Change

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on theotalks.net and I’ve had it on my task list to do this for a while. I’ve been debating it for some time, but I really think it’s time to start fresh. I’ve mentioned in other posts that blogging is hard work. If you’re not dedicated to the cause, you can easily suffer burnout. I’ve seen it before from some of my favorite sites and if you look at the last date I posted, you’ll see it here.

But despite the lack of posts, I still get a decent amount of hits and readers are still leaving comments on some of my older posts. I’m not the most prolific writer and I don’t consider myself to be well-versed in a lot of the stuff I blog about. But there’s something about this blogging thing that keeps sucking me back into it. I’ve grown to love the black blogger community and it has allowed me to meet some amazing people. There are a lot of people out there with some strong opinions about society and the world as they see it. Those are the people who I like to showcase and support.

I’m making some changes to the blog and what I blog about. I love the current theme and focus of theotalks, but I want to remove the restraints and give myself the opportunity to be all over the place. The new theme of the site is “Random thoughts about everything and nothing”. While it may be a little vague, that’s how I want to run the site from now on.  My current theme of focusing on the black community is great, but there are so many other great bloggers out there consistently doing it. It takes time to put those posts together and right now, I’m at a different place in life.

So from here on out, expect the unexpected. As I feel moved, I’ll post about whatever is on my heart at the moment. I’ll also be showcasing some of my favorite bloggers and will work to get some of the guest writers back (you know who you are) to help a brotha out.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to start the podcast back up, but I might try my hand at video blogging. Only time will tell. Thanks to everyone who supports and reads this blog. It definitely keeps me motivated to stay at it.

God Bless.

Theo

 

Grant Applications 101: What You Need to Know

Are you interested in learning how to write a grant? For $1000 I can teach you the secrets to grant writing!!!

Well actually I can’t. But I can point you to a website that will help you get started. Workforce3 One, is a U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored entity that offers tools (FOR FREE) to get you started in writing your own grant proposal.

They have a really cheesy podcast called “Grant Applications 101: What You Need to Know”. While cheesy, it does dispel some of the myths of grant writing and points you to their Toolkit Homepage to get started.

From what I’ve heard, grant writing is not an easy process and it takes time and patience to actually get one. But it is a way to get funding for your project and may be worth it in the long run. For more information about the grant writing process, visit the links above.

Podcast Transcript

 

Hello President Obama!

Who woulda thunk it! Before he announced he was officially running, I was one of those who thought Obama should have waited to let Hillary get her eight years and then take his after she was done. I figured it would guarantee the Democrats 16 years in Office. I never thought the American people would go for it. Boy was I wrong.

Today is a special day for all people. Whether you voted for him or not, Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America and is in need of your help to set this country back on track. I was never one to think he would come in a fix everything with a magic wand, but I am one who believes Obama is the change agent this country needs. I’m hoping he will continue to be open to ideas from other parties and will push all Americans to get involved in making things better for all people. We’ve been selfish for a long time and the problems we are facing today are a result of our actions. It’s time for a change in our thinking and how we view the world around us.

One thing that I’m excited about the most is that my boys will be able to grow up under the administration of a black president. It’s been funny to see him get excited when he sees a picture of Obama and he knows without us telling him who his president will be. There’s a renewed hope in what’s been accomplished and America is a better place because of it. So if you pray, let’s keep him and his family in your prayers. If you don’t pray, then wish him luck. But whatever you do, he’s going to need it because there’s a lot of work ahead of the Obama Administration.

Check out this great poem by Samira Edi entitled “Obama’s Humble Shoes”.

