FOR WOMEN ONLY!-Beautiful Blessed Things

Hey My Sister Girls!

For those return readers, you know this column is about Encouraging, Inspiring, Supporting, the women. The young and the mature. For the new reader, I know you will enjoy this clolumn as well! And any time you see "Inspiration Station" You know that a poem relative to the article is sure to follow. So, let's get started.

Last time, I had concluded my series on "Sister Girls". I hope you found some inspiration in that. And at the the end of part 3, of that series,

I promised that "Beautiful Blessed Things" would be next. This poem speaks about who we are, women! It tells us that we are beautiful! It tells us that we are blessed, meaning gifted by God! We deserve to be respected and heard! We deserve to be loved, cared for and protected. It is about reminding us that WE DESERVE the best! So, without further adu, here it is...

"INSPIRATION STATION"

BEAUTIFUL BLESSED THING

a Poem By: Meetta Martin

Women are beautiful blessed things.

We should not wait to have someone tell us that!

This is confidence speaking, not arrogance.

Women are beautiful blessed things!

The fact of business is that many of us don't know it.

So our lives don't show it!

Many of our boyfriends, husbands and kids don't even realize this about us!

So, how can we hold onto this for ourselves, when we surround ourselves with people who also don't know it so well?

Because of that lack of knowledge, they don't really know how to care for us!

So many of us women don't know how to PROPERLY care for ourselves!

Some of us women don't know that we can achieve great things.

Many women don't realize that they are amazingly creative and ingenious!

So many can't even name women innovators, not realizing that they themsleves just might be or become one!

We don't know that we have freedoms that no one can take from us!

We don't know that we don't have to put up with non-supportive "friends" just to have somebody around us!

We are better than that! I dont ' know about you, but I can do bad all my myself! I don't need any help! Hmph!

So many of us...

We don't know that we can encourage ourselves! We don't know that we don't have to wait to get that from someone else!

We don't know that we have the strength to stand up to our family, and go after the dreams and goals that we have.

We don't know that we can live full lives without having JUST ANY MAN, to say that we have a man!

Many of us women...

The Beautiful blessed things that we are, think that we NEED

a man to validate us, no matter how bad he is, for us!

Some of us don't know that we don't have to "settle for less."

Some of us don't know that we CAN DO BETTER!

Don't worry, what you really need for your life is out there waiting for you to just "come and get it!"

But in the meantime, be like Queen Esther and prepare yourself

for "the King in your life"

NOW, hold on, focus and get yourself together

for yourself, first!

It is a sad, but true fact that some of us, MANY of us don't know that God has a special plan for the women he has created us to be!

Some of us shake our heads and agree when someone says something nice to us, about us!

When they say something like you are Beautiful, you are Blessed,

you are special and you are sweet,

especially when they say it without wanting something from us

in return like they deserve some sort of treat!

See, we shake our heads and agree

Even though, deep down inside,

we don't know how special.

And deep down, the nice things they said about us, we really don't believe!

Life will get better, you beautiful blessed things..

Just Keep moving forward AND keep believing!

On tHE jOB-Feeling Shortchanged On The Job

HAVE YOU EVER FELT SHORTCHANGED ON YOUR JOB?

Meaning, have you ever felt cheated out of something as an employee on your job? Whether it was deserved recognition for a job well done, lack of salary that was rightfully due you, or even if you were not given the correct and sufficient amount of supplies in order for you to do your job as best as you could?

If you have felt anyone of these things or a host of other things then this article is for you. This whole "on The job" column is dedicated to you! This column is about experiences on the job, situations that arise maybe involving other co-workers and management both. This column is a place where I, you, get to vent, share our experiences, get some answers on how to best deal with those kinds of situations and hopefully "grow " from them. It is important to grow and mature! Many people let themselves get stunted by experiences and they never really come out of the situation to learn how to live their best life, enjoying life and all it has to offer. Unfortunately, in order to grow, we've got to be challenged on all sorts of levels, even in the work place! "Tried by fire", as it were.

So, let's "talk". Again, I ask you, have you felt short changed on the job?

Well, I can't speak for you , but I know that I have felt that way and many times over! I've been working for a very long time, so I've had my share of experiences in feeling shortchanged! Started my first paid job at

15 years of age, when I was a Police Cadet working through the Youth Summer Employment Program, through the City of Detroit. Not 15 anymore

(Thank GOD for maturity and wisdom), but I've been working ever since.

I have shared with you in other posts on my blog page as to what my occupation currently is, but for those of you who don't know, I am a Professional Public Speaker, Re-enactor and Story Teller. I perform "shows" in local areas. Along with many of my co-workers, I "perform" these "shows", for thousands of people each year by making stories come to life! Often times, I and my fellow employees, are asked to dress up in costume and perform certain re-enactments in order to help the audience "see the picture" of the story that we are telling! In doing so, for the last several years, I have had the privilege and the honor of working with one of my dear friends and colleagues. When we work together, our "shows" run like clock work!

