Boom Boom Room!

You're at work, or driving, or at home and everything is already crazy. Then your coworkers, traffic, or someone in your family decide it's time to break out their boom box and turn on the local rap station or MP3 track.

I'm 45, and a black American, so those of you who are under my age might find it hard to believe that I don't enjoy rap music, but in fact I despise it, with only a few exceptions. In this world we live in, it's impossible to escape this genre of music.

Television, commercials, movies, radio, and even on the Internet all have been infiltrated.

Enough Is Enough

Where do we draw the line and say enough is enough?

I hate it when I can hear a bass line from a rap song coming from a car six blocks away or drowning out your own car stereo while you're waiting at an intersection?

I feel sorry for employees at drive-thru restaurants; they have to put up with this all day, every day, because of their line of work.

Life and times are tough enough without rap music’s ranting, disrespecting, and glorifying unlawful behavior that almost everyone is listening to today. Cell phones are ringing it, radios are playing it, I-pods are emanating it, and your coworkers are listening to - it makes for a very bad day at work.

The worst part isn't that I don't like this music, but that there are so many kids listening to it that I can't avoid it.

Rap's Impact on Language

I used to work for a movie theater operation and I heard it then as I still do today employees talking like thier rap icons. Many of them have no respect for adults. Some of them can't finish a sentence without swearing several times.

Kids hear the rappers use this language, and they think that it's okay to speak incoherently. Some are as young as 12 and 13. It just isn't right!

True, all hip-hop music does not suffer from this lack of creativity and good taste, but I would defend that a majority does.

Good Music

What music do I like, you might ask?

Well, just about anything from the eighties (Duran Duran, Bar-Kays, Con Funk Shun, Huey Lewis, Depeche Mode, etc.), some 60s and 70s music (The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Temptations, O'Jays, etc.), and a few select albums from the 90s.

Remember when music used to be good?

For those of you who do enjoy today's hip-hop music, I would like to point out that I have nothing against you personally. I just don't share your taste in music.

Here is a challenge; can you name a popular R&B/hip-hop band of this decade?

I recently asked a young “20-something year old” lady this question and she answered, "The Roots, they are very talented musicians."

I replied, "The Roots started in 1993, a hip-hop band outta Philadelphia and they are famed for the reemergence of the jazzy, eclectic approach to rap music that the 1981 group Stetsosonic started. But I said THIS DECADE!"

That's one of the problems with these young so-called hip-hop fans, they don't know music! Or history!

The only hip-hop I enjoy is fusion. Bands like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park are making a killing by fusing their alternative rock genre with hip-hop. Very powerful music!


If you like hip-hop music, fine, God Bless you - but please don't email me if all you are going to do is "flame" me. I will read it but make sure to know what you are writing about and coherent in your prose and not just "flaming" out of spite.

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

Here is a piece of music that should blow your mind! Enjoy.



For me the voice is the most important instrument. What is a band without a singer, nothing.

The Second Coming!

 

Awesome! Watch Video.

10,000 Blessings to you all.

Don’t call me a name… I mean call me by my name, but not a name, O.K.

Part 1:

Does this make sense to you? Well, it should because if it doesn’t, you are a cruel and insensitive person for not understanding what I am writing. And I can say that, because I am writing, not talking. And if I were talking to you in person, it is doubly important that you understand me, because my feelings are important, right? If you don’t answer yes, remember you are cruel and insensitive.

The above paragraph is an example of the paradox caused by the “political correctness.”

The “PC” mindset boils down to this, “an insistence that we must be offended by certain things if we wish to be seen as right-thinking people.”

What?!? Does that make any sense? Not to me. Who defines “right-thinking?” Does it matter?

We must be the most easily offended generation in history, thanks in no small part to the media. Ever alert to things that might offend us and ever ready to be offended on our behalf. Much of this stems from the political correct movement that began in the late seventies.

Political correctness' focuses on how we speak, how bigotry has had the desirable effect of largely eliminating the public expression of casual, vernacular racism. But its' bull-shit is flourishing, thanks to its relationship with outrage. Political correctness with assistance from the media defines what's offensive; a few people take offense; the media inflates their thinned-skinned sensitivities into public outrage.

