Just One More Thing !

Home Depot Experts

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:52:00 +0000

I just started working at Home Depot about a year ago, and the one thing that I have determined is that everyone thinks that because you have on that orange apron that you are an expert in all fields. I went to work there in the garden section because that is what I understand"Gardens", but with the end of the season I have been moved temporarily to Kitchen and Bath, something that I know nothing about, but I am learning, but it puts me in the middle of the store next to electrical and plumbing, and people are constantly asking me questions, questions that they already know the answer to but they just want someone to reinforce their beliefs. And a lot of the answers are on the box, if you just read it, But people like to feel as though they are dealing with experts, and they thank you as if you just pulled their child out of a burning building, even when you've done absolutely nothing at all except stand next to them as they find out the information themselves. The phrase "You can do it we can help" should actually be "You can do it your damn self -we'll just sell it to you for a slight profit"

Good To Be A Black Man!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:10:00 +0000

It's a great time to be a black man living in Boston. We have elected a black Governor, The Celtics are the world champions, The Red Sox are the world champions. And we got Obama on his way to the White House. Who could ask for more. Although there is that dispoportinate number of Black men in prisons, and the ones who are fathering children and not living up to their responsibilities, but hey those are only temporary issues. We need to keep positive. Not once this year have we seen a videotape of a brother getting beat up by the cops, not that it's not happening we just haven't seen it. And that whole foreclosure mess is affecting everyone black, white, and Latino. The mostly black Basketball team from America has won a gold meddle, as well as the Williams sisters winning in tennis. Yeah it's a good time to be a black man. I mean we have higher unemployment lower median household incomes, and higher murder rates. But think about it things could be worse. I'm not sure how but they could be. So let's just take our wins and be happy, because who knows what tomorrow may bring.

I have cats!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:54:00 +0000

I have 2 cats and their personalities could not be more different. Puck is the cool and aloof one. He spend most of his time seeing how new things feel on his butt. Yeah anytime you bring home something new he just has to sit on it before moving on to other things. He also like to wake up my wife in the morning to tell her it’s time for him to eat. Without fail every morning at about 5 a.m. this cat comes into the room, hops up on the bed, and rubs his butt in my wife’s face indicating that it is now time for him to eat. Now our cat Eddie is a different story, his whole thing is about sleep, but to Eddie it is important that someone sleeps with him. That is why every night he sits on the stairs to inspire us to go to bed. Once we are in bed his routine is the same. He first comes over to me and sits on my chest hoping to get a rub or 2, and then he gets off and goes to the other side of the bad to sleep on top of my wife’s feet.

Puck is not much of an eater matter of fact he has to take a pill to increase his appetite, but you can’t let him see the bottle, because he runs when I pick it up, so I find myself sneaking around with the pill bottle to give it to him. I find that I often talk to the cats as if they were human, telling them that not only am I leaving the house but where I’m actually going. I think I get this from my wife. She is obsessed with making sure that puck eats, and she actually will ask him what he would like to eat tonight.

Having cats can be an exciting and rewarding experience. When you’ve had a bad day and they come up and cuddle with you, or to watch their antics of chasing flies and trying to escape to the outside world can be lots of fun. But there is the hairballs and cat litter to consider

What Did He Just Say!!!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:26:00 +0000

Did I hear George W. Bush in a conversation with Bob Costas last night that there are no problems in America. What America is he talking about? What about gas prices and the housing situation just to name 2. I'm telling you. I can't wait for Barrack Obama to take over at the helm, At least then we'll have a president who understands the problems, because they can't be fixed if you are denying that there are actual problems

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Obama won YEAH! now what? Do we think that Hillery should be the VP nominee? I do, because she brings with her all of the blue coller white people who will vote for John McCain if she isn't on the ticket. She also will bring with her the Hispanic vote, and not to mention Bill. I think having Bill back in the White House would be a good thing. It will give all of those bored pages something to look forward too. Plus could you imagine Bill and Michell Obama out shopping together. I say YES bring on the Clinton's, and let's give em somethin to talk about

