Through My Eyes

Yes...The List

2011-12-04T00:31:00.025-06:00

Every year, I put my list up so there are no mistakes. I'm trying to help you.

Well, let it begin...

Profound Aesthetic Wood Bead Bracelets ($18): I need more. The first of their many efforts appropriately titled the ‘Wood Collection’ shows us the meticulously hand crafted wood beads with natural stone accents and metal pieces which highlight the “PA” signature engraving. Offered in four different colourways (Black, Natural, Red and Brown), these quality wrist pieces are available on their website. I have the Aqua and Olive. Looking to diversify.

Bergino Suede Baseball ($25): Specializing in finely crafted baseball related gifts, Bergino adds a touch of sporting legend to office or home decor. Their balls come in a vast array of suede and can also be customized for more individualized gifts. I am also particularly fond of their miniature baseball gloves – which are perfectly sized for use as a paper weight or business card holder. But the one that I have my eye on is the Ruby one (second to last row, far right). Website.

Tie Bar Pocket Squares ($8): The Tie Bar was born out of frustration—frustration that ties cost so much. So former lawyers Greg and Gina Shugar decided to do something about it: Greg learned design, Gina learned the retail business, and soon thetiebar.co m had solved their sartorial dilemma. It turns out they weren’t the only ones who were having trouble finding well-priced, on-trend accessories, and their success with neckwear led them to expand into tie bars, pocket squares, and cufflinks. And I have fell in love with their pocket squares. Especially their cotton ones. There are a few I need to add to my collection;
Mini Gingham - Red, Solid White Cotton (Brown Border), and Denim - Light Blue. All three are linked up. See, making it easy for you.

Miles Davis Quintet: Live in Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 ($35.24): If you're a seasoned jazz fan, you immediately understand: "Wait, isn't that the band with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter? Ron Carter and Tony Williams? The one behind E.S.P., and Miles Smiles, and Nefertiti? The one with all those twisted, fourth-dimension harmonies? The rhythmically athletic swing? Those incredible tunes? And ... whoa, wait, you mean they're live, too?" That's how I felt when I first got my hands on the new of this piece of history being available for purchase. The five-man band he led from late 1964 to early '68 — the so-called "second great quintet" — was one of the best he ever had. Website.

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka ($27.99): This is a small batch vodka made in Pennsylvania from locally grown potatoes by two guys using a copper still. The result is a softer, creamier style of vodka that is more mild on the palate. The quality of the spirit is obvious upon the first sip - this is vodka made by people who really care about quality and precision. F. Paul Pacult's Spirits Journal has ranked the Boyd & Blair Vodka as the 22nd best spirit in the world, making it the Spirits Journal's top ranked Vodka. Pacult opines, "The best small-scale vodka I've had since the 45th Parallel. So sumptuous and tasty that it's spectacular tasted neat. Best non-Polish vodka available. AWESOME ACHIEVEMENT!" -Five Stars Spirits Journal. W ebsite.

Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season ($37.99): Boardwalk Empire is an American television series from cable network HBO, set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era. It stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. The show was adapted by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer Terence Winter (of The Sopranos) from a book about historical criminal kingpin Enoch "Nucky" Johnson by Nelson Johnson, entitled Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City. Boardwalk Empire has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its visual style and historical accuracy, as well as for Buscemi's lead performance. The series was nominated for 18 Emmy Awards; winning eight, including Outstanding Directing for Martin Scorsese. On October 12th, 2011 it was announced that the series had been renewed for a third season. Well, I need the complete first season in my life. Website.

Esquire The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life ($9.95): Just being a man was never more fraught with confusion and peril-and that's why this best-selling guide has been expanded.This is a perfect men's manual for life in the 21st century. This men's manual to life in the 21st century is now in paperback! Derived from the magazine's popular feature, Esquire The Rules provides plenty of light-hearted reading, manly musings and good advice. Its entertainment to live by, covering work to sex and everything in between, including Rule Number 581: If the bartender has a mullet, ordering a martini is probably a bad idea. Its probably one of my favorite columns from my favorite magazine. Website.

The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965 ($28.90): The most chaotic and soulful coffee table book I've seen in awhile, no contest. The book has a forlorn and gripping story to tell, about how Smith, the Life magazine photographer, left his job and his family to hole up for eight years in a dilapidated building in Midtown Manhattan. He was supposed to be completing a photo essay about the city of Pittsburgh. But as he became obsessed with the building and the famous jazz musicians who gathered in it to play at night (and as he became increasingly addicted to alcohol and amphetamines), the Pittsburgh project became a memory, and Smith began recording the goings-on at 821 Sixth Avenue full time. Website.

Who Shot Rock and Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present ($26.40): More than 200 spectacular, frenzied and authentic photographs from 1955 to the present catch and define the energy and intoxication of rock 'n' roll. The collection captures rock's message of freedom and personal reinvention to examine the effect of photography on the musicians, fans and culture. Many of the image collected here are now iconic - a young Elvis in 1956, tender and vulnerable, John Lennon in New York and the famous Jimi Hendrix portrait by Gered Mankowitz. I love this book, and not merely for the uniformly excellent and often unexpected photographs Ms. Buckland has chosen to illustrate this love letter to rock’s finest photographers (and performers). Website.

YES, one more coffee table book...

The Sartorialist ($16.50): Hi...My name is Gerald. And I'm a people watcher. I get so inspired...From their style. Scott Schuman and myself share the same pasttime. He just turned it into a profession and he's very good. 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". Well, he has a book. Website.

Crosley Revolution Portable Turntable ($97.37): They took the record player "out of the box". Crosley's Revolution turntable truly fits the word in every way. Where my other turntables take up space, this one dances around a desk without ado. Where other record players must be kept in their designated place, this one practically begs to join you on every journey. And where other turntables tangle you in a web of wires, it effortlessly pairs with any FM radio for cordless, clear sound. It is a turntable of firsts-the first battery-powered Crosley turntable, the first with a platter smaller than a teacup saucer, and the first with a wireless transmitter for cord-free enjoyment. Website .

Well, that's it for this year. Let me know if you need mailing information. I also take cash, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Target, Pottery Barn, and Visa/Express gift cards. I would say check, but...Naw.

Well, I look forward to what you get me...

...I'll keep you posted

...Wait, you all keep me posted. :)

My Birthday Wish: Clean Water

2011-07-27T23:54:00.004-05:00

On August 6, I'm turning 29. Twenty-nine years on this Earth. A blessing on so many levels. Especially knowing that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water. A billion people in the world are living without clean water, but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

Because of these facts I decided to celebrate my birthday like never before. I'm giving my birthday up. I'm not only giving my birthday up, but I’m giving up the next 3 months to raise money for clean water. I'm asking for dollar from everyone I know. And every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations. My goal is to raise $1,000 by October 28th. Please consider helping me.

All of it is going to build freshwater projects for people in developing nations. My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year. I want to give the rest of 2011 to something bigger, than self. Please join me. Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. I hope everybody can help me with this something. To find out more information about my campaign, "Greenbacks for Gui" (gui is "water" in the language of Bambara), and charity: water follow the link.

Love and thanks in advance,

GCH

Why did Ruth lay at Boaz’ feet? (Bible Stories w/ GCH)

2011-06-20T20:43:00.002-05:00

In the book of Ruth we are told that a Bethlehem family left their town and country of Israel to go to Moab during a famine. The sons married Moabite women but they and their father died in Moab. Naomi, the widow, and her two daughters-in-law, were parting but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and returned with her to Bethlehem. To take care of her mother-in-law she went to work in the fields. She so impressed Boaz, one of the owners of fields, that he encouraged her to work for him only and rewarded her for her devotion to her mother-in-law, a near relative of his. Naomi instructed Ruth at harvest time to wait until the men were sleeping and quietly go to Boaz and put part of his covering over her feet and lay there. This was apparently a customary way of asking a man to provide the protection of marriage.

Boaz was impressed, as he says, because in his estimation she could have had her pick of younger men, rich or poor, but was not motivated by a desire for wealth or excitement. Rather, she was loyal to her mother-in-law and recognized that Boaz, as a near relative, was the choice of integrity in line with the law of Moses, which said that the near relative of a deceased man was to marry his widow and raise up children to his name. This was a way of ensuring that the land he had inherited from God remained in his family.

As it turns out, the descendent of Ruth and Boaz was David, king of Israel. It was God who had engineered this coming together of two godly believers to produce the greatest king Israel ever had.

It is unfortunate that some have suggested that Ruth uncovering Boaz’ feet was a euphemism for sexual intercourse. This interpretation is totally contradictory to the whole tenor of this book. It is designed to show the integrity and character of David’s ancestors. No one would have thought that Ruth having sex with Boaz showed moral integrity.

The moral of this story is: STOP BE RACHET TRYING TO CATCH YOU A MAN.

I’m tired of you all using Ruth to be reckless and thirsty.

*steps down off box*

...I'll keep you posted

Booker T. Jones X The Roots with live instrumental cover of Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything”= Perfect Saturday

2011-03-26T14:27:00.002-05:00

...I'll keep you posted

To top off your Monday…Adele: Tiny Desk Concert (NPR)

2011-02-14T18:00:00.002-06:00

I love NPR...They can do no wrong.

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking For Post (God Bless Roy Wood Jr.)

2011-02-04T16:27:00.004-06:00

Apparently I Have a Drinking Problem
by Roy Wood Jr.

I’m not that big on weddings. I’ll only go to them if I’m in them. A longtime friend asked me to be in his. I’ve known him since ’92 so I didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’. Weddings put me in a weird mood. I guess it’s all of the rituals that you have to watch as two people pledge their lives to each other. Plus as a groomsman, there are too many people telling you what to do: “Stand here, Walk here, Wear this, Say This.” Does it HAVE to be that way?

I’m not knocking those who choose the traditional path but to be honest I could get married at the county court house with 2 witnesses and be content. Most women cringe at this suggestion. Maybe I’m just anti-tradition. I think it would be romantic if a couple battle rapped each other as a show of their love. LOL. Battle rap your vows to each other. ‘8 Mile’ Style. Plus that would be entertaining for the crowd. No profanity of course… You’re in the house of the Lord.

No one is doing the Cha cha slide at my wedding. No cha cha slide, no bunny hop, no electric slide, no Lean with it rock with, or any other Urbanized form of Country line dancing. Any dance that a 4 year-old and an 86 year-old person can do at thee same time is just weird to me. Instead I want people to break dance.

The ultimate for me would be before my wedding to have a funeral. An open casket tribute where I lay my single hood to rest. In the casket would be condoms, pornos, raggedy mismatched clothes, my cell phone (* With numbers of other women*), pictures of ex-girlfriends, dirty underwear, Hot pockets and anything else that can be commonly associated with a single man.

People would come up to the casket funeral style and say goodbye to the “Old Roy”. Pallbearers would close the casket and carry it out and then walks in the “New Roy” and the Groomsmen. The regular wedding traditions could proceed after this. All jokes aside. I HONESTLY would like a wedding like that.

I know no sane woman will ever agree to this, which is why I never suggest it. A funeral / wedding goes against every wedding a woman has daydreamed about or seen in those bridal magazines.

Weddings are for the bride anyways so it’ll be in my best interest to just go along with whatever the woman wants.

It’s not specifically weddings that annoy me. I think it’s pretty much any ritualistic ceremony. People singing the birthday song at restaurants drives me up the wall. The ONLY reason I went to my college graduation is because a gig cancelled in South Carolina. Even Bachelor Parties I don’t understand. I missed the Groom’s bachelor party because I was in Vegas. I would’ve gone, but when you really sit back and analyze a Bachelor party it’s really selfish of the groom.

GROOM: “Hey Fellas I’m getting married. So to celebrate I want you to gather up naked women and pay them to dance for me. Some of these women will want to have sex, but I wont do it…because I love my fiancé”

In any other setting this would seem to be counterproductive. A group of single men finding sexually charged women to dance for a friend THAT DOESN’T INTEND TO HAVE SEX WITH THEM? HUH? Seems a little selfish of the Groom. How about YOU go round up women for us. You know as a little thank you for covering the costs of your tuxedo rental.

One wedding tradition that I didn’t know about was the groom giving a gift to all the Groomsmen. The gift was a pleasant surprise. The Groom’s gratitude was more than enough for me but nonetheless for being well behaved during the most important day of his life I was rewarded with a 4oz. flask, which had my name, engraved on it. When someone gives you a flask it’s one of those gifts you have to sit and think about. I don’t have a drinking problem. I average about one crown and coke a month. No beer, no wine. The entire time I’m holding the flask thinking… Do I have a drinking problem? Does the Groom see something that I don’t see? And if he does, why would he give me an alcoholic to-go cup? What kind of friend is that? And to give me a flask is one thing… But to give me one with my name engraved on it? Am I that much of a drunk that I can’t remember my own name? I have to look at the flask before I introduce myself?

It’s like getting someone an engraved crack pipe and you don’t know if they smoke or not. What do you say? And hell if you don’t smoke crack now you have to start smoking it, because you don’t want your friend to think that you’re not using it. He’ll come over from time to time he’ll want to see the Crack pipe out on the dresser and in use.

