NOISE: Freestyle

It is a day to remember, honor and cherish

 Today is Memorial day 2010. A day to really thank those who fought for our freedom to enjoy this and every day the way we see fit. Most of all this is a day to spend a few moments to thank those who gave the ultimate gift of their life so that we can fulfill ours. Starting out as a day to decorate grave sites of fallen soldiers it has become much much more. However as do many things, this day has taken many different forms as time has gone on. So on this day as you invite family and friends over to partake in great food and greater laughs. I encourage you to take a few moments to thank those who gave all of their moments away.   I also ask you all to give thanks to all of those men and women who are still here and still fighting for you and me.  

when your done, splash a smile across your face. Fire up the grill. Put something cold and wet in your hand and laugh and play and enjoy the gift that was given to us. To everyone every where enjoy your Memorial day!  

Change the world!

 I sit and think to myself, what does tomorrow hold? Who are our future leaders? Are they women and men of honor? What kind of upbringing do they have and will it hold true in the face of adversity? I can’t help but think who am I to judge or show concern if I have done nothing to improve the inevitable, which is that we are not masters of our future. We are passing it down to the same ones that we ignore, condemn and prey upon. You like me scream not I! I uplift and support and honor. But in our heart of hearts are we really giving them the best chance? When was the last time you encouraged a teen that wasn’t yours? When was the last time you looked for ways to improve your community by being involved in something that put you out of your comfort zone? And when was the last time your heart ached to help someone who’s voice is changing, who looks down at their feet when they talk, who acts defiant because they want to fit like a piece of a puzzle into a world they don’t know? 

Every day you possess the ability to change the world. If everyone were to help to positively influence 25 people and each in turn did the same we really could change this planet that we call home. What can you do to help? Here are some places that you can go if your child is challenged or you want to help others. Roots and Wings,  Love and Logic ,  g.r.e.a.t. and Breaking the cycle of incarceration.  Breaking the cycle of incarceration  is happening this evening May 27th 2010  at LCC Dart Auditorium from 5:30-7pm... I hope that you will join me and thousands of others in making not only Lansing a more amazing place but everywhere! See you there?
 

Just DONT do it.

                                     
 I woke up Sunday morning to an amazing day! The Fog had just begun to burn off but was still blanketing the ground. Birds of all shapes, sizes and colors were singing their songs and putting on an impressive show! I was in a hurry to get out to Crego Park to take pics of the fog near the bridge for the trains. I arrived and was ready! Camera in hand I stepped out of the car loaded up with all 60 pounds of equipment and walked over to the park area and there it was, a blue back pack sitting at one of the tables with no one anywhere near. 

You would think that you could pick it up look through it and get it back to its owner, but this is a big mistake!   There are lots of people every year caught up in police stings and criminal situations simply for trying to help. Advice: don't touch the bag. If you have a camera, take a picture of the position of the bag and call the police immediately. Use the non emergency line if possible unless the bag is near some place that looks like it could be a potential threat: airport, government building, bridges etc... If that’s the case, call 911 (better to be safe). Follow the instructions given by the officer, don’t hang up until the officer has completed what they need with gathering info from you and then sit tight. Leaving the bag there could put it in the hands of a child or pet or worse a criminal who forgot it. But don’t try to stop any one from getting the bag either. It is important to keep people safe, but unless you are authorized don’t not put your self in harms way. When the officer or other authorized person arrives, give them space to work and do what they need to. They will know what to do.   

Lets be honest you may just get a hey thanks. It may be nothing more than that but you may have saved a lot of people too and in the process saved yourself. This is just information, for exact instructions call your local police department.

The Phantoms last appearance...

          
 I heard a disturbing rumor the other day; I heard that the Phantom of the Opera was no longer going to be touring, ever. I was in disbelief. I thought this show would always be around. But I was wrong. I checked the almighty computer and sure enough, there it was:   THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the most successful and longest continuously-running tour in U.S. history. The tour will play its final performance in Autumn 2010. I kinda sunk back in my chair and said naw, this cant be true. I checked feverishly on a couple of other sites but they came up the same. 

Although I have seen the play, my fiancé hasn’t, so I began to search for more information. Where are the last few shows, when are they, how much? I found Ohio right off the bat. I was somewhat happy because that was a distance that I could drive and we would be able to go, but it would mean all night baby sitters and long drives. But then it happened. It was like something out of a play. There at the bottom of the page was a listing for the Wharton Center!   Not only is that right here in the Lansing area but it’s at one of my favorite places to be! I have seen some amazing shows there like the
  Lion King and Jon Faddis
  just to name a couple. Now I was really happy but then it dawned on me, if this is the last time it will ever be here then its going to be packed. But it wasn’t full up yet. We found a day, and good seats and we are going! Great show, amazing company and kids just a few miles away at a loved ones house! Does it get any better? Yeah as a matter of fact it does! Years ago I bought tickets to see Phantom of the Opera in Toronto at close to 600 dollars and never ended up going. The tickets were never used... This time I’m going for sure and the tickets are less then 100 dollars a piece! I’m in heaven! 
 

