Monthly Archives: April 2015

Communication

There is always something going on at Imperial Plaza. Sometimes it’s good things and then there are the behind the scenes bad things. It’s like the phrase from the Bible book of Revelations. Wars and rumors of war. From what I gather it all started when the person that volunteers to handle the packages for pick-up was asked who she worked for and she replied that she works for no one because she is a volunteer. That may be true, however, everyone work for someone. The question is what department and who is in charge of that department. Also, as far as handing out the packages that come in the mail and is too large for the small mail boxes, what department would that fall under?

Another thing….we now have, on the apartment cable system, channel 970 on which we can see the daily schedule of upcoming events, etc. It is in it’s infancy but should get better soon but I think I have a solution that will greatly improve the system and many other things here at Imperial Plaza. There should be a Communications Department. The department I am thinking of will handle the cctv, fliers, news, ads to radio, tv, and papers. The department should have at least two people (Mass Communication educated) because there will be more than enough work for the two. I know from experience that handling the daily routine of the input into the cctv takes a lot of energy and time to do it right as well as coordinating with the many individuals that have the needed information.

I can see the communications people having a desk with a computer unlike everyone else. This computer will also have graphics and formats that will expedite making the designs needed for the different publications that will go out on the cctv and all other print and video work. I can also see the constant changes that is inevitable in this type of work. There must be constant contact with the executive branch of the administration as well as the other departments in order to put out exactly what is desired to be released. A communications department is a very important arm of any large administration and I wonder if Imperial Plaza have one or is considering one?

Communication is very important for a church also. My Pastor want me to handle this and I am having a hard time getting started because I have a lot of other things that I am doing but, with God’s help, I will get it done. Most people really don’t realize how much work go into doing something like this. I have done this when I was in the military and when I was at the radio station at Virginia State University. The work at VSU wasn’t that hard because there were many people that could be called on and the equipment was at hand. There is no one to call on at the church and the equipment does not exist.

So you see, communications is needed in both places and that is only an example. These are only my thoughts, a couple of things that will hopefully get my mind in gear for a project I must complete. Wish me luck with this communication project and wish Imperial Plaza luck with whatever they are doing. Without a full-time communication department, they’ll need a lot of luck.

Time For Everything

Finally started riding my bike and I found out, quickly, that I am a little out of shape. It won’t take long to get my body back into shape which will mean I can then explore further out and be out a much longer time, like I used to. It feels so good to be out early in the morning, before a lot of traffic and when it is cooler. I also love to ride until I sweat because I believe it releases a lot of toxins that is in the body. Sweat is good but I must have time to wash the funk away. LOL It also provides a peaceful solitude for thinking.

Now that I am a Deacon, I must have my mind in the right place and think about what is coming up. I must pray and prepare. I believe and have witnessed going from not having any idea about what direction I was going in or what to say to having a revelation that is clear as a bell. Sometimes it is well in advance and at times it is at the last minute. I just let God and God has never let me down yet and never will. That is where bike riding come into the picture. Solitude, peacefulness, exercise and release of toxins gives me insight into what I must do. It also gives me energy to do the multitude of things that is on my plate. I have to take things slower than when I was younger because at my age I must remember that my body tire easier.

Lately the weather have been mostly good and I even had the opportunity to have my car washed. I needed an interior cleaning more than anything else because I am lazy. The exterior is getting more pollen than dirt but the frequent showers we are getting help wash off the car occasionally. Now those little green worms are dangling from their web cords everywhere. It’s just starting and, in a few days, they will be everywhere. I will then have a use for them.

The other day I received in the mail order I made the other night. I now have a Venus Fly Trap. I sat it up and will have to wait a few days for the plants to take hold of it surroundings. When the rest of the pods (I think that is what the little mouths are called) open I will feed it a worm or two. The instructions say it only eats one bug once a week per plant. I have two therefore I won’t hurt the worm population at all. The instruction paper say the plant doesn’t have to eat, it will just be smaller. There are a lot of plants in the apartment and that takes a bit of caring also. Then I have my fish tank.

I must mention that my wife and I went on the Imperial Plaza bus trip to tour the White House and then ate at a fine restaurant across the street from the White House. The President’s motorcade turned the corner, heading back to the White House, while we were waiting for our bus. We didn’t see the helicopter but heard the one man helicopter that landed on the Capitol lawn. What a trip we had and a trip to the Pentagon is being planned. Imperial Plaza always have good trips like ROMEO (check previous blogs to see what that stand for) trips once a month.

