Videos and songs old and new I'm enjoying this week...
Kendrick Lamar - Compton State of Mind (umm yes, the same beat/theme as the Jay-Z Empire State of Mind track)
Clipse - Popeyes (I didn't know I would feel a song with Killa Cam so much)
Pac Div - Paper - Classic, underground song
Damien Marley f/ Nas - Road to Zion (why wasn't this song bigger?)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Show Me Your Best Combination!
A huge pet peeve of my wife, but when I do dress up (Monday-Friday, and an occasional weekend night), does it get any better than black pants and brown shoes?! My thoughts exactly.
I'm predicting the extinction of black dress shoes for men in the next 3 years.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Last Friday, an honor roll student at Fenger High School on Chicago's south side was beaten to death. The student, Derrion Albert, 16, was caught between a feud between youth from the Altgeld Gardens housing projects and youth from the surrounding neighborhood. Unfortunately, this will not be the only Chicago school student to be killed by violence this year. What is going on?
A person with their cell phone camera captured the scene:
Monday, September 21, 2009
Memories are Golden
Michael Jackson videos that premiered on Fox, TGIF, America Online when it first came out and every kid talked about how their family was using their 10 hours a month (we were the family that got 10 hours when everyone else was up to 50 hours a month, 14.4 when everyone else was 28.8, with your parents getting pissed because the phone line was always busy because you were on the internet), Real World when they had 'real' people on it and you knew you were too young to be watching it but you watched because your older sister did,In Living Color, Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise", the O.J Simpson trial when you would come home from school and watch all the way until your parents came home from work, the transition from cassette tapes to cd's, Virtua Fighter and Sega Dreamcast and Neo Geo and Super Nintendo and Ridge Racer and Final Fantasy VII and Sonic the Hedgehog (not having any of those made it a requirement to know how to make and keep friends), Fruit Gushers, Fruit by the Foot and Eggo waffles and, of course, Golden Grahams, where they were only good during the first minute and became a chore to eat once they crossed the one-minute threshold and became soggy. Those moments shaped our mind and souls, thoughts and interests, wishes and desires. Memories.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tribute from The Chef
Lost under the music radar this week following the pushed-up release of Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 album was Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II, his follow-up to his first album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.
Almost 14 years to the day Raekwon released his magnum opus, he returned this week with the sequel.
Quick aside:
In those 14 years, he released two other albums:
Immobilarity (overlooked in exactly the same vein as Nas' It Was Written; check The Table, Casablanca, Live from New York and Sneakers to see for yourself) and
The Lex Diamond Story (let's just say it makes Nas' Nastradamus seem like a classic). Needless to say, the new album is getting rave reviews (which it thoroughly deserves). The standout track for me is Ason Jones. You might have known him as:
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Osirus
Big Baby Jesus and
Dirt McGirt (my favorite of all)
Even though he passed away five years ago, this was Raekwon's tribute to his deceased brother from the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard. It doesn't get more hip-hop than this.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Yale or jail. Penn State or the State Pen?
Teaching begins for me in just about a week. It represents my 5th year as an educator. As now made famous by Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers book, there is something called the 10,000 hour rule. Basically, mastery of a craft or subject requires, on average, 10,000 hours of practice. By my calculations (which means even having to include the first year, which was something of a punch to the gut of self-esteem), 9 teacher-related hours x 180 days x 4 = 6480 hours. So I'm at 64% on the Mastery Gauge, right?
Now, obviously reaching 10,000 hours at anything doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to become a master or expert. Some people have been rapping since they were 12; yet they sound more like a Muppet baby than Mr. "Weezy F. Baby." The theory simply posits that most people famous for a craft or art (musicians, athletes, etc.) required practice above and beyond the 10,000th hour to truly demonstrate mastery of their artform. Somehow, I can already see a dad somewhere in America calculating just how his son will become the next Pele or Federer using fuzzy math equations.
Back to me, though. I enjoy teaching for reasons too numerous to recite. I'm anxious for the new school year to begin. I have gotten better as a teacher every year. And while I might not become an expert in two years or so, I will most certainly be better, and my students will be all the better for it.
** The title pertains to one of the few teachers I actually remember. I had a Spanish teacher in middle school named Mr. Lora. He would always pontificate, "Education is the key. Either you can go to Yale or jail. Penn State or the State pen." The Penn State reference aside (not quite on Yale's scale), his influence always stuck with me. Those are good teachers. Teachers either have moments that stay with you or they 'stay getting on your nerves'.
This is a video of the school where I teach. Enjoy.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Kobe...likeable?
Funny 'interview' with Kobe Bryant. He admits that if he played Bin Laden in one on one, he would tomahawk jam right in his face.
For me, this adds 5 to push him past 20% on the likeability meter.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A penny saved....
Just recently, my fiance and I created a system where we are given an allowance to spend for personal expenses (cd's, clothes, shoes, eating out, etc.) each month. Not a new concept at all. However, it is new for me.
In our system, instead of keeping track of how much money is being debited out of our bank account, we take out the monthly amount allotted in cash.
You know that phrase, Act your age and not your shoe size. Well, I know at least a few people whose age number is larger than their bank statement at the moment. In fact, when I was switching banks a few weeks back, (run-on sentence alert) one woman Usain Bolted out of the bank back to the store where she just bought a t-shirt 5 minutes prior because the teller told her that she only had $4.30 in her account when she tried to take out $80 so she could get a new train/bus card and that $4.30 was showing up on available funds and this was before the t-shirt had went through the final bank transaction because the store transaction was showing up as pending so she was hoping to return it in time and get a refund or pay a $45 dollar overdraft fee.
So, at the risk of underestimating the importance of saving so as not to hear the word overdraft, what are you doing to save?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Unmistaken Child
Might be hard to find since it's an indie flick, but I highly recommend finding a theatre that is showing the documentary, Unmistaken Child. Basically, it is the journey to find the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a famous Tibetan master. One young man, Tenzin Zopa, is given the arduous task of finding the infant that is the reincarnation of Lama Konchog.
Here is the trailer:
Here is the trailer:
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A sad end....
By almost any measure, Stephon 'Starbury' Marbury has had an interesting last few years in the NBA. Even if you're not a basketball fan, the story is interesting. His career spans like this: Raised in Coney Island in Brooklyn, one of the most highly recruited point guards of all time, played one year at Georgia Tech, up and down NBA career (highs - 2x All-Star; lows - benched for the first 15 games of the season by the Knicks).
With his talent level, he had all the potential to become a great NBA point guard. Instead, at 32, the words mercurial and enigma, rather than great, come to mind. Almost three years ago, Stephon Marbury came out with a pair of affordable basketball shoes ($14.98) that he and a few other NBA players wore. Great idea and message. Yet, in the same year, he gave this now infamous interview:
Watch these segments in particular:
(1.46-1.55) - Not starting well
(4.30 - 4.51) - uh oh
(7.06-7.19) - no way
(7.27-8.07) - are you serious?
(8.41-9.15) - Unbelievable!
Fast forward a few years. The Celtics took a small risk and signed Marbury to a contract where they could release him at any time. He played as a backup point guard, and became at least serviceable by the end of the playoffs. They offered him the veteran's minimum (1.3 million/yr), and Marbury rejected it to look for more money. Heading into August, he is is still unsigned.
Now comes this. Marbury came up with an idea to post a continuous stream (24 hours a day) of his life for the next 7 days. Not 1 day, but seven. In this stream, he has done everything from freestlye rap, dance with shaving cream all over his face, cry while listening to a Kirk Franklin song, eat vaseline, etc. Here's an example:
(2.08-2.51)
And then there's this: (1.45-2.00)
Some team will sign Stephon Marbury this year. In fact, if I were an NBA GM, I would sign him because of his ustream on www.justin.tv. I'd feel remorse not signing a person whose career path has taken the proverbial u-turn time and time again. If you waded through the segments in these clips, it becomes much more sad than funny. If Marbury doesn't play another minute in the NBA, it will not be the last we hear of him. Something is seriously wrong with him. The sooner the people around him realize that, the better. The warning signs are there for EVERYONE to see.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The new Jay
Hip-hop's mystery man continues to be...well, a mystery. Saw this snippet of a new song a couple days ago called 'Dear Moleskine'. I know the song samples from the same song De La Soul used on their classic Stakes is High album. But with all the extra sounds, Jus Blaze places the beat into the modern age. I cannot wait to hear the full song. Already sounding like my song of the year.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Love
Doing a quick google search of the following popular items, you get these search results:
Jesus: 194,000,000
God: 469,000,000
Food: 742,000,000
Car: 927,000,000
House: 1,190,000,000
And then do search 'love'.
Love: 1,530,000,000
Not to put too much stock into a google search, but I take two things from this seemingly mindless study:
1)People place a higher interest/importance in love than material possessions (cars, houses), the most basic of needs (food) and faith (God)
2)Apart from food, love is the most universal.
Love is so universal, yet so hard to find for so many. Even when love has been discovered and marriage happens, it tends not to work out for Americans.
From divorcerate.org:
The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%
The divorce rate in America for second marriage is 60%
The divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%
Evidently, you don't become a better lover with experience.
