Welcome To Graduation

Wasn't blogging when I walked the Stage on May 17th 2009 (happiest day of my life). This is a lil retroactive post for me but also one for the homies walking today:

Never Can Go A Day Without My Mama....

Happy Mothers Day

Respecting Rose

22. Youngest to ever do it.

"I just play basetball"

That was the main point of the first Derrick Rose interview I had ever seen. It was after his playoff debut in which he dropped 36 points and 11 dimes and help his Bulls beat the Celtics. I wish I could find the whole interview but all I could get was this clip:



You've probably seen the rest. Dude sounded like a mix of Warren from Something about Mary and Boobie Miles and looked more dumbfounded than W and Eli put together. Every since then I have been making fun of his lack of intelligence, consistently calling him dumber than a box of rocks. Then of course there was that whole NCAA investigation thing which added fuel to my fire...

I've always respect Rose as a player but throughout the course of this season I've grown to respect him more and more as a person. He hasn't gotten any smarter in the traditional sense but I realized that he hasn't needed to. He's a ball player and he's done the one thing he's had to: continue to get better and smarter at being that. And boy did it show. As he dominated opponents and carried his team to the top record in the league many people consistently pronounced him as the MVP. Rather than let his ego inflate he stayed humble.When he was voted in as an All-Star starter and people suggested it was his chance to shine he deferred to the All-Star elders. And even once he was formally announced as the MVP all he could do was thank his teammates and #shoutout his mom:

If anyone deserves a moment to brag it would be Rose. He made it through the slums of the Chi to the league. He got drafted by his hometown team number 1 overall. He was asked to bring the Bulls back to a place they haven't been since That Guy left. Many would have wilted under such pressure but Rose has risen to the challenge gracefully.

I used to think his subdued and humble demeanor was moreso an side effect of his ignorance but now I realize that he is just a respectful youngster doing what he's been blessed to do. He's just a kid honing his craft, humbly accepting his accolades and being a great representation of his family and his city. It's refreshing and I respect it. Go on young brotha...

#Respect

2011 Draft 1st Round Recap...

 

The 1st round of the NFL draft kicked of last night. I wasn't excited as I usually am because of the lockout, but since the judge ended it earlier this week I regained my excitement. This draft just like any other had some things we definitely saw coming (see photo above) and some surprises. Here's my take on the 1st round.

#Respect

Atlanta Falcons 

Wrong side man

Trading up to draft Julio Jones a big, physical, tough, surprisingly fast WR to compliment Roddy White was definitely a good look. I was a little shocked they gave up so much for him but I like him and think he will be a great receiver in the league, better than AJ Green. 

Detroit Lions
Drafting Nick Fairley. Fairley was such a beast in the National championship game I thought he may have gone number 1, I wasn't the only one. That talk died down but he was still looking like a top 5 pick. Somehow he fell to 13 where the Lions didn't need him, having drafted Ndamukong Suh last year but they nabbed him anyway. Suh and Fairley on the same defensive line #ridiculous.

New Orleans Saints

Any team that gets two picks in the 1st round gets #respect. Drafting Cameron Jordan was great. He will help the defense and be the heir apparent to Will Smith. Trading back into the 1st round to pick up Mark Ingram was excellent. Ingram is the perfect power runner to compliment the other Heisman winning RB on the roster (if he is still there).

Cleveland Browns
The traded their 1st round pick (the aforementioned Jones) to Atlanta for 5 picks. 1-2-3-4-FIF. Not just any 5 picks either, Atlanta's 1st this year (which they flipped), 2nd and 4th this year and next year's 1st and 4th. I'm sure this year's 1st and 2nd would have been enough to close the deal but the Browns push to the max (or took advantage of ATL's thirst) to get those additional picks.

Good Look

Dallas Cowboys
Drafting for need instead of headlines. Tyron Smith will help the O-Line just not sure if it will be at Left Tackle.

Washington Redskins
Resisting the allure of the QB and trading down for more picks. I think Ryan Kerrigan could be a bust though.

Jacksonville Jaguars 
Trading up to get Blaine Gabbert. I didn't think Gabbert would be good in the league but now I think he has a chance to. He can sit behind David Garrard for a while and learn.

New York Giants and Jets
Prince Amukamara fills a definite need at CB for the Giants. Muhammad Wilkerson fills the need for a giant DT for the Jets.

Baltimore Ravens
Ravens had an excellent draft last year and started this one of pretty good as well drafting Jimmy Smith to fill their CB needs. He has some character issues but Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will whip him into shape.

Teams who drafted Offensive Lineman
Usually cant go wrong when you draft O-lineman because if they're young and healthy they're good and some even great. So good look to the Cowboys, Dolphins, Patriots, Colts, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears and the Packers.


Surprise Surprise

Minnesota Vikings
Cristian Ponder at #12? They must have really loved this guy. I think they could may have been able to get him in the second round. If they weren't confident they could have waited then they could have traded down a little lower in the 1st, get some additional picks, and then drafted him. They botched this one.

Tennessee Titans
Jake Locker at #8? See above about Ponder.


Da'Quan Bowers

This guy was once talked about as the #1 overall pick. and he didn't even get drafted in the 1st round. Guess his knee injury scared people off. can't imagine him not going in the top 3 picks in the 2nd.

Denver Broncos

I thought they'd go with Marcell Dareus, a bit of a safer pick, instead they opted for Von Miller who I think is a potential bust. 

Beware

AJ Green WR, Bengals. For some reason he reminds me of Charles Rodgers. I think he'll be productive but not great, just not blazingly fast. And who is throwing to him?

Von Miller OLB, Broncos. Always weary of a hybrid DE/OLB tweeners. Without the proper inside help he may not get many sacks.

Aldon Smith DE, 49ers. See above.

Ryan Kerrigan DE, Redskins. Ditto.

Robert Quinn DE, Rams. Ditto again lol.

Johnathon Baldwin WR, Chiefs. Has a chance to be good because Dwanye Bowe will get doubled but he's big and slow.

Topless...Not a Good Look

Normally I'd be all for toplessness (there's a reason I'm @FullCupLover), but in this case I'm against it. On Saturday, April 2nd my father mailed my laptop in for some repairs. I've known he was going to do it for a while, just didn't know when. Since he knew that I handled all of my grad school apps he knew that I really didn't need it so he sent it in while I was away in LA. Going back to the day I left (3/31) I've been without it for 12 days. The first 4 were cool because I was out of town but since I've returned its been rough.

Even though he thinks I don't need it I really do. I haven't been able to listen to music, cruise the net, update the blog (LA Recap, MLB Preview, some other thoughts I would have turned into a post if I had my laptop), stay up with my Mets, online window shop, social network at my full potential, enjoy an adult movie, etc.

It hasn't been all that bad because all my emails come to my phone so I haven't missed anything important. I tweet from my phone mostly so I've been able to keep up with my friends and enjoy #tittytuesday with no major problem lol. However, I haven't been able to hit a lot of the links in tweets to check out songs or articles people are tweeting about. My mobile web doesn't get everything.

At home I've had to use the house desktop: which is extremely slow starting up, doesn't have my music on it, my bookmarks or even the same web browsing platform I normally use (Chrome). I do have my work computer, (which I'm posting from right now) but it has its own set of issues: no downloads, my noisy co-workers always walking by, and the fact that I have to do actual work.

I miss my baby and I'm tired of going (Lap)Topless.

"Oh! Cali??"

Going to LA for the weekend so this is what I'm bumpin....

There Are Still Good People Out There

Friday night I was out with the #NYcrew having a good time drinking, laughing and joking. After while I left the crew to link up with some of my coworkers to celebrate a supervisor's birthday. Jumped in a taxi and headed downtown. Paid, got out and started looking for the spot. As I got closer I reached in my pocket looking for my ID when I realized I had left my wallet in the taxi. #Jealoused. I still had my phone and my debit card (miraculously) so I wasn't completely helpless, still #blown though.

The next day when I woke up I searched through my pockets to see if I had really lost it. Yea I did. The search did turn up the taxi receipt which had the taxi id number on it. I called 311 to see if I would be able to track down that taxi. I got the phone number to the taxi company and was told to call when they open. As blown as I had been I started to think all wasn't lost. Little did I know.

As I was getting ready for the day I got a Facebook message from a man who had found my wallet. He wanted to meet up with me and return it. #UNjealous. I was so amped. After a brief conversation with  my parents about how much to reward the man I called him and arranged the meeting. When I got there he returned my wallet and didnt even accept my reward money. After I offered again he still refused it and simply said "Pass the good karma forward." #Respect

Top 5 NBA Beards

Just got word that the Orlando Magic will be growing beards until there playoff exit. The "Playoff Beard" is a common thing amongst athletes most notably NHLers, but not exclusive to them. Brent Keisel most recently grew his during the NFL playoffs (which has its own facebook page) and Brian Wilson last year during the Giants World Series run.

