Involuntary Workout

Today around 4:30pm I found out I was going to have an involuntary workout. My car has been in the shop the entire day. I dropped it off this morning and rode my bike from the mechanic to my job. At then end of the day I found out two things:

1. That my car was not done but that the original problem diagnosis was incorrect. What's most important about this is that it's not as serious a problem AND it will not cost me as much money to get fixed.
2. I would not be able to get my car today before they closed because they still had my care "tore apart" and they couldn't put it back together in time for me to pick it up before they closed at 6pm.

With all that said, it meant I was going to have to take an involuntary trip from my job to my home, via my bicycle.

The distance from my job to my house...EXACTLY 4 miles

I took off from the job at about 5:15pm and I made it home at approximately 6pm. The ride is mostly uphill so I assume I could have made it home by 5:45 if that were not the case. It was one heck of work-out, I must admit. And to think I planned on going to the gym after work to work-out but instead I got a work-out on my leisurely ride home.

Most Anticipated of 2007

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. will be blessing us all with another album at some point this year. Common, as most of us know him, will be dropping his 7th album, "Finding Forever", sometime this summer/fall. It's slated right now to drop on July 10 on Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music label. Common's last album, "BE", was arguably the best hip-hop album of 2005 and still gets plenty of rotation in my cd changer. And whether you believe it or not, he might just be your favorite rapper's favorite rapper:

"Truthfully I wanna rhyme like CommonSense [but I did 5 mill]/
I ain't been rhymin' like Common since/" -- Jay-Z

I'm looking forward to this album from Common because I know I can count on him to produce thoughtful, thought-provoking, well-written, and conscious lyrics. It's a change of pace from the cookie-cutter club tracks being produced by rappers nowadays and the same ole' gangsta talk or ultra-swag that everybody seems to have nowadays.

I can count on Common (working with Kanye) to concoct some head-nod-producing beats and an overall cohesiveness to the album that'll make it listenable from beginning to end. Common is definitely one of the most slept-on, under-rated, and under-successful rappers of my generation. By under-successful I mean that he deserves far more acclaim and industry success than he's achieved up to this point. Though he's probably not struggling for money with his GAP endorsements, movie roles, and hat line that's coming, I'm sure he wouldn't mind receiving a little more praise for his favorite occupation as a rapper. Forgive me, his favorite occupation as a hip-hop artist.

My favorite Common song is "The Light" off his "Like Water For Chocolate" album in 2000. Specifically, this snippet:

Few understand the union of woman and man
And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land
But that's fly by night for you and the sky I write
For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light
If heaven had a height, you would be that tall
Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all
Let's stick to understandin and we won't fall
For better or worse times, I hope to me you call
So I pray everyday more than anything
friends will stay as we begin to lay
this foundation for a family - love ain't simple
Why can't it be anything worth having you work at annually
Granted we known each other for some time
It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

You can read the lyrics to the entire song here. Second to "The Light" is "The 6th Sense", off the same album. Hopefully the new albums brings about some new favorites to add to my list.

I had the opportunity to meet Common back in 2005 right after BE came out. He was as cool as you thought he'd be. Pleasant and easy to talk to, even if they were rushing you so other people could get his autograph. Fortunately, I was able to get this picture with Com and my man Big J.



I'm going to jump out on a limb and say that "Finding Forever" will probably be one of my favorite albums of 2007. Up to this point I don't have a favorite album yet even though several artists have dropped albums this year. In the past year or so, my musical tastes have changed a bit and I'm beginning to wonder whether it's a result of my growth as a person, musicians helping me grow and helping to open my mind to new types of music, or a combination of both. Regardless of what it is, I'm glad that I'm noticing a change and that the change is for the positive. Less hard-core rap and more meaningful music. All this right after I pumped TI's Trap Muzik...EXACTLY!!!

Some other HIGHLY anticipated albums this year:

TI - TI. VS TIP

Beanie Sigel - Return of the MAC

Little Brother - Get Back

UGK - Underground Kingz

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

Kanye West - The Graduation

Maxwell - Black Summer's Night

India.Arie - Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

Ne-Yo - Because of You

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DID YOU KNOW?

Common and the late J-Dilla were roommates? I didn't.

