2018 Year in Review (pictures)...

2018 Year in Review (pictures)

January

It was a busy month. Kameron, Skyler, and Brandon all performed at their piano recital.

Sherice had several sorority events

Deion was back in the ATL and the whole family got to see him perform in the band at the Honda Battle of the Bands. This was the first time that his grandparents saw him play in college. The band had Mercedes Benz Stadium rockin'

Skyler and I hit the annual Daddy/Daughter dance. We had a ball!!!!

February

Brandon completed his basketball season

The whole world traveled to Wakanda to see Black Panther

Skyler was named Scholar of the Week at her school

She also attended the first of many coding workshops. She loves coding. I'm not sure what coding is but she can tell you about it. LOL

March

Sherice turned...a year older

Brandon hung out with the Falcons at the fan fest

April

The proverbial car selfie...

May

Deion finished his first year of college on the Dean's List.

Brandon graduated from the 5th grade. Time to move on to middle school

Skyler learned to roller skate. Now she skates better than me

June

Kameron completed his first year of service with the Black Rhinos

Mom turned 70 years young! And we surprised her for her birthday

July

Time to head to South Carolina for the family reunion and fun

I took the boys on an excursion to the record store.

Then it was time to take Deion back to school for band camp. Skyler wasn't happy about that...

August

Deion turned 19 & Kameron turned 16

These 3 stepped got fresh for an event...

First day of school pictures

September

Sherice & I walked, strolled, climbed to the top of Stone Mountain

These 2 kids celebrated 18 years of marriage

Skyler turned 7. She had a skate party and one of her best friends, Kai, came to hang with her.

October

Back on the Hill for Homecoming. It was lit...as the young folks say...

Made it to the Queen City to kick it with the crew and watch our boy represent with the Giants. Unfortunately, the Giants lost but we had a great time.

November

Back on the Hill for the last home game

They dropped the top at the Benz & we watched the Falcons take on those stinkin Dallas Cowboys. Great times...other than the Falcons losing on a last second field goal. Smh

December

Skyler and I hit the Daddy/Daughter dance again. She spent more time dancing with her friends than she did dancing with me...

I turned another year older...

One of my birthday gifts was a surprise trip to the College Football Hall of Fame. If you know me, you know that I'm a HUGE football fan. While at the Hall of Fame, I spotted some familiar faces...my uncle, Harry Carson...my college football coach, Willie Jeffries, and the legend Donnie Shell. All of them, like me, played at South Carolina State University. This was a proud moment for me.

Brandon turned 12

Skyler and I celebrated Kai's birthday party at the bowling alley

Me and the boys hit the final Falcons home game vs the Cardinals. The Falcons won...

Skyler is chillin 

Sherice & I will close the year out with one of my favorite hip hop groups of all time...The Roots. If you know me, you know how much this means to me. 

2018 was filled with memories. I never get too caught up in the thought of whether it was a "good year" or a "bad year". Ultimately, if you got to SEE 2018...it was a good year. 

May 2019 be filled with blessings and prosperity!

what's on the box..."Love Is__"

what's on the box (2018) TV

"Love Is__"

I gotta admit. I was late to the party on the series "Love Is___"

The series premiered on June 18th on Oprah's OWN Network.

I didn't watch it until the first week of October.

I almost missed the boat. The first season (10 episodes) had ended before I watched one episode. So, I missed a lot of talk about the episodes. I knew very little about the show. I knew that the full season was on my DVR. One day, I said "I'm going to watch this and see what it's about."

Set in Los Angeles in the 1990s, "Love Is__" follows a young black couple, two people from opposite worlds, as they go through the trials and tribulations of chasing their dreams and learning how to follow their hearts. Nuri is bubbly and has big dreams, but she is struggling to make a name for herself as a sitcom staff writer while juggling a string of romances. Yasir is an aspiring director/writer who has hit a snag and is on-and-off again with his ex. The program is told from the perspective of Nuri and Yasir's present-selves while they revisit the social issues and the vibrant black culture that helped shape who they are today.

Back to that day. I didn't do any research on the show prior to watching. So...I was very interested to see how it would actually start. The first scene is Yuri’s monologue.

She said...

"He was a meteor that hit my life. I didn’t see it coming. He blew up my world and my plans. He unearthed the truth in me. He made me take of this mask that I had been wearing. So, that you can see the real light in me. So that I could see the real light in me." 

I was speechless.

Not only was that great writing but very relatable from that perspective. I was hooked. I learned from those 10 episodes of "Love Is __". If you experienced love (or even if you haven't lol), you can relate. The innocence and the growth of the characters and the love that they had for each other. They also were trying to find themselves and their direction at the same time. Season 1 is 10 episodes and each episode is about 40 minutes long.

