PODCAST: cutting people off...

On this week’s episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, we’re talking about cutting people off. Most people who are in your life that deserve to be cut off...normally fall into a few categories. We’ll discuss the categories and more on the podcast!


cutting people off...

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reality tv

Reality tv is here! And it's here to stay! It's not going anywhere! As long as there is a demand, they will continue to supply it to you

There...I said it. I had to state the obvious.

That said...allow me to vent speak for a moment.

Before I delve into the subject, I will be the FIRST to admit that I have watched reality shows before. You know...The Apprentice, Celebrity Fit Club, The Real World, The Salt & Pepa Show, and the first season of Flavor of Love. I think we all have to view reality tv for what it is...a form of entertainment. I will admit that I found much humor in watching beautiful women THROW themselves at Flava Flav. The former Public Enemy hype man had a ton of models who were fawning over him. The man who penned the song She Watches Channel Zero was once the star of his own channel zero is interesting in itself.  The mere thought of a model drooling over a "handsome hunk" like Flav is pure comedy. Well...at least it was to me. But one season of laughs were enough for me and I moved on. And it seems that reality tv has, too.

Some reality tv shows are just downright terrible. More importantly, I think the reality shows that feature black casts (Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop, Basketball Wives) are horrible. These shows feature "C list celebrities" and their made for tv lives. Reality tv is here because it's cheap to produce and people watch it. However, I am extremely bothered by the images of how black folk are portrayed. Black women are constantly portrayed as loud, combative, and jealous. Black men are portrayed as oversexed and ego driven.

I know what you're thinking..."Kyle, it's just tv. We know it's not real." But it's deeper than that. If you turn on the tv, there a NO black shows with all black casts any more. No more Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times, The Cosby Show, 227, A Different World, Martin, Living Single, or Fresh Prince of Bel Air. While blacks are featured on mostly dramas on network tv, there aren't any sitcoms on network tv any more (not talking about cable). If the only time you see a predominantly black cast is when we see Love and Hip Hop, that's a problem. Reality tv took an even bigger turn when the Oxygen Network was set to air a show called All My Babies' Mamas. The show is about a rapper from Atlanta named Shawty Lo and his TEN baby mamas from 9 different women. After threats from civil rights groups, Oxygen has "put the show on hold" and has yet to say if/when they will air even one episode. I'm not sure what's worse...having 10 baby mamas...or the fact that people would tune in by the MILLIONS just to watch. The sad reality is that more than a few black people don't see it as a problem. I'm not sure what day or time any of these shows come on but when they do, my twitter and facebook timelines are filled with their show commentary. Could it be that it's entertainment to them and not to me? Possibly! But you have to look deeper into the specifics of those shows that entertains you.

I can't get into seeing two black women fight each other and degrade each other for a man...for whom neither are married to...is beyond me. It's a modern day Minstrel Show. To me those images are about as funny as a Minstrel Show.

A minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the Civil War, black people in blackface .Minstrel shows lampooned black people as dim-witted, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, happy-go-lucky and musical. The minstrel show began with brief burlesques and comic entr'actes in the early 1830s and emerged as a full-fledged form in the next decade. In 1848, blackface minstrel shows were the national art of the time, translating formal art such as opera into popular terms for a general audience. By the turn of the 20th century, the minstrel show enjoyed but a shadow of its former popularity, having been replaced for the most part by vaudeville. It survived as professional entertainment until about 1910; amateur performances continued until the 1960s in high schools, and local theaters. As African-Americans began to score legal and social victories against racism and to successfully assert political power, minstrelsy lost popularity.

The bottom line is that until we as a people stop tuning in and demanding better shows, then we're gonna keep getting what we've been getting...or worse.

My boy George Brown said this to me the other day..."There is a big difference between comedy and coonery." And he's right!!!

The one REALITY about reality tv is this...the remote control to the tv is in your hands...

12 RADIO SHOW

Tune in to the 12 RADIO SHOW tonight at 9PM EST. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on BlogTalkRadio.

Tonight's co-host...Rashan Jamal

TOPIC - RETRO TV...a look a back at two television sitcoms from the 90s.


A Different World

Martin

Don't miss it!!!

(347)215-7162

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle

the father/daughter bond

Never underestimate a strong bond.

I am fully aware of the strong bond between parents and their children.

More specifically, the bond between a mother and her son. I don't have to look far to take note of it because I can see it in the bond that I have with my mother. The bond between a man and his mother is a special one. I've seen it develop in my own house as my wife has a strong bond with each of our 3 sons.

