March 2010

The Couple That Could

As Chie and I start to see a 7-year vision for her and a 20-year dream for myself bear fruit, it helps me appreciate more the partner that shares my life, my ups and downs, and my triumphs - all unconditionally. When they say you become one with your soul mate, we sometimes imagine settling for inner turmoil because we believe it’s a part of human nature. Now I’m not saying life is perfect, we do have our differences. But the harmony in which we move in the same direction, and the respect we have for each other and the trust to understand that the other will get the job done - even if you can’t see it - is truly amazing. Some people say we lead boring lives because what is considered to be fun and entertainment to the masses is to us unproductive and useless if it does not contribute to our future goals and objectives. We have an opportunity to do something special in an industry that we love and four kids that we want to assure have options, goals and an opportunity in life. We truly want them to know that they can be whatever they dream in life. This road becomes more believable because it is action that makes it happen, not just clichés and words that sound good.

After overcoming so many challenges and obstacles from the start of our relationship, we know that our destiny is what we believe - pray and work relentlessly to achieve. There are no limitations, except the ones we allow. And Chie and I refuse to allow any limitations. All the negativity and people saying what can’t be done, we realize that they’re speaking of their own self-imposed limitations – not ours! We have a ways to go and bigger challenges are on the horizon, but if past lessons are good indications of what to expect, there is no one else I’d rather face them with than the one that I knelt on one knee and asked for her hand, heart and trust for life. We are not only the couple that could, but we are the couple that will. God Bless.

April 2009

A Chip Off the Old "Sir"

They say the character of a man shows when he is faced with adversity. If this holds true, then what does that say about a man faced with tough challenges and choices at a tender young age? In the last six or seven years of Cameron’s mere fourteen years on this earth, he has had to face the divorce of his parents, the shake-up of his once stable environment and even changing schools. Even one of these is always tough for kids. And then, there was the untimely death of his great-grandmother, who died in a deserted farm when her car got stuck and she exited the car to seek help, fell and froze to death. And that’s not all. How about the fact that his mother, shortly after all this, was deployed to the war in Iraq!

Most kids would respond by acting out, seeking professional help or maybe something worse like drugs. But how did Cameron respond? Well, in his new school he became #1 on the chess team. He also decided to run for eighth-grade class president, and he won! We like to call him, “Young Barrack.”

I challenged him that while his mother was away, the best thing he could do to make her proud when she returned was to get straight A’s. Currently, out of seven courses he has 6 A’s and 1 B, which he will bring up to an A before his graduation.

The epitome of all this is that he wrote a letter in class about the tragedy of his great-grandmother. That letter made its way to a state senator, Maggie Crotty, who was so moved by it that she sponsored a bill for seniors that go missing called “the silver alert.” As a result, Cameron was invited down to Springfield the day that it went before a vote of the senate sub-committee. This is the first and most difficult step in getting a bill passed. Cameron spoke before the committee and blew them away. It passed that phase with a unanimous vote. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I, and the rest of the family, am of Cameron. I have fought some tough battles and challenges in my days, but I don’t know if at his age I would have surmounted them like he has. I guess he is a chip off the old block, or “Sir” as I like to call it. Keep up the good work “Sir Camelot”

December 2008

... Then Along Came Mi-tchi

A few months ago I wrote on this site about what type of dog that our family was looking to add. This decision, although not as highly publicized as president elect Barrack Obama’s decision on a dog, is just as important to our family. I personally have owned a cocker spaniel named China, a poodle/terrier mix named Pierre, and my personal favorite and best friend my rottweiller named Max-a-million. I really felt this was a decision that would be put on hold for about another year until the kids got a little older and a lot more responsible to take care of a dog. Sometimes things just happen and make you change your plans. A client of ours Sarah Green (a back-up singer for another client of Ratio 1:1, Lupe Fiasco) had just purchased two yorkie terriers and wanted to get rid of one of them. For a few days I kept saying no, but then when we got to see the two dogs, although they were both beautiful dogs, one stood out because she was bigger and had so much personality. She immediately stole Chie’s heart and mine. On that day we welcomed Mi-tchi (pronounced mee-chee) into our family.

Mi-tchi is the most energetic, fun loving and craziest dog that you will ever meet. With three women already in the house adding a fourth is more than a notion. I thought Chie’s daughter Amaalyah was a diva; she has met her match with Mi-tchi. Mi-tchi barks at any noise, tries to punk dogs three times her size - all while walking around in a fur lined coat and a designer leash. She only sleeps on pillows, clothes or beds: rarely ever on the floor or her own bed. The funniest thing is any time you give her a treat she will hide it for a later date. So when you put on your shoes, you just might find a doggie treat. In the couch, clothes or your clean underwear you just might find a doggie treat. When you find one all you can do is laugh. Mi-tchi runs over as though she’s thinking: “man I was wondering where I hid that treat.” Mi-tchi was four months when we got her and now at 7 months old it seems like she has been a part of the family forever. Now along with the hamster Cookie who is now three years old, our family pet scene is set for a while. Mi-tchi has been great for the family but not so good for Cookie. Everyday Mi-tchi hangs around Cookie’s cage trying to figure out how she can get that little four-legged fur ball that keeps running around on that little wheel.

Welcome to yet another day at our household - pets, kids and all!

Ya-Boy
“Sir-Earl”

June 1, 2008

What's love got to do with it?

While at work the other day the question came up as to how Chie and I spend so much time together with out getting on each other’s nerves. Everyone said that there is no way they could work, live, workout, run errands and spend down time with their significant other. My explanation is simple. There is an old saying that I live by and it is this: all of us are all screwed up - the secret is find someone just as screwed up as you are (not more or less screwed up, but screwed up in the same way as you) and things will be okay.

In reality, although we spend most of a 24-hour-day together, we have things that we sometimes do apart. Chie loves to shop: I love to work. Chie loves to take dance classes: I love to work. Chie love cleaning and decorating her house: I love to work. Chie loves to work and you probably know what I love to do.

