The Music of David Bowie

Forget Elvis; lets celebrate the living, breathing musical genius of David Bowie.

Lets groove into the weekend with a few of my favorite songs.







What are your favorite Bowie songs?

Fall Into Bloom

Photos I took in Boston’s Jamaica Plain and Roslindale neighborhoods the week of October 25, 2009.

Summer Diversions: Blue Six

Because it is so hot out today, I just need some chill music.

Summer Diversions: Ike & Tina Turner

In other news...

Yes, believe it or not, there is actually other stuff going on in the world besides the media circus better known as Michael Jackson's death and the quest to find out who inherits what in the will he left behind. Quite frankly, I'm ready to move on from this story, which seems to be get more bizarre by the minute.

Diana Ross???

WTF...

It's funny how in the middle of Iran imploding and North Korea planning to send missiles to US shores, the media has lost all of its senses and done wall-to-wall coverage of MJ. I just about had it last night when I was watching Entertainment Tonight, and the reporter actually asked Ola Ray (MJ's love interest in the Thriller video) if she had sex with him. Talk about low road journalism...but I digress.

So, here is some other news that has been going on:

Iraq (and its discontents)
American troops pulled out of major cities in Iraq this week. But we all know this don't really mean anything to anyone, right? Aren't the Iraqis free now?

From NY Times:

In BASRA, the mood was generally skeptical.

Haider Muhammed Ali, 31, a communications engineer:
“The withdrawal doesn’t represent national sovereignty because the troops will remain at the airport base and will stay inside Iraq.”

Samir Alwan, 28 years, owner of a mini market:

“They will not withdraw to their homes in their country. They will stay here and in emergency cases they would enter the city. So it is not national sovereignty according to my point of view, and I think the Iraqi Army is only able to control the southern areas. They are unable to make Baghdad and Mosul safe.”

Najim Salim, 40 years, a teacher.

“There is no doubt it is not national sovereignty because they will stay inside Iraq in military bases. The Government wants to convince the citizens that there is a withdrawal of foreign troops, although the Government could not protect citizens in some cities in Iraq even with the presence of U.S. forces. So the Government will fail to protect citizens after the withdrawal, and then the Government will ask the foreign troops to come back.”

Ayman Jasim, 37 years, a photographer .

“ I am happy for the withdraw of Americans it is national day and national sovereignty come back again to Iraq. I believe Iraqi troops will control the city and nothing will happen after their withdrawal.”

The gays vs Obama administration
Meanwhile, President Obama is seemingly throwing the gays under the bus with recent decisions on same sex marriage and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Now I know realistic Obama can't come out supporting gay marriage, as most of the country is still against it. However, most Americans are ready to get rid of the military ban on gays.

I have been thinking about this issue for a while. Do you think the hesitation for Obama to support pro-gay initiatives has anything to do with sustaining the black vote in 2012? This might seem silly, but hang on with me here. With such large opposition of same sex marriage in the black community, do you think the first black president fears losing some of his support from his own race if he is seen as being to willing to give in to gay rights? I actually know a few black folks who have said to me recently that Obama is getting "too soft" on supporting gay people.

Vibe magazine is dead
Vibe, the "venerable" hip-hop magazine, shut down yesterday, due to being "the latest victim of the media recession." But other folks are saying that the mostly white management ran it into the ground (thanks for sending that link, Marcy). I say it died because it simply sucked and wasn't relevant anymore. It's funny, I didn't even know it was still in publication...

Cynthia McKinney is out to save the children
And finally news that can by filed under "Embarrassing Black People"

From Washington Post:

The former controversial congresswoman from Georgia has resurfaced - on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea trying to deliver supplies to Gaza.

Israeli forces arrested McKinney and other passengers on board the ship, according to a group called Free Gaza, which said on its Web site that McKinney and the others "have been illegally incarcerated for their solidarity work with Palestine."

The Israeli Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta, however, accused McKinney and her fellow travelers of waging a "reckless political stunt."

McKinney, who ran for president in 2008 as a Green Party candidate, was defeated in 2006, not long after she was accused of punching a Capitol Police officer who mistook her for a tourist. She had made a brief comeback after being defeated in 2002, at which time her father said he blamed the "J-E-W-S" for his daughter's defeat

The "Free Gaza" website, freegaza.org, quotes McKinney as saying that she and her group .

