JVLIVS

I have OFFICIALLY moved!

2010-06-20T10:52:00.000-04:00

Just to let you know, I have moved to the following sites.

www.jvlivsphoto.com (coming soon)
www.jvlivsphoto.blogspot.com (coming soon)
www.jvlivs.wordpress.com (more stuff coming but that site's open)

This blog will remain open, however. But I will not be posting anything here anymore, I don't think. But I will check for comments on occasion.

This is it (for now)!

2010-02-25T12:08:00.001-05:00

Originally I established this blog so that I can display some artwork of mine-both old and new-on this domain. To some point that materialized, but not up to my expectations (I have myself to blame for that). That being said, this will be my last blog here for the time being. Reason(s) being is that I'm trying to consolidate everything to one email account. And it does get confusing at times when you have a variety of online accounts and have different emails supporting them.

To top it off, my current email address which I use for business purposes, I use it way more often now so that everything will link to there. And I was hoping that I could use that same address to operate this blog, but it remains a primary and my bus. email a secondary one. I will continue to visit other folks who are on Blogger and comment as well as moderate comments on this blog as well.

But I feel that my time here has practically ran its course. So I'll be on Wordpress from now on while coming back here on occasion.

What a day!

2010-02-23T21:52:00.000-05:00

Took another day off (doctor's appointment)! I think the Doc is gettin' tired of tellin' me to get back on track with things. I think I better listen-and this time, stick with it!

Made some sales on eBay this past weekend, posted more items, shot some pics and posted them on flickr, I'm at the end of reading The Secret, resumed my Bible reading-I'm slipping on that again-and I'm doing a very much needed thorough search of ridding myself of anything in my household that is detrimental to me in every way possible! Bought salt and ice remover for our walkway and porch. Hopefully this will be the last of it until later on in the year anyway.

Anyway, it's a new year, new decade, and we're approaching the first quarter of 2010! I'm ready for the challenges, cause this time, I'm preparing myself for them!

Let's do this thing, baby!

Some of my best pics since the year began!

2010-02-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

For the first time in a long time, this is my blog for five-if not six-days in a row. Here are ten of my best ones so far...

Wise words from a wise man of his generation!

2010-02-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

"The heart of the wise is at his right hand, but the heart of the stupid at his left hand. And also in whatever way the foolish one is walking, his own heart is lacking, and he certainly says to everybody that he is foolish."

-Ecclesiastes 10:2, 3

I once worked with a retired County Sheriff who taught a Law Enforcement class and he had a book of quotations and this one stood out the most because he would have this written on the board every other day. But many years later even though at times the sense of those words escape me on occasion, the more I think of them, the more sense that they make. In other words, with some things it is prudent to let the inexperienced one find out some things for them selves.

Case in point: Were [we] to explain nearly every detail of a situation to an individual whenever doubts or reservations arise, that person may never get to experience the true meaning of life's lesson. In other words, "Trial and Error" is one way to go about it, and also there are those amongst us who would rather-even to the point of being insistent-learn things on their own. So volunteering [our] two cents on an issue may not be an appropriate thing to do all the time whereas in contrast some situation may call for it.

Just gotta "Know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em" as it were. To sum it up, speak when spoken to! That's what my pops tells me to this very day!

The Changes will NEVER stop, and that's a GOOD thing!

2010-02-17T12:42:00.000-05:00

How do I begin this one...?

Still behind on my 365 as usual, but I'm catching up. Heck, I'm surprised that I've blogged for three days in a row (ain't done that in awhile). I've been going through some changes as of late. And I guess they all begin with how I perceive things. I've been reading The Secret and the more I read it, the more I see things unfold left and right. As a result, I found myself doing things that I haven't done in years and need to do them more often.

Yesterday, I found myself paying my eBay bill early even it wasn't due yet, but it hadn't dawned on me right away, but I realized that now that I paid the balance off early, I could post more stuff on eBay and the balance will be a new one. And I resolved in my mind to finally stop fooling around and get in the game. The game of life, the game of business, the game of survival.

As I try to shift my mental faculties to more positive energies, things somewhat look better than they've been looking prior to now. Next to the Bible, The Secret is a must read!

Another day turned out quite well.

2010-02-16T20:20:00.000-05:00

Let's see. Worked a half-day today and went to the chiropractor and I'll see him again Saturday. Mopped and waxed some of the hallways at work. Since my iTunes is giving me the blues, a close friend of mine from childhood was gracious enough to let me use his Mac (I haven't played with a Mac in 20 years) to drag and drop from my thumb drives to my iPod and now I have some music to keep me company for a while. Seeing that both of us have to be at work in the morning, time had to be spent carefully. So I am very happy and grateful for the time and opportunity that we had to make this possible.

I've taken some real nice pics within the past 48 hours. I hope to post/blog about 'em before the month's end.

Now I gotta go back home and resume cleaning my bedroom so I can restore some kind of order at home.

This day was a complete turnaround, literally!

2010-02-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

How do I even begin this one? Well, let's just say that I've encountered rejection/dejection and encouragement right after that in the same day!

I went over to a riverside restaurant to turn in an application for some part-time work, and to make a long story short, because of my schedule with the Board of Ed, the owner folded up my application and said that I couldn't work there because of a conflict in schedule-that just sucked! Man, my heart (literally) dropped like a rock. But I kept the app anyway just in case something does come up down the road. I haven't eaten at Sindbad's in many years, but I know that it booms all year round even though most riverside restaurants are closed at this time of year.

Within a few minutes after that, I went to another restaurant to turn in another job app at a restaurant closer to downtown, and immediately I was greeted by someone (unexpectedly) who works at They Say Bar and Grill. One of my old teachers/football coaches works there part time and he recommended me to check it out. I told the gentleman who was at the door that I knew that individual, and so did he. So that turn my temporary rejection to elation immediately! Now whether or not I'll have a job there within the next month or so, I don't know yet. But I'll say this, it's really who you know in this day and age. I can say that now because of what I've just gone through earlier today.

I think I will make this my last run with my current job (until something better comes-and comes soon)!

Esp. if there's gonna be a conflict of schedules between two jobs. The way things are today, two jobs are the norm. I'm dwindling on my 365 Project on flickr, but I'm catching up no matter what.

My thoughts for this day...

2010-02-10T19:40:00.000-05:00

Let's see now...

Took today off because of a back spasm earlier this week which has almost completely healed thanks to a duo of chiropractors-one of whom is a nerve specialist. Got paid yesterday and I only have a third of my check left and I gotta make that stretch for the next week and a half because my insurance company let me know at the last minute that I was two months behind on my insurance and that my change of address hadn't came through on the system yet. I changed the address months ago when I got my brand new car! I had this pay period down packed, I was gonna pay mom the entire month's rent, and get that outta the way, pay my phone bill, and put some money on my credit card and this curveball-or spitball, more like it-was thrown in at FULL FORCE!

Hopefully I'll have enough to cover my life insurance for this month.

Filled out some job applications and turned them in, and one of them sounds like a go for it, but instead of waiting by the phone, as it were, I'll keep on looking for some more part-time work until I get my insurance license. I've come to the realization that I cannot survive on this income. I've got about 15 years invested with Detroit Public Schools, and if it's God's will, I really want to make this my last year with them. But if I must stay, then I gotta at least do something on the side so I can keep up with my expenses not to mention cover the insurance on my new Malibu.

I'm still consistent with my new 365 project-barely. But I'm still tugging along. I'm also pissed that I haven't made explore lately, but that's a petty issue. Hopefully I will in the coming months ahead. I did some sketches recently. I'll post them ASAP, likewise with some graphic designs that I'm working on-including a logo for my photography.

I was at Best Buy earlier today and I came across a guy named Brandon and we talked for about an hour about cameras and he's a professional as well. And he showed me some tricks to work with on a DSLR as well. I'll be sure to look him up on Facebook as well as flickr and scope out his work.

Got some things accomplished on the way...

2010-02-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

Cleaned up the front half of my upstairs, gotta re-organize my CD and DVD library, tested the snow-blower, we're rumored to get TEN inches of snow by tomorrow evening, and it's gassed up, I'm still consistent with my 365 Project on flickr, I skipped a day of my Bible reading, but now I'm back on track, I have two job apps I wanna fill out, but I may have to wait until either later on tonight or first thing in the morning. I finally paid my eBay balance and posted about 10-15 items online and resolved NOT to post any more stuff until the items I posted sell. I learned my lesson from the last time. I posted about a thousand bucks worth of stuff on eBay and only made a few hundred and wound up with a huge balance. So this time, I'm just keepin the list short so the balance won't be so high next time...

Month #1 of my 365 Project for Twenty-Ten!

2010-02-03T00:02:00.000-05:00

I am doing my second 365 Project for 2010. Already this one's way better than the first one I did in 2008. I can only imagine how the month of February's gonna turn out. Here's a preview of the progress made so far.

Hope everybody likes it!

-Bob

Pics from the 2010 Detroit International Auto Show

2010-01-26T01:48:00.000-05:00

Enclosed are some pictures I've taken of both the cars and models/participants at the Auto Show. You can click on the pics for further information. As I've stated on the last blog, I went to the Auto Show more for the business purposes of being there-namely the purpose of practicing my art and learning my craft better. I was tired, but it paid off royally. Enjoy the pics!

This month has been a blast so far!

2010-01-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

A new year, and a new decade! Mostly good things have happened and the only major blow that was done to me and my family was that my grandfather passed away at 85 years of age. I know this much, he's in God's hands. So if it His will, we will all see him again in the resurrection promised at John 5:28, 29 and Revelation 21:3, 4. So that being said (as far as bad news go)...

I have no pics to post on the particular subject(s) that I am about to mention, but I was at the Auto Show and I did some things that I didn't even expect to turn out like they've done. Despite mourning over granddad's passing, my being published recently still had me in goose bumps. So I decided to step things up, instead of getting into each and every automobile of my liking-a ritual I've had for many years-I did the opposite and took pictures from various angles and went so far to take the pictures of the models with the cars. Most were models, others were financial consultants for the companies whom they represented. I even got the names of the models and some of them are on Facebook. Even a State Trooper was gracious enough to let me take a picture of him with one of the Bentley models last night.

So instead of my being there for the entertainment purposes of the Auto Show, I was actually there for the business aspect of it. I hate to sound "homophobic", but I should try taking picture of men (despite my reservations) as well as women-even children for that matter! Just to sharpen my skills even more so.

So I have alot of fixing up to do on my pictures. I took the advice of a friend and fellow photographer of looking into various aspects of photography. And after applying those principles I see what he was talking about. I have more to talk about but time and energy fails me for the moments.

Things are about to change this year and I don't care about the consequences!

2010-01-04T12:03:00.001-05:00

I've been through worse, to say the least!

As bad as I wanna leave Detroit-let alone the state of Michigan-this city does have its good points. And I intend to be a part of those good points. I have a vacation coming up later on this month, I'm gonna see a friend of mine perform with his band @ the HRC downtown, and despite a real (crappy) economy, there is much to see in Detroit.

There's even an Exposure Detroit at the Majestic Theater. I told the folks there on the ED group that I'll be there, so hopefully if it's God's will, and I have the money, I'll be there.

For events in and around the Detroit area, go to:

http://www.visitdetroit.com

So much to do in so little time.

2010-01-03T21:28:00.000-05:00

How do I even begin this one? Insurance, a second job, a car to pay for, plus the insurance on that, weight watchers, flickr, ebay-both buying and selling, considering marriage, apartments, Bible reading, trying to patch things up with The Lord before Judgment Day arrives, online business, virtually everything is on the brain simultaneously.

But all things considered, I'm still here, still breathing and still living. I don't have much to say other than I've lived to fight another day. I am happy to have made it into the New Year. I've started my 365 Project on flickr-this time on NYD-so I hope that this one will be more intense, and to the point on certain subjects.

Signing off for tonight.

My first post of 2010!

2010-01-01T00:29:00.000-05:00

Well, as planned I have began my second 365 project. I can only hope and pray that I will be as successful with this one as I was with the one I did two years ago. A lot of things are on the mind right now, but I'm trying to keep my focus going. I also intend to resume my membership with Weight Watchers as well.

My 365 project is going to be entirely different from the last one-that's my goal!

2009 ends with a bang for some of us!!!!!

2009-12-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

What a way to end the old year! In spite of some unforeseen events that affects us constantly such as death, debt, and the loss of jobs, this year-in some ways-has lit a spark in me that I never imagined would occur. I've sold internationally on eBay, I've bought (internationally) on eBay just the same. Later on in the year, I've helped out people without even the thought of wanting things in return just to be blessed even further by it! I've sold items for a friend on eBay and I'll be receiving only ten percent of the profits-which is good to some point. I'm starting to blog more now than I did when I was on my first myspace page. I have another one, but I'm in no hurry to use it at this time. I've been published for the first time (I've yet to receive the check), so that was a blast!

I've reunited with some old friends from my high school days on facebook (believe me, I'm keeping a tight grip on that one), so that feels just as good-it's been almost twenty years since I've last seen most of 'em. And next December will mark my 15th anniversary with the Detroit Public Schools. I had no desire to be with them this long. I will say this, though. I ain't even gonna try to push toward 30, or 20, or even my 16th, or 17th year with these people. I have got to move on from this gig! And that's been a goal of mine as of recently, and I've been praying about it as well.

I've been blessed with a new car, I was introduced to some very nice people on facebook by way of relatives of mine (who are also on facebook), so even though this year had a very bumpy start for me, it eventually ironed itself out down the road. I've even started reading the Bible again, and that feels good-feels even better that I'm making an effort to read more of it and to meditate on it and comprehend the things that I'm reading. And some of the things in the word-esp. in the old testament-are very vivid attention getters to say the least! Let's just say that compared to what we're going through now, it's like the wise King Solomon observed in his day: There is nothing new under the sun. Only a fool would dispute that!

So many things to say at present, but time will not permit right now, but as I reflect on how this year's ending-just one day away-I can only thank God that I'm not where I was then. And as I said in yesterday's post, I plan to do another 365 for 2010. And with all these other projects in the making, it's definitely gonna be harder than the last one, but if the True God will bless my efforts on this upcoming project like he did the last one two years ago, I can make it.

I know I can!

My resolutions from here on out (and I've been doing this before the 'New Year's Resolution') are stated in the scriptures below:

Proverbs 3:5, 6
Matthew 6:33
Philippians 4:13

The New Year is just DAYS away!

2009-12-28T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here's something that I intend to start off the New Year with. For those who may not know what this consists of, the 365 Project is an online project where one posts photos, artwork, videos, etc.-virtually anything of their choosing-one day, every day, of the week, month, year, from January 1 to December 31. I started my first one late in January, but I was able to finish right on time. Hopefully some of my pics will be explored again like they were the last time. It's a time-consuming undertaking, but it's a fun one.

With three days remaining in the year, even though I'm far from ready to get this thing off the ground, but I'm gonna give it a go anyway. But I intend to blog my 365 as well. Something that I have never done. I have a lot on the mind, and I intend to bring these things to fruition if the will of God wishes it.

Let's do this, baby! Let's do this!

I KNOW that You are watching me!

