Summer has finally arrived, and for that I say Amen. In my part of the country, it usually gets warm around late April/early May, but prior to today, I believe it was warm enough for me to wear shorts three or four times. That's just ridiculous. It better stay nice through mid-October to make up for the general crappiness of our spring. Bad times.
I've reached the part of the year where I only work about 20-25 hours a week. It's great to have so much free time, as long as I have something to do with it. I'm directing some 10 minute play readings next weekend, and then I'm going to produce a big short play festival, hopefully sometime in September. Hopefully these things will keep me out of mischief. Of course, if you're reading this, you probably want crazy stories. I'll see if I can oblige...
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
holding pattern
Just watched Elf...amazing how I can think a movie is stupid and hilarious at the same time. I think that I would have slapped Buddy the Elf silly several times. Why he's able to score a hot babe is beyond me, and why we all believe it lies further away than that.
Sitting in my apartment on a Sunday night, waiting for my peeps to get done with work so that I can go out (Monday is our day off). I'm in one of those spots where I've drank beer three or four nights in a row, and the last couple of days I've said to myself, "No beer tonight. Just have juice, or, if you want something alcoholic, have something like scotch." And every night I end up drinking a couple of beers. Must...stop...the...madness...
Off to the bar...to have a couple of beers.
Sitting in my apartment on a Sunday night, waiting for my peeps to get done with work so that I can go out (Monday is our day off). I'm in one of those spots where I've drank beer three or four nights in a row, and the last couple of days I've said to myself, "No beer tonight. Just have juice, or, if you want something alcoholic, have something like scotch." And every night I end up drinking a couple of beers. Must...stop...the...madness...
Off to the bar...to have a couple of beers.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
My computer is back...
...and so am I.
When you're totally addicted to the internet and e-mail, it's pretty traumatic to lose your lifeline for six weeks. But my computer was pretty sick...dozens and dozens of viruses. Apparently the anti-virus software/firewall I received from the cable company was worthless. So for two years my computer has been a haven to hackers everywhere.
Lots of great stories to tell; the most interesting one is that I may soon change my location from "West Coast" to "East Coast". But more on that one later...
When you're totally addicted to the internet and e-mail, it's pretty traumatic to lose your lifeline for six weeks. But my computer was pretty sick...dozens and dozens of viruses. Apparently the anti-virus software/firewall I received from the cable company was worthless. So for two years my computer has been a haven to hackers everywhere.
Lots of great stories to tell; the most interesting one is that I may soon change my location from "West Coast" to "East Coast". But more on that one later...
Thursday, June 02, 2005
sick
I have a nasty throat infection, which has made it pretty damn difficult to talk. In fact, I'm actually in the middle of two days of "complete vocal rest". I never thought I was a chatterbox, but after these last couple of days I may have to re-evaluate that position. It's really frustrating not to be able to say what's on your mind. At least I have this blog...oh wait...I still don't have my computer...crap. At least I have my health...oh wait...
This sucks.
This sucks.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Computer Issues
Sorry for my lack of updates...my laptop is on the fritz. And until I get it fixed/returned to me, I can't do any more hip-hop classes, or tell you stories about my super-fun adventures in sub-Urbia. Hopefully by the end of the week things will be up and running again. See you soon!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
my perfect woman
I like girls that are a little bit uncool. To the rest of the world, they seem suave, sophisticated, they've got their shit together. But, behind closed doors, I want a woman who is not afraid to let her inner geek show. I tend to have my best relationships with these women.
And, since I know you're going to ask this question...no, I am not dorky at all. I'm as cool as the other side of the pillow at all times.
And, since I know you're going to ask this question...no, I am not dorky at all. I'm as cool as the other side of the pillow at all times.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Happy Orgasm Day!
Geez, some towns will do anything to get on the map. Still, if they're celebrating a holiday as important as this one somewhere in the world, we should do our part. Make sure that you have an appropriate celebration for this one...I'm sure you can figure something out.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Hip Hop school IV
You're probably wondering where class #3 is...basically, it's taken me forever to get the music for it, and I was checking out all of these obscure underground West Coast tracks...so eventually I decided that I needed to get this party started again. Anyway, I'll post #3 at the end of this week/beginning of next week.
