Rick Astley Spoof: Hilarious!!!

Ok, So a few blogs ago, I told you how much I liked "Never Gonna Give You Up", by Rick Astley. Well, as I searched for a video to put on that particular blog, I ran into this spoof interpretation, created by some cat named Joe Sabia, that had me peeing in my pants lol. I think you'll get a kick out of it too. The guy has an awful singing voice, but that's what makes this parody even funnier. I love that Ninja Bartender line lol. Don't worry, you'll see what I mean lmao!



Haaaaa!

Video Feature: Fabolous aka Loso

Check out these hot new tracks from Mr. LOSO. I thought they were crack!

Fabolous ft. The-Dream - Throw It In The Bag

Fabolous - New Music - More Music Videos

Fabolous - My Time

Fabolous - New Music - More Music Videos

Milk Chocolate Soul Anyone?

If you really know me well, you'll know that my all time favorite song is... "What you won't do for love" by Bobby Caldwell. I was a young kid when I heard this song for the first time, and when I did, I instantly fell in love with it. I recall that that same day, I ran to the corner bodega, bought a Maxwell 60 minute blank cassette tape, and sat by my stereo system with the dial on NY's CD 101.9, tape in the deck, and my finger on the record and pause buttons. That night, after several hours of being hunched over, with an ear next to the speaker, the DJ played the tune once again; its incomparable introduction playing on. I released the pause button, and the song became mine.

For years, I looked through library books, magazines, discographies, looking for this "black" R&B singer named Bobby Caldwell, who had this amazing soulful groove. Unfortunately, all the pictures I found, were of this Frank Sinatra look-alike, with a top hat, an elongated face, elongated nose, and baby blue eyes. All of my investigations, continued to lead me to this man. But my ignorant self would not accept it. I would tell myself, "Am I spelling his name wrong?" "This cat can't be him." This guy's WHITE". "Don't tell me they pulled a Millie-Vanilli over here?" "That would be a disgrace!"

Bobby Caldwell

As I continued in my stubbornness, I decided to take a trip to "The Wiz", and bring finality to this tormenting investigation. As I walked into the store, I quickly moved to the music section, immediately went to the "C's", for Caldwell, and, and, and..."Crap!" "It's this freaking guy again." I was pissed. I looked on and saw an old black man taking inventory. I figured he worked there because he had one of those WIZ polo's on, and I asked him for help. I said, "hey, you know that song," (i sang the first two lines) "I guess you'll wonder where I've been. I searched to find a love within..." The fellow says, "Of course, that's a classic! You're holding his records right there." Then he says, as to prove himself right, "would you like me to play it for you?" The old man went behind the counter, pulled out a demo of the same CD I was holding, took out the CD in slow-motion so I could see he wasn't fooling me, and placed it in the store's CD player. After a few silent seconds, my favorite tune of all-time, came over the loud speakers. I smiled, looked at the CD I was holding and said, "I'll take it!".

Yes, I felt like smacking myself. But, that incident taught me a great lesson, "NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER". After this, I came across two other artists, the soulful Michael Mcdonald, and Teen 80's sensation Rick Astley. Two fella's who I could've sworn were black R&B/PoP singers, but this time, when I came across their pictures, I didn't fight it. I appreciated their talent, their sound, and added their music to my personal collection.

Michael McDonald


Rick Astley

Maybe you already know their music, but I still come across folks in different areas of the city, who can't believe what i'm telling them. "Yup, they're white". "Nope they're not black". And "Yes, their definitely some soulful dudes". But I like to call their music...
"MILK CHOCOLATE SOUL".

Check out a few videos, showing some of their greatest hits. Enjoy.

Bobby Caldwell: What You Don't For Love (not the best quality, but it's the original video)

Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do for Love
by 2fresh

Michael McDonald: Keep Forgetting
(sampled by Warren G for his Regulate record)


Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up

Rick Astley - New Music - More Music Videos

Good Read: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossein

Picture a world where you're merely seen as an object; a property; a thing; a nobody. A world where your only function in society is to be married off-if that's possible, to procreate, care for your home, and your husband. A world, where your rights to learn, to study, to be independent, and to run free, are snatched from you in the blink of an eye. A world where your days are threatened by insensitive beatings, bombings, run-away missiles, murders, ongoing civil warfare, and tragedy, in a land that was once your own, a land you once called "home sweet home". A world where PERSEVERANCE; FAITH; FAMILY; INNER-STRENGTH; and LOVE FOR THY COUNTRY; are the only things that keep you moving on, and keep you ALIVE.

For two women in Kabul, Afghanistan, this became an everyday reality.

In this #1 New York Times Bestseller, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, also the author of #1 New York Times Bestseller, The Kite Runner, Khaled tells the story of two women of Kabul, Afghanistan, his own homeland, who fought through their lives' painful transgressions, and lived through each other, for each other, for their families, and their country. A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of the strongest, most passionate and riveting tales I've ever read. An incredible page turner that can be read in one sitting.


I must warn you though, this story is not for the weak of heart. As it continuously depicts tragic and mournful situations. But don't worry, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself holding back a few tears, or choking through some of the scenes, or see yourself living through these characters, and feeling what they felt. Believe it or not, tears came to my mother's eyes when I described some of the scenes of this book over supper at our dinning table.