2009-12-06T01:20:00.003-05:00

Heavenly father,
Faithful and True,
There is not a day that goes by
Without your saying “I love you”

Help me please, Father
To take the time and see,
That even in these turbulent times,
When worse has come to worst,
That you are still watching over me.

You grant us life each and every day,
That we often take for granted,
The very extent of your undeserved kindness,
Sometimes I just can’t understand it

Oftentimes let my insecurities
Get the better of me,
To the point where I go blind
And can’t even see,
That you are “Greater that our heart”
And yet you still watch over me.

Help me, please
To pay attention to your Holy Spirit
As it delivers the message so deep,
That I have no choice but to hear it,

Please, Father
Do give attention to my pain
So that I will not do anything rash
To bring reproach on your most Holy name

I am convinced that mere mortal man
Cannot rid the earth’s problems,
Yes, I understand
That only You, and you alone
Have the ability to solve them,

Grant me your Holy Spirit
That I may do your will with zeal,
So that when I preach to others, Father,
The masses will know that what I say is real

Please help me to maintain
What little integrity that I have on this earth,
For the sensual pleasures of this world
Only produces pain, for what it’s worth

Day by day
I’m torn between the battle of the
Spirit and the flesh,
Sometimes the latter overpowers the former,
And I’m left in a terrible mess

Help me, Father
To value my days more often
As you speak to me,
That my heart I try to soften

I long for the day,
That this system will near its end,
And that in the New Order to come,
We will all be forever known as
“Your Friend”

Do help me, my God, Lord, and Savior,
To take the time and see,
That even when it seems that I just can go on any longer,
That you continue to watch over me.

© Robert Julius
2009-December-6
bob-julius@hotmail.com

Things are lookin' up slowly but surely!

2009-12-05T19:23:00.000-05:00

I'm not gonna go into too much detail on this one, just click on the picture above, and you can see all the links there. But this book featured a photograph I've taken, and even though how they've published it wasn't the way I expected, I still feel honoured, humbled, and privileged to be a contributor to the book being published. And I'll be compensated for this picture as well. Can't wait for the check to come. I am very thankful to my Lord and Saviour for making that possible.

I've sent this picture to many of my friends/contacts on flickr and even though I expected some feedback, I got more that I expected. NOW I gotta post this in some groups. I may even post this on WordPress, I don't know yet.

Still excited, still celebratin', still gettin' them goose bumps!

Payday's always a good day!

2009-12-02T01:43:00.000-05:00

The only thing that sucks about it is that my job pays bi-weekly. Would be nice if I could work a full-time job that paid weekly. Haven't had that kinda job in years! But if I could find something part-time to help me with my car, that would be right on time! But I got my eBay business as well as my insurance class-which I haven't studied for in weeks-but I plan to get on the ball with that because I spent a great deal of money for this online course and I wanna get my money's worth out of it. I'm taking today off, so that'll be my chance then when I go to the coffee shop later on tonight. I recently got a new credit card, but with a small limit, and I'm in no hurry to use it, esp. after what I've already gone through for the last five or so years. Perhaps this insurance bit might be what I'm looking for after all. Some friends of mine have jumped on that boat, I might as well myself.

I've been selling and buying off of eBay as of late. I bought an MP3 player that resembled an iPod, but does more. But I should've known that a curveball was gonna be thrown in somehow. I paid for an 8 GB player-that's about 2,000 songs, right? And I can't even get 100 on the darned thing. And even though I knew this from the beginning, I'm paying more than the usual attention to it now, that if I want a quality MP3 player, I've got to spend some quality money! That iPod touch has been calling me out since a friend of mine recommended it. I've played with them at the Apple Store, and I'm addicted every time. I'll go so far to settle for the 8 GB Nano-which also takes pictures, and records video. But for an extra $50, I can get the iPod touch with 8 GB that does that and more! So after thinking it over, the touch has got me sold! All I gotta do is save up for it.

For now, I'm making do with my piece of (crap) imitation iPod. Next pay period, if I don't get too pissed off and tear the thing up, I'll return it. But some better news has come up-whether or not I've posted this in my last blog, I don't know-but I was featured in a publication courtesy of Cannon Design, and I'll receive some compensation for my contribution. The compensation ain't much, but it's a start. It actually gave me a reason to keep on shootin' away. I plan to take photography next year, and hopefully buy a DSLR camera later next year.

And I was also approached from some musicians who asked me to design some bumper stickers for their band. Hopefully if I can sell some of these items on eBay before they expire later on tonight, that might just help me out to make the designs and [somewhat] mass-produce them. I'm hoping to hear from them as soon as possible.

Most of my money from my full-time job is gone now, I have just enough for gas and an occasional trip to the coffee shop (where I'll be later on tonight).

New Month as 2009 comes to a close!

2009-12-01T00:47:00.000-05:00

How will this year end for us (individually)? God only knows.

I have plans to send this old year packin' and send the New Year on its way to brighter and better things!

Go back to Weight Watchers,
Move back out (again),
Get engaged (I'm in my mid 30s, so it's about that time to start settling down),
Devote more time and energies in serving The Lord (I know, that really oughta be on the TOP of the list),
To get rid of this old junk, and upgrade to newer stuff,
To have my eBay business REALLY take off,
Obtain BOTH my Chaufuer's License as well as my Insurance License,
Make 2010-11 my final year with Detroit Public Schools,
Go back to School,
Rid myself of some very bad habits (some of which are better left unpublicized),
Use my websites to advertise my business(es) online,
Get a DSLR camera,
GET THE H___ OUTTA DETROIT!
Pray more and more often because the times we're living in today aren't what they were back in the day,
Hopefully get a day shift at my current position with the Board of Ed.,
Do another 365 Project on flickr, and blog about it, if possible,
Keep having a jukebox on my blog site(s),
To network more,
To get back into doing more creative things with my time,
Should I find that special lady I'm interested in, take my time with her until we seal the deal in marriage,

And there are many other things that I wish I could list right now, but my mind's a blank as it is after work and a few glasses of beer!

And hopefully own a stick-shift car-preferably the Ford Fusion-THAT CAR ROCKS, AND I WANT ONE!!!!!!!

The City and The Suburbs

2009-11-30T13:28:00.000-05:00

It's obvious that I wanna leave Detroit with a huge passion! I briefly stayed in the suburb of Clinton Twp. just a good eight miles north of the city. I'd move back out there without hesitation or reservation. I really want to leave the state of Michigan. I love the change of seasons that we get, but the snow-esp. when it gets to about a foot high, then I got a problem. Keep in mind, I am a high school janitor, and doing all that snow with little or no equipment can be a real pain in the butt! Thankfully I just got a new(er) car, and I'm trying to find something part-time so I can pay the insurance. Even if I lived in suburbia again, I'd still need something on the side to help with the insurance. But with the suburbs, insurance is way cheaper as opposed to the city. Thankfully my insurance has gone down for two reasons: 1)I'm an older, and more observant driver, and 2) I haven't had any tickets and/or accidents in God knows how long! So that's a plus, even though I stay in the city!

Granted, the city does have its good points. I went for a drive in Hyde Park yesterday after morning service and I was amazed at how beautiful that part of the city really is! It borders on, if it isn't exactly located downtown. But the drive was breathtaking, and I can visualize my mother spending her retirement years there! But the majority of the city has just went on a moral decline. And Kwame Kilpatrick's antics made it even worse! So that alone just dashed my hopes of wanting to stick things out in the city. And to make matters worse, we have to venture outside of the city to do any business because any business that we do have in the city closes early whereas suburbia closes later in the nighttime. The only areas in Detroit that seem to do well to this day are Downtown, Old Redford, East English Village, and Warrendale to name a few.

Yesterday I went for a walk and saw some apartments in Harper Woods, and they were just downright beautiful on the outside, but I have yet to check them out on the inside. I chatted with one of the residents and I asked her how were things in the apt. bldg. ans she said that things were alright in the complex. So what I may do is set up an appointment and visit to see for myself how it is for the price. I prefer the suburbs over the city anyway because there's more security there, and it's somewhat safer there than it is in the city.

I once said that if I leave the city, I'm not coming back. The only time I'd come back is if Detroit would get its act together. As anyone can see, that alone is taking its sweet time materializng. I'm considering moving out of state-since that's where all the jobs are now. But for the time being, a nice apartment in the suburbs will do. But I still gotta find something on the side to keep this car going.

It's been awhile since I've last been here...

2009-11-27T14:29:00.000-05:00

What can I say about these past few weeks? I've transferred to a school closer to home-same job, different location, I've gotten a new car, and now I'm looking for a secondary income so I can maintain this nice car. One of my cousins introduced me to a lady on facebook, I'd like to meet her in person one day. I have been blessed as of recently. I'm seriously considering reading the Bible again. Because the days we're living in now are very stressful, and unpredictable. I'm also gearing myself up for another 365 project on flickr, so I'm gonna be busy next year. I also intend to look for some nice apts. in the suburbs-hopefully I'll find a good one, in a good area, and at a decent price, and go back to school so I can step it up in photography. I have a new ride as I mentioned earlier, so now I have an opportunity to do the things that I need to do. I've set up other blogs, and online sites, so I intend to get more involved in those as well. I have fourteen years with the Board of Ed., and I'm planning on leaving after fifteen. Where will I go from there, I don't know. But I'm planning ahead for something. Despite the slow economy, I don't want to be pushing a broom for thirty years-bad enough I've done it for this long!

But networking is the thing I would like to go further into to advertise the things that I can do. Be it photography, graphic designs, eBay, insurance, etc. So education is what I need to get the things that I want. It took me over a decade to realize that. Not saying that I did not know it, but I was thinking that there was a shortcut of some sort just to get my foot in the door, as it were. And there are a few, but you gotta know some folks for that.

Sometimes that means putting yourself in a compromising position-which I won't do unless I really have to-cause I do know some folks.

I was even offered some money for a picture I've taken last year. I'm gonna follow up on that later on today.

Leaping Lanny!

2009-11-12T01:39:00.001-05:00

My personal tribute to a wrestler I grew up watching many moons ago. Leaping Lanny Poffo

Leaping Lanny
By
Bob Julius

It happened one day in 1973,
Where a young man debuted
As a wrestler from his native Calgary

His dad’s name is Angelo,
And his big brother is known as Macho

We remember him as “The Genius”,
But this cat is none other than
Leaping Lanny Poffo,

Leapin’ Lanny Poffo
The father many kids today
Wish they could have,
Leapin’ Lanny Poffo
Who is a proud non-smoking dad

For nearly forty years
He has wrestled and traveled
(and entertained) the world
And to this day his karma
attracts the attention to all
The little boys and girls

A staunch advocate
for clean living

How rare it is for a gentleman
Of his stature (in this day and age),
To be the gift that
“Keeps on giving”

Leaping Lanny Poffo,
A beautiful mix of Italian and Jew
This man has a wealth of knowledge
That is beneficial for me and you

This very same man
Who defeated Hulk Hogan
In front of a sold-out crowd
In 1989
An occasion as rare as that
Still remains vivid in the mind

Leaping Lanny,
A man who freely
Speaks his mind
In the form of a rhyme

For over thirty-five years
He has educated the world
Here’s to 40 more, Signore’ Poffo,
Keep on sending your message
To all the boys and girls!

© 2009 Robert Julius. All rights reserved.

I'm back home, despite some incoveniences (comes with the territory)!

2009-11-10T13:01:00.000-05:00

I am now an employee of my Alma-Mater, Kettering High School. I would go further in detail about it, but I "blogged" about it on my pix on flickr.

Exposure Detroit!

2009-11-09T12:18:00.002-05:00

Go to: www.exposuredetroit.net
and its flickr group:
www.flickr.com/groups/exposuredetroit

Banner posted by Paul Hitz.

And here are but a several pics I've taken of the event that night. I didn't say long.

I grabbed a bit to eat before things went under way...

The show began with only a few walking in...

Then I met this beautiful lady who was one of the guests of honor that evening.

Then I came across a friend on flickr who I really didn't get to know very well until that night (and I've known her for two years now). I'm glad that things have turned out well for her as of late. Go on her page and find out.

And another guest of honor I've had the pleasure to meet was Mr. Brian Day! I was smitten immediately by his work. I have his page linked to the picture below.

The Beginning Of The End!

2009-11-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

After a good (if you wanna call it that) three years of working 20 miles across town, yours truly is about to take off from Henry Ford HS and will start working at his alma-mater, Kettering High School.

God help me!

But this was my plan to be close to home like I was a few years back. It was getting kinda hot between myself and a few folks, to say the least. That's one of the reasons why I left. But as time went on, gas began to go up, way up! My faithful car has began to suffer more wear and tear than it could stand, and overtime became all the more scarce, and the administration at my now former school was changing left and right like soiled underwear, literally! Just like the City of Detroit had gone through three mayors in a year's time, Henry Ford High School has went through three principals in a year's time, and one of them-I won't mention any names, yet-had went out in disgrace, but she eventually rebounded. Good for her, to say the least!

But the longer I stayed, the more problems were solved, but at the same time, others were created. And the latter began to outweigh the former, then the red flags were flashing left and right! So with a little faith, prayer, persistence, and even patience-which, unless it's convenient for me-is not the strongest of my virtues, I finally got what I wanted. I knew I'd be close to home, but at my old high school? I don't know, I've been out of HS for the better part of 20 years. So some things have changed over that period of time. I do see one particular pattern occurring (aside form bouncing all over the city-which I hope will be brought to an end):

I worked at Golightly Career and Technical Center for 5 years (and some change) which was for the most part gravy, but at the turn of [this] century, DPS went through some major changes-and they weren't good, either. At the end of my fifth year at GCTC, there was talk about our department being split up, which eventually happened. Our principal at the time-I'll leave her name anonymous for the moment-fought to keep us in her building due to the goodwill most of us have built over the years. But one day she wasn't at the school, and somehow I got transferred over to Finney High School. I bitched, and threatened to file a grievance with the union because of the underhanded move that DPS was doing on us. I was aware of the 180s that the Board was doing on us, and later our unions did just as bad, if not worse down the road.

So after a few days of constant bitching and whatnot, I was urged by the custodians to give Finney a shot even if it was further down the side of town I stayed on. Little did I know that being sent over there-though underhanded, in my opinion-was actually a blessing in disguise for me. I could work at my own pace, I wasn't paged every few seconds to deal with some B.S. that the people who were ringing for me could've got off their fat (behinds) and did themselves. I was actually able to breathe easier. That, and I got a bad taste in my mouth from certain folks I was working with at Golightly, and more than likely I was about to snap and act in way that would've made folks think different of me permanently form then on. So I credit the Holy Spirit for that one. I was actually at peace after a few months.

Finney was gravy, as well for that one year that I was there (until Summer clean-up rolled around, and I felt like I was at Golightly again). And when the new school year started, things were back to normal. So I thought. I was in the middle of the first week and I was asked to transfer over to Clark Elementary as soon as my shift started. I was Gung Ho at first, but inside, I knew right then, that this was gonna go to Hell the minute I walked in the door of my now, at that time, new school.

And it did, too!

Keep in mind, I was asked as soon as I was about to get started to go over to this other building immediately.
Now I get there, I have nothing to work with, I'm literally in the middle of a carnival taking place (aren't those supposed to occur after the school year?)! The principal, a lady, and a (w)itch to boot said that she'd acknowledged that she made a bad impression on me, which she did. I retorted and said that this move was spur-of-the-moment, and she said that it was a necessary spur-of-the-moment.

