"The world's a playground. You know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it."
-Chick from Yes,Man
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thought of the Day
Guilt is a bitch. But it's your heart's way of saying "you're not llstening." Accepting that you SHOULD feel guilty, figuring out WHY*, and then dealing with THAT problem is the only way to defeat it.
* -this is the trickiest part, because one event may trigger the emotion, but it may be rooted in something else, which can cause you to put a band-aid on a broken bone (man, I LOVE that analogy). Like you may feel guilty that you wronged someone, but the real root of it is inside of you. Ignoring the other person for a moment, and only reflecting on yourself, you'll probably find that the guilt is a result of you not living your life the way you feel is right. That's the problem... I feel like I'm being redundant...
* -this is the trickiest part, because one event may trigger the emotion, but it may be rooted in something else, which can cause you to put a band-aid on a broken bone (man, I LOVE that analogy). Like you may feel guilty that you wronged someone, but the real root of it is inside of you. Ignoring the other person for a moment, and only reflecting on yourself, you'll probably find that the guilt is a result of you not living your life the way you feel is right. That's the problem... I feel like I'm being redundant...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Complex Magazine Kanye West Interview
Click here for interview
by the way who wants to get me a subscription to complex? its cheap, come on... well fuck you then.
by the way who wants to get me a subscription to complex? its cheap, come on... well fuck you then.
Quote of the Day
"The greatest discovery of our generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Quote of the Day
"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong."
-John Lennon
-John Lennon
Monday, May 25, 2009
Peace Tip of the Day
Whenever I feel like someone is bullshittin, i tell them "you can tell me anything. you can lie to everyone on earth, but you cant lie to yourself."
My friend Carson said the same thing to me the other night, but he said it in a different way that had a much more profound meaning...
"You can only be true to yourself. You can't be true to anyone else. You can only be true to yourself."
I mixed the insight that this provided me with that which I got from that Mandela quote and came to this conclusion:
If you're true to yourself, people will see truth in you. And that will inspire them. Some may try to mimic your truth. But that is not THEIR truth and they will be lost until they realize this. But truth is light. Some will be amazed by the light and stare at it until they are blind. And some will see the path that was once shrouded by darkness, now illuminated.
Good night!
My friend Carson said the same thing to me the other night, but he said it in a different way that had a much more profound meaning...
"You can only be true to yourself. You can't be true to anyone else. You can only be true to yourself."
I mixed the insight that this provided me with that which I got from that Mandela quote and came to this conclusion:
If you're true to yourself, people will see truth in you. And that will inspire them. Some may try to mimic your truth. But that is not THEIR truth and they will be lost until they realize this. But truth is light. Some will be amazed by the light and stare at it until they are blind. And some will see the path that was once shrouded by darkness, now illuminated.
Good night!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I don't know what to title this ... how about "The night I COULD have went to the club."
I went to Selam, a bar/restaurant on U street owned by some of my family this evening. Just to hang out.
There, I met this guy named Carson. According to him he was pushing 50, but he looked a bit older.
Anyway, we ended up conversing pretty much the whole night, in between shots with the bartenders, cigarettes, and some good food.
Every once in a while you run into someone that just drops knowledge like its hot. This is one of those fellows. He writes poetry, and he shared with me a few really good poems. I thought I would share one with whoever cares to read this blog.
"Go on talking to an imaginary person,
or flesh and blood, likewise
and be none the wiser.
Truth is a small string one steps over.
Wisdom is a persistent preoccupation."
"Wow" moment.
We went on talking for an hour or so, and he shared an anecdote which I will pass along as well:
I was regretting the past,
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I Am".
He paused.
I waited.
He continued,
"When you live in the past,
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.
When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here.
My name is I AM."
by Helen Mallicoat
Another "Wow" moment.
As the night went along, I asked him what he felt his purpose in life was.
He answered the question by saying every day his perspective changed. I pushed back, claiming that regardless what perspective you have, our EXISTENCE is based on give and take. We take food, water, information, money...etc. and give whatever we can give. So I asked again what he felt he gave back. He gave me some runaround answer which basically came down to "I help people solve problems they may have." But he still resisted calling this his PURPOSE. It was fascinating to me, because this man, who seemed to be much wiser than most people I have come across could not give me an answer to this simple question.
Now once upon a time, I would just accept his answer, thinking "Obviously, this guy has been on Earth far longer than me, I must just have much more to learn." But my name is not I WAS.
I thought about his words, and realized, this intelligent, thoughtful man has given up on seeking out his purpose. By that I mean, he knows in his heart what his purpose is, but he is not FULFILLING it to the greatest of his ability, and to ease the dischord this must cause in his soul, he denies its existence.
