Poets, Artists and Madmen

Go here

2005-07-28T12:55:00.000-04:00

Go here

And don't come back!

This blog is dead

2005-07-17T19:26:00.000-04:00

Its been apparent for a while I will no longer be updating this blog. The industrious among you will be able to get to the archives for a while. But this isn't the last you've heard from me. I'm starting a new blog soon. Link forth coming...

I miss...

2005-01-24T16:52:00.000-05:00

...y'all know the rest...

To all that matter

2005-01-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I'm off to India. It should be quite interesting and I hope to meet lots of new people and see things that I've only been able to in my dreams.

Of course my flare for the dramatic has to show its head before I get on my long flight so, ahem, here it goes:

In case some horrible tragedy befalls me I would like to say to everyone who matters to me what an honor it was to know you. To all that do not matter I wish you the same. In life, most people stop to smell the trash instead of listening to the sweet music of existence. My belief is that no one should idle their time with thoughts of revenge or hate. Instead take the time to tell a friend you love them and truly mean it. Thank God, or whomever you attribute the creation of Earth to, for a beautiful day or even an ugly one. Hug your mom cause she brought you into this world.

What I'm saying is life is to short for petty grievances. Realize before you leave this planet that there is more to life than short term gain. Allow yourself to love and allow yourself to be loved. Your life will be much happier....

Ok, so I got a little deep. But instead of me writing a will (which would be way to dramatic for my silly fear of flying) I wanted to give you all something to remember me by if you may never see me again.

¡Hasta luego!

Mood

2005-01-13T02:41:00.000-05:00

Jack is not a happy camper....

A new year

2005-01-09T23:29:00.000-05:00

Hi. My name is Tsali and I am stressed out.

It's been a long and eventful month since my last post. I'm also pretty sure I've driven off what few regular readers I had with an intense amount of boredom without posts. Shoot me, I've been busy.

Where to begin. My weight has been going up and down like a see-saw with various diets and bouts of working out. Currently I have a nice balance of healthy food that equals out the guilt of eating at the Krispy Kreme in my neighborhood and sitting on my ass watching football.

Work has been its usual stress inducing self. Aside from having two positions at work they are sending me on the other side of the planet again this time Bombay, errr, Mumbai. It's going to be odd seeing people treat cows like pigeons but I've always wanted to go to that land.

Oh yes, me and Ces are {censored}. Sorry, can't go into detail quite yet. Don't want to jinx it but I'm quite happy about that particular development.

All in all the last month of 2004 was quite interesting. (Some of the things that didn't make the list: A new TV and cleaning my bedroom. Listing cleaning my bedroom might seem odd to some people but then I guess you really have to know me to understand what an accomplishment that was.)

So a new year dawns. I'm optimistic about it but hold back just a little. Life in the past has been known to give me some pretty rotten eggs. I'm for a batch of fresh ones....

Paperwork

2004-12-01T03:04:00.000-05:00

I'm up to my ass in forms, but it's all worth it for the end result :)

philosophy

2004-11-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Do or do not. There is no try.

-Yoda

About myself:

2004-11-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

I'm not perfect. I just lost my pride once and had to earn it back the hard way...

"I look around and all I see is shit I hate..."

2004-11-20T22:51:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me personally can attest that I go on, at length, about my ancestory. And I don't fucking care what anyone thinks.

Ok, that's a bit harsh but it encompasses how I feel about the subject. As I have stated in previous posts in the life of this blog I am of many different ethnic backgrounds. My inside joke is my family is the "United Nations of Ethnicities". The two I speak most often of are my african and native american ancestors. Why? Well that requires a little backstory.

Africans in America as you know were forced here in slavery. Indentured servants with no hope of repeal and regarded as less than human for nearly 500 years. Pretty tough shit to deal with. But when you realize that the whole reason africans were brought here was because my native ancestors, the so called "Indians", refused to be slaves.

We fought for nearly 400 years. Historys untold story. In fact what people normally regard as the 'Indian Wars' in the wild west with cowboys and shit was the end of our struggle. The last vestigages of a once great society. Many lands have known the horror of the White mans burden but none more so than the nations now known as the Americas.

We aren't totally gone. We hover around, scattered amongst the wind and mostly known as 'Latino's'. The end however occurned 174 years ago in my homeland of Kituwah. After defeating the spanish (a feat no other nation was able to do until the Americans did) and creating the first democracy since the Greeks it's really quite depressing when you think of it. Our society was one that had nearly obtained enlightment and salvation as a collective before we were forced to fight for our survival.

Our seven clans were the chosen people of God in the new world. Like the Jews were cast to the wildnerness in search of a home after being thrown out of our own. Also like our hebrew breathern we weren't simple converted but hunted down and killed until our numbers were so small extiction was close.

We now number 7 million across the Earth but what is our fate?

Ghandi solidified his for the true Indians. Martin Luther King fought for humanity with the strength of God but mostly gave hope to a people with no home. Jose Rizal gave a fractured a common identity and the greatest gift of all: pride. But what of the people of Kituwah?

This is why I have such disdain for America and can not identify with people whom claim to be Christians in this country. It isn't that I don't believe in Jesus Christ or don't believe in the Constitution or have the upmost respect for all the good Americans have done for the world. Just spend a second and think of all the bad that Americans have done to get where they are now on the backs of others.

Legend tells us of the Ghost Dance. I hope it comes true. My ancestors deserve retribution and we will have it one day even if I have to take up the war cry myself and lead our people into battle.

Now I know what you are thinking. I assure you I am a pacifist. I could never kill another human being. My goal is to change their mind. To enlighten them of the true nature of God and how living life trying to obtain the mindset of a Bodhisathva is the only true way.

I ask the Creator for strength in this endeavor and hope I can see it's end....

Funny

2004-11-12T18:15:00.000-05:00

*Disclaimer* This is NOT a indictment of Jesus Christ nor of the christian faith. It's purely political and....funny as hell.

Dreams...

2004-11-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

...are the stuff of legend
...portals into our conscience
...truthfull
...fun

Rainy Day

2004-11-11T17:28:00.000-05:00

I'm a very weird person. I like my sanmmiches(that's right, I said sammiches) without mayonnaise or mustard. No exception. At night, before I go to bed, I must have a cigarette, shower, teeth brushed and mouth wash in that exact order or I can not go to sleep.

Aside from my odd hygine and eating habits I have other personal likes that I want to talk about. For instance I love rainy days. I know, i won't even say it but to me it's the greatest of times. Especially in the late fall and winter when its cold out. Perfect hibernation weather and a good time to look back and reflect.

Today is one of those days and reflection is in order. The last year of my life has had its ups and downs but I regret nothing. And from the way things look its only going to get better...

Swimming with sorrow

2004-11-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

"I drank to drown my pain, but the damned pain learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good behavior."

-Frida Kahlo

A new hope

2004-11-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

So after a day of being depressed about the outcome of the election I had a epiphany last night. With that said this blog will change a little. The focus will turn to living underground, politically speaking, in this theocracy.

Facism is abound and now we must really watch what we say. The hope of a great liberal secular republic is lost for the time being and its up to us to see that it happens one day.

One thing is for sure, this ain't the country I grew up in anymore. This is the beginning of a long brutual ideological struggle....

The republic is lost

2004-11-03T12:04:00.001-05:00

Kerry Concedes.

Bush is "elected" again

Good thing i'm looking to move overseas...

Spam

2004-11-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

I know. I can't believe it either...

Home Now

2004-11-01T21:08:00.000-05:00

I'm back from my jaunt to Manila. It was quite hard for me to leave. Not only do I love the city and people but my heart resides there. I'm still taking it all in since my trip was all so quick and eventfull.

Going back was a lot like returning home after a long time away at war or something. As I went around Makati I saw buildings and streets that held dear memories. Like the bar I got really drunk at or the restaurant where me and Ces had our last meal together in November last year (she didn't want to go in when we past another one on our last day together).

Back to this trip though. It was purely for my own enjoyment. No work envolved thank God. Quite honestly it was one of the best weeks of my life. I made new friends and reminsinced with old ones. Most importantly though I spent time with my lovey which was more wonderful than words can describe.

So a quick summary as promised:

Sunday, October 25th: I arrive in Manila after a 22 hour flight that include seat mates who didn't speak a lick of English and a mother and son who, by the way, kicked me. As I stepped off the plane I finally got to meet Ria whom I heard so much about and proved to be just as nice as described. I went threw immigration and got my bag quicker than I thought and got blasted by the natural furnace that is the PI. After walking a bit I saw her standing there. Beautiful as always I nearly collapsed at the sight of her. Is it true? Am I actually in the same city as my girlfriend? After a very long kiss and hug we got into the car. Anj drove us, who I also finally got to make the aqcuiantance of.

Back at the hotel I threw my bags down and was in a state of total bliss. I was no longer on the phone or texting or emailing. This was real up close and personal. I'm not ashamed to say there was a tear in my eye. What!? I'm a emotional person. The speakers go up in flames!!!!!

Monday, October 25th, Midnight: Gifts exchanged and hugs still going we were alone. Words cannot described how my heart felt. A permanent smile was on my face that could not be lifted by anything. The rest is censored but you can figure out for yourself what happens when you don't see the woman you love for 11 months ;)

Monday, October 25th thru October 27th: Make up time!!!!

Wednesday, October 27th: After a few days we finally leave our room. We eat dinner at Sugi which is by far my favorite restaurant in the world. We are joined by Tsok who I also haven't seen since last year and continue on to Absinth where we meet up with Ria and crew for a few drinks. Afterwards we go to the room where we watch Frida. Everyone enjoys it including myself even though its the thousandth time I've seen it. Everyone leaves except for Tsok who sleeps over.

Thursday, October 28th: We watch DVD's all afternoon and then skip out to the mall. The legendary "Search for the shoe" begins. At night we go out to a club and I finally meet Leo which I have heard so much about. Some stuff happens that I won't bring up but me and Leo have a great conversation about race relations and music and he proves to be just as cool as I heard. All is forgiven (those in the know know what I mean) and I let her know what my intentions are.

Friday, October 29th: More make up time ;) The "Search for the shoe" continues and get my phone fixed. Yay! Many picutres are taken and Ces looks so beautiful in all of them. Ats and O meet up with us at Bubba Gump and we go back to the room and chill with Portishead and green. It was great seeing my old friends again. We go out again but just for a bit. My dance steps aren't analyzed as closely.