The most read story by far on this site is the one when I proposed to Chie. In that story I explained that Chie and I have so much in common that it’s like dating myself - only she looks a hell of a lot better. We enjoy so many of the same things, why would we not enjoy doing them together? Do we have disagreements? Of course, but what happens at the job never gets brought home. What happens at home never gets brought to work. In reality we both feel that we don’t spend enough personal time with each other. That was a mistake that I made in my first marriage and will not repeat in this marriage.

So while the rest of the screwed up world looks to only spend limited time with their significant other, these two screwed up individuals are chasing the pursuit of being the best, raising our kids and planning to retire young and rich and – yes, together! Until that day arrives we will continue to enjoy the best part of our days together - even if it’s only the 24 that life only allows us to spend together. It works for us.

Ya-Boy
“Sir-Earl”

February 14, 2008

Finding John

Throughout my life, and perhaps yours too, people enter into your world only for a brief period but make such a big impact that you never forget them. You periodically wonder how and what they’re doing today. For me, I am at a stage in my life where I really would like to tell them how their acquaintance helped shape my manhood. There are two such people that I have wanted to track down and let them know what impact they had on me. Also to see how they are doing in their lives. One of those people was my stepfather, Arthur Cannon. I have written stories on this site that clearly explain what he meant not only to me but our entire family. The second person was a guy named John Salazar. I attended mechanic school with John and he became a person that I truly can call a friend.

I met John at a time in my life when I was making a difficult transition from the tough street life that I had been living to trying to learn a trade and get an honest and legal job. I had just been recently released from jail and had been given the life-changing ultimatum by my mother: get a job, stay out of trouble and jail or leave my house. This meant I had one more chance in my life to do the right thing or the one person that I loved the most was washing their hands of me. I promised myself when I dropped out of high school that I would never go back to anybody’s school. School was something that I never did like and, therefore, never did well in, so I dreaded going back to any type of school. But here I was - enrolling in a trade school. I knew in my heart I was not going to finish this course. In my first week there I met this skinny Mexican guy named John Salazar and from that day forward my life changed. We were so inseparable that our instructor gave us the titles “Frick & Frat” and also “Ten-Speed & Brown Shoe.” For the next year-and-a-half school was some place I never wanted to miss. John and me graduated number one and two in our class.

One difficult thing about our friendship was the infamous racial segregation of Chicago neighborhoods. Due to my gang affiliation and my skin color I had never been past Western Avenue and John lived deep in the Mexican community. But the type of person that John was, he never saw color. In school everything was cool, but when we first started to interact in each other’s communities, there was some different looks and things from blacks on my end and Mexicans on his end. But we always stood up for each other. When John got married and invited me to be a part of his special day I knew that he truly considered me a friend.

Shortly after John’s marriage he and his new bride moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and over the years I lost contact with him. But I never forgot about him and often wondered how and what was he doing. Thirteen maybe fourteen years passed. One day while looking through some pictures I found several pictures of John from the last time I saw him and decided I would find him. I started looking on this free people search on the Internet and typed in his name and the last city that I knew he lived in. Well, to my surprise Salazar is as common to Mexicans as Smith is to blacks - hundreds of names appeared. After several days and many hours online trying to single out his name among this long list I somehow remembered his father’s name. I don’t know why after all these years and only meeting his father a few times his name stood out to me. There was only one such name and I decided to write a letter to this person in hopes that this might be the father of John. I thought it was a long shot but I was going to go for it anyway.

I didn’t want the letter to reveal too much of my personal information just in case this was not the person I was trying to contact. But I had to provide enough information so that they would know I was not some quack looking for his son. I sent the letter and months went past with no word so I figured this must not be the right person. Then one day I received an email from John! I called him and we talked for a while getting caught up on the last decade that we had not spoken to each other. What I learned through our conversation was that he no longer lived in Corpus Christi but a very rare occasion presented itself where John actually saw the letter. He was checking on his mother’s house in Houston because she was in Chicago. While he was there he saw the letter and even picked it up. But because his father no longer lived there he thought it was for his younger brother, who had the same name as his father. I didn’t give a return address, only E. Bell. He said he saw the name and thought: “what are the chances of Earl writing my brother?” and just threw the letter to the side. After returning home his mother opened the letter. She realized that it was for John and sent it to him. That’s when he contacted me. John’s word to me was that I have no idea what it meant to him for me to get in touch with him after all these years.

My reply to that is this: I hope it means as much to you as it did to a misguided young black man from the mean streets of Englewood back in the day. Had it not been for John’s friendship I might have strayed back to the life that I had been living, which would have certainly ended in jail, death or both. I am happy to see that John is still happily married with two beautiful girls and that he still has a love for cars – the thing that we had in common in the beginning. I am going to go and visit him and his family soon. Finding John has taught me two things: one is that true friendship knows no boundaries, time, or distance; secondly, and most important, God is able – His intervention in all of this is apparent!

January 1, 2008

The Greatest Bodybuilder That Ever Lived

Through out my years in bodybuilding, some 17 years, I have been blessed enough to meet and befriend some good people. Two stand out in my mind that I am proud to call friends. One was my idol when I got into bodybuilding, the great Shawn Ray. One of the greatest to never win an Olympia trophy, Shawn stepped away quietly with not much attention. This was totally opposite of what Shawn was known for in his heyday - loud and outspoken.

But recently, the greatest bodybuilder to ever walk the Olympia stage eight times, Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, retired in the greatest fashion anyone could ever dream possible. Although Ronnie placed fourth in the contest he stole the show with his departing speech and his humbleness. I first met Ronnie in 93 or 94 at the Arnold classic. Then, he was just another wanna-be professional bodybuilder. We spoke and he was a nice and humble guy.

The next time I met Ronnie was in, I think, 1997 at the nationals in his hometown Dallas, Texas and what shocked me was that not only did he remember me, he was the one that called me over and wanted to know how I was doing and what was going on in my life. During that time I was starting to promote NPC sanctioned bodybuilding shows and seminars and I told him one day I would have him out to Chicago. That same year Ronnie began to dominate the bodybuilding world, by winning his first of eight Olympia’s in New York and I was at that show - it was amazing. He was the 1 in 100 dark horse to win and he defied all the odds and won. A magical night - one I will never forget.

