Memories of My Stepfather

On July 20, 1982, my mother re-married a man by the name of J.C. Clemons Sr.
The letters of his name never stood for anything. It was just his name. 
I had a love/ hate relationship with this man. He was a true character indeed. He was a man that worked hard to provide for us as a family. For that, I gave him the respect that he deserved. 
However, he never let it be that he didn't like me and my sister because we were not his kids.
Part of the reason that I lost my respect for my mother is because she would let his verbal abuse to us slide because it was his house.
Even though he was verbally abusive, I still had respect for him because I felt fortunate to grow up in a nice house with a man leading it. I could not say that for some of the other kids that lived in my neighborhood. 
I laugh about this now, but every year that my birthday came around he would remind me about how many years left that I had to get out of his house. This started after the year that I turned 13.
I really don't think that he meant it as harshly as it came out. I know now that it was his way of reminding me that I had only a few years left until I were to become a man and that I needed to figure out a plan for my life.  Some of the better memories that I had of him was during the Christmas season. He would always get excited about putting up the Christmas lights and decorating the Christmas tree. This was always one of the more softer times that he would show happy emotions towards us as a family. Every year for Christmas, outside of all of the presents that we would receive, we would also receive a full bucket of cashews, apples, and oranges. To this day, I never figured out the reason why that happened. 
Another happy memory that I had of him was when he used to rent old black and white movies that starred Abbott and Costello and Tarzan for out family movie times. This was a way for him to relive his childhood as well as expose us kids to something that was new to us. I came away with more knowledge than I had bargained for. None of my friends would ever know the excitement that I would have watching those movies with him. 
Years later after we had all moved out of the house, I sat with him and I asked him what it was like to finally have his house back. He replied, " I am enjoying being able to walk around in my underwear, but now I have to talk to your mother. I have forgotten how to do that. " 
As I have stated before, he was truly indeed a character. 
On April 8, 2010, we lost my stepfather due to a secretive battle with lung cancer. After his death, my family has never been the same. No longer do we put up the lights or gather at the family home during the holidays. Being estranged from my family is not something that I had planned that my life would be like, but it is what it is. 
The moral of the story is this: No matter how much you disagree with the ones that you love, always find a way to establish peace among all of you of you. When the world has turned it's back on you, your family is all that you have left. Never for get it. 

Ari B - By the Pool (Official Video)

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How My Rolex was Stolen

Years ago, I used to frequent a website called Blackplanet.com. It was there that I thought that I had met the woman of my wet dreams in a chatroom. 1SexyLady was her screen name. After months of chatting with one another we decided that we should meet in person. We met for dinner at Sonny Williams. She was every bit as sexy as her profile picture.
After dinner, we went to have fun at a popular nightclub to dance the night away.
At about 3a.m., we decided to take things a little further.
 I rented a room at the Holiday Inn Presidential. I must say that she gave a workout that I would never forget.
When I woke up, not only was she gone, but so was my watch and the contents of my wallet !
When I went to log back into my account, I noticed that she had deleted her page.
It was this event that scarred me for life and that is why I find it so hard to sleep with anyone.
It also taught me lesson about buying expensive jewelry.
Don't buy it unless you know that if something happens to it that you will be okay about it. 

The Smoking Jacket Chronicles Episode 5 Turn Down 4 What 11-21-2016

Savvy Shields Miss America 2017 Speaks at 2017 Miss UCA Pageant 11 18 2016

The Smoking Jacket Chronicles Episode 4 Footprints

Blessing My Neighbor

I am a firm believer that God blesses us so that we will eventually be a blessing to others. Earlier this year, someone showed compassion to me when my vehicle died and gave me a bike so that I could still get around my city. Recently, I was able to do the same for another person. 
However this person's story had a dramatic effect on me. 
She was a pregnant woman of 3 months that needed the bike because she wanted to be able to take care her 2 year old little girl on bike rides around the city. What really got to me is when she told me that she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship of 5 years.
The bike was more so a symbol for her freedom to move as she pleased with her child.
This story hit home to me because I am a child of someone that was a victim of domestic violence. I celebrated with her as she embraced her new found freedom.
The moral of the story is this: It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get out of a bad situation, All that matters is that you had the courage to do what to had to do to get out and live. Not everyone is so fortunate to do so. Always remember that your life and the life of your children matter. Get out before it is too late.

