Socially Adept...

Under The Sun (2008 Repost)

2010-05-11T17:37:00.002-05:00

I always feel the heat. The Sun represents situations/problems to me...they are always present, just at different phases and stages. When you see a problem coming on the horizon, it's enough to make you ball your face up...can't stand the sight of it. When the Sun's on top of you, you can barely lift your head up to face it...you're just enduring through. Once you put that shit behind you though? GOOD MONEY. Walking tall, eyes open, taking in everything ahead of you...you even look back because it doesn't hurt as much, and you have the option of looking away.

Past that...when I was younger, I wanted to monopolize all of the currency in the world...grandeur dreams of becoming rich: All of the money under the Sun. As most people know, (or maybe not) your wallet and heart are opposing forces in life. One seemingly can't flourish without the other suffering a bit...neither will die, just go through Somalian stages if you start paying one more attention than the other. So in my eyes, you have to choose one to focus more on...unless you believe that you can have 50/50 balance.

Anyway...I have this shirt that says "Future Millionaire"...and I wore it to work the other day only to be complimented by a woman who seemed to have chosen her stomach satisfaction over my vision satisfaction. She was like "Ohhhhh I LOVE that shirt!!" Thanks. I can tell you go fishing often, and catch everything in the ocean....except for a return compliment. It was ironic that I even had that shirt on, because I have long since chosen my heart over my wallet. I still can get fly with no wings...get my squirrel on. I'm chasing the nut...pause. As far as my wallet goes? I'm still a 'Bad Motherfucker'...in more than one sense, no Fiction in that.

"When I see you, I'm disgusted...can't believe I ever fell in love with...must've been dusted, cuz you look like SHIT...all them years, they ain't done you no justice (LOOK AT YOU!)" (c) Joe Budden - Under The Sun

This doesn't apply to everyone I've ever dated, but I'll be damned if it isn't true in a few cases. Sad part is, even if we really fell out I never hope for them to have fallen off like Penny Hardaway after Tyra...but hey, shit happens. It apparently happened all over you, by the way...I guess God couldn't hold it til He made it to Heaven's golden laced bathroom facility.

Sorry.

What's even more sad is that it makes me question my love for you...it really does. Of course I'm attracted to how women look first...this isn't an RPG. Your resume and positive character traits don't pop up on the right side of my screen as I approach you and make the decision whether to:

>Talk With
>Walk Away
>Charm
>Insult
>Kick In The Face And Ruin Your Sneakers
>Use Magic On
>Grab a Breast
>Make Her Eat Cake

...that's not how life works. I mean, I still have those options I suppose...but the rest isn't an option. My screen didn't show me your Decline Potential was at a staggering 73%. FUCK! Can't you wait until a later stage in the game before you start bringing the team down? Level 55 or some shit? Then again, by that time, it won't be as easy as just swapping you out for that cute damsel who's Defend Herself rating is 9%, but Cook and Fuck like a Pornstar rating is a whopping 99%...so yeah...feel free to fall off now...

But yeah, anyway...I didn't know you were gonna fall off that hard...I mean, Jesus Harold! He normally doesn't openly condemn me for my choices in life, but after answering one of your prayers, He parted the clouds in the sky and wrote me a message...

"So uh...I just got done responding to a prayer request from _____...I took a quick look at her profile and saw she dated you....I mean, I granted her prayer...it was for a simp to take care of her and put up with her foolish ways or something...but....I couldn't help but notice that she looks like Taraji P. Henson....if she never slept, got wack hairstyles, gained 50 lbs, got three of her teeth knocked out and had stretch marks on her arms...What were you thinking about?? NOT that I'm judging...that's not really my thing...just saying..."

Thanks Jesus. All I can say is that she didn't look like that, and her hair wasn't wack when I was with her....no need to send the "Yeah Right" cloud message...I already know...

Who are you a Terminator For?

2010-04-13T19:25:00.000-05:00

"Society is constantly being nudged towards dehumanization...while machines are becoming more and more HUMAN. Soon it will be difficult to tell apart who is human, and who is machine."

First Impressions

2010-02-17T23:10:00.000-06:00

The weight of a first impression can have lasting effects...it just depends on if those effects are positive or negative. If a person rubs you the wrong way upon first contact, chances are they will be written off for eternity, barring some deed of good will that forces you to see him or her in another light. But when a person When meeting or interacting with a person, most people refer to the saying, "Put your best foot forward". In a sense, I agree.

There aren't too many things better than when a first impression woos you...and everything seems so right in the world. As long as we put things in perspective, it ~~absolutely will not~~ shouldn't turn into a depressing situation if your two worlds were to ever clash. The euphoria experienced when that 'perfect first impression' match happens is nearly incomparable, and can possibly lay the groundwork for an excellent friendship/relationship/partnership/etcetera.

However, sometimes a person's "best foot" isn't his or her "real every day foot", and this is where problems usually begin to surface. As difficult as it sounds, (and as virtually impossible as it is to do) it's best to put your "real foot forward" and try to give a person a peek into who you are, day in and day out.

Let me just say this though, don't blame a person who has put forth his or her "best foot", only for you to find out later that his or her "less than best" is pretty damn pathetic. Don't call the person a liar, or deceitful, or not about shit; just be thankful that at some point they trusted you enough/got comfortable enough to be themselves around you. We all deep down just want ~~people to worship the ground we walk on~~ to be liked, or likeable...and sometimes we consciously (and subconsciouly) curb our bad mannerisms for the sake of a more flawless beginning mental portrait in one's mind.

Celebrity Deathmatch.

2009-12-10T22:54:00.000-06:00

Anyone with a pulse, television, radio or internet access has by now heard about, saw footage, and suffered from update overload on Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods' car accident and personal life crisis. I've sort of held off from commenting on this, other than partaking in jokes in lighthearted fashion and telling women that (yet again) one man's indescretions does NOT make for what EVERY man would do. There are a few reasons why I didn't offer up any concrete opinion one way or another about Tiger's marital problems:

1) The ins and outs of a marriage are the business of only two people - the folks that are married to each other.

2) Everyone in life has made mistakes, or done something that they were not proud of. This should not be mistaken for me offering him up some type of 'it's okay' pass; I am merely stating that we as a society often are quick to morph into stone throwers as opposed to beings of compassion, reasoning and understanding.

3) In case it wasn't made clear the first time, it's none of our fucking business.

An athlete's original 'job' was to perform at a level both above the average, and in entertaining fashion...in whichever sport he or she excelled in. Being a 'role model' and 'upstanding citizen' by someone else's standards was not a part of that deal. I can't stress this enough, I'm not saying that Tiger did no wrong; I'm saying that our focus is in the wrong place. Hypothetically speaking, what if it comes out that Tiger's wife was doing 10 dudes compared to Tiger's 9, and he did it as 'GetBack'? Then what? We just switch how we felt about the situation and offer Tiger a pardon and apology after villifying him in the public eye? How about we focus less on these 'celebrities' personal lives and figure out how to live our own in an efficient manner?

The head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles had problems out of his children that landed him in the news...and there were a few folks who felt that he should get fired from his job because of it. Seriously...if people were to get fired due to their personal lives not being in order, there would be a Recession still...but one with PLENTY of job vacancies. Andy Reid didn't get hired by Philly because they felt he was a great father; he was hired because the organization decided he was the best man for COACHING the Philadelphia Eagles. There is far too often too much responsibility placed upon these 'celebrities' who are (more often than not) as regular as us. If they decide to be activists, spokespersons and public speakers then they should be applauded. But they shouldn't have those EXPECTATIONS placed above their heads. We have become too content with living vicariously through the actions of others, and it shows in glaring fashion.

Yesterday on Twitter, I addressed the pedestal-esque stature of our First Lady, Michelle Obama. Some people recieved my point in the way that I desired and agreed, some disagreed...and then there were some who just missed the bus completely and were trying to wade their way towards having a valid opinion, but in the wrong arena. My intent was NOT to 'hate' on Michelle, (as one person INDIRECTLY accused me of doing) or draw some type of attention to myself (as said person INDIRECTLY accused me of doing as well); my point was that people allow the media to make these 'icons'...yet they wouldn't acknowledge a similar 'icon' unless the media stamped off on it. Michelle Obama is a highly intelligent, successful, well-dressed mother of two and wife to the first "Black" president of the United States, and I applaud her for being all of those things. But there are people who feel that she's got the best fashion sense this side of a Vogue/GQ collaborative fashion show. This, in my opinion, is not true. She's also not the first 'Black' woman to have a degree from a highly respected institution, become wealthy, successful AND married with children. But there are people who treat Michelle like it is so...and that's where my problem comes in. Not only are people (sometimes willingly) blinded by race, but they are also blinded by stature. A celebrity is more often than not placed in a higher respect category than a person who lives down the street from you, that you see everyday, but know nothing about. Why is that?

Also, there is a bit of a exaggeration to certain things when it applies to certain 'ethnic' identities in the limelight. Almost as if the person could do no wrong, or people are afraid of saying so for fear of 'tearing down their fellow brother/sister'. That's called cowardice. Wrong is wrong, tacky is tacky, and a bad move is a bad move...regardless if it's your 'hero' or otherwise. There are people who refuse to call Barack Obama out on certain moves he makes that may directly shadow the moves made by George Bush previously. I don't have a problem with folks not speaking out on different things...but if you cried foul when it was Bush, then cry foul when it's Barack. And that's really all I'm saying in regards to celebrities period. Understand that they are regular people just like you and me. If someone on your block has accomplished something that you would applaud a 'celebrity' for doing, why not take the time to applaud them as well? Why not get inspired by people that you rub elbows with, as opposed to trying to draw inspiration from ANOTHER stranger who's much farther away from you...in life, economics and geography. Stop idolizing select strangers because of their bank account, notoriety or stature in life, when you look right past OTHER strangers who quite possibly hold the same attributes that you are praising on your television screen.

(This issue is actually much deeper than this...I may get around to writing about it, because people don't seem to understand how controlling mass media is, and how certain images are placed in front of us with a certain desired purpose.)

A Little Bit of Both...

2009-11-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

Heart vs. Mind

The human mind is a beautiful, yet powerfully complex tool. A tool primarily utilized for basic guidance and interaction, despite the capabilities to do so much more. What people refer to as ‘the heart’ is also an equally beautiful & powerfully complex tool. There are times when these two work in sync, from both logic and emotional standpoints in perfect harmony. However, that is more anomaly than normal occurrence. Generally speaking, the heart and the mind often find themselves entangled in a draining and drawn out battle of wits, as logic takes on emotion head first…with neither side seemingly willing to budge. While tumultuous and fatiguing on the mind, body and soul, it’s of my opinion that these internal ‘battles’ are necessary on the path to being a balanced human being.

While there may be those who would argue for one side or the other, chances are they have become so immersed in the trenches of said way of living that they feel they must justify and rationalize their conscious decision to completely ignore the other side of the game.

An Open Letter To BET

2009-11-10T01:18:00.000-06:00

*the sad part is, this letter probably won't even merit the auto-response w/ the signature stamp at the bottom...*

A Letter to Debra Lee, CEO of BET, from a 15-year-old girl:

Dear Debra Lee,

I’m Janita Patrick, a 15-year-old African-American female from Cincinnati . Recently, I watched the 2009 BET Awards and felt the strongest urge to reach out to the program.. My family is of the typical middle-class variety; both parents and four brothers. See, I'm a junior in high school (got skipped), so naturally EVERYBODY in my age group watches BET. I'm used to seeing the sagging pants, tattoos, lack of emphasis on reading and respecting women that makes up your videos. People in my class live this out everyday, while teachers tell us that we're acting just like the people in your shows.

That struck me as odd, because I would think that with your show being the primary outlet for black entertainers and musicians, and considering the context of blacks in this country, there’s a social responsibility factor to consider. I would never blame BET alone for the way a great deal of my classmates act and talk and dress. Everybody makes their own choices. However, if anybody is aware the power of television on impressionable minds, it’s the people running the television operations. If you are not aware, then perhaps you shouldn't be running the operations.

Guess who watches your network the most? Not those who are intelligent enough to discern foolishness from substance, but those who are barely teenagers, impressionable and believing. It’s awfully cruel to plant seeds of ignorance in fertile minds. You know it’s really bad when the co-founder of BET, Sheila Johnson, said that she “really doesn't watch it” anymore.

I am constantly fighting against the images and messages put forth on your program. What made you think that it’s okay to bring my classmates on stage to dance behind Lil Wayne and Drake to a song talking about boffing “every girl in the world”? Why does reality train wrecks have to thrown in our faces? Are you aware of the achievement gap going in inner-city African-American communities? A report from America ’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit group started by Colin Powell, recently stated that 47 percent of high school students in the nation’s top 50 cities don't graduate. (Fifty-four percent of males of color in Ingham County graduated from high school, compared to 74 percent of white males).This isn’t because of BET per se, but I don’t see any episodes on your show doing anything to counteract this disturbing trend. In fact, your show is a part of this cycle of media depicting us at our worst.

My older brother told me something about profit being the number one goal for every business. I’m not sure I understand what that means, but I do know that your shows have to be entertaining enough to generate viewers, which is how you make your money. But surely our culture is rich enough to entertain without anything extra to “boost” ratings; why the over-the-top foolery? I listen to classmates talk about Baldwin Hills like it’s the Manhattan Project. It doesn’t take much effort to produce a throng of degenerative reality shows, nor does it take much to eliminate socially conscious shows off the air. MTV isn’t much better, but since when does two wrongs ever make a right? It’s one thing for white television shows to depict us in a particular way, but for black television shows to do it is baffling..

Why do you hate us? All of the values that my parents seek to instill in me and my brothers seems to be contradicted by a more powerful force from the media, and your show is at the forefront. Your network is the only network that features rap videos and shows exclusively to children of my color. I know that you have no control over the music that the artists put out, but you do have influence as to how you air these videos. I'm sure if a stand was taken to use the talent in your organization to actually crank out thought-provoking entertaining shows and videos, then artists will follow suit. Being that they need you as much as you need them.

There was one awkward segment in the BET Awards when Jamie Foxx singled out three black doctors-turned-authors, but the introduction was so powerless that many of the viewers had no idea who they were. Had they been introduced as Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins, three brothers who overcame major obstacles to become a success without the use of lyrics that berate women, the sell of substance that destroy communities or through raps about loose gunplay, then maybe my classmates would have come to school talking about more than Beyonce, T-Pain’s BIG ASS CHAIN and Soulja Boy Tell Em’s hopping out the bed.

But they weren’t introduced like that. It seemed like a throwaway obligatory tribute to appease some irritated fans. It missed the mark. Big time. Ask Michelle Obama if she watches BET or encourages Sasha and Malia to do so. Ask President Obama. It’s a reason he is the leader of the free world, and it isn’t because of Buffoonery Exists Today.

You’d be surprised how smart young black children can be with the absence of Blacks Embarrassing Themselves. If your goal is to deter engaged, forward-thinking articulate black minds, then consider your goal fulfilled. It’s hard-pressed to think that your shows are working to promote cultural betterment. However, it’s quite easy to conclude that the destruction of black children through the glorification of immoral behavior and rushed production is by design. Poison is being swallowed by every viewer who adores your network, and the worse thing is, these viewers - my classmates - are not even aware what they’re swallowing.
There is nothing edifying for black women on your show. I don’t judge people who do throng to your programs though; I mean, if a jet crashes in right in front of me, I’ll watch it too. That’s why I don’t flip by your channel…I don’t even want to be sucked in.

I have aspirations of acquiring a law degree and possibly entering the public sphere, so I can counteract conditions in my community perpetuated by the images on your channel. So I should thank you, because in a weird sense, your shoddy programming is the wind behind my back. And it is my hope that I can accomplish my dreams despite BET’s pictorial messages, because Lord knows it won’t be because of them.

Sincerely,

Janita Patrick

GooD Music: Chicago Love Edition

2009-11-02T01:26:00.005-06:00

This isn't a music blog, but every now and again I'll share music that I support. Today is the day that 3Tre decided to release his mixtape "Calm Before The Storm"...and I would #InsertCornyCatchPhraseHere, but if this is the warm up, then what's to follow will definitely be worth becoming a fan. So without further adieu, I present to you:

3Tre - Calm Before The Storm

Click Here

It's definitely worth the listen.

01 For the Love (Prod. Rob Bates)
02 Boi (Freestyle)
03 BreakUp Ft. Jelisa Nicole
04 Gettin It In (Prod. Phly Phokus)
05 Sweetest Letter I Never Sent
06 My Shine (Prod. III Power)
07 She Mine Ft. Jeremih (Prod. III Power)
08 M.O.B. (Prod. Phly Phokus)
03 Move It On Her Waist (Prod. III Power)
10 HeadPhones On Ft. The Boy Illinois
11 Video Phone (Freestyle)
12 Miss You
13 Hit the Road (Prod. 3tre)
14 I Get it In (Freestyle)
15 Bring the Pain (Prod. III Power)

Relationship Rehabilitation.

2009-10-14T20:46:00.003-05:00

[note: This blog is not designed to demean or single out anyone in any facet. I am not an expert on relationships, nor do I have 'perfect' relationships...but I am working towards MY 'perfect. And pardon the length of this blog; if you need to read a little and come back, that's fine too...]

This is not by any means a pity party for 'Blacks' or an attempt to demean any other race, but I am merely voicing my opinion on the subject for the sake of those that it may help. It appears that we (and when I say 'we', for the sake of this blog at least, I mean those identified primarily as 'Black people') are the 'race' furthest behind when it comes to relationship development...GENERALLY SPEAKING.

Of course, a quick trip through history will give many reference points as to why this is so...but they primarily all point to racism. You can start with slavery if you would like, as that was the major 'event' that began a definitive racial divide. I don't feel that I have to present a review of the things that took place, but to sum up in a quick fashion, every aspect of the 'Black' family was destroyed: Trust, reliability, and selflessness. It's a tad bit difficult to tell which one got eradicated first, and it's probably safest to say that they all eroded around the same time. You cannot rely on a person if you can not trust them, and if you do not have selflessness (regardless of the reason) you can not be relied upon...which means that you can not be trusted. Slaves whom had wives were humiliated in front of them, broken and beaten, until the woman realized that she would basically have to fend for herself, as her 'protector' could no longer protect her. Follow? Trust was few and far between when slaves got together in an effort to get free and were somehow discovered before the plans was even put into action. How were they discovered? Not because the slave owners had ESP; a slave that was devoid of selflessness and filled with selfish intentions attempted to gain favor by telling on his companions...thus creating an atmosphere of distrust and contempt amongst everyone, as the 'snitch' was usually punished alongside the others to not be 'discovered'.

What does this have to do with the relationships of today? EVERYTHING.

If your ancestors are perceived as 'Black', then they were probably raised as 'Blacks'. If they were raised as 'Blacks', then your grandparents were raised as 'Blacks'....all the way down to you. You are not only seen and treated as a 'Black', but you have all of the core 'values' instilled in you, chances are. The 'Black' women have been taught for GENERATIONS now that they do not need a man. The 'Black' men have been taught that their own brothers can and WILL betray them the first chance that they get...so why not betray them first. The men (dating back to slavery) have never had to raise a child, due to being separated from their wives and children...so it's almost second nature to be a 'baby daddy' instead of a 'father', when things don't go right. The women have been portrayed as loose whores who will fuck to get ahead, and have no other use besides popping out babies and raising them to be just like the fathers. The men feel there is no need to be faithful and support a whore, so they don't. Am I reaching with this proposal? There's a chance...but in my opinion it's not likely in the least. All you have to do is look around you and think for a moment.

On top of all of that, women are 'stuck' in a sense because their "I don't need any man to succeed" attitude is offset by America's down-the-nose opinion of the woman in GENERAL...race excluded. So to be a 'Black' WOMAN? It's twice the strike against a person than to just be identified as 'Black'. I could go on all day about the problems, but what is really needed are SOLUTIONS...because we are clearly behind in the 'race', no punchline. How do we re-establish strong community and strong bonds within families?

First, let's address the casual friendships, as I feel these are gateways to strong-ties relations. I'm sure that everyone knows someone who, for lack of a better term, "ain't sh*t"...we all do. And if you don't know anyone who isn't, consider yourself lucky that you don't have to deal with them...but you're not THAT lucky because chances are, you ARE that "ain't sh*t" individual. Anyhow, this individual usually tends to have traits that are less than admirable, yet you entertain his or her foolishness, shoot the sh*t with them, etc. But why? What do you possibly have to gain in this relationship? And you can tag the person/people as associate(s) all you want, but if you converse with this person daily and regularly they are a little bit more than that.

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone whom you started out as just "cool" with? Didn't really rock with him or her like that, then one day it just clicked? See: the associate. There's a chance you could fall into an intimate relationship with a person who "ain't sh*t"...but your feelings are wrapped up into things now, and it's a tad bit more tricky to get out of the situation. And in this day and age, pre-marital sex is the rule as opposed to the exception, agreed? Imagine having a child by this "ain't sh*t" individual...now you are intertwined for life, and so are your families. Do you think that typically a sorry individual just springs up out of nowhere in the midst of a wonderful family tree? The answer is "Hell No." So now your family tree is among the same grounds as the weeds that this person was birthed. Congratulations.

Listen, an intimate relationship between two upstanding, good character individuals is difficult enough...especially in the day and age of quick divorces, rauncy affairs and social sites. How much more difficult do you think that bad character traits would make things in a relationship? Difficult enough where one would want to leave, chances are...thus birthing a broken home. My thing is this: associate yourself with people who are of good quality or like-minded, whether in your intimate relationships or casual friendships.

Another problem that seems to run rampant is the ostracizing of one considered to be "successful"...by the very community that he or she comes from. Being considered a 'sell-out' or cries of 'he/she think he/she is better than us' will lead one to want to leave their surroundings and never look back. So instead of one being successful, staying in the community and either uplifting others or showing the way to success, they bolt...never to return. In regards to intimate relationships, these people are also stuck between a rock and a hard place; do they fully assimilate and date within the 'successful' communities, which are more probable to be filled with non-'Blacks'? Or do they date within the confines of where they are from, at the risk of there being a compatibility gap so far and wide that the two merely end up making children and pissing each other off right into divorce court?

Last point...it is common nature for us to look to the media in regards to what a family or 'healthy relationship' is supposed to look like. STOP. I couldn't tell you how many different types of personalities and mindstates there are, but I know that there are too many for all (or even 1/4th of them) of them to be properly portrayed on television in a sitcom, drama, or reality show. In regards to what will and won't work in YOUR relationship, you need to look no further than YOURSELVES. As long as whatever methods work for the both of you, it doesn't matter what they are or what someone else says about them. We are too concerned (FAR too concerned) with what others think, or what others are doing, or what others are saying. If you two do nothing but watch Roseanne re-runs all day, and both of you are happy, then don't let someone else tell you that you need to hit the club and dine out every weekend. That's THEIR truth...let them live it with their significant others. It all boils down to the compromise between YOU and your significant OTHER...NOT 'others'.

Start with this...we can be on our way to repairing not only our casual relationships, but our intimate and family relationships as well.

State of Affairs.

2009-10-03T23:11:00.003-05:00

Good evening...I am here to report that Chicago did not get the Olympic bid for 2016. In fact, I'm here to report that Chicago didn't even get close enough to get pump-faked into thinking they stood a legitimate chance. Tough breaks...

I'm also here to report that I'm not only unfazed by the International Olympic Committee's decision, but I am GLAD as well. Never has a city with the opportunity to host such a WORLD-related event been so POLARIZING to its own inhabitants. How is it that "we" are clamoring to be good-spirited hosts to nationalities and cultures from around the GLOBE, yet "we" can't even manage enough courtesy for our fellow Chicagoan? And perhaps it's just me, and I'm having a 'moment', but does it not strike anyone else as funny that we were seemingly so STRAPPED FOR FUNDING just a few short months ago, yet when the possibility of the Olympics came around there was suddenly an influx of available currency? No? Just me?

