Playing catch! She's pretty good.

Sent from my Nokia.

Trying to send a MMS message. Not working.

Rest in Peace Uncle!

It's a shame and a blessing. Death brings friends and families together more quickly than promotions, baby showers or even weddings. The blessings lies ultimately in being able to come together "in spite of" and cheer each other. Death lowers the guard, softens the shock of seeing one another after years, sometimes decades of absence. Even decades later, in only a few minutes it seems like only yesterday we were chasing each other around the yard. We'll miss you Uncle Robert! Let's try harder not to miss one another for very long! MC

One more time...Congratulations!!

Another beaming class of Xavier graduates fill the Lakefront arena in New Orleans May 9th. The address delivered by Donna Brazil to the graduates was meant to inspire with words and compelled by examples of her experience and history as a activist, organizer and motivator to city officials, CEOs and presidents. I as well as the wide eyed graduates were encouraged to do the best as what they love doing and never turn away a challenge.


My hope is that all the graduates can steal smiles like these throughout their life's journey!

My Coach...Chess Champion

To pay tribute to a new acquaintance of mine I've posted the announcement below. Mr. Rene Phillips has demonstrated to me strength not only in his game play but in his character and view on life in general. I am honored to have him training and preparing my daughter to become one of the few Black female chess champions in this region and I dare say in this country. His dedication and discipline is priceless.

Click the title and listen in on some compelling blow by blow chess play. Start with "Old School vs Neo". You'll be hooked!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

The 2009 Louisiana G/30 Championship was held on Saturday, March 14 at the Baton Rouge Bridge Center. 34 players attended to make this the largest G/30 event in recent history.

Rene Phillips sweeped with a perfect 5/5 score and an incredible 2518 performance rating to become the new Louisiana G/30 Champion. In the final round, Phillips unsheathed his feared London Attack with the white pieces and defeated Adam Caveney to clinch the victory. Phillips is a noted player and chess coach in the New Orleans area; his website, The Chess Gym, provides training and lessons for players of all strengths.

Tied for 2nd place were Alex Steger, Keenan Olson, and newcomer Derek Planchet. Planchet, previously rated 1059, showed an astounding performance rating of 1992.


Other prize recipients:

2nd Place: Alex Steger (tied for 2nd overall)
U2000: Keenan Olson (tied for 2nd overall)
U1800: Derek Planchet (tied for 2nd overall)
U1600: Joshua Larcena
U1400: Jordan Pujol
U1200: Matthew Ussery

Hijab, a tenet of personal modesty for us all.

Having the privilege to talk to people of diverse cultures is not something I can manage on a regularly basis. Although blogs and podcasts are a well establish medium for the exchange of ideas and opinions, it is still somewhat intimidating for candidates to interview spontaneously and openly. Today, however, I was graced with the privileged of a conversation with several young women of Arab descent who agreed to talk with me about their experience at Xavier, their culture and that all too familiar head-wrap called a hijab seen among some Muslim women on campus. It was an informative and inspiring conversation so start the player below and give a listen. Thank you ladies for your trust!

Its Girl Scout Cookie Time!!!!

Yes, its Girl Scout cookie time!! If you've placed your order you can come by my office and pick them up...cash and carry! If you missed placing your order there is still hope for you. You can call the cookie hotline and order them directly at 504-733-8220.

How many chimps do you know are associated with a stimulus bill?

Here we go!! Crap like depicting President Obama as a chimp is gonna start and racists are gonna fain ignorance of its reference and call all so called liberals and Black activists "thin skinned".

"...but we compared Bush to a chimp...what's the difference?"

Fools! check your history, then sit back and watch it repeated. Detroit and LA will burn again!

Congratulation New York Post for being one of the first to cast the racist stone at the first Black head of the free world! Now that the gloves are off and everyone's attention has been captured here comes the greedy hoard like myself running to capture some of the spotlight.

President Obama is a man who has experienced his share of disrespect and intimidation so it is not him that we should worry about. It is the out of work single moms, laid off auto and baggage workers and those bankrupted small business owners who we should fear. These have rallied behind President Obama's election and may take "personally" the unwarranted attacks on the only man in Washington who appears to understand their plight and is willing to stick his neck out to help.

The New York Post and Wall Street eat at the same diners and drink at the same pubs. Let's remember when you stop feeding the big dogs they will get angry and try to bite you before becoming weak and submissive to their owners...that would be you, me and President Barack "chimp" Obama!