6 Minutes to Sunrise

Here I Stand/Sit

2010-10-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Sooooo I finally have free time and as I am sitting in my room attempting to finally write a post, I am speechless. I don't know what to write about. Damn.

Wild World

2010-09-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

The Juxtaposition of the time I spent in Ghana and the 2 weeks I have spent at home is real and in some ways very very strange.
The constant fear of violence is real. The TV shows such as Snapped,and Unsolved Mysteries arent helping either.

The anniversary of September 11 forced me to step back and actually think about things from a different perspective.

I have come to the realization that I live in a scary and dangerous country.
I realized that while I was in Ghana I felt safer than I ever did in my whole life. knowing that I could go somewhere and not have to think about being abducted by some sick sexual predator or even be the target of some random crime was a relief.

We live in a scary world and being American does not ease the situation either.
I will be moving to D.C for a couple of months and I am trying my best to block out the memories of Chandra Levy and the D.C Sniper for the sake of my sanity.
I cant let these fears take control of my life anymore.

it's time to make moves.

3 minutes to Sunrise

2010-09-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

So I have a bad habit of not keeping up with the things that I start, prime example is this blog.

So many things have happened within these last few months that it would be hard to explain each and every event in one sitting. This fact as well as me feeling extremely lazy at this moment is in some ways an indicator of how much has happened to me as well as the readers of this blog waiting a little while longer to read something exciting. I will try my best though.

This year I graduated from College and I am already overwhelmed by all the work I have to do before going to grad school.

This summer as a graduation gift to myself I went to Ghana again for 2 months. I stayed with my BF in a town not too far from Legon called, Kwabenya. I also traveled to neighboring Togo and Benin ( pictures will be up later).

I really miss Ghana and see myself living there later on in life.

I haven't even been home 2 weeks and I am headed to D.C to live for 3 months. This should be interesting.

Good Morning on this Day we Become Legendary

2010-07-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Some People Got to Have it!

2010-04-13T00:23:00.001-07:00

Whoever said money isn't everything obviously had some.
Money has always been an issue with me. Sometimes I have a lot of it and just within a blink on an eye its all gone.

Halfway

2010-03-31T00:31:00.001-07:00

My Imperfections make me who I am, therefore you must take me as I am.

Real Pain! Real Action

2010-02-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

I am an American Studies major so I talk about race, and inequality over and over again until my head is on the brink of explosion. This past quarter I have come to the most significant and important realization in my life...no matter how many times one could talk about the ills of society and how change is very much needed-THIS IS REAL!
* Never in my life have I felt that I have had to speak for an entire community when it comes to discussing the problems that we face in society
* Never in my life have I felt uncomfortable in my own house/room
* Never in My life have I felt uncomfortable with doing my own Hair in the presence of a person that does not share the same experiences as me or a member or ally of my community.
* Never did I think I would have to fight to take a class during my last quarter of my Undergrad career on People of Africa by a BLACK professor
* Never in my life have I been SO DAMN ANGRY!

Coming from Ghana, I have thought about the ways in which I could work towards incorporating some of Ghana's genuiness and truthfulness into my everyday living.

At the end of every trying day I reflect for 15 minutes before I lay my head down and fall asleep. Some of the things that I experience on a daily basis makes the very core of my soul ache, no one knows my struggle. My years in college have made me a very hopeful thinker in terms of human nature and the constant belief that racism and ignorance could be cured; 4 months till graduation and that dream for me has been shattered. I am a good and kind person by nature, I have good intentions and I hate to see people hurt. No one cares to see my hurt, and it is not a type of hurt emotionally, its the type that is an attack on not my character but the color of my skin.

Black History Month is in Full Effect

2010-02-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

I Will Soon Be Here

2010-02-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen those tropical destination postcards imprinted with the phrase "wish you were here" and thought to your self, "I could use a vacation"?

Well Belize is that place.
Not only is Belize one of Mother Nature's best Kept Secret but she is also the homeland of my parents and their parents, and their parents, and their parents and so on.
As a Graduation Gift, my parents have decided to take me to Belize along with my cousin Aimee who will be graduating from high school. I am so excited and cant wait.I feel like a kid waiting patiently for Christmas to come.

Belize has come to symbolize more than a Central American destination, it is the place where my ancestors, stolen from Africa were deported soon after being ripped from their homeland and tossed around the Caribbean for a while. My people are Kriol, meaning that I am a descendant of the Baymen and Black African slaves that were brought to Belize to chop down Mahogany trees. and ever so recently I am the descendant of East Indian merchants who made their way to Belize in the early 1900s and the Spanish that have played a stake in most if not all of the Discoveries as well as misfortunes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

My Mom left Belize when she was just around 13 years old and has not been back in over 30 years. My father left Belize around the age of 20 in order to attend college in the states. I believe the last time he went back was about 6 years ago.

