3.15.2013
New York was great. Like uber-great. If you subtract the three parking tickets and the pothole I hit in Jersey that caused my tire to explode and left me changing my tire on an complete dark highway at 11pm while cars and trucks rushed by me, the week and weekend went smashingly. Seriously. Shout out to all those that came and heard a brotha read at the Nuyorican, LouderArts and Urbana. One of my best trips in a while.
9.15.2010
And so it goes...
...I'm tired. Real tired. This is not a sympathy plea, my fatigue is 100% my fault. Here's how my Monday turned out.
Up early as I am most days, sending out communication about Tuesday's Grand Slam at Writing Wrongs. Leah was feeling sick from the weekend (I blame the paint fumes, yo) so she stayed at home with me until I went to work at 5pm. Left work at 9 on a bullet train, came home for a few before one of my boys came over and we saddled up and rode to Gamestop around 11pm. For this:
Did I mention that I'm a gamer? Some would say Hardcore Gamer, though I know other would dispute that since I don't play any Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) games such as World of Warcraft. That's fair, I still gets mines in whether it be on my PC or my Xbox 360 OR my PS3. Don't ask how much money has been spent on this ventures, it will only make your head leak reason
So anyways, after securing the package, four of us total converged on one house, got connected and played the campaign of Halo Reach together...till 9:30 am. Long Day's Night yo. And yes, I just evoked the Beatles while talking about a game where you use a shotgun. Deal with it.
After coming home, I did not gain the kind of sleep I wanted, more the kind of sleep that just makes sure your body doesn't shut down on you if you push it for another 12 hours. I had to make my way to work at 3pm, handled a boring 4 hours with some surprising zeal, then headed home to eat something before sprinting to the night. Oh yeah, we're on Tuesday now and its Grand Slam night. Ya know, I didn't enjoy this experience at all to be honest. Yeah, there's that "ooh, I'm 30 years old and its been so long since I stayed up all night for no good reason" euphoria to it, but for me...I like being functional. That is all. And I would like to be a 100% going into a Grand Slam (which hasn't happened since '09's Team Grand Slam).
By the time I get to the night, the people are starting to fill the room and there is that identifiable Grand Slam potency in the air...which did nothing to pick me up. Whatever adrenaline I had pumping thru me at work was starting to wind down and I probably could've fell asleep in the back of the room even w/ Krate Digga spinning and I would've have felt even bad about it. Not even a little. It wasn't till Jason Brazwell's third School Daze "WAKE UP!" reference to me and the infectious Barbara Fant showed up did I seem to be with it.
As for the slam, the long and short of it is that I won, which I appreciated doing with poems I've written pretty recently. I feel like they have the potential to do well at IWPS, so its back to the hack, chop and trim lab with these babies. And the slam was fun! Very fun. I give Spike a lot of shit about his effieciency at times, but truth is, he runs a fair and fun slam, so that's really all you can ask for.
My favorite poets in the slam last night were Izetta (who finished second) and Quartez. Both of them have grown so, so much as writers and performers and I'm proud to say that Writing Wrongs had something to do with that.
So, I got sleep last night, but I think a part II is on order before work tonight. By body is still unsettled gelatin right now and I'm trying really hard to keep it together. At any rate, I'll be seeing you in Charlotte. Werd (as my girl Zuni would say).
Up early as I am most days, sending out communication about Tuesday's Grand Slam at Writing Wrongs. Leah was feeling sick from the weekend (I blame the paint fumes, yo) so she stayed at home with me until I went to work at 5pm. Left work at 9 on a bullet train, came home for a few before one of my boys came over and we saddled up and rode to Gamestop around 11pm. For this:
Did I mention that I'm a gamer? Some would say Hardcore Gamer, though I know other would dispute that since I don't play any Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) games such as World of Warcraft. That's fair, I still gets mines in whether it be on my PC or my Xbox 360 OR my PS3. Don't ask how much money has been spent on this ventures, it will only make your head leak reason
So anyways, after securing the package, four of us total converged on one house, got connected and played the campaign of Halo Reach together...till 9:30 am. Long Day's Night yo. And yes, I just evoked the Beatles while talking about a game where you use a shotgun. Deal with it.