 

Podcast: President Barack Obama – #40 – 11/16/08

November 17, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 40 – President Barack Obama


What I’m Talkin’ About

Future Presidents
Photos From Friendship West Election Watch Party
Now That Obama Has Won What Next for Black America
Blogging While Brown 2009

Black History Hero
Shirley Chisolm
(Notice the similarities between Chisolm and Obama)

Independent Music Showcase
NextepBenny Powell
“Free to Be Me” (mp3)
from “Nextep”
(Origin Records)

Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at GroupieTunes
More On This Album

Announcements
Special thanks to The Prospector for checking up on me regarding the podcast.
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
I had to get a new voicemail phone number – 972.535.THEO (8436)
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

Podcast: Happy Mother’s Day – #39 – 05/11/08

May 11, 2008 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 39 – Happy Mother’s Day


What I’m Talkin’ About

Baby Announcement
Plans for Mother’s Day
How has your mom influenced your life?
Message to single moms
blackmomsclub.com
Recommend listening“In Praise of Godly Women” series by Pastor Paul Sheppard
You can listen for free in the archive. Go now because it won’t be there long.

Black History Hero
Florence S. Price – Composer

Independent Music Showcase
None this episode. But if you know someone who’d like to be featured, let me know.

Announcements
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

Podcast: Should Affirmative Action Be Banned? – #38 – 03/13/08

March 13, 2008 by · 3 Comments
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 38 – Should Affirmative Action Be Banned?


What I’m Talkin’ About

Affirmative action ban heads for ballot in 5 states
Know Your Right-Wing Speakers: Ward Connerly
Ferraro: ‘They’re attacking me because I’m white’

Black History Hero
Thomas Stewart – Inventor of the Mop

Independent Music Showcase
“You’re A Man Now” by Akil aka Bay Brotha
Hip Hop
Sacramento, California
http://www.myspace.com/baybrothaakil

Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net
I had to get a new voicemail phone number – 972.535.THEO (8436)

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

Podcast: Why I Like Barack Obama – #37 – 02/28/08

February 28, 2008 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 37 – Why I Like Barack Obama


What I’m Talkin’ About

Why I voted for Obama in the Texas Primaries
Barack’s Bio
Leap Year Kid

Black History Hero
John Hope Franklin – Historian

Independent Music Showcase
“Love Train” by Kimberly Holloway
CD: Kimberly Holloway
Soul/R&B/Jazz
Los Angeles by way of Atlanta
www.myspace.com/kimberlyholloway
Purchase the CD

Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net
I had to get a new voicemail phone number – 972.535.THEO (8436)

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

Podcast: Help Me Lower My Cholesterol – #36 – 02/10/08

February 10, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 36 – Help Me Lower My Cholesterol


What I’m Talkin’ About

Goals for this year
Cholesterol and How it Affects Us
Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol
AHA Cholesterol Statistics
Health Discovery Cholesterol Page
Low Cholesterol Diet
Delicious Decisions
Tax Rebate or Tax Advance?

Black Business Spotlight
TS Media

Black History Hero
Congressman Charles B. Rangel

Independent Music Showcase
Hands Up by Preacha Boy
Holy Hip Hop
Representing Central Texas
www.preachaboyproductions.com

Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net
I had to get a new voicemail phone number – 972.535.THEO (8436)

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

Podcast: What MLK Day Means to Me – #35 – 01/21/08

January 21, 2008 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 35 – What MLK Day Means to Me

What I’m Talkin’ About
What do you do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? What does it mean to you?

Black History Hero
Queen Mother Audley Moore – Activist
From the book “Great Negroes Past And Present Vol. 2″
www.africanamericanimages.com

Independent Music Showcase
Movement Soul Vol. 2Eloise Wilson
“Don’t Let Me Be Wrong” (mp3)
from “Movement Soul Vol. 2″
(ESP Disk)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album


Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net
I had to get a new voicemail phone number – 972.535.THEO (8436)

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972.535.THEO (8436)

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin
“I Have a Dream Speech” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Podcast: Happy New Year – #34 – 01/01/08

January 1, 2008 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: Podcasts 

Show Notes – Episode 34 – Happy New Year

What I’m Talkin’ About
New changes for 2008
Blogging While Brown Conference
Closing the Digital Divide

Black Bloogger Highlight
Black In Business

Black History Hero
Thomas Jennings – The First African-American to receive a U.S. Patent

Independent Music Showcase
BalanceSara Tavares
“Balance” (mp3)
from “Balance”
(World Connection BV / Times Square)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at Misrolas
More On This Album


Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net

Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast

Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972-464-1899

Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin

 

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