Picture of Le Week

Bored in the bayou waiting to check into your hotel...What would you do in the sweltering, humid, 90-degree heat??? Hit the driving range, RIGHT?

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"Bruhs be on the golf-course JUST WRONG! Du-rags...Timberlands..."

-- Cedric the Entertainer

The Best TI/TIP Album of all the times

Most people know of TI from his fame around the time(s) he released Urban Legend ("Bring 'Em Out", "U Don't Know Me") or KING ("What You Know", "Why You Wanna") times. However, I have been a fan of the TIPper since his album Trap Muzik (which is his second) and I even went back and copped his first album, I'm Serious. TIP has four albums so far in his collection:

• I'm Serious (2001)
• Trap Muzik (2003)
• Urban Legend (2004)
• KING (2006)

To his credit (or perhaps detriment), T.I. has pretty-much stayed the course and stuck to his street-rapper tendencies rather than completely crossing over like rap some contemporary rap artist/superstars have. Yet and still, TI has shown growth through his music as well as the ability to branch-out to other audiences through tracks like "Why You Wanna" and feature appearances on tracks from artists like Justin Timberlake and Be-YONCE (aka Beyoncé).

This weekend I took the time to go back through my collection of TIPper albums and listen to them all again. After taking a listen through each one I realized that my favorite TI album is TRAP MUZIK. And since that revelation, I have not been able to stop listening to this album.

From beginning to end, Trap Muzik is TI's most cohesive, easy to listen to, lyrically sound, and most creative album. TI shows versatility in his flow, lyricism, and content. He keeps it street on songs like "Doin' My Job", "Rubberband Man", and "Look What I Got". He puts his story-telling ability on display in "Long Live Da Game". He pleases the ladies on tracks like "Let's Get Away" and "Let Me Tell You Something". He even gets retrospective, regretful, and introspetive on "I Still Luv Ya". And he addresses the battle between his alter-egos on my favorite song on the album, "T.I. vs. TIP". T.I. is his more corporate/rapper side. While T.I.P. is that dude from the trap in Bankhead that still loves the life of the street. I'm sure T.I. isn't the first rapper to have this sort of alter-ego complex, but the way he addresses is stands out prominently. And even today he appears to still have a battle going on as he's decided to name his upcoming album T.I. VS. T.I.P.

Lots of people would probably note Urban Legend or KING as TIP's best album. But you gotta go back and take a listen to Trap Muzik. It's a classic TI album. And if you have more time, go all the way back to I'm Serious and check out "Still Ain't Forgave Myself", "Chooz U", and "What Happened". In the latter he addresses his kidnapping, which I assume took place during is dope boy days.

If you take a listen to all the albums in his discography, I think you'll find that TI has a nice collection of albums and has shown considerable growth as an artist since his first album. I gained a new respect for TI over the weekend and maybe if you take my advice, you will as well.

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Naturally, I have to share the album with you after all this right? Check it out in my Virtual Playlist to the right...

WebNerd ALERT: Google knows everything about you!

"Google, improving the lives of stalkers worldwide!"

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Your phone number...

Where you live...

How to get there...

Try this:

1. Go to www.google.com
2. Enter your phone number like this: XXX-XXX-XXXX
3. Click the "Google Search" button

If you're lucky, this won't produce any results. If you're not lucky, you'll get your name, address, phone number, and a handy-dandy map of where your house is located via GoogleMaps. And Im sure there's a way you can take a look at a still photograph of your house if you throw it into GoogleEarth.

Fortunately, if your information does come up after following the steps above, you can click on the link below your information to have yourself removed (though it's said to take a couple days). If you care at all about your name, address, phone number, and a map of the area your residence is in being broadcast on the InterWeb for all to see (if they know your phone number), then you might want to get yourself removed. Otherwise, ignore this post.

I've been chronicling Google's efforts for world-takeover for some time now. This is yet another step in their quest to rule all of mankind. Some of the previous steps and/or notable moments are listed below:

Google Hearts YouTube

Google Hearts Nerds

Google Hearts TextMessaging

Google's Smorgasbord of World-TakeOver Services

FlickR: San Diego

I've been a FlickR member since last year but I never really used it. I did add some pictures from my trip to San Diego in March of 2006, but since then, I haven't posted anything. Once I get a new camera though, I think I will begin to harness the power of FlickR...But here's a throwback slideshow for ya in the meantime:

San Diego Slideshow (You will probably have to sign-in or create an account to view this...)

