Upcoming Projects

A few albums that I’m really digging but I haven’t had time to write full reviews on. They are on the way, just have allot of other things going on right now.

Mario - D.N.A.

Trey Songz - Ready

Melanie Fiona - The Bridge

Wale - Attention Deficit

Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt 2

Ghostface Killah - Wizards of Poetry in Emerald City

New Artist Alert – Tony J

In my never ending quest to find hot new music, I was pleased when my Canadian homie Moe Arora sent me an email about this new artist he recently signed a management deal with.  He just signed an up and coming artist/producer out of Houston named Tony J.  This guy has a voice!  They just released his single “U Need A Man” and it’s definitely a banger.

Here’s a little about Tony J

Tony J - U Need A Man

“With the new generation of R&B artists singing tales of promiscuous lifestyles, today’s R&B music has lost its connection with love and romance. Houston native, Tony J, wants to change that.

Having been raised in Houston (a primarily hip-hop market), Tony’s musical influences range from 90s R&B artists like Case, Avant and Jagged Edge, to the Houston-born Chopped & Screwed style, pioneered by the late DJ Screw. This vast range offers a unique twist to Tony J’s music.

From the vocals he records, to the words he sings, to the music he composes – Tony J is a well-rounded artist and musician.

With his first single, “U Need a Man”, Tony J is bringing romance back to R&B.”

I’ve only heard this one song from him but like they say ‘First impressions are lasting impressions’ and he seems to be heading in the right direction.  Moe has never steered me wrong before and I know he won’t this time.  Show some support for Tony J and his project.

You can reach him on twitter at twitter.com/tonyjforever and for more info you can reach his management at makingthemogul.com/contact

References:

Moe Arora -

Makingthemogul.com - Blog

twitter.com/moearora – Twitter

Makingthemogul.com/contact – Contact

Tony J -

Music.tonyjforever.com – “U Need A Man” Download

Twitter.com/tonyjforever – Twitter

Me and My Prickly Fingers

I decided to take a little break from studying to clear my mind from all those percentages and equations of business math.  I get so confuzzled with it at times.  I’ll use this time to update you guys on what’s been happening lately.  This diabetic medicine has my stomach in knots and the lipitor has my mouth dry all the time.  I’ve decided to post my daily highs and lows on a separate tab above labeled ‘Hi’s and Lo’s’ duh…  anyway, I have to go to the endocrinologist on Friday.  Fun.  That should be interesting.  I wasn’t referred to a nutritionist but I am really thinking of finding one because I want to know what I can and can’t eat.  Take the guessing out and let me know.  Some people have told me a few things like stay away from this or eat more of that but I want them to do a full work up and tell me what is right for me. Ya know? I like to be custom like that.  My poor finger tips are hurting from the constant pricking 6-8 times per day combines with me typing.  I do have the type of meter that I can use on my palm or forearm but the readings aren’t as accurate and since I just started I want mine to be as accurate as possible.  I’ll eventually start using my palm or forearm once I get my levels under control and to a decent level.

We’re still on the house hunt. I’m a little bummed that we couldn’t get that one,  but hey it’s not our time I guess.  Hopefully Congress will extend that $8000 first time home buyer credit because the deadline is November and I don’t believe we’ll make it.  We have to find a house soon so Boogie can run off some of this energy outside!!  That’s about it for me.  I shot some random videos that I have to edit, or most end up in the video file graveyard with the rest of them.  I’m working on it but I’m uber busy and plus I don’t like the sound of my voice.  Whatever.

Back to the books…

NFL Can Wait Education Comes First Pt. 2

So remember last year when I wrote this feel good story about Florida State University Safety Myron Rolle’s decision to skip the NFL to study at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar? If not, then here’s the link –> “The NFL Can Wait” He’s back from Oxford University and ready for the NFL Draft. (NY Times)

This is a great example of a black man doing something positive with his life.  Hard work and perseverance pays off and you should never give up on your dreams or goals.  He plans to become a doctor, opening a clinic in the Bahamas, and philanthropist after hanging up his cleats.  I wish him the best in the future and I hope that this story sparks even more young men to realize their dreams.  I believe in positive people and the effect they can have on others.  This has the potential to do wonders for the community as far as uplifting the youth and teaching them that they can be whatever they set their minds to.  Congratulations Myron Rolle!  Like I said before, you are a role model to me and I appreciate you choosing your education over athletics.