The flask was a wonderful gesture from a great friend. Who knows, I might need to sneak 4 oz of Crown Royal into a Cubs game one day and it’ll come in handy.

Another touch to my wedding is that everyone is going to get an invite to my divorce proceedings. You can even come to the house and get your wedding gifts back. Which I think should be a new tradition. If I get you a wedding gift and you and this chick are screaming divorce after 2-3 years. I want my $60 gift card back. Or at least invite me to court so that I can root the groom on as he tries to keep the woman from taking half his finances. Let ‘em argue it out in court and then decide custody of children and assets via a battle rap.

It makes sense to me… Which is why it’ll never happen.

Wood Jr

Go check out RWJ's page...He's one of the most underrated comedians! Go check out his New Faces of Black History. Hilarious!

Well, have a great weekend...

...I'll keep you posted

Advise vs Impartation

2011-02-01T18:20:00.000-06:00

Advice is a device that isn’t strong enough to change people. What people need is impartation?. Impartation is the combination of advice, knowledge with proof, experience and insight. I’ve discovered that advice only touches people when they can see they’re on the wrong path. But unfortunately, majority on the wrong path are blind to it. Only impartation can touch them.

...I'll keep you posted

A Late Night Ramble...

2011-01-26T21:36:00.003-06:00

I really don't know where this is going to lead me, but...

-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you
realize you're wrong. Its not the fact that I'm wrong. Its the fact that I probably spent minutes/hours going back and forth with somebody I care about.

-There is a great need for sarcasm font.

-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work
when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything
productive for the rest of the day.

Speaking of...

-Sometimes I really miss being in a metropolitan area.

-Sometimes I really love being in a college town.

-I really love my job. It has purpose for now.

-LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

-I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the
shower first and THEN turn on the water.

-I'm so proud of my brother. C. Harris, you are my hero.

-The State of the Union...I wonder where the money is going to come from to support the movement of his education program? Defense? Taxes? And who will complain about it?

-Everyday I'm falling more and more in love with the idea of getting a 1st Generation Range Rover County Classic.

-Am I the only person that hates to see brothas walking down the street quoting rap lyrics to themselves? Where did that ish come from?!?

-What I've learned these last 6 months have been interesting. I see some people in a totally different light.

-I'm happy and that's all that matters.

And on that note...

...I'll keep you posted

Creativity

2011-01-26T17:34:00.001-06:00

A Grown Up...

2010-12-29T23:32:00.003-06:00

"The Wire" Bad Dreams (2003)

Bunk: [on detail] A different look our boy.
McNulty: Yeah, Perry Ellis, or something.
Bunk: Now how would a just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking mother****er like you, know the designer?
McNulty: [pause] Okay, I'm guessing.
Bunk: It's a Joseph Abboud. He puts dark buttons instead of brass on his blazers. That's the Abboud signature.
McNulty: You know what they call a guy who pays that much attention to his clothes, don't you?
Bunk: Uhuh...A grown up.

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-12-28T10:29:00.003-06:00

Connection is not just about making time for family and friends. Its about a sense of caring for other people. It's about connecting with human spirit, even when there is no national crisis.

...I'll keep you posted

Out The Mouths Of Babes (Letters to God)

2010-12-17T19:34:00.011-06:00

All I can do is smile...This has made my day. Enjoy.

Really nothing more to say...but...

...I'll keep you posted

The List 2.0...

2010-12-05T15:57:00.007-06:00

Now this is more like a pipe dream.

Fantastic Scandinavian modern 1960s "Siesta" high back chair and matching ottoman designed by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa of Norway. Leather seat and ottoman pads, detachable pillow. Retains paper label...Good original vintage condition, the frame is sturdy, the leather has no rips, there is distress to the brown finish of the leather, especially on the ottoman.

I love vintage pieces. I love the Eames era of design...So fresh and innovative. And their pieces are timeless. And I can see myself with this. I've been looking for a new "my chair". And this can be it...You know every man has/deserve one. You know, the one that travels a lifetime with you. The one that your wife hates, but will never tell you to get rid of it. And if marriage isn't your cup of tea...It makes for the perfect bach piece. A man's thrown is important. This will be my chair. (claiming it)

Now...If you want to chip in on the "G. Cornelius Fund" we can set up paypal arrangements. Like Lisa Mcdowell, "we are happy to accept the kind of money that jingles...we would rather accept the kind that folds."

I'm going to give you a few more pics below...I would put up the link, BUT...I'm scared. One of you all might cop it before I do. LOL

Well, until we meet again...Hopefully I can take you guys pics once this reaches my living room...

...I'll keep you posted

Its Here...The List

2010-12-05T03:46:00.013-06:00

You knew it was coming, right?

My Christmas 2010 List...I know! You are so excited. I am too!

Its very simple...Very simple. I'm a simple man...So I'm gong realease a simple list.

Uniform Wares 200 Series Calendar Wristwatch

Designed as a continuation of the 100 Series this unisex timepiece references the classic engineering of machine gauges and industrial equipment used in the leather working process...This timepiece features an aircraft grade stainless steel case in either a PVD coated, fine satin brushed or polished finish, Italian calf leather strap and Swiss made ETA calendar. You can find this beautiful piece at Uniform Wares for $285.

L.L. Bean Saltwash Canvas Backpack

I've been wanting one of these for years...Sturdy and soft 26 oz. saltwashed cotton canvas with three generous exterior pockets and one interior zippered pocket. Plaid lining. Measures 18"H x 12 ¼”W x 6”D. Imported. Enough said. Located on the L.L. Bean for $145.

Decoded by Jay-Z

Decoded is first and foremost, a book of rhymes, which is ironic because I don't actually write my rhymes--they come to me in my head and I record them. The book is packed with the stories from my life that are the foundation of my lyrics--stories about coming up in the streets of Brooklyn in the 80's and 90's, stories about becoming an artist and entrepreneur and discovering worlds that I never dreamed existed when I was a kid. But it always comes back to the rhymes. There's poetry in hip-hop lyrics--not just mine, but in the work of all the great hip-hop artists, from KRS-One and Rakim to Biggie and Pac to a hundred emcees on a hundred corners all over the world that you've never heard of. The magic of rap is in the way it can take the most specific experience, from individual lives in unlikely places, and turn them into art that can be embraced by the whole world. Decoded is a book about one of those specific lives--mine--and will show you how the things I've experienced and observed have made their way into the art I've created. It's also about how my work is sometimes not about my life at all, but about pushing the boundaries of what I can express through the poetry of rap--trying to use words to find fresh angles into emotions that we all share, which is the hidden mission in even the hardest hip-hop. Decoded is a book about some of my favorite songs--songs that I unpack and explain and surround with narratives about what inspired them--but behind the rhymes is the truest story of my life.

A Social/Behavioral Studies Dream! Book can be ordered off of Amazon for $18.88.

Chamber Music Society by Esperenza Spaulding

If “esperanza” is the Spanish word for hope, then bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding could not have been given a more fitting name at birth. Blessed with uncanny instrumental chops, a multi-lingual voice that is part angel and part siren, and a natural beauty that borders on the hypnotic, the prodigy-turned-pro might well be the hope for the future of jazz and instrumental music...The wife and mother of my children in another lifetime...Please support "our" another lifetime family by purchasing this cd for me. Amazon for $13.97.

Hercules Razor-German Made
I love the feel of a straight razor shave...Old school, sharpened with the strop. But being the lazy person I am...I hate sharpening one. I'm always on the go and don't have time to check...So I always keep a straight razor and blade holder in the kit. Well, my holder has seen better days...Its had a great run. Its time for a replacement. I've been looking for a Herc the last few months. This is the only spot (Best Clippers) I have seen one that were actualy in stock. $55

Gary Clark Jr. by Gary Clark Jr.

Ladies and gents...Introducing Gary Clark, Jr...26 years old, Austin, TX native..."The Future of Blues" is what they call him. Offering a style that has at times been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a musical prodigy, Clark has established a well renowned resume, which has placed him in a tier of musicians that have enabled him to share the stage with various legends of rock and roll (B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, and ZZ Top just to name a few). That boy good! CDBaby for $9.99.

Esquire The Rules: A Man's Guide to Life [Esquire Books (Hearst)]

Derived from Esquire’s popular feature, this wildly entertaining, bestselling men’s manual to life in the 21st century is revised, expanded, and with color added! It now offers 668 rules in all (91 of them new to this edition), providing even more lighthearted reading, manly musings, and, occasionally, good advice. Accompanied by full-color illustrations throughout, these rules are guaranteed to set a guy straight. Here is what guys need to live by:

Rule number 2: When someone says he is “pumped” about something, it usually means he’s about to do something stupid.

Rule number 36: No matter how hard you practice, you cannot say the phrase, “Yeah, right” without sounding sarcastic.

Rule number 45: For the last time, no goddamn Speedos.

Rule number 108: The road to hell is not paved with good intentions. The road to hell is paved with smooth-jazz CDs, herbal teas, John Tesh specials, and low-fat cheese.

Rule number 154: Properly made, leftover chili gets better and better every day until the fourth day, at which point it begins its slow decline.

Rule number 59: The study of inert gases is best left to professionals.

Rule number 38: When it comes to luggage, men don’t pull.

And I do accept cards with checks, credit cards,

Esquire produces some of the BEST coffee table books! Amazon for $9.95.

Chicago Bears Monsters of the Midway Tee

Come on...Now do I really have to explain ths one? I'm an old soul who loves to support C. Harris and "Da Bears". Pro Shop for $35.

I also take cash, check, all major credit cards, gift cards and certificates, ebt, wic...I accommodate.

Well, I think I gave you guys enough to get some ideas to get started...Ha

But on the real...My biggest #1 wish on my list is for you all to have a safe and blessed Christmas Season...And for my followers who don't celebrate "The Reason for the Season", I hope you all have a wonderful time with your family.

Until next time...

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-08-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

Monitor your thoughts. Making a bad judgment does not necessarily make anyone a fool. Be quick to forgive yourself as well as others... release the past. Don't allow negative thoughts to take up space in your head where positive seeds could grow.

...I'll keep you posted

Alice Russell -Crazy

2010-08-04T15:36:00.003-05:00

Alice Russell - Crazy from Steve Glashier on Vimeo.

I love her voice...It's so bigger, than life. And if you've met or seen her live, you know she is about the size of a blackberry. Its crazy! I just can't make sense of it. Well you may want to turn the volume down, hide behind something and enjoy...

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-07-22T12:16:00.002-05:00

A day without something learnt is a day wasted...

Very simple...

...I'll keep you posted

Talk About Living In The Movement...

2010-07-17T12:59:00.000-05:00

I could see it now...Lenny just hangin out at a local spot in the NO, when he suddenly hears a familiar tune and drifts towards the sound. When he finally reaches the destiantion, its no other than The Voice of Praise Choir from First Baptist Church, rocking out to “Fly Away”. And after tham LEnny does what he does best...Performs...

...I'll keep you posted

Throught For The Day

2010-07-12T08:40:00.003-05:00

There's a trick to the Graceful Exit. It means leaving what's over without denying its validity or importance in our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving on, rather than out. We own what we learned back there. The experiences and the growth are grafted ...onto our lives. And when we exit, we can take ourselves along -- quite gracefully. -Ellen Goodman

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-06-22T11:58:00.002-05:00

Youth is not a time of your life. It is not the age of supple knees, rosy lips and chubby cheeks. It is a quality of your will, a vigor of your emotions. It is the freshness of deep springs of life. Youth means temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than in a boy of twenty. No one grows old merely by a number of years. We only grow old by deserting our ideals.

...I'll keep you posted

Dear Summer,

2010-06-21T23:18:00.006-05:00

Your first day...Was very interesting, I must say. Between the surprises from associates, the passing of a great human being, actions of the close, the appointment of duties, a Spiritual reality check, the closing of a personal chapter, and the storm (flooding, tornado watch/warning, & extreme lighting), you have definitely showed your presence. And if every day is like Day 1, I'm in for a very wild Summer.

With every season comes change. And from the looks of things, you and the Maker have teamed up to do a little remodeling. I mean, if today wasn't a sign, I don't know what one looks like. And I trust you guys. You guys have done a great job in the past. I mean, the best portfolio in the business.

This Season I'm going to focus very hard on staying out of the way. I always find myself attempting to copilot, when I should be enjoying the unlimited beverage service & dinner of the first (comes with the package). And just wait for the Man running the show to come over the speaker with directions. I have to make sure that I stay quit though, because He doesn't yell. He speaks softly.

I know there are some things that will come to the light by the end of September. I mean, the first is the geographical change. There will also be a game plan put in place for the next 2-3. Speaking of "place", I believe some 80/20s will find there's. Some parts lost. Some parts gained. A lot mirror checking.

I'm coming into this wide open. Hopefully people will understand. If not, *shrug shoulders*...I'm out of the pleasing business. More than anything I'm through with spending energy on "projects" that are more draining, than charging.