Listen...if things were in SOME FORM of order here, I would have been all for Chicago being the site for the 2016 Olympic Games.............but that is the furthest thing from the truth. This city is in a state of utter and complete controlled chaos and confusion. Furthermore, this is one of the most SEGREGATED cities in all of North America...if not the world. But we are supposed to host the event that is supposed to promote fair competition and unity?

The mayor of this city is by and far putting a plan into action, slowly but surely moving inhabitants of 'less fortunate' circumstances out of 'hot spot' areas and the city as a whole. The Olympic Villages would have only sped up such a plan. For Chicago to have constructed Olympic Villages, they would have had to make room for said Villages. The ideal target area would have been up and down Lake Shore, stretching as far as 79th street. Residents would have had to relocate, take a buyout or whatever plan would work to coerce the people to move, and then the area would be converted with new housing units for the Olympics. What happens AFTER is where more segregation kicks in, as the newly vacated Village would be open for rental or ownership to the 'general public'...if you can afford it. The property value would at WORST double, and the people who used to inhabit the area before it became stomping grounds for Olympic participants and honorary visitors would not be able to afford to move back. We already know who would inhabit the area typically speaking, so there's no need to further address that. HOWEVER, what DOES need to be addressed is the 'cleansing' for lack of a better term of the 'inner' city of Chicago. From the Gold Coast to as far back south as they can get is being purged of 'Blacks' little by little. Housing projects? All but torn down, former residents all but distributed about the city like cards at a poker table.

The thing is, it's not only an elitist move as far as PLACEMENT goes; it's a Boston (ironic term, considering their racism as a city may be the only environment rivaling Chicago's) all across the board. When the construction takes place, it's no small secret that Mayor Daley places "family and friends" in those jobs...and as anyone who lives here can attest to, construction in Chicago is a long drawn out project. Time is money: the more time they take, the more money they make.

Not to say that Mayor Daley has been thwarted due to Chicago losing out on the Olympic bid for 2016, but he at least has been slowed in the grand scheme of things. And I'm no conspiracy theorist...at least not in this case. Pay attention.

Life Change.

2009-09-22T21:58:00.002-05:00

I am of the opinion that every so often, it's imperative that a person does some self-reflecting and figuring out how to better her/himself. It's far too easy, especially with all of the advancements and distractions in technology, to get complacent in life and come to a 'stand still' of sorts. I've recently had an epiphany that it's high time for me to figure ways to improve myself for the sake of not only myself, but for others as well. I do some things that may seem weird (in regards to the reasoning), but I promise it makes sense to me.

Things I have done or will do in the near future:

1. Got a new cellphone.

In a move that may have been considered 'foolish' by some, I opted to get a BlackBerry instead of the ever-so-popular iPhone. I've always had a far away affection for the BlackBerry brand, mainly because I felt that it had a more professional appeal than other cellular phones. Not knocking the iPhone at all, as I've heard and seen nothing but wonderful things about and from it, but it's just not for me. For one, it's a touch-only phone and I got more than my fill of touch-screen action with my hTc Touch Pro. Two, it has more distractions than a child with ADD trying to do his homework while sitting in Hollywood Park's Arcade. No offense to those who rock with the applications and games, but I'm almost 30 years old...it's not a good look to see a GROWN MAN laughing and toying with his phone like he just got it for his 16th birthday.

2. Stop cursing.

This is actually a three part reasoning. One, there are many people throughout my life that (for whatever reason) have never heard me curse until semi or very recently, and were under the impression that I didn't curse at all prior to that. I sort of like that...it's different. Two, people (namely children) are influenced by the actions of those around them. I know how I am when I'm around a person who doesn't curse...I try to refrain from it, if for no other reason than to not be the only fool letting F's and S's go rapid-fire when it's usually highly unnecessary. Not only that, I don't want any child that didn't curse or think about cursing prior to passing me on the street or overhearing a conversation of mine to pick up that habit. Kids are wild enough as it is nowadays. Three, my girl is buying into it as well. She curses a good deal, and I just think that it's so very ladylike for a woman to not curse...at least excessively. If she decides to abandon it, that's fine too; she was cursing when I met her so it's not like she's doing a 180 on me.

3. Attempt to actively rehab my relationship with my mother.

Whew. This will be tougher than not cursing, not eating meat and giving up sex. I'm not giving up meat and sex; just stating for effect. There are many scars beneath the surface of our relationship that people may or may not be aware of. I'm not sure if even my own mother is aware of the disconnect that exists. I take that back, I'm sure she knows on SOME level...but I'm not certain that she FULLY 'gets it'. "You think you know...but you have no idea." I don't know, I suppose I've been waiting for her to do the 'grown-up thing' and come forth in admitting her mistakes and wrongdoings...but then it dawned on me: I'm an adult. I don't need to wait on someone to do something that I want done; I can make it happen myself. My only fears at this point are that she will either not acknowledge her actions and blow me off, or that I will get frustrated + pissed and abandon the entire effort. Sounds cold hearted, but I've been beyond the point of 'needing' a healthy relationship with my parents to be alright. I've solved many a problem on my own that no one even knew or knows exists, and I will continue to do so. However, just because a one legged man learns to 'hop to it' doesn't mean he wouldn't accept getting his lost leg back with open arms.

4. Saving and Investing my money wisely.

Another thing I'm terrible at, as I always seem to try and extend a helping hand when I have "extra"...sometimes even at the expense of myself. I've dug myself a pretty nice sized hole with some of my decision making, and I'm finally on the cusp of righting that ship. A major chunk of the 'hole' that I'm in is due to keeping others out of a 'hole', but that's neither here nor there.

5. Start mapping out moves ahead of time.

It's so easy to just 'go with the flow' of life...but that's weak to me. Going with the flow means you are at the whim of the things or people around you...typically in a willing and defenseless fashion. I would rather cut across the current with the possibility of making it across, towards something that I have in mind...not someone else.

6. Choose a path in regards to writing.

This is actually a double entendre. I feel that I need to make my mind up as to whether I shall just write for free with the hopes of positively affecting someone's life, or turn my skill into monetary compensation. The thing with turning my skill into a payday is that I'm more about making positive impact on society than about padding my pocket linings, and inspiration doesn't come with a price tag. Also, I feel that I need to fully throw myself behind one style or the other: Social commentary..........or poetry. Who knows...I'm not even sure which one I'm better at, so I may just continue to pull double duty. *KanYe Shrug*

7. Becoming more open.

This is in regards to writing, conversing and all other facets of life. I'm called the King of Ambiguity by one of my friends, and it seems that others are starting to catch on to how vague and non-descript I usually am. The thing is, with some of the things that I have been through and learned from, I may be able to help someone through their ordeal...or help them prevent it altogether by simply opening up and sharing these things.

So I decided to start with this post.

[Mr. Jolla]

Good News...

2009-09-19T20:29:00.002-05:00

I've got a new blog post, and this isn't it. IllaTeamTV.com is where it's located. Just click the link. I'm not abandoning posting over here, and I won't be doing the double-posted entries either; what I write over here is for over here, and what I write over there is for over there. With that said, I'd really appreciate it if you checked out the site and left your feedback. BTW, I am NOT any of those guys up top in the banner. Just for the record.

"I Ain't That Boring..." (c) Paid In Full

2009-09-03T18:51:00.003-05:00

...and I'm not. Really. But I admit, I have a quirky nature that cannot be explained...I take that back; it can.

1. I love talking to a few people, but I hate talking on the phone....

There is a short list of folks I LOVE talking to, but it happens rather infrequently due to this:

T. Marie

Jessica

Danyelle

Auntie Kisha

sorry y'all...
I am no fan of telephonic communication...I can be eerily awkward at times. Or the person I'm talking to can be...

Them: "Why are you so quiet?"

Me: "Uh....I don't have anything to say?"

Them: "So what are you thinking about?"

Me: "Wondering why you asked me that question?"

2. If there was a documentary based upon my "creative process", people would be bored and turn the DVD off.

Typically speaking, I create all poetry, blogs, etc on the 'fly'...meaning that I don't start writing it until I get to the white box of blogger, an email and so on. No dramatic inspiration, no candles lit, no entourage at a barbecue taking shots to every clever punchline I think of...none of that. I sit down, and write some shit...never revise it. Hate it later. The end.

3. I have replacement members for nearly everyone in my family (not including cousins) with the exception of my dad.

It's not really on purpose either...just folks whom I've gotten close to on that level, it's odd.
Jessica and Erica are my little sisters (I have zero actual sisters),
D.A. is my little brother and Scooter is my older brother (Rory is my actual older brother),
Kisha is my Auntie (she's not replacing any aunts; all of my aunties are great ^_^),
CaShawn is my Momma (I talk to her rather infrequently...yet, sadly more than I talk to my actual mother)...and the beat goes on.

Weird shit, Teef is widely considered (by folks who know us both) to be my twin brother born to different parents. That shit weirded me out at first, not gonna lie. But that's my right hand, 50 grand. On some ESP shit, don't talk to that fool for like 3 months and know what the deal is within the first 10 words of talking. Oh yeah...he's back to writing his next book, and I'm helping. Shit's gonna be EPIC.

2003-2007

4. The worst of times.......are the best of times.

When I'm going through the most is seemingly when I can see and think the clearest. Almost like 'bullet-time' or something, I tend to lock in and focus much better when shit is going to.....well, to shit. Creatively speaking, the worst times = the best times...so I think that now I almost subconsciously welcome the bad times, because I know good times will come together...kinda like when James died. Nevermind...

5. "Rappers is all girls....I'm way too particular."

I'm very iffy on rappers. It could be two guys who rap about the same stuff, the same way, with the same inflection but wear different shoes. I won't like them both, chances are...may not like either one. And I really can't explain it. So if you hear me say I love Pusha T (II) but hate Malice, don't judge me...it's not my fault.

6. I am my own best friend...and am my own worst enemy.

I tell myself everything, and then myself uses it against me. :)

7. I believe in God...don't read the Bible; don't believe in Astrology...yet read it every day.

Hey, I don't know what that shit's about either...but I feel I'm close to God even though we don't talk often. I'm doing Godly things while working at a devilish pace...

Some Choice Words...

2009-08-07T22:23:00.003-05:00

I became my own teacher for living, learned my own life lessons...
deciphered what was cursed to me, what was disguised as blessings.
Spoke my pain through my manuscript; the ink was my voice...
scribing like my life depended on it, like I didn't have a choice.
Penned many a tale and explanation, story & poem of my plight,
I knew I was finally alright when I could no longer write...

(I usually just post my poetry on my other blogspot, but I felt maybe someone needed to read this...and I have WAY more readers over on this page. DEAL.)

"And You Can Quote Me On That..."

2009-08-05T16:48:00.002-05:00

Just in case you were mistaken in your opinions about Abraham Lincoln, the world-reknowned "President who freed the slaves"....allow me to burst your bubble. This write-up was sent to me by my co-worker, who is an activist, and I felt the need to share.

Let me just say this: Abraham Lincoln, at the time that he made the declaration that "freed" the slaves in the South, held ZERO power in said states. So basically, it was a tactic to attempt to cause dissention in the ranks amongst who was the ENEMY of Lincoln at the time. That's like someone who works at the rival corporation to your job, walking up in your office one day and saying loud enough for you to hear, "You can go home now....WITH PAY. In fact, take the rest of the week off....don't worry about it." You're going to stay put at that desk and finish that ridiculous ass chart your boss gave you, no doubt about it. Why? Because the gentleman speaking does not hold any power in the building that he is proclaiming these bold declarations in, that's why. The same went for President Lincoln many moons ago.

It has been well-documented that Lincoln was no fan of Negroes, nor did he care about the well-being of the Negro in America. BUT...one has to realize something: in a war, the victor writes the history books. This is why John Wilkes-Booth was considered a "nigger lover killer" when he dead-aimed in on the back of Lincoln's skull in that opera balcony. Abraham Lincoln was no "nigger lover", no where near.

The web address below is where this stems from...Read up.

www.FeastofHateandFear.com/articles/Negro_equality.html
----------------------------------------------------------
"NEGRO EQUALITY? FUDGE!"

Now, before you get your panties in a wad, those were not my words. Those were the words of one, Abraham Lincoln. That's right, Honest Abe. The man that all schools tell you to praise as the man to set the slaves free. The one whom our government lets you have a day off work in February for the simple fact that he loved God so much... he felt that all men should be free and equal in the eyes of his creator. Just like in The Constitution, right! WRONG!
What they don't want you to know is that good ol' Abe wanted slaves free so they could recolonize Africa and get them out of his great country. During the chaos of the Civil War, Lincoln organized the Bureau of Emigration within the Department of Interior. The sum was $600,000, a huge amount at the time and considering the tremendous war efforts. This Bureau was appropriated with the recolonization and emigration of the African slaves. Two attempts to do this were made with the actual establishment of a colony at Isle-a-Vache, in Haiti, consisting of 453 slaves transported from Virginia. Later, another attempt failed to colonize them in Columbia, South America.
Every single word below is attributed to Abraham Lincoln, and can be found in what is probably the most complete source of original and unedited Lincoln documents, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler and first published in 1953 by the Rutgers University Press in eight volumes and an index. Let's check it out shall we...

"Negro equality! Fudge!! How long, in the government of a God, great enough to make and maintain this Universe, shall there continue knave to vend, and fools to gulp, so low a piece of demagoguism as this?"
-From, Fragments: Notes for Speeches
Sept. 1859 (Vol. III)

"I think your race suffers very greatly, many of them by living among us, while ours suffers from your presence. In a word we suffer on each side. If this is admitted, it affords a reason why we should at least be separated."
-From, Address on Colonization to a Deputation of
Africans in Washington D.C.
August 1862 (Vol. V)

"But what shall we do with the Negroes after they are free? I believe that it would be better to export them all to some fertile country with a good climate, which they could have to themselves."
-From, Letter to General Benjamin F. Butler
March 1865 (Vol. VII)

"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, (applause from audience) that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people. I will say in addition to this that there is physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality."
-From, 4th Debate with Stephan A. Douglas in Illinois
Sept. 1858 (Vol. III)

"Judge Douglas has said to you that he has not been able to get an answer out of me to the question whether I am in favor of Negro citizenship. So far as I know, the Judge never asked me the question before. (applause from audience) He shall have no occasion to ever ask it again, for I tell him very frankly that I am not in favor of Negro citizenship. (renewed applause) If the state of Illinois has the power to grant Negroes citizenship, I shall be opposed to it. (cries of "here, here" and "good, good" from audience) That is all I have to say."
-From, Speech at Sringfield, Illinois
June 1857 (Vol. II)

"In the course of his reply, the Senator remarked that he had always considered this a government made for the white people and not for the Negroes. Why, in point of mere fact, I think so, too."
-From, Speech at Peoria, Illinois
Oct. 1854 (Vol. II)

"And that the effort to colonize persons of African descent with their consent upon this continent or elsewhere, with the previously obtained consent of the government there, will be continued."
-From, Emancipation Proclamation
Jan. 1863 (Vol. VIII)

And Now, A Word from our sponsors...

2009-07-31T21:44:00.003-05:00

...not really.

I just wanted to do a transfer of knowledge move from the Streets of Twitter to this blog, courtesy of the homie Darius George (twitter.com/DariusGA97). Usually we're all shooting the shit, initiating roasts and the sort, but today was quite different. He let what was on his mind be known, and no ReTweets, jokes, or Follow Friday action could stop him. I'm just going to post the lines in the order that they appeared, and hope you either learn something or are "inspired"...(there's that word again...)

*the following statements are presented in the same intention as they appeared on Twitter. The only alterations made by me were for the sake of re-elongating the spelling shortenings due to the 140 character limit on Twitter. Learn Something.*

Is it me or are people inherently stupid? It seems like redundancy makes up 90% of peoples conversations...

I dont know if it's a lack of education, TV being used as a babysitter or what but people's comprehension and retention are terrible nowadays.

People expect things to go how they envision them in their mind; when people tell them different, they become abrasive.

To get what you want, you need to have diplomacy and be willing to compromise. People are willing to work with you if you show some decorum...

If you are not in a favorable position, humble yourself. Being demanding is pointless if you aren't in a position of power. Establish rapport first.

Once people see that you are a quality individual, then you will have more leeway & get closer to what you are trying to achieve.

Part of the problem is that we are in a world where we ate being catered to. Fast food, on demand, Internet downloading. We have lost our core values...

When things are placed on our lap, what is the motivation to get up? This is why people stay in the same place year after year.

Relationships, career, education. Once you let these things become stagnant they will eventually die. People will only tolerate you for so long.

Once your shortcoming are revealed & it's seen that you aren't attempting to move from the position you came in, it's dead...

Darwin's survival of the fittest is true. You must adapt to you surroundings. Once it's revealed that you are weak, you are attacked...

So fortify yourselves people. You have to put in work to have your dreams match your reality. Even if things are handed to you, you'll squander them...

Because we don't take time to appreciate our minor success. Once you learn to appreciate, then you will be prepared to win the bigger battles...

It just dissapoints me to see the homies running in circles & asking me for advice. I'm going to tell you the same thing I've always told you...

You have to make it happen. I can assist you but you have to be the architect in your development. If you don't believe in yourself, how can we?

Spend time with yourself & map out a plan for your life. If you are always out partying & looking for the next thrill, you'll look up & be in the same place.

Words of Wisdom...

Blast-for-Me...No Religion. [Part III of III]

2009-07-30T22:03:00.002-05:00

*three part write-up focusing on Barack Obama's 'impact', religious practices, and self-motivation*

"...And I'll be got-damned if my outlook isn't too."

We have reached the final post in this three-part blog, and it was all for the sake of a simple statement: Have some gotdamn faith in yourselves for a change, damn.

The reason behind the first two blogs were to paint a picture of blind-following, and the possible negative ramifications that could follow. Whether it's following and adoring a person, or whether it's giving your entire self to a diety to the point where you cannot see what's right in front of you, you are essentially crippling yourself in the long run and not giving yourself credit in the short term.

I know we've all heard someone say "By the grace of God, I made it to work on time...cuz I sure know I didn't feel like getting up." Dead that. God gives you FREE WILL, remember? That means if you CHOOSE to turn your silly ass over and put your face back in the pillow, God won't tilt your bed over on its side, rolling you to the floor; you will be laying there until your phone ringing wakes you up...to inform you that you've been fired.

The same goes for people who are and were seemingly so inspired by Barack's ascention into world-wide celebrity and power: Don't say that you can get your degree now because Barack's in office. There is not a block on a college entrance application that says "Is your President Black?"...he has nothing to do with you "now" being able to pass algebra because "Barack has inspired and pushed me towards greater things". You've possessed the capability the entire time; it's just that you're a) lazy as fuck b) afraid of success c) afraid of failure or d) don't believe in yourself and need validation that you are worth something. All of these are the wrong fucking answer.

Mind you, I'm not denouncing miracles ("I was in a 10 car pileup and survived without a scratch on me") or being inspired to KEEP going ("I failed the test 3 times and was ready to give up, but the girl who failed it 7 times passed on her 8th attempt"), but I AM denouncing people's low self-esteem fueled opinions that warrant getting stomped out like a still-lit cigarette butt. People are so quick to chalk EVERYTHING up to something other than themselves:

"All glory be to God, as He guided us to victory today over the Charlotte Bobcats..."

No sir. Do you think God chose what team He liked more and then altered a few key plays in the game? Or do you think that your side is the only team that has Christians/Muslims/Mormons/etc on it? It comes down to TALENT. The fact that the Bobcats suck more than Lacey Duvalle is what guided you to victory. Ease up on the extra helpings of "Humble Pie"; you're getting Shawn Kemp-type fat.

It's okay to sometimes say "Hey, it's MY hard work that got me here.", it really is. Or if that makes you feel guilty, say "Hey, it's MY hard work that got me here, after (insert religious inspiration here) ensured that all things out of my control lined up properly". But stop looking elsewhere for some shit that lies directly within you. If your keys are in your pocket, stop looking all around the gotdamn house for another way to start the car, and take your simple ass outside and DRIVE.

Blast-for-Me...No Religion. [Part II of III]

2009-07-29T18:07:00.002-05:00

*three part write-up focusing on Barack Obama's 'impact', religious practices, and self-motivation*

"My Jesus is too..."

Speaking of "lost followers", I am of the opinion that the biggest fools in the universe can be found within the confines of any religion. Now before you go calling me a heathen or athiest, let me inform you that I do believe in God...but I'm moreso a "spiritual" person, as opposed to a "Baptist", "Muslim", etc. With that said, some of the folks that follow God are complete and utter idiots. Much like the aforementioned (in PT I) blind Obama supporters, there are people who consider themselves a devout representative of his/her religion...and will do nearly anything to prove said point. This includes denouncing other religions, condemning people to Hell via judgment calls on another's lifestyle, choices and behavior, and by taking EVERYTHING said by a Pastor to be granite-engraved law. I pity the non-thinking fool.

See, if these folks were as "devout" as they proclaimed, they would see that verbally banishing someone else to Hell is a type of cardinal sin in itself. It's called something along the lines of "playing God"...yeah, they might want to stop that. Also, to tell someone that they are following the wrong religion (or lack thereof) is a type of judgment call. God's job, according to the book that lays out all of the "rules" of life. Taking everything that a Pastor says to be the one-hundred percent truth? Well...that's not God's job; that's just being a dumb ass. The Holy Bible (written by a MORTAL, btw) is a book that is basically open to interpretation, thus the very contradictory nature of it. Almost any argument a devout Christian tries to make to state his/her case can nearly become undone by the very same book that is his or her number one source. The Pastor gives you HIS or HER interpretation of it...this does not make it law. This just means that either you are a) too lazy to decipher it yourself to pull something from it, b) too stupid to decipher it yourself to pull something from it, c) are comparing and contrasting your interpretation up against the Pastor's, or d) been convinced (see: brainwashed) into thinking that only the Preacher has this divine connection with God that you don't, and he or she is to serve as your 'go-between'.

Here is my problem with the "past" of the religions that people follow: I am too much of a thinker to merely accept something without even wondering if something could be another way. Allow me to explain. Philosophy is the outfit I like to wear every day, and I never wash it. To fully understand any situation and/or win a debate on a topic, it's in your best interest to explore both sides of the issue at hand. So when athiests pop shit about how there is no such thing as God, I have to look at their argument in an objective light. Follow me...

Jesus (or the name of said religion's savior) was a man, correct?
A man that was followed blindly by a lot, doubted by some, and hated by others...correct?

The Bible/Quran/etc. were books written by a man(or woman), correct?
A person who writes a book documenting or re-enacting events is considered a storyteller, correct?

Okay...

We as humans...-no, we as storytellers tend to have an embellishing nature about ourselves when playing back the "facts" of a situation. We may make it sound sliiiightly better than it actually played out, if for no other reason than to keep the attention of the listener. Agree? Good.

(If you disagree, you're probably one of those Pecos Bill-type storytelling folks...that's alright too though.)

Due to said embellishing nature of storytellers, there is a high chance that some stories that make up these Holy books could have been "Chinese Telephoned"...such as the Virgin Mary legend. Imagine if there was a girl who was as sweet a person as you could ever meet, but maybe was what the society norms and standards deemed as "undesirable", or possibly has very strong feelings against intercourse and never had sex. The running joke would be to call her a Virgin. Now, let's just say her name was Mary. She is now known as "Virgin Mary" around the neighborhood/community. Mary meets a nice fellow who may press all of her right buttons, and likes her for her. They have sex one time, and Mary gets pregnant. Of course news will travel fast...and the question in everyone's mind (keeping her "past" in mind) is:

"How the FUCK (pun intended) did Virgin Mary get pregnant?"