I am fortunate to take this trip and see the remains of where my mother used to live, the church where my father was baptized and the streets of which my grandfather used to trod with his noble mule and his sturdy cart. Also, the stone pyramids of the Mayan Indians ( Maya Ruins) in my parents hometown will open my eyes to a great civilization that used to be but is no more. The cayes ( pronounced "keys") of Belize will allow me to swim with sharks, snorkel right next to the worlds second largest barrier reef ( right after Australia) as well as boat-cruising right over the blue holes that are unique to Belize and its fascinating tropical life.

I'm soooooo excited!
5 1/2 more months!

American Pie

2010-01-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually
-James A. Baldwin

Soooo Im sitting in my American Studies Seminar class and while listening to the discussions of the readings the issue of American Studies being anti-American comes up. As a 4th year American Studies major ( and sociology minor)I feel that the only thing that I have learned throughout the years that is of extreme importance is the alternate histories that people have yet to hear about American life.

Numerous times I have asked myself what does it mean for a person LIKE ME to be an American Studies major. Me, a first-generation-American and person of color growing up in one of the most richest, influential and also historically racist countries. I often question what it means to be American as well. The AMST major is supposed to encourage critical thinking and to provide a space for students to learn about the other side of America, the countless stories left untold.

Since my inception into The University of California I have taken classes about Race and Ethnicity, Native Americans and Cultural Production, Jazz Cultures, Immigration and Assimilation issues as well as Whiteness and Racism. I have learned to grasp these concepts and incorporate them into my everyday thinking.

In a couple of months I will graduate and leave behind all of my emotional baggage in regards to being a minority on a predominantly white campus, having to struggle with budget cuts to my education as well as hustling money every quarter to pay for my late fees. It is both a happy and frightening feeling at the same time. It is frightening in the sense that once I Graduate I will be confronted with these same issues that I have read in AMST text books.

Ayeti! ( Haiti)

2010-01-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

So I know a lot of you are familiar with the events that have unfolded regarding the deadly Earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010. The images that have been circulating throughout the various media stations are reminiscent of the way in which Hurricane Katrina media coverage portrayed the suffering of black people.

New Orleans has not been fully recovered since Katrina and it discourages me to think what the future holds for the restoration of Haitian society and culture.

Here is a country that is so unique and critical to African/Black Culture, being that it was the first black republic to gain its independence, as well as being the only country to lead a successful slave revolt. Due to the fact that that Haiti has been plagued by the outcomes of those decisions since then, it has given ignorant, privileged, downright evil people the initiative and the audacity to justify Haiti's downfall because of its voodoo practices and large percentage of AIDS victims residing in that country. It makes me clearly upset to think that Haiti is the way it is because of colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, and just plain political trickery in part by some of the leading world powers.

I am a person who tends to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and I think the people of Haiti deserve better than to be treated like third world, helpless individuals and start looking at them as strong-willed people who have endured many struggles over the course of history.

Operation Restore Haiti*

"Theres no money, no diamonds, no fortune on this planet that could replace Haiti!"

Okay! I know I'm Late.

2009-07-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

So if you know me, you could probably vouch that I have been desperately searching for new music.
I mean, there are only so many times one could listen to "Birthday Sex" or could care less about turning my swag on everyday when I wake up in the morning.
I have always been into different kinds of music, especially forms that are not familiar with mainstream success.
The Fugees, however are the exception. They have had both mainstream success as well as producing meaningful music that can make you dance and think at the same time.
John Forte, who is not apart of the Fugees but associated with them is the change in the music world that I seek.
John Forte's story is as follows:
Forte, was a rapper, producer who had a influential stake in the alternative hip hop scene of the 90's. In 2000, he was caught and arrested at Newark Airport for Possession of 1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He was convicted and sentenced to the minimum requirement of 14 years in prison.
Suprisingly, advocates for Forte believed that he did not receive a fair trial. After 7 years, he was pardoned by George W. Bush in 2008 and was released from prison a few weeks after. It is said that as soon as he was released from prison he bought a Blackberry, Ipod and Macbook (Go Figure).

Well we all know what happens when people spend long bids in Jail; they become a Hip Hop Intellectual. The only thing to do in Jail is read, gain knowledge and plenty of time to reflect on your life choices.