You certainly don't have much a chance in marriage if you weren't meant to be in the first place. Two quick examples: 1) Richard Jefferson (if y'all couldn't contact everyone to let them know the wedding was off and heads showed up, clearly this was no match. Luckily for Jefferson, he gave the group of people who showed up his Visa black card for the night. Now that's a mea culpa if I ever heard one) and 2) this couple that lives below us that argues constantly. They're scheduled to get married next month. We've heard them argue constantly for the past three months (which just so happens to coincide with when we moved in). I have a sneaking suspicion they've been arguing for a lot longer than just the past three months.
Couple #1 got out before the big day, albeit a tad late.
Couple #2 - Well...let's just say their wedding date and arguments are still on and poppin.
About six weeks out from my wedding, I know I have found a true love. Elizabeth is everything you could want in a life partner. Intelligence, motivation, sense of humor, care for others, beauty, etc. We can hang out with friends, run around together in the city, or just sit around watching tv (usually HGTV, and oh how's it growing on me). Whatever it is, I enjoy every moment of it. Before I met Liz, I had been a single guy for all but 2 weeks of my life. It was great and I enjoyed it. But it pales in comparison to being in a long-term relationship. It truly is indescribable. Poets and musicians have penned lyrics about the subject of love for centuries. Very few have captured it, and I won't attempt it with any words of my own. I know this much: I'm infatuated with love and the thought of my life with Liz. Coltrane's "Naima" describes how I feel perfectly.
John Coltrane - "Naima"
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Hip-Hop Lives
Just saw the album cover and tracklist for the first official Skyzoo LP, The Salvation (read my previous blog about album titles and covers as they can usually predict a good album; this title/cover looks legit). Definitely one of my favorite rappers of the past few years. If you haven't heard of him, check him out.
Here is the tracklist:
1. The Opener (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
2. Return Of The Real (produced by Just Blaze)
3. The Beautiful Decay (produced by 9th Wonder)
4. My Interpretation (produced by Best Kept Secret)
5. Popularity (produced by Nottz)
6. Like A Marathon (produced by 9th Wonder)
7. The Shooter’s Soundtrack (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
8. Under Pressure (produced by 9th Wonder)
9. Penmanship (produced by Black Milk)
10. Dear Whoever (produced by Illmind)
11. For What It’s Worth ((produced by Eric G)
12. The Necessary Evils (produced by Needlz)
13. Easy To Fly featuring Carlitta Durand (produced by 9th Wonder)
14. Bottom Line (produced by Eric G)
15. Metal Hearts (produced by 9th Wonder)
16. Maintain (produced by Nottz)
Production looks crazy: 9th Wonder, Nottz, Needlz, Illmind, Black Milk, Best Kept Secret, Just Blaze!!!
Here is the video trailer for his first single, "The Beautiful Decay." Sick title, sicker song.
While I'm on the subject of Mr. S-K-Y z-o-o, here's one of his old songs, "Way to Go", CLASSIC:
Here is the tracklist:
1. The Opener (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
2. Return Of The Real (produced by Just Blaze)
3. The Beautiful Decay (produced by 9th Wonder)
4. My Interpretation (produced by Best Kept Secret)
5. Popularity (produced by Nottz)
6. Like A Marathon (produced by 9th Wonder)
7. The Shooter’s Soundtrack (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
8. Under Pressure (produced by 9th Wonder)
9. Penmanship (produced by Black Milk)
10. Dear Whoever (produced by Illmind)
11. For What It’s Worth ((produced by Eric G)
12. The Necessary Evils (produced by Needlz)
13. Easy To Fly featuring Carlitta Durand (produced by 9th Wonder)
14. Bottom Line (produced by Eric G)
15. Metal Hearts (produced by 9th Wonder)
16. Maintain (produced by Nottz)
Production looks crazy: 9th Wonder, Nottz, Needlz, Illmind, Black Milk, Best Kept Secret, Just Blaze!!!
Here is the video trailer for his first single, "The Beautiful Decay." Sick title, sicker song.
While I'm on the subject of Mr. S-K-Y z-o-o, here's one of his old songs, "Way to Go", CLASSIC:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Dr. Henry Louis Gates
Dr. Gates has written and researched extensively on the history of the black experience. For those of us who have any sort of interest in reading up on African and African-American history, Dr. Gates' (along with Kwame Appiah) name is synonomous with the field. Which all brings me to my disappointment. I realize over the past few days that many African-Americans (both the famous and the facebook versions) have expressed their anger over the actions of the Cambridge police force. But why?
As African-Americans, we are always quick to join forces to unite when under duress or times of inequality. We can even go back to two weeks ago when Michael Jackson passed away. For the past ten years, Michael Jackson and the insertion of any combination of 'bleaching' or 'voice' or 'baby held out porch' or 'NeverWILLISENDMYKIDTOTHATLand' has evoked widespread laughter from the audiences of all of America's known and lesser known black comedians. But for the past two weeks, you better dare not say nothing about Mike! I digress.
Last Thursday, Dr. Gates was arrested on suspicion of breaking and entering. That much is true. The rest is subject to interpretation and point of view. According to the police report, Gates intially refused to step out onto the porch when confronted by the police. Furthermore, he refused to show the officers his identification. According to Gates, he followed the directions of the police officers. They did not follow his request to tell him their badge numbers and names. At that point, he became angry.
Now, we will never fully receive the true version of events. This isn't to say that any of the parties is lying. It is to say that the one side (the police) is going to be overzealous in defending their actions. The other side (Gates) is extremely upset over how he has been treated trying to enter his own house. But this much is true. According to both the police report and Dr. Gates himself, he either said, [police report - in response to to being asked to open the door of his house], "Why, because I am a black man in America" or [Gates' version of events - in response to not being told the name and badge number of the first police officer], "You're not responding because I'm a black man, and you're a white officer."
Place me in the minority here (no pun intended), but when you utter any one of those responses to a police officer (or anyone for that matter), the offended person will probably not respond in the most polite of ways. Furthermore, if you berate the officer continually to get him to tell you your name and follow him out of your house, should it really be a surprise when two metal links are placed around your wrists?
What I'm writing isn't to defend the actions of the police force or okay racism or racial profiling in our society. I am writing to convey my disappointment in the actions of our foremost intellectual. Gates is a 5'7, 150 pound, light-skinned black man with glasses and a cane. He is rarely going to racially profiled based on his appearance. And in the case when he is (which is allegedly what happened here), it should be all the more shocking because of his appearance. I am a 6'1, 200 pound, dark-skinned black man with no glasses and a confident walk. I think it's fairly safe to say that I have been the victim of racism and racial profiling much more often in the past 10 years than Gates has. Perhaps this is why I can't side with Dr. Gates on this one. Perhaps because after years of being pulled over while driving (four times) and having to place my bag at the front of the store when I later realized every other person had their bag with them (three times), hearing an obscene number of racist comments and/or epithets thrown in the direction of myself or other brethren in my company, and having numerous other friends had things much worse done to them, I feel it is only right for me to say to Dr. Gates: 1)Please don't make a mountain out of a molehill so that you can now claim to have been the victim of racial profiling and 2)You don't have to embolden your blackness by claiming to have been wronged by the justice system. You're makeup (physical and social) doesn't quite match up.
Comments?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Ain't
As I was watching television today, I came across this commercial:
Due to the power of DVR, I was able to rewind a few times. Now I am fully aware of a few things: 1) Stereotypes of every type (racial, male vs. female, gay/straight, etc.) are ubiquitous in America today, 2) Everyone stereotypes and 3) Stereotypes are necessary. While they used to cause outrage for some and the threat of boycotts (or some combination of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who at this point I am quite comfortable with saying they are causing more harm than help), I would argue now that most stereotypical images in our society cause only the slightest blip in the 'racist radar' (that being the radar manned by the average citizen, not the media). Many stereotypical images aren't even noticed by the average person. Either the producers of the media do a great job of blending the stereotypes or we have become desensitized. I tend to side with the latter.
I won't do a bell hooks and analyze the every minutiae of a 20 second commercial. I won't even say that I'm offended by the "ain't", the dancing by the black dude,the sheer "why are these two seemingly magnetic opposite types of people cooking and hanging out together" factor, the black lady cooking while the white couple is apart from everyone talking by themselves while the other white person (complete w/ extra dark tan) is lounging, the over the top differences in dress (prep galore vs. plain clothes) and everything else. In fact, the commercial and the dude's dance is kinda catchy. Which is the whole point of advertising in the first place, right? So if there is a smidgin of stereotyping in the commercials, I guess what I'm saying is, "Get over it. It's funny."
Or maybe I am just desensitized to it all. If pressured, maybe I'll just say,
'Blame it on the me-me-me-me-me-me-me di a'
Due to the power of DVR, I was able to rewind a few times. Now I am fully aware of a few things: 1) Stereotypes of every type (racial, male vs. female, gay/straight, etc.) are ubiquitous in America today, 2) Everyone stereotypes and 3) Stereotypes are necessary. While they used to cause outrage for some and the threat of boycotts (or some combination of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who at this point I am quite comfortable with saying they are causing more harm than help), I would argue now that most stereotypical images in our society cause only the slightest blip in the 'racist radar' (that being the radar manned by the average citizen, not the media). Many stereotypical images aren't even noticed by the average person. Either the producers of the media do a great job of blending the stereotypes or we have become desensitized. I tend to side with the latter.
