The interesting thing about the elevated trains is that you get to see the building up close and personal. There are no cookie cutters when it comes to the architecture of these buildings. They are unique. They are new. They are old. They tell a story of a very old city with a lot of personality.
I choose an old show that I can always count on. The show is Mannix which starred Mike Connors as private investigator Joe Mannix. Joe was the kind of detective that never got rich, but was always there to help the common man. But the common man often looked like a woman who was 10 to 20 years younger than him.
My favorite part of this show was his secretary Peggy Fair played by Gail Fisher. It was great to see someone like me in this role. She was intelligent and witty who was able to speak her mind. I thought Peggy might as well had been his partner because she brought her own strengths into the relationship and helped solve as many cases. She constantly stepped outside of her role as a secretary and made partner like decisions. It was groundbreaking in the late 1960s to have an African American woman play a role like this on television.
And the crazy thing about Joe was he was always getting knocked out. He was a tough guy with a soft jaw and a melon head. The bad guys always caught Joe off guard. And no matter how many times I try to tell him to watch out. He never does. He is always knocked out or tied up somewhere. But He always gets the bad guy in the end.
The middle to end seasons are the best. but check out Mannix. He is one of those old timey detectives that make you route for him. He is currently being showed on FETV and METV.
People of African descent have always been here. Racism tries to make us believe that Africans were not smart enough to leave the continent until a European or Asian showed them how. Not true.
Simon was from a city in Northern Africa in Libya. It was settled during the time of Greek reign. It was the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities in the region. He used his two feet to get from one place to another.
It was 33AD in the city of Jerusalem where a Jew name Jesus was carrying the weapon of his destruction down a road. Beaten and exhausted, Jesus needed help, so they get a man who is fresh in from the country, a man from Cyrene.
Something about this man made him stand out from the crowd of people following Jesus. Something obviously physical because they thought he would be able to bear the burden. Here is the beautiful thing, God knew he would be able to carry it. Simon’s two feet and strong back carried the cross.
I don’t know if Simon was on a trade route or maybe he was visiting Jerusalem as a practicing Jew, but he was far from home. He was bigger and stronger than any in the crowd. His sandaled feet followed the path God had him on. It changed everything for his family.
God wrote us into this story. People from Africa were there. We weren’t standing on the sidelines. We had a role to play.
Where we came from didn’t limit where we were going. It never has.
In 2022, I am going to add some color to history.
I am capable
I have been taught that it is bad manners to brag about what you can do or what you are good at. This is different because we are talking about skills we have developed over decades. We have spent years learning new things and putting them into practice. We are very capable.
In downtown, the subway tracks are elevated so that you are up above city streets giving you a great view. In addition to taking you somewhere the city streets are full of adventure.
I hope it gets a second season cause I want to know what happens. Season 1 ends with a big ol cliff hanger which is dangerous on any of these streaming services.
AND I won’t get to talk about this one on the podcast cause Regina is not into sci-fi or fantasy.
The Wheel of Time is a series currently on Amazon. The story is complex and it starts a little slow for me. The characters are as complex as their relationships with each other, a little annoying and sometimes telegraphing the story. But who cares. It is interesting. It is a multiracial cast with all types of ups and down.
I recommend it.
This year I am going to tell you a story. It is a very long story but deserving. I am going to add some color to history. Many of these stories you know, you might have put them all together. Allow me to.
People of African descent have always been here. Racism tries to make us believe that Africans were not smart enough to leave the continent until a European or Asian showed them how. Not true.
The first story I share goes back to 33AD where a Jew name Jesus is carrying the weapon of his destruction down a road. Beaten and exhausted, Jesus needs help, so they get a man who is fresh in from the country, a man from Cyrene. This man is from a Greek city on the continent of Africa. He used his two feet to get from one place to another.
Something about this man made him stand out from the crowd of people following Jesus. Something obviously physical because they thought he would be able to bear the burden. Here is the beautiful thing, God knew he would be able to carry it. Simon’s two feet and strong back carried the cross.
I don’t know if Simon was on a trade route or maybe he was visiting Jerusalem as a practicing Jew, but he was far from home. He was bigger and stronger than any in the crowd. His sandaled feet followed the path God had him on. It changed everything for his family.
God wrote us into this story. People from Africa were there. We weren’t standing on the sidelines. We had a role to play.
Where we came from didn’t limit where we were going. It never has.
In 2022, I am going to add some color to history.
In 2022 I am going to own the affirmation.
For the month of January as we venture into new things and new possibilities I will remind myself that I am capable. That means I have the ability, fitness and quality necessary to achieve the things God sets before me. I don’t do it in my own power, but in His.
In 2022 find what all you are capable of accomplishing.
In 2022 my photography will tell a story, about me. Why do I take the photos I take? What inspires me? In the month of January I will share one of the things I love, riding the L. This train takes you all over the city and gives you a glimpse of what a beautiful city it is. I love the creativity that created this city.
There are buildings, rivers, you name it. It all comes together in these images that show you the city’s personality.
Non traditional Christmas Movie. Romantic Comedy. Fun story. Operation Christmas Drop is the story of a government official sent to evaluate and shut down a military base. She gets there in time to see the work they do for Christmas and has a big decision to make. It was a fun light hearted story that I enjoyed.
UPP Creative Media 