Now there is a new bond in my life. Three weeks ago today, my daughter was born. I had been told by my friends about how I should prepare myself to have my world turned upside down. And it has. As I look at her, I daydream. I understand that this bond must grow and our relationship must be cultivated. I am the first man that will ever love her. I am the man who has to show her what a REAL MAN is. I will always be Superman in Skyler's eyes. I am the measuring stick by which ALL men will be measured. If she saw me sloppy drunk, high, or smacking around her mother...what kind of impact would that have on her life? I have to give her...LOVE, DISCIPLINE, & an EXAMPLE to follow.

I can't help but look at her little face and wonder about what she'll be talking about 5 yrs from now. I wonder about how she'll handle her first day of kindergarten. I think about her painting a picture of me as a "stick figure". I can also see her becoming a young woman. I envision that moment when she has her first menstrual cycle. I see the awkward moment when she'd rather hang out at the mall with her friends instead of watching the football game with her dad. Then, there will be the moment when some lil snot nosed punk calls my house and wants to talk to her. I see it all. Clothing trends. Hairdos. Nails getting done. I see the day that I drop her off at college. Then I see day that I walk her down the aisle.I have envisioned it all

It's a new journey for me. The girls who I dated and the ones with whom I was friends with didn't really have fathers around. I mean, there was a few...but not many. I never remember going to a girl's house and being grilled by her father. Growing up, I remember having a female friend who has the perfect daughter/father relationship. Her father would take her on dates! In a sense, he laid the blueprint for her as to how she's supposed to be treated by a man. I had another friend who worshipped the ground that her DADDY walked on. She told me that she would often say to herself "I can't do that...my DADDY would kill me". I used to tease her about her DADDY but deep down I loved their relationship. I want Skyler to feel the same way about me one day. I want her to grow to be self sufficient and independent. She will not want for anything...me and her brothers will see to that. I want her to be a strong black woman. I call her the princess because one day she will be a queen...not a baby momma.

Children are a gift from God that are loaned to us. I pray that I have Skyler for 100 yrs. She hasn't been here long and I've already been planning her life! LOL.

More importantly, I can never lose sight of how strong our bond is and I must do whatever I can to keep it that way.

12 Radio

Tune in to tonight's show on 12 Radio at 9pm EST

Topic...Dating 105

co-hosted by MzInspiredmind

We'll be asking questions like...

What's the best place to go on a date?

What would you say is the average "cut off" in age differential between you and the person that you're dating?

Can you ever date someone who dated your friend?

(347)215-7162

show link...http://bit.ly/eI5NOX

Don't miss it!!!

12 Radio/weinventedsex

Can a man and a woman have mind altering, earth shattering, back breaking, headboard shaking, swing-from-the-lights sex ONCE...then go back to being just friends???

What is your answer?

That question will be answered...along with a TON of other questions tonight.

Tune in to 12 Radio.

Topic...Behind Closed Doors Part 2...a entertaining discussion about what happens in the bedroom.

Co-hosted by MzInspiredmind

9pm est

(347)215-7162

show link...http://bit.ly/9KAOBt

canyousaveit??

I am hip hop.

I live it and breathe it.

I am a true hip hop head.

So I say this with a passion...hip hop is about to flat line.

The musical genre that I grew up on is on life support. It's almost non-existent. It has been on life support for a while. When hip hop became sick, rap took over. I can't really pinpoint the time when hip hop fell ill. But it is clear that hip hop is gone. The sad part is that it really doesn't seemed to be missed. Turn on the radio. Turn on the tv. They are flooded with horrible rappers and horrible videos that don't have anything to do with the horrible songs. It's all garbage.

Too Many Rappers not Enough MCs

I could run down a list of wack rappers. From Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, Plies, Jim Jones, etc. I could go on and on but I won't. People have confused what's HOT for being GOOD. That ain't the case. Most of the stuff that you hear and see...is not good. It's not that there are not MCs out there. They don't get the exposure that rappers do. "Rappers...get on the mic talk about cars and clothes/Sounding like hoes."- Common. I'm tired of rappers. I hate what rappers are doing to the game. I can't support the nonsense. In fact, I'm surprised that so many people do.

Instead of broadcasting how we smoke them trees
On the radio we need to hear more local emcees
Where you at?, c'mon where you at?
This is the difference between emceein' and rap
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal
Emcees spit rhymes to uplift their people
Peace, Love, Unity, havin' fun
These are the lyrics of KRS-One... - KRS-One


Lyrics? What lyrics?

