12/31/08

The Historical American Assumption

WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS?
STAY TUNED!!!!

Chocolate News

MAN, if you dont watch the comedy central TV show Chocolate News, you are doing yourself an Injustice to good humor. This show make me remember how funny David Alan Grier was. It him at his best, sketch comedy.




Couple sketches



12/29/08

Word of the Week: Sophomoric

Sophomoric

Definition
1. Of or characteristic of a sophomore.
2. Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment

I'll even use it in a sentence:

After being president for eight years, George W. Bush's decisions were still of sophomoric behavior.

12/24/08

What Happen to 1 Hit Wonders???

Call me Crazy... Nah, go ahead... DO IT!

I'm looking for 1 hit wonders. Think about it...

Isn't that just what half of the artist out right now are?

The bigger example is Soulja Boy. Look, I actually like that superman song. Did I buy his album? Hell 2da Nah. I look at it this way, we always have had those type songs, the only difference is that the artist who made those type of songs before, thats right...

THEY WERE 1 HIT WONDERS

Sir-mix-alot, Baby got back - 1 Hit Wonder

Rex-n-effects, Rump shaker, "all I wanna do is Zoom Zoom Zoom in ya Boom Boom" - 1 Hit Wonder

Tag Team & 95 South, Whoomp There it is & Hoot There it is, both versions - 1 Hit WonderS

Tone Loc, Wild Thang & Funky Cold Madina (they both used the same sounding guitar and drums so its the same song to me) - 1 Hit Wonder

D.R.S., Gansta Lean, I drink my forty to THEIR memory - 1 Hit Wonders

Digable Planets, Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) - 1 Hit Wonder (Like Dat)

69 Boyz, Tootsie Roll, "cotton candy sweet as gold" - 1 Hit Wonders

Ghost Town DJ's, My Boo, "last night I dreamed of you" I liked the song - 1 Hit Wonders


Quad City DJ's, C'mon Ride it(The Train), yall know was was doin that Choo Choo dance just like kids now "super man that ho" - 1 Hit Wonders


Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby, Alright stop ____(yall know the words) - 1 Hit Wonder




NOW-A-DAYS

SOulja Boy, Plies, D4L, Joe Budden, Nick Cannon, PitBull, Rich Boy, Jim Jones, and the list goes on and on.

They all want to stay around like the really have something to offer. Take your 1 hit and milk it for what its worth. You know you have no real skill, you know you just got lucky and hit 1 out the park. You can tour for 2 years off that 1 hit, it may end up being used in a popular movie, it may get played at all the sports arenas, hell, these days it can be a platinum ring tone. Whatever you do, DO NOT try to pretend you a legitament artist.

Y'know who I blames. ASHANTI! Foolish, it was a foolish song, to me, but I know yall ladies loved it. THAT should have been it. BUT NO, not Ashanti. Lets remake songs from 2 other popular beats(Happy, Baby), Lets keep saying the word baby over and over (awe baby). I know that she acheived platinum status, a shocking, 3 times, but she caint sang. I cant prove it but I bet Irv Gotti used an auto dialer to get those videos played. Its possible that she has other talents, which may be the reason to her being around so long -

BUT IT AINT IN SINGING.

She open the flood gates for all one hit wonders. Thanks to her all one hit wonders try to make a 2nd album. WHich brings me back to Soulja Boy. His new song is gawbidge, he needs to flop so that 1 hit wonders can be put back in ther place; And thats accepting that they are lucky to make 1 hit. Dont get me wrong, soulja boy, keep making youtube videos, beats and even try to get a TV show or a movie deal - just no more albums for 5 year AT LEAST.


SO PLEASE CAN WE BRING BACK THE 1 HIT WONDERS!!!!

12/22/08

Miseducation 101: Swag & Swagger

It never ceases to amaze me how miseducated people tend to be. I'm never surprise when being cool, "with it" or "in" overshadows the desire for proprietary knowledge. It seems now-a-days every one has a penchant to have SWAGGER or poses SWAG but I doubt they really know what it means.