We do our individual things, but we are a team.

Anyway, So, the scenario in which my friend and I are to work in is like a stage set of an old house and we pretend to "set up house." We tell our stories, acting like women down in an old Sothern town. We even cook and clean. Yes! We actually get real food to show the audience (which they love) Sometimes, MANY TIMES, people tell us, "I've been here before, and even got some old fashioned recipes. "We love the stories you tell and especially THE WAY that you tell them!" This is our favorite place!" We've even had young kids tell us, you guys are fun!

People come to us and are "entertained" while they are learning history of the way it was, from us as "characters". My friend and I are very good at what we do because we like to "play" with our audiences as well as inform! See, we understand that many people who come to our "shows" don't just want to be talked at! THEY WANT TO BE ENGAGED!

Many of them want that interaction between them and us as 'PERFORMERS'. They want their children to learn and have fun as well! Some of my other co-workers, take their job too seriously and try to pour all of the detail into people about the past, but you have to have a balance. Yes! My friend and I give them information, but we also give them that interaction that many of them pay to come enjoy. Oh! My friend and I always make sure that we engage their children as well as the adults. That is important that a "good Story Teller" engage and include the children as well, they are just as important to what we are supposed to be doing out there! They are our future and our job is to "educate" them too about our history's past.

Here's the shortchange I felt lately though. In preparing for our "weekend shows", we were not given the best supplies with which to create our house set up to make it more believable with food cooking. And in my profession, detail is very, very important! So, I was appalled at some of the food we were given to cook for "the house". We were given a wormed out, rotting crate of fruit that laid on the ground for days! By the way, we don't have to eat this stuff, it's really for the "re-enactments" as we bring to life, the stories that we tell! But, there has been times in the past when I was told (by a certain person) that "it looks more authentic when we eat in front of the audience." I was even questioned by that person a number of times as to why I wouldn't eat the food! Also, there is another person who recently delighted in the fact that they like the fact that they get to "taste everything that we cook." So, if you know you want people to eat it, then WHY BRING ROTTEN FRUIT? My friend was there the day they were delivered and she said they were rotten then! She refused to go through them at all and that is how I ended up going through them!

Even still, if we are expected to perform our best then we should be given the best in which to perform it with. If we are expected to do our best on the job, then our best should be provided for! This is just not about apples! But, as for the apple situation, it is fair that I also include, later we were given fresh apples, but we should have been given those in the first place!

It may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but we do what we do, for the guests.

So, FOR THEM, we should ALL being doing OUR BEST on the job!

"Talk to ya" next time at ON THE JOB!

HOW DO YOU BECOME...?-Your Vision

In "How do you become...?" is where we talk about certain career aspirations and how to practically obtaining that position. today though,

I won't name a particular career, instead I am going to discuss

a key element that is essential to reaching your goals.

HOW DO YOU BECOME...? A Goal Reacher, A Dream Fulfiller is...

Out of love Dear Readers, Is why I say this to you...

First of all...

"STOP TRYING TO EXPLAIN YOUR VISION to the VISION-LESS!"

Also, BE CAREFUL who you hang around and entrust with your dreams and visions for yourself! In other words, For those people in your life that don't understand or support the dreams and goals you have for yourself, STOP TRYING to get them to see what YOU see! Sure, Some of those same people may have visions for their company, their church and their family, but for some reason, they can't or won't share YOUR VISION

about you! What you want out of life and what you are determined to go and get for yourself!

Some of them may even RESENT the fact that YOU dare to dream!

Don't be shocked by that!

Some people use other people as mirrors, for what they have, want, will not have and or want to become. YOU may just be their unwanted mirror of comparison! Just STOP TELLING them what your plans are for yourself!

If they don't get it, won't get it, seem uninterested, unexcited, doubtful and talk down to you about it, realize that and stop trying! As much as you want that person to believe in your vision, the way YOU believe in it, for some reason they are not doing it! And if you pursue their support, you might just end up taking the focus off of what' s really important (your goals) and putting the focus on that other person and their misery! Wanting support from people is natural, but giving over to that end could be just that ...the end! Every one of us is accountable for what we do with the precious gift of life and talents that we have been given. Why are you listening to negative talk, hanging on to doubters and not PREPARING, PERSISTING AND PURSUING the life you really want! If that person you are seeking support from, help from, guidance is say...LAUGHING IN YOUR FACE and saying things like "none of us are going to get where we really want to be" and they cover that up by more laughter...that's your cue that they DO NOT BELIEVE in you! And yes! That happened to me, RECENTLY!

