Remembering My Alma Mater: A Reflection

I never really got an opportunity to reflect on my undergraduate years. I graduated last December and immediately started on my Master's. Yes, that was the plan but it all went so fast. I remember holding back tears at graduation which wanted to flow so freely. I thought I had found brotherhood only when I arrived to Atlanta. However, I realized that was not the case. I found that brotherhood my first-year at EIU as a transfer sophomore. I had one of the coolest R.A.'s Andy who truly made the floor community come alive. At that time I was also the Hall Council Executive Board member and I enjoyed organizing things for our hall. All those on 4-South (before renovation) were cool as hell. Shoutouts to: Chris, Zach, Darryl, Hall Council President, Assistant Resident Hall Director, Senior English major, Mark, Joe, Maurice (Fly Guy) and a few others I don't know by name but know by face.

I missed the times when I would walk up the stairs to my floor and say wassup to everyone. That type of brotherhood is truly priceless and I am grateful that I met all the guys who made it a great experience. White, black, and brown folks were all enduring college. I remember all the guys on the executive board would eat dinner every now and then. In that type of environment, you often forgot about racism and prejudice issues.

Reflecting back...I remember walking down the long sidewalks on campus (North Quad, Library Quad, South Quad) during the afternoons and at night..when there was few or no one outside. I enjoyed walking by myself and thinking about life and where I was headed.

Reflecting back....I recall getting up and often running in the cold working my shift in the early mornings at the library on certain days. Then of course, Senior year I remember always running to the dining hall, trying to beat the clock as I clocked in late! Lol.

Reflecting back...I remember my JOOD times in Taylor Hall Sophomore Year or Junior Year. LOVELY and often sad memories in Douglas Hall before I moved there. Then of course the GOOD LIFE in Thomas Hall (where I originally resided sophomore year)

Reflecting back...seeing my college mate Chris wrapped in a towel walking down the hall..YESSIR! LOL Totally respecting Mark and his very military-style organized room. I enjoyed our talks whenever ran into each other. One of the coolest white guys.

Senior Year: Fall Semester was by far the best semester at EIU. I had the "ideal" roommates, (2 gay(really bisexuals when it came down to it) roomies and 1 straight white roommate). Meeting Keeva (as we both dealt with the deterioration of my dance team). We became close over time and I was so grateful to not only embrace this new friendship but to know that this brother was part of the family. I got the opportunity to actually tell a crush AMONG THE many Ive had in matriculation of school in life that I liked him. He understood and said when he was ready to take on those feelings he would. I think he just hasn't accepted he is part of the family yet but I enjoyed knowing that we were real cool. I enjoyed all the hugs we gave each other (I love hugs SERIOUSLY.) I was grateful knowing that he came to me and ask me about girl issues...

I got my haircut by the coolest and sexiest RA in Taylor Hall. It was truly a pleasure each time he cut my hair and I was very appreciative when he cut my hair before I graduated. I felt the love of brotherhood truly my last semester. I enjoyed my part-time job at the dining hall, co-workers (shoutout to all of them including both Justins, Erica, Eric and my cute Arab co-worker who was the coolest bro and I will miss him truly) my roommates (overall lol), and all some of the brothers on the first floor in Taylor Hall. The 1st floor community in Taylor Hall reminds me of my experience in 4-South Thomas Hall.

I can't forget about my Indian brothers (from India, couldn't speak English very well but it still worked), it was like 4-5 of them and they knew I was gay. I had to tell them after they wanted to ask me about girls lol. I wasn't having dishonesty. I felt (this is just my opinion) they respected me and we would often stay outside and talk. I was extremely grateful to meet them and was very sad when most of them transferred to a school in Chicago. They did share with me some things that were going in India (tragic train crash or bombing) but I appreciated what they shared and told me about their life in India.

The women that were cool...(far fewer but still significant) included: Janiece, Mesha, Avis, Ava, all those in TRiO ambassadors (Raquel, Nicole, Ratisha, Kristin, Josephine), and so many others (Karen, Cleo, Ashley (ZPB) Grad student, and others)

All of my experiences, organizations I was apart of, made it truly worth enduring and enjoying EIU. Everything wasn't always good it's true but the good always outweighed the bad.

