Working Sabbatical

I know I haven't updated the ole blog here in awhile, and I'll blame it on my job. Also, I've been feeling hugely uninspired in the past few weeks, which is crazy considering all of the major events that have gone on. I'll get right.

For now:
uninspired

adjective
1. having no intellectual or emotional or spiritual excitement;

Tell Me When To Go,
OSharif82

Tough Guy

bang,
OSharif82

Ed Bradley Remembered...

Ed Bradley, best known for his work on CBS' 60 Minutes, died on November 09, 2006 of Leukemia at the age of 65. A consummate professional, Bradley was a trailblazer in the field of journalism, characterized by his engaging personality, investigative approach, and of course, his earring. For decades, Bradley was a notable and prominent African-American journalist who served as an inspiration to many, including myself.

During the course of his career, Bradley won a number of awards, including 19 Emmy awards (Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2003), a Peabody award, a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award, and a Lifetime Achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Bradley covered many controversial, influential, and historic events worldwide, ranging from the Vietnam War to the Columbine shooting.

He will truly be missed.


R.I.P.
OSharif82

Drinking the Koolaid...

"I wear a mean, dark pair of shades...and you can't see my eyes, unless my head is bent..."
-Jim Jones "We Fly High"

Around many a schoolyard, college campus, work place, or shopping mall, you are very likely to hear the word, "Ballin" yelled out at any given moment. You can blame this guy, Jim Jones, for that epidemic, courtesy of his hit single "We Fly High". And I have to admit, even I have begun to drink the Kool-Aid, and have been infected with Tourette syndrome of the Ballin variety.


Some people may remember that another Jim Jones (who happened to wear a mean, dark pair of shades as well) also had people drinking Kool-Aid in his day. 914 members of Jones' Peoples Temple cult committed mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana at the behest of Mr. Jones.

And although the modern-day Jim Jones is developing a cult-like following, his movement isn't likely to result in death (except of hip-hop, depending on who you ask). In my opinion, Jones has breathed life into the rap game, in resurrecting the New York rap scene on a national stage, and by his all-out challenge to the "CEO of Hip-Hop", Jay-Z.

And similar to the Jigga man's ability to set trends, Jim Jones has left a mark with his "Ballin" chant, in a "Giant" way.



no lie, you know it,
OSharif82

One Nation?

Looks like Bush is developing a bit of a headache. There's a good chance that Dubya could be experiencing a 2-year migraine, now that control of both the House and Senate are in the hands of the Democrats. For the first time since 1994, the Legislative branch of our fair, Federal government will be dominated by a Left-wing perspective, which should provide more of a balance to the agenda of our Commander-In-Chief.

Was the midterm election a referendum on President Bush? For the most part, yes. A president with an approval rating in the 30's isn't going to do much in terms of exciting the Party base. A high body count in the third year of a war that people are increasingly becoming sick of isn't going to help either.

But, was Tuesday a nationwide ringing endorsement of a liberal shift in our social conscious? No. People voted for change, and courtesy of a Two-Party system, the Elephants and Donkeys traded spaces in Washington.

And although new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is looking forward to "working in a confidence-building way with the president," I'm sure there will be quite a few political conflicts in the future.


An early casualty in this political war is Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld "resigned" (which in Washington means fired) and will be replaced with another guy with ties to Bush Sr., Robert Gates. So, only time will tell if Rumsfeld's resignation will result in big policy changes in Iraq.


So in spite of the momentous Congress Party shift, some questions still remain.
Are our voices as American citizens going to be heard better with a Democratic Congress?
Will there be more of a focus on the issues that are relevant to the middle-class and the working-class?
Will partisanship and party politics create gridlock in Washington, or will the President and Congress be able to acheive compromise on common goals?

show me what you got baby,
OSharif82

Numbers Don't Lie

Has anyone noticed that cats with huge singles, that get lots of radio and video airplay are not seeing a translation into solid record sales?

Young Dro's "Shoulder Lean" was a smash this year, yet he's only sold about 271,000 copies of his album, The Best Thang Smokin.

Sammie had a R&B hit, "My Girl" feat Sean Paul, yet he's only sold about 33,000 copies of his new joint.

