Looking At Today

The Floating Things

2009-08-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Nevertheless, I walk through the harsh words, awkward moments and general stress. Why I'm still here I'm asked, perhaps because I'm an optimist or maybe masochist, living for the pain, because of the reward gained. The perspective I see, through my whites, the fights almost seem glorious, I must admit, this shit, is it. I wanna let loose the juice and put it on wax, put on my mental earplugs and push the volume to max, scream to world Fraud! I should stand in ovation and applaud, so much I changed to see that all is still the same, the game! What's next? what type of vex or hex could you have wrapped under your sleeve? I perceive that reality can't be this tiring? But in fact the sun shines clear through the fog to remind me that it's thriving. So what is a man to do, taught not to show it, and I went all in, waiting on the river card to seal the win. Again, what is a man to do, but what am I saying we both feel like the fool, ain't nothing left prove, ain't nothing left to do. If it is suppose to work, it will or would've in 737 days, I play the soundtrack to heartbreak while I look into my son's face, trying to erase the shame I feel give me the warmest embrace, I see that I can bleed to no avail, the cataclysmic thunderstorm that open up the pits to hell, it seems there I dwell on a mission to prevail. So I rock the neck back and forth to the gospel and drums that rock the heavens when blood is spilled, I take the spike to the cavern of my emotions and drill, so I say from my inner to keep it extremely trill! What has become, will take a permanent form, so a cloak I adorn, slip to the back of the room and watch the impending doom. So here it is, you demand, can't understand what things could drive a man to this point, well this is a political joint. So I can say without pointing a finger other than towards the author, It is my lack of forward progression that is the cause of. I'll take it on a plate with side of tatoes and gravy, lord save me, lord help me, lord forgive me, for my flaws since it is you I have to face at the end of days. All my prayers, my tears, my fears has cornered me in this place, no expression on my face, no more chase, no more metaphors or need to paraphrase. It's my life and I have to do better at making that right for me, from this day forth I only promise to to be the best man and father I can be.

-fin-

The Question

2009-07-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

Go ahead, you can go,
left foot right foot straight out the door
What once stood strong no longer exist,
The pain and suffering must find an exit
Funny how words aren't suppose to hurt,
Unless it's I love you and a persons worth
The golden rule really never seems to apply,
I hurt, you hurt an eye for an eye
The true foundation lost to forestation
Memories of the heart suddenly forsaken
You do what you must, but only the best you can
Defined differently between a woman and a man
If you can forgive, but you can never forget
Then the problems run rampant without any rest
the tears build up and the pride can't take it
The what ifs cracks the tension and people tend to break
The eye ducts flood and the emotions appear
You can't support the levee's disaster is here
You put up a fight, with your will and your might
But the hurt is intense and rocks you "goodnight"
The solution is out there, though we're unaware
The first foot forward will make sure you get there
Matters of the heart is a matter for the people
How can we love each other if it always seems we're unequal?

Dedicated to Jon and Raven...

Dwight Dethrones The King

2009-05-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

Nah Nah Nah Nah, Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Heeeeeeey GOODBYE! He is a great basketball player, but this King thing for Bron Bron, I'm not feeling, never felt, never will feel. Now King James is the name of the bible how you gonna bestow that on a b-baller who hasn't really won anything? Well I am very very happy for Dwight Howard, Rashad Lewis, Hedo Turkgolu and of course, my nig, Skip To My Lou (Ruckers my boy in the Finals) for eliminating The Cleavland Cavaliers from the 2009 NBA Post Season. Way to go to Big O, now how are you pre-crowners gonna refer to him now. He can be King when he wins more rings than Bill Russell. Congrats again to Eastern Conference Champs The Orlando Magic! Holla! Collaflower! Tabernacle! Taffy Apple!

Not The Tippy Taw Naw!

