Black History Series | The Tuskegee Airmen

They were young, gifted and black but the US Army refused them key positions. That is until intense pressure from activist groups pushed President Franklin D. Roosevelt to initiate an African-American fighter pilot training program in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Top secret and fiercely opposed by top military brass, the African-American pilots, dubbed the Red Tails, were forced to fly second-rate planes far from the action.

But in June 1944, they leapt to the front lines of World War II. Suddenly they were given Mustang P-51 fighter planes and charged to protect Allied bombers on a mission to destroy Nazi Germany. Now fighting two wars – one in the skies against the Nazis and the other against racism back at home in the US – the Red Tails were determined to prove to the world that they had the right stuff.

Ordered to adopt life-threatening tactics to knock out German radar stations and go head-to-head with the enemies' technologically advanced fighter jets, the Red Tails never caved in. This programme documents how their success helped secure the Nazi’s defeat and changed the course of American history.

Feel free to continue your education by searching online for more information.

 

Courtesy of Channel 5:  http://www.channel5.com/shows/heroes-of-the-skies/episodes/the-tuskegee-airmen

If you are interested in Black History and wish to contribute a website (that you found interesting) that showcases Black achievements and history, send your suggestion or link by emailing me (click CONNECT) 

How to have a successful Long Distance relationship

Finding someone local is always preferred... but unless you live in a city with a large multi-ethnic population, you are less likely to find what you are looking for locally.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen but you have to get creative in order to find what you're looking for.

I am a big believer in fate.  People come in and out of our lives all the time.  The smart ones will grab an opportunity when it presents itself.  When you have a connection with someone, nurture it.  Do not let distance be a factor.  Yes, we all want someone whom we can see on a regular basis in the flesh and if you have that then great!  But, compatibility knows no geographic boundaries.  And who's to say that living together won't happen in the future?

I have made the mistake of letting opportunities pass me by because of the distance issue.  I have always regretted it later after realizing that deciding it wouldn't work out was a bit premature.

The great thing about meeting someone who lives far away is that relocation can be the obvious solution.  But until that happens, how do you maintain a LD relationship?  Here's what has worked for me....

1.  Communicate DAILY... nothing kills a budding relationship faster than the inability to stay in touch.  This is critical as a local person can just show up at your home.  Long distance only has the technological means (such as phone, instant messengers, email and videoconferencing services like Skype, Google Hangout, Yahoo & Windows Live Messenger, ooVoo/Facebook, etc) of getting a hold of you.... so use them!

2.  Make plans to visit them in person... whether you visit them or they you.  Check for good travel deals on a weekend getaway to see your LD interest.  This does not have to be done right away until you can afford to make the trip.  Otherwise, save up and plan to visit in about 2 months or more (whatever is agreed upon), if financially possible and schedules allow.

3.  Decide whether or not sexual relations outside of the budding LD relationship can exist or not.  Personally, if you are not there to take care of needs then until that happens.... I'll let you finish that thought.  :)

4.  If you are thinking of relocating, check for employment opportunities when you go visit or online.  Also, create a budget for the relocation.  If you own a home, then you have to make the decision of whether to sell it or rent it out.  Apartment dwellers simply have to wait until their lease ends (unless sub-letting is allowed).

5.  Wait at least 6 months to see if the LD relationship is worth taking to the next step or relocation.  That's a huge life change and one that requires certainty that the connection you two have is real and worth relocating for.

6.  Determine if monthly visits are enough or if relocation is mutually agreed upon.  Make sure to relay any concerns or anxieties you may have.  It's best to discuss and get them out of the way before you make that leap.

I'm probably leaving some things out but you get the picture.  Remember that a relationship is not pre-programmed... it is comprised of the wants and needs of both individuals.  You are the factor which determines if long distance will work for you or not.