Sources:

The NFL Can Wait – http://www.mysincerethoughts.com/index.php/2009/03/30/the-nfl-can-wait-my-education-comes-first/

On The Way to the N.F.L. Draft, a Year Of Fulfillment in England for Rolle – NY Times

University of Oxford – http://www.ox.ac.uk/

Get Checked Out

So for like the last month I haven’t been feeling good.  Nothing major I was just tired, extra thirsty, frequent urination,  just not myself.  A couple of days ago I started getting blurred vision.  It wasn’t enough to keep me from seeing but it was like I was slightly squinting my eyes all the time, even when I wasn’t. This had me nervous a bit as you might imagine.  Diabetes and heart disease run in my family on my mother’s side and all my symptoms pointed towards me having it as well.  How could this be? I mean I watch what I eat, exercise on a regular basis, why me?  Well, it doesn’t matter why, it just matters that it did.  Anyway, I go to my doctor and he checks my sugar levels and cholesterol after I tell him what’s going on with me.  Comes back and my blood sugar and cholesterol levels are through the roof!!! I mean I was a heart attack waiting to happen.  My blood sugar was over 500 and my cholesterol was 413 ( the average Blood sugar level is about 86 and the average cholesterol level is 50-60)!!  He gives me 2 medications for the diabetes and one for the cholesterol, tells me to set an appointment with an endocrinologist as well as a nutritionist.  I have to test my blood sugar levels before and 2 hrs after ever meal and come back to see him in a week to make further plans.  I’m telling you, this was some scary shit.  Imagine going to the doctor thinking you’re healthy and you get hit with those numbers.  What’s even scarier was that the day before I went to the doctor I felt really bad for a while after I first woke up. Just tired, couldn’t catch my breath, chest heavy.  Could that have been the beginning of something major?  I’m too young to die, I can’t James Dean (die young, leaving a good looking corpse) my family, they need me.

So today is the day after my diagnosis and I decided to go to work at first.  Got there and my boss is looking at me like I”m crazy.  I show her my meds because she’s also diabetic and she really looks at me like I’m crazy.  Tells me that I should go home for today because my body has to get used to this medication and it’ll make me wonky at first.  I didn’t’ believe her.  Took the meds and 10 minutes later I’m feeling crazy. So I go home and commence the pity party. You see today is the only day I will have it because I will beat this thing, it will not beat me.

I encourage anyone reading this to get checked out.  Especially if it runs in your family.  This is not something that I expected to happen to me, but it did and now I must deal with it.  don’t be afraid to ask questions and get checked out.  If I had done that years ago maybe I wouldn’t be in this situation now. Your health is more important than you think.  Being healthy is not just for you, it’s for your family and friends as well.

Another thing, I’m not sure if you noticed or not but medication is expensive as hell!!  I have to get Liptitor for my Cholesterol and that is $133.42!!! Yes $133.42!!! both my diabetes meds came up to like $10 but that Lipitor was crazy! Now I understand why people on a fixed income or elderly skip months because they can’t afford it! My punk ass insurance company only paid $21 towards it. $21!!! What the hell!!!

That is all, gotta go check my levels again

Sincere

Morehouse Says ‘Step Your Dress Game Up’

I wasn’t gonna talk about it but I’ve been asked too many times.  Even though I don’t attend the prestigious Morehouse College, I guess because I’m young, black, male and live in Atlanta people want to know my opinion on it’s dress code.  Or maybe they just value my opinion, either way here it is.

This is a private institute. They have the right to enforce whatever rules they see fit.  If you don’t like them then don’t attend.  Simple as that.  I don’t have an issue with the rules.  Frankly I am tired of seeing sagging pants, people wearing shades indoors and men dressed as women or with women’s accessories (e.g.  purses, scarves, high heels, dresses etc).  I’ve never seen people walking around in pajamas but when I was in college I would see girls come to class in their Vicki’s sleepwear looking like they just rolled out of bed.