2009-05-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

WTF! Since 1994 Harper Court has been the epicenter of African-American culture on the South-Side of Chicago. Within in that center when I moved to Chicago in 1997; was Coconuts Music, Doctor Wax, The Original Leaders, Hyde Park Barbershop (biggups to Nasim my Chicago barber),Various African rooted shops, Mellow Yellow, Checkers, Calypso and The Dixie Kitchen. Over the years, I've watched the neighborhood go to the University of Chicago, more and more mom and pop shops closed down or moved out of the neighborhood. Dr. Wax was moved to smaller location across the street. Leaders moved to 43rd and Cottage, My Barbershop moved to 51st street and now the dreadful news that Dixie Kitchen will close it's door at the end of June. Most of menu (Not the staff) will moved next door to Calypso who's lease is up in 2012. Standing room only, the lines outside the door, the intimate atmosphere, the food! These things cannot be replaced by a simple move. Dixie Kitchen itself is legendary and a notorious hang out for the who's who of Hyde Park, including professors from the University and our President Barack Hussein Obama...

Barack! A little help... You lived down the street from me, you got more pull.. Save the Dixie Kitchen... Please...

Dammit!

The Mission of Possible Purpose

2009-05-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Trust me little ones, Life ain't fair
the mission is to make a circle out a square
To accomplish the purpose
you must learn to handle the best and worst of it.
You must be aware, you can't be scared
your hearts are muscle, you were born to dare.
Nothing come easy, baby boys please believe me
never ignore your gift to see.
Follow your heart, listen to your gut
Daddy telling you to walk with a confident strut.
Be students of life, learn all you can
being strong body, soul and mind makes you man.
I loved you before you made an arrival
my job is to prepare you two for survival.
Let me teach you what I can
daddy in some cases is bad, bad man.
Pick your circles of love with care
your friends will have to support you when I'm not there.
Stay away from them streets
nothing out there but desperate people looking to eat.
You are not victims, don't you ever, ever
no never give into those symptoms.
You are Kings & the future of the world
focus on your studies and passions & not on the girls.
Little men, learn from daddy's misplaced steps
that when you fall learn, accept and correct.
Everything will be in it's right place
greet the people you love with a smile on your face.
Your family will always be proud and support you
it won't matter what your going through
Because of you daddy floats on a cloud
And yells out loud to the world, look at my boys.. :-)
Chance I miss your face, I miss your warm embrace
the smile on your face that takes me back to my own youth.
Christian I can't wait to see you, hold you
kiss you and play you some Jazz
There will come a day when we will all meet together at last.
That will be the happiest day of your daddy's life
To play with my boys under the suns light.
The mission of possible purpose is the one for us
to be a family through the good & the muck.
We are on a mission to get through the test
to break down the threshold of negative stress.
Boys your the stars in the sky, they shine just for me
your the sun and moon and deep blue sea
All I wanna see is you smile for your Daddy...

Fairy Tales

2009-05-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Little red ridding hood, what's good? did you see them wolves hanging on your corner? word to wise, walk and talk carefully or you'll be a goner. All of them wanna eat and they break fast, the times of the cute and innocent aren't gonna last. One day you won't be able to be oblivious to the fact, that the problems you have, is something you lack. Everybody in the world can't be wrong, if they are then who sings the same song. I tell you these things, because I see a pattern of disaster that lays in wake, so every step you take, every move you make, someone will be watching you. They only feel for you because you hold no expectations on them, when they see the beast you be, the same will be said over a cold shoulder bone as they walk off alone. People are not puppets and he/she who is without sin shall cast the first stone, until you understand the ground rules of how people operate, you will continue to be an irritate. Happy endings come to those who strive and grow, but since you think it's something that you are owed; consider yourself to be in the minority and that life will just drag you in tow. Until you deal with the truth of you, the truth of others is something you are not privilege to speak too. Tell Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty I said the same, The fairy tale is the perspective and respect in life that you gain. Love is not possession and feelings are not a game. You have a task ahead of you, that much is true, I wish you all the happiness you feel your due...

=Grumpy..