Jibbs' hit (a song I personally hate, but alot of people love) "Chain Hang Low" sold over a million ringtones, but the kid has only sold 47,000 records.

Even customary heavy hitters are not moving units like they have in the past. Numbers for Ludacris (Release Therapy - 596,763), Diddy (Press Play - 230,912), and Outkast (Idlewild - 430,553) are WAY below the typical sales these artists have pulled in their career.

How will a hit-driven, Internet-dominated music business evolve, and how will that adaptation affect us fans? Will record labels begin to focus more on singles, to capitalize on the popularity of downloading one or two songs from an artist, as opposed to buying their album? Or will it force artists to make solid albums, instead of focusing on catchy trends or regional sounds to make hits?

Don't forget, Lupe Fiasco made a great album and has only sold 175,000 copies of his CD, while Yung Joc has sold almost 800,000 records, mainly on the strength of his single, "It's Goin Down."

I'm interested to see how this winter's lineup of artists will fare, in terms of actual CD sales.
The Game, Clipse, Snoop, Ghostface, Young Jeezy, Nas, and Jay-Z will all be dropping albums during November and December. Let's see how the 4th Quarter plays out.

game time,
OSharif82

Corporate Punishment

Here's an excerpt from an article that highlights the problems that the majority of Americans face as a result of the Corporate-driven interests of our two-party political system, and an interesting solution.

"There's something all of us could do that would have an immediate impact and send a powerful message to both corporation-dominated political parties and to our elected officials in Washington. Our so-called representatives in both parties have been working against the interests of the middle class for so long that they take our votes for granted, or they take advantage of the fact that a sizable number of us don't vote at all.

So what if a majority of us decided once and for all to walk into our town and city halls all over the country and change our party affiliation from Republican or Democrat to independent? What if that sizable number of us who don't vote at all decided to register as independents? For the first time in decades, working middle-class Americans might just get the attention of our elected officials in Washington.

Our middle class has suffered in silence for far too long, and it cannot afford to suffer or be silent much longer. Hardworking Americans have not spoken out about their increasingly marginalized role in this society, and as a consequence they've all but lost their voice.

Without that strong, clear and vibrant voice, all the major decisions about America and our future will be made by the elites of government, big business and the dominant special interests. Those elites treasure your silence, as it enables them to claim America's future for their own."

I concur,
OSharif82

Middle Class: Passing Grade?

It's no secret, wait....actually it may be an unknown fact to most people, but the middle-class has significantly fared worse during the Bush Administration. And while some are harping upon the record highs that the DOW is currently enjoying, most Americans are struggling, and are financially unstable. On CNN tonight, Lou Dobbs will be airing a special program that examines the plight of today's middle class, and considers its future, both economically and politically. "The War On The Middle Class" airs tonight, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. Check it out, if you can.


Penny for your thoughts,
OSharif82

Catch Me If You Can...

The Feds are chasing Wesley Snipes again, only this isn't a movie. The IRS has indicted Wes of tax fraud, to the tune of $12 million dollars. Snipes now faces up to 16 years in prison.

So the chase is on, but the Alphabet Boys have no clue where Snipes is. Maybe, Tommy Lee Jones has a clue. Or, maybe Wesley is back at The Carter...





I am my brother's keeper,
OSharif82

Sly As A Foxx

Owned - Internet slang word commonly used to to acknowledge a form of superiority through the downfall of another. It signifies screwing up and humiliation, and is used to express dominance in a negative sense.
Here's an example, courtesy of Jamie Foxx, and comedian Doug Williams. Enjoy!



I am your conscience,
OSharif82

A Woman Scorned...

This clip serves as a message to all men. If you're gonna cheat, make sure that you don't live with the girl that you're cheating on, or keep most of your important belongings at her house. Because if you get caught, then this can happen to you.




Chuuch,
OSharif82

Game Of The Week

Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York "Football" Giants is the premier game this week, and will be the most important game of the season thus far for both teams. The theme for this game will be: identity. Both teams will have a much better idea of what kind of team they are after this game, and both teams are in a position where a distinctive self-portrait is necessary, especially in considering aspirations towards the post-season.

