Since graduating last week, I know that this world is mine.  I will color outside the lines because I can & have the know how.

- I am an artist

- I am a human

- I make shit happen…

“It’s like you come onto this planet with a crayon box. Now, you may get the 8-pak, or you may get the 16-pak, but it’s all in what you do with the crayons–the colors– that you’re given. Now don’t worry about coloring inside the lines or outside the lines. I say, color outside the lines! Color right off the page! Don’t box me in.” “Waking Life” ~ 2001

It’s been 19 years in the making and the day finally arrived. The day that I thought would never come. After each statistic class. After every accounting class, After every crazy business math class, I grew stronger, yet wondered if this path would ever end.

Yesterday meant the world to me and all I could think about was how I kept pushing despite the forces that were against me weather they were real or simply perceived. I’m happy that I stuck it out for the long haul.

Tafari Stevenson-Howard, Eastern Michigan University GRADUATE!!!

I am thankful for the Black spirits of my grandparents Essie/Edward Stevenson & Mary/Daniel Howard and most importantly my father Robert Howard that guide me through life. For you, I pour this libation of love, pride and triumph.

I am thank for my daughters Olivia and Amelia who made this hard work necessary as I HAD to show them that it’s never too late to make great things happen. I wish they could have been there for this special moment.

I am thankful for the countless friends who cheered me on after every semester and endured my non-stop complaining about papers and test etc.

To my long time readers, I am thankful for you being there laughing with me as I made my way on this journey.

And to the Black boys out there who were told that they couldn’t, I stand here in testimony telling you that you can. You can!

My next move???? Grad school! Last year I said that I was not going to go but now, I’m feeling invincible! I feel like I can make anything happen no matter how difficult the goal is.

See photos from my Graduation Sip & See Super Jump Off here…

I haven’t been thinking much about my photography life. Been so preoccupied with divorce drama, daily life & my graduation, which is 33 days away from today.

Just 33 days!

I picked up my cap & gown this afternoon & that was an intense experience to be honest. I actually got a little emotional. Doesn’t take much of that these days.

I walked out of the store with my head high knowing that the hard work is coming to an end yet, starting something new. The new new!

Wait, I got to get a graduation “outfit!”

After I published this, I thought to myself, how many times did I almost quit. I don’t remember but I’m happy that I didn’t.

The end of the summer semester has come & I’m elated to be one step closer to being done with this business program. Just 3 more classes to go with 2 of them starting in a few weeks. Not much down time for your boy.

As a little treat to myself, I added more memory to my MacBook Pro today. I needed a speed bump desperately in this 3 year old machine. I’ve actually been debating on whether I get a new MPB or just roll with my fossil.

I guess, saving almost 2k was the deciding factor….

Anyway, when I cracked the back of the MBP, the inside looked like some kind mico city or something.

The new memory added some speed so I will say that it was money well spent/saved…

Oh, by the way, I pulled an A- in the compensation class from this semester. When the semester started, I projected an A, then I slipped into B territory & settled. At the last minute, I found some mental energy & made a small comeback. Guess it worked.

I’ve been wanting to post but the energy & time just have not been here over the last week or so. This semester has been killing me softly but I’m hanging in there until the bitter end.

Over the next few days, I’ll be working on my final assignment for the class then I’ll have 2 weeks off before the summer semester begins. Yikes! While I’m out for the short break, I will be in Vegas & DC. Guess who’s ready to leave now……

Vegas is business, DC is pleasure but I plan on having fun no matter what. I need this space. I need a space where I do not have to think for a while. I just want to be.

On a photography related note, I picked up another wedding & gave a pitch for a 2012 wedding (talk about planning ahead) this past weekend. I also had a very nice photo session, which I will post about soon.

On a iPhone note (as if you care), I watched the keynote access given by Steve Jobs et al last week where iOS 5 was introduced. Upon hearing Jobs mention 10 of the new features, there was just no way that I could wait until fall when it’s scheduled for release.

So, all of the sudden, I have a developer account and have been testing out this iOS that seems to be on IT crack. I’m totally in love.

My top feature thus far is the Notification Center. If this was the only feature coming in iOS 5, I would still be in love.

I’m also digging the new iMessage feature. Although, I can only iMessage a few friend nows, I totally see the value in this application. My one concern is how phone carriers will find a way to get paid off of us using it.

