CarmenJimersonCross
Bio
proper name? CarmenJimersonCross-Safieddine SHARING LIFE LIVED, things seen, lessons learned, and spreading peace where I can.
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Stories (113)
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THE ASSEMBLY CLOSED the last of it’s record files long drawn for final summary, went off screen and before Sue Lynn could stand from her seat at the rosewood conference table, the room had cleared. The long weekend promised to be a good one, a four-day holiday. She stepped out of the elevator and out into the corridor toward her own car… BMW Convertible. Her ticket had a deadline and she would not be late.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Fiction
LEVANTINE
The large woman standing in front of the classroom announced before the slowly filling classroom, "Hello... and good morning, I will be your teacher my name is Matilda... Matilda Sayegh... for Levantine Arabiye. We will study the language and the culture... for Introductory FLA... Foreign Language Arabic 101 and intermediate FLA 102. You will need immersion for the local accent and local custom on your own time later. Let us begin."
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Confessions
WAITING TO DIE AGAIN
HANGING ON EDGE IS INBRED MENTALITY where any film casting Bruce Willis is in effect. Forget your facial spa and know that "jaw drop" is the known innate expression. We all know that for over a decade imminent death from exploding helicopters or planes, rockets or rocket fire, flying sixteen wheelers or simply leaping from a speeding sixteen wheeler onto a bridge and back down onto traffic could be the true end of anyone playing up to die at any given point. True to the film industry, that never happens. But we are reassured that at least one more attempt will follow the many tries for at least the tune of another $83,000,000 to $135,500,000 dollars. They got a good thing rolling and they know it. The star actor gives them their money's worth... and they know he will. He presents them a broad spectrum of character types from the onset of his career and keeps watchers... fans built up over the span of a lifetime, hungry for his next appearance. The advent of new technology put to film somehow discredits the overall flavor by making the film look too hand-made. Some of the latest art appears to be made by use of phone cams depleting the "wow," something the actor nor the film production industry wants to risk. The investment needs to reap a quality effect. Stunts that are not pro-stunt prepped cause injuries and can potentially lead to death and lawsuits. The new approach taken with some camera techs for the initial or perhaps entire project leaves anyone paying for a ticket in or buying the take-home version of a movie made at the door of disappointment.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Geeks
GOING THROUGH THE ROPES
THE PLANE LEFT CHICAGO en route to Columbia, South Carolina, the first part of a split to Charlotte. If there were military personnel aboard, I could not tell because there was not a pickle suit in sight. There was only one familiar face and that was my assigned buddy; a designated companion to endure the hardship of military training... an escort of sorts. Neither were very sure of who ordered the "buddy plan" but it was to be appreciated in the long months to come. For these two, training was more of a summer camp... the summer camp neither had managed to attend as a child... than the torture it was designed to be. They enjoyed the inundated hell out of it. (excuse the french) Sullivan and Williams looked at the secondary transportation provided for the final leg of their trip to Fort Jackson and shrank away, forgetting their military... or soon to become military bearings. It was a prop... a small twin propellor plane. A four seater with only enough extra room for a pilot. The "grunts" who were to accompany them in this contraption boarded with no problem. Neither of these two women had seen such a tiny plane and were concerned about their welfare, their return, their lives, etcetera. Sullivan went back inside to purchase flight insurance for the trip. If she was going to bite the dust, it wouldn't be in vain. At least her kids would eat.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Families
Personal Touch
WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE FIRST INTRODUCED INTO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY roof or homestead they are on their own and hope to be prepared to practice our training put as, "THIS IS MY PRIVATE AREA, DON'T TOUCH ME THERE." We teach them to JUST SAY NO. To some, that's a joke. To others, it may be an open invitation to the challenge to do just that; make more aggressive advances. Do that and a lifetime of agony from sexual aggression begins. With the onset of childhood trauma due to sexual abuse, simple unwarranted touching, the confusion of what is appropriate and what is not takes hold of much of a child or young adult's mind. Some people would total it up as an introduction to what the world has waiting for any and everyone taking a breath into their future life. It's "what the world is about." Recent court cases have focused heavily on the ascent of workplace sexual assault, abuse and rape pronounced, perhaps by the very widely publicized