Resting from a Busy Week!

Today I officiated a wedding at our church while our senior pastor is out of state to give the eulogy at one of his relatives' funeral.

After regaining my career independence earlier within the week, I am going to do some serious relaxing either Sunday evening or Monday.  But the weekend is not over and I am midway between completely vegging out or wandering online which is not productive.

My youngest daughter Hailey is now tailgating me on every computer I get on every chance she gets.

She is micromanaging me now at this moment and although she does not know what I am writing about her, she recognizes her name on my screen.

Two desktops and three notebooks and still no peace for a Daddy:)

But peace to you!

Logic Express 8 Upgrade for $99 Just Turbo Charged My Day!

I installed the LE8 software upgrade after reinstalling my original RAM on my Macbook and have been experimenting with the different instruments this afternoon.

Needless to say that I have a nice, juicy smile on my face!

For only $99 plus tax, the new instruments cannot be beat IMO.

It feels as if the upgrade provides the previous $699 boost to the Logic Pro 7.

There is at least one instrument that I am trying to get the instruments to provide their sounds.  The one with the Legend Organ and other in its chain did not provide any sound.

Any assistance is appreciated in advance.

If you have either Logic Express 6 or 7 (I had LE 7), you will thoroughly enjoy this upgrade.

Peace!

Roney

http://www.myspace.com/seedoflife

Tonex Rebooted and His Global Apology

The summer of 2007 is one that will go down in history as an unforgettable one and clearly one full of swift transition.

I just read Tonex's apology for the Naked Truth and his new MySpace page is located at:

http://www.myspace.com/theofficialtonex

The entire Naked Truth and an interview that I heard online with Wade-O sounded so uncharacteristic that forgiveness is all that is left.

Personally I had recovered from aseptic meningitis in July and it was the hands down the worst pain that I have ever felt in my life.  My doctor kept warning me about "altered reality" and now I know what was meant since the entire experience gave me a totally new outlook on life and caused me to put down and drop some issues that were falsely taking too high a priority in my life.

What does any of this have to do with Tonex you may ask?

We never know in full the details that take place behind closed doors and within others and our own minds entirely.  During my sickness, I was turning off lights throughout our home in thinking that I was conserving energy and money at the same time.

Only when the doctor mentioned the symptoms of the disease did I begin to understand both the avoidance of light, the super foul mood, and intolerance that was building up inside me for my own family.

I had not changed but for no other reason that I was physically sick and my sickness produced emotional and mental impairment at the same time.

I am not saying that Tonex was sick in any manner, but we know that his actions this past spring and summer reflected nothing of the person that we came to know from his first musical release in the late 90s.

Therefore his apology is enough for me.

This past Sunday I preached a sermon entitled "Since God Worked It Out, How Come We Ain't Walking It Out?" and within the message (that will be uploaded online soon) I made the statement that all of us are one banana peel away from trouble and being on the six o'clock evening news worldwide.

Just like Pastor Shirley Caesar's song, some of us are still "Next In Line". 

So get ready for your banana peel, but more importantly get ready for your uprising and bouncing back.

As much as the enemy loves it when we fall, there is nothing like the look in their eyes when we get back up! 

From my own song entitled "Roller Skate", we "roller skate, roller skate, fall down seven times, get up eight"!

To God be the Glory!

Peace!

Roney Smith

RIP: Bobby Byrd & Heaven Just Got Even More Funkier

Long-time collaborator with James Brown and original Soul Generals member himself Mr. Bobby Byrd has passed in Loganville, Georgia.

Mr. Byrd will probably be most remembered by singing the "Get on up" phrase within James Brown's hit entitled "Sex Machine".  It is probably hands down my favorite James Brown song because of the passion and flare of the tag team.  But Mr. Byrd had another hit which he led the vocals on a song entitled "I Know You Got Soul".

There is a clip of the song on YouTube probably, but the song alone made me buy from iTunes a CD that featured artists that worked with James Brown.  The CD is a keeper and one funky CD that will start a party across time and eternity.  It is one that will keep away any negative vibes.

