legend.

today marks the birthday of one of my favorite people in the universe. my "spiritual advisor" of sorts. my "stepdad". one of the most enlightened people i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. someone who taught me that societal constraints shouldn't dictate your behavior in life. 

in the sixth decade of his life he's still reaching, still striving, absorbing, learning. he's the sort of person i hope to be someday. non-judgemental. level-headed. inspirational. quit his career as a chef to do good by working with mentally and physically challenged elementary school kids. 

most of my life i've been closer to him than to my own dad. he's easier to talk to. doesn't have expectations of how i should behave, who i should date, where i should live, what i should do for a living. 

he balanced out my mom for over 20 years of her life. and tends to have the same calming effect on me. certain things will always be "bob" to me. chess. bob marley. the food network. food in general. seafood. southeast dc. the list could go on and on and on...

for robert lee. 

my own personal Haile Selassie.

best phone conversation i've had in ages. 

post script...

"until the philosophy which hold one race superior

and another 

inferior

is finally

and permanently

discredited

and abandoned

everywhere is war...

that until there are no longer

first class and second class citizens of any nation

until the colour of a man's skin

is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes

me say war

that until the basic human rights

are equally guaranteed to all

without regard to race

dis a war

that until that day

the dream of lasting peace

world citizenship

rule of international morality

will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,

but never attained

now everywhere is war-war..."-the other bob via haile