If I didn't know any better, I'd she was being sarcastic on both fronts! Now if both my supervisor at the time, as well as this (w)itch principal that I had to deal with had used some common sense and waited until the following week to send me over to Clark. Not only would I be there today, but I would have a great deal of respect for both of them. The boss I was under, I still respect him, but my level of respect has lowered because of that. But that heifer I was dealing with, she may be fine, but to this day, I've nothing but pure contempt for her! We just had fallout after fallout after fallout, so I did a 180 of my own, AND GOT OUTTA THERE!

Now, up until this past Friday, Henry Ford HS. Originally I wanted to transfer over to Redford HS, which was a good thing I didn't do because it closed a year after I was transferred over to Ford. Again, a blessing in disguise. I would add further detail(s), but time fails me right now. That, and I'm at the coffee shop again. So I'm done griping for now

More Items up for grabs on eBay!

2009-11-02T20:53:00.002-05:00

George Duke-From Me To You (issued 1977, out of print)

1:18 Maisto Special Edition Chrysler 300 C (mint condit., still in the packaging)

My eBay page.

Everyday I play with flickr and its toys (I just can't get enough of either one of 'em)!

2009-10-31T12:22:00.003-04:00

Here is a sample of a graphic design I made for a bumper sticker/t-shirt that I created. I used Picture-It for the process.

And here is a picture of Detorit's skyline while on a cruise on the Detroit Princess. This picture is edited from Picnik.com. You can click on the picture below that will lead you to the flickr site (everything should be linked on that page). And the original image is posted in the comment box of the newly remastered photo.

And here's an HDR shot of a 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Everything should be linked from there as well.

And here's a Dodge Charger (I don't know what year it is) that's tricked out and I recently added an HDR and grit effect courtesy of picnik.com. Everything should be linked in this photo as well as the original photo-which I've taken last summer.

The rest of the pics are tricked out via picnik. The originals are in the comment boxes.

SNITCH!

2009-10-30T13:16:00.004-04:00

Snitch: 1) SLANG, snatch; steal. 2) SLANG, 1 be and informer; tell tales. 2 informer

“Therefore if one knows how to do what is right, and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him”

-James 4:17, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

This has been a very sensitive subject among many communities, especially the African American communities. I see, for everyone who condemns another for reporting a wrongdoing-even if it’s minor, which it very seldom is today-an unwillingness to take responsibility in any way, shape, form, or fashion for that matter. Snitching, or tattling, originates back to both slavery and Biblical times. Even though both times are centuries apart, there exists a monumental connection between the two.

I would like to get into the meat of both subjects, but time fails me at the moment. But I bring this up for a variety of reasons. Usually, one who informs is one who tells information to others in order to get a certain task done: i.e., a Police Detective who employs a street informant on tips that could lead to a bust. That’s a good thing, to a point, even thought the cop is slightly bending the rules in order to keep the streets safe. Then, you have the other informant, who’ll rat you out with spite and contempt, while at the same time, that individual is doing dirt him/herself. And this person doesn’t have sense enough to realize that, if it hasn’t happened already, they’re exposing themselves in harm’s way, and being a hypocrite to boot. And once that happens, he/she can’t say anything after that.

But now in the 21st century, the terminology “Snitch” has taken a turn for the worse, and like everything else we as a race has encountered, this has posed a major threat to the Black community. Case in point: when we were kids, and someone harassed us, we were obligated to say something, despite the repercussions that may have happened afterward, we lived to fight another day! Nowadays, if someone threatens, or worse yet injures you to the point of violation, and you say something, you may not even live to see the remainder of the day! And, even though you’re the victim of such evils, if you say one word to anybody, you’re dubbed a snitch!

So let me see if I got this right; if a young lady is walking down the street, and keeping to herself. And someone she knows personally violates her, and this individual is well-known, well-respected, and-up until now-is in good-repute, threatens to do worse to her and even her family, does anyone with any sense just stand idly by and do nothing while this sick pervert keeps on doing what he’s doing at the expense of unsuspecting innocents, and no one even bothers to check him out?!? NO WAY! You’re gonna put the word out, call the cops, and if possible, have some old-school friends and relatives of yours tune his behind up and teach him some manners before the cops even get to him!

Another case in point: Say a young man in school is picked on for a variety of reasons be it that he/she is of a different ethnicity, religion, class, sexual preference, or just stands out from their contemporaries. Someone pulls a gun on this kid, or beats him down until he’s borderline unconscious and threatens to do worse if he says something! Most kids today are scared for their lives because of that. When I was a kid, and you encountered us like that, the whole block was waitin’ for you to make a move, and to top it off, the parent/guardian of the child responsible for the mess he/she caused would not hesitate to throw the first stone because 1) that person knew that anything [their] child does reflects of [them], and the last thing they need/want is to be a laughingstock of the neighborhood, and 2) the child responsible was brought up better than that-most of ‘em when I was coming up, anyway.

But back to what I was saying about kids in school today, they need to stop being in fear of a mere mortal who feels that he/she can do whatever at their expense and walk away like it’s their God-given right to mistreat folks because they can. Another case in point:

When I say to someone wicked, ‘You will positively die,’ and you do not actually warn him and speak in order to warn the wicked one from his wicked way to preserve him alive, he being wicked, in his error he will die, but his blood I shall ask back from your own hand. But as for you, in case you have warned someone wicked and he does not actually turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked way, he himself for his error will die; but as for you, you will have delivered your own soul. And when someone righteous turns back from his righteousness and actually does injustice and I must put a stumbling block before him, he himself will die because you did not warn him. For his sin he will die, and his righteous acts that he did will not be remembered, but his blood I shall ask back from your own hand. And as for you, in case you have warned someone righteous that the righteous one should not sin, and he himself does not actually sin, he will without fail keep on living because he had been warned, and you yourself will have delivered your own soul.”

-Ezekiel 3: 18-21 (NWT)

That was a bit lengthy, but do you see a connection between the passage quoted from over 6,000 years ago down to today? The point is this. If we see something that goes against our moral code of conduct, as it were, and we know it violates our conscience, and we are aware of the consequences of not taking any action, then the responsibility falls on US! So you are NOT a snitch when you report someone doing wrong to someone you love, or worse yet, yourself! By all means, put the word out, and put your foot down to those who try to strike fear into you! And they will do that to you, if you let them! And once that happens, the war was lost before the battle could even begin!

One last thing in mind, Jesus Christ once said: “…Do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear HIM who can destroy body and soul both”. So the person who’s posing a serious threat to you is just a mere mortal man/woman. In the words of Apollo Creed in Rocky III, “Be more man than him!” And get the community involved and take back the neighborhood that your elders once dignified!

‘Nuff Said!

UPDATE so far!

2009-10-25T01:11:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been about a minute since I've been here. I've shipped some items I've sold on eBay as well as treated myself to something from eBay. I was informed by two people yesterday about a possible part-time job dealing with insurance sales, my attention was immediately undivided at that point. So I believe I may have a new career soon. Pays a lot more than the peanuts I'm bringin' home from DPS, so my options are wide open, to say the least!

I haven't composed anything or drew anything, or designed anything within the last few weeks, but I have been taking some recent photographs of mine and touching them up before I post them online. It's to the point where now after I fix 'em up, I make two different versions of the same one. One with my "Stamp" and the other without it. So if anyone wants to publish any of my work just email me: bob-julius@hotmail.com

I very seldom check my mail on the weekends so more than likely I'll be swamped on Monday!

Here are some recent photos I've taken of my former hometown, Mount Clemens, Michigan. I miss it, I'd move back out there without hesitation or reservation!

(click on thumbnail to see the original size)

Progress being made gradually every day!

2009-10-15T21:19:00.005-04:00

I keep hoping to blog more poetry, but distractions keep getting in my way-but these distractions are good ones. My grandfather's out of the hospital, and my father went downsouth for the weekend, so I'll be watching over his property until he returns. I finally bought that oxygen sensor for my car, and it's a matter of time until I have it installed and my car can drive normal again. Despite the problems I've with that car these past five years, I've decided to keep it when I buy myself a newer car next year if the True God wills it.

My mind is made up on these two things so far: 1) I'm gonna work two jobs again so I can save some money again, and 2) I'm definitely going back to school, because I've had it with this job as a jantior! I've been in the maintenace business for over 15 years, and I've had this peanut-payin' gig with DPS for almost that long! I had no intentions of being with these people for this long a time. So whatever it may be, truck driving, engineering, electrical, I'm goin back next year! Enough is enough with this back-breaking, pain in the ___ gig, bustin' my b____ everyday just to bring home some friggin' peanuts ever other week! And to add insult to injury, the money that we make is according to 1989 standards! Now HOW in the (world) can we survive on that kind of income?!?

Now Mr. Robert C. Bobb want our unions to take a %10 paycut (I'm leaving if that happens), and pay %20 of our insurance. WTF, MAN?!? We barely make enough to pay the bills on time! That's when it hit me after having my buttons pushed on so many occasions during the last few years-GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

So currently, I am studying for my Chauffeur's License and at the same time reading Lee Iacocca's autobiography learning some things about business as well as gaining some motivation. But taking in knowledge-and I regret not taking this seriously when I was younger-actually lifts the burden of anxieties off your shoulders and simultaneously lifts your spirits, literally exploring new things, new worlds, and things seem so different now than they did previously because you take the time to learn.

I need to do that more often now, while I'm still young. But you'll be surprised the stress that's being released while you take in new things in life. Even though those burdens are still there, you can deal with them better, and eventually, they'll pass.

I have a potential job interview tomorrow morning with AT&T doing some part-time sales, and if they are what they say they are, I may be doing some of that between now and New Year's, while still doing eBay.

I've been pounding the pavement as far as trying to find either a new full-time job, or a part-time job. Personally, I'd like a driving job-you barely have to do anything, just transport from point A to B. Although I currently do not obtain a Chauffuer's License, or a CDL, those jobs are in demand despite a slow economy. Besides, you have have to have the former in order to obtain the latter anyway-state law-in Michigan, anyway (I could be wrong on that, though).

If the Good Lord allows it, I really hope that the four of us-me and mom, and my grandparents-leave the 'hood. Everyone's leaving because things are getting worse and most of our neighbors are elderly, and me personally, I wanna see my grandparents spend the winter of their lives in better surroundings-likewise for mom and dad if they live to see their 60s, 70s, or even 80s. Our neighborhood has changed, sadly for the worse!

Hard to believe the same 'hood I grew up in used to be occupied, now it's nearly vacant. This is one of the reasons why I remain single. I refuse to bring a woman to a area like that! I'll stay single for the rest of my life before I do that, jack! AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!

So again, the urgency of going back to school is speaking louder volumes than I can bear. And the things I've posted tonight are but a few reasons why I actually want to go back to school-esp. if our President is offering grants even almost to the point of demanding that we go back to school. I think I understand his reasoning(s) for that. To help rebuild our economy and to leave our descendants better things for their future(s).

Understandable? I think so!

Persistence slowly but surely pays off.

2009-10-11T00:34:00.001-04:00

Originally I was gonna post another poem, but as always distractions got in my way. I have more sketches that I've done a few months ago, but have yet to post. But my mind remains set on it. This past week has been stressful for me. My grandfather has been to two different hospitals, he sounds better, and appears to be doing better. I haven't seen him since Thursday, and hopefully after service I'll see him today. 85 years old and he hasn't missed a beat up until now. But he remains in high spirits. So I'll keep on praying for him as well as grandma. Both my grand parents had recently celebrated 60 years of holy matrimony. And I'm hoping that they can make their 61st.

I've just gotten another follower here on blogger, I've joined a blogger group on flickr, and I'm trying to be as selective as possible as to who's blog I wanna follow and vice versa. I've joined other blog sites, and I may start blogging there as well. As much as I like it here, and I've seen FIRST hand the success of bloggers here on blogger.com, there's that voice inside of me that says "Don't limit yourself to blogger.com" for some odd reason. So I followed my gut instinct and created more accounts.

I've just posted some more CD's and DVDs on eBay, and I've just downloaded some free MP3s on Amazon, and even though I'm somewhat outta gas, part of me still wants to keep on the internet just a little while longer before service. But I'm gonna leave it in God's hands. Worrying about all this is just adding more stress than I can stand. And I can avoid all that by not even entertaining thoughts of negativity.

Waste of time anyway.

Right now I am trying real hard to finish my Transformers Charity Race. Once I finish the rest of it, I may rest again. I have TONS of pictures I've taken this past summer that I wanna post on flickr before the year's end.

All in all, I'm looking forward, moving forward, thinking forward. That's the best that I can do right now.

That's the best that everyone can do, to be realistic about it

Voluptous Woman

2009-10-08T12:17:00.003-04:00

Voluptous Woman

Robert Julius

Voluptuous woman,
Sexy and fine,
Not a day that goes by
That I wish U were mine,

Day and night,
I am turned on by your
Full-bodied thickness
The very sight of you gets
My attention with the quickness

Voluptuous woman,
Creature divine,
A lady like U ain’t
that hard to find

In the summertime
Men stop on a dime
Just 2 C a thick chick
Who looks so fine

I’m turned on by a thick girl
From her ruby red lips
To her nice round hips

Her dark brown eyes
And her smooth thick thighs
As the rest of her voluptuous size
Ain’t nothin’ but a feast 4 my eyes
The sound of her voice
And the soft touch of her hands
Makes my temperature rise

Voluptuous Woman,
It is by Divine Intervention
That some1 as fine as U,
Has captured my undivided attention

Voluptuous Woman,
O What I would not do,
2 bring home 2 mama’s house,
Some1 as fine as you,
And U know that’s true!

In the wintertime,
It’s time 2 turn on the heat
Cause I like a woman
Who’s a lady in the streets,
But a freak in the sheets!

I must confess,
That I’m turned on by your prettiness
I am madly in love
With the cutie
With that wide bubble-booty

Voluptuous woman,
God’s gift to man,
Simple and sweet,
Yet sometimes difficult to understand

Voluptuous woman,
Sexy and sensuous,
Voluptuous woman,
Thick and curvaceous
Voluptuous woman,
Juicy and scrumptious,
Voluptuous woman,
Innocent, yet vicious,
Voluptuous woman,
Just to kissed by U would B
O so delicious!

Voluptuous woman,
I wanna bring U home,
2 my humble abode,
Ms. Lady, sexy and fine
I just can’t seem to get U outta my mind,

Voluptuous woman,
Sweet and sassy,
Voluptuous woman,
Always classy, but never flashy
Voluptuous Woman,
A real woman, never shady

Tonight, voluptuous woman,
I claim you as my lady!

© JVLIVS. All rights reserved.
bob-julius@hotmail.com

It feels good to be hittin' the sketchbooks again!

2009-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Some recent sketches I've done. I got some more comin'!

Words of wisdom!

2009-10-05T21:08:00.000-04:00

Quoted from Ving Rhames. One of my favourite Afro-American actors! Normally I don't use this kinda language when I blog-I try not to, at least-but in this age of information, it's more who you know as opposed to what you know. And it's imperative that we watch what we say about/to folks as wel as about whom as well. Let's just say that it's a small world out there!

