The Bongo Boys: Gun Violence at the North Point Bar and Grill

Gun fire. Again. Last night I witnessed what had to have been the most ignorant display in quite some time at the North Shore Bar and Grill. Just prior to closing, some idiot shot 8-9 rounds in the parking lot. I watched folks scramble to their cars (almost hitting pedestrians trying to flee). Others ran for cover inside the darkened building. I stood and watched as I saw cars return AFTER the shooting. Why would they return? One car in particular parked on the curb outside the establishment. I figured he would pick up an associate who he left behind when he fled. But no! After a full 10 minutes of sitting there, he revs his motor and bolts into the parking lot. I think the onlookers recognized him as the shooter, and ran back into the bar. He continued to jam on the accelerator, smash on the brake: Trying to intimidate those he held captive. By this time, I was on the phone calling 911. Don't you know by the time three police agencies responded, this dummy was STILL in the area? I could hear the cops tell him to drop his gun. Yes, a busy night! I could see the police searching the lot for shell casings by flashlight. What a waste of resources. Is this the new "culture?" You have dangerous people who carry weapons (for protection, they claim), and those who live dangerously that hang around for the fashion of it all. I've looked across the street at the patrons of this establishment. Young girls in tight dresses drunker than hell, young mothers who've left their children unattended so that they can party (drunker than hell), young men with loud stereos and mouths boasting this, that, and the other (drunker than hell). This type of behavior is quite troubling to me. I sleep within feet of this parking lot. There may come a day I won't be here to post anything because I would have died while lying in bed from being shot. To die in this manner is not my plan, but who knows what the fates hold for me. I cannot understand how this neighborhood nuisance is allowed to continue business. How many "incidents" does it take to finally shut this place down? How many have to die? Is there a quota? Will me or mine have to be killed before the powers that be FINALLY close this place? Needless to say, I'll start my cammpaign to clean up my neighborhood tomorrow. Enough is enough! I think the worst part of this mess is that the people that frequent this dive don't even live in the area. They come into OUR neighborhood to disrupt: Even kill. And this morning, I watch the bees return back to the hive. Some to the smoke shop, others to collect the belongings left behind in their exodus. They'll be back after the hose stops spraying the water: Drinking, fighting, shooting... rainwriter jones

I'm in Love With a Criminal Mind (and other thieving magpies)

the future Mr. B by rainwriter jones

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A few days ago, I sat in a secluded section of a K-Mart parking lot eating a fish filet sammich and fries (of which I haven't had in GRIPS of time). As I munched on my sammich, I spy a bee buzzer cruising around where I was parked. Now mind you, this is the middle of the day, and there were several other exits homedude could have chosen to leave, but he had to slowly pass my truck. Why? He scoped my vehicle for some sort of criminal act. Be it lifting my wheels, or stealing it in it's entirely and selling it piece by piece.

"Not today, you m*thaf*cka," is what I mouthed as he rolled away. "You've got to find another victim this time, a**hole!" (LMBAO)

There's been much more crime than usual lately. Lots of homedudes roaming the streets, prowling houses and cars. Sometimes I wish we had a system featured in the "Superman" movie wherein a tribunal convenes, sentences the criminals, and then ships them in a translucent spacecraft hurled into space. Unfortunately, these thugs live amongst us, so I feel the need to dissect their lifestyle, and how they came to being useless vagrants.

At the university, I enjoyed taking classes which studied sociopathic behavior. Petty thievery wasn't often the topic of discussion, but I find this even more interesting because it is far more prevalent than the stories which are sensationalized in the news. Where does it all start? This feeling that what's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine?

I would think it begins in the formative years. I can't say only children who had a dysfunctional home life are involved in criminal activity as it crosses all socio-economic lines. I know of a family in which there were five boys. The mother was one hell of a bad influence (i.e., stealing and substance abuse), and four out of five of the boys turned out to be productive citizens. Go figure! But for some reason, the one child became a habitual drug abuser and petty thief. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe he's "hard-wired" for crime?

In this point in my life, I can sit back and chuckle. I think it more hilarious than aggravating. Just sit back: Analyze: Watch them slow-roll me as I eat my fish filet sammich! You might nick me tomorrow, but not today! (LMBAOOOOOO)

rainwriter jones

DTF? WTF!