One person tells another, that person tells five, and so on and so on. The legend grows because no one believes that Mary had sex...thus, the baby in her stomach must be special and destined for greatness! Make sense yet? I think so. Now, I'm not calling Mary ugly or undesirable or any of that...nor am I denouncing the power and possibility of miracles, as I've seen some SHIT in my time. But I can definitely understand both sides of the coin, and would be a fool to ignore anything that I can recognize.

People, if you consider intelligence to be a gift from God, then wouldn't it be a slap in the face to not use the gifts that God gave? Did God not give us this thing that some like to only selectively remember called "Free Will"? But God already knows what we are about to do...is that not a bit contradictory? Mind you, despite what it may look like, I'm not trying to start an athiest movement or anything of the sort; I just want people to think before leaping. If you think and look at both sides then determine to stay in the exact frame of mind you previously were in, then more power to you. I can't knock it; I'm not God...but I DO ask that you are one of the "lost followers", you at least think about why you follow with eyes wide shut...instead of walking with a thoughtful mind and searching eyes.

[to be continued]

Blast-for-Me....no Religion. [PT. I of III]

2009-07-28T15:33:00.005-05:00

*three part write-up focusing on Barack Obama's 'impact', religious practices, and self-motivation*

"My President Is Black..."

On my trip to Atlanta a few days ago, I was reading an exerpt out of an issue of JET magazine on the inspirational effect that President Barack Obama has had on men, women and children throughout the world, but mainly within the Black communities. Stories told of improved test scores in schools, sudden marriage proposals and chased dreams proved that Obama being elected wielded quite the positive impact. However, I am of the (perhaps unpopular) opinion that inspiration is oft-times crippling if not used properly.

Listening to people refer to President Obama as "MY President" and things of the sort tends to discourage me. The reason? Statements like the outwardly exclaimed declaration of selfishness towards the President of the U.S. tends to paint a picture like "Oh, I was sitting out on this whole 'citizen of the United States' thing...that is, until we got a Black President. Now I am a proud member of the country that MY President controls!" Stop. For one, you are placing the man on a pedestal that he has no chance of gracefully making a descent from without breaking every bone in his body. He is now (thanks to the aforementioned declaration, and ones similar) in an uncomfortable position, much like a sports playoff team facing elimination: "Make ONE costly mistake, and it just may be over for you." For two, you are setting yourself up for failure by hitching your wagon (holding your life's success chances) onto that of a mortal man who is just as capable of mistakes and missteps as the rest of us are. Don't do it to yourself.

So I ask the question: for those who were inspired by Barack's accomplishments so far, and the storybook romance that is placed in the public eye...what happens if he fails to do a 'satisfactory' job or if his marriage ends in shambles? Do you cease attempting to do great things? Do you go home and tell your wife/husband that "it's over"? Or do you press on, chalk his situation up to being unfortunate, and continue to pursue excellence and growth? I ask because in my humble opinion, it's one thing to be inspired by someone...utilizing their life efforts/experiences as motivation to further press forward in one's vehicle of success; but it's a completely different subject for people to ONLY want to do something or "be about something" because someone else did it. That's my primary problem I suppose: that some people weren't further pushing themselves; they didn't even decide to get started until they were "inspired". To me, that's not inspiration...that's called being a 'lost follower'.

[to be continued]

Conspiracy Theorist.

2009-07-22T16:04:00.002-05:00

Far too often, we as a society look at the "now" as opposed to the long-reaching ramifications of our actions. This goes with everything we do: the people we befriend, what job we choose, what we eat, what type of car we drive...seriously. I'm not a big conspiracy theorist, but then again I am. Not trying to sound like some brainiac or Professor X or some shit, but at times my mind moves so fast that I've been on both (or all three) sides of hypotheticals, arguments, stances, etc. To many conspiracy theorists, a World War is looming on the horizon. To many others, that's just a bunch of crazy talk and bullshit. Whatever your stance, that's cool with me.

BUT...just to play Devil's Advocate, what if there WAS a war right around the corner? Look around your neighborhoods...these are the people whom you would probably be aligned with, or possibly even fighting against. Are they prepared? NO. Big dumb ass tires on cars that are so thick that the driver can't properly turn the corner at a decent speed...much less do high speeds on a path with ANY potholes, bumps, etc. Sound like a sitting duck to you? Sounds like one to me. Think about all of the deaths that happen in Black communities daily...NOT the intended ones, but the ones where a little 8 year old girl is shot in the face, or where a 15 year old boy is walking his 11 year old baby brother home from basketball camp. Think about how those deaths usually happen: because NIGGAS can't shoot. Imagine if a war was raging...and we don't have time to be trained on how to properly do so? Not only would "we" be eradicating each other, but we would be getting DESTROYED by the enemy because your average "gangster" couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...even if he were playing Halo 3.

Funny story...I occasionally play Call of Duty with my homeboys Melvin, Marvin, Ant and Bo, and hardly ever come in first...but most of the time somewhere near 2nd to last place but it's usually close. If the teasing starts, I have to remind niggas: if it came to REAL shooting, I bet that I'd end the RIGHT nigga's life more often than any of them. Part of it is due to military training, but part of it is because I had an older homeboy who I looked up to who took me to a shooting range. Anyway...

Look around you...shit is starting to get on the verge of a boiling point everywhere you look. It's no longer "Oh, it's just one country into it with one other country" or "Wow...this is an isolated incident." in the news or in everyday life. EVERYONE is at odds with EVERYONE, and Racism is NOT dead. Don't be foolish. The Harvard professor had to find out the hard way, after himself declaring that 'racism in the US is dead' after Barack Obama was elected President. Pardon me, but NIGGA PLEASE. Tell me how it felt to be arrested in the comfort of your own home, sir. Tell me why is it that THEN and ONLY THEN, you decided to play the 'Race Card'? It took for you to get put behind some gentler bars to 'realize' that roughly one million Black men sit in prison? And of course, when Professor Gates was arrested, there was the token Black cop present...so that it could not be viewed as Racism.

Were you shocked at the stand-off in Texas between the New Black Panther Party and KKK members like this was the era of Black and White television sets? If so, why? I hope it wasn't because you didn't know that the KKK still existed, or that the NBPP existed. Be clear...White on Black racism has evolved into code-calls and sneak disses, while Black on White racism is still very much recognizable: ("I hate these crackers!") Most racist Whites have traded in the sure-fire "get you punched in the mouth" diss of "nigger" for a much slicker "urban thug/gang member". Now as opposed to saying "You're my slave, you work for me at a shitty wage known as poor living conditions and bullshit food", they say "We're sorry, you're just not what we're looking for" when you walk into "THEIR" corporate offices looking for work that pays a SALARY that you are deserving of...which means you'll probably end up working somewhere that you are overqualified for, and underpaid at, and end up staying in poor living conditions, eating bullshit food.

Still just a conspiracy? How long ago was it that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were killed? 40+ years? That is NO TIME whatsoever. However, it seems like it was long enough to have a social disconnect between our generation and the children of today where most of these kids don't have an idea of who or what those 'old dead niggas' were up to, or up against. JFK is an airport, not a man who wanted change. Tiny and Toya have their own show because they promote the "dream" that Racist America wants the future backbones of households (see: women) to embrace: Either be an entertainer, or latch on to a rapper and hope for the best...and even if he goes to jail, just know that he's a "real" nigga. Yeah, he's a real "nigga"...not "real". Stop letting your kids run outside all fucking day and play PS3 all fucking night, staying up until THEY feel like they're tired. That isn't what "parenting" is about; you're too busy trying to be their fucking friend. Now, if you don't know any better...there are ways to learn. But most ignorant motherfuckers don't want to learn what they don't know, because it would mean that they have to admit that they don't know shit. Remember, the dummy keeps quiet; the smart person raises a hand to ask a question.

Pardon...I feel a tad bit differently about Racism than I do about other so-called "conspiracies", because to me Racism isn't a "theory"; that shit is fact. Let's call racism "Rap", and let me spit this oldschool line at you:

"Now you can bullshit with Rap if you want...muhfuckas..."

A New Music Post...

2009-07-16T15:00:00.002-05:00

People have been saying that they need new music for the Summer, right? Well here you go...check out Mr. Jefferson from Florida with his effort to save Hip Hop from Bankruptcy.

Mr. Jefferson - Hip Hop Bailout Plan

Some New Shit...

2009-07-14T16:17:00.001-05:00

I've been stumbling across a grip of new dope blogs as of late...and I figured it was high time to give them shine. I'm posting a link to a post that I think folks will enjoy/relate to/laugh at/reminisce on/etc, so check these blogs out and show some adulation...yes,...I said adulation.

The Homie K.V.'s "Thorn on A Rose" blog

AG the Kid's Tribute To Martin Lawrence

Louchiano drops knowledge on the regular...period.

Tim hosts the 1-stop shop for music, tech, etc.

J.D. holds it down for Sivad Ink

"But Why?"

2009-07-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, folks ask the dumbest questions...

Aiight, storybook time. I was at a barbecue with my homeboy Ant, and this chick with Back-Up Bumper Music* approaches me about my glasses. She's all like,

*Back-Up Bumper Music: You know how the oversized trucks have the beeps for when they are reversing? The girl had a ridiculous sized booty...like as if she jumped on her two little sisters and stole theirs to form Voltron. Sad part, that's the only thing she was bringing to the table...end table ass.*

Her: "Wow, please don't tell me those are prescription..."

Me: "Nah...they're not."

Her: "Oh okay...so are they yours?"

Me: "......yeah, they're mine. It's why I have 'em on my hoodie."

Her: "Do you, like, actually wear those?"

---->allow me to interrupt right quick. You know what I really wanted to say to her? "No, you dumb muhfucka, I bought them to wear them on my hoodie as is....makes me feel like Christmas is close and here's the first ornament." But I didn't...<-----End Break Me: "...yeah..."

Her: "Why do you do that to yourself? Do you dress 'preppy' or something?"

(Why do I do that to myself? Is this chick serious? She's got on three different textures of weave, yet getting her Judgmental Jesus on...)

Some random cat tryna garner P Points: "We call those BC glasses! Birth Control...cuz you'd never get laid wearing those!"

Me: "Lucky for me, I ain't putting these on with the intention of trying to get "laid"...I don't have that problem."

Her: "Let me see those...*puts them on, takes them off, then says* Let me see you with them on."

*puts glasses on*

Her: "umm...no....are those glasses considered 'cool' or something?"

Me: "Okay, let me clear it all up for you real quick. I don't need somebody to tell me that something is 'cool' or 'hip' for me to wear it. I'm grown; I wear what I want to wear. Period. I might've been a bit on the Lawry's team if you were my type...but I think I'm in the clear..."

My homeboy Joey: "He just does him...he's got his own type of style, feel me? But I call him Kid CuDi..."

Me:"..." *glare*

Her: "Who's KiD CuDi?"

Me: "Don't matter...the point is, I don't need a media guide to figure out what it is I want to wear/do. And no disrespect, but YOUR opinion won't make or break that. I mean, I'm not really feeling your black vest that's doubling as a girdle...but it really wasn't my place to say...know what I mean?"

Her: *insert some rambling statement about how she's killing hoes in fashion, etc etc typical talk*

Me: "oh okay...glad to hear..."

Her: "But yeah sweetie, I'm not feeling those AT ALL..."

Me: *puts glasses back on* "Cool. Ant, you ready to go fam?"

This is why I don't go to parties and gatherings where I know the Bopper count is gonna be high...

SideBar: Michael Jackson's Problems

2009-07-11T19:02:00.003-05:00

*this is a continuation of the post "Life and Times of Murder and Crime", that was far too long for that blog.

Michael was basically ridiculed until his dying day (and a bit after that as well, but that's neither here nor there), but the moment there was even the remote CHANCE of him leaving this Earth, people started feeling bad and digging up old albums, and buying albums they should have had in the first place, etc. It's a tad bit funny to me. In some folks eyes, he was a Chester all until he passed to the other side...then it turned into "MJ, the World Changer".

Mind you, I agree that he did more than his fair share to change the world; but I didn't need death in order for my eyes to be opened. And in regards to the allegations against him, and some of the decisions he made in regards to having children over, etc...the general public seems to have a certain level of ignorance when it comes to matters of emotions and the mind. Not saying I have it all figured out when it comes to mental issues and motives, but I have a leg up on the majority who aren't psych doctors.

Real quick math, okay?

Rough Childhood/Lack of 'normal' Childhood
+
A Central figure whom to blame said Childhood/lack thereof on
+
Media Scrutiny/Being thrown into the limelight without "wanting" it
-------------------------------------------------------------------
equals a very troubled child living in a man's body.

Mind you, if ten men were all raised the EXACT same way as Jackson, they wouldn't all come out how Mike came out...but there would definitely be either some obvious emotional issues, or some buried emotional issues. Either way, the issues would be there. Mike's issues were out in the open for the world to see, and he spent his adulthood using his freedom to try and recapture his childhood and help other children enjoy theirs. I honestly believe that. Were his actions not the best choices he could have made? ABSOLUTELY. But in his mind, he's doing what a kid does...have sleep overs, eat cookies all day, and run around without a care in the world. Michael's emotional growth was and has been stunted due to his relationship with Joe Jackson.

Need a quick "every day Joe/Jane" comparison?

Take a female who was left by her father at a young age, but she was old enough to be cognizant of it...(well, truthfully even if she wasn't, her subconscious still soaks that in), and she has issues with the men she dates. She's always thinking that the man is going to leave her, or is on bullshit, etc. etc. You know the routine, don't act otherwise. We all see the reasons for her actions, right? Doesn't make them "right" per se, and doesn't mean that if you find yourself in the midst of dating said female that you HAVE to put up with such insecurities, because you don't. But you UNDERSTAND why she has those issues.

I've heard some older adults say in recent days, "Man, I wish Joe Jackson would have beat me into becoming a millionaire entertainer!" .....nigga please. You're letting Hindsight do the talking for you. You never know how things are going to play out...what if NONE of them ever sold a single record? What then? Did he raise them right then? Millions of dollars or not, the answer (in my humble opinion) is Hell No. Parenthood is not about railroading your children into doing some shit that YOU have dreams of doing; it's about giving them guidance into becoming responsible and respectable adults who chase THEIR dreams. We have no clue what Michael's dreams were, besides attempting to break down color barriers and re-live his childhood.

Speaking of color barriers, all of this "Man, Mike didn't even want to be BLACK" shit being flown around? STOP. The man had Egyptians portrayed by famous BLACKS, during a time when the world would try to convince you of an otherwise skintone. In regards to the surgery on his nose, that comes from deep-seeded self conscious issues...stemming from his father AND the public when he was growing up. A fragile minded adolescent can not be told that they are ugly, or that their nose is huge and shiny without it being some type of effect. Period. So he did what he felt he had control to do, get one of the things that bothered him and that he could CONTROL, altered. Do I agree? No. Do I understand? Yes.

The most comparative form of art that I can suggest to folks to try and possibly help them understand how some traumatized minds work is a movie starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle, called "Reign Over Me". Sandler is basically someone who has DEEP emotional problems after losing his wife, children and dog in a car accident. Cheadle is an old college friend who runs into him after so many years and is befuddled at what has become of Sandler's life. He spends the entire movie trying to get Sandler what he considered to be "help", in the form of therapy and other methods...but came to the realization that he just needed a FRIEND more than anything.

Sleep on that.

The Life & Times of Murder and Crime

2009-07-10T19:42:00.003-05:00

The recent deaths and scandalous crimes reported by the news as of late have me in a mood for finger-pointing and explaining. I should probably start with the finger pointing first.

Fuck YOU (yeah, YOU)for being such an apathetic society (in general), and placing celebrity status over general human life in the 'value' department.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way...allow me to explain. The reason I called this post "The Life & Times of Murder and Crime" is because much like a human, Murder & Crime have both evolved in ways nearly unimaginable. In society's defense, the media plays a MAJOR role in how things are taken and portrayed...BUT to society's
fault and wrong-doing, the media only plays as big a role as one lets it play. So yeah...Fuck You.

Mind boggling shit took place in the events of Steve McNair's death, and quite possibly in Michael Jackson's* death. And it really exposes both sides of the hypocritical coin for what today's society is all about:

"They never really love you, until you're dead and gone..."

We as a society don't appreciate people for who they are, or the talents they present to the world until it's too late for them to hear what we have to say. That goes for family, friends, and celebrities alike. Another issue we seem to have is going all out for celebrities, entertainers, etc more than we would or have for our own families. It used to not be like this...communities used to celebrate the life of one whether he/she was a part-time asshole or full-time saint. These days? Uncle Eric dies, we cry a little and keep it moving. But if our favorite performer or someone who's name we are familiar with pass away, we throw tributes, write songs, the whole nine. What is wrong with this picture?
I remember when Tupac was killed, my older god-brother Andre was crying like someone took his kidney out of his body, Mortal Kombat-style. I just looked on with amazement and let him be. We need to care about the folks that MATTER to us...the ones that are right in front of you.

In regards to murder...
Steve McNair gets killed by his girlfriend, and (before the facts come out about the story) folks are saying he got what he deserved, he shouldn't have been doing this and that....CHILL. We don't know if he and his wife were separated, or what type of agreement they had going. The man had a CONDO TO HIMSELF. You think she didn't know that? He's easily one of the most recognizable faces around town...you think he was never seen? Again, I'm not condoning or excusing any actions made by Steve McNair, but it's moments like this when (some) women show their ugly side. The children losing their father seemed to be an afterthought; it was all about how "men should learn the lesson from his dog ass". Oh really? The only lesson I learned is that a lot of the females who claim to not be bitter are as sour as the smallest single grape that comes in a bag of green ones. But to move on...

Murder and Crime are two topics that seem to depend on the celebrity and history of the victim in regards to public reaction and/or scrutiny. I recently read an article about how a married couple was killed, and they had adopted like 12 children over the span of their marriage. The murders happened during a break-in, and I'm presuming (like most break-ins), the killers didn't do a background check on how respected and considered "good people" the victims were. Why does the history of a person matter? Now the town wants to throw the book and a half at the killers once they are caught, due to the couple being such great members of their community...tell me how that makes sense? Throw the book at them because they KILLED TWO PEOPLE...PERIOD. The victim's golf score, credit rating and public handshake factor has nothing to do with anything.

Flipside of the coin: if a person is murdered who was a drug addict, or has a string of petty crimes on his record, or beat his spouse then it seems a tad bit more okay that he/she got murdered/beat up/robbed at gunpoint. IT SHOULDN'T. A crime is a crime is a crime is a FUCKING crime. If the going rate is 15 years for assault w/ a deadly weapon, it shouldn't increase/decrease dependent upon WHO the victim is...it shouldn't. As much as I would LOVE to see the JAIL placed ON TOP of the heads of the folks who killed my friend James, JUSTICE wouldn't be served...and that's what I want. Liberty and Justice, for one and ALL...regardless of a person's history and record.

* - Check the post called "Sidebar" for my opinion on the Michael Jackson death.

Behold, A LADY

2009-07-01T16:26:00.002-05:00

Now, before I start allow me to be clear: I am not attacking any woman on a personal level in the least...this is merely a compilation of my opinions and preferences. So pardon me...

......as a matter of fact, DON'T pardon me. Because if this offends you, chances are you need to exit stage left anyway. Good Day!

"Behold, A LADY" (c) Andre 3000

There is a pile of misconceptions stacked taller than a Michael Jackson discography when it comes to exactly what a LADY is. Women far and wide often refer to themselves as "Classy" and synonyms of that nature, but it's FAR TOO OFTEN where I see misrepresentation taking place in the public eye. So allow me re-introduce YOURself:

10 Signs of A Lady

1. She is not surprised at a man opening a door for her:

Whether it's a public venue, the car, or to go into the house. Not only is she not surprised, she lowkey EXPECTS the man to open the door for her.

2. She understands how to speak with dignity and tact in the public eye:

There is nothing worse than hearing a woman (who claims to be a "lady", no less) cursing like a sailor and talking reckless in public. Statements such as "I'm such a fucking lady" are oxymoronic, and the women who speak such ridiculous statements should be treated like oxymorons sans the "oxy".

3. She realizes that the imagination is yet and STILL the most powerful thing working for her.

Of course tastes and standards change within cultures from generation to generation, but there is still an underlying standard of what CLASS is. Sometimes the term "Less is More" is the best way to go about doing things...especially when it comes to attire.

Less Clothing = Doing The Most

More Clothing = Doing Less

I see women out and about with EVERYTHING out...shit's disgusting. Mind you, I appreciate the female body and love to see it...and probably won't shy away from looking if you are well put together and have nearly everything out for me to see, but don't think that I look at you as a "Classy Lady"; you're just a girl...word to Billie Jean.

4. She doesn't feel the need to be in every man's line of sight.

There is nothing more intriguing than the LADY that you deem nearly unapproachable. She's not considered "unapproachable" due to her having a terrible attitude, an air of arrogance or hater ass friends; she's deemed "unapproachable" because she carries herself in a reserved and regal manner. If I'm standing in a nightclub and the entire female populous is trying to be a contestant on BET: Uncut, it's the LADY taking it all in with her drink in hand, playing the background that's mystifying. Mind you, I'm not saying a LADY can't and shouldn't dance...but don't be FUBU in the late 90s/early 2000s, on every damn body. A guy getting to dance with the finest LADY in the spot is like winning a prize and making everyone watch as you do your victory lap around the hood. If a woman is just dancing with everybody, then it's merely a case of a guy "standing in line, waiting his turn"...do you really want that attached to anything regarding you?

5. She understands how far reaching RESPECT is:

To get respect, you must GIVE respect. Too many of these women out here get caught up in their TV show counterparts who go wild on dudes to the tune of little to no repercussion. If you're willing to scream on a dude on some overreacting shit, be prepared to either a) get snapped on rather HARSHLY or b) get ignored, or talked to in a docile, yet sarcastic manner. I mean, really...arguing in a pointless manner of "punk a$$ N", "B*tch a$$ MFer" without really stating any points to help your stance/argument is a ridiculous and patience-straining practice. I know that they say "practice makes perfect", but the only thing you'll be perfecting is the art of being left...the fuck alone.

6. She comprehends the importance of intelligence:

Simply stated, there are only two options here - she is highly intelligent and knows how to convey it, or she's not intelligent but knows how to hide it. Either way, being a LADY extends well beyond merely having "the look" down-pat.

7. She knows the fine line between Confidence and Arrogance:

This is another one of those wide-spread misconceptions by WOMEN. When you have to verbally "remind" everyone within earshot about how "Cold" you are, or how "dope" you are, or how "ain't no b*tch phuckin' with me", chances are you are in "convince" mode and not "remind" mode. Which reminds me...

8. She doesn't refer to herself as "BITCH" on the regular:

In what I would assume to be the unspoken art of common sense, a lot of WOMEN refer to themselves and others as "bitch" in an affectionate manner. That sh*t is NOT the answer...period. "Me and my b*tches about to go and shut the club down..." Yeah...about that...

9. She doesn't need validation from others about her worth:

Attention seeking/Money Hungry/The World Revolves Around Me type women have not, are not, and will not EVER be the answer. If you HAVE to frequent clubs/parties EVERY WEEKEND and you're over the age of 23, you just may be using the ogling of dudes/females/etc to "remind" you that you are ("I am...") somebody ("...somebody." (c) Saturday Night Live Jordan skit). If you are more concerned with how much a dude makes/what he can buy you/what type of car he drives than with his character traits and flaws, you JUST MIGHT BE a Bopper.