This class focuses on 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. - they're the two titans in rap history, and they deserved their own CD. You could actually do a class on just 2Pac alone - it was hard for me to include just nine songs of his. Biggie only had two albums released when he was alive, so of course there are less songs of his, but I was able to include some classic tracks.
Here's the list:
2Pac - Brenda's Got A Baby - the serious side
Notorious B.I.G. - Who Shot Ya?
2Pac f/Shock G & Money B - I Get Around - everyone forgets he was with Digital Underground
Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa - "A t-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's Grape"
2Pac - Me Against The World
Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy - his best song ever, IMHO
2Pac f/Dr. Dre - California Love - everyone knows where they were when this song was hot - and we were all like, "Wait, isn't 'Pac from the East Coast?"
Notorious B.I.G. - One More Chance
2Pac f/Danny Boy - I Ain't Mad At Cha
Notorious B.I.G. - B.I.G. Interlude - he explains his name in 45 seconds...excellent
2Pac f?Outlawz - Hit Em Up - here's where the East Coast/West Coast thing went nuclear...that tends to happen when you claim you slept with someone's wife on record
Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
2Pac - Toss It Up
Notorious B.I.G. - Niggas Bleed - VIBE magazine published an analysis of this song about 7 or 8 years ago, and it's amazing how much stuff is crammed into this song...if anyone out there has a copy of that article, let me know
2Pac - To Live & Die In L.A.
Notorious B.I.G. f/Mase & Puff Daddy - Mo Money Mo Problems
2Pac - Do For Love - my favorite posthumous track of his...there are a lot to choose from
Notorious B.I.G f/Eminem - Dead Wrong - his other posthumous track is probably better, but this has a wicked beat
So who was better, 2Pac or Biggie? And yes, there is a right answer to the question...
This class focuses on 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. - they're the two titans in rap history, and they deserved their own CD. You could actually do a class on just 2Pac alone - it was hard for me to include just nine songs of his. Biggie only had two albums released when he was alive, so of course there are less songs of his, but I was able to include some classic tracks.
Here's the list:
2Pac - Brenda's Got A Baby - the serious side
Notorious B.I.G. - Who Shot Ya?
2Pac f/Shock G & Money B - I Get Around - everyone forgets he was with Digital Underground
Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa - "A t-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's Grape"
2Pac - Me Against The World
Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy - his best song ever, IMHO
2Pac f/Dr. Dre - California Love - everyone knows where they were when this song was hot - and we were all like, "Wait, isn't 'Pac from the East Coast?"
Notorious B.I.G. - One More Chance
2Pac f/Danny Boy - I Ain't Mad At Cha
Notorious B.I.G. - B.I.G. Interlude - he explains his name in 45 seconds...excellent
2Pac f?Outlawz - Hit Em Up - here's where the East Coast/West Coast thing went nuclear...that tends to happen when you claim you slept with someone's wife on record
Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
2Pac - Toss It Up
Notorious B.I.G. - Niggas Bleed - VIBE magazine published an analysis of this song about 7 or 8 years ago, and it's amazing how much stuff is crammed into this song...if anyone out there has a copy of that article, let me know
2Pac - To Live & Die In L.A.
Notorious B.I.G. f/Mase & Puff Daddy - Mo Money Mo Problems
2Pac - Do For Love - my favorite posthumous track of his...there are a lot to choose from
Notorious B.I.G f/Eminem - Dead Wrong - his other posthumous track is probably better, but this has a wicked beat
So who was better, 2Pac or Biggie? And yes, there is a right answer to the question...
Thursday, April 28, 2005
zzzzz...
This is how tired I've been lately: this morning, after waking up and dragging myself out of bed after 9 1/2 hours sleep, I poured orange juice into my cereal. Pathetic.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
my project
A crazy week. Work is nuts, ladies coming and going, Cristal flowing...y'all know how it is.
My extra-curricular project is taking up every waking moment...I'm having a great time doing it, but I'll be extremely happy when 7pm Monday rolls around, because it means I can just go back to normal. Oh, my bad, have I not mentioned what exactly my project is? ;-)
I'm directing a VERY staged reading of Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things. I haven't directed anything in a long time, so it's been kind of an interesting process. But I'm working with talented and creative people, so that makes things a lot easier. It's amazing, though, how many little details have to be taken care of, and if I don't do it, no one will.
