Friday, August 31, 2007

INJUSTICE FOR ALL


Above Photographed from L – R Todd Triplett, Shaun Jenkins and Philip McKenzie standing in the construction that would soon had been The Amber Art and Music Space

I am proud to say I have some of the greatest friends in the world. They are the most intelligent, driven, creative friends a person can have and I’m the most loyal and protective person you will ever know when it comes to my friends and family. So when someone messes with my friends I will stop at nothing to make those people hurt as well. I was devastated when informed that three of those good friends I spoke of Shaun Jenkins, Todd Triplett, and Philip McKenzie who were in the final stages of building their Amber Art and Music space in Brooklyn NY, a home for all the creative people of Brooklyn, NYC, and everywhere beyond that were willing to take the trip to the venue to showcase their talent and us patrons to enjoy the art they produced for our consumption. It was as if someone had hit me in the gut with a bat as Shaun allowed the words – eminent domain, The city, millions lost, time wasted, Landlord no were to be found as he informed me of the news that their space was being ripped away from them by NYC and Bam with no notice. If it hit me that hard do I really have to tell you how it affected these three great men who were actually the ones on the receiving end of this messed up cities World Series class swinging arm. Below is the link to the article in The Brooklyn Paper newspaper detailing the incident in full, please reach out to your city council members and any other city officials you believe can be of assistance in this matter to not allow such an injustice to occur to such good men.

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Thursday, August 30, 2007

TO YOU MY FRIEND




I was in the process of writing a post about summer, this one specifically, all the great times, drunken days to drunken nights to drunken days again, the misadventures, encounters, and fun you could and we did have in this city of Brooklyn we hold so dear (Sometimes we even crossed those Bridges). Then I received a letter that I thought my mail man had placed accidently into my mailbox seeing as it was addressed to Alcohol. Since I’m from Brooklyn and not afraid of some Fed time, “What’s that 3 years your honor? I can do that standing on my head, you got some more?” So I opened Alcohols mail and read it, and now that I have I don’t believe it was a mistake I think the scribe of this letter sent it as a petition letter that said scribe wanted all of us to sign and gave me the honor of being the first John Doe to leave my drunken X. Here is OUR letter to our dear ol’ friend Alcohol; we hope it finds him better than he left us.

Dear Alcohol,

First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours.

As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you're even around at the holidays (hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings).

However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone Calls and text messages: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. Why would you make me call my ex's? Especially when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night.

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine & topped off with a Kit Kat AFTER a few cheese curls & chili cheese fries)? I'm an eclectic eater but, I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evenings debauchery may be in order. But, the 3 p.m. hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out (face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn or wherever). The hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than next Friday 3 p.m. (pre happy hour) on your possible solutions. And hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you,

Your Biggest Fans
GVG

P.S. Please take a moment or two and note the following items below that I think may be of some interest to you.

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Specificity
2. British Constitution
3. Passive-Aggressive Disorder

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more beer for me.
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
5. Oh, I couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing!

Monday, August 27, 2007

PUBLIC LETTER TO Dr. Creflo A. Dollar AND ALL LIKE MINDED


My friend Steven just e-mailed me a public letter from Dr. Creflo A. Dollar concerning President Bush and the war on Iraq posted on his website. Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is an evangelist preacher with a weekly Sunday Christian program that airs on BET. His site states that "Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI) in College Park, Georgia which serves nearly 30,000 members, and World Changers Church-New York which hosts over 6,000 worshippers each week." Please click on the link below to read his public letter than read my own letter back to him posted here.

http://www.creflodollarministries.org/articles/monthly_unitedwestand.html

To Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

First let me begin by thanking you for taking the time in between saving us from our inevitable future of eternal damnation in the burning depths of hell, “accepting” the life savings of all your parishioners in the name of the lord, which is fitting since your last name is Dollar, and cosigning the taking of the lives of other god fearing men, women, and children or do you prefer I call them insurgent in the name of oil, I mean bush, wait no I mean freedom, Yea that’s it freedom. The root word being free also the root word in freewill which I believe would be one of the argument our dear ol' president’s advisors would have you believe is the reason for sending all our mothers, brothers, sons, daughters, cousins, and friends or do you prefer I call them Soldiers to be killed in Iraq except for his own family and friends – oh sorry we’re not suppose to speak of that part of the story. Yet we are not allowed the freedom of our own freewill to disagree with the actions of a “regime” that doesn’t listen to congress, the UN, or its people. This seems very familiar yet I can’t seem to find a word that properly describes this type of behavior or government. Yes, it has come to me – Dictatorship. If you are in any way confused a Dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state.

It should be noted for my own full disclosure that I am not a Christian, but understand that I was raised in a Christian household and will not disrespect the way in which people “choose” to live and survive through this troubled world. This letter is in no way anti-Christian it is however anti you and Bush, please be clear on that. My issue lies in propaganda like the one you have spent the time writing and rewriting to get it to that perfect point of divisiveness that has made anyone who at any time thought about questioning their own actions in protesting the war even stronger in their beliefs after reading the ignorance you chose to pelt them with in this misinformed rhetoric filled pieces of propaganda. Your opening sentence is “When a nation is on the brink of war, the worst thing its citizens can do is allow themselves to become divided.” Yet, the inevitable outcome of such a letters is to divide by making it an us against them reality as opposed to a discussion of why people went from strongly advocating the war some might say advocating revenge to then just as strongly protesting it. You might look to all the revelations (Pun intended) that have come to light concerning this administration of misinformation, lies, mismanagement, no weapons of mass destruction, neither Iraq nor Saddam Hussein having ANY connection with September 11 and as I recall it September 11 was the reason for this war in the first place. Am I correct?

Let’s take a moment and discuss the word mentioned earlier - insurgent, Wikipedia defines it as an armed uprising, or revolt against an established civil or political authority. Persons engaging in insurgency are called insurgents, and typically engage in regular or guerrilla combat against the armed forces of the established regime, or conduct sabotage and harassment in the land in order to undermine the government's position as leader. Now who falls squarely under that definition is it the Iraqis defending their country as we Americans would also do if our government was overthrown by another outside force for no truly validated or proven reason or is it the superpower that comes into their country and begins to torture, kill, and plunder them? I’ll let you answer that for yourself and move onto the other points in your statement.

