The "Old Block" Tells All.

  You have already seen his master-work on the mega movie screen, (who has not seen Lethal Weapon®?) His tiny footprint has also made an impact in other Hollywood hits, but that is not what has made him a living legend in the hearts and minds of the African-American community at large. He is known in Brazil as “Mestre Preto Velho”, (named after a great revolutionary Capoeira Master). He is a master in the flamboyant and deadly martial art called Capoeira, (specifically “Os Malandros de Mestre Touro”, sponsored by Tekura Jegnas, Inc.), which flies the banner of Capoeira Angola de Sao Bento Grande. (Whew! More than a mouthful to say the least.) His given name is Dennis Duane Newsome, (I call him Bro), and you have heard me casually mention his first name in connection with my BFAMs. We became BFAMs nearly 50 years ago, back in San Diego Community College. We met in a famed journalism class, taught by the incomparable Ms Dixon. Dennis asked for a volunteer to demonstrate his then fl

  Look what just pulled into my parking lot today! (No, just kidding!) The phone rang and there was a commotion in the background, (I could barely hear who was calling). The voices of giddy young women rang out with “OOH’s” and “AHH’s” ensuing. It was my “Brother From Another Mother”, Clifton C.E. W., and he had drawn a crowd of female admirers by merely parking outside my apartment. No, he is not a player, (anymore). No, he was not driving one of his fancy sports cars this time. He was just passing through on his way to San Diego, California! Here is what really pulled into my parking lot… And here is who got out, and caused the chorus of “Ooh’s” and “AHH’s”! Was it his classic “boyish” good looks that sparked the furious fuss or something sweet and tasty? The world will never know, but you are welcome to guess. Clifton has always been the flamboyant, romantic in our group of “BFAMs”. He always had the looks, cars, clothes, and smooth poetic words that magnetically attract

  I was created for your comfort and your absolute pleasure. Rest upon my strong and ever-lasting frame of wood, bone, and flesh. Feel my natural warmth and firmness, as I envelop and caress your every curve, with love and utmost care. Lean back, “I got you!” Have no fear or trepidation when you are in my loving embrace. Let me hold you forever and never let you go. I belong to you, and you belong to me. This is a marriage made in a mystical workshop where lucid dreams become reality.   Come to me each and every night, so I can love you like no other chair has the right to do. Let me be your chair, your comforter, your healer, and your lover. I was made for you. I am a jealous and vengeful chair, so please; sit nowhere else when you are weary or in search of love, comfort, joy, or pleasure. I will support you in everything you do or desire to do, as long as you faithfully desire to rest your weary mind, body, and soul in my lap of love. Yes, I belong to you, but your butt belongs o

If you are a non-believer, or believe in a different Deity, please move on to the next post in the queue. If you are curious about other beliefs, stick around for a brief moment, as The Old Block shares his insights and life experience with the Blog Family. So, why do I believe in a higher power? My life has been one big unfunny joke, that the “Enemy of Mankind” has enjoyed cracking his evil ribs about, for more than 70 years. (In fact, my biography will be entitled “What’s So Doggone Funny”. Look for it on the book shelves within the next 10 years!) As a child I was plagued with visions, hauntings and nightmares, which I was too young and inexperienced to properly deal with. (Even today I am sometimes returned to places I feared as a child when I sleep too deeply! However, I am now adept and well-equipped to circumvent most if not all night visits. (Look for a future Blog on “Controlling Your Dreams”.) I never knew my birth father. He was an older man who gave my mother two childr

How do you measure the stature, significance and supremacy of a man? Do you check his bank account, or his net worth? (Lawyers do.) Do you weigh his life’s work or his accomplishments in the world of business? Is he a famous actor, sports figure or entertainer? Does his name appear on buildings, build boards or buses? Can you remember his name better than the members of your own family? Who the heck is he, anyway? Look at the image above. Study it as if a college quiz was forthcoming at the end of this blog. Boxing gloves! He must be a famous boxer, whom you never heard of right? Check out the hairdo, facial hair and shirt. You can find nothing there to give away his identity, right? He was just a regular guy, by all counts. His name is and was Lewis Chester Brewer, (it should have been Bruster, but he came into the world through a different maternal portal. Darn those maternal portals!) He died in my arms, several years ago, coughing up blood, and gasping for air to the last few sec

Yes indeed, words are very powerful. They crawl into your mind through your open ears, and paint vivid, indelible images that force you to respond in kind. Even when these words are spoken with love and care, the sheer force and magnitude they bear overweighs your senses because they burrow so deeply into your psyche that no mine detector can scan them, until the inevitable explosion of emotions blows everyone away. Collateral damage cannot be avoided because without advanced warning, there is no place safe to run or hide. Be very careful with these verbal sappers. They will inevitably perform their intended mission once released from their orificial cage, and can never be drawn back in. Instead, whisper or rethink the words you choose before releasing them into the ether, where they go and do whatever their innate purpose decrees. Be especially vigilant around children and elders. Their tender ears and sensibilities are not equipped to deal with such an onslaught of profanity and ill