Musical Mood: Hip-Hop Used to Love Me

I'm in one of my nostalgic moods again and this time it's all about hip-hop.  Not that whackness flowing so easily from your radio nowadays.  But that music that made you think, dance, and feel good about what the artist was doing all at the same time.  Let's get it!

GangStarr - Skillz


Camp Lo - Luchini (This is It)


Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)


Ill Al Skratch - I'll Take Her


Black Sheep - This or That


Boogie Down Productions - My Philosophy


Clipse - The Funeral


Blahzay Blahzay - Danger

HIP-HOP

1979-1999

Rest in Beats

Let's Have A Moment of Silence Please...

Did I Miss My Calling?

Lately it has seemed as though everyone and their mothers are calling on me for advice or just to lend an ear.  I don't have a problem with that at all.  It simply makes me think that I may have missed my calling.  Or at least one of them.  I love people and I hate to see people in pain.  I'm always looking for new ways to inspire others to reach their goals or solve their problems.  I think the biggest reason I couldn't be a psychiatrist is that I'm way too empathetic.  I would probably take on my clients' issues and start to feel overwhelmed.  I wouldn't know how to leave it all at the job.  But maybe, just maybe, I have another gift that I never fully explored.

Glow - Kirk Whalum

Many of you out there may not have an appreciation for jazz and I totally don't respect that.  LOL.  However, this is beautiful, contemporary jazz at it's finest. 

Mercy

I'm not a huge fan of Duffy's voice, but the good vibrations felt in this song are simply infectious.  I dare you not to at least bob your head on this one.

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now!

For real this is one of my favorite songs.  It's actually the final song of one of my favorite 80's movies.  I would ask you if you knew which one it was, but the clips actually show throughout the video so we'll just move on pass that.

#43 Appreciation

I might be on a sports-minded focus of life right now and I'm not quite sure why.  But lately, all things football and baseball related have really been on the top of my fascination lists.  As of right now I'm all about 1 man in particular - Mr. Polamalu.  First of all he's a Christian who's not afraid to say that he's a Christian.  We all know how uncool it is for most famous people to profess their belief and love of God.  Secondly, he's one of the best defensive players out there and that's the truth.  Amen.  You know you're good when you become injured yet you are a strong enough player that you still get drafted because your previous performances and dedication are unmatchable.  Say that! 

Now, I'm not going to act like I'm all ESPN'd out and such (like some of you - I'll refrain from naming names), but I grew up watching tons and tons of football.  I had relatives who played in high school and college and if we didn't support them, then the world just wasn't going to rotate.  Don't believe me?  Ask me why I know all that I know about Miles Austin.  He's my cousin and I have had no choice but to scream like an idiot when he's on the field.  That's how they roll in the deep south. 

So, I've learned how to appreciate good, and yes, great athletes.  As I said with my baseball clip of Mr. Kownacki, I am all about giving props where they are due.  And this man definitely deserves them. 

Musical Mood - Country Throwbacks

Oh yes, I love country music.  I am a singer/songwriter so I appreciate good writing when I hear it.  Music is an expanse of one's soul.  At least it should be.  Enjoy!

Reba McEntire - Why Haven't I Heard From You

She really is my favorite country singer.  Wait until I do my all Reba blog.

Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie

Did you hear the honky tonk piano and guitar?  Get down.  Turn around.  Go to town.  Boot scootin' boogie!

Garth Brooks - Thunder Rolls

Ominous and beautiful.

Deana Carter - Strawberry Wine

There's a live version of her singing this in 2007, but for those who may've never heard the original I decided to go this route.

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5

I went waaaaay back on this one.  Deal with it.

Trisha Yearwood - How Do I Live?

I love this version.  It makes me want to go watch ConAir right now.

That's all for today.

Death At A Funeral

I'm not going to go into a full review of this movie.  Movie reviews aren't really my strong point.  I tend to give too much away.  But, I will say this: It was actually pretty good.  Large ensemble casts of well-known and pretty-well-known (sp?  I just made that up) actors tend to lack something.  However, for a movie about a funeral the large cast really worked. 

My main reason for writing this is to laude praises onto one actor in particular - James Marsden.

The movie made me laugh, every now and then, with all of the various characters and antics.  But the movie was HILARIOUS because of James Marsden and his portrayal of his character.  The man, who has played Cyclops in the "X-Men" movies, romantic leading man in "27 Dresses", & Prince Edward in "Enchanted" is a comedic genius.  It makes no sense to be that funny and that on point every single time the camera is on you.  He was the only reason I'd watch the movie over and over again. 

You may not have planned on seeing this film, but if you get a chance, when it becomes available On Demand or in a Redbox somewhere, pay the $1 and get ready to laugh-out-loud. 

