his money and turned to leave…I called out to him saying-
“I look forward to seeing your face upon the cover of Black Enterprise magazine.”
And to my surprise he was what he said back to me-
“And you will. My name is Mingo Patterson.”
And I said to him-
“Undoubtably you possess the same spirit as Barack Obama.”
He kind of grinned at me…and slowly said-
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
“And that is why he is the success that he is today. And I am sure you will be too,” I said to him as he dashed a way to search out another sidewalk to shovel. And I am sure he will be…because he possessed all the right qualities. Success takes hard work…and people who are willing to get up and go after it. And those people do everything they do…well…and they do it with all diligence without respect of cost or pay.
There is nothing like money earned…and earned well. It turns everyday folks into the future entreprenseurs…millionaires and executives of tomorrow. It cannot be 
beat…nor substituted for…it really can’t.
There have been a lot of great opportunities for young people who wanted to…to get out and make some money this winter. Almost everybody is tired of shoveling except me. I love it. And I just keep thinking…’how I am shoveling my parent’s property.’ That makes me feel real proud…to know that I am doing something for them in their absence.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
2 comments January 29, 2009
Venus out in Melbourne… Non-Believers controversy
Sent packing Thursday following her lost to the number 46th seed woman in the tennis world, Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, Venus Williams, rated number 6 in the world, was thought to be the woman most likely to emerge as winner on the Women’s Singles side in the Australian Open…but following her 2-6, 6-3, 7- 5 whipping at the hands of the Spaniard in the second rounds of the tournament that brought an abrupt end to that hope and casted it totally into the wind…Venus… Well, she took it hard and…
It was all they wrote for Venus who has yet to win a single championship in the great ‘down under.’ But all may not yet be lost…as there is still the Women’s Doubles…where Venus and Serena are a very strong team and are presently doing quite well.
http://www.arcamax.com/sports/s-483219-454868?source=1930
http://www.nndb.com/people/229/000023160/
It is amazing how time truly flies…Venus is now 28 years old. It seems like only yesterday that 2 little black girls stepped out on the world tennis stage leaving tons of bodies in their wake…with white beads all in their hair beating them across their young gleeful faces while they overpowered the field female opponents, both young and old, with phantom speed and might.
Serena on the other hand moved right along until… Well, she wasn’t sent packing…but her pride was a bit… Well, she had to sweat through her second round…6-3, 7-5 victory over Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
One year younger than my son, Serena having been born on the 26th of September 1981…who at the tender age of 14 turned a professional tennis player. My…amazing. And she has already won the Australian Open 3 times…2003, 2005, 2007…seems she likes odd years. She just may pull it off again. Cha-ching!
And along with Venus…she too has her own line of clothes…that story is in one of the LINKS BELOW.
http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/668860.html
http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/nothing-patchy-about-serenas-win-20090120-7led.html
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=57&ContentID=120068
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/cmatch/12wd.html
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gu-A1eCt0kuDKuY_MFbs6A_EhLLA
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24954548-16143,00.html
First it was those black folk who questioned Obama’s blacknesss. Then those
who didn’t want Obama talking on this or that. Then there came the Tavis Smiley Klann who want to hold Obama ‘accountable.‘Accountable to what?
For what?
To who?
And why?We didn’t create him. We didn’t feed him. We didn’t send him to college…didn’t sit with him and tell him-
“Boy, you better study.”
We never told him -
“I’ll be there for you, Barack.”
Now, you want to hold Obama ‘accountable’ to black folks because of 
what?
Because he is black?
I didn’t hear anybody say they wanted to make George Bush accountable for nothing. And if ever there was a person that that should have been done to it was him.
Now, here comethe black brethren of the Cloth…upset because in his first speech to the nation during his inaugural…Obama said these words-
“…Christian, Muslim and non-believers.”
They are upset because ‘non-believers’ was included in that speech. Rather than to have enjoyed one of the highest moments ever in Black History and American History period…they sat around like a bunch of old hens knit picking.
How very sad for them.
That whole very beautiful event that took place this past Tuesday when a black man was sworn in as the 44th President of this country just totally flew over the top of their heads because of ‘non-believers’ being spoken.
