Tried to call, or at least beep the Lord, but didn't have a touch-tone

It's a dog-eat-dog world, you gotta mush on
Some of this land I must own
Outta the city, they want us gone
Tearing down the 'jects creating plush homes
My circumstance is between Cabrini and Love Jones
Surrounded by hate, yet I love home
Ask my God how he thought traveling the world sound
Found it hard to imagine he hadn't been past downtown
It's deep, I heard the city breathe in its sleep
Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep
-Common, "Repiration" w/ Black Star (i've quoted this song so many times)



Time to tighten the belt and get the game face on. Cousin Larry is holding in there. Thanks for the well wishes. Granmda M is turning 90 this year. We gotta think of something special to celebrate the occasion. I'm enrolled in an online course right now but have been seriously slacking lately. Definitely not trying to take an L with that.

Apparently, the city has a "summer camp planned to head off city violence." The cost for this camp? Ten million dollars. Yes, son, seven zeros up in that piece. For all youth in the city? Nope. Only 300 by lottery. But it will be located right in the heart of troubled neighborhoods, right? HAH!

Mayor Thomas M. Menino is planning to bus hundreds of children from the city's poorest areas this summer to a $10 million day camp to be constructed on Boston Harbor's Long Island, where officials hope at-risk youth will have experiences that divert them from lives of violence.

The program, conceived by Menino and a group of Boston business leaders after last year's spike in summer shootings, will take 11- to 14-year olds considered vulnerable to becoming involved with gangs to a bucolic 22-acre setting with playing fields, a climbing wall and beachfront aquatic center. Councilors from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston will lead activities in ocean exploration, performing arts, and sports.

When buses return the children to the city each evening at 7, "they'll be exhausted, well-exercised, and well-fed." said Jack Connors, a former advertising executive who is helping to coordinate the effort.

The planned location for Boston's camp is an old military parade ground near the northern tip of the city-owned Long Island, connected to Quincy by the Long Island Bridge. It is about a half-hour drive from Boston. Currently, the site is vacant and closed to the public.

The camp will take 300 children -- chosen by lottery, with priority given to children from low-income families in the city's most crime-ridden neighborhoods -- for each of two four-week sessions. Buses will pick up campers in the city about 8 a.m. each weekday. Organizers hope to expand the size and scope of the program if the idea grows in popularity, organizers said.

The city is paying for road improvements at the site and construction of a pier. But most of the $10 million price tag will be footed by corporate donors, who have so far pledged $3 million, Connors said.

"I think it's a great thing that the corporations are putting up resources for inner-city kids," said Jorge Martinez, executive director of Project R.I.G.H.T., a Grove Hall nonprofit. "Some of these kids need to get out of this environment and realize there's a world out there."

A nonprofit foundation is to be started to manage the initiative, organizers said. The estimated $3,000-per-child cost to run the camp is expected to be paid largely by ongoing corporate donations. Campers will be charged $5 for a four-week session.

I have a couple of issues with this. I think it is a great idea in theory, but goes back to that whole notion of reinventing the wheel. There are a couple of -take-them-out-the-hood-and-take-them-to-the-woods programs already in place with a track record of success. And such concepts are very effective. Yet, it troubles me that the design is for the kids to be pick up every morning and dropped off right back in their neighborhoods at day's end. Right back into the "jungle." And who's to say the most at-risk or high-risk youth will end up in the lottery. Plus, there are some great learning opportunities that I am sure will take place, but just to think that the kids will be so tired from a day of running around that they will fall asleep upon returning home is naive at best. It does strike me as odd that the city was able to find $10 million for this year, but could not finagle an extra $1.3 million for last year. I do appreciate the help that a broader community is willing to offer for the city's children. I just hope the Long Island location serves a greater and long-term purpose. Because it would be a damn shame for that land to be developed and evolve into something else; something not youth-focused. But I'm going to address some of my Menino issues in a forthcoming post. So, for now, I'm going to have an open mind about it and be easy.

We only get better and only better we have gotten

"All God's dangers ain't a white man"

So went the words inscribed in my high school yearbook. They were words spoken by Ned Cobb, who is memorialized in an autobiography pieced from a series of interviews by Theodore Rosengarten entitled, All God's Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw.