Saturday, October 30th: The "Search for the shoe" ends without a final resolution. Oh well, anytime with my baby is good time spent. Emotions are running high but that's only because my days are numbered before I go home. At night we go to the Cream party. Good God! I've never seen so many people at an indoor party in my life. We spend a little time at the techno floor then after a quick smoke break outside we go to the R&B party. Of course we don't have an invite so when we go to the door the bouncer regonizes Ces and the dude throwing the party gives us the 'wassup' and we're let in. Skin color does have its advantages. We chill out in the room and have a good time. More less X-rated make up time. A conversation takes place between me and Ria (you're secret message is forth coming)

Sunday, October 31st: "The greatest day". We wake up earlier than normal and after a quick "make up session" we go out to the internet cafe. Then it was on to the salon for massages, the masseuses enjoyed themselves at the noise made :) . My lord, I haven't felt that good in years. My back no longer had that creeping pain that I've had since high school. We have dinner at Magnum which is my second favorite restaurant in Manila thanks to the atmosphere and countless number of bottles of wine on the wall (I'm going to steal the idea for the place and open my own one day). It was a melacholy scene tears mixed with laughs and onion breath. We get back to the hotel and the onion breath continues, but we have tons of fun and even a tickle session and wrestle. I think they spike our drinks.

After our final 'make up session' (which by the way I still have a smile from) we watch Annie Hall. She enjoys it as much as I do and see's our similarites. Here's a hint, I'm really a closet Jew.

Monday, November 1st: I leave for the airport. It was so fucking sad. I didn't want to go and tried looking for any excuse to go back home. Alas, rent is due and my job has this funny thing of me showing up in order to get paid. Go figure.

I finally get to see Ces's neighboorhood, it was nothing like I thought and oddly looked exactly like my parents neighborhood in New York. At 4am we arrived at the airport and spent 30 minutes saying good bye. What I would give for it to have been 31 minutes. After going in she waited outside and my last look at her was right before I checked in.

I felt empty after she left. It would be the last time I see her for an unkown amount of time. As lumbered through the terminal I got a call on my cell. It was her saying her last goodbye. Then the waterworks started, don't get the wrong idea though. Even though my eyes teared I wasn't sobbing. It was a manly cry. After getting through the last checkpoint I call her again, I just had to hear her voice one last time before I left. I was so tempted to leave the terminal and say fuck0ff to my responsiblities at home. My love is in Manila and should be there.

I, reluctantly, get on the plane and start my long voyage home. I was doubled over with pain. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of knowing you're leaving a place where someone resides who truely loves you to go to another where you'll be alone. I get on the plane...against my will.

Monday, November 1st EST, November 2nd MST: "The long trip home". I travel across God knows how many timezones and arrive in Atlanta 22 hours later. The entire time I was restless and could think of nothing else but getting back to Ces. The times I could sleep I thought nothing else but her and when I was awake I thought of nothing but her. I couldn't eat either, which provided a convient excuse to avoid airplane food.

Monday, November 1st 3pm EST: I step threw my apartment door. The place is empty, much like my heart. I call her and hear the the most beautiful sound I've heard in my life: Her voice.

All and all it was a good trip and do not regret anything at all good or bad. I got, for a week at least, to be a real couple 100% with the woman I love. It was if I had never left. I finally felt complete when I hugged her when I first saw her. Not to sound dramatic but its my belief every decision I've made in my adult life led up to meeting her and I thank God everyday that I did.

So now the focus shifts to finding a way to be with her on a more permenant basis. Suggestions and job offers are greatly welcomed in da comments.

To all that I saw on my trip here are a few special words from your sponsor:

Anj: Thank you for the ride(s) and gum. I owe you big time.

Leo: Next time you're in the states I'll see your show and we'll get drinks afterwards buddy.

Tsok: Lets start a bohemian revolution!

Ats and O: You guys are the greatest and all the luck to you two. It felt like old times seeing you again.

Ria: To continue our coversation on the couch my plans are the 'M' word. I'm really that quite, I only become a extrovert when I write. Thanks for being on my side. (P.S. this is your secret message, email me for a more in depth explation on what the 'M' word is.)

And to Ces: I love you dearly and will cherish our bond forever no matter what.....

Goodbye Atl

2004-10-23T06:16:00.000-04:00

In about 6 hours my plane will be in the air and I'll off to the far side of the world. A little melodramatic I know but this situation warrants it. I finally get to see the mysterious 'her' again.

Yippie!!!!!!!!

See y'all in a week and a half!

I have a blog???

2004-10-09T22:48:00.000-04:00

So you may have noticed the lack of posts for the last month and a half. I've kind of sorta explained it but I'll go ahead and clarify it now once and for all. The reason is two-fold. For the last two months I've been a pseudo trainer at work so I come home everyday exhuasted. Secondly I'm just plain blogged out.

Well not really, as you have seen I do manage to pop in every once in a while and drop a few lines. As you have also been able to gather I'm about to go on vacation in 14 days. I will be gone for a week without immediate access to a computer (the longest I've gone in about 10 years) so don't expect me to put up any posts then. I will however be keeping an old fashioned journal of my trip to jot down any details that should become hazy due to strong drink....

He's Losing it

2004-10-08T21:32:00.000-04:00

Jesus christ! Bush is losing it at the moment. Screaming and talking about mysterious things called 'internets' and 'fassles'...

Perpetual State of happiness

2004-10-07T19:29:00.000-04:00

I've been so happy lately. Coming up real soon I'm finally going to be face to face again with someone I love very much. I can not describe to you, dear readers, the feeling I'm getting all the way down to my toes.

It's a........a...........Perpetual State of happiness.....

October

2004-10-04T19:32:00.000-04:00

This month is shaping up to be a really, really good one.

Number 1: My beloved Atlanta Braves are once again in the baseball playoffs. I smell a world series victory.

Number 2: Four days into the month every single day has been cool and beautiful without a cloud in the sky.

Number 3: The ousting of Bush is just that much closer.

Number 4: Last, but definately not least, a trip to go see her. Yay!

Invitation

2004-09-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is an invitation, to indulge in interpretation
Literal lyrics of, liberation, pressures I'm takin
Makin the needed sacrifices 'fore a crowd prevent us
I'ma portray all the virtues, and vices, conveyin the contents
A blue prism with four elements creates if the team doesn't
conflict what compliments, common sense, enter a mission wise
Front rise to action and the consequence
Better miss the ending in all realities
There they ever lies tryin to leave
Faces not seen but you feelin, they'll, still believe
witches push a sun
But this is how we've overcome the obstables of oppression
overpowering where we from
You, suckers prepared the dream for me
And others tell like it is, while I
tell it how I would like it to be
And we don't ration compassion, we give our own for y'all
So why's our side the one that's always numb?
Why is our following so strong?
-Cee-Lo

Post Debate Observation

2004-09-30T22:43:00.000-04:00

Kerry: This is what is wrong and this is how I'm going to change it.

Bush: Uhhhhh, stutter.

Weekend

2004-09-30T22:22:00.000-04:00

Its almost here. Just have to hang on for one more day...and 24 days...

Trip Planning

2004-09-26T01:10:00.000-04:00

So marks my first ever real vacation. It's kind of sad that I'm 25 years old and I have never actually been on a real vacation. Sure I've been out of town before but there was always work involved.

My trip overseas last year was for work. As a child my father would drag us on camping trips in the guise of vacations. Of course there was my trip last year to Myrtle Beach but I ended paying for most of it without even knowing it so that doesn't really count.

I have a little under a month to plan for this trip and I want to get it right. I have to have the right clothes of course. All the gifts I need to get. There are however other things that have me paranoid.

Back during Christmas I had a nightmarish trip trying to get to my sisters graduation and New York. I learned some key things then. First is to pack everything into a carry on bag. If the flight is delayed this will allow you to run to the connecting flight without having to check your bag to go under the plane. Saves tons of time. The other is not to carry anything that can even be construed as a weapon, they are kinda touchy about those sort of things at airports now-a-days.

While we're on the subject packing is going to be quite interesting. Not only do I have to pack my clothes but there are gifts as well. I'll find space though. I'm a master packer =)

I'm so psyched about this trip. I wish it were today so I could get rid of all the excitement. Three and one half weeks counting....

Ready to bounce

2004-09-25T22:41:00.000-04:00

Hello faithfull readers. Sorry for my several day absence. Work has been busy as usual and I have yet another training class to prepare for starting Monday morning. Yikes! So I guess I should tell you what's new with me.

I finally cleaned my bedroom after threating to do it for sometime now. I actually did overtime at work today. Fended off a crazy bum asking me for money. Found a penny on its head (a good luck sign) on the same day. Oh, and something else.

I bought a plane ticket. Try and guess where the final destination is.

I dare ya. =)

Wine and Port

2004-09-22T22:31:00.000-04:00

So I have gotten a new hobbie that I indulge in from time to time. It's been going on for about a week now but I'm enamored with eating a nice port (cheese) and red wine. Luckily for me the local grocery store has a massive collection of both.

My normal routine so far is to try a different cheese with a different wine each time I get a new one. Last friday it was a nice and flavorful French goat cheese with a Peruvian Chianti.

It's an interesting combination and if I dwelled on it for longer than a few minutes I probably wouldn't want to put the two together but damn if it don't taste good....

See-saw

2004-09-22T22:03:00.001-04:00

My favorite playground toy as a child was the see-saw. I'm not sure why but I think it has something do with I was a part of the last generation to live with steel slides (just imagine how burned up my legs were in the hot Georgia sun during the summer. Ouch!). Reflecting on it though a see-saw really prepares you for adult life.

Post pubescant life is full of up's and down's. College, career, love and many other things. Mostly love though. I'm lucky to have a woman that I love very very much. Sappy I know but I don't care. When you reach my age you start to think about different things like who will be there for me when I have a bad day at work or just need a hug. I feel a sense of comfort and belonging even if we are far apart.

That's what true love is anyway isn't it. Knowing that no matter what there is someone there who truly cares about you and has no other agenda than to make sure that you are happy even if there are rough spots along the way.

I know it's true for me...

Quote

2004-09-21T21:50:00.000-04:00

Said to me earlier:

I want to be lost in your love...

So do I.

Nevermind

2004-09-20T23:17:00.000-04:00

Everything is ok, for the most part. There is a lot of work to do but its gonna work. It always does for us...

No move along

Git!

Ska is dead

2004-09-18T20:09:00.000-04:00

Following my previous post fall is my time of the year. It's the time of the year I'm most amourous. Not just for the love of a good woman (see below) but for everything. Nature is the obvious choice since it's so beautiful this time of year but also music.