This is not for everybody.  Some just can't relocate under any circumstance or vice versa.  I have a sub who travels for work and serves me on a temp/short term basis when work brings him to my area.  We have chemistry so the arrangement works.  Plus, he's married which is why what we have is all that he can offer.  But he definitely makes up for it when he does have the chance to serve in person.

Real Encounters | Jay

Note:  The photo above was taken at the beach during his visit.  

I am vacationing in Southern California at the end of this month around Halloween and will be accompanied by my personal assistant, Dave and a new long distance sub, by the name of Jay, whom has visited me a couple times since we first met on Memorial Day.  I knew that he was just discovering his submissive side and that meeting me helped him come to terms with it.  Being very shy and "damaged" in a way, I didn't expect much from him.  He was the first applicant for my new Weekend Service program.

Over the last few months, he has consistently stayed in touch with me and has found time to devote a day to serving me whenever he was in the area visiting his family.  In July, I made him aware that I would be taking a week vacation in the Los Angeles area in October.  He stated that he would love to meet me there to serve.  Now, I'm thinking he meant take his vacation during that time as well.... until I received his confirmation email last night.

"Sir:  Although the prices haven't gone down, I did get my money so I can buy my ticket.  I have the following ticket 'on hold'.  It will give me most of Saturday and Sunday, without missing work.  Please let me know if it works for you and I will confirm.  They gave me 24 hours.
 
Depart Anchorage - 10 PM Oct. 26, Arrive at LAX 9:11 AM (Oct. 27th)
Depart LAX - 5:55 PM Oct. 28, Arrive at Anchorage 12:54 AM (October 29th)
 
Thank you, Jay"

I re-read his email just to make sure my eyes were not playing tricks on me.  He is literally flying in on a Saturday morning (an hour before my own flight arrives - after flying out on Friday NIGHT) and leaving on Sunday at 6pm.  When he said the prices had not changed, my curiousity took over and I went to Travelocity to see how much that trip would cost.  I saw a deal (that was ending in 24 hours) for $477.00.  Remember, that he is flying down from Anchorage, Alaska so flights are rare and not cheap.

Part of me wanted to tell him to save his money.  But, then I remembered our last conversation during his visit in September.  He said that he was excited that I was allowing him to share in my vacation and that he wanted to make me happy.  Making me happy is very important to Jay.  I asked him why and he simply said that I deserved it.  He says that I have been very good to him and that he enjoys serving me more than he ever realized.  I know that he has self-esteem issues as well as a very abusive past.  And I also know that I have his loyalty.  But I never imagined anyone spending half a grand to fly out for a day just to be with me and contribute to my vacation.

As a Dominant and Master, I should not be surprised by his actions as he clearly holds me in high esteem but my reality is that most submissives are all words and no action.  Fear has a way of getting in the way of most.  Many more have lost precious opportunities as a result of letting their pride and/or fear get in the way... and I don't give second chances (okay, once... and he still serves me to this day but that was a rare exception).  I simply refocus on the next submissive who wants a chance to prove themselves.  I know I deserve the best.  But when I see a sub's actions actually backed up the words... it does surprise me.  I purposely set the expectation with myself to be disappointed.  It's a defense mechanism that keeps me from putting alot of my time and attention into someone who will just end up failing me in the end anyway.

So when a sub actually follows through and exceeds my expectations.  It does affect me.  It genuinely surprises me, actually.  I sent back a message letting him know that the timeframe was okay and to book the flight.  Jay has been my little pet project, since May, as he is very new to being a submissive but he is a natural at it.  When you look at him, you would never guess he was submissive.

And that's how I like them.  Blank canvases to turn into my own personal masterpieces.

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I’m using imo to message my contacts from all my accounts on MSN/Skype, Facebook, Yahoo, Google Talk, AOL and others.

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Random Reflections 100612

Real Change Begins With You

I've used this as my personal trademark quote for years but very few have ever asked me what it means.  President Obama and hopeful, Romney were in Denver Wednesday for the first public presidential debate.  I attended Obama's rally at Sloan Lake the following day.  I have always admired Barack ever since he was a senator for Illinois.  I remember seeing him on Oprah about 10 years ago and even then there were whispers of him being a top candidate for becoming America's first black president.

