Diversity of Thought

Progression is a beautiful thing when it nears the correct destination. During the majority of my existence I’ve been so introspective that its amazing that I have any knowledge beyond my own boundaries. I have a very good friend who believes, to the point of knowing as fact, that all information in of its self is neutral in nature. It’s no genetic code…but I think I really have mastered the “Anatomy of Damien”, and have come to realize the composition of myself is no masterpiece. Although its not the most eloquent or articulate of phrases, what is: is what is. I’ve been caught in a perpetual cycle of lifestyle, which shames me as my only marker of consistency. The phrase of “knowledgeable ignorance” has recently been introduced to my lexicon and I realize that I’ve practiced it faithfully unbeknownst to self. If I despise hypocrites with a passion, how can I bestow great advice, but refuse to apply the same doctrine to my own ills? If there is one thing I’ll never know, its when my last second will be, so in all honesty I shed the comfort familiarity, and delve in actions that treat those within my world and myself appropriately. ……………

Allight I would be lying if I said I didn’t know where that came from, but trust it wasn’t planned. In truth I have many premeditated ideas I want touch like Alicia Keys, so I’ma hold off on where my mind seems to be at in favor of where it has been recently.

I had a bymyself conversation (not literally) in which I decided that I would make a conscious effort to try to speak less or not at all about race in my next few blogs. Beyond the fact of sounding monotonous, I don’t want to disseminate the idea that race is my main or only foucus. Alas as my homie Los told me, the perfect name for a album would be “Race, Money, and Pussy” , so as hard as I tried to avoid it my first topic is….

The N.B.A Dress Code

During the formative (dare I say wonder) years, our parents or guardians often lent sacred adages that did nothing but annoy and anger us. One of the most oft repeated ones I heard while residing on 5317 Kincaid st was “When you get your own house, you can do what you want to, until then your going to do what the fuck I say!!!”. Yes my childhood was filled with all types of niceties, but that strays from the point that was transferred: independence grants certain freedoms otherwise subject to be removed at the whim of others.

When I first heard of the new N.B.A dress code I wasn’t surprised at all. To the astonishment of others, due to my mainly pro (no pun) athlete stance I didn’t think it was a bad nor unfair requirement. The N.B.A is a billion dollar entity. Most if not all corporate structures enforce some semblance of a dress code upon its employees when they are conducting some form company business. I’m always one to see plentitudes of grey in a world most view as black n white, but the simplistic truth that you can freely leave your employment if you despise certain aspects of it enough applies to the N.B.A as it does to any profession.

Yet the dress code issue raised my ire. Why? Well being that I have curmudgeon tendencies, some things really irritate me. Two of those things happen to be, people hiding there true rational, or agenda, and trying to cover up what they really mean in deceptive wording.

If David Stern would have held a press conference and stated:

“Due to the extremely negative image that the average N.B.A player has in the eyes of the general public, and more importantly affluent white male consumer who contributes greatly to our fiscal success. which was only exacerbated by the riot in suburban Detroit nearly a year ago, The N.B.A has decided to attempt to tame the “hip hop” look feel and ultimately culture itself within its boundaries, as to appease very significant segments of our fan base.”

That’s all they had to say. The truth when immediacy given if not initially, eventually usually proves to be the best course action. Instead David Stern and his minions relayed a strong mantra of professionalism as the only reason for the implantation of the seemingly spontaneously generated dress code. The media coverage of the dress code intertwined with some sporadic Dead Prez listening is what almost curbed my peaceful nature. It seemed like the media was in collusion to promote the most ignorant niggaz and there absurd statements. Marcus Camby became this years version of Latrell Sprewell when posed that player should be given a stipend to “help” pay for the new dress requirements, while Raja Bell who obviously has a very oblivious nature said that the N..B.A’s move marketed at the wrong people sincerely stating that the vast majority of its fans are of the hip hop ilk, which you could make a decent argument for, but he presented that argument like a fool. As usual the remarks of sane people where neatly tucked away, the dress code has been a hot topic for at least a week in a half and I just finally came across views such as those held by Jason Richardson: "You still wear a suit, you still could be a crook,". "You see all what happened with Enron and Martha Stewart. Just because you dress a certain way doesn't mean you're that way."Hey, a guy could come in with baggy jeans, a do-rag and have a Ph.D., and a person who comes in with a suit could be a three-time felon. So, it's not what you wear, it's how you present yourself." The ironic and sad thing about that quote is, I had to find it in a Canadian newspaper. Even tho he also stated foolishly that players should be compensated with stipends to help comply with the new dress requirements, Allen Iverson was very correct when he surmised of the new code “ I don't think that's still going to help the image of the league at all."