I'm filled with memories of playing in marching band every friday and high school and saturday in college. There is also ska. I discoverd it fall. It was slow process for me however to get the full picture.

Unbeknownest to me I fell in love with the music as a child listening to the classic Madness track Our House. That was the second incarnation of ska, the first being in 1960's with the evolution of the music in Jamaica (here's a fun fact; Bob Marely lead the formation of the music before brigging Reggae world wide)

The third revolution came in the late 90's. Like any form of music it never really died, just went underground. That all changed however with No Doubt's 1996 Tragic Kingdom and the first single of that album Spiderwebs. The public once again fell in love with the art form. I was among those who did. I quickly graduated to all of the great underground acts that weren't getting a lot of attention but soon would like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (creators of the greast live album ever), Goldfinger, the punk-ska stylings of Less than Jake and many more.

Perfectly timed, this was during my 'rebellious' period right before I graduated high school in 1997. Free from the confines of life in East Point I entered college determined to reinvent myself. All the rage at the time was so call gangsta rap. I was different and weird so that wasn't for me. I wanted to be a punk. I started wearing supper baggy clothes, chains hanging from my pockets, growed my dredlocks and of course I was deep into punk and ska.

It was such a liberating feeling rebelling against the strick conservative christian culture of Morehouse College. I met a few people on campus who were into the same lifestyle. My boy Seth (where are you dude) and I would hang out and listen to Less than jake CD's and once attempted to go out to a show. That was quite adventure but I'll save that for later.

The music though. I was so beautiful. So perfect. 3/4 riffs mixed with a ragga beat and punk singing. What wasn't there to love.

So back on track. The fall of 1997 was a beautiful time. I got really deep into the scene and was totally free. Instead of going to class I'd spend hours at record stores in Little Five Points (the center of the counter culture in Atlanta) digging up rare ska tracks and spending way to much time eating pizza and buying incense. One I came across was a promo CD called "Ska, American Style" which showcased bands from Chicago.

The collection was perfect. Punk-ska bands along with the other fasination at the time retro big bands. I still regiously listen to it every fall and think of the good times before I sold out and stop being a punk. Unfortunaley for me ska's third revolution is over and probably won't come around again until my nieces generation is in their teens (for the record she is a huge ska fan since I forced her to listen to my CD's).

Who knows, maybe I'll go back to being that way someday and along with the music I love so will be popular again. In the mean time here's goes a sample of that wonderful CD. The track's name is called Siddhartha

In this world
yet so am i
and if i reach the top, i'll be ready to die
i know
i know i need a release
i know you're your trusing what i believe
don't tell me what i can do
i know the choices i have to choices i have to choose
i know what i want
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
you don't understand this world
yet I'm not the only one
i'm all alone
society's killing me
so how about you?
do you know, do you understand the things i'm going threw?
why are you sympethetic to the things i do?
don't laugh at me
don't say you undertand
unless your relly do
unless it happened to you..."

-The Eclectics

Ahhhh, music to the ears of a rebellious 18 year old....

Autumn

2004-09-18T19:53:00.000-04:00

It's nearly upon us. My favorite time of the year. There are many reasons for this of course. The cooler weather, halloween, Oktoberfest™, the leaves falling and of course football. What I'm reminded most of toda however is what I was doing a year ago this time.

Little did I know my life was about to change forever. I had some sense that it would for this week last year I was given word I'd travel half way round the world to train people. I was excited of course but if I know what was in store for me I probably would have planned better. The conversation I had with my parents, who also lived for a while in Asia, keeps popping into mind:

Mom: So are you excited?

Me: Of course, a little nervous too.

Pops: You have nothing to worry about, in the east they actually like black people.

Mom: Yeah, you'll probably fall in love with a girl and bring her back.

Me: {blushing and laughing nervously} That's so cliche isn't it. The american business man goes overseas and meets a girl and falls in love. That ain't my jazz.

Mom: Why not?

Me: What? Would you be upset or have reservations if I met a girl and fell in love with her?

Mom: No, I want grandsons....

While I didn't give her any grandsons I did fall in love with a girl. That's me though, always falling for the cliche thing. What's got me is how cliche it was not. I geniunely fell in love this girl and hard. Her sense of humor. They kindness she showed me when I became sick. The days and nights we spent together getting a good workout and just chilling out. I miss it horribly. That's why "Plan 9" is in full effect.

For those of you that read my earlier post and wonder what exactly what was going on we worked it out. It was really silly what happened so I won't repeat it but it kind of underscores our entire relationship. I'm madly in love with this woman and typically I can not easily do what I want to.

I want to give her a good life. I want to be not only her love but her friend for as long as God allows. And if I'm lucky that will be for a long time to come....

Wuh?

2004-09-18T01:19:00.000-04:00

Just got off the phone and operation "Can't do nothing about it" is in full effect. I think I'll go to bed now...

Der's a wind blowin' over dar....

2004-09-16T23:12:00.000-04:00

Yet another hurricane bears down upon us. As I write this the oak tree's are blowing around in the wind like twigs. While Ivan is now just a tropical storm that won't stop the people from going crazy around here.

You see Atlantans have this silly little notion that anytime 'inclement' weather come's around (i.e. an inch of snow or a really big thunderstorm) everything should stop. It doesn't happen as often as it used to given Atlanta has grown so much in the last 20 years and to shutdown complete would really mess the economy.

Its still interesting though to see some of my who are northern transplants, and bad mouthing Atlanta's said propencity to shutdown due to weather, be the first to ask me "So do we have to show up for training tomorrow?"

Gets even more difficult

2004-09-14T21:50:00.000-04:00

Until tonight I've never conscientiously thought about how much of our relationship was online. It was the easiest way of course due to it being free to chat as long as we wanted. Now with the big change its going to be extra difficult to stay in touch. Sure the phone calls will still be there and there is still the big trip but we'll be losing, for a little while hopefully, our main source of communication.

My hope is that there will be no need for us to even have to think about such things. I want to be in the same city as her, any city really, to do something as simple as roll over and tell her face to face some silly joke or how much I love her.

One thing is for sure though, will get threw this like we always do....

Again with the new guy

2004-09-14T19:28:00.000-04:00

So I got home today and my new neighbor was waiting on the stoop. He asked if i wanted to come over and watch movies with him. I declined saying I just wanted to go to bed (a lie). This dude is getting really scary. I'm either going to have move sooner or get a restraining order...

Liner Notes

2004-09-13T21:49:00.000-04:00

Track #7 from After the Playboy Mansion on CD #2 "Uplifting"

De La Soul featuring Chaka Khan "(It Ain't) All Good" (Can 7 Supermarket mix [no rap]) It all started when the three rappers of De La Soul asked Chaka Khan to appear on one of their new album's tracks. When Can 7 (a German producer with Turkish roots) joined the party, he propelled the four New Yorkers into the borderless world of Brazilian House-Samba"

I love music :)

Bias

2004-09-13T19:45:00.000-04:00

So now that I've outed myself I can relate to you some of the joys of being brown (if you didn't catch that its sarcasm). Occasionally I go out to Buckhead and into some upscale store. Since I'm not the GQ type I'm usually wearing regular clothes.

If the attendants even bother to saying anything to me aside from a suspicious stare it usually goes: "You should look at the selection here, its really priced affordably...". Affordably being code word for "your brown ass can't afford the good shit."

Do you see the latent racism in that. Even if they don't call me a 'nigger', or if they are really not paying attention a 'spic', they let their true actions out in assuming I'm poor and lower class. So as a revenge tactic I usually by something really expensive and charge it to my corporate card.

Just look at my picture, do I look harmful?

Hi, my name is.......

2004-09-13T19:09:00.000-04:00

So my regulars should have been waiting for this all day and those who have never been to my site should be thoroughly confused. To help everyone out I'll include a little FAQ:

Me looking all serious and shit.

What's your name: Tarik Kamau Jones

When were you born: June 9th, 1979

Where were you born: East Point shawty!

Where do you live currently: Atlanta, but I'm considering other locations

Why reveal yourself now: Boredom

Do you work for the federal government: No, I just criticize it

Have you ever or currently do any types of illicit drugs: No comment

With whom are you currently infatuated with: {censored} (haha! got you there :P)

Is it true you are the 'child' in Michael Jackson's Billy Jean: What kind of question is that!?

Now go away!

Out

2004-09-13T10:24:00.000-04:00

Sometime today my identity will be revealed. Stay tuned for this exciting development....

How deep is your love?

2004-09-11T23:20:00.000-04:00

I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again

And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave
And it’s me you need to show

Chorus:
How deep is your love
I really need to learn
’cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down
When they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
You’re the light in my deepest darkest hour
You’re my saviour when I fall
And you may not think
I care for you
When you know down inside
That I really do
And it’s me you need to show

-The Bee Gee's, perhaps their most underrated song

Prophetic Cookie

2004-09-11T14:03:00.000-04:00

I was taken back when I read the fortune, mostly because I'm all superstitious and shit:

September 11th

2004-09-11T13:24:00.000-04:00

It has been three years to the day since this country changed and along with it all its people. My memories of that day are mixed. I remember quite distinctly, like today, it was a very beautiful day. The late summer breeze was passing over the piedmont and the sky was the darkest blue you could imagine not at all within the great horror that occured that day.

As a child my parents never missed an opportunity to tell us how our generation, those of us born in the 70s that is, had no idea of struggle and great conflict. We had a sheltered life where our biggest worries paled in comparasion with what they had to go threw during the counter culture revolution. While I respected their position it felt odd to me that they had a air of disrespect for us because of that.

Three short years ago that all changed. A generation of slackers, drug addicts and burnouts were charged with saving the great american republic. Unfortunately we all had different ideas about how that should be accomplished. Some were filled with fire and war while others, like myself, saw the need for peace.

The prevailing thought among the warmongers in this country is if we kill enough muslims they'll stop using terrorism. Unexpectedly they've never explained how killing a persons family doesn't piss them off and make them want to kill those who commited the act. Killing begets killing.

Remember what Jesus said "...if anyone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other." Non-violence is the only answer to the current problems of the world. Some will boohoo that because its not as fun as killing people in a third world country but its true. Look what Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. accomplised. They changed the world without ever killing a single person but by just shifting the conscientious of a people. We need that now more than ever....

Put this in your pipe and smoke it!

2004-09-10T19:53:00.000-04:00

It's friday bitches!!!

