The Dean's List

The Jackson Legacy Continues Since moving to Phoenix, I still try to keep up with news and events back home. Unfortunately, I do not keep up with everything.   I was checking out some Rochester news stations and newspapers the other day and saw clips and stats from the Bishop Kearney HS basketball phenom, Taylor Norris. When I tell you, this young lady can ball……Wow!! But there was something about her that felt familiar…… Trenton Jackson Several years ago, I worked on a committee to dedicate the new sports complex at Ben Franklin High School. It was being named after a beloved coach, the late Trenton Jackson. Not only was he a coach and teacher, he had a phenomenally successful career in various sports. He played basketball and baseball in college, he also participated in the Olympics in track and played professional football. I had the opportunity to meet his entire family while I was working on the event. I learned that all his children played sports in h...

Those who know me know that my biggest fear is dying alone. Many people are doing just that during the Coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic. My friend Donald died last week...at home...alone. Thousands of people are dying every day, without their family by their sides due to this virus! Some of the stories I’ve heard are heartbreaking! It’s been a rough couple of weeks for our country, our world. I received word yesterday morning that another friend died of the virus!   As hard as I try to stay away from the news, I find myself sneaking behind my own back to get the latest (I know!). My emotions are all over the place! Scared, depressed, anxious, angry, mad! And I must admit, I have bouts of conspiracy theories running through my head as well! I keep hearing people say this is our “New Normal!” This can’t be! Right? I’ve shed many tears lately, but last night I think I let a month’s worth go while watching TV! This is a clip from the television show Chicago Fire which features ...

I've shared my experience when I met Chuck D of Public Enemy several times in a blog. I always liked him as an artist, but came to respect him as a man. Read about it here:   https://thedeanslist1.blogspot.com/2018/08/happy-birthday-chuck-d-of-public-enemy.html In the blog, I wrote: " Everyone had eaten except for Flavor Flav (a whole other story)" Whenever there is a concert, people responsible for providing services are given a rider. It lists transportation, air and ground info, sound and light requirements, and food/drink requirements. That's where I came in. I provided continental breakfast, lunch and dinner for the roadies and union guys. I also had to set up the dressing rooms with snacks, fruit, deli trays, beverages, etc... I always received excellent reviews on my food and service. Dinner was served between 5 - 7. Around 7:15 I started breaking stuff down. I extinguished the sterno burners to cool stuff off.  By 8:00, I had pretty much cleaned up everyt...

I started my day cleaning house and preparing my food to get ready to watch the Grammy Awards. I never finished cleaning or cooking. Yesterday was such a sad day! My friend Cheryl called me to tell me there was a rumor that Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter accident. I immediately hung up and began to search reputable news sources. Contrary to popular belief, even though their methods are suspect, TMZ usually gets it right. It didn't take long in my search to learn it was true! Kobe's death falls into the same category as "where were you when" ......  when the planes hit the towers on 9/11, when JFK died, when MLK died, when Whitney Houston died (ironically right before the Grammy's), when Michael Jackson died, when Prince died.... When I verified Kobe was gone, I sat in my recliner across from a mop bucket with tears in my eyes. For the next several hours, that's where I remained with a remote control in hand. As more details became available and w...

For the last week I've been in a bit of a fog.  I've been somewhat nostalgic and a little weepy.....All of which isn't surprising for me. I've been overly sensitive my entire life. I've been going through old pictures and files trying to decrease clutter and occupy time (can you tell I'm bored?).  That's when I found the picture of my father's headstone.... My father died 50 years ago today! He fell ill while he was cooking in his restaurant on Hudson Ave, on the corner of Wadsworth St. in Rochester, NY.  He drove himself to Genesee Hospital where they determined he had a heart attack. Being 6 years-old, I really didn't understand everything that was going on. In the 70's, children weren't allowed to visit patients in the hospital, so the only thing I knew was daddy wasn't home.  This isn't a new topic for my blogs, but as I get older, it gets a little more emotional for me. One night, my mother and grandmother took me t...

Those who know me are used to me being very transparent about almost everything. I haven’t blogged in a long time. I walk past my laptop every day and I hear it calling my name.  Writing is my therapy and Lord knows I need it now!!!  So, this morning, I poured a cup of coffee and logged on because I can’t put it off anymore!  Here we go…. I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching and have concluded the reason why I’ve been so emotional is I’m close to a milestone. Next month it will be 5 years since I’ve been disabled. 5 years since I woke up that morning and couldn’t get out of bed. 5 years since the remnants of my horseback riding accident 10 years prior showed its ugly head for real! 5 years since I’ve worked.   5 years since multiple tests, taking large quantities of opioids, other drugs and spine injections. 5 years since the 1 st of 3 surgeries.   5 years since I learned who had my back (excuse the pun) and who didn’t.   5 years since my l...

It’s been very easy to have pity parties these days. My life has done a complete 180 degree turn over the last few years because of my spinal injury. If you’ve followed my journey, you know I’ve always been transparent with my struggles (maybe too transparent). It’s called “Free Therapy!” I made a promise to myself that it was time to do some things different and it had to happen YESTERDAY!! One day last week, I checked the bank account to see if I had a few dollars to hang out for a bit without getting stranded and started on my adventure. I called for an Uber and was off. They dropped me off at Michael’s so I could pick up some items for an art project I’m working on! Yes! I said art project! The only place I’m usually artistic is in the kitchen. We will see how that goes…. Now back to the story. I was so happy to see that Michael’s had riding carts because my left leg hasn’t been very nice to me lately. I spent at least an hour, riding around the store and talking to a clerk a...