M-Theory

Just Because My President Is Black...

2009-07-01T19:31:00.004-04:00

...doesn't mean racism is dead, and definitely doesn't mean you can name your company this.

All props to Nah Right for the link, and to Rap Radar for being so quick to get Jay-Z and Beyonce's response.

The Revolution Will Be Analyzed

2009-06-18T00:46:00.004-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Reza Aslan on The Rachel Maddow Show. In addition to being one of my favorite authors, Aslan has been one of the most illuminating voices when it comes to the events surrounding the Iranian Election. Even for those possessing no prior knowledge with regard to the intricacies and nuance of Iranian politics, it's at 'must watch' status.

Related: Reza Aslan in a panel discussion on the Iranian Election on Fareed Zakaria GPS (6-14). [Sidebar: 'Fareed Zakaria GPS' is the ONLY thing I co-sign on CNN. *shots fired*]

Part I:

Part II:

The Multi Faceted Pau Gasol Pour Deux

2009-05-13T22:58:00.017-04:00

"Pour Deux". That's just Spanish for "sequel".

Collected over the span of approximately 1 minute of game time, this magnificent mosaic of metamorphosis should put to rest all questions regarding Monsieur Gasol's thespian dexterity.

Pau Gasol: Philosopher

Pau Gasol: Porn Star

Pau Gasol: Skeptical Star Gazer

Pau Gasol: Neanderthal

Pau Gasol finds your lack of faith disturbing.

Pau Gasol: _______[Insert Caption Here]

Pau Gasol: Dog Whisperer

[Sidebar:] Anyone whose first name is an onomatopoeia immediately gains my respect/interest/laughter/~~first born child~~. (PAU!)

The potential for pose No. 6 was so vast that we alone could not decipher its meaning. Consider this your invitation to interpret the avant-garde being that is Pau Gasol.

And yes, this is what Zoop and I use the TiVo to replay over and over and over again. The man is just a savant.

I Know Lex Luthor, The Real Lex Luthor

2009-05-13T22:48:00.000-04:00

The uncanny resemblance between Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi and Superman's arch nemesis makes me chuckle. Sitting atop $9.4 Billion in loose change, having engaged in numerous (alleged) extra-marital affairs, and considering the fact that his trials have their own Wikipedia page, Berlusconi's résumé for super villain-hood is strong. Oh, and he runs a European nation.

He arrives on the M-Theory radar this week as a result of his recent display of testicular fortitude. If you were an Italian Prime Minister (and who's to say you're not?) and your wife recently announced that she would be divorcing you (after fresh allegations of unfaithfulness), you might sit down and get your house in order, if only to avoid the political ramifications a public divorce trial might have on your re-election chances. Add to that the fact that you didn't sign a prenup, (putting you on the line for a potential $4.7 Billion settlement *dead*) you might decide to break your wife off with a Kobe diamond (See: No. 2), in exchange for public silence and a smile.

Not Silvio Berlusconi. In a deft example of PR jujitsu, he instead demanded that his wife apologize TO HIM saying, "Veronica will have to publicly apologize to me. And I don't know if that will be enough". *jaw on ground*. So Silvio, (can I call you Silvio? Good.) you perform the smash and dash, allow it to leak to the press, and then demand your wife apologize? How do you walk straight with coglione's that huge? With the outcome of this Italian drama still to be decided, M-Theory is your destination for all things Lex Luthor.

I'll just say this-- Europeans know how to have sex scandals, unlike us Puritans across the pond.

Timberlake x Samberg Strikes Again [Video]

2009-05-11T16:41:00.008-04:00

"We're so cool and thoughtful..." = *dead xOne Hundred Thousand Trillion*

Both of these videos are continuations of classic SNL skits Mr. Timberlake has done. See below for part 1's of each.

Oh, and in case you didn't know it already-- Justin Timberlake is more talented than you.

The Multi-faceted Pau Gasol.

2009-05-07T22:52:00.007-04:00

None of these things is not like the other.

Snapshot of the Day

2009-04-22T17:02:00.004-04:00

Taken on a collegiate campus north of the Mason-Dixon. And you can't really see it, but at the bottom of the whiteboard is something in braille. I'll use context clues to conclude that it's the same request. This individual's preemptive denial game is at an all time high right now. Jehovah's Witnesses, your move.

Argue 吗？

2009-04-20T23:11:00.001-04:00

"There was a feller here once by the name of Jim Smiley, ... he was the curiosest man about always betting on any thing that turned up you ever see, if he could get any body to bet on the other side; and if he couldn't, he'd change sides. Any way that suited the other man would suit him any way just so's he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out winner. He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldn't be no solittry thing mentioned but that feller'd offer to bet on it, and -take any side you please" -MARK TWAIN

At times I feel like Jim Smiley, but not when it comes to betting, but arguing.
So, for your reading enjoyment (and self improvement) I have put together a few pointers and tips.

1) LISTEN to the other side of the argument. You can't argue properly if you donn't. You have the same agenda as the other person: to win the argument. Don't get caught up in your agenda, try to break down their argument as well as push your agenda, they go hand in hand. If you catch them doing this (not listening (which is pretty easy once it starts to get heated,)) call them out on it.
"You aren't even listening, you're just waiting for your turn to talk"
It usually catches them so off guard that they lose the argument.

2) Don't stray into arguments about other things. This is a very clever move, and not always intentional. Stay with the argument at hand! If you are arguing about subject A you will lose when you get to argument D. And it's not sudden either, it usually goes like this: arguing about A... then AB gets brought into it... then it's arguing about B and for maybe a second about BA, but then it goes to BC and so forth. Until you can't remember what the argument was about. Don't do it. You will lose.

3) Don't get emotional.
i.e. angry, sad, happy, insulin dependent, annoyed, etc...

4) Find holes in their logic when they get emotional.

5) Discredit their side of the argument.

6) Never call names. Unless they're being a baby about everything.

When you think you're going to lose, tell them:

Only the dark side deals in absolutes!

That's all I have to say about that.

The Coolest

2009-04-07T19:22:00.003-04:00

Information FAIL.

Lupe sat down with the legendary Cornel West for an interview, down the street in Grand Rapids last week. How am I not notified of gatherings on this order of magnitude?

Haven't listened to it yet, but I can recommend it simply off the strength of the participants involved.

You can stream or download here.

Favourite Underrated

2009-03-29T19:52:00.005-04:00

Hypothetical Action Hero Showdown

Bruce Lee v. Iron Man. ~~But only because somebody made a video.~~ In a close second, I'd have to go with Ozymandias v. Batman. And I'd say Ozymandias over the Knighted One in the end, but only because Bubastis could eat Robin.

[Sidebar:] Silver Surfer > Your favourite superhero.

Lifted from my new favorite blog, Disgrasian.

Definitely in my 'Top 5 Dead or Alive Asian Commentary Blogs'.

Where The Wild Things Are [Trailer]

2009-03-27T11:11:00.003-04:00

80's babies stand up.

One of my favorite books growing up, directed by Spike Jonze? It's hard to overstate my level of excitement at present.

From MTV's Movies Blog: "Following reports that the movie was too intense for children, [it's] being re-edited and re-shot..."

If that's true, they better break the masses off with a true Director's Cut when DVD time comes around.

Releases 10/16. Until that time, you may only refer to me as Max.

Kick Knowledge

2009-03-26T11:11:00.000-04:00

I just feel like the current economic cataclysm is a prime example of when a lack of knowledge regarding events around you leads to the forfeiting of your right to have a say in the conversation, much less your right to do anything about it. Ignorance makes you the slave of the knowledgeable. Break the chains.

"We played against each other like puppets, swearin' you got pull
when the only pull you got is the wool over your eyes..." -Talib Kweli

Check this article from the current issue of Rolling Stone. By far the most concise and easy to understand explanation of what's happening with the economy/bailout. Instead of reading that article about Chris Brown's new line of boxing gloves, or Rihanna's new line of bruise cover up, scan something that'll temporarily unplug you from the Matrix. I promise it'll still be there when you're done reading.

And as long as we're illuminating great political commentary, check the latest podcast from M-Theory affiliate (and by "affiliate" we mean "entity that influences and is in no way really associated with M-Theory") and fellow Martian, Dan Carlin. With so much fecal matter spewing forth from the mouths of the mainstream media, Common Sense With Dan Carlin is a wellspring of well, common sense. His current installment is entitled "Of Torches and Pitchforks" and speaks to the current outbreak of populism following the AIG debacle. In this Matrix analogy, Dan Carlin would be Morpheus. By listening, you'll even learn Kung Fu*.

*That may be incorrect.

NOTE: Just click where it says "Show 148- Of Torches and Pitchforks" in order to listen to an audio stream of the episode, without having to download anything. Conversely, you can download the episode on Itunes.

Ominous Development: Stop Breathing

2009-03-24T11:11:00.002-04:00

Real gangsters boycott Oxygen-Nitrogen alliances.

Some news from the IHT:

"In the first known case of what may be transmission of the Ebola virus from a pig to a human, a pig handler in the Philippines has tested positive for a strain of the virus, world health officials and the Philippine government announced Friday."

Ebola Fact: "It has a case-fatality rate ranging from 50–89%, depending on viral subtype."

The Good News: "Due to the high fatality rate, the rapidity of demise, and the often remote areas where infections occur, the potential for widespread epidemic outbreaks is considered low."

Please continue IHT:

"The development is worrying because pigs are mixing vessels in which other viruses from humans and animals exchange genetic material, possibly creating strains that are more lethal or more infectious."

The Bad News: "The cause of death is usually due to hypovolemic shock or organ failure."

Any thoughts IHT?:

"By contrast, the Zaire, Sudan and Bundibugyo strains of Ebola, all found in African apes, cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans."

Ah.