As I spent time philosophizing with him, I began to see him as an example of what my future could be. I sit around and think about shit all the time, but my spiritual growth DWARFS my growth in life. And I saw how he rationalized his position in life. He had worked numerous odd jobs and claimed that he had fun in each of them, and made decent money, which is fine. But I feel like he was far too satisfied with what life had presented him. Taking the closest, most convenient position is ok, making the best of it is great. But there's more. That can't be all there is. There has to be something to strive for, something to challenge us to grow beyond what we think we cannot do.
The way I see it, if you have something to give back to the world, to the universe, to your fellow human being, you should employ the tools at your disposal to reach as many people as possible. Every one of us has inside of us the ability to change the world. EVERY ONE OF US.
As our conversation concluded and we had another round of shots with everyone at the bar, Carson (you know, the guy who spent the entire night dropping knowledge and schooling me) leaned over to me and said "You taught me alot tonight."
"Wow" moment.
That's the give and take of life, brother.
Now I ask all of you this simple question:
What do you have to give?
Everyone comes into your life for a REASON, a SEASON, or a LIFETIME. Everyone teaches you something. Yes, even the assholes. Even the fuckers that do you dirty time and again. Appreciate everyone for that.
Peace and Love everyone,
I AM.
There, I met this guy named Carson. According to him he was pushing 50, but he looked a bit older.
Anyway, we ended up conversing pretty much the whole night, in between shots with the bartenders, cigarettes, and some good food.
Every once in a while you run into someone that just drops knowledge like its hot. This is one of those fellows. He writes poetry, and he shared with me a few really good poems. I thought I would share one with whoever cares to read this blog.
"Go on talking to an imaginary person,
or flesh and blood, likewise
and be none the wiser.
Truth is a small string one steps over.
Wisdom is a persistent preoccupation."
"Wow" moment.
We went on talking for an hour or so, and he shared an anecdote which I will pass along as well:
I was regretting the past,
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I Am".
He paused.
I waited.
He continued,
"When you live in the past,
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.
When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here.
My name is I AM."
by Helen Mallicoat
Another "Wow" moment.
As the night went along, I asked him what he felt his purpose in life was.
He answered the question by saying every day his perspective changed. I pushed back, claiming that regardless what perspective you have, our EXISTENCE is based on give and take. We take food, water, information, money...etc. and give whatever we can give. So I asked again what he felt he gave back. He gave me some runaround answer which basically came down to "I help people solve problems they may have." But he still resisted calling this his PURPOSE. It was fascinating to me, because this man, who seemed to be much wiser than most people I have come across could not give me an answer to this simple question.
Now once upon a time, I would just accept his answer, thinking "Obviously, this guy has been on Earth far longer than me, I must just have much more to learn." But my name is not I WAS.
I thought about his words, and realized, this intelligent, thoughtful man has given up on seeking out his purpose. By that I mean, he knows in his heart what his purpose is, but he is not FULFILLING it to the greatest of his ability, and to ease the dischord this must cause in his soul, he denies its existence.
As I spent time philosophizing with him, I began to see him as an example of what my future could be. I sit around and think about shit all the time, but my spiritual growth DWARFS my growth in life. And I saw how he rationalized his position in life. He had worked numerous odd jobs and claimed that he had fun in each of them, and made decent money, which is fine. But I feel like he was far too satisfied with what life had presented him. Taking the closest, most convenient position is ok, making the best of it is great. But there's more. That can't be all there is. There has to be something to strive for, something to challenge us to grow beyond what we think we cannot do.
The way I see it, if you have something to give back to the world, to the universe, to your fellow human being, you should employ the tools at your disposal to reach as many people as possible. Every one of us has inside of us the ability to change the world. EVERY ONE OF US.
As our conversation concluded and we had another round of shots with everyone at the bar, Carson (you know, the guy who spent the entire night dropping knowledge and schooling me) leaned over to me and said "You taught me alot tonight."
"Wow" moment.
That's the give and take of life, brother.
Now I ask all of you this simple question:
What do you have to give?
Everyone comes into your life for a REASON, a SEASON, or a LIFETIME. Everyone teaches you something. Yes, even the assholes. Even the fuckers that do you dirty time and again. Appreciate everyone for that.
Peace and Love everyone,
I AM.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Couple More Quotes for Today
"There are people just as smart as you, just as driven.... that play for the other team."
"There's no glory in scoring a touchdown unless the defense is on the field."
"There's no glory in scoring a touchdown unless the defense is on the field."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Some people see more in a walk around the block than others see in a trip around the world."
Peace Tip of the Day
Loving ________ is never enough, you have to honestly and earnestly go and get it.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Two very poetic interpretations of loving life like there's no tomorrow
I wanted to repost this video with the quote because they took the video down and I felt like the video and quote go together. So if you haven't checked both of these out, please do.