Their raw energy and sublime passion made their music stand out on its own without the constant need for a video and promotion.  Any performance on national television was a historic event that would be burned into your soul and mind immediately.  Their music was so incredible that you would play the same song over and over again just to feel its repetitions of power.

It was Mr. Byrd's idea for the original group to follow Brown's talent versus keeping the Godfather of Soul in a secondary role.  To his credit, Mr. Byrd clearly should not be forgotten for giving up his seat on the bus to make sure that all of us got to the destination of supreme soul power.

Rest in peace Mr. Byrd and God bless your soul.

Peace!

Michael Jackson to Tay Zonday: Tay, I Am Your Father

I admit that I am an early adopter when it comes to technology and most pop culture. I had heard of Tay Zonday and his song "Chocolate Rain", but I never actually heard the song or watched the video until a few minutes ago.

The dude is no joke and has a voice and momentum that it took over 20 years to catch up within American society.

His voice is extremely deep and I actually thought that he was a 15 year old until I saw the video in motion.

The song "Chocolate Rain" was made for the 80s and the early days of MTV without a doubt.

He is actually better than some or many artists that have previously made videos.

In this era of online communications and pop culture, Tay could outsell many artists that major labels have lost money behind.

The funniest thing that I picked up on after seeing his full blown YouTube page is that he looks like Michael Jackson to some degree.

I have heard that Michael's real voice is rather deep and hearing Tay sing made me think of Darth Vader telling Luke Skywalker, "Luke, I am your father".

This would be a hoot and then some!

Regardless, I admired his singing, songwriting, and courage than many studio-only and manufactured plus well-financed celebrities thrown on the public like toxic waste!

Go ahead Tay and do your thing!

Peace!

Apple's iLife '08 Is A Winner

This afternoon I bought and installed iLife '08 by Apple and it is a great improvement over the previous version.

I really love the way iPhoto was improved since it now features events which better organize photos.

I tried out GarageBand's latest version and now wonder if samples from a Jam Pack were deleted or renamed since it failed to find at least 2 loops for an existing song made before. But it has a new feature called Magic GarageBand which is almost like a video game of creating music with different instruments. It does not fully create a new song as it creates a new arrangment, but it is a time-killer for sure.

I am excited to try out iMovie since I saw how easy it will be to create movies from photos and videos already captured.

I am going to update my .Mac web page soon iWeb and after seeing Apple's CEO Steve Jobs' presentation earlier this week, I know that the new results will be awesome.

So Apple is really going to get computer users' heads to capture special family and friends moments as the school semester starts.

Peace!

Shaggy Goes Gospel?

I just saw a music video by rapper Shaggy entitled "Church Heathen" on Yahoo! Music that you must absolutely see!

The video is clearly an indictment against false-only-on-Sunday Christians and other church pretenders.

I probably need subtitles to understand everything he was saying, but the visuals are undeniable.

The song has a beat that has clearly come from Africa and is deeply embedded within various religions that our ancestors embraced after being stolen from their homeland.  I have heard the rhythm within songs by singers in South Carolina singing in a a Geechee style with only hand claps, foot stomping, and a pole to keep the beat.

Check out the video and reach your own decision!

I am still in awe of the video and give it an 8 of 10.

Peace!

iPhone Review: Thumbs Up!

I am in the process of watching several videos produced by Apple for the new iPhone that will be sold this coming Friday evening at 6 p.m. nationwide within each respective time zone.

The only downside that I currently see is that AT&T is the exclusive network provider.  Other than that, you really have to consume a ton of haterade in order to dislike the device.

The visual display rotates depending on how you hold it and it offers the same website display as any computer would without distorting what you would think you would see.  There are no awkward finger combinations needed to do anything.  It works more like the computer displays within the Tom Cruise movie "Minority Report" than anything I have seen released for public usage.

Even without a keyboard, the device has a way to prevent automatic turn ons while it is kept within your pocket or purse.  I just wonder how strong the screen will be to avoid scratches.

E-mail, videos from YouTube, movies, and iTunes content all work seamlessly on a single device as if it was an iPod, laptop, and let us know forget--a cell phone.