The Badder News: "Ebola is potentially lethal, and, since no approved vaccine or treatment is available, it is classified as a biosafety level 4 agent, as well as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has the potential to be weaponized for use in biological warfare."

So why should you abstain from air based on Oxygen-Nitrogen collusion?: "Only the strain known as Ebola Reston (after the city of Reston, Virginia where it was first identified in Green Monkeys) is believed to be airborne."

Oh I forgot to ask IHT, what strain was found in the Philippines?:

"Ebola Reston, normally a monkey virus, was first found in pigs last year in the Philippines."

Ayo Zoop, when can we move to Mars?

All facts not in italics from Wikipedia.

Ominous Development: On Some Snake Ish

2009-03-21T15:39:00.003-04:00

No AIG.

Your mans and 'em at the Daily Show drop knowledge on the impending Apocalypse:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Florida Pythons on the Loose

comedycentral.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor

Response from South Florida's Finest:

"Come on South Floridians, I know you’ve got military-grade caches of illegal weaponry stashed all over the place. It’s time to break out those goodies and take up arms against our reptilian oppressors".

Get it-- cuz psychopathic gun owners.

Get Brolic!

2009-03-19T22:32:00.003-04:00

Science & Technology news makes me giddy.

Nanotube-Aerogel Muscle.

While they say this won't be primarily developed for artificial limbs, best believe that somebody in the military will push the R&D in that direction. As somebody whose had four broken ankles, and in the immortal words of Tupac, "I ain't mad at 'em".

Oh, and if this is your first time hearing about Nanotubes-- get familiar. They WILL revolutionize the world.

Pic swiped from here.

Music Briefs

2009-03-18T17:49:00.002-04:00

No Calvin Klein. Just a couple of joints I felt warranted exclusion. Although, truth be told, I could do one of these damn near everyday. But alas, I stay on chill.

Consequence feat. Kid Cudi- "Buggin' Out '09"

Just Blaze Snippets featuring Mos Def, Jay Electronica. Yo, Mos has got some spit in these, and #4 sounds like part of verse 3 to "Exhibit A (Transformations)".

Jay Electronica= the evolution of Nas

Jacked from Nah Right and Rap Radar.

Ethereal Material V1.4

2009-03-04T01:26:00.005-05:00

Ethereal Material V1.4

You know what time it is. That Ether was on a brief hiatus, however is back for your fiending pleasure.Enjoy.

*NOTE: No.8 takes a bit to build, but is probably my favorite joint on the list. Let that sh!t breathe right quick.

**NOTE: No. 9 is really called "Najee's Theme".

UPDATE: No.11 for some reason only comes up as a 30 clip.

Argentinian of the Week (1.3.09)

2009-03-02T11:11:00.001-05:00

You get three guesses as to who this unabashedly bearded fellow is.

1. ~~Karl Marx~~
2. ~~Pancho Villa~~
3. ~~Greg Popovich~~

I'm afraid that's three strikes, and quite frankly I'm a bit baffled by your second pick. But alas, the fellow with the phenomenal follicular fortitude before you is none other than super-producer Rick Rubin. Yes, your favourite producer's favourite producer, Mr. Rubin is responsible for albums from such diverse luminaries as Run DMC, Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, U2, Metallica, The Dixie Chicks, Shakira and The Mars Volta. Owner of 10 Grammy Awards, Rubin could be euphemistically described as having the "Golden Touch", however cannot ACTUALLY be described as having said touch, for the ability was trademarked by one King Midas (the man was ahead of his time). While Comrade Rubin is a perpetual front runner for Argentinian of the Week, he wins this week in light of the revelation that he will be contributing a not insignificant amount to the Clipse forthcoming album 'Til The Casket Drops. We here at M-Theory cannot think of a better way to spend one's time.

And now for the inscrutably scientific phenomenon that is the S.H.A.T. ranking system (The Systematic Honoring of Argentinian Transcendence):

Facial Hair: 11/10 (If Buddha and/or Prince had a beard, it would look like that.)

[Sidebar:] Have you ever seen The Buddha and Prince in the same place at the same time? So we're in agreement that Prince is in all likelihood The Buddha, or that Siddhārtha Gautama was in fact responsible for the 1984 hit "When Doves Cry"? Thought so.[Close Sidebar]

Revolution: 9.5/10 (While he is one of the God Fathers of Hip-Hop and has reinvented the careers of countless artists, he was in fact NOT the first person in history to grow a beard, for which points must be taken off. Hey-- I don't make the rules, I just follow 'em.)

Points In The Clutch: 10/10 (While summering in Jakarta in 2002, Rubin once disarmed 3 bombs in the span of a single afternoon, just to prove to a friend that turkey sandwiches did not dull his mental acuity in the least.)

Miscellaneous: 8/Infinity (He receives an 8 for the number of times he has spoken in front of British Parliament. That may be inaccurate.)

Overall: 38.5/40

*No Karl Marx-es were harmed in the writing of this post.

Water on Mars?

2009-03-01T20:27:00.002-05:00

You need to keep up with your science news...
My main man, Dr Kaku has some wisdom for you. Respect!

Got That Making Of A Legend Feel

2009-02-28T11:11:00.002-05:00

So over and above all, I'm tryna introduce the people to that good music. This is that: So Far Gone, the latest mixtape/album from Toronto MC/Vocalist Drake. An affiliate of Lil Wayne's Young Money records, he's got spit worthy of that co-sign and has composed/written R&B for the likes of Lloyd, Omarion and Trey Songz. (All three of which appear on So Far Gone). Drake himself sings on the tape and is certified by the taste makers that are the M-Theory staff.

While it's technically a mixtape as it contains a couple high profile beats off of other dudes' albums (Ignorant Sh!t, Say What's Real, November 18th)and it's available for free download, it's constructed, flows and is the quality of, an album. I recently commented to Zoop that this was my album of the year pick, an audacious claim considering it's February, and the fact that the potential lineup for the year includes Dr. Dre, Eminem, Raekwon the Chef, Jay-Z, and the Clipse. So in light of that fact, I might have to reserve judgment at most.

Deftly balancing between singing and rhyming over minimalist beats, yet always maintaining a melodic undercurrent, So Far Gone meets my admittedly unreasonable standard for a Classic album. Namely, that you can throw it on and not hit [>>] once. In this era of landfill rap and R&B (it's all filler), So Far Gone stands out as quality not to be ignored.

For more info on Drake, here's a couple interviews he did with Complex and Eighty81.

So here's a stream of the entire joint, if I get enough interest in it I'll post a download link. Enjoy.

NOTE: No.9 doesn't have Mickey Factz on it for those familiar with that remix. This has another Drake verse instead.

So Far Gone

Favourite Underrated:

2009-02-26T22:11:00.003-05:00

Favourite Underrated thing to give up for Lent:
Listening to other people when they talk.

Favourite Underrated

2009-02-24T21:16:00.006-05:00

...Impression

Jimmy Fallon doing Adam Sandler

It's spot on.

The others in the clip do pretty well also.

Runner up.

Frank. doing Whoever.

(sorry if this was yours)

In related content:

Worst Adam Sandler impression.

What are yours?

(Link, Audio, or Video required)

Ummm... Hip-Hop may not want you.

2009-02-16T01:13:00.004-05:00

Another one of Hollywood's greats gone bad.

Who knows what is going through Juaquin Pheonix's head. I'm willing to bet that he doesn't even know.

This past week he appeared on Letterman with a slick suite, matted hair and a full beard. One would think this would be a great interview with an explanation for his new look. Instead, all he was able to conjure up was a few mumbled phrases and some nappy gum. The interview is hilarious but at the same time keeps a person wondering. "Is he for real?" Apparently so. During the interview he confirmed that he will be leaving the acting scene and replacing it with a hip-hop album. Wow. Really? One thing that was barely understood was when he asked if he could come back to Letterman to play his music. Dave's answer: No.

Ummmm....

I don't think he was joking.

J.P. responded with a stab at the caliber of singers they have had on the show in the past.

I guess Letterman has already had the hip-hop/reggae Amish guy on before. J.P. - someone has already done that.

LOL

2009-02-15T10:24:00.003-05:00


ROFL:ROFL:LOL:ROFL:ROFL
           |
  L   /---------
 LOL===       []\
  L    \         \
        \_________\
          |     |
       -------------/

I am subscribed to 'Urban Dictionary Word of the Day' and usually they are terrible, and I delete them immediately. The WotD for today, however, was awesome. Please take a moment to learn more about LOL Theory.

See You In My Nightmares

2009-02-14T11:11:00.000-05:00

This darkly entrancing pictorial deserves its own post. I feel like Wayne's tryna sneak up on M.I.A. and eat her fetus. [Sidebar:] Just writing that sentence made me feel 太 uncomfortable 了. [Insidebar:]The structure "太adjective了"(pronounced tai adjective le) in Chinese means "EXTREMELY adjective" [Close Insidebar] [Close Sidebar] Except he doesn't realize PEOPLE CAN SEE HIM. Or maybe he does. (Not sure which idea is more disturbing.)

I wonder if Wayne is really one of those monkeys (No Kipling) from the movie Princess Mononoke, who believe if you eat a human you can gain their strength and power. In which case if he ate a fetus, which we can all agree is a super condensed version of a human, it would be extra potent and grant him powers comparable to that of a medieval wizard. That's just logic.

(Uncomfortable yet?)

Best caption for this picture wins... my admiration. Which coincidentally enough is used as currency in Zimbabwe.

Favourite Underrated

2009-02-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

Favourite Underrated Grain: Barley

File Under: Want

2009-02-12T12:42:00.006-05:00

Please, for my birthday, will you buy me a shirt like the one above? Pretty please?

I just purchased this album from Amazon for 1 penny. I am happy with the purchase.

