...if you want to waste about 5 minutes of your life that you will never get back:
-
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Gone But Not Forgotten
Recently, we lost two great entertainers. Bernie Mac and Issac Hayes. The past two night at home, instead of watching the Olympic coverage some random athletic event like Rhythmic Gymnastics or Handball that most Americans careless about, I spent my evening watching Larry King Live's tribute to Bernie Mac on Tuesday and a Concert Documentary in remembrance of Issac Hayes on VH1 Klassik on Wednesday. Both were in a way reopened my eyes about how those we admire and appreciate, we should give them praise while they are here, not just when they are gone.
What I hope my generation understands is the impact both had on us. With Bernie Mac, if some were to utter 'the King of Comedy', you immediately think of the late Bernie Mac as one of them. If you as any 80s baby 'when did Bernie Mac let the world know he was here?' If any of them answer with some thing other than Def Comedy Jam, smack them in the face for me...PLEASE! I mean really, what 80s baby can forget "...I aint scared of you muthaf**kas!". The next week at school everybody was saying it. Then who can forget "Dolla Bill." The Player's Club may not have been a critically acclaimed, Academy Award winning movie, but the perfomances within the movie are one of a kind. And no one can say that Bernie Mac didn't own every scene he was in (insert link to You Tube) for that movie. Or many of his others for that matter. Then his TV show made you, the viewer, feel like you were sharing the same living room. As time passes, we'll all realize what the comedy world lost last Saturday.
Shortly after dealing with the shock Bernie Mac, the news hits the wire that Issac Hayes passes away. Some will say he was a bit "quirky" in his later years. Much of that viewpoint can be attributed to his connection with the Church of Scientology. But, irrespective of whatever his religious beliefs were, the man was truly something to behold. You do realize we are talking about "BLACK MOSES," SHAFT('...ya damn...shut cho' mouth!) well at least the man responsible for the music. For the younger crowd, they may relate more to the man who provided the voice for "CHEF" on South Park. I mean who can forget the brilliance of "Chocolate Salty Balls"? That has to be one of the best songs written for a cartoon...EVER!
The documentary was called Wattstax. It was filmed shortly after the Watts riots, at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Not only was it a great documentary about the concert itself, but it really showed just how big of a star Issac Hayes was in his time. The music he made wasn't only musically relevant, but more importantly it was socially relevant. I'm sure many of the hip-hop community know the impact that his music had on hip-hop, but I'm sure there are far many more that don't realize just how much his music has been sampled for much of today's rap/hip-hop.
These two men will be missed greatly. They will be missed by their families, their friends, their colleagues,their fans. But the comedy and music industries will miss their contributions just as much, if not more.
What I hope my generation understands is the impact both had on us. With Bernie Mac, if some were to utter 'the King of Comedy', you immediately think of the late Bernie Mac as one of them. If you as any 80s baby 'when did Bernie Mac let the world know he was here?' If any of them answer with some thing other than Def Comedy Jam, smack them in the face for me...PLEASE! I mean really, what 80s baby can forget "...I aint scared of you muthaf**kas!". The next week at school everybody was saying it. Then who can forget "Dolla Bill." The Player's Club may not have been a critically acclaimed, Academy Award winning movie, but the perfomances within the movie are one of a kind. And no one can say that Bernie Mac didn't own every scene he was in (insert link to You Tube) for that movie. Or many of his others for that matter. Then his TV show made you, the viewer, feel like you were sharing the same living room. As time passes, we'll all realize what the comedy world lost last Saturday.
Shortly after dealing with the shock Bernie Mac, the news hits the wire that Issac Hayes passes away. Some will say he was a bit "quirky" in his later years. Much of that viewpoint can be attributed to his connection with the Church of Scientology. But, irrespective of whatever his religious beliefs were, the man was truly something to behold. You do realize we are talking about "BLACK MOSES," SHAFT('...ya damn...shut cho' mouth!) well at least the man responsible for the music. For the younger crowd, they may relate more to the man who provided the voice for "CHEF" on South Park. I mean who can forget the brilliance of "Chocolate Salty Balls"? That has to be one of the best songs written for a cartoon...EVER!
The documentary was called Wattstax. It was filmed shortly after the Watts riots, at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Not only was it a great documentary about the concert itself, but it really showed just how big of a star Issac Hayes was in his time. The music he made wasn't only musically relevant, but more importantly it was socially relevant. I'm sure many of the hip-hop community know the impact that his music had on hip-hop, but I'm sure there are far many more that don't realize just how much his music has been sampled for much of today's rap/hip-hop.
These two men will be missed greatly. They will be missed by their families, their friends, their colleagues,their fans. But the comedy and music industries will miss their contributions just as much, if not more.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
My fellow (African/Black) Americans...