I won't do a bell hooks and analyze the every minutiae of a 20 second commercial. I won't even say that I'm offended by the "ain't", the dancing by the black dude,the sheer "why are these two seemingly magnetic opposite types of people cooking and hanging out together" factor, the black lady cooking while the white couple is apart from everyone talking by themselves while the other white person (complete w/ extra dark tan) is lounging, the over the top differences in dress (prep galore vs. plain clothes) and everything else. In fact, the commercial and the dude's dance is kinda catchy. Which is the whole point of advertising in the first place, right? So if there is a smidgin of stereotyping in the commercials, I guess what I'm saying is, "Get over it. It's funny."
Or maybe I am just desensitized to it all. If pressured, maybe I'll just say,
'Blame it on the me-me-me-me-me-me-me di a'
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Pop references
Pop culture references are what they are: popular. Black celebrities, specifically, seem to have created their own personal lexicon lately. It's almost guaranteed you will hear one of these words whenever a black celebrity is being interviewed...
(not necessarily in any order)
#1 Organic ^
#2 Barack #
#3 "It ain’t trickin if you got it" @
#4 Homage !
#5 Twitter %
Legend
^ This could be my favorite one.
# I swear I even heard a baby say this the other day on the train
@ Can count at least 10 songs off-hand with that phrase in it
! Did it not spark a conversation between someone you know about how it's pronounced?
% Black celebrities have really gotten out of control with this (cue Holly Robinson Peete; you know, Ms. 21 Jump Street)
If you don't know the story, link - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=granderson/090709
I can only wait with bated breath for the next must-have words to incorporate into my daily conversation.
P.S - By the way, this blog post was 100% organic.
(not necessarily in any order)
#1 Organic ^
#2 Barack #
#3 "It ain’t trickin if you got it" @
#4 Homage !
#5 Twitter %
Legend
^ This could be my favorite one.
# I swear I even heard a baby say this the other day on the train
@ Can count at least 10 songs off-hand with that phrase in it
! Did it not spark a conversation between someone you know about how it's pronounced?
% Black celebrities have really gotten out of control with this (cue Holly Robinson Peete; you know, Ms. 21 Jump Street)
If you don't know the story, link - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=granderson/090709
I can only wait with bated breath for the next must-have words to incorporate into my daily conversation.
P.S - By the way, this blog post was 100% organic.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sign of the apocalypse?
In the middle of each week, I will begin posting a "Sign of the apocalypse" comment/clip/commentary on something happening in the world that week. This is the first sign.
Amir Muhadith. Name strike a bell? I'll help you out a bit. Amir (emir) means commander in Arabic. Muhaddith is a title given to someone who has a great knowledge of the hadiths (or words/narrations) of the prophet Muhammad. Rough, rough translation of the name Amir Muhadith: something to the effect of being a commander of the hadiths. You know, only the hadiths that represent the words and beliefs of the prophet himself. Ok, still stumped? Come on, I translated the name for those of you that can't read Arabic (I can't either, thanks wikipedia). Well here are a few photos. These are the last hints before the big reveal:
and
And your final answer? _________________________
Congratulations, you guessed it. Chauncey Hawkins aka Loon nna (now known as) Amir Muhadith. Former rapper in the shiny suit crew, Bad Boy Records. Who penned quotables such as,
Open up the door, i help her out with the bags
Car get dirty, i help her out the jag
Folks get flirty, i help em out with the mag
I aint lyin, im in love wit u bad
and
I'm as smooth as Erik Estrada, dipped in dollars
I mean really, he was the quintessential rapper of the lame-duck era of rap (2000-2004 aka the Jamychingnelly era [Ja Rule Chingy Nelly Mystikal] ).
Without further adieu, I present to you this little morsel. I came across this video a few days ago of Amir. Actually I don't like the ring to that. Names in threes are the best. Alexander the Great. King Louis XIV. Let's call him... Loon the Muslim. Just one last question. I know Loon was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing back the shaped-up goatee. But is this beard real, absurd or both????
Loon the Muslim, no longer a Bad Boy. But a good boy. How do you say speechless in Arabic?
Amir Muhadith. Name strike a bell? I'll help you out a bit. Amir (emir) means commander in Arabic. Muhaddith is a title given to someone who has a great knowledge of the hadiths (or words/narrations) of the prophet Muhammad. Rough, rough translation of the name Amir Muhadith: something to the effect of being a commander of the hadiths. You know, only the hadiths that represent the words and beliefs of the prophet himself. Ok, still stumped? Come on, I translated the name for those of you that can't read Arabic (I can't either, thanks wikipedia). Well here are a few photos. These are the last hints before the big reveal:
and
And your final answer? _________________________
Congratulations, you guessed it. Chauncey Hawkins aka Loon nna (now known as) Amir Muhadith. Former rapper in the shiny suit crew, Bad Boy Records. Who penned quotables such as,
Open up the door, i help her out with the bags
Car get dirty, i help her out the jag
Folks get flirty, i help em out with the mag
I aint lyin, im in love wit u bad
and
I'm as smooth as Erik Estrada, dipped in dollars
I mean really, he was the quintessential rapper of the lame-duck era of rap (2000-2004 aka the Jamychingnelly era [Ja Rule Chingy Nelly Mystikal] ).
Without further adieu, I present to you this little morsel. I came across this video a few days ago of Amir. Actually I don't like the ring to that. Names in threes are the best. Alexander the Great. King Louis XIV. Let's call him... Loon the Muslim. Just one last question. I know Loon was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing back the shaped-up goatee. But is this beard real, absurd or both????
Loon the Muslim, no longer a Bad Boy. But a good boy. How do you say speechless in Arabic?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
El amor de musica
I often give off the impression that I never seem to stress out about things. While this is true, for the most part, there is no real hidden secret as to why this is the case. In the end, it boils (simmers, boils is too intense and stressful] down to two main things: 1)a realization that even at 25, life flies by and is way too short to not be enjoyed and 2) my obsession with music.
No matter what mood I am in (melancholy, anxious, angry, impatient, etc.), there is always a song that complements (even anger) that mood. Music fans can be put into three categories -
#1 Casuals aka taggers - These are the people that ITunes tagging is for. They are the type that never know the particular artist by name, but ALWAYS exclaim (no matter if in a Nissan or a crowded bar/nightclub) when they hear THEIR song, "OOOO I love this song!" followed by, "I always forget the name of this song. Who sings this again?"
#2 1-songers - These are the people that have a basic knowledge of artists and the latest songs. For example, they wouldn't be aware of the fact that in terms of the hip-hop genre, mixtapes are now consistently better than LP albums. But they would know a hit song and the name of the artist and said song if it came on in a bar. In addition, their mp3 player would not be filled 100% completely with the Billboard top 100 hits of the past five years (maybe just 60%).
#3 Beenthereheardthat's - This group represents the summa cum laude of music aficionados. These people have been told at least 3-4 times in their life that they probably love music more than their significant other/family members. For these people, music never gets old. When they wake up and make breakfast, MUSIC. When they shower, MUSIC. When they jump on the train, MUSIC (importance difference - #1 category of music fans have an mp3 player to occupy their brain instead of staring off into the abyss while in public and on a train; for #3's having their mp3 player fits in the same box of requirements as eating and sleeping). The name applies b/c they have heard of these artists (ahem, Drake, Kid Cudi, Wale, etc.) before XXL or BET or anyone else told them to.
I fit into category #3. Normal music people can't fall asleep if there is background noise of any sort. Category #3'ers can't fall asleep without music.
** I go to sleep with my Zune and headphones in ears.
You know when you're asked if you were deserted on an island and could only take 1 material possession with you, what would you take? Music beats out a year's supply of food in a heartbeat (pun intended?). Think about it. If you brought food, it would eventually run out. Music? What would be better than waking up on a sunny morning with a slight breeze and birds chirping and say, a song from this duo, Amadou and Mariam?
And when it came time to eat? Pop in the headphones, play a song like this:
Man, I'd run down one of these things
by the time Inspectah Deck spit the end of this line, "swingin thru your town like your neighborhood Spiderman."
And, albeit a bit morbid, when it came time to die? No need to cry. Just press play on this:
My point is that music is filled with so many different sounds and possibilities. Genres are constantly being changed. Take jazz (dixieland,traditional, swing, bop, modal jazz, smooth jazz) for example. New musical centers are constantly being discovered (or perhaps just having the light shone on them for a small period) (think the ATL and crunk, the bay area and hyphy, Seattle and grunge, Chicago and house music)<--- never a big fan of any of these types btw.
Think of when certain areas/genres of music are the 'in' thing. It was only a few years ago that everyone wanted to have a Sean Paul dancehall track. You even had Elephant Man getting videoplay on MTV! And I'm sure we all remember the Latin craze (J.Lo, Ricky Martin, etc). Indie rock has went from underground to the terra firma itself. If you want to find the next indie rock group, book a flight for Sweden (The Cardigans got music listener's attention a decade before, signaling the rest of Europe/America to listen to fellow Swedes like Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li, etc.).
