fruition

When my 30th birthday approached earlier this year I was really nervous about moving into another stage of adulthood. But shortly after officially being alive for 3 decades, I began embracing it. I've come a long way in 30 years and I have much to be proud of. But I also realized, that probably more than ever before, I have to be very particular about how I maneuver through the next couple of years. The near future is a critical time period for accomplishing the goals that I have set for myself. With that being said, as 2010 winds down and new years resolutions about weight loss, and dropping addictions begin to be a part of daily conversation, I figured I may as well join in.

The significance of establishing goals are self-explanatory. For me, writing down these goals, allows for a much needed degree of accountability. I'm great at establishing goals, just not that good at following through and accomplishing them. So hopefully as I live through my 31st year, I will find myself working on accomplishing my plan.

save money. - I basically live pay check to pay check. It's an awful feeling. I've looked over my monthly expenses and found a few ways I can cut back. Let's see if it will work.

invest money. - The roommate introduced me to the stock market earlier in the year but I just haven't had the opportunity to really dive in (see above). Even if its just a few dollars a month, I will invest some of the little bit I have. Gotta invest in my future.

travel. - I've been dying to get out of the country. 2011 is the year it will happen. Possibly Argentina in November. Also, I've never been to Cali so I definitely look forward to making it out west this year.

document my life. - In '06 I started blogging and since then I've been on and off with this blogging/journaling thing. I want to be more consistent with it this year. In addition to blogging, I think it's just as important for me to document the moments of this year with images as well. So, at some point, when I can get enough money saved up, I'll buy a Dslr. Until then, I'll just have to settle for the cybershot and my holga.

career. - I have a love/hate relationship with teaching. To be honest, I have learned so much in my first 4 years of teaching, both about history and teenagers. But even with that said, I don't know how much longer I will last in the profession. The problem is, if I'm not teaching I'm not sure what I will do. So for this year, I'll be reflecting a lot about my strengths and weaknesses and determine whats the next move. It could mean the end of teaching.

create. - I love writing. But recently I have been a bit of a funk. It's my goal for this year to create something of substance. I have several ideas that have been loitering in my mind for quite sometime but this year I have to put them to paper.


new every month. - I tried this last year but it didn't really work out. Every month, I want to do something that I have never done before. Eat at a new restaurant, go to a soccer game, volunteer, make a vision board, have a picnic, etc. Just try something new every month. I'm excited about this one!

school. - I want to go back to school just don't know for what. PhD. in Cultural Studies, or get another Masters and try for the MFA in Creative Writing. The decision will be made this year. I thought I would never say this but....I miss school.

Time to make it happen.

the makings of a classic.

hold on.

favorite things of 2010: dame dash. creative control. bluroc records.

Dame reinvented himself this year. The man is a hustler. Period. He went from pouring champagne on broads in videos to being blackballed and possibly betrayed by his business partner to coordinating the creation of some of the most creative, soulful, visually appealing art we've witnessed in a while. Dame and his team of mavericks are on the cutting edge and people are taking notice. One of my favorite videos from a year with creative control...

favorite things of 2010: indie music.

I'm so late on this! Probably about ten years late. But who cares?! During my endless pursuit to uncover new music, I stumbled into the indie genre and really liked what I heard. As a hip hop dude at heart, I was a little apprehensive about stepping outside of the norm but once I did, I couldn't get enough. Here's a few of my favorites, old and new.


The XX - XX
Warpaint - The Fool 
Cold War Kids - Robbers and Cowards
As Tall As Lions - As Tall As Lions





 

Trailer: Night Catches Us

Opens in DC December 17th.

straight outta compton

Dude was dope long before the Dre co-sign. But now with the Dr. supporting him, he'll get his well deserved shine. Go get the Kendrick Lamar EP and Overly Dedicated for further explanation.

if this world were mine.

once again...

Now Playing: "Real Estate"
"I let my fitted sit high because I'm really on my grind."

So after what seem like an eternity, I have finally replaced my stolen laptop. I took advantage of the Black Friday deals and copped the same laptop the thieves ran off with. I seriously considered getting a macbook but since all I do is browse the internets and download music, what's the point of spending an extra $600?! This Thinkpad will serve me just fine. Now the true task will be replacing the 30 gb's of music I had on my old laptop.

If you haven't copped Pilot Talk II, what are you waiting for?

In my humble opinion, Ski Beatz is producer of the year, just off the strength of the shit he has put out with Dame and Creative Control.

vigilance.



Flickr pic courtesy of nebbes61



For a country boy like myself living in the city this year has been rough. First, my bike was stolen from the corner store on my block. Then my garbage was sifted through by a homeless woman. And just when I thought my bad luck had run its course, last week my house was broken into and I had my ipod, laptop and ipod dock/clock radio stolen. My mama would say "boy, you musta stepped in hagshit!"  The personal items can be replaced but it's just the fact that an intruder entered my personal space that is unsettling. To make matters worst, most of this could have been avoided if it wasn't for my own negligence. Vigilance is the lesson learned here. They won't catch me slipping again.

creativity is contagious.

suff daddy

Not sure when this came out, but I just discovered it and I love it. A lot of good shit coming out of Europe. Good music is universal.

Click here for more.

cool out.

dopeness.

tired of fighting.

Original sample by The Menahan Street Band. Pilot Talk 2 coming in November.

listen to ghostface.

down

New video from one of my favorite albums of the year.

crewneck weather

Summer is officially gone. Time to break out the denim jacket, crewneck sweaters and boots. I need this crewneck ASAP.

gentrification.

I moved to the DMV 3 years ago and while it did take some time to get use to the traffic and the weather, I must say I really like it here. When I first moved to the area, I lived in Alexandria, VA but shortly thereafter, I moved into the district. Despite boasting a predominately black population, DC is still a very diverse city. There are historic neighborhoods infused with up and coming vibrant areas that make DC the perfect example of a small, big city. I've done just about everything there is to do here (except crack), twice. As evident in this video, the diversity (geographically and culturally) of the city has come at the expense of the districts original inhabitants.

Two thoughts come to mind after watching this video:

1. Despite the efforts of the powers that be, DC will forever be a black city.
2. This is an opportunity for a young professional like myself to capitalize on the growth and transition within the city. But does that make me a part of the problem??

stolen.

Now Playing: Somebody's Got To Die

Crisis. One of my students stole my iPod. I'm giving them one day to give up the goods. It's a terrible feeling to have something taken from you. Especially, something so dear to me. My iPod is like my child. To be continued...

return.

Now Playing: Take It In Blood.
"I never brag how real I keep it..."

I have to return to blogging. Forcing myself to write in hopes that something remotely imaginative will come to mind. It's been months, actually over a year since I've written anything worth a second look. Hopefully, I can return to form and get back to where I once was. Follow me.