Tag Archives: Louisville

The Dating Game

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“The Dating Game”
Aug08-1I HATE the dating game because that’s really all it is – a game.  I took a short break from figure competing  toward the end of May and also actively jumped back into the dating scene after a lengthy hiatus.  It has been an interesting experience and one that I can say I don’t miss.

First let me explain my dating philosophy – 1. You meet various people and ‘hang out’ with them.  2. You find someone you’re interested in, and you exclusively date that person.  3. You like him/her, he/she likes you and you establish a relationship.

In June, I met a plethora of nice, single men in some of the most random places (I attribute it to the short haircut!)  Examples: I met a flight attendant from VA at my gym, I met a guy from Louisville at the airport in Denver, a guy from Cincy at a competition, one online, one person was introduced through a mutual friend -.  None of them were men I met in the club.  It was great to have multiple dates in one week and meet some wonderful men doing great things with their life. However, at some point emotions get involved and the game gets more intense.

Some of these men  developed feelings for me.  For some odd reason, one guy thinks I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread.  And while I think he’s a nice person, that’s where it stops.  I enjoy the conversation but don’t see him as the next “Mr. Yeager”.  For the most part I’ve been just enjoying the ride trying to see where all of these situations could lead me.  There were a couple of times where I thought I’d move to phase 2 with a gentleman, but I think it was just gas since the thought didn’t stay around too long.

Also, Louisville is such a small place, especially for black young professionals.  There is a great chance that the person you date has either dated one of your friends or at least someone you know.  If you’re both in the ‘hanging out’ phase, you run the risk of both being out to the same movies or a restaurant (on dates with other people).  And timing also plays a major role.  If I would have met my “Mr. Right” back in March, I wouldn’t have given him the time of day because I was constantly with my man “gym”.  You have to BOTH be in the right place at the right time in order for it to work.

Everyone comes into your life for a reason.   I am blessed for each man I have met and have learned a lot about myself in the process.  I know that my other half is somewhere out in the world and I feel like he is just around the corner.  If you’ve met him, make sure you tell him where to find me. Until then, I will be patient until it is our time to meet.

M.Y. August 2008

He Made a Difference

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“He Made a Difference”

July08-2Many of us loved to love him.  Others of us loved to hate him.  Some of us were just neutral.  Regardless of how you felt about Reverend Louis Coleman, everyone should agree that he spoke up for the rights of others – especially African Americans.

I was saddened to hear the news of his death on Saturday afternoon.  He was a close friend of my family and they always referred to him by his nickname “Buster”.   My grandmother had been a member at his church.  “Buster” was even a part of the funeral service for my father, grandmother, uncle and other relatives.   Whenever someone needed him at their side, he was always there.

I can’t honestly say that I didn’t agree with everything Rev. Coleman did.  There were some times that I would watch the news and wonder why he was making such a fuss.  It could have been the smallest issue, but in his eyes, no cause was too small.   I’d watch the infamous bullhorn as he and a group of protestors marched around various streets and buildings in the state.  If there was injustice going on, you can bet your money that Louis Coleman was there.

The weird thing I realized, though, was that although sometimes controversial, Rev. Coleman was the most dependable civil rights activist in our area.  If I read a headline in the CJ that sounded controversial, I knew without a doubt that Rev. Coleman would be one of the first people there to represent the ‘unheard voice’.  He never let me down.  He didn’t care if you were black/while, rich/poor.  If an issue needed to be brought to the surface, Louis Coleman carried the life preserver to keep it afloat.  WHO NOW WILL REPRESENT THAT VOICE?

Louis Coleman and his groups spoke my voice, even at times when I wasn’t willing to speak for myself.  I never personally protested, even when I knew there needed to be change.    You have to admire the strength he had for standing loud, strong and proud – even though it was often taken for granted.  But who is going to fill his shoes from our generation?  I think about my generation and wonder what are we really doing to strengthen ourselves and those around us?  We grew up and now live in an environment where we can flourish and are for the most part considered equal.  It hasn’t always been that way.  It hasn’t been that way for long.  We still continue to have struggles (just ask the folks out in our state that say they’ll never vote for a black person for president).

What will it take for us to be willing to take those stands for ourselves? How can we better ourselves to speak out for the ‘unheard voices’?  What do we need to do to ensure our continued progress?  How can we strengthen the entire African American community while decreasing the violence, disease, single parent homes and lack of education?  I know I don’t have the answers to all of these questions.  Hopefully as I go through life, I can be part of the solution!  Whoever knew that the death of our local civil rights leader would affect me in such a way?!
M.Y. July 2008

Such Gentlemen

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“Such Gentlemen”

April-08-2Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by and watch some very kind and friendly men in the Louisville area.  It first started a couple of weeks ago while eating my cheat meal (it was great!) at Famous Dave’s.  I had sausage, baked beans, apples, corn and corn bread.  You appreciate it when you’ve been away from it for 12 weeks.  And the sausage, oh wow, – anyway, back to the original story.