Sometimes you have to wonder WHERE the lyrical MCs are? You won't find em on the radio. Won't find em on BET. Have you ever stopped to LISTEN to some of these lyrics of these songs? I won't lie. A ton of rap music is filled with misogynistic, degrading, and self destructive lyrics. Think for a second about some of your favorite raps songs. They are prolly some of the most offensive lyrics that you can find but they are rapped over a hot azz beat! LOL. In this aspect, I can't nor will I attempt to defend hip hop or rap. There is good and bad. It just seems now that the bad far outweighs the good. You actually have to LOOK hard to find good music. Back in the day, artists weren't afraid to be different. Nobody wanted to sound like everybody else. Nowadays, you can't tell who is who. It's some modern day shuckin and jivin. Rappers can't say they don't know any better. Their predecessors left them a platform. The platform is now bigger but the product ain't better. These record companies are only interested in making hits. The rap game is now microwaveable. You put a wack rapper in the studio and let him pop out a hit. What happened to record companies that want to cultivate artists and their growth? It's all about money now. And records aren't selling like they used to so I don't know where these rappers are coming from when they brag about their cash. They have no money. Rap is almost like pro wrestling right now. Fake...yet entertaining to some. I don't understand the fakeness.

Flatline?

I skipped watching the BET Hip Hop Awards last week. I wasn't gonna subject myself to the BS and coonery. How can BET do a show on hip hop when they don't know what hip hop is? Lil Wayne is bigger than KRS One right now. Wayne is a great rapper and that's all he'll ever be. He ain't no MC. When people talk about him they say how hot he is. I remind them that Ja Rule was hot 5 yrs ago. Where is he now? You may think I'm a bitter old man who longs for the day when real MCs are recognized for their talent and real hip hop is respected. Maybe i am. Or maybe I'm the dude who is watching hip hip remain on life support and is waiting on rap to die. That day is slowly approaching. Don't look now but the coroner has been called...somebody is gonna need a toe tag.

no homo

One of the things that I've always loved about this blog...it's mine! And I can talk about whatever I wanna talk about.

There are 2 subjects that I never talk about...politics and religion. It's not that I can't...I just don't.

Until today.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past week, we've all heard the story about the embattled pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, of the Newbirth Missionary Baptist Church in metro Atlanta. He's the pastor who is being sued by four different men. The lawsuits accuse Long of using his power and influence within the 25,000 member church to lure young male church members into sexual relationships. The suits allege that the relationships, which began when the men were in their teens, lasted over many months. Long took the young men -- all of them teens at the time -- on trips, including to Kenya, according to the suits. Long allegedly paid for their hotel rooms, and gave the young men gifts, including a car, cash and jewelry -- all in exchange for sexual favors such as massaging, masturbation and oral sex. These accusations are even more controversial because Eddie Long, who is married, has preached passionately against homosexuality over the years. Long said that he won't "be tried in the court of public opinion but in a court of law." Well, I'm sure he'd lose in the court of public opinion. Preacher + young men = homosexuality. You can't convince most people otherwise.

I don't know Eddie Long. I've only been to his "megachurch" once. I left the church that day very impressed. I've tried to withhold judgement on this story. I've read all of the lawsuits and I've heard Long give his perspective. They each have their sides of the truth but the REAL truth is somewhere in the middle. I do believe that where there is smoke...there is fire. And there is some smoke here. Long never said he "didn't do it". These young men could have conjured up these stories. Who knows? Nevertheless, it does not look good. I guess we'll all find out in due time.

One of the things that I found interesting is the conversations that were spawned. Some "church folk" scoffed at the notion that you could not have homosexuality in the pulpit. Of course you can! Homosexuality is a part of society just like drugs/sex/alcohol. Eddie Long, like other pastors, is a man. He puts on his pants one leg at a time. He laces his Jordan's one foot at a time. Every man (and woman for that matter) sins. How do we sin? According to the Bible, we all sin in our thoughts, words, and deeds. No man is above that. For all that I know, my pastor could be looking at Ms Parker and her phat booty during the service.

Lastly, pastors like Long denounce homosexuality. Why is it that the church...of ALL places...will alienate gays and lesbians? Is that fair? You may not agree with a person's lifestyle but they should be able to worship without being picked on. Personally, I don't understand why a man would want another man. That's not my style. However, that's their choice. And the church...especially the black church where people should know the feelings of discrimination...should be the last place where people should turn a cold shoulder.