Anita Hill and Judge Clarence Thomas harassment case where he was promoted and went on to be held in high esteem and she was left to crawl under the humiliation of her accusations and pretenses. It was enough to start awareness campaigns. It is a more broadly surfacing event than most are willing to admit... so stated because of potential for loss of dignity, income from employment or business, loss of educational credulity, and the list goes on. In some situations, it can mean loss of freedoms or loss of life for those in third-world countries. With boundaries such as those just mentioned, what should be seen as a crisis becomes a joke and nightmare for onlookers and the person on the receiving end of the abuse. He or she becomes somewhat of a hostage until they can be helped to find a way out of the crisis they fell under.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Psyche
HAITI MOVED OUT
"Let him stay at your place," the supervisor made a half turn and faced the employee opening the door for patients returning from day-long workshops. "Let me get your workers in and I'll get back with you two in a bit," The woman at the door spoke back over her shoulder straining to look further out along the walkway where a string of people were leaving a central building at the other side of facility grounds. "There's your last two just coming out of the universal building now." It would take a few minutes, five at most, for them to walk over to the residence hall where they lived with six other persons. As she closed the heavy metal door behind the returning four tenants, Janell turned back to face the supervisor and the new employee. Janell was filling in for a short staff load and had been for several days now. "What was that you were saying?" The supervisor spoke again, "This is our new worker... new hire employee. He's in need of someplace to stay for a little while and I can't afford to lose an employee if he moves away to his sister's place in Chicago. She and her husband... their household may not get him here on schedule when he's supposed to be at work. We are short-staffed." The emphasis put on "are" told Janell that this request was something to be considered to be imperative. The supervisor tilted her head forward a bit and locked eyes with Janell staring then whencing before announcing, "Your house has a balanced load of staff workers. I'm going to have you work here through the coming wee while he gets in tune with the routine. You know the run of a day's work at the facility... the all-purpose building... workshop schedules, fitness schedules, and the medication carousel routines for nurse visits or shortages. You work this house for now. Pat will learn the routine and meanwhile, I have time to find at least two new hires for this unit to work here with him." Janell nodded her head, "Fine, what was that other bit you said?" her forehead furrowed, "You want him.. who... at my place?" She screwed her face up and frowned more deeply. It was obvious that she was about to argue against such a lurid suggestion. The supervisor spoke up, "Well, he doesn't have a place to stay. No place to live. Let him stay at your house or," her face drew a frown and pursed lips as well, "...or I'll have to cut corners." Janell straightened her face but tilted her head in question of the new order. "Stay with me?" her voice cracked, "I can't let this guy stay at my home, Lucy. I'm married, I have a teenage daughter and a son. There is no room for a guest... and I am married." Then, "Who is he?... I don't know this guy.. don't know him. Would you move a strange man in on your daughter? What's going to happen when I'm suddenly pulled to work an emergency shift or put on night shift... and he's at my house with my kids alone?" The supervisor snapped back, "Later!... talk about this later. You can work this house until I get the rest of the needed workers... staff, for my house here." She paused to catch a breath. Her mouth went into a straight line across her face, then she added, "I've got to get back to the office to check in over there before next shift." Lucy stepped out of the front door leaving the two co-workers to talk. As Lucy stepped out of the five-bedroom case house she managed, she waived at the last two returning patients and reminded them to prep for dinner. There was a new worker and the visiting staff person pulled from one of the other unit houses to watch over them for the rest of the shift. She sauntered off toward the unit office where she worked. As they entered the door marked 510, Lucy stepped into the main unit building greeting the unit nurse and other office staff.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Confessions
HOLDING ON TO A DOLLAR
