The Key...

Here i sit, motionless and contemplative surrounded by water almost as clear as my feelings for you; more peaceful than white sandy beaches and sea star sandwiched mangrove roots is my mind when I picture your shimmering smile. The intricacies of your being, the way your bangs curve like minor wake; your dainty hands extending out to me, sea lettuce pertruding from the shallow sea floor. Your smooth cheeks sit like fair clouds, your eyes curious enough to send gusts of wind to and through me. Three days, years, and still i'm captivated by your mysteriousness, your reclusivity. And when i'm not captivated, i'm deterred, frustrated. Your blue skies and fair waters are my perfect storms and monsoons. I am dying to pursue you as passionately and properly as possible, but "no wake zones" surround you. I am a speed boater, and you a sailor. End of story. Or is it... The winds, both of love and of sea,are ever-changing, unpredictable winds. The tides, whether high or low, never disappear. If anything, realize this: your river, despite the twists and turns, the meandering or wandering, will always lead

...To My Heart

JbP

Politically Correct?

As i have grown and matured, I have begun to see things that I may never have seen in the past. My eyes have been opened to the flaws of family, friends, and the biggest one is my school.

Yes, St Paul's is a great institution, one which has given me a very solid foundation to build on in college and beyond....

but our major flaw here, is political correctness. At SPS we tend to attempt too politically correct too much of the time. I find it absolutely amazing that in a community like this, one in which we pride ourselves in diversity, uniqueness and individuality, one cannot speak his or her mind without reprecussions.
You know, a few weeks ago, a student gave a speech addressing a controversial issue, and at the end of the speech, most people got up and gave her a standing ovation. Ofcourse, there were exceptions, but what amazed me was the fact that they were reprimanded for not standing up. Correct me im wrong, but you only get up and give someone an ovation if you personally think it is deserved, not because the poeple around you are standing.

Those that are brave enough to speak their mind always get the furthest....
political correctness is not always the best way forward....

... But I'm Not Complaining

All of my friends and form are in the city right now, or on campus enjoying their last break as a VI former. I on the other hand am in glorious key Largo, with a terrible trip adviser who thinks that I will willingly adhere to her tyranical methods of control like everyone else.This teacher, call her... Ms. Flacks... is the least pleasant and most annoying, obnoxious, repulsive human being I've vme across in recent memory. She alone has turned bronzing sunshine into bleak rain, clear blue waters into murky brown sewage, and interesting marine organisms into pesky and mammals.
Her presence makes my skin peel as if I had been in the sun too long, her voice makes my ears feel flooded with water, and her figure actually makes me wish I were home. She has turned a potentially great experience into just another school trip.

This trip has truelt been indicative of my time at SPS: I experience a completely ridiculous situation, I rebel against the cause of that situation, I establish myself as "that guy", and I repeat.The only difference I see between my time in key Largo and all of the other wack situations I've found myself in while at SPS is that now I have the abilit to blog about it.

(And just to tie this back to the title)...

It may sound like it but I'm not complaining.

ABAP

lubeen, i hope you don't mind that i stole your acronym. Dude - i'm getting As Bronze As Possible!

As I type this on my blackberry, I am sprawled out on a picnic table soaking in sun on beautiful key Largo with my great marine bio class having the absolute time of my life!

Actually, surprisingly, unfortunately, most of that is false. I am stuck with some dry personalities, tyranical chaperones,one smelly roommate (don't worry lubeen smells fine) and I honestly would rather be anywhere else, including concord nh where its 80 degrees and we have no school.

But there's no sense in whining. It impedes the sun rays from reaching my skin and as you all know:

I'm trying to get ABAP!

Afterdark Simpson House Chronicles: Part III

Enjoy...




En Absentia from from Video Credits:

Josh Herrera as J-Springs

William Scopa as Mr. America


El amor conquista todo

- Mr. Jackson

The Final Straw

I have had enough. Enough of the clowning, the pretending, the falsities, pretentiousness, you name it, and I am sick of it. I am not one for in-fighting, or commentary that can be viewed as derisive, but I do not hold my tongue when there are pressing issue at hand. This is an open letter. Take it however you wish. But getting offended only runs the risk of perpetuating the issues. You know my room #, we can chop it up if necessary.