Let's Just get it over

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:09:00 +0000

The democrats are wasting my time with all of the debates, and campaigning and all. John McCain is just sitting back and enjoying the show. Who is going to be Obama or Hillery? Does it really matter? No , from where I sit there promises are just campaign rhetoric. We will all see that the economy will basically be the same no matter who takes of in January of 09, They are not going to be able to get us out of the war as quickly as they say they will, and no matter who wins there's going to be just as many people on either side upset about the outcome. So why not just flip a coin and the winner is the next democratic nominee, and let';s end all of this bickering.

The Signs Of Our Time!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:38:00 +0000

Boston City Councilman Jerry McDermott’s recent resolution to remove the Citgo sign from the Boston skyline seems to be just another attempt to infuse the debate over George Bush’s policies with one person’s personal politics. Hugo Chavez, by inappropriately and foolishly using the world stage of the U.N. to apparently develop a stand-up routine for the left and a lightning rod for the right should be called to task, and possibly face a reprimand from the U.N. – although I don’t feel that is forthcoming.

But the Citgo sign, well the issue of the sign’s existence is frankly a non-issue. Making it an issue is just one more way to distract the public’s attention from the fact that under the disastrous policies of George W. Bush we as a country have become less effective in helping to shape a positive world view, and have become a laughing stock to even some that were once our allies.

So please, Mr. Councilman, if you are trying to turn the Citgo sign into the next “Freedom Fries,” please stop, and just continue the good work that you have become known for in the Allston/Brighton district you serve. And let us stay away from escalating the hatred, mistrust, and small-mindedness that seems to be the hallmark of this current administration. Let’s get back to the time when being an American was a good thing, something that people around the world could respect. There are issues here and abroad that need all of our attention, from day care for the young and old, the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, -- and soon, Iran. We are dealing with issues of health, our city streets, homelessness, gender equality -- and the list goes on.

Please – let’s focus on the real issues and not get distracted by ridiculous political posturing.

Maurice Rucker

Drive around,tune In, and turn on!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 01:36:00 +0000

As a creative person, my life demands that I, from time to time, must pursue employment that requires less of an emotional and or intellectual commitment, but still within keeping of an income that that government has designated slightly above the poverty line. So, with that being said, this past summer, I took a job as a delivery driver for probably Boston's most high-end flower shop.

It was a cool job until the boss, who I imagined was going to be cool, funny smart, and teach me soooo much about the flower industry became a micromanaging, condescending, little control freak with a Napoleon complex and a streak of paranoia usually only seen in coke heads and Mexicans in California.

So needless to say, that job didn’t last very long. But one very cool thing about being the delivery guy was that I got to listen to the radio all day long. And there is nothing better on the radio than talk radio. It is the best! I listen to it almost exclusively.

WBUR in Boston is my mainstay, although I have just discovered Air America Radio, a station with a left-of-center format. They talk about what I feel, but honestly Al Frankin. who is on from noon to 3:00 every day, can get on my nerves. I agree with a lot of what he has to say, but I don’t know, he just seems to be a little tooooo self-important. Whereas Stephanie Miller (9 – noon) is a completely different story. (va-va-VOOM)

On Sunday mornings, I turn to WGBH to get away from the WBUR God show. Not that I don’t like God, I just think that this particular show is boring. I also turn to GBH to listen to Prairie Home Companion. I discovered this show as a hippie kid, hanging out in head shops in Troy, New York. I do listen to conservative right- wing radio on long trips because 1) it keeps me awake by giving me the opportunity to yell at the radio and 2) it pisses my wife off, and it's actually appealing to me to see her mad at something other than me. But I enjoyed driving around in the delivery van all day listening to all of the programs, in between walking up to million dollar homes and handing them million dollar looking arrangements, mostly to people who could be named Consuela or Lupe.