I ENDED UP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL because I was pregnant, married to the boy that got me pregnant, and no longer allowed to mix with the other students as a state law regulation. New to the neighborhood, I was coached to go over to a neighbor's house and introduce myself and stay there chatting for an hour. I could return home... one house from where I lived with the close of an hour's time. I returned early... raped and whining about the experience. I married that rapist as a result of no longer bearing the option to be a "virgin bride" as required by all morality and religion. The aftermath of that introduction to life in the real world has been a race to escape public welfare. Married and raising the first of two children, I applied to a college matriculated enrollment plan and began studies with BASIC COMPUTER LANGUAGES - 3 credit hours, ENGLISH COMPOSITION - 3 credit hours, and ENGLISH LITERATURE - 3 credit hours. The total limit for pre highschool transcript attendance in any college or university. I was already behind despite my "picket fence mentality" at the onset of life. I was teased by the computer instructor about my flowchart assignment subject matter as presented to him. Its focus was similar to the ladder of life applied to hexagram, rectangle, and squares with connecting lines to follow. He was amused by his 16-year-old enlistee to college. I finished high school through the GED program later on and went full force into college studies as family life, transportation, and later... as my jobs... and I have had many, including military, allowed.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Confessions
STRESSORS
THE CHILDREN ARE ALIVE AND WELL, that one which called the move to relocate for his assistance is ALIVE and WELL. The needy diabetic is off the verge of excessive sugar and on to a balanced diet. The agonizing prostate cancer debilitation is over and past... he's gone to a better place. The lung infection and empathy felt for that sister, has gone on as well, and I won't be running to Milwaukee to rescue the children of the overnight party personality child of mine. Do I have time for life? No... registration for classes to finish a degree is choked off and I am no longer interested, the purpose is past... my empty nest situation is ended! That offer to go out on a date or two is put off because I need to "find my status in life." I need to figure out the limitations of my own health from accidents and injuries. It would be crazy to add someone to a wreckage of a life. My youngest is moving back home from college and bringing the girl he met there with him. They lost the baby but...
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Psyche
Mar Heba
Green Street was not the best accommodations available in town but was the recommended stopping place for anyone who cared to help the community live. The small room provided for minimal comforts... A bed and washing facilities; he could eat at his cousins restaurant and other businesses of other members of the community. He preferred to keep his money circulated among friends, family and his own Levantine community. It was hard to do with the posh Marriott, Dearborn Inn and Hampton Inn further into town, but he believed in supporting his fellow businessmen and family. He felt better for his conscience. The woman who cleaned at the Green Street boarding house kept it fairly clean for the building it was, and the wash was regular, it gave her a regular income. It kept him close to those he knew and out of the homes of his family, but was good to see them... to visit with them after so many years after their departure to America. They often boasted of success with business and family. The entire community attitude was strong in their collective efforts to maintain a sound religious base here and to keep the lines of communication open and current with concerns at home. The Community Clergy was constant and came recommended by not only his own cousins but by most of the community, as a sound-minded conscientious man. A good man. Conversations with the clergy and following up on referrals made from various community members, he decided to attempt to find replacements for his print and bindery shop back at home. With that, he made his plans to locate the... Collator and folding machines needed to replace those damaged in a recent bombing. One earlier visit to these same cousins, Mahmoud and Majid, had felt like home without its many bracing customs. It was less restrictive for the American insurgence of life. They lived in their respective chosen places, Mahmoud in West Bloomfield ...far to the north, and Majid here in the community, not far from the boarding house. It was not proper to stay with them in the presence of their women ...for custom of moral existence. It would do to keep peace in the household and avoid all instance for doubt. He chose to stay at the Green Street. Their women covered and most other details were like home except that the watchers were wrapped not in the entity of an assigned group but in the individual for his or her own strength in personal privacy. At home there were "police" for everything and anything of conscious to mankind. They were called the WATCHERS. There were no watchers in the cousins' American community... no authentic personal behavior police. His own home, still in Northern Lebanon's suburbs of Beirut, boasted traditional Islamic practices. Those at home were expected to be honest of their own accord, in relationships, business and persuasion. The customs of freedom are usually what kills mankind. Too much freedom brings slaggard morals in any man or woman. As he sat in his cousin's restaurant now, waiting for the plate ordered, Mahmoud told him of the possibility for business success in America. "I haf thees restoor-rant...it is goot business, and I have the printing there, zee Tech-No... also goot business. Both are goot money to my family. My wife and zee