One more thing, be prepared to hear "Amazing Grace" sung in a way that you have never heard before.

So Damn Unpretty

Something that you said left me feeling so ugly.  So gross.  So repulsive.  So unattractive.  So hideous.  So grotesque.  So.  Damn.  Unpretty.

Close Call

So, the DeKalb County police just left the house and um, yeah, well no one went to jail. How can I sum this up in as few words as possible? Basically, my bff and I were play-fighting in her room. She was trying to push me off of her bed and I was trying to stay on the bed. In an attempt to get me off the bed, she said she was going to call the police. About 3 minutes later she picked up the house phone and dialed 911. As she was dialing I laughed and told her that wasn't a good idea. I guess she pressed the talk button (even though I didn't see that part) and then hung up. I told her that if she called them, they were going to call back.

Sure as day, they called back. Twice actually. Well, the second time they called, I told her to just answer the phone and tell them something like "my kids were playing with the phone" or something of that nature. She was like, "at 3 a.m.?" Good point. But saying that was better than not answering because they always show up when they get no response. I told her they were going to come to the house. And sure enough, 15 min. there was a knock on the door.

They knocked for almost 5 min., then as I was heading to the tenants room to alert them of the situation (which, before the tenants answered their room door, they turned on their room light) the doorbell rang. I told the tenants what was going on and they made a bee line to the garage. I told bff that the tenants had turned on the light (which faces the street) and she told me to go in the room and pretend that I was sleeping. So, I did. But I knew, from experience, that they weren't going to give up that easily.

They eventually wanted to see me. They asked us if there was a man in the house. Well, bff said "no" so I had to say "no" as well. I didn't know why she lied about that until the officer said, "Are you sure? Because the operator said that when she called back, a man answered the phone and said that everything was fine and there was no emergency." Oh, that's what happened. That's why they didn't believe her and didn't want to leave.

The officers, 2 females by-the-way (one in late 20s early 30s and the other early to mid-40s), finally said they would leave. I left and went to the rest room for the last 3 minutes of their visit and when I came out, bff was telling the male tenant that he shouldn't have answered the phone. He said he didn't know who it was, even though the caller ID clearly stated who it was. Gots ta be mo' careful. I'm going to bed now.

The Police Have Been Notified

So, the DeKalb County police just left the house and um, yeah, well no one went to jail.  I'm going to bed now.

Giving Props Where They Are Due

I'm not even a mild baseball fan.  The only time I've ever truly enjoyed the game is when I'm watching it live.  And even then, I usually can't do all 9 innings.  But this clip of Brian Kownacki is stupefying.  I really have to give props where props are due.

Musical Mood - Love Throwbacks (Female Edition)

You can never have too much love.  By-the-way, it wasn't my intention to separate the men and women, it just happened that way.

Stephanie Mills - I Feel Good All Over


Regina Belle - This Is Love


Anita Baker - Just Because


Shanice - Saving Forever for You

That phone was huge!

Whitney Houston - You Give Good Love (live)

I had to post this live version because the woman was just phenomenal at 22.

Okay, now I'm really done with the love songs for the night.

Musical Mood - Love Throwbacks

The last thing I posted kind of got my nerves rattled, so I'm going to try to take it down a notch.  It's all about love right here and these are some of my favorite old-school, often-forgotten, underrated (maybe overrated depending on who you ask) love songs. 

Troop - All I Do


Freddie Jackson - Nice & Slow

Michael Michelle was all over Freddie's videos.

The Deele - Two Occasions


Jodeci - Forever My Lady


After 7 - Baby I'm For Real


Trey Lorenz - Someone to Hold


Alright, that's enough love for now. 

The White House Just Got Dark

A Facebook "friend" of mine posted this up on her status message early this morning: DEAR LORD, THIS YEAR YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTOR, PATRICK SWAYZIE.  YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, FARAH FAWCETT.  YOU TOOK MY FAVORITE SINGER, MICHAEL JACKSON.  I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT IS BARACK OBAMA.  AMEN.

Are you frickin' kidding me!?  What in the name of all that is good and merciful causes someone to create something like that and what makes someone click on "Like" to something like that?  You mean to tell me that you would rather see a father, husband, son, nephew, cousin, loved one to other people dead because you don't "agree" with his command of our nation?  Did you feel that vehemently about George Bush when he was tearing up the Iraqi countryside, sending thousands of young men and women to a dusty, sandy grave, trying to make amends for the injustice he felt was done to his father?  He could tell the general public all day long that this ignorant war was started because of 9/11, but the truth of the matter was that he used that horrible event as a catalyst to seek revenge on those who'd thwarted his father a decade earlier.