When the #1 man in the world became a black man…they sat around poking out their lips and mumbling about 2 words…‘non-believer.’
The #1 man in the free world is a black man…Commander and Chief of our country and armed forces. I am just curious as to what in world part of that they fail to understand?
Perhaps, they are too filled up with their own self-importance…or supposed importance to get to the real significance of this whole thing.
He is the President. Barack Obama…he is the President of the United States of America…he doesn’t take orders or anything else from anyone…and particularly a bunch of dis-satisfied and highly disenchanted old men sitting around looking for things to complain
about…because somebody has reached a higher level than them.
He is the President of the United States. Barack Obama is President of the United States…and in case they don’t know…that is higher than any CEO…any CEEO…any board of Presiding Bishops…higher than anything outside of God. And even God recognized the law of the land…and told us to ‘give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.’ That includes respect.
He is the President. Not chump…whipping boy…or somebody those men should be sitting 
around trying to analyze every word in order to find fault.
I have never been able to understand people who try to bury their heads in the sand and want to pretend like something is not there…or does not exist.
Just who caused prayer to be taken out of our schools?
Who have had the court houses around this country remove from their walls, edifices and corridors the 10 Commandments?
Who has been seeking to have removed from the face of American 
currency “In God we trust?”
Yes, them. Those people…those very people whom Barack Obama dared to make mention of in his inaugural speech. They are real. They do exist…and in growing numbers. Those…those non-believers…atheist
Get your head out of the sand, gentlemen. The world did not stop turning because President Obama included them in his speech. They are here…and I suggest that you go after them not Obama if you really want to make a statement…and stop letting those people corrupt and change everything to suit themselves. 
You gentlemen are on the wrong side of the battle ground…but then I do understand. There is only one Barack Obama…and tons of them. Yes…I clearly understand.
On a higher note… Obama’s approval rating for his first couple of days in office is out…and he gets high marks. Best since Kennedy. You can read more on that…CLINK on the LINK BELOW.
http://news.aol.com/?feature=316834
http://news.aol.com/article/obamas-nonbeliever-nod-unsettlessome/316339
http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=13694
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
Add a comment January 25, 2009
Serena and Venus… at it again… Palin 2
Okay…okay. Maybe I am a wee bit late. But what about those Williams sisters?
Serena took the US Open Women’s Final for the…now get this….for the 3rd time. This mind you after she and Venus were fresh off from Bijing and having brought home the gold in the Women’s Doubles. And, of course, after Venuus took Wilbledon for the 5th time.
But as they had in England at Wimbledon, the 2 sisters had to meet up again…but this time it was i
n the Quarter Finals in Queens, New York this past weekend in the US Open…and Serena (rated as #4 in Women’s Tennis) and Venus (#7) they went at it hard. But Serena prevailed having won…7-6, 7-6. It is hard to believe that in 2006 Serena was rated below the top 125 Women in World Tennis…a fall from #1 over 5 years ago. After winning this past weekend…she is back at World #1 female tennis player.
What a year for Venus and Serena Williams…chi-ching.
Their parents must be…and family at large must be extremely proud of them. And what absolutely great role models they are for young children, teens and others around the world.
Their’s is truly a telling story of what belief in yourself, detemination, fighting against the odds, defying the odds, depth of character and a great family foundation can do for any child.
http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/pgStory?contentId=8538008#sport=TENNIS&photo=8537122
http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8525656/Serena,-Jankovic-to-meet-for-U.S.-Open-title
http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/results?league=WTA&gameId=2008013
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen08/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=3575094
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/sports/tennis/08women.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Palin…
While the Republicans are wildly applauding Sarah Palin, I have some serious doubts about her.
For one thing…yes, I do believe women are capable…and many times more than capable of doing things over and above many men. But when a woman has 5 children…she is vastly limited…if indeed she has any concerns concerning the care and the personal development of her children.
This morning while sitting in class my professor read the NY Times article about Palin and how she had kept her last pregnancy secret…even from own her parents and children. The story tells how a very pregnant Palin went off on various trips knowing that her amniotic fluid was leaking.