After coming home, I did not gain the kind of sleep I wanted, more the kind of sleep that just makes sure your body doesn't shut down on you if you push it for another 12 hours. I had to make my way to work at 3pm, handled a boring 4 hours with some surprising zeal, then headed home to eat something before sprinting to the night. Oh yeah, we're on Tuesday now and its Grand Slam night. Ya know, I didn't enjoy this experience at all to be honest. Yeah, there's that "ooh, I'm 30 years old and its been so long since I stayed up all night for no good reason" euphoria to it, but for me...I like being functional. That is all. And I would like to be a 100% going into a Grand Slam (which hasn't happened since '09's Team Grand Slam).
By the time I get to the night, the people are starting to fill the room and there is that identifiable Grand Slam potency in the air...which did nothing to pick me up. Whatever adrenaline I had pumping thru me at work was starting to wind down and I probably could've fell asleep in the back of the room even w/ Krate Digga spinning and I would've have felt even bad about it. Not even a little. It wasn't till Jason Brazwell's third School Daze "WAKE UP!" reference to me and the infectious Barbara Fant showed up did I seem to be with it.
As for the slam, the long and short of it is that I won, which I appreciated doing with poems I've written pretty recently. I feel like they have the potential to do well at IWPS, so its back to the hack, chop and trim lab with these babies. And the slam was fun! Very fun. I give Spike a lot of shit about his effieciency at times, but truth is, he runs a fair and fun slam, so that's really all you can ask for.
My favorite poets in the slam last night were Izetta (who finished second) and Quartez. Both of them have grown so, so much as writers and performers and I'm proud to say that Writing Wrongs had something to do with that.
So, I got sleep last night, but I think a part II is on order before work tonight. By body is still unsettled gelatin right now and I'm trying really hard to keep it together. At any rate, I'll be seeing you in Charlotte. Werd (as my girl Zuni would say).
8.04.2010
Writing Wrongs after Bout One at NPS
So, we pulled a 2. Pretty crazy, see-saw night. We we were last place after the first round, 3rd place after the second round, 2nd place after the third round, and we stayed there thru the end. Our bout included us, LionLike MindState (Chino, CA), Salt Lake City and Toronto:
LionLike MindState - 100.6
Columbus Writing Wrongs - 98.8
Salt Lake City - 98.6
Toronto - 97.8
I figure, there are going to be about 15 Oscar Grant poems at Nationals this year and we ran into one with some judges that were hungry for a current event, social commentary piece. It was two points higher than anything else in the bout and sealed up the 1 for them.
Barb got the highest individual score of the bout and every performed pretty well, except for me. I dropped my poem in the first 15 seconds, but recovered and still pulled off a decent score, though it could've been higher. Never again yo, never again. Our biggest issue moving forward is that we were in the lowest scoring bout of the night, so that could hurt us if we tie for a semi-final spot.
We go again tonight with a stacked ass bout against Milwaukee (pulled a 2 last night), Urbana (3) and Seattle (3).
Columbus Writing Wrongs - 98.8
Salt Lake City - 98.6
Toronto - 97.8
I figure, there are going to be about 15 Oscar Grant poems at Nationals this year and we ran into one with some judges that were hungry for a current event, social commentary piece. It was two points higher than anything else in the bout and sealed up the 1 for them.
Barb got the highest individual score of the bout and every performed pretty well, except for me. I dropped my poem in the first 15 seconds, but recovered and still pulled off a decent score, though it could've been higher. Never again yo, never again. Our biggest issue moving forward is that we were in the lowest scoring bout of the night, so that could hurt us if we tie for a semi-final spot.
We go again tonight with a stacked ass bout against Milwaukee (pulled a 2 last night), Urbana (3) and Seattle (3).