Relying on talent, not marketing and promotion

It was Mr. Rosengarten's son, Rafe, who wrote those words in my yearbook nearly ten years ago. Though never super close friends, we shared a mutual respect for our convictions and brain cells. Ok, well I think he was smarter than me. But anyways, I'm sure there were plenty of times in HS where I probably came off as some sort of rabble-rousing, pro-black and anti-white kid hell-bent on shaking up the notion of what it meant to be a South Carolinian. You see, during all of my years of schooling I always heard about how a SC education was one of the worst in the country. The state consistently ranked somewhere between 46th and 50th and very few models of success were a visible part of the local psyche.

I appear everywhere and nowhere at once

In some ways, I both embraced and rejected the notion of white people being free of bigotry. I grew up fully aware and friendly with all kinds of folks - poor and a little better off than poor - who were true gems of decency. But I also saw the dark side of people. I learned that turning a blind eye to hate is not a wise thing to do, but sometimes it's the most effective way to deal with certain situations. Especially, when dealing with life realities much more consequential.

Stop wasting your money on marketing schemes
and pretty packages pushing dreams to the beams
-KRS-One, "Step Into The World"

And now I come full circle. Ten years later with plenty of lessons learned and experiences to share and build upon. Still a little chunky and with the same high-pitched staccato laugh that plagued many a hallway in my youth. Still earnest in my (at times) futile attempts to do right. And still in love with HER (word up). So as I step into the world (pun intended), I look forward to continuing to make good on those many promises I made to ma dukes back on Durant Ave. To make good on advice the older cats who used to play ball at Danny Jones and Park Circle back in the day by telling the 11-year-olds around the way to not forget where they came from upon hearing our aspirations in passing. To make good on the hope I (think) I helped to infuse into a few brothers and sister of all walks of life I've had the pleasure to interact with over the years. And most of all, to make good on the on vow I made to myself during those long walks years ago across railroad tracks and amid green manicured lawns, minibottles of gin and jack daniels, and through hurricane-like rain or lung-collapsing humidity. Represent.

Maybe I should add writing an autobiography to my list of goals. My life story don't get no more simple than that.

after laughter, comes tears

sometimes it sucks when music is your soundtrack.

the moment i rolled over this morning and saw MOMS on the cell phone screen, I knew something was wrong.

Cue Tearz from the Wu as it began to run through my mind in the background.

It's 8:27 AM and before I even answered, I check the call history. Six missed calls between 2:19 and 3:10 in the morning.

Take a deep breath...hello? what's wrong?

Your cousin got shot. etc etc etc. All else she said was a blur.

So, I've been on edge all morning. Not too hungry. Just in a daze. I had planned on going to church tomorrow. Now, I got one more reason to pray for. I love my family and it pains me for anyone of them to become a victim. Because in the end, we are all victims.

Sometimes people try to live vicariously through others just to experience the thrill or excitement. Right now, I find myself on the verge of throwing up with a burning sensation permeating my entire body praying for son to pull through. It's eerie that I sent a posthumous shout-out on Thursday to Big L and today I am on bended knee for my own Big L. He's a strong dude, but please God bless him.

go one yourselves

One is knowledge
Knowledge the foundation
of who's really real and who's faking
The move making you making
making your shoes shake and you're fake
-Sean Price, "One"

so peep this. MIT has this long-standing tradition of hacking. not computer hacking, but elaborate pranks and stunts that are a combination of creative thinking of practical execution. obviously, we only know about the hacks that actually were pulled off. I'm sure there are many more that failed miserably as in the case of three students who got caught in October. apparently, somebody set off the alarm, they got napped, and the rest should be history, right? wrong, homie. it is now February and charges are being pressed. I'm of the belief that they should be dropped. while i do say that with mixed emotions given some more global and societal implications (see below) of what that really means, it is also plain ridiculous to persecute them on the strength on some bullshT.

so you're wondering what the heck i was talking about, right? think about it. a culture that tolerated hacking. I have plenty of friends who attended MIT, yet it is still not quite the bastion of diversity you might believe it to be. at this very moment, there is a black biomedical engineering professor who is fasting to protest his tenure denial. son lost 20 pounds already. but the heart of the matter is, it made me think of the parallel between the criminal justice system and sports. like beating a dead horse, think of how many times you hear about the decline of the NBA because of the thug influence and potential for violence (fights) brought on by less controls in place. now, think of how many times you've debated the stark contrast between the NBA and the NHL and how a brawl in each league is viewed separately.

now take all of that angst and watch this short film, The Blackman's Guide to Boston. enjoy.

