Blast from the past

Hello, everyone. I am back to normal just about as far as my stress level is. Weird, I am posting on a Saturday in June. I wanted to post another entry before the end of June to end on a more neutral note. I am focusing my attentions on the tasks at hand in my job for the summer. I am handling the stress and expectation better and I closed out the work week with a more positive attitude. I have much more to learn and I only have about six weeks to learn and implement it before I have to return to Ohio Wesleyan. I am bracing myself for the rocky adventure and whatever is thrown my way even if I might lose it or vent about it now and then.

My batteries in my camera are dead and I have yet to get paid so I now have an inactive camera until at least Monday. However, I do have pictures that I would like to share. I like to call this a blast from the past. These pictures are a couple years old and I have not shared these pictures with anyone outside of my family. I am doing this because these pictures may show a little more intimate side of me (No, not that intimate kind of way). I just think it is time. Sorry if the picture are kind of blurred or faded.


This is me when I was at JFK High. I believe this is during Senior Awards. I was a bit conservative when I attended high school. I was the model student and I had to keep that up for the underclassmen. By the way, I sweep up a good amount of the awards. Not much else to say here.








A couple of month before, I took pictures for Valentine's Day. I ended up giving gifts to people. In a way, it was weird because this looks like an elaborate picture taken in another area besides the school. This picture was taken in the middle of my SQL-Oracle classroom during class. I completed my work and then had a little fun with the pictures and the gifts. Good ol' Kennedy.











Why do I have a college directory, you might ask? Well, as a senior, I became a scout for the school for providing college information and tips for where to go to college. I worked as a scout for one of the scholarship programs, the one that is helping me finance my college education- Cleveland Scholarship Programs, Inc. For about three months, I worked with an advisor to promote the importance of going to college, especially as urban youth, to my peers who were juniors at the time. Honestly, I am not sure how receptive the audience was but I think the message hit home for some at least. It was an interesting and one of the reasons why I am so involved in promoting Ohio Wesleyan through the Wesleyan Student Foundation. I love helping others especially those who really want the opportunity to succeed in another way.





Prom day. This is me before gearing up and going to meet my prom date at her house. I was not nervous at all since we already knew each other. The night turned out to be all right. We later went to the movies and that was okay as well. I guess prom somewhat prepared me for formals with my fraternity although prom was tame prepared to formals (I guess high school was a tame experience for me because college is a definite eye-opener).





I know. I would have taken a picture of the front of the house. That will happen sooner or later. For now, the picture of this side of the house is special to me. This is my fraternity, my home away from home. 19 Williams Drive, Delaware, Ohio. This is the residence of the Ohio Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. This is where I live for about nine months out of the year. I used to live on the 3rd floor as one of the new members. Now, as an older member, I reside on the 1st floor in a room that is probably 3x as big and probably too large for me since I do not have a ton of items to put in it (at school I am a bit of a minimalist living-wise). Well, either me or a new member so I took it. Anyway, I am looking forward to another great year in the house and many more surprises. Stay tuned.


For future purposes. This is a random photo I found of what I see as paradise. The Bahamas or another island country. I will love to own real estate down there and enjoy life. This photo captured my attention and gives me perspective on how beautiful life is.









In the states, I love the countryside. I grew to appreciate it in areas such as Colorado during hiking expeditions. I will love to own land that goes for days and view the picturesque backdrops of the country. The peace and the joy that this affords is breathtaking and awe-inspiring.





Well, enjoy the pictures of me of my past and the pictures that hopefully represents a part of my future. I got to go catch up with some people.






Looking back to the past and setting my sights to improve the future,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10

Losing it over here

I have been working for about 5 weeks now and I feel like somewhat inadequate. I am doing my job but I don't know. I want more. Looking at a computer screen for almost eight hours can do that to you.

My pictures are boring right now so I will wait to build up the portfolio. In the middle of summer. Great. The routine is getting monotonous now but I know I will be saying that again in the middle of the school year. That is just me. I am frustrated, annoyed, and standoffish right now. I am clearly not thinking straight- but hey I'm human. If people can't look past that- that is their prerogative. I am a man of many weaknesses- don't pounce on me just because of this. I'm sorry, but like I said, I am outright frustrated at myself and the world right now.

Well, now that the feelings are now in the open, I think I will vent some more. I guess I will vent about this wonderful thing that has bothered me even though I know I can't control this phenomenon. Now I am a Christian but I have noticed the divide in the ages in church. Churches have become more isolated in terms of the age ratio. In more traditional churches especially in urban areas, a lot of people are of the elderly population. I have seen it with my eyes. Now I am not trying to generalize- my opinion- but in many churches, there are very few, if any, young persons (generally, under 30 years of age). Do you think this is kosher?