I also want to spend more time looking forward to the memories of now, than later. Not saying that I'm going to get all reckless. But I am going to "live". I think Palm Springs set the tone. Nothing like a destination dinner to do it. Yes, you heard me right. Fly out, spend the day, dinner, red eye back...(I have a whole post coming soon that will be dedicated to Summer ideas. Or maybe not? Nah, I will share.)

Summer, I look forward to make the most of every minute. I look forward to be challenged mentally, physically, and spiritually. Hopefully I can keep up.

GCH

...I'll keep you posted

Nah...You keep me posted.

Toy Story...The Wire...Greatest Mashup Ever

2010-06-17T16:05:00.004-05:00

Most of you all know that I am one of the biggest The Wire fans out there...I really don't have to do much explaining why this is even taking up space on TME...All I have to say is Sheeiiitttt (© Clay Davis).

...I'll keep you posted

70? And you still packing eggs? That's all God...

2010-06-16T11:03:00.005-05:00

I snatched this from Associated Newspapers...And I'm still shaking my head...

Pictured: world's oldest mother, 70, lies dying with baby at her side after risking her life to beat stigma of being barren

By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE

Last updated at 11:57 AM on 15th June 2010

The world's oldest mother is dying just 18 months after giving birth at the age of 70.

Rajo Devi Lohan says she is too weak to recover from complications after her IVF pregnancy.

News about her condition came as it emerged that a 66-year-old has become the oldest woman in the world to have triplets.

Some experts fear Bhateri Devi could suffer the same fate as Mrs Lohan.

Both women received IVF treatment at the same controversial clinic in India after being unable to bear children throughout their married lives, which is regarded as a stigma in their culture.

Mrs Lohan, who gave birth to her daughter Naveen in November 2008, is now confined to bed and so frail she cannot lift the little girl.

But she has no regrets, saying: 'I dreamed about having a child all my life. It does not matter to me that I am ill, because at least I lived long enough to become a mother.

'The doctor never warned me it was dangerous to have a baby at my age. But I was healthy before, and now I am very sick.'

Mrs Lohan, now 72, and her husband Balla, 73, are poverty- stricken farmers from the village of Alewa in Haryana state, north of Delhi.

After nearly 54 years of marriage they were desperate to have a child so took out loans to pay for the £2,000 IVF treatment.

They have no understanding of the risks of giving birth so late in life. Mrs Lohan is now in such pain that her sister Omi, 60, has moved in to help look after Naveen.

'Omi brings Naveen to kiss me and I tell her I love her very much,' she said. 'Her first word was "Ma". I was so happy to hear that.'

Mrs Lohan suffered internal bleeding and her womb ruptured after the caesarean birth, but she ignored doctors' orders to rest in bed and instead squatted down every day to milk the family buffalo.

She also needed difficult surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. Her body has not recovered from the two operations and she has to take daily painkillers.

Mrs Lohan's doctor Anurag Bishnoi denied her illness was linked to her pregnancy.

'Even though Rajo's health is deteriorating, at least she will die in peace,' he said. 'She does not have to face the stigma of being barren.'

'She had an ovarian cyst that was causing her problems but that has now been removed. The IVF treatment is completely safe. Rajo is an old woman and her life expectancy was only about five to seven years.'

He stoked controversy by announcing yesterday that triplets had been born to Bhateri Devi at his National Fertility Centre in Hisar, which is also in Haryana.

After nearly 44 years as a childless wife, she gave birth to two dangerously underweight boys and a girl on May 29. The infants, who weighed 2lb 6oz, 2lb 4oz and 1lb 7oz, are in intensive care.

Dr Bishnoi boasted that Mrs Devi's government birth certificate proved she was born on May 21, 1944, making her 66.

'This is authentic and therefore she has become the oldest mother in the world to give birth to triplets,' he said.

'She has become a mother for the first time and conceived only in our third attempt through IVF.

'For the first two attempts, only two embryos were transferred in each cycle. But in the third attempt three embryos were transferred in her uterus, resulting in the birth of three children by caesarean.'

Mrs Devi's delighted husband Deva Singh, 64, brushed aside potential risks, saying: 'She has fulfilledmy dream of having a child and gave my family an heir.

'She was my first wife and after she failed to conceive a child, I married twice but again I did not have any child from my other wives. I am very happy and I will provide all the best facilities to my children in the coming years.'

But a London-based fertility expert questioned the wisdom of helping such old women to give birth.

'Any woman over 70 putting their body through the rigours of birth is endangering themselves,' he said.

'Older mums usually require caesareans, which is obviously dangerous for women, but especially older women who are also prone to blood clots, and complications, such as internal haemorrhaging.'

All I can say is wow...What are your thoughts? Let me know. Check out the article to catch some of the comments from all over the world wide web and pics of her triplets...

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-06-07T18:31:00.002-05:00

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back." -Unknown

...I'll keep you posted

Give The Drumma Some...Headhunter Edition...

2010-06-05T13:59:00.005-05:00

And yes he did hit them with the "Dougie" at the 3:44 mark...

After the State Fair...?uestlove you next, son!

...I'll keep you posted

Thought For The Day

2010-06-05T11:21:00.001-05:00

In order to truly communicate, we must take responsibility for the heart space that exists between another and us. It is that heart space, or the absence of it, that will determine whether communication is miraculous or fearful.

Have a great weekend...

...I'll keep you posted

I'm Due...

2010-06-01T19:16:00.008-05:00

Perfect Is Overrated...I promise.

But before I get into all of that…Let me first say sorry for the layoff…I’ve been under the gun at the “M-U-tation”…AND had some life changing events.

No I didn’t get engaged…

Nobody is pregnant…

And no I was not called to preach.

What?!? Now you know those are the 3 that “we” usually ask when folks talk about “life changing”. Am I lying? LOL

But back to the news…God decided for me to escape…And head South. I know, that sounds backwards, but it makes so much sense. I resigned from Marquette University and accepted a position at Texas A&M University (whoop!). I ~~believe~~ know that this is a great opportunity for development and advancement in the field of higher education administration.

But you guys didn’t come to hear about me moving to College Station, TX (WoW…I’m moving to Texas)…You guys came here to hear me talk that ish…

Okay…Where was I? Oh, Perfection!

Men don't need a woman to be flawless to be attracted to her. I really don’t understand why some of you all don’t understand that?

Well I took lunch in today, down at the MKE Public Market (shout out to the Green Kitchen)…Well I am a professional people watcher…And if you sit too close to me, I will listen to your conversation. But I had the opportunity to listen to this very interesting conversation about two women discussing what men want. Two women…Discussing what men want. Almost better, than standup.

And it dawned on me that many women seem to think that men expect nothing less than perfection while choosing a mate. But I can also understand that train of thought. Thanks to websites like Maximum…And heck, I will even throw AskMen under the bus too…You would certainly get the idea that unless a woman is both highly attractive and incredibly accommodating, that men have no interest.

This is not really accurate…

At least not in the way you might think…

I often illustrate this to women by asking this question:

“If you had a choice between two men and everything about them was exactly the same, with the exception of one being worth millions and one being poor, who would you prefer? Would you select the wealthy one, or the one who was poor?”

Answer: If they were equal in all other aspects, most women state that they would choose the wealthy gentleman. I mean, why not if everything else is equal? Let’s be real about this.

Now when men hear this some (not all or even a majority) are likely to say, “That’s right, all a woman cares about is a guy who makes a lot of money.” In fact, that conclusion would be incorrect. A man would be wrong to assume that just because a woman likes the characteristic of a man with extreme financial stability that she cannot love a man unless he is wealthy. In fact, most women I speak with tell me this, “It isn’t that he has to make a certain amount, but I would like to know that he has the potential to make enough for me to feel comfortable.” Ding, ding, ding! In fact guys, most women are willing and/or expect to help out financially…Which is another post, another day.   

Now, this same standard applies to men. If given the choice between a woman whom they believe is very attractive, or one who appears to take no interest in her appearance, they will choose the attractive one. This doesn’t mean that they will only consider a woman who is striking. Take a look at most married men and you will see that plenty of women who would not be considered “perfect” have husbands who choose to marry them. That wanted to marry them.

NOW before you start hitting me with rotten tomatoes and claim that I dogging out women physical attributes, let me finish…LOL

Now why would this be? The answer is that the quality of being authentic is actually more potent in the arena of love than perfection. Being authentic causes a woman to act in such a manner that is enchanting…It’s the “it”. Its what makes them Perfect Imperfection.

This woman is well aware that she has issues (don’t we all) and yet, she understands the balance between improving herself and being comfortable with where she is currently in her life. She doesn’t work hard at convincing others (men or other women) that she is perfect. Rather she is very attune to the needs of her heart, and takes full responsibility for meeting those needs. Men find these type of women “wifey” material.

Here’s an exercise that will illustrate my point. The next time you are in a crowded area take a moment and casually look around at the men. Take at least 5 minutes and you will find that the men are all looking at the women. ALL OF THE WOMEN!  And all men...The ones that don't play on your team are breaking down your outfit...And the ones that are all about "you" are looking at ALL OF THE WOMEN. They will be looking at the tall ones, short ones, skinny ones, curvy ones and on and on and on….Don’t take my word for it. Try it and see for yourself.

For one thing we are visual creatures. And another thing we are out looking for the making/potential of the "it". And it has no shapes, sizes, colors, or list. You will discover that as a woman, you have exactly what men are looking for. All we are waiting on is for you to figure out that you have it…

God created you with it...You just have to read the manual.

…I’ll keep you posted

Lazy Post...ChoiceCuts Presents: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

2010-05-15T17:16:00.002-05:00

I think you guys know my infatuation with these guys...I can't wait till they get back over to the States.

ChoiceCuts presents Hypnotic Brass Ensemble from Loughlin McSweeney on Vimeo.

...I'll keep you posted

All I Have To Say...Francis & The Lights....Cop It

2010-05-10T12:47:00.002-05:00

...I'll keep you posted

(pronounced /ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/)

2010-04-19T21:51:00.006-05:00

ERYKAH BADU 2010 OUT MY MIND, JUST IN TIME TOUR DATES

May 22 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion

w/ Bilal

May 23 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre

w/ Janelle Monae

May 25 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom

w/ ?uestlove

May 26 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater

w/ Bilal

May 28 Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall

w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae

May 30 Detroit, MI Chene Park

w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae

June 2 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater

w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae

June 3 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater

w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae

June 5 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre

w/ Janelle Monae

June 6 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium

w/ Janelle Monae

June 8 Kansas City, KS Midland Theatre

w/ Janelle Monae

June 9 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre

w/ Janelle Monae

June 13 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater

w/ Janelle Monae

June 14 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre

June 16 Denver, CO The Fillmore Auditorium

w/ Janelle Monae

June 18 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre

w/ Janelle Monae

June 19 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery

June 20 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theater

w/ Janelle Monae

June 22 San Diego, CA TBA

June 23 Phoenix, AZ TBA

June 24 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl Concert Theater

TOUR DATES WITH MAXWELL

June 11 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena

w/ Maxwell

June 26 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

w/ Maxwell

LILITH FAIR & FESTIVALS

June 27 Calgary, AB MaMahon Stadium

Lilith Fair

June 28 Edmonton, AB Northlands Spectrum

Lilith Fair

June 30 Vancouver, BC Pitt Meadows Airport

Lilith Fair

July 2 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheatre

Lilith Fair

July 3 George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre

Lilith Fair

August 4 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion

Lilith Fair

August 8 Chicago, IL Grant Park, Hutchinson Field

Lollapalooza

August 11 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre

Lilith Fair

June 2nd/3rd...I'm in the building...

...I'll keep you posted

They're Back...

2010-04-14T19:21:00.002-05:00

....I'll keep you posted

How Cool Would It Have Been...

2010-04-11T13:44:00.004-05:00

Nike Stickball Tournament from NANO on Vimeo.

Va$htie, Jesse Boykins III, Q-Tip, and many more were on deck for the first ever Nike Stickball Tournament in NYC this past Easter. ANGEL IRUN blessed us with the footage. Great way to take in a Sunday folks...

...I'll keep you posted

Guess Who Ordered New Eyes...?

2010-04-07T22:43:00.005-05:00

ME!

FINALLY...After a year, I have found what I think is the "perfect" frame...

...I'll keep you posted

Is This Me?

2010-04-06T22:41:00.003-05:00

I've never been a really big user of personality assessments...I think, because they haven't been that accurate in the past. Some closer, than others...But a majority of them are waaaay off. Well, some of my peers and close friends have been egging me to take StrengthsQuest. I would always tell them I would, but never do it...But I guess I finally wanted to see what the big rave, so I signed up.