So what if I bought the Hello Kitty Plush?

P.S. Please familiarize yourself with Brandon Bird

Favourite Underrated

2009-02-11T17:10:00.007-05:00

Favourite Underrated Coat:

The Puffy Starter coat from the 90's.
I had one. You had one. Where did they go?

What's yours?

Thing You Won't Be Purchasing On Amazon This Week:

2009-01-29T11:11:00.001-05:00

ESL (English As A Second Language) Lessons Presented by Lil' Wayne.

Description: While his southern drawl and disdain for annunciation are barriers enough to learning English through the Wayne-ian system, I fear once an unsuspecting student has penetrated this cocoon of linguistic insolubility, the contents on the other side would be a detriment to his/her ability to command proper spelling and/or the rules of logic. Possessing such cognitively disabling lyrics as "Put my picture next to the definition of 'definition' because repetition is the father of learnin'" "My car's got no backseat-- call that paralyzed" and "Weezy F. Baby and the 'F' is for phenomenal", disciples of Wayne-ian thought are sure to disarm even the most seasoned and quick-witted English instructors. Non-native English speakers are sure to be further perplexed by Wayne-ian Thought's constant use of double entendres ("Let me stick my love boat in your lake, let me stick my love note in your gate"), misuse of metaphors ("We up, feet up, like a paraplegic!") and descents into Circulo-Swagtastic debauchery ("I'm the sh!t-- and that's the only thing you smell around me").

In describing the philosophy behind his stupor inducing logic progressions, the self proclaimed Martian espoused "Perfect example: If I was a bum and I told you I had a mansion around the corner and three Bentleys and twenty-eight bitches in my house butt naked waiting for me, you wouldn’t believe me. I’d say 'you stink', say 'Get out my face', give him $100, and say 'Get the fuck'. But if there was a book that said, there was this bum with a mansion with twenty bitches in it, you’ll try to use it and put it toward real life. That’s why I don’t write nothing down. That’s why I don’t believe the Bible, nothing that’s written, because nothing that’s written is to be believed". Words of wisdom, to be sure. [Full interview here.]

Not only will "ESL: Presented by Lil' Wayne Vol. I" NOT be available for $29.95 via Amazon.com, neither will the complementary children set "Using Your Indoor Voice: Presented by Lil' Jon", nor the equally instructive "Feminist Evolution in the 21st Century: Presented by A Pimp Named Slickback". And as for anyone wishing these horrific series' actually existed-- for shame [Insert Your Name Here_____], for shame.

Photo originally seen on Nah Right.

Is There A Window Open?

2009-01-27T18:18:00.003-05:00

Or is Zeus just having a bit of a coughing spell? Either way I feel a breath of fresh air.

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Year of the Ox

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-25T11:11:00.000-05:00

Favourite Underrated term for a woman:

Wench

Example:
Ronald: Hey, Harold, would you like to join Leonard and I on the greens tomorrow?
Harold: But of course! However, if the Wench asks, we are playing a gruelling game of chess.

Let's try to not get out of hand on this one.... xD

Poll

2009-01-24T22:13:00.003-05:00

I would rather not put my life into your hands, but I trust you.

I recieved music lessons as a gift, and all I have to do is go and sign up. My dilemma is this; for what should I take lessons?

Banjo

or

Ukulele

I learned how to play uke (@ 5) years ago from a friend who was from Samoa, and since I have been self taught.
I inhereted a banjo from my late grandfather years ago, and have no clue how to play.

So, should I further my uke prowess or should I be more eclectic in what I can play?

We Can Make It Better

2009-01-22T18:10:00.003-05:00

Yes we can.

I shouldn't have to explain the significance of this.

[Sidebar:] That desk is hot fire. I'm tryna cop one. [Close Sidebar]

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-21T19:33:00.002-05:00

Mathematical Variable

Mine is Theta (θ). It looks like a zero but it's not.
If we want to get technical it really means nine.

Whats yours?

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-21T11:11:00.000-05:00

Loony Tunes character.

I gotta go with Marvin the Martian. He had some dope laser beams, and he was the inspiration for Tha Carter III. Bong, Bong.

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-20T11:11:00.003-05:00

Favourite Underrated Term For Muscles:

Potatoes

Example:
Deedee: Hey, can you come lift this box for me? My potatoes aren't big enough.
Me: Yeah, these are idaho spuds, I'll get it.

Alright already.... let me have 'em.

Ethereal Material V1.3

2009-01-20T00:21:00.003-05:00

Inauguration Edition. Selections inspired by the momentous occasion. Only 10 in the cut, because the one below wasn't available on playlist.com:

Joy Denalane feat. Lupe Fiasco - Change

NOTE: 'Black Republican' is on there because the instrumental should be Obama's theme music, which plays anytime he enters a room/event/planet.

Hit the pop-out player if you can't get all the songs.

Dr. MLK Jr.

2009-01-19T11:11:00.007-05:00

A Collaborative Post is Going Down. This is a ~~Missy Elliot~~ M-Theory Exclusive.

So, a small intro is necessary. The pictures are courtesy of LIFE (obviously). You can browse their archives via Google. It's amazing, I couldn't believe it when I found colour photos of Dr. King! The main Part of this post was written by Vexed, I asked him to write a few thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. day. Anything Bold-Italic is me inserting my opinion (wise and otherwise (mostly otherwise)).
-Zoop

Wiping the sleep out my eyes this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I just feel I need to address a couple of misappropriations and misnomers running rampant in popular thought today.

1. Barack Obama is NOWHERE NEAR as fine an orator as MLK. Period. Amen!

I understand that vague comparisons and categories are what's hot in the streets because they don't require you to think, but let's not get carried away. Obama's style of oration owes much to Dr. King, but doesn't come close in scope or substance (Sun > lightbulb). We've become too used to having George W. Bush (possessing the rhetorical skills of ~~Foghorn Leghorn~~ Porky Pig) as president, who makes everybody else sound like Winston Churchill. This is not to detract from Pres. Obama's abilities as a speaker, but as ODB might've said "MLK is the father of his whole style". I stood 50 feet away from President Obama whilst he was speaking and there's no question that it was moving. But let that be enough. Go listen to "I Have A Dream" one more time and realize that MLK was in another league. Please? I mean, most people are only familiar with that one piece of work (if any), I beg you to read/listen to something else by him. "What else should I familiarize myself with?" You might ask. Anything. Anything else, and you would understand how well he strung words together.

2. Contrary to what you may have heard approximately 17,000 times between election night and today, when Dr. King said "I've seen the Promised Land", he wasn't referring to today.

Just because we've got a black president, all of a sudden everything's all good? Too often, I fear the collective mentality of white people (gross over generalizations aside) is "Alright black people. You managed to win the presidency. I don't want to hear about racism any more. It's dead". Tell that to the families of Sean Bell or Oscar Grant. As long as black people disproportionately fill our prisons, ghettos and morgues, this can't be the Promised Land.

3. Really, when I think about Martin Luther King Jr. it just heightens my awareness of the vacuum of leadership present in today's world. Most of the problems created over the past 30 years, and the solutions we need today can be attributed to this gaping hole where revolutionary thought should be. I hold out hope that Obama can fill this void, but I fear that America's stagnation (mental and physical) will smother any attempt at change. Maybe Obama can pull Excalibur from the stone where MLK left it when he died, but in my mind there will only be one King.

Let The Hilarity Ensue

2009-01-18T11:53:00.002-05:00

And I thought the last one was funny.

This is in my Top 10 Dead or Alive commercials of 2009. Take that ESPN.

Ethereal Material V1.2

2009-01-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

You already know. The Rainy Day Edition

Weather

2009-01-10T20:42:00.010-05:00

At times I feel like the weather makes me crazy. (Holler if ya hear me!)
However it's not really the weather directly, rather, the weather vicariously through other people.

Favourite Underrated Rant:
Weather is Weather.
When people complain about the weather and how crazy it is where they reside, it drives me crazy. I always end up saying things like: oh. You don't say. The weather changed? Imagine that. Yeah that IS weird.
And then they feel validated, like they just made a good point. I reckon a point was made: weather is unpredictable. I would venture to say that weather and unpredictability are synonymous.

[Begin Sidebar]
If I were a running-back in the NFL, I would want "The Weather" to be my alias.
I can hear sports center now:
Today on the field Reggie "the Weather" Bush was partly cloudy with a 20% chance of precipitation (or is that participation? no, that's not right) as Bart Starr drops back to make a pass. The defense had all the receivers covered and it seemed that the sun was peaking out from behind the clouds but then out of "nowhere" (AKA The Gulf of Mexico) Reggie "the Weather" Bush took a hand-off and blew through the defense like ~~Katrina~~ the biggest hurrricane since 2005. As he hit the end-zone he pulled a wad of money out of his pocket, comparable in size to that of a baguette, or a croissant, and proceeded to make it rain.
[End Sidebar]

But if ever I point this out, I get the response of:
"no, zoop. you don't understand. the weather in Lansing/Utah/Tennessee/mars is extra weird."
then comes the story:
"the other day I was walking to my car and all of the sudden it started raining! and then like five minutes later it stopped!"
or I get this one:
"just last week it was _________ [insert weather condition] and then today it's _________ [insert same/diff. weather condition]"
I usually reply with the same ole, "oh. You don't say. The weather changed? Imagine that. Yeah that IS weird."
Anyways, alls I'm tryna say is that weather is gonna change. Aint noway nohow your'n gwanna change it.
It's a waste of time. I am trying to be more like Samuel Clemens and instead of hating the weather (or my inability to control it) I strive to find the silver lining. (As I always say: age before beauty.)

The following speech is optional part of this post, continue reading if you want, or not (mutually exclusive.)

SPEECH OF MR. SAMUEL L. CLEMENS.