This is less blog post and more an affirmation to music and the joy it brings. It's at its least respected point because it's ubiquitous. It's your latest ringtone, your favorite commercial (Five-dollar....five-dollar...five dollar foot loooooooooooooooooooooooong!), the hit song that's on everyone's reality tv series. Everyone has an IPOD but no one has a full album on it, much less the time or appreciation to listen to one. One-hit wonders aren't just expected; they're required [for the music industry]. Attention spans have never been shorter. The music industry has never been in a worse state. Saving studio time/producers/effort + the "let's make one hot single and bs the rest of the album (just a thought, BUT, wasn't Busta's last album, Back on My B.S?) = a dangerous mixture. Through all of this, I have never loved music more. Perhaps it's because I've had to gain a greater appreciation for it. Perhaps because I've branched out from simply listening to the music I was raised on (jazz, hip hop and r&b). Certainly because it's never been more accessible. In any case, there's no point in discussing the chicken and egg conundrum (Life is music OR Music is life?). I love music. I love finding out about a new artist and listening to the entire album (I only thought 2 weeks ago to check out Adele's first album, 19. Good look). I love hearing snippets or singles months before the album is going to drop (Lupe - Shining Down, Fashawn - Life as a Shorty). I love not fully understanding why a certain artist will be bigger than another (Blu and J. Cole are every bit as good [their music and their talent] as Drake, but Drake is that dude right now. And it's not simply because he's got Lil' Wayne's backing. On second thought, maybe it is. A scary thought as to his influence). I love being able to discuss and argue why I think certain people are underrated/overlooked lyrically (Elzhi/Skyzoo) and others are overrated/'looked?' (Kanye, sorry). Most of all, I love listening to artists that would surprise the hell out of people that I listen to them (Explosions in the Sky, Lily Allen). And thank goodness for mixtapes and continued classics.
P.S -
Current mixtapes on heavy rotation
Diamond District - In the Ruff
Wale - Back to the Feature
J. Cole - The Come Up
Current classic albums on heavy rotation
D'angelo - Voodoo
Outkast - Aquemini
Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show
No matter what mood I am in (melancholy, anxious, angry, impatient, etc.), there is always a song that complements (even anger) that mood. Music fans can be put into three categories -
#1 Casuals aka taggers - These are the people that ITunes tagging is for. They are the type that never know the particular artist by name, but ALWAYS exclaim (no matter if in a Nissan or a crowded bar/nightclub) when they hear THEIR song, "OOOO I love this song!" followed by, "I always forget the name of this song. Who sings this again?"
#2 1-songers - These are the people that have a basic knowledge of artists and the latest songs. For example, they wouldn't be aware of the fact that in terms of the hip-hop genre, mixtapes are now consistently better than LP albums. But they would know a hit song and the name of the artist and said song if it came on in a bar. In addition, their mp3 player would not be filled 100% completely with the Billboard top 100 hits of the past five years (maybe just 60%).
#3 Beenthereheardthat's - This group represents the summa cum laude of music aficionados. These people have been told at least 3-4 times in their life that they probably love music more than their significant other/family members. For these people, music never gets old. When they wake up and make breakfast, MUSIC. When they shower, MUSIC. When they jump on the train, MUSIC (importance difference - #1 category of music fans have an mp3 player to occupy their brain instead of staring off into the abyss while in public and on a train; for #3's having their mp3 player fits in the same box of requirements as eating and sleeping). The name applies b/c they have heard of these artists (ahem, Drake, Kid Cudi, Wale, etc.) before XXL or BET or anyone else told them to.
I fit into category #3. Normal music people can't fall asleep if there is background noise of any sort. Category #3'ers can't fall asleep without music.
** I go to sleep with my Zune and headphones in ears.
You know when you're asked if you were deserted on an island and could only take 1 material possession with you, what would you take? Music beats out a year's supply of food in a heartbeat (pun intended?). Think about it. If you brought food, it would eventually run out. Music? What would be better than waking up on a sunny morning with a slight breeze and birds chirping and say, a song from this duo, Amadou and Mariam?
And when it came time to eat? Pop in the headphones, play a song like this:
Man, I'd run down one of these things
by the time Inspectah Deck spit the end of this line, "swingin thru your town like your neighborhood Spiderman."
And, albeit a bit morbid, when it came time to die? No need to cry. Just press play on this:
My point is that music is filled with so many different sounds and possibilities. Genres are constantly being changed. Take jazz (dixieland,traditional, swing, bop, modal jazz, smooth jazz) for example. New musical centers are constantly being discovered (or perhaps just having the light shone on them for a small period) (think the ATL and crunk, the bay area and hyphy, Seattle and grunge, Chicago and house music)<--- never a big fan of any of these types btw.
Think of when certain areas/genres of music are the 'in' thing. It was only a few years ago that everyone wanted to have a Sean Paul dancehall track. You even had Elephant Man getting videoplay on MTV! And I'm sure we all remember the Latin craze (J.Lo, Ricky Martin, etc). Indie rock has went from underground to the terra firma itself. If you want to find the next indie rock group, book a flight for Sweden (The Cardigans got music listener's attention a decade before, signaling the rest of Europe/America to listen to fellow Swedes like Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li, etc.).
This is less blog post and more an affirmation to music and the joy it brings. It's at its least respected point because it's ubiquitous. It's your latest ringtone, your favorite commercial (Five-dollar....five-dollar...five dollar foot loooooooooooooooooooooooong!), the hit song that's on everyone's reality tv series. Everyone has an IPOD but no one has a full album on it, much less the time or appreciation to listen to one. One-hit wonders aren't just expected; they're required [for the music industry]. Attention spans have never been shorter. The music industry has never been in a worse state. Saving studio time/producers/effort + the "let's make one hot single and bs the rest of the album (just a thought, BUT, wasn't Busta's last album, Back on My B.S?) = a dangerous mixture. Through all of this, I have never loved music more. Perhaps it's because I've had to gain a greater appreciation for it. Perhaps because I've branched out from simply listening to the music I was raised on (jazz, hip hop and r&b). Certainly because it's never been more accessible. In any case, there's no point in discussing the chicken and egg conundrum (Life is music OR Music is life?). I love music. I love finding out about a new artist and listening to the entire album (I only thought 2 weeks ago to check out Adele's first album, 19. Good look). I love hearing snippets or singles months before the album is going to drop (Lupe - Shining Down, Fashawn - Life as a Shorty). I love not fully understanding why a certain artist will be bigger than another (Blu and J. Cole are every bit as good [their music and their talent] as Drake, but Drake is that dude right now. And it's not simply because he's got Lil' Wayne's backing. On second thought, maybe it is. A scary thought as to his influence). I love being able to discuss and argue why I think certain people are underrated/overlooked lyrically (Elzhi/Skyzoo) and others are overrated/'looked?' (Kanye, sorry). Most of all, I love listening to artists that would surprise the hell out of people that I listen to them (Explosions in the Sky, Lily Allen). And thank goodness for mixtapes and continued classics.
P.S -
Current mixtapes on heavy rotation
Diamond District - In the Ruff
Wale - Back to the Feature
J. Cole - The Come Up
Current classic albums on heavy rotation
D'angelo - Voodoo
Outkast - Aquemini
Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show
Friday, July 3, 2009
Janet Jackson - Got 'Til It's Gone
In my opinion the greatest music video ever. 3:25-4:13 is GENIUS on every level. The attention to detail. The inverted piano keys. The first 10 seconds of the video. Is there a better music video than this?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The NBA Draft occurred less than two weeks ago. The Wizards traded away the 5th pick for a pair of proven players: Mike Miller and Randy Foye. When I first heard about the trade in the days before the draft, I was shocked as to why the Wizards would pass on the chance to take Ricky Rubio with the 5th pick. I had built up a sort of basketball man crush with highlights like this:
and this:
Talent and potential at the age of 18 undeniable. Not wanting to play in a city because it wasn't a big enough market. Just a bit concerning to me. In any event, the trade was made and we got Randy Foye and Mike Miller. As GM, Ernie Grunfeld is one of the more respected GM's in the game, though I'm not really sure why. He was a successful GM with the Knicks, though they already had a certain Patrick Ewing playing for them. And then he was the GM of the Milwaukee Bucks, a veritable wasteland. So what is 2009 and the future looking like for the Wizards under Mr. Grunfeld?
* A few notes beforehand (skip if you understand how a salary cap works)
1) The NBA has what is called a salary cap. A cap means that there is a limit on the amount a team can pay players on its total payroll per season (projected to be somewhere around $69 million for the next season - has to be used on at least 13 players). The 'soft' part of it means that a team can go over the limit, sometimes without even paying a luxury tax.
2) What is a luxury tax? When a team goes a specified amount (let's say $10 million or so) above the salary cap, the NBA will invoke the luxury tax. Easy explanation: for every dollar over the luxury tax a team spends, they have to give the same amount to the NBA, which will then redistribute the other teams in the NBA at the end of the season. Sports socialism, if you will.
** The purpose of this is obvious: the NBA wants to give all teams and even mound to pitch offers to potential players. Of course, larger market teams where athletes can get more exposure and marketing (i.e even more money due to sponsorships) still dominate (BTW, you were probably thinking, hey what about the Spurs, they are small market. San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the country. Hardly a small market team).
