Roots

I was recently watching one the Tyler Perry plays, I am not sure which one. It may have been “Madea Goes to Jail” or “Class Reunion”, but in it Madea gives some advice to one of her family members about people in you life. I am going to paraphrase it a little here to make a point.

She said think of yourself as a tree and the people you know, as the branches and leaves that make up your tree. She said some people come into your life for just a season. That they are like leaves, one minute they are there and the next they are gone. Which ever way the wind blows is the way the go. Good people in general, but they are not there to support you and strengthen you, just people you are meant to encounter. Maybe they teach you something, maybe they take from you something they need.

Then there are the branches; some give you strength and are strong, while some are weak and flimsy. Some will break if you apply to much pressure or pressure in just the wrong place. You may feel like they will support you and you may go out on a limb, but be careful for branches can let you down.

But your roots, she said your roots are there to hold you up, to build you up. Your roots are what gives you life and keeps you going. Madea said when you get yourself a good set of roots that you will always be alright.

Well I am here to tell you that roots can wither and die and let you down also. And when it happens it can be extremely shocking and upsetting. When roots wither and die it is like losing a piece of you and it is not easy to recover from.

I recently lost some of my roots, friends I knew I could count on, that I would do anything for. I considered them family and a part of me. These were not just friends or associates, but roots that stretched back over 10 years. Never in a million years could I imagine a future without us being a part of each others life, but yet here we are, and here I am.

I have gone through some tough times lately and have had to rely on my loved one to be there to be my strength. Do I feel weaker without these friends, yes I do. It is two less voices of reason for me to turn to, it is two less shoulders to cry on, and it is two less smiles to brighten my day.

My tree is weak and I can no longer let withered roots suck life from me, so I must put it to a stop. Like a lot of plants or trees with some bad roots you may have to repot them. Well that is what I have decided to do. I am cutting off those withered roots and holding fast to my true loved ones and repotting myself. I don’t know where yet and I don’t know when, but I do know I will be stronger for it. I have got to lift my head up again and see the sun shine on my face again.

Love You Guys – A&G

Brandon

What am I

I like to listen to radio talk shows and NPR and of course sports talk radio. I hear the opinions of others and reflect on things they say and how it affects me. I hear people like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh berate and lam bast democrats and liberals, while speaking of nothing but the good of republicans and conservatives. I also hear regular Americans just repeating things that people like those two say, it shocks me that they don't have their own opinion. If you can't listen to a political radio show and use what they say to form your own opinion then you are a drone. A drone waiting to be filled with information to go back around the country and spill forth. I will never be a drone, not a political drone, not a religious drone, and not an activist drone.

So this made me wonder, what exactly am I? I am not going to answer because I don't know, but I will tell you what I believe in and stand for. I AM AN AMERICAN, I love this country and have served this country proudly. I stand by the principles and values of the Constitution of the United States of America, and will fight to protect them.

-I believe in small government. Yet I think the government should protect us and do everything possible to improve the lives of it citizens.

-I believe the separation of church and state must be upheld.

-I don't think we should pass laws based on christian values and beliefs, as I don't think we should pass laws based on Muslim, or Buddhist, or Protestant, or Wiccan values and beliefs.

-I believe the government of the United States has no reason not to recognize gay marriage, if churches or synagogues chose not to perform a ceremony they don't have to, but the government should recognize these unions.

-I BELIEVE MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS MY BUSINESS, thus if I am gay or straight or whatever, I can live my life how I want.

-I believe that social programs can help people if they want to help themselves.

-I believe no one has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body, but I also don't think abortion should be used as birth control. Its a double edged sword.

-I believe the Attorney General should serve the will of the people and not the will of the President.

-I believe that there should be degrees of sex offenders from A-E and that should determine who has to register for the rest of their lives and who gets a second chance for something stupid like streaking at a football game.

-I believe the President should live by and be guided by and enforce the constitution, not make signing statements stating which laws he/she won't follow.

-I believe politicians should vote based upon whats best for their constituents and not based on back room deals with other politicians.

-I believe we as a people can not and will not kick 10-12 million people who are in this country, many of whom have never committed a crime, out of this country.