Do yourself a favor...trust GOD. Don't put your trust in man.

diversity

We had a staff meeting at work the other day.

We all gathered in a large conference room so that we could eat lunch during the meeting.

The meeting was conducted by the CEO and the joint venture partners. As they reviewed the forecast numbers for the year, I paused for a second and scanned the room.

There were 33 people in the room.

13 white men

13 white women

3 asian women

3 black women

1 black man

I had to ask myself...is this really diversity?

I'm happy to be in the room but how far do we have to go??

Hollatchaboi

do tha numberz

Business Statistics was the class...

Dr. Beraho was the professor...

He uttered these words on the first day of class in his African accent

"Numbers...statistics...can be manipulated to display any medium that you want to work in your favor."

Those words always stuck with me. I'm not saying that numbers don't lie. However, you can make the numbers say whatever you want them to say. Just the other day I was surfing the 'Net and came across a header that read...ABC NEWS : Why are 42% of Black Women Not Married?

Hmmm. The title alone was intriguing to me. I proceeded to go to the website and watch the 7 min video segment on youtube. They proceeded to throw out even more numbers...like... BLACK WOMEN OUTNUMBER BLACK MEN BY 1.8 MILLION.

Word? No kiddin'. Gee...I didn't know that.

The man focus of the piece was to focus on 4 black women, all of whom reside in the city of Atlanta, as do I. Each woman was well educated, successful, young (early to mid 30s), driven, ambitious, and attractive. Qualities that most men would want (black or white). The one thing that these women had in common is that none of them were married and they were concerned that the prospect of them getting married is dwindling away. Does that sound familiar to you? It does to me. I know at LEAST 10 sistas who are JUST like these women. We've talked about this subject so many times that I'm almost tired of it. My perspective may seem somewhat skewed because I am married but I can speak from the conversations that I've had with single bruthas. We're talking about sistas between the ages of 25-34. Let's take a look at the numbers...

42% of Black Women are Not Married. Hmmm...how many women did they poll to come up with that number? Did you survey regions of the country? Did you use consensus numbers? Call me crazy but you can't just throw numbers at me and exepect me to believe them unless you explain HOW you got them. Just because you may be between the ages of 25-34 and a single black female doesn't mean that you fall into this category. For example...the government doesn't define someone who doesn't have a job as being "unemployed" unless they are ACTIVELY seeking employment. If you don't have a job and you are not looking for a job, technically you're not unemployed. The same goes for this "study." Not every black woman who is single is looking to get married.

I think that another reason why SOME sistas aren't married is because they are too picky and have unreal expectations. I said SOME because the ones that I know have those qualities. There is nothing wrong with having standards. We all should have standards. But are they fair to you. If you have a Master's degree, should your man have one to? If you're 5-8, should your man be 6-5 and have the body of a linebacker? We all should pursue what we like. However, if I said that I wanted a sista who had to have a Masters Degree, size 4, no kids, making 6 figures, cute face, and big booty...is that realistic? Probably not. There's nothing wrong with knowing what you like but you have to be practical about it. I'm not exaggerating, tho. I remember trying to hook up one of my female friends 5yrs ago. She told me to introduce her to one of my former college teammates. They were both single and didn't have any kids. I told her that I was hesitant about it because I knew how picky she was. Before I introduced them, she asked if I had a picture of him. I emailed her a picture that we took in college. Her response..."He's cute...but his ears stick out kinda far." Whut? Are you kiddin me?

That was five years ago

I never introduced them. He's about to get married to someone else

And she hasn't had a man since that day!

The moral of the story is that you can make the numbers to say what you want them to say! Is there a shortage of good black men? Hell yeah. Is it hard out there for sistas? Hell yeah. However, I think we all need to be more practical and definitive about what we want and then we'll get to where we wanna be.

Hollatchaboi!

partyallthatime

Whut are you gonna do this weekend? Me? Well, I'll be in Charlotte, NC for the CIAA Tournament. It'll be a weekend of non-stop partying. If you're on twitter, you'll get some updates as to how it's going down.

Whut about you? What are your plans?

Be safe!

Hollatchaboi!

stepyogameup!!!

TEN PRESIDENTIAL TRAITS EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE

1. RESPECT

2. PATIENCE

3. OPEN-MINDEDNESS

4. ENTHUSIASM

5. ACCOUNTABILITY

6. HUMILITY

7. EMPATHY

8. RESPONSIBILITY

9. INITIATIVE

10. DIPLOMACY

I read this in this month's Men's Health magazine. It made me think.