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of

"Stop Sharing Your Vision with the Vision Less!"

Meetta's READERS

This is where I publish some of my readers comments.  This particular comment is in regard to TODAY'S ARTICLE in my "ON THE JOB" COLUMN, POSTED THIS MORNING.  

Subject: Bullies on the job.

"Hey Meetta!" -
I like what you wrote about bullies on your blog. (My boss) Shows strange behavior.  Really!  It shocked me! She does her own, "skulking around on her day off, looking to catch people doing something wrong.  It is just plain bad leadership!  She even gets on (other people) case in front of me (and that) is totally unacceptable! I've noticed that she has a policy of never telling anyone when they're doing something right or someone has said something good about them!  And I can't think of a worse way to manage people, making them feel like they never know whether they're doing good, but always being there to catch them at a weak moment - sounds like some bad character, I know!  Just yesterday too, I heard her remarking about another person who was "always late", to one (of my co-workers!)  That is something a boss should never, EVER share with a subordinate!!

    Anyway, seeing what she has done to (that person) has made me decide not to (work there anymore).  The job and most of the people were great, but knowing what I know about her now, I can't work for a person like that again!  I hope her, (my co-worker, whom the boss targets often, is looking for another job) search turns up a great new job with real *professionals* soon! I am contemplating in the meantime, whether it would be a good idea to write to someone in higher management about (my boss's) behavior. What do you think? I probably don't know half as many examples as my co-worker does, but her (my boss) actions really undermine the spirit of the (company)."

Anonymous-of Michigan

Thank you anonymous for your spirited comment.  I am so sorry that your boss has caused you  and your co-worker to re-think your employment choices.  I do sincerely, hope you both find what you "REALLY need and deserve in the way of employment among professionals", as you put it! As far as you asking me what you should do, (I'm honored by that, by the way) Though I am not an advice columnist, I will say this,  you sound like a very intelligent and mature adult. So, I'll just ride on that and add that you should do what you feel you need to do, as far as adding higher management into it.  It is YOUR call fearless one!

   Thanks again, Meetta

Next Comment...

Referring to "My life IN THE VILLAGE" sketch, done of me by Artist, Zhao Heng of China.

September 21, 2009 3:11 AM 
K. - said...
"I love that drawing!"

On THE jOB

In this weekly post....

I present and discuss different situations that happen on the job involving management and other co-workers. I discuss how situations were handled and leave room for you readers, to place your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this column post. Your thoughts on how YOU think it should have been handled or you just sharing your personal experiences is a great outlet! From That perhaps, We, ALL OF US "on the job" can get some valuable information on how to grow!

THAT'S WHAT this particular weekly column IS ALL ABOUT! Growth.

I believe that this is necessary to have an open forum about this VERY, VERY important topic because of the amount of time we spend at work!

Do you realize that your job is the second place behind your home life that you spend the most time AND where some of the most important relationships in your life are? For some people, it's the other way around. They spend more time on their job and with their co-workers friends than they do at home!

Still, this weekly post is necessary because we all need outlets! Spending hours, on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis on your job (just like any where else) guarantees that certain situations will come up that you may not want to deal with. But you will find yourself having to deal with them, including bad attitudes, gossip, dis-respectful behavior from bosses and co-workers alike! Unless you work all by yourself (even then you still going to have to deal with someone, a client, the mail carrier, package deliverer etc.) YOU ARE GOING

to find yourself in some VERY UNCOMFORTABLE and tense situations on the job at some point! How you handle them so that you get the positive outcome that you need while maintaining your integrity, self respect and not to mention, maintaining your employment at that particular workplace, IS A HUGE ISSUE! At least, it should be to you, for your own sake!

It is absolutely necessary to have this post to express thoughts on how to positively go through some tough times while we are at work. We need to share and get it out! Most assuredly, most all of us working adults, have either seen on the news or been witnessed to some destructive behavior involving the workplace. Sometimes people have cursed people out, they've gotten into get into physical fights, unnecessarily quit or get fired, unnecessarily.

A great many things have occurred because situations on the job, got out of control! Some of these things have caused great destruction to both property and to peoples lives. So lets talk about this stuff people! Lets talk about what bothers you on the job, how it was handled and how it could be handled better! OK?

Me, I am a talker AND a writer! So whenever I get upset OR even on good days, if I have a lot to say, I naturally talk it out or write it out and that helps me! Now, some of you may be different! You may be a person who does not feel comfortable talking or writing your feelings out. On jobs throughout my life, I've been a witness to a wide range of how people deal with certain situations on the job.