You ain't a player, put that cigar out

What you acting for?
You ain't half as raw
You need to practice more


Rest In Peace, Big L.
Legendary Lyricist.
Harlem's Finest.
Hip-Hop Hall of Famer.
Throw your L's up.

you looking like something I need to know about

Got my eyes on wide as they constantly collide with yours

the art of balancing like, lust, and love. with a little bit of leeriness thrown in for fun. the bad weather caused today's show to get canceled and that sucks. because i was looking forward to reading some new joints. however, my man ChrisT and I have been planning on linking up soon to do a collaborative piece. He be on some straight up love jones ish having all the ladies open. I, on the other hand, usually leave a taste in their mouth not as sweet (no pun intended). But in a futile attempt to get a little more creative and varied with my concepts, i have found myself experimenting with different styles and formats when concocting my poetry. and i say concoct deliberately. it's not really writing or composing. i really should holla at the USPTO and have back-pocket poetry attributed to me. there's something so liberating about writing some ish that just comes to mind minutes before taking the stage. kinda like studying, it's an adrenaline rush of having to meet a preset deadline beyond compare. and like relationships, sometimes we set our own selves up for failure. the game i kick may not even be league worthy, but because you think it is then you gonna have to believe it to be so, right? optimism is a good thing though. but sometimes, i might spill some of my pineapple juice or shirley temple on the napkin and the ink smears. and then it becomes a campaign to decipher the now-illegible chickenscratch that are my secondhand thoughts on a piece of recycled paper. and cats wonder why i don't drink. henny is dark and hell is hot, son. and i'm not even looking for love, yet still find myself in all the wrong places. but a ride or die chick does sound like fun; don't it? signed, sealed, and delivered. word.

Ain't sure what your character contains yet
But damn lady, you could be my Valentine
Cupid got his infrared on my chest clocked
Let the rest flock, they just birds anyway
I grow my confidence in words the Henny way - yeah, buy me a drink
so we can sink into that thought path...
-De La Soul, "With Me"

I was born underwater with three dollars and a cocktail

I dwell where rebellion's taught, and emotions seldom walk
I try to Walk Like an Egyptian, but Hieroglyphics fail to talk
-Common & Erykah Badu, "All Night Long"

The past week proved to be an interesting experiment in cutting the fat and focusing on the skinny. Namely, I've had a chance to prioritize some things so that I can maximize my effort and productivity, while not being restricted or feeling limited because my fangs were in every pool of blood.

On top of that, I am in the process of doing some self-discovery. I am at a point in my life - not necessarily a crossroads - where I am trying to be very selective in my dealings, yet open in my interactions. Normally, I'll just to keep to myself to a certain extent. But I don't mind getting loose when necessary. Get ya wet wipes! I guess I am just not a fan of talking just to talk. Ain't nothing wrong it; just ain't my cup of kool-aid. Kinda like playing balls with bum-a## dudes who bring the ball all the way up the court and then shoot it. I did not come here to watch you play ball, homie.

I came up knowing that when you spoke, the words that came out of your mouth had better be 1) for good, 2) with purpose, and 3) from the heart. Some people feel as though just being nice is like going through life with blinders on. I'm from the school of thought that believes in a higher being and purpose. Not overly religious; but spiritual. Not overly optimistic, just realistic. Not overly naive, just honest.

look into my eyes. tell me what you see. can you feel my pain. am i your enemy.

I have a tendency to only answer the question asked. Once upon a time, i used to struggle with essay questions because I always had a short and concise response that should have taken several paragraphs. I think I used to annoy the hell out of ma dukes and Big G when I'd give a polite yes or no to one of their inquiries. In hindsight, I see how that drove them up the wall. The way I saw it; you want a longer or better answer then ask a longer or better question. If it is a yes or no question, then guess what kind of answer you are going to get. So I won't say that I've realized the errors of my ways. After all, this is my show. But i will say that I am actively trying to hone and polish my active listening skills. I have a habit of feeding small bits of information wihtout going into much detail until pressed for more. This is a way to develop into a more well-rounded POPS. We'll see how it goes.