It's time.

Time for us black men to step our game up. With Obama leading the way, it's time for us to make changes in our lives that will make us better husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers, uncles, and friends. As men, we can no longer use some of the lame ass excuses that we have used for so long.

Change starts from within. You can talk about change. You can talk all that you want. Don't talk...do it.

Not only should we as black men step up individually...but we should pull up the "sorry bruthas" as we climb up the ladder. If you can't be inspired by an educated, dedicated family man who doesn't have several kids outside of his marriage...then you don't have a pulse. Is he perfect? Nope. None of us are. But it's really time for black men to step up.

Keep in mind that with every press conference...every public appearance...every day the world will get to see Obama's swagger. His swag, in so many ways, is much like ours. The world will view him and us in a different light. Does this mean that it will end racism? Hell no. There are a ton of people who don't want him in the Oval Office but they have to deal with it. But how he's viewed by the world and by us black men will be on display.

That said...it's time for us to do our part. This post isn't to bash the fellas...even tho the ladies say that I don't get on the fellas enough. LOL. This is just a call for us to look in the mirror. Don't talk about it. Do it. Find a way. Every black man has a purpose. Personally, if I ever lost sight of that I would look at my 3 sons and they would remind me of what I need to do. Be better.

Even more...be presidential!!!

whutdidhesay???

"I don't think I'm going to vote. I'm caught in the middle. I come from a family of Democrats who need my vote. But I have Republican money. So, I'm kinda stuck." - Clinton Portis


The above quote was uttered by Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis. I was a bit surprised that he made the comment. Everybody knows that I'm for Obama. I don't begrudge those of you who want to vote for mcshame and pale-lynn. It's your choice. I just find it irresponsible for a black man who does NOT vote. I don't need to give you a history lesson on what voting means to our people. Well...maybe I should give a lesson to Clinton Portis.

He may have "Republican money" but he didn't come from wealth. This year, Portis will make more that 7 million dollars from playing football for the Washington Redskins. Obama's tax plans would hit him in his pockets harder than it would for us. However, Portis may have forgotten about how his decision NOT to vote may hurt his kids or his grandchildren. People fought and died for his right to vote. Maybe somebody should tell him that.

This election has brought out some heavy hitters. We've seen athletes and entertainers donate their money to their political candidate. Just a few weeks ago, NBA superstar LeBron James was seen at a rally for Obama in Ohio. Entertainers like Mary J Blige, Big Boi from Outkast, and Jay Z have publicly backed Obama as well. Recently, the Cleveland Browns head coach, Romeo Crennel (who is black), banned all political talk from the team's locker room because it had gotten intense between players.

Something tells me that Portis is not alone in his thoughts about not voting. His political affiliation...just like mine...is nobody's business. However, he opened his mouth and now I got something to say about it. I think you have to vote. I don't care who you vote for or how much money you make. I don't care if he wrote his OWN name in for president and made Flavor Flav his VP. Just vote. Jay Z has a whole lot more money than Portis but he's gonna vote. I think you'd be a fool NOT to vote.

Your thoughts. Do you really care about your favorite athlete or entertainer's political view?

Hollatchaboi!!!!

IT overload

Sup fam?

First...I wanna thank errrybody for their comments, concerns, thoughts, prayers, and threats to do bodily harm (lol) from yesterday's post. I have to say that I was flattered at your concerns for ya boy and my family.

Yesterday's post was totally FICTION. Not true...at all. It was a scenario that I created. Now...before you get mad lemme explain my thought process.

I actually got the idea from a statement that was made by my girl Jaded NYer. A few days ago, she made mention of an ex that found her online. She mentioned that she might be "overexposed". That got me to thinking. Although I don't have a myspace page (too old for that...lol), I have a blog...I'm on twitter, facebook, AIM, BBerry Messenger, etc. Much like you, I have divulged a great deal of personal information to those of you who read what I write. Scary when you think about it. It'd be cool if it were only read by the 25-30 people who comment each day. But I dunno how many people actually read this blog. In these days of information technology, we are all overexposed to some degree.

That said...I don't live in fear of somebody stalking me. I just don't. I ain't that important. LOL. However, I am concerned when I think about some of my sisters who could run into an overzealous "STAN" or "CANDI". I did this post just to show that sometimes we have to be careful about the information that we put out there. I don't think anybody should sensor their blogs but you should be careful about how you "put stuff out there". Information may not always be received the way that you intend it to be received.

