Photo Of Club Speakeasy

A photo of the Club Speakeasy class. Taken in Aug. 2008. Keep writing.

2010

out with the old in with the new.
anther year is now upon us what are
you going to do.
fake it or make it,you already know the score
never mind the success of this year it's time to strive
for more.
only if your soul is set that if your soul is right.
that's if you you have a back bone and have the nerve to
fight.
cause things are going to get harder every second of everyday.
it's time to get down to the real businesswe no longer have time
to play.
so enjoy all your parties sing songs of ole lang zine
becaues at 12: 00 january first things are going to change as
we say good -bye to 2009.

By.Alex

String of Posts Pt. 2

Hello everyone. It's Jay back with more predictions for your 2010 Grammys in January. Today I'll do the Pop Category. Take a look back at String of Posts Pt. 1 to catch up for today's predictions.

POP CATEGORY

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Nominees Are: Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me/Adele-Hometown Glory/Katy Perry-Hot N Cold/Beyonce-Halo/Pink-Sober

My Prediction: 1. Beyonce, beautiful song & video 2. Adele, meaningful song

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Nominees Are: Stevie Wonder-All About The Love Again/Seal-If You Don't Know Me By Now/Maxwell-Love You/Jason Mraz-Make It Mine/John Legend-This Time

My Prediction: 1. Jason Mraz, he stayed in mainstream radio rotations the entire year while maintaining good spots on the Billboard charts. 2. John Legend, this song made the CD stand out

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals Nominees Are: Bon Jovi-We Weren't Born To Follow/Daryl Hall & John Oates-Sara Smile/The Fray-Never Say Never/Black Eyed Peas-I Gotta Feeling/MGMT-Kids

My Prediction: 1. Bon Jovi, continues to be a music legend 2. Black Eyed Peas, song stayed in top 10 on the Billboard charts for a long time

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals Nominees Are: Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen-Sea of Heartbreak/Willie Nelson & Norah Jones-Baby It's Cold Outside/Colbie Caillat & Taylor Swift-Breathe/Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat-Lucky/Justin Timberlake & Ciara-Love Sex Magic

My Prediction: 1. Colbie Caillat & Taylor Swift, radio popularity 2. Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen, just a guess

Best Pop Instrumental Performance Nominees Are: Marcus Miller-Funk Joint/Bela Fleck-Throw Down Your Heart/Imogen Heap-The Fire/Maxwell-Phoenix Rise/Herb Alpert-Besame Mucho

My Prediction: 1. Maxwell, just a guess 2. Marcus Miller, just a guess

Best Pop Instrumental Album Nominees Are: The Rippingtons Ft. Russ Freeman-Modern Art/Booker T. Jones-Potato Hole/Spyro Gyra-Down The Wire/Chris Botti-In Boston/Hiroshima-Legacy

My Prediction: 1. Chris Botti, just a guess 2. Hiroshima, just a guess

Best Pop Vocal Album Nominees Are: Colbie Caillat-Breakthrough/Black Eyed Peas-The E.N.D./Kelly Clarkson-All I Ever Wanted/The Fray-(self titled)/Pink-Funhouse

My Prediction: 1. Kelly Clarkson, switched up her style in this CD. Usually she does rock music but this time added some serenating songs 2. Black Eyed Peas, radio popularity

I think next time I'll do the Rock category. I'm getting to the categories that I haven't done a lot of research on. So if I say "just a guess" don't be offended. Continue reading the string of posts!

from the "Spoiled LoGs"

The "SpoiLed" get used to flatterin speach

& being told the heights they can reach

The "SpoiLed" at times r hard 2 approach

cuz within their circle one eshhews reproach

The "SpoiLed" r precious in their own home

yet unappreciated where ever they roam

They aspire to say no, without guilt

& ur not invited 2 snuggle their their quilt

When U c em on the highway of life

beware they won't share ur struggle & strife

----------Idan-ni'e RasJAHtrue----------

String of Posts Pt.1

Well, look who it is. It's Jay on the 2nd post. How is everyone doing? Special hello to the people at the Bridge class. And the teachers; Beth, Staci, Alice and whoever else has joined since then. I just wanna speak on some things I like to keep up with. This is going to be a long post. I like to cover music and the Billboard charts. The Grammys are at the end of next month so I want to predict who I think will win their category. Right now I'm just gonna do the General Category until I get more time and/or comments. OK here we go....

GENERAL CATEGORY

Record Of The Year Nominees Are: Beyonce-Halo/Black Eyed Peas-I Gotta Feeling/Kings of Leon-Use Somebody/Lady Gaga-Poker Face/Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me

My Prediction: 1. Taylor Swift, she had a monster year. The mainstream radio stations blasted that song throughout the entire year. 2. Black Eyed Peas, their CD & song hung around the top 10 for a good while on the Billboard charts.

