Rantings On Life & Media

2010-05-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

For all of you who think Hip Hop is dead

and the West Coast Flava is nothing more than Snoop,

ya need to check out Taz.

2009-01-08T01:18:00.001-08:00

This was so good it had to be posted, however late and after the holiday it is. Actually, it's better to have seen this after Christmas and allow the past season to prolong an oh so naive denial about the state of the union.

2008-12-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

This is simply an all-time favorite video and song of mine.

Seven Days In Sunny June - Jamiroquai

A Walk Down My Crenshaw

2008-12-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

This is a soundslide called A Walk Down My Crenshaw. It highlights the sounds and sights of the main thoroughfare in South L.A. This is my community and I wanted to show it through my eyes, especially since what is typically shown in the media seems to miss the beauty I see everyday. You can also look at the video posted below.

Obama Down on Grily Dogs!

2008-11-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

I love this post from Huffington Post. With his wife Michelle and Barbara Walters, Obama outlines a plan for the forthcoming family dog with great bravado and candor. Talk about taking a ride on the straight talk express! I hate little noise makers too. It's good to like the President Elect.

Obama: "Cha Cha?"
Barbara: "It's short for Cha Cha Cha."

O: "What is a Havanese?"

B: "It's like a little terrier and they're non-allergenic and they're the sweetest dogs.."

O: [Face suddenly changes.] "It's like a little yappy dog?"

Michelle: "Don't criticize."

O: "It, like, sits in your lap and things?"

M: "It's a cute dog."

O: "It sounds kinda like a girly dog."

M: "We're girls. We have a houseful of girls."

O [with hand gestures]: "We're going to have a big rambunctious dog, of some sort."

Pictures worth 1000 words, sentiments and tears

2008-11-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

It's difficult to put into words why the Obama nomination for President is so significantly moving for many of us, especially within the Black Community. How anyone can miss the inherent love, caring, sincerity and all around (yes I'm going to say it) HOPE that defines just about all things Obama, is puzzling to me. So in case you missed it, take a moment to look at the slideshows linked below.

Whether it is The Obama Family, Barack and Michelle's penchant for Public Displays of Affection, or the overwhelming emotions that flood the hearts of Americans , these photos do a better job than any words could convey on how much this candidate, this election and family means to millions of Americans.

So Glad When Media "Gets It"

2008-11-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

As this historic election season comes to a close, I can't help but have the same mixed bag of emotions one would have when in-laws come to stay for the holidays. You're glad they were around for a season but anxious to get your bathroom back to yourself.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about all of the reasons that I know I'll look back on The '08 Election Season with fond memories. This video by Will.i.am so aptly captures the genuine sentiment so many of us feel about our hopes for America. Sentiments that have suffered a severe black eye over the past eight years.

But as I re-watch this video, it still seems to help sooth many of the hits my personal sense of hope has taken during the current administration. I'm so glad that some among the land of media "gets it", and shared it with the rest of us.

No Cuntry for Old McCain

2008-10-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

John McCain actually shows brave political candor and social savvy when the Gotcha Media thought he dropped what's referred to as, the C-bomb during this speech today. And before all you derelicts assume McCain was casually referencing any makeup plastering trollops he may have known within earshot, please don't cuntinue to cuntaminate us with your cuntentious cuntexts. Such cuntent is utterly cuntemptible.

The GOP candidate was employing the Maverick within and straight shooting with the American people. Mr. McCain was simply exposing the fact that "rates were C.lintons U.tilizing N.eoconservative T.actics druing the Clinton years.... Rates where C.ontroled U.nder N.eoconservative T.heories in the Bush years". Now there's some straight talkin' from a P.O.W. maverick! Take THAT fake America.

Additionally, McCain silenced all the critics who suggest that he is not "hip". But Senator McCain obviously was reaching out to the drag queen communities of America informing them that rates were, lets say a step above FEARLESS in the Bush years. Take that Barak Hussein Obama! You didn't even know what the "C" word really means a La Cage aux Folles, you elitist.

OPEC = Highway Robbery

2008-10-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

So the silver lining to the dark storm clouds currently engulfing Wall Street are the falling crude oil prices right? Oh not so fast ye American Road Warrior says members of OPEC. According to reports, OPEC has another idea in mind, cut crude oil production to to drive up oil prices. TIME Magazine suggest that the baker's dozen worth of countries belonging to the energy cartel simply want you to pay more for gas. While, OPEC leaders bemoan that current production outpaces demand and that an ailing crude oil market would drive their countries into dire financial straights. After all, who could question the motives of OPEC leaders such as Colombia's Hugo Chavez or Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Either way my fellow gridlock ridden friend, I contend that we will never see a fair price at the pump either way. If you look at the Gas Pump Calculator, current crude oil prices suggest we should be paying about a dollar less per gallon any day now. Who's up to hold his breath on whether or not that will happen.....

2008-10-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Speaking of the title of this blog and not unlike bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, ranting about issues is surely one of my favorite things. But Keith Olbermann is perhaps one of the best ranters among the "Gotcha Media!" So, on behalf of all us not-so-real Americans living in places other than the likes of Chaffee, Missouri or Holland, Ohio, Kieth offers a commentary for us all regarding the recent demagoguery of the GOP Presidential campaign.

I Scream

2008-10-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

The video below is one I produced that stars three of my favorite actors. They work for food and they all do whatever I say do, most of the time.

The parameters of this project was "An Implied Disaster". The idea is to show build up to any level of disaster without showing the disaster itself. The project also required live end credits, which is one of my favorite parts of this video. Enjoy!

Welcome to my world

2008-10-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

As I begrudgingly creep into this nether-dimension of the blogosphere, I'm now forced to do that thing most of us dread doing. No, not pay taxes or wait in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles or even endure listening to a Sarah Palin speech. I had to ask myself, what on Earth do I have to say of significance in this vast wasteland called cyberspace and who in the heck will care?

Initially I figured I could flatter my inner narcissist and simply share with the world the wonderful person that is after all...... me. But then reality came crashing down like a dissident voice at the Republican National Convention because I realized, as much as I may love myself, no one else really cares. That is except maybe Mom. Hence, I'm left with the same question to ponder.

Okay I'll be honest. I initially posted this blog to simply satisfy a course requirement called Internet reporting. But as all things relative to media do, I knew I'd be captured by yet another e-addiction; an addiction I know I cannot afford the time to satisfy. Yet, as with my other vices (which shall remain unnamed), I find myself unable to resist the call to.... THE BLOG. It even sounds like a low budget B-movie in the making.

Nevertheless, I surrender to two realities. One, that there is no other place wherein I can engage ideas, write, and share videos, photos and sounds (see Youtube links below) that are a musing to me. And two, there is still yet a course requirement to satisfy. So, as the title of my blog promises you dear reader, you will henceforth be able to peek into my world of opinions and ideas about life, love, art, spirit, satire, politics, sports, or whatever other issues I'll be constrained to broach. That is if you come back and visit.... And I hope you do indeed.

So while I'll do my best to resist succumbing into a blogger's version of a Dorian Gray Syndrome, I'll make no promises. After all, my inner narcissist is telling me I'm SO right about what this blog should be about anyway.