Visit it on Facebook

Fear the Beard

Well I love beards and consider myself a member of the #beardgang even though I have nothing more than billy goat scruff (actually a lot less than that lol). Nonetheless this Magic thing reminded me of something I thought of a while ago; Top 5 beards in the NBA. Here we go:

5. Ronny Turiaf - #norespect to the man's prison straight backs but much #respect to the straight scruff.

No razors allowed in prison, or designs

4. DeShawn Stevenson - Beard, tats, #92...dude just doesn't care and I #respect that.

#thuglife

3. Baron Davis - No one doesn't care more than B.Diddy. Only thing bigger than his beard is his belly.

No working out + No shaving = Ending up in Cleveland

2. Deron Williams - DWill stay fresh, he must get a cut everyday.

Yes, I get a shape up daily. 

1. James Harden - Rick Rossesque

Whoo #SayitlikeRoss

Honorable Mention: John Salmons, Rip Hamilton, Old Drew Gooden.

The Ring

I was watching some of the Girlfriends marathon (I do it for the #snookups) and within 3 episodes 2 characters got engaged...Toni twice. They couldn't wait to run to their girls and show off their engagement rings. This of course is something that didn't surprise me since I work in an office full of women and during the past year and a half 5 have gotten engaged and done the same thing.

"Whoo girl look at my ring!"

This is why I am against engagement rings. They have become merely a prop for women to show off to their friends, coworkers and any random females they pass on the street. Women know what type of engagement ring they want before they know the type of man they want to be with forever. It blows me! Gone are the days when the meaning of the ring was important, when it was a symbol of a man's commitment to woman. Instead its all bout how much he spends on it and how big it is. Funny, how that applies to other things too lol.

Originally there was importance in the financials of the ring but for a legit reason, not to show off to your friends. When I found out that reason I respected it and thought it made a lot of sense. Nowadays I doubt many women know that reason and if one does she can get a ring from me the day she tells me. Most will tell you that it shows how much he loves you: the more he spends, the more he loves. #Wrong! How about the fact that he wants to be with you the rest of his life. Thats a little bit more important than how much he spends.

Truth be told there are way better uses for 3 months of salary, namely a house for the two of you to build your future in. Shoot that money could even be used to pay for part of the dream wedding that you've thought about almost as equally as the ring. Besides the whole 2-3 month salary rule was just a marketing ploy.

Truthfully, unless you get a ring that signals your death in 7 days or one that requires you to go on a life dangering quest you should be happy with what you get. If your friends aren't impressed with it ask them where their rings are.

Okay this ring is not okay

This one either

I do have to say #respect to my most recent coworker to get engaged for being real nonchalant about her ring, not showing it off. However she has also forgot to wear it multiple days, yet another problem. If I buy it you will wear it everyday for the rest of your life.

I'm far from getting married so I don't have to worry about this for a while, just wanted to say something.

2010 Music Review (C): Top 10 Albums

This was by far the hardest list to compile. There was so many good albums that dropped in 2010. It was an excellent year and it was tough to narrow down the list but I did the best I could. Unfortunately some very good albums (Solider of Love, Distant Relatives, Sir Lucious Left Foot, New Amerykah Pt 2) didn't make it and some that I didn't have a chance to listen to (All I Want Is You) missed my list as well.

Honorable Mention:

Recovery - Eminem
This was a very honest album for Em. He spoke about his struggles and not just the typical bad mom and baby momma stuff he usually talks about. He mixed up the album with some traditional funny clowning tracks but some serious ones showing his range. He put forth a lot of effort lyrically, which he doesn't always do. No question that when he does, its heat. This was a very good album. #respect

Still Standing - Monica
I've always liked Monica and her music. Her albums are always pretty good and this one was too. It was very emotion filled as a reflection on her life to that moment: surviving struggles, becoming stronger and being fully in love. Absolutely love "Love All Over Me" and the other songs on the album because you can feel the love through her voice.

Kaleidoscope Heart - Sara Bareilles 
Instantly became a fan when I saw her in Rhapsody commercial. She flies under the radar because of some of the higher profile piano playing songstresses but I think she is of equal or even greater talent then some of them. This a very good album, a nice follow up to her debut. Its not as strong though, probably because Sara's piano playing is not the focal point. Nonetheless I like this album, a smooth listen all the way through.