Mini-Reflections: First kiss in the library, holding my boy when he needed it, Kappa house party, Zeta Dance-Off, looking at his ass as he walked up the stairs EVERY TIME in those basketball shorts. St. Louis trips, TRiO Support, Alvin Ailey performance, Floor Crawl, Zoos at the bar, DANCING in the studio (future post solely on this) Dance mate's nearly naked body walking down the floor, the after-dance practice night. Walking out of Coleman Hall and seeing all the leaves on the ground..feeling the fall weather and taking it all in. 5 of the best professors who taught me alot which I will never forget (Thank you all from the bottom of my heart)

Whew...it's quite emotional but I wouldn't trade it for the world. EIU: Originally my second choice but the place that I landed at and prevailed.

Does this make any of you reflect on your times at your Alma Mater? Dare to reflect.

**Sidenote**: The reason I bring up brotherhood so much is because my brothers mean SO MUCH to me. I have always wanted for a long time to be able to bond with men. The opportunities I had in undergrad during Hall Council and Thomas Hall pushed me toward the brotherhood I received now while working on my Master's. Now brotherhood is in my cohort and within the the confines of my Professor's African group. His students show so much love and have shown they are there for me. That is real love and I value only what is real and legitimate. Shout out to my brothas at Emory (Sal, Markese, Raphael, Kevin), GSU (Torrence, Lloyd) GSU alum also known as "the crew" Chase, Jeff, Marcus, Nick, and Brandon.

Have a good weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

HOLA: STILL Standing

It's been so much going on. I dont even know where to start. I'm hanging in there. Been dealing with the stresses of school and maintaining sanity during the remainder of this year. It's been so much going on in the world. Ft. Hood, Pakistan suicide bombings, Orlando shooting...I'm hanging in there...it has just been hard. I have learn to think of all my brothas who I can count I'm down and out: J, KB, Michael, Jordan, Darrius, Tye (RIP), Tyrrell, LeAaron, Dion, Drew, Robert Lee, Ochieng, Raphael, Markese, and Drew.

We all have a spiritual connection with each other and thinking of my brothers is helping me get through all the madness...From the bottom of my heart I thank you and I love all my brothers unconditionally (also including my bloggers too).

I just purchased my round-trip ticket for Chicago last night and I am so excited to see my brothers up there. I don't have a whole lot to say honestly. The semester has been a blur and all I can think about is getting out of the A and visiting my brothers. Before I go I wanted you all to check out two links here and here which I read from one of blog brother's site.

Some of the music I just purchased is by The Roots Things Fall Apart and Illadelph Halflife and A Tribe Called Quest from their Album Midnight Marauders. I'm reverting back to the REAL HIP-HOP. Finally I thought I would exit off with my own quote: Don't Forget Those Who Help You Come Along and Don't Forget U because You're The One Who Made It This Far. Peace.

Food Happy, Politics, and Tennis Post-Op

Hey everyone. Food always keeps me in good spirits so I wanted to share with you some of my favorite dishes from two cool women. Also, Food Network Star Rachael Ray is doing excellent work with her Non-Profit Org Yum-O! I highly recommend you guys check it out here.
I think what Rachael is serving as the lead example of those in the food industry (i.e. cooks) to commit to giving back to the community. I like the segment where they feature serving food to the homeless.

The dishes above are all by Martha Stewart. The one on the left is spaghetti carborna. The one on the right is baked Penne with Chicken and sundried tomatoes.

Martha's Cupcakes look amazing and these were among my favorites:



--Tennis Post Op: I know I should've already been on here but hey whatever. School has intersected my time. I know this is extremely late, but this years 2009 US Open had some big upsets. After Serena Williams lost to Kim Clijsters in the semis, I was done with the US Open. I later found out Juan Del Potro defeated US Open Champion and World No. 1 Roger Federer. Neither of the champions could defend their title which SUCKS. However, this leaves more room for folks like Clijsters and Del Potro to grow. Congrats to them both. On a lighter note Venus and Serena were the 2009 US Open Women's Doubles' Champions. They upset the number one seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber. This is the Williams' sisters 3rd Grand Slam doubles' title this year! They are truly racking them up!