I feel that the Word of God should unify people. However, the style of how the Gospel is being taught speaks volumes. Honestly, many of us youth do not like the older traditional way of learning the Bible and going to church. Honestly, I don't like sitting in the church for two hours and learning just from that way. There are sundry ways of learning in the Spirit. And yes, I believe that you do not have to go to church just to go to Heaven. I believe that the church is here on Earth to bring all people, Christians or otherwise together to learn more about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Anyway, the point I am trying to get at is: youth should not have to call obligated to go to other churches once they reach that age where technically they are "rebellious." I want to see churches become more unified in its purpose and with the people they reach out to.

I know that this may be a shock to some especially to those who may have been oblivious to it. I know that I will probably be getting a very long letter from an angry person but I am just letting you know my opinion and what is happening to the church especially in urban settings. People: do me a favor. Ask your elders or your youth how they really feel about the church and I am sure they will tell you the truth. It is church, you know.

All right. Enough talk from me. Let me hear your opinions- I know some of you are quite ready to tear me a new one.



"Mr. Controversial"
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10

Traveling on my own path

As I travel to work on week days, I wonder about myself and how I got to be where I am. It was two years ago that I walked across that stage to receive my high school diploma and now here I am traveling on a path to another internship at Parker. This path is exciting especially since I am not a Computer Science or Information Technology major. At the time, I thought this is my major and I will stand by it until the day I die. Now no more. I am free from the major but working at Parker, the passion and the drive is still there. Learning how to do this and that is exposure to something greater despite my different majors.
Seeing the beautiful scenery going to and from work and at work with the new technology is a blessing in disguise. Stopping to take a look at it does me wonders especially on a tough day at the job where nothing seems to be going right. Stopping by the information booths to learn about the history of Parker. Stopping by the water fountain that was just built. Looking at the traffic below while I cruise by whether it is in a car or a bus. I have to do these things to get a perspective that is not work, work, work and money, money, money all of the time. I like to hustle but I like to enjoy the simpler things in life in my travels as well. These things help make me humble for what I have received.
I travel to a lot of places inside the U.S. This year alone I went to Pittsburgh, Boston, and Goldsboro, North Carolina with stops in Virginia in about two weeks. I am excited for travel because new experiences for me are priceless just like being at home with my family when I truly think about. My travels are priceless to me whether they are figurative or literal. The path is jagged but sometimes the path that is jagged is more encouraging than the straight path if you ask me.


I will leave with this... thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I guess I said this because my words actually do something. It may not be the intended action but eventually my words will do the travel to my intended destination. I know this may not make sense to some of you but try to understand what I am saying. I gotta go, my shirt and pants beg for the calling of starch for tomorrow's stress ball called work.






Traveling to the beat of whatever call upon me,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10

Learning from the RTA

So I finished my first full week at Parker and continuing on through another. Not a lot of eventful things happening for me just yet. I know it will pick up soon. One thing that has been eventful and always is is catching the RTA. That's right. I catch the bus to places especially to work. I feel that this is the perfect time to talk about this situation with the bus. With gas prices continuing to soar over the four dollar a gallon mark all across the United States, why wouldn't I?
(Picture #1- Dine at Tower City- A Promotion of all of the restaurants that Tower City has to offer after a train or bus ride.)

To introduce the topic, I will talk briefly about what is the RTA. The RTA stands for the Regional Transit Authority. This "authority" serves as the transportation for Cleveland and all of its suburbs. The RTA was voted the Best Transportation Authority in North America. The RTA has been around for a long time. I don't remember the date when it started but I know it has been in existence ever since I was born. The RTA branches off into different and distinct areas of Northeast Ohio from Avon on the West to Chagrin Falls in the East, from Rocky River in the North to Brecksville in the South. The RTA explores through different cultures and people, all in the name of transporting all types of people to their destination.
(Picture #2- An Outside View of the Regional Transit Authority.)

To get to Parker every work day, I catch two different buses. The RTA gives me door-to-door access- literally. The RTA picks me up in front of my house in the wee hours of the morning and drops me off in front of Parker in Mayfield Heights about an hour later. I am blessed to have this service. I have a Mustang that eats a lot of gas even if I am going a short distance. I rather pay $17.50 for a weekly local (bus pass) than put $40-$50 dollars in my tank and potentially have to refill my tank. For me, the bus line to Parker is a huge benefit and to many other people in the working class who ride the rapid to downtown Cleveland at an inexpensive price.
(Picture #3- No car, no problem. Choose one of the paths of the rapid to reach your destination.)

Without the RTA, there would have been no way I would have seen some of the places I have seen, the good or the bad. I have been in projects where there is abject poverty surrounding you. You may not feel very comfortable in the area but at least you are aware that there is transportation waiting to get you out (hopefully). Some of the best parts of Cleveland and its suburbs are utilized by the RTA particularly in the form of the rapid. The Flats, Downtown Cleveland, and Hopkins International Airport wisely have the rapid come through. I have taken the rapid to many festivals including the Taste of Cleveland held in the Tower City Amphitheater and Pavilion areas. On the RTA bus line, you have areas such as Crocker Park, Great Northern Mall, and Legacy Village/Beachwood Mall, which I pass by to go to work. Some of the best places are accessible by bus.
(Picture #4- Advertisements for past and upcoming events.)