1.) There is no figurehead in the 5ive. Forget what you heard, or what you think you saw, or that time Gbola and I argued in the hallway. It wasn't about anything. Seriously. We are all the best at what we each individually do, that is precisely why it is the 5ive, and not 1ne plus 4our.

2.) Ego. Egos, egos, egos. Let it go. We all want to be the freshest, flyest, best dressed, and what have you. But there comes a time, when we must look ourselves in the mirror, and then smash it with a brick. It has ceased to be about us. The minute we made our Common App passwords and began selling our souls to the monopoly that is College Board, a process was put into motion, which is quickly coming to fruition. Look around. There are entirely too many underformers on academic review, on bounds, bagging classes, for us to be concerned with the latest fashions. It is imperative we do everything in our power to influence these younger students, because we didn't have that when we came in.

3.) Time Management. Please believe I did not forget. We are all 18 here ( I see you Lubeen, its all love) yet we are complaining about how much time we see each other. It was all good just a week ago (c) Jay-Z. Or so it seems. No one was having these problems in the Fall Term, or even Winter. And if you were, you did not make it as explicit as you have now. We are all busy but if we were really concerned about not seeing each other..it really only takes a walk across campus. So..just be easy...if we were friends throughout the majority of our four years here..that will continue for long after this...so be easy..For the sake of everyone.

Please be aware that I am never above my own reproach. I believe the mark of a good writer is one who can take his own fallacies and shortcomings and make them presentable to a wider audience. Grow with me.

- Mr. Jackson as the Bad Guy 

Ode To the Starving Artists

For those of you who may not know me that well, and even for some who do, I like to write. I write poetry, stories & songs (although that department is still under development, so don't expect anything from there right now.) I know there are innumerable amounts of people out there who have (or believe to have) artistic talent and hope to use their skills as a meal ticket. I am not one of those people (I do this for fun, my plans are "Deeper Than Rap" (c) Rick Ross), but I can completely understand and even empathize with the authors, poets, rappers, singers, composers, playwrights, actors, etc.

This is my dedication to those who keep the Art alive against all odds.

Poetry can help fulfill my insatiable thirst for attention and recognition

but I can’t eat words or drink creativity.

Regardless of how many minds my lines penetrate,

thoughts they impregnate,

and vivid dreams they conceive,

the price of art can’t compete with the price of eggs, cheese,

bread, meat,

or a sandwich from the deli across the street.

Sex sells, poetry doesn’t.

So when you all were sleeping, I wasn’t.

I was up fighting, writing, biting back the hunger pains

that tore into my stomach.

While my thoughts flourished, my body cried out,

malnourished.

Three course meals of shrimp flavored ramen DO NOT constitute

a balanced diet.

Just like my imagination, my gut could not remain quiet.

But I had to let it know that I hungered for something bigger than a meal,

and far more unique.

Something that could incite or quell a riot with a move of the lips,

something supernatural, a true poets gift.

And until I attain it, I’ll continue to eat sleep,

drink spit, and write with the passion of Christ,

so that one day I’ll no longer be trapped in the darkness,

and I can finally pay for the lights.

As Always,

Pax, Amor et Musica

To Thine Own Self Be... Accountable

As I sat on the periphery of the round table - Alumni of Color on one side, Students of Color on the other - I reminisced over my last four years at SPS. There were hardships, there were low points, there were catastrophes, disasters and defining moments; yet, out of this heap of all of this, call it... shit... blossomed Flowers of Opportunity, whose pedals continue to mature and ripen so as to be plucked (or ceased - recognize here that Carpe Diem most literally means "pluck the day") at that most beneficial time.

More interestingly, while listening to their stories and simultaneously reflecting on my own, I noticed that all of these successful alumni not only achieved here at St. Paul's and at the institutions to which they matriculated, but also that the blueprint of they're stories followed more or less my own: Highs, lows, accomplishments, failures, and success ultimately at the end. In the moment, I felt somewhat disappointed that I would be unable to claim the courageous feat of overcoming disappointments to reach goals; that could just be the selfish, conceited, soloist in me. I flirted with the idea that this is not just about me; or about what I can gain from another via nepotism (which I fully support), or about how quickly I will be able to grow my bottom line. 