This vocabulary virus is attacking our capacity to feel shame and has mutated into a more aggressive form of unwillingness to accept responsibility and refusal to acknowledge error or harm done, let alone atone for it.

I am not advocating hateful speak here. But what I am advocating is the freedom of tactful expression. Simply put, to pick our battles. If you are wrong, buck up and admit it. If you are right - tactfully pick your defense and don't be afraid to speak up when the time comes.

Lately have you watched people on the street of America; they are scared to make eye contact with strangers. --- often fearing that they may offend someone with a simple vocal salutation or gesture of good nature. Punks! Yeah I said it, Punks!

I am a God fearing man and I know that I do not control my time of departure from this life; therefore I will not be afraid to speak my mind. Nor should you.

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

Cheap Entertainment

Earlier in my blog I wrote about social media and the way it has changed the very fabric of social behavior and acceptance. I have for many years spoke of my love for cheap entertainment; much like what I wrote in my class speech assignment...

"I love watching people perform the simplest behaviors, for example, waiting on a bus or train, digging in a purse, or watching them look at themselves in a mirror. It’s just something I do - call me strange or even weird as my Savanna-Nicole often does."

I do not have the greatest memory, I admit it. But my wife has often told me that if it’s important or of interest to me --- I'll remember it. So where am I going here in this blog-entry writing about social media, class, and memory?

Only about two to three months ago did I introduce myself to the toxic Webpage "YouTube." Oh my god... is this crap addictive.

Just in case you are one on the few that have no idea of what I'm writing about; YouTube is a video sharing website where anyone can view and share video clips. Three friends created YouTube in 2005, and in 2006, YouTube; LLC was bought by Google for $1.65 billion. Damn! Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS and the BBC and other organizations offer some of their material on the site.

O.K. nuff of the history lesson. --- I love eighties music, and YouTube provides me access to all the R&B, Rock of the 80's, and Electronica I can handle in one sitting. As a matter of fact, the first night that I decided to punch-up the YouTube URL, I was up awake 'til two o'clock in the morning watching.

You'll find out pretty damn quickly if you venture into the depths of YouTube's offerings that along your travel you'll encounter other interesting and wonderful artistic contributions.

One such cyber entertainment gift is "Improv Everywhere," a comedic performance art group based in New York City. Founded by a gentleman named Charlie Todd in 2001 the cadre of performers’ slogan is "We Cause Scenes."




This group carries out non-threatening pranks that are tasteful and intelligent. Improv Everywhere calls these performances "missions," and missions are carried out in public places. The goal of these missions is to cause scenes of "chaos and joy."

For the price of typing a URL address you too can enjoy what I often refer to as cheap entertainment. Long live Improv Everywhere and the intelligent, mind provoking mission they accomplish.


Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

FROZEN IN NEW YORK

Improv Everywhere

Dammit! Do not be ashamed!

We are special indeed, part of uniquely qualified cardre of Americans who served in the American armed forces. But, I think we tend to forget this and do ourselves a disservice. Please allow me to elaborate.

The most recent numbers I know of indicate that 26 percent of Americans aged 17-25 are qualified for military service. Of that 26 percent, nearly half choose to go to college instead. (Sure, some get commissioned — but not many.) It boils down to only one or two people out of every 10 being able to get into the military. The fact that you made the cut is something to be proud of — and I don’t want you to forget it.

After boot camp, we all have a swagger and a bit of an attitude. Over time that fades somewhat. But at the core of our being, we are proud — and rightfully so. Then, something happens. We may work for a jerk while on active duty and service to country becomes just a job. Then again, everyone we’re serving with is part of that special group of Americans, too. Whatever my buddies back at home are like, chances are my comrades in arms, in total, are better. Our comrades set a new standard for us. But, while we acknowledge that we work with people who are truly outstanding, we often fail to recognize that we are outstanding, too. Perhaps we don’t want to seem conceited or arrogant, so we don’t give ourselves the credit we deserve. But, outstanding becomes our new “average.”