In 2001 I wanted to do a never-before seminar with the 4-time reigning MR. Olympia. I called: his assistant answered and I told them my name and purpose. The next thing I knew Ronnie was on the phone remembering me and saying why didn’t I ask for him personally. This blew my mind again. I told him I wanted him to do a seminar in Chicago and he remembered from years before that I promised I would have him out and I kept my word. He gave me a price, not even close to what he was charging others. I hung with him for a couple of days eating, talking and laughing. The seminar turned out to be the greatest event ever in the Chicago-land area.

Recently I was at the Arnold classic again and walking down the crowded aisles and a voice said “hey Earl.” It was coming from Ronnie’s booth and it was the man himself. Sporting a new look, a small fro and goatee. I sat and talked with him for a few minutes while hundreds of his fans waited.

Things all seem to come full circle. I mentally went back to years ago when I met an unknown pro that was a nice and humble guy and loved the sport of bodybuilding and God. Fast forward a few years and he is the greatest bodybuilder ever and still as nice and humble as the day I first met him. I don’t know what a young man from the inner city with a dream did for God to bless me with the presence of someone so special, but I thank God for it every time I look at the pictures or run into the Greatest Bodybuilder that ever lived.

“Sir-Earl”

October 1, 2007

Man's Best Friend

I have arrived at a point in my life after changing and losing so much after my divorce, that starting over is tough. I worked for so many years to achieve the picture of what we all feel the good life is supposed to look like. The big house, the two new cars in the driveway, the white picket fence, kids in private school and the family dog. Years later, after rebuilding my life and starting over from scratch, I have reacquired mostly all these things, and a lot more. But my heart really misses one of these elements that have yet to be reestablished. Is it the house, cars or material possessions you ask? No my heart's desire is the good old fashion, Mans best friend, a dog. Affording one is not the issue, but deciding on which kind is my dilemma. I have had several dogs in my life but two were truly my best friends. Just as diverse is my personality so were my two dogs equally diverse in types.

My first truly good dog and friend was my cocker spaniel, China. When my ex-wife purchased this dog, I did not want a dog. She was pregnant at the time and emotional and bought the dog anyway and I got stuck with the 5 a.m. walking before I went to work. China was the type of dog that you would keep outside in the cold for a half hour waiting to use the bathroom and he wouldn’t, but as soon as you got back in the house he would crap right on the floor. Our changing moment came when I was just fed up with the dog and took him to the humane society or dog pound as it's better known. This was a Friday and Janet was out of town and maybe an hour after I dropped him off I knew I made a big mistake. I had to wait until Monday to get him back and I had never missed an animal so much, I was there two hours before the place ever opened to make sure no one got my dog. I really think the other dogs in there told him how good he had it, because he never gave me any trouble after he got back home. A couple of years later I had to have him put to sleep because he lost his sight. That was one of the hardest days of my life.

Next, the dog that really secured a place in my heart was my Rottweiler Max. This was the most uncontrollable dog you ever met, which was probably my fault for not spending quality time training him. He would run away from you if you let him off his leash and he even broke a steel leash that I had him chained to in the front yard. What I loved about Max though, was he was a scary looking Rot who did not realize he was a Rot. He was not mean at all, very playful and loving, wanting to jump on your lap and not understanding that he was 150lbs. Trying to run and play in the house and knocking everything over, because he was so big. He loved long walks at 11:00 at night when I came home from work. One night we were coming back from one of our walks and a leaf rolled past and almost gave Max a heart attack, I laughed so hard. This dog that people think is so vicious terrified of a leaf. Our walks were therapeutic for me, I was going through the toughest time of my life, with the divorce and possibly losing my business. Being able to walk and talk to Max helped me get through it, for real. He later developed cancer and had to be put to sleep.

This time around I want to get the right dog for my current situation and spend the quality time with him, that’s my mission. Both dogs brought me a lot of happiness for that period in my life, but would either kind fit now or is it better to get a different type. What ever I decide, really soon, I must reunite with man’s best friend.

The Future
"Sir-Earl"

July 4, 2007

Stuntin & Ballin!

This past Father's Day after dropping my daughter off in the city, I decide to take a cruise past a spot that everyone in the city has at some point and time hung out or cruised past. The white castle at 79Th and Stony Island for decades has been where young adults go to show off their cars, motorcycles, sounds systems and their women. Now days that's called stuntin or ballin. We called it just hanging or kickin it. No matter what you call it, those days were about having the best car and bikes with the wheels, sounds and all the trimmings.

Back in those days I had my share of those toys, but driving through and seeing the cars with the suicide doors and outrageous sound systems brought back memories. I went back in the crates and pulled out a few pictures of my toys.

My first motorcycle was a Honda 450, bought on a poorman's budget. I thought I was cruising until one day on the expressway some ninjas blew past me. I then worked harder and bought me a Ninja 1000 and had a fellow friend who was a bike mechanic add a few speed Items to the motor, I never got blown away again.

The speed bug had bitten me after that bike so I wanted to get deeper into street racing, so my friend helped me build the bike of my dreams, I called it "Lethal Weapon". It was a fiberglass ninja stretched with a 1400 cc motor equipped with nitrous oxide. This bike was the fastest on the street at the time.

A few of my cars at the time were my Gran Prix. It was black with the mag wheels and sixty series tires on all fours, with the double limousine tinted windows and t-tops. The sounds were two amps with two fifteen inch sub-woofers in the rear with an all Kenwood stereo system.

My favorite car was my Camaro Z28 I had the chrome traction bars, cragar wheels with 60's on all fours, louvers, tinted windows and smoked out headlights and taillights. The sounds had triple amps Rockford Fosgates and Pyle Driver speakers, heads turned when this rolled down the strip.

I had one unique car that took stuntin' at that time to a new level. My custom made two seater drop top Trans Am (Picture). I bought this car from a rich Arab guy who ordered it new from the factory, to this day I have never seen another one made. This car was so special I rarely ever drove it, I had it for about six years and maybe put a few thousand miles on it before I sold it for a lot of money.

