Crooked or Straight Describes "All a We"

Unscrupulous people are all around us. They may be in your family, in your church, on your job, in your bank and so on. There is always a crook or two around us. We shouldn't hate them because of their dirty ways or because they seem to always get ahead. We shouldn't envy them either.

I don't even bother to feel sorry for them because some of them are not worth it. In some cases after a run-in, I say THANKS! I've learned from them how not to be a crook or even a 'fake' Christian or fake friend putting on airs. I feel the worst about persons in the church who on one hand work to win souls and then backbite the same souls. I don't know if we should call that an oxymoron or just call them 'morons' for being so hypocritical. What are you telling the young christians?

We have our bad ways and some may have more than others. As humans, we all have some measure of greed or lust, we all lie and many of us steal time or supplies from our jobs. There is truth in that.

If you are a crooked person reading this, try to run straight for once. I am not sraight every day and I have some crooked ways like everybody else but I never try to be openly deceitful or try to be underhanded. Sometimes people's perceptions lead them to think that you are, but once you know that you did the right thing, tell them "fire for you" (V.I. Slang).

All we can do is try our best everyday to do the right thing and live right with our neighbors and friends.

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POEM: Arrest by Linette Rabsatt

Season 4 of The Game on BET Recap

We saw many dramatic moments on The Game during Season 4 on BET. Tasha, Jason, Kelly, Derwin, Malik and Melanie had us glued to the television screen.

Season 4 of The Game on BET brought viewers a lot of drama in 2011. BET brought back the show, which is the first time that a live sitcom that was cancelled was brought back to television with a new season. We saw the same characters from the original CW show with the addition of a few new faces - new characters who took the drama to another level.

Mrs. Melanie Barnett-Davis

 Season 4 shows Mr. and Mrs. Derwin Davis as a couple two years into marriage. The writers brought back "Janay" played by Gabrielle Dennis (the mother of Derwin Jr., also called DJ), for a little drama between her and "Melanie" (Tia Mowry-Hardict). One of Melanie's claims continued to be that Janay wanted what she and Derwin had - a great life. Melanie gave DJ a DNA test which gave a false result that Derwin was not his father. After the drama behind the DNA test, Melanie realized that unknown to her, Derwin was visiting Janay's home weekly to play with DJ. In Season 4, Melanie became the president of the Sunbeams, the wives and significant others of the San Diego Sabers football team.

She had a run-in with "Jazz", played by Lashontae Heckard, in relation to the right 'role models' since Jazz had slept with Jason, Derwin, Malik and other players before settling with Juvon, who is played by Bumper Robinson who we know from Amen and Family Matters. The last episodes of Season 4 showed Melanie and Derwin trying to get pregnant. Despite all her trying, Melanie was not successful. The final episode showed Melanie and Derwin visiting the doctor. When the doctor asked if Melanie had ever had an abortion, Derwin's demeanor changed. That episode ended with Derwin not asking whether Melanie had had an abortion, but asking if the baby would have been his.

Derwin Davis - The Star Receiver

In this season, "Derwin", who is  played by Pooch Hall, continued his 'church-boy' image while being a rising athlete who still showed genuine care for his family and friends in always wanting to be the problem solver. With Jason's retirement and Malik's misfortunes, Derwin literally became the strongest athlete on the team. However, with all his success, Melanie applied pressure to Derwin on several occasions. When she informed Derwin about the false result of the DNA test, she convinced him to confront Janay. She pressured him to have her parents visit although the previous seasons showed that her parents did not favor Derwin. After her parents gave Derwin high praise on the Season 4 visit, Melanie got jealous and displayed her typical 'drama queen' tirade.

Jason Pitts - Retired Player and Dad

"Jason", Coby Bell, was 'retired' by the Sabers and ended up working with basketball great Chris Webber on a show called "Benched". Jason had several fights with his ex-wife, Kelly and also their daughter, "Brittany 'Brit-Brat' Pitts" who on this season was played by Kathlynn Simone Smith. To save Brittany from a destructive lifestyle, after she posed lightly-clad on the internet and stole Tasha's weed for her friends, Jason quit "Benched" to look after her. On the finale episode, Jason met "Quan Kirkland", the Saber's new quarterback played by Charles Michael Davis. What caught Jason's attention was that Quan seemed to be dating "Camille", Stacy Dash, Jason's ex-girlfriend from the previous season.