A famed leader once what do you call a Blackman with a Phd. What was the answer? A nigga. The profession or dress of any human being is not enough to change the innate basic view others hold of them. Ultimately the dress code eases the psyche of a certain segment of fans with the sweet elixir of power. Fans who will populate arenas by the millions this basketball season will still cheer with the ultimate good will or deride with the most evil of natures. Those spectators who the N.B.A instituted these changes for will still feel that the average N.B.A player is a spoiled, inconsiderate thug, but they will feel great that they have them under some guise of control via there clothing attire.

All I know is …I’d be much more apt to choke to death a person who thru beer on my Armani suit than on my game uniform…………..

Random Thoughts

Addiction

The first step to solving a problem is admitting it..so (deep breath) I’m addicted to Wikipedia . Maybe its me going back to my youth when my season long punishments granted me the opportunity to become cool with my cell mate World Book, or just the plain simplicity of it. No matter the reason Wikipeda has increased my CP time and I haft to find some way to step away…slightly. Think its just me…try it for a second….don’t be scared….I’m a good person not like I’m offering you heroin or anything……..

Principle over Profit?

A associate of mine and a good fiend of one of my peoples recently returned from Texas on leave from participating in the Katrina clean up. He immediately altered us of the fiscal windfall he had been immersed in through his work, and how his monetary situation was about to become even better upon the cessation of his leave, for his new location of employ: New Orleans. In a time of where thousands throughout the gulf coast region are mired in the most destitute of conditions, labor is scant, and city employees where recently laid off in huge numbers, my friend stated that there was going to be a open house recruiting meeting offering contracts for cleanup labor, 1 year $80, 000. The prospect of such employment excited me then sobered with it traveling thru the various levels of my thought. Why should anyone be compensated so much for a abet harsh….yet simplistic job? Why aren’t the people who where most adversely affected given the first and strongest opportunity to fill such needed positions.? Why is such work being handled by billion dollar corporations, excluding the city’s and states that could desperately use the infusion of government funds? You and I already know the answers, but the questions still need to be asked. I thought about, but most likely not going to go to the meeting, mainly due to the year away and the extreme work hours, which within me shows a cruel realistic callousness. Even tho most of us know such practices are wrong, we participate in them due to personal self interest. ..Sorrta like shopping at Wal Mart I guess…….

Being a Mobb Deep fan for over a decade…witnessing the downfall of Prodigy …..is a very very sad thing… This nigga actually said “50 cent saved me” …smh…..

Numerous People have told me I remind them of a character in the movie “Crash”. I avoided watching the movie for a long time due to the reports of it being a extremely racist motion picture. Acquiescing to the wants of other I decided to rent it, where during the process the lady left the lock on the dvd…..a sign? I’m looking for peace and tranquility not anger in my life lol

Sometimes my sense of sight has caused me to utter… “I wish they didn’t let black people on tv” Well my philosophy was re confirmed when my boy Jeff recently altered me to a DC area car commercial for Eastern Motors. I’ll be honest…as much as I shook my head in shame at first….I can’t tell you the innumerable amount of times I watched this clip over and over……. I promise you immense laughter

It’s the second one from the top

Eastern Motors....damn i'm still lauging

The recent small riot in Toledo was a sad thing to witness. Off top I’m glad that all my fam and friends in that area went thru it unscathed. Now….The mayor of Toledo is right in stating that it is America, and even tho he his city did not grant permits to the nazi group, you simply can’t (or shouldn’t) stop people from just walking down a street. Where I disagree with the mayor is with is public relations school 101 blaming of gang members for the disturbances. While the burning down of random shit is a idiotic and dated form of protest, most of the persons involved did not participate in such activities and where not “gang members”, but citizens who arrived in a show of solidarity for there community, with a refusal to be disrespected. The mayor himself stated he was “disturbed” at the number of women and children in the crowd. Women and children are integral parts of a “community”. Sadly, as many predicated, ultimately the hate group got exactly what they wanted…….