"I declare that he is a man of wisdom, and he is strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit. I wholeheartedly support the decisions he makes for this country (1 Timothy 2:1-2)." With a statement like that you officially cancel out any desire I have to give you the time of a proper rebuttal because you've already proven to be someone of a lesser mind with no sense of reality and should obviously seek professional help for your delusions and if currently taking any psychotropic drugs please see your physician to have the dosages changed or the prescription changed in its entirety due to the clear signs of non effectiveness from your ongoing mental illness.

Your quotes in this letter got better and better with each paragraph. Let’s discuss this one – my favorite “submit to that established authority. In doing so, you honor God, our president and thousands of service members. When the temptation comes to murmur or complain, rejoice that there is a man in the White House who walks and talks with God daily.” I’ll say this to you - as a Blackman you should know better than to advocate blindly following anyone. We are the ancestors of slaves. Our ancestors were stolen from their homelands, brought here and numerous other coast across this world to serve at the hand of our oppressors under the name of the Christian and capitalist power. As a man of the cloth you should be well versed in the history of the religion you hold so dear and the ways in which the holders of the word took it to bring you and our ancestors over to the Christian side. So before you proclaim that we as a people should follow anyone blindly remember what you ask and the lives that have been lost already to such blind faith. Where would we as a people be if we didn’t murmur, complain, and then stand up? We would still be picking cotton. No nice suits for you and that bible you love quoting so much you wouldn’t even have since you would have been hung for even knowing how to read it. It should also be noted that no one is against the troops and it disrespects the families and friends of all those who have lost soldiers in this war to say that for them to want this war to stop would be showing any less support for the troops. Especially since we are the troops, those recruitment centers aren’t in the suburbs they’re in the inner cities, lower middle class communities of all races, schools with high dropout rates, and other places where it is known that you can find impressionable youth with no other options other than to be “The few and the proud” for a couple of dollars and a degree as long as you don’t get blown up or shot.

I rebuke you and all you put forth in this letter and any other statement like it because it is clear that you are a monstrous force that can only do harm to us as a people and until you understand that this massacre puts the blood of the innocent on all our hands than you should sit down and allow those with a better understanding to do all the speaking and writing. You did get one thing right “united we stand, divided we fall” so it is with that closing thought that those of us who care will unite to make sure you and your kind fall. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and I hope your bible and Bush are enough to sooth you to sleep as all those people die by his hands and your support.

Sincerely,
Gardy V. Guerrier

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS HERE IF YOU HAVE THEM, WOULD LOVE TO READ WHAT YOU THINK.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAY ?


I have absolutely NO idea what I should play for today’s Audio Foreplay Sampling. I just woke up from one of the most lackadaisical Saturdays of my life. It was great, I just went with the flow and what ever happened happened. I attempted to make Happy Happy Joy Joy Juice for a friends BBQ, but everything that could go wrong with it did yet at no point was I frustrated nor even that bothered by the fact that I was wondering in that 93 degree sun. I showed up so late to things that by the time I got there everyone were leaving and I didn’t care. Hung out at the outpost in Brooklyn dead set against crossing the bridge into the city (I have a no Manhattan rule on weekends) around twelve with three great Brooklyn options, my boys gave me the head nod, I said fuck it, jumped into my friends back seat and rode it out, which lead to a night full of what should have been peaks and valleys for anyone else but for me it was a night to be remembered for all the fun we were having wandering into craziness. If I think of something to play I’ll add it later, but for now just enjoy the beauty of the world around you and make every moment worth smiling about.

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Thursday, August 23, 2007

WE GOT TO FIGHT, FOR OUR RIGHT , TO... !!!


I wish you guys were with me last night to console me as my heart was CRUSHED. My cousin and I went to Lotus, not a big fan of what the party has become (Hollyhood), but if you can ignore the abundance of "Rapper nut sack holders" and "Video chick baby oil applicators" it's not a bad spot to hang on a Wednesday. I walked in and saw the most gorgeous women with natural short hair, beautiful face, body for days, and a dress and shoes that didn't come off the sales rack at Forever 21 - I WAS IN LOVE! She was smiling at a brother and seemed genuinely nice. Approached her for a dance and got hit with the "I really really would, but my boyfriend is about to come through the door" Wasn't sure if it was B.S. or not, but I fell back and played my position anyway.

My cousin and I moved to a friend's table that overlooked the dance floor. As my back was turned to the dance floor, my cousin taps me on the shoulder and tells me as per a discussion we had a couple of days ago about the type of "different attention" she's getting from guys since she cut off her hair and gone natural "You see white guys really go hard for those natural girls more than brothers" as she pointed to the dance floor, I turned to witness my gorgeous natural sister locked in an intimate greeting kiss with a white man that was obviously her boyfriend. So we know she wasn't lying, but damn why did the baddiest chick in the spot have to be with the white guy?!?!?!?!!!!That shit really hurt. At one point we were on the complete other side of the spot and they came right in front of us to start dancing and canoodling as if they could see right into my brain as it screamed out "I HATE THIS SH%T!!!" My cousin told me to get over it, but I couldn't and it's still bothering me this morning. I WANT MY SISTERS BACK!!!

WE GOT TO FIGHT, FOR OUR RIGHT , TO... !!!

... OUR BLACK WOMAN!!!

Think I just wrote the first draft for my next topic blog. LOL

GVG
~we're the warriors they write epics about~

UPDATE

When they're right they're right. If not your friends and family who else is there to call you out on your BS?!?!