Unfortunately, "Love Is___" was grounded before it could take off. The series was created and produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil and was based on the Akil's real-life relationship. On December 19, "Love Is __" was cancelled due to allegations of domestic violence and lifting the idea for the series from an ex lover against Salim Akil. The ex lover alleged that she was his mistress for many years. The OWN Network pulled the plug on the show despite it being renewed for a second season.

I was sad to hear this news. Do I believe the allegations? I'm not sure. I would need to hear both sides and there has been no formal statement from Salim. Nonetheless, "Love Is ___" was a phenomenal series...even though it was only one season. It was definitely on the box in 2018. You should check it out if you haven't already.

Great story, great writing, great acting. "Love Is __"

Everything.

PODCAST: what's in your ears...Podcasts (Year in Review)

On this week's episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, I take a look back and recognize some of the best podcasts that I've listened to in 2018. You may have heard of some of the podcasts. Most of them you haven't. During the 2nd half of the podcast, I reflect on all of the people who contributed to the 12Kyle Podcast in 2018. I appreciate all of you.


what's in your ears...Podcasts (Year in Review)


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what's on the box...Insecure Season 3

YEAR IN REVIEW (2018) - TV

I remember seeing a trailer for Insecure in the summer of 2016.

For some reason, the woman in the trailer, Issa Rae, stood out to me.

I didn't know who she was. I saw that she had a big, pretty smile. And she appeared to be somewhat goofy. That's all that I saw. At the end of the trailer, it said that the show would premiere in October. I made a mental note that the show would be coming on.

When the first episode came on, I watched it. And I was HOOKED. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. But I liked it a lot. I had no idea that Issa had done an acclaimed web series called Awkward Black Girl prior to Insecure. I didn't know about her or this show but I was hooked from the first episode.

The show is about a 30 yr old black woman living in Los Angeles and how she deals with life and her close friends. It's not like I know much about the trials and tribulations of 30 yr old black women. LOL. However, the more that I watched Insecure the more that I saw traits in people that I know. I even saw some things that indirectly happened in my life. To say that I was a fan was an understatement.

This past fall, Insecure was back for Season 3. I think the season was incredible. So many plots...twists and turns. I won't spoil it for you if you haven't seen it. Season 3 is only 8 episodes and each episode is only 30 minutes long. You can actually watch it online.

For someone who doesn't watch a lot of tv that isn't sports related, Insecure was DEFINITELY on the box. It was one of the best things that I saw on tv in 2018.

off tha dome

random thoughts...

ok...i know it's been a minute...i've been busy lazy

i'm glad that the midterm elections are over. if for no other reason, i'm glad that i'm not bombarded with political ads EVERY 30 seconds

remember the name Stacey Abrams. although she had her bid to be the governor of Georgia stolen from her, she'll be back. this won't be her last run

i miss the old Jay Z. I can't listen to this new..."improved" Jay Z

i'm never sure how many people read this post but i know my boy Tee Reese will. LOL. legendary hurdler turned track coach & hip hop head. keep the track videos coming. your hard work with the kids is paying off! i watch some of your personal videos and think "I work out...but one day I'm gonna get to THAT level!" lol! Salute, fam

sadly, the football season is almost over

childhood memory - your mom telling you to go outside to "get the switch/branch" prior to you getting a spanking. hahaha. what sense did that make? why should i go and pick the instrument that you are gonna beat me with? lol

have you ever noticed how expensive it is to "eat healthy"?

the Concord Jordan's are sooooo cold

when is it ok to say "I love you" in a relationship?

i'm still getting used to seeing LeBron in Purple & Gold

oh yeah...I turned 46 on December 9th. my birthday was pretty dope. thanks for all of the birthday wishes

i'm always down for the free apps on my iPhone. but if the app is wack, i'll delete it within 10 mins

i rarely pay for apps

never been a fan of fake breasts & fake butts. it's wack to me. and it looks really bad when you're in your 40s & 50s

i'm more interested in making my money work for me than me working for money...

gas prices are going down...i'm happy about that

how long will it be before we start seeing the "new year, new me" posts?

the truth is...most of people with the "new year, new me" posts will be doing the same dumb stuff in 2019 that they did in 2018

I've come to realize that I can be socially anti-social. and i'm ok with that

for some reason, I've spent a lot less time on social media than I used to. it ain't what it used to be

i remember having the cassette maxi-single for Pretty Brown Eyes by Mint Condition. there was a "Raindrop remix" on it. i wish i could find that tape or that remix somewhere. smh

speaking of music, the other day i was riding in the car with Kameron and "Stay" by Jodeci came on the radio. we both started singing it loud like we were on stage together. it was pretty funny. we both love that song

where did 2018 go?