Again, this is a private institute, meaning not publicly funded.  This is also a school you CHOOSE to go to.  It’s not forced upon anyone to go there.  If the rules don’t fit you then go else where. I’m sure Georgia State, UGA, Georgia Perimeter or Georgia Tech will accept you and let you run around looking like a fool as long as you pay your tuition. Morehouse it seems, is trying to uphold their long storied legacy.  You can’t be mad at that.  We as black men need to get that wholesome image back anyway!  I’m not saying you have to wear a Brooks Brothers suit everyday and dress like Fonsworth Bentley but at least look presentable.  You can wear loose fitting jeans without them falling off of your ass.  Unless you’re blind as Stevie Wonder or have some sort of Retinal disease then please take those damn sunglasses off inside or at night! Matter of fact leave them on because I hope you dumb ass trips because you can’t see and falls while your pants dangle around your stupid ass ankles! Jerks. Don’t give me the argument that they are expressing their individuality because if your’e dressed like everybody else than you’re not being individual.

Anyway,  every college has a dress code even public ones, it’s in the student handbook.  Some choose to enforce it while others don’t.  So Morehouse decides to step it up and update theirs so that the Men of their respectable institute look like well, respectable men than more power to them and I hope other schools take heed and follow suit.

That is all.

Sincere

New Feature

Okay so in efforts to use this new video camera that I purchased I am going to do video reviews of albums in addition to the regular album reviews. I’ll still do the album reviews with the track list breakdown but the video will accompany the written reviews. Just a little something extra.

That is all.
Sincere

W.O.W. Lemon Pie

“Life gives you lemons, make lemon pie.” – Jay Z

People often think that when something goes wrong or just not quite right then that’s the end of it. Not so. Make the best of a bad situation and remember that everything happens for a reason.

That is all.
Peace
Sincere

Music Snobs Suck

Snobs Suck!!

I hate snobs!  I mean seriously, just because you like something that I don’t or you’ve heard of something that I haven’t yet doesn’t make you better or make me worse? Get your mind right!  The other day I was talking with an acquaintance about music and he acted as if I was slow or stupid because I hadn’t heard of some band that he was raving on and on about ( I eventually checked them out after the convo and they are indeed wack!) like they were supposed to be the next coming of The Beatles or something.  I got really aggravated because he was judging me on something that wack.  I mean maybe it’s just me but I don’t judge people by what music they listen to. That’s lame.  Just because I like say Mos Def and you like Gucci Mane doesn’t make you a bad person.  Just different musical tastes.  So then the music snob goes on to talk about how I need to open my mind to different acts and such. Me? Me? The one that has a more eclectic mix of music in my library than you? You can’t be serious.  Anyway, after I schooled him on the diversity of my music collection and how just because I don’t like your wack indie band doesn’t mean that I don’t know anything about music.  I probably have more musical knowledge in the toenail of my pinky toe than he does in his entire body.

There are more than music snobs in the world but I tend to run into allot of them.  I think it may be my image that makes them think that I’m only into one genre of music (hip hop) when I am really well versed in a bunch of other types.  Hip Hop is actually close to the bottom of the list.  This type of prejudgement is aggravating to say the least.  By the way, if you have any suggestions of groups or people I should check out, let me know.

Do you know of any music snobs? How do you handle it when you encounter one?

Pres. Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

If you haven’t heard by now, President Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. This a great honor and regardless whether you agree with his politics or not, respect the fact that your sitting president has received such an honor. This is not just a win for him but for America as well. He represents this country and the hope that it stands for.

Source:  www.washingtonpost.com

W.O.W. Failure Is Still Success

“The only time you fail is when you don’t do something.  Whenever you try at something it is a success on some level.  It’s better to try and fail than fail to try.”- Sincere

I know this is true for me.  I’ve talked myself out of all types of good opportunities because I didn’t believe in myself enough.  I have felt as though I wasn’t good enough so I didn’t even put up an effort to see if I could achieve it.  Once someone else does it I want to kick myself because I knew I could do it and most likely have done a better job.
Don’t let fear be the reason for your failure, if anything let that fear of failure motivate you to try and do it.  There is only one way to overcome the fear that haunts us and that is to just do it.  Tackle that task head on.
If you fear failure then you’ll never taste sweet success.  Even if you try something and it doesn’t work out, as long as you learn from what didn’t work and apply that to the next venture then you have succeeded.  Remember, a mistake is only a mistake if you don’t learn from it.  Otherwise it’s just another step toward your goal.