Then for me it's back in the car with Nina Tottenberg. I've never seen her, and I hope I never do. I've imagined her to look like a cross between a young Gloria Steinem and Angelina Jolie. I don't know why. That image just works for me. I saw Terry Gross once, and I was not happy – not that she is an unattractive woman. She’s actually kind of cute with the glasses and short hair and all. She just didn't look the way that I thought she would. She has that great laugh, and she just knows how to conduct an interview. She seems to be smooth and funny and unflappable. But why I thought that she would look like Katharine Hepburn is beyond me.

I like the morning radio call-in shows on NPR and I'm even tempted from time to time to call in. Because that's something I would do. When I was a working musician, I would spend a lot of my late nights returning from a gigs in Rhode Island, or New Hampshire or some other ungodly location @ 3:00 a.m. I would listen to WBZ radio. Because the only thing on NPR @ that time of night is the BBC. I don't even know what Greenwich Mean Time is, but I guess someone cares, cause they keep saying it over and over. There is also a superior sounding guy named Robin Lustig or something like that. No one wants to listen to someone who is apparently over educated, telling his guest in an oh-so-proper and yes condescending accent laden with a tone of insincerity and disdain. "This is your second time in front of the Judge Magistrate, and your barrister has requested a bail reduction because of your apparent hardship which I'm sure was brought on by all of your years of drugs, drinking and debauchery, but I'm sure you don't expect us to believe that that was someone else's computer with the child pornography on it - do you Mr. Glitter?”

I want to hear a local guy, someone on the same time schedule as me. Someone who is nearby someone who is well read, but not too hi-brow. "Hi this is the Jordan Rich show. Tonight we'll be having our monthly look at new movies - anything you've seen? Any thing you like? And later on book-lady is here. Give us a call at..." See, THAT I can handle, but these public radio types "Welcome to The Connection. Today, economist Dr. Lotta Bigwords will be talking about her book entitled Everything You Know About Math is Wrong and Here's Why. This will be followed by our discussion of a recent Yale study on how lint is formed and what that means to the American space program and your calls.” Apparently only MIT graduates are put through to this show. They say some of the callers are from elsewhere, but I am very, very suspicious. But I listen, I learn and eventually the show will have an interview with Bob Dylan or something and it'll be worth it.

Hire a black man to be your friend!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 04:20:00 +0000

Being a black man, there are things that I can only imagine. For example; sometimes, I would imagine that being white is not all it’s cracked up to be, and being a white man can just be a downright drag. You’re expected to act a certain way, do certain things and most of all, you’re supposes to have a certain group of friends who look like you and act like you. Sometimes when you think you have it all then you realize that there is one thing missing. Diversity!

Are you looking to demonstrate how diverse your friends are? Do you want to add a little Funk to your dysfunction? Well you can now “HAVE A BLACK MAN AT YOU PARTY! For a small negotiable fee, I would come to your party and be your very close black friend from childhood or just a guy who you met and it just seemed to click. You could even tell them that I was the houseboy from your fraternity days (that costs a little more). Put your liberal friends to the test or piss off your conservative ones and have a nice laugh while doing it. You will be the talk of the boardroom and the bedroom for weeks to come. Show them that you can kick it in all circles, show em that you can get down with your bad self. And this ain’t no Carlton from Fresh Price kind of black man. I can play various black stereotype like the “pull myself up from my bootstraps black kid from the projects” or ‘the convicted felon on the road to going straight. This can be hours of fun without any real danger.

Together we’ll create a back story or a "black story", Photoshop photo album featuring a wide variety of shots that might include; you and me as kids or at an Earth Wind and Fire concert, double dates at the prom, shots of us from The million man march, and many more. We’ll tell old jokes that only the other knows and we can even work out a scene from “The Defiant Ones”
Don’t delay, the party season is here and I’m booking quickly. Remember, I do birthdays, holidays, bar mitzvahs, weddings, and sweet 16 parties. Don’t let your lack of pigmentation get in your way order today. Sure you’re white and you don’t know any black people at all, well that’s ok because now all of your friends will think you do, And don’t worry, it can be our little secret.