I had a first generation Treo by HandSpring (now Palm) back in the day and can tell from a distance that if my network provider offered the iPhone, I would be on it:)

Clearly the iPhone is going to make users wonder how using a Mac will feel like once they realize how pleasant it is to use an iPhone.  As a Macbook owner, the operating system is either a cousin or child of OS X and possibly includes aspects of the upcoming operating system Leopard to provide Mac users a few surprises when it is released later this year.

The hype is indeed real and there are people already gathering around various Apple and AT&T stores nationwide just to be the first-day owners of the device.

I am sure that there will be some type of first-generation quirks and upgrades revealed later, but Apple is going to make a ton of money and create opportunities for unique partnerships and other distribution opportunities for technology geeks like myself.

If and when you get your own iPhone, how about sending me a photo of it?

I have not heard much about a camera phone aspect of the device, but seeing Google Maps, widgets, and movies on it sure earned my vote.

Peace!

Self-destruction on Yahoo's Flickr due to Google's Acquisition of Feedburner

Flickr once had a nice feature that would make any search result appear as a RSS feed.

But now the feature has disappeared from their website while it still works for past searches created and saved.

I wonder if Google's acquisition of Feedburner had anything to do with the decision?

The development is clearly strange although Flickr would not be harmed by Feedburner since having RSS feeds further expands Flickr's reach.

So Flickr, what gives?

Peace!

Photos from this past Sunday's ordination on Father's Day

Here is a link to photos from this past Sunday's ordination on Father's Day!

http://picasaweb.google.com/roneysmith/MyOrdinationOnFatherSDay

Peace!

Ordination on Fathers' Day

I am scheduled to be formally ordained as a Baptist minister next Sunday at Bethesda Baptist Church in Austell, GA at 11:30 a.m.  It will be a memorable occasion indeed.  My uncle, the Rev. Dr. Truman C. Tart, is going to bring the morning message as well.

Video will be recorded and the weekend is going to be one for the record books all around.

Having just celebrated my 11th ministerial anniversary, it is always something special whenever a pastor and church feel that one is worthy of greater expectations and responsibilities.

With the season of breakthrough that is currently upon us, it is very important to remain humble and allow God to present new direction and empowerment to go according to what only God can bring to pass.

So we will hope to move forward and higher!

Peace!

After the Movie Review: Lord Help Us

I'm Giving Away Opportunities for You to receive $5 for yourself and other multiple times!

Last week I discovered a new service that has pleasantly surprised me to say the least.

It is amazing when you can try a new service and instantly "drink the kool-aid" without wondering if there is going to be a downside further down the road.

Lo and behold, today's mail brought a new debit card provided for free by this dynamic service that is going to throw a monkey wrench within a company that most will consider a competitor to the new service.

Just send me an e-mail or reply with your contact info and I will hook it up for you.

No spam, no regrets, and no worries--it is just that smooth!

Peace!

Check Out The Movie Lord Help Us!

Lord Help Us

If you are looking for a great flick to check out and enjoy the warmth of good laughter, intense acting, and a solid good time without the ickiness that Hollywood may often give you, then by all means pick up a copy of "Lord Help Us" at your nearest Target or Wal-Mart today!

I knew the movie was being released in a direct-to-DVD fashion several months ago, and it is great to have my own copy after seeing it this past weekend at Target.

Be sure to support director-writer-editor-executive producer Shavar Ross who is getting his Spike Lee on for the first of many to come!

Once you get your copy, let me see your photo of your copy (no Blackbuster copies either) online.

Peace!

If US Spy Agencies Actually Can Document This, Then The Consequences Have Been Intentional All Along

Reuters is reporting that the Bush administration was made aware of the consequences before the war in Iraq was begun.

If this is indeed proven true and I believe that it will from multiple directions, then every result of such activity undertaken within the country of Iraq has been the effect of intentional causes.

Every bullet, every death, every terrorist recruit, every disfigurement, every drop of oil lost or unaccounted for, every bitter taste in the mouths of once die-hard, starry-eyed, voting Americans, and every dollar wasted will be purely classified as earned income for all involved and the direct and indirect objects of their very desire.