I recently perused a “top 100” fastest growing careers in America for the 21^st century book.. Some of the rapidly growing professions?. Co’s / Pigs/ and bill collectors….i wonder why……………

Damn you MTV Jams ….damn u to hell. During the week you are one the plethora of reasons I shun the television. But what is this….before I decide to go out on Saturday I witness u playing the most joyous block of videos my eyes have seen . Soul by the Pound remix/ Passing me By/ Bring the Pain/ Down with the King/ Follow the Leader/ Gold Digger….upon more and more classic songs…..as I asked my self why don’t they do this more often….I received a theory I didn’t like….that most of the people who loved songs such as these where in the 25- 38 range…hence might or prolly have families and don’t go out on Saturdays that often ..if at all. Damn such a dilemma…..maybe I’ll be more apt to stay at home and play spades now……..

Killa Bee’s……West Nile Virus….and now Bird Flu…..I don’t give a fuck.

A few years ago I had lost faith in any network lacking the acronym of HBO, of having the ability to create any thing nearing a superior drama series. A year after its premier I realize that “Lost” has proven me quite wrong. I might be stretching entertainment by finding the correlations between the cycle of violence and basic political structures in society via the show…but damnit it’s good none the less.

Cartoons for Everyone

Very short and to the point…I’m a fan of political cartoons. So since you where kind enough to share your time with me, I’ma share some of the boards I’ve seen this week and simple thoughts on them

The views many hold on the Iraqi Constitution voting have lowered my faith in the intelligence of the masses, but there is always hope.

Nice job sepreating the insurgents from the "good" Iraqis, but even beyound that insn't there one american blood stainded hand missing?

Such a simplistic and positve view

My personal view

Ever hear of the term trial of the victors?

Extremely Fuzzy Logic

and

Songs and Lines

These are just some of my favorite songs and lines I’ve heard over the past few weeks, some relevant to my recent train of thought…some not.

Reflection of a Man/ Necro , Ill Bill

Aint nothing/ Silk the shocker …what u know about 1996?

In the rain/ Game and mob

That’s my hood/ Guci Mane……respect and dislike are different entities

We major/ Kayne West Nas….We ill get a Nas and Jigga album….when thy both are Barry Bonds age

The official/ Nas and Big Pun

Black girl lost/ Nas remix with Papoose

Street life/ Az and half a mill……Damn you Supreeme and Murder Inc, yall stole a talkent

Philosaphy of terror/ Jedi Mind Tricks……Vinne Paz…..angry angry intelligent man

Ya ass got took/ Scarface…classic Face

Put ya hammer down/ Wu- Tang

Stacey Adams/ Snoop……..you can’t name a cooler song can u?

Street nigga / Young Jeezy …….Why as this left off the album?

Like a angry crippled man don’t push me/ Ghost face

“running across the chess board with a gat aimed at ya queen”

“ maken good out of evil / holden my self back, it’s so fucken hard not to beat the shit out of peoaple”/ Necro

Cocaine soft and white like Michael jackson/ Guci Mane….funny guy

Niggaz is getten ova like unprotected sex with oprah./ Ras Kass

Verse of the Week

All conisuors of good music recived a gift when Ras Kass was released from prison, his recent verse off of the “Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture” alum on the song “Verses” shows once again his brilliance

“Who say Ras Kass don't spit fire, he a liar

That's like your favorite rap star claiming he gon' retire

When you mention me, not about penitentiary

Wins and rhyme skills, both twenty second century

Ahead of my time, school niggaz like Timbuktu

Cuz I'm original, Black Valosh Jew

Valoorsby BUFU , buy us, fuck you

Try us, fuck you, you die, y'all got gats, but him buck too, nigga

Sip the Grey Goose, and conned it, they know the room service

In Hotel Rwanda, reminder to honor these street scholars

Who ask why U.S. Defense is twenty percent of the tax dollar

Bush gave 6.46 billion to Halliburton

For troops support efforts in Iraq

Meanwhile, the hood is hurting, please believe that

The rape over, Chaney charging, 45 dollars for a case of soda

Draining tax payers, eighty five thousand dollar oil filters

But won't pay they soldiers, Halle Burton workers make

Fourteen thousand dollars a month, privates earn thirteen g's a year

Please who 25 extra, taking fire in combat

Recruit all the niggaz, that die from where I'm at

18 years old, talking 'Kill, where Saddam at?'

But can't have a gat, to protect where my moms at

I love to crunk, so what, plus I'm gangsta enough

To piss in pimping Ken’s, pimp cup, rack again and pump it up

How bitches still get fucked, niggaz just want a forty and a blunt”

Allight….I’m done….oh but I have one last thing to say  without words..

Peace…….and people sending me Friend Requests from Myspace music pages with out as much as saying what up first…..I got yall soon…………

AIM – ILLAIM365

Yahoo- illaimofdaconection

Msn- Daconection@hotmail.com