So if you’re looking for a super time and you don’t want to travel too far and want to be a part of something for the very last time; come see Phantom of the Opera at the Wharton Center from now till June 6th only. More information click here. See you there!

Back in the day...

 I was asked the other day what I thought was the best thing about Lansing. I had to step back for a minute. I have lived here the majority of my life. I have enjoyed all of the arcades that used to adorn almost every corner of the city. My friends and I used to go to 7-11 on the corner of Washington and Miller and then spend hours at Marc's Arc.   Hall of Fame was way across town but it was really just a bike ride away. Afterwards we would stop by QD on the corner of Greenlawn and Cedar. Back when M.L.K. was Logan the Country Parlor was the destination for jaw breakers as big as a baseball.   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  There were always games going on around the corner no matter what corner you were from. Baseball, softball, football and Trons deadly discs.   You say you don’t know what Trons deadly discs is? It’s a game I made up in the neighborhood of Highland Co-op off Miller and Balfour. You ride around on your bike and throw frisbees at each other (please don’t try this at home, we were professionals). 

So what’s the point of reminiscing? Thinking about what this city has to offer and thinking what the next generations stomping grounds are? What do they do to hang out? What kind of things will they talk about when they get older? Will they look back and smile and think "I love this city!"? Everywhere we look there are buildings going away but in their place changes abound for the next generations, scenery that they will drive by when they are in their floating minivans and say “hey kids look over there, that’s where video rental used to be before they had 4d quad senses TV”.
 

So the question was “what’s the best thing about Lansing?”... The answer: the memories. The ones from yesterday and the ones I’m creating today. What’s yours? Want to make some new memories? How about being a tourist in your own city? http://www.lansing.org/batyotSee you there. 

Your momma!

 

 
 That’s right I said it! I said your momma... She is, well, she is a wonderful person who put her very life on the line for you! Enduring swelling, sickness and hours of labor to produce something that acts like and smells like an animal. 
 Ok, I’m being a little harsh but let’s be honest, most moms are the stuff of dreams. They look out for us. They help to guide us and make sure that we do the things we need to. And most of all they love us, showering us with their motherly love. My mother raised four boys by herself. She will be the first one to tell you that she made some mistakes but when she knew better she did better. But what she did is love us. 

So we are coming up on a day that celebrates mothers, yours, mine and ours. We would not be here if it weren’t for our mothers.  You can buy her flowers from any of the many local shops around town like: Smith Floral and Greenhouses - Lansing, Jon Anthony Florists or even Bloomin'dales Floral You can Buy her some candles from: or be even more creative and make them your self.

  You can buy her a card, not a regular card, OK you can get her a regular card too but I’m talking about a gift card to her favorite store that she can’t justify buying from because she’s too busy making sure everyone else is taken care of. And if you are going to get her a greeting card, try your hand at making it. Trust that even if it stinks she will think it’s the greatest if it came from your heart. 
 Gift baskets are amazing because you can put all of those things and more in one place for her to enjoy and then when she is using the basket at a later time she can think of that special day. A home spa treatment is a great way to help her to really relax. Flowers and plants are a great idea, this is a gift that long after the day is gone will give her something in her home that grows and changes like you did but is always with her. But the best gift that you can give your mom is love. Call her and tell her that you love and miss her.
  Share some old stories and laughs, most of all tell her how much it means that she is your momma. Happy mothers day on Sunday mom!

Cinco de Mayo

 Tomorrow  it will be Cinco de Mayo. This has been a day for many to hang out and party down! But it wasn’t always that way. This day was made possible by 4,000 Mexicans that fought 8,000 French with much better weapons and the Mexicans won. It was a huge victory for a people that had been invaded and ruled over. Even though the victory was short lived, the year that the Mexicans were free, showed people that they were not to be taken lightly.   

Now this great holiday has been adopted by Americans to celebrate not just that day but the entire Hispanic community. A day to embracing cultural beauty, cuisine and promote the wonderful diversity. 

 Lansing has already begun to be draped in red white and green and it’s a good look. There are many celebrations all over to honor these great people and I encourage you to take part. I know that some of the events have already taken place like this LCC event and the amazing car show put on by Sam Perez of Cocky Productions.   

But there are plenty more to come on the 5th. Check out your local Latino restaurant or bar and many of your Lansing area Hispanic churches. Maybe you will even want to do a fiesta of your own with lots of Mexican dishes and party favors, a flag perhaps, or a piñata. Whatever you do be sure to remember the brave solders that fought hard to make the day possible. Take some time with your family to have fun and enjoy CINCO DE MAYO!  
  
 
 

For those wondering if Mexico was ever freed from French rule???? It was and the independence day is Sept 16th 1810.