I have a problem (many in my inner circle probably won't argue with that statement. Ha!). My problem isn't with me personally, or anyone personally. What, or shall I say who I have a problem with is "US" in general. And for those not of the "darker" persuasion, "US" = Black/African Americans.
Recently I had a conversation with some friends and we got to talking about something or the other and in the context of the conversation one guy says '...I fit the description, and I deal with racial profiling (discrimination) everyday!' To which I took some issue with. I mean really do we actually face it everyday? This ain't the Jim Crow Era!
Yeah, yeah...I know I'm looking at this in the literal sense, but what I'm getting at is that we use this generalization way too much. There is no possible way anyone can tell me they deal with racism on a daily basis. Reality is, people in general basically do just about the same thing each day; particularly Monday through Thursday. Go to work, eat lunch, work some more, go home, eat dinner, go to sleep. Feel free to insert a racial profiling incident or some racial discrimination in there somewhere if you truly want to believe it happens everyday, but trust me, it doesn't happen as often as we'd like to believe.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of instances of racial profiling and discrimination on a daily basis. However, 100% of blacks in America don't have to endure it every day, every hour, etc. I know you're probably saying, 'but don't we all endure some type of indirect racism each day?' Yeah, whatever...that's not the point. What I'm talking about is blatant racism that we think we experience daily. The bottom line here is that we need to exercise a little bit more caution in how many times we throw out the race card.
Recently I had a conversation with some friends and we got to talking about something or the other and in the context of the conversation one guy says '...I fit the description, and I deal with racial profiling (discrimination) everyday!' To which I took some issue with. I mean really do we actually face it everyday? This ain't the Jim Crow Era!
Yeah, yeah...I know I'm looking at this in the literal sense, but what I'm getting at is that we use this generalization way too much. There is no possible way anyone can tell me they deal with racism on a daily basis. Reality is, people in general basically do just about the same thing each day; particularly Monday through Thursday. Go to work, eat lunch, work some more, go home, eat dinner, go to sleep. Feel free to insert a racial profiling incident or some racial discrimination in there somewhere if you truly want to believe it happens everyday, but trust me, it doesn't happen as often as we'd like to believe.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of instances of racial profiling and discrimination on a daily basis. However, 100% of blacks in America don't have to endure it every day, every hour, etc. I know you're probably saying, 'but don't we all endure some type of indirect racism each day?' Yeah, whatever...that's not the point. What I'm talking about is blatant racism that we think we experience daily. The bottom line here is that we need to exercise a little bit more caution in how many times we throw out the race card.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Why Wendy?...Why?
So today I go to get my car serviced. You know the drill, oil change every 3000 miles, only this time I'm approaching 8000 miles between oil changes. (I've been a busy man of late, what can I say!?!). Anyhow, I usually take my car to the Vandergriff Honda dealership where I bought it from everytime. (I know, its just an oil change, I can actually take the car anywhere to get it done...and probably for less at that.)
Enough rambling, let me get back on topic now. (This is a my blog about nothing correct?). I'm sitting down in the waiting area along with everyone else, and lo and behold, 'The Wendy Williams Show' is on. (Whooptie Friggin Doo!). But she has these two guys on the show sitting next to her that have a business together makin women's shoes (high heels, boots, the whole shebang). Ok, on the surface you would think I'd put that whole concept in question..but I'm not. Who am I to knock another man/woman's hustle? (Get cha money dawg.) What made me do a double take was Wendy Williams and how close she is to being put on the "Hot A$$ Mess list." (...if she isn't already on it)
What grabbed my attention is the fact that she looks so much like a MAN!!! Mind you, she was sitting next to two men that actually look like real men. For more than a moment, I had a hard time believing that there was actually a woman on the stage to begin with! On top of that she's trying to do her best Beyonce impersonation with the long blonde hair extensions in her head.
So now I have to wonder...did Wendy Williams ever look like a female in her entire life or what??? I'm gonna guess that all the plastic surgery she's gotten done that's catching up with her. She might want go holla at Lil Kim and see the effect the surgery took on her rap career. (Note to female rappers: Just because Betty Boop cartoons are cute doesn't mean that you looking like the real life version will be cute in the literal sense!)
...On second thought, maybe someone should holla at Lil Kim and Wendy Williams in the same session! Although, it might be a bit late to restore Lil Kim at this point.
