Hillary Clinton: That's My Girl

So this week has been eventful. I know the Designer has a show this week that will be off the hook and it is getting colder by the moment here.

I am not going to make this blog too political but as you can see the Presidential Race is heating up and I plan to be right in the middle. One of my frat actually works for the Clinton Campaign and I am so happy that he is making things happen.

You know recently John Kerry endorsed Senator Obama. With all of the help that President and Senator Clinton gave him I was a little taken aback. Here is the letter I sent to Senator Kerry. I really hope he truly gets the message.

P.S. – I am still salty about getting broken up with via email but I am getting over it. UUGGHH!! Thought for the day: “ To get a piece of the pie, we need to sit on all sides of the table”.

Dear Senator Kerry,

I was very disappointed earlier today when I heard that you had endorsed Senator Obama for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

Having supported you in both bids for the senate in your home state and your bid for the presidency, I felt very in tune with your political views. However, I feel that your endorsement of the senator is at best misguided.

In your remarks about the endorsement of the Senator you referenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s words “now it is the time to do what is right”. The right thing to do at this time would have been to support Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s quest for the Oval Office. I know that an individual’s years on Earth has no comparison to great judgment and intuition but I believe that Senator Clinton is the most qualified candidate in both areas.

As an African-American man, former elected official and life-long Democrat – I have more than once been quizzed about my staunch support for Senator Clinton but as you were quoted as saying earlier NOW IS THE TIME.

America is the only first world country to have never had a woman leader. In over two hundred and thirty years of existence – it is odd to see that a woman has never been in leadership positions in this country. Look at the record. Very few female Supreme Court Justices and never a female Chief Justice; never a woman as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, never a woman as Majority Leader of the Senate and only recently Speaker of the House and finally never a woman in the White House. However, now in 2008 we are presented with one of the most dynamic yet polarizing leaders that this country has ever seen. We see Hillary Clinton. Here is lady who is educated, eloquent, poised, intelligent and tenacious enough to handle all of the challenges that sit before her. An individual who when challenged with being a First Lady who was active in developing policy and didn’t shirk from the challenge. An individual who can and will show all of our daughters and sons that in America . . . ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

I appreciate you taking the time to read this email and I hope that when Senator Clinton becomes the Democratic Nominee, that you and others who have chosen not to support her candidacy will work to ensure that our country is blessed with competent Democratic Leadership.

Again, thank you for your continued service. With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,

Rahman K. Johnson

No Pain No Gain -- So When Does the Gain Come?

So I am sitting here in true multi-tasking form. Watching the Jaguars play New England, blogging and of course washing clothes. When I was a kid my grandmother told me that I was never to wash clothes on New Year’s Day or on the first three Friday’s of the New Year less someone would be washed out of the family.

Of course my faith and belief in God trumps superstition but in some small way it keeps a bit of my grandmother and her wisdom alive in my life.

As for the football game, I was starting to get excited but it seems as though New England is coming back. Jacksonville had things tied up through the half, which is a feat within itself. Nevertheless, I haven’t given up on my beloved Jaguars just yet! Rasheen Mathis is making it do what it do!!

Aright so on to the real story. As I said I had been kicking it extra hard from the holidays until now. Or so I thought. You know I am that kind of brother that opens doors, listens to conversations to purchase or make those sentimental gifts that truly mean something or just be the moral support when needed. But you know one of my friends (The Designer) said something that has resonated with me every since. He said, “Rahman when anyone dates you, they have to step up to the plate and at the very least grow up. You are the kind of guy who has a lot going on. Your light is so bright that if there are those who are intimidated or lacking in confidence, your light shows their inadequacies”.

Ain’t that the truth!

So anyway I went home to help with the burial of my stepmother and had not heard from Lisa (cause she is bohemian like Lisa Bonet) and chalked it up to the holidays and her not being available. I will say that deep down I wondered what the issue was and I knew something was wrong but I never could quite put my finger on it. As a holiday gift, I got her the BIG I-Pod (you know the one). But the kicker was, I didn’t just get her the I-Pod. I made a special playlist (that took me two days to design). They were songs that had meaning and sent messages. At least I thought that was more special than just giving someone an I-Pod.

Nevertheless, after getting back to Philly and calling for a few days – she contacted me.

FINALLY . . . .

THOUGH AN EMAIL!

She sent me an email!

The gist of the email was first an apology for not keeping contact. Second the fact that when I said I loved her it made her question the validity of that statement and finally, that “I am a amazing guy with a bright light that she was not equipped enough to handle”. WOW! I just received a break-up – via email!

I am not sure weather to laugh, cry or just look dumbfounded!

I mean truthfully I wasn’t looking for a relationship and at the very least I was hoping that since I had let my guard down a bit I had found a friend.

I guess that just wasn’t in the cards.

She of course agreed to meet and talk about the situation (per her request) broke the meeting and has yet to call to reschedule. I am not sure at all what to expect at this point. There is a vulnerable part of me that feels “some kind of way” about the situation. Then there is the major part of me that says please – they are not ready!

Then again, I wonder.

Quite often, I have been cool with friends and on the verge of relationships with those who said “you are just too much”. Although because I am working hard on my career, being their for friends and championing causes that I believe will make the world better place -- I still like to have fun. No, it is not all about smoking a blunt or going to the next party for me. It’s not about bringing every woman I come in contact with to my house to bang out. It defiantly is not about impressing anyone. It is simply to adhere to my long running mantra to leave the world a better place than it was when I arrived.

I guess in way, having it together has its drawbacks. However, all that I know is success. Failure is not an option. If you can’t deal with an upgrade, then I guess I really didn’t need you in my life anyway.

It was a necessary lesson. But one that hurt none the less.

Today’s Thought: “A necessary pain today prepares you for the appreciation of tomorrows pleasure.”

It Starts With Drama

I am going to try and make a conscious effort to blog at least once a week this year and maybe more. I am also thinking about starting another “brother” blog strictly about politics. I am so fascinated about what is going on in the Presidential election this year and I believe that some interesting things are just beginning to unfold. I am not sure just yet how that will take shape but I am moving forward.

Right now 2008 is unfolding in a very interesting manner. I have spent some time reflecting on 2007 and hoping to be a better person this year.

Interestingly enough, things are unfolding in an unbelievable fashion right now. First one of my boys went home for the holidays and returned to find his check in bed with another man! Yea, they had just secured a mortgage and were about to purchase a home together. When he told me what happened, I was hurt for him. I had to remind him though, better he find out now that after they had bought the house and were married. Folk can be so dumb. Not that I condone cheating in any form but in the bed that you both sleep in every night at your house. Dumb ass!!

On a personal level, I have been kicking it hard before the holidays. Yea, you know great dates, emotional intimacy – the works. I told her that I loved her, not that I was in love with her but just that I loved her and since then, we have only spoke via text once. I’m trying to be optimistic. Let’s hope that things work out in my favor. I’ll post about it later.

Thought for today: “Better to be silent and thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”!

Welcome to 2008

My Friends,
Again, though it seems far too soon, another year has come! Happy 2008! I trust that this New Year finds you healthy, happy, blessed, prosperous and full of perpetual optimism for the year to come. As most know, I choose to greet my family and friends with a letter heralding the New Year. This is my annual tradition and a way to rise above the usual holiday shuffle. I encourage you to use this as inspiration for you to create your own traditions unique to your family, which can be your legacy.

2007 has been a year of transition, discovery and understanding. I am reminded of the quote that says: “ As a child, I knew it all. The older I became, the less I found out I knew. In my old age, I found out how ignorant I was.” I see the truth of that quote ever so clearly as time progresses.

On a personal level, I really miss those that have passed on. It has been almost three years since my grandmother and there have been many others they left me with great pearls of wisdom. My mother makes educating youth more than a career and looks forward to some new and innovative projects in 2008. We are also thankful for stellar health throughout the family! I have worked to devote time to the goals of my fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., The Screen Actors Guild and campaigning for my Presidential pick, U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham- Clinton (D-NY).

Professionally, I continued the year working in Marketing and Promotions in the Northeast. I was also able to complete production on Queen of Media: The Wendy Williams Story, Incorporated – The Story of the Philadelphia Black Mafia and Starting Fresh – a series about getting a job that is one of the hottest selling educational series on the market and is nominated for a Telly© Award! I am looking forward to many acting, producing and theatre opportunities this year. I am also looking forward to the new and improved rahmanjohnson.com which will debut in February!

2008 represents a Realization of Potential! You know one of the wealthiest places on Earth is not Ft. Knox or a Federal Reserve Bank – it is the cemetery. This is because of all of the dreams and potential that died with those who didn’t tempt fate and pursue their dreams. You see Denzel Washington though great is not the greatest actor of our time. Somewhere in some cemetery is a performance that was never seen that was the greatest in the world. Let your light shine and realize the potential that lies within!

May you and your family experience the most heartfelt blessings of a New Year filled with Peace, Harmony, Prosperity, Health and Love! Inside of us lies the undaunted power to create positive change in the world – USE IT! Remember doing a common thing in an uncommon way sets you apart. Happy New Year! With warm personal regards, I remain

Forever,

Rahman