** It mitigates the chances of having a powerhouse team of all-star, $20 million players (it actually makes it fairly impossible if you think about it. Most NBA teams, even more so now, struggle to make a profit. If you had to match dollar for dollar every amount you paid to players after the luxury tax kicked in and give it to the NBA, you would 1)lose money and 2) the other teams would receive the money from you[your luxury tax divided by 29]. NBA owners are extremely wealthy (worth hundreds of million through 1-digit billionaires). However, they aren't two-digit billionaires willing to own an NBA team that would lose $20 M a season. If Bill Gates or Lawrence Ellison decide to buy an NBA team one day, well, watch out.
This is the current player/financial situation of the Washington Wizards (formatting issues):
Player 2009 2010 2011 2012
Gilbert Arenas$16,192,080 $17,730,694 $19,269,308 $20,807,922
Antawn Jamison$11,641,09 $13,358,905 $15,076,715 $0
Caron Butler $9,780,970 $10,561,960 $0 $0
Mike Miller $9,750,000 $0 $0 $0
Mike James $6,466,600 $0 $0 $0
Brendan Haywood$6,000,000 $0 $0 $0
DeShawn Stevenson$3,886,928 $4,151,786 $0 $0
Randy Foye $3,575,761 $4,795,095 $0 $0
Andray Blatche $3,000,00 $3,260,331 $3,520,661 $0
Nick Young $1,714,800 $2,630,503 $3,695,857 $0
JaVale McGee $1,496,640 $1,601,040 $2,462,399 $3,494,144
J. Crittenton $1,477,920 $2,275,996 $3,245,571 $0
Dominic McGuire$825,497 $0 $0 $0
TOTALS: $75,808,291 -- $49,063,676 -- $37,866,684 -- $20,807,922
If you can see through the formatting issues (or just glance at this site while reading, http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm), a few obvious things come up:
1) Washington meets the minimum number of players on the team (13-active roster).
2) NBA players make a lot of money (esp. one Gilbert Arenas - I'll get to him in a second)
3) The Wizards are above the salary cap (most teams are) but don't pay the luxury tax.
4) Randy Foye (an up and coming guard, scored about 16 ppg last year) gets paid about 3.5 M because he is still in his first rookie contract
One would think that teams that are successful naturally spend more money to do that. Let's look at the Lakers(sportscity.com - has 2008 salary caps): 78.3 M
Celtics:$77.6 M
Nuggets: 68.5 M (equivalent to the Washington Wizards; the Nuggets were arguably the second best team this year after the Lakers)
Cavs: 89 M
* You ever realize why Mark Cuban is so angry and yelling at officials (and now cursing out players' mothers) in the stands? Take a look at the Mavs' salary payroll for 2008: $94.5 M. OUCH!
While the Lakers spent over the cap, so did the Wizards and a number of other NBA teams. In fact, the Lakers, for all of their fame and sunshine state weather and celebrity, spent $9 M more than the Wizards. The Cavs spent almost $90 M to try and get themselves a title, and they were still nowhere closer than a few seasons ago.
What does this mean? It comes down to the quality of the GM to make the wise decisions.
The GM position is difficult because it's constantly in flux:
* Does one try to win a title in the now and mortgage their future?
* Does one do just enough to make the playoffs each year, keeping the owner and fans happy?
* Does one try to 'save up' and wait for the iron to get hot (like what the Knicks are doing with waiting for next summer)?
* Does one overpay for a player that is well into his prime (think Celtics and Kevin Garnett - [he will be making $21 M in 2011. Three seasons from now in 2011, he will be 36 and will be in his 17th season!)? THE BIG TICKET? Hmmm, by then he should be happy to settle for THE LITTLE TOKEN.
* Does one realize that NBA players are NBA players, understanding that they don't want to spend their millions and the best years of their life in places like Charlotte (2008 cap - $60 M) and Salt Lake City, Utah (2008 cap - $64 M)?
So how do the Wizards look?
1)Well, Gilbert Arenas and his Gilbertology are tied down the next 5 seasons at around $16-22 M per season.
2)Antawn Jamison (btw,I love how people still pronounce it like it's Antwan) is tied up for the next three seasons at $11-15 M per season.
3)Brenda(n) Haywood will be playing again this season after missing all of last year. He's 29 (prime time) and in a contract year (last year of his final deal @ 6 M this season), so he will play his ass off this year. So the Wizards will have to overpay this summer to keep him. And if Grunfeld signed off to pay for the bad-kneed Arenas, I count on him to pay for a soft center who looks clueless on the court.
Ahem, exhibit F, I mean exhibit A:
4) Randy Foye. I would love this trade if the Wizards were paying him his same salary now (about $4 M) for the next three seasons. Instead...contract talks loom next summer for the one of the better young 2-guards in the league. Would the Wizards sign him for $8-9 M a season and pair him with another 2-guard in Gilbert Arenas (bad idea), while limiting the playing time of another young 2-guard in Nick Young, who is every bit as talented as Foye? Anything is possible with this Grunfeld cat.
The only piece of good news?
Deshawn Stevenson has only 2 years left on his contract. If Grunfeld re-signs him, I will cease to be a Wizards fan.
Final thoughts:
1) The GM, more than the team superstar, head coach or owner, is the most important person on an NBA team.
2) Looking at the Wizard's payroll, I have no idea what his plan is.
3) As of July 2009, the Wizards could potentially have a lineup of the following:
1 - Gilbert Arenas
2 - Randy Foye
3 - Caron Butler
4 - Antawn Jamison
5 - Contract year Brendan Haywood
& nothing but guards to come off the bench (Mike Miller, Nick Young, Deshawn Stevenson and Blatche to sub for the ballin' Brenda)
Does that team (if healthy) beat the Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Celtics,Magic Trailblazers (they have plenty of cap space this summer) or Cavs (with Shaq)? Not a chance.
So we have a potentially good, not great team to enjoy for the next year.
Then contract talks with the the big Brenda and Foye. And Arenas signed for five years.
Grunfeld's grade - D
Let's contrast that with:
Whoever the GM that is in charge of the Spurs - (Look at this payroll and how the high-playing players just roll off and free up space season after season. That and how you sign veteran players to 2-year contracts and/or trade for veterans with 1-2 years left on their contracts?)
http://www.sportscity.com/NBA/San-Antonio-Spurs-Salaries
Genius personified.
Spurs GM without a name Grade - A+
Let's go, Wizards?
("I'ma lay here until Grunnie pays up and gives me a $118 M contract.")
and this:
Talent and potential at the age of 18 undeniable. Not wanting to play in a city because it wasn't a big enough market. Just a bit concerning to me. In any event, the trade was made and we got Randy Foye and Mike Miller. As GM, Ernie Grunfeld is one of the more respected GM's in the game, though I'm not really sure why. He was a successful GM with the Knicks, though they already had a certain Patrick Ewing playing for them. And then he was the GM of the Milwaukee Bucks, a veritable wasteland. So what is 2009 and the future looking like for the Wizards under Mr. Grunfeld?
* A few notes beforehand (skip if you understand how a salary cap works)
1) The NBA has what is called a salary cap. A cap means that there is a limit on the amount a team can pay players on its total payroll per season (projected to be somewhere around $69 million for the next season - has to be used on at least 13 players). The 'soft' part of it means that a team can go over the limit, sometimes without even paying a luxury tax.
2) What is a luxury tax? When a team goes a specified amount (let's say $10 million or so) above the salary cap, the NBA will invoke the luxury tax. Easy explanation: for every dollar over the luxury tax a team spends, they have to give the same amount to the NBA, which will then redistribute the other teams in the NBA at the end of the season. Sports socialism, if you will.
** The purpose of this is obvious: the NBA wants to give all teams and even mound to pitch offers to potential players. Of course, larger market teams where athletes can get more exposure and marketing (i.e even more money due to sponsorships) still dominate (BTW, you were probably thinking, hey what about the Spurs, they are small market. San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the country. Hardly a small market team).
** It mitigates the chances of having a powerhouse team of all-star, $20 million players (it actually makes it fairly impossible if you think about it. Most NBA teams, even more so now, struggle to make a profit. If you had to match dollar for dollar every amount you paid to players after the luxury tax kicked in and give it to the NBA, you would 1)lose money and 2) the other teams would receive the money from you[your luxury tax divided by 29]. NBA owners are extremely wealthy (worth hundreds of million through 1-digit billionaires). However, they aren't two-digit billionaires willing to own an NBA team that would lose $20 M a season. If Bill Gates or Lawrence Ellison decide to buy an NBA team one day, well, watch out.
This is the current player/financial situation of the Washington Wizards (formatting issues):
Player 2009 2010 2011 2012
Gilbert Arenas$16,192,080 $17,730,694 $19,269,308 $20,807,922
Antawn Jamison$11,641,09 $13,358,905 $15,076,715 $0
Caron Butler $9,780,970 $10,561,960 $0 $0
Mike Miller $9,750,000 $0 $0 $0
Mike James $6,466,600 $0 $0 $0
Brendan Haywood$6,000,000 $0 $0 $0
DeShawn Stevenson$3,886,928 $4,151,786 $0 $0
Randy Foye $3,575,761 $4,795,095 $0 $0
Andray Blatche $3,000,00 $3,260,331 $3,520,661 $0
Nick Young $1,714,800 $2,630,503 $3,695,857 $0
JaVale McGee $1,496,640 $1,601,040 $2,462,399 $3,494,144
J. Crittenton $1,477,920 $2,275,996 $3,245,571 $0
Dominic McGuire$825,497 $0 $0 $0
TOTALS: $75,808,291 -- $49,063,676 -- $37,866,684 -- $20,807,922
If you can see through the formatting issues (or just glance at this site while reading, http://hoopshype.com/salaries/washington.htm), a few obvious things come up:
1) Washington meets the minimum number of players on the team (13-active roster).