The RTA does have its drawbacks. The biggest drawback I have encountered throughout the years of riding the RTA is that the buses may or may not follow their scheduled time of arrival. This means that if you have looking for a specific bus and the bus never shows up, you may be stranded. In an area like Mayfield Heights where I work, the bus only runs at a certain hour mainly mornings and evenings- no lunch, no late nights. I plan out my schedule accordingly so if there is delay I can be ready. Oftentimes, most people do not and are stranded in that particular spot for say, an hour. Your only alternative would be to hitch a ride from a willing person or to call a reliable person to pick you up. Personally, since I know how to navigate the bus line, I prefer to be in an area that is not remote and that I know that there are several bus lines to take in case of an emergency or a delay. It can and will happen at some point. Fortunately for me, I have never had a significant delay in my area of work. The moral of this drawback is to prepare for the unexpected especially if it is your first time riding the RTA. Things happen. Like being on the rapid getting stuck in the tunnel near Tower City and seeing people FREAK OUT for twenty minutes before finally arriving 45 minutes. Yeah. Just saying.
(Picture #5- A Stop Before Home- A Foundational Marker of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
I suppose one of the drawbacks (or perks) the RTA has to offer is seeing the environment and the people that surround the environment. I rode the bus to all different types of environments and you have to prepare yourself. The environment in Orange is a lot different than in East Cleveland. The behavior of people on the bus might shock you or worry you. If you know that you are going to be riding in an area where it is known for being drug central, then you should know what you are getting into. If you don't like a lot of activity that may be off-kilter or eccentric, then riding the bus may not be for you despite the benefits. Some areas have more youth, which means more crying from infants, a lot of running in the aisles, loud talking, and things of that nature. In this case, you should bring a pair of headphones or earplugs- whatever fits your personality. What I said earlier- expect the unexpected.
(Picture #6- At Tower City- I captured an interesting shop.)
(Picture #7- Airbrushing. They make painting so easy and real looking.)


Well, I am done. I have to prepare for another journey on the RTA tomorrow. I just hope it doesn't rain a torrential downpour. If it does, I'll live. Until next week, I will be scouring for more pictures to provide you with the latest news.




Encouraging you to leave the car at home and travel via RTA,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10

Does hip-hop have a place at Ohio Wesleyan?

Here I am a week later writing to you again about what is on my mind. I didn't take any pictures seeing that I have not been able to conjure up any good areas to take a picture. Hopefully, I can go to some areas in the surrounding suburbs of Cleveland to provide you with a glimpse of what they have to offer providing I give myself some time. In this sense, stay tuned.
From a week ago, there has been one fabulous change: I am officially employed again at Parker. That is right. I got my rehire at Parker and currently trying to educate myself on the new job. This is a very good thing because of the recent economic recession where more people are finding themselves out of a job or are having problems trying to find work. I am one of the fortunate ones, I guess.
Away from school for the second straight summer, I began to ponder some things. One of these things is hip-hop. Now, I consider myself an urban person who is privileged to live in Cleveland, one of the metropolitans of the country. In my area, many people especially children under the age of eighteen consider this their neighborhood or hood for short. This is not something I consider is bad even though bad connotations may or may not come from the word depending on your experiences. In my neighborhood, there are some things that seem prominent such as music. Whenever I am around my neighborhood, particularly on weekends, I hear music, mainly rap. Not particularly good conscious rap but the "I'm about to go to a party and get my dance on." You know, the 50 Cent variety. Now, I know that I did not grow up in the old school of say KRS-1 or EPMD, but some days I thrive to listen to more conscious music.
At Ohio Wesleyan, there is not a lot of Blacks in comparison to students of other races. Obviously, there is not a lot of genuine hip-hop presence on campus. At times, I do hear some music that tends to be conscious and has roots to authentic hip-hop but not daily. I have some tunes on my Ipod and other individuals that I know have some tunes. What I usually hear on campus is rap music. Not that I am totally against rap music but most people only seem to listen to this at least on campus. Of course this begs the question: "Does hip-hop have a place at Ohio Wesleyan?"
I want to say yes because of the diversity that Ohio Wesleyan consistently pushes. However, I believe that it will take some true hip-hop heads to really put it back on the map and advocate to students and others that are willing to hear why they should integrate hip-hop with rap. Not all rap is bad. Hip-hop is the source to good things. I hope that hip-hop can make a resurgence in the minds and the hearts of people especially who haven't heard what true hip-hop is.
I am just venting. Is hip-hop dead? No. Is it being forgotten in favor of rap that promotes materialism and other things especially to the younger generation. You betcha. Well, that is my take on it. I would love to see hip-hip thrive at Ohio Wesleyan for everyone. That is one of my wishes for next term.




Dreamin' for wishful thinking in college communities,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10