These were no where near close to all the cars or motorcycles that I have owned in my life, just a few of the favorites. To the younger generation these are dinosaurs, but to your mothers and fathers they can appreciate the cars and the times they cruised the strips also.


The Future
"Sir-Earl"

April 1, 2007

Hail To The Champs!

Recently my son Cameron and his sixth grade basketball team did what some people never accomplish in a lifetime. They were champions. Some people participate in sports their whole lives without ever winning a championship at any Level. In Cameron's second year on the team the St.John Vikings won the south suburban catholic league championship for their boys "B" team. They only had one loss all year and they got their revenge by defeating the team that beat them, when they faced them in the tournament.

Cameron contributed a lot more this year than last year with his rebounding and defensive skills. Everyone always wants to be the top scorer, but I explained to him that all players make a team and as long as everybody plays their role 100% you usually go all the way, which they did.

My goal this year as a father was to attend all his games, which I did, and I could not have been more proud of him. With all the practices and his other activities, I was very busy and extremely tired after working all day, But I never had a father to do those things with me and really want to see my son's growth as a young man. I am so proud of my son who at a very early age has tasted what it is like to be a champion. I hope the lessons that he has learned from team sports will spill over to all aspects of his life for the rest of his life. Daddy Loves you Mr. Slowski.

The Future
“Sir-Earl”

January 05, 2007

My Christmas

December is that time of the year that is a three headed monster to me. First, the end of the year is a slow time for most gyms, and in December, most financial institutions are closing out the year, so most are not moving in large sums of money. Secondly, at the same time that this is the slowest period, I am also extremely busy preparing for the first of the year, which is personal training peak time. Thirdly, it is Christmas time and that allows me to shift gears and spend time with family. The last few years, I have witnessed the growth of my son Cameron, his gift selection has gone from pokemon cards to play station portables to this year wanting a cell phone.

I got to spend some much needed time at home watching all the kids opening their presents and remembering the years that I enjoyed Christmas as a kid. The smell of a fresh tree, putting up the lights and wrapping the presents. I truly appreciate what time I get to spend at home and especially when Cameron is there. To think he is old enough to want a cell phone blew my mind. He has really grown up these last few years. After building cages for a hamster and assembling other gifts for the kids, it was time to call and visit my mom and family wishing all of them a Merry Christmas. Although from a business standpoint it is the most challenging time, to see the smiles on the kids' faces and time spent with family and friends makes it all worthwhile. The other half of the day was spent working from home. Although this is Christmas, this is when everybody else relaxes, so I always think I can sneak in a little work and gain an edge on the competition. I hope all of you had a great holiday season. I know I did.

The Future
“Sir-Earl”

October 15 , 2006

Hey Mama's Boy

Growing up as a kid, to be considered a mama’s boy meant that you were not tough and your mother had to run to your rescue whenever you were in a jam, and bail you out. When I was younger, to call someone (especially me), this meant you had a severe beat down coming. Now that I am grown and have been through a lot of trials and tribulations, people see the closeness of me and my mother and say "you are a mama’s boy aren’t you," with great pride I say "you are damn right." The respect and admiration that I have for my mom can never be described in words. My mom being my Idol and role model is not something I had to grow older to understand, she has always been. When they say there is nothing like a mother’s love, they have never lied. I have kids and would not put up with a fourth of the things that I put my mother through.

From my early days of struggling with pneumonia to my gang banging teenage years, through my adult years of struggling pursuing this dream, my mother has always had my back. I am not most proud of my mother because she was a divorced mother of four. Not because she had to be both father and mother to all four of her kids, while holding down two jobs and going to school at night. Not because she taught herself to drive with the first car she purchased, after she drove it off the lot. Not because she bought and paid for her very first house and several after that, on her own. Not because until I was a teenager she went back and obtained her G.E.D the same time I did and now she has a doctrine degree. Not one of these great accomplishments stands out as my proudest, they all do.

My mother has been the pillar of strength and guidance for our entire family, not because of what she says, but because of what she does. She walks the walk, not just talks the talk. My mother taught me while living in the hood, to raise your mentality above your environment and you could achieve what ever you strive for in life. But you must put God first, believe in yourself and never give up on your dream. I have read this in many motivational books later in life. But to have someone that you have seen live this advice day to day for his or her entire life makes your journey a lot easier. The sole reason I am who I am in life is due to my mother, she could have given up on me when I was in and out of jail, but she never did. When she did finally have enough of me getting in trouble and gave up on me, that is the very day that changed my life and I thank her for that tough love. See that day I realized I would never make it in this life without the greatest love of all, my mothers love. I say it loud and proud, yes I am a mama's boy, and proud of it. Love you ma.

“Sir-Earl”
a.k.a. Leora Bell Baby Boy

July 12, 2006

Father's Day

Not too long ago we all celebrated father's day. I recall everyone wishing all the men happy father's day. My friends talked about what they were going to buy or do with their fathers that day. I joked to them about not buying the typical ugly ties or socks, outside I joked and laughed but inside the harsh reality of knowing that I had no one to spend that day with hurts. Although my father and I did not build a relationship until later in my life and a short time before he passed away. I did look forward to spending sometime on father's day with him, no matter how I felt about him I always gave him that respect on father's day. I always took him to his his favorite drink Seagram's V.O and after I started my business he always enjoyed getting a t-shirt or hat, something from one of my companies. I think he took a lot of pride in being able to show his friends something from “Sir-Earls” world.

Time moves on and now I have my oldest son Earl II calling me on father's day joking about buying me a rocking chair, calling me an old man just as I did to my father. I do not speak with Lil earl as much as I would like, not because of a bad relationship or anything. He stays busy trying to build his life, the same as I did at his age. But on that day he gives me the respect the same as I did with my father. I truly hope the things that I stand for and the life’s lessons that I have learned he too will carry on as I did from my father. This could probably be the end of this story, but you know my life’s not that simple.