I am pretty sure Forte will become one of my fav artists. His lyrics are thought provoking and sincere and his musical ability is above any of the antics we have seen thus far in the entertainment industry. Not to mention he is nice to look at (dreads=love)

John Forte "Life Has Just Begun" from The ICU on Vimeo.

Truth about Somalian Pirates according to K'Naan

2009-07-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

Dear L.A

2009-07-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have been very disappointed with the way you have been representing yourself these past years! I have been finding it hard to claim you lately, with your expensive fashion sense and falseness I often find myself contemplating our relationship. Although I have never been to N.Y, it seems to be much more compatible with me.

I remember the L.A Riots, Conscious and "Gangsta" Rap, and Multiculturalism were your thing back when. Now its all about transient fame schemes and gentrification. The company you keep are just as sick.
I Thought we were cool but every time I come to visit you make me feel like I dont belong. Is it because of the way I dress? The music I listen to? the people I hang out with? or the change in my political ideologies?

Maybe we can work something out?

Chicago seems nice!

The Greatest

2009-07-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

"We All Thought He Was Going To Live Forever"

I am ready!

2009-06-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

So, today is my last night in Santa Cruz for the 2009 year and I am more than excited. These past 2 weeks have been hectic. No sleep, No time for people, parties and I have not been eating right at all. I have a thousand things to do before the day ends consisting of packing and washing clothes. I also have to do some chores around the house before i leave but I don't know!

I wish ( Carl Thomas status)

2009-04-27T18:14:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I wish there was no such thing as love. Not to say that I am in love or that I am bitter or anything but whats the big deal anyway.
You wanna know the worse thing.

You meet a guy and then you feel all happy and warm inside and then just like that they can make you feel so so so bad. you can go from eating to much to not eating at all if that makes sense.

I remember I had a conversation with the roommates the other day about being in love and found out that when you first fall in love you dont wanna eat anything and you dont wanna go to sleep and then when they dump you, ironically the same cycle happens again only this time you are crying for days.

My other roommate is always breaking up and making up with her boyfriend which could get annoying because everyone around gets the blunt end of it as well. Man, that sounds draining!

I dont think boys know how much power they have when it comes to relationships. I would say when girls like someone or love someone they love hard. I have never been in love ( at least i dont think) but from the sound of it, it seems painful and very troubling.

I can never like a person w/out thinking about the future.It's very sad.

And then 4/20 Happened!

2009-04-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

so Today is April 23, 2009 and Monday was the famous 4/20! The day that people with sense and some w/out smoke pot-marijuana-ganja-the herb-sticky icky, or whatever people call it these days. Everyone gathers at Porter Meadow on the UC Santa Cruz campus and lights' one up at 4:20 on the dot.

The school went far and beyond to hinder peoples urge to go to campus by only running certain buses and closing down the west-side of campus. IT DIDNT WORK!

It was one of the hottest days of the school year and to top it off everyone who smoked and had the munchies were at 711.

None of this bothers me at all but I have a real BIG problem when you bring my hero-legend Bob Marley into the mix.

everywhere that I went on campus someone was bumping Bob or playing one of his songs in celebration of this faux holiday!

Honestly, Marley is possibly turning in his grave, upset that after all of the things he has been through and all the things he has done in life ( Uniting Africa, World Peace, Rasta equality, Self-love, Killing hate ideologies, demolition of "isms-skisms", peace and love) all that he is celebrated for is smoking Ganja by white people, and hippies.

Bob Marley taught me the importance of Africa and it's great history that is unknown to most people. It's funny that he does criticize some WHITE people in his songs but thats a whole different post.

Bob Is one of my heroes and I refuse to let his legend be jaded with thoughts of getting high all day/everyday to initiate world peace. The Red, green and Gold Liberation flag that has come to symbolize so much to not only jamaicans but to every marginalized oppressed group within the African Diaspora has now been recognized as representation of Marijuana Solidarity in this sick country. no Dice!

Am I ranting?

What Is a DJ If He/She Cant Scratch to A Ranchera?

2009-04-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

Honestly all I could do is sit back and dream because it would take me years and a whole lotta skills to even be decent on the turntables.
DJing should be considered a spectator sport due to its high use of speed, rhythm, and table techniques

Cross Fade into Silence and enjoy this video.
Stonekutters are the stuff!

Do You Remember?

2009-04-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

For some odd reason the Jem and Holograms theme song was playing in my head last night and I didn't know why.
Most Definitely am Down with Jems style but the Misfits are tight too.
Cartoons are not like how they used to be. Instead of having Gullah Gullah Island you have frickin' Hannah Montana. No more Tom and Jerry. No more Anamaniacs. No more Looney Tunes. No more Disney cartoons on the DISNEY CHANNEL!