Sir "CMG" says:
"You’re dating a biracial chick and blogged on the woes of miscegenation"

Sunday, August 19, 2007

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAY

It’s another Sunday and that means another Audio Foreplay. I realized this whole summer had run its course and I had never played the ultimate summer jam “Summer time” By DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. As I played the song in my head I started thinking about all the summers of my life and it got me thinking about my favorite summers of the past and all the songs that were playing in the background as i did what you do in the summer sun to summer nights. So with that in mind this Audio Foreplay Video sampling is dedicated to summer and all the great memories it’s given me.

No point playing around with it, let’s start it off with the MONSTER that inspired it all

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Summertime


Salt n Pepa-Push it


LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl


Biz Markie - Just A Friend


Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang


Naughty By Nature --- O.P.P.


Pete Rock feat. CL Smooth - Lots of Lovin


Positive K - I Got A Man


Jodeci - Come And Talk To Me


H-town Knockin the boots


Skee-Lo - I Wish


Kriss Kross - Jump


A Tribe called quest - Scenario


The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By


Souls of Mischief - '93 til infinity


MAD LION " Take it eazy..."


Lords of the Underground - Chief Rocka


Heavy D feat. The Boyz - Nuttin but love

Add to My Profile More Videos

Queen Latifah Just another Day

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You're All I Need- Method Man f/ Mary J. Blige


Jay Z Hard knock life


Nas - If I Ruled The World


HAD TO DO IT, SUMMER BANGS HARD TO THIS.

Rick Ross - Everyday i'm hustlin


Think about all the best summers you had while you listen to this last one.

Ahmad - Back in the Day

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SUMMER IS ETERNAL

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

P.S. That was so long, it was only suppose to be about 5 videos, but once I got started I couldn’t stop, every single one of those songs holds a great summer memory for me.


HOW ABOUT YOU TELL ME WHAT YOUR ALL TIME SUMMER SONG IS

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

HEAD ABOVE WATER


At 10 yrs old while preparing for my first communion, I remember being taught the story of Eve the Temptress and how, with the simple bite of the fruit, she corrupted Adam with her feminine woes resulting in their expulsion from the oasis that was The Garden of Eden. What was it about Eve that made Adam succumb? This story deeply affected, disturbed, and fascinated me all at the same time, for a very long time. In some ways it was, and still is, the reason I question the intentions of every woman I have ever met. This biblical story was not the only red flag that warned me. I know of a whole generation of men, from puberty to adulthood, who tout women are the basis for their perpetual state of guardedness. Yet, in many cases, the gospel they quote is the contemporary version sung new jack swing style by Bel Biv Devoe, “NEVER TRUST A BIG BUTT AND A SMILE, THAT GIRL IS POISON!!!” While not all of us were aware of BBD’s biblical reference, we knew from that day on, we had heard the word and would be forever faithful followers of it.

This biblical cautionary tale and all its attempts at warning us as men of our own self destruction from temptation that was named “Her” as she was the source of human original sin came back to me as strong as when I had read the story for the first time as a child, while having a conversation with a longtime friend, I extended an invitation for him, his wife and two lovely daughters to attend the seventh annual MIH Heatwave barbeque. The event is by far one of the most anticipated summer gatherings of young Black professionals in New York City. Those of a certain ilk, flock to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park for beautiful people, libations, and good finger lickin’ eatin’. Sweet memories are made each year as folks share laughs, camaraderie and witty conversation. As I described the mise en scène, he was gung- ho, echoing my excitement with each detail I relayed about the beauty that was and would be at the MIH Heatwave 7.0. In fact, he couldn’t wait to bring his family to share in the afternoon of summer goodness. My boy was there right along with me. He wanted his family to join us in the atmosphere of friendship and fun that was going to take place at the event. Knowing he had never been to the event, I gladly provided him with all pertinent information. To seal the deal, I forwarded him the full email invitation with pictures from last year’s gathering. I did not, however, anticipate his reaction to the invitation pictures.

Below are excerpts from the e-mails that transpired from there (names have been changed to protect the identities of the innocent and not get my boy in any trouble with his wife)

“K’s” email began, “As a young married man with a family, still virile might I add, this would not be something I would voluntarily come to with my wife and my daughter.”

He went on to say that, they would have a good time, but he himself would not. He continued, “This is something I would go to with you, Cous Steph and/or Mike. Not the sort of thing I take my family along to. And if I have to explain this even more,” he went on to say, “think about it in the terms of that I would have to behave myself.”

“K” thanked me for the invitation then ended with, “Appreciate your freedom now my friend. When you settle down like me, these types of events will be no more.”

This deeply disturbed me to the point that I had to take some time for his words to sink in—which they never really did-- before I responded with;

“NAAAAAH, it’s just good folk enjoying themselves. I have a few friends who are bringing their families too. Just a cool Sunday activity for the family with great energy and no type of disrespect. In addition, this may or may not be of interest to you, but there is a very large following of mixed individuals who will be there. I think that would be great for your girls to experience so they can see adult reflections of themselves in a positive setting. Dude, you're my guy and I'd like to chill with you and La Familia. I understand everything you've said but I'd truly appreciate it if you reconsidered.”

K's Response was, “It would work if Julie (his eldest daughter) was here but she is in Cali with the mother-in-law…sorry my man, ain't gonna work. Gonna probably take them to the beach instead (or maybe the botanicals, hmmmm…”)

I was saddened to hear that he wouldn’t make it. The conversation did not settle right with me. I was reminded of the opening scene in “Hitch.” In the scene, Hitch's longtime friend and brother-in-law are playing pool, the friend begins to pontificate about the shallowness and pathetic nature of single life and how being married with child is the true definition of success. Mere seconds later, Hitch’s friend suddenly changes his mind after two gorgeous women walk into the club. He stares at the women, the corner of his lips almost drooling with saliva.

Hitch turns to him and says, "Do you want me to go get them and bring them over here?"

The friend tries to contain and compose himself but instead stutters, "NO No Nooo Nooooo, doonnn ddooonnn't don't do that!"

Hitch retorts, “Are you saying you don't want to talk to them, because you can't go home with them?"

The friend pleads, "Hey, what do you want from me? I'm just trying to keep my head above water," with such piety as if he would sink and drown in Hades’ pool just for looking at the women.