You'll be surprised who knows who! So as a warning to all of us, we need to be careful, be very careful!

Renewed Vigor!

2009-09-30T21:08:00.001-04:00

It just seems that things are gradually improving left and right for me. I'm still being offered various job openings-including a driver's position-and I don't know where to start. And at the same time, I'm debating as to which cell phone I'd like to upgrade to next year. My options are/were:

LG Versa
LG Dare
LG EnV Touch
Samsung Rouge

Even though I said I wasn't gonna get another LG because of that Verizon shine model (the LG VX8700), I went through seven of 'em for over a year and I was about to bump heads with Lucky-Goldstar becasue of this, and VZW gave me a free LG Chocolate for the inconveniences. Part of me is still thinking about getting one more LG, but I've read reveiws that the new EnV Touch (which replaced the LG Voyager) was good, but the battery life sucked! That is an inconvenience that I can do without, thank you very much. The Rouge is even better, but like the Blackberry phones, you have to have a Life Plan (internet) to go with it, but from what I hear, the Life Plan for the Rogue is one third the price of that of the Blackberry! So on that note, it's worth the investment. But if you're like me, and you have past due bills that need to be caught up, then even thinking about an upgrade isn't in your best interest right now.

As if we really care!

But I call this "planning ahead", to say the least. It does feel good, though to be active and do things both constructive and creative. I've been humpin' all day, and it actually felt good! Up until now, I've been runnin' nonstop, and I don't ever want to take days like this for granted. I even got a few bites on eBay, and that made me feel even better! Even as I compose this blog, I'm weary, but I feel like I can still keep on going! I really truly hope that I can keep this on for a little while longer.

I guess what inspired this was some wise words from King Solomon when he penned these words from the Bible book(s) of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes:

"A little more sleep, a little more slumbering, a little more folding of the hands and lying down, and your poverty will come like highwayman, and your neediness like an armed man."

"In the morning sow your seed and do not let your hand rest...for you will not know of that which will have success, either here or there, of both of them will the like be good..."

The exact location of these scriptures fail me at the moment, but should I quote them again, they'll be here!

My persistnece in paying off to some extent, but I've a long way to go!

2009-09-29T22:14:00.001-04:00

As you know, I'm trying to find a new way to make money, and I cannot depend on eBay all the time, but I've been posting on Craigslist, and Simplead. Somehow Craigslist has gotten my attention. I was given many job offers, and before I respond to those offers, I'd google the compan(ies) that contacted me. You know how you'd type in a certain name or word in the search engine box and it would already have a list of words ready for you? Well, what I did was look for a certain four-letter word as soon as I typed half of what I about to put in. And if that particular word showed up, I'd leave it alone and delete that email or mark it as spam!

Hint: The four-letter word rhymes with "Spam"!

But I came across a very reputable bridal company as well as a linens company from the UK. I googled them both, and they were both legit! Now whether or not I'll hear from them is another story! I was offered another job from a china company from LA that originally came from Europe, and they were legit as well, but what made me back off from them was that on their website, they had a red button at the bottom that warned about some spammers using their site to offer jobs to work from home. As tempted as I was, I let it go. I didn't want to risk getting embarrassed over some unnecessary (nonsense).

All in all, things are gradually looking up! I picked up a Chauffeur's License pamphlet yesterday and read it, and I'm gonna read it again tonight. It ain't no CDL (Commerical Driver's License), but it's literally a step away from it. In case [anyone's] curious, I was offered a driving job as well, but I lack proper documentation for the time being. But come next week, if the True God wills it, and I have the funds for it, I'll have one!

May be hitting the road(s) for the Holidays, who knows?

Man, what extremes that people go thorugh just to enhance their appearance!

2009-09-28T18:25:00.003-04:00

"Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and has proceeded to conceal himself, but the inexperienced one has passed along and must suffer the penalty." Proverbs 22:3

These past few weeks I've been seeing some very disturbing things on the [online] news with plastic surgeries below the belt. And with the economy being as bad as it is, some are willing to take the cheapest route possible-even if it means going over to an unlicensed "professional" to insert implants in certain parts of the [lower] body.

Now over the course of [nearly] 30 years, we've all seen our favorite celebs go under knife and have whatever done either to their face, chest, hair, eyes, nose, ears, and all that whatnot. But today, there are some ladies out there who are dissatisfied with their appearance and if their legs, feet, or buttocks are on the Miss Prissy side, then they'll go all out to have those things fixed. And what some of these women fail to realize is that some of those things they have no control over, and some of them may be able to pick up some weight on the lower body by way of changing your diet as well exercise. That always helps! I have seen some women who were, as compared to just now, Ms. Prissy, transform themselves to very attractive women down the road just by making changes in their lifestyle. Now that may not always work with some, but there's always alternatives.

What upsets me the most is even though times are tough, and health insurance is on a major decline right now, is that some of these women-who are just coming of age, mind you-are cutting corners and costs to enhance the appearance of their lower bod(ies) from the butt to the toes, literally! And to top it off, despite that the female body stops growing at 18, 19 at the latest, it's still developing regardless. And some of these girls-in my professional opinion-are jumping the gun not allowing thier bodies to fully materialze yet. But to each his, or in this case, her own.

And to add on to what I wanted to mention, why would you go to someone who is unlicensed and inexperienced, and is tampering with the laws of nature, as it were, not to mention breaking some serious laws that could-if they don't already border on homicide, or involuntary manslaughter? It would make better sense if you went to a certified surgeon/physician who can tell you the risks and the consequences of these procedeures, the blessings and maledictions, if you will. But I made some similar comments on one website recently about this same subject, and my question is this: Is the pleasure really gonna be worth the pain just impress people in passing, people you know (and vice versa), and don't really like (and vice versa)?

And for those who went the cheap route, well, I'll post a link (or two) about those who were too cheap to have the procedure done right. And I'm not trying to be rude or negative in any way possible, but in this economy, doctors-most of 'em-will work with you if you are in a finacial bind, so there is no need to go to someone unlicensed just to give your booty a quick fix. Again, is the pleasure worth the pain?

Think about it!

Now I must bring this to the attention of the oberver(s): For anyone who reads fitness magazines, I do in case you're curious. But there have been reports that there were aspiring models and bodybuiders who had traveled to Mexico (and no offense to my Mexican friends as I write this) and had implants inserted in their calves to enhance the appearance of their legs. The surgery went awry, and infections set in, and the poor ladies had their legs amputated. A life ruined, a potential career over before it could even begin. And even though I mentioned that this took place outside the U.S., the butt implants gone wrong thing did! And it does not matter where you're at in regards to these procedures, but what does matter is that sound judgment and COMMON SENSE should be used at all times when undertaking such risks.

Now there may be some flat-bottomed women who may never have that Apple Bottom booty, if you will. But a woman's butt shouldn't always be the focal point of a man-me being a man, that's a weakness I'm fighting everyday, and I was man enough to admit it-but as Anthony Robbins said in Shallow Hal, "Everything that [we] know about beauty is programmed". And how right he was then, and I can only image how loud those volumes are speaking now!

I think of Tracy Ellis Ross, and Aisha Tyler. Well-known and respected African-American female personalities who are super fine and they have one thing missing-no big booty-but they're still hot! Now I like a woman with nice wide hips, that's what I grew up around-I prefer the natural kind, not plastic. But at the same time, apple bottoms or not, I'd rather have a woman who's natural from head to toe. Even if she lags, sags, or bags, at least I know it's her, and everthing on her is hers!

My thing is, just be happy with yourself. We may not always have the body that we all want, and even if we were able to get it be it through surgeries, or changes in our diet, it's still gonna wear out and grow old anyway, and death takes it all away in the end.

In conclusion, I leave you with some very encouraging words from a lawyer-turned pastor who spoke his mind through divine direction.

"... even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day. For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing weight and is everlasting; while we keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting."

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18

And I almost forgot, some links that will get your attention:

VIDEO: Butt Implants Gone Wrong
Google Search: butt impalnts gone wrong

2009-09-27T16:39:00.001-04:00

Just some artwork that I've done with my images from my flickr page. I had no idea that even when you save an image online that it has a somewhat faded appearance after a time of being there-almost like a a literal photograph in your hand. I took the liberties of remastering some of my pictures and I plan to post 'em on my facebook later on today. You can click on the picture(s) below, and they'll link you to my flickr site and the original image(s) will be in the comment box. I have literally breathed new life into some of the images that I've posted over the years. Enjoy!

Much more to come after this!

Summer's Ending

2009-09-25T20:48:00.001-04:00

Hard to believe that this year will be drawing to a close soon. And Autumn is just days away. My favorite time of year, but it's so short compared to the other three season. I haven't blogged here for a few days because I've been working on some poetry (ain't done that in years), and this one poem that I'm working on I wanna link it to FB and flickr. And this particular piece is about full-figured women, and as bad as I wanna "Let it all hang out", as it were, I gotta keep it decent. And believe me, that's the hard part!

I'm also working on a second installment to my short story miniseries "Crossing Over", and I just put some items on eBay, but no bites yet. I just got paid and already I'm broke, but that's to be expected when you let your expenses go out of control. I've been reading up on some automobiles that have caught my attention. I really want a stick shift because that means fewer trips to the gas station, but at this point I'll go with anything seeing that I'm at the point of desperation.

Alot of things have been on the brain as of late, moving out of the hood, getting married, and leaving Detroit (even if it means moving to the nearest suburb available). I may start looking for some apartments. I saw some for rent, but I'm waiting to get some bills caught up so I can start saving again. I've been Craigslisting for some part-time work, and I've heard some good things, but most of them keep offering me home business deals that time fails me to invest in. I've invested in some in the past, but it was at the wrong time, so hopefully when I'm clear of all of this red tape, I can reinvest in at least one of those ventures. And speaking of which, I think I know which one of those designs that I can sell on the internet that may help me down the road-I won't reveal it now, but you'll see it eventually.

And I'm still trying to think of ways to promote this blog other than Facebook. Well, after this I'm through. I only got a few hours sleep and I have to get home, so I'm signing off for tonight!

I just love this hustle!

2009-09-17T13:54:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that I cannot ship these items off right away, it's nice knowing that someone else is gonna be happy with the things that you once possessed. My biggest regret now is that when I got myself in all this red tape (which'll be cleared away real soon), I didn't jump ship on this then. But that water under the bridge now.
As I try to promote my blog, eBay webpage, as well as facebook, working on this huge networking circle can be fun in some ways, but tiresome in other ways. The good things about eBay are many, whereas the bad are few-from my experiences, anyway. Both are too numerous to name right now due to lack of time. I'll enclose a picture that I posted on flickr and you can draw your own conclusion there. Right now I'm waiting on my car to be ready within the next 30 minutes or so. I'm on the road again, Thank God! Hopefully this'll be the last time I'll hop the bus.

Finally some relief!

2009-09-16T22:26:00.001-04:00

Hopefully this will be the last time that I catch the bus to work. Somehow I caught all three buses en route to work like links in a chain! As soon as I left off of one bus, another one came! I haven't seen consistency like that since high school. Perhaps I was in the right place at the right time, who knows? I will have some if not all of this red tape cleared up by the end of this month, so hopefully by [after] New Year's I'll be in a newer car, and still keep the Pontiac (even after all this) so I can restore it and cruise on Woodward in a few years. If all else fails, I may just keep the shell and junk the engine and trans and breathe new life into it. But the engine still runs, just gotta get an oxygen sensor. And when I do, watch out, baby! It's gonna roar and peel off just like the day I bought it [almost] ten years ago.

Tomorrow I'm gonna start working from home via my eBay website (I've linked it so many time in the blogs, I'll link it some other time after this), so I'm gonna keep track of all that I have currently so there will not exist any confusion between myself and my customers. BTW, I made another international sale on eBay (I could get used to this). I know that this isn't much now, but as I said on other posts, down the road the rewards will be stupendous if I'm persistent and consistent in what I'm doing now.

It's gonna feel really good to breathe again. I only regret not doing this [more often] at least a year ago had I known that it would be this easy to understand. Trial and error, I guess. After a few months of
doing this, I found out that I really don't have to use "Priority Mail" at the Post Office (that's what's been eatin' up my wallet)! I could just write down the to and fro addresses on the envelope, or box, or whatever and paid only for the postage, and that would've been more money in my pocket!

Like I said, Trial and error!

I'm on a roll today!

2009-09-16T00:22:00.000-04:00

I've just heard form the dealership that the part for my car is gonna be ready, so hopefully I'll be back behind the wheel no later than Friday. I've made some extra money on eBay, I know that this money isn't gonna be much now, but if things go the way the think they will, I'll be able to make much more down the road. My focus is almost unbreakable at this point in time. I'm finally working on a second installment to "Crossing Over" so that'll be posted soon, and I've come up with some new ideas for my designs, so first chance I get, I'm gonna make some and hopefully make some bumper stickers and t-shirts by the holidays (now's a good time, I'd say).

Despite how tough these times are, I'm still wondering whether or not I wanna go with Verizon Wireless, or truck driving. At this point, first come, first serve. I also found out that I had an extra stash of comics in my basement, so I'm marking the prices on 'em right now according to the 2006 Comic Book Guide. It looks like I may be ditching this janitor gig after all. I don't ever want to do this again. After 14 years, I've had my fun, but now, I wanna go somewhere where I can advance.

I also have a ton of pictures that I've taken these past few months that have yet to be posted on the internet. Hopefully I'll be working on those as well. I'm thinkin' positive, and I'm beginning to reap the rewards of that.

Now that's feelin' worth having!

I think I found my 2nd job after all!

2009-09-14T11:10:00.000-04:00

I'm still having goosebumps over this overnight success with the sales that I made on eBay. Even though my car is outta commission for the time being, the post office is not that far away from my home. It's actually in walking distance (about a good 10-15 minutes on foot). So thankfully I have what I need to ship these items, and this time, just pay for the shipping alone instead of having it on Priority Mail (which costs me way more than expected-which also explains why my profits were so few). Save a huge bundle in the process.

And after I had found out how much junk that I have at home, it just dawned on me that my gold mine is right here at home! So hopefully this will benefit me for the next few months as it did this weekend. And I also hope to have the right part for my car so I can stop catching these buses to work. I would embellish on that, but now's not a good time. I gotta hustle!

What a day (and it has ONLY just begun)!

2009-09-13T15:59:00.000-04:00

I've just made more money on eBay (I'll link my store at the end of this blog), and I just bought some CD/DVD mailing covers so I can start shipping this stuff ASAP! When I had found out how much I made this past weekend, it actually brightened my day. It wasn't much, it was more than I would've hoped for. God's Holy Spirit was in the works with this one! But this just gave me the opportunity that I needed to keep this up.

I love the idea of making money online. All these years I thought it was some scam. And I can vouch for online stores like eBay, and Amazon where you can buy and sell from the comfort [and convenience] of your own home. I've yet to sell on Amazon, but I've been buying my (butt) off from them as well as eBay since this year began. I am still interested in teleworking, and I plan to look further into that ASAP. Now I'm checking out sites where you can sell your artwork. Be it Zazzle, CafePress, LuLu, Etsy, DeviantArt, or any other site. So after this revelation I've discovered in my email, my tired mind has been rejuvenated, and my positive mood has skyrocketed.

