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.