Finally, I wanted to touch upon some interesting articles that I found myself reading about on the website Politics Daily. The real politicians are the ones we watch. Check them out here and here.

Politics Daily is an American political journalism web site launched by AOL News in April 2009.^[1] It describes itself as a "political news magazine for the general reader."^[2] Melinda Henneberger, a former Newsweek and New York Times reporter,^[1] is Editor in Chief.^[2] Former Baltimore Sun reporter David Wood, USA Today writer Jill Lawrence, former Washington Post columnist Donna Britt and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet now write for the web site.^[3] Bucking the general trend of layoffs in the media industry due to declining advertising revenue in the late-2000s recession, Politics Daily had hired 22 professional writers and journalists by the end of April 2009,^[4] with some reportedly earning salaries over US$100,000 annually.^[1]

That's all for now. Enjoy Your Thursday!

We're Scared of Ourselves Now? How Can We Protect Us From Us? Part 2

Hey everyone. Honestly, I know that perhaps the second part of my title "How Can We Protect Us From Us" sounds crazy but I am sure many can relate. These are our people and yet these children (most who are in gangs or involved in these violent acts are between 18-25 in my opinion) are living in an environment many times where no one cares about them. So they survive on their own and as they get involved in mischief and petty crimes, these things escalate into murder or manslaughter.

I wrote a paper in my Seminar for Africana Women's Studies course in which I argued that loving ourselves (and our children) will save our race. We are out here scared of children who HONESTLY scared too. I don't want to go on a rant forever because it would seem pointless. RIP to Mr Albert and I found an updated article on Mr. Albert's death here. I highly recommend you all check out the article and give your thoughts about violence with our black youth. Two comments I took noticed to and wanted to share with you all:

Comment #1

Last fall in 2009, Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan experienced the tragic and senseless loss of one of its fine students, David Witherspoon. The result of a drive-by shooting, allegedly committed by a recent graduate of another nearby high school, a young man whose potential and promise reportedly dimmed as his path had gone awry in the streetsof the city, a young man whose own life ended by suicide soon after as law enforcement surrounded his motel hideout within days of the earlier shooting. He was suspected of participating in that murder, which had unfathomably interrupted a warm, sunny Fall Friday afternoon, with kids of all ages streaming homeward from their neighborhood's high, middle, and elementary schools, a big home football game only hours off, families awaiting their children, planning their weekends and beyond. These awful events shocked the city, broke the hearts of David's family and friends, puzzled teachers and administrators who knew both the victim and the alleged killer, and deeply affected all who felt the community's sorrow. To understand these ongoing atrocities, which continue to claim the lives of children here and elsewhere in this great nation, to counter these demoralizing acts of violence against kids by kids, often themselves too young to appreciate the true gravity of the differences between real life and the fiction of video reels, to bear the burden and shame for having failed to protect what can't be replaced, these challenges must take priority over other foreign concerns and insurgencies. We must deal with our own problems, raise all of our kids with equal determination, not only teach the values of fair play and opportunity but demonstrate in real ways the means by which our kids can work together to solve problems and resolve conflicts amicably and with the spirit of brotherhood. Keeping the ruinous lies and temptations of the gangster vultures from ruining their innocence and dreams should always come first, before its too late.

