Notes from a Friend's Town

1. Spend time with your loved ones 2. Spend some time w/ that person your not too loving towards. They're still in need of love. thats all really, nothing else should matter right now. If it does, go get into & stop reading this post!

1. Weddings can be interesting gatherings depending on how well you know the bride and groom & the members of their respective parties. It's also the last place you'd want to find yourself smiling out of politeness. 2. I admire those who work towards their goal(s) with no certainty regarding their attainment. Motivated not by the encouragement of naivete, but fueled by the euphoria of optimism. 3. It takes a significant understanding to genuinely feel empathy for people who are manipulative. Sadly enough, it's only in their passing do we even consider that path of understanding. 4. I honestly would change it all tomorrow if that were possible. Unfortunately, these matters require development, which takes time. It's akin to the work of a darkroom tech, you're not sure what will be on the negative. Even after the image is burned to the paper, it still needs time to dry. 5. Emily Dickson declared that minds in the same ground meet by tunneling. It'll be in...

It's Thanksgiving Day in the Good ol' US of A. There are a lot people who regard this holiday with a special brand of contempt as it is viewed as a celebration of the removal of the Americans from this land to make room for those who could no longer declare Europe as home for a variety of reasons, mostly because of the rampant religious persecution that was Rome's way of attempting to regain power & control of the churches they were so very much on the verge of losing. I will readily acknowledge that the Westward expansion of the country, the introduction of foreign disease(s), the establishment of a colonial economy, & the tensions that are inherent in the collision of literate and oral cultures have all been glossed over in a romantic recollection of the pilgrims first years in America. Mainly of noble little Europeans in homely brown clothes & noble savages bka American Indians. The fact remains that the very systems/agencies that soo many of us find to be ri...

1. It's raining major life events all in my calendar. Weddings, births, & funerals are literally popping up every week, more so than usual. Not only am I alive & well, apparently so are my social networks. 2. In the same manner that one person can't be the scapegoat for all that goes wrong, nor can one person be the explanation of all that goes right. Grant it, the latter is more attractive than the former, it's crucial to maintain the proper perspective. 3. Knowing when to ask why but electing not to do so is wisdom. Hopefully I'll receive the answer to my inquiry without formally making one. 4. It's always easier to walk away. In some instances, it's actually the action to take with respects to self preservation. However, when life & limb are not compromised, it is often a favor to your character for you to remain. More so for the others involved than for yourself. 5. The older I get, the less I appreciation I have for cynicism, especially in the l...

1. It frustrates me to find myself at a loss for words to describe something I have recently experienced. Saying Thank You over & over again doesn't evoke the same sentiment as it does when it is repeated in a poem. Thank heavens for tone & inflection!! 2. In order to maximize your emotional out put in a relationship, make sure that what ever issues you have are being addressed outside of that by a licensed professional. 3. I'm not familiar with technical writing but if I had been I could have made some holiday $$. Guess who's doing some research on the matter very soon... 4. Country music, it's growing on me. 5. Appetite suppression is cool but I'm more interested in appetite control. The latter being a bit more difficult but also more rewarding. 6. Budget at least one trip every six months if your resources allow such away from the place you call home. Doesn't have a to be a transcontinental trip, just weekend away to a place that's about 1-2...

1. I know for a fact that expectations are the building blocks of disappointment but I still harbored them anyways, like illegal citizens I pitied, hoping to protect from ICE. 2. I suppose it's a long running tradition in academia to over intellectualize that which appears to be connected through a linear logic system. If it didn't then, there would be fewer grants to compete for or awarded for that matter. 3. Old folks say when your ears get hot, someone is talking about you. Still trying to figure out if what their says is good or bad, but since those are both relative I'll leave it unknown. 4. What is it about this American College System that can take the joy from studying anything? Perhaps, I'll have better results if I scrutinize my own approach. 5. Good guys don't finish last more likely than not, they throw their hands in the air in frustration only to have them land on a woman who isn't deserving of what they have to offer. This isn't usually ackno...

The Foreign Exchange - ''I Wanna Know'' from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo . 1. Watch the video. If you like it, support Foreign Exchange 2. I've been a late night poet for years but I've never ventured into spoken word. I think its the irregular meter that has prevented me from producing pieces of this nature. I'll be working on 2 spoken word pieces soon, once completed they'll be read at an open mic somewhere. 3. When did the nation with one of the largest defense budgets become the peace maker?? Clinton is working peace deals in Northern Ireland & between Turkey and Armenia . The latter has significance regarding oil pipelines but I'm not sure of the economic impact of the former. Any thoughts good readers?? 4. I'm no fan of the reasons that brought Columbus to the Americas as they're not that much different than the reasons that send our troops across the world. 5. Still working on that new format Ophelia, give me a little m...

yes, I know thats a blue sweater. 1. Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answers? 2. It's cooling off, a little at a time at last!! At this rate, Voodoo Fest should be damn cold. 3. Not being able to focus is only slightly more annoying than not being able to sleep unless the former's presence invites the latter. Then they are equally annoying. 4. Remember that most you'll be able to offer by the way of commentary regarding the bulk of life's concerns is a spectators commentary. Do your audience a favor & at the very least be well informed of the sport your watching. 5. Don't just wear the "in" pieces of the season, get the colors down as well. This means more than 2/ ensemble. If you're going to mimic runway trends, put some hmph into it. 6. Read Poor Richard's Almanac - Ben Franklin. The advice offered therein still applies. 7. On of these days, I'm going to actively watch what I say. Don't block out your cal...

