Acquired Knowledge

Here's a couple of recent blog posts from a few blogs I follow that have been in an interesting read over the past week since I've been back online. Enjoy!

"When You Know Better, You Do Better"

5 Signs They Aren't Good Enough For You

The Wrong Time Seems Like The Right Time, Right Before The Wrong Time

Red Light

Christiana and Pac-Man Lessons

"There are more writers of blogs right now than there are readers, so that's clearly a vanity phenomenon" -Highlarious!

Are We Nosy?

So we've got social networking sites, reality TV shows, advanced google mapping and that girl who stares across the road when you're leaving your house making you that much more paranoid about what she's planning...no? maybe thats just me.

Either way the first three modes of "entertainment" have got me wondering whether there's a sudden burst of subtle voyeurism in the minds of it's users. You take Facebook for instance and disect what it's used for...the benefits are obvious, catching up with friends, networking, contacting people when you havent got minutes/credit (good times), sharing files etc but then what happens in between that? Fortunately for Mark Zuckerberg however and unfortunately for us Facebook can become addictive and you find yourself roaming for friends out of bordeom checking up on their photos, relationship statuses, eavesdropping on their conversations with a mutual friend or with a randomer, or your on the receiving end of an unwanted add/message from someone who's seen a photo of you in their school friend's twice removed cousin's facebook rave...you know the one where you're in a photo with your three friends holding a champagne glass in those new sharp megapixel cameras.... or maybe you're that person who adds them lol.

Social networks have kinda taken two directions. The first direction is the original purpose and the second is straight voyeurism/nosiness/"inner" behaviour. Its not our faults I guess, these mediums are just designed to make us be the receiver or the trigger of such behaviour. Take Twitter for another example, it is again great for networking, communication and promotion but from another perspective it's just an ever updating list of statuses about what everybody's up to...nosy!! I have fallen for the trap a couple of times since being on twitter but it's hard not to since thats all it is, you have to "follow" each other to make sense of it all so essentially it's a networking stalker starter kit. It's the closest you'll get to speaking to certain celebs/superstars so I guess thats ok....yep nothing more fun than making friends with famous people who dont talk back.

Then there's the reality TV shows which are beginning to wipe out original programming (still kinda pissed about Trouble TV getting locked off, re-runs or not). I used to wonder why there wasn't any innovative programmes on TV til I realised that viewers just dont watch it. No ad revenue for TV networks means bankruptcy and so they venture into the world of "reality" and make shows where viewers can participate. The public love eavesdropping, its what the word "public" is based on, trust me. As for the google map innovation, well it doesnt take a genius to know what that may lead to. All in all I cant help but think media mediums have helped illustrate a fact that we all have known at the back of our minds, we are nosy!!!

"The things most people want to know about are usually none of their business. It's a 50/50 on whether they can make it their business with positive outcome"

Mish-Mash #5

So for the first time in a while I get to chill on a sunday with no commitments whatsoever. I got my food set on continuous, my laptop for my notes and my sky remote firmly in my hand as I chill watching TV. I flick to Trouble and catch up with some sitcom re-runs only to hear the channel announce that on April 1st there'll be no more Trouble TV. What!?! Where am I gonna go to when Im bored? The one channel that allowed decent sitcom imports some airtime is getting replaced by more Living TV...booo! One on One Gone, Martin Gone, Girlfriends Gone, All Of Us Gone, Fresh Prince Gone, How I Met Your Mother Gone, My Wife & Kids Gone. Now I gotta watch size zeros screaming at my screen; I just wanna throw a cheeseburger at them.

If you havent seen ""Diary of A Tired Black Man" yet watch it, not for the acting but for the comments in between scenes. Hilarious. I finally got to watch it last night on DVD and it was interesting. quite thought provoking too, definitely an argument starter. I'll be raising a question from it as part of my debate week on my blog this week. Check the original youtube clip that got the director a movie deal by clicking here. Might watch the movie below too..