10. She recognizes and appreciates a Gentleman:

A LADY deserves a GENTLEMAN, just as a GENTLEMAN deserves a LADY. Now if you happen to be a gentleman and are reading this, I've merely provided you with SOME of what makes up a LADY as opposed to a WOMAN. But maybe you're just a GUY reading this, and don't know what a LADY considers to be GENTLEMAN-esque characteristics. Or maybe you're a LADY/WOMAN who hasn't had the privilege of being exposed to a GENTLEMAN. Fret not...

There is a blog written by my friend Danyelle, called Discovering Chivalry <<<<-----click the title...in case it doesn't work, the site is www.deebutterflyeffect.blogspot.com

Socially Inept...(An Ongoing Post)

2009-06-26T21:09:00.002-05:00

Since I know from experience how the majority of folks receive information that they cannot begin to properly digest and decipher, I've decided to merely chop it up like baby food here and there. It's much easier to chew applesauce than it is to chew steak when you don't have any teeth.

So...not that I think this needs to be said, but just in case it DOES need to be said: Anyone who promotes having or being a "baby daddy"/"baby momma" is living and working with a slave-like mindstate. Mind you, I'm not knocking people's situations...shit happens. But some folks really think it's what's poppin' in the hood to be a mother/father of three with THREE different fathers/mothers of their children. I mean, it's "poppin" in the hood, but it's not WHAT'S POPPIN' in the hood. Remember the old adage, "It takes a village to raise a child"? People often wonder what happened to that village. How do you expect for it to be a village when we can't even get TWO PARENTS to live in the same aforementioned village, much less household?

Why do "Blacks" consistently appear to be (and PROVE to be) more socially inept than other "races"? Because WE promote and partake in slave-minded activities. When Africans were in slavery and used to birth children (the ones NOT by the slave owners), the two slave parents were separated (if for no other reason than seeming to be 'out of control with lust'). The child that was birthed would typically be placed with the mother, for obvious nursing and feeding reasons. The father got to see the child, when the slave owner would set up a "visit" of sorts. Does that sound like a family unit to you?

Somehow, we've began treading on familiar roads within the last twenty years or so. Not only are communities ("villages") out of wack due to the inhabitants tending to their "business" (see: children, "baby moms", etc.) outside of said communities, but also that "crab in the barrel" aspect of slavery has reared it's head in a particularly strong fashion during these recent years. What started off as ire between the "light-skinned slaves" (aka house niggers) and the "dark-skinned slaves" (aka field niggers), has evolved into the "Haves" and the "Have Nots". And in typical "Why not me?" fashion, violence and crime permeate through the culture, where unity and comraderie are desperately needed.

So what I'm saying is this, we have to start SOMEWHERE before folks end up being slaves...more so than we already are to this Elitist ass society.

A Quote...

2009-06-23T17:58:00.002-05:00

"What lies behind us,
and what lies before us,
are tiny matters compared to
what lies within us."

- unknown -

"Where My Dogs At?" Pt. II

2009-06-20T15:40:00.003-05:00

*part I was written by the right hand, 50 grand Teef of deathofagenius.com in his book "Subscribe To This: Clothing and Medicine".

[DMX] Wheeeerrreeee Myyyyy Doooooggggsssss Aaaaaaattttt? [/DMX]

Mike Vick is probably clearly asking himself the same thing right about now. I'm quite certain everyone is privy to Vick's legal woes and how he essentially lost it all due to his hand in a dog-fighting ring. I'm also sure that most, if not all, people feel that dog killing is wrong and immoral. Fine. Agreed. I'm ALSO sure that people feel there should have been SOME type of penalty...with the penalties varying from a simple fine to the jail time that he got, to even perhaps more jail time. Bet. Let me ask you something...how do you feel about the killing of a human being?

Don't like it?

How about a human being getting killed by an NFL player?

Even worse?

How about if I told you that the NFL player ran over said human being while operating a vehicle DRUNK? I'm not talking about slightly inebriated...I'm talking nearly DOUBLE the .08 legal limit.

What should his penalty be? Of course this situation and Vick's are apples and oranges, but keep in mind that Vick lost ALL endorsements, his NFL contract AND had to serve jailtime...all while being villified in the media. So...what should this NFL player's penalty be? 2-5 years in prison? Loss of income? Slandered in the public eye?

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Donte' Stallworth.

^^ (don't you hate how the media chooses the most fucked up, "I'm a guilty ass nigga" picture when some shit goes down? Nah...)

Ahem...Meet Donte' Stallworth.

Google the story on him if you want the full scoop, but here's the Cliff's Notes version. Stallworth was intoxicated while driving, hit a man with his car, and killed him. His penalty? THIRTY DAYS IN JAIL.

Of course, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Stallworth, but he's still employed and doesn't have the wildfire backlash that Mike Vick had. I have no problem with Donte, he's a pretty solid NFL wideout, but THIRTY DAYS? The whole world throws Vick under the bus for Scooby Doo and Droopy Dog? Michael Vick is such a terrible, horrible human being yet Stallworth just made an honest mistake?

Let's get it straight: Dog-fighting is CULTURAL. Depending on how, where and when you were raised, dog-fighting could have been a part of your cultural upbringing. And if something is a part of your natural upbringing, will you see anything wrong with it? Probably not. Some people hunt for "sport"...do I think hunting is a "sport"? No. I feel the same way about dog-fighting. However, I don't think that folks who hunt should be fired from their 9 to 5 and thrown in jail. Nor do I think people who capture and kill fish should be shackled and made someone's bitch.

What about the racetracks and horseracing? They kill horses once they are deemed "no longer fit to race"...what is that? Did anyone have the horse sign off on his/her own death papers? Is a horse's sole purpose in life to race? Will it spiral into depression if it's not capable of beating a Mustang GT in a race? Probably not. I'm sure the horse would be just fine with chilling on a grassy knoll eating hay all day. And before you get into the whole "dog fighting is savage" argument, the wear and tear put on these horses, not to mention the "obey" techniques such as whipping and branding, are in the same arena of animal abuse. Whaddup PETA?

Tying it into the whole Donte Stallworth situation, since WHEN has a human's life been of less value than a dog's? Explain that to me. We have animal rights organizations, but HUMAN RIGHTS organizations are few are far between, and far less influential. A young boy could get jumped on and beaten to his death a'la Emmit Till, and America won't blink a gotdamn eye. But if I go outside and dropkick a Bald American Eagle, PETA will boycott my blog ASAP...and probably stand outside the Post Office and try to get me fired. When PETA calls out anyone in regards to animal abuse, there will be lines formed by 5 o'clock the next morning to boycott said person in whatever field or craft they hold a profession in. So where are the Human Rights Activists? Why are we giving a fuck about some animals, but not two shits about our own fellow man, woman and child?

Man, listen...if you want to villify motherfuckers for ABUSE, start with this dirty ass American Government. They've been abusing people since pencil could go to paper. Folks are always talking about how they're down to ride for a cause...what better cause than HUMAN rights? In case you were somehow napping prior to it, did Hurricane Katrina not at least nudge you in your sleep about how racism and equality works? This country is ran by the descendents of folks who used to whip humans worse than animals, keep them in shelters worse than any doghouse you could imagine, and feed them food not even fit for a pig to eat. And you let these PETA motherfuckers scream about some Lassie shit. Where the fuck are my dogs at?

I Don't Even Like Pets...

2009-06-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

...and I don't like people who irk my Pet Peeves either. There's a lot of things that I'm indifferent about, or just won't have too much of an emotional reaction behind it...but then, word to E. Badu, there's the other side of the game. I'm just going to post a few here, not even gonna get in too deep on the subject...I ain't Omar Epps or LL.

- Having to repeat myself.

- A person staring at me while I eat.

- Doing straight-up-and-down JACKASS shit. (meaning you know more than better, do it anyway, but was expecting a different outcome.)

- Niggas who talk about what they're going to do, as opposed to shutting what we call "the fuck up" and doing it.

- Old people who talk reckless and expect the "I'm old, have mercy on me" card to be played. (That's a weak ass Heart...I carry nothing but Spades like slave ships.)

- Young people walking across the street playing Slo-motion Frogger.

- Derrick Rose's interviews. -_-

- ex-girlfriends who want to do the shit they should have been doing while we were together...AFTER we've separated.

- LeBron James'/Kobe Bryant's 4th quarter big play rape-faces -_-

- Guys who can't fathom why you should have manners and be articulate. O_o

- "Celebrities" who get on social networking sites and expect the world to all be fans of their every retarded decision. (see: charles hamilton, Diddy, Wale, Jay Z)

- Porno stars/movie stars that think they are off work once the cameras stop rolling. Newsflash: you're like police, music stars, authors and athletes. Once you start, you are forever in character. If Officer Jones comes over while we are rolling blunts/cooking crack, WE HIDE THE WEED/TURN OFF THE STOVE AND HIDE THE COFFEE POTS. You are not "Steve"...you are Pig Ass Nigga Officer Jones. If Aurora Jolie comes around, WE LET HER BABYSIT THE KIDS. You are not a virgin...you are the beach that takes it in the ass.

- Females who don't seem to understand that being the center of attention/"Life of the Party"/having your name in everyone's mouths all of the time is not a positive reinforcement for your actions. Fall back like the couch is behind you every once in a while. -_-

Glory Or Death...

2009-06-10T01:14:00.005-05:00

G.o.D. Jewels

G.o.D. Jewels - Glory or Death mixtape

^^^^ Download ^^^^

Real Life and The Rap Game...

2009-06-09T17:11:00.002-05:00

...are all the same.

On one hand, you have people claiming to be cut of a different cloth, bred from a different breed, on a different path to succeed. And nearly every time, it's the same shit wrapped in similar "different" Charmin. On the other hand, you have people claiming to be cut of a different cloth, bred from a different breed, on a...yeah, the same shit.

Jay Z released "D.O.A.*" aka "Death of Autotune", and the internet and hoods alike went Bonkers like the cartoon from back in the day. Apparently, he's the end-all-to-be-all, the approving and disapproving authority alike, the judge, jury and executioner for all things hip-hop and fashion related. I have a few qualms about that, but that's neither here nor there.

Since the rap game and real life are one in the same, who is the deciding factor on things that go on in everyday life? For real, I need somebody to release a "Death of doing stupid-ass-fucking-shit-in-your-life" book, pamphlet, comic...whatever would get niggas to pay attention and hail it as the greatest message delivered since Jordan told the world "I'm Back!".

But...all that shit up there isn't the real reason why I wrote this blog; just a nice sidenote of opinionated info. The reason I wrote this is because I'm about to declare a statement that isn't news to anybody that knows me, but might come off as some 'Rapper shit'...word to Teef.

I'm not like you.

I carry a calm + often-quiet demeanor, am polite, am beyond your typical idea of what you consider to be a "thinker". What makes me unlike you, or in a conceited air, "better" than you? While you may do one thing exceptionally well (which is still up for debate and raised eyebrows), I excel at a multitude of things and yet am humble about it...sans this lone blog, of course. You niggas are Kyle Korvers: you can shoot better (maybe), but my overall game is far and beyond your career high aspirations.

There are too many DeShawn Stevenson type cats out here...with a bunch of lip like Buddy Love transforming to Sherman Klump. If you walked like you talked, you just may be revered for being as great as you claim to be.

Sure, there are folks with more money than me, folks with more shoes than me, folks with far better cars, better writers, etc. etc. But that one lane that they excel in? That one lane? It's where their game ends...in the driveway. I get noticed for being everything you aren't. You struggle to get noticed in a room of one, I struggle to hide in a room of many. Arrogant much? No...just for this blog. Ask around. I'm just studying the liner notes of an author who gets it in...and I need a bit of outward confidence in my arsenal.

[Throw fam under the bus]Look, Blame Teef. [/Throw fam under the bus]

That's my righthand 50 Grand right there...and folks always compare us. He's more of the outwardly arrogant type; meanwhile I try to play the background a bit more. I laugh at folks who act like they can't like both of us...it's retarded.

It's the Kobe vs. LeBron debate. He's the 4th quarter killer; I just want to make the right play for the sake of my meager team. He's got a ring...thus making folks pay for his gift(Subscribe To This: Clothing and Medicine available at http://www.deathofagenius.com/). You all see my gift now, but I'm not capitalizing on it...but you see it for what it is, almost taking it for granted or eager to find chinks in the armor. That's fine too...there are many shortcomings to how I try to succeed in life, but it'll happen...It'll happen.

Right now, I've stormed off the court to be by myself because shit hasn't gone according to plan, and the coach hasn't supplied me with what I need to win. If niggas don't understand the solitude needed to deal with losses and failures, then I greatly anticipate your downfall so that I can watch how you deal with crushing defeats. So pardon my lack of a handshake...I'm trying to deal with the losses right now.

* - Jay Z only released D.O.A. because he knew that "G.o.D." was dropping today. Glory or Death by G.o.D. Jewels is available for free @ www.godjewels.com

Handcuff that like you took your girl to a club filled with celebs and pornstars.

sidenote: For the record, Hov is nearly 40 and dresses like he works at LDRS and Urban Outfitters inbetween recording so-so "disses". Somebody red-light his wardrobe consultant...I heard his name is Shawn Corey Carter. -_-

Lesson Learned...

2009-05-18T11:35:00.002-05:00

Don't wear your brother's pants...

or you end up dancing like George Jefferson LOL

Rapper's Delight...

2009-05-11T18:52:00.003-05:00

I know that things tend to happen in cyclic patterns and trends, but one trend I get tired of is the "Greatest Rapper/Musician/Artist" discussion(s).

It's simple mathematics really: The very first person to begin a genre cannot be dethroned as the "greatest", because without him/her/them, there wouldn't be a genre to reign supreme over. With that said, I present to you the reasoning behind reiterating such a staunch opinion...Vibe's "Best Rapper" Bracket. Click Here to check it out.

Now, I have a problem with any type of bracketing such as the nature that some VIBE staffer attempted to put together (for the 2nd year in a row). For one, Hip Hop is mainly based upon opinion, preference, and (in the Curtis Jackson era) record sales. Two, opening up such a tournament to fan participation will doom things much like fan voting has doomed NBA All-Star games for YEARS: with Legends who are no longer amongst the "elite" getting the nod to be a starter. (Think Allen Iverson for the East this year) If Yao Ming were a rapper, he'd BREEZE through this shit based off of overseas fan support alone. See what I'm getting at?

Anyway, in case you're not catching my drift like a stranded man in the ocean being rescued by the CoastGuard, I'm going to construct a simple exemplary scenario.

Timeline:

1) Barry creates a music style called "rap/hip hop", and is the world's first rapper.

2) Barry performs all over the world, and other people are exposed to Barry's creation.

3) Aaron takes what Barry has done, and tweaks it a bit...improving on what he considers Barry's weakpoints and shortcomings.

4) Aaron also draws a fanbase, and along the way of his career, influences Chris to start rapping.

5) Chris studies Aaron's style (which is an advancement of Barry's original style) and improves on certain aspects of it.

-Fast Forward to Today-

You have a bunch of rappers who have been influenced by the folks who did it before them, and they chose who it was they would emulate and improve upon. There is no way you can consider Jay-Z greater than Big Daddy Kane, and no way you can consider Big Daddy Kane greater than Barry...who started rap/hip hop.

Take into consideration a fan's preferences, likes and dislikes, and today's "greatness scale" that is in the form of albums/units sold, and you have a shitty mess of a mathematical equation when trying to determine who is better. Lupe Fiasco sold far less albums than Soulja Boy...yet there would be fans on both sides of things arguing for each artist. Ditto with Gucci Mane and Wale. There are folks who quote Gucci and OJ the Juiceman like they are spitting the most finely constructed music since Stevie Wonder, and there are people who have shown me where their earlobes have split open bloody from attempting to listen to ONE song from them. But I digress...there is no such thing as a "Greatest ___ Ever" if you're not talking about the originator, because everyone else to follow is building their foundation off of someone else's pre-laid bricks...(no Bow Wow weedplate)

A G.o.D. Jewels MegaPost...

2009-05-08T14:13:00.004-05:00

In case you aren't in the know, I'd like to introduce you to my homeboy G.o.D. Jewels. Get familiar and check the music below.

Sidenote: all of these are deleted "scenes" from his upcoming tape, "Glory or Death"...this shit is better than some folks "official radio singles". He even has dope pic-work for the songs...

Bio: He might be mad about this, but I run this blog lol. Truthfully, he has a bio done...but I feel he doesn't even need one. You know how critical I am of music, so that in itself should be enough to at least hear the music. Hear him first, you'll like his shit...Listen, and you'll love it.

"Toys"

"The Rock"

"Paper Planes" *peep the accent...LOL*

*Insert borderline disrespectful track here*
"Whadown, Whadup?"

okay...it IS disrespectful. *Shrugs* Sorry.

"New Pradas"

"License To Kill"

And that's a wrap on the G.o.D. Jewels megapost...I'll be doing a Underground Chicago Megapost in the very near future, and of course will drop the link for "Glory or Death" when I get it. Easy.

*Late Edit: So there is NO confusion..."deleted scenes" means that it's not making the final product. Scrapped/Cut/Dropped/Throwaways/CuttingRoomFloor/whatever you want to call it. It's not ON the upcoming tape, but it's FROM the upcoming tape.

Glory or Death.

The Music Speaks For Me...

2009-05-05T22:44:00.005-05:00

iPod on shuffle, one line picked per song, and an explanation...

"I don't wanna write this down, wanna tell you how I feel right now..." : Mos Def - Umi Says

I usually have a lot of shit on my mind, but for whatever reason, writing it out proves to work better. I don't like that. I don't want to look like ol' lady off of "Seven Pounds", scrambling for the notepad everytime an idea pops up in my mind. I wanna tell you how I feel right now...

"I hear them whispering...they're tryin' to ride it out...they've never gone this long without a kill before..." : John Mayer - Vultures

For whatever reason, blame it on human narcisstic nature or what have you, people love to see others fail. ESPECIALLY when they have disdain for said person. I'm embroiled in a few situations where it seems that folks are glued in to see whether or not I'm going to fold...as their tactics have proven to be successful in the past. I am not that nigga.

"Never in a rush, she loves to keep me waiting...girl I wait for you because you're mine... " : Martin Luther - Daily Bread

My girl takes long as shit to get ready...as I'm sure most women do. And I wait patiently...even though she knew I was on my way and the whole nine. And I don't even be mad. But let it be somebody other than her...sheeiiittttt...eff around and get left like a turning lane. I wait because that's my girl...that's it and that's all. Petty? Maybe so...but I'm a struggling doctor, no patience...(c) Mike Shinoda

"Sometimes you gotta lose the fight if you tryna win the war...Focused on tomorrow, done seeing my friends in the rearview, thinking we really closer than we are..." : Joe Budden - Ventilation

Biggest lesson that I've had to learn, and am still learning. I'm so competitive in everything I do, that I want EVERY SINGLE WIN...no matter how big or how small. But I've come to realize that sometimes you have to give up the small loss for the larger gain...much like Chess. In regards to friends, it's kinda self explanatory. There are some whom I thought were closer than we actually were, and then there are some that I realize have been riding in the car with me the entire time.

"My Pops didn't dig it, was shoveling to myself..." : Lupe Fiasco - Be Somebody (Fort Minor)

Me and my father have never had the type of dad/son relationship that most would expect if the father isn't an absentee ballot voter...yet, me and my dad never clicked like that. We don't like hardly any of the same things, can't relate to each other, etc...so I learned to internalize a lot of things, thus making for the beautiful mess that is my mental today.

"...Got a Call that I just ignored, my day's hectic...overwhelmed with thoughts, leave a message..." : Joe Budden - Sidetracked

This is definitely to those who have my phone number, and may not know any better yet. Sometimes I don't answer my phone...and it's not so much a personal thing, but I just don't have it in me to talk at the moment. I swear I'll get right back...but then I usually get sidetracked.

" Feel like I've been Baptized...almost drowned, but I survived...she held me under for five years of my life..." : Lyfe Jennings - Smile

An ex that I dealt with off and on for nearly 5 years had me fucked up mentally towards women. I even took a period of time to just be on my "womanizer" shit...not really no pimp shit, don't get it twisted, but moreso like "look...this is what it is, and this is what I'm on. Take it or leave it. Thought so." I couldn't/didn't/wouldn't/shan't/can't/won't/sho don't/ trust or want to be fully with anyone at the time due to all the bullshit I went through with this girl...and she was older than me by a couple years, which translated to "notagotdamnthinginregardstomaturity". Long story short, she tried to ruin me and tell me how I wouldn't be shit without her. Jokes on you, this is Comedy Central...

Sidenote: the iPod played "Say What's Real" by Drake and "Say You Will" by Kanye back to back...I omitted these two.

"...and you're welcome to stay, but even the company must compliment the Feng Shui..." : Gnarls Barkley - Feng Shui

Gotta keep those poisonous friends from around you...I don't mind being "friends" with anyone, but not all of the people that I'm friends with are my FRIENDS. That's a short list...word to a "things that the short Devil on Hell Date can say" mark-up sheet.

"This crank nigga stole the style and ain't take the tag off...playin' yaself...can't come wit' it, so you jag off..." : Common - Real Nigga Quotes

I'm tired of biters. Cats don't even wear what they want to wear anymore, all for the sake of trying to wear what's "cool"...fam, I can see your discomfort a Green Mile away: take that "COFFEY like the drink" lookin' ass 10xDeep jacket THE FUCK OFF. Be yourself so you don't scare the shit out of yourself on the morning bathroom trip...so you can recognize who looks back in the mirror. By the way, I love that line by Com Sense.

Five Reasons...

2009-05-05T10:29:00.002-05:00

...why rap (in general) isn't about shit now.

1) Ad-Libs overpowering the tracks.

Swear, a song shouldn't be half ad-lib, and half lyrics. Not that they were the innovators, but Young Jeezy and Juelz Santana played a heavy hand in this...and the current culmination is shit like O.J. the Juiceman. (Aye!) Instead of brainstorming on lyrics (whether simple or complex), rappers stay up late at night thinking of the most catchy ad-lib or catchphrase. FAIL.

2) Shouting out Labels in songs/Follow The Leader

Rappers are too busy these days TRYING to be the "next ____" instead of the FIRST ___. It's one thing to be inspired, it's another thing to use carbon paper. I call forgery and bullshit.
The label thing? I was listening to Padded Room by Joe Budden yesterday, and was highly disturbed at him shouting "Amalgam Digital baby!"...c'mon Joseph. That's almost as bad as shouting out "It's that On Top Music!" (pause)...where's On Top now? Or SPIT Records? You get the point...these days, record labels are shifty and trendy, and may not be around next week...which brings me to my next point...

3) Rappers don't try to make timeless music anymore.

Too many references to liquor that isn't sponsoring, websites that will die out when a better one comes out, and dated vehicles/clothing/etc. has left rap music sounding VERY time capsule-ish. The other genres don't seem to have this problem as wide-spread as rap does. John Mayer's "Continuum" album? Couldn't tell you when it came out. I'll probably say the same in 10 years. One example of 'timeless' music in rap is Mos Def and Talib Kweli are: Black Star. And when I say 'timeless', I'm not talking rhyme patterns and beats.

4) The Numbers.

Yet another rap-inspired problem. Due to the focus being on sales instead of quality (thanks 50), rappers are chasing the bucks and latest rap trends moreso than ever before. While, yes, numbers DO matter in regards to profit and the bottom line, they shouldn't be the sole focus. Making good music should be. And it's not. Right now, the hipster movement seems to be the way to go and the 'net is getting FLOODED with ridiculous 'swag' rappers and dumb ass names. "Thr33zy McFly"? Really? Your name means you can't rap past the age of 22. If you're over 22, kill yourself. No, really....use my gun.

