December 14, 2005

Where’s a Dopefiend When You Need One?

For the first time in over four years, I’m without a car while at my own home for more than two days. Even when Bomobile II died in that terrible fire, insurance came through with a rental within three days.

But since my negligence allowed the brakes on Bomobile III to become broke, I’m stuck at the land without the ability to go anywhere. A lot of you jokers tend to say I don’t go anywhere anyway, but that’s not the case. I just don’t go anywhere when I have work to do.

But right now, the schedule’s open and I wanna finishing decorating the Palatial Bomaniland Estate (PBE). I found some great photos, and I wanna get frames and hang them like any other decorating junkie would. Not having this car is seriously stifling my creativity, man. Really, this photo must go up on the wall soon.

Some folks have been kind enough to offer a vehicle, but it needs inspection. Too bad I swore off ridin’ dirty in ‘01.

Why the dopefiend? Something called the dopefiend rental. Look it up. It’s a really terrible thing to do, but I’d do it in a heartbeat right now.

(Hyperbole, Old Man. Don’t get too worried.)

But I just picked up some work, so we’re good. I’m going to do an interesting look at coaching in college basketball, which just may offend a lot of people. That’s how I like it.

Also, somebody’s man Darrick Z. Jackson at the Boston Globe is at it again. This time’s on the use of the word “nigga” in hip hop. I just know that he and I will agree on very little, and you know I won’t agree with him on this one.

You can debate this point in the comments if you want, but this is the question I want to raise–why he is scrutinizing the words or rappers and record label executives as though they are intellectuals? So you expect me to believe that 50 Cent would say something that could be easily refuted? For real?

You mean that Russell Simmons didn’t offer some advancement of critical race theory when he talks about saying “nigga?” Word up?

Why do I make that point? Because the idea that rappers are supposed to be the beginning of the revolution or some Renaissance is ridiculous and it’s a burden that only rappers have to deal with. We don’t pick apart the nonsensical things those singers say about rap. We don’t write in newspapers about the stuff R. Kelly writes and sings (though we do laugh at him whenever we can).

Personally, I’d love to hear what Redd Foxx would have to say about calling people fags. Something tells me it wouldn’t be any more or less intelligent than what Russell and 50 said.

Really, has any group been simultaneously assumed to be stupid but expected to well above-average analysis of the universe? Strange.

Why do we subject rappers to this additional scrutiny? Is it because rappers have brought this onto themselves? Or is this just more bias against hip hop music and the people that feel connected to it?

Hope that made sense. Stir-caused insanity is doing me in.

December 12, 2005

A Frightening Death Penalty Case

Well, it seems that Schwarzenegger has not granted clemency to Tookie Williams. Tookie’s supporters have two options–moping or moving on to another case. Those of you inclined toward the latter should check this case. If Tookie bothered you, this’ll make you want to vomit. The link was provided by the Brat.

December 12, 2005

RIP Richard Pryor

And I put that up and totally forgot that I haven’t done anything on the passing of Richard Pryor.

Without question, Pryor is the greatest and most influential comedian in American history, but I see him as something larger than that. As most of you, he started as a bit of a Bill Cosby sound-a-like. He was pretty funny doing that, but he didn’t become Richard Pryor until he let Richard Pryor fuel his comedy. Hetook his intelligence and demons, let them both free, and turned them into something so funny and original that he’ll be the king for as long as we remember his name.

But what worries me at times is that he used the stage as his couch and us as his therapist. Sometimes, laughing at him was uncomfortable much the way it was uncomfortable to laugh at the ODB. What was funny was what tormented him, what drove him to snort copious amounts of cocaine, what drove exacerbated his impending multiple sclerosis.

As consumers of the arts, we value what’s heartfelt and genuine. We value fucked up individuals. We love them because we can identify, and often because we’re glad to see someone’s more fucked up than we are. When those problems collide with uncanny talent, we deem those people to be legends.

And in a way, that feels wrong. I’m not sure it’s wrong, but it can feel that way.

But specific to Pryor, we should have asked that he rest in peace years ago. Like Jackie Wilson, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, he seemed dead long before he expired. They breathed and their hearts beat, but the life was gone from them before they left Earth. Much was done to honor Pryor before he died, but I wonder how much of that he got to see and appreciate. I hope that his cognition in his later years was enough that he realized how much the world loved his work and appreciated what he did that made our lives a bit more pleasant.

It’s kind of like something Alia and I talked about the other day–if you haven’t listened to Stevie’s “These Three Words,” do so. Stevie asks, “when was the last time they heard you say, ‘mother or father, I love you?’”