Enough rambling, let me get back on topic now. (This is a my blog about nothing correct?). I'm sitting down in the waiting area along with everyone else, and lo and behold, 'The Wendy Williams Show' is on. (Whooptie Friggin Doo!). But she has these two guys on the show sitting next to her that have a business together makin women's shoes (high heels, boots, the whole shebang). Ok, on the surface you would think I'd put that whole concept in question..but I'm not. Who am I to knock another man/woman's hustle? (Get cha money dawg.) What made me do a double take was Wendy Williams and how close she is to being put on the "Hot A$$ Mess list." (...if she isn't already on it)
What grabbed my attention is the fact that she looks so much like a MAN!!! Mind you, she was sitting next to two men that actually look like real men. For more than a moment, I had a hard time believing that there was actually a woman on the stage to begin with! On top of that she's trying to do her best Beyonce impersonation with the long blonde hair extensions in her head.
So now I have to wonder...did Wendy Williams ever look like a female in her entire life or what??? I'm gonna guess that all the plastic surgery she's gotten done that's catching up with her. She might want go holla at Lil Kim and see the effect the surgery took on her rap career. (Note to female rappers: Just because Betty Boop cartoons are cute doesn't mean that you looking like the real life version will be cute in the literal sense!)
...On second thought, maybe someone should holla at Lil Kim and Wendy Williams in the same session! Although, it might be a bit late to restore Lil Kim at this point.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Real Top Model
Well my wife, and her ambitious nature is dipping her toe in to something new. Go check out her profile and leave comments here and on her page (if possible) on your thoughts.
http://www.modelmayhem.com/gritsshae
http://www.modelmayhem.com/gritsshae
Throwback MTV Video Of The Day
Wuz up y'all? I know I'm not alone on this one. Remember back in the day (the '80s) when cable TV was just making it's way into your home, your neighbor's home, your cousin's home, your boy's cousin's home , etc... Remember when MTV was playing all the music that you look back at and say to yourself, "...GOSH! I used to watch this stuff?" Well, with that said, here is the Throwback MTV Video of the Day:
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
About Me...
Background
I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Born in the 12rd ward, raised in the 17th ward (Hollygrove). I graduated from McMain Magnet High School (...and NO, I am not a "real" nerd, I'm your klassik underachiever to be real honest). I went on to attend Miles College on a football scholarship and then transferred to The Southern University and A&M College, where I played football there too. I was fortunate enough to also become a member of the illustrious bond of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Sigma Khapter, Spring 1999, 6-Klub, "Krazy Legs"). I was also able to receive a Masters degree in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University in the Fall of 2004. (Lucky for me the company I work for paid for it)
I currently reside in Burleson, TX (a suburb of "Funkytown," TX or Fort Worth, TX for those that don't know of what I talking about, ya dig.). I am employed by large company in the area. (but, by now, you probably already figured that part out). On July 25, 2006 I proposed to the most beautiful woman to ever walk into my life, Shaemekia LaShae (White) Jamison, not including my mom (...and Nia Long though, she never quite walked into my life to be exact...LOL! Calm down, it's just jokes)
And on July 20, 2007 I made her my wife. (yeah, all single ladies you can look somewhere else)
At the present time we don't have any children, but for the time being, that's a good thing. Nothing like taking some time to "honeymoon," ya heard me! ;-)
Do I love what I do...sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Is there something I'd rather be doing everyday...sure. Try staying at home sitting on my rear end. OK, I'm kidding really. Although that may sound like the life, I actually have a hard time staying at home on vacation for more than a few days at a time. (yeah, call me krazy if you want...but I tell you no lie.) It's just something about sitting around doing nothing with your life that eats away at me. But I guess if I was filthy wealthy (yeah, I said wealthy, not rich...THERE IS A DIFFERENCE PEOPLE!!!!). Anyhow, if there was something I could quit my job to do, it would probably be coaching. I think I would love to be a football coach. High school, college, etc. It really wouldn't matter to me. Part of it is that I miss the game so much. I lie to you not, there is no price that can be put on the experience of playing football (or any sport for that matter) and being around good teammates.
Random Information About Me
Favorite Music:
I listen to just about anything but Country musik; and of course any musik komin' outta New Orleans or anywhere in Lousiana will get plenty of rotation on the iPod, ya heard me!
Favorite Movies/Films:
The Mack, Superfly, Willie Dynamite, Anything w/ Rudy Ray Moore, Pretty much all "Blaxploitation" films, Love Jones, The Program, The Usual Suspects...
Favorite Sports:
Football, Baseball, Golf, Basketball, Weightlifting
Favorite NFL Teams:
San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints (hometown team)
Favorite NBA Teams:
Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets (hometown team)
Favorite MLB Teams:
San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's
FavoriteCollege Football Teams:
Southern University (as if you expected anything different), LSU, USC, Florida State
Favorite College Basketball Teams:
Southern University, Kansas Jayhawks, LSU
Favorite College Baseball Teams:
Southern University, LSU
Now you may ask what was the purpose for listing all that useless information? Well when any one of these teams has any sort of success, I don't want to be labeled as your classic bandwagon jumper guy!