So I say all that to say that my personal experiment is in its beginning stages, but all is going well so far. Plus, I enjoy looking people in the eye. Granted, sometimes it can definitely get awkward and you may have to quickly glance away, but that brief peek allows you to see a full range of emotion. Facial expressions and mannerisms aside; the eyes say it all. [wink].

Pro-black like Craig Hodges with my dashikis in the cleaners

love & basketball

I said it when the first clue that things were about to fall apart became evident. Danny Ainge is going to destroy the Celtics organization to the point where he will have to be head coach. These dudes have dropped 18 straight games. That is straight-up blasphemy, son. Tears well up in the eyes of devoted fans when the scroll of former Celtics players are read in the town square. Antoine, Ricky D, Joe Johnson, Chucky A, and Chauncy. Even the dudes who I'd still consider bums are better than some of current crop of youngsters we got downtown. I've been to maybe a half dozen games this season so far and I am now hesitant to go to any more until they get their minds right.

These thoughts were brought to you courtesy of Michelle Singletary, who wrote a very interesting piece entitled, "Do black athletes fail to use power." Obviously, I didn't even touch it yet. Still letting it marinate on the membrane for now. These dude are failing to use their talent, much less their "power".

we the champs in this game

the Super Bowl was straight. too bad there was so much rain though. I would have loved to see Marvin Harrison get Super Bowl MVP. I was rooting for the Bears to win and him for MVP. Oh well.

as for the commercials...eh

some were good. and some were...eh

The Lays Brand one was so cliche. "We're all winners."
Please blow me. Yes, I understand that it is February. Yes, I know February is Black History Month. Yes, I know both head coaches were Black and one of them was going to be the first Black NFL coach to win the big one. But c'mon, people. Sometimes, you just have to wonder who the hell is pitching these ads. Did anyone else peep how one scene has people still in their church choir robes? As soon as it came on, you could tell some Black stuff was about to go down...

Speaking of Black stuff. Does Coca-Cola believe that Black history stopped after 1963? It was some kind of salute to history makers. But really though. They could've at least mentioned Deval up in that piece. nahmean.

As for Snickers...well let's just say they might have some LGBT organizations a li'l heated. But of course, I went to the site anyways and apparently that's not even the best ad they had. I think the Love Boat one is what should have aired if it had to be one of the four options.

Speaking of getting people heated, the Bud Light commercial definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. With all the debate the immigration issue has raised, the go and show an ad during the Super Bowl that throws gasoline on stereotypes and bias. No speaky de ingles? Are you fuqing kidding me, son? That shT was extra corny and just plain distasteful. But their rock, paper, scissors one was good though.


Other commercials that I enjoyed were the Connectile Dysfunction one from Cingular, the GM robot that had a nightmare that he lost his job, the heart that got attacked, the hamsters using a mouse to surf blockbuster.com, and all of the CareerBuilder ones.

and whoever did the Flash for the Emerald Nuts website is sick with. seriously. Too bad their ad sucked.

and could you imagine what happened after the game?!

Taboo! Holla!

beans and bytes versus the closet b-boy

random rumblings from the rude retard from 'round the way...

this shT is hilarious. use the mouth!

Apparently, somebody got the jump on me. At least it wasn't the exact name I had in mind. But, damn that sucks. So now, i'm gonna have to go back to a few years ago and reconsider opening up a local Beans and Bytes franchise. It works in the D. Maybe it could work in the Bean. You never know...

this cat's denzel impressions are pretty good. mad funny.

HMC just dropped a serious jewel. Makes me think about the African continent, race relations, and civil unrest in a whole new light.

this black history video post is great! GoogleVideo and YouTube are co-wonders of the world.

i am loving the black male appreciation site. fly concept. fly content.

this homie needs to get back to writing more about Black People's Money. very on-point articles, opinion, and insight.

The Traffic Jam beat is funky as all hell. But my man Sean P came through with a serious banger for an album. I am SO loving this shT. Ignorant music at its finest. Like I always say...you gotta have balance.