The Plead

2009-05-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

There's was a solemn, quiet, almost earey mood as the bus moves along it's route. The routine is habitual; faces step on, faces step off and somehow everyone on this journey makes eye contact with one another, a moment of acknowledgement. Some faces, focused on the task at hand, others caught in the rapture of the moment and others trying to avoid facing the eyes concentrated on getting attention. This is the setting for him, he, himself, nameless, faceless but felt. He hides away behind his face, the people who see him, can't really visualize him, read him, get a feel and that is the way he prefers to exist in the background, away from the open doors. The soft black plastic pushes bass and treble notes at his ears, the words fill his mind, reminding him of himself, his days past, his day present and dreaming of a tomorrow he hopes to reach, perhaps redemption is written in his letter to dawn. Alone he sits in a crowd, reaching for an outlet that is not there and then... She sits. Her skin is almost transparent, her eyes are inviting and large, her smile reminds him of glory, without saying a word, she invites him into her world, wanting, waiting for him to speak and open the door to a new chapter. As other people group into other seats and a musical chair arrangement takes place, she finds her place at his side. Their eyes meet at profile, smiles appear though neither of them are looking at the time that they are present. No words are said, no introductions, how are yous; they sit at each others side until she realizes that he will not speak, he can't, he's unwilling to try, unable to move and paralyzed by his feelings, his reality and the moment. His stop slowly approaches, he rises and walks past her without a gaze, the door opens as he takes his first step to rejoin a standing reality, he turns to her and gives her a warm smile and then he says aloud to her; Can I leave my Joy with you..?

Thank You Chuck Daly( July 20, 1930 - May 9, 2009)

2009-05-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am a Detroit native, I grew up a Pistons fan. My uncle was a trainer for the Bad Boys and I had a unique chance to hang around the boyz during there days of havoc on NBA leading to 2 NBA Championships. At the healm was a very cool, calm and collected head coach by the name of Chuck Daly. He was a firey guy with his pulse, print and leadership on a group of guys who have become infamous for there tactics on the court. "No Easy Baskets" was the motto and John Salley, Rick Mahorn, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinne "The Microwave" Johnson, James Edwards, Ralph Lewis, Gerald Henderson, Scott Hastings, Stan Kimbrough, William Bedford, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins and Mark Aguirre follwed it to a tee. Chuck was the symbol of the blue collar lifestyle of the city of Detroit. He was a great coach who won NBA championships, Olypmic Gold (The Dream Team) and Allstar games. Is imprint in coaching was 50 years in the making... Tragically Chuck passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer this morning. His imprint on the game and the leaders that he created within the sport of Basketball will miss the presence of a great man. Rest In Peace Chuck Daly and thank you for all you've done for the game and the city of Detroit.

RIP Pontiac 1926-2009

2009-04-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

It is the end of an era on many levels for my hometowns biggest automaker. General Motors has announced that it will eliminate the Saturn, Hummer, Saab and the "athletic" Pontiac brands from there product catalogs. The impact of such an announcement will reach far and wide; not just from the plant aspect, but of all the smaller manufacturers of parts and services that live on main street in smaller cities throughout the Midwest and the south. Pending a buyer for the Hummer brand, GM may stop production by March 31st of 2010 and certain brands of Pontiac by 2011. Specific Pontiac brands in the future will be sold under the Chevrolet brand. Even though the Saturn brand has gone through a revamp in the past couple of years the Saturn brand has never been as profitable for the GM balance sheet since it's first couple of years back in the late 80's, early 90's. Being from Detroit I know the further impact it has, not just on the economy (because Detroit is a drivers city) but the moral of the very fly, church going citizens of the Motor City. I'm personally affected because my mom's first car (nicknamed Red) was two-door t1000. Moreover, my favorite cross state car to drive was the Grand Prix Wide Track... A sad, sad day indeed.

Writers Block

2009-02-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

This writers block, got me speechless, unable to communicate with myself, questioning my health and emotional standpoint, this joint is just a reminder, to always be my own friend finder, life divider and own advocate for striving. I am open to say the least, this beast that levitates in the middle of my very being; to see what I’m seeing through these dreamy brown eyes of mine, behind it all, is the story of a 3 year fall from grace, the dimensions on my face, rearranged into, some strange version I don’t recognize; I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have a genuine smile for such a long while. Maybe, just maybe I died, inside, with the pieces that survived, I create a new puzzle, something that will be the link that causes my soul to shuttle, off this plain to a new galaxy free from the pain, the struggle to regain all that was lost in the fire, the desire, the passion, the dedication, not the lies, suffocation, and spiritual suicide, the feelings that consume me, entirely.