But now, as I write, or as I begun to write, about my earlier reflections I stumbled across a realization! (Can you believe that, two in 1 hour?)

It is about me.

It's about what I can do to ensure that generations before and after mine feel connected; it's about what I can do to maintain the trends of success I have established for myself and my peers; it's about what I can do for this school that has seen me through so much. I believe that too often, we concern ourselves with another's agenda: "Is he/she doing everything he/she can to ensure that he/she graduates from this school with results reflective of the high standards that he/she failed to meet?" is just one example. We, speaking in terms of my generation, have been fortunate enough to live in a time period where we've had to worry less about the perils of racial and ethnic discrimination. To acknowledge that, we need to be more concerned with our own individual success living up to that standard that was set for us generations before. The realization and sustainment of success begins with Accountability.

JbP

p.s. Any alumni viewing this blog looking for a charismatic, gregarious, intellectual intern please comment in the "comments" section.

Afterdark Simpson House Chronicles: Redux

Part 2 of the Dorm Chronicles.

Disclaimer: my sincerest apologies for the brief use of profanity, I will try harder in the future to keep my posts fully clean.

Enjoy



Mr. Jackson

I'm Mr. Lonely

Now...before I begin this post. Look at the one below mine...what??? who? Anyway, the point is Brian (and yes I will be referring to myself in the third person) has been abandoned. Brian has been a loyal member of the 5ive and does not know what he has done to deserve such treatment. I am sitting here, the sole member of the 5ive who remains on campus. Two at Dartmouth, two at Tufts...one at St. Paul's School. But that's fine, I'll be fine without all of you for the next 24 hours, just know that I don't appreciate it. Brian is very upset but he will get over it and he forgives you 4our and I will be th 1ne to rise above such betrayal. Thank you

-Brian B.

Je me souviens

Who But Me?

Day 3/5

Bench Press - 225 x 13 - 15 

Jump Rope - 5-7 min.

Water

Bench Press 205 x  8-10

Jump Rope - 5-7 min.

Water 

Bench Press - 185 x 13-15

Jump Rope - 5-7 min.

Water

Shrugs - 305 x 20

Water 

Jump Rope - 5-7 min.

Shrugs - 305 x 20

Bench Press - 165 x 12

Water

Ladder/Resistance Sprints - 30 mins 

Water

Bench Press - 185 x 5

*Somebody has to do it...*

JbP

Sunday Selection I: Springtime for Stalin

Let's try something new: Every Sunday, I'll post something. Seems normal, but here's the twist; instead of me giving the post a title, I'll let you, the reader, offer suggestions as to what the title should be. You can do this by clicking on the little comment link right underneath my initials. Please, don't let me down...

So, what to talk about, what to talk about...? I don't know - What about... the weather? No, too common. The social climate here at St. Paul's? Nah, that's played out. The social climate outside of St. Paul's? Ha nah, who cares about what's going on in the "real" world? Politics? Tiger (losing)? Spending the weekend with Mr. Burton? 

No, no, no, no... NO. 

Well, I'm at a loss. I've got nothing to write about. I have no teachers to complain about simply because - well quite frankly I don't care enough at this point in my high school career to complain; and sure, I see those who mean the most to me here at St. Paul's less because of their respective girlfriends and whatnot, but they're happy. All of them. Really happy. It'd be selfish of me to complain about seeing them less, chillin' with them less, talking to them less, laughing with them less (the list goes on)... (You see, if there is one thing I've learned from my time here at St. Paul's, it's been to focus less on the ME, and more on the WE. WE must graduate from here, WE must matriculate to prestigious universities, WE must make obscene and, quite frankly, disgusting amounts of money, and when it's all said and done, WE must give substantial portions of our substantial earnings to this institution, which played a substantial role in shaping our (I know substantial doesn't fit here but why the hell not... it's 1/5 my blog) substantial lives).

