fripodding and celebrating like a champion

Where to begin in the epic story of the week that was?

First of all, I must say that last Halloween was a blast for me, doing my annual DJ gig, playing good music for 3-4 hours straight for kids and adults to have fun to. The Jackson 5 was revisted. Pictures were taken, but I wasn't in any of them, so I won't share them. Don't get a hissy fit with me! I'm important too, ya know. Plus, I need a new MySpace picture, especially with me in action. I was Tito.

Monday I had computer issues. I had to upgrade a program I use for work. Sadly, it wasn't working, therefore I couldn't work. It was bittersweet. It gave me time to rewatch what may now be my favorite foreign film The Man Who Copied. If you've never heard of it, I suggest you Netflix it immediately. It hails from Brazil and stars Leandra Leal whom I've developed a hopeless crush over. I actually should dedicate a post for the movie alone. Anyway, I watched it a couple times picking up things I never noticed before as well as being re-inspired to fulfill my dream in wanting to tell the world stories through my writing and eventual filmmaking. My computer program finally worked correctly eventually, so that's great.

Tuesday. I said it before, I'm a news junkie. CNN.com is a friend on my work computer. I couldn't stop checking it all day long. I don't know why. I did my vote thing around 10ish. No lines. Awesome. A cute girl was working there, but no game was played. It's hard to do moves when you're with you mom, plus I think it would just annoy the worker. I really wanted to go back home anyway. After work, I ran out to rent some movies because I couldn't imagine watching the news from 7PM until who knew when. Even I need a break sometime. But my dad and I kept tabs on our laptops while we watched movies. Then my dad channel surfed until I decided to go to my room to watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert tell me the Earth-shattering news. I wish I was at someone's party or out in the streets. I really did. This needs a post all it's own, which I sort've addressed Tuesday night. But this can lead into today's friPod's iPick.

I've actually been waiting to talk about this song for a while. But after Tuesday, the message behind this song is clear: Kanye West's "Champion." I'm just going to throw this out now, as of today, I don't care too much for his new toy he likes to use in his songs. But hey, the same thing happened when music video directors discovered the fish-eye lense. And bullet-time. I still like bullet-time though.

I don't care much for the video, however it is very creative with Kanye as a puppet training to be a champion. Once again, I'd post it, but embedding is disabled. Watch and listen to the video here.

I actually made a playlist with iSaac featuring Champion-esque song. But this song is very uplifting, inspiring and empowering for me. It keeps me ambitious and working hard to achieve greatness. Furthermore, as the chorus suggest: did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes? And yes, after much reminding, I did realize that. And the eyes are those of children, peers and my family whom support me. So this song is a reminder as to who I'm working for, so to speak. Would you like to see the Champion Playlist? It's not long, and by no means is it complete. I don't think an average playlist is complete until you can fit it into a CD. Unless its for a specific event... like a 3-5 hour Halloween party. iSaac actually has the playlist called "champion beats" since I built the list on strong bass and/or drumlines. Not all of them had champion messages though*. Regardless--

1. Champion Requiem - Mos Def
2. Champion - Kanye West
3. Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
4. We Want Your Soul - Andre 3000*
5. I Need You - Alicia Keys*
6. Hostile Gospel Pt. 2 - Talib Kweli
7. Grammy Family - Consequence feat. DJ Khaled, Kanye West & John Legend

Like I said, it's a short playlist and I haven't added to it... yet. But that's what keeps me in a champion mind set, and Kanye is a good role model for that. Interestingly enough, he has a connection to every artist on that playlist. But we'll play that game another day.

Lastly, there's a poem I've been working on that also deal with the champion theme, but unfortunately I didn't finish it in time to go along with this post. Nevertheless, when it's complete, I shall make it known and also restate a revised playlist, hopefully.

Happy Friday all.

WOOT

As I told my instant-friend Kathy moments ago, I'm so excited that I could pee.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

I know my vote counted.

Yes. Yes. Y'all.

votember 4th

Hey. Um... If you haven't already, go out and vote. If you don't, then you don't have the right to complain about anything. I don't know about you, but even though I don't complain much (except for here), I at least want my right to complain. At least I can say about our current president that I did not vote for him.