The visual; I am hanging on the cliff by one hand and can see the bottom of the mountain and my grip I am trying to regain. To pull me to safety to the embrace of my friend, who I lost somewhere on the plane trips, to set the reality that exist. This is a gift that I forget that words, when I let go, flow like smooth to rough currents that dive off of cliffs. This is me… the way I feel, what I can’t let go, because my life is in slow mo and I’m going to need that back, in real time, my life is the divine, and the hands that hold it are not supported by the intertwined grasp of the bottom line.

I defied reality and there for my own respect, the personal neglect, which I freely select, has a personality that I will never forget. The hands that reach back from the ages with the passion and rage of all that died and lived for me to be, the best of D, which has been tardy and absent for the semester, I jester as the joke, the only one who is the punch line, chasing my own behind, I refer to a time, long gone and defined trying to hold on.. This writers block got me in a place where I don’t know which way the words will fly, fly, fly, fly, I lie on my back and dream of the points in time when the decision was mine to take and I declined.

So How Many People Do You Have, B4 Me?

2009-02-20T20:38:00.001-08:00

So today I went to get my haircut, I'm overdue, so I figure I get there at 3:30 I should be out in an hour. Now first, this barber I went to on my last hair cut and this was is second audition; the last time he spent most of my time in the chair on his cell phone, eating chips (dropping salt nuggets into my newly faded hair) and generally taking all day for an even cut, lining and beard trim. He shaved my beard off stating that he "Thought" I would like for my beard to match my hair cut, I'm not giving you this dub to "Thought" what I wanted. So I figure he cool so I will go back and make it even, and here we are to today. So I arrive, like I said at 3:30pm; when I arrived he was at the store, about to grab some food. He said he had one in the chair and one in front of me. So I sit down and wait. He comes and sits down next to me, smashes his lunch and heads to cutting this head sitting in the chair. So of course, he takes his time cutting the head in the chair and moves on to the guy who was in front of me. okay I'm next looking forward to getting this nappy weight off my scalp. So two people walk in, follow by a guy who I chatted with from a suburb of Detroit, Pontiac (just becuz we love the yac), Michigan. So along the way when the guy in front of me is done, this dude with very little to know hair jumps in the chair with no problem, I take in stride, I know these to guys roll together, no biggie. Now my hair is in a nappy fro and I'm still waiting mind you, it's five minutes to 5pm, the barber looks over at me and my nappy weight and asks me if I wanted a relaxer (now, I'm at a lack for words), well I forget I'm in LA today and dudes got silky johnson ass hair on this side of the country. I correct him and sit back, still, he has taken literally all day balding this dude who had speckle at the top of his head, and balding spot from what looks like a shaving accident. So I now I'm thinking it's my turn, I'm the only one left, when two more people take turns jumping in the chair before me... Now, lets go back; One in the chair, and one in front of you, I sat, waited patiently and tipped this dude last time for fucking me up.. and now, four people i have watched sitting in my chair. Now for most, it's not a big deal, for a man to pick a barber is kinda like buying a car, you have to rely on it and trust that it will do what you need it to.

I really don't want to have to fly all the way to New York, go to Park Slope to get a quality hair cut.. But dammit, I will..

J. Period Presents: The [Abstract] Best of Q-Tip

2009-02-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

A must listen.. For the heads. It is an incredible mixtape, http://www.yearoftheblacksmith.com/
Of J. Period is the standard for mixtapes, they are innovative and mix all the aspects of the art to the artist. What J has brought to The Roots, Lauryn Hill, The Isley Brothers and many others cannot be matched. I'm still in awe.

Find me on the website: iamdailydj

The Fear of Poverty

2009-02-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

I guess that this post is born out of the times in which we live, and the times in which I came from. To understand the times, I have to take you back to my hometown of Detroit, MI. Motown has been a leader of industry and entertainment and that is what we grow up with, the legacy that was. The legacy that is within the city outside of the mystery and glamour of the hay day is one based in bad politics, weak commerce and faith. Today in Detroit, violence employs more than half of her citizens, the church is second and finally we have beauty (Detroit is a self proclaimed hair capital of the world) products which is run by the Asian constituents of metro Detroit (a.k.a. the suburbs).

