Randomness Pertaining to Nothing

It bothers me to no end when people talk and they look at you for confirmation that they are funny. Oh my goodness. This seriously irks me. Seriously. I can't stand it. Like if someone is telling a joke or just talking in regular conversation and they are constantly looking at you to judge your reaction. It's like have enough confidence in yourself that you arent constantly looking for approval.

It bothers me that a few (only 2 actually) people who call themselves my friends forgot my birthday. Well these 2 people had been on moderate non-com anyway. But me and my sister are in a fight and SHE still told me Happy Birthday. My best friend who was on non com for 12 days told me happy birthday (we are now officially off non com YAY). But like these two selfish w words didnt even know? Oh hells no.

Making the Band 4... are we sure, I swear this is technically like Making the Band 7. Why do all of the guys look like the are greasy and need to bathe? Well minus Q and Donnie.

Dance Wars: Bruno v. Carrie Ann is possibly the WORST show that is supposed to display talent ever. I mean, it's worse than America's Got Talent. I just don't understand why these people think they can sing. It was so bad, I was embarrased by a couple of the people. My goodness.

I went to a panel today about life as a litigator. They had a person from a non profit, a professor, a big firm, a small firm, and the city attny. So long story short, it was a good presentation but there were some wierd moments in there. For example, this one guy was like, "When I have a motion due, there is a week where I am a horrible dad as well as a horrible husband. It just 'is' It only happens about once ever month". Very wow. And then the teacher was like, "Yeah I knew I had to leave corporate when my daughter wanted to watch the snow fall on the sill and I timed her so I could be at work at 7:30". Just super extra wow. Which exemplifies why corporate is not for me. It is for some people, like the guy who is OK with it, but for people who are, like the teacher, that has got to mess up your mental.

My boyfriend is the best person ever. The End.

Feelin' It

Ahmad Jamal was quite and attractive young man...simply saying. Anyhoo, look at the style and grace of his playing. Loving it.

How bout this audio sample?

ReVamp

Yes Yes, a Revamp my friends... a revamp... I am feeling like I should turn over a new cheek... I like.

Hypocrisy

Don't be a hypocrite. That is all.

The Neck Factor

I have found a new term to describe what I used to call, "making the stank face". Marcus Johnson, pianist extrordinare came up with the more classy term of the "the neck factor". When the beat is just so funky and smooth that you can't help but move your neck. Real music heads know exactly what i am talking about. An example of a musician who always brings the neck factor is George Clinton. His stuff is so funky... you got get the neck going.

But let me introduce this question... what about songs that are so funky and getting it that "the neck factor" is simply not enough. Marcus Johnson's "Just Doing What I Do" is definatly one of those. There is this one part of the song, maybe it is the hook, not sure, but the bass line comes in, and you it forces not only the neck factor, but the stank face will pop up too. Greatness man.

Pandora + Rhapsody = Happy Me

I have found the perfect combination... Rhapsody and Pandora. Rhapsody when you know specifically what you want to hear... Pandora for when you have a genre you want to listen to but you aren't sure what exactly you want to hear.



A couple of people told me about Pandora, but I wouldnt give it a change because I was so in love with my Rhapsody. But my dad called me and told me to go visit pandora.com. So I did just to make him happy lol. Yes, sometimes it is good to listen to your parents. Man... I have had a great last hour... I put in Brian Simpson got lots of good stuff. Put in Sizzla... oh man. I was transported. I was in my living room getting it all by myself. Oh shiz... why did Boom Bye Bye just come on? I am sent back man. Tears!

Perfect study aid for my man...

Cuz honey's wanna give me the butt...what?

You know I think "How's It Goin Down" by DMX is supposed to be a love song. I really do. When this classic came out in 1998, I was a spry little freshman in high school and really had no idea what this song was supposed to mean except that this dude was cheating on her dude with DMX (yeah i got that much from the video). Anyway, I really liked the beat.