best Christmas gift ever...the Atari 2600

i plan to read First Lady Michelle Obama's book

the new Avengers trailer is sooooo sick. can't wait until the movie comes out next april

here's one thing that I've learned...if you're ever mired in a scandal that is heavily talked about on social media...you just need to survive 48 hrs. that's it. that's as long as the controversy will last

say less...that's what the kids say

i had to laugh at the people who were "shocked" by Jill Scott's mic antics on stage. Have you not heard some of her songs like Crown Royal and All I? C'mon son. Love me some Jill Scott

tell the truth...you're like me and you're waiting on the Dallas Cowboys to fall on their face like they always do. Don't worry, it's coming

i should have stuck with those guitar lessons back in the day

you should look forward to getting older. embrace it. it's gonna happen whether you want it to happen or not

i saw this online. makes you think...

i don't make New Years Resolutions but I PROMISE i'm gonna try to write more on here. lol

when i was a kid, i would love it when it snowed. now? i hope that it doesn't snow again...ever. hahaha

i saw more than enough when i lived in Minneapolis

The King of R&B? there isn't a king. everybody is influenced by somebody. so...there's no king

the last thing that you should do is get online and argue with total strangers.

the 12Kyle Podcast will be back in 2019. the contract has been extended for another year

they still don't have clean water in Flint, Michigan. smh

there's no contract for the podcast. i just thought that sounded cool. lmaooooooo

congrats on making it to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Salute to you, Penny Gordon.

PODCAST : your daddy's hip hop vol 2...

On this week's episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, my son, Kameron, joins me to discuss a wide range of topics from beats vs lyrics, his affinity for Tupac, hip hop samples, and much more.


your daddy's hip hop vol 2...


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PODCAST: breaking curfew...

Almost everybody has a story about the time that they broke the curfew that was set for them and they got caught. For some, it was a rite of passage. For others, it was a lesson that was learned. As for me, it was both...and it was funny. Listen to this episode of The 12Kyle Podcast and i'll tell you how it went down.

breaking curfew...

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PODCAST: you ain't ready for a relationship...

If you ask most people, they will tell you that they normally KNOW when they are ready for a relationship. But the question is...do you REALLY know? On this week's episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, we'll talk about some questions to ask yourself to help determine if you are ready for a relationship.

you ain't ready for a relationship...

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PODCAST: be careful what you ask for...

Have you ever heard the saying... "Be careful of what you ask for because you just might get it"??? Well, on this week's episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, I will share 3 stories about people (including me) who asked for something but were not prepared for the results.


1:37 - Sleeping your way to the top...
8:42 - She wants to have your baby...
15:32 - I should have known she was crazy...


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PODCAST: Doggystyle...25 Years Later

The much anticipated debut rap album from Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle, was released on November 23, 1993. The critically acclaimed album was a smash and sold 806k copies the first week that it was on the streets. But the album did not come without controversy as Snoop was arrested for manslaughter 3 months before the album was released. On this week's episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, we will discuss the events leading up to the album, the production, the tracks and the significance of the album.


Doggystyle...25 Years Later


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PODCAST: myths about sex...

Even with all of the technology and information that we have access to, you would think that people would know more about sex. Unfortunately, they don't know as much as they THINK that they do. Taboos about sex, fears about desire, and the uneasiness of speaking about our bodies have led to many myths about sex. Myths wouldn't be a thing if we made accurate information about sex accessible to young people. On this week's episode of The 12Kyle Podcast, we will comically take a look at some popular myths about sex. Listen and let me know what you think.

myths about sex...

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PODCAST: Enter the Wu Tang 36 Chambers...25 Years Later

A collective of 9 emcees dropped their debut album on November 9, 1993. The album proved to be one of the greatest hip hop albums from the 90s. It also catapult this group into hip hop fame. The group was the Wu Tang Clan and the name of the album was Enter the Wu Tang 36 Chambers. On this episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, we'll discuss this album, its members, and why it is considered a hip hop classic.

Enter the Wu Tang 36 Chambers...25 Years Later

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PODCAST: my top 10 Big 3s in NBA history...

When it comes to the NBA, great players love to play against each other. Great players also love to play WITH each other as well. As I stated on a previous podcast (see the podcast - Super teams in the NBA are not new), great players are often on the same team. Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been many Big 3s, a trio of great players who have played together. On this episode of the 12Kyle Podcast, I'll give you my top 10 Big 3s in NBA history. Let me know what you think! 

my top 10 Big 3s in NBA history... 

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