Kelly Pitts - The Mom and Ex-Wife

 Brittany Daniels returned as "Kelly Pitts" but the character did not appear in all the episodes. Kelly was supposed to star in a reality show about football wives. She tried to interject the show at every moment by interrupting a Sunbeam meeting and ladies' night out with her camera crew. Jason repeatedly asked Kelly to quit her show but she finally listened when their daughter, Brittany, posted the unacceptable photographs on the internet. After Kelly tried to discipline Brittany and saw the daughter's reaction, she quit the reality show and told Jason that she needed some time to get herself together. Kelly did not appear in the final episodes of The Game in Season 4.

Tasha Mack - Struggling With Relationships

"Tasha", as usual, still had problems with men in Season 4. She had the young love interest 'Dante' played by Terrance J from BET's 106 & Park. Their relationship did not work out and then she moved into a whirlwind relationship with a supposedly dying man, "Bo," played by Mario Van Peebles, who ended up being a player in the end. Tasha's relationships with the other females, Kelly and Melanie, had ups and downs too. Tasha made up with Kelly during the season but by the finale episode, Derwin and Melanie fired Tasha as Derwin's manager.

Malik Wright - The Quarterback's Ups and Downs

"Malik,' Hosea Chanchez's role, had a captivatingly dramatic season. His assault of a police officer started a downward spiraling set of behavior. One of Malik's issues was that "TeeTee," still played by Barry Floyd, resigned as Malik's wingman and started a business selling fried chicken with TeeTee's new love interest. Malik eventually had relations with TeeTee's girl, which TeeTee eventually forgave Malik for. Malik, at the same time, was sleeping with his new team manager's wife. The manager is played by Michael Beach from the movie Soul Food and his wife, 'Parker" is played by Meagan Good.

With all the negativity Malik was reeking, he opted to go to rehab. At first rehab had no impact until Malik met "Jenna, played by Tia Sumpter, during the rehab stint. Malik pronounced his love for Jenna on The Monique Show by imitating the Tom Cruise's visit on The Oprah Show where he jumped on the couch. Unfortunately for Malik, Parker blackmailed him about their infidelities until he found the strength to tell her that she needed to fix her relationship with her husband. Parker did and admitted to the husband that she had an affair with Malik.

This was said in front of Jenna who cut off Malik. The affair with Parker also cost Malik his quarterback status on the team as the manager threatened to leave him on the bench to rot. Tasha took back Malik as a client and in the final episode, Jenna drove back to Malik's house in what seems to be an inebriated state. 

Season 4 was an enjoyable season. There are unanswered questions as to the status of all the relationships and only another season or few seasons can really give viewers any closure.

Jah Bami - Ah Man Is Just Ah Man (signs riddim)

Serious song!

Dealing with Frustration and 'Disgusting People'

In the BVI we call anybody who we find overbearing, annoying or miserable  - 'disgusting'. I have been called same and I have described many people by that word. I would say this has been a week of dealing with disgusting people and frustrating situations.

I not only speak for myself but I speak for everyone who has been given a hard time by a loved one, a friend, a boss or other employee, another driver, a teacher, a student, a car, a house, a bank account or whatever got you frustrated.

These situations are tests of our resilience, strength, patience and abilities. They make us scream, cry, 'suck our teeth', swear (under our breath or aloud) and sometimes we take these frustrations out on others. For certain problems, I leave them to God. I sometimes respond verbally or in writting if the matter requires a response. I have a special situation and I have decided that I will be the 'bigger person'. Sometimes, you really have to leave things to God.

Other times, you have to fight. You have to act 'vigilante stylee'. You may need to scream, shout, pout or stamp to get that point across. Whatever you choose to do, whisper a prayer first and launch plan.