The Oldest Inhabitant—The Weather—

Who hath lost and doth forget it?

Who hath it still and doth regret it?

“Interpose betwixt us Twain.”

—Merchant of Venice.

I reverently believe that the Maker who made us all, makes everything in New-England but the weather. I don’t know who makes that, but I think it must be raw apprentices in the Weather Clerk’s factory, who experiment and learn how in New-England, for board and clothes, and then are promoted to make weather for countries that require a good article and will take their custom elsewhere if they don’t get it. [Laughter.] There is a sumptuous variety about the New-England weather that compels the stranger’s admiration—and regret. [Laughter.] The weather is always doing something there; always attending strictly to business; always getting up new designs and trying them on the people to see how they will go. [Laughter.] But it gets through more business in Spring than in any other season. In the Spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours. [Laughter.] It was I that made the fame and fortune of that man that had that marvelous collection of weather on exhibition at the Centennial that so astounded the foreigners. He was going to travel all over the world and get specimens from all the climes. I said, “Don’t you do it; you come to New-England on a favorable Spring day.” I told him what we could do, in the way of style, variety, and quantity. [Laughter.] Well, he came, and he made his collection in four days. As to variety; why, he confessed that he got hundreds of kinds of weather that he had never heard of before. And as to quantity; well, after he had picked out and discarded all that was blemished in any way, he not only had weather enough, but weather to spare; weather to hire out; weather to sell; to deposit; weather to invest; weather to give to the poor. [Laughter and applause.] The people of New-England are by nature patient and forbearing; but there are some things which they will not stand. Every year they kill a lot of poets for writing about “Beautiful Spring.”1 [Laughter.] These are generally casual visitors, who bring their notions of Spring from somewhere else, and cannot, of course, know how the natives feel about Spring. And so, the first thing they know, the opportunity to inquire how they feel has permanently gone by. [Laughter.]

Old Probabilities has a mighty reputation for accurate prophecy, and thoroughly well deserves it. You take up the papers and observe how crisply and confidently he checks off what to-day’s weather is going to be on the Pacific, down South, in the Middle States, in the Wisconsin region, see him sail along in the joy and pride of his power till he gets to New-England, and then see his tail drop. He doesn’t know what the weather is going to be in New-England. He can’t any more tell than he can tell how many Presidents of the United States there’s going to be next year. [Applause.] Well, he mulls it over, and by and by he gets out something about like this: Probable nor’-east to sou’-west winds, varying to the southard and westard and eastard and points between; high and low barometer, sweeping around from place to place; probable areas of rain, snow, hail, and drought, succeeded or preceded by earthquakes, with thunder and lightning. [Loud laughter and applause.] Then he jots down this postscript from his wandering mind to cover accidents: “But it is possible that the programme may be wholly changed in the meantime.” [Loud laughter.]

Yes, one of the brightest gems in the New-England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it. There is only one thing certain about it, you are certain there is going to be plenty of weather. [Laughter.] A perfect grand review; but you never can tell which end of the procession is going to move first. You fix up for the drought; you leave your umbrella in the house and sally out with your sprinkling-pot, and ten to one you get drowned. [Applause.] You make up your mind that the earthquake is due; you stand from under and take hold of something to steady yourself, and the first thing you know, you know you get struck by lightning. [Laughter.] These are great disappointments. But they can’t be helped. [Laughter.] The lightning there is peculiar; it is so convincing when it strikes a thing it doesn’t leave enough of that thing behind for you to tell whether—well, you’d think it was something valuable, and a Congressman had been there. [Loud laughter, and applause.]

And the thunder. When the thunder commences to merely tune up, and scrape, and saw, and key up the instruments for the performance, strangers say, “Why, what awful thunder you have here!” But when the baton is raised and the real concert begins, you’ll find that stranger down in the cellar, with his head in the ash-barrel. [Laughter.]

Now, as to the size of the weather in New-England—lengthways, I mean. It is utterly disproportioned to the size of the little country. [Laughter.] Half the time, when it is packed as full as it can stick, you will see that New-England weather sticking out beyond the edges and projecting around hundreds and hundreds of miles over the neighboring States. [Laughter.] She can’t hold a tenth part of her weather. You can see cracks all about, where she has strained herself trying to do it. [Laughter.]

I could speak volumes about the inhuman perversity of the New-England weather, but I will give but a single specimen. I like to hear rain on a tin roof, so I covered part of my roof with tin, with an eye to that luxury. Well, Sir, do you think it every rains on the tin? No, Sir; skips it every time. [Laughter.]

Mind, in this speech I have been trying merely to do honor to the New-England weather; no language could do it justice. [Laughter.] But after all there are at least one or two things about that weather, (or, if you please, effects produced by it) which we residents would not like to part with. [Applause.] If we had not our bewitching Autumn foliage, we should still have to credit the weather with one feature which compensates for all its bullying vagaries—the ice-storm—when a leafless tree is clothed with ice from the bottom to the top—ice that is as bright and clear as crystal; every bough and twig is strung with ice-beads, frozen dew-drops, and the whole tree sparkles, cold and white like the Shah of Persia’s diamond plume.2 [Applause.] Then the wind waves the branches, and the sun comes out and turns all those myriads of beads and drops to prisms, that glow and hum and flash with all manner of colored fires, which change and change again, with inconceivable rapidity, from blue to red, from red to green, and green to gold; the tree becomes a sparkling fountain, a very explosion of dazzling jewels; and it stands there the acme, the climax, the supremest possibility in art or nature of bewildering, intoxicating, intolerable magnificence! One cannot make the words too strong. [Long continued applause.]

Month after month I lay up hate and grudge against the New-England weather; but when the ice-storm comes at last, I say, “There, I forgive you now; the books are square between us; you don’t owe me a cent; go and sin no more; your little faults and foibles count for nothing; you are the most enchanting weather in the world!” [Applause and laughter.]

New Nike Advert

2009-01-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

Mike Epps x Kobe Bryant x DJ AM x Air Yeezy's. Both the Yeezy's and the Kobe's look fresh, but I don't know if my ankles could hold up in some Lows.

[Sidebar]: I got wheels on the low.

Ethereal Material V1.1

2009-01-05T11:11:00.003-05:00

十一歌。

NOTE: Due to technical difficulties involving Blogger, click on the Pop Out Player to view all of the songs.

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

Thing you don't miss until its gone.

~~Heroin~~. I'm going with cup holders in your car. Nothing like 3rd degree burns on your groin to wake you up in the morning.

Favourite Underrated

2009-01-02T11:11:00.000-05:00

State:

Chaos.

I'm eager to hear yours'

Your Toilet Is Killing You

2009-01-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

Just read. *Mouth drops to floor*

New World

2008-12-31T11:11:00.000-05:00

I'm tryna live in one of these. This is the future right here. Unconventional, progressive architecture meets classic inspiration melded with modern aesthetics. I'm tired of waiting for a New World in which the future will arrive. The time is now.

More info here.

Vexed Prospects

2008-12-30T11:11:00.000-05:00

AKA "Movies I'm Excited For" Vexed Edition.

Gran Torino. Huge Clint Eastwood fan. His latest, set in Detroit, looks tremendous. 12/12

NOTORIOUS. All while it was being made I felt it looked extra suspect, despite all the good things I'd heard about it. Regardless, BIG was one of the greatest... Can't pass this one up. 1/16

Defiance. True story of of a Jewish community's resistance during WWII. I understand WWII movies get made every other day, but this one looks magnifique. 1/16

Fanklyn. British Sci-Fi film about four people connected in parallel universes. [Sidebar]: "Universes", or "Universi"? I vote the latter.[Close Sidebar]I have a penchant for Sci-Fi, not to mention it features my muse ~~and future wifey~~ Eva Green. Unfortunately, there's no US release date as of yet, but it releases in the UK 1/30. Bootleg anyone?

This is strictly in supplement of Zoop's list. I'm tryna see most of the joints on his list as well. Bong, bong.

Ethereal Material V1.0

2008-12-29T23:59:00.007-05:00

~~Pardon me while I jump on my Kanye sh!t. I just feel I have great taste in music~~. Let's try this again.

While I would definitely place myself in the category of individuals who break new music to others, I'm really just tryna get the music I like out there. Often I prefer chill joints ~~whilst contemplating the mysteries of the universe~~ to kinda lay back and zone out to. Just a selection of what I'm listening to right now.

This'll be a weekly series, comprised of 11 choice cuts. Enjoy.

Favourite Underrated

2008-12-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Grading Scale

Mine's the British Imperial System. Weight is measured in "Avoirdupois" units. English-French combo words invigorate the synapses.

Favourite Underrated

2008-12-28T20:17:00.002-05:00

Word-That-Isn't-A-Word

You know, a word used regularly that is not really a word.

Mine would be: Anyways.

I'm ready for Your'n...

Brooklyn Steez

2008-12-28T03:19:00.000-05:00

I'm on the same page, paragraph and punctuation as Bianka right now. Walk with me.

People from Brooklyn are known for being Fresh. Now when I say Fresh, I mean they show no chink in the armor,for it would be instantaneous suicide on a number of levels (socially, psychologically, and even physically). Every aspect of their being or endeavor engaged in, is on point (or so the necessary facade would suggest). There can be no appearance of weakness, because a self reinforcing cycle has been formed whereby only the strongest of the strong survive. Weakness the size of a pinhole is enlarged into a doorway and immediately smashed down. This leads to an absurd bravado, the audacity of which is hard to comprehend by those who do not possess it, or have not borne witness to it. Mundane interactions explode into voracious vestibules of vitriolic verbiage, used to slay any who would dare think themselves possessing strength.

A thought process might evolve in this manner: "Look at that dude. Ah, word? He's tryna eat chips like that? He thinks its acceptable to get crumbs all over his gear and have cheese stains underneath his fingernails? This dude ain't sh!t."