7.29.2010
On our way to St. Paul
(from Top, clockwise: Jason Brazwell, Barbara Fant, William Evans, Kim Brazwell, Rasul Elder)
So, I really like my 2010 Writing Wrongs National Poetry Slam Team. Here are a few reasons why
For starters, I actually think we're a good team
Sometimes, that means nothing. Its possible this year is no exception. But I like our chances for four rounds against anybody and that's a good feeling to have. Does that mean we're the favorite to win our bouts? No. Definitely not. But we're definitely not off the radar either. Last year, we had a mix of newbies and vets. But we were immature. And a little in over our heads. And we had the second best finish for a Columbus Team at Nationals ever. Call me a little more optimistic this year. Regardless, I feel like the teams coming out of Columbus this year have the best chance to make semis since the only time Columbus has made semis (2004 I believe). Fun.
We're versatile. Really versatile
Its nice to feel like we have five poets that are completely different from one another. I've also never been on a team that has had the abundance of funny. Actually, I've only had one teammate prior that had consistently funny work (Spike) and since funny poems are a big weakness for me, its beautiful knowing I have a couple of poets that are more than capable.
We're Old
...but we're hungry. This is bittersweet for me because I actually like having rookies go to Nationals and experiencing it for the first time. But there's also something comforting in knowing that there won't be much learning on the fly or that the nerves won't be peaked up for the moment. The least experienced person on the team has competed at 3 Nationals, 2 WOWPS and an IWPS. So we'll see if experience matters for anything.
Our Grand Slam Champ is one the most talented and humble poets that will be at Nationals
And that's how this team carries itself. We're all confident we're decent poets, because we all put the work in. We've all experienced enough slam success that we don't sweat the small stuff anymore. We don't brag about winning local slams. When we do slam, we always slam against each other, because we're more concerned with good competition than we are of having a week to week title. Did I mention we're hungry? Two of us have been on a National Finals stage as individuals. Only one of us was on that one Columbus semis team of forever ago. We all share some disdain for poets that trumpet superficial accomplishments that haven't actually done anything. This team is good on paper. As a team, we haven't done anything. I think we want more, we're capable of it and we're determined to do it.
All this may translate into a couple of 3rd place finishes in our bouts. Or maybe we kick butt...You can never really know at Nationals. I do know I'll have fun either way along with the fact that our team is focused on performing well and leaving lasting impressions on the audience, whatever they may be.
7.09.2010
Perspective for Cleveland
My neighbors to the north, sister city of my hometown...I feel you. The shit hurts and most of your reactions are completely justified. You're kind of like the good, blue collar guy that got an Associates Degree and was in the right place at the right time that enabled you to hook up with a supermodel. It was good for a long time, you proposed, she rejected saying she wasn't ready for that commitment and you kept hoping she would change her mind, but you knew that was optimistic on your part. Then she started calling less. Your weekly movie night got cancelled three weeks in a row. You heard rumors of her flirting with Armando the Spaniard Model, but never see them in the same place at the same time. When the break up happens, it crushes you. Part of you hates her for leaving you, part of you thinks she deserves the best, so you walk away with your tail between your legs. Break ups happen everyday, so why is this one so egregious?
Because instead of her coming to you and telling you that it was over, she shows up on the red carpet at Armando's movie premier with a shiny rock on her finger as they make out every five minutes. Then, when a microphone is placed in front of her, she tells the correspondent that Armando just fucked her brains out in the limmo on the way over. And no, ABC did not bleep the *fuck* in time.
You deserve better. You just do. LeBron is a grown man. An intelligent man and well versed man. And obviously, a supremely talented one. But I'm not so sure how self-aware he is. His decision is his own and I can only fault him so much for leaving Cleveland before I see the reason in it. However, this could've been handled so much differently. The way he toyed with the fans can only be comparable to how Kobe Bryant did with Laker fans in 2007. Except, The Lakers already had a closet full of championship rings, Kobe's flirting with other teams only lasted a couple weeks instead of years and he ultimately returned to LA. Wow, I guess they don't compare at all, huh?
There are a couple people burning LeBron jerseys today (though news cameras enable that as much as anything else). As the Right would say, those are the 'fringe' people. There will be a lot more people that will throw their LeBron jerseys and Witness T-Shirts into the back of their closet never to be worn again. And I understand their sentiment.