5) 106 & Park/Your Local Radio Stations/The Club

These outlets have the game all types of fucked up. Payola methods, favor for a favor tactics and the most promiscuous sounding shit possible means you either have to pay to play (or pay MORE), promise some type of feature or exclusive interview on some Funkmaster Flex shit, or see if you can say the wildest shit in the smoothest way possible. "Girl I'll get you wet and soak it all up...Sham-Fuckin-WOW ya..."

"They're just my thoughts..." - Hov

Something You Said Had Me Like...

2009-04-27T17:46:00.002-05:00

...WHAT, nigga?

I know there have been moments where you heard someone say something, but it hits you late. Like, someone says "man, I'm hungrier than Oprah tied up in the middle of a snack factory for three days.", and you (if you're not paying much attention) may say in your mind, "yeah...that cat's hungry as shit...WAIT, WHAT??" and burst out in laughter or whatever the case. Well, sometimes it's not always funny, but makes you take a 20 second time out on that Vinny Del Negro act.

Music is no exception to this...as I reaffirmed recently while listening to some older tracks. Here are a few notables:

"He don't treat you like he used to....cuz he got somebody elllssseeee..." - Donell Jones

Nigga what? Did you just willingly dry-snitch in the FIRST DAMN VERSE?? At least wait until the chorus...DAMN!

"Y'all hold it down in there, I'ma hold it down out here..." - Lyfe Jennings

Talking to the folks he was locked up with on the outro to his first CD, Lyfe says that RETARDED ASS SHIT. Who wants to hear that? Like being in the slammer and walking the streets is one and the same? Tell you what, somebody's gonna have hot bars for Lyfe if he ever ends back up in jail surrounded by the same folks. Pause.

"Sah-Niya Lathan knows..." - Killa Cam

Fam...who the FUCK is Saniyah Lathan??

"Only backpacker with a chip like hackers,
Only Michael Richardson, only much blacker,
So if he say nigger, then I'ma say *cracker*,
Is this the Ritz? Carlton? Dress like, fresh, like, just like.." - Kanye West

Fam..you get the Cam'ron treatment. Who THEE fuck is Michael Richard-son? I know of one Kramer who's name is to the tune of Michael Richards.

"Like Vida Guerrerra..." - The Game

*sigh*

Rappers...work on your syllables. RnB cats...get like Carmelo and stop snitchin, and just because you get a little (sun)shine in your life, stop sneak-teasing.

[logout]

Ignorant Shit....No Hov.

2009-04-17T16:31:00.003-05:00

I was drinking Patron last night, didn't go to sleep til like 9 this morning, woke up at around 12:30 and signed onto Twitter. And what do I see?

THE ROAST OF DIDDY

Kicked off by the homie PJ aka G.o.D. Jewels (Twitter.com/GODJewels)

Below are his Tweets, my Tweets (Twitter.com/Mr_Jolla) once I J'd down on the Frying of Diddy's soul, and the boy Illinois (Twitter.com/theboyillinois), who jumped in later as well. If you don't know how Twitter works, you put an "@" sign preceding who you want the message to go to and show up for. Diddy's Twitter is Twitter.com/IamDiddy. Get it?

sidenote: there were many more people involved, but damn...I didn't feel like tracking all of those down. Also, the Tweets are most recent to oldest.

--------------------------------------------------------------PJ's Tweets

Ol' "My toothpick permanently stays on my lip" mouth ass nigga. http://tinyurl.com/dcy739 @iamdiddy

Ol' "Obama rejected my inauguration suit designs" ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' on the red carpet with J-Lo wearing a rhinestone bandana lookin' ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "I tried to put a Duke kit in my head, But didn't quite follow the directions" ass nigga. http://tinyurl.com/c6ekz7 @iamdiddy

Ol' Raisin In The Sun Negro League Leather Bomber Jacket rockin' ass nigga. http://tinyurl.com/cw9koc @iamdiddy

Ol' "Follow the North Star to freedom" ass nigga. Ol' "Who taught you how to read boy?!?" ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "I was gonna sign Twista to Bad Boy, But it didn't quite work out" intentions havin' ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "I look like a runaway slave that got separated from Harriet Tubman's group" in my Diddy Blogs head ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "Come with me!" in the throat ass nigga. Sound like the theme song for your down low encounters. http://tinyurl.com/bklh2l @iamdiddy

Ol' Godzilla soundtrack appearance ass nigga. Ol' First nigga to spit a 16 with a dinosaur ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "I'm glad Biggie gone, Cuz I always wanted to be in the spotlight anyway" ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "Fell off the motorcycle and kept singing" ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Ol' "You get in that car Biggie, I'll ride in this car" on the night of the shooting ass nigga @iamdiddy

Nigga got some strong ass temples. Ol' Barry Bonds steroid cream in the head ass nigga. @iamdiddy

Why your mouth never close? @iamdiddy

-------------------------------------------------------- My Tweets

ol' "I drop the ball on your album if you ain't droppin' drawls" hip-hop sexual predator lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "I couldn't soak up talent if I sat in a bathtub filled with it, holding sponges, towels and Shamwows" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "Pharoahe Monch is my ghostwriter and I STILL can't drop a hot single or album" track record havin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "I dance to keep from crying...Nobody loves me" lookin' ass nigga @IamDiddy

ol "Que is taking my shine...I'm the Queen Bitch" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "Damn.....niggas ain't feelin' G-Dep like that either? Special Delivery! You're fired. 0_o" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "Momma Huxtable, I spent all the life savings and only got these suspenders and dreams to show for it" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "my momma called me just to laugh when she saw my ProActiv commercial...she said "WHAT sexy? Boy STOP." lookin ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol' "I thought Carl Thomas was gay til he turned me down, so I turned his career down...can you hear me now??" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol' "I thought Black Rob was gonna be the anchor for Bad Boy.....WHOA." lookin' ass nigga @IamDiddy

ol' "Damn, Shyne gets out of jail THIS YEAR? Change of address coming soon!" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol' "my teeth are the size of ivory elephant tusks" Super-Size Me mouth havin' ass nigga @iamdiddy (Pause for the cause)

ol taking credit for shit that was around before you were born lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol' "I've got more people that love me on Twitter than I have in my own family...by 3 votes" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "I invented 'bitchassness repellent', sprayed it and damn near killed myself" lookin' ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "I see a nigga acting a SMIDGE more gay than me; I'ma call it Bitchassness as opposed to my typical Bitchass" head ass nigga @iamdiddy

ol "I'ma dance in the rain, so people will be distracted and not realize I can't dance" head ass nigga @iamdiddy

------------------------------------------------------- The Boy Illinois' Tweets

WELCOME TO BAD BOY..I PAY WELL....AT FIRST..BODY ASS BOY!! @IAMDIDDY

IT WAS A RECORD RELEASED WITHOUT MY ADLIBS?? CANCEL THAT RECORD AND BRING IT BACK TO ME LOOKING ASS @IAMDIDDY

ACTUALLY..I POSSESS NO REAL TALENT LOOKING ASS @IAMDIDDY

I CAN MAKE A THREE PIECE SUIT LOOK LIKE A THREE PIECE SUIT BODY ASS BOY @IAMDIDDY

I JUST FUCK UP EVERYTHING..AND LOOK STYLISH DOING IT..LOOKING ASS NIGGA @IAMDIDDY

"ITS BITCHASSNESS.......THE SPRAYYY" LOOKING ASS @IAMDIDDY

"IVE GIVEN YALL COUNTLESS HITS" LOOKING ASS NIGGA @IAMDIDDY..AH MAN..LET ME STOP LMAO

"VOTE OR DIE" OR SIGN WITH ME AND ILL MAKE SURE U CANT MAKE ANOTHER ALBUM LOOKING ASS @IAMDIDDY

TAKE THAT "LAST TRAIN TO PARIS" AND STAY THERE LOOKING ASS BOY @IAMDIDDY

i fuck niggas in the ass with they contracts, they careers, and literally looking ass @iamdiddy

DIDDY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A RAISIN IN THE SUN..WELL THAT SHIT ON HIS FACE DO @IAMDIDDY

"i dont write rhymes i write checks and plea agreements" looking ass @iamdiddy

"im closing down the studio so i can put ad libs on every one of yall songs" looking ass @iamdiddy

I got bugs life eyes so thats why i always got on shades looking ass @iamdiddy

prerequisite to being in bad boy is me in every single one of yo videos looking ass nigga @iamdiddy

i take an idea and wear it the fuck out looking ass @iamdiddy

I Owe You...

2009-04-07T17:16:00.003-05:00

My apologies for the lack of blogging and what have you.

Been working on some shit, going thru some shit, dealing with some shit and cleaning up some shit...I mean, I kinda have to...that's a lot of shit.

In the meanWatch inbetween Watch, check out a few folks who's blog I dig...I'm not hyperlinking anything, I'm pressed for time and too lazy, and sorry if I forget some folks, but I ain't apologizing. Even though I already did.

Track4illmatic.wordpress.com

jayfeverovertakingtheworld.blogspot.com

shesoflyy.blogspot.com

Hardwork919.blogspot.com

TheindustryShakedown.blogspot.com

Sivadink.blogspot.com

Love-becomes-her.blogspot.com

tashastruth.blogspot.com

*thebohemianbookworm.blogspot.com

themrs145.blogspot.com

shessooffbeat.blogspot.com

jeriholloway.blogspot.com

undefined-ego.blogspot.com

achoiceofweapons.blogspot.com

naturallyalise.blogspot.com

Held over? Good.

Are You Not Entertained?

2009-03-21T21:22:00.001-05:00

This was originally called "Things you wouldn't think to ask" or something to that effect...I haven't felt like blogging lately, on one hand because I don't feel it...and on the other hand, because of Twitter (look left). It's like short attention span blogging and you get more and better feedback in a sense I suppose. But I'll try to blog about something of substance soon. In the meantime, take this survey and like it.

-Mr. Jolla-

-------------------------------------------------

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
sure have...Texas police make no attempts to hide their racism...but then again, neither do cops ANYWHERE

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
nah.

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
Neveruary 32nd, 2000shiiiiiit

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
Depends on who it is.

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
I've never given it much thought, truthfully...I know that Styles P is real, though...oh and Tony Stark from the Wu...lol

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Yes...I'm creative without being a savant. Thank the Lord.

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
I don't THINK...I KNOW.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
Neither for 1,000 Alex...they are opposite ends of the spectrum called "lame"

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
Yes, I know a few things...I also know that there is all types of red tape and backdoor deals in politics, whether people want to admit it or not.

10. Do you know how to play poker?
No, never had an interest in any card games other than Spades....NIGGAS!

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
sure have...doing Desk Duty (CQ) in the military combined with a subsequent day off? Shiiiiiit I'm not going to sleep!

12. What's your favorite commercial?
can't say I have a clear cut favorite...but I used to love the Lebrons series, and right now the one with Jimmy Rollins taking fastballs to the abdomen while making the Sho Nuff face is pretty hilarious.

13. Who was your first love?
Hmm...it was this girl that I knew since we were ye' high LOL

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
Nope.

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
I don't think so...or do you mean how I like to drink Patron while watching porn with music playing loudly with the lights off so it feels like a Free XXX-Strip Club experience? Nope...no secrets at all.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
neither. I used to be a huge Minnesota Twins fan...these days? notsomuch.

17. Have you ever been ice skating?
Not at all.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
It depends...some of them I don't want to remember.

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
It's simple: The only thing that's on my mind is the weightoftheworld,whetherornotmybestfriendwilltrulyfindhappiness,whatmybabysisterisgoingthrudownatherschool,wishingthatmyfrienddoesn'tletcircumstancesorillnessesbreakherspirit,howIcangetpastmychildhoodissueswithmyparents,howIcanfigureouthowtolovemyselfasmuchasIloveeveryoneelse,howtocurethisshoeaddiction,thankfulthatIamblackbecausethatmeanssuicideisnotanoption,tryingtofocusonpresentingtheworldwithagiftviapen,hopingmytwinisstraightwhileshe'sinATL,wonderingwhatwouldbesaidatmyfuneralandhowmanypeoplewillactuallycarewheni'mgone,whowilltakethetimetotryandchopthisbullshitupandreadit,whyismydepressioncomingoutofretirementlikeit'sMJ,howcanidisappearwithoutanyonenoticingbecauseiwanttobebymyselfonsomestarvingartistshit,tryingtofigureoutwheretoputallofthesethoughtsbecauseican'ttellmygirlallofthisbecauseifigureshewontunderstandlikeineedorwantherto,tryingtofigureouthowidon'tunderstandmyselfandilivewithmyselfeveryday, and how to make tilapia that tastes like the 3 best chefs in the world got together to cook it.

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Hell no...I know it's bad, but it's not like I consciously do it to try and be a bad ass or anything...I just don't wear that shit. I need to, yeah...it's law, right...but you can die with it ON too.

21. What talent do you wish you had?
is selfishness a talent? If so, I need some of that in a size 10.5

22. Do you like sushi?
YES! Me, my baby sis EJayy and my best friend Heather (even though she's late on the bandwagon) are certified sushi heads.......I take that back, my sister is. She knows ALL of the names and shit...I know what tastes good once I look at it or read the description lol.

23. What do you wear to bed?
thin layer of skin over a slightly ripped frame, hooping shorts, DEFINITELY SOCKS, and maybe a t...depends on the weather/heat in the room. Oh wait...is it too late for the secret thing? Here's a secret: I HATE being bare foot. I wear socks everywhere except the shower and the pool. lol

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
I can't say I do. I've had some "valid" reasons...but I can't say I do.

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
Lemme see here....Keri Hilson for the gotdamn win! Uh...if not her, Sanaa' Lathan...Christina Milian back when she had more weight on her, Melyssa Ford and Jasmine Cashmere. Fuck it!* LOL

*clearly I'm joking about everyone on this list...................................with the exception of Keri Hilson. That would turn into a WILLING shotgun marriage. lmao

26. Do you know anyone in jail?
yup

27. What food do you find disgusting?
caviar?

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
Yeup...but here's the beauty. Before or after I do that behind their backs, I do it to their face...usually before though...so I guess it's not really behind their backs at all.

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
Yeah man...I got snuck and that shit was just like Jamie Foxx described it...no Lol.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
I do...but I don't. I'm a bit perplexed by the whole thing. I think that people who die and go to Heaven are put on "Angel status", but I don't so much think they're running around the Earth on some "Sixth Man (Marlon Wayans/Kadeem Hardison)" shit...catching bullets with his teeth?? NIGGA PLEASE!! jokes...I think that people can act as angels in a sense...doing good for someone, but not like they are ACTUALLY angels themselves.

On the other side of things, I don't think that demons are doing things like locking doors from the inside, tripping folks, showing up on Hell Date, etc...but I think that people can be on some evil shit...as if they were possessed by demons.

Be Kind Rewind

2009-03-10T16:55:00.004-05:00

Dope movie. Yet another reminder why the world isn't about shit. Quick recap:

Danny Glover owns a '1 dollar, 1 movie, 1 night' VHS rental store. Nah, you know what...fuck the recap. Just catch the flick on cable (Showtime has been showing it a LOT as of late...like twice a night) and check it out.

Anyway, the world isn't about shit because communities no longer band together like they used to. The beauty of this VHS store that got hardly no business in a DVD day and age is that it brought together an entire community. Nevermind the fact that inconsiderate folks didn't rewind tapes back when VHS was popping, automation has taken some of the fun of 'simpler things' out of life. Satellites and megabytes have taken it's toll. I know this seems like a rehash of a prior post, but when is the last time people tried living through their own life instead of vicariously through someone else's? All of these reality shows, music videos and the internet have urged us away from the simple pleasures of sitting outside, observing the skies while reflecting on life...rewinding in a sense. Patience was once a virtue, now it's only considered to be hospital inhabitants. The age of technology teaches us that there is no time to be idle, your existence isn't as important as the ones we have chosen for you to enjoy, you are not.that.important.

The simple interactions of ringing someone's doorbell because you're not sure if they're home or not is replaced with sending a text from the comfort of your own chair or bed. You know what automation means to me? Clockwork. Routine. Monotony. Sure, things are faster, louder, shinier, easier to access...but a clock is a clock. It spins in the same revolution every minute, every hour, every day...until the batteries die or it's unplugged. But this probably falls upon deaf ears and eyes due to most clocks being digital; most folks wanting a laugh to keep from crying. Everything isn't funny. If you were coerced into believing that everything in life is a joke, you can never deal with death. If you were learned to never think about death, then it will hurt much more when it happens. Would you rather be slapped and know that it's coming, or walk around the corner and get rocked from the blindside? The slap is inevitable. Your level of pain is negotiable.

Irony. The movie 'Be Kind Rewind' offers laughable moments...but they say that the same things that can make you laugh, can make you cry.

The First Black Republican Who Made Sense...

2009-03-06T03:00:00.001-06:00

...speaking with Chuck D and DL Hughley on Hughley's show on CNN. This is also the first time I've seen a clip from his show worth watching.

Under the Night Sky

2009-03-05T22:10:00.003-06:00

At night is the best time to try and find God if all or any eyes + ears search for Her. The beauty of the dark calms the most volatile hearts, hides the shadows of everyday sins that the Sun shines bright on. On a quiet night, you can hear a pin drop, or God talk. You can hear Her talking, but you have to listen in order to witness Her speak...all while you take in a calming visual of a still sky, blue moon and accompanying stars.

You are on the most grand stage; the stars are watching. The moon is smiling. The wind applauds. All while God speaks to you and only you.

Listen.

So Far Gone...

2009-03-05T21:54:00.002-06:00

*not another Drake post.

Look at how far we have come. At one point in time we had to rely on switchboard operators to connect us across town; now we can walk and talk directly to anyone in the world. We have gone from auido broadcast to high definition pictures, from hand written letters to typewriters to emails. There was a time when Polio was potent...now there are cures for nearly every ailment.

Look at how far we have gone.

At one point in time we relied on a village to raise a child; now a child is lucky to be raised by two parents. We have gone from loving thy neighbor, to hating complete strangers; happily-ever-afters to love triangles; doing favors to profitting on another's misfortune. There was a time when showing respect was a sign of character; now it's considered a character defect, a fatal flaw. Our tolerance is gone, forgiveness is fleeting, helping hands become balled fists quicker than snap-judgments are made. They say this is the age of technology, when in reality it is the age of dehumanization.

Look at how far we have come...look at how far we have gone.

Sham-Phuckin'-Wow

2009-02-25T10:40:00.001-06:00

*forgot to mention the ability to pick up the tears of crying ass Black Republicans.

More Presidents...Figuratively and Literally Speaking...

2009-02-24T11:54:00.004-06:00

This guy...well first, I have to give him the Uncle Ruckus

coon ass President* award...

...and I know folks wanna steal him one...

BUT...amidst all the unfiltered hate and salt this fuck face is throwing like it's snowing outside, he has some valid points...whether you're an Obama supporter or not. The underlying shit is this: you can not facilitate a national deficit deduction and an economic stabilization using money that no one has. Period. Bush did the shit, and yeah folks felt it was all good for the moment, because it was....FOR THE MOMENT. It's nothing more than putting a piece of paper over a knife wound instead of either getting surgery or getting a REAL Band-Aid. Infection will eventually take place...even if the appearance of said-paper makes you THINK you feel better...

With that said, the situation itself is a very tough one to get out of, admittedly. And President Obama has a tough path, because on one hand you have the folks who don't want to see their OWN money "cut" (the "cutting" would really be just ensuring they make what the fuck they're SUPPOSED to make...without all these ridiculous bonuses, etc.)...on the other hand, you have people who LOOK like these people so it's easy to just chalk it up to them being 'haters', etc...Folks are really caught up in the "Race"** of the President (I'm talking to YOU, Black people) and it's sad. They are defending ideals and issues that they really haven't an iota of a clue about. Why? Because...

...but that's not enough.

*refer to previous post as to why I call him a coon ass 'president'...it's a joke.

** There is no such thing as Race...eventually I will get around to addressing it for those who don't believe me.

I'm Out For Presidents To Represent Me...

2009-02-24T11:22:00.001-06:00

Hilarious...

"it's hard out here....it's multi-syllabic..."

I'm Not Surprised...

2009-02-18T11:59:00.003-06:00

The New York Post ran this cartoon in the paper. So...I'm not a genius or nothing...(wait, actually I am) but this appears to depict Barry O as some type of primitive creature. I have one question for those naive enough to think Racism is dead: When did President Obama grow hair on his body and shrink to 3 feet 11 inches?

*props to Luvvie for the pic

Television's Trip-Ups

2009-02-12T22:12:00.002-06:00

Not gonna do a Grammy's recap blog, because I clearly missed that boat...but I will say the following:

M.I.A. should have been put in a box as the mystery voice. Noone on the corner wants to see that shit.

I LOL'ed at Morgan Freeman for wearing that glove and noticing his arm was stiff as shit...then I was reminded of the accident he had which tore tendons or whatever. I LOL'ed harder...did you all see the Luda video with the fake hand? Beforehand, I said something to that effect. Afterwards, I said something to that effect.

that pic is just funny to me.

Stevie Wonder is honestly blind. I know some people do things that make you think otherwise, like extraordinary abilities that make you question the validity of one's shortcomings...but THAT nigga is as blind as an aborted baby with no eye genes. If my hairline was pushed back further than Saigon's album, I'd have to dead the folicle game. Period. (Still waiting to see if he takes the Dancing With the Stars bait though...SMH @ me)

This was LAST year's Grammys...proof is in the pudding...

Sean Combs is a nigg(er). Feel free to add the "a" if you want, but any MFer in his GROWN right mind that shows up wearing a white T and a Laffy Taffy Lavender Leather jacket needs to be shot with a cactus gun...then punched with papercut-padded gloves. Fuck is wrong with you...

Sam Jack...SMH...never out of character.

On to more pressing matters...

I'm not into drugs at all, but whatever Joaquin Phoenix is smoking? I.WANT.IN. That fool was on Letterman the other night, and it was pure fucking comedy. Nevermind that he looked Amish...nevermind that he was getting roasted by Dave Letterman unrelentingly...shit, nevermind the fact that he stuck his GUM under Dave's DESK. That fool snapped on Paul...he's a visionary, the first of his kind. LOL @ Dave "Sorry you couldn't be here tonight..."

Lil Mama. Never thought I'd quote this guy, but to quote Jermaine DuPri: "And I ain't got to say no mo'."

Oh.

Transferred From FaceBook...30's the new 25 (Little Known Facts)

2009-02-11T12:53:00.003-06:00

1. My middle name is Alfonso. Shut your mouth.

2. I used to eat pieces of bread with just Miracle Whip on them...it's the best thing in the world. That is unless you're talking about...

3. ...strawberry cheesecake ice cream. For the entire summer of 2008, I was on some Lil Wayne shit...I would not be seen without my cup...of strawberry cheesecake ice cream from Baskin Robbins. I even managed to make believers out of a few people (Cari, Boogz, Mal and Renita...I told you niggas this shit reigns supreme.)

4. I hate the word 'random'.

5. I am a shoe addict...everybody knows that. But what's not known is that I used to have Air Jordans and all that when I was little....until the fateful shoe size that deemed me worthy of adult prices. After that it was much simpler Nikes and XJ900s that looked like Jordans. I was crushed...and vowed to go all out when I was able to buy my own shoes. Hence..here we are.

6. I have a very short tolerance for friends who I think should 'know better'. If you find yourself in the midst of me 'going hard' on you, chances are it's because you got the 'knew better' part down, but you just aren't exercising the 'do better' aspect.

7. But, folks that I feel are just hopeless or don't have a clue I tend to have long patience for. Hey, somebody has to help these sorry mo-feezies out.