This is the Brooklyn Steez. The systematic breakdown and degradation of other individuals, in order to have some point of advantage over them. It is the possession of a necessary self confidence, wherein anyone who has the audacity to question any aspect of your existence must be crazy and subsequently dealt with. Individuals are unknowingly judged by their actions, which if are in conflict with your perception of "correct", "cool", etc., indicates a challenge to your being, which cannot be accepted. Said individuals are then supremely detested and seen as not worth the atoms forming their basic components. This state of mind can be seen as a self defense mechanism, because in this environment everybody's looking at you the same way-- as a potential threat to their unquestioned supremacy.

Now this might seem incredibly harsh and devastatingly negative to most individuals, and perhaps rightly so. But every environment has its benchmarks for success and failure, and in Brooklyn (and other areas generally marked by poverty and/or lack of economic upward mobility)the benchmark is incredibly high.

Now for a plethora of reasons, environment and DNA not being insignificant ones, I possess the Brooklyn Steez. However, as I have come to the conclusion that this perceptual framework is not productive in many places, I don't operate within its confines in most situations, unless I know that it is the definitive modus operandi of interaction in said place. However...

Throughout my life and increasingly more so as time has progressed, I have come across individuals so oblivious to their own repulsive tendencies, (which they perceive to be "cool" and worthy of praise) that I immediately revert back into my Brooklyn Steez. The standards by which people judge themselves have been twisted and construed, so as to render their logic for being the way they are, unrecognizable. Why would they do that? They are clearly lacking in any skill or trait that would garner praise from any individual with any kind of intelligence. Yet, they possess a confidence that is completely unearned and unwarranted.

Their blissful ignorance propels me into a fit of rage that is not insignificant. I begin to dissect every aspect of their being and find gaping holes in their armor through which I would verbally annihilate them, if they ever attempted to propagate their supposed worthiness in my vicinity.

This disqualifies my interest in 95% of the people I meet. (Maybe I just live in an area with a high concentration of ignorance.) Their lack of a demeanor which adequately reflects their lack of positive attributes, causes the immediate quelling of any desire I might have of getting to know them.

Bottom line: If you're ignorant and you know it, ~~clap your hands~~ either spend some time working on you, or get the f!@k away from me.

Holla if you hear me.

NOTE: The face seen at the top of this post shall henceforth be known as the *Maino Face*. This is the face made when one is operating within the Brooklyn Steez. And yes, Maino is from Brooklyn.

Favourite Underrated

2008-12-22T11:11:00.000-05:00

Color

Mine is: Light Slate Grey

I am ready for yours...

Favourite Underrated

2008-12-20T11:11:00.001-05:00

Mike Tyson Joke:

Q: Why does Mike Tyson cry during sex?

A: It is a common side effect of mace.

(I felt like his mug shot was very appropriate)

I am ready for yours now...

Movies I'm Excited For:

2008-12-19T11:11:00.001-05:00

Watch the trailers:

Star Trek It is officially okay to be excited.

Watchmen (Muse is a perfect fit for the trailer.)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The release was delayed due to twilight?! puh-lease.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Please do my man Fitzgerald justice.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (Sorry, no trailer available)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Wolverines history? okay, I'll watch it.

Favourite Underrated...

2008-12-18T11:50:00.003-05:00

Element

Boron is my Favourite underrated element.

Please, tell me yours...

Ahhhh, the reality of life is that life is real.

2008-12-15T22:41:00.004-05:00

"This is water"
Please take 10 minutes out of YOUR busy day to read this.
I thank Dan Carlson for the link!

I'm a little bit jaded by alot of what I see.

2008-12-09T11:54:00.003-05:00

At times it seems I hate everybody.
I'm at war with ignorance and I'm losing, why would I join that fight anyway? It's a losing battle, and ignorance is bliss!
The other day I was told I was a hater, hah, and while denying it, I was reminded by Ryan (a kid in two of my classes) of the first day in english class. When I said very loudly, and to everyone in class: "I dont want to hang out with none of ya'll, don't get confused. It's not gonna happen" I defend myself saying that I was just frustrated by the douchebag in the front of class who wears his hat sideways, sags, and was late to class. Or maybe it was the smelly kid next to me? No it was most likely the prissy chick wearing uggs with her pink sweatpants. I digress. This conversation took place approximately 2 days before this one:

After I said that Zak and I laughed, but it made me think of being called a hater and I was like, zomg!, they're right!

So.
I tell you all of that to tell you this:
I made a concious decision to start giving people the benefit of the doubt and start maybe... being more positive, I guess?
that was maybe a week ago, I'm already frustrated and have been let down. I have said it before: optimists are always disappointed, and pessimists are pleasantly suprised.
however, I will keep on keeping on, life's a garden. Ya dig it. (Joe Dirte. anybody? no? ok.)

I feel like this post is taking a turn i don't want, im not trying to be down, im just saying that it sucks when people meet your low expectations or they just fit right into a negative stereotype. Try not to be that person, that's all im saying.

I'm more coldplay than I am Ice-T

Quote of the day...?

2008-12-08T13:40:00.002-05:00

Granddad: Huey, say something deep.
Huey: Huh?
Granddad: I ain't got all day, boy. Be deep
Huey: (sighs) Your pain is the breaking of the shell that enclosing your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore, trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity.
(silence)
Riley: Didn't rhyme

A Lil' Diddy

2008-11-23T15:40:00.004-05:00

If you told someone 10 to 15 years ago that the music industry would be huge in video games they probably would have laughed at you. Music has come along way from the simple polyphonic tunes of Mario Bros. Although classic, the music from that time was simple and repetitive.

These days to have a blockbuster game you need to have a blockbuster soundtrack to go with it. It is that important to have a great theme that is recognizable. It is no longer a simple polyphonic sound but has grown to even be a symphonic sound. With games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, music is hitting it big in the video game market. Such video game music that made it big using the sound of a symphony are games like Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Civilization and Advent Rising. Songs like these have been traveling around the states on a tour called Video Games Live with sell-outs and encore shows.

Recently the Hollywood Music Awards (HMA's) included a new category for the first time in their ceremonies. This new category is for video games with awards given to "Best Original Score," "Best Original Song," and "Outstanding Music Supervision." This is the first time video game music has been recognized equally with movies and television. This years winners are as follows:

Best Original Score
Wataru Hokoyama - Afrika (Afrika)

Best Original Song
Azam Ali - Logan's Shadow (Siphon Filter: Dark Mirror)

Outstanding Music Supervision
Steve Schnur - Madden NFL 2008 (Electronic Arts)

Long live PS2!

2008-11-15T12:33:00.002-05:00

It appears that the PS2 will be no longer. After this holiday season developers will be withdrawing their support from the PS2.
What does that mean? It means no new games for the PS2. Sony was hoping for 10 years but will only get 8 of their historic system. That is quite a feat. New systems come out about every 5 years, give or take a year. Even after the release of the PS3 Sony continued to support their lesser system.
That is more than Microsoft can say about their Xbox. Microsoft stopped with the new release of games for their Xbox only a few months after the Xbox 360 was available in stores.
PS2 had and still has one of the biggest user bases for a console system. Microsoft could learn something from Sony.

(Source: MCV)

Linguistically Averse Moronic Existence

2008-11-11T21:49:00.004-05:00

If you think you might be a L.A.M.E., there are people out there who can help.

1. Webster
2. Nasir
3. Lincoln
4. Lipton
5. ~~Weezy~~, ~~Jeezy~~, ~~Yeezy~~..... Williams

This has been a Public Service Announcement, brought to you by the good people at M-Theory.

Doomed

2008-11-10T19:58:00.012-05:00

As in "Yo, his joints are Doomed out."

More angles here.

*Yiick*

"Hi my name is Rick and I'm a Game Addict."

2008-11-09T16:05:00.002-05:00

"Hi Rick."

Some news out ouf Canada is suggesting that the addiction to gaming can be fatal. This probably isn't the first time this has been said or heard of. Once again parents of these so called addicts are looking for more education about this phenomina. Should it be included in the schools like sex and drug eductaion? It seems parents are getting lazier and lazier about the education that should take place in their homes. A friend commented to me the other day that "..times have changed since he was young. Nobody goes outside anymore because they have thier video games." It is true. More and more people choose the confines of their house or room to hang out with friends over the internet. This addiction is even being compared to acloholism. Well anything done outside of moderation can be considered an addiction in which people plan their lives around. Would planning a specific route to work just so you can pick up your fovorite coffee each morning be an addiction, what about listening to music on a portable device so you can take it where ever you go, and what about making sure you are home and available for your favorite TV program? If we want to talk about addictions lets make sure we don't leave anyone out.

(Source: Canadian Press)

Oh yeah, in China"people have died playing at Internet cafes for several days straight."

For help with your game addiction follow this link.

The Wrong Things, The Wrong Things

2008-11-06T01:52:00.002-05:00

This song goes out to 112% of the women I've ever known.*

Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi- Anyway

Fall back ladies. Don't get caught up wasting your excess mental energy on baseless vague-ery.

Category A: If it's within your direct power to solve your problem, by all means do it. If not-- Keep It Movin' ma, don't stress it. You'll live longer, I promise.

Category B: Think for a hot minute about whether or not your issue is really an issue at all. You probably got bigger fish to fry.

"Things that I can change I should, things that I can't need to be understood..." -Common

*That was a gross over-generalization.

Oh, and this track is fire. I can't recommend it any more highly. I'm ghost.