Personally, I was touched. The story brought several things into perspective for me, and allowed me to further appreciate my own life and existence. Appreciate things that at times we take for granted and see as insignificant, but if we only knew how blessed we really were to have them. I highly recommend this book. Without a doubt, one of my personal favorites.


5 stars for Khaled Hosseini on another amazing book.

One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.

- Saeb-e-Tabrizi

Also by Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner. Check it out! You won't be dissapointed.

Documentary: Before The Music Dies

As I've mentioned in prior blogs, the arts & music mean everything to me. I mean, I honestly cannot leave home without my 80 gig Ipod classic; I love that freaking device. You see, music is like an engine that keeps me going, and momentarily takes many of my worries away. It allows me to appreciate where I've been, where I've come from, and where I'm going. Music is so powerful that it effortlessly takes me on a voyage to my childhood, my first kiss, my first crush. Then on the next music track, delivers me to my first true love, the first time I told someone "I LOVE YOU", my first affectionate embrace. Music has the ability to remove me from my current worries and premonitions, and take me to a safe haven, even if just for a moment in time.

I love music, cause it's been so good to me. It's been my best friend. We've been through it all together. However, for many years, I've continuously voiced my opinion on how music was just not the same anymore. Of how it was slowly turning into something else. Sadly, over the years, music has become a beauty pageant; a popularity contest; JUST A MONEY THING. The skill, talent, sacrifices, and determination of an artist have been set aside, made secondary, and a concentration has been placed on how marketable an individual can be. Bottom line is: "What sells?" "How much money can we make off of this person?"

I'm only 30 now, and to be honest, I really don't know enough of music as a whole. I mean, I would need a few years in a conservatory to review the works of all of the greats and be able to really appreciate it. My God, wouldn't that be something? I would honestly LOVE to do that. But, If there's something I do know, and something I've been able to observe over the last 20 years, is that there's clearly been a loss of respect & appreciation for this amazing art, an art that's slowly dying among the new masses. I repeat, a loss of respect & appreciation for this amazing ART, AN ART THAT'S SLOW DYING AMONG THE NEW MASSES.

Rapper Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones aka NAS, personally the deepest hip hop lyricist I've ever encountered, was cursed at, made fun off, and talked about on numerous records, when he titled his December 2006 release,"Hip Hop Is Dead." But, don't you think NAS was on to something? I think he was, but you see it goes beyond the genre of Hip Hop. Regardless of the few, and I mean very few artists with true raw talent out there, there's not much that's really being done to keep the true essence of music alive for our children, and our children's children.

In "Before the Music Dies", a documentary by Andrew Shapter & Joel Rasmussen, they hit this important topic right on the head. These friends united, and as a tribute to their lost siblings, who were musicians, directed an impacting, and inspirational story of music, it's roots, and where it's sadly heading.

I can't finish this blog off without giving a shout out to my current favorite kick-ass website, www.hulu.com. I honestly cannot go to bed at night without seeing another clip, or bits of an intriguing documentary. Make sure to check them out.

Peace, love & keep the music ALIVE. If you have a moment, check out this documentary.

Do you have any last parting words?

Funerals. We never like to hear about them, and we never like to attend them either, but as it is with death, the accompanying funeral ceremony, is also inevitable. Now leave it to SNL, the MASTERS of skit comedy, to poke fun at this traditional ceremony. Now, I recall that in many of the funerals I attended, if not all, whenever the priest or pastor would ask for any parting words, only a few family members and friends took a stand in the podium, never going more than a few minutes. Now, what If these same folks, just had too much to say? Check out another awesome and hilarious skit. Too funny.

P.S. I freaking love Will Ferrel lmao!!!

Intel: Rockstar Status. Mr. Ajay V. Bhatt

OMG! Can you imagine how cool it would be to meet the co-inventor of the USB device? Yes, that's right, the U-S-to-the-mother-freaking-B. Well, if you've been absent from this planet for the last 10 yrs, this probably won't excite you. So, for all of you electronically impaired individuals, i'll do a quick recap. The USB, has revolutionized the world of electronics, and you use it every single day, and probably haven't even noticed. It's what you use to upload music into your ipod, sync your devices to your computer, download pics into your PC or MAC from your digital camera, attach your printer to your computer with, charge the lithium batter on your phone, recharge that favorite blue tooth of yours, so on and so forth. Practically every single thing invented nowadays, especially every FREAKING computer in the galaxy, has to, and I mean has to, be compatible with a USB port for a USB cable. EVERYTHING!!! OMG! Can you say $$$$$-Cha-Ching. Before the USB was invented, everything was plugged in with PARALLEL PORT ADAPTORS! (pictured below) YUK!!!

Remember these things? Some of our comp's still use them for video devices like the monitor and stuff. But haven't USB's made life a bit easier? Just imagine having to screw and unscrew that gigantic thing every time you wanted to add a new song to your Ipod's playlist?
No way Jose!