"The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now, and we will never be here again."
-Achilles(Brad Pitt) in Troy
"The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now, and we will never be here again."
-Achilles(Brad Pitt) in Troy
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Word
This is just an excerpt, the entire quote talks about weakness/strength in men. Check it out.
"It has been usual for mean to think and to say, “Many men are slaves because one is an oppressor; let us hate the oppressor.” Now, however, there is amongst an increasing few a tendency to reverse this judgment, and to say, “One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.”"
- James Allen
via thethinkmovement.com
"It has been usual for mean to think and to say, “Many men are slaves because one is an oppressor; let us hate the oppressor.” Now, however, there is amongst an increasing few a tendency to reverse this judgment, and to say, “One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.”"
- James Allen
via thethinkmovement.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Quote of the Day
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own lights shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
- Nelson Mandela
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own lights shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."
- Nelson Mandela
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Quote of the Day
"The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now, and we will never be here again."
-Achilles(Brad Pitt) in Troy
Thoughts?
-Achilles(Brad Pitt) in Troy
Thoughts?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Marketing
I find it interesting that you can advertise to a subculture whose existence is illegal.
I'm hungry.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Quote of the Day
“Energy comes from having a purpose. Creativity flows from having a purpose. When you are clear about ‘why’ you will figure out ‘how’. Success is a function of the sincerity of the mission. Without a meaningful purpose, action leads to disappointment and frustration. Yet when focused upon a compelling reason, action always results in achievement.
Within you are real, authentic reasons why. Within those reasons you’ll find great treasure. No one can separate you from your purpose. Nothing can take the power of that purpose away from you. Let your thoughts, your words, your perspective and your actions come from your purpose. With your life, you’ll achieve many great things.”
sheez... busy day
Within you are real, authentic reasons why. Within those reasons you’ll find great treasure. No one can separate you from your purpose. Nothing can take the power of that purpose away from you. Let your thoughts, your words, your perspective and your actions come from your purpose. With your life, you’ll achieve many great things.”
sheez... busy day
Question! of the Day
Life teaches us it's a dog eat dog world.
But does it have to be?
If you say no, are you prepared to deal with people who act as if it is?
Are they really at fault?
But does it have to be?
If you say no, are you prepared to deal with people who act as if it is?
Are they really at fault?
A thought by my MENTOR
"The American dream is a nightmare."
Referring to the ideal, whether or not achieved, of what is now percieved to be the the dream.
And the knowledge that what we want is all just matierial products and a facade to be lauded, but its all a mirage.
Like a wig is the cure for cancer.
Fuck the Jones I'm on my own.
Referring to the ideal, whether or not achieved, of what is now percieved to be the the dream.
And the knowledge that what we want is all just matierial products and a facade to be lauded, but its all a mirage.
Like a wig is the cure for cancer.
Fuck the Jones I'm on my own.
Don't hate the player, hate "The Game" (the tv show)
Ok, I've reached the breaking point for this fascination with the game. What is it? I don't get it, you guys. Aesthetically, it's annoying. The cameraman's kinda of shaky guerrilla-style filming is effective at making me feel like i'm in the room. It works, really. But I don't WANT to be in the room. I don't know these people. And all they have is problems. And if they don't have problems, they just make up problems. We do that enough in real life. Why would you escape the perceived and real stressors of the world to the fake perceived and real stressors of television?
Anyway,
There's two types of shows to me.
Some are based in reality (e.g. your law and orders, various other dramas, even some comedies). Now these shows, while the sequence of events that occurs on the screen may not be likely, or possible, make a marked attempt at having REAL personalities. To me it's not always the storyline, but the characters that determine how realistic a show is.
Then there's your fantasies. I can only think of three possible types of shows that legitimately fall into this catagory: I'm talking about family-oriented shows, some comedies, and I'm talking about soap operas... I'm talking about the Game. Just hearing the way people talk, their responses, you can tell this is dearly departed from reality. My disdain for Soap Operas is not strong enough to blog about. But the Game doesn't accept its Soap Opera status (yes I called it a soap opera). It wants to be hipper. More down. More modern. More relevant. More real. But it's not. It takes all the dumb shit that we have to deal with, markets it like the dumb shit is what we're supposed to deal with and says "hey look its ok, this is what real life is supposed to be!", mixes it with bad acting, (which doesn't make any sense, since everyone should be very well versed with the dumb shit), and adds in a shaky camera (which I am tempted to address again but I won't be redundant).