What woman does that?
Already knowing that her last child was going to be faced with certain 
challenges…why would Palin jeopardize her child even further?
Though Palin claimed that she would become an advocate for families with special needs children…what about having been an advocate for her own child when he needed it most? While he was still in her womb. She seemed to have had no care about him and his possible life altering problems with her amniotic fluid leaking.
It sounds to me very much that the loving caring mother that Palin tries to present to the public may really not so loving and caring after all. Just where was all that love and caring when it came to her own child…whom she had been informed would have Down Syndrome? Yet, chose to ignor that his very life support…her amniotic fluid was leaking.
How could she have subjected that little child still in her womb with such a nonchalant attitude for his well being knowing that her amniotic fluid was leaking? Instead of bed rest…she chose to fly off and do things which put that child’s life at even a greater risk…to the point where the child was born a whole month before it’s due date. Thank goodiness for that or he may have died.
What in the world could she have been thinking?
It sounds more like to me she was trying to use her own form of birth control.
Almost immediately after giving birth to her last child, she returned to her office and resumed her duties as Governor of Alaska only some 3 days later. Healthy though her new born may have been and is…but the fact that he came a whole month early and that his mother had been leaking amniotic fluid signals that he might have needed a bit more attention following his birth just to ensure that he was really alright.
But that is not what Sarah Palin did. I’m not saying she should have taken off some time…but she could have set up an office in her home and worked in between caring for new born baby. And now with her baby just 7 months olds…she has decided to hit the trail and go stomping as VP canidate to the White House.
So, when does she slow down to take care of her family?
Do they have any importance to her?
Okay, maybe she was a soccer mom…but I would like to know just how active a soccer mom she was?
Or maybe somewhere down the line she turned in her soccer mom hat for her own blind ambitions too.
I fail to see where Sarah Palin is a champion of anything…at all.
And frankly while watching the Republican Convention…I kept looking at her youngest daughter and thinking-
“Why hadn’t anybody combed her hair?”
I’m not trying to be mean…but truthful. It is what I thought.
I come from a family of 8 children and whether it was off to school or to church…or anywhere…there were things my mother never overlooked in terms of our care and appearance. My brothers stayed in my father’s barber chair and we (girls) were always getting our hair done…daily by our mother up until the time she started taking us to the beauty salon. And I will not talk about our clothes or shoes…but we were very well maintained…all 8 of us. I would not expect to see anything less of any mother but even more so of a woman the stature of Sarah Palin.
We have special needs children in our home…my parents adopted one…but both have been in our house for over 22 years…in fact they are a part of us. Since they both are males…when my brothers got their hair cut so didn’t both Johnny and Eddie. And they were both as equally maintained as we were when it came to our clothes and shoes etc. My parents never made themselves look good and left us around looking like something else. No…no…
Sarah Palin seems to be a mother more concerned about herself than her children…and wanting to sit in the 2nd most busiest and important office in the country rather than considering herself with the needs of her young children. Every decision she has made thus far speaks to that…she has little to no time for her family…and since she has young children they require time. Especially, since she will soon also be a grandmother. And anybody who has special needs children knows for certain that they can take up more of your time…if indeed you care about them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/us/politics/08baby.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/weekinreview/07robbins.html
Well, hope you have a beautiful day. I’ve got to dash to my next class…and grab something to eat. Remember ‘…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com
God bless…and thanks for reading ©2008
4 comments September 8, 2008
Williams vs Williams…the Sister Act
Taking Wimbledon by storm the Williams sisters are going to lock horns on Saturday morning in this year’s Women’s Final.
When asked by a reporter about the possible outcome on Saturday, Venus said it this way…”It’s every woman for herself.
And those sound like fighting words to me.
Saturday morning in front of your television sounds like it could be one of the hotest seats to watch one of the most anticipated games in the Tennis World…Williams vs Williams in the play off of all play offs…the Wimbledon Ladies Final. And I plan to be right there with my eyes glued on every whizzing ball.