A few days ago, I indulged myself to an episode of "Jersey Shore." I thought it would be interesting to see what young folk call entertainment these days. So, as I'm watching yet another scantily-clad bimbo strut through yet another drinking hole, one of them says to an intoxicated male, "Me and my friends are DTF!" DTF? WTF is that (I ponder). I ask my daughter and she informed me that was an acronym for "down to fuck." EWWWW! Are you joking? Nope, she was dead serious. And don't you know, those chicks went back to their pad and screwed them??? What makes it even worse is that this here Black lady in the Pacific Northwest saw them acting slutty? I wonder if their parents know of their risky behavior?

And then I started to think the world is going to hell in a hand basket. I know that back in the day, we would have sex with dudes, but did make such a big announcement that we were receptive females. (LMBAO) I know there's been premaritial sex since the beginning of time, and that marriage is a manmade institution, but damn! To be so brazen is way over the top!

Is it better to be subtle in your sexual pursuits? Or just be straight forward and say, "Hey, let's fuck?" Good question. I'll let you answer it.

rainwriter jones

When All Else Fails: Get Moving!

rusty wrench by rainwriter jones

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Recently, I decided to update my LinkedIn profile. It sat there fairly stagnant, and I had been encouraged by one of my friends to finally flesh it out. Placing the details of my educational and employment background made me somewhat reflective. I saw the road on which I traveled to get where I am today.

Being quite a dogmatic person, I'm never satisfied with not completing a task to which I set my sights. I started at the University of Washington after taking a quarter break after high school. I didn't have the benefit of being "brainy," nor were my parents rich. Tuition was low, so I could afford to pay it with the little money I made as an employee in dietary services at the university's hospital. Well, the low tuition was short-lived and seeing as though I didn't received any grants or scholarships, I had to stall my education at the university, and go to a lower-cost community college. After obtaining my certificate in word processing, I found a job at two word processing departments. I was allowed to continue my university education while working at the latter insurance brokerage firm. I was very fortunate they allowed me this privilege!

So yes, it took me 8 years to complete a 4-year degree, but it was well worth it. From there, I obtained my nursing license, and I plan to continue furthering my knowledge base.

Today it is so much tougher to go the route that I did. With towering tuitions costs, the powers that be don't understand (or care) that it's harder to get educated. Like me, not everyone can get scholarships, grants, or loans. But sometimes you've just got to dig your heels in and do what it takes to complete the task before you. Take two jobs (three if you must): Just get it done!

I guess you don't need a high IQ to be sucessful: Just determined!

rainwriter jones

Stingy Ex-Boyfriends and the Feline Connection

lounging Felix by rainwriter jones

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Last night, I watched my cat Felix attempt to lie in my lap. As I continually waved him off, he changed his direction in an effort to gain lap access. For some reason, it reminded me of one my ex-boyfriends: A selfish slip of a man who only had his own best interest at heart. That was to get what he wanted no matter if it was good for me.

We'll just refer to him as "B." He was a real piece of work. A self-serving troll that floated back and forth between me and the future mother of his child. I don't know if he ever married her, but I do recall an awkward moment of being at my friend's house for a barbeque with my present-day husband, and seeing him and his quite pregnant, pig-faced woman walking up the lawn. I also remember seeing his sorry ass on the 5 o'clock news. At that time he worked for a car dealership, and there was a dispute over medical insurance.

My main problem with him is this: He was a LOUSY lover! I guess I can't really call him a lover; just a sex partner. He always thought of himself, with his no pleasure-providing self. The type to have "his," and then not only roll over without providing "mine," but take the blanket, too! There's something about a man/woman who doesn't pleasure his/her partner that can equate to an all-around inconsiderate person.

Yes, I've thought of him recently, and why I subjected myself to such torment. One thing I know for sure is that he provided me with the information I needed to choose someone special. A person who not only thought about himself and his needs, but what I needed or better yet: Desired. He was just a cog in the wheel of relationships, and a much-needed lesson on how not to find yourself saddled to such a brute on a long-term basis.


My thoughts are these:

1. If he/she rolls over after sex, they're not for you.

2. If he/she floats endlessly between you and another sex partner, they're not for you. (unless both of you are into that). (lol)

3. If he/she chooses an ugly girlfriend/boyfriend instead you, they DEFINITELY aren't for you!

4. And definitely, very definitely, if he/she doesn't satisfy you sexually NEVER EVER MARRY THEM!


I'm of the mind that a gratifying sex life is essential to a good relationship. If one partner is not happy, the other wouldn't be, either. But that is only me. There are others who choose to live a life of abstinence. To each his/her own. But if, and only if, your partner doesn't require physical satisfaction, too.

So what does this have to do with my cat? That's a good question. Maybe it was because it wasn't a reciprocal relationship. He would have gotten a warm lap, and I might have gotten flies? (LOL) Oh well. He didn't get my lap, and I didn't get a lap full of fur.