-I believe that global warming is taking place and that human beings are a major cause of that. I don't have a solution, but I can plainly see that objectively.

-I believe we should respect the sovereignty of other nations. Our leaders and we Americans must accept that the people of IRAN democratically chose their president.

-I believe the right to vote should be a protected right in the constitution.

So my question is what type of American am I?

If we are all Americans or are striving to be Americans and to reach the American dream, shouldn't we try to bring as many people as we can along with us.

I've been gone for a little bit

Sorry to you who read my blog, I kind of stepped away for a little bit. Life has been challenging me very harshly lately, and I needed some Brandon time. I am back though. Sometimes you really need to leave everything else alone and focus inward on fixing what is broken. Having someone to lean on really helps, someone who shares your concern and you heartache and your joy. I am lucky that I found someone who wants me for me and wants to make me happy.

As Simon Webbe says 'the good times are coming around again', and I am ready to face them head on.

Now I am pissed

I really and truly think the George W. Bush, who I no longer refer to as the President, is an ass. Believe it or not most times I don't have a problem with this mans actions it what he says to justify his actions that I have a problem with. As I have said in the past if he had given me a true valid excuse to invade Iraq I would have been all for it. But he never did he changed it 3 times, the reason for going to Iraq, and one of those was after we were in there.

So now George has commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby. Fine, I have no problem with that. I expected it, I actually expected him to pardon him full out. But his reason, at least the reason he said, is the "Holy Grail" of hypocrisy. He felt the sentence was excessive, excessive. Excuse my stupid, idiotic, uninformed, and simple minded nature for not realizing that 30 months for Obstruction of Justice and 2 counts of Perjury was excessive. I was all smiles and fine with the commutation until I heard that part. It freakin stinks, it turns my stomach, and it smacks the legal system in the face to say that 2 1/2 years would have been to much. Mr. Libby likely would not have even served all of that time, but no that was just to much.

Now had he manned up and said I commuted him because I wanted to and becuase I am the president, I would have been fine with that. But he didn't, he actually gave a reason why and the reason if a bunch of bull crap. The sentence was excessive, get the hell out of here. George there are people in jail for the same crimes who were and are less guilty than Scooter who aren't getting a break or a commutation. George you swore you would bring integrity and honesty back to Washington, but you have done nothing of the sort.

If you have read my older posts especially the one on Genarlow Wilson you know where this is coming from.

Well, the naked truth

So, that appointment was the greatest thing to happen to me in my life. It really hit me hard the possibility that I could have cancer. Just one of those things that blows you away. I look at it two ways, my doctor gave me a couple weeks to get my mind around either possibility. You know me, I am an optomist so I expect the best and will prepare for the best. To clarify for those that don't know, I have in the last 6 months discovered a couple of lumps on the back of my skull and on and around my neck. Altogether it is a total of 4 lumps of varying size. One of them has been there for about 2 years now. But the other three kind of came about at the same time. So I had to go to general surgery to get them looked at and biopsied, now just a matter of waiting to see what will be. I freaked out yesterday and I was very very emotional, but I am better. I am in New Orleans with my family, I just needed to come home for a bit to get myself recharged and get a little family support.

I will be back in San Antonio soon, once I am ready to steam ahead. I won't be stopped and I am still reaching for my goals.

Talk to you later, love you all,

Brandon J. Vance

Make life what you want it to be!
http://brandonjvance.blogspot.com/

Nervous about tomorrow

I completely forgot that on tomorrow 06/29/07 I am supposed to be going to surgery for the two lumps on the back of my skull. I have laughed them off as cancer lumps but now I am a little nervous. My appointment is at 10:30 in the morning and I probably will not sleep for nervous fear. Its funny the things your mind will ignore or put off completely. Well I guess that means no eating or drinking tonight at Chacho's. Of course you know me, I threw away the letter I got from the doctors office which probably has all the instructions. Oh well, I will show up and be a trooper.

Love you all.