1. When did bragging about a few relative accomplishments become the cool thing to do? I recall an era, albeit relatively short, where you got things done because that's what was needed. When there was bragging done, it was your family & friends speaking of their genuine pride in your accomplishments. It appears of late to be nothing more a group of primates beating their chests outside of mating season. 2. I don't believe in Hip-Hop/Rap/?? as a religious system like a more & more of my peers do but I follow if for nothing more than the fondness that one has for their 1st love. This mixtape manipulating, feature filetin, ad lib ambassador from Toronto by the name of Drake definitely produces an enjoyable project. It appears to be accurate, often being supported by the self reporting real time overseer known as social networking. Facebook, Twitter, & blogging have introduced an eerie level of accountability into life in the 22nd century. 3. FTR: Real Sneaker Heads...

I cried a river over you without ever shedding a tear I ran in terror from you without ever showing my fear I listened to the worst of you while standing as still as a dear I washed my hands of you without a bar of soap near I thought day & night of you actively forgetting you in a year I envisioned the end of this without the suffering of silence in my ear

1. 2 opposable digits up for Saturday off!! 2. I'm not riding around on a conspiracy theory bus, but theres alot of questionable legislation coming from his O-ness's cabinet. First the Auto Industry Bailouts, now this healthcare plan. I'm all for equal access to healthcare for everybody but what about regulating private industry more aggressively and not endangering people lives the same way we endanger their magazine subscriptions. 3. Waking up instinctively before the sun rises is a side affect of adulthood I was not warned about and it is not in the least bit cool. 4. The energy involved in daily wrestling with your emotions and keep them in check is enought to fuel the exploration of a new hobby. 5. Why are Mrs. Fields cookies soo damn good? More importantly,why did I spend $10 on cookies the other day and not bat an eye?? 6. It's never what you do, it's always the way its done. In the end, the action has been completed but the impact can vary greatly i...

1. Drake provides the freshmen class a great service. It appears that he is a multi-talented artist. I suspect Universal hopes he's as complex as he's talented least the distrubuiton be a waste of their resources. I'm no hater, just a realist. 2. I wish you would've remained in cognegro than resurface to bullshit me along. It's all good though, one monkey does not stop the show 3. Is it me or does every other movie appear to be a commerical/recruitment video for some product/organization?? When the hell did a story line become insufficient?! 4. I never want to see another man in a dress for the rest of my life. 5. There is a great lesson to be learned in not over examining the everything. Its the quickest way to lose the forest for the trees. 6. The direct approach is always the best approach. 7. Where DO we belong? 8. I looked at my never ending list of things to do/short term goals. Should I accomplish them all, I suspect I won't remember the mechanics...

1. Prof. Gates' s ordeal & President Obama's remarks following it should be a lesson to America's citizenry, old & young alike. It's all in your best interest to comply with the police in any interaction. I'm sure Prof. Gates has heard enough Driving while Black stories to know better. I'm not encouraging a blind to police brutality & the abuse of power that often comes with a badge but you don't threaten an officer with paper work that won't be filed until the next day as he stands in a position of power over you that night. As my mother would say " Pick your battles wisely, son." 2. How can I fault you when I've done the same thing? 3. I'm way too excited about this trip & I haven't even firmed up the details & bought the ticket yet. There's a child like joy I've immediately associated with this entire endeavor, although I've no qualms with declaring my membership in the card carrying world of gr...

Just a few tracks for all of your sun filled festivities We Fight, We Love - Q Tip Run to the Sun - N.E.R.D. Unexpecetd Delight - Flying Lotus Mr. Moon - Jamiroquai Gobstopper - J Dilla Venus 2 Mars - J*Davey Skyscrapper - Ben Keney Juice - Drake Let's Call it Off - Peter Bjorn & John Restless - Unkle Come Tommorow - Van Hunt Telephone - Erykah Badu Hearbreak Hotel - Jackson 5 Montego Bay Spleen - St. Germain In the Space - Janko Nilovic Accident - TV on the Radio

(this bus can't be for the Kindergarderner's?) In the interest of encouraging an engaging discussion on what the nature of the boundaries of a society are I've put together a brief list of arguments that beyond a shadow of a doubt, can not be won in my presence. Ladies & Gents, grab your legal pads and commence your deconstructions. 1 . Any argument in defense of selling crack, heroin, meth, etc. Let's face it, there's no justification for having your hands in this sector of the black market. The jury is still out on guns, natural resources, & plasma TVs 2 . On refusing to adhere to basic tenets of personal hygiene while working/existing in close contact with the majority of the population Clearly a pass is given to the homeless , whose life's circumstance prevent such personal upkeep from occurring. Hippies, Anarchists, jam banders etc have nooo excus e 3 . The sale of children in impoverished countries to those rich enough to make charitable cont...