Album Of The Year Nominees Are: Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King/Taylor Swift-Fearless/Beyonce-I Am Sasha Fierce/Lady Gaga-The Fame/Black Eyed Peas-The E.N.D.

My Prediction: 1. Taylor Swift, her CD stayed in the top 20 best selling CD's FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! I personally looked at the Billboard charts every week & her CD never fell below 15 spots! 2. Beyonce, just because it's Beyonce

Song Of The Year Nominees Are: Lady Gaga-Poker Face/Maxwell-Pretty Wings/Beyonce-Single Ladies/Kings of Leon-Use Somebody/Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me

My Prediction: 1. Beyonce, another independent women motivation song 2. Taylor Swift, highly popular song that the young generation couldn't get enough of

Best New Artist Nominees Are: Zac Brown Band/Keri Hilson/MGMT/Silversun Pickups/The Ting Tings

My Prediction: 1. The Ting Tings, that song "That's Not My Name" was a high IPOD seller & you heard the song in numerous media commercials 2. Zac Brown Band, did well staying on the Billboard charts

I'll continue doing the other categories for the Grammys later. Leave me comments on what you people think!

Inside The Circle

In this circle we all know the truth
and it shall be told
and then we create something worth
more than diamonds and gold
combining ingredients custom made from
hearts,souls,and minds
dedicated to one cause,the introduction of
of a art so well defined
this circle is like no other every part is truly
unique
jewels are what we give you every
time we speak
one of us is an angel who heart is
strong and pure
one of us is rebel who has to
control her own destiny and even the score
and then there is our leader who
pays the cost
no matter where she is in this world
she still the boss
and then there's me
the one who pushes the pen
so never think it's over
the fun now begins
we are the circle of the few who are chosen
to entertain your mind with sounds so
easily
spoken
so sit back and relax prop up your
feet
for now you also are one of us
the circle is now complete.

well, well, well look who it is. Jay loggin on the 1st post. or comment. whatever!

Alice (puts me) in Wondeerland

Alice I wonder...

.....if what I c is really U

.......appearing at face value, like fresh morning dew

.........I c in ur soul a richness repleat

...........with suttlties all awsum and sweet

............though ur understated manner, tells not the whole story

..............ur aura and smile reflects Jah's creative glory

...............So, I wonder Alice

.................as I view U,

....................Who's the blessed soul devoted 2 U!?

From One Storm to Another

See below for updates:

The personal story of Jeffrey Ames Parks:

"My name is Jeffrey Ames Parks. I was in a terrible storm called "Katrina." What a storm it was. It was such a terrible storm; it changed my entire life - more so than I ever thought imaginable. The reader of this is probably wondering, what do I mean by this? Please allow me to take the time to explain my words to you.

It all happened on 8/29/05 at 8:00 a.m. I will always remember that date for all the days of my life. Let me just say, to wake with water all over one's head is a nightmare in itself. The water that rose all the way to the roof.

Let me introduce the loves of my life that were so traumatically taken from me within a moment's time: First off, I have the beloved mother who birthed me. She had come from Terre Haute, Indiana to visit me and my family on our 18th wedding anniversary. She arrived in New Orleans on 8/5/05 at 9:00 p.m. Then, we have my wife of 18 years, Maria Keisha Torres Parks, whom I loved with all my life spirit. Maria gave me two babies who were twins. Their names are Asia Marie Torres Parks and Chad Jeremy Torres Parks. They were each 3 years old at the time of Katrina.

So, anyway, the waters took us to the roof of our house. All five of us found ourselves waiting on the roof for a helicopter because the water was so high. I had led the way to the roof with the twins in my arms: Asia in my left, Chad in my right. My wife was holding my belt buckle while my mom held her. We were waiting for the National Guard helicopter; an accident was waiting to happen.

We waited and waited with no apparent help in sight. All of a sudden, the nearby levee gave way. Water and more water pounded upon my very soul. We were swept up and on our way into the sea. Oh, how I went under! The chain we had formed broke within my very sight. Oh, what a tragic day that became part of the rest of my life! It is a day I will always remember, no matter what I do or say. I still always hear the baby's cry: "Help me, daddy, help me !!!!"

Two years later, I got a fateful call while I was in Dallas at the Convention Center. They had found the decomposing bodies. Transport was provided for me in order to determine if the remains were in fact my mom, wife and children. They were without a doubt because the clothes they had on were the same clothes they had on when I saw them last. The screams, the overwhelming loss -- I get choked up just thinking of it -- words will never explain. Just continue to pray for my strength in the Lord, so I don't go insane.