Comment #2
Violence among young kids is out of control. Two weeks ago while waiting for a train in Dallas, I came across a gang of about 20 middle school kid attacking and beating the heck out of another middle school kid. They had him on the ground, had ripped off his shirt and were kicking and beating him with their fists. The group included both boys and girls. I pulled them off of him allowing him time to run while one of the kids pushed me and tried to intimidate me. I called 911 but the dispatcher transferred the call to the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) police wasting valuable time so that they could respond to a crime at one of the DART stations. The kid realized I was not going to run from him so he backed off and I jumped on the first train to come by. I was confused and accidentally got on the train headed in the wrong direction and had to change trains at the next station. As it turned out, the vicitm was on that train and I had a chance to speak to him. Later after I was on the right train heading home, I saw the group of kids on the train and they came over again to try and intimidate me so I again called 911. DART police responded at a station a few stops down and I identified two of the most aggressive kids and they were taken off the train. Nothing however, was done to them. The rest of the group continued on to downtown and for the most part behaved until their stop. They then got off the train and proceeded to go cause trouble downtown. While on the train, I made a note of one of the kids' school ID badge and called the principal at his alternative school but nothing happened. I called the victim's school and again, nothing happened. The assistant principal did not return my phone call. These were 14 year old kids! The one removed from the train is going to wind up in prison or dead after he turns 18. He and his buddies were doing chin ups on the train trying to intimidate me but they backed off because I didn't turn and run. If I had, I'm sure that they would have acted like a pack of wild animals and attacked me. I certainly understood Bernard Goetz actions as the NYC vigilate in the mid-80s. The problem is that people fail to take action; they don't get involved. I could have been hurt by helping the young boy being beaten but I was lucky. I'm going to look into the possibility of a stun gun just in case. Oh and I forgot to mention that I believe it was a hate crime. The attackers were African-American and the victim was Hispanic.

My final thoughts on the Albert case is the following. 1) Declaring a call to action is only a political stunt in my opinion to comfort parents that something "SHOULD" be done but many times will not. 2) Jesse Jackson being in front a family whose son is dead does not change violence on the streets, or other children being killed in poor neighborhoods. 3) If school administrators and parents are not forming coalitions to stop this madness and TAKE A STAND then silence will remain and violence will continue. My brothers and sisters, our young people should not feel unsafe walking home from school or headed somewhere else. WE CANT DECIDE TO CARE AFTER SOMEONE IS DEAD. WE NEED TO ALWAYS CARE AND LOOK OUT FOR ALL THESE CHILDREN. Neighborhood associations, school administration, police taskforce, and parents have to SAY I CARE ABOUT THESE KIDS and show it. Otherwise violence will continue with no avail.

We're Scared of Ourselves Now? How Can We Protect Us From Us? Part 1

Hey everyone. I'm sorry I have not been recently posting. I got sick over weekend and its been a battle ever since. Please keep me in your thoughts as I continue to find my strength and get engaged back in my studies.

(Board--A little tougher and heavier but similar to the board Derrion was hit with)
(Gun--9mm I'm not sure what Ms. Lynn was shot with but I wanted to post this image of a gun as showing how her untimely death happened)

Thanks Poetik from Facebook and Twitter for telling me about this!

Derrion Albert -16 GONE TOO SOON (Murdered Last Thursday September 24th.)

First I WANT TO SAY RIP TO Derrion Albert who was beaten to death on camera in Chicago. The incident was HORRIFIC TO SAY THE LEAST.

Here are some of the comments FROM THE PAGE (for all those who can't comprehend that these are not my views) that I find very truthful, and I'm not even from Chicago but I am a native from Illinois:

--for years, i lived down the street from a chicago public high school, frantically calling police every time one of these melees went down (once a week!) and taking innocent bystanders into my house . . . if the cops did show, it was one car that sped down the street and kept going . . . when i did talk to the police at community meetings, they didn't seem to understand why i would care about a bunch of gang bangers and advocated that i just "let them kill each other"

the problem in chicago is that most cops and the politicians don't send their kids to public school, and they just plain don't give a damn about the kids who d

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/beating-death-of-derrien_n_301319.html

o.

--I am so heartbroken. To see the last moments of this young man's life senseless torn from him by the edge of a board. The thing that angers me the most is that with all the screaming and videos, who took the time to say this is out of hand, let's call the police. What would have happened if just one person had said from the beginning, "Someone call the police," instead of waiting till the boy was down and stopped moving to cry for help. My heart sank. On several occasions this boys life could have been saved. What took the people inside the building so long to come out and help?