8. I'm a sucker for a girl with tattoos and fly gym shoes. Not necessarily in a "Yo I love you and want to get married" type way, but moreso in a "Dang, can we hang like my nuts" type way. LOL

9. I think one of the most timeless songs of all time is "Funk That" by Sagat. "Why is it...that every time I turn on the radio, I hear the same five songs...15 times a dayyyy...for three months?? Maaaaaan, fu*k that!"

10. Fuck that indeed....I never listen to the radio. Ever.

11. My favorite black shoe of all time is the Jordan 5's...

12. ...but when the Black Air Yeezy's come out, I expect to have a new favorite black shoe.

13. I don't know what my mom does for a living.

14. I really feel like a lot of my childhood friends are some of the dopest people in the world. Some of them I've known since Kindergarden. Josh, J.Mo, Vince, Sophia C., Rayya, Melvin and a few others I met later on are some unique muhfuckas...

15. ...unfortunately due to a bunch of issues I had going on as a child, I never really kicked it with them like that...shit, even now really. But I'm gonna try to change that.

16. I spent nearly every summer of my formative life in Minnesota with my cousins...I love them to death. And sorry Al for terrorizing your initial experiences with basketball...LOL (on the real, he'd beat everybody on this tagged note though...)

17. I've come to grips that I like to drink alot. I just need everybody else to come to grips with it. LOL

18. My favorite movies are Bamboozled, Pulp Fiction, Something The Lord Made, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

19. Mos Def is my favorite emcee of all time...he's also my favorite actor-known-primarily-for-his-rapping.

20. Everyone has their 'dream' city/location (stateside). For most typical people, it's either New York or Los Angeles. For me, it's DC...there's so much culture, go-go music is incredible (in moderation) and I know a grip of super cool folks from the DMV...both offline and online. In fact, while in the Army my closest homeboy was from Eastern Shore, MD and one of my homegirls was from DC.

21. Guys/Girls who openly always brag on their D-game/P-power are corny...and probably liars. And that's NOT my opinion; it's known fact. Shut the fuck up.

22. I've heard all of the jokes....on the real. Ronald McDonald, Ron Jello, Holly Jolly Christmas, etc. Know which ones are the best to me? Ron Burgandy and (for originality purposes) Runny Eggs...my family and some friends call me Ronnie. DJ gets the credit for the latter joke. In other words, give it a rest. Oh and not-so-honorable mention to my best friend for her entry...RonYe West...SMH...which leads me to...

23. My best friend Heather is a lame but I love her just the same...lol

24. I have a lot of female friends...and that has been a problem in some of my relationships.

25. I think a few of the reasons I have a lot of female friends is because a lot of guys be on some shit I can't relate to (i.e. drug selling/using, big rims spinning at Washington Park type shit, Girbaud outfit wearing ass niggas), and women see that I have a few manners about me so they might think I'm some type of unicorn type rarity...lol I dunno.

26. I get joked on for having a bunch of fine ass female friends. My bad. I didn't know I was supposed to keep some type of pretty/ugly balance. It's pretty safe to say that if you're my friend then not only are you beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well. (I expect A LOT of Valentines Cards/home cooked meal invites/Friend Requests to follow lol)

27. I hate the technology that I am addicted to....but obviously I love it as well. FUCK!

28. Older women at my job are a trip. They hit on me and shit on the low...then it comes out that I'm 26...(not that 26 is 'old') and they reveal they thought I was fresh out of highschool or some shit. WHAT THE FUCK ARE Y'ALL REALLY ON??

29. when I watched the movie "Seven Pounds", I cried like a bitch* who just found out that her boyfriend cheated on her with her moms...then found out that her boyfriend is really her half-brother she never knew about...then found out he had AIDS and basically just wiped out his whole family by fuckin'...LOL (the reason I got caught up in the moment and shit is because I saw myself in the main character....FUCK Y'ALL)

30. I played basketball while in the Army for a team, and it allowed me to travel all over Korea and Japan. Fun muhfuggin' times...

* 'bitch' was used for effect...I never call women that.

Video Blog - Art I Appreciate

2009-02-10T06:53:00.005-06:00

I interview Chicago poet/painter Paul Branton at his art room exhibit held at UIC...unfortunately I was extremely LATE. It's like 4 more days for you to check out the art at the West Student Hall. Pictures coming soon...

PaulBranton.com
His MySpace Page

Video Blog - Life, Love and Valentine's Day

2009-02-10T06:48:00.002-06:00

Me and the best friend talk it up...trying to help you folks out.

Memories Thru The Eyes of A Grandmother...

2009-02-03T18:52:00.003-06:00

This past week I decided to stay at my Granny's house in my old room for a few nights. The purpose? Well, I wanted to get away from my computer for a while, and really just lock in and focus on writing. The End result? A lot of drinking (more than usual), very little writing and very little sleep (not that it was anything new). Anyway...my Granny really loves it when I come around, and as my Dad so eloquently put it, "You're like the RockStar of the family...whenever you come around it's like a special occasion. They're blowing my phone up, saying 'Ronnie came by today and visited us!'..."

I don't know if that's a testament of how infrequently I visit these days, or how high in regard they hold me...but it's more than likely a combination of both. So, one morning when I wake up, Granny asks me if I want some bacon...I say yes...then she stops and says "You still don't eat eggs, do you?"

What?

I'm like FogHorn LegHorn's young arch nemesis after the chickens...I fucks eggs up.

Quick Dip off Moment: Remember those cartoons? Classic comedy

So yeah...I shoot her back a look as if she were the crazy one of this outfit and tell her I've eaten eggs all the time. She laughs and then tells me about how I used to not eat an entire egg...if she fried it, I only ate the yolk..on some Negro racist anti-drug dealer shit, never messed with the White. Hard-boiled? Only ate the center...

What the Hell?

She then tells me how my Uncle Donnie took me and my cousin Mark over his house back when he had moved to Riverdale and scrambled some eggs...and just told me to sit my ass there and eat the eggs. He left (even though he was still watching), and eventually I ate them. Problem solved. Damn...I know I am/was a picky eater, but that shit's just ridiculous...

Another quirky moment she shared with me...I used to eat carrots and celery a lot when I was a child...this much I know and can attest to. She says that I used to come in the kitchen, grab some aluminum foil, wrap the celery and carrots up and put them in my pocket and go out and play with my friends. Remember how you would take a break to eat junk while playing? We would be sitting on my Granny's back porch and according to urban legend, I would pull out these damn celery sticks and carrots while my friends were eating their candy...clearly getting laughed at and kids wondering when I would get sick because I was eating them 'raw'...

Shit's crazy how time flies.

iLaughed...

2009-02-03T12:07:00.001-06:00

wait for it....wait for it....

Funny Text of the Week:

2009-02-03T02:08:00.002-06:00

Courtesy of Mike:

"I just read on CNN about people starving and being hungry in America. How does that work with dollar menus? AND Ramen Noodles? Explain it to me!"

I Used To Give A...

2009-02-02T23:14:00.002-06:00

...fuck, now I could give a fuck less.

I don't own an iPhone nor a BlackBerry...I get my Mogul on...that shit's addictive enough already. I'd probably die getting run over by a group of marathoners that I didn't see for playing on an iPhone...and they wouldn't see me either, cuz they'd be running while playing with the newest application.

The Art of Hustle...or notsomuch.

2009-01-31T19:47:00.003-06:00

Folks are selling socks out here fam! Seriously...like the joints that don't even have good elastic; you pull that shit up your leg and it gets Droopy like the dog...running into the top of your shoe on some "You raaaaangggg?" shit.

As much as I want to blame them for everything from the national debt to bootleg movies with low quality, it's not the crackheads who's to blame this time. Surprise Surprise...it's normal, able bodied fools who have considered McDonald's to be a slap in the face. (I really had this convo with one of them)...cats are moving in on the crackheads' turf something ridiculous. This dude tried to sell me like 40 socks for 5 dollars...pairs...that's 80 gotdamn socks...outside of a KFC. Scratch that, he came IN the KFC and started trying to pitch his White. SMH...

"maybe if I run out of napkins..."

Eff outta here. What I'ma do with all these fucking socks Charlie Murphy?!? Foot-clothe the bare-heeled?? Get the fuck out of my face and take your damn Gym Class Heroes with you. You all remember the kids in gym class who had the dingiest, grimiest, "shoulda, coulda, woulda been white if we had adequate bleach" socks? They 'grey is the new white' sock wearing dudes? A pack of these socks would be saving them...they need a hero.

Quick Rant: I hate that people are so quick to say they're "hustling", "grinding", etc...only for you to find out they're doing some super stupid shit...buying dollar waters and selling them for $1.05. That's not a grind fam, that's stupidity. It's not guaranteed that you will sell all of these...and if you get thirsty, guess what? You're drinking your product.

"Big Worm gon' fuck you up..."

Oh, you'll buy your own water?? Shoot yourself in the other pocket, because the one you reach in to pull out the $1.05 has been abused enough. You've just paid $2.05 for one bottle of GENERIC ass ALDIs water...backwards hustler, die of dehydration already.

You wanna know what grinding is? Working three part time jobs because that's all you could get and it keeps food on the table. Grinding is working some job outside of what you already do or what you set out to do in the first place. That's a side hustle. You selling M&Ms outside of Burlington Coat Factory is not you being on your grind...that's you hating on the kids.

Let them have that. To see them do that is hustling...they could be somewhere playing or some shit. But you nigga? You're grown. Oh, and selling me your B.S. CD is not grinding. Your music is garbage. Ever heard of GI,GO? Garbage in, garbage out. You put in a garbage ass skill set and work ethic, and you're rewarded with a garbage ass CD that I won't buy. You don't even have halfway dope artwork....and it's black and white. Try Photoshop next time...Microsoft Paint is not a good look.

Hey, I'm petty...but that's the price "grinders" pay. It's a two-way street: You 'grind' on your pride, and I'll be sure to pick up the slack and grind the rest of it into the ground until you realize that you are not the Ultimate Hustler...you ain't even Larry Flynt. And that nigga's in a wheelchair. The only reason you're 'grinding' is because your teeth tend to have this reaction whenever you are staring in the face of rejection and defeat.

Kill yourself.

AdAlesson - Supporting The Idea (Listening for Breaks) Mixtape

2009-01-28T17:10:00.003-06:00

After much dilligent work, the mixtape is finally here...

Click Here To Download
(just in case it doesn't hyperlink...http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KH1EV4Z5)

Let me or him know what you think...

myspace.com/adalesson

When It Hurts...

2009-01-27T07:03:00.002-06:00

I'm all for art and expression, but GOTDAMN!

One Stop Ticket To Hell...

2009-01-27T06:52:00.002-06:00

If you wanna hang with the crazies, follow this dude's path...SMH*. And shame at the people who were calling in to dude...not to mention whoever is broadcasting this shit LOL.

*not only is the language not work safe, but I laughed at this nigga heartily as well...

Short Story: The Race Card

2009-01-24T15:48:00.002-06:00

The Race Card*…(Ficticious ‘Humor’)

*old post from my wordpress page

This took place when we were younger, seniors in highschool, nearly out of school and working our little weekend jobs to have enough money to pay our car notes and get fly. This was back when things were way more simple. People would flock to the basketball courts (known as "the Cages") during the warm days...hooping and shit talk, the dream of a youngster. Pride often took center stage on these days, especially when someone is trying to shine too hard.

Think you’re better? Think you make more money, or that your car is better, or that your girl is better? Put up or shut up. We played the Race card…basically a foot race from the cage to the end of the parking lot. Loser gives up whatever was the issue of discussion…title to the car, chain, shoes, girl (”hoe…bring yo ass!” (c) Luda), whatever. It’s retarded to lose your 10,000$ car in a 25 second footrace, but that’s how things were done when we were younger. We didn’t have time for all that fighting and shooting and shit; we were just a bunch of basketball players who loved to have fun. Forwards and centers didn’t say shit….especially when MJ and Marvin where around. Fuck around with them and it's practically guaranteed you’re walking home. The guards ran shit….literally.

The race card was a highly reliable weapon against big-shit talkers….all until Luke came along. Luke was new to the neighborhood, and had transferred to play on our basketball team. Apparently, he must’ve heard about our braggadocious ways of playing the Race card, because he came down with the intentions of winning something from someone.

Usual ridderick, typical back and forth banter taking place…then Luke walks into the cage and starts talking shit to any and everyone who would listen.

“You bitches are weak as fuck…garbage ass muthafuckas…”

He had the language down. Those were indeed fighting words. Roy decided to be the one to shut Luke down. Luke had merely moved here two weeks ago, and all folks who knew of him SWORE that was the first time they heard him utter more than two words…usually “Yes, coach.”, in practice.

Roy: “I’m about to shut your goofy ass up, coming here talking all this shit. What you putting up?”

Luke: “You’re not worth putting up SHIT for…but I tell you what; you win, and you’ll never hear me say anything negative to you again. Promise that. Don’t worry about putting up anything, because once it’s over your dignity will line the pockets of my slacks for many years to come…bitch.”

Roy: “Dignity? Playing for pride? Sounds like a scared bitch to me…I don’t give a fuck though. However I can shut you up, I’m for it…”

Luke was already standing near the outer part of the cage at this point, and Roy walked to line up next to him. As Roy turned towards the parking lot, Luke turned to him and said:

“You’re dark and ugly. Worst part is, you’re ugly BECAUSE you’re dark. You look like you smell of alligator-used swamp water…your hair looks like….how did that go? Your hair looks like a brillo pad that my Negro maid would use. Your feet are too big for your body, but they are the same size as your lips and nostrils. You look like Curious George, you should be running with the lions and tigers and bears. Your mom is an alcoholic, a whore, and a bad cook who adds too much salt and hot sauce to everything…all wrapped up into one. Your dad is a lazy mechanic who smokes too much crack in his offtime…..wait….no….that’s your mom’s current boyfriend. We don’t know what your dad looks like, so nevermind. Your mom named you Roy to make it easy on you when filling out the top of Section 8 forms…and because of that…you will NEVER.AMOUNT.TO.SHIT……..Nigger.”

With that, Luke just walked off…going back the direction which he came…blonde hair flowing in the light winds. We all stood there with our mouths open...needless to say, we were speechless. And that goes TRIPLE for Roy.

After that day, we never played the Race Card again…nor did we look at White people the same…we just beat the shit out of Luke everyday after basketball practice. Roy went on to get his skin bleached and team up with some guy named Sigfried. We never heard from him again.

-end-

The First Dance Was A Slip up...

2009-01-22T12:03:00.003-06:00

After all of the votes were counted, there was still the issue at hand of the dance off. Despite many expecting Obama to win by a landslide, Barack won the presidency by a slim margin, as McCain was more agile than he's ever been in his whole life.

This was President Obama's Victory Dance...

Fuck what that nigga Teef is talking about...Barack gets it in on some Electric Boogaloo shit.

Ladies, This Is Your Hero...

2009-01-21T00:43:00.002-06:00

This fool looks like an extra from "My Brother and Me"...you wonder why he doesn't take his sunglasses off, EVER? Look into the eyes of a hamster...

2 Dope Quotes...

2009-01-19T22:14:00.002-06:00

The sources aren't important...what is important are the messages behind them.

"Man must consume every poison within himself to become an artist."

"At this point, I'm battling my own perception, tryna beat what's expected of me..."

A Time To Chill...Not A Time To Kill

2009-01-19T18:12:00.003-06:00

Check it...tomorrow will be a high energy day. With that being said....calm the fuck down. You must remember that this is a free country, and if someone doesn't agree with Obama winning and being President, it does NOT make them an Uncle Tom*...it does NOT make them Racist*...or none of the other shit your mind conjurs up*. So...have patience, relish in your personal victory, and enjoy tomorrow without acting a damn fool...we're headed for change, but we haven't even given the cashier the buck yet.

* but on the flipside...this could very well be true and a reality.

"Whenever you get into the endzone, act like you've been there before..."

Slap Yourself...

2009-01-17T12:20:00.002-06:00

Is He Serious? I need for him to fit his head under the cup and 'slap' himself...like, ASAP.

Shit That I Like...

2009-01-17T02:03:00.002-06:00

Q-Tip - ManWomanBoogie

Blu - Soul Amazing

Van Hunt - Down Here In Hell

Colin Munroe - Will I Stay

If You Were A Boy...

2009-01-16T17:09:00.003-06:00

...there would be more to worry about than just supposedly not giving two shits about a woman's heart. I understand that women have some tough things to go through, but it's not just all gold streets and sunny days for us guys either. Tell me when's the last time you:

- Got the zipper to your jeans caught on your member?

- Woke up and had to "play the angles" just to urine...but ended up spraying the seat (which is raised) and the wallpaper next to the toilet?

- Had to mean mug walking into an establishment just so somebody wouldn't try to "pull it" with you?

- Had to deal with a face full of razor bumps* due to having to shave off your grizzly ass beard which rests on a face that's more Ralph Tresvant than DMX? (sensitive instead of rough)
*oh wait...nevermind.

- Got pistol whipped by somebody trying to rob you for your car you just threw some rims on?
(I know you all have child birth, but I'm gonna assume that a pistol whipping feels like a child is being birthed through your gumline...we'll call it even)

- Had to get a cotton swab on a stick stuck up your pee hole, when it was clearly not built for entry? (Assumptive Reverse Child Birth Pt. 2)

- Had to walk around rocking a fucked up 'cut because your normal barber wasn't in that day, and you trusted "that other cat"?

- Caught frostbite shoveling some damn snow because it has to be done, and the woman is looking at you from the window...which causes you to get "hot", only to get more frostbit as the cold zeroes in on your "heat"?

- Got powerslammed by some 350lb nigga thru a bar/club/restaurant/lounge table because the lady you were with couldn't just be respectful in saying "No thank you", and it came out like "Bitch get the fuck away from me before my boyfriend returns from the bathroom and fucks you up!"...and then here you come, strolling back from the bathroom...But you're not even her boyfriend? (Assumptive Labor Pains Pt. 3)

- Threw your back out trying to push some girl's car that was stuck in the snow?

- Spent 7 hours somewhere with a female family member that you didn't want to be?
(Assumptive Thoughts of Suicide Pt. 1)

- Got heatstroke/mass mosquito bites/dehydration due to cutting the grass in the summertime because it needed cutting?

- Been slammed on your face on the hot ass hood of a Police Car? Shit makes you feel like a piece of bacon...straight up.

- Been hit in the nuts? All it takes is a forceful gust of wind to take a GROWN ASS NIGGA to his knees...imagine getting Soccer Kicked in the balls?

UNFORGIVABLE...

There's Still Hope...(MySpace Repost)

2009-01-11T23:11:00.001-06:00

June 24, 2008 - Tuesday

There’s Still Hope...
Category: Writing and Poetry

...at least that's how I feel anyway. And I have the Jehovah's Witnesses to thank for it. I have them to thank for confirming that there are still believers in this world, and also smart people left....those niggas never stop at my door. I got caught taking something to the garbage can as they were making their rounds...shit...but when I went back in the house and went to the front window, they were walking past...smart folks still exist.

So whenever I see them walking a block looking like ducks in a row, I feel a bit relieved about the current state of affairs in the world..........................Okay, not really...but we all need our hope right? Hope is like a box of vitamins to niggas. You don't take your daily hope, after while you feel worse. But pop two tablets of that Hope?? You swear you're back on top, Black...word to sit-ups in parking lots. I remember when "Black" was the 90's version of "fam"...shit's crazy. I'm sure somebody hated it though, just like people these days probably hate "fam" or "cuz"..."I'm not your fam." Cornball niggas stay trying to hotdog when crowds are around too...like they're trying to relish in the moment of short-lived attention. Nigga please...you're not even lukewarm out here...catch up and cover the spread. There's still hope...

Speaking of...I need for niggas to catch up and buy this book...

Go to www.deathofagenius.com, check out the blog and find how to buy the book...

But yeah...I need niggas to buy this so the torch of dope writing can be passed on some reverse relay shit. Actually let me stop lying...ain't shit getting passed like constipation. You're out here to get your over-look on like Jacque Vaughn with the game on the line. Sit back and watch the wordplay, bum ass bench niggas...

I don't normally throw on the cape and try to save folks, but with this book it would be my pleasure to do so....

So Like Lindsay Lohan, I'm putting my favorite lines on the table...

"They seem bluer and more devilish for some reason. I call them Coach K...KK eyes. I can't help but think that they were cheering when the fire hoses were turned on us or that they clipped us up when the dogs were released."

-exerpt from "I Won't Calm Down", page 11-

Coach K is the head coach for the Duke Blue Devils NCAA Men's Basketball team....and the Blue Devil fans are known for being one of the most rowdy Crowds in all of Basketball....affectionately known as Cameron Crazies. That's 3 "C"s, but they make the sound of 3 "K"s. And thru the eyes of the Kameron Krazy Krowd, to see the opponent getting obliterated is the best shit since sliced bread. By the way, Coach K does not have blue eyes.

"White people say and do racist shit all the time and every single time we act like it was Eric Snow who hit the game winner. Then we spend all this energy and time trying to get this one person fired."

-exerpt from "Black People", page 19-

Of course this was in reference to Don Imus and trying to get him fired, but if you're a sports fan you get this one easy. Eric Snow, an NBA player, isn't SHIT by a scorer's standards. If the Cleveland Cavaliers were playing your favorite team and LeBron passed it to Eric Snow for a last second wide open 3pointer, (and they're down 2) you will breathe a sigh of relief and start the celebration right then and there. There's NO WAY he's hitting that shit. Pardon....there's NO WAY LeBron is passing HIM the ball...LeBron James is all for making the right basketball play and not the superstar play, but passing to Eric Snow to shoot a jump shot, ESPECIALLY with the game on the line, is nowhere NEAR a basketball play. So if Eric were to hit a game winner, muhfuckas would be SICK. Shocked. Having strokes and shit. Then, once they recovered, they will be pressing for the GM to have the dude that was guarding Eric Snow straight up fired. Not traded; this nigga needs to be gone from the league.

"We still givin birth to slaves...
I had a brush with fire that gave birth to waves...
Cause I've been hurt for days but surfin paid...
English class, my niggas had worser ways...
Tryna see Another Country as a great writer...
I just want everything straight..."

-exerpt from "Just Warmin It Up", page 25-

Man...you all get the brush fire reference right? Brush fires usually sweep areas in waves, and you need just as much water to put them out. Black folks get waves (if they've got a chance) by brushing their hair...usually at a feverish pace (see: hot, see: fire). The brush with fire gave birth to the waves in his hair.
The "hurt for days, but surfin paid" is in reference to his self consciousness....but girls love waves. So even though all this was going on internally, "hitting the waves" (see: brushing) paid off in a sense because it got attention from the girls.
"Another Country" is a book written by James Baldwin, a great black author....but...he was gay. That's where "I just want everything straight..." comes in. He wants to be as great as Baldwin, but pause on that homosexual behavior. The poem also refers to niggas and their "worser ways"...with these worser ways usually having a negative result.
Damn.....that nigga goes in!

"You're Ali; you get shakes for a living."

-exerpt from "What Happened?", page 49-

This is one of my favorite, more simple lines...had me laughing like shit when I first read it. It was in reference to the disgruntled fast food chain worker who acts like they've just got so much shit to do OTHER than be at work. Muhammed Ali, at this point in his life as it has been for the past bunch of years, suffers from Parkinson's Disease...which is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs a person's motor skills and speech. So he gets the shakes...he can't help it. Neither can the fast food worker. He gets the shakes too....the chocolate kind.

"I'd be on my Bob Marley shit. 'If you think you're my kid and can prove it then come get a check.' I'd be cutting more checks than an Asian."