All I really wish and hope for with this story is that you cherish your loved one while you can because they will be gone one day. Thank you for reading, understanding and having the concern to pray for a wretch like me. If you really appreciate my story and relate to what I have written, please send a word of kindness to the following address: Jeffrey Ames Parks, c/o The Stewpot, 408 Park Ave., Dallas, TX 75201.

New address: 9901 Scyene Rd., Apt. 1106, Dallas, TX 75227 - Congratulations on your new home!

Before I close, know that I strive daily right now to become as self-sufficient as I was before that fateful, awful day that took my family and my job, as well. In New Orleans, I was a genuine shipping / receiving manager and fork lift operator. This was work I didn't mind doing because I was always thinking of the family before myself. So, if respect is due for such a tragic wretch as me, please reach out and help a man like me with a new beginning and security, and please do so sincerely.

God bless and God keep each and every one of you who took the time to read this entry.

I am truly yours,

Jeffrey Ames Parks

P.S. I survived to tell this story because of a tv antennae that was sticking up out of the water. As I lay stranded in the water, rigor mortis set into my left hand. I have difficulty moving my fingers. With the help of my Club Speakeasy friends, I can share this story with you today.

Never Say forever

Never say forever,
for I know it is’t real
It’s not something lasting,
It’s what you think you feel.
If you mean forever
just tell me that you’ll try,
But, Never say forever
because forever makes us cry.

Hee Hee Hee or Scrawling Your Dreams Onto the Back of a Shopping List Notepad

Hey y'all.
Here is a poem I wrote on March 16 of this year (2009). I hope you like it. I hope to contribute more poems and writings.

Hee, Hee, Hee

Or Scrawling Your Dreams Onto the Back of a Shopping List Notepad
By Alice
volunteer and writing teacher, Club Speakeasy


Unrequited Dreams
Unrequited Lust
Dreams falling into sallow pit of
Squash, bed, ugly neighborhood
Missing someone so much
Their absence is spiky to you
Dreams, Love, Money
Keep Your Feet on the Ground, and Keep Reaching For The Stars
Casey Kasem screwed me over
What is to be
of the College Girl who wanted
to be free
While the rest of the world
said Hee hee hee
What is to be
of Me
Where is your Place
If you do not slatheringly seek Money with Haste
Is it the Nine to Five
that keeps you Alive
or is that Jive
Want to be Free
Want to be Me


Please, do not copy.

Hi im new!

Oh yeah i know why i wanted to join is because i want to become a writer of fiction....mostly about my life with a mixture of fiction in it.

I will be posting the first part of my story callad (The Last Chance) this might change.

Journey

In twilight I roam the multitude

of concrete and steel to find my place

among the vibrations of the city

In the day I wander a bystander to

life a specter, the faces that I

see, see me not. I'm invisible although

my heart beats the same rhythm can they

not hear?

At dusk I range the streets hunting

my bed. The breeze is arid and unyielding

my light grows dimmer day to night, night to day.

my heart cries out for release. The return to

a life once lived.

To be visible once more.

ALWAYS PROOFREAD!!!

I'm an idiot!!

What do I do now?

Well, I came to a crossroad this week with my screenplay and found that trying to recreate SALIVATION was in a word...depressing. So I went back to the drawing board and found something a little more upbeat instead of dark and full of memories. So here is what I came up with.

Kyle Wisdom,13, is a chocoholic. Since birth he has been unable to pass up the incredible taste. He sees likes the feel in his mouth, the cravings he satisfies, the flavor and with each bite he is making memories.

Being raised by an overworked, underpayed, stressed mother, Kyle finds himself owing his neighbor for damaging his sprinklers system(I know kinda boring, but it's funny as hell in my brain). Around the same time he has to go to a family wedding in a posh hotel, of which him and his mother could not afford. There he gets to see not just the taste, but experiences the beauty of chocolate while watching the chef work through the swinging door of the kitchen. He gets and idea. If only he could somehow get a job with the che, he could make enough money to pay off the neighbor.

The pastry chef turns out to be an expatriot from France, very excentric and lives above the pastry shop. He has never allowed anyone to enter his domaine. With crazy sculptures of plants that seem real turn out to be made of candy(Kyle breaks them off during their first meeting as he is told to leave). Anyhoo, The Kyles mom goes to the pastry shop to defend her son, but walks away light headed(You know those French accents). Blah Blah Blah...It gets better, but you'll have to wait for the next installment to find out what's in THE CHOCOLATE BOX:-)