I wish there was a channel that showed all old school cartoons from the 90s and earlier, it would get a lot of views im sure.

We're Takin' It All!!

Mama Africa!

2009-03-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

So I have been accepted to study Abroad for fall Quarter in Ghana!
I'm soooo excited and have already ordered my passport which will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. Ghana, for me is more than an exotic adventure, it's a return to my ancestral homeland and a place where a lot of history regarding the slave Trade took part (Elmina Castle). Although, a lot of us(people within the African Diaspora) will not necessarily know from which specific part of Africa that we originated from it means a lot to me that I have been granted the opportunity to be apart of this wonderful 6 month journey.

I dont "knowingly" follow a lot of Fashion Trends but..

2009-03-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

I am liking Va$htie's clothing line Violette. With locations in New York, France and Las Vegas, I bet the line will be extremely popular this year. I like her clothes for the fact that it's simple and colorful, both things that i take into consideration when shopping for clothes.

Some of you may already know Va$htie, she is a video director and works in the Music Industry as a Creative Director for Artist and Record labels. She is a Trinidadian American(Big up!!) hailing from Albany, New York. She also directed Kid Cudi's Video, "Heaven and Night" as well as "Us Placers" by Child Rebel Soldiers aka Kanye, Lupe and Pharell( who i think she also dated for a while). but anyway shes tight!

Violette New York Launch- Check it Out Here

Yoooooooooo!

2009-03-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

its been a minute since I last been on here.
So many things have happened, from getting a new job to going to the State of the Black Union--Life is good!well, almost.lol

My classes are killing me but I will try my hardest to pull through.
Im planning things for MCF and its a lot of pressure but you know what they say about pressure ( makes diamonds).

Im just sitting here waiting for class to start, got hella stuff to do but I will save that for later.
State of the Black Union was fun. I shall dedicate a post entirely to that later.

I was thinking...

When I first started this blogging stuff I was going for less "journal/diary" and more cultural discussions such as music, politics, you know--what's hot in the streets. So my goal from now on is to steer my writing into another creative direction.
I shall add video to my blogs as well, other than that I think I need more readers, Im doing Big things this year, making major moves and counting the days until Im out of here!

Deans List!!!

2009-02-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

I Made it!!!
:-)

My President Is Black!!!

2009-01-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

In the Words of Jeezy, " My President is Black, My Lambo's Blue?"
Well I dont have a Lamborghini, nor do I think I could ever afford one but one thing I do know for sure is that MY President is indeed Black and his name is Barack Obama!

With sleepy eyes glued to the television set,I watched the Inauguration of Obama which will go down as one of the greatest moments in history. Words cannot describe how I felt then and how I feel now. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see such a thing as I did yesterday Morning and I am only 20 years young.

It's the Day After the Inauguration and I am still receiving text messages quoting passages from Obama's speech. Maybe now since he is officially President Microsoft Word will automatically add Obama and Barack into their dictionary instead of offering spell check everytime!lol

Still one could see the pessimistic attitudes in the air as if it was the cold flu, (check out my argument with Jesse Warren on Facebook, Lame)but I guess the Haters are inevitable.

He spoke the truth, something that is priceless and worth more than gold to me,(especially coming from a politician)when he said :
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

greatness is never a given. It must be earned.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Warriors!!!!

2009-01-21T15:46:00.000-08:00

On Monday, MLK DAY, I drove all the way to Oakland to see My cousin, Nick Young play!
It was exciting.
I picked up my friend Olivet from San Leandro and took the BART down to the ORACLE arena.
My seats were pretty good and Ironically I was sitting next to a lot of Washington Wizards fan in a Stadium packed with Warriors. I think Butler's Baby Mama was sitting behind me and a Grandmother was sitting in front of me, it was awesome.
Security didnt let me go to the back so I just left.
Fun Times though.
I cant wait until the All-Star Game and the Slam Dunk Contest, Yee!
Oh and By the way I dont care to mention the score!lol

"When the Dog Bites, When the Bees Sting" For all You Boppers Out There.

2009-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

I have grown up with Jazz Music.
Residing in a Household where Latin Jazz and John Coltrane were regularly played I have grown to appreciate the art form of Jazz a lot more these days.

There is something about Jazz that makes me mellow and pensive while allowing me to daydream a lot more then I should
The other cool thing about Jazz is that due to the lack of lyrics in most compositions it allows one to perhaps make up a story in their head about what the different melodies and notes could represent or whatnot.
One more thing is that depending on what type of Jazz music you are listening to the different instruments such as the trumpet or the saxophone could embody different emotions and feelings.