I'm really sleepy for some reason. I'm not sure who I can complain to about that problem.

And due to my sleepiness, I wish I was a full-time paid writer. That way, I can sleep whenever I want (almost), and then wake up to tap away at my computer creating lovely stories/poems/etc.

On a related note, I'm re-titling my "Writing Retreat" project to "Three 1/2 Stars". Unfortunately, I can't find any stars in a font. I've searched every webding and wingding I have... and nothing. Asterisks don't work for what I want either. Sigh. Oh well, I'll deal with it later. The story is more important than the title anyway.

But back to the topic at hand... 'Tis election day. Do your civil duty! Well, just as long as you are allowed to. Like... if you are 17 you are exempt, or if you've been in jail, or if you live in another country, or if you cease to exist. If you don't fit those categories... VOTE! Or I will beat you up. Friday. 3PM at the flagpole. That's not a threat.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say "Yes we can!"

fripodding and young'ns with old'ns

Unlike many popular magazines that I tend to read, there are always reviews of the latest and hottest movies or songs/albums/artists that recently hit the shelves. For both my movie reviews and these iPicks for friPodding, I pick whatever I feel is great at the time. The movie reviews are usually written about movies I've seen for the first time... and those are on the MySpace blog.

Today's pick is somewhat random thanks to watching a commercial I grew to love... along with many other people across the nation. Remember that De beer's commercial with the husband creeping out of bed in the middle of the night to retrieve a diamond necklace for his wife, and then puts it on her while she's still asleep, but then starts to wake up, so then he quickly acts like he's asleep but she still catches him anyway and has that look of surprise and glee? I'd embed the YouTube video... but I'm lazy. Plus I just told you what the commercial is...


However, I'm also a liar on occasion. And my teachers always tell me to "don't tell me, show me." Anyway, this is Cat Power singing How Do I Tell You. This is a cover of Cat Steven's song. And as this commercial shows a happy loving event, the song itself is quite sad. No doubt it's still a beautiful and touching song, but still a little tearful to hear about this guy who wants to tell this girl who is not around how he feels about her. I can't speak for everyone, but I can relate. I haven't dried over the song or over anyone, but I sure keeping it on repeat for a couple hours will make me want to sit in a dark corner and write sad poetry in the midst of my tears. Perhaps that's how this song was written. This is a song I'd love to write/direct a retro music video. I can see a guy walking around remembering the girl he once knew, and possibly showing what may have happened to her. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have the video end on a happy note. Since, as I said, the lyrics aren't really cheerful. Unless you end it with a happy memory. Still, it's depressing because it's the past and you know the dude is in misery in the present.

Regardless, it's an awesome song. And there are times I like something soothing to just mellow out to. Like most people, I prefer a full version of Cat Power's cover... but alas, she has yet to record it and from what I hear, doesn't have plans to. So I made myself enjoy the original Cat Steven's version (I listened to it over and over). Ironically enough, iSaac has Cat Power and Cat Stevens back to back (alphabetically of course) with Powers singing a cover of "Sea of Love" and Stevens singing "How Do I Tell You." There is a lady out there (on YouTube) who recorded a cover of Cat Power's cover of Cat Stevens... it sounds nice, but I don't want to buy it right now.

In other news, I'd just like to say that the youth is taking over. (The youth are taking over? The youth is taking over... It's a single group of people... making it singular... or plural... since it's more than one... youths...) The younger generation is taking over. My friend was helping her mom write a resume. I was teaching my grandmother how to send email. My sister sets up my dad's cell phone. These are things some would assume adults to teach the kids. (Technically, my friend, my sis and myself aren't children... but in the elders eyes, ya know.)

I thought about this as I was assisting my mother in teaching my grandmother how to get around the Internet. She couldn't figure out why or how people could spend all day on it. I recently set her up with her own email address so she can get in contact with her sisters, and even her daughters (one is in PA, the other VA). It was an interesting experience teaching her something that seems to come naturally to me. Not that I've been emailing since I came from the womb, but to have such vast knowledge of how what has become commonplace to society, and to teach others who aren't that familiar, it's kind of an incredible feeling. This woman who makes some of the best food, gave me some of my first acting lessons, and showed me what love for family is all about, and here I am able to give back and teach her something.