My friend ordered a rib dinner. While we were eating and talking, a family walked past our table on their way out.  The older gentleman with the group came back to our table and said, “So, how were those ribs?”  He bragged that he had just eaten the most wonderful catfish but was thinking of ordering the ribs.  He also boasted on the great banana pudding, suggested we also try that and wished us well for the rest of our evening.  He wasn’t trying to be pushy or nosey, he was just one of those southern gents talking to us like we were a part of his family.

Several days later, when the temperature was in the 80s, I was driving to work and was at the intersection of Bardstown Rd. and Goldsmith.  As the light turned red, I arrived right there at the Rally’s.  There was a red car waiting to leave Rally’s so I slowed up to give the guy room to get in front of me.  He didn’t move.  So I pulled up and stopped at the light and wondered why he didn’t pull out.  He waited as this older, heavy set woman walking down the street out of breath got closer to his car.  He asked her where she was going and offered her a ride so she could rest her feet.  This woman’s eyes lit up and a smile brightened her face.  You could tell this had been a blessing she’d been seeking.

On Sunday I got an oil change at Goodyear.  I always go there for my oil changes, but there was a new guy working behind the counter.  I originally had an appointment for solely an oil change – $23.  I then saw an advertised Spring Care Package for $40 and asked for that instead.  No problem.  After about 45 minutes I was ready to go.  While waiting at the counter to pay, the Papa John’s guy walked in to deliver pizza to the counter guy.  The delivery person said, “You’re in luck, we gave you an extra Works pizza for free.”  The guy was psyched.  As he rung up my bill, he only charged me $23 total.  I reminded him of the Spring Care Package and he said, “Don’t worry about it.”  Cool!  All of these experiences made me appreciate all of the true men that are still around.

I also felt this was a ‘pass-it-on’ type act of kindness. He got pizza, I got a discount, now what could I do help someone else?  I tried to think of something, but then just went home and took a nap.  This morning I decided to go to the gym early and get in my 20 minutes of cardio.  When I finished changing, an older woman walked up to me said, ‘Darlin’ I have a favor to ask you.  It’s perfectly fine if you say no.  I’ll understand.”  She wanted me to put tanning oil on her back.  She could reach everywhere but that area.  Since I’d been competing recently, I knew the challenges of not being able to reach your back to apply oil.  As I applied the lotion I explained to her that it was no problem and I understood her dilemma.  Her poor back was already red from where she’d been in the tanning bed before without the lotion and I knew she was very thankful that our paths crossed at that time.

I walked out into the gym happy that I too was able to give back to a complete stranger and hope that by reading this, you will do the same!

M.Y.  April 2008

It’s a Small World

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“My Vacation – It’s A Small World After All”

I just returned from a short vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  I had a timeshare that I either had to use or lose, so for the first time in my life I went solo on a trip.  I HAD A BLAST!  I learned so many things about myself and others.  People at first were surprised that I was there alone, but after a short time they realized some of the benefits and were quick to ask me to join their group.  I can’t write everything this week, so it will be spread out.

The first thing I learned is that it’s a small world.  I was walking on the beach and came across a baby sea turtle.  He was crawling at fast as he could to make it back to the ocean.  I took a picture and then tried to hold him in my hand to assist his journey.  He, however, felt threatened and each time he was in my hand, he would quickly jump out.  A couple approached me and was curious as to what I’d found.  They asked where I was from and I proudly said, “Louisville, KY!”  Their face lit up as they said, “No way, we’re from Louisville also!”  They talked about their daughter that attended Manual and how they had just moved to another part of Mexico for a job transfer.  We laughed about the UL/UConn football game that had been on tv the night before (in Spanish, of course!)

We continued to run each other throughout my stay.  They arrived at the airport right before I left to go home.  The wife and I talked in depth and we gave each other a strong hug before I boarded my plane.  We probably never would have crossed paths here in Louisville, but started the beginning of a wonderful friendship miles away!

M.Y.  October 2007

What Happens in Vegas/Louisville

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“What happens in Vegas is not Louisville”

There’s a saying….. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”  Guess what folks?  We don’t live in Las Vegas!  We live in Louisville, Kentucky where everyone (or at least one of their friends) knows your name.   Have fun!  Be safe! PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR!!  Just remember we all have ot return to work on Monday.  I’ll be out some of everywhere, including the Grand Gala.  If you see me out, please say hello because I love meeting the OnyxLouisville readers.  I’m a non-drinker so all I’ll be drinking is “Water on the Rocks”…. but you can find me on the dance floor!

M.Y. May 2007