My conversation with “K” also reminded me of another scenario that occurred with another attached friend. I took “C”, my good friend, and his now wife then girlfriend, “J” to the launch of another friend’s weekly event. “C” and “J” were excited about the night and trusted in the fact that I always came through with a good party for all to enjoy. We walked through the huge curtains that separated the front from the actual club and entered-- what was for me a beautiful sight as a single man-- a room filled to capacity with some of the most beautiful women I have ever encountered. The ratio was three - to- one with most of them being oh so friendly (YAY FOR ME!).

After about 45 minutes of great music, good people, old and new friends, “C” walked over, tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, "We have to get the FUCK out of here."

I asked with concern, "Why? Did something happen?"

"This is just too much for me” he said with a look of desperation on his face.

I burst out with laughter, unable to contain myself. I then looked around the room and eyed all those cool people, gorgeous women, and one lady in particular, that was giving me the sexy eye. Reluctantly, I scouted out my friend, the promoter of the event, to tell him we were leaving. As I let the words spill from my mouth, the look of shock hit the faces surrounding us in unison.

The promoter, with that same look of shock, posed the question that was stamped on everyone’s face, "Why? This shit is crazy tonight." Before I could say a word, "C" stepped in "It's my fault he has to leave. I'm here with my girl and just can't be in a room with this many gorgeous women."

Everyone in earshot broke out into laughter as they puffed up with pride taking my friend’s anxious comment as a compliment. "Dude just chill, have a good time," they advised.

"I have to get out of here. What can I say I'm just trying to keep my head above water" (There goes that line again)

Being the good friend that I am, I forgot about my own pleasure and took them to another party with less of an offering of goodies for us (ME) to enjoy. This wasn't the first or last time that situation happened with “C”. Just a few weeks ago he turned down another one of my invitations, This time it was to attend the Triple 5 Soul rooftop party with his wife (in short, imagine a massive rooftop filled end to end with the, greatest yearly gathering-- second only to the MIH barbeque,--of black folks in New York City). This event was foregone amongst numerous other soirees in between for the same reasons listed above by “C”, “K”, and a majority of my other married male friends as they justify the need to sacrifice a good time to keep their sanity and morality.

I started to wonder what or who was the problem for these married, in most ways, good men. They believed in the sanctity of marriage. Each had made the commitment and, to my knowledge, had never strayed from their vows. So what was it about being around other women that put such fear into them? I’ve heard the complaint from married men in many forms but the gist of it is, when they go out with their wedding rings on women go through hell and high water to try and turn them into her new married trophy piece (which, even in a kind of twisted way, was the topic on a Humanity critic’s post recently. Please look past his reasoning to his friend’s insight and you will understand the point I have heard time and time again). That’s it. Eve lured Adam. Women are the reason why good married men cannot be around other women and weak married men cheat. However, get a woman’s side of the story. Most will declare that men are hardwired whores who cannot pass up an opportunity to stick it in any hole that will drunkenly give it up.

If my friends are right,

I guess the secret of a happy marriage for men is as long as you don't hear, see, or speak anything related to other women, you can live the dream.

Is that what I have to look forward to when I actualize my Cosbiesque future? A married life filled with me just trying to keep my head above water to protect the illusion?

This is where the fear for me sets in. I am the product of a single parent home, even though my father was in my life, he wasn’t with my mother and for that, I was always at a loss and in a perpetual state of longing for what I saw every week on all my favorite sitcoms. From Family Ties with their matured hippie parents raising a family and accepting their children for whomever they chose to be, even if it was an uptight, conservative, capitalist Republican to my all time favorite and the one show in a lot of ways I mirrored my life and future dreams after – The Cosby show. Every Thursday I sat in front of my TV and watched what a real family was suppose to be - two loving married black parents raising children in a home filled with love, Art, music, support, passion, nurture, positive reflections of black, success, pride, and the list could go on for pages of all the things I got from it and wanted for myself. Don’t get me wrong I was blessed as a child with a mother and extended family that went above and beyond to give me everything a child could want and desire.

It was just that I always watched this show with an underlined anxiety. Could I be my own version of Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable? Could I be a good husband? Father? Black Man? Even though I hadn’t had one in my own home to show me how to be all those thing? With every relationship, I question my ability to be half the man I talked about being. I love the dream I’ve created and the future I want, but as my friends seem to give me more and more reason to question the true strength and love of their marriages all I am left to do is question the strength of my resolve to be the man I dreamed about being every Thursday at 8:00pm for eight seasons through each and every syndicated rerun I’ve watched since over and over again.


PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS HERE IF YOU HAVE THEM, WOULD LOVE TO READ WHAT YOU THINK.

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE...

I think I need anger management, Yoga, Acid, a belly rub - Something. It feels as if I’m always in a perpetual state of wartime readiness with Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five whispering in my ear “Don’t push me cuss I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head” as I wait not so patiently for anyone to set me off. I had received a call from my friend Steve asking me to work with him on a new photo project yesterday afternoon. When I tell you it’s an idea that truly speaks to the hidden parts of my soul I’m understating it. It should have made for the best beginning to my day and gave me the good energy to breeze through the rest of my day on a high. Unfortunately, at the same time I was speaking to him I was standing inside a new Bank of America branch that opened in my neighborhood in front of a “Professional teller” as they’ve named themselves. So my question is; Are there amateur tellers just coming into the bank messing with my money and what does it take to go Pro? Anyway I was in front of my “Professional Teller” at this bank which with all my heart I believe that the whole staff was trained by drunk monkeys and let loose on the community to inflict the most amounts of pain, frustration, misinformation, and stupidity possible from behind a spit and bulletproof glass divider. So as I was talking to Steve, this teller proceeded to tell me something that set me OFF. WOW, did I go off. It happened so quick that I didn’t even realize I still had the phone to my mouth as I had this conniption, pour Buddhist, calm, and always collected Steve baring the full brunt of my wrath as I let into this woman. The branch manager coming over to do the calming whisper, which only enraged me even more, it was at this point that I knew I was really going to go off and I realized Steve was still on the phone, I told him I’d call him back, hung up, and went in on both the teller and the branch manager as if they had just called my mother whatever it is someone could call your mother and you get found not guilty for a murder charge on the grounds of temporary insanity.