-exerpt from "Quick Pick", page 67-

He was talking about hitting the Lotto and acting a fool with it....going out just fucking a grip of women on a Wilt World Tour...(Wilt Chamberlain supposedly slept with women....in the national debt type numbers.) and wouldn't deny whoever said they birthed his kid...if they could prove it. "I'd be cutting more checks than an Asian." is a reference to Nike. While everyone wants to call the symbol a "swoosh", it's actually called a "check". Where do they make Nikes for little to no wages class? "In the Eastern Hemisphere!!" That's right...where White people call everyone Asians...

*"Parking Spaces" on page 95 wasn't just about parking spaces, obviously. It was about a place you have in a person's life. Sometimes you don't meet people til later on cuz they just have so much going on, or they have all the people they feel they need/can handle at the time...no orgy. So you miss "the rush" so to speak....and then sometimes you run into a person after they've purged themselves of the folks around them. You can't go thinking you were the first person to occupy said spot. You're her boyfriend? Someone else was there before you homie. Best friend? You're not the first. Person she confides in? Welcome to the club. You're not the first to park there; it's just your spot right now.*

"Once you get sonned like white beaches, I'll be good for the night. I'll stay up, watch Conan and bask in my glory."

-exerpt from "We're Not Fuckin", page 100-

Dammit man.....it was in refence to arguing with a chick and it ending bad...for the chick. So yeah....getting "sonned" aka getting a tan is popular at beaches inhabited by whites...White beaches. Wait though...white beaches (see: bitches) are the typical layer downers at these white beaches. Plus...who gets "sonned" (see: punked) more than White women? (generally speaking) Anyway...after a whole DAY of tanning, Whites are good for the night...going out to show off their fresh tan. Good for the night, basking in their glory.
That was one of my favorite lines from the book and shit...

"You might be on some Corky shit, but hey.....Life Goes On."

-exerpt from "We're Not Fuckin", page 103-

Referencing a chick not wanting to get with him, and how he understands. Being on some "Corky shit" basically means you're a fucking retard....but he will get over the shit. Life goes on. Life Goes On was also the show that Corky the 'Tard starred in....that was easy though, I just found it entertaining.

"Son don't want no problems...
I'm abortion, Benoit, Mr. Gaye or eclipses..."

"I'm up; just look at The Score...Mister Mister..."

-exerpt from "That's Going In", page 115-

This nigga..."Son don't want no problems" is referring to a nigga who acts like he wants beef. "I'm abortion, Benoit, Mr. Gaye" is in reference to killing kids...son even. "...or eclipses..." The Sun gets "sonned" when the moon blocks it. You don't hear the Sun say shit about it though...

The next line is basically saying "I'm winning, look at the score" like a game. But..."The Score" was the title of The Fugees album, and they had the joint called "Mister, Mister" (I don't know if that's the actual name, but that's what dude says on the shit...) It's a dude begging for some money and shit...bum ass niggas remind me of Mr. Wendel...So basically, he's running the score up on you bums and you can't catch up. Easy does it...

Look...I'll be your interpreter for this book. I don't mind explaining great complex things.....just don't hit me up asking me about some calculus shit; I ain't on that.

Subscribe To This: Clothing And Medicine....go get-get-get it!

[logout]

BART.

2009-01-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

No words...

Addiction...a Wendy's Tale.

2009-01-08T17:15:00.003-06:00

"Every Single Addict Has to Hit a 'Bottom'..."

Those were the words of a counselor on "Intervention", the show that tries to help families reel in the estranged, addicted family member who won't listen to reason nor rhyme. But drugs is not what this post is about...not directly anyway.

I've stopped fucking with Wendy's...they're some bitches. Hey Dave, that whole little debacle concerning your nuggets? It would cost you your life if you were still here...you're pulling heart strings much in the same sense that the long shoed clown with the red wig did when he decided to introduce the "McDouble" or whatever the fuck it's called, and bump the original double cheeseburger up to 1.19. I used to slide thru the drive-thru line of Wendy's and get a few 5 piece nuggets for 99 cents each...but now? These assholes have made a FOUR piece 99 cents, and a 6 piece is a buck and some change. The fuck? I stoodfast when you bastards bumped up the price of the bacon cheeseburger...but this shit right here nigga? THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE?? I can't go. Fuck Dave and his freckle faced ass daughter. I WAS ADDICTED!! I knew so because I was scrambling in my change drawer in my car, much like Mike Vick in the recess yard at the State Pen, trying to find the 17 cents I was short for the "new" nuggets in a 6 piece sense. I have a grip of pennies, but I hate paying with a lot of pennies...the furthest I'll go is 8 cents. But I'll be damned if I couldn't find a dime nor nickel, and gave that Down-Syndrome lookin' ass cashier seventeen copper decapitated slave owner's heads alongside my bills. I got home and shit...and threw the bag away. It was empty...I didn't make it out of the parking lot before showing those nuggets who's boss. Anyway.....FUCK WENDY'S! Moving on...

There are two stories that I came across yesterday that were quite interesting, but I'm only posting the latter article...:

Exhibit A- A surgeon gave one of his kidneys to his now-estranged wife...basically saved her life, right? Well now he wants either his kidney back or 1.5 Million dollars. Wild right? At first, I played Frogger when I heard the headline on TV...I'm like "what type of ASSHOLE shit is he on?" After getting hit by the car called 'the rest of the story', I used my next life much more carefully. Dude was basically salt because his wife cheated on him.....AFTER getting the kidney. Look here...I'm gonna go ahead and tell you all like this: if that were me, I'm not even gonna sue for the million...matter of fact, we're not even getting seperated. I'm gonna do my damn thing, and I'm gonna make her pay out of pocket...the one on her sweater. Whenever we're in close quarters, passing each other in the hallway or some shit, I'm Bernard Hopkins on your ribs and backside...namely the side that is harboring my wrongfully used kidney. I'll also put sugar and alcohol in EVERYTHING...fuck it. I mean, it's my property....I was only letting you BORROW it. So I technically can do as I please with MY shit, right? Man I wish a MFer would...I'm dragging that chick up and down the stairs on that side of her body...pinching her in her sleep...applying honey to her one side while she thinks I'm putting "Off" creme on her before our summer day outdoors...the list goes on. Needless to say, she would "pay what [she] OWE!" Either ol' girl was cheating already before hand, or she just started up some new shit...either way, I feel like she OD'ed on this 'life' shit. She hit bottom by nearly losing her life, and then she felt like she may as well do what she pleased...at least that's how I look at it.

The second story was a much less comical one...I'm just gonna post the short write-up via the Chicago Sun-Times:

January 8, 2009

BY CYNTHIA HUBERT

Time is growing short for the California boy who "sees" with sound.

Ben Underwood, the blind teen who has dazzled people all over the world with his ability to navigate using a tongue-clicking skill like dolphins', is getting weaker day by day.

The cancer that took his eyes when he was a toddler has returned with a vengeance, invading his brain and his spinal cord. His mother must carry him up the stairs of their home in Elk Grove, near Sacramento, Calif.

"He is such a strong kid. He never complains," Aquanetta Gordon said. "I am the one who cries. The idea of having to bury my baby? I'm not sure how to do this."

The 16-year-old's doctors said he could have weeks or months to live. But whenever the end comes, he will have left a powerful imprint.

He has been featured in newspapers and TV from Japan to Britain. He has chatted with Oprah Winfrey and danced with Ellen DeGeneres.

Early on, he taught himself to reach places safely by counting steps and by using his keen senses of hearing, smell and touch. Gordon insisted that her son attend mainstream schools and be treated no differently from his classmates.

He taught himself to identify objects by making clicking noises with his tongue, creating sound waves that he uses to identify objects and get around. The skill, called echolocation, is commonly seen in bats and dolphins but rarely documented in humans.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

That kid started out at the 'bottom' so to speak...but had an addiction for life itself; to merely be 'normal'. And his personality has warmed the hearts of people all over the world. It's times like these when I wonder why we as a PLANET cannot get back to the simple ways and effects of life and SEE the big picture...

A Person You Should Know - Harold L. Washington

2009-01-06T19:03:00.003-06:00

Harold Washington, first African American Mayor of Chicago.

Quick Overview:
Harold Washington (April 15, 1922–November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician who became the first African American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.

Now, I won't post the whole wikipedia bio and all...but feel free to check it out. Onto why I think he's a person worth knowing about. Not only was he the first "Black" Mayor of Chicago, (which is quite the feat in this Mafia-laden city's politics) but he stood for fairness and equality...traits that are difficult to find these days.

There was a time when the KKK wanted to hold a rally, and as most know, you have to be granted a permit to march or hold a rally. The member who was organizing the rally submitted all of the necessary documents, and Mayor Washington (who did not agree with the KKK holding any form of rally) approved and granted the permit, much to the dismay of the Black community. What the people failed to realize (at the time, and possibly even now) is that he was doing right by ALL people...he couldn't deny the KKK their right to rally and then turn around and grant the Black Panther Party a permit. The Klan were non-violent in their demonstration, and they had the freedom of speech working for them...so no laws were broken, despite the hate-filled message behind their actions. But at the time (and possibly even now) a lot of Blacks were closed-minded and did not see both sides of the coin. All they knew is what they felt, and that they had one of "them" in a high position of power.

I said all of that to say this...it's noble to do right by your 'own people', but it's much more noble to do the RIGHT thing like Spike Lee.

Maybe It's Just Me...

2009-01-06T16:12:00.004-06:00

...but it looks like somebody was trying to be funny with the all new Presidential Limo. Sure it's an early model (meaning they still have primer on the doors, hence the grey areas), but DAMN...is this the best that they can come up with? It's morbidly ugly...I mean, if you're gonna go out of your way to make a new model, at least try to make it look semi stylish as well...instead of the Love Child of a Escalade and SRT. Too Much to ask?

In an unrelated yet related incident, my Black side came from the back of the line in my mind all the way to the forefront when I initially saw the photo. I was on some "Oh...very fucking funny. Just because the President is 'Black'*, they gotta give him a Caddie and shit? Diamond in the Back with a sun-roof top in this bitch?" But then I remembered that the joint Regan rode in was a Cadillac...and the few Presidential Limos I could remember were also Cadillacs...so I breathe easy.

*There's a reason I always put a race in 'quotations'...it's because I am of the firm belief that race does not exist. There is plenty of supplemental evidence to back my claim, I just have to sit down one day and gather it all.

How Do I Look?

2009-01-03T16:30:00.002-06:00

It's funny how future generations will look at past generations...much like how mine looks at our parents and grandparents and shake our heads...There's no explaining that shit to me Unc, you niggas danced like this...

Really? But...to their defense, this current generation willingly puts a foot in the grave every day in regards to that dancing shit...there's a dance called the "Stanky Leg"...SMH.

But back to these old niggas...from Zoot Suits to Bell Bottoms, niggas were failing harder than a helmet wearing student in College Algebra.

Oh? Niggas are still wearing this??...Damn. I remember on one of my favorite Wu-Tang albums, they had a skit where dudes were shit talking...

"Nigga got on a Lamont Sanford dress shirt....'Whaddya Want, ya big dummy?'..."

"Nigga your shirt look like a dish rag!! Nigga your shirt look like a curtain!"

Styles change so much, you might get laughed at by your own peers...damn the next generation...

Oh...too late.

I hate to see how we end up looking to the next generation of 'young heads'...this shit is too much...

Promo Game Up!

2009-01-03T14:29:00.006-06:00

Real quick...1/4th of the best group you've never heard of is back at blogging...the big homey Jay, armed to the teeth with punchlines, sarcasm and outright humor has returned...

I Digress (www.bozackjenkins.blogspot.com)

You won't regret it.

Oh and it's almost time for my homeboy Teef to drop his "Death of A Genius" work...visit his page at

DeathofAGenius.com

if you're not already following...

and just in case you like to read (alot)...save

tHe peNPushaz (www.penpushaz.blogspot.com)

to your subscription list...it's me and Teef doing collab blogs...you can view our old shit at THIS SITE. (penpushaz.wordpress.com)

*gay ass Blogger site was effing up my clicked links...SMH
I'll be back with a 'real' blog soon lol...

The Other Side of the Game: Resolutions

2008-12-31T17:54:00.003-06:00

First off, allow me to wish every one a safe and Happy 2009...Happy New Year!

Want to have a productive 2009 and make some changes for the better? Luckily, I'm here to make a few suggestions to you...

~New Year's Resolutions for the New Fool~

1. Wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER using the bathroom...

I would think this one would be self evident and all that...but somehow, I think it isn't. Look...EVERYTHING has germs, including you. Washing your hands before using the bathroom will prevent you from putting today's germs on yourself, and washing them afterwards will prevent you from putting your private germ party on the rest of the world.

2. Use discretion in regards to forwarding texts...

Forwarded Texts...I hate them. But I'm tolerant of some, because they are either funny/insightful/or heartwarming. Cool. But if it's one that you get sent by someone, how about we delete the "FW:", okay? And if it's one of those "Send this to five people and back to the person who sent it to you", you don't REALLY have to send it back to them. That shit is extra stupid.

"This is the 'I love you' rose..."

SENT

....(30 seconds)

NEW MESSAGE

"This is the 'I love you' rose..."

3. Stop being all caught up in time and these New Year's resolutions...like, for the rest of your days.

I may be alone in feeling like this, but it's a bit foolhardy to be so caught up in a "new" year and what not. Why? Because time, as we know it, is a man made aspect. How many seconds are in one minute, how many minutes in an hour, etc...of course, the 'seasons' and the whole premise of 'day and nite' were assisted by incorporating lunar and solar into the equation, but even still...MAN-MADE. There are various calendars out, such as Islamic, lunisolar (which incorporates both lunar and solar aspects), Julian, and Gregorian to name a few.

=TANGENT=

Here's why resolutions are stupid to me...for one, if you haven't even so much as thought or planned to change something prior to the 'new year' rolling up, you aren't about to blaze shit. Old habits are tough to break, especially when there isn't a deep commitment tied to WHY you're doing it. "Oh...it's my New Year's Resolution..." That's not cutting it. Most people EXPECT to break their resolutions, and have been doing so religiously like it's taking communion. Don't send yourself off. I suggest you do something because you want to do it...not because it's some type of ill-fated prerequisitve to you stepping into a 'new year'. If you lived elsewhere in the world, you may not even be coming upon your New Year...so what you gonna do, wait it out until October (our time)? lol...just saying...

=END TANGENT=

4. Boycott McDonalds Chicken Nuggets...based off of the commercial alone.

Seriously...not trying to shit on the aspiring singing career of dude in the commercial, but gotdamn fam...I don't think I've ever seen someone get paid to take such an obvious L before. If you somehow have managed to avoid such tragedy, STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Just think Tyrese's "Coca Cola" bus commercial...dipped in honey mustard sauce and sprayed with a squeeze of 'damngirlshowmelove'.

5. Learn how to fucking spell already.

In the age of online applications and job offerings, I shudder to think of all the folks who are butchering words in an attempt to perhaps sound 'highly intelligent' while filling out such aforementioned work. I mean, niggas are struggling to be cohesive and comprehendable statuses together...so Chase Bank's online app must look like Honors Physics at Harvard to them. And spare me with the shortening of words...although I must admit it's something I've never gotten. If the shit only reduces your sentence by two letters, you may as well type out the whole shit and look better about yourself. Ever heard 'practice makes perfect'? Or that it takes twenty one days of doing something for it to be a habit? How about that 'habits are tough to break'? Yeah...you heard that last one earlier. Well, you spelling like a complete moron is perfect practice....to become a complete moron. In twenty one days. Escape seems improbable at best.

I'm done talking shit...Hope everybody does it big and enjoys themselves in safe fashion.

An Old Blog On The Word "Nigga"!

2008-12-29T04:35:00.002-06:00

I posted this because I was going through and deleting old blogs...starting from the oldest and working my way forward...so you may see a few old ones end up over here.

Origin: My MySpace Blog
Original Date: March 24, 2006
myspace.com/grownmanbizness

I was looking at a friend's page, and she had put something to the effect of her being Black ...then she was like "wait, African American for those who might be offended!" This made me laugh cuz I haven't really run into any 'real' black folks who jap out when you use the word Black or Nigga....

So! This girl in my class was talkin' mad niggerish (shouts to Charlie Murphy), talkin' that good shit...so I was like "nigga, calm yo damn nerves"...you would have thought I nearly called her a bitch, cuz she started snapping like "I'm not no nigga, you betta get yo mind right!" This was quite hilarious for reasons only known to me, but I totally understand why people don't like the word....and I totally understand why people use it too...so call me a fence straddler...it's just very contradictory to me when one of these "Anti-Nigga" folks fess up to eating and enjoying chitlins...What The Fuck?

I am assuming the reasoning behind not liking the N-Word is because it was derived from derogatory White conversation in regards to the Blacks that were their slaves....so what the fuck is chitlins*?? The worst damn part of a pig, that was given to Black folks to eat because it was seen as a subliminal slap in the face by the White Slave Owners....and what do these fuckas do today?? Enjoy the Hell outta some chitlins! Hot Sauce or Not...

I guess all I'm sayin' is, it's okay to dislike something, and have your reasoning for it or whatever, but por favor, step down off of your high horse (which was probably given to you while the Whites rode in the first automobiles) and don't try 2 run the script on me as to why you're not a "Nigga", when your actions clearly tell me otherwise!

By the way.....I don't fucks with chitlins.....NiGGA!!

*chitlins=chitterlings for you PC mfers...lol

Growing Pains....

2008-12-25T13:45:00.002-06:00

Aiight, I was tagged in by CaShawn, but my Christmas gift to you all is to not tag anyone...if you feel like doing it, go right ahead.

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your next answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how outrageous it sounds!
4. This rule said something about tagging back, but whatever. I deleted that shit.

IF SOMEONE SAYS, “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
"If I Have My Way" by Chrisette Michele
I Am

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"SideTracked" by Joe Budden
Halfway House
*I can't focus on myself for focusing on her...or focusing on them...or focusing on it...what was I trying to do again?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Food For Funk" by Common
One Day It'll All Make Sense

*Intelligence makes the heart grow fonder...

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
"Breakin' Up a little C.R.E.A.M." by Wu Tang Clan remixed by Jey Gatsby
The Secret Files of Jey Gatsby

*I make decent money, but I rarely have it for myself.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Desire" by Darien Brockington
The Feeling EP

*Our lives are fueled by desire for something or someone...sometimes both.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"I Think I Love You" by Dwele
Some Kinda...

*I think they do...I think...lol

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
"Day n Nite" by KiD CuDi
A KiD Named CuDi

*The totalitarity of it all...not just the piece of an equation.

WHAT IS 2+2?
"She Knows" by Gnarls Barkley
The Odd Couple

*Pretty dumb fucking question.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Everything I Am" by Kanye West
Graduation

*My best friend is a lot like me...she does a lot of bullshit that I do, like ducking phone calls so her best friend can't give her a Christmas Gift! JERK!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Heaven At Nite" by KiD CuDi
A KiD Named CuDi

*Have you ever been to Heaven at Nite?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"In, Out" by Ben Westbeech
Welcome To The Best Years of Your Life

Pause...either I'm fucking life or life's doing the fucking...

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"The Soul" by Joe Budden
Halfway House

*I want to be bigger than my existence. I want to be an inspiration. I want to be the driving force behind someone's success. The soul makes us human. The soul gives us life.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Just a Thought" by Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere

*I love her.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"GloryUs" by Blu

They are proud. By being a respectable young man, I reflect good on them...so they think of me as "GloryUs"...Parents: The glory goes to us.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"A Little Bit Cooler" by The Cool Kids
The Bake Sale EP

*Because doing anything other than dancing at a wedding is a little bit cooler.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Say You Will" by Kanye West
808s and Heartbreak

* If you're gonna have Black Star perform at my funeral, don't say you will....then play you will.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"1,2 Many..." by Common f/ Doug Infinite
One Day It'll All Make Sense

*I have more than one hobby and interest.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Swagger Like Us" by T.I. f/ Kanye West, Jay Z, and Lil Wayne
Paper Trail

*I hate the word "swagger", but this is pretty self explanatory.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"Money Maker" by A Tribe Called Quest
The Love Movement

*The worst thing that could happen would be for me to be a stripper...or any girl who I'm cool with heavy to be a stripper...because then you're gonna get fucked with....heavy.

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Life Goes On" by Donell Jones
Life Goes On

*Doesn't matter...life goes on.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"Yesterday" by Murs
Murray's Revenge

I'm not a very remorseful person, but there's always something I could have done better.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Call Me" by Foreign Exchange f/ Darien Brockington
Connected

*When people say "call me"...it's funny because I'm not really a phone person...also, if I call them and they don't answer it's funny...because I won't be calling them back.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"Frontin'" by Pharrell f/ Jay Z
The Neptunes present: The Clones

*So sad...it breaks my heart at times.

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"The Glory" by Kanye West
Graduation

*It's a celebration, bidges.

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"Bad Girl" by Usher
Confessions

*She's a Bad Girl...but so are most girls that have ever liked me (and I've acknowledged...lol)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"Black Republican" by NaS f/ Jay Z
Hip Hop is Dead

*Race War kicks off....who's side are you on?

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Nightmares" by Clipse f/ Bilal
Hell Hath No Fury

*Nightmares are often fueled by events that are either tragic, have deep emotional impact, or 'shoulda, woulda, couldas'...I'd go to change the actions that led to the nightmares...it'll change the nightmares, get it?

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"The Heart of Life" by John Mayer
Continuum

My heart is what keeps me alive...sometimes it hurts to live in this world.

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"Growing Pains" by Martin Luther
Rebel Soul Music

*Dope song...........lol

Inspirational Words by Cee-Lo Green...

2008-12-24T17:05:00.002-06:00

"You are the best. You are the worst. You are average. Your love is a part of you. You try to give it away because you cannot bear its radiance, but you cannot separate it from yourself. To understand your fellow humans, you must understand why you give them your love. You must realize that hate is but a crime-ridden subdivision of love. You must reclaim what you never lost. You must take leave of your sanity, and yet be fully responsible for your actions."

-Gnarls Barkley, in a letter to the legendary rock critic Lester Bangs

Happy Holidays...

We Just Try To Save Lives...

2008-12-24T11:51:00.001-06:00

*got this from a message board...consider it a forwarded PSA. - Mr. Jolla

lol @ the 12 Days of Christmas. she was a gold digging ass hoe.

by poetx of the okp boards

a 'close read' of this 'classic' neo victorian soul song shows that this was a dating situation gone horribly awry:

1. on the first day of christmas, my true love gave to me... a partridge in a pear tree.

see. this where he fucked up. he was listening to these jawns tawmbout "be creaaaaative" . he gave the chick a TREE, with a fucking bird in it? iono about you, but that's off the charts right there. that ain't no netflix. dude was trying to come out the box. did he get the draws? NOPE.

2. on the second day of christmas, my true love gave to me... two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

dude. let me holla at you a minute. mano a mano. WHAT PART of THIS BIRD AIN'T INTO BIRDS DID YOU NOT GET FROM THE FIRST FUCKING DAY??? the fuck, you was just strolling through Hecht's and was
like, "oooh, turtledoves is on sale, by one get one free, this is a GREAT idea". no its not, dumbass. you are fucking up your chances of ever getting the pussy. two days. two bird-ass gifts. fuck is on YOUR bird, fam? you get the draws? NOPE.

3. on the third day of christmas, my true love gave to me... three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

*smh*. is you SLOW???? AGAIN, with the BIRDS, fam? "oh, these hens FRENCH... she gonna LOOOOVE this shit". son. son. maybe the chick was just gassing it up and you really ain't even GIVE her a gift on day three. maybe you was in the neighborhood and rolled through with three buckets of KFC. yeah, that MUST be it. cuz i KNOW yo dumbass wouldn't do what i thought you did. day three. did you get the draws? NOPE.