Until we begin to care about ourselves, we will never care about anybody else. If we don't teach our youth to value their own lives, they will never see the value of someone else's. My prayers go out to Derrion's family. There were more than 3 individuals involved with this and I hope they all are prosecuted for this young man's death. Even if it was one punch... they were involved!!! May God keep you all. Rest Easy young man!!!

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/beating-death-of-derrien_n_301319.html

-Oh, but this society DOES condone savage behavior, my good friend. Over half a million Iraqis are dead because society condoned sending our military to invade and occupy another country for absolutely no reason, just filthy lies.

We can't expect our youth to behave much better than the example set by our leaders.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/27/beating-death-of-derrien_n_301319.html

I feel sometimes as a RACE we are so caught up IN EVERYTHING ELSE but our own people and it''s UNREAL HOW FAR OUT OF SYNC WE ARE NOW! Listen to me and let's be real about this: Many of those involved in the fighting are coming from MULTIPLE BROKEN HOMES...mothers who are too young to parent or those mothers who threw their sons out because he disrespected her house.

So now brothas go to gangs for "protection, drugs (sell and use), engaging in violent crimes" and not giving a damn WHO DIES ALONG THE WAY.. Now Mr. Albert (hopefully because i know the case is still under investigation) was somehow caught up in all of this...WHO WAS THIS FRIEND HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE? Whatever the case his life was lost as his SKULL WAS BASHED IN.

Now we are all scared, MANY IN CHICAGO I'm sure are or many are so used to it that it numbs them. One of the commenters said it all happen so fast so how could they possibly know that was going to happen? THESE VIOLENT ACTS ARE SO PREDICTABLE with the rate of someone getting shot or beaten to death at 95%. Black families in Chicago, for those who have lost a loved one due to GANG VIOLENCE, you know all too well how this situations ends up playing out. HOPEFULLY FOR THE ALBERT FAMILY, THESE CHARGES WILL STICK AND IF DEATH PENALTY CHARGES HAPPEN...WELL LET JUSTICE BE DONE (In the sense of punishment)

Here it is 2009 and 4-6 year old boys worship rap artists like Lil Wayne memorizing all the lyrics, and even sagging! They RESPECT HIM MORE THAN their parents and family. (I've seen it) All some of the kids hear in their house is cussing, fighting, drugs, and dysfunctionalism. (Are you HEARING ME AS IM TYPING THIS: THE BIGGER MESSAGE?) So they copy their big brothers, cousins, uncles and even fathers (who may end up locked up or dead) The mother tells her children to go to school but gives her kids no values on why school is important. Having no one to teach him how to live, he does not understand why school is important and so he dropouts (whatever anger, pain, sadness, frustration, ignorance all balled up and hidden for years I'M SURE.) The result ends up being these boys who killed Derrion Albert.

I have to agree with my best friend (whose sister was murdered) when he stated that: Those who kill other people's family should die the same way they killed the person. That way people would learn about killing someone else. HARSH YES. However, His sister, Mr. Albert, or Ms. Lynn can not come back. Is it God's will to let everyone deal savagely like Brotha Albert had to die? I don't think so. Society is teaching these new generations to value everything BUT THEMSELVES and when U DONT KNOW how to value yourself, U HAVE NO VALUE FOR OTHERS AND THEY BECOME TARGETS for tragedies like this.

Finally, Can We Protect US from Us? I remember seeing the First 48 on A&E and it is really so terrifying for me to see that the neighbors are so terrified about revealing information to police because they don't want to be the next victim. So nothing gets done. The person's murderer is still out on the loose and the murder case goes in a file...BY THE WAY FIRST 48 ARE REAL PEOPLE DYING not fake ones like Cold Case. How can we as a people save ourselves from each other, when we are the ones AS THE WOLVES IN SHEEPSCLOTHING and will rip our brothers and sisters to shreads without any thought proccess of it. We don't even know who to trust no more.