The only reason I can walk around every day is that I told Jon how much I cared about him two days before he passed away. I’m not totally sure why I felt the need to say something that day, but doing that keeps me functional.

Pryor’s passing seems a good opportunity for us to do the same with the people we care about. You never know when people won’t be able to hear the words out of your mouth, the specific mention of the importance another person plays in your life. Don’t wait on that one, man.

Don’t wait.

December 12, 2005

Welcome to Durham!

Around 6pm EDT, the intrepid journey reached its conclusion for me (Kirk still had to hoof it to VA). I walked in to the sweet greeting of the bookends I ordered. Bomaniland is finally beginning to look like someone lives here. Before, it just looked like an impersonal entertainment and sports complex. Now, it’s beginning to look charming. Even found some pictures that I can put in frames that will show off some of my friends. Found a great one of Jon I may have to get enlarged. Five years and change, and I still miss the lil’ fella. Least I can do is put up a picture, yanno?

But sadly, the Bomobile is pretty much out of commission. Brakes have totally betrayed me, so I’m about to be trapped in the house for an indefinite amount of time. That could mean lots of updates until I get it back. Wanted to go get some plants, but that just ain’t an option right now. Boo!

But the drive was cool enough. Got to hang out with the incredible Ms. Duell in Nashville. That’s always exquisite, even if it only happens once every three years or so. I messed up and forgot to save Big Bryan’s number, so I wasn’t able to catch up with him. That’s my bad.

But the most amazing thing about the trip were the few of you that offered food and drinks to Kirk and I on the trip after seeing that our route would pass through those folks’ cities. I really feel a bit of a personal attachment to those of you that read and comment, and it felt good to see that was reciprocated.

One thing I hope this site does is tear down the wall between writers and readers. I don’t just write to put ideas out there. I write to start dialogue, and I’m glad that some of you appreciate that and enjoy rappin with me through various media. The idea that someone I don’t know would even want to take me and my friend out for a drink is overwhelming to me, and I can’t say how much I appreciate it. That’s the kind of stuff that makes me love my job.

Again, thank you. Talk to you soon.

December 9, 2005

No List :(

Oh yeah, since I’m traversing America, can’t do a list today. Taking suggestions for the next one, though. I’m thinking Van Morrison. And if you’re not familiar with Van the Man, there might be a link to something with some of his records. For my money, Van’s the best white singer ever. That always feels like a racist thing to say, but it’s a necessary modifier. Definitely better than Dusty Springfield.

December 9, 2005

Greetings from Oklahoma City!

Day Two of the intrepid journey brings us to OKC. Like I said yesterday, I’ve got lots of fam up here. Unfortunately, I can’t catch up with them. After a loooong time in the car, we’re tarrred.

Why tired? Because the stretch of Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and OKC is the most desolate stretch of road ever.
Continue reading Greetings from Oklahoma City!…

December 8, 2005

Greetings from Flagstaff, AZ

Business…here’s the BSN piece on the Heisman race. The ESPN piece has not gone up. I’ll let you know when I know.

Day One of Bo and Kirk’s intrepid journey out of California was a pretty fun one. We even drove twenty miles off the freeway to have lunch at a casino in Laughlin, NV. A great buffet meal and twenty bucks blown at a blackjack table later, we were on our way to far far away.

Before you think we’re just degenerates that wanted an excuse to gamble, let me explain. We’re degenerate driving through Southeast California and Arizona.

And there ain’t a damn thing between Rancho Cucamonga–where Kirk lived and the setting for Next Friday–and Flagstaff. And I do mean nothing.
Continue reading Greetings from Flagstaff, AZ…

December 5, 2005

Decor by Baba

Well folks, it’s gonna be a hectic week. Tuesday morning, I’m heading to Cali to help Kirk make a cross country move. As you’d expect, spending all day on the highway isn’t conducive to updating. I’ll have pieces on ESPN and BSN this week (ESPN on Tuesday), so please try to check those out.

In the meantime, I’ve just finished fighting the block (again, Baba was victorious). The best part, though, is I’m doing so in my newly, partially decorated living room.
Continue reading Decor by Baba…

December 2, 2005

Top 25 - Marvin Gaye

Forgie me for barely being around this week. Aside from the difficulty I had getting back in the swing, I’m trying to pull off about seven personal projects and a couple of professional ones. Long week, but it’s all good.

Especially after my ‘Horns work their way into the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Now, the list.
Continue reading Top 25 - Marvin Gaye…

December 1, 2005

US Plants Articles in Iraq?

They might want to build a bomb shelter at the Times. This comes courtesy of the lovely Ms. Mullen.