In all of my travels, it remains one of my most enjoyable experiences to look down out the window of the plane, like a kid on his first airplane ride, at dusk on communities of various sizes as the sun settles below the western horizon. The main arteries through the town are often wide winding lines of greenish white light with smaller orange streets attached to them like pieces of spaghetti left on the plate as the meatballs have been devoured in a greasy tomato sauced mess. I’ve only started flying with some degree of regularity since two thousand six, the aftermath of Katrina providing an all too familiar back drop for many drastic changes. Its not that I was reluctant to traveling prior to the mass evacuation whose effects are still being studied by NTSB, it was this unfamiliar release, like my mind, body, and soul all exhaled at once as my eyes were forced to look upon an unfamiliar land and assess its potential to become the new home of my family’s future. It wasn’t until I m...

1. I enjoy Michael Jackson's music as much as the next person but the marathons & streaming updates about the execution of his last will & testament are too much. I'm sure there's some questionable foreign policy decisions being made right now but they won't hit the news until after his funeral. 2. I've no issue or latent grudge with you. There's merely nothing resembling a conversation forming when I scroll over your number in my phone. 3. Swagger(a) & all its etymological relatives have no place in the daily vocabulary of anyone whose daily agenda involves them presenting a professional image in any of it's varying degrees. 4. I'm considering moving to Italy & becoming a cobbler. I'll keep you posted on how that develops. 5. In light of the future arrival of God child #2 & the pseudo science of gender prediction based on the behavior of the father, which is giving us a 80% chance of a baby girl. I feel encouraged to make vo...

It's time for a fresh look, so I'll be cycling through templates over in the near the future. Fell free to add your 2cents on the layout(s). Thanks W

The movie is slated to release Winter 2009! I can't wait! It's an interesting look at American Foreign Policy & Combat ideaologies

Editor's Note:This needs a title besides the obvious shoe game(s), any suggestions?? My move forward maybe void of you only one fits the void of you like a foot only fits inside of a shoe I've walked holes in this pair scuffing the toes bruising the side panels like they weren't the walls of my sole. I tried to hang on by my laces but they were locked dangling from the side was akin to wearing them with no socks Yep, my move forward maybe void of you, this journey calls for sandals not shiny dress shoes

1. Having the day off from work is the quickest way to spend too much money while doing too little of significance. 2. The better you sound explaining what you do for a living the more you sound a like a lifeless nerd. 3. There is nothing more effective at making me (an occasionally logicalvcreature) reconsider my inability to venture into this dating business than looking @ the portion of my library that remains unread. 4. My desire to know a good bit about of things has the potential to make me a well respected member of academia & eternally single. The former is cool, the latter utterly frightening. 5. Respect the middle (wo)men in your life. It's too easy to overlook those who actively make your life easier. 6. In search of the Divine, I find myself seeking out the truths of Islam & Judaism. I'm not walking away from that which I believe, merely attempting to reconcile the differences.  7. I don't like the term quarter life crisis. I just need to sort somethings...

Pride won't allocate my face tears as my eyes see all of their lobbying in vain my emotions have run rest away from its rightful land claiming the rights of squatters my ideals have lied to me in the most innocent way as my realities have taken my kindness for naiveté doing only what served their interest I was foolish to think they were to programed to do anything else if my brain hadn't been conned by my ego then he would have seen that a field is nothing more than a field it's not a parcel of land for him to build a house not a piece of the American dream waiting to be harvested it is nothing more than expanse of wild flowers & grass that expands farther into the horizon than any his wildest dreams or most sincere desires It's purpose is to have its beauty admired from afar appreciating that all it is will cease to be as soon as he holds the title

I woke up this morning and as I manuevered my way into the bathroom, I looked in the mirror & my reflection disappointed me. This usually happened in my teen years when I had some crazy dream that I'd awake looking like Morris Chestnutt or whomever was the latest & greatest black man that moved women into a frenzied trance of emotion. The let down was always made manifest as a red zit somwhere on my face. Nothing like a little harmonial imbalance to re-introduce reality into the situation. This morning there was no zit or blackhead to take what little wind that was available out of my lungs as my palms were shocked into action by the cold porcelain face bowl where my all of my morning ritual(s) take place. The morning had long since made itself known, I was bit tardy in my salutations. For the first time I looked into my own eyes, covered in infamous morning crust, you the crust that one kid still had on his face at lunch time. If we'd known how rough his mornings rea...