*DISCLAIMER* Tsali nor Poets, Artists and Madmen Inc. consider any of it's readers as quote "bitches".

Beyond Tired

2004-09-09T22:25:00.000-04:00

I must apologize again to you, my faithful readers, for my absence in posts. It seems the new position at work leaves me with about 4 hours a day to rest, eat and possibly shower. There has also a lot of worrying on my part about a totally seperate issue (see post below). So to repay all the people who have generously travelled to my insignificant little blog I offer a Gmail invitation for first four people who leave comments on this particular post expressing their desire for one. Just state the email address you would like the invite sent to and its yours. Hurry now cause these things go quick :)

Last Night

2004-09-09T08:20:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure what happened. She said she needed to be alone for a while and that I'd hear back from her. I waited for her text almost all night, but nothing ever came. Unfortunately for me I'm not sure how long it will be before I can see how she is....

Blogger unbroken

2004-09-08T15:05:00.000-04:00

After about 12 hours blogger is working again. Yay! Now all i have to do is catch up on my posts.

Nightly Prayer

2004-09-08T08:21:00.000-04:00

I'm not a religious man but I pray for the following things every night (in no particular order):

1.) That I win the lottery so I can do what I want to do

2.) That I go to work and my office is destroyed, with no one hurt of course

3.) That me and you know who can be together 100%

Number three is the one I pray hardest for because if I get that then the other stuff won't matter....

So early

2004-09-07T08:06:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I'm up at this time of the day.
Thus is the life of a daywalker....

Dinner at Nakato's

2004-09-05T23:08:00.000-04:00

Had dinner with the fam tonight at my favorite restaurant in the city. Surprisingly it was calm and without the normal family dramatics. My theory is that it was the food. Oh yes the food. The best sushi hands down in the entire southeast. And what can I say about the little niece, she was running around giving everyone kisses. Even the waiter. Its odd but I actually have nothing negative to say about tonight. I think that's a record for my family....

Seems familiar

2004-09-05T00:39:00.000-04:00

The worst part of life is waiting. The best part of life is having someone worth waiting for...

-Jessica Brumley

Done

2004-09-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

I'm done with living here and its making me ancy. Mostly it's due to me being so far apart from the one I love (a plan to remedy that is well in the works) but also the fact that I'm kind of unhappy with my current life. Not in a depressed sort of way but more of a "What the fuck am I doing?" mood. Today I've assessed all the things I hate currently: my job, my apartment, the asshole element in this city and the recent cases of gay stalkers.

So I'm ready to bolt. I'm young with no children so the world is my oyster. Where to go then? Well the city will have to have a strong bohemian culture. Good dining is a must. And of course the cost of living is a huge consideration. Here are the top canidates:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands:

The canals of Amsterdam

Definately has all the above listed qualities except the cost of living which is very high. Ganja is legal however so thats a big plus.

Tokyo, Japan:

Ginza shopping district

Has all that I'm looking except for the cost of living as well and the fact I don't speak Japanese. They are impeccably clean which I love. Not to mention the best sushi in the world.

Buenos Aires, Argentina:

The "Obelisco" at night

The second top city on my list since it has all of my requirments with the addition of very beautiful beaches. I'd have to work on my spanish although english spoken widely there.

Toronto, Canada:

Toronto Skyline at sundown

The top city in my opinion for having all I need along with ganja being quasi legal. It does however get extremely cold there.

Even if I don't go to one of the cities on my list I'd like to get the hell out of here for a while. Don't get me wrong I do love Atlanta very much and pound for pound its one of the top ten cities in the world in my opinion. I just need something new, plus Americans are working my nerves pretty hard right now. I will need companionship of course. Hmmmm, I have just the person in mind....

How's my driving, Doug Hastings?

2004-09-04T19:10:00.000-04:00

Friday night on coke with a crow bar,
left at two in the back of Doug's car,
without a plan and being fucked up,
looking to get something for ourselves.
Friday night at three at a side door,
Doug said try to get the door just once more
I said man this all fucked up
just looking to get something
something for ourselves
feeling kinda weird and thinkin' to myself
fuck doug
I'm not going out like this
he said man I'm all I got and I won't be missed
this makes no sense
it makes no sense to me
this isn't the way its supposed to be

-Less than Jake

Morons

2004-09-04T16:52:00.000-04:00

I've noticed lately that I've had a short fuse with people. No one I actually care about mind you but I like a negativity free world and this bothers me. One particularly bad case was this afternoon. I had to run two errands: drop off the rent check at the post office and pick up food at the grocery store across the street.

Simple enough you would think and it was for the first half of the mission. As I stood at the corner of Piedmont waiting to cross the street I was mere seconds from losing my cool. A little setup first. Piedmont avenue is notorious for its crazy drivers and to make matters worse it is a 4 lane one way street for several miles. As I stated before the post office and grocery store are across the street from each other. On the post office side there is a street that goes towards peachtree and on the grocery store side is a parking lot exit designed SO THAT PEOPLE COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE STREET GOING PAST THE POST OFFICE since it would tie up traffic on Piedmont. Not to mention in order to get to said street from the grocery store parking lot would require going a half block the wrong way down a one way street and blocking the pedistrian crosswalk. Got it? Good.

So there I was waiting on the corner for about 10 cars to pass as I noticed a truck at the parking lot exit. The were turning there car to make to the side street past the post office. I thought to myself "This person isn't that stupid are they? Maybe they just don't know." At that very moment the last car past on Piedmont and I stepped out into the street. The truck followed in my direction mere feet from hitting me. This is where I get mean. "THIS IS A ONE-WAY STREET YOU FUCKING MORON!!!!!!! I'M WALKING HERE!!!!!!" I shouted to wit the idiot driver resonded "EVERYBODY DOES THIS. GET YOUR ASS ACROSS THE STREET". My response? Well it was "FUCK YOU ASSHOLE!!!! GET OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!" as I shot a bird at the cunt.

Ok, so maybe I ought to checkout why I'm so angry. Do a little meditation or something. I don't regret what I said however....

The new guy

2004-09-03T23:03:00.000-04:00

Apologies to my faithful readers, it has been a busy few days. For those I have not rambled on incessantly to I HAVE BEEN UNBANISHED FROM NIGHTSHIFT! Yay! Thats right folks I'm a daywalker again for the next few weeks. In other news I think it has been clearly stated that there has been a reversal in who's just going where (click the link for a semi specific hint).

This morning however there was a bit of potential bit of bad news. I have a new neighbor across the hall. While stepping out the door he was pulling boxes into his apartment. He seemed cool enough but I had to go to work. Honestly I had forgotten about it by the time I got home when a knock came at my door. It was the new guy.

His power wouldn't be on for a few days and wanted to know if he could watch t.v. Since he brought wine as a peace offering I uncharachteristcally opened my home up to a stranger. Once inside he saw my security badge on the table against the wall. "Oh, you work for {bleep}, I used to work for them!" he said highlighting what a small world it was. Maybe he would be a pretty cool neighbor and being that he used to work at {bleep} he more than likely has green on him. Wrong!

He overstayed his welcome in about, oh, 5 minutes after he arrived. Maybe it was the alcohol but the dude wouldn't let me get a word in edge wise in the conversation. Of course there were the questions that normally irk me that came up. "What race are you?" "Oh, you are a smoker?" and various other shit like that.

When he decided finally to go I quickly locked the deadbolt and bottom lock as fast as I could. Complete in my solitude again there was a knock at my door again. I opened it up to what I thought was no one there, until I looked towards his door. There he was standing stark naked behind his door asking if he left a tube in here? Yes, i thought that was odd too.

We'll see what happens with the new guy..........................and I'll keep the baseball bat handily at the door...

It's hard to be a democrat

2004-09-03T21:43:00.000-04:00

"...I was checking George Bush's play book the other day for the passages that say "Steal from the poor and give to the rich because they know how to dodge their taxes" and "Attack people with depleted uranium cluster bombs."

But the Bible I have says, "Blessed are the peacemakers," "Love your enemies," "Heal the sick," "Give to the poor," and "Plead the cause of the poor and needy."

I thought: Do I have the wrong version? Does Bush have a special translation? Or... does Bush's simply understand things as the opposite of what they really mean?

It's hard to be a Democrat because we have to be so many things to so many different people. We're undisciplined, disorganized, and we're up against billionaires who don't like to share and don't play well with others..."

Go read the rest of this article by Todd Smyth at Democratic Underground.

New iMac

2004-09-02T02:19:00.000-04:00

Ain't it pretty (photo's courtesy of ThinkSecret:

Check it out on the Apple iMac page. Man do I want one of these. However all my money is tied up in another more important venture. The computer can wait. I'll just drool for now...

Potty mouth

2004-09-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

I love to fucking curse. Damn it if it ain't the most fun thing to do. But some cunts think I just curse to fucking much. Can you believe that fucking shit!?

Seriously though, some people just need to chill the fuck out. They are just words....

You could be next

2004-09-01T13:10:00.000-04:00

Link

Carbs

2004-09-01T03:13:00.000-04:00

This is an actual exchange between me and a unamed co-worker of mine (to protect their dignity of course) that happened today, or yesterday for you 'daywalkers':

Co-worker: ....So i haven't had any carbs for 3 weeks and the pounds are just flying off me.

Me: Cool....

{someone in the background yells "FREE KRISPY KREMES IN THE BREAKROOM!!!!!}

Me: I think that was the sound of temptation.

Co-worker: One couldn't hurt could it?

{co-worker dashes to the breakroom and grabs 4 donuts and proceeds to eat them all at once}

Co-worker: Owwwwwwwwwwwwww! My liver hurts!

Me: You are a weak little man....

Oy!

2004-09-01T01:49:00.000-04:00

Ever have one of them days where you get home and drop to your knees to thank god you are no longer at work?

Digging the hole deep

2004-08-31T01:55:00.000-04:00

Just when you think republicans couldn't sink any lower they go six feet deeper.

From the DNC blog:

Reported on MSNBC

MSNBC Correspondent Chip Reed: What is that on your chin?

Pat Peel-Delegate from Texas: I have a purple heart, I hurt myself this morning… uhh… swimming a river I think it was.

Again, do these people have no shame? This sickening display of disrespect to veterans who've earned purple hearts goes straight to the core of everything that is wrong with republicans. One minute they'll say "With us or against us!" or that you are unpatriotic if you don't support everything Bush does, then turn around and shite on honorable men and women who have defended their country with their own blood.