Just to give you some background on what it is...StrengthsQuest is a personality assessment inventory from the perspective of Positive Psychology. It is the first assessment instrument of this type developed expressly for the Internet. Over a secure connection, SQ presents 177 questions to the participant. Each question consists of a pair of potential self-descriptors, such as "I read instructions carefully" versus "I like to jump right into things." The descriptors are placed as if anchoring polar ends of a continuum. The participant is then asked to choose from the pair the statement that best describes him or her, and also to what extent that chosen option is descriptive. You are given 20 seconds to respond to a given pair of descriptors before the system moves on to the next pair. After completion of the inventory, the results are calculated and you are provided with a list of their Top 5 Themes (out of 34 different themes) based on your answers…And you are given an account that have activities/information to assist you in revealing ways to help you capitalize on your skills and talents (Top 5 Theses).

So you get the idea? A lot of companies are starting to pick up on this too...Some even ask for you to take it as part of the interviewing process...I guess to see what they are getting themselves into? idk?

Now here are my results…

CONTEXT
You look back. You look back because that is where the answers lie. You look back to understand the present. From your vantage point the present is unstable, a confusing clamor of competing voices. It is only by casting your mind back to an earlier time, a time when the plans were being drawn up, that the present regains its stability. The earlier time was a simpler time. It was a time of blueprints. As you look back, you begin to see these blueprints emerge. You realize what the initial intentions were. These blueprints or intentions have since become so embellished that they are almost unrecognizable, but now this Context theme reveals them again. This understanding brings you confidence. No longer disoriented, you make better decisions because you sense the underlying structure. You become a better partner because you understand how your colleagues came to be who they are. And counterintuitively you become wiser about the future because you saw its seeds being sown in the past. Faced with new people and new situations, it will take you a little time to orient yourself, but you must give yourself this time. You must discipline yourself to ask the questions and allow the blueprints to emerge because no matter what the situation, if you haven’t seen the blueprints, you will have less confidence in your decisions.
ACHIEVER
Your Achiever theme helps explain your drive. Achiever describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. And by “every day” you mean every single day—workdays, weekends, vacations. No matter how much you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, you will feel dissatisfied. You have an internal fire burning inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more. After each accomplishment is reached, the fire dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing you toward the next accomplishment. Your relentless need for achievement might not be logical. It might not even be focused. But it will always be with you. As an Achiever you must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It does have its benefits. It brings you the energy you need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt you can always count on to get you started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes you to set the pace and define the levels of productivity for your work group. It is the theme that keeps you moving.
WOO
Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you. On the contrary, strangers can be energizing. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport. Some people shy away from starting up conversations because they worry about running out of things to say. You don’t. Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in. In your world there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet—lots of them.
RESTORATIVE
You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing—this machine, this technique, this person, this company—might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it.
SIGNIFICANCE
You want to be very significant in the eyes of other people. In the truest sense of the word you want to be recognized. You want to be heard. You want to stand out. You want to be known. In particular, you want to be known and appreciated for the unique strengths you bring. You feel a need to be admired as credible, professional, and successful. Likewise, you want to associate with others who are credible, professional, and successful. And if they aren’t, you will push them to achieve until they are. Or you will move on. An independent spirit, you want your work to be a way of life rather than a job, and in that work you want to be given free rein, the leeway to do things your way. Your yearnings feel intense to you, and you honor those yearnings. And so your life is filled with goals, achievements, or qualifications that you crave. Whatever your focus—and each person is distinct—your Significance theme will keep pulling you upward, away from the mediocre toward the exceptional. It is the theme that keeps you reaching.

So what do you guys think? Is this me?

...I'll keep you posted

Thank You Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr...

2010-04-02T19:49:00.008-05:00

Thank you for giving me my weekend theme music...

Peace Ya’ll
This is straight up feel good music inspired by “Just Wright”. Enjoy!
Love,
Common
Shot outs to The Twilite Tone, Cristen Mills, Rhea Williams, Derek Dudley, Mike Chavez, Val Vogt, Steve King, Kenny Gravillis and Gravillis Inc.
And to all the blogs that support this movement stay tuned for volume 2.

Tracklisting and link down botttom.

download

Great promo idea...I can't wait t listen to Vol. 2...And also, check out his blog...

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking for Post Pt 2...From The "Window" To The Back Seat Edition...

2010-03-31T16:53:00.004-05:00

I have always been a big fan of her commentary, but today, SisterToldja brought it...I had to share. Ms. Jamilah Lemieux...She reminds me of a solar eclipse. She's not as regular with her posting as the rest of the cast, but when she comes with one, its definitely something to see. And shout out to my good pal, $ulaiman and the whole BlindIForTheKids crew.

FROM THE "WINDOW" TO THE BACK SEAT...by SisterToldja
The internet was all abuzz these past few days with two very different women making two very different revelations. Erykah Badu’s body-bearing “Window Seat” gave everyone something to think about, whereas Kat Stack's groupie tales made us shake our heads. However, there is a notable connection here. Walk with me for a second.
All tragic everything
Erykah shed her clothes to, as I understand it, make a statement about groupthink and how the culture of this country strikes down those who refuse to conform. In using her body to make this statement, the singer also presents some other very important commentary in the process. By striding through the streets of Dallas naked as the day she was born, without the aid of foundation garments or editing tricks to enhance her frame, Badu informs us that she is the owner of her body. She knew very well that her nudity would be interpreted very differently than say, Alanis Morrisette’s in “Thank You” or D’Angelo in “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”. Embodying Star Jones’ code of “free, Black and grown“, Badu allowed herself to be vulnerable in a very powerful way. And the conversations sparked thus far have certainly made her efforts seem worth it.
To be clear, I am not comparing Kat Stacks to Erykah in terms of levels of bravery or agency. I watched a video of her speaking and it’s obvious that this young woman has some serious challenges (she spoke like she was either on drugs or perhaps what is referred to in schools as “teachable mentally retarded”). There is something disgusting about this woman bragging about sleeping with an entire crew of men and then coming forward to air them out: not for cheating on their girlfriends or mistreating her, but for misrepresenting their wealth (“All them niggas is roommates”….I can’t). I want to go upside this girl’s head. Reprogram her, teach her some lessons about self-worth. She may be naked on camera, but she’s for DAMN sure no Badu.
I’m not giving Stacks a gold star or exalting her as some sort of heroine. But by coming forward, as so many groupies and “side chicks” are doing these day, Stacks and other descendants of Superhead are forcing the public (and their former paramours) to see them as human beings. Is this her intention? Doubt that. She’s trying to get paid, cash in on the noteriety. As we saw with Karrine Steffans, there’s an opportunity to host some parties, maybe get in King and have a book deal. Please know that this chick isn’t gonna be the last one coming forward either. This is a new day, indeed.
While most of us have great disdain for women ‘like’ Kat Stacks and question their behavior and their reasons for coming forward, it is worth noting that there was a level to which these womens’ bodies were not their own. They were to be a recepticle, a vessle. To be used when and whence a man of means (real or implied) saw fit. They were the sum of their titties and a$s and their ability to suck and f*ck. Nothing more. Wheather a woman dances in videos to pay her tuition or simply sleeps with famous men for a sense of validation, wheather she was promised a relationship or it was made very clear that her only role was on her back and with her mouth shut…she’s a human being. And America’s misogyny, one of the ripest form being that of Hip-Hop culture, has allowed us to view a class of women as sub-human for far too long. The emergences of the Kat Stacks of the world make us uncomfortable and understandibly so. They force us to truly look them in the eye and examine how they got to this point.
It’s not fair for us to continue perpetuating this notion of pimps and whores. The world has changed. The men who bed these women should share the same ill repute or the women should have equal footing to own these relationships and say “and what?” As I said in my piece on side chicks for Clutch, there’s no second class of woman that exists to solely satisfy the needs and tastes of men. Rappers have gotten rich off the bodies of mostly Black and brown women: tales of their exploits with girls who seemed to exist on no other level than to be pleasurable places for “successful men”. They are treated with the value of a pair of sneakers. And though many women have willingly signed up for this treatment, there is an extent to where the “groupie” lifestyle looks appealing to a lot of girls. You get to be in some videos, which means you are pretty and desirable. You may get a few gifts, some trips or perhaps some fancy dinners.We live in a celebrity obsessed culture where people gladly measure their own worth by their proximity to the rich and powerful (real or perceived). So long as there are men looking for Karrines and Kats, there will be Karrines and Kats. And so long as men dog these women out, I don’t feel much sympathy for them when the “sluts” strike back.
The Hip-Hop community and many of those who are merely patrons, not participants, has gladly bought in to this very antiquated notion of expecting women to bear the burden of sexual morality. For years, these rappers have dogged women out and made a lot of money doing so. Now some of the girls want a piece of the pie. I judge Kat Stacks the same way I do the raggedy Young Money “roommates” that allegedly bedded her: a bunch of sick, misguided young people perpetuating notions of unhealthy sexuality for the eager ears of young listeners. It’s time that we start using the same lense to judge the men that we do the women. It’s not fair to give a man props for the same liason for which we’d shame a woman. And if these men don’t want their sexual business aired out, then I suggest they learn to be wiser about the women they spend their time with and, dare I say it, start treating women like thinking, feeling human beings instead of cum recepitcles.
It may seem like I’m going out of my way to defend women who’ve done some unseemly things, but our culture of ’slut shaming’ is misogynistic and continues an unrealistic cycle of virgin/whore mandates. This isn’t just a rapper issue; listen to some of your buppie homeboys talk about how they can’t take a woman seriously if they can name one person she’s been with. While our society has envolved in many ways and total purity is no longer demanded of women, there are still some huge hurdles to climb. I’m not advocating the notion that women should act like men have historically, but rather, that we all shoulder some responsibility for treating our partners with respect. And that we don’t shame a woman for doing what a man gets props for.
As for Kat Stacks and the Young Money roommates…I say spray them all with some flea bath and get them to the “long peach couch” of a therapist post haste. But this moment in time, from Erykah’s bearing of her body in the name of freedom to Kat’s exposure in the name of funds, is worth noting. Women must own their bodies and refuse to allow the powers that be or the men around us to define our sexuality or our worth. Hopefully, we will see more women looking to Badu than Kat Stacks for clues on what that looks like.

All I say is...Wow...*hand clap*

And on that note...

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking For Post...The Baby Scarface Edition

2010-03-31T11:37:00.004-05:00

I had to grab this from my brother from another mother, TC...Over at one of my favorite spots to read up on the world of hip hop (The Smoking Section)...

Imagine your eight-year-old handing you a permission slip asking you to sign it so they can be a part of the spectacle which is Scarface: The School Play. The only “coke” they’re aware of is a fountain drink and shall they ever visit a Cabana Club prematurely, you can kiss college goodbye. That tuition money will be spent/earned by the stripper pole.
But let’s not let a lil’ thing like ethics prevent the youth from achieving Brian De Palma’s vision. Change the “fucks” to “fudge,” switch the nose candy out with popcorn, grab a couple Nerf guns and boom: Scarface before recess!
Now, since these aren’t mine or your children, this truly is a stroke of brilliance. Apparently due to a shortage of parents who wouldn’t allow their kids to watch the movie for reference, the fat kid had to double as Manolo and Ernie. Nevertheless, baby Al Pacino is going to be a menace to society in about fifteen years.

Thoughts? I have A LOT to say about this one...First word that come to mind, irresponsible...

But I want to hear from you guys...

...I'll keep you posted

Words to Live By… Phonte Coleman & Thomas Jones

2010-03-24T19:41:00.011-05:00

Everybody that knows me, know that there are two hip hop groups that sit head and shoulders above everybody else…Outkast…And Little Brother. I am the biggest Little Brother fan of all time…Fun & Authentic…No gimmicks…Just the true essence. Even this picture speaks volumes. They are two of the most talked about mc’s out there…But are commercially only a myth…

If you have no earthly idea who they are, let me give you a little background.

Little Brother is an hip hop group from Durham, NC that consists of Phonte (Coleman) and Rapper Big Pooh (Thomas Jones). Producer 9th Wonder (Patrick Douthit) was a part of the group since its inception, but left before recording the album Getback. Their debut album The Listening (2003) was highly acclaimed, and was followed by The Chitlin Circuit 1.5 mixtape in 2005 and the group's second album, The Minstrel Show, also released in 2005 and received a "XL" from XXL Magazine and 4.5 Mics from The Source. In an interview with MVRemix.com, Phonte explained the origins of his group's name: "Tribe, De La, P.E....were like our big brothers in the game so now we are the little brothers of that movement...carrying on the tradition of good music.” They are slated to bless us with one last album as a group this year. The upcoming Leftback has an air of finality about it; Phonte is promising an indefinite hiatus, with both him and Big Pooh pursuing solo careers and providing the occasional assist on each other's future endeavors. He has been referring to the project in interviews as the group's "denouement."

Did that catch you up?

Well there is something about their music that I always grab nuggets from…So here are some of my favorite lines…

“I didn’t let you take it back this far, just so you can go fumble on the one, n*****.” (Nobody Like Me-Phonte)

It reminds me of so many of my conversation with the Maker…The “I set up the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites, but you want to get b**** all of a sudden ” conversation. And yes, I believe God talks to us like that sometimes…I mean, He has to…He talks to us in our language. But that’s for another day…Sometimes God sets us up with the alley, and all he wants us to do is finish the play. But we are too busy asking questions, that we fumble the rock. Sometimes we mess up a good thing by getting too complicated. Simply following direction could get you what you desire and what He wants to do for you. Every thing doesn’t have to be complicated with “extra credit”.