This is an outrageous violation of international law against us," she was quoted as saying. "Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey.

She's right about Gaza, but must she be the spokesperson on this?

Okay, now you can get back to the real news: Now who gets Michael's kids? Katherine Jackson? Debbie Rowe? Diana Ross? Madonna? (she'a adopting these days...)

RIP Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Michael Jackson:

Crazy = Yes
Trailblazer = Yes
Great Dancer = Yes
Pedophile = ???
Musical Genius = Definitely

Summer Diversions: Lauryn Hill

Apparently, summer begins today, but the weather forecast for my hometown is a raw, rainy 60 degrees. Nonetheless, I still want to be hopeful for a better day.

"Everything is everything...What is meant to be, will be...After winter, must come spring...Change, it comes eventually"

Summer Diversions: Rolling Stones

Summer Diversions: Jill Scott live

Going Back to Cali!

I am traveling to California the next two weeks!

Doing the trip, I will be attending 09NTC to tune up my tech skills. Following that I will also start my fellowship in LA.

Of course, I will be seeing many of you for consults!

I will be blogging my adventures. See you in Cali!

No. 1 Ladies airs on HBO

No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency premieres this Sunday night on HBO. I saw this last year in England, and it's great. Check out the great performances by Jill Scott and Idris Elba (who was also fab on Thursday night's episode of The Office). You all know the drill from me - support positive black programming when its on because you know how rare it is!

Spring Diversion: Jazzanova

It doesn't exactly feel like spring yet, but I will take anything that isn't snow these days. Here is some Jazzanove to help spring forward!

Almost Spring Diversion:Stardust

Despite the fact that there is about two feet of snow on my doorstep, I still say music sounds better with you! (I know its corny, but whatever...)

Racism, Poverty and Hollywood

So, tonight is a big night in Hollywood. I won't be watching tonight. The Oscars have been such snore-fest in recent years. Furthermore, since none of the films I like don't have any real chance of winning anything, why bother? I will just watch the highlight clips on YouTube tomorrow.

Plus, I don't think I can bare watching rich people spending exorbitant amounts of money on parties and fancy dresses, considering the state of the economy. Wouldn't it be cool if one of the winners gets on stage tonight and denounce Hollywood for not being fiscally responsible as unemployment is the highest it has ever been.

Even the stars of Slum Dog Millionaire haven't benefited from the film's popularity.

Speaking of political activism at the Oscars, one of the most memorable moments in the award show's history was when Sacheen Littlefeather/Maria Cruz presented a speech on behalf of actor Marlon Brando, for his performance in The Godfather, when he boycotted the 46th Academy Awards ceremony in protest of the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry.

Specifically, Brando was protesting how Hollywood and mainstream media had at that time portrayed Native Americans around the events of Wounded Knee.

As far as I am concerned, not much has really changed since 1973 in how people of color are portrayed in the media.

Obama Memorabilia = $$$$

If you haven't noticed, President Obama has not been having a good week. (And big-ups to Katie Couric for her hard hitting questions!)

Now that I am getting older, I need to start thinking about saving more stacks in my bank account for retirement. Unlike Tom Daschle, I don't have the luxury to get away with not paying up to Uncle Sam annually. Also, with the down economy these days, even less money is being saved and actually going towards my rising rent and bills.

So, I have discovered a way to invest in my future. What better way to make money than to invest in Obama memorabilia! Hey, if the US government would rather give bailouts to corporate executives than to average Americans, I need to get my own hustle on.

From American Society of Appraisers:

Holders of a Barack Obama button or a McCain-Palin bumper sticker may want keep their collectibles in a safe place, as items from the historic 2008 elections may become valuable memorabilia in years to come, appraisal experts who are members of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) advise.

They say campaign memorabilia may likely increase in value over the years, depending on election outcomes, an office-holders’ legacy, or the events that shape an administration. Not only was this an historic presidential election, but there were scores of pivotal House, Senate and gubernatorial races. It was also the first time a former first lady ran for president.

“The value of an item comes after the campaign is over,” said Allan Stypeck, a 35-year personal property appraiser and member of the American Society of Appraisers. “Political memorabilia is so much a part of this country.”

