Monday, October 15, 2007

Bolts of Reality....

***Press Release***


Bolts of Reality
New Short Story Collection Explores Pitfalls of Relationships


FRANKLIN PARK, NJ – Cyd Webster inspires discussion and evaluation of
romantic relationships in a series of short “legacies of dysfunction”, Struck by
Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality (now available through AuthorHouse).
The characters in the stories illustrate the problems that can occur when
baggage from the past is drawn into current relationships. The various couples
appear normal on the outside, but are engulfed in trauma and turmoil behind
the closed doors of their homes. “The characters are narrowly wedged into
tunnel vision, where options and choices seem limited, and settling in their
circumstances becomes the only answer they can imagine,” says Webster.


Each story addresses different stages of romantic love, from single people
looking for companionship to couples involved in marriage, cohabitation or
infidelity. George and Sheila’s conflicting motives lead to maddening
misunderstandings for them both. Tonya, desperate to have a man, ignores
the fact that Lewis has psychotic tendencies. Marsha becomes a caretaker
and martyr as Craig’s dependent lifestyle threatens to destroy her. Charles
and Joan end up in a long-term relationship that is built on a lie but continues
in a manner of twisted convenience. Ronald and Tricia find themselves in a
rocky, violent relationship based on shallow ideals. Candy recklessly searches
for love, and Black and Shareef take the opportunity to satisfy their desires
at her expense. Pastor Jetson and Alison are torn by a happenstance meeting
and strong attraction.


Webster hopes to inspire dialogue in readers as they relate the characters’
exploits to their own lives. “These stories are based on experiences that
many people can identify with, although most people do not want to talk
about these kinds of issues,” she says. “These are stories about everyday
people who are working out scenarios in their lives with what they bring
to it and what is presented to them.”

Webster was born in East Orange, NJ, and lived in Orange, NJ most of her
life. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and attended
graduate school at Montclair State University. She has since worked in
the field of information systems technology. Writing has always been her
passion, and she has had several articles published in company newsletters.
Struck by Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality is her first book. More
information is available at Cyd's World.

Available at AuthorHouse – www.authorhouse.com.
This title can be ordered at bookstores or ordered at your preferred on-line retailer.






So far, I've received a lot of interesting feedback from people who have read my book. Many have told me that they can either identify with some of the stories or know people that some of the characters remind them of. Here are some comments I've received and I encourage anyone to share their comments here on my blog after reading Struck By Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Cyndie,
I read your book. Wow, it was captivating. It was also painful; but, it was all to real for too large a segment of our tortured society. And, if we don't fix the root causes of the dysfunction, it will destroy us all.The other side are the stories of families like yours. We need to write those stories also. And, if all else fails, myth gives us something to strive towards.


Take care,Bill
Virginia


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hey Cyndie,
They were great. I was very impressed, with this being your first official publication and all. I hope that you could turn some of them into full novels. I've left the book with my Aunt as we read all the same things, so I can't quote titles. But, I would've loved to know the background on the crazy woman that sat around in the bar and met men. Also, more about the guy who became DL at his dealer's house.
Oh, and about the perverse boyfriend who was killed in the freak car accident. A few of them ended too quickly for me. But, I was hooked as I completed the book in about 10 hours over the span of 2 days.
Are some of these really true stories?


Luciana Hall



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi cyndie - I'm not sure if you check out your im (i sent this samemessage there) but this is T aka deanesdream. I wanted to let you know that I read your book over the weekend and it was a good read. very sad but all in all - it gave me a sense of hope not to sell myself short since I have a chance to decide that before i end up or come faceto face with any of those situations, ever again. thanks so much for a VERY real book.


"deanedream"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I finished reading your book and must say that I am certainly impressed. Each chapter was better than the preceding one. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Where on earth did you dream up all the characters? Each one was "a piece of work in progress."The book held my attention and really flowed, making for easy reading. Thank you for a job well done. I regret that your Elaine and Leroy didn't live to see you were published. I can hear Elaine now cracking up over the stories that you wrote.

Joyce
East Orange, NJ

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I recently purchased your book Struck By Lightning and I found it to be very enticing, real, and directly on point. All of the stories are events that I could certainly relate to in some way or another. Whenever you come to Georgia, I definitely want to get an autograph because your work is great.

Spenecia
Atlanta, Ga

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thursday, August 02, 2007

Quality flushed down the government mandated, low-flow toilet!

Do we get the picture yet?

Yesterday, a bridge collapsed in Minneapolis during rush hour.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6927113.stm

The tragic event led to an almost immediate revelation that the bridge was considered 'deficient'! I keep hearing engineers, over and over again on CNN explaining the 'lack of redundancy' in the architecture of the bridge.