Why a Blog?
Good question (but then again, what question is really a bad question???) Actually I'm not sure why I started this blog. It could be that I've succumb to the evil forces of the internet. Or, it could be that I'm just bored as all get out in my normal, everyday life and need to do something else just becasue I can. Isn't that the real purpose of a blog anyway? If it isn't, then it should be.
For the most part I don't even know what I'll even use this dayum thing for anyway. Most likely I'll post about current events and my take on all of it. I'll also share the good news in my life as well as the bad. (can't have one without the other right). As big of a sports fan as I am, you know this site won't go without some sports commentary with a vengence!!! (anybody familiar with GAC will know what I'm talking about...LOL!)
I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. Born in the 12rd ward, raised in the 17th ward (Hollygrove). I graduated from McMain Magnet High School (...and NO, I am not a "real" nerd, I'm your klassik underachiever to be real honest). I went on to attend Miles College on a football scholarship and then transferred to The Southern University and A&M College, where I played football there too. I was fortunate enough to also become a member of the illustrious bond of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Sigma Khapter, Spring 1999, 6-Klub, "Krazy Legs"). I was also able to receive a Masters degree in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University in the Fall of 2004. (Lucky for me the company I work for paid for it)
I currently reside in Burleson, TX (a suburb of "Funkytown," TX or Fort Worth, TX for those that don't know of what I talking about, ya dig.). I am employed by large company in the area. (but, by now, you probably already figured that part out). On July 25, 2006 I proposed to the most beautiful woman to ever walk into my life, Shaemekia LaShae (White) Jamison, not including my mom (...and Nia Long though, she never quite walked into my life to be exact...LOL! Calm down, it's just jokes)
And on July 20, 2007 I made her my wife. (yeah, all single ladies you can look somewhere else)
At the present time we don't have any children, but for the time being, that's a good thing. Nothing like taking some time to "honeymoon," ya heard me! ;-)
Do I love what I do...sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Is there something I'd rather be doing everyday...sure. Try staying at home sitting on my rear end. OK, I'm kidding really. Although that may sound like the life, I actually have a hard time staying at home on vacation for more than a few days at a time. (yeah, call me krazy if you want...but I tell you no lie.) It's just something about sitting around doing nothing with your life that eats away at me. But I guess if I was filthy wealthy (yeah, I said wealthy, not rich...THERE IS A DIFFERENCE PEOPLE!!!!). Anyhow, if there was something I could quit my job to do, it would probably be coaching. I think I would love to be a football coach. High school, college, etc. It really wouldn't matter to me. Part of it is that I miss the game so much. I lie to you not, there is no price that can be put on the experience of playing football (or any sport for that matter) and being around good teammates.
Random Information About Me
Favorite Music:
I listen to just about anything but Country musik; and of course any musik komin' outta New Orleans or anywhere in Lousiana will get plenty of rotation on the iPod, ya heard me!
Favorite Movies/Films:
The Mack, Superfly, Willie Dynamite, Anything w/ Rudy Ray Moore, Pretty much all "Blaxploitation" films, Love Jones, The Program, The Usual Suspects...
Favorite Sports:
Football, Baseball, Golf, Basketball, Weightlifting
Favorite NFL Teams:
San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints (hometown team)
Favorite NBA Teams:
Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets (hometown team)
Favorite MLB Teams:
San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's
FavoriteCollege Football Teams:
Southern University (as if you expected anything different), LSU, USC, Florida State
Favorite College Basketball Teams:
Southern University, Kansas Jayhawks, LSU
Favorite College Baseball Teams:
Southern University, LSU
Now you may ask what was the purpose for listing all that useless information? Well when any one of these teams has any sort of success, I don't want to be labeled as your classic bandwagon jumper guy!
Why a Blog?
Good question (but then again, what question is really a bad question???) Actually I'm not sure why I started this blog. It could be that I've succumb to the evil forces of the internet. Or, it could be that I'm just bored as all get out in my normal, everyday life and need to do something else just becasue I can. Isn't that the real purpose of a blog anyway? If it isn't, then it should be.
For the most part I don't even know what I'll even use this dayum thing for anyway. Most likely I'll post about current events and my take on all of it. I'll also share the good news in my life as well as the bad. (can't have one without the other right). As big of a sports fan as I am, you know this site won't go without some sports commentary with a vengence!!! (anybody familiar with GAC will know what I'm talking about...LOL!)
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