Dan Gilbert (the Cavs owner) is a different animal altogether. His letter to his fanbase was over the top and emotional, but he also as an individual lost the most in all of this. Will he regret some of things he said? Absolutely. I also think some of the none-childish things he said were true as well.
Cleveland, it may not feel like it, but there is precedent for this type of thing. And if you're a big NBA fan, there are two eras/schools of thought that determines how you ultimately feel about this.
I'm 30 years old, so that means my NBA roots are in the 80s and early 90s. Magic and Bird. Players forever linked for their rivalry and competitiveness. However, they would always prefer to beat each other, than play together. Then we get to Michael Jordan. People forget how he used to get pummeled by the Pistons (physically and on the scoreboard). However, Jordan had the competitiveness to say, 'No, we will beat this team with OUR team.' Jordan never once would've considered joining the Pistons. Jordan never hit up his close friend Charles Barkley and said, "Yo, lets get together and get these rings." Actually, the year Barkley won the MVP, Jordan KILLED them in the Finals. That's what I prefer to see. Kobe vs LeBron in Finals is a lot more enticing than Kobe vs LeBron and Bosh and Wade. It just is.
However, there's a new perspective for the NBA player. Shaq was the most prized player in the league, got to the Finals (and beat down) and left for LA. Kevin Garnett (still one of my favorite players of all-time) was as loyal as they come and had nothing to show for it near the end of a Hall of Fame career in Minnesota before being traded to Boston and getting to the Finals twice in 3 years. These are the examples I'm sure LeBron leaned upon before making this decision.
So again, it really seems its more about the delivery of the news than it is about what the decision was. My current favorite player in the NBA, Kevin Durant, announced is contract extension with Oklahoma City thru a tweet. Not only, did it not take an hour (in addition to years of speculation) on National TV to say, but his early commitment also means that Oklahoma City can continue to operate with certainty in growing that team around him, unlike Cleveland with LeBron waffling for so long. But Kevin Durant is a throw back, including how he goes about his business. Maybe, that's the kind of behavior we want to Witness.
Because instead of her coming to you and telling you that it was over, she shows up on the red carpet at Armando's movie premier with a shiny rock on her finger as they make out every five minutes. Then, when a microphone is placed in front of her, she tells the correspondent that Armando just fucked her brains out in the limmo on the way over. And no, ABC did not bleep the *fuck* in time.
You deserve better. You just do. LeBron is a grown man. An intelligent man and well versed man. And obviously, a supremely talented one. But I'm not so sure how self-aware he is. His decision is his own and I can only fault him so much for leaving Cleveland before I see the reason in it. However, this could've been handled so much differently. The way he toyed with the fans can only be comparable to how Kobe Bryant did with Laker fans in 2007. Except, The Lakers already had a closet full of championship rings, Kobe's flirting with other teams only lasted a couple weeks instead of years and he ultimately returned to LA. Wow, I guess they don't compare at all, huh?
There are a couple people burning LeBron jerseys today (though news cameras enable that as much as anything else). As the Right would say, those are the 'fringe' people. There will be a lot more people that will throw their LeBron jerseys and Witness T-Shirts into the back of their closet never to be worn again. And I understand their sentiment.
Dan Gilbert (the Cavs owner) is a different animal altogether. His letter to his fanbase was over the top and emotional, but he also as an individual lost the most in all of this. Will he regret some of things he said? Absolutely. I also think some of the none-childish things he said were true as well.
Cleveland, it may not feel like it, but there is precedent for this type of thing. And if you're a big NBA fan, there are two eras/schools of thought that determines how you ultimately feel about this.