Think about it. What this show does is ESSENTIALLY take this culture that we have developed, a culture that is based on drama and fantasy and conflict, (so much so that they said "TO HELL WITH WRITING A SCRIPT!" and came out with The Real World), which HAPPENS to be an affect of the ridiculous amount of TV we watch, and create a program BASED on this perversion of reality, and try to make it real. They're taking life, regurgitating it, and feeding it back to us. You're watching visual vomit.
Let's look at BET one second. I know DAMN well everyone that reads this blog is not a fan of "Blacks Entertaining" Television. BET is based on black culture. But it was never the WHOLE of black culture, even when BET was legit, it was just the surface of black culture. Now black kids watch TV and are convinced that this is what they're supposed to be (not realizing of course that its not the whole story). So then black culture changes over time. And newer programming reflects the change. Then the next generation mimics what they see and so on the cycle continues till you have 12 year olds running around screaming YOUUUUUUUUUUU. It's all in fun. But it tries to be real. And it convinces people it's real. And those people try to mimic that reality as if their reality doesn't make sense. And this fake reality is so WHACK, but people settle for it. I hate that shit and I can't stand BET for it.
In the same breath I can say I cannot watch The Game. I hate it I hate it I hate it. But if you watch it, I still love you.
Peace
Anyway,
There's two types of shows to me.
Some are based in reality (e.g. your law and orders, various other dramas, even some comedies). Now these shows, while the sequence of events that occurs on the screen may not be likely, or possible, make a marked attempt at having REAL personalities. To me it's not always the storyline, but the characters that determine how realistic a show is.
Then there's your fantasies. I can only think of three possible types of shows that legitimately fall into this catagory: I'm talking about family-oriented shows, some comedies, and I'm talking about soap operas... I'm talking about the Game. Just hearing the way people talk, their responses, you can tell this is dearly departed from reality. My disdain for Soap Operas is not strong enough to blog about. But the Game doesn't accept its Soap Opera status (yes I called it a soap opera). It wants to be hipper. More down. More modern. More relevant. More real. But it's not. It takes all the dumb shit that we have to deal with, markets it like the dumb shit is what we're supposed to deal with and says "hey look its ok, this is what real life is supposed to be!", mixes it with bad acting, (which doesn't make any sense, since everyone should be very well versed with the dumb shit), and adds in a shaky camera (which I am tempted to address again but I won't be redundant).
Think about it. What this show does is ESSENTIALLY take this culture that we have developed, a culture that is based on drama and fantasy and conflict, (so much so that they said "TO HELL WITH WRITING A SCRIPT!" and came out with The Real World), which HAPPENS to be an affect of the ridiculous amount of TV we watch, and create a program BASED on this perversion of reality, and try to make it real. They're taking life, regurgitating it, and feeding it back to us. You're watching visual vomit.
Let's look at BET one second. I know DAMN well everyone that reads this blog is not a fan of "Blacks Entertaining" Television. BET is based on black culture. But it was never the WHOLE of black culture, even when BET was legit, it was just the surface of black culture. Now black kids watch TV and are convinced that this is what they're supposed to be (not realizing of course that its not the whole story). So then black culture changes over time. And newer programming reflects the change. Then the next generation mimics what they see and so on the cycle continues till you have 12 year olds running around screaming YOUUUUUUUUUUU. It's all in fun. But it tries to be real. And it convinces people it's real. And those people try to mimic that reality as if their reality doesn't make sense. And this fake reality is so WHACK, but people settle for it. I hate that shit and I can't stand BET for it.
In the same breath I can say I cannot watch The Game. I hate it I hate it I hate it. But if you watch it, I still love you.
Peace
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thought of the Day
I really have to learn the difference between panglossianism, optimism, and creating a positive environment.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
My blog, I can post whatever I want :)
but seriously, this is cool. theres a whole spread, and i really want to know how it was done
I just finished a book
It's funny what words on paper can do.
I have so much energy right now. I want to go to the gym. I want to paint. I want to listen to music. I want to write music. I want to experience life as if I won't be able to when I wake up.
The problem is, this feeling may be fleeting. I'm too high to be worried about that shit right now. But I believe that what I just read, if I don't allow the thought to sink back to the depths of my mind, has the potential to rejuvinate me indefinetely.
I think this book may have changed my life. On second thought, it didn't change my life, it just showed me that I need to change my life.
For the record, the book is called Veronika Decides to Die, by Paulo Coelho, author of the Alchemist. Easy reading, anyone can read it and take something from it. But I recommend it to anyone who's afraid of their dreams.
Over and out
Monday, May 4, 2009
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Holi - Festival of Colors
theres alot more pictures but i couldnt figure out an efficient way of putting them on here. so i just chose the one i thought was best!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Quote of the Day
"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind.”
-Siddartha
-Siddartha
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