I love San Antonio

Man I love San Antonio, it is truly a great city. We have amazing people here who work hard day in and day out and will give you the shirt off their back. I know there are hard working people and nice people everywhere it is just they are nicer here. LOL, people tell me all the time how friendly people are in San Antonio, they will invite you into their homes for dinner or to their families wedding just for the experience. And of course as I always tell people we love, love, love to here. Whether it is our Annual Fiesta, or Folklife Festival, or Juneteenth, or Octoberfest we will find something to party for in San Antonio.

Now some people will find this corny, but remember I am a simple guy so that is why this is cool to me. In San Antonio we used to have 5 military bases so we had a very large transient community. So, we have a lot of apartment complexes here, and I mean a lot is an understatement. I was helping my friend Julian find an apartment today and I went to 13 places by myself in just a 5 square mile radius. Now on top of that is the fact that you can find whatever you want in an apartment in this city. You want vaulted ceilings, got that, you want a jacuzzi in the bath, got that, or on the patio, got that. It still blows me away all the things or amenities one can find in an apartment. If found several really good deals and great locations for Julian. I hope he choses one of those rather than living downtown as he seems set to doing.

Anyway to each their own, I did what a good friend should and gave the best advice I could. To the rest of the world come visit our great city and enjoy all that San Antonio has to offer.

Senator Obama in San Antonio part 1

I guess this is what this whole blogging thing has been leading up to. Today Senator Barack Obama (www.barackobama.com) made his way to San Antonio to speak to his supporters and to people in general. He is a fascinating man and a very good orator. It was a warm, humid day in San Antonio, but we were all still excited about seeing the man himself. The pavilion at Sunset Station was packed and they had guest speakers and music to entertain us until the senator came out to speak.

And if it seems like I was right up front, well that is because I was. I was right behind the barricade separating us from the senator. I decided to put the last clip first to illustrate this, not to mention I just like this clip.
0:42 - Receiving Line


We were treated to an extra special surprise, after state representatives Juan M. Garcia and Ruth McClendon spoke to the crowd. They introduced the best perimeter defender in the NBA, Bruce Bowen. He came out in a nice grey suit and worked up the crowd and then Bruce introduced Senator Barack Obama. The crowd was yelling and going crazy it was great fun.
2:26 - Bruce


The senator let us know he was going to be speaking about unifing our country. He spoke about healthcare, education, energy and oil dependence, the economy, and the horrible, horrible war in Iraq.
2:27 - Overview


It’s going to be a great election and a great campaign.

Continue down for the second set of videos.

Senator Obama in San Antonio part 2

The Democratic Party and event organization decided to call themselves “ALAMOBAMA”. It is a play on the Alamo (www.thealamo.org) our most famous landmark and Obama the senators last name.
2:17 – Alamobama


Senator Obama spoke about the state of our healthcare system, the fact that we spend double almost every nation, yet we have millions upon millions who go without basic care. He wants to lead us towards universal healthcare within his first term.

He spoke about our failing school system and the so called success of “No Child Left Behind”. I find it funny that we as Americans can be so easily fooled that our schools are doing great and that our children are getting the best education in the world.
3:00 – Healthcare & Education


The senator spoke about the war and the need for us to “BRING OUR TROOPS HOME”. And he did not say drop everything and get out now. We can’t do that, we can’t just leave and forget about the havoc that we have caused. But, it is time to start looking at a strategic, planned withdrawal of our troops. This is what the senator also called for.

I have another clip that I am going to upload in which he talks to us about his recent visit to Selma, Alabama. He spoke of the historical significance of Selma and what happened to the civil rites marchers back in 1965. How they were attacked and beaten as they tried to march to the state capital on March 7, 1965. Civil rights leaders went to the courts for protection and won. On March 21, 1965 nearly 3,200 marchers set out to the state capitol in Montgomery. Four days later they made it, walking 12 miles a day and sleeping in fields. By the time they arrived their numbers had swelled to over 25,000 people. Less than five months after this march President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

He spoke of how grateful he was to those that risked their lives in the past to bring equality and fairness to all people which allows him to stand before the world and run for President of the United States of America.
1:31 - Climax


Again it is going to be a great election and a great campaign.