Lucky Me, Lucky Me!

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 13:53:00 +0000

I am having a great day; things could not get any better. I don’t want anyone to feel bad, but I’m going to just have to brag anyway. First of all I turned on my computer and went on-line and to my surprise I find that not only was I selected to win 2 free I-Pod nanos, but that there are women in my area who want to meet me- RIGHT NOW! Do you believe that? Meet ME. My head is spinning. As if that were not enough, when I go to my e-mail I get an e-mail from a Nigerian diplomat and thay’re going to be sending me money (I don’t quite know all of the details) but cool, out of all the people in the world this Nigerian has picked me. The computer is an amazing thing, and I can only hope that you as my friend can gain access to all of the wonderfulness that the Internet has to offer. By next week I will have a collage degree, cheaper medicine from Canada, I’m going to loose unsightly pounds, and I expect before the end of the month I will have a huge penis thanks to my good friends on-line.

This all happened before I got out of my pajamas. So check this out, I walked downstairs, dreaming of looking slim as I’m driving my new Lamborghini, holding my law degree and swinging my massive schlong. I open my mailbox - the first letter I see tells me that I may have already won the publishers clearing house thing. There is another addressed to Maurice Rucker, who is me, and or current resident, coincidently this is also me. For no reason I received 20% of off my next purchase and Bed, Bath and Beyond (Not just Bed and Bath) have you ever heard of a luckier day? I hope it keeps up, and I hope you get some of this good stuff, but I guess I can’t expect everyone to be as lucky as I am. All of this, plus people who don’t even know me want me to be their Myspace friend. Is that amazing or what? I guess there’s just something about me. Some of the girls even invited me to look at their web-cams. How lucky was that? I feel like the “Rhinestone Cowboy getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know, and offers coming over the phone”.

I’m as giddy as a schoolgirl. I don’t want to go to sleep now, but I must, but I can only hope that tomorrow will be is lucky as today. Do you think it will? Yeah, I think so too.

"Send a racist to the museum program"

noreply@blogger.com (theworldofmozz) — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:24:00 +0000

I am, let's say, just a little bit curious about the sentence received by Josiah Spaulding III, son of the Wang theater president, in response to his brutal attack of 2 young black women with a metal baton. The idea that a rich young white man, or anyone for that matter in Boston in this day and age, can receive as his punishment for a racially motivated physical attack a visit to a museum to learn about African American history; a trip to Washington DC to learn about Jewish history; some minor cosmetic surgery to remove tattoos; all followed by the opportunity to learn about the plight of the homeless by volunteering at a shelter tells me that there is something very, very wrong with this city. Or maybe they are just testing out a new concept for yet another reality show called "How Much Will Your Dad Pay?"

This ridiculous sentence is a slap in the face of young people, black people, and women. Even more so, it is a show of contempt for all of us in a city that has arguably one of the most scandalous histories in modern race relations and has worked hard to erase the causes of same. He does not go to jail why? Is money that powerful, or have we as a city become so complacent that if it’s not happening in our own specific neighborhood, we don’t really care? With malice and forethought this crime was carried out in front of an audience of friends and onlookers. The idea that Josiah the Younger left his home on that evening carrying a collapsible metal baton indicates to me that he had a goal, and that goal was connected to violence in some way. I don’t feel that his sitting in a museum café having a kosher lunch is the way to help those two women regain a sense of peace.

So it goes: another story of how money and power wins out over morality and justice. We all work hard so that out children can have the things we never did, and the Spaulding family is no different than any other. But we in this society are supposed to have mechanisms to protect all us from the people who would do us harm, the people who would take advantage of us – and it shouldn’t cost extra.

So I am outraged, and as the popular bumper sticker says, “If you’re not outraged you’re not paying attention.” And that does not just apply to the war in Iraq, Lebanon or poverty in the streets. It applies to our criminal justice system for kowtowing to the rich and influential and leaving the rest of us unprotected.