“Everybody getting judge by who they are standing with.” (Step It Up-Rapper Big Pooh)

Like your mama says…”You are who you keep.” That goes with friends, associates, and especially mates. You want to be with somebody that makes you shine…Improves you…Not the opposite. And sometimes its about challenging ourselves to be the best we can, not only for ourselves…But the people we love.

“Can’t afford to raise kids cos we gotta raise soldier/ and satellites looking at my pad when I wrote this” (Brave New World-Phonte)

I don’t think I have to explain this one at all…We living in the last days folks. I’m just saying.

“With all due respect lets two-step in the name of life/who says we gotta do the waltz all day and all night.” (Slow It Down-Rapper Big Pooh)

Ahhhhhhhh…LB drops some of the best relationship advice ever. Sometimes you have to take a situation/connection for what it is…Sometimes we aren’t in a time of your life that you can be everything for that person. Not saying that you don’t want to…But sometimes your circumstances will not let you. But that still shouldn’t stop you from wanting to get to know that person. And when you have a chance to spend that time together, do that! L.I.V.E…And when you all cross that road, you all will cross that road. This is something I’ve had to learn the hard way. And sometimes being in a long distance situation will help you understand it. But take that time…You will appreciate it later.

“That’s decision I carry/ wanna be happily married and not just stuck with a wife/ who can adjust to my rappin’ and her lips are always yapping/ and that’s just what would’ve happened if I took your advice” (Doin’ Me-Phonte)

Opinions…Everybody has one. And some people give great advise. But then there are people that give advise, that doesn’t count for too much. When taking people advise, look at their resume. Why take advise about a business plan, from somebody that out on probation for a scheme gone bad?

“No need to act a fool in public because when you Ego Trip, that’s when you lose your luggage.” (Watch Me-Phonte)

Never wear your frustration on your face…And in public. Nobody needs to know how you are feeling all the time…They can use it against you.

And a classic…

“Switch memory lanes while we dreamin’, wanderin’/ And in return I’ll strip my inhibitions/ And go skinny dipping in your stream of consciousness” (Yellow Lines-Phonte)

Damn…When its right…When its perfect…That’s how it should sound. Every man is looking for that feeling…This is a striving point for me.

And by far my favorite lyrics ever laced by a member of Little Brother…The entire cut, “I Wanna Know”…From The Foreign Exchange album , Leave It All Behind.

Phonte laid it down…Very real life…And some time you just have to say, I effed up…And this thing is bigger than this trouble spot.

I always say that you learn a lot about people when you listen to the songs that mean something to them...

I hope this gave you a window…

And on that note…

…I’ll keep you posted

Oh! And shout out to the God fearing, wonderful, beautiful, multi-talented Def Stef...She turns the "Dirty 30" in a few hours...And I know you hate attention or anything close to PDA...But I ♥ you...And hope you have great day! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. ;)

And on that note...

...I'll keep you posted

I Had To...

2010-02-09T20:51:00.000-06:00

...I'll keep you posted

You Inspire...

2010-02-05T08:18:00.003-06:00

I was drawn into a very interesting conversation the other day...

Define a "Man's Man"...

This has stuck with me over the past couple of days...Where to start? There are a lot of thoughts and images that come to mind when trying to define this very distinctive breed of the male species. They're charismatic. They appeal to both sexes. They're down-to-earth and affable...They're leaders...They have a sense of style...They're cool under pressure...They're mavericks...They're winners...A Man's Man is independent. He lives his life by his own rules and doesn't blindly follow others. He has his own moral compass and knows the difference between right and wrong. He always tries to do the right thing. A fiercely loyal to his friends. He's the guy who will give you the shirt off his back without question. Always a gentleman. He never behaves like a boor. He enjoys life. He always has a winning smile on his face and enjoys being a guy. Other men want to be his friend and enjoy his company. He is quietly confident....Never cocky though. He's never boastful. He has a sure sense of himself and his place in the world.

Mothers...Daughters...Women of all generations adore him for his charm and sometimes mysterious ways. Women swoon over him...

And he's the kind of man other men respect and look up to...

And with that being said...G. Cornelius' Top Tier Man's Man List...And remember...This is my list...I know there are plenty more out there...But these are the ones that jump out in my mind...And just to let you know ahead...I removed John Wayne and James Dean off this list, because they are overly used. Alright...

Samuel Leroy Jackson

I think EJ Camp laid it down best when said, "If there were a kingdom of cool, Samuel L. Jackson would be on all of the currency, and he'd be wearing a Kangol cap." And I mean...His characters -- Jules in Pulp Fiction...Ezekiel 25:17...How can you not put him on this list?

Hugh Jackman

From his high-profile stint on Broadway with fellow Man's Man, Daniel Craig in A Steady Rain...To being Wolverine...Homeboy couldn't do any wrong this past year or so. Ladies love him...Men wanted his Australian accent. (Scene: Social-Even the Average Dude + Foreign Accent= A Good Night & Probably Breakfast)

Vince Vaughn

The consummate "man's man" actor...He had the male species hooked with his breakout in Swingers. Almost every guy that watched it came away saying how they know someone just like Trent. And in every character he plays...From Jeremy Grey to Gary...His pull-no-punches humor and straight-forward no-bull characters have produced many characters guys can relate to. And it seems like the Chicago (Lake Forest) native reminds me of a few of my bar buddies. Just honest down to earth good people.

George Clooney

I know...He is in the same category with Dean and Wayne...But I couldn't help myself. Billy Ocean himself...Lexington, KY's favorite son (I would say the whole state, but that goes to Ali)...One of the manliest of men’s men...A throwback to a day when movie stars drank, gambled and chased tail. He’s talented, stylish, mega-rich -- cripes -- the guy owns a freaking villa in Italy. Who doesn’t have a man-crush on this guy?

Anderson Cooper

No need to say anything else...

Don Draper

This will probably take me the longest to explain. Yes, I know...I know...He is a fictional character on AMC's Mad Men, but he's just as real as any other public personality you can think of. What matters is that Draper's hardass 1960s persona represents something about male identity that is enduringly captivating but has nonetheless vanished. The man that Don Draper is -- value-driven and thoroughly masculine -- is the product of a bygone era; without him, there would be no contemporary figure to represent it....Yet, as removed as his persona may be, it is also contemporary and familiar. He's a postwar archetype, both a brilliant career man and a temptation-swayed philanderer who sincerely wants to be a family man. Like most men, us and our fathers both, Draper is permanently conflicted over how to reconcile his morals and his desires. He illustrates old-school values even though he often fails to meet them himself...His human flaws are what make him so relevant to men today. He is by turns a chain-smoking, drinking-in-the-office emblem of a bygone age, and an unusually real, earnest human being who illustrates the struggles modern men know all too well...

The Roots Crew

If you don't like The Roots, something is wrong with you. From Grammy Winning...To Late Night Showing...The best house band of all time...A man's band. Back in the mid ’90s when The Crew were unknowns on the national music scene but already buzzing in the underground. 15 years later and they are one of music’s most enduring hip-hop bands, precisely because of their chameleon-like musical artistry perfected over a decade and a half. As much as they have developed and evolved...The foundation has not changed. And that foundation is what makes the universally loved by all ages, colors, and genres...

Conan O'Brien

He’s been called “the Preppy Prince of Late Night” and “the King of Cool,” but we just like to call him Coco. This Brookline-born cutup has been sending us into hysterics with his sharp wit and self-deprecating humor since his days as a writer with SNL. But what I enjoyed the most is that he made The Late Night Show fun to watch again, guiding the long-running show to some of its highest ratings in years. And might I also add...A true class act. He had the opportunity to run Leno and NBC through the mud during his very last taping...BUT he didn't.

Tom Ford

The gayest man on the planet, that every woman I know wish they could turn straight. He continues to add his signature stamp to the fashion world...The legendary fashion mogul responsible for making an almost bankrupt Gucci into one of the most profitable brands of the past decade, has created over the years the signature look for the modern man. His name and self titled line has been dropped in more hip-hop/r&b songs the past two year. While setting the fashion world on its ears, also finding time to branch out into filmmaking. In the entertainment arena, Ford made the bold leap into filmmaking by cowriting a screenplay adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel, A Single Man. Tom Ford felt that the story, about an L.A. university professor facing the tragic loss of his partner, would make for a strong feature film, so he directed it himself and filled the cast with famous names like Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. The resulting film was a success at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, where it was nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion. Colin Firth also received an Oscar nod for Best Actor.

President Barack Obama

The Onion nailed it when they ran the headline “Black Man Given Nation’s Worst Job” following the 2008 elections. He came into office with the U.S. in some of the darkest days of its 233-year history. While mending the most powerful nation on earth, Pres. Obama also continued to be a world-class father and husband, and catch a few courtside hoops games here and there. Hands down one of the coolest mofos on the face of the earth...And by the way, has one of the hottest chicks in the game. Anybody that know's me, know's I have a thang for the First Lady....It runs deep. I can't hide it.

And here is a man that...Is on a list my himself...He is the "man's, man's man" (if that makes any sense)...My very own father...

Charles B. Harris

The "Mayor of Twin Lakes" (also with the best lawn)...I am the man that I am today, because of this man. I don't really think he understands how much he is admired by not only me, but my friends, his friends, and other people that he randomly meets. The man truly has a gift...To touch and change lives.

Well that is all...

...I'll keep you posted

Melanie Fiona- Redemption Song (Bob Marley Cover)...A Song For Haiti...

2010-01-23T15:13:00.005-06:00

No need to really talk about it...All I have to say is they still need our help...

Learn how you can help at hopeforhaitinow.org.

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking For Post...Is It Too Early?

2010-01-22T01:26:00.011-06:00

Its been a very long week...You should of known that a lazy man's post was coming...Thank you Agnes! (thumbs up) But I really want to get you all's thoughts on this...

Haiti cruise stops draw ire, support
By A. Pawlowski, CNN

(CNN) -- When Catherine Jones recently booked a Royal Caribbean cruise that included a stop in Haiti, she never expected that her vacation would lead to deep soul searching and an emergency family meeting.

Jones, who lives in Hickory, North Carolina, is scheduled to start the trip at the beginning of next month -- a five-day getaway with her sister, who is in the Army and will go to Afghanistan in March, and their 87-year-old mother.

"We kind of discussed it: How can you sit there and say, 'Waiter, bring me a drink' while I'm on a private beach ... knowing that 100 miles away, people are dying," Jones said.

It's a debate that's been raging ever since Royal Caribbean resumed bringing vacationers to Haiti after last week's earthquake, which killed tens of thousands of people in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Royal Caribbean deposits the tourists on the picturesque peninsula of Labadee, which was unaffected by the disaster and where the company has spent millions of dollars on what it calls its own "private paradise."

The area is heavily guarded, and visitors don't spend the night. But they enjoy Labadee's "pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery and spectacular water activities," according to Royal Caribbean's Web site.

Blogs and message boards have been full of outrage and disgust at the idea of tourists frolicking in the sun while bodies pile up in Port-au-Prince and quake survivors struggle to stay alive.

"Royal Caribbean is performing a sickening act to me by taking tourists to Haiti," wrote one poster on CNN's Connect the World blog.

"Having a beach party while people are dead, dying and suffering minutes away hardly makes me want to cruise that particular line," wrote another.

What's the right thing to do?
Experts in ethics and sustainable tourism said that kind of reaction is natural and understandable, but they urged people to look deeper at the issue and consider the benefits of tourism for Haiti now and beyond.

"Monies that are coming in as part of tourism are going to trickle down throughout the local economy at a time when the local people need it the most," said Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International, a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible travel.

Because visitors can have a positive effect during their stay, tourism should still be taking place in Haiti, even at this terrible time, Mullis said.

In a statement issued after the earthquake, the United Nations World Tourism Organization also weighed in, saying that "tourism can become a useful instrument for the necessary reconstruction process in Haiti."

History shows other examples of the importance of tourism to devastated areas: New York inviting visitors after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and New Orleans, Louisiana, appealing for tourist dollars after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Cruise line responds
Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean announced it would donate at least $1 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti and contribute all of the company's net revenue from Labadee to the relief effort.

The company's cruise ships are also delivering supplies -- including rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods -- to the region.

Officials with the cruise line have been trying to reassure customers who may be having second thoughts about going on a trip that includes a stop in Haiti.

"It isn't better to replace a visit to Labadee (or for that matter, to stay on the ship while it's docked in Labadee) with a visit to another destination for a vacation," Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, wrote on his blog.

"Why? Because being on the island and generating economic activity for the straw market vendors, the hair-braiders and our 230 employees helps with relief while being somewhere else does not help."

Royal Caribbean has spent $50 million developing Labadee, making it Haiti's biggest foreign direct investor, Goldstein told NPR.