They give honor to slimeballs who cowered away from serving as if they are great war heroes while spitting on the name of people like Kerry, Cleland and even traitor McCain who risked their lives on the battlefield.

These people make me nauseous with every breath. But it also gives me one more reason to fight to change our government. Read more about this and the ignorant little puke who designed these "band-aid's" at the Miami Hearld

If I Ain't Got You

2004-08-30T21:30:00.000-04:00

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you

Some people search for a fountain
Promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them

And in a world on a silver platter
And wondering what it means
No one to share, no one who truly cares for me

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you

If I ain't got you with me baby
Nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing

-Alicia Keys

P.S. That's how I feel about a certain someone.......

War is Peace

2004-08-30T20:23:00.000-04:00

From the Sydney Hearld:

NBC-TV's Today program was broadcasting an interview with Mr Bush that discussed his goals for a second administration.

He said he expected the war on terror to be a drawn-out battle.

NBC's Matt Lauer asked: "Can we win it?"

"I don't think you can win it," Mr Bush replied.

"But I think you can create conditions so that they, those who use terror as a tool, are less acceptable in parts of the world."

Now being that I'm a pacifist I think all war is unnecessary but looking at his statements objectively how much dumber can Bush get? The majority of the country is already disgusted with the current "war" so what makes him think people will stand for one that is never ending? Maybe the moron twins will, but are you guys really willing to lose a leg or arm or both in an effort prove George W. Bush's bravado true?

Heartland

2004-08-30T00:20:00.000-04:00

I've had a distaste for mid-westerners for quite sometime now. It started in college when I met fellow students from Chicago and St. Louis. They were the most stuck up, smug and insolent people I had ever met. But even they are more bearable than those from the so called "heartland".

For the ill informed the heartland is this mythical place where you get the freshest apple pie, the most patriotic idealism and very best america has to offer. I call bullshit on that idea. To me the land between the Mississippi and the Rockies is a backwards and boring place where people are stuck in the past, with their head up there ass.

Just take a look at the to little brownshirt dittoheads that have been leaving comments on my board. They exemplify all that is wrong with the people there in that land. Cut off from the rest of the world their simplistic view of life is carried over into everything they believe. Aside from Texans they imbody the "ugly american" persona.

More over there is absolutely nothing worth visiting in the midwest. Unless you like looking at corn fields. Its truly quite amazing when one thinks about it.....

Bad Vibes

2004-08-29T23:42:00.000-04:00

Been real tired and beat lately. A lot of things have me weighted down. Overiding it all is a sense of bad vibes. I'm not sure where they are coming from. Could be from work or the massing of great evil in New York. Everything else is going ok. I've got a little money in the bank and me and {censored} are doing just fine.

I shall meditate on this....

Wow!

2004-08-29T21:34:00.000-04:00

It's almost over

2004-08-29T03:51:00.000-04:00

Gifting giving season is one step closer to being over today (Happy Little bro) and I couldn't be happier. I am probably the worst gift giver in the world and given I have a such a large family I start running out of ideas around April.

Happy birthday little bro, don't expect to much. Gotta save up for the nieces birthday in October......

Protest Fascism

2004-08-29T01:57:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty disappointed at myself. This weekend will mark the third time in a row I've missed participating in non-violent protest against the corrupt people in power.

The first time was back in October when I was in Manila. Bush was coming for a state visit for a few hours and the motorcade was going to be travelling threw the city. A place had already been staked out by some fellow lefties there I had met a week prior at another demostration at Glorietta. The sign was about ready to go and a escape route already marked out. Alas I was unable to go. The embassy sent out a fax to all registered ex-pats that if they were caught even looking like they were at a protest they would be deported. Being that I had no intention of going to GITMO I had to settle for yelling at the television.

The second time was in January when Bush came to Atlanta to place a wreath (uninvited of course) at the Dr. Kings tomb. I was ready to go but the secret service had cut off access to Auburn Ave and I again had to settle for watching it on T.V.

So fast forward to this weekend. Unfortunately for me I was unable to get time off of work to go there myself. Instead I'll be here screaming at the television again. What will happen though. With several hundred thousand if not over a million people expected to show up things can get really dicey real quick. The repugs have absolutely no respect for non-violent protest and being that setiment from that camp is those showing up to exercise there first amendment rights are violent prone one nasty word can set off something unimaginable.

This sets me in a frame of mind. Although I have been a leftie ever since I was a child I've always felt I was contrary to my parents ideals. I would be bored out of my mind when they spoke about "the 60s" as if it were some magical faerieland I wouldn't be able to understand. And I didn't for a long while. Growing up in the 80s and 90s there was no great battles to fight. Social justice finally seemed to becoming a reality. Especially here in Atlanta with the veil of Jim Crow lifted and the black people in charge.

That all began to change in the late 90s. The zapatistas had started the second mexican revolution, in the beginning a non-violent one, and were forced into armed conflict with a American supplied Mexican army. Protesters were beat and pepper sprayed in Seattle and Genoa. Then surprisingly it got a whole lot worse.

That fateful morning on September 11th 2001 flipped the nation on its ends. At first I was hopeful the country would come together and forget all the bullshit that had divided us in the past. I don't think anyone could have anticipated the rise of neo-fascism in this country. Shut out of government progressives had no choice to take to the street.

I finally understood what my parents had been talking about for all those years when I stood at my very first protest in February 2003 at Olympic Park. I'll never forget the sight of 10,000 people coming into the heart of a city that was the battleground of the last social revolution. In March 2003 as I walked hand and hand with people of all colors and religions as we protested the illegal invasion of a soverign nation, I felt pride as I was called a traitor by people on the street and eggs were thrown at me.

The light is almost up however. This lying, morally bankrupt administration is nearing its final days. Hopefully..............

Breathtaking

2004-08-27T23:04:00.000-04:00

I could not believe my eyes when I saw the picture below. It looked so unreal that I could not believe such a place existed on this Earth. If ever there was a paradise this would be it. There is a special prize to whom ever can guess where this is. Why? So I can get comments on my board :)

Blackout Two: Electric Boogaloo

2004-08-27T20:18:00.000-04:00

So every weekend there is a two day communications blackout. Sucks bad. What I find interesting though is that even though we are miles apart just a simple email or text message or phone call can bring us as close as if we were in the same room.

I've heard stories about how distance can be ruinous to a relationship. Somehow though we've made it work. Somehow we've found a way to not give up. I think it's that one thing we both know but don't admit to. Not because we don't think IT's true or that we don't want IT to happen but because we don't want to jinx IT.

The line from that poet I can not remember at the moment goes "God will see us through". I believe that to be true.....

Losers

2004-08-27T17:41:00.000-04:00

Haha. So the american national basketball team lost to Argentina today at the olympics. Yes! One may be confused as to why I would take joy in this being that during the olympics should be all patriotic and shit for their countrymen competing. And I am, only not for our basketball team.

Professional basketball in america sucks right now. Really, really bad. There is a lack of fundementals and it's more of a show place for pretty boys wanting to get a big fat check. I hope that all the wannabe's out there pay attention to how the rest of the world is playing basketball and beating the shit out of us in a game we invented.

I know that sounds bitter but it's ok though. I really truly hate those basketball fucks....

Definition

2004-08-26T20:45:00.000-04:00

From the Urban Dictionary:

Wigga

Wigga
A white dude trying to be a black dude by using words such as "damn" and "dat shit is whack"!

Also
Wafghanistani
A white dude trying to be afghani by riding a camel, wearing a hat and hiding in caves whilst trying to escape from the incompetant american military.

Also
Walbanian
A white dude trying to albanian by joining some kind of rebel terrorist cell and using words such as "yak se mash" and "dobre, dorbe" be for launching a RPG at a plane.

Also
Wangolan
A white dude tring to be from angola by living in the jungle and declaring a lethal civil war.

Also
Waustrian
A white dude who tries to be austrian by wearing leiderhouzen and speaking in a thick german accent.

Also
Wegyptian
A white dude who tries to be an egyptian by wearing a full pharoah oufit, pulling old-school king-tut style moves at innapproriate times and sleeping in a sarcophicas surrounded by the bodies of his sacrificed slaves.

Also
Wethiopian
A hungry white dude!

Also
Windian
A white dude who thinks its cool to conform to Indian racial steroetypes ie: opening a corner shop, eating curries, and having a nuclear stand off with pakistan.

Also
Wiranian
A white dude looking for some kind of social advantage by pretending he is an exiled member of the persian royal family but obviously being from a shit area of the countryside with nothing but pigs and shit for company. Twat

Also
Wiraqi
A cool white guy who declares himself a few Jihads every day whilst carrying out honor killings to protect himself from discrace, when really he just looks like a prick in a tea towel.

I'm going straight to hell......

Simple yet strong words

2004-08-26T01:58:00.000-04:00

Amendment I to the constitution of the United States of America. Ratified by the states December 15th, 1791:

Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Mr. Bush. You just got served!

Link to story behind the picture.

Feelin' IT

2004-08-25T23:10:00.000-04:00

I'm really feelin' IT. Not just today but ever since we made ammends. Hell, even when we weren't talking I was feelin' IT. IT keeps me going all day. IT makes me smile. IT gives me hope. What is IT?

Love of course.......

End User Education

2004-08-25T11:10:00.000-04:00

While surfing around yesterday I came across a site defending Bush and his administrations policies in the typical ~~fascist~~ err, republican way. Lots of "Screw you! I'm right and your wrong!", which would be ok if they told us how they were right instead of just saying things like "the media hides the truth." I was ready to leave a comment on his page when I realized the owner of the site was just a 15 year old kid from Kansas. What could he possibly know about the heady world of international politics and war, he's just a kid after all. So instead of going off (well, mostly) I decided to give the little kid some knowledge. I don't suspect I will hear from him but I hope I do since it would be nice to convert a young fascist into an actual useful citizen:

Dear kid,

Once you grow up, and your hormones calm down, you will realize that America is a country of nearly 300 million differing opinions and ideas. You will find that we don't always agree and oddly that is a good thing. For if we didn't this country would be an oligarchy and we'd all bow to the chief instead of just hailing him or her.

You might also find that not everyone has something positive to say about this country. Now I know what you are thinking "How dare they! Don't they know terrorists are trying to kill americans and George W. Bush said we couldn't do that!". Take a step back and look at what that person has to say objectively. You may learn something, and if you share how you feel on the subject rather than yell about it might actually create a positive outcome.

