its getting late...

I failed to mention earlier that I've been playing Common's The Light 2008 repeatedly in the days since its release. The Dilla produced original is a classic and the 2008 version by Just Blaze doesn't disappoint. Common is easily one of my favorite artists, because 1) he is an incredible writer and 2) because his music is grounded with substance. But the special treat as far as the song goes for me is the lovely Marsha Ambrosius. Her voice is just angelic. I absolutely love it. Apparently, Floetry is no more, but Marsha has definitely been putting in work on a few hooks and even her own mixtape...Neo Soul is Dead. If she performs anywhere near you, I strongly suggest you go see her. I've seen Floetry twice and Marsha was the highlight for me. Check out the grainy, nigga-rigged recording below for a classic performance alongside the late Gerald Levert.

every four years...

random shit....


why am i still receiving friend invites from black planet?? today's invite was from bill cosby!! seriously. does anyone still use black planet? *unsubscribes from email notification*

i really need a new car, but i'm debating on whether or not to finance or buy cash. i'm enjoying the car payment-free life now but the wheels are about to fall off the civic.

i consolidated my student loans a few weeks ago and my first payment is coming up...$390

teenagers are so ungrateful!!! teaching will drive you to drink!

i'm in a blogging mood today, will post again later today...

i know what you like...

Not really in a mood to write today so I figured I would share a few things I am addicted to right now...

• thin mint girl scout cookies
• the blog world
• flickr
  
• Dwele "Cheatin"
  
• solitude
  
• Janelle Monae
• the video below
  

mindsex...

After reading Desy's steamy, provocative post a few days ago, I couldn't help but think about...sex. Good sex, bad sex, drunk sex, long sex, short sex, --just sex. For some sex is sacred, for some sex is simply a means to getting what they want, be it personal satisfaction or some material object. But is sex necessarily always physical? I have heard people speak of mental stimulation but I am not sure I have experienced this type of sex. Dead Prez referred to it as mindsex. I love good conversation but does it really heighten the overall sexual experience? Have you ever experienced mindsex?

"See i ain't got to get in your blouse
It's your eye contact, that be getting me aroused
When you show me your mind, it make me wanna show you mines
Reflecting my light, when it shines, just takin our time
Before the night's through, we could get physical too
I ain't tryin to say I don't wanna fuck, cause I do
But for me boo, makin love is just as much mental
I like to know what I'm gettin into"
-Stic.Man (Dead Prez)

we are the champions...

"If you haven't heard, I'm Michael, Magic and Bird,
all rolled in one"
- Jay Z

The season is over and I am officially a champion. It was definitely fun to get back on the court and play but it didn't take me long to realize that I can't move how I used to!! I finished the season with a "strong" game - 9pts, 2 rebs, and 2 stls. It was a good run and now we can pop bottles...

Bring on the groupies!! lol

putting things in perspective...

"I teach students". I remember my professor in Grad school, saying that anytime anyone asked her what she taught she would always respond with "I teach students". It wasn't until this week that I fully understood what she meant by the statement. Earlier in the week, I found out that a co worker had been saying less than flattering things about me to my boss. Since this is my first year teaching, I chose to play this situation strategically rather than showing my ass and confronting her bitchassness (that's what they want you to do). So I spoke to her in private and pretended I didn't know that she had been talking about me behind my back. Though I have come to expect this type of behavior from "those" people, the situation did leave me a bit distraught. But something put it all into perspective. A few days later, a student revealed some personal information to me relating to their family life. During the conversation this student broke into tears and since I experienced a similar family situation I was there to lend support. That's when I realized that the drama from earlier in the week was meaningless. I am teaching students. The subject matter is secondary. It is my job and responsibility to mentor, instruct and help my students understand life. I can't and I will not let frivolous office drama stop me from reaching students. So a week that began with a stressful and potentially explosion situation ended with me seeing the big picture. "I teach students".

weekend recap...

A night in DC is not complete until you are sinking your teeth into the very best pizza known to man. After a long night of partying, only $4.00 separates you from this delightful oven baked combo of dough, sauce and cheese known as jumbo slice pizza. The above picture symbolizes a successful birthday night. Since this was my first birthday in DC I wanted to do something "different". The hookah bar was definitely that. We smoked shisha 0r flavored tobacco (not weed) from this bong look a like called a hookah. Hookah bars are derived from Middle Eastern culture and are quite popular in the DC area. I got a headache after about 20 minutes but overall I definitely enjoyed the experienced. The only thing that sucks about Hookah bars is that they do not serve alcohol. Traditionally, they make money by serving teas, water and small snack foods. The hookah bar was certainly the highlight of the night, but to summarize the events of the night, we drank at a few bars ( I had my first mojito) and by 1:00 we were done. It was definitely a successful birthday celebration.

Up in smoke...


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Go Hard or Go Home...

Yesterday I helped my team move to the Championship game in my adult men's basketball league. After a dismal performance the previous week, that included 6 turnovers, I bounced back with a overall solid game, 7 pts, 5 rebs. (Career High), 4 assists and 2 steals. One win away from poppin' champagne...I'll keep you posted.

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Wow...

On Wednesday I posted a short semi-autobiographical story entitled "bitter winter". It was a short piece written over a year ago about ending those long, lingering, going-nowhere relationships. What I didn't expect was for this short piece to inspire such beautiful and powerful imagery...peep desy's perspective...HERE

bitter winter...

