Oscars 2008!

Okay this post is for my movie heads. I don't get a whole lot of movie viewing in, however i usually at least know the names of the movies. I heard a whole lot of buzz about Juno. And what is There will be blood? Why are there such dynamic performances in these movies i.e. best original screenplay and best lead actor but i never even heard of these movies.

Where are my personal movie critics "The Records" aka Netflix Royalty, because i need some answers. The eminent question however is, who got robbed? It happens at every award show. So i want to know who was the snub this time, and give it to me straight don't hold back.

Also what is the time frame in order for the movie to be considered, because my favorite movie of all time 300 wasn't even mentioned in the mistakes column. Is it just not our time yet (notice i said our like i was in the movie, I WAS), do we have to wait till next year to shine or what. And don't say we missed our boat, cause i don't want to hear that!

Oops, this is real one:

I need answers people, let me know something. I need reactions to the Oscars. If i could only see one of the movies that won some sort of an award, which one would it be?

And who is Oscar anyway?

Oh yeah shout out to Jeff, Myron, and UG.

Eyes, Teeth, and Sole (Sneaker Intermission)

Check this out. These have been out for a second now. However i like it when companies collaborate and create nifty concotions. These are from the Alife and Asics joint venture. I present to you the Green Monster (no relation to Fenway Park) and the Black monster. The eyes are actually detachable. They have a nice cracked leather on them as well, overall i think this is very creative. I can feel like Godzilla with these on!

Feel free to place these at my doorstep. Im taking it to a whole new level trust me.

Call me whenever, Literally...

Can you hear me now?

Did you know that Verizon just unveiled their unlimited minutes plans? Now you can talk as much as you want and to whomever you want for the flat rate of $99.99 ( I hope you don't need unlimited texting to).

Cell phones are officially taking over the world. Im just waiting on Comcast to jump into the wireless market so they can offer you internet, cable, and cell phone service. Is there a such thing as communicating too much? Unless you are a business, I really can't see someone needing unlimited minutes. Help me do the math folks, you already had free nights and weekends right? I mean... don't people have things to do during the day. This is a plan for people that have nothing to do. And if you have nothing to do then you need a job. And if you need a job then you probably don't have a spare Benjamin to kick out every month. So those that can use this plan can't afford it, in my eyes. Remeber the days of $40 and $50 dollar phone plans, boy have those days passed us by.

However i am sure that many people will purchase the plan because they will say they need it. While its on my brain, don't you know somebody that goes over their minutes every single month, you just want to say "dude, can you just up your plan! Even if not for yourself do it for me". I bet there are going to be some people that go over by about 30 minutes and they're going to say "see man i need the unlimited plan", and its like "negro please, you just need an ounce of discipline".Sometimes companies do a superb marketing job and convince that we need something that we actually do not.

I don't have unlimited minutes, so if YOU do, don't call me. Plus im busy.

Role Model

Recently a discussion was had about role models (courtesy of the family all-star weekend crew) and whether or not celebrities such as athletes or musicians are or should be role models. The common viewpoint on this is that they are whether they like it or not. We also had some dissent among the group and others suggested that they should not be and are not role models.

In most circumstances people never know the celebrity personally. Everyone agreed that people, especially adolescents are very impressionable. However, how can someone that you have never met have more influence on you than someone that you see everyday and know. People agreed that it is not the most sensible perspective, but that's the way it is. Why do people concede and say that's just the way it is. It doesn't have to be that way. We all agreed that it was relatively backwards, so why do people just accept the status quo. It seems like using other people is a way out. Accountability is the word of the day. This is something that is really aimed at parents and families. It does not seem logical for a parent to let someone that their child has never met have more influence on the child than the parent.

I came up just like the rest of my peers and was exposed to a lot of the same things. I was able to admire my favorite basketball players on the court and my favorite musicians on stage, but i could care less what they did off of their professional stage. I wouldn't care if Allen Iverson was the worst person in the world in 1996 (as you can imagine i was younger then), i liked what he did on the court and knew that there was a difference between admiring someones ability and admiring them as a person.

My family took accountability for me and made sure that i understood right and wrong, therefore i had not intentions of looking to celebs for life values or example figures.