Nerves of Steele

2008-11-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

The morning sun was barely peaking over the horizon when Trevor awoke. It was a particularly brisk morning, and Trevor did not want to get out of bed, but he knew the fish would not wait. Trevor slunk out of his small one-man tent and over to the remnants of last night's cook fire. Carefully, he dug through the ashes till he found a few coals still warm from the previous night. It was very difficult re-lighting the fire since all the good kindling was still hoary from the frozen morning dew, but his persistence paid off. Warming himself by the fire, he began cleaning the knife he was using to strip the wood of its wet bark. Then, picking up a piece of gnarled wood he had decided not to use in the fire due to its shape, he began whittling one of the several knots into a crooked nose. As Trevor was musing on the events of the fishing trip over the past few days, he heard a rustle from inside one of the other two tents and soon saw Preston, his younger brother, emerge. In the third tent lay Matthew Steele. “Why did we bring him?” thought Trevor to himself. Since the very beginning of this almost perfect fishing trip, it has been pock-marked by Matthew's uncanny ability to stumble into trouble. Although Matthew was a mischievous boy, it was hardly ever his own doing that trouble found him. It was like trouble was his own personal raincloud, waiting for him to put down his umbrella. His mischievous nature only served as a catalyst.
Preston sat down next to Trevor and pulled out his folding knife, joining his brother, whittling away in silence. Both boys were in the Boy Scouts of America and were proficient at knife usage and fire building, as well as first aid, life saving, shooting, swimming, etc. (the usual repertoire of a Boy Scout.) After some time whittling, it was clear that Preston was carving a small animal of some kind and that Trevor was crafting a bust. About that time there was some rustling from inside Matthew's tent and shortly he emerged. Stumbling about, wiping the sleep from his eyes, he started complaining about the amount of bug bites he had acquired thus far. He forgot his bug spray. Every camp out it was the same story, Matthew forgot something imperative. Once he forgot his sleeping bag, another time he forgot his flash light, he even on one occasion forgot to pack pants. Once he had finished his tangent and saw what the other guys were doing, Matthew wanted to do it also!
“Hey, Preston, can I use that knife?” Matthew asked.
“Not till I'm done, and that won't be soon,” replied Preston.
He knew he would get the same reply from Trevor so he tried a different approach, “Hey Trev, do you have another knife that I could borrow?”
“Where is your knife?” asked Trevor, but he knew the answer before it came.
“I forgot to pack it...”
“Well I didn't factor that in when I packed, I only brought this one” retorted Trevor
Matthew was relentless. “Yeah right, you always have like, a thousand knives.”
“What an exaggeration” thought Trevor, “what would I do with a thousand knives? Where could I even pack that many knives?” “ I lent most of them to you, and they are now either bent, dull, or lost. So this time I only packed this one and the fillet knife.” He argued.
“Alright, I'll just use the fillet knife.” Matthew proposed, as he set off to find it.
“No, it's not a good knife for whittling. The blade's too flimsy and long, and it's incredibly sharp,” Preston reasoned, but to no avail.
Matthew returned a short while later, looking rather pleased. With the fillet knife in hand, he started removing small shoots off the branch he had selected to whittle. The knife cut through the smaller branches like butter. It seemed to Matthew to be working out just fine, in fact: he showed them! But in reality, he was breaking the number one rule of knife safety: Never cut towards yourself. He had one hand at the far end of the stick and the knife wielding hand moving towards his trunk, where he had the stick rooted. As Trevor observed this, a cold shiver ran through him.
“Matthew, what are you doing? Don't cut toward yourself!” Trevor warned.
“Yeah man, that's dangerous and stuff” Preston chimed.
“It's fine, I know what I'm doing guys” Matthew said, not attempting to hide his annoyance.
“Hey, Matt, that knife is really sharp he's just lookin' out for you” said Preston defensively.
“Leave me alone guys!” Matthew yelled, “I know what I'm doing!”
As the last word left his mouth the knife slipped, and he cut into his forearm. Blood immediately poured out, covering his arm. He uttered a faint scream as he saw what happened, and then panic stuck him. All the color left his face, he looked like death, and he started breathing heavily. Trevor immediately got to his feet and swept over to investigate. Preston merely uttered a string of expletives, only serving to increase Matthew's panic. Trevor could see at once that the cut was just a glorified scratch. It only barely broke the skin, and there was no need for worry of death or serious injury. Yet, he realized, Matthew was too busy using every curse word known to man to take a minute to inspect his own damage.
“That's a really deep cut.” Trevor was testing him.
“I know, I think I felt it hit my bone” said Matthew between sobs. He was crying now.
“Yeah, you're bleeding a lot” Preston said innocently.
“Shouldn't you guys be doing something? I could die!” he pleaded.
“I don't know Matt, we can't do a lot for you. And by the time the ambulance gets here...” Trevor was playing a sinister game with Matthew's mind, but he justified it by thinking he was teaching him a valuable lesson.
“What? Won't they send in a helicopter or something?” Matthew was sobbing uncontrollably.
“No, too many trees” said Preston. He had caught on.
“I think you're going to die, Matt” said Trevor.
“No...” he moaned “... guys, I... I can feel my heart slowing down”
At this, Trevor realized he had to stop. So, he took the shirt off his back and cut it to pieces and used it to clean and then dress Matthew's wound. Matthew's skin healed, but his reputation always was marred by: “I can feel my heart slowing down.” Thus was the legacy of Matthew Steele.

Tea

2008-11-03T11:02:00.002-05:00

The differences between black and white teas are like night and day. There is such a vast number of differences that this could be quite lengthy. So, for my sake and yours, we will focus on the most obvious. Then, we can explore each at length. I will explain the differences in processing so you understand the most basic differences. We can then move to the differences in health benefits gained from the processing methods. Of course we shall end with the difference in taste of white and black teas.
The processing of white tea is quite simple, young Camellia leaves are picked, briefly steamed, then dried. Black is more lengthy; Camellia leaves are picked then allowed to wither. Next is a rolling stage, where the leaves are rolled to break apart the cell membranes to allow the next step; the leaves are then allowed to ferment fully, last they are fired and dried. During the rolling process the cell membranes release oils, which give the tea a unique aroma. White tea is only produced in China, and it is not sold through public auctions. Many high quality white teas are only picked once a year and some are even picked only at twilight thus making it very rare!
The health benefits differ between the two teas significantly. It is a common misconception that green tea is the healthiest for you. In fact, all teas have different health benefits. White tea is the highest in anti-oxidants, and black tea is the lowest. Conversely black tea has the most caffeine, yet white tea has the least. White tea (having the most anti-oxidants) is great for your skin and complexion. Many cosmetic companies use white tea extract in their products due to their “anti-aging” effect. Black tea, having the most caffeine makes a good breakfast tea, acting as a gentle stimulant. Black tea also is very good for the heart. It helps prevent heart disease and stroke, and lowers blood pressure. Black tea is also very good to help regulate blood sugar and prevents absorption of cholesterol.
Drinking tea is not just the taste, but the aroma, the warm feeling it brings as you swallow, the sense of serenity. The taste is only half of the journey, albeit, an important half. The first step is the smell, as you bring the cup to your nose, you exhale, then inhale through your nose bringing the scent into your nasal cavity, let it linger before exhaling. Next you sip or “slurp” the tea, bringing in air and tea at the same time, allowing the tea to make contact with all of your taste buds at once. This enables you to really taste all the subtle nuances the tea has to offer. Once again, you should be able to taste the tea in your nasal cavity as well as in your mouth, as the scent and taste meld. Then of course, you swallow, concentrating on the undertones left lingering in your mouth. The reasons for me teaching you proper tasting is because without it I hear many people say white tea tastes like warm water. Yet if they tasted properly, they would know instantly that it has a delicate, pure taste. It is not exactly the same with black teas. Depending upon the region in which the tea was grown, (as well as the elevation, other plants in the vicinity, and temperature) it will have differing overtones, whether they be malty, smooth, nutty, smoky or cocoa notes. But black teas, when tasted properly, have many subtleties to be enjoyed as well. The body of black tea can be described as light, medium, or heavy; the light bodied blacks being referred to as “the champagne of teas” and more heavy bodied black get descriptions of burgundy. There is much more that could be said of black teas, but the basics (and maybe more) are there.
So, the next time you see that Snapple® commercial about white tea, you can think something like (to yourself): “white tea is good for my skin, and has a plethora of anti-oxidants. Not to mention it's quite rare.” Likewise, next time you are waking up to a nice cup of Darjeeling black tea, you may be attentive to the muscatel notes, and the orchid aroma, and of course rest assured that your tea was most likely picked by hand, and that it is good for your heart. My only wish is that you share this knowledge with someone, or, merely contemplate it over a nice cup of tea.

Open or Closed Circuits

2008-11-02T14:19:00.002-05:00

Apparently Circuit City hasn't been doing well lately. When I say lately I actually mean for awhile. Circuit City might be shutting down stores to remain afloat and avoid bankruptcy. They are considering filing for bankruptcy protection. If they do then they would be joining some other retailers that have filed for bankruptcy protection like Linens 'n Things, Mervyn's and Sharper Image. To make matters worse Sony doesn't trust Circuit City anymore. Sony had their shipment turn around while in route to Circuit City. They don't think Circuit City's word is good anymore. Will it ever be good again? I went there once and haven't been back. So if you wan't Sony products don't go to Circuit City.
(Sources: Gizmodo, Marketwatch, Pic)

Oh the humanity!

2008-10-26T15:03:00.002-04:00

Video games have been under fire for their often violent natures for a long time. It appears that this is the subject of the federal appeals court in California. A law that would ban the sales of mature and adult rated games to minors is under debate. Most retailers already follow this suggestion from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) even though it isn't required. Laws like this have been defeated time and again in our courts across the country but haven't had much success. Most gamers agree that whether or not there is a law for such content it won't affect the the gaming industry much.

So... parents pay attention to what your kids are playing instead of relying on someone else to do it for you.