The Giants (2-2) are playing in the super-competitive NFC East division, and although the G-Men are undefeated in the division, Philly has a better overall record at 4-1 and is on a hot streak, having won their last 3 games. This game will test the Giants consistency, which has been the main reason for their .500 winning percentage early into the season. QB Eli Manning tends to start slow, and speaking of delayed reactions, the defense recorded its first sack in Week 5. New York has the talent and personnel to be a playoff team, but lack of stability in terms of play on the field is their biggest challenge.

Although Atlanta (3-1) is off to a good start, in the NFC South both the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers share the same record as the Falcons in the division (2-1). A win this week will not only allow for separation within the division should those other teams lose, but it allows the Falcons an opportunity to strengthen a portion of its identity that needs improvement: the passing game. The Dirty Birds may lead the league in rushing, but a one-dimensional offense cannot ultimately be successful in the NFL. Atlanta has a pretty good defense, and a great run game, so if Vick and the receivers can provide enough balance through the air, the Falcons should have a good year, and hopefully go deep into the playoffs.

My prediction on the winner?


The Atlanta Falcons. My Rationale? Speed. The Giants' linebackers will not be able to stop the Falcons' run game, because they won't be able to keep up with the quicks of Warwick Dunn and Jerius Norwood.
Atlanta will win the time possession game, so the Giants' offense won't be on the field enough to get the W. Plus Atlanta is at home, coming off of a BYE week, and getting some key defensive players back to healthy status and on the field.

Final Score: Atlanta 26 - New York 17

ATL shawty,
OSharif82

Say Word!

"Hova the God, I should be rapping in a turban..."
Vol. 3 Life And Times of Shawn Carter - Hova Song (Intro)







I don't know about you all, but I find this funny as hell for some reason. Especially considering he referenced this in a song a couple of years ago. First flip-flops, now a turban. Gotta love it.

Holla back youngin,
OSharif82

Cash, Money, Is An Army

You ever notice that when they talk about Iran on CNN, MSNBC, or Fox News they always show a huge Military march, with thousands upon thousands of soldiers marching while carrying guns and flags, while walking behind a display of tanks and missiles? How about when they talk about Korea?

Hmmm. Eerily, similar image.

Here's a comparable image of what other countries see in terms of OUR military. And although I'm quite sure that the shine on that Tuba is extremely intimidating, I wonder why we don't occasionally bring out our tanks, our missiles, our guns, and march our soliders through Washington D.C., so that N. Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and other nations that are showing a lack of respect towards America can see these images in their homes while they're eating dinner every night.

Diplomacy is cool, but Bullies don't respect rationality. They respect force, which is why these networks choose to show the video that they do regarding stories involving these countries.

So Bush, if you don't want to sit down and talk with Korea or Iran, put our weapons of mass destruction on the display. Fire test missiles from the Phillipines over Korea. Hell, let's do a nuclear test as well. And send these countries images of all of that, preferably in HD.

You don't talk compromise with wanna-be Bullies. You respond with Big Boy moves.

Anyway, I'm just joking about all this. But sometimes truth is said, in jest.

George Bushing the button,
OSharif

Blacker The Berry...

Well folks, I finally grew up. Yep, I gave up my Sidekick for a Blackberry. And I have to admit, I'm addicted. Crackberryitis has infected my life.

For anyone out there who is looking for a great phone that has web browsing, push email, great call quality, and Bluetooth, you can't go wrong with the BlackBerry 8700G.

I was debating between this one, and the 8100 Pearl, which is a slimmer, smaller, newer model with an MP3 Player and a built-in camera. I'm definately glad that I picked the 8700, although my girlfriend isn't, since she claims that I spend more time with it than I do her.

Ah, well. She has my number, my email address, and my instant messenger names. She can get at me if she needs me. She knows my BB is on my hip.

Too sexy for my sidekick,
OSharif

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: 10/11

I hate losing. I get pissed when I lose. But I don't try to KILL someone when I lose.

Lawrence Phillips, 31, doesn't handle defeat as well as I do, however.

This former NFL and Collegiate running back was playing a pickup football game with some teenagers. His team was down, so he lost his cool and decided to quit the game.

At that point, Mr. Phillips could have just hopped in his ride, and went on home. But Lawrence decided to keep it real.