For example, some people, though they have the right to speak to management or co-workers about certain things, they refuse to do it out of fear or passiveness! There are others who won't say anything to the people they should be saying it to. Nope, they just WON'T DO IT! Instead they mumble and complain to other workers who have absolutely NO POWER in which to change things! All the while though, nothing has changed in their work life except that they are now in a situation where frustration and stress could set in. Did you know that stress is the basis for a number of serious health issues like Cancer, ulcers (holes in your stomach lining) and premature balding as well?

Another example of negativity happening on the job include bullies. You know there are bullies on the the job! Some of them are our peers, but what do you do when the bully is your boss? Your boss may be taking advantage

of you in ways that are not in your job description, asking and EXPECTING you to do work under your regular salary that contractors would get paid separately for doing! Maybe your boss makes snide comments directly to you OR

in your presence about you and others. Why people NOT say anything and rightfully so, is ALL BECAUSE OF FEAR! Fearful of losing their job, being blackballed, especially now! Still, your fear empowers the bullies and unless you take action against them, at least for yourself, you have a lot more to contend with than just your bully! That bully at work, more than likely

WILL NOT STOP on their own! If you don't take action,

if you know that you should, you may find yourself needlessly

compromising on other things down the road!

YOU MAY NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT, BUT you may not be as strong as you think!

Fear can paralyze you and cloud your judgement!

BULLIES operate in fear! That is their fuel!

That is their vehicle in which to maneuver ALL OVER YOU!

So when you are scared to stand up for yourself or others in wrong situations, then you are accommodating that bully and making there hold on you, stronger. THAT'S SCARY!

What's even more scary is that there are people on the job who just take the abuse from these people!

So, I've found that talking about it gives a positive outlet and can provide clarity on the subject of problems on the job. In this column, I do give examples using my own life experience as well as stories from other workers from other places of employment from their past employment. This column IS NOT to bash employers. I WILL NOT list names or places.

So DO NOT include them in your comments, please. Thank you!

REMEMBER, THIS COLUMN IS TO HELP US GET IT ALL OUT and

to help us stay healthy and GROW!

My life ...

Hey Thanks Zhao HENG!

...This looks just like me!

Readers,

this column is about my adventures where I work.

Sketch done "In THE P.Z." by ZHAO HENG, from China.

*She asked me to sign my name. I was honored to do it.

Later, Zhao also signed her work in Chinese. See it on the side? Cool!

Though she is a famous Chinese Artist from Beijing,

Zhao is down to earth. She is also a beautifully sweet, kind and generous person. She has this quiet strength and warmth about her.

I liked her! To tell you the truth, I liked her whole family! "Sue", "Lee", Lee's husband, brother, Dad, A friend from Canada, friends from Michigan and oh it was about 10 people in their group! We had a BLAST at one of my "shows"! They gave me such energy! As I recall, that was one of the best days I EVER HAD AT WORK! They made my job worth coming if for THAT DAY! My job is a present to me!

The people that I meet, like Zhao, "Sue", "Lee" are my adventure.

They are gifts to me!

To meet people like them is a HUGE reason why I like working

where I work!

To do what I do, the way that I get to do it, utilizing the talents that I have, is even more of a gift to me! Just as I believe this family is a blessing from God to me, (I had not been feeling well that day, but went to work anyway) I KNOW my talents are too!

I am a professional Public Speaker, Story Teller, Re-Enactor. I also am an actress and writer.

I come alive in one woman skits! Strong, passionate woman portrayals is what I do best!

Back to Zhao and her family. The funniest thing about our visit, was "Lee".

"Lee" is Sue's Daughter and Sue is the person I think I spoke the most to! "Hi Sue! thanks for sending me the sketch. WOW! What a beautiful thing! I've never had something like this done for me. Back to "Lee". "Lee" is an American living and studying in China and she works on a farm there.

When Lee and her family first came to see "my show" Lee went straight for the chair. I noticed that she had a hard time sitting down and was mouthing the words, OW!

I watched her briefly as she slowly eased her way into her seat...

Part 2 of this weeks "My life ..."to be continued"

MY life ...

I write about my experiences at my work place, a place I affectionately call "MY LIFE...". (I am working on a new name to call it, for legal reasons. So, maybe I'll call it "The PLACE" or "The People Zoo" Eh! I'm still working on it). Anyway, sometimes the things that happen at work in dealing with the public can be very funny, sad, life altering and some things are just BIZARRE!

Take this for example: First, if you are already a fan of "My life ... " column, then you know I work in a place where I often have to wear costumes. Remember that I am a story Teller and Re-enactor, so I often wear costumes to fit a particular story I am telling. NO! I don't dress up like cartoon characters! I depict real people in olden times. On this past Sunday, I was wearing an "Aunt Jemima" kind of dress form the 1800's, complete with head wrap and corset! So anyway, as I was sitting at my story telling site waiting for "the show" to begin, a lady came up as I was already speaking with a gentleman and so I included the lady in the story by directing my attention to her also.