Once again, thanks for your concern. I hope that I didn't raise your blood pressure yesterday. LOL. I think even Keisha the Kitten was on the verge of cussin'. LOL. And I believe that all of you who stated that you would "get busy" to defend me!!! LOL. Y'all are ride or die for real!!! Good to know that y'all got my back. Trust me...i'd do the same for y'all.

Lastly, if "Candi" had rang the doorbell to my house...that would have been the last doorbell that she would have touched in her life. Mrs12 would have whupped her azz on the spot. LMAO!!!

Have you ever been stalked, blog stalked, or other wise bothered by someone of the opposite or same sex?

Hollatchaboi!!!!

black

We're gonna tell ya somethin put your mind in a swirl
God bless the next baby that comes in this world
The world's full of hate discrimination and sin
People judgin other people by the color of skin
I'll attack this matter, in my own way
Man, I ain't no slave, I ain't bailin no hay
Written a deposition, in any condition
Don't get in my way cause I'm full of ambition
I'm proud to be black (and I ain't takin no crap)
I'm fresh out the pack (and I'm proud to be black)
SO TAKE THAT!!

Run-DMC (Proud to be Black)

I see you!

Look at you!

You look real smooth today!

Is it the way that the blue pinstriped suit drapes over your frame?

Is it the way that your baggy jeans fall on your Timberland boots?

Is it the way that your fitted Yankees cap is tilted slightly towards the east?

Is it that swagger or "pimp" in your walk? Is it your strut?

Is it the way that you engage your co-workers in topics like the ozone layer and environmental issues?

Is it the way that you bounce to a beat from J Dilla? Or the latest verse from NaS or Jay Z?

Is it the way that you bi-lingually speak...good English at work...slang on the cell?

Is it the way that you hold it down for your entire family?

Is it the way that you've made it to the point that there are a few people who enjoy what you have to say on a daily basis and look forward to reading what you've written?

Is it the way that you are a friend, homie, confidant?

Is it the way that you know your past and understand the humble beginnings from which you came?

Is it the way that you've succeeded but understood that you have even further to go?

Is it the way that you live hip hop culture?

Is it the way that you've made sports a huge part of your life?

Is it the way that you know that God has put you here for a reason and you must do the job that you've been assigned to do?

Is it the way that you...are you?

Who are you?

You are Kyle.

A black man. A strong and proud black man. A black man who has been blessed with the gift and the experience to raise 3 black boys into black men.

These are some things that I think of when I'm asked "what does it mean to be black to you?"



This week CNN will air the special "Black In America". I will be tuning in as many of you will as well. It's easy for celebrities and athletes to speak about being Black in America. But what about the common folk. People like you. What does it mean to you? When you look in the mirror...do you like what you see? What does it mean to you to be black?

Hollatchaboi

let it goooooooo...

For all you sucker MC's perpetratin a FRAUD
Your rhymes are cold wack and keep the crowd cold bored
You're the kind of guy that girl ignored
I'm drivin Caddy, you fixin a FORD
My name is Joseph Simmons but my middle name's Lord
and when I'm rockin on the mic, you should all applaud
Because we're (wheelin, dealin, we got a funny feelin)
We rock from the floor up the ceilin
We groove it (you move it) it has been proven
We calm the savage beast because our music is SOOTHIN
We create it (relate it) and often demonstrate it
We'll diss a sucker MC make the other suckers hate it
We're rising (suprising) and often hypnotizing
We always tell the truth and then we never slip no lies in
No curls (no braids) peasy-head and still get paid
Jam Master cut the record up and down and cross-fade

Run from Run DMC (Rock Box)

I was in the truck today. I needed something to play that would get my energy flowing. I was looking for some ole skool hip hop. While digging through the cds that I have, I stumbled across my Best of DC (go-go) cd. I haven't heard it in a lonnnng time. I love go-go music. A kid who grew up in South Carolina who likes go-go doesn't make sense does it? Actually, I couldn't stand it until I got to college and my boy Rezidl put me on it. So, for me to be riding down a street in ATL blaring go-go...it's safe to say that I would get some strange looks.