One of my favorite Jazz songs of all time is "My Favorite Things" By John Coltrane.
Not only is this song a remake of the famous giddy song sung by Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music but the way that Coltrane plays it makes it seem sadder and gloomier than usual. There is something about Coltrane's version that gets me every time; the way that he plays the main chorus line, "these are a few of my favorite things" makes you feel warm inside and is so beautiful it makes you want to cry.

This song really needs no explanation, Its so unique in itself.

an Oakland Killing!

2009-01-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

It Disgusts me how much injustice there is in this world.

On January 1, 2009, Police Officer Johannes Mehserle fatally shot an unarmed African American Man, Oscar Grant as he was detained by the Cops and Laying face down on the cold cement.

Oscar Grant pleaded over and over again, "please don't tase me, Please don't shoot me" but I guess that wasnt enough to save his life.
I cram to Understand how you could be held down by 5 cops but yet still be considered a big enough threat to get wasted like that. More like a public execution to me.

Seconds later, police put Grant face-down on the ground. Grant appears to struggle. One of the officers kneels on Grant as Mehserle stands up, tugs at his service weapon on his right hip, unholsters it, and fires one round into Grant's back.

People and Citizens in the Bay Area are expressing outrage over the lack of action that has taken place

Watching the Video and just gathering more information about the Incident has literally made me sick to my stomach. Oscar Grant was a Father, a Friend, a Son and a Human Being, to think that his life was lost at the hands of a benevolent BART Cop who devalued a young mans life is the cause of all of this.

This Video is Explicit:

New Years Re(s)(v)olutions!

2009-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

2008 has come and gone, now its 2009 and I think its about time for a change.

The Number one Resolution I have for myself is to just say "No"!
Now, I am not in no way saying that its hard for me to say no, but I often times mislead people into thinking that I am toooo nice and that's where the problems begin.

learning that I cannot please everybody and that I must do what I feel in my heart is the right thing to do.

Of course college is the time for partying up before you cant anymore, being at every party has never and will never be my scene. Therefore, I must not give in to peer pressure.

Just being myself. A lot of people are so messed up and confused that they are not even aware that they are imitating someone else, claiming that as their legit identity. not being caught up in the hype that surrounds me will make me into a better person.

and of course

Drinking more water daily, less junk food if none at all( since I had the Diabetes Test).

Back to Reality

2009-01-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Well
Im back in Santa Cruz and this time I drove my car up here. It took us a good 6 or 7 hours to make it back, we even got lost somewhere in Gilroy but its still all good. Im looking forward to getting all A's this quarter so that I could go to NY for Spring break.

On another note, i think its funny how people already have plans for my car( meaning that for some odd reason "my" car has turned into "our" car!

but

w/e

Glad to be back while waiting patiently for it to be over.

"I Bet I Can Add Up All The Change in Your Purse Very Fast" - Vintage Kanye

2008-12-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

I Used to Say...
"Grades don't define how smart I Am"
"Grades don't dictate how successful you will become"
"Grades don't 'really' matter"
"Grades produce Low-Self Esteem"
"Grades Suck"!

That or course was before I got my grades for fall quarter
3 A's and a B+
I had to admit it was pretty exciting, and all of my family most definitely knew about it.

It was pretty tough though, I thought I was destined for straight C's at one point and was terrified about my standing in one class.

Well, I plan on spending at least the rest of this winter break relishing in my good scholarly deeds and then I have to focus on topping that for winter quarter, which tends to always be my most toughest quarters.

From the West Side to the East Side!

2008-12-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

There is Truly No place Like Home!

School has been very hectic since I last posted! I didn't go home for Thanksgiving which was really sad, I wanted so much to be back in LA with my uncle and cousins.

People are really starting to get on my bad side. Recently I told myself that I was not going to hold any grudges with annoying people because that's not who I am. lately I have been really wanting to strangle certain people.

I can't wait to go back home ( LA and Arizona)!Im done with school for right now!

All I Want for Christmas is...

2008-11-27T01:08:00.000-08:00

*T-Mobile G1 with Google--Bronze

Creative Reaction:
*The Cesario in Black, Purple & Turquoise
*The Dicoco Hi in Blue Buffalo with Pink & Turquoise

A stack of Hundred Dollar Bills Would not be so bad either!

On another Note:
I leave with a Throwback from Estelle

iLL-Literacy is the s**t!

2008-10-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

Dahlak Braithwaite, Ruby Verdiano-Ching, Adriel Luis & Nico Cary are the makeup of iLL-Literacy, a collective of emcees spoken word artists and poets.