2) NBA players make a lot of money (esp. one Gilbert Arenas - I'll get to him in a second)
3) The Wizards are above the salary cap (most teams are) but don't pay the luxury tax.
4) Randy Foye (an up and coming guard, scored about 16 ppg last year) gets paid about 3.5 M because he is still in his first rookie contract
One would think that teams that are successful naturally spend more money to do that. Let's look at the Lakers(sportscity.com - has 2008 salary caps): 78.3 M
Celtics:$77.6 M
Nuggets: 68.5 M (equivalent to the Washington Wizards; the Nuggets were arguably the second best team this year after the Lakers)
Cavs: 89 M
* You ever realize why Mark Cuban is so angry and yelling at officials (and now cursing out players' mothers) in the stands? Take a look at the Mavs' salary payroll for 2008: $94.5 M. OUCH!
While the Lakers spent over the cap, so did the Wizards and a number of other NBA teams. In fact, the Lakers, for all of their fame and sunshine state weather and celebrity, spent $9 M more than the Wizards. The Cavs spent almost $90 M to try and get themselves a title, and they were still nowhere closer than a few seasons ago.
What does this mean? It comes down to the quality of the GM to make the wise decisions.
The GM position is difficult because it's constantly in flux:
* Does one try to win a title in the now and mortgage their future?
* Does one do just enough to make the playoffs each year, keeping the owner and fans happy?
* Does one try to 'save up' and wait for the iron to get hot (like what the Knicks are doing with waiting for next summer)?
* Does one overpay for a player that is well into his prime (think Celtics and Kevin Garnett - [he will be making $21 M in 2011. Three seasons from now in 2011, he will be 36 and will be in his 17th season!)? THE BIG TICKET? Hmmm, by then he should be happy to settle for THE LITTLE TOKEN.
* Does one realize that NBA players are NBA players, understanding that they don't want to spend their millions and the best years of their life in places like Charlotte (2008 cap - $60 M) and Salt Lake City, Utah (2008 cap - $64 M)?
So how do the Wizards look?
1)Well, Gilbert Arenas and his Gilbertology are tied down the next 5 seasons at around $16-22 M per season.
2)Antawn Jamison (btw,I love how people still pronounce it like it's Antwan) is tied up for the next three seasons at $11-15 M per season.
3)Brenda(n) Haywood will be playing again this season after missing all of last year. He's 29 (prime time) and in a contract year (last year of his final deal @ 6 M this season), so he will play his ass off this year. So the Wizards will have to overpay this summer to keep him. And if Grunfeld signed off to pay for the bad-kneed Arenas, I count on him to pay for a soft center who looks clueless on the court.
Ahem, exhibit F, I mean exhibit A:
4) Randy Foye. I would love this trade if the Wizards were paying him his same salary now (about $4 M) for the next three seasons. Instead...contract talks loom next summer for the one of the better young 2-guards in the league. Would the Wizards sign him for $8-9 M a season and pair him with another 2-guard in Gilbert Arenas (bad idea), while limiting the playing time of another young 2-guard in Nick Young, who is every bit as talented as Foye? Anything is possible with this Grunfeld cat.
The only piece of good news?
Deshawn Stevenson has only 2 years left on his contract. If Grunfeld re-signs him, I will cease to be a Wizards fan.
Final thoughts:
1) The GM, more than the team superstar, head coach or owner, is the most important person on an NBA team.
2) Looking at the Wizard's payroll, I have no idea what his plan is.
3) As of July 2009, the Wizards could potentially have a lineup of the following:
1 - Gilbert Arenas
2 - Randy Foye
3 - Caron Butler
4 - Antawn Jamison
5 - Contract year Brendan Haywood
& nothing but guards to come off the bench (Mike Miller, Nick Young, Deshawn Stevenson and Blatche to sub for the ballin' Brenda)
Does that team (if healthy) beat the Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Celtics,Magic Trailblazers (they have plenty of cap space this summer) or Cavs (with Shaq)? Not a chance.
So we have a potentially good, not great team to enjoy for the next year.
Then contract talks with the the big Brenda and Foye. And Arenas signed for five years.
Grunfeld's grade - D
Let's contrast that with:
Whoever the GM that is in charge of the Spurs - (Look at this payroll and how the high-playing players just roll off and free up space season after season. That and how you sign veteran players to 2-year contracts and/or trade for veterans with 1-2 years left on their contracts?)
http://www.sportscity.com/NBA/San-Antonio-Spurs-Salaries
Genius personified.
Spurs GM without a name Grade - A+
Let's go, Wizards?
("I'ma lay here until Grunnie pays up and gives me a $118 M contract.")
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Pure Comedy
After many months of viewing this clip,this still gets me every single time. Maybe it will get old one day.
Doubt it. Enjoy.
Doubt it. Enjoy.
Monday, June 29, 2009
By now, we have all seen the BET Awards. I had to tape them and just finished watching them. I had a feeling beforehand that the awards were going to be special. The producers of the show were put between a rock and a hard place in that they had to redo an entire 2 1/2 hour show in three days. I didn't think I could have been more excited about the BET Awards this year. Honestly, it has (*had) continued to make great strides each year to becoming a respectable awards show, while still demonstrating that it could be more exciting/innovative than the others. Starting a blog, I thought it would be interesting to write comments as I was watching the show.
Alas, here were my comments while watching: { } = further explanation/edits after I made the live comments
I have a feeling these BET Awards are going to a running Michael Jackson tribute. Hopefully it’s touching and not tacky {I am definitely not Nostradamus. Anyone could have predicted that}
Ginuwine should only be given a mic when it’s time to sing. Did Ginuwine stumble or what on his tribute to Michael Jackson? Obviously, he wasn’t reading from a teleprompter. But did you at least prep him and tell him to prepare something?
Example - “I wanna tell him and his family.. well I wanna tell his family” – SPEECHLESS (I couldn’t make that up if I tried)
By the way, I had to keep count. He blinked like 40 times {counted 32 after rewinding the DVR three times} in less than 20 seconds. That has to be a record. Were the lights THAT bright?
Ne-Yo in public without a hat?! This is setting up to be a good (for the wrong reasons) BET Awards.
Whoa, just caught a glimpse of Kanye’s girl. Whoa. Blonde hair and pink lipstick. Here's a pic of her if you haven't seen her before.
She sort of resembles a mashup between these two luminaries:
and
Lebron, Keri Hilson, Kanye etc. are really feelin this Soulja Boy performance. He spits like 3 bars, then ‘Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I’m getting moneyyyyyyyyyyyy’.
Queen Latifah! She needs to drop a rap album. Back in ’93, I used to always play her classic Black Reign album. {I definitely did press pause and find the 'Black Hand Side' track on my Zune and played it - If you don't know that track, download or youtube it. Classic}
Nichelle Nichols was out late to the stage because she was in the "ladies room?" Even if it’s nature and it has to happen, did you have to say that on live television? We're better than that.
The last time I saw Ne-Yo’s head this much was in Stomp the Yard. {YES, that does mean that I am admitting to seeing that film. Slightly more embarassing revelation: Every time it comes on television, I watch at least 30-45 minutes of it. I mean EVERY time. It's like the black cult classic for the new millenium} <<-- I think that last sentence was a stretch.
I will give Keith Sweat the benefit of the doubt and say that he must not have been able to get stage practice before the show.
**All talk that black people naturally have rhythm was put to rest. Thanks Keith Sweat**
** The same applies to Al Sharpton. **
Ray J – To be forever known for three things: 1) being Brandy’s brother, 2) the sex tape and 3) the song, 'Sexy Can I' (so bad but so damn catchy)
I can’t name three people funnier than Mike Epps.
Did Keyshia Cole borrow that bra/corset number from Madonna? It should have been returned yesterday.
Why is Monica struttin on stage like that??!! Easy!
Apologies for the previous statement; now I know why. She had that look of, “I’m bout to out sing this girl Keyshia Cole like it ain’t even funny.” And she most definitely did.
A Marlon Wayans sighting. Can never look at him in quite the same way after this role:
If that doesn't go down in Ripley's Believe It or Not for missteps that did NOT kill a career, I will be amazed.
Quoted from when Jamie Foxx was in the crowd in the upper tier with regular folks– “It’s complete pandemonium. Oh oh the camera man fell. The camera man fell. Alright relax, relax. Alright. Alright, relax. Aight. You gotta hold on, the camera man. Hold on. Relax, relax. Gotta relax. Everybody relax. It’s for Michael, it’s for Michael. Just relax. It’s getting crazy. Everybody hold on.”
- He got them to relax on the belief that it was for Michael Jackson. Then he went on to plug his new tour. That was for Michael? You’re better than that. Don't use his death to get them to get silent and then plug your own show? Am I the only one that caught that?