Nevertheless, I was happy that I found the cd. This cd was a compilation of some of go-go's best...Chuck Brown, NE Groovers, Junkyard Band, Huck-a-Bucks, and Rare Essence. After listening to the first song, I realized why I haven't bothered to listen to it in a while. The cd was HEAVILY scratched! I mean...the cd would stop when i hit a bump in the road. I know that I should have followed Mrs12's advice and thrown it away. The cd won't even play in any other cd player that I have. But I can't let it go. I love that cd. And you can't find go-go music here in Atlanta. Rezidl comes here once a month on bizness and that dude STILL hasn't brought me any go-go (LOL...but I digress). I really should throw that cd away but I can't let it go. Just can't let it go

A few years ago...before I got married... I bought this couch. I copped it for the "low low" at Goodwill. I loved that couch! My wife never liked it. When we bought our house, she was adamant about us NOT taking that old couch into our new house. Huh? Me and that couch were tight. I took the best naps on that couch. It even had a bed in it. We actually argued about that couch. Can you believe that? I knew that I should have thrown it away but I couldn't let it go. Just couldn't. We brought it with us when we moved but SHE got rid of it not long after that. LOL

What about you? Is there some thing(s) that you have that you KNOW that you should get rid of...but you just can't? Why not?

Hollatchaboi!!!!

Dollaz and Sense

Thinkin of a master plan
Cuz ain't nuthin but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
So I start my mission- leave my residence
Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think of all the devious things I did
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nuthin funny
Stop smiling, be still, don't nuthin move but the money

Rakim (Paid In Full)


Damn! I didn't think it'd come to this.

What happened???

It wasn't always this way...

Things were good at one time...

Now...things have changed...

And they could get worse before they get better...

I've tried to hold on to you for as long as I could...

Now I have to hold on to what I have...

It seems to be a struggle to keep you around every day...

The struggle has me concerned but not sad...

I'll make a way...

We'll make a way...
Franklin

Grant

Jackson

and the rest of the crew. I won't let you go. I can't do it. I won't do it.


Haaaaaaaaa

I'm talking about them dead presidents, y'all. In this recession, it is important that we try to hold on to the discretionary income that we have. But when gas and food prices are worth a small fortune...you have to do what you can to cut corners to hang on to your loot.

I've stopped buying cds. I don't burn up all my gas cruising down Peachtree Street like I used to. The big lunch has been replaced by the small lunch. LOL. The road trips to SC to see the fam have been cut back. I'm doing what I have to do hang on to my bread.

Most of us are working hard but not seeing significant pay increases. Some of us are working harder for less money. Some of us have "money that's funny...and their credit won't get it. "

Since the money and credit crunch is affecting everybody...what are YOU doing to hang on to your paper?

Sound of da Police...

Fuck the police comin straight from the underground
A young nigga got it bad cause I'm brown
And not the other color so police think
they have the authority to kill a minority
Fuck that shit, cause I ain't the one
for a punk motherfucker with a badge and a gun
to be beatin on, and thrown in jail
We can go toe to toe in the middle of a cell

Ice Cube (Fuck tha Police)

I got an email on Friday from my boy Juan. He lives in the Bronx. He told me that the cops who had killed Sean Bell, the young brutha who was gunned down in a hail of 50 bullets despite the fact that he was unarmed, were acquitted. What? Are you kiddin me? How could that happen?

It brought me back to my thoughts and memories of run-ins with cops over my lifetime. I thought about a blog that LRenee did about police, racial profiling, driving while black, etc. I will share my post from that day.

Let me start by saying that I don't like cops. I hate to generalize it but I don't like em. I don't feel safe around them, they've never been around when I've needed them, and I haven't met one nice cop. That said...here's my story

I was in New Orleans about 10 years ago on a business trip. My co-worker and I decided to go to Bourbon Street. If you've ever been to N.O. you know that ANYTHING goes on Bourbon Street. We hung out and had a good time and then decided to head back to our hotel. Before we got in the car, my co-worker, who is white, was complaining about his feet that were sore from walking. When we got in the car, he decides to take his shoes off to "rest his dogs." As he was bending over to remove his shoes, I see a police car behind us that throws on the blue lights. We were only a block away from Bourbon Street and we weren't drunk so I dunno why we were being pulled over. The cops get out with their GUNS DRAWN!!! They are yelling at us to get outta the car. They make us stand in front of the running car with our hands on the hood of the car. Apparently, there must be some law about a young black dude and a white dude hangin together...because they thought we had drugs on us. They asked my co-worker why was he bending over...was he trying to hide some drugs? Drugs? You could get ANY drug that you wanted just a block away on Bourbon Street!!!