I'm 30 years old, so that means my NBA roots are in the 80s and early 90s. Magic and Bird. Players forever linked for their rivalry and competitiveness. However, they would always prefer to beat each other, than play together. Then we get to Michael Jordan. People forget how he used to get pummeled by the Pistons (physically and on the scoreboard). However, Jordan had the competitiveness to say, 'No, we will beat this team with OUR team.' Jordan never once would've considered joining the Pistons. Jordan never hit up his close friend Charles Barkley and said, "Yo, lets get together and get these rings." Actually, the year Barkley won the MVP, Jordan KILLED them in the Finals. That's what I prefer to see. Kobe vs LeBron in Finals is a lot more enticing than Kobe vs LeBron and Bosh and Wade. It just is.
However, there's a new perspective for the NBA player. Shaq was the most prized player in the league, got to the Finals (and beat down) and left for LA. Kevin Garnett (still one of my favorite players of all-time) was as loyal as they come and had nothing to show for it near the end of a Hall of Fame career in Minnesota before being traded to Boston and getting to the Finals twice in 3 years. These are the examples I'm sure LeBron leaned upon before making this decision.
So again, it really seems its more about the delivery of the news than it is about what the decision was. My current favorite player in the NBA, Kevin Durant, announced is contract extension with Oklahoma City thru a tweet. Not only, did it not take an hour (in addition to years of speculation) on National TV to say, but his early commitment also means that Oklahoma City can continue to operate with certainty in growing that team around him, unlike Cleveland with LeBron waffling for so long. But Kevin Durant is a throw back, including how he goes about his business. Maybe, that's the kind of behavior we want to Witness.
7.07.2010
On the Real World, Cleveland and the boy that would be King
A few points of information here
I'm a die-hard sports fan, which includes the NBA. I'm a Day One Lakers fan. As in, my biggest sports heartbreak moment ever was when Magic announced his first retirement due to HIV (which would be ahead of #2 Dennis Eckersley giving up a home run to Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series and the Colorado hail mary touchdown against Michigan in 1994). However, I was born in Akron, OH, the shared origin of one LeBron James. That means, when the Cavs play anybody but the Lakers, I root for them.
All that being said, I've got LeBron fatigue like a muthafucka right now. I understand the business of it and that he needs to take care of his family and their interests. But this isn't about taking care of his family (which has become such a canned response any time someone wants more money). He's stated he wants to be a global icon and one imagines Cleveland is not the launch pad to make kids in China buy your sneakers. Still, we here all the loyalty talk that comes out of Team LeBron (and that's his team of managers and agents, not the Cavs mind you). He's been twisting and churning Cleveland fans like a corkscrew to the kidney thru this whole process. A town that's never won an NBA Championship. A town that hasn't won a title of any type since 1964. All of that wore on me. But now, after things have started to sort themselves out, Team LeBron has decided to do a 1 hr TV special on ESPN Thursday Night. A one hour primetime special in what takes 10 seconds to do...I think I'm done. If he leaves that is. If it takes him an extra hour to rip Cleveland's heart out, he probably jumps Art Modell as the most hated man in Cleveland. If he does all this to stay in Cleveland, he just becomes that asshole that took two years (and another hour for good measure) to hold a tortured sports town hostage. Unless he wins another 3 titles (my bad, lol, another, that would imply that he has won some already), I don't see this damage really being undone.
I personally won't be watching. I just can't support the machine anymore. It makes sense for ESPN, they'll get a ton of viewers for it. And supposedly, Team LeBron is selling sponsorships for the event and giving the money to the Boys and Girls Club of America. You hear that? That's the sound of my heart saying I could give a shit. Do I want to know where he goes? Absolutely. I'll be logging onto espn.go.com about 20 minutes after its started to get the news, then I'll probably go back to some homework. My weakness (or rather one of my weaknesses is having the capacity to deal with egos. LeBron is just killing me now. At some point, you have to put your foot down. Even if its a 'hero' from your hometown.