I feel my father taught by example, but the opposite. He showed me how I did not want to live my life or raise my kids. There were no great weekends that we spent together. No sporting events that I was Involved in that he yelled form the sidelines. No father and son sit down talks, where he shared his great wisdom with me. No life’s or business savvy that he passed on for me to grow in the future. I rarely have any memories at all except the last couple of years of his life. That's why I do the exact opposite with Cameron. The two greatest lessons that I still cling to, that I feel shape me the most as a man and a father is to follow the opposite of what he did with his life, stand for some of the things he stood for as a man like pride and toughness. Most of all that which will always make me proud to call him my father was he stayed strong and alive long enough to say goodbye to me on his death bed. For that I say dad I love and miss you and happy father’s day to you.

Your son

"Sir-Earl"

March 20, 2006

How Quickly They Grow Up

Time goes by so quickly that it seems like only yesterday when I was teaching my son Cameron to walk, talk and use the potty. Now I ride in the car with him and we are discussing what high school he will attend in a couple of years. Recently, we celebrated Cam’s 11^th birthday with a bowling party. All his family and friends were present.

Cameron received lots of gifts, clothes and money. Some of which he used to purchase a couple of video games. He was surrounded by about fifteen of his classmates and friends; they played laser tag, bowled, played video games, and ate pizza and cake. Most any parent can attest to the joy of seeing their kids grow and mature into great young men and women, I am no exception.

Although I have older kids that are not mentioned as often as Cameron, they are not loved any less. I enjoy seeing and talking with my kids and grand kids about the things that are important in their lives. With them being grown and on the move constantly, it becomes sometimes difficult to communicate as often as we would like, but I will be introducing you to their lives which is my “family life” in the near future. Seems like just yesterday I was a kid myself, now I am writing about my kids and grand kids. Makes you sit and think, man how quickly they grow up.

February 1, 2006

Cam's First Year

I sat and watched Cameron in his first year on the grammar school basketball team with the amazement of how quickly they grow up. Although Cam loves his Play Station 2 and PSP, I really felt he should participate in a team sport to learn sportsmanship and team spirit.

What I found I got was a true warrior who hates to lose, like his father. The coaches had Cameron playing a two guard at first, which is not a natural position for him just yet. His feet and hand coordination are not the greatest at his age. The coaches found this fact out after numerous turnovers and traveling penalties, they quickly switched him to small forward. He plays more of a rebounding and defensive role, which he does a great job at. Cameron’s long arms and legs give him the ability to grab defensive rebounds and defend players that are taller than him.

Cameron’s team has only lost one game so far and when they lost that game to Crete, you would have thought the world came to an end. The whole team was mad and crying, which for some parents, including Cam’s own mother, want to give the team the "It’s just a game, don’t take it too serious" speech. I am not one of those parents, show me a good loser and I will show you just a plain old loser. My high school coach always said, it is not "If" you win or lose, just that you win. I try not to be one of those fathers that are overbearing to their kids. But I do yell and scream and demand that my son give anything he does a 110%. That is in life, Sports or whatever Cameron decides to do in his life. This year has been a joy watching Cameron play and grow and mature to a young man, but while watching his skills on the court, I am glad I am building an empire for him to assume someday. When he plays, it’s a lot of fun, but I somehow just do not think Michael Jordan has to worry about number 10 from the Vikings stealing his legacy. Keep enjoying yourself Cam, Dad loves you.

God Bless
“Sir-Earl”

December 1, 2005

Family Day

This thanksgiving was a very special day, I did something that I do not often do, and that is take a day off from work. My mother, my main man Sir Camelot and I took a drive to Indianapolis to visit my sister Zina, who is one year older than me. Zina just recently changed jobs and moved from Atlanta to Indianapolis, so the entire family drove there to spend it together. Everyone was there, except my brother Nathan, who is the oldest. His wife got sick the day before and the drive from Alabama would have been too much. I have a small family; one brother and two sisters. Out of the four, I am the youngest. Being spread across three different states, it is always hard to get everybody together.

My favorite aunt Eloise and my cousin Vonda were there, my cousin Alondo that I always speak about, this is his mom and sister. Everyone still misses Alondo so much around this time of the year.

The holidays still bring about such an appreciation for family, and it was such a break from my hectic work life that it was truly refreshing. I did not eat a lot because I still had to make the two hour drive back home. I got a chance to see my niece Dana, she is away in Atlanta in college and doing great.

This day I was with my family and my number one man Cameron. What more could you ask for on one of your only days off. I hope God blessed your Thanksgiving Day as well as he blessed mine. I hope you all did not put on those extra pounds, but in case you did, I am back at work like always and ready to do what I do best . . . be a Trainer.

God Bless
“Sir-Earl”

September 30, 2005

The Dynamic Duo

What makes a very private man kneel down on one knee in front of 100’s of people at a bodybuilding show to propose to the one he loves? Sometimes love hits you in ways and at times you would least expect, and makes you do things you did not know you would even do. That day was one that Chie and I, and all in attendance will never forget, which was done in true “Sir-Earl” shock value. This actually was not done to shock but lead by instinct and truly from the heart to surprise my love. I knew in a thousand years Chie would never expect it, that was all the more reason to do it.

Sometimes you meet that someone that you have a some things in common with, but to have almost everything that you are in common is something truly Special. Having all these things but yet still maintain your individual personality traits is also something unique. Alicia Keys has a song out called “unbreakable” that describes our relationship. The theme of the song talks about couples that go through good times and bad but yet still remain unbreakable towards their vision of where they want their life to be. That’s Chie and me. As good a time as our life is now, it has not been without challenges. Both going through divorces, an interracial relationship and having the club closed down are just a few, but we still remain Unbreakable.

Enjoying times with our (4) kids, working out, dreaming about, planning and building our future are what we enjoy the most. Taking in our favorite restaurants when time permits, and attending bodybuilding shows take up what little free time we may have. Throughout the good and bad times, we have always been and will always remain “Unbreakable”. Finding a love that you never can imagine spending a day of your life without, is what can lead a very private man to make a very public statement of love.

From-the-Heart
“Sir-Earl”

June 30, 2005

A MILLION WORDS . . .

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to my main man Cam. Here is a million.

Me and Cam at a few weeks old.

Cameron and older brother Chris.