Here's the thing though, it just wasn’t that serious. Yes they had fucked up, but they always fuck up. I attract stupid people; I think its God's ways of keeping my verbal assault skills at their sharpest. The crazy thing is that I am the master of the calm and firm “dialogue” (more me getting in your ass than us having a discussion, but we’ll call it “dialogue” for appearances), plus it helps that I’m a 6ft 2, 250+ pound black man with a Mohawk and a face that screams “Fuck with me if you want to! I eat people for fun.” So yes I got my way, but I could have gotten it without losing it and that’s exactly what happened, I lost it. I had no control over myself and that’s just not cool. What made it worse was that I wasn’t even that mad, as soon as I walked out I was back to being geeked about Steve's photo idea. I wanted to go back and apologize, but I wasn’t that happy or willing to allow them to excuse their own stupidity and contradiction with a belief that it was all good. I do think I will go tomorrow though, just for my own soul. I don’t like what’s going on and the direction it’s going in so I think, correction, I know I need to do something about it. Guess it’s just a matter of figuring out what. Does anyone know where I can get some Acid? Hippies seem so happy and relaxed, going for that. I’ll take a chance to make my own porn with chemistry instead though, that seems like it could lead to some serious Happy Happy Joy Joy me.


UPDATE

So I did it, I woke up early today and went to the Bank hat in hand and apologized both to the “Professional Teller” (I don’t care that is still funny) and Branch manager for unleashing the wrath of the heavens upon the both of them for no real reason. As I apologized they kept telling me it was ok and there was no need for it. They had already moved past it and understood my frustration for having so many issues trying to complete what should have been a simple transaction. I realized the apology had less to do with them than it did with me. I was apologizing to myself for allowing it to all get out of hand, losing my composure and with it my self-respect. I've always loved yet not necessarily lived by the proverb “When you argue with a fool, no one looking can tell which is which" I'm tired of being seen as a fool.

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Monday, August 13, 2007

A SUNDAY WITH ZAP MAMA TO WARM ME UP

You might not know this from my past couple of post, but I haven’t been in the best mood. LOL, yea I know, whatever! It’s been a terrible weekend and I put my business all in the streets, but that’s why I started this thing. So I woke on Sunday on some fuck the world stuff. I had turned off my phone from the night before so I didn’t have to hear any more of that damn crackberry beeping from people calling, texting, and e-mailing to tell me about all the shit I missed. I GET IT; I MISSED THE PARTY OF THE YEAR!!! As for you that don’t know what happened that’s just the way it’s going to have to stay because if I go into it again I’m going to get pissed and none of the people responsible are worth the text. I will however say one thing; sometimes you just have to go it alone.

So I woke up at around 2:30pm, YES 2:30PM. Drank some orange juice, further ignored my crackberry, and thought about why I allow myself to be so angered by others. Then I decided that I wasn’t going to let anyone fuck with my Sunday. That was officially the beginning of a good Sunday. Had frozen some bottles of water from the night before, emptied out a water bottle and made myself a very very nice rum laced beverage for my day out, left my house at about 3:30pm wasn’t in the mood to eat anything heavy so I got a honey turkey and Swiss sandwich to enjoy at the show. Hit the train and was in the city rather quick. As soon as I walked into the SummerStage area I ran into some great friends I had recently made the acquaintance of at my normal Sunday hang. It’s the best feeling to enter a venue and be greeted with big smiles and warm hugs filled with sincerity and love. We made our way through the crowd looking for our friends that were in the know, as we separated to find some of our friends I turned my head and saw another old friend sitting in the sponsor VIP area. A couple of hugs and smiles later I’m sitting in the sponsor VIP area with this friend that I hadn’t seen in over a year, but then saw twice in the past two days. This universe has an interesting way of making things happen.

I had gotten there at approximately 5:15, too late to have seen Angelique Kidjo, but to be honest that’s not what I was here for, I was here for Zap Mama. 5:24 the band started it off, 5:31 Zap mama hit the stage as scheduled (YES, SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY SHOW UP ON TIME!). The show was exactly what I needed, a full 2hr set with all my favorites from everyone of their albums, not just a huge promo show for their new album “Supermoon” which they had only mentioned once as they performed my favorite cut from the album “1,0.00 ways” and we sang along to each word as if the album hadn’t only been out for two days.. To see these women jump up on the stage as if it was a massive trampoline, move a 1000+ people to sing and chant along at the top of their lungs, dance, and wave their hands takes a special kind of performer and soul and that soul belongs to Marie Daulne. I needed a fix and she gave me just the hit I needed.

It amazed me how this place had dramatically changed my mood, made me realize I’m not built for negativity, I need the warmth of positive energy. Some people I know are always talking about how you have to flow with whatever happens and not allow things to affect you as if being indifferent to the world around you is in anyway a good thing. I am sensitive and I love it (sometimes) but it’s my sensitivity that allows me to truly be able to feel moments like this. I realized music truly lives deep within me and controls my mood and energy, I remember being in a terrible mood over something a few years back and a DJ putting on Talib Kweli’s “Get by” and my whole mood changing, the song forcing me up off my feet to stand on top of the table so I could feel each and every word and note of the song just as I had that night I talked about in my “PLEASE SWEAT THESE TECHNIQUES” post a few weeks ago. I came to a great realization last night; Music is my mistress and I'm addicted to her loving.

After a THREE song encore, I started out the park and ran into Sallome a soul that exudes such warmth it makes ice-cream melt in its presence. I looked at her, she looked at me; "BROOOKLYN!" We made our way to the train to try and make it to the last Soul Summit show in Forte Green park, we had both wanted to get there in time to be part of the “I LOVE BK” documentary that’s currently in production all over that there borough of ours. We got off the train in Fort Greene aka Chocolate Chelsea as my home girl Sabrina had coined it, ran into so many friends that by the time we tried to make it to the park everyone was walking out of it. We ran into some more friends and turned our asses back around and made it back to Habana with the crowd to enjoy some more rum and tequila laced beverages, food, great conversations, and some people even watched the movie. I LOVE MY SUNDAYS.