One of the best points of the night was a that since "blank" has the power to influence lives why not use it for good. I agree with that wholeheartedly. However if that person isn't using their power for good then we should not be mad at them they just aren't worthy of being a role model ( it sounds like we are talking about super heroes). We are all human, and just like we say they should be doing a,b, and c, so should we, it just so happens that we are not on tv. We have to learn how to treat the situation and not allow people to put others on a pedestal for the wrong reasons. If we instill in people the proper values concerning what is right and what is wrong then they will be better equipped to make positive decisions. Everyone has to live with the decisions they make and the outcomes that occur, making a bad decision contingent upon someone else's bad decision is hogwash, especially if you do not know that person.

See, conversations like these take place when you are sitting on a Plush Red Sofa. Later folks!

Valentines Day Massacre pt.2

On Thursday February 14 at around 4:00 p.m. there was another campus shooting, this time at Northern Illinois University. This is becoming way to familiar in our society. The shooter was a former grad student. 5 killed and 16 wonded, so far.

I am assuming the shooter had this planned out to mock the history of the valentines day massacre that took place in 1929 in Chicago. Northern Illinois Univ. is not in Chicago nonetheless it is in Illinois.

First i will start by saying, I have been beating this drum for a long time. Guns are extremely easy to obtain in America. There are so many sketchy dealers that give guns to unfit individuals. I don't know where he obtained his gun from but, the report says he had TWO HANDGUNS and a SHOTGUN! Good grief. I know you can legally own guns but at some point it becomes excessive. Who really needs three guns for a good purpose, especially the type of guns he had. I don't hunt but i can't imagine that people would hunt with handguns. I am also familiar that people have them for protection. One day people will learn that violence begets violence.

The scary part about this saga is that these type of occurences are a clone of terrorism. America is an extremely free society. Lately the targets have been universities but what is to stop someone from walking into a mall or a theme park. People are rendered helpless in situations like this, especially when the person is willing to take their own life. I am not trying to scare anyone but i don't know exactly how to thwart efforts like this. I also ask, is it now ok to stereotype people in your head, although stereotyping is commonly shunned? What do you do here? The government is looking to curb terrorism from fanatic religious groups but i think situations like these merit intense consideration before they get even more out of hand. The best and often easiest way to prevent something is to stop it before it happens.

One of the proposed solutions that stemmed from the Virginia Tech massacre was the idea of teachers being able to carry guns. That argument seems to hold weight initially but i don't know if that would work either. If we were to enact that strategy it would put all of the students in a vulnerable position and what if that teacher loses his mind then everybody is surely going to die because now we have created a hostage situation. Therefore this thing needs some serious consideration.

-Pause-

Now here is where my problem lies. Whenever there is a younger black individual that has a violent streak then they are labeled as a menace to society or a thug. However it seems when white america has these violent issues then they need counseling.The picture is painted very differently, even in death. The undertone of the black story is that these things are part of the culture (whatever that means because it is part of america), but the white story is painted differently and it is a rogue individual. True, blacks are more likely to die from homicide than whites, but they need to acknowledge that they have a problem too. They just do their dirt differently, however people die and that is the bottom line.

I cannot recall of a school shooting that was done by a black person (if you can think of one let me know), from Columbine to Northern Illinois. When does this become part of their culture? Well the good thing about this is they can't blame it on 50 cent or hip hop. But perhaps they could blame it on L.A. Confidential, Training Day, SWAT, Bad Boys, Clear and Present Danger, or whatever other shoot 'em up movie you can think of. I am not trying to get rid of these type of movies at all but they would be quick to blame violence in hip hop for something a black guy did, therefore i think this should be a two way street.

Certainly I feel bad for those involved and i wish the best for everyone that has had to suffer, but America needs to admit they have a problem on there hands. As my man Nas said on Stillmatic, "never to worry, all the wrong doers got it coming back to em a thousand times over, every dog has his and everything flips around, even the most greatest nation in the world has it coming back to em, everyone reaps what they sew and thats how it goes, innocent lives will be taken, it may get worse but we'll get through it ya'll, BE STRONG".

Everybody be safe, be smart, and be alert!

My Top Albums of 2007

I have thought this one over and I think its time for a list. So these are my top 5 hip-hop albums of 07. Plus i give good reviews, take my word for it if you havent heard these then its time you check them out.