You wanna release an album with no hype then do it like Mos Def. Rather than get involved in some kinda beef track or try something innovative Def kept it simple and let his "words" do the talking. He joins an elite group of artists whose albums Im looking forward to this year including Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Ginuwine, Chipmunk, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Teedra Moses even. Anyway check a preview for his album The Ecstatic This Spring

May 30th will be the first part to my new script for the blog. This one is likely to be done in advance so there's more chance of it actually being on time (maybe). So gear up, 8 weeks to go! Gonna start a whole new blog also with a couple friends soon called "Real Talk" so stay tuned for that one, controversial yet conditioned for the average reader..you'll see.

New Ginuwine Single Featuring Number 10 in my Top 10 Lisa Raye & my supposed look-a-like Tyrese (I still to this day dont see the resemblance)

Broadband's Music Rotation

Young Jeezy - Don't Do It
Drake - Say What's Real
Nas Feat Marsha Ambrosius - If I Ruled The World (2009)
Eric Benet - Chocolate Legs
Rick Ross - Cigar Music
The Dream - Sweat It Out
Lil Wayne - Been A Week
Lethal Bizzle Feat Donaeo - Go Hard
Consequence & Kid Cudi - Buggin' Out '09
Nelly Furtado - I Gotta Know
Jennifer Hudson Feat Ludacris - Pocketbook

Aight that's it, Im off to catch up with three weeks worth of radio via The Foxxhole and Speedy's Comedy Corner. Keep checking up on this blog and the Pbleepd Blog. The website is coming back I assure you and stay tuned for Debate week starting tomorrow right here.

Be Easy!

Broadband

Swagger (Thought Of The Day)

Swagger: "A dashing or confident air or way of doing something"

Gonna keep this one relatively short since it's a topic that has been questioned, elaborated and overall done to death. I've seen a few blogs (Necole Bitchie, Butterz, etc) on how swagger is the most annoying term and topic in the world today and I find it hard to disagree. However in an industry where violence and hate is often the number 1 antidote for a hit tune or record I somewhat don't have a huge problem with swagger being introduced to an artist's forte. Warranted the tediousness derived from it's repetitive use in EVERY track is a common cause of frustration but you do have some sense of positivity in thinking "wow maybe they can diversify their content". Only problem is that the diversification just stops there and as lovers of music the public are now hung on the word too.

I see so many people obsessed with the word that it's created it's own culture but as much they may like the word it doesnt actually mean they have swagger. The definition in the dictionary is just the basics so dont think because you say you have swagger "confidently" that you can go around tarnishing it's name. Stay true to yourself and stop following fashion because swagger is somewhat a follow fashion phenomenon that has reversed the positive notion of standing out to now just fitting in. Swagger is like Sugar in a sense that too much of it is too bad for you. Where swagger was entertaining before it has unfortunately resurfaced as a virus spreading across the world and it wont stop until everyone is colour co-ordinating their eye colour with their belts. Like my swaggajacking friend (lol) Eileen said, the new "swagger" is just being yourself...being normal. and I'm as normal as they get haha *brushes shoulders off.

"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away"

Friday Means Throwback!

Right now if someone was gonna ask me who have been the top female solo voices of R'n'B in my era the list in no order would include Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Toni Braxton & Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Aaliyah, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Mariah Carey & Ledisi. (Yes there's no Beyonce, shock horror). I couldnt say who's the best because I'd be twiddling my thumbs for hours, days, weeks but what I will say is that out of all the above Mary J Blige has probably had in my opinion the most amount of stand out classic tracks (sorry Jill). She envokes alot of passion into her songs and you can feel it every time she performs, hear it in every album and see it in every video. I dunno what it is but "There's something about Mary".

Mary J. Blige - Seven Days

Eric Benet - Chocolate Legs

Despite his mental illness (you gotta be crazy to cheat on Halle Berry) you cant deny he knows how to make good music. I will definitely be picking up his new album, the tune below is big.

Gone For A Minute Now Im Back Again

"It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you". Let me just quickly shake off this blog rust.........aight Lets Go!! Now technically this break in blogs and internet use was not my decision since my router decided to heat up and just reject my attempts at logging on but it's opened my eyes to how pervasive the net is; and it's kinda scary. I realised how much it is incorporated in our everyday routine; the average person I know will use the net 60 hours a week which I guess isnt too bad when you consider the 168 hours in a week. HOWEVER, ask yourselves how many of those hours are spent doing something productive?