Considering the ethics
The country's plight wouldn't improve if the cruise ships were diverted to another nearby island and pretended the disaster wasn't happening, agreed Chris MacDonald, a senior fellow at Duke University's Kenan Institute for Ethics and a philosophy professor at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also writes The Business Ethics Blog.

"The cruise ships aren't hurting anyone, in fact they're doing some good, they're bringing some help," MacDonald said.

People who believe it's disrespectful for tourists to enjoy themselves so close to a disaster zone should realize that the alternative of avoiding the area wouldn't be more respectful, MacDonald added.

The proximity sets off our gut reactions, but it doesn't seem to make any real moral difference, he said.

Mullis pointed out that the Dominican Republic -- Haiti's touristy neighbor on the island of Hispaniola -- is also close to the disaster but is doing business as usual.

"Anyone who doesn't feel a bit of awkwardness at the thought of beach volleyball in the north of Haiti right now doesn't have normal moral intuitions," MacDonald said.

"[But] the world needs to signal that Haiti isn't now just this fenced-off, quarantined place where you can never invest, you can never do business. Haiti is, to some tiny extent, still open for business. That's a hopeful message in a very, very grim situation."

It's a message Catherine Jones is taking to heart.

After much discussion, she and her family are going forward with their Royal Caribbean cruise that will include a stop in Labadee, Haiti. She won't be able to enjoy herself that day, Jones said, but she is hoping the money she spends will help the locals, and she is comforted by that thought.

"It's one of those situations that you can have a million views on it. But the fact is it happened, they depend on us for our money that we bring, I guess we'll go," Jones said.

Link...

What do you guys think? I will definitely let you know how I fell about the situation...But I really want to know how you all feel. Is it too early?

...I'll keep you posted

Come Back...We (I) Miss You...

2010-01-16T18:52:00.009-06:00

5. The Original Clearly Canadian...This $#!% was like crack...I remember when my sister use to work at Mega Market (if you are a 80s baby that lived in the Mid-South-you already know)...She use to bring home cases. I used these to "wing" me off of Coco Cola Products...They weren't as filled with sugar, but they had a punch like an old school Faygo (the one in the glass bottle). And then "the man" got a hold of what was a humble mom and pop...Messed up the product. First hip-hop...Now this. And they haven't been right since...The only good thing that came out of it, is that I was forced to find a replacement carbonated beverage (Jones Soda-Berry Lemonade ). But I would still take an OG Clearly any day of the week.

4. Old School Barbers/Barbershops...I'm going to be honest...I haven't had a good haircut since I've moved from Memphis...I haven't had a good shave since I moved from Memphis...All the places I find myself going since I moved to Milwaukee are these "mega shops"...40 chairs...And not a soul in there can cut worth a lick. But they have flat screens at every station...But nobody in there knows how to take care of their customer. They are more about getting you in...Butchering you up...Getting you more...In less than 15 minutes. Its bad when I feel like I've been getting robbed of an experience for going on 3 years...I miss that in my life. My next move, I will be finding another K-9...Another Head Nappers...

3. Consistency out of I-O-Life...One of my favorite (if not favorite) reads of all time is this blog...But the keeper seems to take more breaks, than I do...lol She is hands down the most talented individual I know...I would love to see her write/blog more in 2010. I'm not going to stand by and let her sit on her talent this year...I need more than 2 post a month...And that's that. (arms folded) Now do something about it! ;)

2. Big Shots...I miss Brody, Karl, Duncan, and James (who reminds me so much of me)...I mean...What not to like about a "story of four friends at the top of their game... until the women in their lives enter the room. Lines between boardroom and bedroom blur when these competitive but dysfunctional CEOs take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting each other through life's surprising twists and turns." It was the male version of Sex and The City...And ABC dropped the damn ball. Didn't give it enough time to at least get them dvd-able (yes, I know I just made up a word)...If anybody wants to take make G. Cornelius a happy man, they will over-take ABC and grab the master-copies of that show and all out-takes...Birthday is August...You have enough time to make a big splash. Thanks in advance.

1. Glenn Lewis...Anybody that knows me, knows 2 things...I listen to World Outside My Window once a week...And I have a "wtf happened to GL" moment every other month. I feel like the industry has robbed the people of so much talent over the years...Especially the T-Dot...Glenn Lewis, Tamia, Deborah Cox, Fefe Dobson...Now back to Mr. Lewis. This guy has the voice and sound is a fine mixture between Stevie, Donny, and Uncle Charlie...He has a deep pedigree. His father was the leader singer for Crack of Dawn, the first black band from Canada to sign to a major...His mother also wrote and sang. And that classic late 60s/70s sound...You can hear it in every track. One of the most deserving artist out there...Or maybe its something I see and nobody else does? That this guy has an extraordinary sound...But sound doesn't sale. Image does...Which is sad. But this is my open letter to GL. Your album came at major moment of growth for me. 02/03...Your album was my soundtrack. I still have my original copy in mint condition. To me, it was a classic piece of work. Please can you hit us up with some new material...Its that easy these days. The World Wide Web is a totally different monster, than what is was 8 years ago when your music found me. In somebody's basement studio, some little rag-tag Jeremiah-Lite (a damn shame) is uploading his wack mp3s and sharing them with EVERY major urban music website out there. And instead of flooding the net with this foolishness, could you take the time to bless us with some real music. I know I would appreciate it...And I'm sure there are a lot more out there...Just like me...Missing you and what you brought to our worlds'. We all know that the industry played you...But this isn't about the industry...This is about the fans. Good music.

Well...That is all...

...I'll keep you posted

I'm An Official Stan...

2010-01-16T00:40:00.013-06:00

Of Reginald Baylor...He was born November 1966 in Milwaukee, WI. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1984-88) majoring in fine art and art education with an emphasis in sculpture. After college, Reginald relocated to Southern California where he was married to his wife, Jill (1991) and worked for the Laguna Beach Art Museum and Newport Beach Art Museum (1991-93)...In 1995, Reginald and his wife and two sons moved to Chicago, IL. There he began a career as and owner operator for Mason Dixon Trucking while continuing to produce original artwork....He returned to the Milwaukee area with his family in 1998 and is currently working from his studio at his home in Wauwatosa.

Few painters can walk inside an elegant city landmark, set up their canvases and consider themselves honored guests...But when the Pfister Hotel...Time out...Let me explain to you all a little something about the Pfister. Four Diamond Award Winner...Member of the Historic Hotels of America...And home of one of the Best Bars in America (Blu)...*sigh* I love that place. Okay...Back to the story...When the Pfister Hotel launched an artist-in-residence program this past spring, they had no choice but to ask the local legend about the idea of setting up a working studio on the first floor of the historic hotel. And of course he accepted.

I've admired his work from afar for quite some time...And then the stars aligned...And I met him at a showcase event. The few times I read about him, he seems like an extremely humble and down to earth individual...Which is a rarity in the creative arts. We traded contact and hopefully we can do business in the future...I have a few projects for him.

Well I know I've done a lot of talking, and you all would probably rather see some of his work...

Here you go...

"The Night is Nearly Over" (2009)

"The Quintessential 1950's Family Set the Stage" (2007)

“Elton and Helen” (2007)

"They Won the Land" (2008)

Artist Statement

Am I inspired by an early morning drive on the way to church in the station wagon with my wife of 18 years and my two sons, that, before Louis finishes serenading Ella, we’ve navigated in, through, and out of abandonment with sophisticated realms of everywhere else?

Am I a racist because I choose to segregate my colors with clear and divisible lines so that there will be no confusion about one’s place and purpose?

Maybe I should feel embarrassed that even while the sun shines through our dining room window, casting questionable shadows from a chair on the adjacent wall, that I sometimes feel more refreshed to stare at the hypnotic light coming from behind our computer, cell phone or television screen.

Should I be concerned that I’m motivated by the visual strength given from the standing forests of “man made” that seem to always overwhelm the abundance of what truly is possible and impossible?

Because of this and that, I see nouns and I work.

Go check out his site...And on that note...

...I'll keep you posted

Helen Folasade Adu...

2010-01-11T19:08:00.004-06:00

Better known as Sade...

Born January 16, 1959 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria (this chick will be 51 SIX DAYS)...

Okay...Here is a picture of Modonna at 51 (checkout the before and after photoshop)...

Now here is Sade at soon to be 51...("Solider of Love" Video)

*sigh*...Timeless...Black don't crack...

...I'll keep you posted *smh*

Starting Now, Starting Now...

2010-01-05T18:09:00.006-06:00

I would like to start off by saying Happy New Years...I hope your Christmas & New Years was a wonderful and blessed as mine...And yes, we celebrate Christmas, not "Holiday Season" at TME...What you gonna do about it? *bring it back down*...But yes! New Years! A new chance to start fresh, another opportunity to make to New Year's resolutions, and, sadly, another year of likely failed New Year's resolutions...Well that's what the research states;

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals.

I really never been the NYE resolution type of person...I felt like if there is something worth changing, why start on Jan 1st, if its Dec 28th...Let's start on Dec 28th...And on Dec 28th I decided to do something that will change my communication experience FOREVER...Think before I speak. Yes, when John Mayer penned the lyrics to "My Stupid Mouth", I think he had a window into my life.

I can be a complete "social casualty"...My loved ones understand and they accept me (most of the times)...But that still doesn't make it right. I have been known to make people (loved ones, friends, co-workers, randoms, etc.) feel awkward, angry, uncomfortable, and drained...Well that's what I've been told. And its not like I try...I'm a naturally passionate individual with the flaw of having a poor filter...And my little filter at times have issues with keeping up with all my thoughts.

I think my "gift" started at an early age...You see, in the Harris household, you had to be quick on your feet. Having the last words in a sibling battle was serious. We did it all in fun...But it could get heated.

Well for a very long time, I was always taking the "L"...Between my parents producing some highly educated/quick tongued offspring and the reality that I had an extremely bad speech impediment (borderline Ellis Lanksder), I just bottled up my thoughts. Had things to say, but were scared to say them. All I can say is that little kids can be soooooooo mean...I can sit and laugh about it now, but as a youngster it shut me DOWN.

Around the 5th grade, things really started to shape up...After 3 years of speech therapy, all those things that were bottled up...smh...And I've been over-talking every since.

And grad school ruined me...lol...All I did was research and argue my side of the case/theory for 2 years.

But that still not an excuse...

My mouth is my gift and my curse...I'm really focused on taking away the latter.

*shrug shoulders*

Don't give up on me...He's still working on me...

...I'll keep you posted

Jacking For A Post (Higher Ed Edition)

2009-12-19T16:46:00.002-06:00

Who got jacked? The New York Times

December 18, 2009

Boola Boola, Boola Boola: Yales Says Yes, 4 Times

By Jacques Steinberg

DANBURY, Conn. — Ray Crouch, a senior at Danbury High School, logged onto the computer in his family’s living room just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday and entered the Web site of the Yale admissions office.

Suddenly the screen turned blue — Yale blue — and an image of a bulldog, the university mascot, appeared, followed by “Welcome to the Class of 2014.” Ray, 18, had been offered a spot in the next freshman class, under its early-admission program. Standing behind him, his mother, Caroline, screamed.

But that was only the beginning. Moments later, Ray’s brother, Kenny, also 18, went to the Yale site and got an identical message. He was followed by their sister Carol. Same news. Then the room fell silent. Ray, Kenny and Carol are quadruplets, and their sister Martina had applied to Yale, too.

“I was thinking, it’s going to be really awkward when I don’t get in,” Martina recalled Friday.

But the computer turned blue for her as well, which prompted such an outpouring of joy from their mother that she wrestled their father, Steven, to the floor in a hug.

The Crouches’ perfect batting average represents a first for Yale — the first time in anyone’s memory that it has offered admission to quadruplets. It is also, of course, no small milestone for the siblings, who were born more than two months premature. (Ray was the last to be released from the neonatal unit, more than four months later.)

They made up for that rough start. Their class rankings range from 13 out of a class of 632 (Kenny) to 46 (Martina) — and they have sky-high SAT scores (including Carol’s perfect 800 on the verbal part of that exam).

But whether any one of them, let alone all four, winds up at Yale remains an open question. Under Yale’s early-admission program, accepted applicants can apply to other colleges and need not make up their minds until May 1.

For one thing, money is still an issue. With a father who works for the State of Connecticut as a case manager in the Department of Mental Health, and a stay-at-home mother who is studying for her master’s degree in social work, the quadruplets say their decision will be heavily influenced by financial aid.

“We have to be practical,” Kenny said.

While the family has some savings, the four say they do not want their parents to have to pay much of anything for their education.

As a so-called need-blind institution, Yale commits in advance to meet any admitted applicant’s financial need. But it is the university — and not the student — that defines what that need is. For the Crouches, such calculations will be made further down the road. They have yet to complete their financial aid paperwork.

What they have done, though, is submit applications to other colleges — more than 30 applications, collectively. In fact, Kenny received a phone call last week confirming a Harvard interview.

While all four have also applied to the University of Connecticut — only Martina has received a response, and it was positive — each has also submitted applications to colleges that the others have not. Kenny, a standout sprinter regarded by his siblings as “the brain,” has also applied to Princeton, Williams, Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania, among other institutions.

