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“A Salute To The Universal Human Being”

August 17, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

I respect the need to admire and recognize those with whom we share some common group characteristics. It seems natural to root for those who are members of specific groups defined by race, religion, creed, nationality, region, profession, hobby, or some similar criterion.

As a human being, I too often give kudos to those who share some group membership with me along those lines, and who do something commendable.

As a writer, I also look at the larger picture, and see myself first and foremost as a Universal Human Being. It is to this group that I give the most salutations, for it is made up of the Universal Man and the Universal Woman.

All human beings are members of this group and we all share the need for food, clothing, housing and the desire to self-actualize and to attain the maximum we can in our sojourns on this planet.

Here’s my salute to the Universal Human Being! May we all come together to make this planet the best it can be for ourselves and our progeny. May we join hands to combat the common threats we all face and to ensure a rising tide that lifts all boats, rather than a receding one that capsizes all vessels.

“Just A Full Moon!”

August 16, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

“I can never figure why some people get scared when there’s a full moon. I mean, that’s all just superstition. A full moon is no cause to be terrified! In fact, I feel quite the opposite. I’m usually so happy and excited that I run out of my house and prance around in my night wear shouting out loudly for all the world to hear what a lovely, bright evening it is!

“For some reason, my neighbors all slam their windows and doors shut. Phew! Sure is a mess living among people with false notions about moons and ladders and black cats!”.

“Comic Of The Month!”

August 16, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

“We all have some talent or expertise in life. If you are not excelling in something, switch to another, for it just means you’re in the wrong competition.

“Take me, for example, try as I may, i’ve never been a winner in a beauty contest. All my friends won titles like ‘Mr. Colgate,’ ‘Dashing Jim,’ ‘Hunk of the Week,’ and the like.

“Now, I could have hung my head in shame or knelt in a corner – but I didn’t! I switched gears and am now running for comic of the month.”….”Escapades of Miles Alex”

“Just Point Him To Dunkin Donuts”

August 16, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

“In these days of political correctness and trying to do the right thing, both men and women need to ensure that there are no misunderstandings in their relationships with each other. For example, many ladies rightfully wanna know whether a man is actually trying to hit on them, is hitting on them, wants to hit on them, or none of the above. Below, ladies, are just a few friendly pointers from your friendly neighbor, Miles Alex.

“If a man tips his hat and says, ‘Good morning’ or ‘hello,’ he’s just being courteous. If he whistles as you walk by, check first to see if he’s blowing a flute, has on a turban, and carries a snake in a basket. If all of the above, then, no, he’s not hitting on you, he’s just a snake charmer seeking an audience.

“Now, if a male, whom you know as an acquaintance, always does you an unsolicited favor, or regularly offers to do something for you, well, you have a really awesome, friendly, helpful person there for you!

“If he never fails to ask, though, to come up for coffee late at night when you’re alone, you might have a potential paramour – or it could be he’s just a late night coffee drinker not remotely trying to hit on you. If you’re unsure and have no interest in this dude other than for his kind gestures, play it safe.

“Give him a few bucks and point him to the nearest Dunkin Donuts which serves freshly brewed coffee 24/7”…..”Helpful Tips for the Ladies”…

“Music”

August 16, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

Music is a universal art form and is one of the best media for expressing the wide range of human experience – love, death, joy, sadness, dreams, despair, and all other facets of reality or fantasy.

Many lovers of artistic expression are able to appreciate good music in any language or form, even when they do not understand the spoken and written language in which it is expressed. This is because music in itself is a language that crosses geographic borders and reaches out across rivers, oceans, mountains, and valleys to touch the heart, stir the emotions, and carry a message to the listener. That message often needs no translation. The good artiste can bring it home with just his or her talent and instrumental accompaniment.

Growing up in Guyana, I was exposed to all kinds of music genres and to several formats – Reggae, Chutney, Asian Indian/Bollywood, American Country, Pop, Classical, solo artistes, Big Band, live performances, radio music, church choir, and a whole wide range.

People often associate some genres with specific racial, ethnic, or national backgrounds – and usually rightfully so. One must be aware, though, that a lover of good music, one who empathizes or commiserates with fellow beings around the globe, can cross boundaries and receive the story told without the limitation of time, space, or geography.

My hat’s off to all artistes who use their talent to portray life in all its manifestations – but who also are sensitive to universal standards of decorum and etiquette. As a writer myself, and an aspiring songwriter too, I do believe that while art forms and expressions must tell the tale of the human experience in all its aspects, a good artist – singer, painter, writer, musician, dancer, actor – must place self-imposed limits if they are to capture the widest range of potential listeners or readers.

May good music continue to soothe us, to liberate us, to tell the story of our struggles and victories, and sustain us as we continue the arduous journey of life.