Depending which sister wins…it could mean Venus’ 5th Wimbledon win…which would
the first for any woman…or Serena’s 3rd Wimbledon win…which would also set a record for sisters having won Wimbledon. But one thing is for sure in terms of cash money this will put both Venus and Serena over $20 million in tennis winnings…not pincluding their endorsements and those surely to come following this year’s Wimbledon.
Yes, they’re in the money.
Go girls…go. You mean lean tennis machines.
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html
Well, today is the 4th of July and I hope you have something special planned.
A Bad Practical Joke…
Did I hear right?
Some man somewhere is supposedly pregnant?
I mean I saw it on some morning show. I could understand how it could happen if he were one of those babies borned with both sex organs. And they, his parents and pediatrician decided that the male parts were more prominent. But in order for him to be pregnant that would mean he was gay. But even so…how could he become pregnant from indulging like that?
It has got to be a prank. Or some type of medical mistake…because it is not physically possible. And it is certainly out of sync.
Well, I just heard the whole story on Mr. Mom. I knew it was out of whack.
Turns out it is a woman who became a man. Enough of that story…you can figure out the rest. I don’t have patience for it. Not that I am passing judgement. But I just don’t like people who want to play games.
If you want to be gay…be gay. But turn yourself into a man…as if that can really be done.
I mean who can really change what God has done?
You can camouflage yourself…my that I mean make changes to your exterior…but as this episode shows the inside can’t really be changed. But to go through the operation and do things to yourself and then want to give birth…well, I’ve already said it. It is just plain out of sync. And I have already spent too much time on the thang…which is probably the reason why it was all done in the first place.
Detroit…
Well, we made it. We’re here.
The average gas here is $4.05 per gallon whereas in Massachusetts it is about $4.16 per gallon…and even more in Connecticut. And certainly a lot more in New York City.
On the highway while traveling here we found the gas prices to be about the same though at one Sunoco gas station it stated that the gas price was $3.98…at a station where you gas up first…hadn’t seen one of those in a very long time. But after we gased up we found out that the price was $3.98 after some type of rebate that you had to mail in for. Needless to say…that was highly deceptive and we weren’t too happy after being taken like that.
Detroit is big and spread out. Most of the roadways are at least 4 lanes wide with some as wide as 6. Imagine that…6 lanes wide going up Michigan Avenue.
The dealerships here are huge and are very classy, and the vehicles look different to me for some reason.
Practically everything here says GM or General Motors. There seems to be a lot of abandon buildings too all over the place. Detroit has very long stretches of roadway running all through it and over it. And along the way you can see the effects of loosing so many jobs by the auto industry blite that hit them.
They also have 2 casinos here in the heart of downtown Detroit. The place is loaded with nudie clubs, fast food restaurants, pizza places, Chinese food and plenty of soul food joints. And right across the water is Canada of which you can go and come as you like into Ontario.
But unlike New York City, the city isn’t quite as dirty. I can see what this place will look like in a few years…not that it looks so bad now…but nowhere as beautiful as Chicago.
From our hotel room we can look out at the Michigan River where fireworks are probably due to go off sometime later tonight. The waterfront is really fixed up and you can walk or jog along it…or just sit out and look across at Canada which really isn’t that far across from Detroit…maybe 4 miles or so if that far. And sometime during this trip besides going to Motown, I will have to get over into Ontario.
That reminds me…on the way over to the Cobo Center, Detroit’s convention center, there were two little girls on our shuffle bus service from the hotel. I was amazed by their conversation, they were talking about China…and these little children were maybe about 7 or 8 years old. And I was just really surprised to hear them engrossed in a conversation about something international. And then as the shuffle bus neared the Cobo Center, which sits on the waterfront, they started talking about Canada. These kids are way ahead of us…but it also just shows how much more prepared for tomorrows world they will have to be. So, it was interesting to hear those two young girls were already learning about these countries and had enough knowledge on them to entertain themselves discusing them in their spare time. I was happy to hear it.
Poor Christi Brinkley in divorce court for the 4th time. Poor woman she continually seems to make the wrong choice when it comes to men. And many women do it. Most of the time they reject the people who could be best for them for vain reasons such as looks or whatever. But looks should never be a reason for making such a decision as many people change so much over time that if that were your only or primary reason for saying ‘yes’ to someone…it is very much likely that you may find yourself in a marriage or situation that is wrong for you and not happy.