I clearly remember the military analysts and other news commentators giving their opinions and analysis prior to the war and their very words have been proven true.  The number of "I told you so" pundits have been kept surprisingly silent somehow.  Is there a silent agreement in place somewhere?

I now believe that this administration within largely Cheney, Bush, Rove, and Rumsfeld have made history as the greatest market makers and middlemen in history to profit from the death and destruction all around.

The only upside to this war has been the enlargement of the private trust funds that will serve their descendants in perpetuity until the end of time.

I shudder to think of the possible revolt and anarchy that the working-class Republicans and Democrats could mount if it suddenly became widely accepted that this foreign and domestic policy was not based upon retribution or revenge for 9-11, but to use the American flag, our country's founding principles, and every internal struggle before, during, and since 1776 as toilet paper for the current leadership's country gouging efforts both foreign and domestically.

Even in the midst of having their own prophecies self-fulfilled through the rhetoric of "If we do not fight them on foreign soil, then we will have to fight them at home", the same bandits have already established the necessary means to further profit from future actions of terrorists and the financial repercussions of future conflicts worldwide.

It was all a global set up bottom line.

They actually want the U.S. and other countries to go down the drain and suffer to the extent of causing massive economic losses to further profit.

The American flag should be flown at half-staff for every day the current administration has been in office.  The young men and women who have died clearly were victims of the pimpish quality of the current administration. 

The dishonor among thieves will surface monthly for years to come as each participant and supporting cast member attempts to wash their hands of stench of bureaucratic lackeys.  More tell all books and interviews will come to the light as the levels of remorse will only grow.  Mysterious deaths and accidents cannot be too far behind either.

I feel truly sad for those with blind political faith and claims of the great American way for them to see that they were truly used as pawns and not really part of the process after all.

Just as Senator Trent Lott has discovered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the problems are not yours until it happens to you and then you finally realize that you are outside of the inner circle.

I guess that we will see that their memberships do not have ultimate privileges after all.

Even if misquoted or solely later recanted, President Carter was truly right in his summation of the worst president in United States history.  We clearly have a present winner and champion that only the Anti-Christ can further leverage and challenge for the title.

Heaven help us all.

Peace!

Recent spike in blog traffic

Using Google Analytics to measure the success of various blogs has been exciting and a challenge.

A repeat episode of Kirk Franklin appearance on Oprah to discuss an addiction to pornography must have recently aired since a rush of traffic was related to the episode.  I had commented on the episode online about the particular show.

The biggest challenge right now is staying focused on the many opportunities and matching the right resources to each opportunity while maintaining a sense of balance and family if that is not a mouthful:)

But as always--when it rains, it pours, so each opportunity has to be maximized as much as possible.

I do anticipate having a full projects completed and ready for public consumption within the upcoming month or two.

More to come!

Peace!

Vision Received This Weekend

Through an interesting series of conversations during this weekend, I keep seeing a glass within my spirit that appears to be empty to the human mind but is continually being poured out with the substance only hoped for to produce the evidence of the faith contained within and around the glass.

My question to myself and to you is whether God is in glass since God is indeed everywhere and if it is the definition of faith to attempt to pour the glass when it appears to be empty?

Also, are we the empty glass, is the emptiness of the glass our seed, and resulting blessing poured from the glass our fruit of our seed or faith?  I know that faith is both a seed and fruit.

Inquiring minds want to know:)

Peace!

Who's Having More Fun on Daddy's Birthday?

Who's Having More Fun on Daddy's Birthday?
Originally uploaded by wysiwysell.

Spoons with Cake and Ice Cream, you cannot beat them!

Candles, you're going down!

Candles, you're going down!
Originally uploaded by wysiwysell.

Daddy & His Fruit with their Monster Squeezes!

Daddy & His Fruit with their Monster Squeezes!
Originally uploaded by wysiwysell.

I've had a great birthday today and we stayed out of traffic as much as we could by having dinner at Artuzzi's in Sandy Springs. It was our first time there (several in metro ATL) and had some ice cream, birthday cake, and gifts upon returning home.

There was no disturbing of this groove!

It's my birthday, it's my birthday!