When I think of the word swagger, what immediately comes to mind is P.Diddy. I remember when Diddy did the "Making The Band 2" show and selected the members his reason for choosing Dylan(pictured left) was, "(he) has that swagger".

Looking into that, Diddy did not particularly care for Dylan, and I'm pretty sure that people, who viewed the show, perceived Dylan as thinking he was better than he actually was - Dylan was only great IN HIS MIND.

The word swagger is derived from the word swag. Swag has several meanings, i.e. sway, sink, sag, stolen property, loot, or to walk in an uncontrollable drunken like manner. When the word swagger was began to be used it was to describe the actions of a bully or person that was arrogant.

Definition:
Swagger - To walk or conduct oneself in a boldly rude, disrespectful, arrogant air; To brag; boast;

or simply put CONCEITED...

Don't get me wrong, I know the way those words are used now is slang. The problem is slang does not redefine words. Like the word HATER, the definition is relatively the same (one who hates), its just a blown out of proportion view, and an overly used term. Even in the case of the slang use of "HOT" or relative words like "fiyah" (fire) or flame. The slang use of those words are based off the literal definition of "giving off heat". When something is "HOT" its catchy, it spreads. When you say something is hot, it means it has the characteristics of fire, heat, spice.

SO WHAT AM I GETTING AT?

The "urban"/slang definition of swagger is, how one presents him or her self to the world, how the person handles a situation. An appearance of self-confidence. Prideful, Arrogant walk or stride. Right away I notice the words self-confidence and pride. That gives the word a whole new definition. I mean, can you be confident AND conceited AT THE SAME TIME? There is also an "urban" definition of the word swag, which simply means style. Now that's more correct in meaning. The only unimposed question to this definition is, what king of style?

I guess, if I had no immediate correlation of the word swag/swagger being connected to the word conceited, then maybe, I too, would exclaim my swagger to the world; Or maybe this is the direction of our society. Maybe its cool to be cocky, conceited, loud, obnoxious, self-consumed, arrogant, vain, narcissistic, and full of hot air...

but I'm straight on that.

That's why I'm forever unabashed, which means poised, brazen, and shameless - keep your swag.

Word of the Week: Ameliorant

ALRIGHTY THEN...



Y'know when people say things like, "if you look up stupid in the dictionary, your picture would be right next to it"? Well, that what I'm going to do here with these words.



AMELIORANT - to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate.














How fitting?

12/15/08

True Story: Til you do right by me

So peep...


This was one cold snowy winter afternoon. I remember quite vividly. I was a new dad, my son was just a month or two and I was working "three job!", so I was very busy. On this particular day I had an appointment, so I had took my lunch break to make it. I was taking the city bus but I had NO CHANGE! - dont you hate that - I didnt even have any single dollars. The city bus should invest in taking debit and credit cards, I mean, every one else does.


Any way, since I needed change, and I knew the bus was coming soon, I went to the gas station that was like 10 feet from the bus stop. I took my $5 dollar bill and bought something for $1 dollar. The asian clerk/owner gave me a penny for change.
NOW, I had a delayed reaction...
Being in such a hurry I started out the door... I took one step out then it hits me...

BAM! THIS FOOL JUST SHORT CHANGED ME !

It was a lady who was in line behind me, when I made the purchase, I waited 'til she was done. Then I explain to the clerk that I was just before this lady I gave you a $5 dollar bill and you gave me a penny in change for something that cost $1 dollar. First the guy starts saying, "you were not here", then he says, "why you wait", then he was like, "you guys do this all time".

I'm HEATED, you could fry an egg on my head like I was a Looney Toon.

I reach in my pocket and pull out my money. I had like $500 dollars. I'm like, "why would I need to steal $4 dollars from you!"
SO THAT WAS THE ONLY $5 I HAD! the rest was in 20's SO I'M EXRTA HEATED.
Arguing with the china man made me miss the bus, thus, miss my appointment.

now I'm SUPER HEATED!

So when I left the store I put the Karma Curse on him. Like Ceily from the color purple I told the china man, "til you do right by me..." ya'll know the rest.