I think I'm in a position now to publish some of my photography into a hardcover book courtesy of LuLu. Here are some samples of some pictures that I may publish before the year's over.

Things are definitely lookin' up at this point!

My page on eBay.

Crossing Over, Part I

2009-09-11T22:01:00.001-04:00

Crossing Over (Part One)
A Short Story by
Bob Julius

Detroit, Michigan. On the lower east side. It was a wintery Friday afternoon. There existed a young man named Dale who was an all-star athlete in high school who has a knack for fixing automobiles as well as a very talented culinary student. On the west side of Detroit, there existed a young lady named Dianne who’s nicknamed “Anne” or “Annie” depending on who’s she’s with who has an undying desire to be both a housewife and parent but at the same time very business savvy and streetwise and while Dale has dreams of wanting to leave the city for a better world, Anne, on the other hand, who, although seeing that Detroit had made-and continues to make-a huge comeback in recent years, she sees its potential and wants to stick around for the better. Both these two high school seniors from opposite sides of town will cross paths and their lives will make some turns that are beyond their wildest dreams. Currently young Dale works at a local Auto Zone on the outskirts of the Grosse Pointes, and young Annie works at Macy’s at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, a westside Detroit suburb greeting customers as well as doing clerical work while working her way to assistant manager. One fateful Wednesday evening Dale was driving his silver Dodge Stratus which was a two-door coupe with a standard transmission. He learned how to drive using stick shifts before using automatics. To this day he swears by sticks.

Meanwhile, while en route to the Westside going for a drive, he takes the scenic route cruising through downtown seeing the revitalizations that have (and still continues to) take place in the city. Since he [as well as Anne] was younger, the city in the shape that it was in previously before the transitions was the same city that grew up in. So to them, this was all a new thing the both of them.

On arriving at Fairlane, he purchases a Cinnabon and chocolate milk before making his runs at the mall. Not wanting to leave right after doing his business, he wanted to soak up the ambience for the remainder of the evening come what may. So after walking around for awhile he stopped by a few stores that he liked before his stop to Macy’s where he would meet a special somebody who would change his life forever.

After several purchases form various stores, he stops by the food court but decides to cruise on over to Macy’s and check out some colognes and watches and what not. There he meets a nice voluptuous blonde named Dianne who worked at Macy’s and though he didn’t notice at first, he glanced a second time and notices her fine figure and nice warm smile. She gives him a sample of one of the popular colognes, Polo by Ralph Lauren. He wants to strike a conversation with her but she was preoccupied with her other duties at her job. He sticks around for a few more moments checking out some other items in the store while Dianne attends to her duties. Moments later, the two high school seniors cross paths again and this time, Anne strikes the conversation with Dale. Seeing that traffic has died down and it was lunchtime for Dianne, she offers him to go with her and they began to hit it off real quick. Anne attended Cass Tech High School downtown while Dale attended Southeastern High School crosstown from where she lived, worked, and attended school. Dale is black, of French Carribean (and some Canadian) origin, and Anne is white, of Russian-Polish (with some Italian mixed in) descent. Somehow the chemistry between these two school kids was off the chain. Little did young Dale know that Annie was in love with black men (which was later revealed to him). And something about the brothers just turns her on. Not just the myths about them, but their history as well as some things they have contributed to the betterment of the country. She came from a down to earth family who have a zero tolerance toward bigotry as well most of her friends are minorities anyway. Dale, on the other hand, being the young man that he is, is still trying focus on more this young lady’s frame. Her body is as curvaceous and thick in some areas as that of a black woman and that’s what threw him off.

Minutes have went by and Anne had cruise back to work and Dale wanted to cruise back to the east side so he could get some rest and go to school the next day. As the image of this nice curvaceous blonde danced through his mind, he pondered how his future would turn out after graduation. As he arrives home, he does some last minute work on the family vehicle before he goes to bed and starts a new day.

Progress gradually bein' made on my hooptie!

2009-09-10T18:45:00.000-04:00

I've recently posted that my '95 Pontiac is giving me problems, that it's also antique. So trying to breathe new life into it is gonna be a struggle to say the least. Thankfully I was aware of that before all the nonsense had went down. Slowly but surely I'm winning this battle, but the war on the other hand has yet to be won. But I'm fighting more than one war at the same time (maybe that explains my constant bitch and moan attitude as of late).

But thanks be to God and a supportive family, there's light at the end of the tunnel, and it's just a matter of time before I approach that light. And even though I haven't made huge profits with eBay yet, I got a feeling that with my persistence, I might be bringing in that supplementary income that I've been deaming about. I have an i-speedway account that has been inactive for quite awhile now. So once I get all that caught up, that too shold help out. But as I mentioned earlier, I majored in arts, and I was told that I could use the designs that I've posted online to make some extra money as well. I still intend to work, but not for DPS no more. I still have truck driving on the brain for one reason: most jobs demand that you have a CDL (Commercial Driver's License), and that's what I really want. A Chauffeur's at least! You'll never know what opportunities may come with either or. Verizon Wireless is on the brain as well. Right now, I'm just looking for a way to get past this block so I can make that move, cause once I do, nothin's gonna stop me!

Heaven help the individual(s) that try-they better have a valid reason at least.

But hopefully, I'll have my car back on the road again. Once I get at least one of those plans off the ground that I mentioned, that'll give me the push that I need to restore my old Pontiac, cause I ain't sellin' it (unless you give me a real good offer)! I got some plans for that thing! Can't wait to share 'em with the Grand Am groups that I belong to online.

My mind is made up!

2009-09-09T19:00:00.001-04:00

For months, I've been contemplating what am I gonna do with my life and what can I do to turn things around with my lot in life. After blogging and blogging and blogging about this, I've come to the conclusion, even though I was aware of this a few years ago, that certain things in my life has run their course and it's time to move on and let things go. Even the things that people did to me and hurt me and left a very sour taste in my mouth, which I still have today. It's just that I just can't live my life like this no more, life's just too (goshdarned) short for that (crap)!

Now I know that I'm taking a major risk posting this on the world wide web, but I believe that I've run my course with Detroit Public Schools. 14 long years I've been with them, and the last three years were just flat out disastrous, to say the least. I would go in detail, but I just don't have the time for that. I will say this, though. If the True God wills it, this will, hopefully be my last year with DPS, like I said in a previous blog, the signs are there! I don't have the energy that I once did to go out after work like I once did. This job used to be fun, now it's a burden. With our force slashed almost in half, we're doing two jobs for the price of one person. And the real kick in the butt is that the money we make is according to 1989 standards (I had just started high school that year). And I haven't seen a raise in ten years-if not longer-but I'm constantly seeing layoffs and layoffs.

I've been told to stick it out with DPS, but the longer I 'stick it out' with these people, the further behind I get! THAT'S when it hit me this morning at home that if I want change to happen, I have to make a change in order for it to happen! Then came the conclusion that with my old hooptie (if I could get one more year with it, then I'm good) as well as my job with DPS. It's even come to the point with the neighborhood that I live in: Everything's run its course.

So I made up my mind that next to any online business ventures that I have on the brain right now, I'll still entertain them. But for now, FIRST CHANCE I GET, I'm going back to school! Now whether I hear from the Truck Driving School(s) or Verizon Wireless, don't know, don't care! Either one of them is a step-up from where I'm at now. But as far as my current situation is concerned, well, like I said in the last paragraph....

....Everything's run its course. Everything!

End of story.

Still pluggin' along!

2009-09-09T00:10:00.000-04:00

My worst fears were confirmed, my shifter cable has to be replaced. Again! I really don't know where to take this, I know how, but where is entirely different! I really want to keep that ol' Grand Am that's been faithful to me for the past ten years. I want to restore it and drive it down Woodward during the historic cruise one day. I could bitch and moan about that old heap, and trying to fight this battle on my lonesome but that's just too much water under the bridge! The damage is done, I'M MOVIN' ON!

But some good news. I've made some extra money on eBay, and as far as trying to find a way to ship these items, but thankfully the Post Office ain't that far away from me. Give or take 15 minutes on foot! So I do have some way out of this little peck of trouble I'm in. At this point, every little bit helps. I only wish that I could do this more often, because I have a heap of junk that I'd love to get rid of. I've been ripping my CDs to MP3 format, I have comics, and models, and a whole lot of miscellaneous stuff. So I'm ready to get my hustle goin'. I'm just looking for a way to get past this hump so I can get this thing started full-bore, as it were.

Hopefully by the end of this month, I'll have some sample designs posted on this blog, or a vlog, some pix from flickr, or some new tunes on my mixpod, or something. I'm still trying to get followers here. I miss myspace now, but I'm in no hurry to go back there right now. Later!

I'm in DPS!

2009-09-07T19:49:00.000-04:00

I'm gonna be honest and clear about this. Just to inform you, that I scanned this and posted it on my flickr page. This is the current logo for Detroit Public Schools.

I have been with this organization for fourteen years, and I am a janitor! Or custodian. Or sanitation engineer. Or any other (nonsense) title that you may wanna come up with. From December 1995 to our present day I can recall the many luxuries that this job came with on the premises and off the premises whereas now those perks are rapidly disappearing. I can recall when this job was fun, now it's a burden. At first-my first six to seven years with DPS, each department had its own supervior, but at the turn of the century, all that had changed! We had head custodians, but that postiton had phased out, and it was split between the engineer(s) and the Custodial supervisors downtown. Around that time DPS had sold thier HQ-the now former Schools Center Building-to Wayne State University and had spread out to various buldings and former schools throughout the distict. Backwards as ever!

I'm trying to collect my thoughts about this as I gulp down my second cup of coffee and give my humble, honest, and professional opinion about this company that I've toiled over a decade of my life for. With the economy being so sour, and work is becoming more and more scarce, and employers are literally bleeding what little resources that we have for surviving out here in this system. We-the backbone and hard-working folk-are literally hanging by a thread to the point where we are indespensible. It has come to the point where these people are more interested in looking out for themselves than they are the ones they depend on to get the job done. It's come to the point where I don't even care no more. After my 15th year, if the Good Lord wills it, I'm out! Come what may! Because the way this is set up now, it's set up for failure, and that's what they're hoping for! They want to outsource our jobs to save money and cut corners, and if we approach these people and expose them for the hypocrites that they are, that's our head on a platter, as it were! Some of us can't even pay our bills on time because of these inconveniences. I've even found out that where I work at, the overtime has been taken away from us, then when it's time to get some last minute work done, all of a sudden they wanna offer it to us whereas in other parts of the district, it's been available the entire time!

I guess the people in authority don't seem to realize that with fewer and fewer folks in my area of work, this is breaking us down in every way possible. And if we take too many days off, we get the third degree. It'scome to the point that I could care less about that now. Most people I talk to say that I should stay and stick it out, but I have business plans that I'd like to put out online, but it costs money to do that! And the Board of Ed. pays peanuts and that's not even enough to pay rent-esp. if you live in the city! I can recall that, even as a janitor, if you applied for a car loan, or a mortgage, and you say that you worked for DPS, you were given the utmost respect! I know, because I was there (on both fronts). Whereas today, you mention that you're a DPS employee, esp. as a custodian, you're scorned with contempt and laughed at behind your back! This job ain't what it used to be.

This is not the same company from 14 years ago that I could say I once took exceptional pride in. It seems like for those of us who are in a bind, that there's no light at the end of the tunnel, as it were. The Board's attitude is "Be glad you got a job". No argument there, but in all fairness, these jokers should be glad that they have honest, loyal, hardworking people who cover their (behinds) everyday all day! To tell you the truth, I'd rather work in the restaurants again, than work for these people! Heck, I'd work in the mall(s) again, than to be caught up in this BS everyday! Now I am realistic, I do understand that things are bad, and they're gonna get worse before they get better, but come on! Why would DPS have us do things backwards just to make up their retarded minds that they want us (custodians) to undo all that hard work and do the same job over again?!? WTF?!?

Case in point, at my current school, we were advised to just move the furniture from side to side and give it a good once-over with the mop, we do that with the majority of the building and now get this! A crew of contractors (some of whom are former DPS janitors) are coming in, and we're undoing all that backbreaking hard work by now moving the furniture outside of the classrooms and offices, and all these jackasses are doing is waxing the floors! WAXING! Man, we could've done the (crap) ourselves and got paid OT for that! But it's alot of favortism and backstabbing. And if we bitch about it too much, we can kiss our job(s) goodbye! A Catch-22, if you will.

Now we're not stupid, most of us, anyway. We know what's going on here! And just to inform you (the reader) this is not limited to the maintenance staff, but because we clean up, we're the lowest on the totem pole, and we're also on the receiving end of all the nonsense. And here's the real kick in the (butt):

I make (an estimated) $12.00 an hour (yeah, I'm puttin' it out there)! And if I'm not mistaken, minimum wage is catching up with us! I've worked minmum wage jobs on the side and they almost paid more than DPS-probably because my 2nd job(s) was in the suburbs! But I was dumbfounded when I found out that-despite your seniority-you make the exact same thing an hour! It doesn't matter whether you have two years, or ten, both workers make the same per hour. Okay, I can deal with that, but what I cannot accept is that the money DPS janitors make is according to 1989 standards! I mean, suburban school districts make almost double what we make, and still-despite the sting they're feeling as well-get raises every now and then!

Now we have Mr. Robert C. Bobb coming is as our Emergecy Financial Manager, and given this man's history, he's made friends in some areas, but made bitter enemies in others. Mr. Bobb has a history of cleaning up messes and exposing frauds left and right. Which is why a lot of folks want his head right now, whereas people like me are asking: "Where was this cat 10 plus years ago when all this nonsense began to go down?!?" And I can see some improvements in some areas, but there is much more work that needs to be done in other areas. A lot of theivery within DPS buildings are rapidly coming to the light, as well as we're having our exterior(s) maintaned again with new windows, grafitti being cleaned off outside he buildings as well as inside. The administration as well as the maintenance are working together for a change. I just didn't like it that summer school was extended and we were given little time to not only do summer clean-up, but to clean up after summer school that same day! And to slap us in the face, no overtime was issued until the last minute of summer clean-up. As I said before, BUTT-BACKWARDS! And these people expect miacles out of us!

I didn't give 'em that satisfaction then, and they ain't gettin' it now! I'll tell 'em that to their face! Esp. after these inconveiences that they brought on us.

Thankfully I am not a parent yet, or a husband for that matter, but as long as DPS wants to play these games that got themselves in this mess, I refuse to send a child to a DPS school! Ain't gonna happen. Not unless they clean up their act and pay the maintenance workers some attention. And don't even get me started about our mayor (I thank God I'm not a voting person). With him cutting bus services, and Mr. Bobb advising him to take over the schools, too?!? Hell's about to break loose if he does!

I'm done bitchin' for the day!

Man, what a day!

2009-09-06T19:54:00.000-04:00

My weekend was shot! I had just just gotten my shifter cable fixed and I think I broke it again. I'm behind on my phone bill, so now I can't make calls. Thankfully payday is just a few days away. But I'm thinkin' positive that the situation won't be as bad as the last one when the last cable snapped. And just when I was on the verge of putting in for a second job, this happens! Just like the Bible said, "Time and unforseen occurrences" befall us all. But despite all that, I'm not even stressed out although I was earlier-I've come to the conclusion that it does me no good, so like that song goes, "Take it as it comes".

