John Mayer Is So Hip Hop...

From the Chapelle Show...To him out-stunting Kanye in the studio...And the way he randomly uploads tracks...He is a man that will always have a place on my blog...

I’ve been thinking of a way to say thank you for making Battle Studies such a huge success out of the gate… I’ve also been thinking of a way to use tumblr as a means of posting some more substantial stuff… So here’s a very raw, live solo version of “Edge of Desire” I just recorded in my apartment as a way to show my gratitude to you all for extending my time in this amazing career you’ve helped me build.

I think if you were kind enough to spent the 13 bucks, you should get some free music for the next good while.

So here it is. A song about late night longing recorded at 3am. iPhone dinging in the background and all…(that’s how I knew the take was going to be worth sticking with, as the best takes always get interrupted.)

Thank you. More to come. John

...I'll keep you posted

UN-Forced Development...

Hi...My name is Gerald...And I'm a people watcher. Not a people watcher in the creepy, report me to the E.S.I.A (End Stalking In America, Inc.) type of way...I enjoy watching people in motion. I get so inspired...From their style. One of the items on my mini bucket list...Wait...Now before I go in, let me explain...I have a bucket list (things I want to do before I lay it down for good)...Then I have a mini bucket list (things I want to do in the next 5 years). Where was I at? Oh...One of my items on my mini bucket list to take up photography. Not like Glamour Shots portrait studios photography...But I want to unleash my inner Scott Schuman. Have you ever heard of him? He is the creator of the popular blog "The Sartorialist". After leaving his position as director of men's fashion at his showroom to take care of his daughter in September 2005, he began carrying a digital camera around NYC and photographing people he saw on the street whose style he found interesting. He then posted these to his blog, sometimes with short comments, always either favorable or open-minded...He is well known for photographing what have been described as "real people". He says that the fashion world was really disconnected with reality. As he explains in his bio:

When I worked in the fashion industry (15 years), I always felt that there was a disconnect between what I was selling in the showroom and what I was seeing real people (really cool people) wearing in real life.

He now has an extremely well-respected blog, a monthly page in GQ, recurring guest blogs and videos for Style.com, and countless other exciting side projects. I want to give you a taste of some of his amazing work. Here are a few of my favorites.

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE...
The story behind this photo...The name of the post is "Not Giving Up, NYC"...And it goes like this...

I don't usually shoot homeless people. I don't find it romantic or appealing like a lot of street photographers, and if you asked homeless people they are probably not to happy about their situation either. That's why I was surprised to be so drawn to taking a picture of this gentleman. I was being interviewed for an article in British Vogue; and while we walked down Bowery back in April I barely stopped walking when I took the shot. Fiona Golfar, the writer, asked why I took the photo. At that moment I couldn't really explain - but I just had a feeling about the power and grace of how he was sitting there. It wasn't until later that night when I was working on the image that I realized why I had noticed this man. Usually people in this man's position have given up hope. Maybe this gentleman has too, I don't know, but he hasn't given up his sense of self or his sense of expressing something about himself to the world. In my quick shot I had noticed his pale blue boots, what I hadn't noticed at first were the matching blue socks, blue trimmed gloves, and blue framed glasses. This shot isn't about fashion - but about someone who, while down on his luck, hasn't lost his need to communicate and express himself through style.

Well for me...This picture speaks volumes...It takes me back to one of favorite Oscar Wilde quotes, "We are all from the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." When faced with trials and tribulations...Its so easy to give up and give in. But what God wants us to do is depend on him...And keep living. From the looks of this picture, life has sent him some heartaches. Life has sent him some rough times...But at the end of the day he is standing strong...Knowing that there is a Greater Power that will always provide. Well thats what I get from this picture...A sense of strength...

But you should check out some of his work...

...I'll keep you posted

I Know You All Have Been Waiting For...The List...

Its about that time again...I don't want too much this year...But there are a few things I wouldn't mind seeing nicely wrapped and delivered my way on the 25th...You guys have 23 days (well, really 22)...so lets get this started...



#1 Oliver Peoples Maceo...Slightly larger, masculine version of the collaboration frame designed with Hollywood starlet Zooey Deschanel, this retro-inspired sunglass is hand-crafted in substantial beveled acetate and features vintage metal ridge detailing at the end piece...The visible core-wire within the temple is embossed with Oliver Peoples logo detailing and the Oliver Peoples plaque is laminated at the temple end...6-based lens curve includes the option of CR-39 Polarized or Photochromic lenses, providing superior UV protection....Okay, okay, okay...That was all fine and dandy...But let me tell you the story behind this item...I have been eyeglass-less for about 5 and 1/2 month...Not because I don't want a pair...Because I haven't found the perfect frame. That's the relationship I have with my eye wear...It has to be perfect. I love my contacts, but there is nothing like a nice frame to throw on. I actually prefer them over contacts...My personality. Anyway...I've looked every where! From optical places to antique shops nothing...But one day I was in Barney's (Chicago) and it found me. I've been in love every since...And as soon as I get them, I'm going to gut them...Take them to my local optical spot (of course one that is covered by my insurance-use it anytime I get a chance *free free-well not really*-as much as I'm paying)...Get a clear lens put in...And have a fresh new pair...One that nobody else has. I will either want the storm or black ones. $325 retail...$287.89 + free shipping eBay. (hey...I'm trying to help you out).



