Finally Paradise.

We finally made it. Things were going pretty well until we learned items were stolen out of our bags. Oh well worse things have happened. Chilling on the beach now with Mrs. Holman contemplating our next life moves and where to eat tonight. No blogpost for a few days got sand in my blackberry :( Guess God is trying to tell me something.

Later folks!

Well this isn't good.

We ALMOST made it out of STL on our first flight of the day. But as you can see due to some technical difficulties (as the fireman walks by my shoulder) we haven't departed. Looks like day 1 is off to a bad start logistically. No Aruba until tomorrow :(

Aside from all that we're all good!!
Still high on wedded bliss!

Finally....Mr. Holman and Mrs. Holman

You know how people tell you that you won't remember anything about your wedding day because it will go by so fast.

Its a lie. Yesterday was the best day of our lives and we remember every second of it.

Next stop....ARUBA.

Stay tuned.

To do list...pick up tuxedo..check!

I think he is saying "I make this look good.". LoL what do you all think he is saying?

Preparations in process..

Back at the barbershop...this time with ringbearer in tow... Next stop tuxedo shop!

Good Stock....the cure for "cold feet"

"How do you know you are ready to be married?"

I get this question a lot from different people. To be honest I have even asked myself that question. My confidence in whether or not I am ready has never really faltered. But where I have struggled (apparently) is in finding a way to convey this to the masses. I mean there is way too many of you to KEEP explaining this over and over again (BTW - why are there so many of you anyway?)

When questioning yourself about anything especially in terms of "readiness" it requires that you take an assessment of not only where you are and where you've been- most importantly where you come from. When I look at the people in my life that helped me become who I am today - I realized something.

I COME FROM GOOD STOCK.



The bible says that "a man does not live on bread alone" and that "as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you" (Det 8:3-4). To me- that means that I am not a man simply because I am male. Instead, I am the sum of years of instruction and influence. So if there is ever a question as to what kind of man I am or what kind of husband or father I will be - look at the men around me and you'll see.



I COME FROM GOOD STOCK.

"He who finds a wife find what's good and favor from the Lord" (Pro. 18:22)

You know some people even have the AUDACITY to ask "How do you know she is the one?". Here again it's implied that there is some assessment which led me to the OBVIOUS (smile) conclusion that she is not only from good stock - but the BEST stock for me. Let's be real people. There is ALWAYS an assessment but that is not really the point. If you question how I know she is the one - just look at the women who have raised and help raise me and the answer is obviously -

I KNOW GOOD STOCK WHEN I SEE IT (ha! - thought you had it figured out didn't you).

To sum it all up - you really never know that answers to any of these questions. At first at least. I didn't just choose Aliah based off of some checklist or because she makes me feel good. I did it because in my heart, mind, and spirit this was not only what I wanted to do but what I was led to do. I prayed on - I got my answer - and here we are people. We are not fools - we are aware of the high divorce rate and the odds being stacked against it. But if you go into it with something that when the times get rough its stock goes up - not down - you'll be better off. I have FAITH that this will work - and in the end that's enough to keep off the cold feet. Is that a guarantee for a "till death do us part" - Nope.

God helps those that helps themselves - this is not in the bible but its a common phrase used by Christians and I think it applies here. Just as an example that when you ask for somebody to help you - its not really help if you let them do it FOR you (vs. with you). Faith in this case is no different. I can ask him for help all I want - but if we don't work 100% at this ourselves - we will be in trouble. I am committed to that -and I am sure that she is. So with all that said - why should I have any "cold feet"?

Here is the best part though - Cold feet or not. We don't have to prove anything to anyone but each other. I have her vote and she has mine. I think its pretty evident. And if you can't see it...

Maybe you need to look at some other stocks to invest in. Namely your own. (that's meant with all love.. no salt. I promise!).

Here endeth the lesson.

STL Home Team - Rockwell Knuckles (Video).

I haven't really been posting a lot of music and or video lately. But if you know me you know I am ALL about good music - especially from what I call the "Home Team" - (you all know who you are).