But I've spent the past few hours today posting items on eBay, reading emails, praying, reading up on teleworking, watching Redd Foxx videos on YouTube (that E! Hollywood True Stories documentary was deep, man!), and still have in mind running my businesses once I get at least one of them off the ground. Still gotta promote this blog in order to help things out.

One more day before I go back to work. Some folks tell me to stick it out, but I'm getting sick of this job I've had for so long, and it's time to split! I'm waiting impatiently for some things to get better!

I'm done for now. Still got some of energy in me even though my body's tired so I'll be reading up on some more teleworking.

My mind is FULL of ideas right now, and I can only release so much at a time!

2009-09-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

What can I say about today? I had my car worked on today, I cleaned up the kitchen and washed my workout clothes and went to the gym, worked out, and went to the coffee shop. And my mind was filled with visions, ideas, and constant wondering how could I get out this monstrous grip called the rat race. To top that off, I had no idea that blogging could be such a form of stress-relief. It gives me a chance to think some things through, to come up with solutions as to avoid any mishaps from repeating themselves, and it clears the mind, and cleanses the soul, as it were.

Everyday I think of ways to promote this blog and to set up a network following that will not only help me out, but to help out those who are in search of a following as well. But at the same time, I try to be selective as to who I want to network with (which is another pain in the butt to contend with). I've added Google AdSense to my blog, and in order to use their services, your blog cannot have any porn on it! I don't post that (crap) anyway, so on that note, it's not even an issue! So many options, so many factors, and so many distractins along the way [which is why I frequent the coffee shop on so many occasions].

I've set up accounts on Zazzle, as well as Lulu, and I cannot wait to put those accounts to use. I'm also on eBay and Craigslist as well. The biggest block that I have right now is to come up with some money to get these projects started. So despite my desperation to lose some of this weight I've gained back, I'm working out again, trying to go back to the new habits that contributed to my weight loss, and at the same time, working two jobs again. My goal is be my own person, and have an online business setup hopefully by next year, and perhaps work a part-time job to keep things somewhat stable.

As I stated earlier (on a previous blog) on more than one occasion, my purpose here on blogger is to post samples of some drawings, designs, short stories, anything that crosses the mind for that particular moment. I will post more samples in the days to come. I will also share events that are happening here in the Motor City while at the same time, trying to reach out to some followers-esp. those from my area. As I post photos that I've taken over the course of many years, I will share 'em here as well.

My mind is set on a lot of things, and this time, I'm goin' for it!

Some folks just CAN'T take a hint! (PART II)

2009-09-04T23:42:00.000-04:00

JESUS CHRIST, MAN! ARE THESE PEOPLE RETARDED?!? WTF?

(I just blocked somebody who added me as a contact/friend/family on flickr who has some tasteful pics of women, but not so tasteful as well which explains my tirade just now)

I have come to grips that this is going to be an ongoing thing as long as I'm not only on flickr alone, but also as long as I post photos/drawings of women-esp. fine thick ones online. Me being a minority/man of colour, most of us like women with some thickness on 'em. But there are levels of viewing women of the like. Some of which require very appropriate discretion, some requires none at all.

If I'm not mistaken, I think I've blocked about EIGHT people this past week on flickr who've added me and they have nothing but a bunch of filth on their page. And most of these [talentless] jackasses have pictures that they didn't even take of these women themselves and post other artist's work although just to entertain, but to me, there's some copyright violation involved somewhere down the line, and these jokers are crossing it BIG TIME!

Now it would be respectable if you were to post someone else's work on your website, common sense as well as common courtesy would tell you that you should at least inform the viewer that the image that you posted is NOT your image! I've done that, and the people that I know-either personally or on cyberspace-I'd let them know that I've reposted their artworks on my flickr page and tweaked them up some giving them FULL CREDIT for the image. So far, I haven't gotten slapped with any litigation on that note. But it just pisses me off that when folks add you to their circles, they have someone else's work on their website. I think these artists who see their work posted [unauthorized] on another website should give these schmucks PURE, UNADULTERATED, MERCILESS, HELL for this mess!

Now I'd be lying to you if I were to say that I haven't looked at what these jokers posted. I'll go so far to say that if they did their own version of the pictures taken of other models or whatnot, I give 'em points on that note alone! At least it's their work that their posting online! I'll go so far to say, me being a man, I like what I see! That's how God made us! But being a Christian, I gotta think, act and feel otherwise!

I'm no saint-far from it, none of us are-but I'm trying to change my direction in life. I have no desire to know about anyone's alternative lifestyle, bad enough I know some of these jokers personally. That's why I try to make my foot rare in their presence, seeing that I know them, and I know their character, and their mannerisms, and how they think and all that. To top it off, it's real easy to fall into their snares, that's another reason why I keep my distance from these individuals.

I might just add a third (and hopefully final) installment to this series here. I'm tired and I've worked a good twelve hours today. I'm done for the day!

Some folks just CAN'T take a hint! (PART I)

2009-09-03T19:17:00.000-04:00

THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN DOIN' LEFT AND RIGHT FOR THE PAST WEEK OR SO!

I'll do Part II either tomorrow, or the day after!

I made my first international sale on eBay!

2009-09-02T13:30:00.000-04:00

Slowly but surely things are picking up again with making some extra cash online. I sold one of my models that was manufactured by AutoArt (I would link some of these, but I don't have the time right now), and it's amazing to me that I bought this model out of the country (Canada), had it here in the U.S. for about seven years, and now it's on it's way to being shipped in Portugal! I got a feeling that this might just work in my favor after all. I would go in detail about how the model is, but time fails me at this moment. Let's just say that this particular model-a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee-was without a doubt a cut above the rest of the models I've collected over the course of 20 years. Here's the URL to the model I just sold. If it's still open, everything that you need to know about it is still there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250488365021&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

And here's my eBay profile with my online store:

http://myworld.ebay.com/rtjulius1975?ssPageName=ADME:X:CEM:US:1181

I have tons of stuff that I wanna get rid of, and I'm looking for potential buyers! Here's all of what I have:

CD's
LP's
DVD's
VHS
Audio Cassettes
Comic Books
Hardcover/Paperback books
Scale model vehicles (of various sizes)
And a bunch of miscellaneous items that I no longer need!

Keep searching the URL above as well as this blog for more items to sell. Out with the old and in with the new!

Robert Julius
bob-julius@hotmail.com (for mostly business purposes do I use this address-including the use of this blog)

A new day, new month, and Life is friggin' good for a change!

2009-09-01T16:46:00.000-04:00

I really don't know how to explain this day, thus far. I'm glad that I've found more time to use this blog more often. As I enjoy this nice sunny day despite some minor setbacks, my mind remains more focused as to what I plan to do. I'm known to multitask at every given opportunity, almost to the point of being monumentally distracted. And I was on beliefnet (which I very seldom read for a variety of reasons) and it mentioned a few few things about stress, and I've noticed some things that caught my attention and right away I began to notice that some of the things discussed applied to me in every way imaginable. These Ten Stress Busters were very helpful to me, and I intend to apply them more often now and in the future.

I made a few extra dollars on eBay and I really wish that I could do this more often. On occasion I've made more in five minutes than I do an hour at work. I'd be rich, outta debt, and out the hood right now, that's for sure. So subsequently after that I used some of the money in PayPal to sell more stuff. Hopefully it'll work this time as it has in the past. And every 30 days you can post up to five items on eBay for free. Yep, I could get used to this. And whatever I post does not sell, I'll relist it [again and again] until it does. I've yet to find similar success with Craigslist, but I remain just as optimistic.

I'm still trying to make a following with this blog seeing that I have envisioned so many plans for it and with it. I also had an epiphany earlier today about how I wanna make my designs more marketable seeing that I majored in arts and would like to use my crafts to make some money down the road. Last I remember, I still have some construction paper that I can scan and make into any colour that I wish. Just recently I tried to make a prototype design bumper sticker on my Zazzle account and I was informed that my image did not have enough pixels and my design was look very distorted were it published. So they were gracious enough to refund my money and advise me to try the same one (or whatever I choose) of another size. What I may do now is contact them and ask which size would be the most appropriate for the average size sticker for a bumper. If I don't forget, I'll try to do it tonight.

Now I'm also at another crossroad. Do I want to go to Brookstone and sit in the massage chair for 30 mintues, or spend the rest of my evening here at Caribou Coffee? I'll come to a decision at the end of this journal.

I very seldom get to enjoy nice days like this. And with the Michigan State Fair, the Chrysler Arts, Beats, and Eats festival, and the Detroit International Jazz Fest [it's 30th anniversary, I might add] coming up, I intend to enjoy these last days of Summer, and embrace the crisp atmosphere of Autumn. It feels good to breathe after bustin' your butt for so long.

I mentioned my arts major earlier (on multiple occasions), and I knew that I could make some money with it, but I had no idea that 1) it would take these many years down the road, and 2) that with modern technology, it's actually easier now than it was 20 years ago when I first started high school. My God, it's been that long!
And 3) the time, energy, and even money that it would cost to advertise. Thankfully I've gotten to know some folks over the course of time, and I intend to re-connect with these individuals on the networking circuit to help bring in some extra income. I was told by my coworkers @ DPS that I missed my calling on the issue of networking. If that's true, and I believe that it is, then I'll be ready for it the next time it comes if the True God wills it.

I thought that it was a myth at first, but I had no idea that with a computer, that anybody could be their own boss and bring in some extra dollars. Now that I've tried it myself, I'd like to do it again, and more often. As I'm listening to Ralf Illenberger on my laptop at Caribou Coffee, while I'm in this rare relaxed and good mood, I think I'll go to Brookstone and sit in the massage chair for 30 minutes or so.

Love life, live life!

A preview of some coming attractions for the remainder of 2009!

2009-08-30T19:58:00.000-04:00

I'm still getting used to the "Networking" thing with the internet. Over the course of the last five years my industry, Blacklight Studios (now JVLIVS Photography [and design]) has entertained domains such as Yahoo!, MSN, myspace, deviantart, blackplanet, flickr, blogger. Only three of those domains I currently use the time being. And now I've moved on to other venues such as eBay, Craigslist, Zazzle, CafePress, Twitter, YouTube, and I'm trying real hard to get into Model Mayhem as well.

As I mentioned in yesterday's (if not an earlier) blog that I majored in Graphic Designs years ago, and I knew that I wanted it to be a career for me if not a business. A lady on flickr advised that I could publish my designs on Zazzle and go from there. Do to obligations at my penny paying job with DPS, it's kinda hard to do anything at this point. But I'm not even gonna entertain that thought right now knowing that if I dwell on it, it'll change what little good mood I'm already in, then the negativeness comes in. And once it comes in, I'm screwed, to say the least.

What I posted yesterday is but a sample of what I want to publish. I've published banners that I've made as well as photos I've taken. Unlike the other domains that I published my art on, I want to give a brief explanation of what's what behind the piece be it a sketch, a photo, or some imaging I've done on a bunch of paint samples featuring pop art and quotations of some sort. One thing that I will not do-tempted though I'll be-is post porn on my site! But I plan to have a following of my blog as well as have links to the other sites that I post my art on. So if I link with someone else, and vice versa, and share links (provided that they're decent ones) to one another's site, including the business sites mentioned above, then [we] can share a wealth of networking together and at the same time, bring in some supplementary income.

This way, everybody wins! That's how I see it, anyway.

Another thing I'd like to get into is writing short stories and posting them here as well. That can be expected by the year's end if the True God wishes it! I can't recall if I mentioned this, but I've also set up an account with Lulu.com and they offer making hard/soft cover books of your photography. So that's another plan that I have going once I get some extra income.

After all this, I'm still thinking to myself: "Do I wanna get into truck driving or go with Verizon?" One thing that they both have in common. I'll make waayyyy more with either one than I am currently. And even though-with either one-they start off with my current salary with DPS, unlike my present salary, one of those two occupations pay more the longer that you stay with them. Whereas where I'm at now, I'm pretty much stuck where I'm at. But I won't dwell on that either. It's just too GD depressing!

My next move, at this point is to start publishing and networking so I can reap the true benefits of working online!

Some designs that I have in mind for T-shirts and bumper stickers.

2009-08-29T20:08:00.000-04:00

One of these I was actually able to convert into a wallpaper for my cell phone. Hopefully I can set this website up for downloading some of these as cell phone wallpapers. My current galleries so far is at this URL:

http://www.zazzle.com/jvlivs

Also check out :

www.cafepress.com/jvlivs (images coming soon).

There's actually a light at the end of the tunnel for me!

2009-08-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

"...The brain has the power to control all, think positive, you'll be unable to fall."

-Ice-T, Mind over Matter

After reading up on teleworking, as well as publishing some designs of mine on the internet. Any extra money is good at this point. eBay has been helping me out a great deal. But after hearing some advice from some spiritual friends of mine this past month, I've decided to sell as much of my old goods as possible. Most of my scale models are gone, and I may keep a few of them, I've sold one of my Transformers on eBay, made a profit on that one there. What I plan to do now is get rid of most of my old stuff and bring in some of the new stuff. I have a ton of comic books that I'd rather sell individually than to sell a bulk of 'em at a discounted price-I've learned that lesson quick.

But after 14 years of janitorial for Detroit Public Schools, I'm looking way forward to new dimensions. I'm looking forward to a new direction. I'm looking towards that light at the end of the tunnel that spells "FREEDOM"!

I guess feeding your mind on other things can liberate oneself from the mental entrapments that surrounded our minds of the control of someone else's grip. (I'm just ramblin' on at this point)

My next blog after this is gonna talk about more trivial things in life (right now I'm just trying to get some followings here).

Today was actually a GOOD day (so far)!

2009-08-24T14:51:00.000-04:00

How do I even begin this one? I got up and dropped mom off at work this morning, and took the simplest route to my job to the best of my ability. There were no sign-in sheets to mark my time, so despite being four minutes late, that somewhat counts as being on time because our engineer had forgotten to place some fresh ones for the week at the station where we sign in. NO complaints outta me on that one!

And I did something that I need to do more often. Start work as soon as I come in, and that's what I did, and I'm happy that I did. Despite not having my own car (due to it being out of commision at the moment), I'm still smellin' that sweet smell of heaven, as it were. I ordered [another] shift cable for my car hoping that it's the right one this time! If not, well, if I can't get my refund, there's always Craigslist and eBay, which has been helping me out alot as of late.

So as I contemplate going to the gym tonight, I'm seriously pondering my future in the state that I'm in right now. I work for Detroit Public Schools, and as I've stated in a previous blog I've posted, the signs are there, and it's time to go. It's just a question of when!