Off to do more work. More regular posts starting Tuesday, including the return of Hip Hop 101...
My extra-curricular project is taking up every waking moment...I'm having a great time doing it, but I'll be extremely happy when 7pm Monday rolls around, because it means I can just go back to normal. Oh, my bad, have I not mentioned what exactly my project is? ;-)
I'm directing a VERY staged reading of Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things. I haven't directed anything in a long time, so it's been kind of an interesting process. But I'm working with talented and creative people, so that makes things a lot easier. It's amazing, though, how many little details have to be taken care of, and if I don't do it, no one will.
Off to do more work. More regular posts starting Tuesday, including the return of Hip Hop 101...
Sunday, April 10, 2005
"who am i, and what am i doing here?"
Anyone know who said that?
My project goes up in a week, and I'm getting nervous. There's just too much stuff to get done, and no time to do it! I always pride myself on being organized, but right now I feel totally scatterbrained, and that never happens to me. Oy vey.
In a bit of a funk - part of it has to do with getting very little sleep the night before last because I woke up at 5:30 to take my friend to the airport, and part of it has to do with a situation that I'm not quite comfortable putting on the internet at this point in time. I've got to do a little fact-finding before I start telling the story to the masses...hate to put something out there and then have to go back and apologize. I don't like apologizing.
Hip hop class #3 will be coming up in the next couple of days. I got slammed this week so I told the boys to consider this their spring break. My friend Matt, who serves as the class TA, suggested that, for their final, Juan and Rafael should have a battle. I think that would be awesome. Any other suggestions?
My project goes up in a week, and I'm getting nervous. There's just too much stuff to get done, and no time to do it! I always pride myself on being organized, but right now I feel totally scatterbrained, and that never happens to me. Oy vey.
In a bit of a funk - part of it has to do with getting very little sleep the night before last because I woke up at 5:30 to take my friend to the airport, and part of it has to do with a situation that I'm not quite comfortable putting on the internet at this point in time. I've got to do a little fact-finding before I start telling the story to the masses...hate to put something out there and then have to go back and apologize. I don't like apologizing.
Hip hop class #3 will be coming up in the next couple of days. I got slammed this week so I told the boys to consider this their spring break. My friend Matt, who serves as the class TA, suggested that, for their final, Juan and Rafael should have a battle. I think that would be awesome. Any other suggestions?
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
oops
Had one of those days where I totally felt like my foot was always in my mouth. Even managed to air my boss's opinion to about 80 people, and I'm not sure that she actually wanted that opinion aired. I did manage to leave a semi-graceful apology on her answering machine.
It just goes to show that if I take even 10 seconds to compose my thoughts, I can sound measured and mature and intelligent. But if I try to speak off the cuff, I can get myself into big trouble, and I sound like a moron. Ick, ick, ick.
I need a vacation.
It just goes to show that if I take even 10 seconds to compose my thoughts, I can sound measured and mature and intelligent. But if I try to speak off the cuff, I can get myself into big trouble, and I sound like a moron. Ick, ick, ick.
I need a vacation.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
sick
I thought that my allergies were kicking up...but after five days, you've just got to suck it up and admit the truth. I'm sick. It's a cold. There - I did it.
I always get melancholy when I get sick - feeling bad for myself, remembering days gone by, that kind of stuff. I guess it's natural to feel bad mentally then, since you feel bad physically. Does this happen to anybody else, or just me.
Soup's on - lentil - mmmmm.
I always get melancholy when I get sick - feeling bad for myself, remembering days gone by, that kind of stuff. I guess it's natural to feel bad mentally then, since you feel bad physically. Does this happen to anybody else, or just me.
Soup's on - lentil - mmmmm.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Allergies suck.
My nose is running like a faucet, and my sinuses are all messed up. I hate it...
I'm a pretty independent guy, but when I don't feel well, I can become a big baby. And sick time, for me, is the only time that I really get melancholy for the days of yore. You know, old relationships, good times with old friends I don't see anymore, that kind of thing.
Time to pick myself up and make some dinner - I have to go back to work in a couple of hours.