It's still there. I'm still here. I'll update the blog better once the semester comes to a close. until next time: 1. By the time her friends decided to interfere, I'd already completed my objective. 2. Get over yourself ack. I'm sure you're worth the hype but thats only in your mind. On second thought keep at it, if nothing else you make small talk slightly larger. 3. I soo need that gathering tonight. Dinner with a small group of friends should be the national past time. (after major league sports of course) 4. Why does it feel like school interefers with the studying I want to do? 5. Just because I'm majoring in english literature does not mean I've read (heard of even) every major author from every minor literary moovement in the last century. 

The Best Method!!

It would be naïve of me to assume that we would never have those annoying obligatory exchanges. The ones where the “right” questions are posed in succession with the calculated but slightly random 7-10 second pause as the list is covered. I’d rather sporadic honesty much more than regular calculated concern. Forgetting events/people/places isn’t actually that bad….I usually forget where my cell phone & keys were last. Those are of immediate importance I made a concerted effort to not speak in class today in an effort to make sure that the opinions that aren’t voiced when I speak were heard. I made it all the way to the last 10 minutes & blah. I spoke. There is no reason why I’m nervous every time I do this but I am. The more advanced notice, the more I fret over it. I’ve begun to upset my friends with what has been deemed unnecessary nagging concern. So in an effort to at the very least glimpse at a b...

Chapman on Stucco by Banksy 1. I'm so glad we made amends & that you signed the peace treaty. Watching your eyes well up with tears upset me. 2. Too much coffee + too late at night = a literal memory dump for a dream sequence 3. Working harder makes us better do it faster stronger. seriously it does. 4. Binder clips are my friends. No really, they work wonders.  5. Spring has sprung and I'm over winter. I asked her why the long face and she just gave me the cold shoulder. 6. I think I speak for all of us when I say, I'm glad it appears that this one maybe around awhile. It was getting a little more than annoying hearing you complain about being lonely. 7. I'm back @ it again. Look at the rabbit run when you open the pen.  8. Where's Waldo? I have his other shirts & I'm sure he could use shower & a nap. 9. The lamb is close enough to smell but she hasn't arrived yet... 10. I should've gotten a copy of the picture before I gave it to you. Perha...

  S.O.U.L. (Instrumental) - Slum Village Roberta Flack - Flying Lotus You all are Welcome - Jay-Z ft Mary J Blige Life is Good - Mos Def Do You Feel Me - Anthony Hamilton  Leave it All Behind - Foreign Exchange See You Soon - Coldplay Jedi Mind Tricks - Lupe Fiasco Victoria - John Mayer Road Trippin - Red Hot Chili Peppers Mustafa's Renaissance - Melo X Breakadawn Remix - Rhymefest Sparrow -Scattered Trees Rockin that Thing - The Dream Scatterbrain - Radiohead Doomsday - MF Doom Who Needs Forever (Thievery Corporation Remix) - Astrud Gilberto

I’m having the dandiest time forgetting those cute little pet names that I employed some time ago when it was appropriate. I’m not upset that time has passed but I don’t really enjoy being reminded of it without requesting it. I want what I didn’t have in the first place but I won’t ignore this consolation prize (which is ofno consolation at all) 2 Green thumbs down for the end of winter. I was really enjoying those cold @$$ mornings!! Somebody get me Jack Frost’s #(s) ASAP!! I’m not too keen on following domestic policy, as it changes & develops more & more every few hours but it appears that the same problems have been on the table since Bush Sr. was in office well over 20 yrs ago. Would somebody please find Safe Adu, beg her to take a break from her wonderful life & make one last studio album? Suggest that she doesn’t collaborate with Mr. West; we don’t want to waste any new material. There was a time when being Nerdy wasn’t the business, now it appears that the more of ...

1. Hiking = my (re)new addiction 2. Its always interesting to be reminded of where you stand in someones life. I once believed that those whom I saw the most would hold me in closer regard than those I only see occasionally. I was wrong (yep!) and its never felt soo good to know the other side. 3. At some point in childhood we begin to remember days as seperate entities, Monday being different from Tuesday etc. I think its special when children don't recall the last day they saw but rather the emotion they remember you by. 4. Longer than (my) average hair is driving me nuts but I refuse to cut it.....yet 5.  Pity parties are worthless, costly, & over rated. Get over, you could be not living and then your worries would be reduced to the care of your soul... 6. I told you'd I'd call when something of merit occured.  7. I'm looking for a more p.c. replacement for odd man out. Any suggestions?? 8. Being told you possess untapped potential and actually tapping said poten...