That's right. It's all about being "down for the team" as I like to put it; sacrificing one's self, for that which is bigger than him (I'm not a sexist, it's just that in the context of the 5ive, "her" doesn't fit.). Seriously, though. I recognize fully that in our last six - seven weeks together, it is most important to pursue that which makes you most happy; to establish connections with those who you've failed to do so with (that reads awkwardly, sorry) previously; to ensure a legacy for your name on this campus and with your peers, so on and so forth. I get all of that. I get its about US and not ME, I get its about the TEAM, and not MYSELF. No, I am not resentful of any of you girls who've consumed the lives of my closest friends - quite frankly, I've gotten to know you all a lot better as a result. In fact, I am grateful of your presence(s) because you've enriched the lives of those closest to me, and me, actually. 

I thank you - all of you- who've helped me realize these things.

JbP

P.S. everything contained in () was written in jest and I am unsure if those jokes truely reflect the feelings of Management. I'm only 1 of 5ive. 

Shine Session Vol. 1: CP IV

Although this is our blog, oftentimes it is necessary that we give the next generation their just due when they perform and even "wow" us, with what seems to be their limitless potential. Christian Percy had one of those days. After learning how to high jump 2 weeks ago, Mr. Percy left people speechless at our first track meet of the season, jumping over an impressive 5'6 height. He will not be good. He has what it takes to be great. Ohhh..and young boy can run. Fast. All he needs is his form right..and the sky is the limit...


This is the first of what I deem "Shine Sessions", where notable achievements in our community will be acknowledged, either through various types of media, especially those of us will shoulder the mantle of leadership after we have left. Christian, don't get gassed. I know you got frustrated when you missed, your other jumps. That's why those are up here as well. Use this as motivation and keep flying my dude. That means academically too.

Forget squads, gangs, sets, and whatever other useless and played out monikers you may use to define a group of individuals who interact on a regular basis and are often observed together doing things. We have surpassed what used to be used to define us. We are fast becoming a Conglomerate. But you can't publicly trade us anymore. Our decision determine our destinies.





神は私たちひとりひとりのための計画を持っている

- Mr. Jackson

Run For Lori...

Yup, its about that time son.... It is about that time!

We've been out running in rain and cold for three weeks, running the steepest hill known to man on this campus. 

First meet tomorrow, time for us to fly, get explosive.

After three weeks of running in the rain, in the cold, running hills and such nonsense, its now time for the real deal.

Granted, i do not really enjoy track, i do it because....well thats a good question, why do i do track? Is it because of my 4 x 100 with Mr Jackson, Mr Percy and Mr Lewis? Orrr is cause of the adrenaline rush I get every time I get in the blocks and wait for the gun? But then again it could be because of the satisfaction of running a perfect race in the 100 or the 200, and crossing that line, or hitting the board perfectly for my longggg jump....

Or maybe its because i get to see a slightly smaller, younger, female version of me run show at New Englands....Maybe i just want to watch the more talented one do her thing....

...guess who

-Team Ajayi....(yes i know, i'm a clown)

After Dark: Simpson House Chronicles vol. 1

Disclaimer:

As I begin to step up my documentary game and video editing acumen, I will be experimenting with various techniques. Grow with me.




Matokeo ya Utafutaji kwY


- Nola's youngest

Both Hearts Beat Like A Metronome

Come here. Yes. Because I want you over here, there is too far away. Why wouldn't I want you next to me? Haha I know you're short, but that's what's cute; when you gaze up into my eyes it makes me feel worthy - almost like a protector or some such  even though we both know how self-conscious I get around you. You're the only person that makes me feel vulnerable. Don't look at me that way, you've known for a long time. At least suspected... haven't you? I know, I know, it's just that you always seemed so far away, even though I considered us to be close; the type of boys you dated were so... different from me. Made me think that you thought of me as some type of joke. Seriously. You'd be surprised at the amount of people that don't take me seriously (or maybe not...).

Tell me something. Do I ramble? Well I don't know, I feel like you get tired of hearing my voice. You say that, but you're eyes say something different. Haha I don't quite know what they say because I can't read you that well, I wish I could though - things could have been different. Yes, for better or for worse is right, never know. I'm rambling again. I'll stop. You  don't though, so somebody has to...