Cameron and I at 1 year old. Hanging out at one of his first bodybuilding shows.

Cameron ready to start writing down business notes at his second birthday party.

Cameron and Grandma Bell hanging at the zoo for Mother's Day.

Cameron holding it down at this year's
Christmas play.

Cameron taking a break from being Spider Kid to take a picture.

Cam in one of his early photo shoots.

Here is the man standing next to the man, waiting to take over the big chair.

Cameron in his first Karate tournament, look at that face, what a ham.

The true next generation of fitness, sitting in the big chair. Sir Camelot.

These are just a few of the memorable moments that Cameron and I have shared. I think pictures tell a story that words con not describe. Always remember daddy  loves you Cameron.

May 17, 2005

Why?

Dear Alondo: Why did you have to leave me so soon? I think back to the days when we grew up in Englewood, poor but happy. Dreaming about the day that we could get out of the hood. Listening to the tunes of R.Kelly's “I Wish” brings back the sentiments that I feel since you've been gone. Your laugh and walk I long to see again, twelve years feels just like yesterday. Why? Remember the days that we used to go bowling while sipping Heinekens. The days that we chased, and got, all the girls in your hood and mine. If you could have just held on four more weeks you could have been my best man on one of the happiest days of my life. If you could have held on twelve more years, I would have gotten drunk with you when it ended - when I needed someone I trusted to help me understand Why?

The pain that your mother and sister endure is sometimes too much to bear; it is the one common bond that we all share. Your niece and nephew need their uncle so much. All they have is the stories and memories of you. Cameron is so tall and handsome he has some of your wit and personality. Remember the time you returned from Washington D.C. and we had twin Grand Prixs and didn’t know until you got home? I guess great minds really do think alike. I am well on my way to the success we sat on the porch and dreamed about, but it is only half full, because I lost half of me on July 17^th 1993.You would be happy to know that Dad and I finally got close, only for him to die shortly after. I wish you really could help comfort your mom and sister; they need you so much.

Why? Do you see what we go through? Do you see how we still cry for you? Do you still hear me when I talk to you, I know you do because I hear your answers. It’s what keeps me going. The family still talks about you as if you were here. I think we continue to tell ourselves that you are still stationed in Japan, like you were for so many years. This reality is easier to accept than the one where you are never coming back. These thoughts have ran through my mind for the last twelve years. The same questions I asked 12 years ago I still ask now and that is why?

Sincerely, Your Cuz
“Sir Earl”

March 10, 2005

The Greatest Father That Never Was

This is a job that I have experienced in on both sides of the fence. Having dated or married women that have had kids before we met, and also having a stepfather myself. I called this the hardest job to have because we attempt to have a relationship with your step kids that does not play favoritism or separatism from your blood kids. You enter into this situation because of the love you have for the mother or father, and the kids come with the package. The ex-spouses sometimes do not like the relationship for whatever their personal reasons may be. The kids sometimes have a hard time adjusting also. The biggest challenge is to build as decent a relationship as the situation will allow. If the ex-spouses are a constant positive presence in their lives, it is not to difficult, Just never overstep your boundaries as a step-parent. But if they are not in their lives, treat them as you would your own, the only problem with that is if the relationship you entered into does not work out, then what do you do? The answer is that you continue to treat them as your own, if you are allowed to. The kids obviously become attached to you and they did not ask to be in the situation, so you do not upset their world anymore than it may already be from the break-up.

I have had past relationships where I felt like I was a father to my step kids that still continue to this day, but that is not the reason for this story. It came to my heart to write this story because the step father that I had when I was younger taught me to be the man that I am today, not because of what he said, but the way he showed his love and caring -- not only for my mom, but for her four kids also. Over the years, I have lost contact with him but wish he could see what impact he had in my life.

This would probably be like any other story, but as readers of this web site know, my life has never been like any other story. The story goes a little something like this. Back when we were younger, my mom worked a couple of jobs by day and went to school at night to make a better life for her kids. That is where she met Art. He was her instructor at her night school. All the kids lived with my great grandmother at the time, but were preparing to start living with my mother as she was starting to get on her feet. My mom and Art starting dating and eventually Married in 1973. He moved into our home and we began our lives together. Simple, right? Not. The problem was just starting. See we grew up in Englewood, and my stepfather was white, Imagine just moving into a tough neighborhood and your stepfather is white in an Area that is 110% Black. Boy, the fights were on everyday because of the ridicule we would take from the other kids on the block. I witnessed reverse racism on a whole different level. This experience really taught me a lot, how to trash talk and whoop a little ass was just two of them.

The most important lessons that I learned though, came straight from Art. One lesson was that it does not matter what people say about you, as long as you are true to yourself. Lesson two was what true love was. Imagine the love that you must have in your heart to marry an already divorced mother of four kids, living in the hood and struggling to get her life on track. Lesson three was that he treated us like we were his own. I remember him taking me on a trip to Idaho to visit his parents. McKay, Idaho, population 300, and the only black person they ever saw was on T.V. But Art insisted that if his four sons were going, the only way he was going was if I went, I will never forget him taking a stance for me. Watching him and my mother enjoy their shared passion, which was home repairs, installing fences, sodding the yard, installing aluminum siding and building TV’s from scratch. This showed me how family life should be. Instead of the poor standard of life, we were presently living. We went from hardly anything under the tree on Christmas to Huffy Bikes, TV’s and stereos in every room. This is ordinary by today’s standards, but in the mid seventies in the hood that was rare. About as rare as a white guy living in the hood. My all time favorite memory of Art though was Saturday morning pancakes and sunny side up eggs. Boy he could throw down on some cooking. For whatever reason, the marriage only lasted five years, and through the years, we lost contact with him, but I truly wish he could see what taking on the toughest job In the world produces in a son.

The Future of Fitness
“Sir Earl”

January 21, 2005

Daddy's Little Girl

Having Kids is great in itself, but with Boys you have to maintain a certain toughness with them. Boys are expected to grow up and be men and lead their families, daughters on the other are meant to be spoiled to the max. I think it should be every fathers purpose to Raise the level of spoilness to a point that any guy that is lucky enough to have their hand in marriage has his work cut out for him. That way hopefully you weed out the low life knuckleheads that will try and slide in and if that does not work, the old fashioned shotgun at the door when they come over still is effective.