So I actually worked across the street from this particular gas station and I made it my business to tell everyone of my customers and any one else who would listen...

NOT TO BUY ANYTHING FROM THAT GAS STATION

Yup a boycott.



Slowly but Surely the gas station went out of business some 2 years later.

12/12/08

UPDATE: Pyramidwest Interview with DL Hughley

A few weeks back I did a post about Connects from Twitter and I talked about my friend Pyramidwest. He does, what he describes as, guerrilla interviews. These interview are excellent. This recent one is with DL Hughley and they discuss Bernie Mac, his new show - DL breaks the news, and more.

There are also many more interview with the likes of: Sheryl Underwood, Lavelle Crawford, Don "DC" Curry, Earthquake, Keith Murray, Common, Chuch D, Mc Lyte, Dick Gregory and so many more.

Check out DL interview below...

Insomnia: House of Saddam Part 2

I was up 'til about 4am this morning, drinking warm milk, trying to get to sleep, and watching the Part 2 of House of Saddam.

After watching this part I came to realize that this was not a biography of any kind, really. I'm not saying that this series is portraying false images but this is not about Saddams life or about Iraq. I realized that this is one of those "loosely" based stories - where they take real people and real events and fill in whats missing with dramatization. The focus is really on the family and how Saddam controled them by fear.

Again I will not spoil the story for you but I do want to talk about the family member that stole this part of the series - Uday. Uday is/was Saddams first born son and the one to inherit the presidency; But Uday is a nut case! This Part starts out with Uday in a night club in Baghdad. First he just starts gropping some random lady, then he jumps on the stage, pulls out his guns and starts shooting. He did not shoot in the air either, he pointed at the crowd and fired away. There are also other instances: one where he pulls a gun out on a guy and another where he beats, that same guy, to death with a pool cue.

Tsk tsk... Good stuff!


Check out Uday below...

12/11/08

Insomnia: House of Saddam Part 1

Lately, I've been having my episode of insomnia. I think its a holiday thing but thats another story for another day. Anyway, in the wee hours of the morning/night while channel surfing my cables "on demand" service I discovered this four part series that currently airing called House of Saddam(click), which airs on HBO. I immediately started thinking, who is telling this story about Saddam Hussein? I mean, they killed the guy and his version of the story is one that no country is interested in letting come forth - at least not just 3-4 years after his death. Then I asked myself, what picture will Saddam be painted in?, in what light will he be shown. Also I was like, Is this going to be in english or will it have subtitles? Needles to say, that was enough to spark my interest.

This story is broken down in 4 parts, the 1st part is about how Saddam came into power. The series begans with Saddam watch President GW Bush making his declaration to invade Iraq on the TV. Every one in Saddam's Palace begins to evacuate in a frantic scuffle and getting into vehicles to retreat into hiding, with a nice back drop of bombs and missles exploding - of course this is all a prelude to the 4th part of the series.

The actual timeline begins in 1979, with Saddam doing a hostile takeover and overthowing the current President. He did it all gansta too. Saddam was Vice President and he had invited the President to his daughters birthday party. After they sang, happy birthday, they went into Saddams office. At that point Saddam told the current president, his time in power is over. This was a shock to the current president, as for none of his officers or security would stand by him, they had all backed Saddam.

Now I do not want spoil the whole episode but there so cool and greusome scenes. The most chilling one, for me, was when shortly after he came into power. The scene starts with several men lined up in an alley, hands tied behand their back, face another line of men. Saddam is over seeing the events to transpire. A close up of a man is shown holding up a shakey hand holding a pistol, he is ordered to shoot the "traitor" that stands before him, at the command of "FIRE!". This action was repeated down the line of men.

What I want to add, though, is a few points. I understand why the story would begin with Saddam actually in power; And that this is not a biography, so they would not show his childhood. What I do not get is why they did not show that Saddam was very instrumental in the modernization of Iraq. During the 1970's Saddam also had heavy support from the United Nations. He did a lot for Iraq like, dramatically emprove their education and literacy - which is why, even to this day, their are quite a few Iraqis that support/supported him.