I call myself a silent revolutionary
but it depends on the fight
I'm not 'Mary Mary quite contrary'
but I dislike injustice in my eyesight
There are days when it's dark
there are days you choose to fight
There are days when the sun seems black
but no matter what, there is some light
So in this life, battles will come
but it is you that chooses the attack
while things are great for some
other always need or lack
one man can start a revolution
whether silent or vocal
because all we need is healing solution
that improves the physical, mental and spiritual
so don't take my silence for acceptance
because I am looking for change
instead dig deep with your conscience
and respect the silent revolutionary's name

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Simple Ways to Save a Few More Dollars

Everyone wants to save money today and with the rising costs of necessities, it is important to put aside funds for emergencies and other savings goals.

Saving money is not only depositing large sums of money into a bank account. Cost cutti

ng techniques can boost the amount of disposable income and this increases the savings potential. While it is strongly encouraged that families enjoy their earnings, it is better to minimize the amount of money that trickles out of the budget by using techniques that can increase the piggy bank's holdings.

Buy Used Items to Cut Costs

While some people frown on buying used items, a trip to the thrift store can save money. At some thrift shops, pots, coats, books, cribs, child seats, plates, silverware, clothing, telephones and many other items can be found. Persons on a tight budget can definitely benefit by saving money on the cost of buying the needed item at full price by buying used.

Walk More, Drive Less

Consider walking short distances instead of driving especially when running errands. Walking provides exercise and relieves the stress of searching for a parking space. This also saves time. Reduce spending on gas while keeping fit running errands

Pack Lunch and Snacks to Work

Fruits are the best snacks from a nutritional standpoint. Purchasing a cup with diced fruit from a deli is more expensive than one apple bought from the grocery store. In addition, packing lunch makes it easier to set budgets for grocery shopping without adding in the cost of daily lunch which can run from $6 to $15 per day.  

Use the Debit Card More Than the Credit Card

Shopping with the debit card means that when the money is deducted, it comes from the bank account. A person will pay for what was charged. With the credit card, in addition to the price of the goods, interest accrues especially if the bill is not paid up front. Some credit cards are have annual fees.

Use Energy Saving Bulbs to Save Money

Using these bulbs can definitely cut electricity bills. The initial cost may seem high but these bulbs also last longer than incandescent bulbs.

Set Realistic Savings Goals

Saving is needed for emergencies, short term goals and long term plans. Saving can be done through direct deposit or via manual deposits in the bank. When saving, it is always better to start with a realistic figure that would not push the early withdrawal of the funds. Set up a budget based on the income earned and the predictable expenses with a small contingency amount for emergencies. Based on the amount left, an amount even if it is $25 can be set for monthly deposit. Remember that $25 saved per month results in $300 in one year.

As the cost of living increases, everyone has to make changes so that all their income does not trickle out and they are able to save. Some simple techniques such as using energy saving bulbs, preparing lunch or using the credit card less can help families to save a little more. The key to saving is budgeting and seeking ways to reduce expenses.

Who is the Writer behind the Blog 'Words of Ribbon'

I keep it sweet and I keep it real. I am all about improvement and moving forward. I am also about music and simple living. I am an open book that has no Table of Contents. One page may have a picture and the other poem, while the other has a short essay. I down to earth yet complicated and I have no issue in telling you that.

I like crossword puzzles and Sudoku as much as I enjoy burying my feet in the sand at the beach. I love my children but I hate when they don't listen to me. Some days, I just can't wait for their bed time so I can just chill.

I like my job and throughout my life I have been able to tolerate most supervisors. What I don't like is micro-management because I think supervisors should trust the people they hire. I have been thrown under the bus and try to not to throw others. However, sometimes, a point needs to be made.

I keep a few friends - people who give me inspiration and who I enjoy taking to. They are awesome people who keep me on my toes and I hope I can motivate and encourage them to. I love my family and want the best for them always.

I am 'ribbon' and I love sharing these thoughts with you. I can only hope that you are truly inspired.