Part wonders if this just more than egomania. Don't get me wrong, this cat is completely inside his own head. But LeBron is 25 years old (despite looking like he's 34). That means he probably doesn't remember too much entertainment before The Real World was created. Reality TV is the new black and even though many of us loathe it (or call our favorite reality shows guilty pleasures), a hell of a lot more people watch Real Housewives of Orange County than they do the History Channels' special on Henry the VIII. So I get it, I just don't like it. I certainly hopes he stays though. I'm married to a woman, born and raised in Cleveland that owns two 'Witness' T-Shirts. LeBron, keep your ass at the crib...for my sake
I'm a die-hard sports fan, which includes the NBA. I'm a Day One Lakers fan. As in, my biggest sports heartbreak moment ever was when Magic announced his first retirement due to HIV (which would be ahead of #2 Dennis Eckersley giving up a home run to Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series and the Colorado hail mary touchdown against Michigan in 1994). However, I was born in Akron, OH, the shared origin of one LeBron James. That means, when the Cavs play anybody but the Lakers, I root for them.
All that being said, I've got LeBron fatigue like a muthafucka right now. I understand the business of it and that he needs to take care of his family and their interests. But this isn't about taking care of his family (which has become such a canned response any time someone wants more money). He's stated he wants to be a global icon and one imagines Cleveland is not the launch pad to make kids in China buy your sneakers. Still, we here all the loyalty talk that comes out of Team LeBron (and that's his team of managers and agents, not the Cavs mind you). He's been twisting and churning Cleveland fans like a corkscrew to the kidney thru this whole process. A town that's never won an NBA Championship. A town that hasn't won a title of any type since 1964. All of that wore on me. But now, after things have started to sort themselves out, Team LeBron has decided to do a 1 hr TV special on ESPN Thursday Night. A one hour primetime special in what takes 10 seconds to do...I think I'm done. If he leaves that is. If it takes him an extra hour to rip Cleveland's heart out, he probably jumps Art Modell as the most hated man in Cleveland. If he does all this to stay in Cleveland, he just becomes that asshole that took two years (and another hour for good measure) to hold a tortured sports town hostage. Unless he wins another 3 titles (my bad, lol, another, that would imply that he has won some already), I don't see this damage really being undone.
I personally won't be watching. I just can't support the machine anymore. It makes sense for ESPN, they'll get a ton of viewers for it. And supposedly, Team LeBron is selling sponsorships for the event and giving the money to the Boys and Girls Club of America. You hear that? That's the sound of my heart saying I could give a shit. Do I want to know where he goes? Absolutely. I'll be logging onto espn.go.com about 20 minutes after its started to get the news, then I'll probably go back to some homework. My weakness (or rather one of my weaknesses is having the capacity to deal with egos. LeBron is just killing me now. At some point, you have to put your foot down. Even if its a 'hero' from your hometown.
Part wonders if this just more than egomania. Don't get me wrong, this cat is completely inside his own head. But LeBron is 25 years old (despite looking like he's 34). That means he probably doesn't remember too much entertainment before The Real World was created. Reality TV is the new black and even though many of us loathe it (or call our favorite reality shows guilty pleasures), a hell of a lot more people watch Real Housewives of Orange County than they do the History Channels' special on Henry the VIII. So I get it, I just don't like it. I certainly hopes he stays though. I'm married to a woman, born and raised in Cleveland that owns two 'Witness' T-Shirts. LeBron, keep your ass at the crib...for my sake
6.28.2010
Some random ish...
...been a while since I posted. I realized that I started a blog (livejournal) more so to see what others around me might have going on in their lives a lot more than I did to share with others. But I felt like updating, so here we are.
...marriage is pretty cool so far (read=very fucking cool). Though to spurn more writing activity from myself, I've contemplated doing at least a weekly 'Awesome and not-as-awesome things you discover when you get married' column within my blog. I'll start that next week.
...I'm pretty hyped to say that with Robbie Q's blessing, the first Encyclopedia Show-Columbus is going down on July 22nd. Sawheet! We've got some awesome poets contributing of course, with the lovely Kim Brazwell and myself hosting and Mr. President Scott Woods as the Fact-Checker. I know, you peed on yourself, just a little. Its ok. Our first subject is VILLAINS! Can't wait.
...Started back to school today. Been a minute yo. Trying to get back into the groove while trying to get into an MFA for Creative Writing. I'll keep you abreast of the progress.