(Source) (Pic "Mad World" - Wii)

Blackle

2008-10-12T01:20:00.000-04:00

The biggest problem with our "energy crisis" is everybody wants a "fix" or a "plan." When in reality, the biggest problem is that nobody wants to do the small things that make the big difference, they deem them too insignificant. In 1969 "think globally act locally" was the mantra (if I may) of the Friends of the Earth, established by David Brower.
Well, Blackle does just that, it takes small steps, locally, to help fix a global problem. It's not much but it helps. How does it help? How about you mosey on over to their about section and set Blackle as your home page.

¿Más Halo?

2008-10-11T10:09:00.012-04:00

This week at the Tokyo Game Show millions of fans peed their pants in excitement for Bungie's Halo announcement. They announced a new chapter in the Halo trilogy called Halo 3: Recon. This game is a prologue to Halo 3 and takes place at the end of Halo 2. In this Halo game there is a twist; you play as an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper). These are the guys that are first on the scene in New Mombasa. Sadly it appears that Master Chief will not be seen as he is in space fighting during this chapter. It looks cool though and will be gladly accepted by Halo fans everywhere. Here are some links for more answers and a look at the trailer.

Day Dreamin' At Night

2008-09-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

There's usually a good 2 hour window between when I lay my head to rest and when the Z's finally catch up. I gotta confess that this is the time when some of my best thoughts, theories and Hypothesii are concocted. Here's a re-occurring thought of mine that was somewhere off near the Crab Nebula, until recent events brought it closer to Mars:

All my generation knows is prosperity. There's been no war that's put us on a cliff overlooking destruction. There's been no plague to remind us that human life is precious. There's been no cataclysmic event to humble and remind us that there are bigger forces at work throughout the cosmos. And because of this, many lack what I consider a necessary perspective. One that informs us of a truth that our ancestors knew, but that we've forgotten: Tomorrow isn't promised.

The planet earth as we know it is approximately 4.5 Billion years old. Humans have been around for maybe a few hundred-thousand years. And of those few hundred-thousand, we've only had our act together (read: Industrialized) for maybe the past 200 years (rounding up). I say that to say this: "Civilization" is not the norm. Huge urbanized centers of human coagulation are not par for the course. Nation states are not a given entity. For most of human history we've been a tribal species warring over the limited resources this planet has to offer. A species just hoping to survive the defining events of every previous time: War, Pestilence and Destruction.

But now we've had a taste of success. Many of us no longer have to worry about basic survival. Food is abundant. The natural predators of humans have been pushed to the brink of extinction. Life is now about something else. Progress maybe. I can't call it. And although I'd love to see us establish a world peace, invent the perpetual motion machine and terraform other worlds, I don't see it happening.

Our time will face the same defining moments as all others. We're just choosing to ignore the warning signs that they're on the horizon. And the craziest thing is-- our defining moments, if not addressed properly, could end us all. And while that last sentence may appear a bit hyperbolic, consider the challenges we face. Global Warming, AIDS, SARS, Bird Flu, Nuclear Proliferation, all of which have the potential to end life as we know it on planet Earth. Not to mention the economic disparity that exists in this world. Eventually those with the least will have only one place to turn in order to to acquire their basic necessities: To those with most (read: THE UNITED STATES). And with how much congeniality do you think they'll approach? My bet is somewhere around None.

My point is this: How long do you think our age of prosperity will last? I'm not willing to bet it'll last through my lifetime.

So with that in mind, maybe instead of basing your life decisions on their immediate impacts, or even how they'll effect your future in this current "civilized" context, you should be keeping one eye looking at how you'll survive in a world that you've never even thought about, much less been to.

Or maybe I should just go to sleep.

It dropped by how many points?!?

2008-09-29T22:36:00.002-04:00

Hey, I have an idea, let's all sell, sell, sell. Maybe that will make it go back up. or I could start distributing heroin...

Naught But Disdain

2008-09-29T21:16:00.001-04:00

For O'Bama and McCain.

Get your Internet Chromed Out!

2008-09-28T16:22:00.001-04:00

Yes your Internet can get chromed out. Google has developed a new web browser called Google Chrome. How is this different than the normal web browser you use? That is a good question. One difference is that there is no longer two separate bars for addresses and searches. They have combined the two. You want to go somewhere - type it. You want to find something - type it in the same box. The browser will also warn you of dangerous sites with malware. Most virus software already does this but Google Chrome has no subscription fee. There are a lot of differences that stand out and a lot that are subtle differences. To find out if it is any better than your current browser - download it. It doesn't cost anything, so give it a try.

Bats in the Nethers

2008-09-21T21:41:00.001-04:00

This past week Midway sold 40 million dollars worth in account receivables to cover manufacturing costs of some of their upcoming titles. Midway is best known for their Mortal Kombat series. Other classic hits include NBA Jam and NFL Blitz. Midway reported a $34.8 million net loss in its second fiscal quarter -hence the 40 million it needed. Hopefully they won't go anywhere because they have developed some great games; as of recent... not so much. Although things are looking up with their new game entitled Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. It looks awesome!

Pre-Posthumous Presidential Ponderings

2008-09-17T17:24:00.002-04:00

A collaborative post is going down.

Right now I'm feeling like that's who I would expect to see runnin' with these clowns. I mean, at least he admits he's evil. We have one candidate who thinks being at war is fun (no, seriously he told me so) and another who's voters think that he can make cars run on rainbow power, and that he will defecate solid gold.

[Begin tangent on McCain] Richard the Lionhearted didn't succeed, what makes him think he can/will? The beautiful Maid Marian is lacking in gubernatorial qualifications. She will not be able to watch his country while he's away. Although, if I were to see a picture of him in a banana hammock, while holding a gun, then I may vote for him. [end]

[Begin tangent on Obama]
Obama supports pulling out... of Iraq. He wants change yet really contradicted himself with his VP selection - eh? He wants to raise our taxes! His reverend and close personal friend said... something... a few years back. or something[end]

MY (zoopsia) close personal friend Benjamin Franklin says this on the matter:
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
-and-
"Geese are but Geese tho' we may think 'em Swans; and Truth will be Truth tho' it sometimes prove mortifying and distasteful"

Vexed Interjects: The Zoopsiatic One is on point. But let's air this one all the way out.

A.) McCain supporters- Your man cannot "shake up Washington". He's been there for 26 years and hasn't done a damn thing.(Except be investigated for corruption.) Be real.

NO ONE IS OUT TO TAKE YOUR GUNS, ABORT YOUR BABIES, OR RAISE YOUR TAXES. If you truly think other candidate is gonna' do any of these things, and therefore you support McCain, you're not worth your weight in elephant manure.

B.) Obama supporters- You will be disappointed. The office of the president is no where near as powerful as people think. He cannot recite a haiku that will end poverty, the 2nd Gulf War, or Global Warming.

What does "Change" mean? The man has never defined it, and is comfortable leaving you to arrive at your own conclusion. When your idea of "change" doesn't come to fruition with an Obama presidency, you will curse him just like you curse every other politician.

BOTTOM LINE: CTHULHU-VOLTRON '08

If you are thinking to yourself, "Who is Cthulhu? and how do I pronounce his name? and why does Zoopsia want to see McCain in a banana hammock?" Then the Cthulhu page might help. Also you could read more in depth at Wiki: Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
Cthulhu fhtagn!

Mind Control... Literally.

2008-09-14T11:20:00.004-04:00

Oh sweet, here comes a new acronym. This is the worlds first BCI for video games. To answer your question BCI stands for Brain Computer Interface. This BCI detects brain activity in real time. In brain science this means it can sense the small voltage changes in the brain caused by the firing of neurons. Its creator Emotiv says that the EPOC can sense about 30 emotions, actions, and expressions. Simulated force powers. . . that would be the next best thing. Now all we need is a chair to lie down in and an outlet in the back of our head to plug it in to.
(source CNN)

Oh Kanye...

2008-09-12T12:28:00.006-04:00

First I feel compelled to say, I am not trying to post that newness as soon as it comes out. I am providing commentary on that newness, after I have had time to process it.

That being said; I think the cover art looks like a deflated, heart shaped baloon, or perhaps a red scrotum?

Next item on the ticket: the song. It has a darker feel than anything else he's done. It, of course, has a solid beat and good lyrics. La Dispute is that he's singing. well I say that he is not doing anything exceptionally new, in fact he is simply taking it a step further. T-pain is notorious for his use of the vocoder, and I'm positive that if I asked you to name another artist who has used one, you could do so with ease. All he's doing is making a whole song instead of just the hook or a single verse. I applaud him in his efforts and as of now I like the song. We all know how abruptly that could change.

Donations Accepted

2008-09-11T06:14:00.002-04:00

Dave's Quality Meat teams up with Nike yet again. These beauties are dropping on the 20th and only in these three colors, and only with 15 pairs, and of course only in Paris.
Release in US coming shortly thereafter.

I might note, that the shoe features the DQM logo on the tongue which is a first for Nike.

2008-09-10T18:27:00.001-04:00

Since 1995 the game studio Ensemble has been making memorable games, but this week it was announced that it is being shut down. Ensemble is best known for games such as Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, and their current project Halo Wars. This week Microsoft Game Studios announced that Ensemble will be disassembled after it finishes it's current project Halo Wars. Ensemble has a huge fan base and will surely be missed. Microsoft has stated that it will find jobs either with in the company or on other MGS projects. Their latest game Age of Empires III has sold over 1.5 million copies since it's release. With such success it makes one wonder, why Ensemble? Microsoft has stated that it makes sense fiscally. Well at least those great minds won't go to waste. Hopefully we will see some of their fine work later on, just not under the Ensemble name.
Sorry Colb.

Wake up Neo, The Matrix has you...