Paula Hantman, Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers, said a president’s profile plays a large part in the value of memorabilia. Hantman also said the rarer the item—such as an inaugural address or a pen used to sign an important document--will become more valuable. A PT109 tie tac from the Kennedy legacy is less valuable because there are a large number of them available through various commercial outlets.

Stypeck, an ASA Accredited Senior Appraiser who appraised the holdings of Fords’ Theater in Washington, D.C. that houses an exhibit on President Abraham Lincoln, said the history of items plays a large part in an object’s value. Items from the term of Willliam Henry Harrison hold particular value, Stypeck said, because the president died only 30 days into office.

Another key determinant in the value of political memorabilia is its desirability. Hantman and Stypeck said if an item is mass produced or in wide circulation, it won’t be worth as much. Stypek added that as electronic campaigning becomes more popular, there are fewer tangible collectibles whose values may rise.

The rarer the item, the more value it holds. Stypeck counts a jug commemorating the inauguration of George Washington as the nation’s first president as one of the oldest items he’s appraised.

Now you have to figure that Obama being the first black president, anything with his name on it is solid gold. So, for the last few weeks, I have been collecting a lot of commemorative magazines, mostly from the black press like Ebony, Essence and the local black newspaper, as well as an assortment of Obama campaign buttons, literature and bumper stickers, which I am wrapping in plastic and putting in a undisclosed place so I can peddle them on Ebay in 20 years. Or even better, I can be featured on Antiques Roadshow with my collectibles.

But I am not that desperate...

Check out some of the other "memorabilia" people are putting out:



Now this is getting a little out of hand.

Random Gordon Ramsay Ridiculousness

If you who love watching Gordon Ramsay and his TV cooking antics, you will love this parody. While I do find some of his shows to be a bit sexist, I have to admit that he is mad funny.



Also, do you love the theme music to Gordon Ramsay's F-Word as much as I do? Well, the song is done by the UK band Blackbird

Winter Diversions: Frankie Beverly and Maze

Just because I need blissful dancing music right about now.

Global Wire Hearts Wyclef Jean Part II

If you needed yet another reason to like Wyclef Jean the humanitaran, check out a piece on him from last night's 60 Minutes.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Obama is aging and needs bliss

All U.S. presidents physically age more rapidly during their tenures due to the pressures the office puts forth. However, President-elect Barack Obama's aging process will hasten exponentially because of the troubling economy and the ongoing war on terror, and not to mention the stress of being the first black leader of the free world.

From CNN:

..."Chronic stress can produce lots of wear and tear on the body," said James A. McCubbin, a Clemson University professor of psychology and senior associate dean of the College of Business and Behavioral Science. "This is what we see in the changes in the appearance in the beginning and end of the presidency."

Roizen points to the experience of Ronald Reagan.

"When Reagan came into office, he stood up absolutely straight. He was joking and incredibly quick-witted about current events. When he left office, he was hunched over. The age signs on face was there. His jokes were those of olden days rather than current events," he said...

While it was obvious that he was aging during the last few months of the campaign, Obama regularly exercises and has a healthy diet including arugula and Hawaiian pizza, which will contribute to his longevity (of course this is based on him staying away from cigarettes).

Like me, I think he needs more bliss in his life.



I saw the above image on the back cover of the February 2009 Yoga Journal the other day at the gym. The president-elect and I have many things in common; we are both embarking on work this year that will create much physical and emotional tension. For me, I am thinking about doing more exercise, maintaining my diet and experimenting with yoga.

I am even looking more closely at Eastern philosophies these days. No, I am not going Buddhist anytime soon, but this quote interests me.

The Drepung Loseling Institute states:

"Like all major religions, Buddhism contains an explanation of the origin of existence, a morality, and a specific set of rituals and behaviors. ... Buddhism presents a transformational goal, a desire to improve one's situation, and a distinct moral code."

I can already see more chanting opportunities in the Oval Office.

2009 Hangover Lounge

For this year's hangover lounge, we are taking a more chill approach to ringing in 2009. The song is called Mavis by Eden and you can find this song on BUDDHA BAR VOLUME 3 - CD 1. I am not generally into resolutions, but 2009 is my year to have more bliss.

Just relax and enjoy.