Hopefully Me and my friend Mina will see them in SF!

Daoud Hari

2008-10-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

I had an Amazing day so far.
I went to work around 10am in the Merrill College Office and did my work just as I should. The Provost Lourdes walks in with this tall skinny man who looked very much like my father. Lourdes introduces this mystery man to every one in the office and on the wall I see an event flyer for Daoud Hari who is speaking later on tonight to talk about the issues going on in Darfur and to discuss his book, The Translator: A tribesman's memoir of Darfur. Just before I could blink and think, Lourdes turns to me and introduces us. I said Hello and he said Hello and then she took him into the back to discuss business matters. Me, being the sly person that I am, tries to sneak my way to the back of the office, pretending that I am making copies just so that I could get one more glimpse of him. After about 30 minutes they come back to the front and Lourdes tells my Boss that she is welcome to go eat lunch with the rest of them ( including Daoud Hari) but my Boss Declines. Oh how i wish so much that they would have asked me. I then saw a white kid dressed in traditional African clothing looking all kinds of silly come in to talk with Hari. Apparently the kid won an opportunity to have lunch with him as well.

And for those of you who did not know:

Daoud Hari is a Sudanese tribesman from the Darfur region of Sudan. He has worked as a language interpreter and guide for NGO's and the press on fact-finding trips into the war-torn and dangerous Darfur area. Hari was captured and detained by the government of Sudan as a spy in August 2006 along with Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Paul Salopek and their Chadian driver Abdulraham Anu (aka "Ali"). During their months-long ordeal all three men were severely beaten and deprived. Upon their successful release - after an international outcry from US diplomats, the US military, Bono and even the Pope - Hari moved to the US where be began work on his memoirs to help bring further world attention to the plight of his people and country. In 2008 he published his memoirs under the title The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur.

Daoud Hari is also known as Suleiman Abakar Moussa. As he explains in his memoir, this is a false identity he created to appear as a citizen of Chad in order that he might work in the Sudanese refugee camps in Chad as an interpreter (by Chad law, only Chadian citizens are allowed to work).

He will be speaking tonight at 6:30 in Classroom Unit 2 which is around the same time as Open Mic, I guess we all have to make some choices but I have a feeling this one wont be too hard to make. I strongly encourage everyone to go.

Hip Hop Honors...It was all A Dream!

2008-10-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Was Nice....
Cypress Hill, Too Short, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick, and De La Soul were among the 2008 Honorees.

I was excited to see all of them honestly, I wish Slick Rick would have done one more song but Ghostface Killed and Biz Markie Killed it with their rendition of Lodi Dodi. De La Soul was cool, I really liked them. I never really noticed how bad Hip Hop could sound live. Cypress Hill gave me timeless memories about my hometown of Los Angeles and how they get down. It is still hard for me to believe that Too Shorts parents were both accountants, just listening to his songs you would think that they were just a bunch of pimps and hoes or something. In some performances I could see that The Roots may have been the house band. Morgan was hella funny and the tribute to Issac Hayes was extremely heartwarming. I love the rendition of Mary J Blige's song that Estelle covered for the Isaac Hayes performance as well, and Cee-Lo is always my man. Dj Prince Paul and Q-tip had my eye the whole night. Me and My Housemate could not help but to bust out in laughter every time the camera captured the audience singing to the songs in such an intense in serious manner, as if they had written the song. Also they repeatedly kept showing these black dudes with these ugly jacked up flat tops which could have been mistaken for that Slim Jim guy in the Beef jerky commercials.But all good things come to an end, right after the show ended I had to step back into my world that I live in and get back to the never ending, thick readers that is my homework. It was nice while it lasted.

Here I Go Again!

2008-10-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I spoke some truth on this blog. School has started and I am feeling completely overwhelmed. Due to my laziness to go Downtown and buy my books for class I am already behind. Being a Junior is nothing like I thought it would be, of course I knew I would have more responsibilities but I dont need the bull that goes a long with it. As for friends, I would say they are non-existent. There are some people that I am really close to here but It seems like High school all over again. Don't get me wrong there are so many good people here and many of them I would like to keep in contact with after college but it seems like most people here are living for the now instead of keeping in mind their four-year plans ( if you know what I mean).

On another note...
My housemates are tight and we get a long great sometimes
Looking up internships for the summer already, I learned my lesson!
In every one of my classes I have a 10 page paper due.Nice!!!
Pictures should be up later!

Bittersweet...UCSC is gonna be the Death of me!

