Club SEBU

Let us start by painting the proper picture. You're in elementary school and it is time to get ready for playground... Or lunch... Or music class... Or any of the other classes we used to go to back then. As you straighten your papers, and put your pens and pencils into your desk, you look to the chalkboard and realize that you are the chosen one... It is your turn to lead the class down the hallway and you are mortified. It's not that you don't know where you are going...it's simply the responsibility of having to walk down the entire hallway with everyone following you that makes you uncomfortable. What will they say?  What conversations are your classmates having behind you?  What if there is something on your back that you can't see? So many questions, yet one question runs through your head more than any other... Why can't I just follow behind someone else? Maybe this particular feeling is one that only I felt, but I think the underlyi...

How was work today?  How about school? These are two of the most commonly asked questions at days end, and sometimes, these are the only questions asked at days end. What may seem to be normal questioning, could actually use some revamping. Now, it is never wrong to ask those questions, but I challenge you to ask more. What if we removed work or school and just said "how are you today"?  Would that make any difference? I'm sure any conversation regarding work or school will still be brought up if need be, but it is important to establish a foundation that doesn't only revolve around those tangible places. For instance, on the weekends when there is typically no work or school, does that mean that there is no need to ask any questions regarding someone's well being? Obviously not, but it is easy to get caught up in the semantics of asking those specific questions, only to realize that the answers are rarely substantial in nature when asked. Too ofte...

As I rummaged through different thoughts, pieces, and writings that had no homes... I decided to create the " Pad & Paper Series ". In case you missed the first line of this post, the Pad & Paper Series will be comprised of the audio versions of different thoughts, pieces, and writings that had no place to call home for general public consumption.  These will be released from time to time.  There are no specifics dates to look out for, but naturally, I will be sure to let you know.  Any time I think of anything, I separate the thoughts into their proper placement, and see which outlet is best suited for their release.  Some thoughts are posts, some are videos, some are podcast episodes... The members of this group are, as Malcolm Gladwell would call them, The Outliers. Although I am not entirely sure if the term 'outliers' is used in the correct context when describing this group, just know that they are the ones that appear to be out of sequence...

The clock struck about 6:30 am this morning and I knew it was time for me to get up and launch. I know it has been a long time, and I apologize, but...the Club SEBU Podcast is finally here.  It has been quite the process, recording, editing, and publishing. In vintage Club SEBU fashion, I hit a roadblock and was left with no other option but to jump over it... Or struggle/crawl my way over; which would be a much more indicative way to describe the series of events that transpired throughout this morning's uploading process. To lay the groundwork of today's endeavor, I had the voice overs recorded and appeared to be ready to go...the only thing left to do, was add the musical styling of some of my favorite emcees. I figured it would be a quick task that I could take care of, then possibly head back to bed and catch some more sleep before beginning my day. As 8:45 am came and went, I realized that I hadn't moved out of my bed for over 2 hours, or removed my eyes f...

Just a quick thought followed by a quick post... It's nothing groundbreaking, but more of a continued observation and dialogue of an already discussed situation. For those of you who may not know, I enjoy telling stories through video making as well.  I am currently in the process of telling a ten episode story in a short series called "The Richie and Simba Show" available on the Club SEBU YouTube Channel ... (that is a link, and a shameless plug...indulge and enjoy). In this story line, viewers see the journey of a dog and his friend trying to coexist for a full day, even though they live two very different lives.  Given how relevant 'The Pursuit of Coexisting' is in today's social climate, it is rather ironic how this short series came to fruition. Coincidence?...I digress I wholeheartedly believe that Simba should be nominated for an Emmy or an Oscar Award, and when I think back to the recording process, it only furthers my declaration for him t...

They've gotten stronger...and they talk a lot more too. For those of you who do not know, these two are my niece and nephew, and this is how we interact.  It always starts with one of them doing something, and the other one following.  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To add to the dynamic duos ability to control the room, these interactions always include a lot of talking, and believe it or not, most of it is not coming from me. Partially due to the fact that I've realized that together, they are just too powerful. My nephew is now speaking, and my niece is on the brink of doing the same.  Whether it's telling everyone a story, or just making sounds and grunting, respectively they are both constantly exploring language. Although often difficult to distinguish, they both mean what they say and should be taken seriously.  Obviously there will be conversations that we have that are not going to remain on the top of our 'revisit' list due to a perceive...

I hate that I have to revisit this topic, but some things cannot be avoided. Now that we have all emerged from the wrath of our latest snowstorm, apparently named Stella, I figured it's a nice time to get the groove back. If you remember The Snow Is Way Too High, You Need To Cut It ...I have a passionate disdain for snow; so these last two days have been interesting to say the least. For our visual readers... My vehicle was somewhere in there, and I couldn't help but feel bad for it.  Obviously, it does not have human emotion, but the idea of being stuck in the snow for two days is a recurring nightmare of mine, so I can empathize. That being said, I still waited for Stella to go home, before I went outside to rescue my friend. When the time came to begin shoveling, I had plenty of time to personify the last two days that the vehicle experienced.  Disclaimer...Personification is a favorite past time of mine, and it enhances my storytelling....