Her, my mom and I had some laughs. She was using my dad's laptop and had to use the touch pad. Both my grandmother and mom don't like it that much. I'm liking it more than having a mouse... well, until I get Photoshop or something. But it's little things like clicking on the buttons or getting your cursor to where you need it to be. And I'm not teasing her or anything, it's just that its new and it takes some getting used to.

So the younger generation is taking over and leading the way for both the older and the even youngerer generations to come. And yes, I'm hinting and linking to something bigger like politics. Let the younger guy come in with some new and fresh ideas. C'mon, you know you wanna.

Speaking of that, hopefully I'll be registered in time. It occurred to me a couple weeks ago that I was still registered to vote in New York, when I was schooling at Purchase at the time. Since I don't have plans of going back, nor did I want to take an hour to drive there, vote, and drive back... I figured to just register like a normal person. For some silly reason, I was under the impression I was already registered. I don't know why. But hopefully I'm good to go. So then I do my civic duty, then I'll sit in front of CNN for the rest of the night. I know I probably wouldn't have to, but they have the best political news team. CNN and Comedy Central. Oh yes, I need my Daily and Colbert. However, I have a tough time choosing between Colbert and Leno. I need my nightly news mockings.

Moreover, never have I been so sick of hearing a simple name in the span of 24 hours. You know it... Joe the Plumber. My sweet Lord in Heaven. EVERYONE talked about it. Everyone. And some of the jokes were pretty funny, so I didn't really mind it all that much at first. Yes, he's now the most famous plumber in America. At least there's a face to this guy other than Joe Six-pack who I'm still trying to figure out if he has six pack abs or six pack of beer. I'm thinking the latter. The average guy doesn't have a six pack. ...It's actually a wish the average guy has a six pack. The average girl probably wishes that too. Anyway, I knew I was in trouble when I heard the joke that Joe the Plumber has had more interviews in one day than Palin has had since she was chosen. I heard that four times. Then the truths about Joe started coming out. He's not licensed. He wouldn't really be affected by such and such and blah blah... I'm losing interest talking about it now. Plus I'm feeding into what I don't like. I'm already considering erasing what I typed. Self-loathing? Now I'm depressed. Thanks a lot Cat Stevens! I'm going to go sit in a dark corner now.

Actually, it's lunch time so I'm going to go find nutrients. Later, I'm going to go to work. Office work. I know, I know... I have Fridays off. But I've been behind in my numbers the last couple weeks and I have a reputation (ahem). So I'll sign on for a minute and finish up some unfinished business. I just got promoted! I can't suddenly look like a slacker. Unless I finished all my work early, then and only then can I waste time playing sudoku or window shopping on Amazon.

if you haven't know-ticed...

See that? What I did there with the title? Word play. I love it!


I couldn't wait until Friday so I decided to just post about it now that I did a wee bit of redesigning to my blog. Notice the sidebar (if you are actually looking at the actual page and not reading from a RSS or emailed directly to you, you don't see any change whatsoever and you must immediately check it out... by the way, I love you people who are using the RSS or emailing system, I love you dearly from the basements of my heart.)


Now as I discuss what's on the sidebar, I'm going to go in the order of they are presented as of right now. First, there's the chance to be apart of the Workforce. Or be an Indoober, if you will. I don't really want to use that term, it reminds me of Goober and it makes me think of The Andy Griffith Show. Not a show I really want to be compared with. The pace of that show... How about Indoobians? I like that one. Be an Indoobian in the Workforce and click to be a follower.


Next is the subscribe buttons so you can read my posts and comments via a reader. I have subscribed to a bunch of other blogs this way, although I tend to go directly to their page. I actually forget I have a Google and Yahoo RSS readers.


My Blog List is sort've defines itself. They are my favorite blogs I like reading. And there's a nifty feature that displays the first few lines of said post. So I'm warned what I'm about to get into. I also know when there's a new post. Again, I tend to forget I have RSS programs to tell me that. I'm still a little new with the RSS thing.