Summer is eternal, believe in it.

P.S. WOMEN SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER CHEW GUM; THIS IS WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.


NOT A DAMN THING SEXY ABOUT THAT!

GVG

~we're the warriors they write epics about~


UPDATE

Finally got the pix from the Zap Mama and Angelique Kidjo show at Summerstage.



I hear I missed a great show by Angelique Kidjo





Zap Mama








Sunday, August 12, 2007

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAY


It is now 8:22am and I’ve just walked into my home. That wouldn’t have been a problem if I had just come from an evening of fun or anything having ANYTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH ME! I’m not going to get into what caused me to be out until 8:22am, but I will say that there isn’t a word in the English, French, or Creole languages that could describe the level of anger I feel right now. I’m supposed to be waking up at 12pm to see Zap Mama create a supernova with their performance on SummerStage today, So if this in anyway effects that happening or puts me in the type of mood where I just don’t want to go out - another one of those fucking bridges I was talking about yesterday is going to get burned the F.U.C.K DOWN! My friendship isn’t a right; it’s a privilege, and I revoke privileges like I’m the fucking warden of Attica.

No idea what time I’m going to wake up so I’ll post the audio foreplay sampling now. I know this should be day three in my new music review series, but with it being Sunday and Zap Mama performing on summer stage I’ve decided to postpone the third installment until tomorrow and dedicate today’s audio foreplay Sunday to Zap Mama with a sampling of my favorite Zap Mama videos. As always enjoy the moments.

Zap Mama & Erykah Badu - Bandy Bandy


Zap Mama - Sweet Melodie


Zap Mama - Brrrlak


Zap MaMa-Abadou


GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Our love to admire then kill


I woke up to a message today that messed with me in a way that I just wasn’t in the right place to have that be the first thing I saw. The line that really got to me was the closing, which read “Don’t burn the last bridge you have”. I laughed while thinking - FUCK YOU! You don’t know shit about me or my bridges! I was awake, I needed music as I moved about, so I attempted to continue the new music high I was riding by putting on Interpol’s new release “Our love to admire”. That was a mistake, its dark with heavy erry base and guitar riffs combined with Paul Bank’s moody voice and even moodier lyrics laced across them to totally fuck up my mood and make me look way deeper into that last line than I wanted to. Thinking about the bridges I poured gasoline over with a lit lighter in one hand, my middle finger up in the other, with a cocky tone of satisfaction calmly saying from the other side of the grass “FUCK YOU. You’re not worth the wood you were built with.” As I dropped the lighter, turned my back, and walked away not even turning around to see it burn. That’s the life of a rock star. Actually that’s my life and I’m no rock star, just an only child who lives in his head with the music, books, and movies that make it all go away. That’s the life of a loner. I’m alone even in the middle of a crowd with them all screaming my name.

If you have any doubts about what this album has in store for you watch the video for the first single "The Heinrich Maneuver" below

Interpol - "The Heinrich Maneuver"


GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

ZAP MAMA HAS PLANTED A FLAG ON THEIR SUPERMOON


As you know I was inspired yesterday by the sounds of all this great music I was playing to write and write and write some more. You get to see the reviews, but there were some other things written that you might see very very soon. Below is the second installment in the new music review series with Zap Mama and their new release “Supermoon”. These are all reviews for music that speak to the hidden parts of my soul, so you know you are in store for some good vibes and even better sounds. Enjoy.

Today was a great day for new music some from the known and some others from the unknown. After I played the UGK album, I thought let’s keep this new music high going with Zap Mama's new release "Supermoon". Yes, I am the weirdo who plays a “gangsta rap” album then moves onto some funky out this world "world music” next. The album opens with an up-tempo jam “1000 ways” and goes into each and every one of the ways they’re great until the last word of “Princess Kesia”. This is just what I've come to expect, in the best sense of word, of this brilliant group lead by Marie Daulne. It’s a funky, soulful, and well layered offering to give you all the things you need when you don’t understand most of the words they’re saying. I think Time Magazine said it well "Marie Daulne and Zap Mama make music that sounds like a one woman multicultural movement, melding African percussion, American soul and European urbanity." This Sunday I will be seeing them at Summer Stage ripping the roof off of a place with no ceiling other than the ones you create for yourself as a performer.


Zap Mama “1000 Ways”

Zap Mama “Supermoon” Video



GVG

~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Friday, August 10, 2007

CALL THEM THE KINGZ


For the past couple of days I have been on a serious new music kick and with the exception of a couple of albums that made me almost break my speakers, it’s been a great time for my ears. I started listening to one album and then started writing as I finished writing about one I started playing another which moved me to continue to write and so on and so and so on (BTW that “so on” line that I love using so much wasn’t originated by Outkast on “Morris Brown”, it’s actually from an old TV commercial). At the end of the day I had been moved to write about five albums - UGK’s “Underground Kings”, Zap Mama’s “Supermoon”, Keith Murrays “Rap-Murr-Phobia”, Common’s “Finding Forever”, and Alice Smith’s “For Lovers, Dreamers & Me”. I realized once I was done writing that no one was trying to read that many reviews at once. So I will be posting one each day for the next five days with album samplings and a video. Below is the first entry for UGK, which was the one that got it all started.

I just finished playing, excuse me, I mean Blasting UGK's latest double disk release "Underground Kingz" for the third time and it moved me to the point of writing about it. To be perfectly honest I was never a huge UGK fan, I appreciated and respected their contribution to Hip Hop and their strong Southern representation way before the south was getting so much attention, just wasn’t my thing. I always put them in the same class as Scarface, which for anyone who knows me knows how big a statement that is, but to be honest it had nothing to do with the music. However, with this latest release I will probably have to reevaluate their placement in my Hip Hop appreciation chart and give them their proper due.