As for your comments about the war what you must consider is that nearly 1000 dead U.S. soldier are dead and 4 or 5 times missing a arm or leg or other usefull appendage. Now I can get down about Saddam being a bad guy but is war truly the answer? Ask yourself how much Iraq has improved since we ousted him. Is there not chaos in streets. Are there not an average of 2 U.S. soldiers killed each day. Did not the Iraqi soccer team go tell bush to go fuck yourself.

I urge you, turn off fox news, stop going to drudgereport.com and find independent non-opinionated details about the war that as a 15 year you may very well have to fight soon. Ask yourself are you ready to die on the battlefield just to prove a George W. Bush speech correct? Or are you willing live for liberty?

To get back to Michael Moore, yes he is fat, loud mouthed and pretty self centered but have you seen his film. Chances are you haven't since you are in Kansas and anything quote "liberal" (we really don't call ourselves that, we prefer commie or fairie) doesn't get through the border. Download it and tell us what you really think about the points brought up and offer evidence not snide remarks.

Peace,

Tsali

Disco Diner

2004-08-25T02:54:00.000-04:00

One of the other side effects of working nightshift is the small amount of choices one has in dinner quisine. The last two weeks I had just been going to the grocery store in the morning but as I adjust to the time my body is getting lazier and I'd rather lay in bed talking on the phone. So this week my eating habits have been a little erratic.

Monday it was some questionably aged soup in the cubbard and crackers. Being that wasn't enough to satisfy me I decided tonight to pay a visit to the Disco Diner. It is in fact what its name implies, a 24/7 diner with disco music playing non-stop. I should preface this however with the fact that in Georgia it is law to have a diner every 3 blocks, so any gimmick one can employ gives them an edge over the competition.

I had only been there once before and enjoyed it. Granted they only serve breakfast food and I just love american style breakfast. Plus I was a little stoned. So it was an easy choice to go there instead of straight home to eat a package of frozen creamed spinach.

As I stepped through the doors Abba's Dancing Queen was playing over the speaker and I started to do my Tony Manero strut to the closest booth. I began to peruse the menu when the waiter walked up. Something odd happened though. He sat down at the opposite seat and said "Seating for two?" with this coy grin on his face. At first I thought to myself "That's odd, I'm not waiting for anyone?" and then it struck me: He was hitting on me!

Now before I finish the rest of the story I must pause and say I am not in the least homophobic. This is Atlanta of course. If you didn't know its the gayest city in the country outside of San Francisco and New York City, if you pay attention to such things. I've grown up with gay people all around me from neighbors to school teachers to family memebers so I don't get all uncomfortable and stuff around people with so-called "alternative lifestyles". I am however extermely hetrosexual. To quote Jay from the Kevin Smith jersey chronicles movies I "loooooooves the pussy".

So after I realized what was happening my response to the waiter was "Nah, I'm good on my own." Something nice and respectable but also to send a not so subtle message that I likes the ladies. He left to get my juice and upon returning began to take my order.

I got a plate of eggs, toast and when he asked if I'd like bacon or saugage my choice was sausage. His response "I bet you would" and then winked at me. Being how this was beyond awkward I ate my food as fast as possible and grabbed the check.

When he dropped it off at my table he pointed at the total and told me to have a nice night. It was seconds later when I realized what he was really pointing at was his telephone number written at the bottom. That kind of explains why he ran off giggling. So natuatlly I paid with cash so that he could not grab my credit card number and get my name and address then zipped out of their leaving behind the dollar or so of change owed to me.

After tonight two things seem very clear. I'll be avoiding the Disco Diner for a while, and I know someone who will be eating creamed spinach for dinner tomorrow night....

What Bill Gates imagines is a good meal

2004-08-25T01:57:00.000-04:00

Microsoft TV Dinner

Directions:

You must first remove the plastic cover. By doing so you agree to accept and honor Microsoft rights to all TV dinners. You may not give anyone else a bite of your dinner. You may, however, let others smell and look at your dinner and are encouraged to tell them how good it is. Many users have reported that the dinner tray is far too big, larger than the dinner itself, having many useless compartments, most of which are empty. These are for future menu items. If the tray is too large to fit in your oven you will need to upgrade your equipment.

Microsoft dinners may be incompatible with other dinners in the freezer, causing your freezer to self-defrost. This is a feature, not a bug. Your freezer probably should have been defrosted anyway.

Olympics

2004-08-25T01:43:00.000-04:00

So with me being banished to nightshift now I have been relegated to watching late night television. Aside from the infomercials there are a few shows I like to watch. Well one, Conan O'brien, but the last week I have been lucky. The olympics are in play!

Oh how I love the olympics. Partly because its sports and I love to watch any sporting event and also because there is a ton of dramatic content. First the actual sports. Its the only time I can watch badmition in heated competition or take in 5 rounds of volleyball. Then there are the non-sports that are just interesting to watch trying to figure out how what they are doing is actually physical. Like how long does someone need to train to do flips on a trampoline?

What I mostly watch the games for though is the unexpected medal winner. That athelete with a heart of gold from a country most people can't pronounce with a name that has 12 syllables. The worn look on their face as the pass the finish line and surprise everyone in the stadium with their come from behind win.

Then there is the medal ceremonies. Its the only time I can sit and listen to the national anthem without groaning in disgust. I think its because they really earned it the hard way, unlike a baseball game when its played just for the hell of it. I get caught up in it too. Especially that part in the first stanza of the Star Spangled Banner that goes:

O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there

Every time without fail the athelete(s) staring up at the stars and stripes get this little twinkle in their eye and start balling. I get a bit chocked up to. Say what you will but its really moving.

Unfortunately for me though the Olympics only last 2 weeks every four years so next week its back to George Foreman and his magical grill(make sure to have your sound turned all the way up for a message from the big man himself)....

Diet

2004-08-24T17:58:00.000-04:00

With everyone I know (including myself) on some form of diet or another this seemed extrememly hilarious. From The Onion:

Salad Rendered Unhealthy In Three Steps

PINE BLUFF, AR—A nutritious meal was rendered unhealthy in three easy steps Monday, when area resident Kimberly Lowen, 24, added ranch dressing, grated cheese, and four crumbled strips of bacon to a bowl of romaine lettuce and tomatoes. "Who says not eating right has to take a lot of time?" Lowen said. "It only took minutes to prepare a salad that will provide me with my daily recommended intake of fat and sodium." Lowen has previously rendered a glass of skim milk unhealthy, simply by adding ice cubes and chocolate syrup and mixing it in a blender on low.

Hair

2004-08-23T20:40:00.000-04:00

No. Just no.

A rare case of "Afro-Mullet" infects this mans head

Convincing

2004-08-23T18:25:00.000-04:00

It's really hard changing someone's opoinion about themselves once they've got their mind set. For instance my father believes that he can sing and dance. Nothing could be further from the truth. As kids my siblings and I were subjected to what we lovingly referred to as the "pat and hop".

Whenever my pops was in a good mood, and had a few drinks in him, he'd put on some music and prepare himself to "wow" everyone in the room. He'd lean his head back, close his eyes, start humming along to the song, off key, and if it was a truly great song he'd start playing 'air saxaphone' even if there wasn't one in the song. Then it began. He'd start to hop on his feet kind of like a fat man doing the jig and then he starts to pat his belly. We'd tell him "Dad, you've got no rhythm, stop dancing! And there isn't a saxaphone in that song!" He would just smile and tell us to shut up he was enjoying himself.

From what I understand he's been like this his whole life. My aunt told me that when they were kids he'd go around singing christmas carols in the apartment complex and the neighbors would pay him to shut up. That's my pops though, a little crazy and weird, but persistant to the end.

He embodies though in his horrible dancing and singing something that is in every person. We all believe something about ourselves that isn't true. Some people like my father take a negative thing about themselves that all can see plain and clear and turn into a positive. Even if it's only in his head.

Others however believe something about themselves in the exact opposite way my father does. They have a positive quality about themselves that everyone else see's but they just can not. Sometimes there isn't anything wrong this and it actually can go a long way to ones own self improvement. Mostly they are completely off the mark.

Someone (who shall remain nameless) who is very close to me thinks this way. It is painfully obvious to everyone just how beautiful she is physically. I'm not just saying this because of my feelings for said person, I have documented proof. Every man, and some women, who have commented on her physical apperance to me have usually said something along the lines of "Yowzaah! Homina, Homina, Homina!" After they wipe the drool from their chin and become coherent again they never fail to say "Wow, she's beautiful....".

A person's physical self image is their own business and they are entitled to think whatever they want. But when it goes against what others know to be true a real friend must, and should, set the record straight....

Music

2004-08-23T02:08:00.000-04:00

"I wouldn't be living now if it weren't for music. I ran with gangs, I got locked up a couple of times, I had a lot of stumbling blocks along the way. If the music hadn't gone over, I'd be a statistic."

-Andreus

That statement is a reflection of my own life. I never ran with any gangs or been to jail but I could very well have if it weren't for music. Almost every single day for 10 years I trained. Starting out on a rubber pad I worked hard and by the time I was in performing arts school I had mastered every percussion instrument. If you hit it with a stick or mallet I could play you a beautiful tune.

It goes further than that though. Hearing others play whether it be in person or recorded always gives me the chills, well, unless it sucks. Each note, every tone, the beat flows threw my very being and affects specific parts of my psyche.

I am grateful for what music has given me and I often think of what happened to many in my generation. The media and countless studies by learned people will tell you that people fall into the world of gangs and drugs because of a bad upbringing or just predisposition. I believe it is because they never had anything to keep them busy long enough to see the full picture. A musician can always look forward to a concert, an athlete looks forward to the big game, a poor kid in projects looks forward to food stamps.

This kind of desperation leads people who could have been doctors or lawyers or great mathematicians to sell crack on the street. It drives human beings to lowest form of degeneration. In essence it is de-evolution.

Hunter Thompson spoke of the acid culture of the 60s as a group of failed seekers and emotional cripples. Those born in the 70s are their spawn and is it really any surprise what has become of us. I can not tell you how many kids I played dodgeball with in elementary school where drug king pins by 9th grade, pregrnant 3 or 4 times by the time they were 17 for girls, and how many dead from stupid arguments and shit that really does not matter.

I've gone off on a tangent a bit but its not far from my original thought. I get asked a lot *ahem* "Tsali, you're from East Point, how come you aren't all thugged out and shit?" The less complicated answer is music. It turned a shy boy from a big family into a star everytime I played on stage. I was able, and still am, to immerse myself in a world not so shitty as the streets right outside my door.