At some point, we decided to leave active duty. But, the civilian sector doesn’t treat us as a member of an elite 15 percent. It sometimes seems that our service has no value to future employers. We’re offered menial jobs that are beneath our abilities, or told we’re over-qualified for the position they want to fill. One way or another, we aren’t “right for the job.”

This just happened to someone I know. He is a Navy Captain; nuclear power-qualified, sub commander, etc. He is also a certified fitness coach, with a master’s in Homeopathic Medicine. He’s articulate, passionate, and someone we would all want on our team. He applied for a job in wellness (which ties into his fitness and homeopathic experience), as he was remarkably well-suited for the job. They never even called him back. After the initial interview — when they told him they were impressed and it looked good for him – they never called him back. Not only is such behavior rude and disrespectful to my friend. It’s demoralizing to the rest of us.

After being dismissed too often, and getting no points for having served on active duty, many veterans begin to question whether their sacrifice was even worth it. Some become angry and bitter. (I know, because they write to me.) They forget that they are part of a select group of Americans who chose to serve, and who served with honor. They minimize their service, and it becomes something to be embarrassed about rather than something to be proud of. Each year on Veterans Day, how many of us pause to say to ourselves, “Yeah, I am part of the elite few, and I am proud of myself for what I did. I am part of something bigger than myself.”

If you don’t give yourself credit from time to time, for being part of that 15 percent, nobody else will. And although a potential employer may not value your experience, you know better. I encourage you to find the place where you and your skills are appreciated. I know all this because, like many veterans, I am following this path. Save yourself some trouble and take this advice/experience: don’t devalue what you did because, when you do, you devalue yourself and that’s just wrong — because you are special.

Stay Inspired.

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

Copyright © 2009 Palmer Pinckney II

Kids today... I tell ya!

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid, we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the friggin library and look it up ourselves ...
in the card catalog!! And there was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter ... with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week at least to get there!

There were no MP3s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it (yes ... I said TAPE it) off the radio and then the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and f#*k it all up!

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, end of story.

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID boxes either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, whatever! It was a total crap shot ... you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids.' Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens; it was just one screen forever! And you could NEVER win!! The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you DIED! Just like LIFE!

When you went to the movie theater, there no such thing as stadium seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall bastered like me or some old broad with a hat sat in front of you, you couldn't see, you were just screwed!

There was no cable television, and there was only like 4 channels... and there was no on screen menu and no remote control! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your lazy butt and actually walk over to the TV to change the channel.

Oh yeah! And there was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rats!

Let's not forget we had to think about time, there were no numbers to tell us exactly what time it was. You say it's 20 til today to kids and they'll respond, "what?"

And we didn't have microwaves. Nooo! (and damn radar ranges were not microwaves ovens) If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove or go build a frigging fire! Just imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and shake it over the stove forever like an idiot. I bet you don't even know what Jiffy Pop is!!!

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled. Today kids wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980's!

Regards,
From The over 30 Crowd

Thanks Rob!

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

Mr. President,

There is no doubt your election was a watershed. An 8-year-long national nightmare has ended. But there is a tremendous amount of damage to repair.

Foremost is addressing the economic crisis that is upon us and which touches on every concern from the environment and healthcare to wars and energy.

So now the next fight begins.

The wealthy and corporate interests who dished out billions of dollars this election season are swarming over Washington to get you to pass their agendas. The energy giants are demanding “clean coal,” nuclear power and offshore drilling. More big corporations facing bankruptcy because of their corruption and greed demand taxpayer bailouts.

Military contractors and weapon peddlers will push the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The super-rich will cry poverty like never before and demand more tax cuts. HMOs and insurance companies will promote bogus healthcare “reforms” so they can stall universal healthcare. And sir, they won’t take "no" for an answer.

Now on a personal note Mr. President, I need a bailout; and many just like me. How did we go from an economic crisis to a mortgage crisis and then back to an economic crisis. I fear to believe that corporations like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Bear Sterns, AIG, and the rest of these corporate parasites took D.C.'s eyes off the real victims of this Apocalypse. For all I care these corporations can fold up or burn down. I'm no economist but believe me, please, big corp America continue to prove they are not responsible and only care about their stock holders, not the customers. Let them find their own way Mr. President, they will. But if you keep offering to feed these parasites, they will remain at your doorstep in a frenzy.