As with most albums as of late I had it for a while and just didn’t hit the trigger on the play button, I had been in love with the first single “International Players Anthem” but that had more to do with that serious monogamy SLAP DOWN my man Andre “Feature Killer” 3000 put down with his opening verse. Which had most people seeing it as an Andre 3000 track featuring UGK and Big Boi (Respect that mans gangsta, greatest rapper of the year just off of five features, not even his own stuff, WATCH WHATS ABOUT TO GO DOWN WITH HIS NEW RAP ALBUM. The other four were DJ Unk ft. Andre 3000, Jim Jones, & Big Boi “Walk it out” (Remix), Lloyd ft. Andre 3000 & Nas “I want you” (Remix) , Rich Boy ft. Andre 3000, Jim Jones, Nelly, Murphy Lee, & The Game “Throw Some Ds” (Remix) , Devin the Dude ft. Andre 3000 & Snoop Dogg “What a Job”) Like a lot of people I spoke to about it that thought as I did - Why listen to a DOUBLE DISK album for ONE SONG? I could just go onto all my friends space pages and listen to it whenever I liked or play the extended video (posted below) on YouTube whenever I needed my wedding bell bliss and that chick talkin about “Tic, If that bitch do you dirty we'll wipe her ass out as in detergent”.

Then I decided to press play, WOW! No doubt that it’s a southern rap album by UGK, for anyone who has been a fan I’m sure you’re in no way surprised by what Pimp C and Bun B are putting down on this 26 track masterwork ridin hard while you lean offering with 3 bonus tracks. An album like this is the personification of what I call “Ridin music”, because it makes you want to lean all the way back in your ride and drive through the hood slow bobbin your head at 15 miles an hr. It’s lyrical, which has seem to become an oxymoron when in the same context as almost any other southern rap, above mentioned Andre “Feature Killer” 3000 excluded, with bluesy live instrumentation and gently rippling funk sampled beats that are perfectly chosen to put you in that leanin mood and appreciate every single word layered over them.

Every feature artist steps into the world of UGK and plays in their sandbox, while not losing the charisma and personal style that made them feature worthy in the first place. Some features surprised me off the back until I heard them and realized how perfectly they fit. When you see Too Short, Scarface, Slim Thug, Willie D, Jazze Pha, Rick Ross, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, and T.I. on the track listing you think - PIMPIN & HUSTLIN, and they don’t surprise nor let you down with any of those tracks nor the ones with no features, but then you see the other features Charlie Wilson, Dizzie Rascal, Raheem DeVaughn, and Talib Kweli then you start to question what they have in store for you and if you are willing to take this ride. I took it and never had to change my lean to feel it, all the guest knew whose house they came to and played their positions well to create UGKs muzak. The best summary I heard of the album was “heavy doses of braggadocios slick talk, unbridled swagger and machismo gun talk” I think that summed it up, so I’ll close it out with that.

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

UGK & Outkast - Int'l Player's Anthem (Extended Cut)

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

A LAURYN HILL LIVE IN BK REVIEW FROM ONE OF THE LOST ONES


I can't believe I missed it, I was so sure she was going to be cracked out and I couldn't handle seeing her like that. I would have broken down, I love her. I've been watching all the past show clips, interviews, articles, so have you, and I wasn't looking forward to experiencing her in that state in my home town. Then I get a call at around 12:30am from my friend Kwesi asking "PLEASE tell me you're walking out of the concert with me right now???!?!!?!??" once I told him no, he began to tell me about my loss and for that I shall forever be in mourning. I wish I was there to be able to write my own review, but I missed it so I’ll have to give you a firsthand account from someone smarter than me. Here is Candace L’s review from the OkayPlayer website.

"Ms. Lauryn Hill LIVE in Brooklyn"

Candace L.
Lauryn Hill in Brooklyn’s Wingate Field
8.6.07

It’s a good thing they left so early.
It’s a good thing it was so hot late into the evening.
It’s an even better thing that she got lost.

Deep on the other side of nowhere is East Flatbush, Brooklyn, home to the world’s slowest CVS pharmacy, a Kennedy Fried Chicken shack and on Monday night, 10,000 visitors from across the five boroughs and East Coast. The elusive Lauryn Hill came to town that night and though not many believed she would actually show up, the masses came in throngs just in case. One early bird for the 7:30pm show came at 5:30pm only to find a line outside of Wingate Field already stretching down the block. These were the people desiring the limited seats at the Field, who evidently quickly surrendered them during Hill’s set when she didn’t sing “That Thing” soon enough for them. But more on that later.

The evening began with heavy promotion. Outside the park, makeshift stands and carts were set up to sell everything from Poland Spring to tube socks (hopefully for standing on the dirt and grass, but probably for no better reason than to push some socks). Once inside the gate, the marketing continued from the event’s host, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who paraded political allies onstage to Bush-bash and awkwardly pretend they were interested in a Lauryn Hill concert. Best of the pre-show was a group of teenaged-looking girls in tight red tees and tighter black pants or shorts. They appeared to be some sort of local dance group, but once onstage, they were introduced as a group of workers from various Applebee’s restaurants there to present raffle winners with a free dinner. But first they went down the line introducing themselves and pitching Applebee’s dishes (‘My name is Daishika. Try our new Apple BBQ Chicken Salad at the BedStuy Applebee’s on Fulton Street and come see me.’) Young girls in tight clothes asking a group of strangers to ‘come see them’ - nothing cheeky about that at all.

The first intentional entertainment of the night was Sean Kingston, the seventeen-year-old singer of “Beautiful Girls,” a song that is allegedly number one on a chart somewhere right now. Cute enough song, but it didn’t seem like he was a singer at all. He mostly switched between talking the lyrics to the adoring tweens in the crowd and chatting with his equally youthful hype man. His set consisted of coaxing “Brooklyn!” chants from the patient audience and singing along with the songs of much more popular artists. Not sure of the strategy on that one, but it worked. There was enough of him to feel like he was there, but little enough substance to easily delete him for all the mental files on Lauryn you were soon to collect.