And no, I'm not lying. His lady did look like a pig!

rainwriter jones

The Professor, Lithium, and the Jade Stalk

(should sex NOT be this big ass mystery?)


It's always interesting when parents decide to tell their children about sex (if they do). I guess some children will learn from osmosis? When I got my first period, my Mother gave me a "care kit" which included one horrible strap-on Kotex and a booklet on human reproduction. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me," was about all I got in terms of sex education, but at least it was something. I had early lessons in terms of learning how things really were beyond the safety of my parent's door. They were invaluable lessons for someone like me who developed at such a young age.

I do not think my Mother understood how really bad it was out there. For some reason, we Black girls stuck together. We knew to be the most cautious of those who others trusted: Our teachers. My first experience with inappropriate behavior was with one of my elementary school instructors. Though without any previous sexual experience, I knew his proximity and touches were unsuitable, that his requests for me to stay after school were not to be heeded. He had the nerve to have a sleep-over at his house. NONE of the Black girls went. We just knew this dude had some really bad intentions.

The predators which continually attempted to lure us into their cars on our way to school? Classic.

And then there were the high school instructors. The librarian who continually made sex jokes. I remember his eyes all goopy with some sort of discharge, and me begging my friend to sit with me during my T.A. period. He was one sick puppy!

I once had a chemistry teacher that was more hilarious than freakish. Nothing offensive with him. He'd teach the class from behind his lab table, blah-blah-blah. One day we were almost asphyxiated by him taking lithium from its oil suspension, putting it on a paper towel vowing it can be exposed to oxgyen for a few minutes without igniting, and then watching it ignite after 30 seconds. Worst still was him immersing the flaming mineral in water, and choking on the billowing smoke which resulted. Yes, he was fairly daffy. It was just funny in that I don't think he realized what he brought back from Japan. What I first thought were salt and pepper shakers were actually ceramic penises. They were removed the next day.

Let alone college professors trying to exchange grades for sex.

With all this said, you'd think in this day and age that children would be told about the birds and bees. It amazed me to learn how a 17 year old girl in this area was coaxed by a college music professor to take off her clothes and masterbate in front of him. He told her he was doing a study on sexual arousal and how it affected vocal performance. She said he told her that this would make her be able to reach lower octaves while singing. Was she naive? Or sheltered by her parents? If she knew this man was attempting to take advantage of her, it might have spared her the memory of acting so idiotically.

So what's the point to all this? Not discussing sex in at least it's basic form suits no purpose other than leaving your children open to any predator that may pop up. They won't have the knowledge in which to compare their information given to them from a trusted source against what some predator might be saying. Just tell them the basics, and sprinkle in a little worldly-type scenarios. It just may save you and them from a lifetime of regrets.

rainwriter jones

Who Will Be Invited To My Responsibility Party?

"back alley wisdom" by rainwriter jones

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By now many of you know the troubles I have with the bar and grill across the street. The tomfoolery which prevailed throughout the years seemed like a never-ending, butt-burning movie. Well, they gave us a Christmas present this year by closing for two entire days! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were like living in the woods: Quiet, peaceful, and serene.

What I found interesting wasn't the fact that they were closed for business, but the activity in the parking lot. I watched as ride after ride drove up to the building, the occupant walking to the doors, and then trying the handles. Damn! It's Christmas Eve!! Ain't you got no family? And then I thought: Maybe they don't have family, and that's why they hang out at this God-foresaken hell pit in the first place.

How does one not have a family? I'm not speaking in terms of unmarried people. Just because you're single doesn't necessarily mean you haven't any family. I'm talking about those who have distanced themselves from their family for whatever reason. I had a tenant who had no real relations with his biological family members, but "created" grandchildren, daughters, sons, etc. He used to get on my nerves: Spilling cigarette ashes into my shopping bag, stinking of liquor, etc. His need to please me was pitiful! His inability to connect with his family manifested itself into being overly affectionate to anyone that would give him the time of day.

Why didn't he communicate with his family? Because there is an innate responsibility when you're in a relationship. You have to be emotionally and physically available. This is something that those who hang out in bars and create makeshift families may lack.

Responsibility. A real mouthful for those who don't want that encumbrance. Lets face it. It sometimes can be a terrible thing; being accountable for someone else's happiness. Those of us who choose to take on the challenge have the possibility of being fulfilled. Unfortunately, the ones who don't are watched by me as they desperately try to find a connection to other human beings at the bar and grill.

rainwriter jones