They even went on to click the "Like" button for "Don't blame me, I voted for McCain".  You honestly think that John McCain would be fairing much better dealing with the slaughter of fiscal management left behind by Bush, Jr.? 

I was in such disbelief that I couldn't even formulate a clear sentence for an hour.  It physically pained me to know that after all that this country has been put through, people still see others as a skin color.  For all of Barack's education, stability, leadership abilities, transparency, willingness to admit when he's been wrong or ill-advised, many will only see him as a nigger that should've never taken office.  And if they could, they would call for a lynching on the front lawn of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. 

It's unconscionable to me that someone would wish death on someone else simply because they think that person is wrong.  I couldn't stand George Bush, Jr. but I never wanted the man to die.  I knew that even though I didn't like him, he had people who cared about him and who would miss him deeply if he were to die.  I didn't want him dead, but I certainly wanted him out of office.  And here's the thing: his race and presidential ability never tied together for me.  Why?  Well, all of the president's up to him were Caucasian.  So what did I have to base my dislike and distrust?  His actions.  Period.  I based the bad taste he left in my mouth on his actions.  Nothing more, nothing less.  That's how I look at any former president - ultimately, what did they do for the United States of America?  That's the main question I work from. 

But now that we have an African-American president in office, white people are ready to over-turn Abe Lincoln's proclamation and ship us all out to the cotton fields. 

God, my heart hurts just knowing that.

Blogging Tonight

I know that I haven't written in a few days and I'm sorry about that.  I told myself that when I started this blog, I'd be consistent.  Tonight, I'm in a blogging kind of mood.  There are a lot of things on my mind and for the time being, this is the best forum to let it all hang out.  Bear with me as I get into a posting frenzy.  Gotta love it.

Wanna Be Happy

There are so many things in life that I really, truly, in my heart-of-hearts want.  But the one thing that stands high above the rest is the desire to be happy.  Not for a few hours or for a few days, but for a lifetime.  I know that rainy days are going to come.  I appreciate the rain, for without it, the flowers cannot grow.  But I don't want a life filled with torential rains.  I want to know that when they lay me in the ground, I had more happiness than I knew what to do with - my happiness was infectious.  Dear God, how do I get to that place?  How do I obtain infectious happiness?  I'm asking because I truly want to know the answer.  Can you help me find the way?

I Write, Therefore I Am

I'm about to write something.  Yes, I realize that I am currently writing now, but that's not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about one of my projects.  I'm about to get on top of the ball and write for dear life.  I've done a bit of researching and I've found some interesting tidbits and motivation.  So, I'm all geared up to write even more.  I'm just praying that my wrist will hold up over the next few days.  Since I'm half way done with one project I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of next week.  I would say this weekend, but I don't want to psych myself out.  I'm pretty good at doing things like that.  Well, I'm out.  Happy writing!

Some of My Favorite Comedy Shows Right Now

If you don't know, you may wanna ask somebody.

One of My Favorite Funny Guys

Alec Baldwin is a comedic genius.  I know that he's not a comedian per se, but the man has comedic timing that rivals that of some of the biggest comics out today.  What's amazing is that he didn't start off in comedy roles.  He was the dark, deep, heartthrob.  But as he's gotten older, he's learned how to play on his dry wit and underrated comedic chops.  He's fricking awesome.  Don't believe me?  Watch him on 30 Rock or check him out in Fun With Dick and Jane.  Even in the horribly done Cat in the Hat, he's worth paying attention to.  I love this man!

In A Musical Mode

Think Of You

It's 2:19 in the morning and all I can do is think of you.  I've taken my sleeping pills and I'm so tired, but the thoughts of you outweigh my desire to go to sleep.  You have no idea how much this unnerves me.  By-the-way, this isn't about love, I just liked that picture and wanted to use it.  Now, I must post the accompanying song.

My Fascination with The Sims 3

I'll admit it.  I have a problem.  I love the Sims franchise.  From the original to the next installment (The Sims Aspirations) I've been the biggest fan.  The game isn't for those who require blood and sport and things of that nature.  It's for control freaks, like myself.  I think the biggest allure for me is that because I rarely have control over the things that happen in my day-to-day life, I can control any and everything that my created characters do.  When it first came out, people were saying that some players were getting a god-complex.  They were living vicariously through their Sims.  Not me, I know the difference between fantasy and reality.  I just like living in fantasyland every now and then.

I Just Threw Up In My Mouth A Little Bit

It is 3:25 in the morning and I am seriously sick to my stomach.  Why?  Because I just heard my bff's tenants having sex and I am completely overcome with pain.  I can actually still hear them through the wall and a nice picture does not it make.  If you knew what they looked like, you would be in the throws of shear terror right now like I am.  Let me turn on my music because the white noise from the fan is not getting the job done.