Brian and Erica completely RIP The Day Hip Hop Died. Straight merked it, yo. Mad talent. The youf is the fucha, son.

that's all folks.

I know the ride could end just as fast as it starts

I study bad music like it was my homework
I learn the most from whack gimmicks that don't work
It's true, you could learn a lot from a dummy

serious brain freeze the last week...

i've fried too many brain cells to really even delve much into the whole whole bomb scare incident from his week, so i'll just mention it briefly along with some other things that have captured my attention and imagination the last seven days.

on one hand, i appreciate the responsiveness of the local authorities in handling the situation the way it did. what is not being reported enough in the media is the nature of that morning. there were reports of other suspicious activity in a few other cities, in addition to the misguided placement of the "bomb-like devices." now, i'm sure that at first sight, it would look pretty odd, but to keep referring to them as such when the facts continue to roll in that they have been all over the place for a few weeks is just laughable. but let's not get it twisted. the 2 cats that got arrested had went back out on Monday and put up 18 more of the little guys, albeit i bet they were the ones that seemed suspicious. i can understand putting it at a T station or on a street pole, but above a T Station, and below a bridge and highway is just nuts, son.

Every wish that accompanies a penny in a well
is the dream of a criminal, sittin in a jail
Livin in hell, head spinnin in a cell
About to break but held together by fam sendin him mail
-Blueprint, "Dead Presidents"

Yesterday, i attended a small business and entrepreneurship forum hosted by YPN at the Urban League. I finally made it to a YPN meeting! Anyways, there was a good panel discussion, but the main thing that impressed me the most was the amount of people who showed up and seemed genuinely interested in either starting or growing their businesses. And they were my people. Maybe Roxbury'll be ok after all. file under...optimistic.

Today, I sat in on a session at the IT Futures Forum event sponsored by BATEC where the topic was word-of-mouth marketing. I went because I have been researching the concept lately in hopes of pulling some ideas in order to implement some new recruiting tactics. the noticeable difference is that even though some people may be tech-savvy, they won't necessarily "get" technology. they can be producers, yet still have consumer mentalities. plus, the tactics used by the Aqua Teen Hunger Force ad campaign could be seen both as bad marketing and good marketing. It made for an interesting real-time discussion to say the least. The rest of the event was good as well. The morning keynote speakers gave some great insight about job force trends and the role that innovation and enterprise information architecture play in ensuring technology is an enabler and not a hindrance. file under...food for thought.

I made some good connection with a few new students this week. Always a good look; whether they come to any of my programs or not. I've already seen a few of them more than once this week already. Plus, several of them saw Beyond Beats and Rhymes and seemed to "get" it. Definitely dope. file under...hopeful.

Been working on some strategic planning on the job front. Gotta session to prepare for on Monday that will help me to shape a new vision and direction for the day job. I want to diversify what we do, yet expand to having more schools and teachers actively engaged. I still feel that my demographics are inaccurately skewed and not enough has been done on my part to attract the PSP crowd. file under...stressed muse.

But I really should also set a new vision and direction for the side gig as well. file under...too busy/lazy to focus.

And lastly, I should be preparing for tomorrow. More like sleeping. My schedule is mad busy for some reason. Wanna hear it? Here it go....

Somehow, I managed to agree to a campaign planning meeting at 10 am. Yes, am as in the muthafuqing morning. I still don't know quite what I was thinking there. Afterwards, I have to jet to Southie to teach a poetry workshop at Artists for Humanity. They say the kids will range from age 6 to 13. Should be fun. PHH is having their retreat right now. I'd like to make it out to Stoughton for the end of that to say whattup to the new youth leaders and offer a ride to make sure everyone gets back home safely and comfortably. Then, there's this NSBE banquet that i should show my face at. They recognized me last year with an award, but the midget had a serious episode, so it kind of spoiled the night having to miss most of the event until they called me up. Oh well. I got a nice certificate plaque thingy. Then later, I told my homie Lyrical I might roll through the World Fighting League event to catch the show and the rap battles. And then, maybe hit up a house party or two for Super Bowl Sunday. And let this be the last time I tell that much of my business...file under...mad busy...yet mad funny though.