Other features that have me elated are

• System wide Twitter Integration
• Reminders app.
• If you tap and hold on a song name in Music.app, a popup shows all the details
• You can set custom vibration tones for each contact, so when it vibrates in a specific pattern you know who’s calling
• When you landscape your phone in iCal, it gives you a week view
• Swipe on the weather to the left or right on the Notification Center drop down to view five day forecast
• When you download an app on the iTunes on your PC, the app is automatically pushed to your
• iDevice and installed
• Quick Camera launch from Lockscreen

And these are just a few features from what’s being discovered by developers. On my last check, there were 200 enhancements.

The only downside to testing in Beta is the speed at times & the occasional crash. I’m willing to pay the price to play now though. I ain’t tripping.

The last three weeks of my life have been quite exhausting to say the least. I’m currently taking a change management class during the spring semester & the class has me super stressed with assignments due back to back. As previously mentioned, I also had a sailing and kayaking class that sucked up 2 entire weekends so….

Yesterday, I submitted a 27-page paper that I had to present (talk about boring!) only to turn around today to do a humongous essay style mid term exam.

Basically, my mind is spent & I’m so tired of writing. Totally looking forward to the upcoming long weekend so that I can have a moment to decompress.

This afternoon, I had 30 minutes to myself and I used them to enjoy a glass or two of my favorite chardonnay, the sun and my lush green grass.

Just 4 more classes and I will not have to write posts like this…… I cannot wait.

SERENITY NOW!

Mon Amour Script Pro: A treat to myself for finishing the semester on a high note.

Over the spring semester, I will be taking three classes to fulfill my ‘learning beyond the classroom’ requirement. Don’t laugh but I’m taking basic river kayaking, sailing, & basic scuba diving.

If you know me, then you know I’m not into boating, being in bodies of water larger than a hot tub, or getting my hair wet outside of a salon experience. The next few weeks will be interesting to say the least!

For now, I just need to find a project where I can use my new favorite font and be happy before all the water drama unfolds.

I’m nearing the home stretch of my BBA program; just quick 6 classes after this semester & it’s not coming soon enough.

Right now, I’m enrolled in a human resource development course (bore) & a finance course (double bore). As it stands, I’m doing OK in both classes but I’m not having the best semester. For some reason, I’m kinda stuck in some kind of funk that I cannot shake

One major factor of my funk is my finance class! It’s not hard but at the same time I feel like I’m not learning anything. My instructor SUCKS like none that I’ve encountered.

He mumbles lectures (I won’t mention the very heavy West African accent), gives us worksheets that are barely legible, does not answer emails, & shows major schizophrenic tendencies.

While writing this, I decided to check Ratemyproffesor.com & was not surprised to see these comments:

“I am not the best student in the world, but I am a B student and put a lot of effort into this class. He’s intelligent, but not helpful and not meant to teach. I had a very hard time understanding him through his accent and felt lost in his class.”

“Do not take him! His handwritten notes are almost impossible to read. and when he uses powerpoints, he won’t post them online and he flies through them. He ask for our feedback of the class half way through, then doesn’t even bother to really listen to what we have to say. If you don’t want to hear it, don’t ask!”

How in the hell did he get tenured?!?!

I leave class every Wednesday night saying that I learned nothing! Well, wait, I now know how to calculate the interest on a long term T-Bond but I’m not sure if I will ever need that knowledge.

Most times when I’m in this finance class, I pray that someone pulls the fire alarm!

After discussion of my feelings with other classmates, I know that I am not alone by any means with my feelings.

Tonight, we had a 30-question midterm exam on shit we hardly covered in class. One student even blurted out “how are you going to test us on something you haven’t taught us?” The instructor looked at him, like are you talking to me bitch, then there was dead silence.

To make matters worse, I wrote my instructor evaluation 2 weeks ago & I’m really going to go there on him! And I’m seriously considering gong to the head of the finance dept to launch a complaint.

Just 2 more months & this torture will be over.

Woe is me!

———————————-

Updates:

I got this message 4/17/10 from a classmate.

“Fellow Students of FIN XXXX

We have now had our first exam in Dr. XXXX’s class and I was wondering your thoughts upon our professor and if you feel receiving the adequate information to have a good grasp on the course as of this time. I have taken the liberty to contact the Dean of the Finance department here at EMU COB and they are very interested in our thoughts of our Professor as I am not the only student who has brought his teaching to their attention…

One of the major concerns is having a large supply of handouts that are just about fill in the black is not the ideal way to teach any class in a university setting. We are attending an accredited university where you would expect to get what you pay for, meaning that I anticipated I would be in a learning environment where we are educated in a professional and inviting manor.