While many blacks were skeptical, what was interesting was that the most vocal about him running for President were not African Americans.  Not even Hispanics.  It were White Americans who were the most excited.  I sat back and silently observed what was happening.  I have never in my life seen that many whites clamor excitedly around an African American as a positive role model.  Yes, Oprah has a lock on the white female population's respect and love but she is a celebrity.  Obama was something else altogether... hope.

You would listen to him speak and you were ENGAGED.  Everything he says makes sense.  It awakened everyone's faith in possibly having a real candidate for president they can believe will actually DO SOMETHING. When he decided to run for president, it was no surprise.  People around me were excited.  I hadn't seen this much enthusiasm about an election since Bill Clinton but even then he was an unknown until we got a taste of his soulful side and down to earth personality.

I remember every promise he made during his election speeches.  And I've counted off every single one he's tried to accomplish since he was elected.  This man, a black man, is the only President (during my lifetime) who has actually made a conscious effort to fulfill his campaign promises.  Not "moral" promises that mean nothing but promises of substance.  Actions to try and change what got the country where it was before he got elected.  While Republicans can only focus on the deficit, the fear of bigger government, and what unborn children will have to deal with... Obama focuses on the NOW.  What do we need now.  And how to get there.

No one man can solve the country's ills.  Only WE can.  Obama can put the ball in motion but America's citizens and business leaders are the ones who guide that ball to its goal.  No president can offer change without the cooperation of its people.  ALL OF ITS PEOPLE.  The Republicans are a bit narrow minded when it comes to that simple truth.  With Obama, he seeks to include everybody.  I have never seen a Republican who wanted the same thing.  Now, I will admit that I like Romney as he is not as conservative in his ways.  But I still feel that it takes a full term to make any worthwhile changes and that Obama needs to stay leader so that all the positive growth we've seen can see us through the mess Republican policies put us in to begin with.

America has a short term memory... and it's chronic.

Real change happens when you make a conscious effort to actually DO IT.  American's can be viewed as lazy.  But they are not.  I have seen what American's can do when there is a crisis.  I helped during Katrina along side other Americans and foreigners who cut their vacations short to help out.  The human spirit is reliable and I find comfort in knowing that you can't judge a whole people by the actions of a few.  That's like throwing out an entire barrel of freshly picked apples just because you found one or two rotten ones.

I apply that same mentality to submissives.  When I say "real change begins with you", I mean that you have the power to affect change in your own life to accomplish your goals.  Whether that is getting a better job, finding your soul mate, or finding a Master.  Nothing comes to you as if by magic.  You have to put in work.  And if you are not willing to work for what you want then you get 100% of nothing in return.

Anything worthwhile in life requires an investment of time.  Masters and Dominants invest their personal time to the development and nurturing of a submissive.  The submissive in turn is expected to put in work to align themselves as possible candidates for the ultimate goal of attaining a lasting and beneficial relationship with their chosen Dominant.  Just like my "black sovereign" emblem above represents, two opposites in harmony with one another with the dominant side (the face of a black man dominating its opposite) always the driving force that keeps the dynamic going strong.

My advice to submissives who have not been successful in finding what they seek is to truly understand what it is that you want first.  Know it,  believe in it.  And if you are not there yet, then work on it until you do.  Dominants want you to be ready now.  And it's disrespectful to come at us any other way.  Know you role.. know who you are and what it is you truly desire.  A Master can help you discover this but make the effort worth it.  Be able to offer something to make your journey worthwhile... whether it is your direct service, professional skills (offered pro-bono), or payment for time spent.  Always remember who's serving whom at all times.

REAL change begins with YOU...

So where do you start?  First, what is it that you truly want that will make you happy?  Answer that question and you're on your way.  Not sure what will make you happy... then Houston, you have a problem.