Here is a preview of the series

12/10/08

Resourceful Recyclers

So like I do, just about everyday, I was searching the internet for weird and/or interesting things. Thats when I stumbled upon a Ramen Noodle coin purse(shown on the left). Personally, I do not have a need for a purse, but the product did fit the wierd and/or interesting purpose. So my interest switched to which creative mind(s) thought to create such a product, during which I found several other Ramen Noodle accesories.


So I came to find that these are the creations of OhNoUDidntDesigns. The creator has been at it since 2004 and these products are actually made from discarded food packagings. They are then cleaned and later used to create fashionable items, which extend beyond my Ramen Noodle infatuation.








Ramen Noodle Baby Booties, available in all flavors








Not only is there a coin purse...



This is a check book cover




Sadly, as much as I like Ramen Noodles there was no item that I could get for myself that was made from the Ramen Noodle wrapper - I do not where purses, I do not have any little babies and I do not write checks - DAMN.

Other than Ramen Noodle they have plenty of other designs. here is another good one...







Well this is mostly for the ladies because they offer various styles of purses, but they do have other I tems like key chains, belts and tote bags. They also use just about every wrapper imaginable: Cheetos, Sprite, Disani, Doritos, Lays, Ruffles, Pepsi, Fanta Mountain Dew, Aquafina, Coca-Cola, Resses, and they do custom items too.

For the Holiday they are offering Christmas Stockings.
Looks like the recycled wrapper market is cornered.
So if your a candy wrapper enthusiest, or all about going green, then OhNoUDidntDesigns has you covered.


This definately is a business "dedicated to renewal, revival and of course RECYCLING!"


12/7/08

Twitter Trolling

I must say that, overall, I'm disappointed in twitter, but what can you really expect. Twitter found the very gray area between chat and message boards, with a social network site appeal. The only use I see for it is getting a chance to look at other peoples webpages, blogs and such.


Which brings me to my next "find", Orange Calderon(click), this individual has a blog on tumblr. Its not real heavy on content, or maybe I really didnt pay attention to the words after I seen her picture, which can be seen to the left, to the left.

Yeah, I'm a guy I cant help myself.

From the little I did read, I found she was an espiring fashion designer, who moved to LA from Houston; And is now at some LA Fashion School. In all seriousness, though, she does display an eye for fashion.















I'm no fashion designer but gold heel pumps, I know these are ladies envy. I do not know the name Orange called them "Lola"... SEXIE!!!










Pumps by Lego
well the real name is, "Balenciaga"
Beyonce Rocked them before
$4,175 a pair !

I hope they come with a warranty.


I cant let the masses sleep on the coochie coin purse, WHAT!

The best fashion symbolism ever, if you dont agree think about it, what's the best thing to invest money in?

http://www.etsy.com/ they have a Ramon Noodle coin purse too



Since I felt the need to add this photo, I guess I should educate as well. This is Leah McSweeney model for "Married to the MOB" clothing line.

AND that is one lucky starfish, squid or whatever it is.



So Check out Orangie Porangie...


If not check out one of these fashion designers

AND KEEP READING THE B-BLOGGER DAFANZ!!

*all photos are from orangieporangiepuddingpie.tumblr.com (except beyonce)

12/1/08

Connects from Twitter

Most should have, by now, heard of Twitter. If not, I think of twitter as online text message hub center. You have like 500 charachters to say whatever it is you want the world to know, you can also send links. Lately, there has been an Influx of celebs joining the "twitterverse" - Shaq, Karrine "superhead" Steffans - but its good to find out what other people are offering out in cyberspace.

Hence, I stumbled upon Pyramidwest(click).

This is a very nice website but what I enjoyed were the interviews with various black celebs. I enjoyed how raw they were and how they are like casual conversation(NOT talk showish).

I have 2 here(below) that I enjoyed - Comedians Sommore and Aries Spears. There are a host of otheres that are interviewed as well like Bill Bellamy, Charlie Murphy, Adele Givens, Don Cheadle(actor), Keisha Cole, Nick Cannon and many many more.



Sommore
by GJournalism



Aries Spears
by GJournalism