November 30, 2005

Recapping the Turkey Bowl

First, let’s all say Happy Birthday to my sister, Tayari. As most of you know, she’s put out a couple of good books in the last year. So if you wanna say happy birthday to her, click here and cop one of those books. Or, just go to her blog and tell her Happy Birthday. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.

Moving on, I still haven’t gotten around to talking about my Thanksgiving. Was a lot more fun than I could have expected. That’s not to say I didn’t expect to have fun; instead, it was just more of a blast then expected.
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November 29, 2005

Tookie’s Execution

Stanley “Tookie” Williams, the founder of the Crips, is up for execution in California. Largely because of a television movie about him that starred Jamie Foxx, the drive to have his execution stayed (sic?) has become a bit of a cause celebre.

Here’s why I think the famous folks need to chill out…or step up farther.
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November 28, 2005

Who else doesn’t wanna work?

Right after the holiday. That sucks. I have no desire to work. I actually took the holiday–people close to me know I really only take about four or five days a month off from work–but I still don’t feel like doing anything.

Other than transcribing that tape. It’ll get done.

Anyhoo, holiday was great. I’m thinking a NY move might actually be in my future. Never mind that I’ve previously said that I wouldn’t mind of the entire city imploded. This trip up there was the first time I felt really comfortable about the place. I even found it humorous that you constantly hear horns honk while walking down the street (and for me to hear that through my Midnight Marauder headphones, them horns must be kickin’). And now that the cold doesn’t make me cry like a child, that just might have to go down.

But for today, I’m here to let you know an additional benefit to visiting Virtual Bomaniland daily. This one comes from Bryan in Nashville.

So, I’m at home this weekend, watching some football with my wife and some friends and during the Notre Dame/Stanford game the announcers gave the full name of Stanford NT Babatunde Oshinowo. He’s got about 5 names, and my friends began discussing how his name(s) must mean something. Then I cooly slipped in “His first name means ‘return of the father,’” followed by “seriously…this sh*t [my incredible knowledge] is like a burden sometimes.”

I later footnoted the reference to you, and told them about your site and how they should check it out, etc, etc.

So anyway, thanks for that.

I told my man that he’s better than me. I would have just told them I was some sort of African etymologist and let them marvel at the incredibly expansive reservoir of knowledge that rests between my ears. Or I would have claimed to have dated that dude’s sister. Either way, Bryan’s the man for shouting out the kid.

So go check the archives and get your learn on! It’s like Sean P. in Fort Lauderdale once told me–Virtual Bomaniland is like a sandbox for grown folks!

Sand not included.

November 21, 2005

Prisoner Abuse

Tell me if the bosses can spell hypocrisy.

Bush and Cheney would be clowns…except they’re too scary for that.

November 21, 2005

Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey

New Jersey. Just like I pictured it. Swamps and everything.

Well, I’m hanging with my big brother–always more fun than I can express–and handling some business in these Northern states. I’ve got a few people to talk to, so I figured I’d do Turkey Week up here. Turned out to be a good call so far.

Unfortunately, that’s not gonna bode too well for updates on here. Well, except for that Elliott Wilson interview I have to get up soon. For real, it’s coming. But anyone that’s transcribed a 45 minute interview knows that’s no small feat. And there’s distortion on the recording.

Either way, that’s what’s up with me. Hate mail update coming some time tomorrow afternoon.

November 18, 2005

Top 25 – Jay-Z

Well, here’s the deal. I planned to run an interview I did with XXL EIC Elliott wilson today, but I’ve been too swamped with work to get it transcribed. Hell or high water, you’ll see that on Monday.

Also, might have two pieces on the ESPN today. Definitely a retrospective on the brawl in Detroit last year when I compare that to the climax of “Do the Right Thing.” I also may have something run today on a brewing controversy at the University of Miami.

For you on the notification list, I’m sending this initial notification. If/When the links go live, I’ll send updates to let you know of that.

(EDIT – Here’s the piece on the brawl.)

(EDIT AGAIN – here’s the piece on the Miami situation.)

Now…
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November 17, 2005

Why Go on the Apollo?

My pot of coffee and I are fighting writer’s block. We are losing. Pretty badly, in fact. Writer’s block is more of a foe than it used to be. But before, I had the luxury of writing only when I felt like I had a great one in me, one of those where I’d sit down and almost black out to write. Sometimes, you get on rolls with this where you can close your eyes and 1,200 good words will come out.

This ain’t one of those days.

Anyway, I took a break to check out an old TV One re-run of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” I ran down there to see a supremely wack dance routine. Them cats weren’t bad dancers necessarily, but they sure didn’t need to be on television. Shit, they surely didn’t need to be in a theater where they boo famous people passionately. Random folks from the block? Ohhh, they get it.

But riddle me this–why go on Apollo now? Is any talent scout really watching Amateur Night? When’s the last time a star said, “well, who knew where Amateur Night would take me?” I know Lauryn Hill lost on there. A few other people, too.

So if you’re not gonna be famous, is a potential run with the Sandman–and the embarrassment that comes with it–worth all that practicing and rehearsing?

Lemme know…

November 16, 2005

It Ain’t the Same No More

So this week’s episode of The Boondocks wasn’t as good as the first. The whole “re-vitiligo” bit was really funny, but Dave Chappelle already did a stand-up routine that used many of the bits Aaron broke out for the R. Kelly trial. Still good stuff, but nothing as funny as, “I bet you wish you had your raincoat right now.”

But I was reading the strip today, and I realized the cartoon has changed the way I read the strip forever.
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November 15, 2005

My bad…

Yes, I’ve been gone too long, for which I apologize. Made a trip to DC this weekend, and I’ve been sorta like a headless chicken since. Tomorrow, I should be posting an interview I did with Elliott Wilson. If not tomorrow, then Thursday. Promise.

In the meantime, some good ol’ SSP. If you’re in Pennsylvania, check out your boy on ESPN Radio 1430 AM in Altoona at 5:20pm (that’s an edit). I’ll be talking about college football rivalries for about ten minutes. Click here for the station’s home page. I didn’t see anything about an online feed, but you might find something there.

Talk to you soon.

November 11, 2005

Top 25 – P-Funk

This week’s list is from Parliament/Funkadelic. In my estimation, they’re the greatest band ever assembled. It’s hard to get a million niggaz together at the same time and have them all be so amazing without being distracting from each other.

And George Clinton is a genius. It may be difficult at times to tell just what he’s doing, but know he’s about the only constant between every P-Funk release. That’s good for a lot.
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