Brittany Samone Powell is my baby girl; you may notice the name from the chipmunks. Her older brother derrick named her when she was born. Although Brit, as we call her, moved to Michigan at a very young age, we have managed to keep as close of a father/daughter relationship as possible. When she was younger she looked so much like me it was scary but as she has grown older her looks has taken on both me and her mother Lubea. Brit's personality is that of her own though, sometimes when speaking with me she is so grown up and mature. But as all fathers know when that time comes that they want something, that baby voice appears and we are done for. Whatever their wants are that wish is soon Fulfilled. Brit is at a Confusing age of almost thirteen. The Barbie dolls are still wanted but so are the cell phones and conversation with boys. My Absolute proudest moment was recently when she graduated from the sixth grade as Valedictorian of her class. I drove down to Michigan for the ceremony and could not have been more proud to call her my Daughter. I am looking forward to her coming to Chicago for the summer, she and my son Cameron are really close so when she gets here I know they will have a lot on my agenda. Spending time with them is something that I put work to the side to do.

I look forward to the day when I see what Brittany will become. She gets her smarts from her mother, she is so Intelligent. Brit is the typical girly girl, she loves dancing, hanging with her best friend Michelle, riding bikes, listening to music and playing video games. Brittany looks a lot older than her thirteen years but to hear and see how she acts, you definitely know she is only thirteen. She has played basketball, played in the band and a cheerleader, so she is trying to find her niche. I encourage all kids to try a lot of different sports and activities so your option and choices are many. To all the fathers; continue to spoil daddy’s little Girl. Remember though I have sons looking for future wives. Let’s not employ the shotgun thing on them, call me first.

December 7 , 2004

Miss You Dad

What a difference a year makes. Last December I spent the longest three hours of my life as I witnessed my father stay alive long enough to breathe his last breath with his namesake and only son, me. That day I promised to become the father that I never had to my sons.

Although it is a little more difficult with my oldest two sons, Earl and Marcus, because they are older and already are starting their own lives and families. When you miss the early years of your child's lives, those years that shape their lives, it is hard to play make-up.

With my nine-year-old son Cameron though, it has really been a learning year for him and me. Despite some personal obstacles in our life, we have managed to really become a great two-man team, the time spent with him Stabilizes the madness I face in the Business world each day. Talking with Cameron about his life is the greatest to me, crushes on girls, playing touch football, dancing together, watching movies and talking about what he will become when he is grown are our topics of discussion.

Rewinding back to last year, although I did not grow up with my father's consistent presence in my life. The pain that I harbor deep in my heart is tremendous, I really miss him so much. The last few years of his life let me know what I wanted my future with him to be like. It took me thirty-eight years to realize he didn’t want to stop being my father, I stopped wanting to be his son over something that had nothing to do with me. What happened was between him and my mother, I was only three when they divorced, I wasted a lifetime being stubborn. But what I did learn later was that he was human and made mistakes just like all of us do. Also I learned so much about who I am as a person, I guess in the end he did what all fathers seek to do and that is raise a great man to become an asset not a liability to society, and I am passing those lessons to my kids. Here is to a job well done dad, I wish you could have done it here on earth while you were alive. The important thing is whether the lesson was taught in life or in death at least the lesson was taught.

PS - To anyone who harbors ill feelings toward a father, mother, sibling or a friend. Take my advice and end it today, you can never become the complete person that you were meant to be unless you do. Do not waste 38 years to lose someone that your heart will mourn for a lifetime like me. Peace and god bless.

“Sir-Earl”

June 15, 2004

The Heir Apparent

This is a question that I think about a lot, To accomplish my dream of building multi-million dollar corporation who will I pass it to after I am too old, bored or have passed on to a better Place. Will it be my son, daughter, youngest or oldest, this is a question of the utter most importance, because the wrong choice and everything you worked all those years can be gone in a heartbeat? My purpose in this life is to build a name that will last long after I am dead and gone. The problem that drives me is a twofold situation because first I have to build something for my kids to possibly sink or swim with.

I know that this is a problem not only unique to myself but to my whole race of people. Please do not take this article as a racial piece, take it as a true piece. We as blacks barring a few have never had anything significant to pass on to our kids. A little inheritance or an Insurance policy maybe, but I am talking about passing the something that three to four generations later they still have choices, what schools they want to attend or do they want to work for the family business or start their own. But before this can happen we must first start to change our way of thinking. Why is it that the phrase "crabs in a barrel" mostly apply to us. Why is that the first advice that you are given when you start a business is do not hire family, when that is the first thing that most other races do.

When you look at most any other ethnic groups, Koreans, arabs, jews, or Mexicans, they most of the time start their business as a family thing. Working for the future. Or why is that most whites that are successful the first thing they establish for their kids are savings accounts and college funds. The answer is they invest in their future first. We as blacks invest in our right now; big car, big house, clothes, exspensive vacations, jewelry and all the while most of us are living from check to check. Is this some great plot by the man to hold us down like we have been saying for years? First off who is this man? And secondly we are our own worst enemy. We are doing a good enough job of holding ourselves back, trust me the "man" does not have to do anything, we got it covered.

When I think of the great business men today the Donald Trumps, Sumner Red stones Rupert Murdochs or Ted Turners. The one thing these men have in common they are all Billionaires and they were all handed multi-million companies know your first thought is I would be a billionaire if someone handed me a multi-million dollar company too. Remember the part about living from check to check if you cannot manage a little money, you will never be able to manage a lot of money. Case in point m.c hammer, Mike Tyson and Master P.these men made millions and now are bankrupt. The key is these men were groomed from a young age to run these companies. They were taught to live below their means, save for the future and were educated to have the Intelligence to succeded. This is something we can all do with our kids, not just to run a company, but to give the a better chance in life. I am truly starting with the man in the mirror, myself.