I imagine it's the same..ish scenario for you....You switch on your PC or Laptop, get frustrated for a moment having to wait for all your programs and downloads to load up, your screen is filled with so many folders and software that you can barely see your background image, you click on Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer or Safari and your on. You get the tabs ready for multiple windows and your life begins..or ends. First it's the Email (hotmail, yahoo, gmail etc) then the social networking sites (facebook, twitter, myspace) maybe a couple of blogs (Perez Hilton, YBF, Bossip......Pbleepd Blog, The Wider Perspective..ahem) and then your preferences (Sky Sports, Asos, The Times etc). Or with alot of people these days it's straight to facebook..Haha You know Im right! It's a continuous cycle and under my frustrations of not being able to come online I was quietly happy to be away at the same time.

When one technological habit fails (the internet) another one begins (TV) and so I spent a week in front of my Sky Box watching sitcoms, dramas, sports, documentaries and the news. Random questions: Why have Channel U changed their name to Channel AKA? Where's Trouble + 1? Why do BET have no UK programmes? Who the hell are all these new people on Eastenders? (I havent seen it since Grant left again) Why does everyone love Hollyoaks? it has the worse acting ever. Why does Paris Hilton UK TV deals before me? Why are Fox News allowed to broadcast politics when they are clearly against Obama?......

Under those TV frustrations I found pleasure in watching some random programmes. I remember Ondo Lady blogging a while back about some show called Stylista; and while Im not into fashion/modelling reality shows it's actually a decent show (I can watch it and still retain my masculinity right?) Soccer AM is still the best morning show created (pssh Live and Kicking). 24 destroys anything else on TV and Top Gear is the shining light in the darkness that is Emmerdale. But above all of this I was glad to see Angie Le Mar's "The Brothers" stage show on MTV Base last night; warranted the change from Richard Blackwood to Harvey was weird but its good to see something creative and different on TV as well as a modern show with a predominantly black cast. The acting was abit "meh" in parts but the plot seems good enough. Lets hope it opens doors to more possibilities because there is a big hole in the TV World that needs to be filled.

Anyway briefly back to the initial topic, put down the mouse or take your fingers off the touchpad and pick up another habit. Take some time off the net and do something else....anything, you'll be surprised to find how much we're consumed by it.

Be Easy

Broadband

"The time to relax is when you dont have time for it"

V.I.P MJ Tickets

Michael Jackson tickets were sold out quickly!! but if anyone's willing to buy a V.I.P ticket for any of the tour dates this summer at the O2 Arena which includes a backstage pass, food and what not than I have a link to one available. It costs £1,000 (whoa!! yes I no) Im not saying the price is pretty but I know people who are selling theirs for as silly as £15,000 on ebay so this is a bargain. Anyone want this ticket or of if you know someone who does then let me know. Email: preacher2@hotmail.com

Be Easy

Broadband

Its Hard To Get Why We Still Play Hard To Get

"Life is a game, I just play it to play it" - Jay-Z

Contradictory behaviour never ceases to amaze me when it comes to us and our behaviours. In the very same aspects of life where games are considered negative (love, relationship) we continue to play those very same games in an attempt to get or get the better of one another....fuuny. Im gonna try very briefly to understand the "hard to get" theory via the female contingent. The 21st century has unleashed the most docile yet independent species on the planet...women! Women generally know what and who they want and can usually have which they want sometimes when they want; but the concern turns to "How" they want it.

This post far from refers to all women, generalising would be boring...and untrue of course, but a substantial amount of women are flip-siding the definition of dolicty which in result causes them to "play" hard to get. But why? Well the initial why is easy. Some women dont want to come across easy, they dont want the man to lose interest after he gets them, they want to know how interested the guy is and whether he is willing to work hard for her. I get that part and they're all good reasons but isnt using the "hard to get" method to acquire such knowledge playing games? and we know how women "hate" games.