Martina, an obvious free spirit — she wears a smudge of bright red makeup under each eye, to promote eye contact — is intrigued by Wesleyan, as well as New York University. Ray, a long-distance runner, has applied to Duke and Brown. And Carol, the family’s acknowledged social conscience who wears her brown hair in an oversize Afro, is interested in Boston College, as well as Wesleyan and N.Y.U.

In an e-mail message Friday, Jeffrey Brenzel, the dean of admissions at Yale, said, “Their applications were terrific, and we simply hope that they will all decide to come!”

Asked if Yale had any policy on admitting members of the same family as a package, Mr. Brenzel said, “We don’t feel an obligation to render the same decision on siblings in the same year.”

But Mr. Brenzel said the enormous financial burden facing their parents — four children starting four years of college in the same year — would be a factor in assessing their financial need. He wrote: “All financial aid offices, ours included, always take into account the number of other children in the family in determining an aid award.”

Even before receiving the good news Tuesday, the Crouch children had drawn attention here for their many activities; their acceptances from Yale were reported Friday in two local papers, The Connecticut Post and The News-Times of Danbury.

While the Crouch siblings are similar in many ways — all four love to laugh, and are volunteers at the Danbury Public Library — the essays they submitted to Yale indicate part of what makes each unique.

Carol wrote, in part, about tutoring children in special education. Ray chose a subject that he hoped would catch an admissions officer off guard: his oblique muscles (not just to emphasize his identity as an athlete, but also his propensity for “nonlinear” thinking).

Martina, the iconoclast, built a whole essay on the phrase, “I’m not going to stop you...” which her mother had once uttered to her. Kenny described visiting the village in Nigeria where his mother grew up.

The siblings said their mother and father had met as students at Western Connecticut State University here, and had always emphasized the importance of education.

One advantage that Yale may hold in landing the four Crouch children is that they seem reluctant to part, after being inseparable for so long. Which is not to say they have not imagined what it would be like to go solo.

As Kenny put it: “It might be fun to go somewhere where I’m not ‘one of the quads.’ ”

Link...

Steven and Caroline Crouch= Proudest Parents on Earth

...I'll keep you posted

The List 2.0

2009-12-15T18:53:00.008-06:00

Well 13 days earlier...I dropped you guys with The List...Apart of me felt bad...I feel like I cheated you guys...Soooooooooooo...

Okay...Everybody that knows me, knows that I grew up watching Nolan Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell". There will never be another program that entertained like the Arkansas Razorbacks of the 90s...The closest I've seen was the Memphis Tigers of the 2000s (but I'm bias). Back to the Backs...94...*sigh* was the year. Til this day I can still name every player on that roster...From Corey Beck to Davor Rimac...But my all time favorite was a silky smooth shooting guard from Ruston, LA named Scotty Thurman....I was such a big fan of his, I altered my shot to look like his when I was a child. And I can still remember what I was doing, wearing, and where I was sitting in the living room on April 4, 1994...When Scotty sunk the shot, that sunk the Blue Devils...This t-shirt brings back sooooooooo many memories...Its a must. $38.00 + shipping & handling Distant Replays.

If you are like me and have trouble dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, then you may want to check out the IDEA Bell Alarm Clock...Designer, Sam Hecht, built this clock to be a combination of a modern clock, with an old fashioned bell that is designed to wake you up, I suspect it will be pretty loud....Oh yeah...Any color...$65 + shipping & handing Charles & Marie.

You hear that? Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a 9-piece, Chicago-based brass group featuring 8 sons of Phil Cohran on horns...Night now they are located in NYC getting it done...Lately they have worked with Mos Def, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Aquilla Sadalla...You name it. Well what I need in my life is there newest piece of work, their self titled EP...On vinyl. (what?!?) $19.99 + shipping & handing The Jazz Loft. (And Just In Case You Needed A Little More)

Okay...Back to the list...

One collection...Five personalities. Dolce & Gabanna unisex fragrance line...And I never been a fan of these type of lines before, but I can get down with the D&G '1 Le Bateleur' Gift Set...I really would like a 3.3 bottle of the 1 & 6 (when you put them together (the 6 is a really woody smell), you might have to hire body guards fellas...But that's too much to put on anybody...But the gift set come with a 3.3 of the 1 and 0.05's of the rest...Which the first lady would get some use out of them...So its a win, win all around. $69.99 + shipping & handing NORDSTROM.

So you guys got it? See...I'm not that difficult... *shrug shoulders*

With all that being said...All of those items will be icing on the cake...I'm extremely excited getting to spend some "qt" with my Earth Angel and the fam...And that is all you need to know about that...

...I'll keep you posted

I Got 5...

2009-12-10T21:25:00.007-06:00

You need to be married and in full agreement before you listen to Sex Therapy: The Experience. Well...Because you will %#@* around (literally) and have a new addition if not...Paula's husband on some old Marvin Gaye "I Want You" (A Capella with Brass & Congas) type ish...Its crazy. Mrs. Sexy is my favorite track...He is on some spitting that good to get the draws. Like I told some of you all back when he came out with "Sex Therapy", the single, came out...Usher better come harder than "Papers" and JT might as well not even think about showing up until the 3rd quarter in 2010...Because Robin Thicke can't be touched right now. Think about if Maxwell pushed his tour back and added Robin Thicke (who was slated to be on the original). *sigh*...Paula would be at shows having to cut you chicks.

Actual temperature...1°...What its feels like...-18°...What was I thinking?!?!? Out of all the locations...Milwaukee...*sigh*

Speaking of cold...AT&T...Verizon is doing a number on you guys. They are pulling out all the stops with the 3G map...And they are every where. I told my sis (AT&T Corporate Employed) a couple weeks ago...I might be jumping ships. I don't care how many Luke Wilson on an ad...You can't beat this.

Five American Muslims arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of "jihad"...Okay...I can go so many directions with this story. From the US response to the entire foundation of the investigation...But I'm going to be a little bit "shallow" about the situation...Well not shallow...But image driven. Well my very intellectual, brother from another mother, pointed something out to me today that I thought was kind of interesting...And people that know me, know that I have a little beef with HBCUs...But we will save that post for another date...But I found it odd that in the Times, AP, and CNN they only mentioned the young man that was a student at Howard University...Did they forget that the other 4 went to George Washington, America University, and University of Maryland? I just found that kind of interesting....

If you want to donate for Christmas (or anytime), here is a great opportunity to invest in our future leaders...Promise Academy Charter School is a K-12 school that is part of an ambitious plan to revitalize Central Harlem and rescue children in a community that has long been gripped by poverty, poor health, and failing schools. The vision and proposal for the school was put forth by Harlem School Children's Zone, a community based organization that provides preventive, educational and recreational services for Harlem families...If you didn't check out the 60 Minutes piece done on them this past Sunday...Check it out...

Well...I'm done...

...I'll keep you posted

John Mayer Is So Hip Hop...

2009-12-05T22:38:00.006-06:00

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...

2009-12-04T21:17:00.013-06:00

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...

2009-12-02T01:10:00.015-06:00

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...

2009-11-22T14:43:00.008-06:00

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.,

2009-11-20T23:35:00.003-06:00

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...

2008-03-08T14:04:00.006-06:00

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...

2008-03-02T18:10:00.001-06:00

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

SIDENOTE:

2008-02-16T09:11:00.002-06:00

I love mixing business and personal...

Will be out and about mixing up with the professionals for a few days...

But its all about working hard and playing harder...

All I have to say is...

Anthony David...

Bassey...

Susan Cagle...

Alex Thomas...

Finesse Mitchell...

Mayda Del Valle...

Shihan the Poet...

Abyss...

and Mint Condition...

Wow...I love my gig...

Well...

I'll keep you posted

Just Wanted to Say...

2008-02-14T15:57:00.002-06:00

Happy V-Day...

Very busy...But I just wanted to let you guys know...

I haven't forgotten...

I'll keep you posted

24 Hours of Snow and Foolishness...

2008-02-06T16:40:00.000-06:00

First off...My bad...

Had a busy week...And plus I had to get ready for the arrival of the O.H.A....And you know how that be...We had a good time...I'm just glad she was able to get out of here before the Lord wanted to drop ice cubes in Midwest...

But its been snowing for 24 hours in the Wauk...An inch of snow per hour...

AN INCH OF SNOW PER HOUR...

What in the hell was I smoking when I made this decision to provide MU with my services and move my bama ass to the Wauk? I mean my decedents come from a tropical region...You know? We ain't built for this...LOL

But anyway...

Since I have had a day to myself (first and only snow day)...I will spend talking about random stuff that has been on my mind since the last time I posted...

Okay...

Here we go...

I saw this a couple of days ago...And it jus made me wonder exactly how lazy are humans in todays society?

It’s not that I’m against products that make our lives easier...But come on! Self Shaking Salt And Pepper Shakers!

Fred’s made it fun and simple to add some panache to your fine dining. Just pull the cord, invert, hold -Movers & Shakers do all the work! Traditional “diner” styling in 3 assorted colorways – crisp Oyster White & Charcoal, contemporary Warm Red & Nectarine, and cozy Cornflower Blue & Creamy Yellow. Each shaker contains a durable “trembling action” gearbox with a handy pull-cord. Food-safe plastic (no phthalates). Each pair is packaged in a clear peggable display box. $10.50

I'm just saying...

Speaking of the lazy...

FEBRUARY 1--Mississippi legislators this week introduced a bill that would make it illegal for state-licensed restaurants to serve obese patrons. Bill No. 282 is the brainchild of three members of the state's House of Representatives, Republicans W. T. Mayhall, Jr. and John Read, and Democrat Bobby Shows. The bill, which is likely dead on arrival, proposes that the state's Department of Health establish weight criteria after consultation with Mississippi's Council on Obesity. It does not detail what penalties an eatery would face if its grub was served to someone with an excessive body mass index. TSG

The Gun has just been on point this week...

FEBRUARY 5--When cops pulled Tina Williams over for erratic driving Sunday afternoon, they discovered that the 46-year-old Florida woman had her seat belt priorities scrambled. The glassy-eyed Williams, who reeked of alcohol and subsequently failed a series of field sobriety tests, was traveling with two passengers in the back seat of her 1982 Ford station wagon: a 20-year-old woman and a 16-month-old infant, who was neither in a car seat nor somehow belted in. However, Williams did make sure to secure the vehicle's other precious cargo. As noted in the below St. John's County Sheriff's Office report, deputies discovered that a 24-pack of Busch beer was placed in the front passenger seat and "was seat belted in." Williams, who was charged with drunk driving and child endangerment, said, "I don't know," when deputies asked why the child was not safely restrained. She claimed to have "had a few" when asked if she had been drinking. And when asked for her license, Williams replied, "I never had one." -TSG

WHAT THA HELL?!?

My Fav Pic of the Week...And its just Wednesday...

I had to do it for all my Wire-heads...

Snoop would make it happen...LOL

Music Pick-Up for the Week...

Zoe's dad did it on this one...

Crushes of the Week...

She will be here tomorrow...And guess who gets to have lunch with here? And if you don't love Soledad O'Brien...You have the problem, not me! LOL

And O.H.A...

You have Favre...And its just the crush for the week...

I love you too!

And my other one...

Yes the Super Bowl Commercial was garbage...But the ride is a monster...

Well the snow has made me sleepy again...

I'll keep you posted

A Week Of People Being Out of Pocket...And Just Flat Out In The Wrong...

2008-01-26T01:09:00.000-06:00

Where to start?

Okay...Marlo...

Marlo meets with Vondas, who doesn't want dirty money — meaning bills that are literally unclean — from the street. He prefers the clean way Prop Joe delivers his money and sends Marlo away.

Marlo Stanfield...You in the big leagues now...I'm very disappointed...

Keeping it real Wire around here...

Michael...

You going to leave your post all day to go hang out at Six Flags with Dukie and Bug...? Without telling Chris...I mean...Are you getting high on your own supply...You know Chris is crazy! He kills anything walking...Looking at him...

This man will open you up just to have a story to tell...

Keeping it youthful, because they are our future leaders...Which is scary by the way...

Soulja...

Stop Playing...

“I think if y’all did it right now, yeah, I deserve to be on there. But back there, when y’all did it, I probably didn’t have the status that I have right now. I’m Grammy-nominated. If I look at the new list and I compare myself to all 10 of the artists and some don’t add up, I’ll be like, ‘Wow. I should be #1 if it’s right now. I’m #1.”

Soulja Boy was more candid when asked how he ranks specifically against alumni of the first Hottest MCs list, like Weezy, ‘Ye and Jay-Z.

“Right now, yes [I’m hotter than them]. Today, January — whatever the date this is — 2008, yes [I am the hottest].”

This when you know the game is on a decline when "Ringtone Rappers" think they have rank as a MC...LOL

Okay...Next...

Billie Pelley (left)...