“Death by Adultery”

August 16, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

The news is often filled with stories of triangular love affairs which result in the death of a spouse, and sometimes his or her lover, at the hands of an enraged marital or romantic partner gone ballistic. The legal system goes to work rapidly and once caught, the murderer – more often than not, a male – faces swift justice in the courts for the crime committed.

I often hear, though, individuals commenting that a specific murdered spouse deserved what they got for being “unfaithful.” It seems that while the law always recognizes the criminality of murder, moral condemnation is sometimes lacking, or is several steps behind.

This is appalling. Whether one recognizes the complex and dynamic nature of individual human beings and relationships or not, it seems to me that adultery does not rise to the level of criminality and that murder is not the penalty, even if it did. So many are prone to moral condemnation without knowing all the circumstances which a couple can face and must grapple with alone.

We are all, undoubtedly, entitled to moral or religious beliefs about cheating and adultery. But to assert that a murdered spouse “deserved” to be violently killed (as is often the case) for such acts, seems to me to add insult to injury.

Whatever hurt and pain a jilted lover may feel, human life is precious, and God is the final arbiter. It is no doubt sad and painful to experience alleged violations of trust or commitment – but taking the life of the one that one allegedly loves is both criminal and morally reprehensible. It is the opposite side of love, regardless of the just or unjust events which lead to someone seeking love in the arms of an extramarital partner.

As Jesus admonished, when the throng brought an adulteress before him for punishment, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

“Just Tell Her She’s Cute!”

August 15, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

“Many fellas in-box me all the time asking for advice on how to snag a lovely lady. They make me feel like a guru, an expert, or a sensation, just because I happen to have a gorgeous life partner, and the cutest ladies anywhere, on my friends’ list.

“Fellas, I’m just a simple, modest, self-effacing guy. I know nothing much about the art of dating or of the techniques that a man should use to attract a hot or sexy lady, or any lady for that matter. I’ve always been one to shyaway from drama or pretext or clever moves when it comes to the ladies. In my single days, I always pretended to be me and only me.

“But hey, I know that my male friends believe that, as a writer I have some tips worthy of sharing. I really have none – but here’s what I would recommend. Every time you see an attractive lady acquaintance or friend pass by your way, compliment her. Always tell her how awesome and marvelous she looks. Compliment her on her hair, her smile, her attire. Serenade her and shower her with poetic verses as often as you can.

“Hey, you never know! One day you might end up shipwrecked and marooned on an island alone with one of those ladies! Then, when she recalls all the nice things you always told her, you might just begin to look good compared to the chimp running around, scratching, and grunting noisily!”……”Tips For My Male Buddies”…Miles Alex.

“Not Cut Out For Politics”

August 15, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

The reason I could never become a politician is that I cannot sincerely characterize all on the other side as wrong and evil all the time, and all on my side as good and lofty all the time.

When I was in college, some saw my popularity among the student body and ran me on their ticket for a Student Government position. Once in, I saw the acrimonious partisanship which became daily routine. I was aghast that such ugliness could trump collectiveness on behalf of the student body at large. I learned then, in person, what politics in action was all about.

I prefer to be a writer, for in this portfolio I can recognize life as it truly is – a mixture of good and bad, laudable and deplorable – in every quarter of human society…..’Reflections of A Writer”…Miles Alex.

“Another Day In The NYC Subway”

August 15, 2016 / Miles Alex / 0 Comments

4:59 p.m. on a hot, sticky day, summer of 2006, temperature 98 degrees and climbing.

Train pulls in to Wall Street. One car appears to be empty and fully air-conditioned. A mad dash ensues as all those who sneaked out early from work make a frenzied leap for a nice, cool, empty seat.

Lo and behold – there lying comfortably on the floor in the middle of the car is a male dressed in several layers, including a dirty, worn-out sweater and an old beat up pair of dungarees overlaid with a denim jacket and a pair of tattered polka dot boxer shorts – yes, the shorts were hanging precipitously over the dungarees.

The scent was horrific – a mixture of a Cuban cigar gone bad and a public john filled to capacity. He kept muttering to himself, interspersing his statements with expletives: “Koch is no …. good. No, you’re not doing okay, Mr. Mayor,” “The Dodgers should move to the Bronx,” “Go to church all you bastards,” and “Marilyn Monroe for president” – and he didn’t mean for JFK.

We all held our breaths, exited the car with double the speed of entry, unsure whether the dated rants were more odorous and alarming than the stench on that humid, uncomfortable summer afternoon.

When we looked back into the car, a cop wearing gloves and a mask, was trying gently to remove the narcotics held tightly by the individual and to escort him under the watchful eye of an ACLU lawyer – both appeared as phantoms from nowhere.

Rumor has it that this guy is no degenerate or unfortunate soul who fell on hard times but rather a felon with a long record who doesn’t like company on his way home.