I'm claiming DERRION ALBERT as my BROTHA because hes OUR RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN JASMINE LYNN DIED, seeing that was completely unreal and SEEING THIS WAS EVEN WORSE. I ask you fellow readers, fellow BLOGGERS, when are we going to step up and be our BROTHER'S AND OUR SISTER'S KEEPER? ASK YOURSELF THAT?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? I WANNA HEAR WHAT YOU ALL THINK OF THIS TRAGEDY AND THESE ISSUES INVOLVING THE BLACK COMMUNITY. That's all for now. Part 2 coming soon.

RIP DERRION ALBERT (9/24/09)
RIP JASMINE LYNN (9/3/09)

My VMAs Review

I just want to briefly talk about this "Russell Brand" Host. First of all, he was horrible. As I stated on Twitter, this Willie Wonka was giving me death with the suit and hair. I was just floored and digusted to say the LEAST. So many people they could've asked and they choose this pathetic soul. Come on MTV, you guys could've done better forreal.

Okay so, this year's VMAS (even though I usually don't watch the VMAS) had plenty of DRAMA and I'm sure gave MTV life in publicity. But I digress. Anywho..So let's just start with the nominations that mattered:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Britney Spears, “Womanizer”
Eminem, “We Made You”
Kanye West, “Love Lockdown”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

Winner: Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" Yes of course SHE DESERVED TO WIN THIS AWARD THE VIDEO AND CHOREOGRAPHY WERE BRILLIANT ALL AROUND. I WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY WHEN I HEARD she won.

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Kelly Clarkson, “My Life Would Suck Without You”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
P!nk, “So What”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”

Winner: Taylor Swift "You Belong With Me"

Now let's pause for a minute...WHO ACTUALLY KNEW WHO TAYLOR SWIFT WAS...(besides the hardcore Taylor Fans who follow her on MTV) Lady Gaga just came out and her video still holds no par to win this nomination. Pink ....We are still wondering "She's still around" she is holding on..(hair now blonde instead of pink) and yes that was a Ki but we are moving on. I would honestly go on a whim and put Katy Perry Hot N Cold as better but TAYLOR SWIFT. I remember thinking WTF ARE U FUCKING KIDDING ME?

BEST MALE VIDEO
Eminem, “We Made You”
Jay-Z, “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”
Kanye West, “Love Lockdown”
Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent”
T.I. feat. Rihanna, “Live Your Life”

Winner: T.I. "Live Your Life"

Yessir. The King of the South (even though he's in jail.) deserved this hands down no doubt! I just think he is real and one of the most hated rap artists but he has more to say than Lil Wayne says any day.

BEST NEW ARTIST
3OH!3, “Don’t Trust Me”
Asher Roth, “I Love College”
Drake, “Best I Ever Had”
Kid Cudi, “Day N’ Nite”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

Winner: Lady Gaga "Poker Face" I honestly thought...Out of all those who were nominated she was the best pick for the new artist so it just worked out.

Now the others...

Best Hip-Hop Video

Winner: Eminem "We Made You"

Really? I saw that video and all he is doing is hating on other people and that is considered the best? Kanye or Jay-Z have way better videos than Eminem and this dude is the same person who got rejected by Mariah Carey...Shame. I just think they were bogus for that. It's cool that he is trying to make a comeback that video was not good enough to win the Best Hip-Hop video let alone be nominated. I'm just saying.

Best Choreography and Best Editing went to Beyonce's Single Ladies which was well deserved. Beyonce kill it in that video and so did those who were involved in putting it together. WORK.

Now the moment we all have been waiting for...

"The Controversy" lol.