JANUARY 23--A 20-year-old female corrections officer is facing sex assault charges for allegedly performing oral sex on a male inmate on New Year's Eve in an Oklahoma jail. Billie Pelley told investigators that she entered inmate Bobby Mann's cell and began kissing the 37-year-old inmate "for a while." She then advanced to servicing Mann, but "stopped after thinking about what she was doing," according to a probable cause affidavit filed earlier this month in Okfuskee County District Court. By then, however, Pelley's encounter with Mann had already been recorded by a surveillance camera. When a dispatcher, Andrea Million, subsequently entered Cell 10, she found Pelley sitting on the side of Mann's bed. During an interview with a sheriff's investigator, Pelley admitted the sexual contact with the prisoner, who is awaiting trial on a bomb threat count. Pelley was charged last week with forcible sodomy, a felony, since Mann was not legally "capable of giving legal consent" because he is in custody. Prosecutors concede, however, that Mann, not surprisingly, consented to the oral sex. While Pelley quickly bonded out of jail after her arraignment, Mann remains in the Oklahoma lockup. -TSG

Stopped after thinking about what she was doing...?

Stopped after thinking about what she was doing...?

Stopped after thinking about what she was doing...?

*speechless*

Keeping on the subject of sexual healing and above...

Kwame...

Text messages...On government issued...For real? So thats how you do it Kwam & Chris...? That's whats hot in the streets?

9/12/02, 10:38 p.m., during trip to Washington, D.C.
Christine Beatty: Can I just come and lay down in your room until you get back?
Kwame Kilpatrick: Yes.
9/13/02, 9:02 a.m. (the next morning)
KK: They were right outside the door. They [the mayor's bodyguards] had to have heard everything...
CB: So we are officially busted! LOL
KK: LOL LOL! Damn that. Never busted. Busted is what you see! LOL. ...
CB: LOL, LOL. Damn, so they have to walk in before you conceed busted! LOL.
KK: Hell yeah. Walk in.
9/15/02, 3:38 a.m. (still in Washington)
CB: I'm on my way to your room now. But by the time you get there I'll be sleep and it will be 5am!
KK: I got something for you.
CB: LOL. Is that so? I'm in your room. Don't let Mike check it [an apparent reference to Mike Martin, a bodyguard who often traveled with the mayor]. Are you in route or still hanging? What do you have for me?
9/24/2002, 6:56 p.m.
CB: This is one of those little things I had to tell you. Last night when I was laying on your shoulder in the car and you held my face and sang whatever song it was, that felt so good. It was just one of those little moments when you just made me fall some more.
9/28/2002, 11:53 p.m.
CB: Where are you now?
KK: At home waiting for all EP [executive protection unit officers] to leave. Where are you?
CB: At the residence inn in Madison hgts.
KK: What rm?
CB: ...I'm in room 311 in bldg 3 in the back.
10/7/2002, 11:20 p.m.
CB: OK, I'm feeling like I want another night like the most recent Saturday at the Residence Inn! You made me feel so damn good that night. As you can see I can't let it go! ...
KK: I feel that we can do that in WV [West Virginia] + just relax together. I need you soooo bad. I want to wake up in the morning and you are there. Make it happen. Love ya.
10/8/2002, 10:18 a.m.
KK: I'm fine. Need a break. I want to get out of town w/you. Check on resorts outside of Houston.
10/16/02, 11:48 p.m.
KK: I've been dreaming all day about having you all to myself for 3 days...relaxing, laughing, talking, sleeping and making love.
10/31/2002, 5:28 p.m.
KK: I'll feel better once I'm holding you.
CB: You didn't say whether or not we are trying for some time tonight.
KK: Definitely. I'm getting a room. Damn that!
CB: LOL. Okie dokie.
(Kilpatrick later tells her to pick up room key at Marriott)
11/1/2002, 12:28 a.m.
KK: 6301 or 6302?
CB: Definitely 6302! 6301 has two double beds.
4/8/2003, 8:55 p.m.
KK: I'm at Laker game. The security doesn't believe I'm mayor. Mike is pulling out all kind of shirt to prove it.
CB: And, did you miss me, sexually?
KK: Hell yeah! You couldn't tell. I want some more. Don't sleep!
5/5/2003, midnight
KK: That's the first time that I couldn't fully seduce you. My game is off. LOL! Thanx for the conversation and the QT! Love you!
CB: LOL! Your game is way on baby! "you had me at hello!" Jerry McGuire 2000. LOL. I just didn't want to get caught.

All I have to say is...

Next...

All American Football League...

(head down)

All American Football League to hold first draft Saturday

The All American Football League will hold its inaugural draft Saturday in Atlanta. The process will supplement rosters built on a core group of former college stars assigned to the league's six teams based on geography.

The AAFL will begin play this spring as a minor league with a twist: teams are based in college football hotbeds and hope to draw support from those fans during a down time for the game. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas will field teams filled with players who attended schools in those states or neighboring states.

Players must have earned their college degrees, exhausted their eligibility and been evaluated by league coaches after attending an AAFL combine to be eligible. The list of committed players is heavy on quarterbacks, including Chris Leak, who led Florida to the 2007 national championship, and Tee Martin, who guided Tennessee to the 1998 title.

The league's 10-game season opens April 12 with some Friday night games but most on Saturday. Teams will bring 60 players to training camp and will have game-day rosters of 46. Player salaries will range between $50,000 and $100,000.-USAToday

WHY?!?

All I have to say is I hope you can cash that check Tee...Ef a check...Just ask for straight cash...

Speaking of that bread...

Last, but not least...

Mo' Money Taxes...

Thanks Fresh for a trip down memory lane...God! Thank you for blessing me with time living in the Bluff City...I love Memphis! LOL

When I was living in Memphis we couldn't wait to see this Tom-foo hit airways...It happened every January...Always something new...Something that sets the race back another 15 years...

And what really makes my heart hurt is that this Memphis based company has expanded...And now they are servicing in 10 different states....

(shaking my head)

On that note...Have a great Sat...And...

I'll keep you posted

Still Gives Me Chills...

2008-01-21T18:12:00.001-06:00

I'll keep you posted

I've Been Tagged (Thanks O.H.A)

2008-01-21T15:49:00.001-06:00

Here are my 10 weird or interesting facts u probably didn't know about me...

1. Haribo got the gummie game on lock!

2. The last song I downloaded on iTunes was Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues...And if you don't understand...Just go listen...

3. I hate chain hotels...Regardless of the rating and stars...The "W" doesn't impress me...Boutiques are my thing...Places like this...But hey Blake...There is your free pub...And people don't take my place...Get your own...There are lots of places in cities...Don't just go for the name...

4. I love cooking...From pasta to soul food...I can make you forget about your grandma!

5. My moms will serve you in Scrabble...Yes...O.H.A...You too...But I think you are scared anyway...LOL

6. To work in a profession that doesn't allow to many casual days, I still keep a pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and some type of top in my office at all times...

7. I am a sneaker head...I'm not talking about you typical sneaker head either...I'm talking Dior Homme, Kim Jones, Creative Recreation type of sneaker head...My next goal is to get my Supra Skytop game up to par...

8. I'm not a gambler at all, but I will merk you on the blackjack table...It just seems like I can make the magic happen...Even at a game of chance and no promises...

Speaking of black-a-jack...Women this is what happens when you wear your arse out at the table...Saw this while searching for a good pic for #8...Thought I would share...

9. I have a man crush on James Walker (Michael Vartan)...President and Chief Operating Officer of Amerimart Industries on the new hit show Big Shots...I mean whats not to like...He's the bounce back character on the show...He finds out that his wife was cheating on him with his former boss...The only thing he was worried about was taking care of his 2 kids (very responsible)...After the divorce, James trades the Ferrari in for a dope 71 Mustang Convertible...And last, but not least...He gets the girl...His best friend and co-worker, Katie Graham (Nia Long)...

10. I keep a box of Chicken Flavored Ramen Noodles in my cabinet...#1, to not forget how far I have come...And #2, because you never know when that noddle crving might hit ya! R.I.P. Momofuku Ando...And if you don't know who he is, go do your research!

Well I hope that this is random enough for you...I will not for go the tradition of passing this blog tag on...There have been too many people already hit by this disease...So I'm killing it right here! You can thank me later...

I'll keep you posted

I Usually Don't Do This But...

2008-01-11T17:55:00.001-06:00

At the end of a day of battling every random "You Got Served" extra in front of Randy's Donuts I wonder what that yellow dog suit smells like?

Any thoughts?

I'll keep you posted

3 Men...One Dream...

2008-01-09T15:09:00.000-06:00

And 94 years later...That dream is still alive and WELL...Many men of distinction, professionalism, intelligence, and integrity are still making moves in the name of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity, Inc...

Happy Founders Day Gentlemen...

G.O.M.A.B

I'll keep you posted

I'm just saying...

2008-01-04T18:58:00.000-06:00

I'm not siding...

All I have to say is...

Obama 1...

Jesse & Al ZERO...

Now ya'll two go pick ya face up...

I'll keep you posted

Its CRUNCH Time!

2007-12-11T18:46:00.000-06:00

You have 2 Weeks left to get your friends, pseudo-friends, significant others, the "friend" zone types (you know what I'm talking about), lovers, jump-offs, male co-workers, randoms, and family members gifts for the Chirstmas...And I am here to help you out! I mean...Some people are just tough to shop for...

Now if you know a man that doesn't like to be too far from his drank...This is the present for him!

The Beer Belly: On-Self Beverage Storeage

Abs of ale? Brew falsey? The Beer Belly is a beer bladder that fits stealthily and comfortably around your waist under your shirt, with a feeder tube to bring the brew to papa...Quality-designed and built, the polyurethane bag holds up to 80 oz. and nestles in a neoprene insulated sling that becomes a literal beer gut...Now doesn't this guy look happy while getting bent?

Now moving on...

K. Cole Condom Holder

I know...I know...These are the signs...

Cell Phone, check. Wallet, check. Condom holder? Help your significant other, lover, jumpoff stay fresh with a Kenneth Cole's Condom Holder which is a bifolding leather holder that has two pockets to keep an adequate amount of protection on him when duty calls...Offers a stylish alternative to the crumpled in his pants pocket technique.

Moving on...

Saulo Ribeiro FreeStyle Revolution World Martial Arts DVD Series

Now if you have a man that you just don't feel protected around...And ain't gonna bust a grape in a Welches back yard if some dude rush you wrong in public...This is what I suggest! 2-Time Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling World Champion Saulo Ribeiro and World Martial Arts have teamed up once again to bring you Saulo Ribeiro 2, Freestyle Revolution! This 6 DVD set stars Saulo and World Champion Xande Ribeiro to deliver the ultimate submission grappling DVD series. His first instructional series Jiu-Jitsu Revolution has already become one the most critically acclaimed Jiu-Jitsu DVD sets to hit the market in years. Freestyle Revolution continues the legacy as Saulo teaches his complete submission grappling system with all of the techniques and strategies he has used to become one of the most powerful forces in Submission Grappling history! Every position is covered from takedowns to submissions to escapes. This series is another World Martial Arts exclusive!

This might even be a great idea if you have a male friend, brother, uncle, cousin, daddy, or gramps that dates the...

Now moving on...

Now if you are wanting to give the men in your life I hint to step their game up, this gift idea is great place to start...

Paradise Pen Watch Movement Cufflinks

Time is of the essence, and now it's also an essential feature of his wardrobe...These unique watch-part cuff links are handmade from genuine antique watch works...Nothing says you can't eff with me like a great pair of links!

And for the ONE...You give him whatever he wants...Hey! It works for me! *hint*

I'll keep you posted

This is why I moved to the "Wauk"...

2007-12-01T18:14:00.000-06:00

And this...

I love snow!!!

But the worse part about it snowing...Is that my car is in the shop! I'm a-ed out...

And yeah..."Tonya 2" is in the shop...I think that her days are numbered...And with this type of weather...Sedans are going to cut it. They aren't built for that type of war...So I think I will start looking for a new ride...A SUV...I can't really afford tricking off for my dream ride...I mean...I could, but I wouldn't be able to but any gas...Thats like having a LV wallet with no cash...And I know its going to take a few of you by surprise but, I love the 1997 Land Rover Defender 90...These things still go in the upper 5 to 6 figure range...

My fav SUV in history...You usually see old hippies or Indian Jones stunt doubles like Gus here driving them...

This is Gus...

And his wife Bella...

One day I'm going to get in trouble for this...Just going on google image and finding random pics of people...With that being said...Watch what you put on the World Wide Web...Because I might find it...And you will become a victim...

But back to the Defender...

They stop making them in the states in 97...So thats why I want the 97...And plus its the first SUV in history that ran off a V8...But I'm sure that I have bored you all to sleep...But one last piece of senseless history? Do you remember what 90s video that had 2 of these beauties as props? One hint...He likes girls...

Yes! You guessed it! One of the sickest men with a pen and pad...And also one of the sickest men in life...R. "I didn't know she was 15" Kelly...

But on that note...I'm going to get out of here and enjoy some winter weather...

I'll keep you posted

Oh...Yeah!

On SUVs...Any suggestions?

I'm gone for real this time...

I'll keep you posted