She was quite taken by "the story" and even more so captivated by my garments. As I was sitting down at this point, re-enacting by sewing a potholder, the lady moved along side me, and said, " I just gotta know something, may I ask you a question?" I said, "sure, please feel free". She looked at me, leaned in close and asked "Are those your real boobs?" And the man, a total stranger FOCUSED IN on MY BOOBS!

BAD TASTE! VERY BAD TASTE!

You see Reader, as I was wearing a corset, my boobs sat quite high as they did back then when the women wore them for support. Still, Can you imagine the nerve of that woman AND the man too. Staring at my boobs like that. He even commented and said "Yeah! those are hers alright! WOW! People ask some amazingly personal questions.

They think they can lose their mind on you just because you are in costume or because you work where you work.

I've even had picture taking guests, TELL ME to "look bedraggled"

because the last photo (they took of me in one of my old fashioned costumes), didn't win in the photo contest they entered it in! They needed something much more "emotional and realistic!" They said I "looked too happy" to be re-enacting a colored farmer! They wanted me to pose AND "look more beaten down by life."

I refused and let them know that I no longer would allow them to take photos of me. Strange and cruel! the husband even tried to tell me because I work where I work, that I HAVE TO let them photograph me. I told him that I DID NOT! It's not part of my job to allow photos if I don't want them! Allowing guests photographs is purely up to the "performer" I told him! He was so rude, this man! Hoo Wee! Can you imagine that, Reader?

WHAT NERVE THESE PEOPLE!! I've seen this couple a few times since and when I know they see me, I quickly go a another way! They stopped me once since, and after we spoke they have never stopped me again! Oh! I was polite, ALWAYS AM! but I was Stern about what I said!

My life in the Village can be VERY EXCITING and pleasant, even heart warming moments, I have been privy to, but there are these BIZARRE moments, just like in every other part of life!

There are many, many guests that are very polite when wanting to take a picture. They usually ask and I am happy to oblige, but every once in a while I get someone like this guy and his wife.

"Talk" with you next week in MY life ...!

MEETTA'S READERS

This is where I share viewer comments and sometimes I respond.

So, feel free to click on comment at the end of each column that you have read and let me know your thoughts.

E.K. of Dearborn, Michigan said-

"Thank you for sending me your blog. I read a few of them (your columns)."

Thanks E.K.-Meetta

ON HER SOAP BOX

So, WHAT AM I PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WEEK?...

...RUDE BUS DRIVERS!

Yep, that's right! Rude bus drivers! And yes, I take public transportation!

Hey, it's cheaper than owning a car in THIS city! Although, it costs me more time than driving and I have limited access to places I want to go, still I save a bundle of money! No car insurance to purchase (In an urban city like Detroit, insurance rates can be 3 times HIGHER than that of suburbanites!) No license plate and tags! No up and down gas prices to hurt over. No oil, anti-freeze to purchase along with all of the other expensive care and maintenance that comes along with owning a vehicle!

Now, where was I? Ah Yes! the bus drivers. You know, IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE PUBLIC SERVICE, you should really consider getting a new gig. BELIEVE ME, it probably will be all for the better! Dealing with the public IS NOT an easy thing to do. Especially if you have ongoing issues of your own AND you BRING THEM TO WORK WITH YOU! It's not fair, nor right that you come to work with YOUR issues on your sleeve! While your job is still a job, like all of the other millions of employed people around the world, it is no less stressful than most public service jobs. You RUDE BUS DRIVERS, still have to be held accountable for what you do, what you say, how you treat people! YOUR JOB is dependent on the people that you are servicing!

RESPECT the PUBLIC!

We thank you, but WE DIDN'T ASK YOU TO TAKE THE JOB YOU HAVE!

So, feel free to GET OUT of it if you can't handle it! It's too many people, nice people, who are out of work and are qualified to do what you do! Respect the strangers that are in your presence. It's only for a little while! While it is true that you MAY NOT WANT to see many of your riders ever again, in many cases, YOU ARE NEVER going to see those particular riders ever again anyway! So, deal with it just for a little while. Remember, YOUR JOB is dependent also on your behavior, just like the rest of us!

In any case, in my many years of riding the bus, I have been both on the receiving end of "bus Driver abuse" and been an unfortunate witness to others enduring such problems. I've seen and heard Bus Drivers verbally abuse passengers. (Please note, sometimes you have to defend yourself, but that's not what I'm talking about!) A few years ago, I was riding a bus to one of the local malls and a lady got on and she said something the bus driver did not like. I admit, perhaps she was intoxicated and running off with the mouth, but she soon stopped, got quiet and went and took her seat. The bus driver however, still irate about the incident pulled the bus over and put it in park. He then left his seat, armed with a video camera proceeded towards the lady at the back of this crowded bus as he began to taunt her. He called her names, like crazy, you so in so (curse words). He bad mouthed her hair (she had on a wig), all the while video taping this woman?