But I do have to impress you! or at least make you laugh, do something to see you're radiant smile. Haha what do you mean "you don't buy that". I'm not selling anything. Yeah, that's the problem I have with a lot of people: they don't take me seriously either. I'm genuine, really I am. I make act like a clown sometimes, but I really am genuine. No, no, I know you know that, I don't know though, I guess it's just a point of contention with me. 

Me? Mad? How could I ever be mad at you. Well, actually yeah, there was that one time, huh? Other than that though, how could I ever be mad at you (huge smile)!?

Come here. Wow you're short... Haha can't help it. Wait, no, come here. I never envisioned myself getting this close to you... You're right, it does feel weird. 

In a good way.

Is that my heart or yours beating like that? Their so-

***

Do I talk to much?

JbP

Congratulations!...

First off, Congratulations to the 5ive, we've made it and not just by the skin of our teeth, but we truly made it. Over the past 3 to 4 years we've seen some of our friends fall and make decisions that shouldn't have been made (we're guilty of that ourselves) but fortunately we are all still together to celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments of our lives.

Now that the years have become the months and the months have become the weeks we are faced with the challenge of leaving behind our final memories and legacies. How will we be remembered here? Have we done enough to shape the School because it most certainly has shaped us? What will we remember about our time here? I refuse to look back on my high school experience as a time of misery, teenage angst or a negative time because quite frankly it wasn't at all. No, it hasn't been always easy, I haven't always felt comfortable or like I was a part of the community. None of us have been constantly happy here and no one can expect that of any place they go. So when I walk under the White Tent (or not...I can't believe they got rid of it, that's some BS, but that's for another post), I will know that I made the right decision to spend the last four years of my life with some of the greatest people I have ever or ever will meet.

On May 31, I will ask myself one question: What does Congratulations mean for me? Does it mean that I am simply graduating with honors and distinctions and going to the college of my choice in the fall? Is it because of my positions of leadership that I have successfully completed? Yes, all those things are good and well, but what has that Third Former learned from me that will help him to have an easier time navigating through this place? What has the teacher who has never taught a student from the South learned about where I come from? If I (you/any of us) have changed the mind, the thinking or a small part of anyone else's life for the better, you deserve a Congratulations. You have succeeded.

-Brian B.

La vie coule comme une rivière

The Rain Drops Are Fallin' on My Head...

Let me begin by asserting this: the title has nothing to do with the post, it's just raining hard as hell outside. It is a little thought-provoking, the power of rain water. My Limnology (look that word up if you don't know what it means...) class went to a water treatment plant today where the Manager told us that for every square inch of rain water that falls, he is able to provide 12.8 million gallons of water. Excuse the misplacement of this next phrase but... 

Guy, that's awesome!

(Don't worry, I don't take myself seriously sometimes either.)

But seriously, it is intriguing. 12.8 million gallons of water per square inch of rain. The rain provides, cleanses, douses, replenishes, ensures, cools, among many other vital capabilities. It accumulates then carves, or shapes, or carries; and it eventually gathers, evaporates, and repeats. 

"Fascinating" (Bianco, The Quest)

It falls. And in doing so, at least for me, it focuses; its trance causes me to think in terms of present and future leaving me to forget the past. The rain adds definition to my once hazy ideas, transforming notions into actions - My reasons for choosing the college I'd like to attend for the next four years are just that: my reasons. And what's more is that I know they are valid, credible reasons. (This is going to sound strikingly within character, but I always give valid, credible reasons for everything I do.). I apologize for the aside, aimless banter. 

But seriously, I won't lie. I feel trapped, subdued, diluted even whenever I attempt to demonstrate why I want to do what I want to do, why I feel the way I feel, why I say the ***t I say. (It's 20% my blog so I rounded down and chose to show you only 25% of that profane word.) The rain releases me. 

On this day, I have indirectly been granted more confidence and lost more doubt. Why?

Well, as I ponder and wonder and write outside on my dorm's patio, the rain drops are fallin' on my head...

I guess the title is relevant.