It is a city over stricken with poverty and lack of good jobs, education and human services. Detroit is my example of why the US government is afraid of poverty and unsure of how to focus our resources (US tax dollars) to fix these situations and give people power and pride that the American dream is all of ours to share and thrive in. Now don't get me wrong, somehow, people who have refused to leave Detroit do thrive, although the ever present spirit of poverty and desperation rule the day. It is a heavy faith based city where 80% of the residents are involved or are community based in the Church, and through that it a powerful network of assets and access for people of all walks of life. But if you are a native like me, you leave and you are weary in your decision to return.

Some of our problems as a city could be fixed easily with the funds to put back into fixing the city and maintaining the visual beauty of the city. Money dedicated to streets, sanitation, revenue, police and a recycling programs is a small, simple start that the people of Detroit can get involved with. US tax dollars in a blue collar city with blue collar programs that will spark the economy before big business realizes the gold mine that is Detroit. Since the fall of the city our main focus has been the Casino business, when Windsor-Ontario, Canada opened it's casino, Detroit saw a lot of money leave the country and strengthen the power of the Canadian dollar. Casino's are not going to revive the city, just push it into further poverty and violence.

There are two schools in Detroit that push out academic stars: Cass Tech and Renaissance high school and they are the only two in all of my years living and visiting that have had city funded rehabilitation's. My own high school, Murray-Wright was closed and renamed as Fredrick Douglass high, which in my youth was the school for violent boys.

Putting money in people and not business is the only way that we can make it through the days that we are in. It is people who make business move and successful, not business itself. It needs consumers to fund it's ventures, successes and failures.

We will have to have a very strong voice for the future to get what people need done, to get people in a place where we believe that we can push forward with our government. But we have to, WE MUST, get our government to believe past the sometimes sure thing of big business and back to us. The people, who make it what it is.

To the Families of Flight 3407

2009-02-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

My Prayers are with you and yours today and the days to follow. Tragedy is tragedy, no matter the circumstances. This is a terrible accident and I can only send my best wishes to the family and friends who have lost so much.

The Black List Vol 1

2009-02-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

There are events that move you, words, testimonies that shake the very foundation of your fears, insecurities and hope. The Black List Vol I, the brain child of NPR legend Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and veteran film critic Elvis Mitchell is such an event; the moving confessions and opinions of some of the most successful African-Americans in this country are healing and refreshing in this new day of Change. From all walks of life the insight of how they have witnessed this country gives faith that we are all on the right track and that what we feel is valid growing up in the United States. I caught it the first time at the tail end of the special when the Tony Award winning stage performer Bill T. Jones was speaking on his experiences from the alter to the stage. I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing and thought of Mr. Jones as the inspiration for the Character Leo Proudhammer from the James Baldwin novel 'How Long has the Train Been Gone".

Louis Gossett Jr, saying that he didn't get a call for two years after winning the academy award in 1984, with all the promise and passion in his voice; you can hear that it was a peak in which he climbed so hard to get, and feeling that he could name is price and his picture, still, he found that Hollywood was unkind to him even though he had earned it's highest honor. Giving proof that no matter how far we climb up the mountain, there is still unseen peaks to dig our feet and hands into.

I don't think in all my years in the music business have I ever seen a more subdued and humble Sean Combs, and the realization that Biggie in essence is the legacy of Bad Boy's stamp in hip-hop history. What we strive for, dream for, dream to be, the success we have had in this country was measured by the spirit of people who didn't give up and never let go of the dream, no matter origin, education or access. These people knocked down the doors and dare us still to do more, strive for more, push to be more.

Chris Rock is all of his "So right, but so wrong" sense of humor said that he is waiting for the Sista Barbara Streisand (writing, staring and directing) we still have steps to make and foundation to crack.

MacArthur "Genius, playwright, Suzan-Lori Parks speaking about the individual actions of us all and taking away concern about the "man" and his or her function in the world and impact on our life. We should be far past this time in life. "The man ain't worried about us, he has successfully outsourced the hating, brillant".