Senator Obama in San Antonio part 3

Here are some still shots from the San Antonio Obama kickoff. As I said before I was right up front and got to shake his hand in the receiving line.

Fans and Supporters

Senator Barack Obama

Get out and get active, vote, vote, vote.

My first WNBA Wednesday

So interesting day today, I don't know why but there was just a weird day. I woke up really really late and well that says it all right there. As always I was on a clock and rushing up until 4 cause I had to go, but then I remembered something. What I remembered was that the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA (http://www.wnba.com/) were coming to town. Now yeah, most of you are probably like big freakin deal. But me, I like the WNBA, and I especially like Seimone Augustus. She played for the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team and took her team to the final four 3 straight times in '04, '05, and '06. As an LSU player between 2004-2006 Seimone won like 5-7 player of the year awards either national or conference.

Well, so I said forget about 4:00, I'm going to the game. Now it was weird, cause I was rooting for the Silver Stars, but I also was rooting for Seimone and Lindsey Harding. It was a good game and actually I had fun. The Silver Stars were never really challenged in this game it was over by half time. But the Lynx fought back and cut the 22 point defecit to a 7 point loss. I think everyone should get out and see a WNBA game.

Oh yeah, I got Seimone to autograph my LSU cap as she left the court. I was excited so I left after she did, but the girl behind really lucked out. Not only did she get an autograph from Seimone, she took off her shoes she just played in and gave them to the girl as well. She was so excited and happy, I wish I could have gotten a picture of that. But I do have some pictures, check them out.

Yeah Me IDIOT

So remember the video I was supposed to put up from the river parade, well yeah it generally would help if you charge your camera's battery. STUPID STUPID STUPID

So needless to say that there are no videos coming from the parade or the Alamodome celebration on yesterday.

Well the parade was great it was extremely long this year I think they had like 25+ floats and everyone and their grandmother was on a float. Thousands upon thousands of fans crowded the riverwalk to celebrate our world champions. The Spurs players were having a blast and it was awesome. Oh yeah Placido Domingo the great tenor was on one of the floats as well and sang the National Anthem. Since I was stupid I and forgot to charge my camera, I have a slide of some great shots.

River Parade

Alamodome Celebration

Man oh man, I hope they can repeat next year. The city is still in a buzz on this.

Candelight and Friends

So I took my new friends Lee, and Danny over to Candlelight Coffeehouse (www.candlelightsa.com). They are great with computers and design and maintain websites. They are really cool guys and I told them I would help them out by introducing them to some of the companies that I know and the owners if I know them. I hadn't been to Candlelight in a while so I was excited to go there. I love that place.

We hung out and chilled had some coffee and smoothies while taking in the place. Danny is a good salesman and we met the manager who spoke with Danny for a good while about what he does and what he can do on sites.

They also taught me something new. Now you know me, I am not a very proud person. If I am wrong I will admit I am wrong, if I don't know something obvious I don't have a problem saying thank you when someone shows me. So if you have read some of my other blogs you know I like to put the websites of things so you can use them to see if you find it interesting. But, I didn't know how to make them clickable for you. Well duh, its the simplest thing. You just highlight what you want and click the hyperlink button. Then you just type the address you want it to go to in the hyperlink box and there you go. Duhhhhh. I had to laugh that it was that easy.

Oh well the Spurs celebration and parade are this evening so I will be posting a seperate blog about that with videos and pics and stuff.

Later

Spus are Home

The fans in San Antonio turned out to welcome home the 2007 NBA World Champion San Antonio Spurs. A few thousand fans took off from work and whatever responsibilites they had to take shuttles to the San Antonio International Airport(SAT). Why you might ask, well hello to welcome home our Champions. The fans beared the heat and the concrete to be on hand for a mini celebration. The Spurs Coyote got the crowd worked up by brining out the 3 previous championship tropies one at time. Placing them in front of cards with the years of the win ('99, '03, '05) leaving 2007 empty.