JbP

Emilio! (Get Acquianted)

What's going on people? Welcome to another edition of Get Acquainted, today's focusing on a rapper by the name of

Emilio Rojas


















Emilio Rojas is an artist originally from Rochester, NY who as relocated to Brooklyn. You may not know what to expect by looking at that picture (no shots), but he's definitely extremely talented and someone you should be on the lookout for. He's very lyrical ("This free market and stocks [are] free falling,/ in a land where freedom will ring, and keep calling,/ cause they don't really wanna free up a line..." - Free) and, as you can see by the quote, his music is socially and politically conscious (but not overly so, listen to track 7 on the mixtape and you'll see the versatility). Below is a link to download his latest mixtape, Recession Proof. It's fire, and if you've never heard of him before, this is the best way for you to Get Acquainted...

Download Here

I'm Lubeen, and as always,

Pax, Amor et Musica

Ebony Eyes

I feel, sometimes, that while my gifts of communication through the English language, can convey a picture, more often than not people are not given the time to see exactly what I see. So, I decided to provide you with an actual look through my eyes. This is life, as the 5ive lives it. Good, bad, and even hideous and ugly at times, we invite you to experience our outlook, through these visual aides.

Enjoy.





- Mr. Jackson

LoveHate

In light of Mr Punch's latest post, I found myself thinking, "why would anyone be so disrespectful?" We have toiled hard for the past four years with one goal in mind, college. College is the springboard to the success in store for all. I indeed would expect our form as a whole to be happy for each other and celebrate each others success together as opposed to making comments such as "Oh really?"

Mr Punch, Mr Hamilton, Mr Burton and Mr jackson, "I hope they document what we're becoming, congratulations"

At the end of the day, what it comes down to is this:
Their love makes us stronger, their hate, their hate makes us as a 5ive unstoppable.
Once again, I congratulate all you fine young men and the form of 2009.

-Mr Ajayi

Oh, Really...

Yesterday, one of my classmates asked me if Tuesday had brought any good news. Seeing as she was clearly referring to college decisions, I chose to answer with a modest, discreet "yes" - acting in any other manner would be disrespectful to those who had not received the desired results. Well anyway, this person continued on down the college path, further asking me to which schools I had been admitted. Before I could respond, a friend in the IVth Form standing next to me offered up the schools I had gotten into, then walked away after congratulating me for a fourth time. After waiting in silence for about four seconds, my classmate responded with an, "Oh, Really..."

- Now, I could recount the rest of the conversation but that would be unnecessary; as you could probably already tell the "Oh, Really..." is actually what concerns me. You see, it wasn't the encouraging, congratulatory "Oh, Really...". No, this was the, 'You're going to stand there and try to tell ME, ____________, that pigs fly?'  Oh Really... or the 'Ha, has Hell Frozen over? has Jesus come again? has the Sun set in the East? has the U.S captured Osama? have the American people elected a black man President (wait, disregard that last one...)? "Oh Really..."

This was the rude, condescending, incredulous, patronizing, disrespectful "Oh Really..."; just the type that at 4:30 pm on that very same Tuesday would have evoked a response as rude, condescending, incredulous, patronizing, and disrespectful. 

But see, there is something about having what they call "something to lose" that causes one to think before he speaks, to foresee before he does. 5:00 pm Tuesday evening came and brought with it three reasons to ignore the "Oh, Really..."; three reasons to reply, "Really!" (in a happy-go-lucky tone) and walk away. 

I'm not naive, hence, I'm not shocked that someone would attempt to bring me down from the high that accompanies retrieving the "fruits of my labor". To the contrary, I'm grateful for the, "Oh, Really..."; it demonstrates that this idealistic community which likes to think of itself as some impenetrable bubble is still vulnerable to societal vices such as jealousy and envy. 

Yesterday, Wednesday, I heard an adviser talking to a student in the Vth Form (junior) who is just beginning the college process. The student stated, "I'm afraid that if I don't get in I'll hate my friends, you know..?" They chuckled after that comment, and then the adviser said something I thought was interesting.

"Not only will you get in, but embarking on this college journey with your peers will allow you to appreciate all of the hard work everybody puts into the process. You will all be happy for each other."

Oh, Really...

JbP

p.s. My 5ive, "we did good."

Onward and Upward

"I hope they document what we're becoming, congratulations"

JbP