That is all…
Peace
Sincere

Catch Me Up

This past weekend was pretty eventful. We left on Friday morning and headed up to Maryland to spend some time with the family and for my brother in law’s promotion ceremony. Seeing him get promoted did have me longing to be back in the Air Force for a second. A very brief second!!! Boogie had a chance to hang out with his cousins ( they are the closest he’s going to get to sisters) and they got a chance to hang out with him (the closest they’ll get to a little brother).   He really enjoyed it,  since he’s an only child and our neighborhood doesn’t have any kids his age it was a great chance for him to really play.  While there I was able to see my favorite Aunt and bestest lil cousin/ play sister.

The brief couple of days made me realize how much I miss my sister and how I need to spend more time with her.  The majority of my wife’s immediate family are here in Atlanta so she sees them all the time.  That’s one of the main reasons why we chose to move to Atlanta. Me, on the other hand, I’m not that close with my family. distance or relationship wise.  Its always been this way with me and people.  I’m the type that will just stay home and watch TV or read a book over actual live communication.  I need to get out of that.

Anyway, We left Friday morning and came back Monday night. I would love to move up there and buy my Aunt’s house from her when she retires in 2012, but ummerra the traffic and crowd is something that I cannot get used to again.  See, I have this little issue with large crowds of people that I don’t know. I don’t go into panic attacks or anything, but I don’t let it get that serious either. I’m just not a larger crowd person, even if I know most or even all of the people there. I have also been spoiled by what you get for your money in housing.

I think we may need to think about this more as a family, but I really doubt if the other half will want to leave Atlanta.  right now we live outside the city in a nice northern suburb. Just close enough to jet downtown for whatever and just far away to be secluded from the things we don’t want to deal with downtown. Perfect position.  I have been looking at jobs up there and my brother and sis are looking as well, but it would have to be  VERY good job for her to move up there with me.  If anything she would tell me to take the job and just come home every weekend or every other weekend. Seriously.

All in all, I loved spending time with my family and I plan on doing it again soon. There’s nothing like connecting with family and helping them celebrate that special day.  I just wish I would have been able to stay longer.

I also bought the BlackBerry 8520.  I was trying to hold out for the new one that comes out in November but I couldn’t wait. Why not the 8900 you ask? Well, first of all it cost like $500! Secondly, I compared all the specs and the only difference is that the 8900 comes with GPS software and the 8520 doesn’t.  Seeing as I wouldn’t use the GPS software because I can just download google Maps ( which I’ve used on my 8320 before and it walked me right to where I needed to be) if I feel the need to be GPS’d while out somewhere without an actual GPS device.  Besides, if it really comes down to it and I have to have it I can always buy it and put it on my phone.  I’m really digging this phone!  It’s so much faster than the other one I had, the internet browser isn’t the best but I put Opera on there and this new browser called Bolt. This phone has allot more internal memory as well, now I don’t have to decide which app has to go when I see a new one I wan to download/use.

I’m going to get back into vlogging sooner or later, I just haven’t decided what direction to take it. I actually still do it weekly and sometimes in between, just for personal use though. I don’t upload anything. I’m trying to find some new shows or a show to do recaps of just haven’t found anything that’s recap worthy that’s stating and isn’t midway through the season.  I want to start fresh. ya know?

So far classes are going great. I Aced my first one. It was just an intro type class so it wasn’t too hard, but an A is an A.  I have two classes that I’m taking now. Business math and Information Technology.  My classes are mini-mesters ( 4 1/2 week course instead of the typical 9 weeks) so they are pretty fast paced. I’m sure I’ll be able to keep up but some other things may fall to the side.  Mainly this blog.  I hate for it to drop though because this is a stress reliever and creative outlet for me.  I will try to use some of the time management skills I just learned to make it work though. We’ll see.

I know I’m jumping around a bit on this one but I haven’t really blogged in a while besides the weekly W.O.W. on Wednesdays.  I promise to do better. I  gotta go now though, have some homework to get started on.

See ya later…