Now what would it be like to meet this guy. Wouldn't he have like "Rockstar" status in the world of gizmos and gadgets aficionados? I'm sure you've probably seen the commercial that Intel has done poking fun at this idea, with a smooth man (I love his hair lol) playing the role of Mr. Ajay Bhatt, co-inventor of the USB. No, that's not the real Mr. Bhatt in the commercial, but this other dude just became famous in about 30 seconds lmao!

The real Mr. Ajay V. Bhatt (pictured on the left), and I keep saying Mr. because this man has made billions of lives just a bit easier, and much more enjoyable-Gracias!-is the Intel Fellow and Chief Client Architect for Mobile Platforms Group, Intel Corporation. According to a column on Intel's own website, www.intel.com, Mr. Bhatt has not only been a developmental force behind the USB, but also the Accelerated Graphic Port, PCI Express, Platform Power management architecture and various chipset enhancements. Mr. Bhat holds nine U.S. patents with several in various stages of filing. But hold up everyone, get this, what's even crazier, and this blew me backwards, is that Mr. Bhat received his master's degree from The City University of New York. That's right, CUNY baby! I wonder why they haven't put this guy in one of those "Look who's at CUNY" posters of our subway trains. Come on now! The inventor of the USB. Educated in NYC? Woohoo! Go CUNY. I'm a City College Alumni myself and this makes me proud. Woohoo!

Can you imagine how much money this guy's making? OMG!!! OK enough excitement. Check out the commercial. lmao! Rockstar status baby!

Good Read: The Double by José Saramago

They say that for every person, there's an identical twin somewhere in the world. But, you've never believed that stuff right? I mean, you've never come across someone who looked just like you right? Or who sounded just like you? Or who walked just like you? Or someone with all of the above, and was also anatomically identical to you in every aspect of the word? Someone who was so freaking identical to you, that a picture ID of them, would be a picture of you, with their name and signature. What would you do if you ran into such a person on your way to work? Would you freak out? Would you make a story of it?

Welcome Mr. Tertuliano Máximo Afonso to the scene. If his name hasn't already attracted you, maybe his story will. The story of a secondary school history teacher, who in efforts to find something entertaining to relieve a possible onset of depression,-which he would never admit-and on the recommendation of a colleague-math teacher-friend, rented what was categorized as an OK comedy, to cheer himself up. However, instead of finding laughter, or even enjoyment in this mediocre film, Tertuliano is stumped when he sees himself playing a short role in the film, the actor an exact replica of himself. The only difference, the man he's now staring at, exactly resembles how Tertuliano himself looked 5 years ago, when he wore a mustache.

Who is this man? How can this be? It can't be possible?

Portuguese author and winner of the nobel prize for literature, José Saramago, entertains us with another master piece, and one of my personal favorites. "The Double", will captivate you from start to finish. Accompany Tertuliano Máximo Afonso, as he transforms himself into a Private Investigator, and begins to decipher clues to meet this man, actor, who's become his personal enigma, and his immediate DOUBLE.

Also by Jose Saramago: All The Names, The Cave, Seeing, &
Blindness (Now a Major Motion Picture)

Good Read: The Soloist by Steve Lopez

The Soloist: A Lost Dream, An Unlikely Friendship, and The Redemptive Power Of Music.

I can always appreciate a great book, a great story. A book that can go beyond the pages, the print size, and the black letters neatly placed on top off white pages, in parallel lines. A book that can take your mind away to a different city, state, and into someone's life. A book that allows you to practically teleport to a specific place and moment in time and turn you into a caregiver and/or caretaker. A book that can touch you, and birth a new appreciation for the arts. The Soloist, by Steve Lopez is one of those books.

The Soloist, is the emotional, often anxious, and incredible true-story of a homeless man, (Nathaniel Ayers, from Cleveland Ohio) who struck the curiosity of a passer-byer (Steve Lopez, columnist for the LA TIMES), as he was found playing a violin, in a highway tunnel of Skid Row, Los Angeles, out of all places, with just "TWO" strings. For Lopez, this was just the beginning of another interesting column for his readers; another deadline met. Little did Lopez know, that this harmless and expedient meeting, would result in a life-changing friendship. A friendship that would reshape his outlook on life, society, and teach him a lesson on the REDEMPTIVE POWER OF MUSIC.

Add this book to your current reading list. You won't be disappointed.

Now A Major Motion Picture starring Jamie Foxx & Robert Downey Jr.

Check it out!

Justin Timberlake SNL excerpts

Another hilarious "not-so-popular" SNL skit featuring Justine Timberlake, and an older Barry Gibb Talk Show skit. Lmao! I can't take this lmao! Very Funny.

SNL: The Barry Gibb Talk Show

For years SNL has entertained us with all their amazing skits, but have you ever wondered what a show hosted by Barry Gibb would be like? I ran into this skit and was practically peeing in my pants. Justin Timberlake continues to show us how gifted he is, and Jimmy Fallen keeps beign that crazy funny dude. I just love how Justin plays Robin Gibb, with his f*$ked up teeth and all, and Jimmy plays Barry, the temperamental lead singer of the 70's disco kings, The Bee Gees. Check out their original pics and the Hilarious skit. Lmao!

Robin Gibb

Barry Gibb