Anyway the last couple of weeks I been going crazy over this new track by ROCKWELL KNUCKLES (Northside Finest) called SEE N' SAY..

Look - if you like a dope beat and dope lyrics. This is it rigt here. I am telling you STOP SLEEPING ON THE TALENT COMING UP OUT OF HERE. Listen for yourself!


Rockwell Knuckles "See n' Say" from Knuckle Rumbler on Vimeo.

"Yall don't really want beef you FILET-O FISH!" - what?!?! I think this may be my summer 09 joint.

If you couldn't watch the video - here is the direct link

Or click to listen here

Tef Poe vs. The Neo Nazis

There was a Neo-Nazi Rally today in St. Louis down at the arch grounds.

As required a group of anti-protesters also showed up and (ahem) showed

out - so to speak. 

The most notable of these protesters was my associate and local STL Hip-Hop

M.C. - Tef Poe. He literally showed his a$$ and just happened to make the papers

at the same time. Doesn't look like much came of it (no arrests I mean). Hopefully

I'll see him when I stop the H2 - Hip Hop Open Mic tonight at Cusamanos.

Check out Tef in the video below.

Trip to city hall for you know what.. check that off the list

Score one for the future Mr. and Mrs. Holman right?

Although the highlight of the whole thing may have been when that nice little old lady taking all our info made us take an oath swearing we were not "blood related".  LOL - too funny. 

ESPN vs. My wedding

Ha. I just realized that the NFL draft starts at the same exact time as my wedding. I wonder how many guys will have their phone set to give text updates or be monitoring it via the web while I am sweating bullets up front (lol). Its all good fellas I understand.

Thoughts from the barbershop chair..

Had a few minutes to kill while I get my haircut so I figured I'd post something.

Man! Its like a week to the wedding festvities. I am excited! Of course there is the natural stress of planning something this big (I think there's gonna be 400+ at the ceremony) but overall my mood is excited.

I guess my posts go kinda far. I heard that people are hearing about those bachelor party pics (see previous post) and people have stopped giving me negative advice (well most people - some folks are just beyond jaded). But I think its crazy that so many people take even the slightest interest. I am not having an ego moment - I am just appreciating the flip side that no one could care and that would be just as fine. But they do. That makes me feel good as a person. To have more people rooting for than against me (lord knows there's enough haters right?).

I guess I say all of that to say...near or far thanks for having my back!

E.

The Coast is Clear...Bachelor Party Pics.

So with 18 days left until Forever (Forever-ever?) begins I think its pretty safe to post pics from my bachelor party weekend. Overall the pics are pretty tame (ahem) but that's because there were NO PICTURE going off when any of the other random Tom-foolery was going on. But I thought I would just post a few of my faves that I thinks depict the overall tone of the weekend. Enjoy..

Friday Night






Saturday - Set-Out at my LB's Big James House in Little 5 Points.. (Thanks Bruh!)



My Younger Brothers and I - Very Proud Moment.. 2 more to go!








Last Night to Kick it - Saturday @ Opera!

I am not a Hardee's Fan...but this right here...Wow.

I watch Top Chef on occasion and I used to stop into Hardees once every 5 years (I had a bad experience with food poisoning back in High School.) - but this commercial right here?!?!?!?!?!?!

Just may have restored my faith. I know one things is won over for sure.. my attention.. WOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzwxmy1TWNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmNTqZ3wV4 (extended version - you know you want to!)

Disasters waiting to happen...

For example me on the drums. Music to your ear? Not quite. I guess since I am church again this is God's little way of saying "no my son".

So todays lessons must be that being a black male, seeing drumline, and sitting directly next to the drums EVERY sunday, plus having a Dad and a brother that play the drums....amazingly is not enough to make me an expert drummer.

(Thinks to self...Oh well. Hey is that a keyboard AND an organ! Next!!)

Where I spend Sunday Mornings...

I know its random but this is where I spend my sundays and sometimes my wedsndays