Right now I am in a very good position as far as the red tape that I've been in for the last five or so years is finally about to clear up. But with all the nonsense that DPS has been putting us through, every year we fall further and further behind. Basically being set up for failure! I also mention this good position that I'm in for the reason that I've put in for Verizon Wireless, and I actually know somebody who works there, and used that individual as an employee referral! So hopefully, unlike my last few attempts, this one will be a success! And one of the Truck Driving schools called me and asked how were things holding up for me, and I-did I mention this in a previous blog?-and I told her that I was being ran around with requirements for extra information and whatnot. And thanks to the lady who called me that day, she was able to walk me through everyhting online! So once I get my hooptie back on the road, I'm gonna take a day or so off so that I can ditch this gig and get something way better than what I got here.

So will I go with Verizon, or the Truck Driving gig? Both offer health benefits-a must in this economy, they both start off slightly higher than what I make currently, which is peanuts, but down the road things will get better whereas they are worsening where I'm at now. So BOTH of them are a step-up at this point. Both of them also require classes to be taken, and you're paid to take those classes, another plus! Both require traveling (I like to drive around anyway), there's another one! And with either one, you're not always in the same spot all the time, and you get to meet new people wherever you go. Another plus. Strange, though. In this troubled economy, they're in high demand as well.

NO ARGUMENT FROM ME THERE!

Now I read the Free Press and I'm hearing how some Law Students have set up a new website that began simply with text messaging! And they're getting PAID for this as well! Here's the URL:

OMG! Texts turn to gold

And that's when it hit me and I began to realize what my coworkers were trying to get me to see. I'm real good with the internet, I've bought and sold on the internet, I mentioned earlier that I do my own designs as well. And since I've majored in arts (even though I've not graduated), I thought to myself, "I gotta used this for someting...".

I've set up accounts on eBay, Zazzle, CafePress, and most recently, LuLu. I would've hyperlinked them, but time fails me at the moment. And those can be my supplementary income. I'm considering designing bumper sticker and posters hoping to get some buzz going. And since I'm from Detroit, there's alot that I can do on that one note alone!

L8R!

Model Mayhem!

2009-08-21T22:24:00.000-04:00

I've just set up an account for ModelMayhem, and I hope that things will go well at this point.

I've applied for Verizon Wireless, and to make a long story short, I was able to use an Employee Referral, so I might just have a shot with them. U.S. Truck Driving School also called me earlier today and asked how I was holding up, and I told them that MichWorks had given me the runaround, and (again) to make a long story short, they gave me some pointers that have helped me out.

So as soon as I get my car fixed, I'm gonna take some days off and get my hustle on, so I can move on with my life and leave DPS, and leave the hood!

So, whoever wants to see my work on the world wide web, here are the following URLs:

www.jvlivs.blogspot.com
www.jvlivs.deviantart.com
www.flickr.com/photos/theblacklightstudio
www.modelmayhem.com.jvlivs (coming real soon if the Good Lord wills it)

There will be some artwork comin', rest assured of that!

Everyday is a hustle...

2009-08-18T12:31:00.000-04:00

This day, thus far was nearly a nonstop day. Constantly moving furniture, listening to folks (complain) and moan about how their job(s) sucks, I'm constantly entertaining thoughts about that fine woman of my dreams (that I know I'll never be able to provide for on this income), I want to keep my old hooptie but at the same time upgrade to a newer vehicle. But this day was something else to say the least. One of my coworkers treated the entire custodial staff to some Church's chicken. I don't know which one he went to, but I try to avoid going to Church's Chicken unless I absolutely have to! Let's just say chicken in church tastes way better than Church's.

I came across a coworker just now who-like me-is also a Weight Watchers success story, and she noticed that I had the Church's Chicken bag in my hand, and to make a long story short, she advised me to take the skin of the chicken, almost I was only able to get most of it off.

But I'm glad I listened to her. I'm not as drained as I would've been had I eaten the bird with the skin on it. Perhaps I should do this more often whenever I eat fried chicken. That skin ain't nothin' but extra lard anyway. Besides, I have no idea (exactly) how much I've picked back up, but I'm bustin' my (butt) trying to lose it again, and this time, keep it off. I've started hittin' the gym again, so that's been helping me out some. Great way to relieve stress as well.

I'm considering working two jobs again, and that's gonna be a stretch to pull off so I can find time to continue to workout. But won't worry about it (what good will it do seeing that I don't have a second job anyway?).

I'm gonna leave it in the hands of the True God like I've been doing!

Later.

If it ain't one thing, it's another!

2009-08-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

"Things Happen", "Deal with it", "It's a part of life"

Who hasn't heard all those nonsense cliche's over the course of time? Trying to do so much at one time knowing that something's gonna suffer down the road while no one is paying attention until after it's too late.

Case in point: I pulled up at the house after buying some groceries, and my shifter goes out! First time for everything (there's another one), I guess. Now in recent weeks, I've had my wheel bearing replaced, just to find out that one of my ball joints had went bad (one week later)! Now I drive a '95 Pontiac. I've had it for ten years, and I am not in the market for another one (I should be by next year, though), but to sacrifice bills that I owe just to keep this old thing going is getting to be ridiculous!

But most of this is my fault! I say that because due to my being younger, greener, immature, and just downright stupid, I spent and squandered as if the money and credit I had [at the time] was going out of style. To sum it up, I lived outside of my means and it caught up with me! I said to God and to myself: "If I ever get out of this mess, I'm not doing this again!"

-And I meant that, too!

Now the economy's screwed, companies are merging, everybody's trying to stay afloat. Now I may consider working two jobs again, so I can save some money (I haven't saved anything in over five years) and move back out again. It's even getting to the point where most of my neighbors can't wait to get out of there, and I don't even blame them. The only good thing is that my hood has calmed down some in recent months, but how long will that last? But this is taking me off topic.

Back to my financial situation, I've added more debts to my old debt, but was able to pay them off, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I just gotta hold on. Now my '95 Grand Am would be runnin' hard today like it had just rolled off the assembly line had I not abused my finances and got myself in this mess.

I really want to restore my old Pontiac and drive it down Woodward with the Cruisers-I missed this year's cruise, unfortunately-my grandfather bought the car in late-1994 and sold it to me in March 2000 with only-get this-27,000 miles on it! That was [almost] ten years ago! Now a decade later I'm at 190,000! If I can push it up to 200K, mission accomplished!

It has always been a dream of mine to restore an old vehicle. I feel that in another 5 years or less, my car will be a historical vehicle. A lot of folks advise me to buy another GA (the same year) in better shape, and go from there! If all else fails with the Pontiac that I have, I'll do that. Right now, I'm just trying to make it a habit of regularly maintaining an automobile after 15 years of family ownership.

Come to find out that my automatic shift linkage had broken-sound minor, but it's just the inconvenience of one issue after the next. But I guess that's to be expected after having the same car for so many years, constant visits to the shop.

Now I know what to expect as I get older and I'll be constantly visiting the doctors. One thing that automobiles and the human body has in common: take care of it, and it'll take care of you!

Tryin' to be creative during this hot summer day!

2009-08-15T17:45:00.000-04:00

My current mood right now: HOT!

I'm multitasking as usual. Ripping my CD's to MP3 format, posting this blog while commenting on someone else's, surfing flickr, reading email, drinkin' margaritas, trying to think about some old art work I'd like to post on deviantart.com as well as trying to connect to other blogger accounts-esp. those from the Detroit area!

Still reading up on working from home while trying to muster up the energy to try to wash and clean out my car. I may vacuum that thing tomorrow, but I plan to wash it today. There are some beautiful ladies who are very devout that I've shown an exceptional interest in, and with my money being tight, it's kinda hard to focus on anything at this point.

Next to subzero weather, the heat really gets me! All of our seasons started late this year, and everything's thrown off. The good thing about all this is that it'll be over soon. Due to the money being tight, I'm gonna miss the Woodward Dream Cruise this weekend as well as the African World/Caribbean festivals (they've consolidated whereas they used to be separate).

I just got an email (as I'm posting this blog) about a work at home job, but every time I try to find something, it's always something that requires a small payment, but my money's already tight as it is, and most of these openings thus far has proven to be scams! Man, I'm getting tired of this (mess)!

But I remain persistent no matter what. I may go back to the old school and work two jobs again!

But I gotta do me before I do for anyone else! Hopefully when the heat dies down, I can start creating some things of paper as well as on my computer (since that's when they're the freshest in my mind)!

But puttin' it all on paper is a different thing (I got this @#$% 'artist's block' again)!

Hopefully I'll have something more positive and energetic to blog about, later!

The signs are in my face!

2009-08-13T00:09:00.000-04:00

I'm guessin' that this is it! After fourteen long pain-in-the-butt years working for the Detroit Public School Board of Ed., these signs are screaming all the more louder at me to get the heck out of there! I've actually been reading up on teleworking, as I was actually blown away at how much can be done just by doing things at the convenience of your own computer. Since yours truly is the proud owner of a laptop-a Dell, no less-modern convenience is literally bangin' on my door, as it were!

I can only imagine how much stress that I can actually free myself from trying out this new career move. I still want to be a bartender part-time as well take a truck driving class down the road. But at the same time, I want to finish my arts major that I started in late 1999 so I can get that out the way and work towards a new major. One thing is certain, though: I cannot survive on this income! Even the urgings of my family, friends, even those in administration are telling me to ditch this job.

Now keep in mind, I'm 34 years old (and lovin' it, I might add). And I literally have a (butt)load of talents that [even I'm starting to recognize that] I'm just letting go to waste. I knew it then, but I paid it no attention until the volumes got too loud for me to bear: "I'm not getting any younger. So I got to get on the ball here!"

So why am I making these spur-of-the-moment changes? One reason for my (constant) hesitation is because of these scams that just piss me off to no end. As bad as things are economically, why in the world would anyone want to pull such cold-blooded stunts on people who are just trying to make it? Don't these knuckleheads have sense enough to know that one of these days they're gonna get caught up in their nonsense game(s)? And one way is-you might've guessed it-screwing the wrong person to the point where they will track you down and do something that they might regret down the road. But that's down the road in itself as it is.

-And we ain't that far off, either! That's the scary part!

But as I stated earlier, the signs are there and they are practically begging me to ditch this go-nowhere gig and step it up. As I also stated earlier, surviving on this income is impossible! That's been telling me something for the past three years.

I think it's time I started listening!

Signing off until another convenient time (as always).

My mood is beyond indescribable at this point...

2009-08-08T21:02:00.000-04:00

How can I put this one? I've deleted my myspace website as well as my blackplanet website. I still have my site on flickr as well as here on blogger (blogspot) and deviantart. I did, however, opened up a youtube account and put on it a video that I recorded of Dennis Coffey at a nightclub he performed at recently. Despite how short the video was, I was very pleased with it.

Now I'm no professional by any means, but if I could be at that level, I'd jump on it without a second's hesitation. This past year I was approached by some musician from NYC who wanted to use one of my images for an album cover. And for some time, we'd keep hittin' and missin' one another. Finally, the band's rep calls me for a conference to work some things out. I call my attorney for advice and I'm glad that I did. I would go in detail about this, but there's no need for that-not right now anyway-but after over a year of "beatin 'round the bush", as it were, one of the band members (they're twins) bailed at the last minute and had wanted to go elsewhere. The only thing about this that pissed me off was all this time squandered (on both sides, I might add), and I still got shafted! Other than that, I'm not bitter at all. Nothing personal, but their loss! I did-and still do-appreciate the very idea that some professional entertainers wanted to use my artwork to publish their recordings. ME! A mere unknown from Detroit who's trying to get his feet wet in the art world. Should I be encountered by these individuals in the future, I will be ready for 'em, if the True God wills it.

That would've helped me a great deal had the deal between me and that band followed through. Wishful thinkin', to say the least.

-I'd be a few dollars richer than I already am, too!

So given the opportunity, I stop by the coffee shop in the susburbs, and bring my laptop with me and surf flickr (which eats up the majority of my time every GD time I'm surfin' it), I really want to sell items on ebay as well as look for a work form home job, as well as look for a bartending gig as well so I can make some extra cash and move out the hood before I get too friggin' old to move out. So this is my hangout at every given opportunity possible.

I have found some openings as far as jobs are concerned, but I just haven't mustered up the (fortitude) to make that first move. But I'm still pluggin' along. Did I mention (no I didn't) that I'm hittin' the gym again? Finally some really friggin' good news!

A Night On the Town, Part II

2009-08-06T17:43:00.000-04:00

Some short vids that I recorded of Dennis Coffey @ Cliff Bells in Detroit.

A night on the town, Part 1

2009-07-28T05:41:00.000-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of hanging out with some friends of mine at a jazz club downtown called Cliff Bells, and it was electrifying to say the least. I had the pleasure of seeing Funk Brother Dennis Coffey perfrom there, and I was not disappointed. I've taken pictures of Mr. Coffey as well as some of the patrons gettin' down on the dance floor as usual. I even sent links of the pics I've taken to both the nightclub and Dennis Coffey as well. This first installment will be of my best pics I've taken, whereas the videos, on the other hand, will be on Part 2, if I ever get to it. Enjoy!

(BTW, click on any of the pictures to see the entire set of pictures I've taken that night. They will be touched up as soon as possible.)

Will Detroit rise again in this economic downfall?

2009-07-01T20:32:00.000-04:00

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.. Three centuries and a decade and (still) counting. In spite of constant crime and scandals that plague this city that has put Motown on the map, and has given Muscle Cars a brand new meaning, and an automobile industry that is literally teetering on the verge of obsolescence, we as a city, are continuing to thrive no matter what.

I am a local artist/photographer from Detroit. Born and reared on the east side. And I can recall a lot that has occurred within the past quarter-century and some change. I have seen drastic changes for both better and worse within half that time. I am one of the local photographers in the Exposure Detroit group on flickr, and virtually everyone who contributes their mind's eye to the group has a story to tell from young to old, from black to white, male to female, etc..

This past decade alone has sped things up in some ways, but slowed them down in other ways.
But I never thought that I would see a Hard Rock Cafe in Detroit, let alone our nation's first Afro-American President (technically multi-ethnic). The former, in my opinion, is long overdue, whereas the latter, I wasn't expecting for another decade or so. I'm not into politics, so I'll just leave it at that for now.

But in the recent years that have came and went, our last major grocery store, Farmer Jack, an A&P subsidiary, has closed its doors on the Detroit area. But I have a horrendous feeling that that's gonna bite 'em in the butt big time. At the turn of the century, Kroger attempted to make a comeback in the city since late 1986 when it's last two stores in Detroit were on Dequindre and Eight Mile Rd, and the other-where I grew up around-on East Warren and Conner. Personally, I thought that when they last left, they should've stayed gone (we still had Farmer Jack, Great Scott, and A&P)! So at that time, it really wasn't a loss. Spartan stores were just then getting their feet wet during that era.

We have a Super K-Mart on the city's west side as well as a Home Depot, most of the neighborhood movie theaters are gone, only but a few remain. The Redford Theater, as well as Alger Theater (attempting a comeback after decades of laying dormant) just to name a few. We still have some major restaurants within certain parts of (what's left of) well-to-do areas in the city. We briefly had a Borders in our downtown area, and it recently closed its doors. Personally, I really didn't think that it was gonna last long anyway. In other words, I thought that it was gonna a temporary location anyway-I'm surprised that it lasted as long as it did, an estimated five years, if not longer.

But despite this economic meltdown that we are feeling in every way possible, there still remains hope for those who remain optimistic (best way to look at things in this day and age). Rumor has it that after years of speculation, we may get a Meijer in the city.