4. on the fourth day of christmas, my true love gave to me... four calling birds, three
french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

are you foreign? is there some significance to the birds that i'm missing? do you have a side bet on how long you can remain a virgin? i could be doing other things besides giving you advice, homie. chill w/ the fucking birds. besides, she already GOT calling birds. that's who she be clowning your ass to on the daily, tawmbout, "on the fourth day of christmas, this simpass gave to meeeeee..." did you get the draws? NOPE.

5. ON the FIF day of christmas, my true love gave to me...
FIIIIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

so lemme get this straight. them
Zales commercials siced yo ass up and you just happened to be in the mall, right? this shit don't even compute, yo. why you have to give her FIVE golden rings? was they onion rings? i could see that, then... no... REAL ass gold. you know what, we went to school together, i always look out for you. but i'm starting to think you get what you deserve, champ. 5 rings. bwahahahahaha. like, you already gave this jawn a whole fucking petting zoo and that ain't work, and you giving out jewelry now? did you get the draws? NOPE.

6. on the sixth day of christmas, my true love gave to me... six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

*no comment on day six*.

7. on the seventh day of christmas, my true love gave to me... seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!!
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

the fuck????? ok. lets be real. in 8th grade, y'all ain't really move down south, did you? you went to the special school, didn't you? no, no, that's disrespecting them. this ain't special, this just dumb. its cats in 12th grade just learning fractions that wouldn't trick all typesa fucking wildlife and jewelry on a jawn like you doing. did you get the draws? NOPE.

8. On the eighth day of christmas, my true love gave to me...
eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

O_O. waooow. help me understand this right here. eight maids a milking? you bought her a MAID service? or do you got some kind of lactation fetish? they breastmilking, yo? is that what you into?
no? just regular ass maids? what? why? they getting minimum wage? they citizens, yo? or did you roll up outside the migrant worker corner downtown in a white painter's van and axe for eight women who wanted to get paid for milking? this is making less and less sense to me. did you get the draws? NOPE.

9. on the ninth day of christmas, my true love gave to me... nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

word? you went from from birds, to jewelry, to immigrant broads w/ leaking titties, to strippers? you got some freak in you, bwoy. just not an ounce of logic. this was supposed to appeal to her, how? do i need to call charter health care? you don't need to get help from them, but you damn sure need it from somebody. you actin real kool keith right
about now. if you had $$$ to buy strippers and lactating jawns, why you even fooling with old girl in the first place? did you get the draws? NOPE.

10. on the tenth day of christmas, my true love gave to me... ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

*side eye*. *backs away*. the strippers weren't enough? you bought her some dudes in tights. and you still ain't hit? so after you went home, they still over there, with her, the strippers, and the milky jawns, eating all the chicken YOU brought? waow. did you get the draws, though? NOPE.

11. on the eleventh day of christmas, my true love gave to me...
eleven pipers piping (!!!), ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight
maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

what in the world? pipers, fam? you know they piping right now? your pretend ass girlfriend, that's who. and prolly some of them leaping ass bammas. and the milky jawns. and the strippers, definitely the strippers. thats. what. pipers. DO. they PIPE!!! kind of emo/cuckold type shit you on, fam? "uhhh, if i can't have her, maybe she'll at least be grateful that i got her damn near a dozen pipers". FOH. lol. later for all them trees and birds, dawg. did you holla at rooms to go? she gonna need some sectional furniture for all them people you sent over to the crib. oh, and scotchguard that shit, too. for all the milk. and the piping. you get the draws? NOPE.

12. on the twelvth day of christmas, my true love gave to me... twelve
drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping (!!!), ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, FIVE GOLDEN RAINGS!!!! four calling birds, three french hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

12 funky drummers, huh. *shrug*. i guess what good is an orgy if you ain't got music? did you get the draws? NOPE. i ain't think so. i ain't see you over here. oh? oh hell yeah, i'm over here. i was talking to *fingerquotes* your GIRL *fingerquotes* , we charging cover an airything. i'ma prolly see two, three GRAND, after expenses, and that's just my cut. oh, and barbecue turtledove washed down with MILK!!!! *scrumptious* . hold up... what's that? oh. its your girl. she axed what you doing for kwanzaa?

i grew up singing that mess blindly. i was being conditioned for simpdom. please. if you got a cupcakin ass dude in your clique, and his insurance won't pay for
Charter House, tell him about the twelve days of trickin. take him to a club. tell him to spend the money on the homeless or something. don't let him go out like this.
____________ ______

Famous Last Words...

2008-12-24T10:54:00.002-06:00

A Diva is The Female Version of....shut the fuck up. (c) KC

My boy KC said this shit and I was dying a slow one...laughing all unnecessarily and shit...

Wait.

It IS necessary. A Diva doesn't equate to "hustler"...silly Rabbit. Now I love my Divas just as much as the next man, I mean my girl and my best friend fall into those categories (they key is to not call yourself one)...but let's just get some clarity. People will allow stars to say whatever the fuck they want and it flies like Southwest. If Jay Z came out with a song tomorrow saying a Gangsta is a Scholar, you'd see a grip of goofy ass niggas in the 'hood wearing graduation caps and tassels. Miss me with that, Bootyonce...but leave the booty and close the door behind you.

*image courtesy of Micah! @ The Industry Shakedown

THIS Is The Year!!

2008-12-23T23:03:00.003-06:00

Same old same....time for folks to get on their "__ is my year!!" statements and declarations popping off....

Right. You've said that shit the last 8 years, easy.

Kickin' It With The Rapper...Pt. I & II

2008-12-21T21:42:00.001-06:00

Supporting The Idea coming soon...

A Friendly Reminder...

2008-12-21T17:55:00.004-06:00

The holidays are a mere few days away and folks are anxious, especially children.

Everyone expects to see the next holiday....but just in case you got your Roy Jones on, it's time to remember the quickest way to family massacres via children.

Don't be them...more importantly, don't let your kid be him.

My Christmas List...

2008-12-21T15:39:00.003-06:00

These are the things I would be buying if:

A) I had the money for it right now
B) I knew where to put the shit
C) I wasn't trying to cut back on my gluttonous spending ways.

The 'Hoodie' chair....just to make me feel like Doctor Doom or some shit...or get my antagonist to Inspector Gadget on...metal glove and all...lol

The Hundreds: Johnson Mids

Schott Wool Duffle Coat

Penfield Rockford Goose Down Vest

Foreign Family "Roulette" Tee

Concrete Clae Whitmans

Flying Coffin 'Junkie' Tee

Air Safari Supreme

Gucci Belt...merely so when Summer comes I can wear a white T every day, this belt, some shorts and whatever pair of shoes that I want...can't tell me nothing.

Classic Camera via Urban Outfitters...not because I want to become a guru like Mike...but because it looks dope to me.

I could go on for days lol...

Fine Art I Appreciate Pt. III

2008-12-21T14:37:00.005-06:00

*All found on Kanye West's blog*

Beatles Figures

K-Swiss in wooden form

Pac Man Christmas Tree

Transformer Nikes

Painting of a Black Girl Sleeping

Chenman's work

The Block Work

John Jorif (aka Jay Millionaire aka T) Book Cover

Wax Figurine

From the "Some Shit Just Shouldn't Happen" Files...

2008-12-21T00:59:00.002-06:00

Like I said last post...I couldn't make this shit up if I were lead editor for The Onion, while moonlighting as executive producer for MAD TV (back when they were good)...

Off-Duty NYPD Cop, "Fooling Around" With Gun, Accidently Shoots His Wife In Her Vagina

New Rochelle cops: Off-duty NYPD officer accidentally shoots wife

http://www.lohud.com/article/20081220/NEWS02/812200344/0/NEWS01

NEW ROCHELLE - A New York City police officer accidentally shot his wife in the groin Thursday night, police said.

There was no apparent argument, Capt. Joseph Schaller said. The off-duty cop, Humberto Arboleda, 38, was "fooling around with his gun" in their apartment when it went off accidentally, Schaller said.

The woman was shot around 10:25 p.m. in the groin area and middle finger of her left hand. She was taken to Sound Shore Medical Center. Police said her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Arboleda was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault in New Rochelle.

Schaller said the charge arises, despite the alleged accidental nature of the
shooting, because "you are not supposed to be fooling around with the gun."

Detective Madelyne Galindo of the NYPD public information office said Arboleda has been suspended without pay.

She's Just A Girl...

2008-12-19T19:15:00.001-06:00

What in the Hell...I couldn't make this shit up if I tried...chick's name is Billie Jean JACKSON, no less...

Billie Jean sues Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has been hit with a $1 billion lawsuit from a woman called Billie Jean who reportedly wants custody of his son.

In a suit filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Billie Jean Jackson alleges she is the mother of the singer's son Prince Michael Jackson II, nicknamed Blanket.

The woman demands $1 billion in support payment, as well as joint legal and physical custody of the six-year-old, according to legal documents obtained by U.S. news program Extra.

Billie Jean also requests visits with the boy on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - in addition to participation in Blanket's education.

The Thriller hitmaker refused to identify Blanket's mother after he was born in 2002, but has previously said the child was the result of artificial insemination from a surrogate.

Jackson has faced similar lawsuits in the past. In 2006 and 2007, a woman unsuccessfully sued him for paternity payments, claiming she helped Jackson reproduce.

Copyright World Entertainment News Network

I Wonder...

2008-12-18T21:17:00.004-06:00

Since The Negroes Are Poppin'...

Where the Hell is Dave Chappelle at? With all this resurgence in allowing Blacks on television, you would think that someone would have brought him back by now. Not only that, but I'm no fan of Chocolate News...fuck what you heard. David Alan Grier has always been corny to me, and most of the skits on this new show has been no exception to my rule. DL Hughley getting CNN minutes?? REALLY? Dude was the weakest leg of the Kings of Comedy show....by a mile and a half (city blocks). All I'm saying is, if network television is gonna take advantage of Barack Obama bringing Black "back", why not go to the gold mine? Fuck it, stream the shit from Africa...

Can't See The Stars, or the damn Ribbon...

Stevie, you're no Spring Chicken. Not only that, you are a far cry away from the picture you can't even see above this paragraph you can't even read. Somebody tap him on the shoulder and politely tell him I asked if he could sit this round of "Dancing With The Stars" out...please. It's a bit selfish of me, but I'm asking more for my sake than for Stevie's sake. Trust and believe, if he decides to do the show, my DVR is going into overdrive...taping replays and all. And (if and) when it All Falls Down, I'll be playing Stacey Dash...crying at the end. Many folks will call me a bastard, an asshole or worse...and they wouldn't be wrong. FACT: If Mr. Wonder falls, headbutts, steps on the foot of his partner, bumps the table...I'm laughing...probably til the point of tears. Sorry. BUT...I did kindly ask for him to be omitted from this show that seems Hell-bent on breaking all of these stereotypes just for the fuck of it...they've done the deaf, which was pretty cool...now they're trying to do the blind. Of course it can be done, but like I said, this is for MY sake...if Stevie (or any other blind participant) is successful, they will make a motion for a one-legged celeb, one-armed, polio in one kneecap, etc...all for the sake of being "the first show to give EVERYONE a chance". Fuck that. Life's not fair. There's a reason Helen Keller isn't on American Idol...let's be sensible.

Shut and Shut Case...

Who's gonna be the first to snuff this broad? DAMN...I thought Ms. Cashmere had mouth, but this beach takes the sand. Have you heard how downright disrespectful she is when engaging with other human beings? The fuck...she is beyond overboard on the USS Asshole...
She was talking to Jennifer Hudson's sister's husband's mother (whew), and she was spewing all types of bullshit...cutting her off mid-sentence and all. Thank the Lord for your location, because I'm quite sure Ma Dukes would've shown you where Son got the skills from...SMH. Anyway, Nancy Grace is OC. I'm quite shocked that her network willingly funded so much money into her covering the Kaylee story...every damn day. Really? Letting Nancy pass her judgment on the woman before anywhere NEAR a trial. I mean, I know she's not paid to be an OBJECTIVE journalist, but gotdamn...her shit is a far cry from journalism. I guarantee if Kaylee's mom gets off (which doesn't look likely) and they are in the same state, Nancy shall be leaving said state...willingly.

Suicide, It's a Suicide...

Want to sign up for a guaranteed death plot? Fuck with your boy. This fool has ANOTHER fiancee...I don't have much opinion on it except:

WHERE THE FUCK YOU BEEN AT, BITCH?

This nigga pulls HOMIs, easy. Doesn't even leave the house type shit. And you wanna be down like syndrome...retard. Niggas are already making R.I.P. shirts and posters for her....SMH.

Tony Toni Tone' has done it again...

2008-12-17T12:22:00.003-06:00

Today will not be good...no calls, no texts, none of that shit. Thanks to CaShawn for a intermission with the Sugar grits vs. Salt grits debate though...good times until James died.

note: this isn't my father, it's his twin brother...if I were to have two fathers though, pause, he is the other.

Of All Days...

2008-12-16T21:55:00.003-06:00

Cold french fries are enough to get your work kufi smacked on a Summer Thursday...but of all damn days, if it's 8 degrees outside, and I've decided to be brave enough to go get fast food, DON'T give me cold ass fries fam! I'm in the drive-thru, reaching my arm out into these frigid ass conditions, only to draw back an uncooked potato slice with the "new grease smell". I appreciate your concern, but I've got all the cold I need out here, thanks...That shit should be automatic grounds for a "Fire In The Hole"...

Of all damn days...don't play 'corner-hugger' when it's raining like shit. You've been warned once. 2nd time, the drink's on you.

Of all days...you decided to wear those SNUG ass (pause) WHITE True Religion jeans? When it looks like God spilled his Jumbo sized MUD Slushie all over the Earth...or at least Chicago. I wouldn't give a fuck if it were DRY and 60 degrees out, those pants are wack...but of all days, today they're ESPECIALLY wack.

*note: If I could splash a goofy wearing those white shits on the corner while it's raining out? DOUBLE SCORE!!

Fine Art In My Eyes Pt. II - 808s Edition

2008-12-16T12:46:00.003-06:00

I ran across Fred Hart's work via 2dopeboyz.com...it led me to gowherehiphop.com, where someone posted Fred's work...here's Fred's words on his workings...

“Well here it is, the complete series of my version of 808s & Heartbreak song covers! I begin with the initial cover for the album, and then go song by song, as they’re presented on the album, each telling a story through imagery, as a metaphor for the journey Kanye West has traveled that allowed us this genius piece of work, 808s & Heartbreak. Each cover looks to create a sort of frame by frame for the album as a whole, with imagery relating to each song, a still shot from each song that allows you to use the lyrics and project your interpretations of each song onto the piece. This is my tribute to Kanye West, whose trials and tribulations have undoubtedly made this the album of the year, if not this decade in my opinion, and a tribute to his mother Donda West as well. So I hope you enjoy this artwork, and please feel free to let me know what you think.” [Fred Hart aka Fhart06]

Fred Hart
University of Arizona [Fine Arts]
fredhart@email.arizona.edu

A Quick Laugh...

2008-12-16T12:37:00.003-06:00

*just a quick break while I post this Pt. II to the art appreciation blog...Jamie Foxx will kill a nigga's career, I swear to God...*

*Tourette's Guy...I know it's wrong...I know...*

Fine Art In My Eyes Pt. I

2008-12-15T10:48:00.004-06:00

I wanted to profile my homegirl Jade Penn, who does photography and is pretty effing raw, might I add... So here are a couple of joints she's done....including a simple-yet-complex cover for my cousin AdAlesson's mixtape. I'm plugging.

http://jadepphotography.com/index.html

*not the cover, but you get the point...

http://jadepphotography.com/index.html

Business As Usual...

2008-12-12T19:44:00.004-06:00

I'm not offering up any explanation for the antics of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich...

...the man's hairpiece says it all: Crooked. I'm really surprised there is such shock following the news that Illinois politics were 'dirty'....wow, really? Gee, we're only the original Gotham City aka Mob-Town aka Find-Em-Sunk-sville. Was it really that impossible to wrap your mind around? Sad part for all of you(us): Obama will more than likely be dodging bullets much like when Rev. Wright came under fire. Shit's crazy...that man tried to sell Obama's Senate seat like it was the Season VIP Box at Wrigley Field.

Not to pass a racist tone on the subject....okay fuck it, to pass a racist tone on the subject, Blagojevich (I refuse to call a grown ass man Blago) remembered that he was White. He thought it was all gravy...SURELY they wouldn't do him like they did Kwame Kilpatrick, right? This bold MFer told the FBI to go ahead and tap his phone, and that the shit would be a waste of time because they were clean. You Lose. The FBI smirked as soon as you let that foolishness go from your tongue; they were already wiretapping you...word to Baltimore on HBO. Muhfucka shoulda walked down the block and used the payphone. He was on the phone saying all types of wild shit too, on some Capo shit like "Why the FUCK do I give a shit about you being qualified?? What that wallet do?" Shame of it all, there were five (5) candidates up for this seat that used to belong to Obama...and the last nigga's name that was in the hat.....was a nigga. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Don't mind me, I'm constipated.....I don't give a shit, but I wonder if Jesse Sr. wanted to get his Marvin Gaye Sr. on and erase this nigga from Earth. I mean, he DID want to cut off Obama's balls and give them to Furious Styles* for his meditation methods, right? This is wild...but I can't say that I expect the Governor to do any time...but then again, they threw George Ryan's ass in jail like it wasn't shit...on that "You're old, who gives a fuck?" OJ rule.

I swear, I'm no NY Giants fan (or Plaxiglass fan for that matter), but it will be some sad shit when they throw the book at this Cheddar Bob muhfucka and let the Governor walk free to make it rain another day. Shit....on 2nd thought, it might be better for Plaxico to not beat the case...fuck around and shoot himself celebrating later on that night.

"Caller, say what?"

"Don't fucking shoot!!"

A Hip Hop Video Post.

2008-12-12T11:33:00.004-06:00

Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls
*featuring Lacey Duvalle...lol

Blu - So(ul) Amazin'

Throwback: Black Star f/ Common - Respiration
*This is one of my favorite joints of all time.

Q-Tip - Let's Ride (Amplified '99)

Not Everyone Can Shoot Art...

2008-12-11T22:27:00.003-06:00

...but this guy can. I just wanted to give a shout to a few people who are dope at what they do: THAT GIRL, Mike, and Teef...in no particular order....maybe best to worst...but 'worst' still being better than your best. I admire when people do things, and do it well.....no LL.

If you ever notice, the people who do things heads and shoulders above the rest, they have a different name for who they are or what they do.

Niggas were rappers, then came along the cream of their generation's crop: insert the 'emcee'. Painters sitting around doing decent...all until the Picasso's and Van Gogh's come along: insert the 'artists'.

Live concerts pop all across the country...whatever genre they fall in, that's what they call it.

A singer sings, a rapper raps, a rock band plays...but the top of the line? ENTERTAINERS. MUSICIANS. Prince. U2. Madonna. James Brown.

The list goes on, but it's quite exclusive company. That's the type of shit I wish to do...I don't want to just be just whatever genre I would fall under; I want to have them pull a new word from somewhere else and apply it to me. I wish to do like Mos Def...he's not just a rapper, poet, actor, and activist (we shall leave the 'baby daddy' portion of his life out of this discussion); he is a Renaissance Man. A Thespian. An emcee. A spoken word afficionado. Etc.

Doing things the way you want to do them is important, but doing things the way they've never been done is equally important. I don't give a shit about people who dislike my writing, filled to the brim with obscure references and punchlines...it's what I want to do. I could care less about someone else writing in this style before me...but if there wasn't a person, then great. My poetry? I like to rhyme more often than not...I like hip hop. But I have some shit that makes no sense to anyone, and doesn't rhyme at all...and those are some of my favorite works. It's my lane...and I revert to it when I feel the need to change pace, change focus, and seperate myself.

Not everyone can shoot art...but everyone can appreciate the signature holes left by the shooter.

Thru The Lives of Eyes...

2008-12-10T16:13:00.005-06:00

The world is filled with snakes;

I feel like a gardener in a global greenhouse...

there's so much beauty before my face,

but so much venom that I need to weed out,

Extracted...siphoned...

all for the sake of the world becoming ripened.

The country has force-fed us lies like kindergarten naptime

It's been happening folks' entire lives, when do we rise?

When do we move on past the fairytales and get real,

or is it all a movie in which I choose my fate within a pill?

The city is filled to the brim with outlooks set to dim...

there are flashes of light here and there,

...nevermind, that's just the slow glow off of some fool's rims.

Grim is expected, and we've got people walking around playing 'Reaper'...

with the rising costs of burials, it's probably cheaper to keep her.

The community no longer cares for one another or their brothers,

True lies portrayed when they say that they love to one another...

Smooth grooves in the midst of rough edges like soft eyes in a hard face

Often pushed against the rock, but usually ended up next to a hard place

She deserves more but realizes less, I guess she don't know no better...

Growing old, bitter, scarred and alone...

Rockin' to the beat of a world where the band plays on...

but no one hears the music. They just face it.

In The Words of Hov..."It's Just My Thoughts..."

2008-12-10T10:20:00.003-06:00

I have found the new vocoder.

Fucking around driving thru downtown on my way to pick up some Christmas bull, I was drinking a Sunkist 20oz pop...and I was listening to 808s and Heartbreak (lol Asia)...so in between drinking and 'singing' I had the bottle up to my face, and GUESS WHAT? I WAS KILLING KANYE ON HIS OWN SHIT.* I'm cutting an album tomorrow...just me, a 909 drum kit (which is what he REALLY used for the majority of that album, btw) and a 4/5ths filled bottle of Seagram's Ginger Ale...because Sunkist ain't that fucking great to be drinking for a whole 8 track EP.

I went and saw Cadillac Records the other night, and I must say that movie was the shit. That "Stomp The Yard" lookin' ass nigga played a GREAT role as Little Walter the Harmonica Technician. You know how it's always one character that's cat shit crazy and makes a movie memorable? Enter Little Walter.

Mos Def did his thing per usual, as did the big ugly ass linebacker lookin' dude who played Howlin' Wolf. Everyone was very believable in his or her role...even Gabrielle Union let that "Miss Independent/Daddy's Little Girls" power suit go and was a humbled, in love, strong-yet-an-emotional-wreck of a wife to Muddy Waters.

Beyonce.

She did her thing as Etta James...fuck what anybody else has to say about it. And pardon, I'm no Beyonce fan. I wasn't alive to know how Etta James really acted while she was all fucked up and addicted, nor do I care. You damn near lost for having blonde hair your whole existence. Etta is a phenomenal singer, and while B is no Etta, she held her own in her own replicated lane...especially the song at the end of the movie. With that said...I want to know if the chicken or the egg came first: Did she finish recording this film first, or finish recording I Am Sasha Fierce first? Because gotdamn, if it wasn't the latter, she needs to have all of her horse teeth pulled out and be held down by a class of unruly 4th graders while they chew up bubble gum and stick it in her scalp. There's no way you could study Etta James and her music, then turn around to your A&R and say "Hey...here. Album's done." Blasphemy.

Pardon my videos from the previous post not initially working...I think I had them set to private or some shit like that..but they are definitely working now.

Don't Trust Robert E. Patron...He is Not Your Friend...

2008-12-09T05:16:00.004-06:00

Me and my best friend Heather were toasting to equality...to Obama winning the election, to gas prices dropping, to Burlington selling that fly ass tan bubble vest for 20 bucks, and to us being the only ones who's progressin' in the Recession. By the way, it's not really piss. It'll make sense later.

Part Two

*edit: I can't even front...at the end of the night I was FUCKED UP...on some couldn't even drive home shit. Don't ask...lol