Picture of the Week

"Just gimme the light..."

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Picture Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dariusz69/

When you come visit your boy, wear your vest!

Kevlar vest, that is!

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Baltimorians listen up! Just in case you were wondering what that was that just whizzed past your ear while you were walking from your office building to your car..It was a bullet! Probably one that's helped contribute to the 64 deaths (homicides) in Baltimore City (so far) this year.

I found it rather funny last night while watching the news that the Mayor of Baltimore, Sheila Dixon, had this to say about the city's ridiculous amount of homicides so far this year:

"We could have had a police officer on every corner, but some of those cases would have happened anyway because, again, those individuals have chosen to be violent, to go back and get back at a person versus trying to talk through it,"

Oh really? Isn't it sort of a proven fact that police presence is a very good deterrent for violent crimes? People tend to think twice before doing something illegal when the police are around, right? But I get your point, you're saying that even if a crime was put off (on hold) for a day or two because of police presence, bodies would still eventually be getting dropped because people just want to kill one-another, rather than resolve the conflict. Perhaps this is true. And with that said, you have suggested a solution...

Your solution: Operation Safe Streets
--> Catchy. But what does it really entail?

Your prediction: "You'll see perhaps by mid-year or around the fall that it'll taper off compared to last year"
--> Oh really? Let's hope so. But again, what does your plan entail? As in HOW are you going to deter people from committing homicides?

As a citizen of Baltimore, I'm wondering if "Operation Safe Streets" will include the following:

• A snitchmobile: A mobile unit for people to snitch on people they know may potentially commmit homicides. This will probably prove very effective in a city known for it's lack of snitches. Sarcasm, yes!
• More police officers on the street: What a great idea? Those little blue cameras that let me know where not to buy real estate also tape people. But eventually people forget about the cameras, get used to them, or find ways around them, and go ahead about their illegal business
• Conflict resolution programs in schools since the murder rate is going up most among juveniles: How about a program city-wide in public schools for conflict-resolution that has the proper funding and staffing? It might take some time to get this rolling but it could be part of a larger initiative that's implemented over time
• Parental counseling: Most of the problems of the inner city can be traced back to what goes on in the home. Somebody get these parents some help because they obviously aren't doing a good job on their own.

The ironic thing about all this is that I don't feel unsafe in Baltimore. I don't feel unsafe in my neighborhood, at work, or when I go out. But maybe that'll last until I get my brains blown out or until something happens to someone close to me. I hope not. In any case, it appears that the potential for a human being to be on the wrong side of a homicide in Baltimore is second to ONE (place). That place being Philadelphia where they're already at 100 murders for the year and averaging a murder a day (yikes!).

While I may sound skeptical of Mayor Dixon's plan, I glad that she is addressing the issue and has developed a plan. And I am also hopeful that it does help lower the murder rate. Anything that can make this city safer is something that I am all for. Like Jack Johnson closing down the go-go clubs in PG County, she's making a stand to let the residents know that she is not ignoring the problem, but trying to find a solution that will save lives. Which is of course, the most important thing in all of this, keeping people safe and alive.

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All quotes taken from and inspiration for this post derived from this article:

Baltimore Mayor Hopes To Curb Cycle Of Violence

Live Bloggin the Post-Game Show

If you have been keeping up with my posts about the NCAA tourney, you know I WON MY POOL! CHA-CHING!!!! Well, you may not have even known I was in a pool. But nevertheless, I won my pool since I picked the Gators to repeat.

Now for my live-blogged post-game analysis:

11:30pm - Joakim Noah scares us all by climbing in the stands but actually finds his mom and hugs her. Nice! Perhaps he is humble after all. I definitely thought he was going to go into the stands, rip off his shirt, and tie it around his head like a wildman and then proceed to moon the crowd. Perhaps that was just me?