The players then came off the plane looking refreshed and still full of excitement from their clinching win last night before. Tim Duncan then followed his teammates to the stage carrying the new 2007 Championship Trophy. Bruce Bowen, ever the MC, took to the microphone and immediately led the fans in "GO SPURS GO" cheer. He then passed the mic to Finals MVP Tony Parker, who thanked the fans for their support and love. Michael Finely then got to the microphone and showed his deep appreciation for the fans and the team and for winning his 1st championship in his 12 year career. This was ultimately a resounding success and fans loved it and cheered "GO SPURS GO" as the team the stage to depart on buses.

The river parade is going to be on Sunday at 6 followed by the Alamodome celebration. I can't wait, I am going to upload videos from the party.

SPURS WIN-SPURS WIN-SPURS WIN

Holy crap the San Antonio Spurs are the 2007 NBA World Champions, the Spurs are the champs. Wow, wow, it really happened, they really swept Cleveland. Wow, I am so excited right now, I am so happy for my team and my city.

Whew hoo, Spurs are 2007 NBA World Champions. And like I said Tony Parker won MVP. The guy has got it good right now, Championship, MVP, and a beautiful fiancee.

This actually was a descent game, both teams struggled and Tim again had a really tough night offensively, but as has been the case in this series Tony Parker more than picked up the slack. And, this time Manu showed up, thank God. It came down to every free throw and every point needed. The Spurs won this game 83-82, if not for a last second three pointer by Damon Jones it would have been 83-79, but it doesn't matter now because the Spurs won, Spurs won.

The parade is Sunday and the Alamodome celebration is after that. I will have videos from the parade, don't know if I'm going to the Alamodome yet.

GO SPURS GO - 2007 NBA World Champions

Spurs 3-0

Yes indeed, man the Spurs are doing the dang thing. Lastnight was game 3 of the NBA finals. Now I will admit along with everyone else that that game was horrible, just horrible. I am pleases as punch with the outcome but oh my God, this series needs to end as soon as possible. Hopefully tomorrow night the Spurs will put the smackdown and get out of Cleveland.

Again as I have said before Lebron (not anyone's king) is looking like a fraud. He is supposed to be this saviour of the NBA, but he is getting it handed to him by Bruce Bowen and the stingy Spurs defense. Of course it doesn't help that he is literally playing 5 on 1 basketball. Man when they get him some more pieces to compliment him he will be unstoppable.

Tony Parker pretty much sealed his MVP with his performance tonight. Again he led the team in points, so far all three games. But he truly carried the team tonight. Tim Duncan was in foul trouble and on the bench a lot and Manu, oh Manu, he did score a basket the whole game. He didn't get his first points until he shot free throws at the end of the game finishing with 3 points. Tony though kept the team going while Tim was on the bench. And, if not for Tony's scoring the Spurs would have easily, easily lost this game.

Now my Spurs sit one game away from their fourth NBA Championship. I didn't think a sweep was possible but who knows we shall see.

GO SPURS GO

Genarlow Wilson

Thinking about Paris made me reflect on Genarlow Wilson sitting in jail for 10 years for doing what teenagers have done sense time began. Teenagers have sex, it happens, they find ways to do it and it will happen until the end of time. It doesn't make them horrible or bad kids, its just part of human nature.

Well Genarlow received oral sex from a girl at a party when he was 17 and she was 15. They were at a New Year's party with a bunch of other kids drinking and partying. Someone was videotaping the party and they got that on tape as well as Genarlow having sex with another 17 y/o girl. The oral sex was consensual and yet he was charged with aggravated child molestation and found guilty of a felony, even though the girl refused to testify. The state actually brought the charges against him. Even worse than that 1) had they had sex it would have been a misdemeanor, 2) the legislature changed the law after he was convicted to make teen oral sex a misdemeanor.

Now he sits in jail, for two years now, while the girl, some of the jury, the defense attorney's, and another judge all try to fee him. On yesterday another Georgia judge, Judge Thomas H. Wilson, voided his sentence and handed him a 12-month misdemeanor sentence, plus credit for time served. But of course, Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker filed notice that he would appeal the decision before the Georgia Supreme Court. Baker said in a statement that the judge had overstepped his authority. Baker is not only black but he is a democrat as well, stupid ass.

Just so you know Genarlow isn't a thug or a troubled youth or drug kid or a bad kid. He was an honor student and a top athlete.