She just sat there crying. No one really came to her aid at first! Then some guy, told the bus driver to go on back up to the front and drive the bus. He asked him "can't you see she's just sitting there quiet now, trying to get to her stop (destination). You didn't even have to come back here and do what you did". Someone else said to the driver, "You talking about her, what is wrong with YOU? YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME ISSUES TOO! The ironic thing is, as I still take public transportation most days, I recall still seeing that bus driver driving the bus for city residents! I even think he was on the same route as he was back then.

NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE!

I just refuse to believe that someone working with this guy in the transportation department did not know what this guy is really like! Surely, his boss, a co-worker, someone that has come into contact with that guy, considering all of the years that he has been serving the city's public, could attest to some dysfunction!! COME ON PEOPLE!

I'm not for getting people in trouble, but THAT WAS OVER THE TOP the way he treated that woman! While it is true, that on most days when I AND my son have ridden public bus transportation, the rides are usually uneventful. Still, there are some out bursts! Outbursts that are directed towards a passenger in which case the driver is at fault.

Take Wednesday September 2, 2009 for example.

I was on the second bus of my daily, early morning commute, heading toward work. After riding for about 35 out of the 45 minutes it takes for me to get to my stop...the bus driver stops the bus! No one was getting on or off, He just pulls over in the parking lot (we were at a mall)

and he just stops the bus!

The thing is....it was early morning, people were going to jobs, appointments, the bus was full with almost every seat occupied and the driver just let us sit there without any word! He didn't have the professionalism nor common courtesy, not to mention lacking the decency, to tell us what was going on! So, we sat there! It turned out to be only for a short while, but at the time, we didn't know how long the layover would be. Nor did any of the passengers know what was going on! Many of us were getting antsy, including myself! I was already running late for work! I was REALLY fighting to be patient.

Anyway, a lady in the back of the bus was talking to someone and sounding worried about making her appointment. She asked the person what was wrong? Of curse he didn't know. So, she goes past me, up to the driver and politely asked, "Is something wrong?"

The bus driver then gruffly asks her "why are you asking me that". She said, "because the bus is stopped and it concerns me, so I was wondering what was wrong." The bus driver then raised his voice, said "the bus is breaking down!" He proceeded to talk to her gruffly and she basically told the bus driver that he could have let us know before he pulled away from the connect spot at the mall, to give the passengers an option to get off and make a connect with another bus. She didn't understand why the driver did not tell us this news before he pulled away from the connector point at the mall. She was trying tot let him know that by not informing us, and driving away from the connect point, that he had taken our "options" away!

Whereby, if he had told us, we could of had the opportunity to change our route plans to get where we were going in a more timely manner.

He cursed her out, literally! He used the S--- word.

She had already gone back to her seat and he was still cussing! He told her she could get off and get a cab, do whatever but leave him alone! He said, "The bus is broke down! What you want me to do, pick up the bus and fly with it!" Ooh boy, he was just carrying on!

Terrible! Just terrible! What's even more terrible tome, is that though the bus was full and most of the passengers were men...NONE OF THE MEN came to her rescue!! All of them just let that driver disrespect that woman. I felt so bad for her! So, I wrote the bus number down along with the time and route of the bus. I later called and reported that driver with his department.

IF YOU THINK THAT IS BAD? Get this!

The agent on the phone at the transportation department, told me that I had to be the party involved in order to make the report! WHAT? WHAT? Oh my! Now you can't even report when you see an injustice being done! WOWWWWWWW!

Of course, I was not going to settle for that! I told that lady as nice as I could, that that lady could have just as easily been me! I told her that the lady got off at the same stop I did and how upset she was. She looked like she was about to cry! I proceeded to tell the agent what I witnessed. I told her how that bus Driver ranted for almost 10 minutes at that lady while we just sat there in the parking lot, waiting without regard to us as the passengers! That guy made a jack ass out of himself, but he hurt that woman in the process because he was too IMMATURE to (handle the situations in his life more appropriately). That's right, I said it! That woman was not the cause of his problems. He just took his problem out on her! SHAME! SHAME!

To end, I'll ask you this question Dear Reader...

What will YOU DO when you see an injustice being done towards SOMEONE ELSE?

I'M NOT ASKING what have you done! I'm asking, WHAT WILL you do? Though you may not be a bus rider, this could happen in any atmosphere you find yourself in, IE.

Something could happen in a restaurant, bowling alley, movie theater, the grocery store line, the hospital, out on the sidewalk in a crowded public venue, etc. WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Because injustices happen every day!

Click on the comment section at the bottom of this column and let me know.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Hey There Readers! It's time to update.