I was under the impression that games and love dont mix, and while that stage of the relationship isnt love it is initially a platform for love which is supposed to be a no game zone. Some men love the chase no question (I do on occasion) but some of us dont (I dont on many the occasion) and when games are introduced a women has turned (effectively on purpose) a yes or no situation into a variety of thoughts from the male perspective. He is now wondering not only whether he should continue or not but whether the woman is gonna leave him chopped and skrewed, whether the she is worthy of a relationship or a Hit & Run, etc etc. While women see this is as a test to seperate the men from the boys they are failing to recognise that after a man has proclaimed his interest in a woman and laid the cards on the table he has delivered an ultimatum, games should rarely be played at this point. Playing games can easily result in the Boomerang theory (watch the movie).

Hard to get should be at most a natural trait and not a tested theory. Say What's Real: If you aren't sure whether you wanna give a guy your number because of previous troubles or you aint feeling him, just say it! dont encourage hope. Dont cancel dates just to see if he'll crack, tell him you need to trust him first. It aint that hard is it? That being said "hard to get" does create a fun challenge when both are aware and willing to partake in such activity. But when they aint, its time consuming and only begs the question whether relationships are founded on trust, love and GAMES!

"Never pretend to a love or like which you do not actually feel, for love is not ours to command"

"Face"book Drama

"Mehhh I hate the new home page?" "Waaah what happened to my old facebook?" "Argh! why do they keep changing it?" I've been hearing these statements all day in a failed attempt by friends to cheer me up through conversation (ARGH MAN UTD!!). Seems as though everyone hates the new face of facebook and it's kinda funny because no matter how much y'all complain about it you will STILL go on it everyday and it will NEVER change. Just embrace the annoyance yet benefit that is facebook and expect the unexpected because unfortunately for multi-million to billion dollar businesses they mistake growth for change and dont understand the term "if it aint broke dont fix it". Im 4 months into my facebook hiatus but have decided to make a comeback in the near future when business is running...maybe. I say maybe because it's such a potent and popular site but man it's annoying as Julian Smith has pointed out below.

I Think It Would Be Fair To Say Im "Pbleepd"

It's a double entendre but Im definitely not refering to the company Im co-running; believe Im literally Pissed!! Constant superlatives have been coming out my mouth for the last 2 hours. Im just gonna give myself time to vent frustrations because I just witnessed an absolute shambles. The scoreline:

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 - 4 LIVERPOOL

WHAT!?!?! Im a passionate football fan and when I see my team perform in such a shambolic way I dont know whether to break something or beat someone, but they both seem pretty reasonable right now. Argh!!! Shout out to Elijah, Ikes and Mas who have doubled my anger in the last hour or so by letting me know how they feel about today's result. It's probably one of the worst feelings in the world to have someone who is always reliable to mess up on such an important occasion, Nemandja Vidic (in the pic) is that reliable person who shegged today. I cant stay mad at him but it's gonna take a while for me to forgive a performance which rivals George Bush's presidency and London Transport...utter s***!

Thats my mood done for the day. Im off to listen to Speedy's Comedy Corner & The Foxxhole to cheer myself up. They say you should never go to sleep angry but I always watch Match of the Day so mark Saturday 14th March as my first negative day in 2009. Im so pissed!!

Be Easy

Broadband

Friday Means Throwback

In order to be the best in Hip-Hop some say you have to have a high pedigree in these fields : Flow, Lyrical ability, freestyle ability, versatility and content. There are a few yet substantial amount of rappers who have applied to the fields successfully regardless of record sales (I'll be posting a blog about it next week) but being a fan of content alone I still believe there was/is none greater than 2Pac. Some....well many may argue that he doesnt necessarily excel in all categories but like I said Im a man of content and when it comes to that I cant think of any better. There's a long list of 2Pac videos but Im gonna put up a tune that is rumoured to have been ghost produced by J Dilla. I will indeed get slack from a couple people for my "opinion" but it's my blog and I run this, ya hear? (Hip-Hop debate blog next week, stay tuned)

2Pac - Do for Love



"Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent"