"Pumped" about gas prices?

I got an email from a friend today stating that gas prices would probably drop close to $2 by Thanksgiving. The tone of the email (quite frankly) was elation! But why?

Personally, I don't understand why we should be jumping for joy at the prospect of $2 gas. I know for a fact I am not the only one who remembers when gas hovered around $1 per gallon back in the late 90s. Over the past few years we've just gotten used to heightened gas prices for reasons that are either unknown or just plain beyond comprehension. So alot of us will be siced that gas is going from the low $3s to the low $2s, but not me! I'll be excited when gas is back at $1 (which it may never be). The fact that alot of us have NO CHOICE but to drive to certain places and that we've been paying these ridiculous prices for so long will probably mean a drop for a few months that only ends in another increase sometime in 2007.

In some ways, I wish gas prices will keep rising so that consumers would find alternate methods of transportation which would ultimately force car companies to be more innovative and design more fuel-efficient cars across the board. Not just hybrids or super-small cars that get 60 miles per gallon. The idea of a fuel-efficient Range Rover sport might *seeem* far-fetched, but I bet the engineers at these car companies know it's not unrealistic. And ultimately, forcing them to make more fuel-efficient cars would help the environment and make life better for those that follow us.

The article I'm referring to can be found on USATODAY.COM ("Gasoline prices could keep falling")

The ROOTS dropped Tuesday too! In case you missed it

Like I did! I didn't know The Roots NEW ALBUM (Game Theory) dropped Tuesday. But as an FYI to all those who like real hip-hop, you might want to do what I am going to do and go cop this joint off GP!



$50 says this album is better musically than anything that's dropped in the last month. I'll bet that too! It's a shame how this album's release kinda went under the radar (or is it just me). The only news I've heard about The Roots in the last week is that Peedi Peedi might be joining them for a year.

So that's what they're talking about in that song..."Nasty motha..."

(UPDATE: Has to post thee comments from my homegirl Lauren)
#1: I think this ruined my lunch 4 hours in advance.
#2: The ignorance of kids is bliss: The ignorance of adults is degrading.
#3: Stupid dances have now elevated above my distain for the word 'picnic' on my "Don't even..." list.

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"Open up the door nikka! PINKY gotsta PEE-PEE!" - Pinky from Friday After Next



I updated my OLD POST on this topic, but after reading this blogpost, I had to re-address this shyt!

Did you know THIS:

"‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ is the act of urinating on someone inside the shower. The ‘Can of Coke on the side’ is when you do a number two. I thought everyone knew this, but apparently the idea of these acts are all the rage of negros nationwide."

OR THIS:

"Do any of you rememeber the dance called the ‘Harlem Shake’? It was originally called the ‘Vibrator Orgasm’ after one of the little harlem jig kids watched his mother convulsing after she placed a Magic Wand inside her behind."

And he puts it all into perspective here:

"I have been to restaurants with Black girls who won’t eat unless the flatware is washed in front of their eyes, and now they are dancing around to the notion of being peed upon. 'Let it rain, clear it out, let it rain some more'"

Now I left a comment on the blogpost stating how gross I thought all this was and that I really hope it's NOT TRUE. But normally these guys are on point. I didn't know this crap until I just read the blogpost and forgive me if I am accepting this as truth prematurely. But if this is indeed true, it just goes to show that we (adults) can be hypnotized by music that's really just a degradation of black folks. And that kids will emmulate anything they think is cool, not knowing that they're really doing something they have NO BUSINESS doing.

D@mn shame!

Danity Kane beats out OUTKAST! LMAO!

The music industry is such bullshyt!

Approx. First Week Sales (taken from SOHH.com)

#1 Danity Kane - 215,733



#2 Outkast - 191.373 (sorry Ms. Jackson)
#6 Paris Hilton - 76,091
#8 Kelis - 61,732

At first this was shocking. Then it was sad. Now it's hilarious! Let's put this in perspective...A group that has gotten MTV exposure for about a year and a half and shown no real signs of being DOPE (just cute/sexy/hot/whatever)...Has outsold the greatest hip-hop group of all time! WTF? LMAO! I just think it's pretty ironic how the music industry (when it comes to hip-hop and R&B) is all about exposure, promotion, affiliation, etc. and not really about talent or creativity.

The MTV exposure most definitely drove Danity Kane's stock up. But why did it work this time for Puff Diddy? This didn't work for the first "BAND", Da Band. I guess Puffy learned from that situation and approached this one a bit differently. For the record, in no way am I shytting on Danity Kane. I like their single "Showstopper". But I don't think that single should have been enough to get them more sales than Kast though. Outkast is the most proven group in hip-hop. Period! There's no way that they should have been outsold by Danity Kane considering their history, their fanbase, the movie that coincides with the album and all the publicity surrounding that. It's hard to believe.

I guess what people are saying is true...It's not about the music or the creativity anymore. It's about the media and the marketing and the exposure. The fact that Paris Hilton even shows up in the top 50 should tell us what's really going on. I haven't bought the last 3 Outkast albums. I'm more of a fan of their earlier work(s). But I respect their willingness to take risks and do something that other people/groups are afraid to do. But it appears (from these sales numbers) that people don't want anything different, they want the same ole' same ole'. What's REALLY different about Danity Kane from other girl groups? What happened to the other girl group Diddy had (I can't even remember the name)? The flavor of the moment *appears* to be Danity Kane. But I hope those girls realize that as soon as those sales numbers drop next week (and Dro or Kast take the #1 spot), it might all be downhill from there. And after their second single comes out - if it flops - it might be all downhill from there. You see what happened to the last girl group on Bad Boy...But for now, congrats and enjoy!

Class is in session

Most of you already know that I just finished up a summer course a month or so ago. Well, the fall semester begins tomorrow (today for most of you reading this probably) and I have to say that I am not ready nor am I excited about this. Here's why:

1. I don't have any books for the two classes I'm taking. This is pretty much normal procedure for me since undergrad. Back then it was because I was begging my moms for dough and she would get it to me until around week 1 or 2 or 3 of classes. Nowadays it's because I'm begging my moms...Nah, just joking. Just because I am lazy and I don't want to dish out the dough until after I go to the first class and see if we're actually going to use the book. A lot of times in this program it seems like the professors teach the content on their own and recommend the book only as a "resource". Well, I'm "resourceful" on my own (shot out to my mom who passed that trait down to me). So EFF the book unless I need it fo real fo real!

2. I just got back off a weekend of drunken splendor! Do you really think I'm trying to sit in class for 4 hours on Wed. and Thurs. without a Caramel Macchiato and a liter of Red Bull energy drink to keep me awake? Hell NO! Aside from that, I still haven't caught up on sleep from this weekend and I am looking forward to potentially having a repeat of last weekend, this weekend. So how am I going to focus in class with thoughts of laying back with a stogie in my mouth (no johnnycakes) and a cup of Vodka and pineapple juice in my hand?

3. For the most part, school's boring. Yeah, I said it. The fun part is doing the presentation at the end of class knowing that it's the LAST thing you have to do and then it's over. Aside from that and feeling like you're moving one step closer to your goal, school (for me) is pretty boring. Granted, I'm taking a Project Management course and an IT Security course so these two may prove interesting (unlike Quantitative Analysis...ICK!) to me, I'm still not getting my hopes up.

4. Football season is about to start and even though the Redskins have looked horrendous the last two weeks, a true/die-hard fan like myself still thinks we're going to win the Superbowl and will watch every game as if it's the last game Clinton Portis (AKA Souf-feast Jerome) will ever play. Aside from my Skins, there's also the fantasy football league I'm in which will make a lot of games relevant to me that would otherwise be unwatchable. On top of that there's the 4 NFL pools that I am in this season. So football will probably take over my life around week 8 when teams start sorting themselves out in their divisions. And if the Redskins are at least 4-4 at that time, I'll probably still be dumb enough to think we're going to win it all. Hail to the Redskins...Eff the Cowgals!

5. THE WIRE! Honestly though, do I need to say more? The WIRE is back on Sept. 10th on HBO and I am losing sleep already. Will Marlo take over the city? Will Avon begin a war with Marlo and his crew? Will the politicians be as shady as I think they're going to be? What is really good with McNulty now? There are just some of the thoughts I have. I won't even get into my theories of what's going to happen. Just know that I will be catching every episode of this show either when it airs or on HBO OnDemand.

Needless to say, numbers 4 and 5 will probably take up equal or more time than studying. But somehow I'm sure I'll manage. If I have to cut back on studying to catch the WIRE, make a fantasy football trade, BLOG, or see the Skins game...Well, that's just one of those sacrifices you have to make in life. It's gonna be tough guys, but as you can see, I'm going to do what I know is the right thing to do.

Wish me luck everybody! Oh yeah, wait till the NBA season starts. I'll be in an NBA fantasy league just like last year as well...Should have made that #6.

For those of you who believe everything you read in email forwards...

NeYo isn't gay...Thank you Oh Word for enlightening all the "drama-seeking-nothing-better-to-do-than-facilitate-eRumors" office workers of the Internet Revolution of just how stupid we they are. Or should I say "stupid", "gullible", "savage", "petty", "disconnected", and "confused"?

Everybody really should take the time to read this post. Every once in a while we need a reminder of just how silly hip-hop fans can be. How much we love drama...How much we will buy into anything thrown our way under the "'guise of the moment"...How much we are missing what really matters and turning our attention to the stuff "they" want us to pay attention to.

I ain't got nothing to talk about

Jay-Z Might be stepping down from his post at Def Jam? Cool...More of this:

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Word around the InterWeb is...Ne-Yo's gay. If it's true...big shock [yeah right]!

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I got an email today saying someone somewhere contracted HIV by sitting in a movie theatre seat and getting a being stuck by a needle in the buttocks that was placed in the seat maliciously. Emails like this make me say "Thanks for circulating this shyt so crazy folks have new ideas to try out." This email, the email about the needles in the gas pump, and numerous other chain email forwards that really just scare the shyt out of people for no good/valid reason other than the fear of contracting HIV really are silly to me.

Number one, none of these things are every backed up by an official news report that can be found on a new publication's website. Number two, I think it can just plant bad seeds in the minds of some of these "bad people" out here. While it's good to inform people, peep the source of some of this information before you guys send it out and have people scared to pump their gas or go to the movies.

I'm back [home] like I left suntin'!

(UPDATE: Added new flick at #2)

Went to NY this past weekend and had a BALL! Won't divulge all the drunken stupified details, but I will mention the highlights.



1. Saw Jay-Z in the 40/40 Club on Saturday. Definitely NUMBER ONE on my list. Homie's shorter than I thought and looked skinny to me (not Swizz Beatz skinny, but small build). He was chilling in the hallway (surrounded by 4 super-human sized bodyguards) talking to a few people when I was walking through. It's funny because I was a little starstruck to be honest, but most people who were around him were looking like it was nothing. Maybe it was just me.

2. CLUB STRATA Friday night. EASILY the best party I hvae been to since I Opium in Miami last Labor Day.



3. Manna's buffet in Harlem. Soul food buffet on 125th St. in Harlem. VICIOUS. No DIPSET sightings in Harlem by the way. No bloods either.

4. Rode the Kingda Ka at Six Flags in Jersey on Friday. The tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Hella fast. Waited in line for FOUR HOURS but it was worth it.



5. Beef patties on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. We went to Queens...Rode through Fiddy's grandmama's neighborhood too. And did a lil window-shopping on Jamaica Avenue. I also went to White Castle for the first time too. Pretty good.

Trips like this are what make me LOVE traveling.

Random Musicness...

Beyonce Album Preview:



Thank God for Honorable Media (where the MUSIC B' At)

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Young Dro - My Girl Got a Girlfriend:



Had to post this one because that line kills me every time I hear it. This one's from XXL! I'm beginnging to wonder if TIP can impose himself on enough of Dro's material for Dro to actually go more than Gold. Personally, I think that not dropping the album at the height of the hype surrounding the Shoulda Lean joint was a HUGE mistake. Especially if "Rubberband Banks" is really the new single he's dropping.

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The Roots - Don't Feel Right:



Actually, the song feels RIGHT fa sho! I like the first song featured in this video more than the latter half, but they're both good. NahRight gots the music too people!

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Cassidy - It Is What It Is:



Just in case you guys didn't know, Cass is home. His last album was a banger/sleeper. This joint's ayight, I definitely like the beat and Cass raps are good as usual. This dude is fire when he wanna be please believe it. Or better yet, ASK FREEWAY! OR cop his last album.

Out of Control: AIDS in Black America

Quoting Nasir Jones (this song is deep ya'll):

"This nigga Ike with the Iverson jersey, light-skinned with herpes
Fuckin sisters in Harlem, Brooklyn and D.C.
This is the problem cause he never tell 'em he got it
from lettin fags suck him off, Rikers Island in nine-three
Drives a Benz, hangs at all the parties, all the concerts
Backstage where the stars be, rockin they shirts
in bitches faces like clockwork - what's your name, where you from?
Chain blingin, thinkin girls everywhere is dumb
Takin pride in ruinin they lives
So they could never have babies, and they could never be wives
He never used a condom, give him head he got ya
Met the wrong bitch and now he dead from the monster AIDS
I contemplate, believin in karma
Those on top could just break, and won't be eatin tomorrow
I know some bitches who be sleepin on niggaz dreams, they leave
When that nigga blow, she the first bitch on her knees
Knowin dudes that's neglectin they seeds
Instead of takin care of 'em they spendin money on trees
I pray for you, deadbeat daddies
Cause when them kids get grown it's too late for you
Now you old and you gettin shitted on
It's all scientific, mystic, you know the Earth and the stars
Don't hesitate to say you heard it from Nas
What is destined shall be
George Bush killer 'til George Bush kills me
Much blessings be healthy, remember"

Nas - What Goes Around

"You ask me if I'm tryna kick knowledge. Nnah! I'm tryna kick that SHYT you need to learn tho..." - Nas, Ether

...MAN he fried my man Jay on this joint. I still think this is probably the best diss track ever recorded. I digress...

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Just wanted to put things in a little perspective. But the real thing I wanted to mention is An ABC News Special TONIGHT at 10PM on AIDS in the Black Community

I am really going to try and watch this joint tonight. Much like the Spike Lee documentary on Katrina, this will probably be VERY educational.

"In America today, AIDS is virtually a black disease, by any measure,"

says Phill Wilson, executive director of The Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles.

"Black Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for over 50 percent of all new cases of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That infection rate is eight times the rate of whites. Among women, the numbers are even more shocking—- almost 70 percent of all newly diagnosed HIV-positive women in the United States are black women. Black women are 23 times more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than white women, with heterosexual contact being the overwhelming method of infection in black America."

We all know this is going to end up touching on topics like down-low bruhs, promiscuity, hip-hop and objectification of women, etc. Though that will be difficult to do in a single hour, I am SURE that they'll at least be mentioned.

"AIDS is an epidemic in the African American community and it's spreading fast."