...So, I am elated and frustrated to all hell with my slam team. Well, definitely more elated as the frustration may be a fix not far off the horizon. Lets just say I had a poet relocate here, make the squad, and then firmly plant a stake in back of my neck that he slowly taps with a mallet. I'm exaggerating, but its teaching me to embrace my inner-republican more and stop trying to be peace and love and hair grease with everybody.
...I did a show in Richmond, IN and get heckled for the first time since I started doing poetry. I don't even know if you can qualify it as heckled. Long story short, I did a feature. A new piece I have is entitled, 'Unsolicited Advice to a Drug Dealer' If you can't see the sarcasm dripping off of that title, lets just say its not the most flattering appraisal to a cocaine distributor. There might be a line in there suggesting that you wrap saran wrap around you own mothers face...maybe. So, well after my set, they are doing a second round of open mic and a guy calls me out from the mic and says, 'Hey man, that poem about the Drug Dealer you did really hurt me man because I used to deal to help my momma out man. You make your money however you can man, ain't no judgement in how a man makes his paper.' He gets applause for this. I knew the Klan was born in or around Richmond...seems strangely ironic I get push back about an anti-drug dealer poem.
...I kind of want to venture out and do features without venturing out. Is that possible yet, have we developed holographic Skype capabilities that allow me to do a show in Nebraska, then walk off stage go back to my man cave and watch Boondocks reruns on my HDTV? Guess not huh? Seriously though, I do want to hit a spot or two at the end of this year or beginning of 2011, but preferably spots I haven't been to yet. Like the plains area, south and southwest. We'll see.
...Did I mention I'm really excited for Nationals? It will be my last National team for a while. Since I started slamming, I've been on five consecutive slam teams and the talent of this team is good enough for me to put my slamming boots in the closet for a while no matter where we finish. I do plan on doing IWPS again this year though. Even though I have no tattoos, I'd imagine that making Finals stage is similar. I always wanted to make Finals stage, but it wasn't make or break for me. Then I did make Finals and now I just want the opportunity to get back. Over and over again. The fact that I had 3 new poems still in reserve when I made Finals last year (and didn't trust myself to kill the performances) and I'll have a pretty new set going into this year...I'd say I'm excited to see what happens in Philly
...So...who's been watching the Boondocks. I...I just don't know what to make of it this season. Good, very good, I'm enjoying it. But this is similar to Chappelle's second season with them pushing the envelope, except we didn't know about Chappelle's future (until he signed the ill-fated $50M contract) and we know Boondocks isn't coming back. My favorite episode so far? Probably a tie between The Fund-raiser (where Riley is dealing candy bars like the dope game) and the Tyler Perry episode. Seriously, I want my friends that are Tyler Perry fans to watch that episode and defend his productions after that. But as far as lore goes, something tells me we'll be talking about the Jimmy Rebel episode years after the fact. Its either genius or one of the most offensive 24 minutes of television that was allowed to be aired. I don't know yet.
...Some recommended viewing for you all: 1) Treme (HBO). If you like the Wire story telling (and if you don't, then what the hell are you doing on my journal, begone!), then you'll dig this show. 2) Breaking Bad (AMC). Seriously...its the best show on TV. Period. PERIOD. M. Night suspense, except the payoff doesn't suck balls
...speaking of which...if M. Night fucks up Avatar: The Last Airbender, its gonna be a problem. Like, if I find him, some furniture is gonna get moved around. That's his only warning. After the fraud that was Signs, he didn't get any money out of me for the Village or The Happening, so I can't be too mad at him now. But I'm spending some money for Avatar: TLA. In 3-D mind you. Don't fuck with me M. Night. I'm serious.
...marriage is pretty cool so far (read=very fucking cool). Though to spurn more writing activity from myself, I've contemplated doing at least a weekly 'Awesome and not-as-awesome things you discover when you get married' column within my blog. I'll start that next week.