2008-09-09T14:20:00.002-04:00

Follow the white rabbit...

It knows how you move...

2008-09-07T22:18:00.004-04:00

Euphoria is a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania. Well NaturalMotion has created that feeling for all to see with their new game engine entitled just that, Euphoria.

With euphoria they have managed to create an artificial computer generated body. This body has a skeleton system, nervous system, muscular system, and a sense of self preservation. All of the computer animations using this engine are generated on the fly. This means none of the bodies reactions and movements were planned out before hand or made using a motion capture system. This is a monumental step forward in computer animation. This engine has already been implemented in two games(Grand Theft Auto IV and The Force Unleashed). NaturalMotion is using their own technology to make their own game, Backbreaker, using the football realm as it's setting. Check out the video below that uses in-game footage only.

To Anyone Who's Ever Paid Taxes

2008-09-06T07:00:00.002-04:00

Mmmm.... Comin' to a neighborhood near you. That's your crew. Oh, you thought those bills beefin' up anti-terror statutes were only gonna be used for purposes abroad? You got caught slippin'. Now your (Insert street synonym for currency here ____) is paying these zealots' salary.

And they can't wait for you to cross the street despite this.

Oh, and I believe the initial caption for this picture was "I PLAY FOR KEEPS!". That could be false.

Story behind the picture here.

Zoopsiatic addition:
Also watch this.

Beatsmithery

2008-09-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah, that word was just spoken into existence. Remember where you heard it first*.

DJ Premier + Pharrell + Recording Device = Necessary 24/7

The best part tho? Premier producing the Roscoe P. Colchain album? What? It's at classic status. AND IT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST YET.

*And probably last.

3 for Vexed, 1 for Abe.

2008-09-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

Back in July. I have never really believed it since it is so inconclusive, but Abe was mentioning hearing something about it, and Banksy has obviously caught your attention, Vexed. So I figured I would supply the two of you with the link, for your own consideration.

'Shrooms

2008-09-03T12:35:00.000-04:00

The mushroom is just one of a very large, diverse group of organisms called fungi. It is similar to a plant but lacks chlorophyll, so it cannot produce its own food through photosynthesis. The mushroom is a decomposer that absorbs nutrients from materials such as compost, leaves, decaying wood, and soil. There are many types of mushrooms, varying in size, shape and color, with surfaces that range from smooth and silky to pitted and honeycombed. The most common and readily available is the cultivated white mushrooms, which have a mild flavor and can be used in many types of dishes. Wild mushrooms, such as chanterelle, morel, shiitake, portobello and oyster, will provide a more intense and exotic flavor. Generally mushrooms contain 90 percent water and have few calories. The fat and carbohydrate content is minimal and they do not contain any cholesterol. They are rich in protein and contain vitamins such as B, C and D, and a few contain vitamin A. Be aware that some of the vita min values are destroyed during the cooking process. When selecting, choose mushrooms that are firm, fresh and free of blemishes. Check underneath their caps for tightly closed brown gills and be sure the surface of the cap is not dried and woody on the edges. Also look for slimy or sticky surfaces and for any coloring that is not normal. When cleaning mushrooms, avoid using water, which reduces the flavor of the mushroom and is absorbed into the mushroom only to be released into foods combined with them. Therefore, use a brush to clean sand, grit and other debris from the pits and ridges. If you must use water, use as little as possible and dry quickly with a paper towel. Cut lengthwise and check interior for insects and other debris.

I bet you thought I would mention Psilocybin Mushrooms, eh?

Two For Zoop

2008-09-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

This time down in 'Bama.

That's a good look. Straight up.

Nah Right with the link.

Damn Old People

2008-09-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

*Shaking Fist Violently*

Kinda crazy.

Children Of Men anyone?

[Sidebar]: Children Of Men = Extra Dope.

3D Gadgetry

2008-08-31T16:13:00.003-04:00

Since I was a little kid games have saught after a realistic feel to them. They have come out with visors that you can wear, some fancy electronic motion sensing suits, or just some plain two colored lenses in some glasses.

The gaming industry has tried to capture this realistic feel at an affordable price for a long time. There was the Nintendo Power glove, Virtual Boy and now the Wii. All of these products from Nintendo shared the same goal; make the experience more realistic.

Johnny Chung Lee has come up with a system that gives a player a more submersive feel in a game than we have ever had before at a descent price. This price is about the same price as a Nintendo Wii. It is the same price because he uses the Wii's technology to implement his design. His design is called head tracking. Head tracking tracks the angle of your view(the position of your head) and then adjust the picture to that angle creating a realistic view and feel to the game.
Check out his video that he has made to show this in action.

One For Zoop

2008-08-31T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ch--Ch, Ch, Ch- CHECK IT OUT.

Link picturesquely pilfered from Nah Right

In America You'll Never Be Free...

2008-08-30T20:11:00.004-04:00

This is not the America I signed up for. I've said constantly that I'm in love, in fact straight up INFATUATED, with the idea of America. But the execution of the idea known as "America" leaves much to be desired, at best. At worst "America" is a sick joke, a trojan horse created for those with the greatest amount of avarice at heart to run rampant and unchecked.

The latest examples of American hypocrisy can be found here and here. Both are short, but even if you don't wanna read 'em just take a look at the titles.

So as you can see, it doesn't matter what side you're on. You think differently? Welcome to Guantanamo Express.

Last time I checked, America was born out of protest and subsequent action.

9-11 really did deal a deathblow to America. Now the ~~president~~ government can call you a terrorist and legally detain you for as long as they please. No trial, no jury, no problem.

(And don't think because you're a citizen it can't happen to you. Ever heard of "home grown terrorists"? When the government gets to define "terrorist", what makes you think they won't use that to stay in power?)

Your neighbor won't even miss you. He'll probably let his dog sh!t on your lawn.

Wake up.

I Wish Her Heart Still Was In Rhymin'...

2008-08-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it's been 10 years since Miseducation dropped? Man, I can remember sittin' in the middle of the street blastin' Doo Wop out the boombox.

Check out the 10th Anniversary piece Rolling Stone put together for the occasion. It's all the behind the scenes ish that I could read about all day.

I need some more Lauryn Hill in my life.

My favorite joint off the album:

Common: Announcement [Video]

2008-08-29T12:00:00.001-04:00

Feat. the services of Thelonious P

Lotta fresh videos comin' outta that G.O.O.D. Music camp...

Update: The powers that be continue to shoot themselves in the foot. However, you can catch the video here.

Ok, It's about to go down. Please step up. 5 4 3 2 1..

2008-08-29T10:34:00.003-04:00

It's the return, burn like a supernova.

Statik Selektah: Take It To The Top [Video]

2008-08-28T19:37:00.003-04:00

My favorite joint out right now. The people might be familiar with Cassidy, but Sai and Term are a couple of the ONLY reasons Hip-Hop hasn't died yet.

Be Clear: Cassidy mixtape verses > Cassidy album verses.

Introducing: Kabuki Man

2008-08-28T12:01:00.006-04:00

I think it has happened to all of us at one point or another, you meet someone or hear about some 'celebrity' and you get the taste of bile, mixed with disgust and hate in your mouth. (Please at least click on the second link there) These people are very much similar to an arch nemesis, although, unlike a nemesis, you need not actively engage in thwarting. These people shall henceforth be called Kabuki men. (Remember where you heard it first)

For example: Superman's arch nemesis is, of course, Lex Luthor. However, I'm sure his list of Kabuki men went something like this:
Doomsday
Ultra-Humanite
Mister Mxyzptlk
Brainiac
Natural Disasters
Bizarro
General Zod
Darkseid
Human Ignorance
Buttons/Zippers/Velcro

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

They don't see me but they hear me
They don't feel me but they fear me I'm illi

Vexed Addendum: I can already hear it now: "But why 'Kabuki Man'? There's nothing inherently devious or sinister about the Kabuki in and of itself. So why the slandering of a classical Japanese performance style?" But alas, the association is derived from an ancient proverb that dates back ~~eons~~ 2 months ago.

An extremely successful and skilled American tea merchant once came across a storage canister amongst his wares, which bore the visage of the Kabuki. Due to its slightly non-Western origin, the merchant was unable to sell the canister using conventional salesmanship. As a consequence, he decided to embark on an epic quest to sell the canister, using all the knowledge of ~~black-market nuclear~~ trafficking and ~~close-range weaponry~~ peddling he possessed.

And so with a singular and soul consuming focus, the merchant went about soliciting the canister to all who entered his establishment (and even those who didn't). Despite the ferocity with which he has gone about his task, the merchant has not rid his store of the Kabuki canister, even to this day. It simply gathers dust comprised of broken spirits and dashed ambition. As the only blemish on an otherwise stellar sales career, one might describe the Kabuki canister as the merchant's-- *Cue dramatic music* ARCH NEMESIS!

So, we at M-Theory feel the Kabuki to be analogous to the person/place/thing we find to be most egregious to the human/mutant/alien race at any given moment.

Now may be the appropriate time (after all my logic and my theory) to add a Mothaf*cka. (So all you ignorant cats'a feel me.)

Kanye West: Good Morning [Video]

2008-08-26T12:05:00.002-04:00

Man, i'm glad this video is so dope.

A.) This is just some fly Neo-80's sh!t. (Don't forget where you heard the term first.)

B.) I don't think I can take another video in a smoke filled club, with questionably aged hood rats willin' to be somebody's jump off for a Coach purse and some Cristal. Oh, and 24's. Can't forget the 24's... For a better description of said tom-foolery, listen to the 3rd verse of this.

Oh, and thats how my eyes look when I wake up too.

mushed peas

2008-08-26T11:06:00.001-04:00

skrrrrrrrrt

so i know im a little late but i would like to let all you's know that pau scored more points than kobe.

as you were