#2 BuckyBalls by Zoomdoggle...The perfect desk toy. These 216 rare-earth magnets are just like Silly Putty but made of metal...Make sculptures, puzzles, patterns, shapes, stick stuff to the fridge, invent a new game trying to find something more useful is useless. Can you really think of another way to spend company time? $29.95 + $5.95 shipping & handling-straight from the source (if you buy 2...SHIPPING FREE...I'm just saying).














#3 Esquire's The Meaning of Life: Wisdom, Humor, & Damn Good Advise From 64 Extraordinary Lives (Hardcover)-Ryan D'Agostino (Author) & David Granger (Introduction)...From Esquire’s popular “What I’ve Learned” column comes a stunning collection of candid interviews with 64 actors, directors, musicians, economists, politicians, and other leaders...Every one of the impressive figures profiled here offers insights that reveal the humanity behind the famous face. Their words—often unguarded, open, and vulnerable—appear exactly as they were spoken, and the dramatic portraits accompanying each interview showcase photography’s brightest talents: Brigitte Lacombe, Bruce Davidson, Peggy Sirota, and Nigel Parry, among others.

The lessons these larger-than-life personalities convey are funny, inspirational, very down-to-earth—and always captivating. The profiles include: Robert Altman, George Carlin, George Clooney, Tony Curtis, Ray Charles, Johnny Depp, Snoop Dogg, Faye Dunaway, Clint Eastwood , Eminem, Michael J. Fox, Joe Frazier, John Kenneth Galbraith, Mikhail Gorbachev, Woody Harrelson, Dustin Hoffman, Ted Kennedy, Elmore Leonard, Jerry Lewis, Arthur Miller, Keith Richards, Oliver Stone, Gore Vidal, Ted Williams...Just to name a few. Esquire (fav mag) + Sound Words of Wisdom= A Winner...$15.61 + shipping & handling at Amazon.

#4 X Bat Maple Bamboo Composite 73...Anybody that knows me pretty well, knows that baseball is my first love. I still pretend I can play a little bit. Every once and while I will get in a pick up game...Or go to the batting cage and try to relive some of my JA Fair/American Legion/AAU days (yes, I was pretty good)...And I'm a type of person that prefers to swing wooden bats...Aluminum are for guys that haven't mastered the art of hitting the ball. My favorite line is the Model 73...Its X Bat's most popular model...Its for guys like myself who want a big barrel, large sweet spot, great comfort and balance (I know-I sound like a commercial-but its so true). I know...Let me stop boring you. But it makes the perfect practice bat. And I prefer to swing a 32...$125-straight from the source.




#5 Dr. Metric Master Set...Well...The Rov is getting older...And I am too...I can't find where I placed my tire iron...Meaning...If I had a flat, I would s.o.l...And its about time for my tools to grow up a little bit too. I'e had my eye on this for a while...I would of never thought I would be asking for a 125PC Mechanic Set for Christmas...haha $157.56 (I know you all want me to have one that's going to last) here is the place.








BONUS (Pipe-dream) 18 Philip Stein Chronograph Sport Watch 5-B-CRW...Oversize stainless steel case on a black rubber strap (not interchangeable), White chronograph dial, Black rubber bezel, Sapphire crystal, 2 Quartz movements, Chronograph Stop-Watch, 24-Hour display, Date at the 4 mark, Water resistant to 150M...*sigh*...An oldie, but a goodie...A man can dream...A man can dream...WAS $1,695.00...NOW $999.99 is you get it here...
















Let me know if you guys need any help... (hey *shrug shoulders)

...I'll keep you posted

Clap For Them...

Everybody that knows me...Knows that I'm anti-superficial...I'm all about simple. Essentials...But some things are built with an exceptions.

Well, I have seen numerous bachelor pads...From Apogee on South Beach to Carbon 56 in Seattle...But this year, Esquire's ultimate bachelor pad at the SoHo Mews in NYC...Is a...*sigh*...Words can't even begin to explain. (moment of silence)

The penthouse level apartment combines two units and the spaces are equipped with fantastic technological innovations and an emphasis on sustainable living. -Kibwe Daisy (Design For Men)

I can't even understand how you can use the word "Pad”...That term is truly an understatement...This sprawling, block-sized penthouse styled by a dozen top designers is filled with impossibly cool, impossibly pricey decor...

Here are a few more of my favorite shots...

I wouldn't even know what to do with all of that...All its missing is a Land Rover Defender 110 & Ducati GT 1000 in the garage...

If you want more pics & info...Go check it out...