...I'm pretty hyped to say that with Robbie Q's blessing, the first Encyclopedia Show-Columbus is going down on July 22nd. Sawheet! We've got some awesome poets contributing of course, with the lovely Kim Brazwell and myself hosting and Mr. President Scott Woods as the Fact-Checker. I know, you peed on yourself, just a little. Its ok. Our first subject is VILLAINS! Can't wait.
...Started back to school today. Been a minute yo. Trying to get back into the groove while trying to get into an MFA for Creative Writing. I'll keep you abreast of the progress.
...So, I am elated and frustrated to all hell with my slam team. Well, definitely more elated as the frustration may be a fix not far off the horizon. Lets just say I had a poet relocate here, make the squad, and then firmly plant a stake in back of my neck that he slowly taps with a mallet. I'm exaggerating, but its teaching me to embrace my inner-republican more and stop trying to be peace and love and hair grease with everybody.
...I did a show in Richmond, IN and get heckled for the first time since I started doing poetry. I don't even know if you can qualify it as heckled. Long story short, I did a feature. A new piece I have is entitled, 'Unsolicited Advice to a Drug Dealer' If you can't see the sarcasm dripping off of that title, lets just say its not the most flattering appraisal to a cocaine distributor. There might be a line in there suggesting that you wrap saran wrap around you own mothers face...maybe. So, well after my set, they are doing a second round of open mic and a guy calls me out from the mic and says, 'Hey man, that poem about the Drug Dealer you did really hurt me man because I used to deal to help my momma out man. You make your money however you can man, ain't no judgement in how a man makes his paper.' He gets applause for this. I knew the Klan was born in or around Richmond...seems strangely ironic I get push back about an anti-drug dealer poem.
...I kind of want to venture out and do features without venturing out. Is that possible yet, have we developed holographic Skype capabilities that allow me to do a show in Nebraska, then walk off stage go back to my man cave and watch Boondocks reruns on my HDTV? Guess not huh? Seriously though, I do want to hit a spot or two at the end of this year or beginning of 2011, but preferably spots I haven't been to yet. Like the plains area, south and southwest. We'll see.
...Did I mention I'm really excited for Nationals? It will be my last National team for a while. Since I started slamming, I've been on five consecutive slam teams and the talent of this team is good enough for me to put my slamming boots in the closet for a while no matter where we finish. I do plan on doing IWPS again this year though. Even though I have no tattoos, I'd imagine that making Finals stage is similar. I always wanted to make Finals stage, but it wasn't make or break for me. Then I did make Finals and now I just want the opportunity to get back. Over and over again. The fact that I had 3 new poems still in reserve when I made Finals last year (and didn't trust myself to kill the performances) and I'll have a pretty new set going into this year...I'd say I'm excited to see what happens in Philly
...So...who's been watching the Boondocks. I...I just don't know what to make of it this season. Good, very good, I'm enjoying it. But this is similar to Chappelle's second season with them pushing the envelope, except we didn't know about Chappelle's future (until he signed the ill-fated $50M contract) and we know Boondocks isn't coming back. My favorite episode so far? Probably a tie between The Fund-raiser (where Riley is dealing candy bars like the dope game) and the Tyler Perry episode. Seriously, I want my friends that are Tyler Perry fans to watch that episode and defend his productions after that. But as far as lore goes, something tells me we'll be talking about the Jimmy Rebel episode years after the fact. Its either genius or one of the most offensive 24 minutes of television that was allowed to be aired. I don't know yet.
...Some recommended viewing for you all: 1) Treme (HBO). If you like the Wire story telling (and if you don't, then what the hell are you doing on my journal, begone!), then you'll dig this show. 2) Breaking Bad (AMC). Seriously...its the best show on TV. Period. PERIOD. M. Night suspense, except the payoff doesn't suck balls
...speaking of which...if M. Night fucks up Avatar: The Last Airbender, its gonna be a problem. Like, if I find him, some furniture is gonna get moved around. That's his only warning. After the fraud that was Signs, he didn't get any money out of me for the Village or The Happening, so I can't be too mad at him now. But I'm spending some money for Avatar: TLA. In 3-D mind you. Don't fuck with me M. Night. I'm serious.
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