I'm a pretty independent guy, but when I don't feel well, I can become a big baby. And sick time, for me, is the only time that I really get melancholy for the days of yore. You know, old relationships, good times with old friends I don't see anymore, that kind of thing.
Time to pick myself up and make some dinner - I have to go back to work in a couple of hours.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Hip-hop school part deux
The second lesson for Juan and Rafael...it's pretty funny - they actually ask questions, and we talk about the social meaning of hip-hop. Juan thinks I'll be teaching this at a university in five years. Maybe we should finish the whole thing first...see if it actually is successful or if it just flames out.
Here's the second lesson - the theme is early 90's, mostly from the East Coast. I had forgotten one very important group from the 80's (it was included in my original list but somehow didn't find its' way onto the CD), which is why they are track #1:
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhime
LL Cool J - The Boomin System
Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony - 1st Of Oha Month
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) - there's a bunch of guest stars on here, including LL and Biggie
Onyx - Slam
LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl
OutKast - Player's Ball
A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out - one of the hardest rap songs ever, and I will not debate this point
Arrested Development - Tennessee
Method Man - I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By - w/Mary J. Blige
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario - more guest stars, including Busta Rhymes' breakout performace
OutKast - Hootie Hoo
I really wanted to put De La Soul's "Me Myself And I" on here, but for some reason iTunes doesn't have it. I would have also like to put more of the Native Tongues clique, or D-Nice (my personal fav), but I didn't.
Next up is early 90's West Coast. I'm looking primarily at the NWA family tree, and my friend's brother is forcing me to put E-40 on there...any other suggestions?
Here's the second lesson - the theme is early 90's, mostly from the East Coast. I had forgotten one very important group from the 80's (it was included in my original list but somehow didn't find its' way onto the CD), which is why they are track #1:
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhime
LL Cool J - The Boomin System
Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony - 1st Of Oha Month
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) - there's a bunch of guest stars on here, including LL and Biggie
Onyx - Slam
LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl
OutKast - Player's Ball
A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out - one of the hardest rap songs ever, and I will not debate this point
Arrested Development - Tennessee
Method Man - I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By - w/Mary J. Blige
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario - more guest stars, including Busta Rhymes' breakout performace
OutKast - Hootie Hoo
I really wanted to put De La Soul's "Me Myself And I" on here, but for some reason iTunes doesn't have it. I would have also like to put more of the Native Tongues clique, or D-Nice (my personal fav), but I didn't.
Next up is early 90's West Coast. I'm looking primarily at the NWA family tree, and my friend's brother is forcing me to put E-40 on there...any other suggestions?
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Easter Sunday musings
Happy Easter.
I've got a sinus headache the size of Alaska. It makes everything hurt. I hate allergy season. On top of that, I ate a little too much of this concentrated BBQ sauce the other night and now my mouth hurts everywhere. I'd really like to chop off the top of my head and order a new one...maybe on eBay?
Read this article. I'm not normally a fan of the NY tabloids (I was more of a Times guy when I was there) but this is a very level-headed column about rap from the Daily News, and you don't see those too often these days. Hip-hop School Lesson #2 coming t'm'row...
I've got a sinus headache the size of Alaska. It makes everything hurt. I hate allergy season. On top of that, I ate a little too much of this concentrated BBQ sauce the other night and now my mouth hurts everywhere. I'd really like to chop off the top of my head and order a new one...maybe on eBay?
Read this article. I'm not normally a fan of the NY tabloids (I was more of a Times guy when I was there) but this is a very level-headed column about rap from the Daily News, and you don't see those too often these days. Hip-hop School Lesson #2 coming t'm'row...
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Hip-hop school
My first lesson for the guys included these songs:
Run-DMC - My Adidas
Salt-n-Pepa - Push It
LL Cool J - I Need Love
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two
Slick Rick - Children's Story
LL Cool J - Rock The Bells
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
Eric B. & Rakim - Don't Sweat The Technique
LL Cool J - Going Back To Cali
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
This is skewed towards my tastes, the things I listened to as a child, and since I spent some time as a kid in New York, and seeing as how most of my extended family is from New York, obviously I lean towards East Coast hip-hop. I tried to stay "mainstream" with the artists; as much as I love D-Nice, I don't think most people know his stuff. There were a couple of other tracks that I really wanted to put on here - notably the Sugar Hill Gang and Melly Mel - but I couldn't find their tracks on iTunes, and I don't have the CDs, and I'm not going to spend hundreds of dollars buying music so my friends can be enlightened. But if you want to send me the tracks, feel free.