Know Your Inventory

  Recently, I was in the market for a vehicle. I saw the vehicle online. I told the salesman on the prior evening that I had intentions on coming to purchase it. The next day, I contacted him to confirm that it was still there. He stated that it was. Therefore, I told him that I was on my way to get it. He then told me that he would not be there and that another salesman would take care of me. When I arrived at the dealership, I was told by a salesman that the desired vehicle had been sold on the previous evening.
I then immediately contacted the salesman that I originally spoke with. He apologized to me because he did not work the previous night and that he gave me the information on a assumption that it was still there.
I forgave him, because I knew all too well about how vehicles become sold from under salesmen, because it once happened to me. However, I told him to make sure that before he makes a promise to someone about a vehicle to make sure that he places his hands on it to make sure that it is present. Even if it is not present to please be sure to make the customer aware of it. Nothing is worse than a customer having to drive miles away from their homeland only to try to be talked into buying something that they did not want to purchase. Honesty goes along. No amount of money is ever worth your reputation as a salesman or a dealership. Today's salesmen need to grasp this concept so that issues like this don't happen again !

I'm Getting Too Old For This

 Recently, I went out to an unfamiliar place during the early morning hours to watch my favorite band perform. It was there that I ran into my 20 something cousin. He comes up to me and says, " What are you doing here? Your old butt should be at home in the bed. Go home! " I replied," You are right ! I should not be here. I am too old to be shutting the club down. That is your job!" So after I heard my favorite band play a few sets, I respectfully left the scene to go home to crawl into bed.

Revenge Is Not Always Necessary

Many years ago, I grew up as a child whose parents had limited means of survival. Growing up in meager accommodations can be hard for anyone to endure. It is even worse when you are teased by the neighborhood children for not having as much. Recently, I ran into one of those rude characters from my past. In fact, I was with some of my friends when this person came to me for help. I could have easily taken this time to act a fool on them because of the way that they used to treat me years ago. Instead, I took the high road and I helped them fix their problem.
The moral of this story is this: When you have a chance to get even with someone and then you don't do so, it is at that point that you have truly mastered the true art of forgiveness. Always remember that forgiveness is not for the other person. It is to allow you the chance to move forward emotionally with your life. Thank God for maturity.

No Parking

A few years ago, an old friend of mine and I decided to take a road trip to go to a mutual friend's house party. I was not feeling the party and I was ready to go. It was at this house party that my friend met this pillow princess by the name of Crystal. Crystal and her crew decided that they wanted to go to Club Hollywood for a little more excitement. My friend was still trying to get her number so as his wing man, I felt obligated to help him see this thing through. 
When we got to the club, we saw that there were no places to park except next to a fence which had a sign that clearly read "No Parking Anytime !" 
I pleaded to him that we should not park there. However there were 3 other vehicles that were already parked there. He replied, " There are already 3 cars here. They want get all of us right?" I agreed and then we on in the building.  That club was jam packed however, it was not fun at all.
At about 4 in the morning, I returned to the place where I had parked to notice that not only was my vehicle missing, but so were the other three as well. 
As it turns out, there was a tow truck that was driving by each hour and towing vehicles that were parked near the fence. Apparently, that was easy money for him. Even though my friend ended up hooking up with Crystal, I lost my vehicle for the evening. Even though I helped him to accomplish his mission, he never even offered to help me pay half of the towing bill for my efforts.
I never hung out with him again afterwards.
The moral of this story is this: If you ever are in a jam and you really need a place to park, don't be defiant and park in a place that reads No Parking. It could cost you an unnecessary parking ticket or towing bill. 

My Reason for Creating a Youtube Channel

My First Alcoholic Drink

When I became of legal age for drinking, I bought my first drink at the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock. The bartender asked me what I wanted to drink.I told him that I wanted a "Scotch on the Rocks!" Why did I choose that drink you ask? Well, when I was younger and watched television all of the lawyers and doctors seemed to order the same thing. So I figured why not try it out? Big freaking mistake ! That drink dang near burned a hole in my stomach on the first go around ! What the heck was I thinking ? Why don't people that suggest drinks to you ever tell you how potent that it might be ? Lol. I learned a value lesson that evening and that was to stay away from whiskey ! This stuff ain't what you want !

Don't Assume

Many years ago, I was once a car salesman for a reputable dealership within the state of Arkansas.
Being a car salesman is something that I truly loved to do. It always gave me a chance to meet new people and to listen to their stories about why they were in need of a vehicle. Once there was this lady that came into the dealership that no one was willing to speak with because of her appearance. This made me get upset so I took it upon myself to assist her. She informed me that her grandmother had just left her some money and that she was interested in buying her first new car. We picked out the vehicle of her choice and then we started on the road to the test drive. This woman nearly gave me a heart attack because she was zooming in and out of traffic. When we finally returned to the dealership, I got out of the vehicle and silently gave thanks to God for bringing me back safely. When we ran her credit, it came back with a score of 800 ! It was the highest score that I had ever seen at that time. I asked her how did she get her score to be that high? She said, " I just believe in paying all of my bills on time."
When it was all said and done, she brought us a cashier's check from her bank and paid for it free and clear. She liked me so much that she sent me two more customers that bought cars from me. The moral of this story is this: If you are in the business of sales, never assume that your customer can't afford your product. At the end of the day, anyone can show up with cash regardless of what they look like. As the good books says, " Judge not lest ye be judged !"