As expected, the changeover between acts was excruciating. Not only because it exceeded thirty minutes, but because at that point, if you were employed and unable to wait in line at four in the afternoon for a seat, you were standing somewhere on an uneven plot of unkempt grass in cute shoes. Not helping matters was the jittery Markowitz saying every five minutes, “Her manager says this is how it goes. She is coming.” We were thinking it, but his reassurances that Hill wouldn’t flake were anything but comforting. Once the band streamed onstage, the delay was justified. A procession of at least ten people, including three backup singers, three drummers (including congas), a guitarist, a keyboardist and a horn section filled the stage and began laying down some jazzy funk. Many were on their feet from this point on in anticipation of the star of the show, waiting for this funk interlude to end and the hip-hop show to begin. Well, that happened and it didn’t. After a couple selections, the band simmered down and allowed the entrance for an afro’d figure decked in brown and denim. She was here. Thicker than before, but as beautiful as you remember and jacked with energy. Wasting no time, the funk interlude swelled into a full-blown gospel jaunt, prompting a nearby fan to complain, “Why don’t she just sing?” A few songs later, a woman next to her disdainfully co-signed, “All this jump around music.” Good thing they left early.

Really early. Hill went on to perform for the next 90 minutes, but the impatient or disappointed were seen streaming from their front and center seated and standing positions after just 15 minutes of ‘jump around music.’ From the gospel, Hill launched into an oldie, but goodie, “Lost Ones,” but not as you remember it. This version had a harder, rock edge to it and Hill sped through her lines as if she were daring her own band to keep up with her. Speed was an issue with Hill throughout the night. After finally settling down enough so the audience could sing along with some of the songs, Hill impatiently spurred her band, “Come on, come on. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go! Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up. Ow!” This was not the same chick from "Sister Act 2." That sweet, yearning singer was replaced by a howling, Jackie Wilson leg-flipping, arm-waving, revival-leading maniac. Maybe that’s the picture they should have put in the program because a number of the once eager crowd put their recording devices away and sat back through hype versions of Bob Marley’s “Natty Dread,” “When It Hurt So Bad,” “Final Hour” and Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman.” Eventually, Hill appeased the R&B lovers and slowed things down with the still moving “Ex-Factor” and “Zion.” She continued the chill out session with Roberta Flack’s, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Apologizing for her strained vocal chords, Hill made the crowd forget that this isn’t the Flack cover that made her popular. In an instant, she transformed from the bastard child of Betty Davis and Sly Stone to inhabit the warm elegance that so many of her fans remember.

The remaining loyalists in the crowd, or at least curious gawkers, were rewarded further as Hill reached back to some of her hits as a Fugees member, scatting through “How Many Mics,” “Fu-Gee-La” and “Zealots.” We officially reached the throwback portion of the show as she then steamrolled through rousing renditions of “Killing Me Softly” and “Everything is Everything” that had the crowd jumping off its feet. One of the show’s sponsors must have been Red Bull because Hill never skipped a beat. Good thing she was the only person wearing a leather vest in 90 degree weather or she would have resembled any other fan out there. She seemed to enjoy revisiting the hits as much as the audience.


For an encore, Hill sang one of her new songs, “Lose Myself” that returned to some of the jumpier melodies performed earlier in her set. The chorus, “I lose myself/so I can make it better” felt so poignant considering what we know (or think we know) about her time spent out of the spotlight since "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She closed the night out asking Brooklyn a question with the assistance of her amazing back-up singers, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” As the voices clamored, “Yeah!” Hill and crew swung into the last hit of the night, “That Thing.”

As the band quieted down and Hill left the stage, her lyrics hung in the air with brand new import, “Things done changed/And you know they not ready.” Things have changed and the hollowed out crowd maybe proved that people are still not ready for what Hill is bringing to the table. Hailed almost a decade ago for her soulful lyrics about heartache and self-fulfillment, Hill has re-emerged seemingly stronger, happier and dancing all over the stage (I was waiting for her tasseled leather vest to fall to the floor only for one of her bandmates to throw it back on her shoulders, but to no avail.). But many of her fans seem stuck in 1998 wanting to hear sob stories that no longer exist. It’s probably for the best. Good thing L Boogie got lost. It helped her find Ms. Hill.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS 2


The pictures below don’t begin to paint the picture of what the 2nd Annual Evening under the Stars was. This was an event that Timothy Grae and myself came up with last year, the first one was a huge success for an event whose underlined theme was “Don’t get our black asses locked up” and under those restraints we still managed to bring to fruition an evening picnic in Central Park on the upper east side attended by approximately 150 mostly people of color all by word of mouth. With no problems other than a patrol car parked at the bottom of the hill where we were at for the majority of the event which I actually knew nothing of until the end. Once we realized “Hey, they didn’t lock us up. Oh, it’s on for next year”, It was with that statement that the plans begun for what would be the second installment and for my own reasons I had backed out of the production of the second year and left it in the masterful hands of Timothy Grae and Grae Enterprises to bring to fruition this time around. I was pleasantly shocked to come up over the hill (The effect we first wanted when we found Cherry Hill last year on a early evening location stroll) and to be taken aback by almost double the amount of attendees as last year and a set up that would rival any high end outdoor function I’ve produced or attended in presentation and organization. The beauty of Evening under the stars can only truly be understood by those who were there, but believe me when I say you don’t want to miss next year.

Evening Under the Stars Pictures

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Sunday, August 5, 2007

AUDIO FOREPLAY SUNDAY


I’m grumpy, nothing happened just in a bad mood. I really had no desire or plans of doing an audio foreplay sampling today, until I thought I’d like to hear or see something to give me goose bumps. Then it came to me and I wanted to share it with you.



In a couple of hours I will be sipping wine under the evening stars and that will definitely put me in a better mood. As always enjoy the moments...

GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

Thursday, August 2, 2007

THE RACE DRAFT


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GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~

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