So I listened to it today and actually listened to the lyrics and I think DMX is trying to be vulnerable in this song. BUT the way he does it is a little odd. My favorite odd "professing my love to you" lyric from the song is (im paraphrasing) "how's it going down...is you with me or what?... Cuz honey's wanna give me the butt, wha". LOL is this not comedy though? Basically like, I wanna be with you chick, so you need to let me know what's good cuz the chicks in the street are trying to give me the butt and I can't keep saying no".

Hi-larious son.

Note to Peers

When you wear a suit... whether you are going on a mock interview or OCI or what have you. I am going to need to to IRON your clothes. It is quite bothersome for me to see that your whole outfit is wrinkled so I am sure that it is disruptive to the firms as well. I am just saying.

Try to look nice.

I'm Bored...Ayuda Me

I was right, this is the most boring semester EVER! I look across the room and half of the people are nodding off right now. It's baaaaaaad. Civil Procedure followed by Property is just NOT the best combination ever....

The New Smooth Jazz

I read some article a couple of months ago where someone was upset about smooth jazz being called Jazz, because it is not or something. And then they went on to say how most Smooth Jazz artists are white, which further explains why it isn't jazz. UM how bout.....NOOOOOOOO.

Yeah I am going to have to write something about this. STFW if most of the Smooth Jazz people are white... they be GETTING IT. I am sooooo sorry. Music is supposed to evolve, it is not supposed to stay static. Last week when I was in New Orleans, some people went to see a brass band and one of my friends was like, "I had no that was considered Jazz". Yes people, Jazz isn't just Miles Davis or John Coltrane or Dizzy or Kenny G or Euge Groove or Dave Koz or Keiko Matsui or Tito Puente or Gato Barbiere. It is ALL OF THIS AND MORE and there is nothing wrong with that.

Here is another thing that really gets my blood boiling. Why do people always want to classify Keiko Matsui as New Age? Yes, granted MOST of her albums have been New Age, but Moyo was a straight up Jazz album, yet people still classify it as New Age? Are people scared to classify her as that because she is an Asian woman? What's really good?

By the way, the smooth jazz cruise is this weekend...why am I not there? Oh yes, I forgot, law school....

Actually, what sparked this post was I am listening to Brian Simpson, and I have got to say I love this man. Not the same love as Paul Taylor, Keiko Matsui, or Philippe Saisse (maybe even Paul Hardcastle), but he is close. He is getting it right now. It's not a new CD, but I'm in Austin so I don't have a jazz station. Above the Clouds is a 11 track CD and I can listen to the whole thing straight through. There are no throw away of filler tracks on here (well I don't particularly like #2, I don't like that hyper type music, and I listen to Fiona's Song as it is too many different people in it...lol.)

But yeah, he used to be piano man for Dave Koz (which could explain why Dave sounds so good...not taking anything away from him). Seriously though, part of the reason Keiko Matsui's later albums sounded so good was because Paul Taylor was her saxophonist. Anyway, Brian Simpson is now on the list for favorite "smooth jazz" pianists. So far I think our list is as follows;

1. Keiko Matsui
2. Philippe Saisse
3. Paul Hardcastle
4. Brian Culbertson
5. Brian Simpson
6. Euge Groove
7. Jeff Lorber
8. David Benoit


I consider myself an AVID jazz lover, and 95 percent of my favorite jazz artists aren't black. It is what it is. They are doing it UP, so I think people just need to accept it for what it is. Loving it!

I'm In Love With A Bumble Bee

....this is a lyrics from Erykah Badu's new single Honey. She can come up with some of the wierdiest lyrics that somehow in the greater scheme of it all make sense. I really am not sure how she does it, but I appreciate it.

I also find it amazing how, she does not have the best singing voice in my opinion, but there is something else that she brings that will make a hit everytime. While her voice isn't a singers voice, it has a unique quality to it that I love. And is She has those nasty basslines, I think that's what gets it for me. When you listen to her songs, most of the times you find yourself bobing your head up and down with the stank face on cuz the beat is so hot.