2008-09-16T22:57:00.001-07:00

Well Well, its that time again to pack up all of my things and head northwest for the fall. Yep, Im going back to UCSC, Santa Cruz, the Bay, the Boondocks, College. In a way I am really excited to go back but I still dont want to go back just yet. Plans have changed so I will not have my car this quarter until winter quarter. My job is cool, My old teacher asked me to be his teaching assistant for a class of 300. I have to get ready to travel abroad and there are just so many things to deal with. I just want this year to go by fast.

Pharcyde!!

2008-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Okay so this post has nothing to do with Pharcyde but their song is drilled into my head at the moment.

I have been extremely stressed out this past week, I dont know if its because I am going back to school next week or because I am thinking about all of the things I have to do once I get there.

Im pretty excited to go back to Cali ( Big up to LL Cool J) for the simple fact that Arizona has been a drag this summer. No friends to go on fun adventures with and no beaches to visit, It was simply wack. All work and no play makes for a dull person i might say in this case. Thats all I did was work, work, work and I have nothing to show for it because I having been paying all my bills this summer. This year will be interesting with Student Media, Alpha Kappa Alpha, ABSA and other fun stuff I know I will be anything but bored. New York hopefully in the future and there will be lots of pictures being taken this year for sure.

Tribute # 3: Black Pride, Black Love; Obama Edition

2008-09-04T23:52:00.000-07:00

Ain't nothing like a grandmothers support

So I was overly excited and elated when I saw this picture of Barack Obama's grandmother holding up an old campaign sign outside of her home in western Kenya after welcoming Obama's Democratic National acceptance speech. This picture is a idealistic and sentimental reminder of how far we have come as a people. From being ripped away from our homelands and loaded into a ship not knowing where it was going to becoming *president of one of the worlds most powerful countries. One of my friends Cynthia aka Watsonville (her hood) imagined what she would say if someone asked her what her grandchildren does, "So what does your grandson do?", "Oh he's President of the United States!"

The famous but oh so lovely fist-bump also known as the "DAP"

This picture celebrates black love at its finest moments. Michelle and Barack are G's for incorporating this into their daily regime of giving props when they are due. In a world where black women are being over sexualized in the media and black men are supposedly "forced" to date outside of their race due to the attitude of the Black Woman and Black men being so desirable, this picture restores my faith of their being such thing as strong black love in today's crazy wild world. Not only does this symbolize strong embrace and devotion but it makes me feel a sense of familiarity and pridefulness in the urban culture. Also it just makes me love them even more!

Baby Mama Drama Politics

2008-09-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

So unless you have been living under a rock lately you most likely heard about McCain's running partner, Sarah Palin's pregnant Teenage daughter. It has been pretty much a hot topic since last week. I kind of feel sorry for the kid, there are probably tons of people saying how bad of a girl she is and how her mother can not even control her own child let a lone try to help run a country. Barack Obama courageously proclaimed this scandal unnecessary and hurtful to all parties involved and that families are off limits. In this situation practicing abstinence sounds like a darn good idea. Entertainment shows are doing too much though, making comparisons to jamie lynn spears is going a little over the edge don't you think? But who cares right, It's fair game in the world of Politics.

Tribute #2 Songs That Remind Me Of My Childhood

2008-09-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

One of Dem Dayz- Monica
*reminds me of Santa Monica Beach

Day dreamin'-Tatiana Ali
*reminds me of Venice Beach

I Wanna Be Down- brandy
*This song reminds me of the Boys and Girls Club of Venice

Enjoy!

Barack Obama!!! Yes We Can!!

2008-09-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

So I dont know if your parents or grandparents told you the stories about their first voting experience. Rather it be Clinton, Bush, Nixon, Bush Snr, or JFK, this election is different in many ways. This year I will exercise my right to vote for the first time in my life and I will be voting for a BLACK PRESIDENT. I Regret not writing about this sooner but I was super busy this week. I first heard about Barack Obama sometime in the early 2000's when I came across his book, Dreams from my father. Sometime later during my first year of college I came across another book of his in the airport, I bought it and immidiately began to read it while waiting for my flight (the rest is history). This day and age when African Americans are constantly being criticized by the media and the American Governement, Obama gives me and the rest of America hope that things can be changed and you just dont have to stand on the sideline and accept them anymore. I emphasize the word "Hope" in that last sentence. Watching the Democratic National Convention really hit the nail on the head for me as far as me for the first time being extremely proud to be an American. Obama is not just a "Black" president but he is an American, and Multi-racial as well as Multi-cultural, he also comes from the working class of Americans and knows what that life is like which gives him precedence when it comes to helping Americans. Whenever I hear him speak I see glitches of greatness that will manifest into something so majestic later on. I'm sure this is the same way people felt at the time when they heard MLK speak. I am just really excited to Vote this year for the first time and as Obama treads on his path to presidency you will be hearing a lot more from me.