I currently have a meeting scheduled with the Dean of the Finance department this Friday March 19, 2010 at 11:00am. I have been instructed to obtain as many students from his class that are unhappy with his teaching; everything will remain completely anonymous and confidential…

If you would like to send me an e-mail with your thoughts and or comments as well as if you are able to attend the meeting or unavailable to attend the meeting would be greatly appreciated. They Deans office would like AS MANY students to come forward so that they can take the needed action so that our learning in FIN XXXX will not suffer any further……

So guess who will be at that meeting this coming Friday!?! Oh shit!

The end of the semester is here & I survived. For a while there, things were not looking too hot because the statistics class was kicking my ass like never before.

Just a little over a month ago, I went to my instructor nervous because I thought my grade was going down in a ball of flames.

I decided to hang in there & at the last minute the concepts, formulas & lectures all started to make sense.

Now that all is said & done, I’m happy that I hung in there to the bitter end & conquered the class that I held off taking for so long. Walking away with a B feels great!

Just 10 classes left & my hand will be on my prize.

I’m so happy that the weather here is starting to break & we have rain instead of snow & freezing temperatures.

The grass is getting green, actually ultra green, the trees are starting to finally bud & tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and the like are everywhere. I feel & see life all around me & it’s inspiring.

With the winter school semester now behind me, I have had the mental energy to pull my camera out to take photos that make me happy. Not that other things did not bring me joy but botanicals get all my energy flowing.

With the spring semester starting next Tuesday, I hope that I can carve time out for assignments, working in the gardens & my own personal photography, as well as preparing for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.

And speaking of school, just 10 more classes before I join the ranks of the educated Negro bourgeoisie (Suite Suzy begs to differ & thinks I can join once I have a masters, to that I say fuck that for now! The light is at the end of the tunnel & it’s shining on me.

Lastly, today marks the beginning of me 2nd social/professional calendar, I hope that it can top last quarter because some kick as things came my way.

BTW: I pass this cornfield everyday on my way back & forth from home. As I drive past, its kinda fun looking at the rows seemingly move as if they are following you. The corn is not planted yet & this is just grass but I find it so captivating especially when contrasted with a perfect sky.

My math class started this past Monday & so far it is all good. But this is now!!! I know in a few weeks, my locks will start falling out because math is my weakest area & I will be struggling to hang on big time.

Over the next few days, I will be working on getting my mind right so that I can switch up to have a positive attitude about the work so that I do not sabotage myself, which has happened in the past.

In other news:

• I decided today that I am trading in my 2006 Saturn VUE for a Toyota Prius this spring. My V6 engine frequent trips have got a brotha looking like a fool @ the gas pump. Not sure if you are up on the HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or not, but my boy & Jewish role model Larry David drives one.

  While discussing this with Suite Suzy last night, she was like hell no, you are really starting to take on the Larry David role. I asked her what she meant & she said that I acted just like him with all his tacky ways, uncouth behavior & ability to say the wrong things at the wrong time. I then told her to go to hell because she acts just like Susie Green & treats me like I’m Jeff some times. We both laughed!

• Anyway, since I will be photographing at the North American International Autoshow Charity Preview (big time black tie event for Detroit), I will try to sneak away to get close & personal with the 2008 Prius.

  This Friday 1/18/08, I am officially giving up eating beef to further push my new health kick. This coming Friday is actually an important day because this same Friday last year, I made the decision to change my name to Tafari in the spirit of Kujichagulia ((Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.). This year I am still moving in the spirit of Kujichagulia & it’s all good. I was already considering this before but after watching “Fast Food Nation” one night last week, I was like, I gotta do this.

  Maybe one day I will be strong enough to give up pork, but I cannot imagine life without pork chops, occasional bacon and or sausages & ham…

• I know you all know that Ofra will be starting her own network, which will be called OWN. Although Ofra gets on my nerves, I am so super happy for the legacy she is blazing. So just to let you know 1st, I’m starting a letter writing campaign on MLK day to petition Ofra to bring back Video Soul for her new network. Just kidding my girl Sugar got me thinking about the old & “golden” days of BET.

Well the semester is finally over & it ended on a high note when I got my research paper back tonight. Last week after I presented my information & turned in he final draft, I was like I better get an A. I worked really hard & I would not feel good with a B. I gotta keep my GPA up so I can get that damn scholarship when I transfer.

So after I got my paper & basked in the glow of my grade, I bounced & headed for the gym. I had to be there by 8pm so that I could catch the finale of “America’s Next Top Model”, while working the elliptical.

It was an intense hour. I think I found out, that I work more effectively while listening to my music vs. watching TV & working out. By the time the show was over, I still felt good about burning 516 calories. I also felt good because Saleisha won cycle 9. I would have also been happy to see Chantal win, as she was another one of my favorites.

Anyway, I weighed myself & I am now down a total 7 lbs! I am pretty excited!!!