[Minnesota representative James Oberstar, chairman of the House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told Fox News that the bridge that collapsed was known to be in need of repairs.

"I know for a fact that the bridge has been listed as structurally deficient for several years," he said. "It was on their list of bridges to be fixed -- that is reconstruction work, bridge decking and bridge pier supports.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070802/ts_alt_afp/usaccidentbridge_070802170752 ]

Now how sad is this, that for several years, it was known that this bridge has issues. Yet, I'm betting that it was money that drove the issues with this bridge to the back page because in this country, its all about 'how will [we] profit from fixing that bridge' and who will reap the monetary benefits. In other words, who will the contract go to, to fix that bridge. And then, in come the politicians. And then, who's sleeping in whose bed?

Hmmm. Was anyone concerned that hundreds of thousands of people travel across an unsafe bridge that scored a '4' out of a scale of 1 - 9 for years? I remember there was a bill in congress to build a bridge to nowhere. Great! That's just a real responsible way to spend money while we have thousands of bridges on the brink of crumbling.


This is an eerie reminder of those levees that broke in New Orleans. Yep.... it was 'known' that the levees had faulty construction so we are told. Yet, the government allowed a hurricane to take care of it, at the expense of the people in the 9th Ward. I guess they decided they ain't getting a lot of money by way of taxes out of that bunch, so they're expendable. And the kicker for me is.... how in the world can the US have such poor
levees compared to other countries? I remember hearing that our government hasn't even considered some of the great architectural examples for levee construction from other countries. But of course, it all boils down to money again, and what the goal is. Do we get the picture yet?

I think we are experiencing 'capitalism run amok'. Greed is making the rich get richer while ignoring quality all over the place.

I remember back in the '80s, there was a huge effort to encourage quality and service in the US. Many large corporations were drumming this mantra into the heads of employees by way of seminars e.g. (
Tom Peters Seminars) and set up entire divisions that focused on TQM (Total Quality Management) which beat the drum of 'service' that gives corporations the leading edge in acquiring business.

Somewhere along the line, this faded away and what we're left with now are dwindling 'resources', and manufacturing being moved offshore. Our way of life is being outsourced. I saw a report where a family tried to live 'china free' for example, and they actually could not do it. Thanks to the methods of profit and greed, we are dependent on most of our low cost goods, that are manufactured in China and imported back here to the US.

I guess some of the Chinese have decided that they would like to make a little more profit off of the the goods they're exporting to us. So.... again, quality suffers and we end up with Chinese imports coming in and found to be harmful all over the place. Just yesterday on the news it was reported that Fisher-Price is recalling millions of toys due to lead paint being used on them. And what about those tires? Yep... imported tires from China have been recalled too. The list just seems to keep growing when it comes to Chinese imports ( poison toothpaste and dog food, cardboard dim sum).

Hard to imagine, but even equipment for our troops was lacking where some of the troops' families were actually buying equipment on their own and sending it to them.
I don't remember hearing anything about profits for Halliburton and other contractors over in Iraq lacking.

Well... I got the picture! Quality has gone down the 'low-flow toilet' while profits are up for the wealthy few.


It's just a damn shame. I'm trying to understand how we have a government that can be so inept as to mismanage the trillions they have at their disposal. They are supposed to be looking out for our best interest as the job we, the voters have hired them for. I guess we have to acknowledge that some of us voters ain't too bright either, judging by who we have in office.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

3 Strikes You're Neutered!!!!

So after getting over my outrage at the article splashed all over the internet regarding the ‘concubining’ man, it led to a few issues that were brought to mind. This man had no problem vomiting this information out while standing trial in court on an unrelated charge. The media had it’s thirst for negative press on black folks quenched, without much effort. And I’m still speechless regarding 6 different women getting pregnant by this man... seemingly around the same time since he said he has 6 babies on the way.

Lawd have mercy!!!! The mind boggles......


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘I Be Concubining’
http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/03/13/i-be-concubining/
This fool impregnated six women. That’s six babies who’ll have no residential father and a slothful criminal for a biological father. And taxpayers will support them. Sad, yes, and it happens every day.
Posted by La Shawn @ 6:09 am Filed under: Cultural Decline

http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/03/13/i-be-concubining/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My outrageous response is... we need to discuss the ‘3 Strikes Your Neutered’ Law.

That’s right! You’ve heard it here first (although I’ve been saying it egroups for a few years now). Why not? I mean, clearly, we have irresponsible to the point of seemingly mental retardation going on when a woman who has no means nor motivation to care for herself, deciding to be impregnated over and over again, without a care.

The law could go something like this...

-->If a man has the third child he is not supporting and no prospects, means or intentions of being able to, he should be forced to have a vasectomy.

-->If a woman is on public assistance with no history of working or prospects, means or intentions to support herself and children, yet comes up with the third child, the tubes get tied!

I'm certainly not sure if something like this would ever be enforceable, but it’s an idea nonetheless. It has already been tried too.

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/back/2004_spring/2004-05-17/opinions5.html

I think that Mr. Concubine and his 6 heifers should at least be offered the ‘snip-snip’ option.

The Neutered law would unfortunately not stop the outrage of children being murdered and abused after they are here though. I don’t think the problem of ‘affording’ children or having means to care for them was the issue in the following horrendous events.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/andrea_yates/index.html


http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/year_in_review/us/smith.html


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/13/earlyshow/main1206722.shtml
Nixzmary Brown, seen in class photo provided by family friend and taken when she was in Kindergarten (AP)


But we can at least focus on the particular issue of irresponsibility with no accountability. At least the Neutered Law might be a plan of what should happen to circumvent unfortunate children who happen upon here in torrid circumstances that were clearly foreseen.Many end up tortured and killed or thrown away by their mothers or fathers anyway. Or, end up in a hapless life of foster care or gang life.

Now... I’ve been accused of sounding like that ignorant Bill Bennett with his ‘abort all black babies to reduce crime’ idea. I really don’t see the 3 Strikes You’re Neutered as being the same thing. Bill Bennett labeled ALL black people as potential criminals. That’s just ludicrous! The irresponsible/unaccountable people who would be subjected to this law would have up to 3 children, and their apathy along with no motivation to support themselves and children would have to be proven.

Even I can see how this kind of law can be abused and/or become a tool of racism though. And that is because of the inherent racism in our society. I just don’t see how we’d get around this problem. This could be a reason that I might not vote for such a thing in the end.

It’s a thought though. Right or wrong... we need to discuss these issues. So don’t kill me for thinking.... I’d like to hear more comments and better ideas if you have any!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, maybe a stronger media campaign for birth control will help...

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/birthcontrol/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control
Poster released in the 1970s by the Family Planning Association of Victoria, Australia.


http://www.malecontraceptives.org/

http://www.vasectomy.com/index.htm

Monday, January 22, 2007

'Objective Hate'.... book by Troi 'Star' Torain

I have read the book, and it was entertaining, yet disturbing at times, as well as surprising, I must say.


http://www.starandbucwild.com/

And I gotta say.... I was intrigued about a man who could come off being so abrasive and cynical over the airwaves. What a journey in life he described. Clearly, it built character... but then, I got the impression that he was born with a strong spirit and found a way to contain and channel it over the years.

It started off describing a familiar, in that I could identify with the life of growing up in a place like Scotch Plains, NJ. And I got the impression that Star could be a ‘callous opportunist’, until I got to the part about him taking his ‘alter-ego’ Buc Wild (Tim) under his wing. And in his abrasiveness, there is an under current of caring. It seems very odd and confusing, actually.

Star’s reference to Abbott & Costello was really an incredible idea. I could see him being like Bud Abbott. But I would have never understood this idea had I not read it in his book because I don’t know if I’ve ever even heard ‘Buc Wild’ speak.

http://www.abbottandcostello.net/

And I’m still wondering if the philosophy of objective hate, feeds into a callousness of character. What got me is that after reading through the beginning chapters of inanity, by way of seemingly unsavory proclivities, the book took an upswing and got deep in my opinion, where I was surprised and impressed, as well as finding myself in agreement with a some of his conclusions and opinions in the end. There was one part in the book where he lists some of the women he interviewed on the air waves and gave his critique on their character. That was kind of ‘slang-bookish’ to me... You’d have to be of a certain age to know what a ‘slang book’ is. It takes me back to junior high school.

But then, in my opinion, he describes his focus being a priority over and above many people whose paths he had crossed, especially at Hot 97. I can get that... a means to an end. What really surprised me was his disdain for the current generations’ ignorance and ridiculousness. I don’t think I really noticed it while he was on the airwaves so much, but I definitely got it after reading the book, and I totally concur.

I had some questions and comments that I posted in an egroup forum that was created by some of his fans or friends (or both). However, it seems people (including Star), were instructed not to discuss his book in his egroup. I found that to be a strange promotional strategy. But.... anyway, I figured I’d put my comments and questions in my blog.

One question is in regard to the 'philosophy of hate' as explained by Star....

While reading his book, I didn’t exactly get the impression that he is a 'mean spirited person' (and I could be wrong), yet, I do see how provocative he is in his seeming desire to incite and inspire negativity. Not sure I understand the motive or the goal in doing this. However, there is something refreshing about a man who throws ‘political correctness’ to the wind and ‘cuts to the chase’, barring all and any layer of bullshit on issues he chooses to express opinion on.

I wonder what others think he means by being a 'hater'. I don't consider myself a 'hater' although there are clearly things that I do hate.

I mean, name calling and trite disrespect seems so trivial. I just can't imagine that 'the philosophy of hate' is something as simple as that. And as I read more, I found some insight into where some of the hate is inspired and can agree. But I don’t feel my hate for bigotry or irresponsible ‘rap- hip/hop’ is objective.... I believe it’s more subjective (for example).

Objective = expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations

As opposed to...

Subjective = involving or deriving from sense perception or experience with actual objects , conditions, or phenomena


Here’s an excerpt from The BlackElectorate.com regarding the book...

http://www.blackelectorate.com/articles.asp?ID=1797

Without question one of the book’s most valuable attributes is that it takes us into one of the most brilliant entrepreneurial minds to enter the arena of Hip-Hop and the radio industry. If you suspected it, wondered about it, or could not get yourself to fully accept it, Objective Hate ends the debate. Star is one of the shrewdest, patient, aggressive, and calculating individuals you will ever want to encounter in business. This is no ordinary Negro. He knows when to ‘sell out,’ or ‘fight the power;’ cultivate or provoke; and renew and re-invent himself. In short, he seems to be aware of his relative power at all times, and aligns it with his personal motivation and goals in business.

I concur with the above comment.

The NY Post Article was a bit scathing in their comments..... and the writer is certainly entitled to his opinion. What's the saying.... 'all publicity is good, even when it’s bad...?'

The excerpt below from the article is something I take exception with also.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01072007/gossip/pagesix/radio_jerk_vile_in_print__too_pagesix_.htm

Of King, Star writes: "[He's] a total hypocrite whose agenda quashed the rising spirit of anarchy in the heart of black America. As he hid behind the cross, he hated being oppressed but realized it enhanced his [stud] game . . . His mystified hypothetical dream, with no economic structure, now hangs over the Negro's head like a Mississippi noose."

I can't say I agree totally with the above comment, although I do feel there is a shred of truth in there. I believe King was a true leader and did what he thought was right at that time, to bring us out of the Jim Crow era. Looking back, I think that his efforts fell short of long term goals, which puts us where we are today.

I posted my comment in Star’s egroup and he did reply...

--- In StarandBucWildForum@yahoogroups.com, "Star"
wrote:
>
> Hey Cyndi,
>
> You're right, King did what he thought was morally just
> at the time, but he had no long-term economic plan
> beyond God's will. Most people of color are not even
> aware of his literary works (Not his autobiography) or
> his tension with Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X.
>
> It's not my intention to discredit MLK, but his un-mentioned
> credit for stalled Negro progress is reaching new heights of
> confusion. Most people reference that King followed Mahatma
> Gandhi's lead, but fail to state the difference between a
> campaign of self-rule and one of civil rights.
>
> S.

Yes..... I can agree with Star on that. However, I keep thinking that the 'self rule' idea is still squashed in the minds of many black folks based on what happened to the successful black communities of the past... like the “Black Wall Street”.

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=news28

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colfax_Massacre


In the end, I’m still not totally clear on the mantra of ‘hate’ being promoted. It just sounds so negative, yet I don’t believe that it is negativity that is being promoted by the philosophy. I like his references to his connection with his father and the fact that he has ideas and acts on them, full force. The book is a good, interesting and fast read. It’s worth checking out.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Chit'lins offense!

Wow! I had no idea that people were so offended by Chit’lins. There used to be a black owned store in East Orange, NJ that sold 'cleaned' chit’lins and we used to buy them because my mother traditionally cooked them for New Years along with blackeyed peas, collards and macaroni and cheese. UMMMM!

http://www.blacknews.com/pr/chitlinmarket101.html

*August 28, 2006 *CONTACT:*
Shauna Anderson> > 240-432-1500
www.chitlinmarket.com

Chitlin Restaurant Seeks NAACP Help*BUSINESS WOMAN SHAUNA ANDERSON TURNS TO NAACP SEEKING JUSTICE FORMARYLAND'S PG COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN HERNATIONWIDE CHITLIN BUSINESS* *Hyattsville, MD* (BlackNews.com) –

Shauna Anderson, successful businesswoman, accountant and owner of The Chitlin Market will speak to the press regarding her attempts to reveal Prince George County government's attempts to close down her business and prevent her from opening a Chitlin restaurant on Ager Road in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Shauna opened her first retail cleaned Chitlin business in Prince Georges County in 1995. Her first storefront was an instant success after just one article in the Washington Post but she soon received a "Black Sambo" hate letter and a vicious hate email threatening to bomb her restaurant. Despite an FBI investigation, abreak-in and a succession of vandalism, she stuck with it. An anonymous inquiry to the USDA put her business under scrutiny for months before she closed her first Hyattsville, MD location and put her business strictly online.

She then purchased a TDOZ approved property on Ager Road in 2004 intending to once again open a new Chitlin Market. Despite careful and thoughtful renovations of a run down property, harassment started immediately with warning letters, excessive and repeated inspections, code enforcers questioning permits already issued – Shauna had one enforcement officer arrive during a Chitlin Festival who questioned her permit after she showed it to him and he said to Shauna: "They told me they were not going to give it to you."

In the last year Shauna has incurred thousands of dollars in personal property vandalism with a screwdriver through her truck radiator, tires slashed on both her truck and trailer and she received water bills in excess of $1,800.00 that were usually $60.00. After protesting the bill Shauna then received an excessive water bill at her residence. She then received a tax inquiry from the Maryland State Dept of Assessments requesting Corporate Tax Copies for Audit purposes. Shauna taught Corporate tax statistics at the IRS for over a decade.

She has recently been followed in her car, had her car towed illegally and she is now fearful for her safety. Recently a city official voiced his objection to the smell that would be omitted from Shauna's restaurant, even though she had has never once received a complaint about odors. She had inspectors at her property on several occasions threatening to tow her Chitlin Mobile Unit after it had sat on the street for 48 hours. When she questioned why the Taco Trucks directly across the street sat for weeks on end without question - there was no answer.

In April of this year PG County officials revealed their true feelings regarding the opening of a Chitlin restaurant in their community. After an episode of ABC's *Commander in Chief* ran portraying PG County as overridden with crime with a scene of the fictional President exiting her car in front of a Chitlin and Pork Chop restaurant, Peter Shapiro responded to the *Washington Post* in outrage regarding the portrayal of the community and that a Chitlin restaurant is a negative stereotype - and that prompted Shauna to realize how they felt about her business. Shauna Anderson wants to know what they are doing about the crime rate in this community and why they aren't protecting children and putting resources into crime prevention instead of trying to run a small business out of town.

For more information about Shauna Anderson, visit
www.chitlinmarket.com
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I admit, I don't cook Chit'lins. They really look (and smell) foul when being cooked. But I miss it on New Years when my mother cooked them. Now if we analyzed many foods we eat, I'd have to say I’d probably feel just as grossed out about a lot of it. (Have you ever read how hotdogs are made?)

Chit'lins are a ‘soul food’ delicacy in my opinion! That’s how I regard it. It ranks right up there with that big ol’ pot of Pork Neck Bones. Ummmmm! I used to love the neck bones and noodles. Getting the meat off those neck bones was like a skilled art, working that tongue all through those nooks and crannies, sucking them bones dry!

And, its not just 'us' who eat them... Grilled pork intestines are known as Makchang in Korea!

(from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitterlings)



Other cultures have small intestine recipes, for example as part of the Latin American (and especially Argentinian) mixed grill dish parrillada, where they are known as chinchulines and may be of lamb.
Filipino cuisine features a recipe of fried pork intestines called "silit", and another for deep-fried pork intestines, called "chicharon bulaklak".
In Korea, grilled pork intestines are called makchang (막창). Makchang is a Daegu regional delicacy.
In Mexican cuisine, small intestines are known as tripas. Cleaned, boiled, and grilled, tripas are a popular filling for tacos.


Here’s a Chit'lins recipe for those who can still ‘stomach’ them.... (pun intended! LOL!)

http://www.chitterlings.com/chitterling.html

And here’s another link that describes the history of chit’lins...

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/ChitlinsHistory.htm

Pig stomach and intestines. I remember my father telling me that everything except for the ‘squeal’ is eaten from the Pig. I know so many people who were raised on chit’lins and pork, but turn their noses up to pork now. Some claim to be allergic to pork these days. I guess that can happen...



Whatever. I try to eat mostly fish and poultry along with something green and some fruit most days. I’ll have some red meat once or twice a week sometimes, including pork (although some call it ‘the other white meat’). And on New Years... as long as I trust the cook (!!!!!!) I’d have those Chit’lins with some Black Eyed Peas and Collards and Macaroni and Cheese! Once a year ain't gonna kill me!!!!

Aside from all this....


Happy New Year Every One... may we all be blessed with good physical, mental and spiritual health, prosperity along with the ability to live our life to the fullest!