5. Common- Finding Forever This album is very solid. The production is there and of course Common is legendary on the mic. He puts down some nice messages on the album most of which are social. This album is almost a continuation of his previous album BE. The production is an offering from his soulful friends such as Kanye West and the late J.Dilla, no complaints there. The album gives off subtle energy, bass and beats never too overbearing. The only gripe i have is that Common does not do any of the choruses ( a lot of features). He doubles back and forth with Kanye on "Southside" but that is really it. So i had to knock him down for that, however i still think this album gets a nod for a job well done. You can even play this album for your parents.



4. T.I.- T.I. vs T.I.P. TI did a very good job finding production that worked well with his style. This album is versatile enough to expand pass his core southern audience. The concept of him fighting with himself went over well since he had been building it for years through his other albums. Good surface music (music that you don't have to pay attention to) and he had something to say on the majority of the tracks. Job well done TIP!



3. Lupe Fiasco- The Cool This album is so full of content its ridiculous! Of course his flow and delivery are as detailed as they come. Once again there was a concept involved and that helps you follow the album. He didn't try to sneak this album past radio too much either, he used production and nuances that were tailored to who he is as an artist and the message he was trying to ge across. You can't lose with "the cool"



2. Jay-z- American Gangster Jay stepped in with a huge offering. One of the things that got his album to my number two spot was his VH1 special that he had where he did some explaining. The way the album is sequenced is crazy, each track is part of a story and it goes in order. Have to get points for that. Jay was also giving you some story telling on here which is something he doesn't always do and he did it well. So the flow is immaculate, the concept is bananas, and he managed to keep every track relevant without boring us with the same story.



1. Kanye West- Graduation The reason he gets my endorsement for my favorite hip hop album of 07 is because of his individuality and distinctiveness. The way some of his songs are put together is out of the box and revitalizing. He gives you a different sound than most hip hop albums. He softens the bars sometimes and lets you focus on the production. He spits it simple at times but punctuates it with nice sarcasm. Now he has an edge because he is a producer as well, because some of his beats like "stronger" have different stages that make it like another beat within the song. Musically the album is way more diverse than the others. Kanye wins. Plus i didn't want him beating down my door if he didn't win.

What you got?

Today is List day

In honor of my friend Hump, im doing a hate list. He is the originator of them so im keeping the tradition going since he doesn't have a blog. And for the record (that's my favorite saying now, Jay and Drea) i don't literally hate.

Top ten things i hate:

10. T-Pain's voice synthesizer- Its a performance enhancer, hes cheating
9. Al Wissam coats- they used to be cool but EVERYONE in Detroit has one, people are sheep so now they're wack

8. "Club songs"- why does everyone think that is the way to get in the music game

7. Federal government- they have other things to do besides investigate professional sports, does economy jog anyone's memory

6. Kwame Kilpatrick- why is he still in office?

5. Zoot suits- this was inspired by kwame

4. American Idol- is it really that exciting anymore? Who even remembers the winners anymore

3. MTV- why are they a music television network if they never play music

2. The term "Grown & Sexy"- its so over used

1. Hgh- Why not, its all over the place now

BOB KNIGHT!

This is one crazy guy. This is the reason why i didn't play college ball (thats my story). Great coach, but look at what he's given us over the years. Maybe they'll miss you Bob or maybe not.

NBA All-Star weekend is virtually upon us and this year the festivities are going to be held in New Orleans. A little over two years ago we had the monolithic tradgedy in the form of hurricane Katrina.

Everyone is excited about possibilities for growth in New Orleans. This All-Star weekend is supposed to galvanize the city by pumping tons of tourist dollars and help jumpstart the economy in New Orleans. From a lot of aspects this is a great occurence. However i feel bad for the people that are gone from that reigon never to return. I am pretty certain that the NEW money is going to go to NEW residents. Perhaps there are a few businesses that have remained but im sure the majority of the former establishments have been washed away. I wish there was some sort of program to help restore old establishments and help the previous business owners.

I have not been down there since the hurricane but i am willing to guess that a lot of the rebuilding has been done by people who initially did not even live down there, they just happen to come and take on some of this unoccupied land. There should be a rule if you didn't live here in 2005 then you should have to take a number and be last to recieve anything down there. I know that's crazy but they should give all those relocated folks opportunities first.

As you can see I just feel bad for those people. Im out, im going to get some beads.

The Juiced, the Juicy, and the Juicier

Is everyone familiar with the Roger Clemens saga? Somebody grab the mop because this is a mess! Roger needs a new captain to take over the ship because he is going down.