Damn, Don Cornelius. Speed it up!
Tevin Campbell?! Even more amazing than that?! He is only 32.
Just how short is Bobby Valentino? {Just did a google search. Consensus in: 5'3''}
Fridge break. Cornelius is waxing philosophical telling a story longer than the Bible about the O’Jays.
(+/- 2) on the number of people Eddie Levert has probably killed in his life. I’ll take the over.
Did he just cuss on live tv?! What happened to the 6-second live tv delay that started after Nipplegate at the Super Bowl?
Here is the official quote from Levert - “Snow was blowing and wind was blowing. And people was dancing and shit.”
For the sake of time and a headache from shaking my head too many times in embarassment, I won't post any more comments about the BET Awards. I have a strong feeling that BET won't try redo-ing an entire show again in 3 days, no matter who passes away. I can understand the intent. I can understanding paying homage to the most influential black entertainer of all time. But definitely a case of thinking with the heart and not the head.
Alas, here were my comments while watching: { } = further explanation/edits after I made the live comments
I have a feeling these BET Awards are going to a running Michael Jackson tribute. Hopefully it’s touching and not tacky {I am definitely not Nostradamus. Anyone could have predicted that}
Ginuwine should only be given a mic when it’s time to sing. Did Ginuwine stumble or what on his tribute to Michael Jackson? Obviously, he wasn’t reading from a teleprompter. But did you at least prep him and tell him to prepare something?
Example - “I wanna tell him and his family.. well I wanna tell his family” – SPEECHLESS (I couldn’t make that up if I tried)
By the way, I had to keep count. He blinked like 40 times {counted 32 after rewinding the DVR three times} in less than 20 seconds. That has to be a record. Were the lights THAT bright?
Ne-Yo in public without a hat?! This is setting up to be a good (for the wrong reasons) BET Awards.
Whoa, just caught a glimpse of Kanye’s girl. Whoa. Blonde hair and pink lipstick. Here's a pic of her if you haven't seen her before.
She sort of resembles a mashup between these two luminaries:
and
Lebron, Keri Hilson, Kanye etc. are really feelin this Soulja Boy performance. He spits like 3 bars, then ‘Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I’m getting moneyyyyyyyyyyyy’.
Queen Latifah! She needs to drop a rap album. Back in ’93, I used to always play her classic Black Reign album. {I definitely did press pause and find the 'Black Hand Side' track on my Zune and played it - If you don't know that track, download or youtube it. Classic}
Nichelle Nichols was out late to the stage because she was in the "ladies room?" Even if it’s nature and it has to happen, did you have to say that on live television? We're better than that.
The last time I saw Ne-Yo’s head this much was in Stomp the Yard. {YES, that does mean that I am admitting to seeing that film. Slightly more embarassing revelation: Every time it comes on television, I watch at least 30-45 minutes of it. I mean EVERY time. It's like the black cult classic for the new millenium} <<-- I think that last sentence was a stretch.
I will give Keith Sweat the benefit of the doubt and say that he must not have been able to get stage practice before the show.
**All talk that black people naturally have rhythm was put to rest. Thanks Keith Sweat**
** The same applies to Al Sharpton. **
Ray J – To be forever known for three things: 1) being Brandy’s brother, 2) the sex tape and 3) the song, 'Sexy Can I' (so bad but so damn catchy)
I can’t name three people funnier than Mike Epps.
Did Keyshia Cole borrow that bra/corset number from Madonna? It should have been returned yesterday.
Why is Monica struttin on stage like that??!! Easy!
Apologies for the previous statement; now I know why. She had that look of, “I’m bout to out sing this girl Keyshia Cole like it ain’t even funny.” And she most definitely did.
A Marlon Wayans sighting. Can never look at him in quite the same way after this role:
If that doesn't go down in Ripley's Believe It or Not for missteps that did NOT kill a career, I will be amazed.
Quoted from when Jamie Foxx was in the crowd in the upper tier with regular folks– “It’s complete pandemonium. Oh oh the camera man fell. The camera man fell. Alright relax, relax. Alright. Alright, relax. Aight. You gotta hold on, the camera man. Hold on. Relax, relax. Gotta relax. Everybody relax. It’s for Michael, it’s for Michael. Just relax. It’s getting crazy. Everybody hold on.”
- He got them to relax on the belief that it was for Michael Jackson. Then he went on to plug his new tour. That was for Michael? You’re better than that. Don't use his death to get them to get silent and then plug your own show? Am I the only one that caught that?
Damn, Don Cornelius. Speed it up!
Tevin Campbell?! Even more amazing than that?! He is only 32.
Just how short is Bobby Valentino? {Just did a google search. Consensus in: 5'3''}
Fridge break. Cornelius is waxing philosophical telling a story longer than the Bible about the O’Jays.
(+/- 2) on the number of people Eddie Levert has probably killed in his life. I’ll take the over.
Did he just cuss on live tv?! What happened to the 6-second live tv delay that started after Nipplegate at the Super Bowl?
Here is the official quote from Levert - “Snow was blowing and wind was blowing. And people was dancing and shit.”
For the sake of time and a headache from shaking my head too many times in embarassment, I won't post any more comments about the BET Awards. I have a strong feeling that BET won't try redo-ing an entire show again in 3 days, no matter who passes away. I can understand the intent. I can understanding paying homage to the most influential black entertainer of all time. But definitely a case of thinking with the heart and not the head.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Judge a book by its cover?
In the airport the other day, I gave myself the choice of buying one of two books. One was the latest David Sedaris book, "When You Are Engulfed in Flames". The other was the latest Malcolm Gladwell book, "Outliers". The Sedaris book had the image of a skeleton smoking a cigarette. Just a bit intense. The Gladwell book was simple but clear. Title, name of author, a bunched together series of pearls and one pearl that was separate from all the rest. Message simple and clear. I bought the book. Enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Move to this morning. Sunday mornings are best for reflection and music. I mean, Lionel Richie did write a song about being 'easy' like Sunday mornings. As I was making breakfast, the Gladwell book was on the counter. In a roundabout way, I got to thinking about album covers and how they seem to determine the quality and/or success of the record. Don't believe me? Here are just two examples. I chose Next and Jon B.
I'll start with Next first. Their biggest hit was the song, "Too Close", from their first album. The song was (in)famous for the lyric:
step back youre dancing kinda close
I feel a little poke coming through
On you
Now girl I know you felt it
But boo, you know I cant help it
You know what I wanna do
A quick analysis of the album covers (in order) reveals the success of the albums:
Rated Next: All men are looking at the camera. There are two prerequisites of the late 90's: neon-tinted sunglasses and a band mate that is best defined as 'extra'. That would be the guy in the middle -
Welcome II Nextasy Now, they already had a few things going against them, namely the dreaded sophomore slump and the album title. But the sophomore slump thing gets too much buzz in the music business. The name of the album is the ENTIRE reason the album wasn't successful. That and the album cover. You can analyze it for yourself, but just two remarks: 1) The guy on the left could not be more upset in the photo. Evidently making the album must have been hell. How else do you explain that scowl on an ALBUM COVER of all things? It's not like their first album didn't go double-platinum? It did. And 2) The guy on the right is not even looking at the camera. He has that look of, "If I have to spend more second like this, I'm through. But I'ma fake the hell outta this so no one sees my anger and frustration." Wrong.
The Next Episode - The third and last album up for review. We'll start with dude on the left. Now he's back looking at the camera again, though it's mad awkward with the over the shoulder look. However, fairly normal and mundane. Dude in the middle is 50% responsible for this failure of a cover. A members only jacket with a nipple out and a face like it's a mug shot just don't cut it. As Mark Jackson of NBA on ABC/ESPN would say, "You're better than that!" And last but certainly not least, the creme de la creme. I really need not explain the action in this picture. Three words will suffice. HE IS PRAYING.
For the sake of time (yours and mine), I will just present the most successful Jon B album (1.2 million sold) and the least successful album (13,338) and leave the judgement and comments to you.
Cool Relax
Helpless Romantic
As with many sayings, the "Don't judge a book by its cover" saying is false. When choosing your next album to buy (or download, probably illegally), google search the album cover first. Covers do matter.
P.S - The next (pun intended) album for Next is titled Next, Lies, & Videotape. I anxiously await the album cover.
Move to this morning. Sunday mornings are best for reflection and music. I mean, Lionel Richie did write a song about being 'easy' like Sunday mornings. As I was making breakfast, the Gladwell book was on the counter. In a roundabout way, I got to thinking about album covers and how they seem to determine the quality and/or success of the record. Don't believe me? Here are just two examples. I chose Next and Jon B.
I'll start with Next first. Their biggest hit was the song, "Too Close", from their first album. The song was (in)famous for the lyric:
step back youre dancing kinda close
I feel a little poke coming through
On you
Now girl I know you felt it
But boo, you know I cant help it
You know what I wanna do
A quick analysis of the album covers (in order) reveals the success of the albums:
Rated Next: All men are looking at the camera. There are two prerequisites of the late 90's: neon-tinted sunglasses and a band mate that is best defined as 'extra'. That would be the guy in the middle -
Welcome II Nextasy Now, they already had a few things going against them, namely the dreaded sophomore slump and the album title. But the sophomore slump thing gets too much buzz in the music business. The name of the album is the ENTIRE reason the album wasn't successful. That and the album cover. You can analyze it for yourself, but just two remarks: 1) The guy on the left could not be more upset in the photo. Evidently making the album must have been hell. How else do you explain that scowl on an ALBUM COVER of all things? It's not like their first album didn't go double-platinum? It did. And 2) The guy on the right is not even looking at the camera. He has that look of, "If I have to spend more second like this, I'm through. But I'ma fake the hell outta this so no one sees my anger and frustration." Wrong.