The List:

10. Love Me Back - Jazmine Sullivan
I really love Jazmine, one of the ladies of the New Guard of female R&B. Loved her debut and was looking forward to this album. Love it. Her voice is so dope and despite her age she sings about some real serious topics. Even her relationship songs aren't just the typical youthful love and heartbreak types but about struggles of relationships. I like how she's not afraid to express her flaws and fears on certain tracks, she's real honest.
My Tracks: "Excuse Me" "10 Seconds" "Famous"

9. Thank Me Later - Drake

"All of this is new to me, I'm still learning to behave and spending every dollar they encourage me to save."

Well you already know how I feel about this album, wrote a whole post on it. It's a real dope debut and easy to relate to for us youngsters reaching our new levels of "stardom." Jimmy Brooks did his thing, especially considering the hype he had going in. He handled the expectations very well, something we worry about with other members of the New Guard of Rap.
My Tracks: "The Resistance" "Unforgettable" "Light Up"

8. Passion, Pain & Pleasure - Trey Songz
Makes the list of the strength that this was my girl's favorite album from last year. Seriously though this joint was under the radar especially in light of how great Ready was, but it was hittin. Trey did his thing on this joint. The concept was dope with the 3 splits and he was a lot more smooth less raunchy on this album.
My Tracks: "You Just Need Me" "Made To Be Together" "Passion"

7. How I Got Over - The Roots

"All cried out because I grew up crying."

This joint was excellent. The Roots don't get the respect they deserve. Black Thought is so ill lyrically. I love this album and how it deals with life, struggle and motivation. Its a very reflective album, for them and for me. It made me think about tough times, appreciate making it through them and motivates me to keep going. Real powerful album.

My Tracks: "How I Got Over" "The Fire" "Dear God 2.0"

6. The Sea - Corinne Bailey Rae


"Yea it leaves a scar, so show me how to find it again, if I'm lost show me where you are"

After the self-titled debut we waited a long time for this album but only because the woman experience the death of her husband. For that reason this album differs vastly from its upbeat, happy predecessor but it reflects her emotions at the time. Its a bit gloomy and ominous but its real deep. Love is the main theme: dealing with the difficulty of losing someone you loved, but also the hope love brings. Took a while to get into because of the contrast from the 1st but certainly was worth the effort as I appreciate it it so much now.
My Tracks: "Diving for Hearts" "Are You Here" "I'd Do It All Again"

5. The Lady Killer - Cee Lo Green

"Can nonchalance be ambiance? Of course"

In December my company (#allbeige) had the holiday party and guess what was bumping? This joint. I was surprised to say the least but I thought about it and thats the best way to describe this album: Surprisingly Awesome. This album came out of nowhere and was rocking, hard. Its a great mix of songs, some real smooth ones and some to get a party poppin. Great listen all the way through. Thanks for the surprise. 

My Tracks: "Bodies" "I Want You" "Wildflower"

4. Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi

"Rage...cuz I'm paid"

This album took me a while to get into. At first it seemed a little darker than the first one but as I kept listening I realized it really wasn't. Of course Cudi still does his typical emo complaining on this one but not as dramatic as he did on the first. The emotion is why I like Cudi though, he feels safe expressing his. I respect that. I also respect the fact that he has the perfect remedy for dealing with those emotions: Raging.
My Tracks: "Mr. Rager" "Ashin Kusher" "Don't Play This Song"

3. Come Round Sundown - Kings Of Leon

This joint rocks #literally. These are some dope beige dudes. I loved there last album so I was looking forward to this joint. Its really good. I listened to this for a while, even after Kanye dropped MBDTF. Thats how much I liked it. The music is excellent with all the guitars, drums and what not (rock band stuff). I find myself playing an air guitar, air drums or being the lead singer whenever I listen to this album.
My Tracks: "Pickup Truck" "The End" "The Immortals"

2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

"I found bravery in my bravado"

This joint is crazy. 'Ye not only lived up to the expectations he exceeded them. No one could have imagined an album this awesome. 'Ye did some ridiculous things on this albums, mixing so many different sounds and types of music and having some great features. 3 or 4 songs could be argued as the song of the year. Many peoples pick as album of the year and certainly worthy.
My Tracks: "All Of The Lights" "Devil In A New Dress" "Gorgeous"

1. Teflon Don - Rick Ross

"F*** maintaining I gotta keep ballin"

My favorite album from 2010. I was waiting patiently for it to drop and when it did I was a lil disappointed because I had heard already heard half the album. The disappointment didn't stop me from bumping it for months though. I really like every song on it, except the last track. I like Ross's mix of foolishness and skillfulness. It was a great album. Oh yea, I saw him in concert too.
My Tracks: "Free Mason" "Ashton Martin Music" "BMF"