I May Now Die In Peace
“…I can’t believe, today was a good day…” ~ Ice Cube, “It Was A Good Day”, The Predator
My life is better today, because of what happened in my life yesterday. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t share this lovely and inspiring news. In fact, it’s not just news, it’s a story. A story of hopes and dreams. It’s a story about belief.
Aside from the fact that we’re all going to die one day, it would be the never-ending story. Only without the big floppy eared flying dragon dog or any random white kids named Atreyu.
Thing is, despite the fact that we’re all going to die one day, and that is usually depressing news in and of itself, I just may now die in peace.
First, I must tell you a story.
Actually, first I must tell you to make sure that you are voting in the 2nd Annual October Madness (2006) tournament being sponsored by both Jackson G. Tickle Enterprises and The Royal Youngs. Those are household names. And similarly tune in tomorrow as we unveil the next two brackets with our expert analysis and scientific meandering. Hmm…I think I like that term, scientific meandering.
Yes, methinks me likes it much.
Back to the story that was never begun. I can honestly say that I had a good youth. I could read at a very young age. I only almost killed myself once (or three) times in bicycle incidents. I was only picked up by the police for shoplifting one time (when I was 6 and it wasn’t my fault…well, not completely). As you can see, I learned a few lessons the hard way but I have no complaints. Well, as I got older those lessons became easier and easier for me to learn.
And do you know why? You probably don’t. Which is why you’re wondering why I just asked you if you knew why. Thing is, you probably weren’t even wondering and just recognize it as one of those rhetorical speech-like phrases that people use when they’re about to make some seemingly valid point.
The reason why learning those lessons became easier for me is because Family Matters, yes the television show, was always one of my favorite shows. Perhaps it’s because in my youth I could so easily identify with Steve Urkel. Believe it or not, I was quite the little nerd growing up. True, I was the coolest nerd on the block and managed to win Best Dressed Male every year I was in middle school, but underneath my thuglike, debonair exterior, festered a nerd who really just wanted to read Encyclopedia’s and play with his calculator.
If you watched Family Matters every week, you were provided with some lesson and you always knew when the lesson was coming because that cheesy music would start playing to let you know that somebody was finna get learned something. I used to love that actually. There’d always be some conflict of sorts, then some speech of apology or of understanding, cue music, cue hugs, then voila…everybody loves eachother again.
Well, except Laura Winslow. That damn Laura. She just wouldn’t give poor Steve the time of day. Well, not until Stephon Ur-Kel showed up. You know, the cool version of Steven Q. Urkel.
You’re probably wondering where all of this is heading. Hell, me too.
As much as I’d like to say that I watched Family Matters for the lessons and the cheesy less cool Cosby-esque nature of the show, the real reason I watched…every season…religiously…was…
…Laura Winslow nee Kellie Shanynge Williams.
Hands down, my crush on her trumped any crush I’ve ever had on Christina Milian. I was in love with her. I thought she was so fine.
Oh yes, and to hell with you if you are currently snickering.
I just knew that I’d find Laura out there slipping one day and I’d make her mine. Hell, I wanted to marry Laura. My family can actually attest to this. Two of my sisters are very familiar with my love for Laura and used to tease me about it. You see, it was a genuine and pure love. Mary J. Blige might even refer to it as “real love”.
She was pretty, had a big heart, nice, had a nice smile, and just seemed like an all around good person. Basically, she had me from hello. She always seemed (to me…and yes during my formative years) as the kind of girlfriend or woman who would be good to have in your life. And because I’m impressionable, I transfer all of those characteristics drummed up by writers into who the actual person really is. I don’t think you can pull of great person unless you have some semblance of great person inside of you. So yes, I was in love.
I just need to make that clear, for the entire duration of Family Matters, I was in love with Laura Winslow, thought she was the bee’s knees and was so extremely fine.
Hmmm…does all of that actually make me Urkel?
Allow me to switch gears for a second. If you remember, I used to host a weekly Open Mic event in Washington, DC, at the historic Bohemian Caverns. Nice spot. I don’t host anymore but I do any number of other things behind the scene from running the door to coordinating the performances, etc. Just call me the intern. Last night we had a comedian that many folks have heard of before, Red Grant, come through. He’s originally from DC and he’s an extremely funny dude.
While he’s up there performing, or right when he’s about to get off stage, he does this shout out to his people that came with him.
And who but who came there to support him?
KELLIE WILLIAMS AKA LAURA WINSLOW!!!
Can I tell you that when he said that, time stopped?
Actually, I suppose I just did.
What makes this even more crazy is that I let them all into the door together and because I was on the phone and working the guest list at the same time, I didn’t even notice her when she came in. Just said, go on in.
When he shouted her out, my radar got to working. I knew exactly where they were sitting and GEORGE MICHEAL! There she was.
I almost fainted.
Okay, that’s not true at all.
But I couldn’t believe it.
Well, she and, I presume, her sister (girl looked just like her, but not really) walked out and I went outside because I was going to speak to her, which I did.
We talked for a short minute. I told her how much of a fan I was of both her and the show and that I’d been in love with Laura Winslow for years, yada yada yada. She told me that she’d moved back to DC and was running a non-profit focused on the arts. I found out its called the Kellie Williams Programs. Then, I probably reiterated how much I used to love her. I’m fun like that. It was a quick little, all-smiles, conversation. I mean I wasn’t trying to holler or anything…just because the love of your life shows up doesn’t mean you have to try to holler at them does it?
Anyway, in the midst of our short conversation she says to me, probably after I told her that my heart dropped when her and Stephon got married (even though that never officially happened on the show as the show was cancelled before they showed the actual wedding)…
…”you’re sweet.”
I’m officially done.
You can’t tell me jack. I’m officially on cloud nine. And yes, she didn’t really say anything to me that would make me think she’ll ever remember me.
Then again, I’m Panama. I’m kind of hard to forget.
Plus, I’m sexxy.
Either way, even if I never see her again (though she did tell me about some event she was having next weekend, too bad I’ll be out of town), my life is better because I got to meet Laura Winslow aka Kellie Williams in person.
And believe you me, she’s STILL fine. Good gracious. I think I’m still in love. Okay, that may not be true, but good googly moogly is she hot. I have no idea how great a person she is or anything, or if she’s anything like Laura Winslow, but truthfully, the girl’s alright with me…you know, the girl’s alright. In fact, I take it back, I think I do still have a crush on her. Yep, I’m still crushing on Laura Winslow.
But it’s okay, because I met her.
I called my sister and told her right after I met her and she just laughed at me because she knew I must have been on cloud nine. And I was…
…and still am.
Like I said, I may now die in peace.
Goodnight and goodluck.
*Remember to vote in the October Madness tourney if you haven’t already, both here and over at The Champ’s site. *
October 19th, 2006 13:42
You know what…..I think I found the new line for you. Say sumn like this happens again, just tell the broad to google Panama Jackson in a few days. This is good PR.
October 25th, 2006 08:48
Word to Big Bird! I would have paid to be in your shoes that night!