Well, so much for me pretending to be Dr. Ruth.
We’ve got to catch up with some family later for a cook-out. I have yet to meet them but I know it will truly be fun. My mother when she came to a convention here many years ago met them too for the f
irst time which is how we knew that they were here. It is nice to find long lost family. So, it should be interesting.
Enjoy your day today. God bless…
…and oh, yes…happy 4th ©2008
Add a comment July 4, 2008
Lions, tigers and bears…oh, my.
Just finished doing my laundry…and no we haven’t left yet. Running a little behind but we will get out of here some time tonight…dash into Jersey and pick up my sister-in-law…then on to Detroit.
Seems like a lot of people have plans to hit the road this holiday. The gas prices are not holding us down. Though when running around town, I now think about what and what I can hit along the way to a destination. Like if I’m going to the grocery store, maybe I might need something from Walmart which is also going that way. Or from CVS…or maybe something from McDonals…all on the sam
e route. I call it bundling…and in terms of watching the gas gage…it works for me.
You can burn up gas quick running around town aimlessly. And when a full tank can run you a $100 if you have a truck…you really don’t want to do that. Better start planing your errands.
So, since I’m still here just thought i would take this time to say something. Like how about those Williams sisters?
THE WILLIAMS SISTERS…
I just finished watching some footage on them making it into the semi-finals at Wimbledon. During Serena’s match she hit…get this 8 ace’s. And yesterday Venus hit the fastest ball ever served by a woman.
The expectations are high that there may be another Williams sisters showdown in the finals this year at Wimbledon, which of course, Venus won last year for the 4th time while being the lowest ranked woman to win Wimbledon, at a ranking of 9th highest Woman Tennis Player in the World at the time.
It is good to see their growth and development, and just how close knit the Williams’ are as family. Their parents have done a very good job at keeping the wolves out and at keeping them level headed, bright, humble and philantrophis’. There was a time when many media people felt that their father was crazy when he refused to allow anyone to coach his daughters but him…and he really knew nothing about tennis. But he had a belief. He believed that his girls could become tennis champions.
Perhaps he knew far more than any of us ever gave him credit for. He was the one after all who started throwing tennis balls at them as tiny little girls when he saw how much could be earn playing a simple game with a racket. He believed and they made it happened.
The same could also be said about Tiger Woods and his dad. Both fathers seemed to have instilled in their children that they could do anything…and to never stop striving and achieving.
It is wonderful to see what families can accomplish when they work together.
There is nothing like family.
And Venus and Serena are also playing doubles at Wimbledon, as they usually do whenever one or bother of them aren’t suffering with injuries. Now, wouldn’t that be something…if Venus and Serena come out as the doubles champions and end up in the finals playing against each other too?
This could be the year Venus and Serena take Wimbledon by storm…well, I think they have already done that more than a few times…but never a double whammie. Sisters emerging as the Doubles Champions at Wimbledon, and the final’s winner and play each other for that crowning victory. WOw…
Some FACTS on the Williams sisters…
1. Venus has a degree in Fashion Design having graduated the Art Institute of 
Fort Lauderdale, Fl., 2007
2. Serena is an 8 time grand-slam champion
3. They are currently ranked as the number 6th and 7th Top Women Tennis Players in the World
4. In career prize money, Venus has won nearly $19 million dollars while Serena has inched beyond the $20 million mark
5. Together they have been in 28 Grand Slam Championships
6. Venus has won Wimbledon 5 times
7. Venus and Serena won gold at the Bijing Olympics 2008 as the Women’s Doubles Champions
They are just two lean mean sports machines. WOw….
And they travel no where on tournament where neither their mother, or father, or both of their parents are not in the grandstand supporting their very talented and regal girls.
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html
ps…I’ve got to clean the bathroom and mob the floors before I get out of here. So, I better get started. I don’t want to come back to a dirty house.
And don’t forget…if you get out on the road…please drive with care.
Well, God bless… ©2008
Add a comment July 2, 2008