Frigid stares were exchanged. I peered through the window behind you and watched as the birds flew—further south I suggested. My boxed belongings sat anxiously beside the door, clinging to the wall like a 5 year old to a mother’s leg on the first day of school; it’s hard to let go. It’s especially hard when the box contains evidence of what is now past tensed. The weeks of brewing tension have culminated into this very moment. The moment where my—our denial has unmasked itself revealing what has been hidden behind the exhaustive attempts at reconciliation and the shallow utters of those three simple words.

You could trace our words with each breath. The squeaks of the hardwood floors were magnified and the slight echo that accompanied our words served as a reminder that the room was now empty. Empty. Bare. Cold. I found it to be symbolic but I wasn’t sure that your heart was concerned with the irony of the situation. I remember the words just as you said them. “We’ve grown apart.” I was a bit perplexed and I guess my lack of response confirmed this death as sacrificial, which in an odd way made it justifiable. We were both free to walk out of the room and venture into the world to find that potentially fertile garden to plant new seeds; but not in the winter. Nothing grows in the winter.

to be continued...

my life is like a movie...

I needed an excuse to go through my ipod and listen to some songs I haven't heard in a while so I stole this idea from Eb after she posted her soundtrack a few days ago. If my life's a movie, I want it to sound like this...

Opening Credits:: Can I Live - Jay Z

Average Day:: Push - Pharaohe Monch / Hustlin' Rick Ross

Spending time with friends:: A Story To Tell - Biggie

Driving:: Roc Boys - Jay Z / Touch The Sky - Kanye West

Bad day:: Spaceship - Kanye West

Fight scene:: Beat It - Michael Jackson

Mental breakdown:: The Way I Am - Eminem

Life is okay:: Electric Relaxation - A Tribe Called Quest

Graduation:: Celebration - Kanye West

Longing for love:: Ready For Love - India Arie

First glance/new crush:: Subject - Dwele / Newness - Musiq Soulchild

Secret love:: Down Here In Hell - Van Hunt / Weekend Love - Dwele

First date:: My Lova - Dwele

Falling in love:: Wreckless Love - Alicia Keys

Love scene:: The Panties - Mos Def / I Need Love - Robin Thicke / Say Yes - Floetry

Breaking up:: Falling Out of Love - Aqualung/ The Truth - Dwele

Long night alone:: The Entire Reasonable Doubt Album - Jay Z

Wishing for love to return:: I Never Wanna Live Without You - Mary J. Blige

Fighting to get him/her back:: Come Back To Bed - John Mayer

Proposal:: My Heart Belongs To U - Jodeci

Wedding:: You Were Meant For Me - Jewel

Reflecting on life:: Time - Musiq Soulchild / My Life - Mary J. Blige / 2 The Sky - Robin Thicke

Reflecting on love:: The Scientist - Coldplay

Death scene:: Beach Chair - Jay Z

Closing credits:: Encore - Jay Z

thank you jay dee...

Rest in Peace J Dilla

just to get by...

Talib Kweli live at LOVE, Washington DC

I hate clubs. I especially hate concerts at clubs. Last night was no exception. To little surprise, Kweli performed for about 20 mins and bounced out. Luckily the 20 minute set included many of my favorites ("Get By", "The Blast", "Definition" and "Hot Thing"). Overall, concerts at clubs suck for three main reasons:

• Performances never start before 1 am
• Artists' never perform long
  
• I hate clubs

Lucky for me it was FREE.

guilty pleasure...

I REALLY like this song...

prediction...

Update: COMCAST CABLE SUCKS!!!! WHY IS THE GAME BLACKED OUT ON ESPN?? NOW I HAVE TO WATCH THE GAME ON THIS STUPID LOCAL CHANNEL! I WANT MY ESPN HD!!




Duke wins by 8!!!

Tonight is part 1 of the epic battle between my beloved Duke Blue Devils and rival team UNC. If you know me, then you know how I feel about Duke basketball. If you're a UNC fan, drive yourself into a brick wall!!! Tipoff 9pm

award tour...

When I was in the 7th grade I was fortunate enough to spend a week in London and Paris. It was my first and last trip out of the country and thanks to my "old age", most of the memories from the trip have been lost in the aging abyss that is my mind. In the past year or so I've talked a lot about traveling but haven't made any moves. Starting today I've made it my mission to plan a trip for this summer (one of the few perks of being a teacher, summers off).I've been doing research with several travel agencies online and I'm surprised to see how relatively inexpensive it is to travel outside of the US. Here's a list of places I am considering

Overseas - This trip probably won't come into fruition until '09 but when traveling overseas planning early is critical.

1. Dubai
2. Tokyo
3. Ghana


US - Here's a list of more likely destinations for '08

1. New York City - Haven't been to NYC since I was like 12 and considering the fact that they have buses traveling from here in DC for $35 roundtrip. It's highly likely I will spend some time in NYC this summer.

2. Los Angeles - I've never been to the West Coast and besides Vegas, LA is number one on the list for West Coast destinations.

3. Philly - Philly is only a few hours away from DC so it's possible to plan a quick weekend getaway.


Sidebar: Does anyone know anything about STA Travel or Contiki Tours??? They seem like good deals but I was just wondering if anyone out there has personal experiences with either agency