So who will be the heir to the throne of sir earl enterprises? First I must build It, But I have a twenty-Year old son Marcus who is in business college, but right now he is going threw life's challenges. Getting married and having kids, we have to see how that will workout. The focus must be there for him. Then my youngest Cameron has all the ingredients to be great, but he is only nine, we don't how age will change him. My oldest daughter does not seem to be interested at making money, but she is great at spending it. So the answer is I have no idea. But it will be great to build it so they can have the choice; now to me that is the American dream.

Sir Earl

January 13, 2004

Lifetime vs. Three Hours

Anyone who has ever grown up without their father in their life always has that one nagging question. Why? Why wasn't he there for me? Why didn't he love me the way I needed to be loved? Why me? Why, why, why?

I grew up most of my life with these same questions inside of me. These questions and the lack of answers sometimes caused resentment and even hate towards my father until I started to pray and seek God's answers. It turned out that those answers started to surface in the most innocent of ways– through my 8-year-old son Cameron. He wanted to get to know his grandfather. So for his sake, a few years ago, I started taking him to visit his grandfather quite often. It was those visits that began to answer some of the questions that I held deep within – even some of the simplest questions like ‘where did I get my sense of humor?' ‘why don't I like greens?' ‘where did I get my love for sports?' I wanted to know the origin of my physical attributes – the way I laugh, talk, walk and think. Where did it all come from? I wasn't raised around my father, so how was it that I was just like him? It's simple, he's my father.

What started out as visits to help my son get to know his grandfather ended up being an opportunity for me to learn a lot about my dad and me. The biggest things that I discovered were that my father was human and made mistakes and that he was, in fact, a great person.

This past year, my father's health started to get worse, but we got closer. I visited him in the hospital as much as I could. In hindsight, it should have been more but the time spent was like a double-edged sword. I hated seeing what was once a proud, strong man become weak and feeble, but loved being around him nonetheless. His last few days in the hospital were hard on him as he became less and less coherent, sometimes not even recognizing my mom, sister and aunt. One thing remained constant though, he asked anyone who was there "when is my son coming to visit?"

Finally, that Saturday, I made it to the hospital. My dad had just returned from dialysis and within 15 minutes he woke up to find me there. We sat and talked, watched the football game and shared a truly personal conversation. The nurses were amazed at his progress. They felt confident that the dialysis was working. He was doing so well that he called my aunt and grandmother on the telephone, which was amazing because just the day before, he was too incoherent and weak to even speak. But there he was, holding a twenty-minute conversation with them.

The three hours that we spent seemed like a lifetime. I thought to myself, when he recovers what a great time we'll start having together. Five hours later he passed away.

Everyone realized the answer to my biggest question – how much did he really love his only son and name-sake? The answer was so much that he stayed alive long enough to spend his last three hours on earth with me. For those last hours, he was the father that I knew – talking making jokes and enjoying the game.

After his funeral, the day after Christmas, one question still lingered in my head – would I trade the life I thought I should have had with him for the last three hours that we shared together? The answer is that I wish I could have had them both. But at least those last three hours answered a lifetime of questions.

I love you dad.
R.I.P.

November 22, 2003

My Two Moms

When is Mother’s Day? Technically it’s in May, but for me, every day is Mother’s Day.
The mother of a former employee of my company recently passed away. When I heard the news, I phoned him and offered my condolences. This individual and I have had our ups and downs over the years, but the one thing that I always respected about him was the close bond that he and his mom shared.

I witnessed first-hand the agony that he endured for the year-and-a half that his mother was ill. The main thing that he wanted me to learn and remember from his experience is to every day acknowledge and show love and appreciation for my mother because we don’t know when we’ll live our last day.

Some of us are very fortunate to have a great mom. I guess I’m double blessed, because I have two great mothers. Maybe you’re confused, but if you read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," you know what I mean. The author of the book has two dads -- his natural father and a "father" who mentored him and became as close to him as his natural one. Three years ago, that kind of person came into my life.

The book explains that these two fathers were totally different in their philosophy on life. One believed that you go to school, get a good education and a good job with benefits and security. The other believed that you should be your own boss. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make your money work for you, instead of working for your money.

My birth mom Leora highly favors education, believes in a steady paycheck and low-risk job security. My second mom Melanie believes in the security of a good job because she’s held the same one for more than 30 years. But she also believes in investing, taking risk and making your money work for you. Which mom’s philosophy on life is correct? Well, just like in the book, both are. And I have adopted the positives from both of their views.

Having two moms with different approaches to life has created a young man (me) that is equipped with the mental mind-set to change his world. And my moms have even begun to somewhat adopt each other’s philosophies. Melanie is going back to school once she retires and Leora is starting her own home-based business. Not bad, huh! The finishing touch to the story is that in a couple of years, the three of us will enter our first business venture together. Now that is scary!

To my two moms, I love you both because you were both there for me in my darkest hours. As for me, I’d better get back to work. I just remembered that I have two Mothers’ Day gifts to buy! When did you say it was again -- May what?

Much love,

"Sir Earl"

September 29, 2003

Cameron's Crush

I recently had one of the greatest experiences with my eight-year-old son Cameron. We just had
a heart-to-heart talk about his very first crush on a girl.
It all started when he didn’t want to get a hair cut, because the little girl rubbed his hair while they were in the lunch line. He thought she wouldn’t like him if he cut his hair. I told him that she was probably trying to tell him to “get rid of the rug on your head!”

The story has another important element. One of his friends also likes the same girl and they were competing to see who would get the nerve to tell the girl first. My wife told him not to say it first, but of course, my speech was the opposite. I gave him the old “use fear as your friend”
and “nothing beats a failure but a try” speeches. So, the next day, being of true Bell stock, Cameron took the initiative. He walked up to the girl, fresh hair cut and all, looked her straight in the eyes and said “I like you.” The little girl responded by yelling “Ewwwwwww!!!” Cameron ran off jumped in his mom’s truck and sped off.

After telling me the story that night, Cameron’s one question for me was “Dad, do you think she might some day be my wife?” After laughing so hard that I cried, I remembered thinking, he is just like me -- never gives up. My next thought was, that’s exactly how my wife and I started out, except we were two years younger than my son. You never know.

Earl