In short, without music I too would just be another statistic....

Peace

2004-08-22T16:38:00.000-04:00

Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

-Benjamin Franklin

On being apart

2004-08-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

It's hard a lot of the time. Certain things go a different way that could have been solved by a simple hug or a easy going facial expression. What keeps me going is that I know that one day all that I want to happen, what we both want to happen, will be so wonderful we won't even remember anything that happened before.....

Saturday in the Park

2004-08-21T22:21:00.000-04:00

I wish I could be today but I'm feeling under the weather. Thats ok though since its my rest day and its raining. It would be nice however to get outside and relax. I'll just have to settle for the song:

Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July
People dancin', people laughin'
A man selling ice cream, singing Italian songs
Eicay varee', eisee' nardee'
Can you dig it Yes I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday

Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July
People talkin', really smilin'
A man playing guitar A man, a song, playin' a song, they all
And singin' for a song Singin' for a song
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it Yes I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today

Slow motion riders fly the colors of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
Listen children, all is not lost, all is not lost, oh no no

Forty days in the park, every day's the Fourth of July
Forty days in the park, every day's the Fourth of July
People reachin', people touchin'
A real celebration waiting for a song Waiting for a song
If you want it, really want it
Can you dig it Yes I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today, yeah, yeah, yeah

A better saturday at Piedmont Park

The Summertime soldier

2004-08-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

I was forwarded an email by a friend of mine today that just hit a big fucking nerve with me. The gall of the message. The propaganda. The, the lies!:

From: Rob M Schantz
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 00:15:18 -0400
Subject: A Good Story

This happened to me this weekend. I would like to share it. On Saturday, August 7th, I flew to Ohio for my 40th high school reunion. Due to an error in boarding passes, I ended up in First Class, Seat 2B from Atlanta to Dayton, Ohio.

As people were boarding, a soldier came on. I said to him that I appreciated him serving. He said thanks and continued to coach. When the door of the plane closed, there was clapping and applause from the back. The soldier was brought to First Class and sat next to me in 2A. We began talking and he told me he had been traveling for three days from Baghdad. His wife and twin two year old daughters would be waiting for him in Dayton. He was going to be home for two weeks and then back to Iraq for 6 months.

This 23 year old man had been in the Army five years. This was his fourth deployment. He has made up his mind to leave the Army and go with the CIA so he can be with his family more while still serving his country. He is a Sergeant in intelligence. Loves the Army, but because of the draw downs of troops, there are not enough soldiers to do the job If he stays in, he knows he will deploy again in the near future.

I asked him several questions and was surprised at some of his answers.

My obvious first question was would we really ever get the job done in Iraq. No question about it, he said. Since the Iraqi's have taken over, things are getting done. Thev US troops are now more of a support role for the Iraq Army (National Guard). There are now 40,000 troops in their Army and 60,000 more being trained plus police and local militia.

His opinion is we would be starting the withdrawal by January 2006.

The Iraqi's are very upset that the insurgents and non Iraqi's are the ones causing problems. He told me the Iraqi people in large liked the US butwanted the radicals out of their country. Schools are open, power is on, commerce is going, etc. When an Iraqi unit tries to find a suspect, that always "get their man" because their tactics are a bit harsher then ours.

Without getting into politics, I asked him how the troops felt about President Bush. He commented that they totally trusted him because he felt Bush was honest with them. Bush had made mistakes, but admits it. He was at the Thanksgiving dinner when Bush was there. Nobody knew the president was coming. The sergeant had to 'reluctantly' drive 60 miles to get there and was expecting a rah rah speech from a Senator or congressman. When Bush came out, it made him proud to be in the Army. His reaction was one he really could not explain. Every soldier there without exception has relived that moment many times. Proud to be an American because they knew Bush had risked his life to be there even for a short timme.

Another subject was the WMD's. His only comment was they obviously had them or had them at one time because they had been used in the past. He also commented regardless of whether they had them, if we had not gone in now, we would have eventually because Iraq had the potential to make and use them and probably would again. He saw many prisoners of the old regime that had been maimed and had seen several mass graves. No question we should be there.

I asked him if they were all getting in their absentee votes. The answer was a definite yes and they were all being done correctly. It appears the military was not happy after the last election when an attempt was made for many of the votes to not count because of "technicalities." He said that would not happen again.

One of my final questions was how he felt about the Spanish pulling out. He jumped right back and said "they are all cowards." He was with them in April when their compound was attacked. They all ran and hid The 50 US troops were able to drive back the Iraq's with no Spanish help. It took 12 hours. He had been told earlier that the Spanish were going to be asked to go home anyway.

He had been in many fire fights and commented that the only medal he received was a Purple Heart when a mortar round went off in his compound while he was off duty and he was wounded in the leg. He said medals were hard to come by and very few had been awarded in his unit. But he said nobody he knew was there to get a medal. This was a volunteer Army and they were doing their job.

He also commented that the value of life there is far different than in the US. Iraqi soldiers/non soldiers would attack tanks with rocks. Some of them are fanatical. That used to bother him, but he said when it's you or them, there is no choice. That also try and recruit small children because they know the US troops will not fire at a child. If a child comes at you with a grenade, fire away. No remorse. However, much has changed since the Iraqi's have taken over their own government.

My last question was whether he had seen Michael Moore's movie. I was surprised when he said yes. It was treated as a comedy by all who watched it because it was 100% propaganda. His unit wants Michael Moore to come over on a USO Tour so they can "hog tie" him. Had a big smile on his face. I can only imagine what he meant.

While we were flying, he commented he had not had a shower in a week. He looked out at the green countryside and said it was 118 degrees when he left Baghdad. He did have a beer, his first in 8 months.

I know I am not a good writer and have left out some important things, but I was very proud to have spent 90 minutes with this brave individual and wanted to share it. He commented he loved his country and what he was now doing was what he wanted. He reached into his pack and gave me some Saddam dinars (money) as souvenirs. I said that some national media should talk with him. He commented 'fat chance' because all they like is negative stuff and he would only tell positive things.

This is being written late on the night of August 8th so I don't forget any details. You may question it and, yes, it is second hand, but I know what I heard. When we got off the plane, I walked by his family because twin two-year-old girls stand out. I said to them he was right behind me. They were so excited. They asked me how he was. I told them 'great." Besides his wife, his Mother was there with tears in her eyes. I had a few myself.
What a flight!

Rob Schantz
Jacksonville, FL

So lets analyize this horseshit.

My obvious first question was would we really ever get the job done in Iraq. No question about it, he said. Since the Iraqi's have taken over, things are getting done. The US troops are now more of a support role for the Iraq Army (National Guard). There are now 40,000 troops in their Army and 60,000 more being trained plus police and local militia.

What the fuck!? Did that solider have those statistics ready right along with a "Sir. Yes sir." Not to mention the fact that they leave out the fact most of those "iraqi troops" are corrupt and just working there so they can feed their family, they also don't mention how many U.S. soldiers have died since the "transition". (here's a hint: it's increased)

Bullshit. What fantasy world is this person living in. Don't they realize most if not all the people fighting american troops are Iraqi's! This fundemental misunderstanding of the war is what is causing the high level of causualties out of iraq and causing this war to seem almost never ending.

Do these people have no shame. Do they actually think people speak this way. And what the fuck is up with this "Bush had made mistakes, but admits it". In four year Bush has never, ever, apologized for anything. In fact at a press conference last year he was asked if he regretted anything and his answer was: "No."

His opinion is we would be starting the withdrawal by January 2006.

Lie

Arrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! #$%#!@@@$#$#$

He also commented that the value of life there is far different than in the US. Iraqi soldiers/non soldiers would attack tanks with rocks. Some of them are fanatical. That used to bother him, but he said when it's you or them, there is no choice. That also try and recruit small children because they know the US troops will not fire at a child. If a child comes at you with a grenade, fire away. No remorse. However, much has changed since the Iraqi's have taken over their own government.

Lie mixed in with some pretty harsh racism and baby killing. They don't value life the same way americans do? What the fuck is that supposed to mean! What, brown people are incapable of the same type of compassion blond haired blue eyed aryan fuck Americans do?

Facists!

One of frustrating things (as you can see from my profanity) about living in a country where your voice is not heard is the shit that is carried out in your name. We trott around the globe starting wars becasue we presume we know better than the people who live there. We meddle in democratic processes and install our own puppet government. What we have on our hands is no more a democracy than the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany was. Its almost enough for me to renig on my citizenship.

Then, when my blood pressure comes down, I realize that there is more to this country than screaming morons and bloodthirsty racist redneck fucks. I remember this is the country that invented digital computing, pioneered space travel and not to mention the genisis point of all-you-can-eat buffets. People like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine. I'll leave you with Thomas Paine's words at another trying time for the republic some 220 years ago:

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

Jeri curl

2004-08-20T16:12:00.000-04:00

On my way out the train a saw a dude that had a jeri curl. For those of you not familiar a jeri curl (a picture of said hair style will be below) is a popular hair style from 1979 to sometime in the late eighties. A few people refused to give up the greasy do all the way into the 90s but a few, endangered, species linger:

"I have to put on 3 pounds of grease everyday plus cover my furniture with plastic."

Fortune

2004-08-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

I love fortune cookies and I always hope to get a good message in them since I'm all superstitious and shit. For instance last year the night before I left for Manila I had one that said "You are about to have a long and wonderful trip". I did of course, so the fortune cookie I had after dinner tonight will hopefully be as prophetic:

A thrilling time is in your immediate future.

Here's hoping. I would have rather it said "You are going to win the lottery tonight Tsali".

Chill spots

2004-08-19T16:44:00.000-04:00

Places I want to go to before I leave this Earth:

Manila :P
Amsterdam
Paris
Rio De Janeiro
Hawaii
Tokyo (further into the city than the airport)
Venice and Rome
New Zealand

Anyone who wants to join me is welcome, but you will have to pay for the plane tickets and hotel accommodations. I'll get the beer......

Language lessons

2004-08-19T03:58:00.000-04:00

From time to time you may have noticed on some of the posts on this site I switch in between languages. Rarely do I however use my native toungue. No not english. Ebonics! Actually I hate the word 'Ebonics', so commercial. Where I'm from (East Point #1) the next paragraph is what we call speaking normally:

Suh fowlk!? hau yer momma durin? Hay fowlk, uc dat shaw? dat my nu ride shaw. I got dem '12-inch rims shaw. Whut! Got dat woofa and 10 inch bose shaw. Whut! les go git sum wangs shaw an crewz Greenbriar....