Ladies Imagine

Imagine that you have just returned home from work. Your significant other is there waiting to greet you. he invites you sit down next to him on the couch. He has taken it upon himself to remove your 4 inch heels to give you a delightful foot massage. As your head rest comfortably on the the pillow, you speak to him about the troubles from your hard day at work while your left foot is being elevated while it is being massaged so tenderly. Halfway through the conversation, you notice that the blood from your foot is rushing to your vagina. With each tender stroke of his fingertips he begins to strum your body as if it were a guitar. Each stroke sends a sensation throughout your body that you have never felt before. You have now started to have orgasm after orgasms. The inner freak that you have tried so hard to suppress has now been unleashed ! You stop him momentarily only to lead him to the bedroom where you both make passionate love to the rest of the evening..

The Show Must Go On !

One of the best memories that I had from my years at Ida Burns Elementary School was when in 1986 Jason Furguson and I performed Run DMC's hit song "It's Tricky" on stage during a talent show on Enrichment Day.

I remember it very well because the state of Arkansas was celebrating it's sesquicentennial. We came out on stage walking like Egyptians. I could not dance to save my life at that time. The only reason that I even agreed to get on the stage is because Jason was a good friend of mine and he needed someone to join him on stage. I could not let him down. I can still see the image of myself dancing across the stage in those out of style bell bottoms. Growing up poor sure did suck !
Somewhere someone has that footage from that event. I would pay good money to have a copy of it. If my memory serves me right, I think that we won that year ! Fun times.

Meeting Traveling Artists

 Early one Friday Morning, I am getting breakfast at my favorite local restaurant in Conway, Arkansas called Stoby's when I notice these guys that were painting it. I was in awe when I saw how they were making their canvases come to life while they were capturing the images of the restaurant. They invited me to attend their art show later that afternoon. I agreed to attend. I found out later when I read the local paper that these guys were more accomplished than I had realized. When I arrived at their show, they were in the middle of their presentation. A few minutes more into it, one of them yells out " It's Rickey Gee everybody." Then the crowd of people started clapping like I was on the Tonight Show ! Here it is I am thinking that I coming to see them in action and they pulled that on me. It was hilarious ! Overall it was a really great show. Their artwork is now on display at Art on the Greens in Conway.

An Acquired Taste

 A few years ago when I was exclusively dating, my significant other at the time asked me what I loved to eat. I replied, "Boiled Ox Tails ! " She looked at me like I was joking or crazy for my response. After she knew that I was serious, she set out on a mission to find them and cook them for me. It took her a while to find them, but she did cook them and they were indeed delicious ! The moral of the story is this: It is very easy for people to reject something because of the lack of knowledge about it. However, it takes more of an effort to be bold enough to do something that they have never done. Don't be closed minded. In other words, don't knock it until you try it !

Parental Advisory

During the years from 1984-1989, I was enrolled at Ida Burns Elementary School. In the months of either February or March they would have parent- teacher conferences. During this time, my mother would get excited because this was the time that she would be able to take advantage of receiving a report from my teachers directly about my performance in school. It was also the time that I would be expecting some of the worst behind whippings of my life because of my behavior in class. Sheila Clemons didn't take any mess! A few years went by and I would get smart and purposely lose those letters of notification so that my parents would not show up. This lasted for a while, until one day, my mother got the bright idea to call the school secretary, Mrs. Langston, and she asked her for the dates of the conference. And just like clockwork, those behind whippings started all over again! The moral of this story is this: Parents, don't wait until your child is being expelled from school to get to know your child's teacher. Take advantage of those early moments of invitations by the school officials so that you can be aware what is going on with your kids. Your presence could make the difference in whether or not your child becomes a graduate or an inmate.

Be Still My Heart

 A while back I managed to see the woman that used to make my heart race all through college. She is a rare polished beauty that hid all of her features behind spectacles and plain jane clothes. I always wondered what it would be like if I were to ever see her again. Would I foam at the mouth? Or would I faint from sheer excitement?
Well, I handled myself poise, dignity, and maturity. After our conversation , we parted ways and that was it. No phone numbers were exchanged or anything. Sometimes moments are only meant to be shared for just those brief seconds in time and then you move on. End of story.

About Last Night

New Year's Eve 2015 turned out to be the best yet that I have experienced thus far ! The night began me hanging out with some new friends at a man cave party. The games that this guy had in that setting were awesome. I had no idea that beer pong had been made into a video game ! Afterwards, I went to see the Legendary Rap Memphis Rap Group 8 Ball and MJG perform live at the Revolution Music Room in Little Rock. I had seen these guys perform before, but this concert experience was outstanding ! At the end of the night I received a picture with them. The wildest thing that happened to me was that a complete stranger, a hot chick, walked up to me gave me a New Year's kiss ! I am sure that " The Captain" had something to do with it, but it was the perfect ending to a great night !