For What It's Worth! My First Tribute #1

2008-09-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

So I was listening to a bunch of Billie Holiday songs this past week and I couldnt help but to think about how hard her life was. Being raped numerous times as a child, adolescent and adult, having to work as a prostitute, dying from cirrhosis of the liver and having a warrant out for her rest for posession while she lay dying in her hospital bed. Why do the Great die so young? and I emphasize the word "Great" to the umph degree. One of my favorite songs of Billie is Lady Sings the Blues and God Bless the Child. She is one of the few artists I know that I could actually hear the pain in her voice. "Life is Beautiful" read one of the murals in Los Angeles depciting Holiday serenading her audience with the microphone. She is my constant reminder that whatever you may go through in life, the only person stopping you from becoming what you want to be is yourself. If you have talent you can't be afraid to use it!

So, Like a Loser

2008-08-22T00:48:00.000-07:00

I finally learned how to do a print screen of websites online. For this project i decided to do a print screen of one of my first feature articles that I ever did for City on a Hill Press. It was hard trying to hold my excitement because it was one of the first "real" articles I have ever done and I interviewed thee original "hip hop cop" and Yesi Ortiz from Power 106 and a writer from source Mag and the most exciting part, It was chosen as the cover. Not many of my friends knew about it but i guess it was better that way. I could just remember the feeling walking through the quarry seeing my article in the window ( good feeling!). But yeah, that's enough for now, gotta go to the Rainforest tomorrow, Damn!

Finally got my internet back!

2008-08-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

It's funny how now all of a sudden everybody wants to be a journalist. I am not exactly sure if they know the difference between blogging and the real journalism ( the kind that requires a degree). I don't claim to be the best writer in the world or anything and I know that there is a lot of work to be done so I guess I will just let my thoughts bleed onto this blog with whatever pops up in my mind.
I do believe however that everyone should write daily, its free therapy.

Postscript: oh yeah and Super Crew won! Yes Yes Ya'll, ya don't stop!

R.I.P Bernie Mac

2008-08-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

Words cannot express how I felt this morning when I found out that Bernie Mac passed away early this morning due to complications from pneumonia. I truly felt that I had lost one of my family members. I am still in shock and cannot really grasp the thought of him being gone this soon.Bernie Mac is one of the most funniest and revered actors and comedians of his time and of the younger generation. Mac's jokes played on real problems and situations within the black family while also offering different perspectives that people from all walks of life and races could relate to. There is not one movie that Bernie Mac starred in that i didnt enjoy. From one of my favorite movies Life (one of his most memorable roles in my mind)to his numerous guest appearances on Moesha, to Mr. 3000, to Friday(many classic hood movies) to Oceans 11 and the most recent Transformers. Mac is like everyone's funny uncle that you cant wait to see because he keeps you laughing the whole time. One of my most favorite standup routines from MAC was his "milk and cookies" one from the Kings of Comedy starring fellow Kings Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and DL Hughley. Every role that is given to Mac he stands out and makes his performances more than memorable. I know in the future many will try to do what Mac did but there will never be anyone that will come along to be as great and funny as the MAC.
Bernie Mac is funny as hell!

R.I.P Bernie Mac, You will be Missed, I know you will be Chopping it up with the Lord in Heaven!

New Laptop

2007-12-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

Yes thats it i got me a new laptop finally! um ishoul dbe getting straight A's now...speaking of A's i got my grades today and i am proud to say that i got 2 B's and an A which i was not happy about. i though thought that i would at least get an A+ instead of an A in my Music class because Music is my life. Speaking of music i came across this group called COOL KIDS

From what i saw on a commercial they really are cool. i mean i would have to listen to more of their music to see what they are about and if i like them before i become a fan, but theyre just real fresh in the way they dress!

Chuck Berry and Fats Domino

2007-11-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

Im writing something on them...i regret that i never realized before how great they were..I really do like their music!

Songs to Listen to

"Blueberry Hill"
"Maybelline" and "Johnny B Goode."

Great Piano Player

Great Guitar Player and does the famous Duck Walk

Where is Lisa Bonet?

2007-10-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

Well on friday night at the boo bash i was a chola! i shall post pics up later
My Favorite rapper internationally is Dizzee Rascal (Me and Trinee Agree) I wouldnt Mind being his wife either!!

I think "Americas Most Smartest model" is the dumbest show in the history of reality television not to mention its politically incorrect!Making fun of someones dumbness is not cool yo!