children eat good meals, have goot schools and they are with people who no zem. You shoult join me with jour business... here and there, we will do goot." A restaurant employee approached him from behind the booth to ask his opinion on food preparation for this cousin. Mahmoud excused himself and followed the man back into the kitchen area. Ali was intent upon bringing the equipment back up to date. It would be replaced but he would have to work within the budget. His travels had brought him to the United States as an afterthought. The better machines had always been of German design but the contention in Germany was to deal with its own. In the Americas there were better negotiators for used and new equipment from any background. He could find the German manufactured Heidlburg equipment here, or so he had been told. He simply needed a guide. There had also come the suggestion of a franchise from a prior acquaintance, a younger man hoping for the ways of the coming generation. Zgheib had suggested he buy a franchise with his money instead of investing in the heavy equipment like that he already had. "Tomorrow will be different. Eet will not use the heavy things Ali, I would think ahead andt ghet more updated computerized equipment. Zhe franchise company will provide eet." He had seen Zgheib only last night at the community center. Since his coming here to the Americas, Mo seemed to have changed for the release of pressure. Back at home there had been the pressure of marriage. Marriage to a girl that was obviously not one he would have chosen for himself. Seeing him here in America, Ali was certain that the weight had been removed by his escape from the woman. This one, at thirty years of age, was a hopeless romantic. He wanted to marry for love. At his age, Ali was already working on establishing a trade and business. It was a family trait. He had already been in the construction trades for the repair of his own community back at home and for building new large concrete houses. He had gone into business with another, Abu, in printing newspapers and the holy book... which he personally maintained contracts for orders and delivery; two mandated lines of media in their own world. Because of his choice of business, he was well respected by many of the leaders of many Arabic-speaking countries and in his own region and abroad. He traveled frequently establishing accounts and verifying customer satisfaction with their product, and at times to establish new contacts. Mahmoud returned from the kitchen with a plate of appetizers, "You will make it to your appointment, Ali, zhe food is about here now." He quickly remembered his suggestion of joining his own printing business with his cousin's, "...and didt jhou think about tzhe business?" He sat down, placing the heavily garnished plate before his cousin. It was rare for visitors other than his wife's or his own siblings or parents to come from overseas. One uncle... his wife's father, was a constant intrusion to his household. Sayed often appeared from his own usual residence in England, for interspersed short term trips which usually found him at the podium at the community center. On some of these trips, a friend of the family or other family member would accompany him. Ali came alone claiming to need equipment for the business back in Beirut. "I haf ...how you say, think about it." Mahmoud sat up and leaned toward his cousin in anticipation as Ali continued, "Jhes, I haf think about it. I think a leetle morre;" and smiled back in jest."...Where ees my food?"
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Marriage
Lik'n like'n Chocolate
BONBONS AND TRUFFLES of up to four layers of chocolate in five textures lined the bakery shelves amid posh displays of Lava cake, six-layer cheesecake with chocolate liqueur drizzle trickling down the sides and chocolate non-pareils sprinkled across the top. As I brushed past the other attendees for that night's poetry reading I couldn't avoid noticing one tall slender standing at the choco counter with his Latte and double blonde brownie and raspberry drizzle. My eyes flashed a smile at the selection I was yet to determine for my own tempest. So many flavors to dribble over! Instead of selecting my sip for the night, I sat near the mic and reviewed my selection. Soon enough, it was my stage. I rose and confidently took the mic in hand and read...
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Poets
BENEFICIARIES
WE ENLIST AND GO PATRIOTIC to serve and protect the general public, to be all we can be for the benefit of self, family, and our nation. In doing so we are obligated to leave our own home and family and to sign away parental right of authority to a chosen guardian, for a however permanent or temporary term. That requirement is considered to be "BY LAW" of the military enlistment contract, signing care of minor children... children under the age of eighteen, for control of their accessing education, food, housing, and general welfare. We sign and choose well from what resources are available to us. Until that consigned enlistment contract ends we owe trust to that selected guardian and expect that they will do well by our beneficiaries. Weekend Warriors... National Guard, are now included in active duty military performance overseas.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Families