11:35pm - Billy Donovan gives a postgame speech that was far better than that wack pre-game speech he gave

11:36pm - My favorite player on the Florida team Corey Brewer (Dane, he got that bone-D and that bone offense) gets a chance to talk with his kuntree-azz (gotta love the 'twang though). This is followed by Joakim Noah talking about "doing it big" and how the interviewer knows nothing about it. Of course he doesn't Joakim! Of course he doesn't! This kid is totally in his own world sometimes, I swear. Unlike his antics, I like his passion for the game.

Thankfully, they snatch the microphone from in front of his face before he curses and calls the entire Ohio State team b*tch-a$$-ni99as. I felt that coming. I'm telling you, he was going to do it!

11:37pm - ANOTHER commercial break (JEEZ!)

11:40pm - Greg GumBALL, Clark Kellogg, and Seth Davis remind me why I wish Gus Johnson could have been involved with this telecast somehow.

11:42pm - The trophy presentation by two random guys nobody knows but are probably making more money off of this game than any of the coaches or athletic directors. One of the Florida Gators has a cute little baby in his hands holding the Puerto Rican flag. I'm wondering if he'll work on conceiving another kid tonight?

11:46pm - They interview Ohio State's coach after the game and he does the obligatory humble thing and praises Florida. I'm sure he had his fingers crossed in his pockets while he was saying all this because he has to be pi$$ed. For his sake, I hope Oden and Conley Jr. come back next year.

11:47pm - Florida cuts down the nets and I was hoping Corey Brewer would cut that lame bush he has with the scissors they gave him to cut the nets.

11:52pm - More boring retrospective banter from the sportscasters.

11:53pm - One shining [fruity] moment. I have to turn this off...Sorry! Hold up! Is that Luther singing those vocals? Awwwwwww sh&t! LMAO! Video montage's with Luther in the background are so much better! Hold on dammit! Is that Luther singing? Really, I can't tell! Eff it!

Postgame thoughts:

• I think this pretty much solidifies that Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr will be returning next year to go undefeated.
• Let the speculation over whether Billy Donovan will leave Florida for Kentucky begin. Personally, I'd leave. I just won two titles in Florida, Kentucky will give me a helluva payday and the opportunity to have one of the most sought-after coaching jobs in the country. Why not leave unless sunny Florida (the Gunshine State) appeals to you just that much?
• If Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert return next year for Georgetown, I'd love to see them battle it out against Ohio State in the final game next year
• Al Horford's draft stock just went up by about 5 spots
• Corey Brewer's draft stock just went up 2 or 3 spots

I have to share this

"You know you're a weirdo..."

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When, at 330 am, your smoke detector goes off a single time. You're too lazy to get up and see why so you stay in the bed. Then, about an hour later you hear something/someone creeping around your house. So, before you almost lose your bowels, you think:

"Hmmmmnnnn....Am I going to die tonight because someone just broke in here and I have to defend myself with the pair of scissors in my nightstand drawer? Eff it! I'm going out with a fight!"

After having this thought, you try to tip-toe out of your bed but every step you take the wooden floor creaks and you realize that you need to put on some socks to keep your "intruder(s)" from hearing you. You manage to slide on some "footies" (read: "ankle socks") and attempt to slide your dumb, half-dressed azz to your bedroom door (like Tom Cruise in Risky Business) to see if you can hear anyone/anything moving. All the while, you're hearing patters of footsteps and light noises. You get to your door and before you decide to open it you slide back across the floor to get your cellphone just in case you have to dial 9-1 and then wait. LOL.

After grabbing your cellphone you slide back to the bedroom door. You're about to pry the door open and then you hear someone run down your steps to the living room. At this moment you think, "Hold up! I'm half-sleep and my brother wasn't here when I went to bed. Maybe that's him."

You: "Hey Marcus, that you!?!"

Marcus: "YEAH!"

You: "AYIGHT. You almost got shanked with these shears beeeeeeeetch!"

Marcus: "Ha haaaaaaaaaaaa!"

You: [diving back into the bed mad and embarassed...] "Man, Imma be tired as shyt in the morning..."

... Yep, that was moi last night.

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Obviously I haven't started my "ChangeUp" yet. But I'm headed in that direction.