The latest development has Andy Pettitte backing their former trainer Brian McNamee and the story that he enhanced Roger's performance with the HGH variety. Andy was Clemens' teammate for years and is also reported to be one of his closest teammates because they frequently worked out together. Well Andy was excused from having to give a deposition on Tuesday because it appears as though they have everything out of him that they need. Roger's attorney is ubiquitous, since when did attorney's get regular slots on television. He is telling everyone how they are going to be sorry for accusing his client and he even used the Duke lacrosse players case to compare this mess to. I don't think thats accurate unless the former trainer moonlights as a drunk stripper. He is out of control. I love putting icing on the cake, get this, he told media that if Jeff Novitzky, the lead investigator in the 5 1/2-year-old federal probe of steroid use among professional athletes, that if he got involved "Roger would eat his lunch". He is telling this guy don't even look this way unless you want trouble. What is he doing? Why is he poking at people?

Either this attorney has a heck of confidence in Roger Clemens or has some secret evidence locked in a safe. The question is why would everyone lie except Roger. Why would McNamee tell the truth about dozens of other MLB players and lie about Clemens. It just doesn't make sense. Even Clemens training buddy (Pettitte) has said yes, I did it and has backed up McNamee's story on Clemens.

There is always the side story and here it goes. The former trainer McNamee also said that he gave Roger Clemens' wife HGH too! He claims to have shot his wife up with performance enhancers in 2002 in their master bedroom. This guy has dates, times, and samples of his work. This is juicy stuff.

Clemens' doesn't seem to have much but his word, which usually isn't a bad thing. However the other guy has hard core evidence. Roger isn't completely without ammunition, he did play the taped phone conversation between he and the trainer but all that did was prove that McNamee has a sick child. McNamee is hitting homeruns and Clemens is getting singles and trying to steal second base. By the way how did he tape the phone conversation?

I can't leave this out because this part is funny. Clemens said in an interview that if he had taken the things that people are accusing him of taking then he would be pulling tractors with his teeth and growing an ear on his forehead. Roger, i wish it was that easy to identify. For that matter why haven't all the guys who admitted to using HGH and 'roids grown ears on their foreheads. Clemens is emphatic in his denial, and i appreciate that. Go hard or go home. However, i hope he's not lying because he will end up at the podium like Kwame Kilpatrick looking for forgivenss (sorry Detroit).

The best thing about all this is that i haven't had to hear about Barry Bonds being chased to the courthouse. But the difference between Bonds and Clemens is that Barry doesn't care what you think, he said "i didn't do it and i don't have anything else to say". I think the problem is that Roger Clemens cares too much. If I was telling the truth i wouldn't care what McNamee said, the burden of proof is on the other guy (he does seem to have a heap of proof though). Clemens needs to take the approach of "you charged me with this now prove it". Nobody wants to be blamed for things that they didn't do, but if i know he can't prove it i don't care. Clemens could be sweating because McNamee might be able to prove it. OR maybe McNamee set him up! What if McNamee injected him with HGH and Roger thought he was getting some sort of...... I don't know, scratch that maybe that's too far fetched, Roger i tried to lighten the load for you.

On the other end we need to be weary of McNamee's evidence. How and why did he manage to save all of the needles and swabs from Roger Clemens treatments. The only way this isn't creepy is if he has stuff from everyone he has trained. And then if it is proven to be Clemens DNA how do we know what was in those needles or that it hasn't been tampered with. Like i said in the first paragraph, somebody get a mop. McNamee said in the Mitchell Report that Roger was at a party hosted by Jose Canseco. However Canseco says McNamee is a dirty liar. Canseco and Clemens have teamed up and refuted McNamee claims. That's great but how would you feel if you and Jose Canseco saw eye to eye these days. We dont' even know if Jose has told the truth in his book ousting everyone that he allegedly knew took steroids, what are his motives? Who know what to believe anymore, but there is one guy that has evidence in the bank. We will just have to see how this thing plays out, but watch out for syringes in the mean time.

Clemens just needs a glimmer of hope here because i don't see it. I don't know if his fastball is going to get him out of this jam.

P.S. did you hear Mary J. Blige, 50 cent, and other musicians also took steroids or HGH. I don't care though, unless it helps them write those songs, because if it does im PISSED!