I think it is amazing how after 11 years, she is still coming up with good stuff. So anyway, I cannot WAIT until this CD comes out. Extra excitable.

A Lesson in Subjectivity

I feel the need to say this. I shouldnt feel the need, but I do. Everything that I write about is subjective. Music is subjective, beauty is subjective, music is subjective. I don't write about objective stuff... why because that isnt fun. Life without differences in opinion is not life at all. This is not a machine.

Opinions are opinions.....I don't mean to offend anyone. HOWEVER, I feel what I feel.

*Steps off soapbox*

I Like Chains

Well scratch that. As Riley stated on, "The Boondocks" there is a difference between chains and necklaces. I think I like necklaces.

I remember in high school, I would not have less than three chains on at one time. One of my track coaches said he could always tell when I was coming down the track because he could hear my chains. I would always have at least one dog tag on, and some other necklaces of various sizes. Then my senior year, CIF decided they wanted to ban all jewelry from track meets so I had to retire the neckaces. If I couldnt run in them, I figured I shouldnt practice in them. I eventually just stopped wearing them because everytime I would put them on, I would have to take them off.

Fast forward about 6 years to today. I have re-found my love for necklaces. It started with one figaro link chain (which is my absolute FAVORITE)... then my boyfriend bought me two necklaces for christmas (one just a chain, and the other a heart one with a snake link chain)... I'm back!

Yeah, random, STFW... it's my blog. I do wha' I wan'.....

PLEASE Eddie Murphy!

Why does Eddie Murphy still swear he is hot? I am just curious. Imma need you not to still believe you are a sex symbol. Why because you aren't. I dont understand why he once thought he was but whatever. He still trys to make the sexy eyebrow lift, and it just works no longer...

See Eddie Murphy in the 90's with the eybrow pose v. Eddie Murphy now with the eyebrow pose. It just works no longer....

Bring New Jack Back! Now... TIA!

What ever happened to groups like Boyz II Men, Jodeci, or even Ideal? I mean seriously. Some sexy semi pretty boy early to mid 20 year old crooning songs? I mean come on! The best we can come up with nowadays is Pretty Ricky, and people know how they disgust me. I mean those fools looks straight up fowl.

But seriously, I was on a music kick again last night. As much as KC was a crackhead and the other members were questionable... there will probably never be a group like Jodeci. And its sad because when they were popular, I just liked the stuff for the beat. But as a 20 something, you can appreciate the rawness of what is said. LOL. I mean we have stuff like Chris Brown (and he's not a group) maybe, but that fool just turned 18... can we get anything for the older crowd? At Jodeci's beginning, they were all between 20 and 23... shouldnt no 17 year old (Chris Brown) be talking bout "what he can 'do'" and ish. I'm just saying.

I think Imma petition for the New Jack era to come back. I mean honestly, you cannot TELL me that ish wasn't hot. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Guy. Guy was freaking HOT. I remember watching some reruns of Apollo on TV1 and saw one of their performances... hot ish man. Woot!

Always remember...

I.....can't....leave you alooooooooone! You got me feenin... feenin....feenin....feeenin.

Lost and Found

Yes, this is another post about Ledisi...As with most people, I hadn't listened to the whole CD, I just kept listening to my favorite tracks. So today, I listened to the title track, and was moved to tears. I mean, I get emotional over songs, but very rarely over lyrical songs. I mean seriously. Not just because I identify with what she is saying, but also because she delievers the lyrics with such conviction. I mean you hear and FEEL the pain. It is just too much (in a good way). Very strong.

I mean come on... how can you not feel this?

"Always alone, some body come for me.... Hear on my own, feels like the pain lasts an eternity. Tears come no more, I want to smile again, love again. Please someone find me. Souls pass me by why can't they see me? Touch me one time, just like magic I will re-appear. Sadness like the rain, it showers over me. I wanna feel again. Please someone find me."