New Cut

Whew hooo, I got me a haircut today. I feel like a new man, refreshed and reborn. I wrote a good bit on my novel today. Its coming along well, which is kind of surprising. The words are just flowing out of me. I think this blog is actually the thing that is really helping me. I always thought how in the world people come up with so many words to put in books, even though I read many many books. Now I have put a lot of words into these blogs and I guess that is helping order my words for the book. Also it is helping me keep my creativity and my imagination going.

Other than my working on the novel and my screenplay, not much else going on today.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to talk about the friday big news. Oh my God, freakin Paris Hilton, screaming and crying going back to jail. I am sorry but I have no sympathy for her. I understand she is someone's child, and I understand that she has a medical condition, but give me a break. The judge said from the get go, there would be no home confinement, no probation, no ankle braclets. So who the hell gave the Sheriff the authority to overrule what the judge said.

So what happens the go to her house, pick her up, hand-cuff her, and take her to court in the back of a squad car. Then the judge throws her back in jail. Now yeah, I am human, so I was like wow, but the more I thought about it I was like that is only right. People sit in jail with all kinds of ailments from Aids to cancer to HIV to the flu. If they are sick they go to the infirmary or to the county hospital. And I am sure if they asked they would have let her doctors visit her.

She is ultimately in jail for DUI which means she could have hurt or even killed someone. She failed her probation and now has to only serve 45 days and can't do that. Paris Hilton, I hope you learn a valuable valuable lesson fromt this.

GO SPURS GO

Man oh man, gotta love them Spurs. Wow, tonight was game two of the NBA Finals (www.nba.com/finals2007) and again the Spurs beat the snot out of the Cavaliers. After game one, I thought maybe the Spurs just had a great game and played amazing defense. I thought the Cavs maybe just had a bad game, I mean they did make it to the finals, they can't be that bad. Oh my god, they are that bad. This is not even close this is a freakin mauling. The Spurs got to a 25 point lead and again by half time this game was over. The largest lead the Spurs had was 29. I don't even understand how the Cavs are this bad, its like they don't know what that round basket is for.

The Spurs big 3, Duncan, Tony, and Manu scored 78 points, 78 points alone. At the end of the 3rd quarter they, those 3 guys had more points than the whole Cavs team. That is freakin insane. Well, now I'm starting to think this might be over in 5 games. Game three is in Cleveland. I think this being the first finals there and all the energy the fans will have and the noise in Quicken Loans, I expect the fans will carry them to a game 3 win. I think it will be maybe a 5-10 point win. Then the Spurs comeback and win games 4 and 5.

Gotta love those Spurs. GO SPURS GO!!!!!

Texas Folk Life Festival part 1

So its Saturday and the Texas Folk Life Festival is here in San Antonio. It is a celebration of all the different cultures and groups that make San Antonio such a diverse city. I believe our city is one of the most well integrated and culturally diverse cities in the country. This festival is about food and fun and laughter and dancing and the rich history of Texas and San Antonio. There are enough booths and activities set up to cover a 22 acre area. There are nine stages for performances and the festival runs between 10am and 11pm Friday to Sunday. I really enjoy the folk life festival because you get introduced to some of the organizations or societies you likely didn't know even existed in San Antonio. Also you get to sample great food from all over the world and listen to great music and dance.

These are my favorite videos from this weekend. I have started listing the length of the video above it so you can tell how long it is before hand. I also have tried to keep most of these to 1 min or a min and a half.

2:32 - Caribbean Folk Dancers

This by far my favorite video, they were having so much fun and just cutting it up. I loved watching this group, you can tell they had a lot of fun also. And the lead lady she was working it out. The group is KaZamba (www.kazamba.org).

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2:03 - Lebanese Dancers

These ladies were awesome, actually it was a mixed group of men and women and boys and girls. All the groups were awesome, but this is by far my favorite performace of the Lebanese groups.

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1:16 - Latin Flamenco Dancers

These ladies were also very good, I got there as with almost all of these videos with about a minute or so to go, but I really liked there performance as well.

I will have a couple more videos down below in part 2.