The Next Episode - The third and last album up for review. We'll start with dude on the left. Now he's back looking at the camera again, though it's mad awkward with the over the shoulder look. However, fairly normal and mundane. Dude in the middle is 50% responsible for this failure of a cover. A members only jacket with a nipple out and a face like it's a mug shot just don't cut it. As Mark Jackson of NBA on ABC/ESPN would say, "You're better than that!" And last but certainly not least, the creme de la creme. I really need not explain the action in this picture. Three words will suffice. HE IS PRAYING.
For the sake of time (yours and mine), I will just present the most successful Jon B album (1.2 million sold) and the least successful album (13,338) and leave the judgement and comments to you.
Cool Relax
Helpless Romantic
As with many sayings, the "Don't judge a book by its cover" saying is false. When choosing your next album to buy (or download, probably illegally), google search the album cover first. Covers do matter.
P.S - The next (pun intended) album for Next is titled Next, Lies, & Videotape. I anxiously await the album cover.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Yesterday, Trayvon Roberts was killed in a fiery blaze following a car accident (the early reports are that he was joyriding in a vehicle with other youths) in the early hours on the west side of Chicago. He was going to be an 8th grader this fall. He had been a student of mine until this year. Given birth by a mother addicted to drugs, growing up in East Garfield Park and being a male, life was never going to be easy for Trayvon. And it was not. He came to us as an energetic 5th grader lacking skills in almost every department. Yet he had a personality that could light up the Earth. At the beginning of the school year this fall, as his mother was trying to resume a role in his life as his guardian, we saw the effects of this within our walls. Within a period of about a month, he had received at least three detentions, as well as being suspended twice. In the fall, we made the difficult decision to no longer have him as a student. **As a private school, we did not have the educational/psychological services to deal with a student with such drastic needs**.
Trayvon was like and unlike any other student I have had in my years of teaching. He was like my other students in that he was black (as were 99% of the other students), low income, and from the west or south sides of Chicago. He was like them in that they signed up to go to school from 7:30-6pm each day. But he was so very different. It was apparent that he had seen (and I am quite sure participated in) things no child should see or do at that age. It was all the more amazing that he made it two years in a school where the emphasis on academics and behavior is rigorous.
We graduated our first 8th grade class last month. When they entered in 5th grade, on average, they tested at a 3rd grade level. When they graduated, they tested, on average, at an mid-10th/11th grade level.
I point that out for two reasons: 1) I am proud and honored to serve at a school where we are doing roughly two years of progress in 1 year and 2) It was highly unlikely that Trayvon would have ever hit those heights in such a short period of time. It was not that he wasn't motivated. Just the contrary. It wasn't that he didn't have a caring guardian. His aunt (his mother's sister) took him in when she certainly did not have to. It wasn't that he did not possess the intelligence. He would frequently get C's in my class. This is all the more amazing when you realize that even by 7th grade, his reading skills were 3rd grade at best. Moreover, if you examined his writing (both spelling and appearance), you would bet your house that it was the writing of a struggling 2nd grader. He could barely read, his writing was barely legible (he had never been taught how to write properly - when we write, we don't even think about it; write a C on a piece of paper - you start at the top, then draw a half circle to complete; Trayvon started the other way. He wrote backwards or in some other unorthodox fashion for almost every letter of the alphabet), and yet he would get C's on tests. How? He would memorize almost everything I said in class, ask questions, and then recite back the correct responses on assignments and quizzes.
I saw Trayvon twice in the past three months. The first time was when I was leaving school in the evening. I was aboard a bus when I saw him hanging out on a street corner with five or six other boys at least 4-5 years older than he was. The second time was when, unannounced, he showed up at our school for a couple of hours (during a school day, mind you) to pay us a visit (his doctor's appointment had been scheduled in the morning; his school would not allow a student to come to school for the first time past 11am). While we were excited to see him, it left an indelible impression on what he thought his new school was like. Yesterday when I received the news through the phone, I didn't think about a life lost or what he would have become. Instead I thought back to the two times I saw him in the last three months. Why didn't I get off that bus that spring day and give him a few words of wisdom? Why wasn't I more excited to see him when he came to school and caused only a MINOR disruption by walking into the lunch room? Surely I could have done more. Surely we could have done more. Yesterday, Chicago placed another tally mark next to its saddening list of Chicago Public School students to have died this year. I write this to highlight the details of one of those lives, a student given a deck of cards rife with GD's and Vice Lords, pimps and crack mothers, schools that quite literally set up their own 'Fight Clubs' (among students), food and liquors with bad food, no vegetables but plenty of liquor, crap teachers with resources (a proper education is so much more than resources; if I gave you the choice of having your child educated with a laptop included, a new school bus, new books and a terrible teacher who yelled at kids all day or a good, hard-working teacher with 3-year old books that students had to share, what would you choose?) who do everything but teach, babies pushing babies and liquor bottles and needles that grow from concrete.
Dealer wins--again.
Trayvon was like and unlike any other student I have had in my years of teaching. He was like my other students in that he was black (as were 99% of the other students), low income, and from the west or south sides of Chicago. He was like them in that they signed up to go to school from 7:30-6pm each day. But he was so very different. It was apparent that he had seen (and I am quite sure participated in) things no child should see or do at that age. It was all the more amazing that he made it two years in a school where the emphasis on academics and behavior is rigorous.
We graduated our first 8th grade class last month. When they entered in 5th grade, on average, they tested at a 3rd grade level. When they graduated, they tested, on average, at an mid-10th/11th grade level.
I point that out for two reasons: 1) I am proud and honored to serve at a school where we are doing roughly two years of progress in 1 year and 2) It was highly unlikely that Trayvon would have ever hit those heights in such a short period of time. It was not that he wasn't motivated. Just the contrary. It wasn't that he didn't have a caring guardian. His aunt (his mother's sister) took him in when she certainly did not have to. It wasn't that he did not possess the intelligence. He would frequently get C's in my class. This is all the more amazing when you realize that even by 7th grade, his reading skills were 3rd grade at best. Moreover, if you examined his writing (both spelling and appearance), you would bet your house that it was the writing of a struggling 2nd grader. He could barely read, his writing was barely legible (he had never been taught how to write properly - when we write, we don't even think about it; write a C on a piece of paper - you start at the top, then draw a half circle to complete; Trayvon started the other way. He wrote backwards or in some other unorthodox fashion for almost every letter of the alphabet), and yet he would get C's on tests. How? He would memorize almost everything I said in class, ask questions, and then recite back the correct responses on assignments and quizzes.
I saw Trayvon twice in the past three months. The first time was when I was leaving school in the evening. I was aboard a bus when I saw him hanging out on a street corner with five or six other boys at least 4-5 years older than he was. The second time was when, unannounced, he showed up at our school for a couple of hours (during a school day, mind you) to pay us a visit (his doctor's appointment had been scheduled in the morning; his school would not allow a student to come to school for the first time past 11am). While we were excited to see him, it left an indelible impression on what he thought his new school was like. Yesterday when I received the news through the phone, I didn't think about a life lost or what he would have become. Instead I thought back to the two times I saw him in the last three months. Why didn't I get off that bus that spring day and give him a few words of wisdom? Why wasn't I more excited to see him when he came to school and caused only a MINOR disruption by walking into the lunch room? Surely I could have done more. Surely we could have done more. Yesterday, Chicago placed another tally mark next to its saddening list of Chicago Public School students to have died this year. I write this to highlight the details of one of those lives, a student given a deck of cards rife with GD's and Vice Lords, pimps and crack mothers, schools that quite literally set up their own 'Fight Clubs' (among students), food and liquors with bad food, no vegetables but plenty of liquor, crap teachers with resources (a proper education is so much more than resources; if I gave you the choice of having your child educated with a laptop included, a new school bus, new books and a terrible teacher who yelled at kids all day or a good, hard-working teacher with 3-year old books that students had to share, what would you choose?) who do everything but teach, babies pushing babies and liquor bottles and needles that grow from concrete.
Dealer wins--again.
quickie
This is my first blog. I write with an open heart and mind/write to put my mind in rewind/write to reminisce and wish/of moments filled with sadness and bliss. So without any delay, I'll begin.
I'm sitting here on a beautiful Saturday here in Chicago. There are few things better than sitting on a couch, blinds open to let the sun in, feet up on the ottoman with good music in the background (current artist is Adele - just in case you're wondering).
I want to get blog #1 out of the way so I'll end. Here.
I'm sitting here on a beautiful Saturday here in Chicago. There are few things better than sitting on a couch, blinds open to let the sun in, feet up on the ottoman with good music in the background (current artist is Adele - just in case you're wondering).
I want to get blog #1 out of the way so I'll end. Here.
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