Bail me [US] out Mr. President; use some of the money to help homeowners like me that are now in homes across America that are "worth less" than the mortgages owned on them. Bailing out corporate will not help US. Many of US now need employment and I know you can rebuild this aspect of our economy. But what I am asking sincerely of you is to use part of the bailout funds to buy up all the legitimate upside-down mortgages across the country and return fair mortgages to these homeowners. Trust me Wall Street and their stock holders will come knocking on the door, sending emails, and mailing letters to you begging to have these mortgages back. Only then will you truly be in a position to force them to conduct business in a fair and ethical manner. Because you Mr. President will have what they need most, Our Business.

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.

i-Tunes and Idol

I can't believe that I'm blogging about American Idol.

But, then again, I just read that Season 2 winner Rubin Stoddard is starring in Ain't Misbehavin' in Greensboro, Nc. this weekend.

Studdard was the best performer Idol ever saw, he made it look effortless.

We tend to remember mega-stars Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood...and the most recent winner David Cook. But, in seven seasons...the majority of these idols have struggled. Not to mention the runners up that had all that fan support.

I mean really...who remembers Fantasia Barrino or Taylor Hicks?

Hey, they're all working somewhere...but one wonders what would have happened to these incredible talents if their debut albums were available on iTunes the NEXT DAY...rather than months later.

Don't for a moment believe that I support iTunes, because I'm a binary code bootlegger for sure.

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The next: Who am I?

Versitile: I am a versitile leader who dispite set-backs continues on my path towards my goal accomplishment.

Brilliant: Considered brilliant by many, I am not, I strive to remain humble and learn something new each day.

Bright: I approach each day with a bright behavior and a kind gesture for each person I meet.

Strong Character: My character comes first and is not negotiable. Character first and foremost, over image and reputation.: My character is represented by what I do when only God is looking.

God: Each day I pray for God’s Will to be manifested in my life.

Non-judgmental: I will endeavor to practice observation prior to prosecution.

Loving: My family is the secular source of the love in my life.

Patience: Time is what I make of it, and remaining patient leads me past many obstacles in life.

Treat others with respect, regardless: Despite the many negative forces in life I will remain respectful of my fellow man.

I don't like to lose: Living my life well-balanced will result in a WIN-WIN in LIFE and DEATH.

Prosperity: I will never strive for security nor freedom but rather PROSPERITY.

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Homeboy

I am definitely a "Homeboy." I am very content with a hot beverage, a good book and some peace and quiet. Or, the same hot beverage, a good friend and great conversation. Though most of all I am happiest when I am home with my family. My days of wondering where the next party is at or what's going on "over there," are well behind me. Besides, it's important to note that the days of "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," are gone!

I'm a Navy man, and I've seen many a men (and women) loose there family over a simple text message that contained a "guilty as charged" photo. We live in the age of social media, where a moment in time can be transmitted around the world and to the world in a fraction of a moment later.

Social media is different from industrial media (newspapers, television, and film) in that it is cheap. Back in the day it would cost time and a postage stamp to send that compromising photo to "ya boy or girl" back home. Now, with the press of a few buttons on a cell phone the same photo will instantly appear on not only your friend's phone but damn near simultaneously on everyone else's phone to.

If a person is not careful, social media can be equivalent to a personal Armageddon.

Social media is exended not only to cellular phones but also the World-wide Web. The recent popularity of such sites as Face Book, You Tube, Internet forums, weblogs, wikis, podcasts, pictures and video and other technologies: blogs, picture-sharing, vlogs, wall-postings, email, music-sharing, crowdsourcing, and voice over IP, to name a few can now devastate anyone misbehaving.

I choose to remain content with my peaceful coexistance with my fellow human-beings.

I write this blog-entry to entertain but mostly to inform the "ignant" because the "ignant" are worse than the ignorant - because they know better!

Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.