This is just the basics for the 80's. This week we're jumping into the 90's, which I've divided into four sections: early East Coast (to '95), early West Coast (to '95), the Biggie/2Pac era, and the late 90's (the bling bling phase).
Let me know if you think I made any serious omissions...
Run-DMC - My Adidas
Salt-n-Pepa - Push It
LL Cool J - I Need Love
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two
Slick Rick - Children's Story
LL Cool J - Rock The Bells
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
Eric B. & Rakim - Don't Sweat The Technique
LL Cool J - Going Back To Cali
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
This is skewed towards my tastes, the things I listened to as a child, and since I spent some time as a kid in New York, and seeing as how most of my extended family is from New York, obviously I lean towards East Coast hip-hop. I tried to stay "mainstream" with the artists; as much as I love D-Nice, I don't think most people know his stuff. There were a couple of other tracks that I really wanted to put on here - notably the Sugar Hill Gang and Melly Mel - but I couldn't find their tracks on iTunes, and I don't have the CDs, and I'm not going to spend hundreds of dollars buying music so my friends can be enlightened. But if you want to send me the tracks, feel free.
This is just the basics for the 80's. This week we're jumping into the 90's, which I've divided into four sections: early East Coast (to '95), early West Coast (to '95), the Biggie/2Pac era, and the late 90's (the bling bling phase).
Let me know if you think I made any serious omissions...
Monday, March 21, 2005
food folks & fun
Yesterday was my friend John's birthday, and he decided to make all of his friends a fantastic dinner. So I put the workout plan aside for the evening and enjoyed some fine food. How cool is that, that my friend decides to GIVE us food for HIS birthday? I say very cool.
Still bumming from this weekend, when my alma mater lost in the NCAA tourney. I always feel really stupid when I get all upset because my favorite team loses. It's nice to care about something, but I hate it when things that are out of my control affect my mood. Still, I'm hopelessly addicted to sports.
Must get up early (for me, anyway) t'm'row, so I close. I'll start posting the hip hop songs this week, promise.
Still bumming from this weekend, when my alma mater lost in the NCAA tourney. I always feel really stupid when I get all upset because my favorite team loses. It's nice to care about something, but I hate it when things that are out of my control affect my mood. Still, I'm hopelessly addicted to sports.
Must get up early (for me, anyway) t'm'row, so I close. I'll start posting the hip hop songs this week, promise.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Hip-hop school
So tonight, at work, one of my friends finally convinces me to do something he's been bugging me to do for a couple of weeks: teach him about hip-hop. A bunch of the guys I work with have just gotten iPods, and so we're all kind of music crazy. Anyway, I've got to give them a few new songs or an album a week. Does this make me a nerd?
I'll put the list up here in the next couple of days - feel free to make any additions you feel are necessary.
I'll put the list up here in the next couple of days - feel free to make any additions you feel are necessary.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Anger
Sorry for my absence - it's been a long week.
I hate it when I get mad...it's almost like I lose touch with reality. I've usually got a pretty long fuse, but it's attached to a really big bomb, so when I go off, it's not pretty. It's a little bit scary...I try to always take my anger out on inanimate objects instead of people, but I have been known to administer a pretty good tongue-lashing.
I'm really mad about my cable service...things keep getting messed up and there's nothing I can do about it. I could switch cable companies, but the other one in town sucks, and it's doesn't have DVR, and you can't go back after you've gotten Moxi.
Must go take some deep breaths...
I hate it when I get mad...it's almost like I lose touch with reality. I've usually got a pretty long fuse, but it's attached to a really big bomb, so when I go off, it's not pretty. It's a little bit scary...I try to always take my anger out on inanimate objects instead of people, but I have been known to administer a pretty good tongue-lashing.
I'm really mad about my cable service...things keep getting messed up and there's nothing I can do about it. I could switch cable companies, but the other one in town sucks, and it's doesn't have DVR, and you can't go back after you've gotten Moxi.
Must go take some deep breaths...
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