When my co-worker advised him that he was removing his shoe (as evidence he pointed to his untied shoes), they threatened us. It was a black cop and a white cop. The black cop said "why are you two together?" We explained but the didn't listen. They proceeded to search my car (illegally). We asked could we take our hands off the HOT hood of the car. The black cop said "No. And you better not run. If you move, I'll put a bullet in your back!!" I couldn't believe it. I looked at the white cop and he was cool. He was the one who called off the black cop from going through my trunk and suitcase. My co-worker and I gathered our composure and got back in the car. We were furious and stunned!! We just sat there for about 5 mins before we left. We drove up the street and the SAME cops had pulled over a car full of Mexicans. Wow! I wonder what rule did they break? F@#% the police!

Please feel free to share any experiences that you've had with cops aka pigs aka po-po aka 1 time aka jake aka charlie...etc. You get my point

Holla atcha boi

It's all Relative

Peep this convo that I had with my boy Moe

Me: "You have daughters. I'm sure that you're gonna be hard on any little boy who comes to your house who is interested them."

Moe: "Hell yeah!!"

Me: "I never had a problem with a girl's father. I got along with all of em. I didn't fear the father of any girl who I dated. What about you?"

Moe: "Mannnn, I never dated a girl who had a father."

Wow!

There is always a delicate balance between you and the family of your spouse or significant other. I have a good relationship with my in-laws. I can't say that it's a great relationship but a good one. Conversely, my mom and Mrs12 didn't always see eye-to-eye. A lot of that was MY fault. I should have been the bridge between the 2. I learned that over time. Things are much better now. She has always maintained a great relationship with my pops.

I know that some of my ex's parents are telling their daughters..."I sure did like Kyle. Why did you let him go? And now you're stuck with THIS clown!!!"

LMAO!!! Maybe not to that extreme...but you get the picture.

How is the relationship between you and your spouse/mate's parents? Have you maintained a relationship with the parents of an ex?

Gimme your vibe....

Off tha Dome

Random thoughts...

Bout to board a plane to Dallas. I'll be out there for a week on bidness. So, if you see ya boy in dem streetz...buy me a drink. LOL

If you wanna see some STRANGE people...go to the airport.

Obama loves to shoot hoops. Know what that means...he's a baller!

I just talked to my boy, Ryan. He's leaving Atlanta today as well to go outta town on bidness. The only thing is...he's headed to Cabo! Damn! Talk about lucky!

I went to lunch with co-workers the other day. I didn't talk much. Too busy bloggin. Was that rude?

Do your co-workers know that you have a blog? Mine don't. I'm not ashamed of the 12th Planet. Just don't want them squares visiting the planet. LOL

I never thought that people from all over the world would be tuned into the 12th Planet. From Canada to London...from New York to Cali. Just got an email from a reader in New Zealand. Wow!

Have you ever THOUGHT about stealing gas???

Kids are great. Sometimes you need a break from em, tho. I'm gonna miss my lil ones this week...but the break will be good.

Penny loafers with no socks...not a good look. I didn't know that people still wore penny loafers!

Signs that I'm getting old...I am upset that I'm gonna miss church today. I like my church and I like where I am spiritually in my life. I don't force religion on anybody but I think that we ALL should believe in somethin'. I don't care what it is. You can believe in a rock. Just believe

Signs that I'm getting old...that pesky little gray hair has popped up in my mustache...again. A gray hair on this handsome face? Whut tha hell? I had to cut it! I damn near messed up my 'stache in the process.

Wonder if Beyonce cooks for Jay Z now that they are married?

Foxy Brown just got outta jail, y'all. I'll bet that it'll be 6 months b4 she's back in trouble.

I read Karrie b's blog the other day. It made me ask myself..."When am I gonna get a tattoo?" Tatts are cool...very sexy on women...when they are in the right place

The Hawks made the playoffs, y'all. Pop bottles!

Memo to Hilary...the clock is tickin on ya. It's almost over, son!

The Shout Out post the other day was one of my favorites.

Bloggin is the shit!

Pray for each other. I've read some blogs this week that have made me realize that some of us are REALLY going through some thangs!

I love black people

Shout out to my boy, Juan. He just went over (Kappa Alpha Psi). Proud of ya boi!

Too bad the Pope didn't come to Atlanta. I could have showed him the city.

Why don't they feed you REAL food on the planes anymore?

Do women REALLY like Flavor Flav? I mean if he looked like that and his name was Tony Brown...would they still like him?

I miss The Wire

Shout out to all of the ATL Bloggers. Check out Torrance's book release party @ the M Bar this week. Gonna be live. Wish I could be there to meet y'all.

Some folks should be slapped...just for no real reason.

I hope that I'm not sitting next to "corporate guy" on this damn plane.

I love me some me!!!