Now back to my regular low key self...Just had a moment...

...I'll keep you posted

Dear T.M.E.,

Hey...How you been? Its been a while...I'm digging the new simple, but sophisticated layout. I'm doing pretty good if you cared to know. I've just had a lot of my mind lately. Well...To be honest you.

I never thought I would be in this situation. Coming back to the world of expressing myself on "Through My Eyes". I've been contemplating deleting you for months...To be honest, about a year. But I couldn't. I couldn't pull the trigger...Every time I tried, another post jumped out at me. I would sit and read about my extremely random thoughts for weeks at a time...Every line making me miss you even more. But between writing for scholarly gain and career purposes, I came up with every excuse in the book not to take on this process again.

It was always something. You know...The usual. "If it was meant, it would come more holistic...I just don't have time...I don't have anything new to talk about...Just the same #%@&, on a different toilet." But its human nature to excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty...When you love something, you have to be willing to work at it. Success and happiness doesn't come without a price...

After a few weeks of digging at the pro's and con's...I came to the conclusion that a lot of my sloth/stall came out of fear...Fear that I didn't have that "touch" anymore. Fear that I've lost my fam after pulling a "D'Angelo"...Not once, but twice. Fear that it wouldn't be the same anymore....Between you and me. That fear made it easy for me to talk myself down, time after time.

But after having a heart to heart with my Mac, one thing stuck out...Being able to articulate my thoughts...Being able to entertain...Being able to take off the 9 to 5-*plus-plus* shell, and just be "G. Cornelius" was something I needed. So, in so many words...I need you. Life just isn't fun without you. I'm sorry for neglecting you.

I hope you could find it in your heart to forgive me...I know I've said some hurtful things in the past. I never meant any of them. Just acting out of anger. I hope that we could heal and move on to bigger and better things.

Sincerely,

G. Cornelius

P.S. I'll keep you posted...

A Long Couple of Weeks...

Its good to be back...

I took off a few days to hit the road for business...

And I get back in the office...And it seems like I had every kind of paperwork awaiting me...From contracts to proposals...Not fun...

At all...

But now its time to play catch up...



Anybody that knows me can tell you that I love to keep my thread game up...But right now I'm on a mission...My mission is to find out what kind of Nikes Mr. West was wearing in his Grammy performance...I've been checking every sneaker head site every since that night, but no positive news...

I found some info from an article in NY Times’ The Moment...He said he "can’t talk about them because they’re not out yet." We all know that Nike gives celebrities and athletes shoes, but giving 'Ye his own silhouette? Thats not fair at all...



Say it ain't so Gold Man...



MARCH 7, 2008

A Key West street performer known as "Gold Man" was busted this week on a warrant charging him with selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. Daryl Brooks, 45, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, in full costume, and booked into the Monroe County Sheriff's Office lockup on the felony drug rap. Brooks did not have the chance to remove his face paint before posing for his mug shot. Ain't that some ish! Before Key West police stuffed Brooks in a squad car, they took a photo of him in his outfit. Why they gotta do Gold Man like that! He is a legend in them KW Streets (tear to my eye)...According to an incident report, as Brooks sat in the police vehicle, he allegedly confessed (shaking head) to a cop: "It wasn't even mine, I sold it for a friend. I needed the money so I could take a day off from my day job as the Gold Man." Brooks added, needlessly, "You know when I get high, I do some stupid stuff." Brooks is being held in the Monroe County jail in lieu of $35,000 bail. (TSG)

Some body please go put 10% on Gold Man...

But before that...It ain't even mine? Gold Man...Come on...

Moving on to more foolishness...



FEBRUARY 22, 2008

A Florida doctor bartered painkiller prescriptions in return for sex from at least five female patients, according to investigators. Benjamin Malalang, 70, was nabbed yesterday in a police sting launched after one of the women approached Jacksonville cops with details of the pills-for-sex deal. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrest report, the woman said that "within the last year" she began performing "a sex act on Dr. Malalang" in return for prescriptions for Oxycontin, the powerful painkiller. She told police that the encounters occurred at the home and office of Malalang, an acupuncture specialist. Following his arrest, police said, Malalang admitted trading prescriptions for sexual favors and said that four other female patients took part in the illicit arrangement. Malalang, pictured in the mug shot at right, is facing a felony charge of trafficking in illegal drugs. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Duval County lockup. (TSG)

Okay...Woman (since they didn't post your name)...You turned him in after you got your fix? Ain't that bout some ish! LOL

Well I want to end on a high note...

Dru Hills getting back together and breaking up in less then 30 minutes...

Classic!



(SIDENOTE: Had throw the boarder in "pank"...Just for the effect)

All I have to say is...

Woody Rock

(shaking head)




And on that note...

I'll keep you posted

Hey...

Just letting you know...I'm still alive...

Just when I got back...I had contracts...And more contracts...And more contracts...

Just been busy...

But i will promise to post this week...LOL


I'll keep you posted