Just wow.

The-Dream

OK, so here goes another post about "The-Dream" (do not forget the hyphen). Why does he remind me of a combination of Jodeci, Michael Jackson with some sprinklings of Imogen Heap (well on the song "She Needs My Love"...odd combo I know)? I am simply saying. For me is CD is by no means a classic or anything of the like, BUT some of the songs are catchy. I can admit it. I have not done enough research to see if he actually produces his songs too... but I feel like even though they are reletivly simple, they are nice.

I mean, like I said before, he is no super star, but he is better than what is out there right about now (T-Pain namely).

Oh LorT

So I am sitting here reading my CivPro reading and listening to Rhapsody. And I just happen to click on this song by this dude.... and it is a song that I remember hearing in 8th grade on one of my tape recorded mixs off KKSF. (Matter of fact it might have been the same mix that I refered to earlier in one of my posts). Anyhoo, I hadnt been trying to find this song for as long as I was trying to find, "Together Again" by Peter White or "Storyteller" by Philippe Saisse. But I still just got a chill down my spine man. Straight up magic. Anyway, back to learning about drafting pleadings.

NOLA

Um, FEMA and the government sucks. Just so you know. Pictures to come. Also, I will once proclaim that I strongly dislike them, even the ones that are supposed to be my friends. More to come on this as well.

Ledisi v. Fantasia

This may turn into a slight irritation post although I hope it doesnt. So yesterday I went to Yoshi's to see Ledisi. I'm trying to figure out why she got a Grammy nomination for "Best New Artist". I mean, I've been listening to her since high school, and she was out even before that. I mean honestly. I think it is quite rediculous that people just started appreciating her. She is such a rare talent, and because she is not skinny, light, or partcularly "pretty" it took her 12 years to get the recognition she deserves.

I mean when you sound better LIVE than you do on the CD, that is crazy. Her voice control is amazing, she's a great performer and you can tell she is overall a genuine person.

Anyhoo, while I was listening to the concert, I realized something. Fantasia sounds like a 87x worse Ledisi. All that mess that Fantasia be doing and the end of her songs is supposed to be scatting. I kinda just realized that. Ledisi does it too, but hers actually sounds like scatting. She is really just a talent and I am glad that she is getting recognition.

By the way, I dont even like vocalists (especially women).

Resolution/Why I Love My Boyfriend v.3

This is not a New Year's resolution because those are silly. Why are you going to make resolutions to do good things just because it is New Years? Most of the people don't even keep their New Years resolutions anyway. So this is simply a resolution that just happens to kinda coincide with the new year.

I want to be the best possible girlfriend/partner that I can possibly be. I admit, there have been times when I have given too much and other times that I have given way too little. There have been things that I have done that I am not proud of (no, I haven't physically cheated or anything of the like) that I don't want to ever do again (fine, looking for a mental connection elsewhere, hey its not as bad as it seemed, the person was 3000 miles away, I just like to talk). I spent the last three days with my boyfriend. I hadn't seen him since November. It's really hard at times to be away from him for so long, but I actually think it has done a world of good for both of us. We both appreciated each other when we were in the same city, but regardless... you don't know what you have until you no longer have it.

Long story short, after 4 years of being together, I think we are finally 100 percent appreciating each other. We no doubt loved each other, but I think when you are that young, there is a lot of selfishness that is involved in everything you do, even relationships. As you get older (unless you are a naturally selfish person) that kinda fades away. I am no able to see him as the person he IS, whereas before, I could only see him as the person he was not. I love him for the person he is right now and the person he is becoming. It really is a beautiful thing.

And last but not least, I will add another installment of Why I Love My Boyfriend:

3. He's resilient; in our relationship and especially in life. He is never willing to give up
2. He loves his family
1. He's not afraid of his emotions and what he feels