Aw! Well, idn't that just sweet uh yuh!?

Mike's story was listed in the top 10 most read stories on NYtimes.com.

And I don't know how I feel about it. I am once moved by the story of rags to better life for a young, poor homeless teenager. It is 2006 and people still love the stories of how some benevolent white family saved some young black boy. The story makes him sound like a strong steed that needed to be tamed.

As my grandfather would say, "Ain't that mighty white of them?"

I'll let the commentary from y'all suffice for the rest of what I could say.

...when they leave, I be dancing again!

"Damn! That was so good, I wanna buy him a short set."


I'm not particularly a fan of 'Yonce. To me she often looks and acts like Bambi caught in the headlights of a semi. I wonder if her wide-eyed simpleness, is the creation of those who advise her, or if she really is that simple-minded. The words on her current record indicate, in actuality, it is probably a bit of both country girl and simpleness--mixed in with a little Jay-Z humor. If you put a 'Yonce song and expect me to be impressed...it generally won't happen.

But I have to admit, that B-day joint knocks in the replacement

And I find my self nodding my head... and shaking it all at the same time everytime I listen to it. Why the head shaking? 'Cause not only does some of the shit lack grammatical sense, some of her lines might as well undo the women's sufferage movement.

Her is a classic line from Upgrade You:

"I can do for you, what Martin did for the people. Men run the show, but women set the tempo."

What exactly does the first part mean? What exactly is it that Ms. 'Yonce thinks she can do that is comparable to what Martin Luther King or Martin Luther (she probably don't know nothing 'bout the later) did for the people? And the second part...well, that shit is debatable just on GP.

Oh and then there is the best line ever from Freakum' Dress (the title that is a whole different story). How you gon' write a song that basically says you going out 'cause your man is acting a fool but later state "Such an attraction, how my dress fits so nice. Little does he know, my man gonna take it off tonight." What da'???

This musically high-minded child of a jazz guitarist and proud member of the original "new school" hip-hop generation will have to let this be her guilty pleasure.

First days are the worst days

School started this past Tuesday. Last year, this time, I was so excited.After years, of wondering if and when I would go back, I got into school--with a fellowship. And though I was foolish enough to think I could take a full load and commute from DC to continue my part-time consulting gig, just the mere fact I was finally going, was so exciting.

This year? I'm like when is this crap over.

Second year of this program is supposed to get easier. But as usual, I have loaded up my plate and am trying to balance it on my lap while someone passes me the kool-aid. Some things, I thought would be easy and breezy my neezy. No. Last year my lab fellowship didn't do much. This year, it has curriculum and a real estate consulting project on the agenda. Last year, I avoided quantitative classes. This year, I have three-Quantitative Methods, Public Finance, and Real Estate Finance.

But that'sit right? Naw such a thang Miss Millie. On top of the quantitative classes and the finance lab work, I'm taking a practicum class that requires the development of a business plan for a social entreprenueur who has a product "concept" and marketng plan...but no actual product. Oh, and then there is the pressure of finding a gig, before all those annoying "I'm so fab" top 25 MBA's take to waxing that tail of anyone who wants to do finance and isn't in their club.

I need a nap.

Thank God, my time management skills have improved greatly. So at least I'll be able to catch a football game or two.

Creme de la Buffoonery

It seems like the current state of popular hip-hop/urban/black culture is going backwards. Not that we don't know or see that. But, its worth saying that it seems it pays more and more homage to the Amos and Andy days. But back then, folks were just happy for the opportunity to sing/dance/act and make money. Now, though this may indirectly be the same case today, truthfully it seems like the overarching attitude is actually, "If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense." --no matter what kind of trash it is.

And honey, some of the Wayans chirren sho' do know how to shuck and jive. White Chicks, Little Man (or whatever that crap was called), and now...

Thugaboo

Billed as kid-friendly hip-hop. You know what?

Speechless.

Meet me at the Funny Farm

These muuufuuuca's stole my radio. They broke in my car, right under my bedroom window, ripped out the stereo, the center console, and broke the covering on the steering columun.

Just that fast.

Oh, and they had enough leisure time to steal every single CD--both cases which were hidden under the seats and the empty jewels in the glove compartment. I feel violated and for the first time ever,since living in NYC or the surrounding areas, I feel unsafe.

I'm not new to city living. I know that Jersey is the car thief capital of the country. Its not like I left the face of my radio in plain sight. I put it in th glove compartment and locked it. I parked the car in my driveway, and even though I am absent minded, I managed to remember to lock the doors. For goodness sake, the driveway is underneath my bedroom window! I feel like someone is watching me and knows my every move.

I haven't even been back for a complete 72 hours. And now, I really want to go home.