So he hopped in his whip, and drove "at a high rate of speed" at the guys still playing football on the field, and HIT three kids (aged 14, 15, and 19) narrowly missing four others.

His trial was basically an open-and-shut case, and after an hour, the jury found Lawrence guilty of seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Mr. Phillps is now facing 20 years in prison.

Just another episode, of when keeping it real, goes wrong.

P.S. How much do you have to fall off to be losing to some kids in backyard football when you've played professionally???

Mars, Bitches,
OSharif

Vote of No Confidence

It's funny and ironic, because this picture is representative of what the American political process has become. Every single time any of us steps into a voting booth, we are getting FUCKED. And while politically, some of us are having the best sex EVER, the majority of us here in America are getting the shaft. And unfortunately, most of us don't care.

We live in a new era, where Google is a noun, verb, and adjective; where Myspace is a point of contact for companies; where Youtube is a source for advertisement. Nowadays, more people get their information from blogs and web sites than television or newspapers. And although this "Information Age" is full of extraordinary changes in the ways that we think and the manner that we see the world we live in, it is truly astounding to see that the way most people see politics remains fundamentally the same.

Our generation grew up hearing cliches like "Knowledge is Power", and "Access is Everything", yet we have the ability to click, point, and search for information and data that should make us more enlightened in terms of the things that go on in this country, especially concerning our politicians. Yet it seems that another cliche is more descriptive of people today: "Ignorance is Bliss."

And who wins in such an apathetic society? Politicians. Big Business. Lobbyists.
Who loses? The poor, the middle class, the education system, the healthcare system, the Social Security system, etc.

As long as we have a two-party system, the political process will continue to be nothing more than social pornography. We will continue to get promises and promises, only to be disappointed and unsatisfied. We will continue to get seduced with things that are only distractions, the purpose of which is to keep us from focusing on more important things. The political process has become a cycle of redundancy and a system of lost opportunity.

I'll leave on this note. Here's a quote from an American author from the year 1898.

"If American politics does not look to you like a joke, a tragic dance; if you have enough blindness left in you, on any plea, on any excuse, to vote for the Democratic Party or the Republican Party (for at present, machine and party are one), or for any candidate who does not stand for a new era,—then you yourself pass into the slide of the magic-lantern; you are an exhibit, a quaint product, a curiosity of the American soil. You are part of the problem."

Let's be part of the solution.

Getting some head,
OSharif

Degree of Difficulty

Ahhh...the American Dream. You know, the two-story House with the Picket Fence...the Golden Retriever...the 2.71 Kids...THAT American Dream.

Now, in our generation, a College Degree has become a part of that rosy image of success in our society. But what does that REALLY mean for the value of higher education? Alot of things, really.

The importance of a college education has risen, and fallen at the same time. If you're thinking to yourself, "that makes no sense", consider this.
For most of our parents, and our grandparents, college was more than just higher education. It was an ideal, a status symbol, a representation of personal accomplishment. Alot of people in this generation (myself included) are the first in the family to go to college.

But a college degree is quickly becoming the equivalent of what a high school diploma used to be. And is that a bad thing? Yes and no.

Consider the present state of education in this country...consider the immigration rate...consider the amount of job outsourcing that exists. Now factor in a highly increased level of college-educated people. If you're thinking that will create some kind of United States Utopia, you'd be wrong.

There's always a direct correlation between poverty and education. But more "smart" people doesn't mean more rich people. It means more poor people, as well as more middle-class people struggling to remain middle-class people. It means more graduates dealing with more debt as a result of student loans. It means tighter job markets, and lower-paying entry level jobs because of expanded applicant pools. Most importantly, it means that having a college degree loses some of its individual meaning and personal importance because EVERYONE will be a college graduate.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an advocate of everyone obtaining as much education as their hearts desire. By all means, go get your B.A., B.S., J.D., Ph.D, M.B.A., etc. I just hope that as a nation, we all can anticipate the future implications of what a more educated U.S. means, and that we do not create more societal problems to deal with, in terms of gaps in income, education, and opportunity. I also hope that the social and economic costs of a nation full of college graduates, will not devalue the intangible value of higher education on a personal and sentimental level.

Real Talk,
OSharif