Next week the blog will have more things that I hope is interesting for all to read. I should have some stuff concerning what is going on with Imperial Plaza (oh, I forget, Brookdale’s Imperial Plaza). So until the next time take care, be good, stay safe and God bless you all.

Not Much To Be Said

Where should I start? I don’t know because not much have happened this week. My wife spent a week, with one of her daughters and two grand-daughters, in Puerto Rico. I stayed home although we talked each day. I enjoyed a nice easy, relaxing week although I missed her dearly. She bugs the hell out of me all the time but when she’s gone I really miss her.

Last Sunday, Easter, was a long and full day. It really started on Saturday when my Pastor, the other Minister at the church and I went to the Bishop’s church for a service that lasted longer than I anticipated. Although it was long, I really didn’t know that time was flying by and the food was excellent. I don’t know what it is about church food but it is always good. Maybe it’s because it’s in the house of God or the cooks are saints. I don’t know except that it’s good food that fills a deep hole in my stomach. Then on Sunday, after my church, we all went to another church. Good food again as well as the service. I finally got home during the late afternoon.

What do you think of the police shooting in South Carolina? What about the police assaulting a suspect in California Friday? This has been going on for more years than I can count. I’m a Black man that grew up knowing to be careful around the police. It was instilled in me when I was very young and I have, over the years, heard many, many tales about what happens if you are stopped by the police for any reason. I became a policeman and I have heard the derogatory comments made by my so-called brothers in uniform. I’ve seen the unnecessary rough treatment meted out by my so-called brothers in blue. I was written up once because I used caution and kindness instead of man-handling a suspect. It was said I was a danger to whomever was my partner. The way I saw it the suspect was compliant and was not creating any problems.

I agree that some people deserve rough treatment but not the overall majority. On the other hand, kids and older people today are rather arrogant and show no respect to the police officer or anyone else that have authority. I’m talking about when they are sober and it gets worst when they are intoxicated in any way. Look at that woman that left her car in the middle of the busy highway and started walking down the middle of the busy road. Sure she was drunk but, after she sobers, I bet she will get a lawyer and try to sue for some outlandish reason. There are lawyers that would sue their own mother if they could make a dollar or two. Don’t get me wrong, there are many more good lawyers than bad ones but the bad always float to the top and be seen by everyone, just like the bad cops. Keep watching the news. It’s not over yet and won’t be for a very long while.

Rambling Again

It is great to see some of the people here at Imperial Plaza taking advantage of having a small dog. Just like when the people bring the Companion Dogs around, these do the same thing. Bringing comfort and companionship to the lonely with an added sense of feeling needed. Having a small dog can do wonders for the people but it can also be a nuisance. I know you are wondering what I am talking about and why.

There is no barking or whining, that I have heard. However, what I have observed is even worst. People are walking their animals on the property grounds and letting them do the business that we all must do. Urinate and defecate. I have observed the dogs defecating and then the owner and dog walk away leaving the remains behind. I have even seen an aide with the owner and dog with the same results happening. Myself and quite a few others walk the area (across the grass) and now I guess I can expect, on occasion, walking into a surprise. I hope not but it’s like playing Russian Roulette, eventually the inevitable will happen.

Next week I will oil and tighten up my bike and start taking short rides until I build up my endurance for longer rides. The season, for me, is here and I am chomping at the bit to get out there (weather permitting, of course). Like I have said in previous articles, I am a fair weather rider. If it’s cold, rainy or dark, I do not ride and not being a racer can be added to the list also. I have only seen one other person, here at Imperial Plaza, riding but that was last year. I hope to have a riding companion, especially riding through the Bellevue community, as part of the neighborhood watch program.

Becoming a Deacon and spending a lot of time at the church leaves little time for riding although I will get it in some way. I enjoy being a Deacon even though it is a tremendous amount of work getting a new church off the ground. In order to grow involves a lot of work, at church and at home. There is always something to do and little time to do it or get it done. As written in the Bible, the Seven went out among the people converting others and they, in turn, did the same. Here it is more than two thousand years later and it is still going on. There is always work to do for the Lord. Never be angry about the work because there are those that want to do the work but can not physically do the needed work. Be thankful that you are able and not among the infirm because things could be worst.

I wish to thank those of you that are keeping up with my ramblings and haphazard writings. I had promised to do better but that was before I got really busy. I have received and started following a really religious, interesting blog. This person writes two to three times a day. I’m not anywhere close to having that amount of time to do that much writing but I do read it and it is very inspiring. There are others and I do look at them when time permits. I say to all to keep up the good work and thanks. Any questions or suggestions, drop me a line or two and it will be received with appreciation. God bless and keep all of you.