Here's the URL:
Meijer in talks to open Detroit store.

Now given the possible location of this store, more than likely it will happen. The Michigan State Fairgrounds is very suitable to say the least. With other possible venues opening such as Borders and JC Penney and perhaps even a TJ Maxx. It's been-in my 30something years of existence here in Detroit-dare I say it, decades since we last had any major brands within Detroit's city limits. I mentioned Kroger and A&P, and even I'm old enough to recall the J.L. Hudson's department store's last days on Woodward Ave in the early 1980s. I would not doubt that to this day that some folks are still pissed off over that. And that building was in good shape during the fifteen years it's been empty until October 1998, where Compuware was eventually constructed with a Hard Rock Cafe complementing it a few years down the road.

Even though things look very bleak right now, and we're living in-according to prophecy-the "Last Days", I would like to see Detroit rise again to the greatness it once had. I can recall when Detroit was in the Top Ten (that was back in the mid-1980s). My parents can remember when it was in the Top Five (that was between the 60s and early 70s), my grandparents, both of whom are still alive and are still together after six decades of matrimony, and have migrated here in the 1940s can recall when Detroit was dubbed: "The Paris of the Midwest."

I can only listen in awe to the older folk who have nothing but a wealth of stories to tell about Detroit's history. I soak in-and take in on my own initiative-as much as possible. I was proud then, and I am proud now to say that I hail from Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.!

The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.!

2009-06-25T01:44:00.000-04:00

I love to take pictures. I'm no professional, but I'd to be on that level in the near future. In recent years I've learned of some well known computer toys to play with to enhance the flavor of an image be it Photoshop, picnik, picasa, etc.

Taking the pictures is the one thing, but fixing them up, and uploading them, and fixing them up either online or offline can be a very painstaking process to say the least. Now I know how the professionals feel. Here is a series of pictures of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Whoever has yet to go there, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. You will be there for several hours!

But this process of various versions of the same image has taught me several things about photography that I paid no attention to until recently. Here's the original image (I believe it was untouched) that I took in 2000:

Now until recently, I've been using Picnik, and Photoshop as well as Picture-It!. And I had no idea how beneficial these tools-or toys, as I call 'em-can be for an upcoming photographer. Now here's that same image with a little remastering courtesy of Picnik as well as some edge sharpening courtesy of Photoshop:

And my personal favourite, some HDR added courtesy of Picnik and more sharpening with Photoshop:

I could get used to this if it wasn't so energy draining, but I've learned that if you really want to make your mark as a photographer, you have to step out of your comfort zone and try new things out. It's the only way one could move up in life. I'm willing to do that.

Anything, at this point, is an improvement!

Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen

2009-06-24T00:36:00.000-04:00

For any information pertaining to the current Blockbuster movie, Revenge Of The Fallen, go to the Transformers website.

Also, check out Seibertron.com for pics of some bad toys! I've got two so far-one autobot, and one decepticon-and I intend to bring more to the mix as the hype continues!

Enclosed are five pics of various modes of my recently purchased Transformers. No need right now to go into anymore detail (as far as this blog is concerned) seeing that I somewhat blogged these pics on my flickr website.

Here are my pics, I hope you like 'em!

Everday life in Detroit-both good and bad!

2009-06-23T01:29:00.000-04:00

These pix oughta speak for themselves.

Trying to get my products off the ground!

2009-06-22T19:23:00.000-04:00

NOTE: this is but a rough draft of my business. To see the full size of it, click on the picture and it'll take you to my flickr site.

1970s Chevy El Camino

2009-06-13T20:16:00.000-04:00

Rumor has it that GM had plans to resurrect this onetime giant, but the plans were cut short due to GM's economic hardship. Sadly, if they decide to do it, it'll be an import. On the same platform as the Pontiac GTO as well as the current Chevy Camaro model!

History of the El Camino .

More Drinks I've hooked up!

2009-04-27T05:04:00.000-04:00

Barn Door

Apple Jack

Dirty Martini

Dirty Martini (L) and Black Devil Cocktail (R)

Beadlestone Cocktail

Black Devil Cocktail

Washington Cocktail

Screwdriver

Tequini

Meeting of the Spirits (I can't wait to start bartending)

2009-04-24T12:12:00.000-04:00

I recently bought a new camera, a Canon PowerShot A590 IS, and I'm lovin' it! I also bought some cheap booze so I can practice my craft in bartending and hopefully get a part-time job so I can make some quick cash and take care of some more preosnal business and eventually move back out again, and this time, if the True God wills it, I'll be gone for good! But that's all a different story. Here are some pictures that I've taken of some drinks that I made earlier today. Some of these are very self-explanatory. And what you will see here is directed to my flickr page with the recipe to each individual drink. So here goes!

Here's my setup.

My new toy takes some getting used to!

Apple Blossom

Screwball and Brass Monkey

Brandy in a snifter.

X Y Z (L) and Madras (R)

Side Car

More to come after this!

I've been EXPLORED!

2009-04-12T23:20:00.000-04:00

The images below will link you to my site on flickr. All Explore posters courtesy of fd's Flickr toys. All individual images are copyright Robert Julius (courtesy of JVLIVS Photography-formerly Blacklight Studios) all right reserved.

I wonder how #5's gonna turn out!

I LIVE IN DETROIT, BABY!

2009-04-07T19:49:00.000-04:00

Born and raised on the Eastside of the Motor City. Let's just say that things are looking up for me at this point.

Way up!

Even though I still prefer the suburbs (which I will eventually move back to) , there's nothin' like city livin', baby!

I'm determined to make it,
I'm gonna make it,

These eyes of faith cannot be shut,
for there exists a light at the end of the tunnel for me!

Everyday I thinks of ways to make life a little easier without all the BS and stress,
extra debt and all that other mess,

I'm gonna make it, baby!
Cause I live in Detroit, baby!

I'm focused like the locusts,
And that's all that has to be said.

I'm gonna get my hustle goin',
The image is clear in my head!

I've made up in my mind that I'm gonna take control of my life,
Cause I've found out it's easier that way without all the strife!

I'm gonna make it,
I gotta make it,
I am determined to make it,

Cause I stay on the eastside of the 3-1-3 of the Big D, bay-bee!

Robert Julius
2009 April 7

LG Chocolate 3

2009-04-02T13:55:00.000-04:00

Perhaps you're wondering why I have two phones in this picture? Well, allow me to admit that I was about to really let Lucky-Goldstar have it with the phone on the left. I went through seven of those in over a year and I was gettin' pissed off to the highest of pisstivity after six occasions of owning this badly designed yet beautiful piece of (crap) equipment. Allow me to illustrate if I may. The main problem I had with this phone was that the screen, and/or the camera button would constantly malfunction, and I could receive calls, but making them wasn't as easy cause I couldn't see anything on my screen. So off and on again, I went the same ol' B.S. with this RAZR-imitation phone, the LG VX8700, and I was just getting way fed up with this phone, and then it dawned on me: those phones could've been refurbished-kinda like buying a salvaged automobile knowing what problems the previous owner(s) had gone through. But to make this long story short, I went to a local VZW and told them my story, and, they said that after the third or fourth replacement, I should've gotten a different, newer model right then, but the VZW store nearby wouldn't do that for me at the time. And little did I know that when I got my current phone (as a free upgrade), that it would be of equal, or lesser value to my now former phone (good riddance). I'm glad I no longer own that phone, like I said earlier, it was poorly designed! If you saved and clips, pic, as well as music, you had to detach the battery cover and remove the battery just to remove/install the memory card! Now who in the heck has time for all that?!? Even NEXTEL before the Sprint merger had that feature! The only things that turned me on to the silver phone was that it resembled the RAZR, it had a 2.0 MP camera, you could record up to an hour of anything you wished to have on your phone-with or without the memory card, and it had some sweet tones-most of which were actually played with live-not in concert, though-instrumentals! So I was happy on that note, but after seven phones, six seperate occasions I had this phone, and at least one of them I had for at least 5 months! But I'm glad that the book is closed on phone that is no longer a thorn in my flesh!

Now, on to my current phone, the LG Chocolate (3), also known as the LG VX8560. Although it was with exceptional hesitation as well as reservation (for a variety of-valid-reasons), this phone was a free upgrade as stated earlier, presumably putting away any doubts (as well as a possible arbitration that I was about to have) regarding LG, and I presumed right. I have given reviews about this phone on phonescoop as well as other phones I've owned previously. And before I give my personal view about this phone, let me say that I have read mostly good reviews about this phone-very little negative-so I knew right then I was in good company esp. seeing how popular the previous two LG Chocolate models were. I said I was gonna get one, but I had no idea that it would be years down the road when it reached its third generation, and also became a flip phone even though the first two generations of Chocolate phones were sliders. A few things that all three of those generations have in common: they're basically iPods with keypads (that's just my observation), they're very touch-sensitive (which was the biggest complaint amongst most consumers), they all have that pain-in-the-butt lock button on the side (I'm almost used to it now seeing that I've had mine since January of this year), and they're very compact-slightly smaller than the iPod-compared to many MP3 players of the like. And I've had my share of probs with this phone, but nothing monumental like the previous phone I had prior to now, though.

Now all BS aside, here are mostly PROS-I have very little CONS-about this phone, so here goes:

Has a rubbery back, so when it vibrates, it does little or no movement on a hard surface,
Like most mp3 players, when it plays music, it features album art, and album info,
Open and shut, this phone is LOOOUUUUUUDDDDD!
In relation to the LG VX8100, it has animated wallpapers, even the videos you record can be used as wallpapers,
Standard sized earphone jack,
Access to messages, camera, calendar, music, and pix without having to open the phone,
Sturdy rubber back,
Easy access for your micro SD card,
Very loud and clear speakers (you can barely recognize it at the bottom of front cover),

The only major con is that when I add music/pics to my memory card it doesn't load right away, but it will eventually. But that's the least of my worries at this point.

Reviews on the LG Chocolate 3/LG VX9560 courtesy of Phone Scoop . I'm on there.

I'm hustiln' on eBay, and I'm loving it!

2009-03-31T20:15:00.000-04:00

Here's some samples of some of my collectibles that I have either parted way with, or have yet to part ways with! I've had a good time with ebay so far. I'm trying to be more consistent with them, I have a lot of junk to get rid of and I've even scored some profits under the eBay radar (hope I didn't say that out loud)! All I do is work with the people I do business with!

Change is good-esp. for those who want it as well as need it....

2009-03-30T20:08:00.000-04:00

I'm a bit of a tech junkie. Be it MP3 players, cell phones, PC's, laptops, coffee makers, printers, whatever! I currently do not own either a Zune, or iPod, or even a friggin' Sansa for cryin' out loud! Too busy trying to work with what I have with this peanut payin' job that I bitch and moan about every single day (but that's beside the point). But I have made up in my mind that in order to have a plan, you have to have vision, in order to have vision, you have to have direction, and in order to have any form of success in life, you have to have direction. But nothing in life works without a plan-even if it's a spur-of-the-moment premeditation, a plan had to be in view despite that little curveball thrown in.

And my plan for 2009 is to finally upgrade myself in virtually every since of the world. I've noticed that everyone around me has moved on in life and I'm wondering why I'm in the same rut I've been in for the last five years or so. One upgrade that I plan to work on is the things I have in my house-even though I still stay at home. If the True God wills it, I hope to be out of mom's house by next year. I look at myself and even though things are screwed economically, there's still money out there to be made, and life is still going on as usual. And I have just completed my bartending course, and I'll fill out my job apps when I get through blogging for the night. But thanks to this bartending class that I've taken, I feel that this is the boost I need for the upgrade that I was so desperate for. I've also realized that nowadays a 'leap of faith' is needed just get one's foot wet, as it were. So that's what I'm shootin' for. Cause I've reached the conclusion that as long as I'm still working for Detroit Public Fools-yeah, I went there-making nickel-and-dime money and getting nowhere while the bills keep mouting, I won't move out until I'm probably 50 or something.

AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!

Back to my plan-had to get that off my chest-I have yet to own a DSLR camera, a Sansa, Zune, or iPod. I do, however, own an LG Chocolate-the current and third generation model-which is a flip, a major upgrade from the previous two generations. I favoured the Chocolate form day one becasue it resembled the iPod a great deal. And this phone that I have is a big step up from the previous phone I've had, the LG VX8700. I lament to this day that I never owned that phone. Biggest piece of (crap) I've ever owned-I went through seven in over a year's time. And when I had enough of that phone, the guys at Verizon said that I should've gotten another model after the third or fourth replacement. I made it clear that I didn't want to have an eighth 8700-also known as the Verizon Shine-after what I'd went through with the prior six phones to that, so I was given the LG Chocolate, which I'm grateful I have. I was warned that with these phones having more features on them these days, they're more prone to wear out faster than usual. So with that being said, I don't even trip when my Chocolate acts up-esp. when I take out my memory card and add more music to it-I'm expecting anything at this point. As long as my phone works, and I can listen to my music, I'm good.

I also plan to upgrade the furniture I have in my loft upstairs @ mom's house (can't wait to leave the 'hood, I hate it there). I have mismatched dressers, a bunch of shelves that store my CD's, DVD's, as well as my VHS cassettes-yeah, I still got 'em! And I'm realizing that at the time of my having those shelves, they were what I needed back then, but I actually miss having the CD towers-they were major space savers, literally-then and now! I even have a chair from my grandmother's furniture set from the mid 1980s, and despite the good shape it's in, it's OBSOLETE, and IT'S GOTTA GO! So once I get some bites from some of these restaurants, bars, hotels, and nightclubs, I should be OK once I get some money pouring in. I'm looking for some work-at-home internet work as well as another full-time job with benefits that pay way better than peanuts with DPS. I am
seriously considering selling some of my photos and designs and making my name an LLC so I can get out of this dump and make some real money. I think of the talents that I have, and I keep asking myself: "Why in the hell am I still mopping floors and cleaning toilets?" Even my friends, relatives, even cowokers are asking me the same question-even people online are saying the same thing. So now I realize that I have to-in the words of Russell Simmons-do me!

So if I want change in my life, I have to be that change! So I'm about to shake off this horse(manure) and get busy!

2009-03-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

Hey, y'all. My name is Bob. I'm an artist, I take pictures, I blog, vlog, design banners even convert 'em to cell phone wallpapers, I sell items on eBay,I (complain) and moan about crap that pisses me off as well, I collect, Hot Wheels, Transformers, and scale model cars. Even though The Blacklight Studio is my primary domain (and I'll use it from time to time), THIS will be my spot from here on out. I plan to make this an LLC by the year's end , if possible. I got BIG plans for it when it does! I work for Detroit Public Schools as a janitor as well. I was recently certified as a bartender and I can't wait to get started on that hustle!

I'm on DeviantArt,
Blackplanet,
Twitter,
Facebook,
YouTube,
(I'll be sure to have to rest up and running ASAP!)

But ALL B.S. aside here's some samples of what I do whenever I have an opportunity...
Hope you like' em!

I have much more to come after this!

2009-03-23T19:24:00.000-04:00

Just another day in the life of yours truly.....

Just some small samples of what everyday life consists of for me. The pictures linked have their own description. More to come later on...