FOR THE ACTORS OR WANNABEES

*Editors Note:

Actually, acting skills can be very useful in other areas of work! Filmmakers, are often actors!

I have heard that the best directors are those who have been actors, because they understand each other, for one thing!

Acting skills are good for a career in VOICE ACTING. It helps you in developing characters, strengthens you in the area of improvisation. It helps you master the understanding of a scene and aids in script analysis. It also get you used to READING scripts. These are just a few tips for wanna be voice actors! GO TAKE ACTING LESSONS! It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

Acting skills can move an introvert to extrovert by giving a sense of confidence and heightened self-esteem levels!

(That's why I took acting classes in college). I wanted to stop being shy.

I was living loud on the inside, but not on the outside.

FIRST, I WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO AN AWARD WINNING Local actor that I know...MR. TONY LUCAS, of Detroit.

The Wilde Awards, southeast Michigan’s professional theatre

awards, were held at the Gem Theatre on August 26, 2009 and Tony Lucas won the BEST ACTOR for his role

in Radio Golf at Detroit Repertory Theatre.

YAY! WAY TO GO , MY FRIEND!!! CONGRATS, BROTHER!

Saturday September 26, 2009-Actors workshop

DETROIT REPERTORY THEATER

Call 313-868-1347

To make an appointment to register on the 26Th.

You MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT!

Classes are EVERY Saturday

Starting promptly at 9am-1pm

This is a 10 week workshop for new and established actors as well. Scholarships are available for those who may be eligible. Scholarship requirements include: Proven Detroit Residency, (Michigan Driver License or State I.D.), Income verifications (These can be used: check stubs, 2008 tax forms, medicaid / medicare I.D., or Social Security income).

For others, The tuition cost is $150.00 for the full ten weeks. A $75.00 deposit is necessary to hold your spot. All tuition payments are NON-Refundable!

So, don't spend your money if you are not sure you are going to complete the program.

* You MUST memorize 45 seconds worth of monologue from a FAMOUS play AND be ready to perform it on the first day of registration.

INTERESTED IN LIVE THEATER?

September 30, 2009

Detroit Public Main Library

5201 Woodward Ave.

Detroit, MI. 48202

313-833-4042

Is hosting Theater Producers, Writers and Performers in a lecture series where they will discuss various topics relating to the Theater Industry in Detroit.

It will be held on the 3rd floor-Old Fine Arts Department

Time is at 6pm-8pm

MUSIC, ART & LITERATURE

September 19, 2009

Detroit Public Main Library

A concert of music written in Detroit! ...Plus MOZART.

Soni Chordari will perform music written by Detroit's own local performers.

The Mozart Flute Quartet in D Major, K. 285 also will be performed.

Go to the Explorers room.

Time is at 4:00 pm- 5:45 pm

MY life ...

This is "MY life" experience on my job although I do also use stories of other people as they tell them to me.


"They don't know what we do down here", my friend and co-worker said to me. They (some of our bosses) hardly come down to see and when they do, they don't spend enough time to see in us like the audience sees. Sure, they give us kudos and tell us we are doing fine, but the stuff we really want them to see, they can't or don't see. In some ways, they are blind. To see like they really need to see, some of our bosses don't really give us that kind of time.


They don't' know what we do! Not really!
Some think that we just cook, story tell and give out recipes. They don't really know HOW we do our thing! Yes! We cook, story tell, play with the audience and kids. Yes! We even hand out recipes, but by doing so, we are making the guests moments with us, quite special!
We know because many guests have told us so, my friend, my co-worker and I.
We are able to reach into the lives of those people with the stories that we tell. And Oh! How we tell them SO well!


It is said that some bosses (some of them) tell us that we are great, but then we know that they don't know HOW GREAT! People leave sometimes, with joy and tears in their eyes. They come back to our "shows" again and again bringing their sons, daughters, mothers, husbands, neighbors and their wives.We, my friend and I, end up having a lot to live up to!
All the while, our guests take pictures and smile! They laugh with us! They hug us, pulling us in to themselves because we, well...we have taken them somewhere in their minds eyes that they've never been. Places that they are glad and sometimes sad to see, but glad they went right on in, into the scenes of our stories. Through them, our stories, the history that we share...with our voices, facial expressions mixed in with LOADS OF PASSION...in our "shows", my friend and I, take them, the guests there. There to the place that we have painted for them to see!


She, my friend and I, often hear and receive the blessings on our lives and the gifts we bring through our story telling ability. sometimes, people challenge us for the information they choose not to receive, but at least we challenge them and some times they leave changed and they believe. Open minded guest is what a story teller needs to impart their stories.


For all that we do,
My friend said that some of our bosses, don't really have a clue!

SOCIAL SCENE

RACISM...Is the subject of today's Social Scene.