I have two polls on my blog right now. Both are serious questions about non-serious things, but I'm curious to know what you, the reader, think, because I care. I want your vote! I apologize, I almost went into a political mode. With all these politicos going on, I can't help but to do the confused doggy head tilt when news networks unveil the latest poll saying who's up and by how many points. Why? For one thing, the numbers aren't always the same when you change the channels. Perhaps they're close... but really... who can you believe? The other reason I try to ignore polls is because I know the technique in how some sources get their answers. WORD PLAY. It's all in the wording of the questions pollsters might ask to get a desired response. Is this the truth all the time? No. Fortunately, lately, they've been asking different questions like "What VP has the best hair?" And the majority says Palin with the next answer being "undecided." Lastly, the other reason I'm so-so on the polls is I don't know who they are asking. Again, sometimes they'll tell you "This survey was conducted on our website" but sometimes, they just throw the numbers out there to watch you react. The main numbers I'm concerned about are the actual votes on Election Day.


I digress. That has nothing to do with my polls. I'm asking questions about Christmas shopping and Seinfeld.


The live traffic feed is something I kinda stole from my friend Jaden over at Screenwriting for Hollywood. First of all, that's a great place for movie information, especially from a screenwriting point of view. And as a young scribe, I can learn a lot from someone who has been in the business and has experience to guide both beginners and professionals alike. I forgot what I was talking about... oh yes, the live traffic feed. There's a nifty little map on the sidebar that shows all the hits from all over the world of visitors to this site. I wanted one too. I know I only get maybe two hits a week, but still, those two hits matter to me. So it wouldn't be exact copying, I decided to choose the option of showing me the flag and where my visitor came from. There are more little things to click on to show you a big map, how long ago they visited, where they clicked from, stuff like that.

The next one is "What's iSaac Doing?" It's all in caps, so I broke it down for you... iSaac is my iPod. 95% of the time, iSaac is wherever I am. Maybe 55% of the time, iSaac is playing something. How these little feature thing works, I have to have iTunes on and running in order for my little gadget to say what iSaac is currently playing, even though iSaac might not be playing anything at all. The POINT is that this shows what iSaac could be playing. Plus, I leave my laptop on all the time. So I decided to let iTunes run all the time so it'll look like there's always some music playing on my blog. Obviously you as a reader can't hear it... that costs money. Someday... The Indoob Workforce Radio with iSaac and DJ sterling silver. And yes, that show would be awesome.

Ya know what else would be awesome? If the official Black American Flag looked like this:

That has nothing to do with my sidebar. I just remember seeing it in a music video and recently in the latest VIBE magazine. I'm really pro-diversity and love for the mixing and mingling of all races and backgrounds... but we all have backgrounds and this flag looks pretty cool to say "Hey, I'm a Black American." Political correctness would have me say African American, but what does that say about Jamaicans and Haitians? Or even black folk in England? Huh? HUH? Just curious. Plus I can say yes if Eddie Izzard asks if I have a flag (watch Dressed to Kill).


The next three parts of my sidebar have been there since I started the blog. My Behance badge, which features my profile and a quick way to read my poetry or any other works. It's a great way for artistic and creative people to get together with one another. MySpace wishes they had it like this. Evidently, this is how I found Melissa's Writing Forward. The next is my "Bio" which I may actually add a bit more to later. But the sentence sums me and this blog up... in a sentence. Heh... Then its the acrive so you can trace me back to the beginning of the blog. Woot!


Unrelated--my last post was about poverty and a charity I like is ONE.org. Check them out, they are doing great things that doesn't get media attention... except their own commercials. Anyway, I forgot to mention another great cause-- FreeRice.com! It's fun, educational and helpful! "Fun and education? I don't believe it!" Believe it sir or ma'am or thing. It started out with a fun word game that everytime you picked the right synonym, they'd donate 20 grains of rice. Then you work your way up the levels. Obviously the higher you go, the harder the words. Words you never hear unless you have a pompous college professor who speaks over your head anyway. I actually cheated from level 30 to level 36 before I switched subjects. There's chemistry (I skipped that), Spanish and other languages, math, and grammar. Math is the easiest with the multiplication... and it's the fastest way to rack up rice points. The 20 grains add up. And I did my bit of charity today by playing the game for an hour. You know how much rice I raised? 10,000 grains. No, it wasn't easy. But I fed a couple wee children. I may have missed out on an hour of work... but one of our systems was down anyway. I say all that to say this: go there. Feel stupid for not knowing words nobody important knows anyway all for a good cause! Special shout out to Kathy who told me about it first.