There is a special* secret prize for anyone who can translate that correctly.

*disclaimer. by submitting your translation you win the grand prize of being my personal slave for 1 weeks time. no purchase necessary. void in new hampshire, nevada, mississippi and any other state or territory that bans the human slave trade. prize not refundable. understand shaw? WHUT!

What kind of gun did Jesus have

2004-08-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

Got your attention? Good. A thought has occured to me for sometime about those who are in full support of the war. They scream about how the terrorists are godless and how we must destroy them at any cost We've invaded their countries and gave them new governments at the end of a rifle. Sounds familiar, kind of like the Roman's.

Which brings up why I titled this post the way I did. The current administration is known for their religion. Specifically Evangelical Christianity. Over the last four years all sorts of laws have been conjured up to bring the country more in line with their world view. They often cite how much God influences their life and chastise those who have not been 'saved'. One problem. They love war and killing people. They charachterize anyone who is anti-war and pro-peace as being sissy-ish and weak. Kind of funny when Jesus believed in those principles.

Jesus would have never invaded another country, he would have worked it out in a open forum which the president and his cronies have described as being weak. He also wouldn't have exposed the vile contempt the people running this country have for people who are different. And most certainly, he wouldn't have ever owned a gun......

Nighttime listening

2004-08-18T02:54:00.000-04:00

Invalid Litter Department

intravenously polite it was the walkie-talkies
that had knocked the pins down
as their shoes gripped the dirt floor
in the silhouette of dying
dancing on corpses' ashes

yeah, they had plans for him
they has spun the last of the pimps
corduroy, satin nailed jewelry lips
while the guillotine just laughed again

paramedics fell into the wound
like a rehired scab at a barehanded plant
an anesthetic penance beneath
the hail of contraband

they had been defected and excommunicated
and all the pulses were subverted
and they made sure the obituaries
showed pictures of smoke stacks

a vivid dissection that mocked
the strut of vivisection
semi-automatic colonies
and a silencing that still walks the streets

in the company of wolves
was a stretcher made of
cobblestone curfews
the federales performed
their custodial customs quite well

callous heels
numbed in travel
endless maps made
by their scalpels

on my way
nails broke and fell
into the
wishing well

-At The Drive-In

What do you know.....

2004-08-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

....when I'm truly motivated I don't procrastinate :)

Last Night

2004-08-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

On my way home last night I saw a pretty depressing sight. A hooker. Now usually this isn't all that strange on the Ponce De Leon after midnight or any other time of day for that matter. This was different however. Sadder. You see she was pregnant and obviously strung out on drugs or alcohol or both.

I started to think of what kind of life that child would have. Obviously his natural mother would be incapable of taking care of him. He will probably grow in foster care or with a extended family member if he's lucky. No doubt life will be rough for him being that his mother is strung out on the street and God only knows who the father. Indeed the future does not look bright for the young child.

It was at that point when I realized just how grateful I am for my family. As much as I complain about them I do have a mother and father that are always there for me along with 3 brothers and a sister. In that regard I am very lucky, but there is a child in a mothers womb somewhere out there on the streets that isn't.......

Your questions answered

2004-08-16T22:22:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've been to Friendster. I nearly forgot I had an account actually, so it was a surprise when I got a new message alert today. At first I blew it off as just another "Add me please. can we be friends?" message but this one actually had a point. I'm not sure how they got my ID but I'm guessing when they saw my interest list contained hip-hop they figured I knew something about the subject:

Date: August 16, 2004 5:44 PM
Subject: Hey {censored}
Message: I was just wondering if u cud help me...

I'm currently in the middle of my thesis
atm...studying marketing in the UK....and i have
particular interests in Hip Hop culture esp..biased
towards branding...I was just wondering if u cud
give me a few of ur views if possible...

I've learnt recently that there have been
controversies in how mainstream Hip Hop artists
have portrayed this culture...and how it doesnt
send out correct msg to people...about the
glamourous lifestyles, the 'bling'.

Do u think Hip Hop members are able to
associate with this? do they aspire to this
lifestyle?
How do you associate urself to Hip Hop? are
there any particular brands that link u with hip
hop? whether it wud b wiv clothes/alcohol/products

I know this may seem a bit long...it's ok if u dun
reply...but it wud really help me to know ur views
and opinions...cuz ppl in UK have differing views
here also.

This is very much appreciated...all ur ans are kept
confidential..

At first glance this reaks of someone trying to find an easy way out of doing their homework. The subject matter however is one I'm very opinionated about so I felt obliged to answer their questions:

Hi,

I would be glad to share some insights with you. I do not presume to be some sort of expert but I grew up in the hip-hop mecca that is Atlanta and I have seen the subject of your thesis played out on the streets so to speak. Plus I went to performing arts school so that counts for something I suppose. Hehe.

The bias you speak of is very much true. There are many divisions of hip-hop depending on which part of the country you are in but they can be broken into two main different groups. On one side there are those rappers and DJ's that view the medium as a folk art and on the other are those who see it only as a commercial venture.

To fully appreciate the huge differences between the two would require going back and tracing the birth of hip-hop in the 1970s until today. Interestingly though this division between artists and 'money makers' has been a common theme. Recently however its become more of a flash point because the acts people most readily identify with hip-hop (50 cent, Murder Inc, etc..) aren't really hip-hop artists. It is in fact just a marketing ploy to lure suburban america and non-americans (no offense) who have no idea what it is like to live in the cities into buying more records. So like any good add campaign they attract buyers by giving them a fantasy world they can aspire to live in but is completly unrealistic. For instance, each of the above artists videos or photo shoots will have one of the following components: 1.) A bottle(s) of expensive champaign. 2.) Designer clothes. 3.) More jewelry than the Queen mum herself. 4.) Really expensive cars with such necessary features as a television set in the backseat. Oh, and there may be a song some where in there.

The whole point of my rant (there is one ;) ) is that all of the things I listed take away from the actual music itself and in fact place it in the background. So to answer your first question, yes people do associate with this lifestyle because who wouldn't want to be rich and fabulous like those "artists", but it doesn't have much to do with the music.

As for my own personal tastes in hip-hop I prefer substance over style. As I mentioned above I am a classically trained musician so whats important for me is the actual song. The artist could be wearing boxer shorts with one tube sock and a mustard stained t-shirt so long as their song is good. So brand association isn't all that important for me. Lyrical ability and musical arrangement are tons more important. Acts like run-dmc, beastie boys, KRS-1, the roots, a tribe called quest, and Outkast (to name a few) are the artists I associate with because to them its about the music. Just look at how Andre Benjamin dresses, I'm pretty certain you couldn't pick up any of his clothes in the store and Outkast sells millions of albums and swept this years Grammy's.

The reply to this should be really interesting so I promise to post it as soon as I get it. For now I will leave you with a song that underscores what I'm talking about:

Who these cats lookin punanny-ish?
For those who don't understand: that's some vagina shit
I think I'm lost, yo, tell me what you're dealin with?
Niggas' rhymes be watered down like porn star clitoris
It's so ridiculous, you're soundin hideous
Talkin tough, but be dressin on some wussy shit
Tight see-through shirt, on some hard nipple shit
Fake Versace shades while all up in the club and shit
Fake Rolex, it'll change the color of your arm and shit
Sports bras, halter tops, what the fuck is this?
Dudes be brought up just to sell some records? SHIT
Then wanna be voice of the streets, you see this bullshit?
Wait - if you gon' half-step in hip-hop, you need to stop
This here remains in the street, play puss, you're gettin fucked
Go 'head, play yourself with them ho-like hooks
Sing ballads if it's all about the Maxwell look
Mack make-up with a pair of [brand name] thinkin you're cute
Fubu suit with Steve Madden boots make me wanna puke
Phat Farm shorts with a garder belt, lookin like a whore
Or a purple bandana cause it matches your short?
Now tell me, what you rhymin for?
This shit is all about flows, fuck a fashion show
Hip-Hop 101, Professor Diggy, yo
And if you want it laid back, call Kenny Lattimore
No disrespect to these men, cause I like R&B
But right here in my class we gonnna emcee
It's all about the zhigge-zhigge, yeah, the scratch 'n cut
Graffiti art, jammin in the park, holdin your nuts
Muthafuckas, I am hip-hop, I walk hip-hop, I talk hip-hop
I need hip-hop, I lust hip-hop, I love hip-hop
B-Boy round the clock, doin it non-stop

-Phife Dawg of 'A tribe called quest'

Astonishingly Idiotic

2004-08-16T18:11:00.000-04:00

Cho speaks, you listen:

Jerry Corsi is one of the astonishingly idiotic authors of the book "Unfit for Command." The book attempts to smear John Kerry's military record in Vietnam, claiming that he betrayed his fellow soldiers by alleging atrocities committed by U.S. troops and earned his medals by indiscriminately killing a Viet Cong teenager. Corsi is a frequent poster on freerepublic.com*, a right wing online insane asylum (here are some letters I received from the "freepers").

Last week, he made a public apology for posting that, "Islam is a peaceful religion - just as long as the women are beaten, the boys buggered and the infidels are killed." He said that his words were taken out of context and he was sorry if he had offended anyone. What kind of context would they be taken out of in which these statements would not be offensive? At a Ku Klux Klan rally? An outdoor Neo-Nazi music festival? The GOP convention? These types of statements make him unfit for comment, on anything really, let alone politics.

I am constantly amazed at how absurdly ignorant some people are. They act as if they are the only ones on earth. Their reality is terribly knee-jerk, and they have a manner of speaking which reeks of the arrogance of independence even though they have precious few self-generated thoughts.

It is depressing how much we'd rather believe what we are told than find things out on our own. We have this propaganda now that tells us to blindly believe that Islam is bad, that the religion itself is somehow un-American, that evil springs from the Fertile Crescent. If only the world were so simple, that bad people came in one color, so they could be effectively stamped out for the good of all. Corsi and his type, and there are many, believe that this is true, and they are looking for the best way to make this known without having too much resistance from everyone who thinks.

You can read the rest of her post here. Aside from Margaret Cho being one of my favorite comedians she has a real insightful view into the politics of race in this country and the morons who try to make life hell for those who don't conform to simplistic ideas.

To high

2004-08-16T13:59:00.000-04:00

Kumar: What kind of hippie are you?

Stoner hippie: What kind of hippie am I? Man, I'm a business hippie. I understand the concept of 'supply and demand'