The column that speaks on things that concerns you, me, us...Society!

Inspiration Station means that a poem is sure to follow. "Be Inspired!"

"Inspiration Station"

THAT PROFOUND MESSAGE!

a Poem Written By: Meetta J. Martin

My Father was born in 1915,

in a small southern town.

He was a true, brown skinned, farm raised country boy.

He was the baby of 2 boys and a girl, the last of three.

He cherished his mother.

Learned all she had to offer!

He watched her work hard, both suffer and prosper.

My father helped his mother work in a cotton field.

He knew first hand what prejudice was and what bigotry IS.

HE LIVED IT!

It taught him some valuable lessons.

He knew better how to survive AND get over!

He understood how to deal.

My father had a strong faith.

He laid his dependency on the Lord Christ Jesus.

I know that he didn't learn to do that all at once, but

HE LEARNED IT, is what 's most important!

Really, that is all!

His life time... brought wisdom.

He had bad memories of racism, but he didn't let the memories devour him.

In this, my father was an amazing man!

He lived in the time of lynching while racist, hateful whites

cheered as the colored mans bodies were flynching.

WHAT A PROFOUND MESSAGE.

these violent, unmerciful acts sent!

"You Darkie, You Nigger, go back from whence you came!"

WHAT CHOICE DID WE HAVE?

"We didn't land on Plymouth Rock,

Plymouth Rock Landed on us!"

So, said a very, POWERFUL, STRONG, COLORED MAN!

My Dad lived in a time when the colored man just wanted to be viewed as "HUMAN".

Those hateful white racists, didn't stop at the lynchings.

THAT was thrown for good measure!

THAT was thrown in with a host of other injustices!

They raped the colored woman

AND killed their little church going children.

They slaughtered them like animals!

How's that for viewing them like human?

Now, before you disagree with me, Read THEIR history!

These things were particularly rampant in my Dads home town area, and all across the board!

Remember I said, my dad was Southern born!

Still, somehow my father got out.

He lived to tell, but he never really did!

My father never could change the color of his skin, but he changed the mindset in which he used to live!

Early in my life, my Dad,

though having confessed to hating whites,

NEVER, EVER taught me to hate them!

My Dad, instead taught me to consider people in their individuality.

NOT to consider them by the skin in which they were born in!

Though, I was just a small girl, less than the year of ten,

my spirit held on to what my father said,

considering the life experiences of this man.

Judge by character and not by the skin we're in and

please don't clump people all together!

INIDIVIDUALITY, That Profound Message!

On ThE jOB-HOW TO GET ORGANIZED!

Here on the job! We discuss things that happen on the job with Co-workers, management. I am also adding clientele to that list. That is necessary I find, in discussing "clientele etiquette". without clients, there is no business!

To this weekly column, I have also decided to add tips on other work related issues like, how to get organized at work, timeliness, stress related issues as well!

Tips are always nice to get because most of us, could use a bit of help to help our days go better while on the job.

Here's a few tips on getting organized;

1. PRIORITIZE-Focus on what is important! Deal with what is first and foremost. The tasks that need to be completed right away, do those first. Even if your boss has told you do a week ago to do something and they come back and give you something that is needed right then, do the "right then" assignment.

then go back and complete the other tasks. Your boss obviously has a reason for asking for the new assignment to be completed first. Yes! It can be frustrating when you much to do and the boss is heaping lots of stuff on you.

You can always delegate. Ask co-workers to help you out. You might want o check with your boss first to make sure that is alright because the boss may have a particularly "reasonable" reason for asking YOU to accomplish the task!

Set daily goals.

Keep inspirational photos or quotes to keep yourself encouraged.

2. MAKE LISTS-Make daily, weekly and monthly to-do lists. Make sure you list urgent tasks first! Be sure to review your priorities, particularly daily priorities, at the beginning of each day.

3. MANAGE YOUR TIME-Do the most challenging work when your energy level is at the highest.

Save less demanding work for other times.

Remember! Procrastination is an act of death. Putting off important tasks can cause a great many problems including giving the impressions to your boss, clients and co-workers the idea that you are lazy and not trustworthy. If you do procrastinate, try focusing on the sense of accomplishment that you felt in the past, when you completed some major tasks in a timely manner. Now, translate the feeling from the past into your present project and GO FOR IT! You can get it done! I believe in you!

Also, the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can move on from it! Get it out of your hair.

4. USE CALENDARS AND PLANNERS-Don't be afraid to write things down. Calendars and planners are a great way to organize project deadlines, appointments with clients, phone numbers etc. This will keep the information just where you can find it, within reach! (Try wall calendars or Desk sized planners so you can have room to legibly write things down).

Pocket planners and calendars are good too, but they are easy to lose.

GET ORGANIZED!