I don't know how long I'll keep this part: The moon pic of the day. I have a thing for the moon. I'm a nocturnal creature. I don't howl at it (anymore) but I do love to stare up at it. Sometime write poetry in it's majestic bluish light. It's nice. I like it. The pics? They're okay. I just wanted to try something new. Furthermore, if you scroll down (or just hit "End" on your keyboard), you'll see "Woot! Watcher." It won't take you long to figure out why I have this on my blog. If you've read most of my posts, you would know why. If you don't, just read the previous paragraph and you'll find one of my catchphrases. The things featured in the section are sometimes woot-worthy by my standards. But really, I don't care. I check it once in a while. Right now there's a Dyson vacuum. I like their commercials but you have to be outside your mind if you think I'll pay over $300 for a vacuum. Actually it might be $600. I can't remember. It's been that long since I've worked for the Mart, and yes, they would sell them. Somehow.


These are my updates, so now you know. Follow, subscribe, read my friends, vote, vote again, stalk, read what I hear, read stuff I do, read about me, read what my past, and howl at the moon. Woot!

the nice-ities in life

Ya know what I like? A glass of ice, cracking open a can of Sprite, and pouring my beverage into the glass from a ridicuously high point just to watch it streamline and crash and slash onto the ice below. And of course to witness the bubbles and foaming. I think that's part of the soda expereince. I'm sure there are quality control department personel devoted to this part in the enjoyment process, with clip boards in hand and little rulers measuring the fizz level, timers to see how long it stays bubbly, and microphones tune to hear the crackling and popping. I'm sure of it. They do that for Starbucks coffee. Apparently I watch too much History Channel.

So I got a promotion today. I think I keep saying this... but a lot has happened in the past year. I held 2 jobs for about 4 months, I was in a play on TOP of those 2 jobs. I had went from being a temp to being hired full time with a raise and benefits. I transitioned to a new department. Then I transitioned to work at home. Then I wrote a script in a month! (Thanks Jaden) Then I baked some cookeis and ordered pizzas. Then I saved a bunch of money by switching my car insurance POLICY. (Same company, and it helps to talk to these people instead of ignoring their calls. And no, I'm not with Geico. Or AIG.) Then I ordered my new iPod. I made it back to gym finally, again. Then I got a thngy in the mail for attending a meeting that I didn't attend. (There will be a seperate post about that later.) Then I got promoted with a raise. Then my friend will take me out to lunch to celebrate even though she doesn't know yet. But she's offering to pay, and she's got a strong craving for the buffet with incredibly lower prices than if we went there for dinner. She's a crazy person. In a good way, of course.

Tonight will be some fine entertainment. Biden vs. Palin. I'm starting to think The Office won't be on. But that's okay... there are so many ways to catch TV shows you missed, I love technology. Speaking of shows, I have pretty much every night planned at 9PM. Wanna know my TV schedule aka when-not-to-bother-me-unless-you-are-watching-the-same-thing?

Monday: Heroes.
Tuesday: Fringe. (If I can help it, I'll catch House, although How I Met Your Mother is a pretty funny show.)
Wednesday: Ghost Hunters & Destination Truth.
Thursday: 30 Rock & The Office.
Friday: (I think) Hole in the Wall... until Psych comes back on in January. But that's at 10. So I'd watch Monk just because.
Now some of these times or shows are subject to change, and I'm not always home at 8PM to watch whatever may be on at that time. And Fridays are always gambles because I like to remind myself I have friends or a life outside of my house. Or movies.

Well I need to get back to work before it's lunch time. I'm not where I want to be with my quota just yet. I must make sure I stay worthy of my promotion, ya know? I better get more Spite.