I think we all bared witness to President Obama's welcome in Great Britain last week.  The thing I admire most about him is his cool walk, cool talk and ability to still remain highly intelligent and respected.  Understanding how the summit was mesmerized by the first African-American President, still the pendulum swung strongly towards the rock-star like greeting of First Lady Michelle Obama.  The barriers that existed for women are perpetually coming down.  I mean when else have you seen someone literally touch the Queen?
 
Last Saturday's forum may not compare to a G20 Summit, but the pendulum still swung highly in favor of the women.  Starting with Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood, Paul and his lovely wife who happens to be nine months pregnant and literally moments away from adding another child to the clan were still there to add names to their list of power players.  How can their new baby not be destined for success when mom is still in a quest for knowledge and wisdom at the last stages of her pregnancy?  From Angela Agnew's perspective, having your photo album selected as one out of eighty million beautiful pictures clearly ranks you amongst top finishers when using digital camera technology.  In an unprecedented way, she described how she was able to turn her goal of finding and photographing the world's most perfect beach into a business model using technology to share her data along the way.  Lois Houston not only talks the talk but perpetually walks the walk as she braved a hideously packed I-95 to share in ther pregnancy?  From Angela Agnew's perspective, having your photo album selected as one out of eighty million beautiful pictures clearly ranks you amongst top finishers when using digital camera technology.  In an unprecedented way, she described how she was able to turn her goal of finding and photographing the world's most perfect beach into a business model using technology to share her data along the way.  Lois Houston not only talks the talk but perpetually walks the walk as she braved a hideously packed I-95 to share in the knowledge transfer.  She showed up in stellar fashion with not only friends but also her government manager.  Adrienne Brown demonstrated a highly anticipated video phone that displays some of the best live video I've ever seen.  What better way to cut your cost of travel than by lowering your phone bill and adding a live video feed from the comforts of your own home to share special moments with those who are far away?
 
We're perpetually thankful to our titan raising trio represented by Mrs. Edith Tucci who also shared her Christian love and unparallel leadership to provide motivation to all.  The forum wasn't totally dominated by women.  We certainly give thanks to Mr. Thomas Harrelson for his technological advancement in something as eminent as tax preparation.  All this time, I thought Adobe software was only for photo and video usage, but again I was way off the mark.  His insight illustrated exactly why we were there.  We didn't use technology for everything as Canady's Catering prepared yet another down home soul food feast.  From second plates to to-go plates everyone left both physically and mentally full. 
 
Dream Home Déjà Vu
 
I spent the last two months or so thinking about my dream home more than usual for some odd reason.  I got so serious about it that I decided to contact a world class architect out of Orlando, FL.  In explaining to him what I wanted, I may have even coined a new architectural design concept but that remains to be seen.  He sent me a set of forms to fill out so I could describe the details.  On his forms, most people write a paragraph or two at most.  I was a bit surprised because I felt when you get to the dream home level you should know what you want in more detail than a paragraph.  I created a 23 page document without even thinking hard.  The document highlighted the 18K sq.ft stucco main house with a red clay roof.  I added a black EC-135 helicopter in the back yard.  The property is designed by a river front lot that I found recently.  Last year, I attended the yacht show at the National Harbor and thought mildly about a black and white 55' Sea Ray Sundancer boat and told myself if I ever got around to buying a boat this would be the one. 
 
Two days after I finished the first draft of the document, I happened to stumble across the darndest thing near my movie theatre.  As a graduation present to myself in mid 90's, I purchased a Spencer's Gifts lighted picture that I had been wanting for a long time.  The top of the picture stated, "All I Want is World Peace And...".  Below the picture was a large stucco house with a red clay roof.  In front of the house was a black helicopter.  Next to the helicopter was a river with a long black and white cigarette boat.  If that wasn't coincidental enough, there were also fine Italian sports cars to finish it all off.  I thought it took me 13 years to come up with the details of my dream home when it's actually been riding with me subconsciously all this time.  I'm not early in designing my dream home. I'm just late to the party of acceptance of what I truly desired.   Hate it or love it, we're just the sum total of our thoughts.  Whatever is on your mind today is your reality for tomorrow.   Taking V.I.P. honors from this forum in a nostalgic way is Fiazah Hough for pointing out the details of the picture when they were right there in front of me all along.
 
There are simply too many people to name but the intellect is always there and we thank all the great men, women and children who shared their time to make it all another success.  I believe these forums remain a success because in spite of big dreams, we remain extraordinarily "extra" ordinary.