With a long list black hero's like: Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Colin Powell, Al Sharpton, Toni Morrison, Zane, Slash and Keenen Ivory-Waynans; The Black List Vol I is a must watch for all races, creeds and economical colors.

For The Dawn Vol I

2009-02-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

Know that the true path to happiness is really based in your love for yourself. Live outside the realm of the good life, strive for what makes you whole. Because it is truly, the only way to see real happiness and experience true fulfillment within your existence.

dailydj..

WhereDoWeGoFromHere?

2009-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

I'm tad bit anal retentive about the music that I digest and after a career of breaking in artist, working in large markets, for major labels and being apart of the scene and the culture, I can tell you; There is nothing like this industry. The perception of it is almost as good as the artist we develop. As time has changed, the recording industry has stepped away from quality and variety, going to a more cookie-cutter format which is: whatever sales once, will sell again. This focus kinda led music astray.

When I was growing up in the 80's and 90's, we had a choice, if I wanted two turntables and mic I could get Blackmoon, Special Ed, The BushBabies, KRS-One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and of course Native Tongue; Moreover, if I wanted to hear about guns (Which I didn't) there was always NWA, The D.O.C. and Snoop, I had a choice. R&B had very mature music for adults and music for the younger listener; Though I was very fond of Anita Baker, Soul II Soul, George Duke, The Whisphers, Frankie Beverly and Maze. I miss that having that choice, I missed having that choice when I worked for the labels, although, I was very fortunate to work on Common, Mos Def, the last Roots album on Geffen, the best years of Def Jam and the most diverse years of Sony, before the merger.

Today, music has evolved to heights only imagined by a collector like myself and the venue in which it is exposed has changed, I don't always have to wait, like I did waiting for Dwele's "Subject" to be released. Now I have my favorites today: My good friend Eric Roberson, Ra-Re Valverde, Peter Hadar, J*Davey, Janelle Monae, Alice Smith, Gnarls Barkley and Sa-Ra Creative Partners. Of course some of my staples have never left the fold: Common, The Foo Fighters, The Roots, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, RadioHead and Queens of the Stone Age. Old and new are all apart of this new digital world and how music is given directly to the people and are not at the mercy of the labels plans.

The question I pose is: How does someone like me adjust to living in a world without labels when it has been what I have known for almost twelve years? I am finding my way slowly, surely, but I can't help but miss that atmosphere..

I only want to share my passion for music with people and artist alike, I'm just a little stuck on what is in front me, It's a very surreal time and I'm happy to be apart of this mobile world where at a snap, everything is in it's right place.

On A Day

2009-02-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

I want to know what it's all for? The trials, failures, the extreme horrors. I wanna know, is my purpose already set in stone? Will my peaceful existence find me alone? Never, never, never before have I had so many questions; My head throbbing and pounding with whether I'm due for a blessing? My mistakes are documented like the walls of an Egyptian tomb, hoping that I have nothing more to consume. I'm doing my best to keep my head upright, but when I feel around, everything is tight; My pride, my pockets and my optimistic view, I'm desperate for solutions on what to do. I guess I just need to bounce this off my chest, because I find that releasing it to myself is the therapy that works best..

The Republicans are Now on Board

2008-12-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

I'm happy that they reached a stimulus deal that will make policy makers happy first and us happy second. Now that everyone is on board I am waiting to see how President Obama will translate this new development to the American people.

The Republicans are on board, ya, grown ups come to the table and the bill has name and the Republicans blessing, yet the country is still falling part. Wall street runs us and they know it. The power of this country has been on display during the hearings, since the first bailout talks. I'm proud, but of course suspicious, who really gets this money, if a dollar is only what we believe in and is still backed by oil, what is money today, really what did we loose in this situation. To witness what I have as a part of this countries history is odd and gratifying, we want action and forward progress, but i am interested to see how us the people take hold of our country.

$789 Billion well add that to the $750 Billion and you have 1.5 Trillion allocated to save our country, I really hope this works. In principal, In words, I really hope that all of this turns our forturne around. Big ups to Barnie Franks and Maxine Waters!