So As Taylor Made Swift (lol) was making her speech talking about whatever...Kanye Then Takes the Mic from her, then proceeds to tell her and the audience that Beyonce had the Best Female Video. YEASSSSSSS. I thought it was HILLARIOUS. NO SHADE. Listen, I agree he could've said it at a different time but he didn't. KANYE WEST IS GOING TO DO HIM PEOPLE. Let's not fake the funk. We have already heard outbursts of his before (i.e. Bush hates black people).. People trying to shade and THROW HIM UNDER THE BRIDGE BLAH BLAH! *SHIFT IT!* (IN MY KAREN WALKER VOICE!) People...we could argue about this all day. He said what he said...she was looking pitiful and of course Beyonce gave her another moment of fame to redeem herself after she was GAGGING from Kanye's statement...poor Swift.

But who's the real victim? Beyonce! Hello! She's the one who shouldve won! NO SHADE. Like I said before "WHO IS TAYLOR SWIFT." I didn't get life when she won and I won't get life from her anytime in the future. Sorry. Just saying.

I did see the apology that he wrote regarding the situation and I thought that was good enough. If you didn't see it, check it out on Twitter. It should be circulating all over by now anyway.

Finally (because I need to go to bed lol) The biggest moments of the 2009 VMAs are dedicated to the following individuals:

Madonna

Janet Jackson

Lady Gaga (This was her YEAR. Congratulations!)

Alicia Keyes

Beyonce

Michael Jackson (RIP)

THIS WAS TO ME ONE OF THE BEST VMAS IN A LONG TIME. The tribute performance with Janet Jackson was PHENONMENAL...you just felt his spirit in her and throughout the whole performance. Powerful and emotional. She worked it seriously. Madonna's candid speech was great and I really loved what she had to say. Overall, I'm glad I got the chance to watch it (well the parts I wanted to see lol) For everything that went on please go here. To check out the amazing MJ Tribute performance again go here.
Thanks so much and until next time Later days.

RIP Jasmine Lynn, Pride Weekend

I first had to basically show my condolences to the Lynn family for the lost of Jasmine Lynn of Spelman college who was shot and killed in the grass of my residence hall James P. Brawley Hall last Thursday morning. I was looking out the window when I was watching some of the madness unfold. I did not see the shooter but I did see everyone duck when shots were fired. When everyone who ducked on the grass got up, Jasmine did not. It was so unreal because I had never been around (in this case by window) to see someone shot. Check out the story here.
Even though there is constant shade from the Morehouse-Spelman peeps (not everyone but it exists TRUST) she did not deserve to die. RIP Ms. Lynn (a freshmen at Spelman whose dream was to attend Spelman gone too soon.)

Now Pride Weekend...

09/04 Friday I went to the Piedmont Park nothing major. This picture I took which I didn't even mean to take but when I looked at it, it was amazing. I did not do much on Friday.

9/05 I went to AID Atlanta and ended up meeting Kevin and Charles from the Deeper Love Project. I got my free T-Shirt and now plan to become more involved with them FINALLY. I wanted to get involved last semester but never went over there. I'm making up for lost time now. Check out the website here.
Later, right after I left AID Atlanta I went to the Renaissance Hotel and attended the SBGA (State of Black Gay America Summit). The Theme for this year was "Defining the Black Gay Agenda" "Making Our Presence Known") I was arriving when Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (the keynote speaker) was ending but I did hear some of the things she did say. She mentioned that people are going to have to bring more to the table than BEING GAY. (i.e. being poor, unemployed, etc.)
I came after twittering @loldarian and then of course found out my crew was there!!! (@chaaaase @QuietAsItsKept @bigwedgeofcake and @Nic_E_Rocks) I set with them while the two set of panelists came through.

After this I traveled on the Marta amongst the VTech (Hokies), GTech, and Alabama Football fans who took over the trains and buses for the weekend. I made my way to Lenox Mall where I ended up meeting @_Bewitched also known as JoJo. I was supposed to meet other Tweeters at Lenox but that never happen and I digress about the topic entirely. I ended up leaving later than expected from Lenox and headed back to campus.

Me and my friend @notorious_kes (Markese) went out to 708. He ended up picking me up at the Renaissance Hotel. I never did check out the pool party that was going on. Instead, I went straight to the bar to guzzle down a couple tequila sunrises and one amaretto sour. LOVED IT! I had to change clothes so we went back to his place. Markese also seem to be dealing with some loneliness/depression regarding his school. I'll discuss that in another blog. However, I told him I could relate but never went into detail about how I could. I had alot of fun at the club and did not care for the parking lot scene afterwards. We ended up going home.

9/06 Sweet N Greet. The hosts of the YouTube show "SweetAddictionsTV" (@sweetaddictions) --Candy and SKITTLES had their first Sweet N Greet where ideally YouTubers and Bloggers alike could meet, hangout, and eat some food. I enjoyed meeting Qaadir (@timaya_burrito) TIMAYA from YouTube, BlueyedSimba (same name on Twitter and YouTube) Jowork (same name on Twitter and YouTube such a sweetheart!!!), Kevin (@theskorpion) Theskorpionshow from YouTube and BlogTV, Lonnell 3LWTV(@3LWTV) chocomel911 on YOUTUBE Dramadupree (same name on Twitter and YouTube), Alonzo (same on YouTube), NewNue (@YoBoiNewnue) and one my favorite Tweets Jake!! @JakeJacobsVI (friends with DerrickLBriggs @DerrickLBriggs of Finding Me) --sorry I didn't get to make it to the Hyatt Derrick!! :( and Anthony_y_Tony from Twitter!! Such a cutie!!!

I later met via Twitter, Piedmont Park and BlogTV
Assante (@assante and misterassante on YouTube) WhatsTheT (Same name on Twitter) Nvncyble (same name on YouTube, Twitter, and Blogger) Dariel Pulliam (@DarieLoves) (@blacksocialite)--someone I follow on Twitter, @KlothezMinded (Twitter) hes the cool dude in the blue shirt above.

therealashland (same name on Twitter) was there at the Sweet N Greet but I did not recognize her and therefore missed out on talking! Luckily she stays in ATL so hopefully we can catch up for missed conversation!

NO SHADE TO ANYONE but seeing my bro XemVanAdams (same name on Twitter and YouTube) was by far the best! Now while I did get to take a pic with Xem, I still have to retreive the pic from the person who took it! However, I enjoyed seeing Xem and wished I had more time to really spend with him. I didn't feel like there was simply enough time to have the dialogue that I wanted to engage with him at the Sweet N Greet. Just how you see Xem on YouTube is exactly how he is in person! Absolutely a very cool dude and very DIRECT WHICH I love about him. He will bring you into his circle and overall I love his character, spirit, and energy. Thanks Xem for the ride and I'm glad we met! Hope we can talk again in the future!

I enjoyed listening to the dialogue about celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Beyonce being discussed in depth by the YouTubers and I chimed in a couple of times.

After leaving Sweet N Greet, I traveled to Piedmont Park and well...it was PACKED. I hung out with some of the crew from the Sweet N Greet...and everything was fine until the 2 STAMPEDES...Yes I am not exaggerating where I couldve been trampled had I fallen..I still don't know what caused everyone to run but I learned my lesson after that.

Advice to some regarding Labor Day Weekend:
1)When I am at a location and you decide to use CP Time to delay arriving, you WILL GET LEFT. No Shade, just saying. I HATE waiting on people so just let that be known for the future.
2) Shade seems to stick to SOME CELEBRITY REJECTS. Hun, Listen, don't allow a whole guide of followers to now give U A JUMP START ON BEING CONCEITED. Lord knows it doesn't work for face since it is a KI. (And no I will no reveal who I am talking about lmao.)
3) People tend to choose FAKE over being HUMBLE. Be YOU but also be humble and grateful for what you have accomplished (IF YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING) and for where you are because there are plenty of people who want to be where you are in life. TRUST.

Overall Pride was amazing, I had tons of fun and hope I get the opportunity to go to another big city pride in the future. Shoutouts to Candy and Skittles for putting the Sweet N Greet together! I love meeting you guys and I had alot of fun!!! XEM YOU KNOW I LOVE AND SUPPORT YA 200% and thanks for being YOU!

That's all for now Peeps. Later Days.