February 27, 2006

Lamentations on Youth

(This is going to be a bit winding and introspective. Forgive the parts that don’t make sense the way you forgive the other stuff I do that doesn’t make any sense.)

For the last two weeks or so, I’ve been meaning to post on the end of the Dutch Masters season. I’ve even got some video stuff, but I haven’t been able to convert it yet. That’ll come at some point, I guess.

But something happened at Carolina this week that put this in a different perspective.

A young man died on campus a few days ago. I won’t rehash the details myself. Read it yourself and, for a minute, ignore the fact that the story told stinks to high heaven.

I didn’t know the kid, even though I tried to make conversation with as many black economics majors I could while I was in school. His girlfriend was in one of my recitations, and I wish her and everyone affected by this the utmost sympathy. I know what it’s like to lose someone so young so suddenly, and I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. Especially not when the story is pungent like this one.

But the first thing I thought about when I saw that were the Dutch Masters. After their last game, Aden and I sat in the parking lot with them and just laughed and talked about the last two seasons of rec league basketball. To be around them was fun because they were in the league for fun. At this point in my life, I can’t name anything I do just because it’s fun. I love my work, but it’s work. To spend time with them was a chance to appreciate what it’s like to be in something for no other reason than to be in it. That freedom is something adulthood rarely affords.

But it made me think about my last semester in high school, probably the most fun I had in my life. Senior year is something that nothing else comes close to. It’s the last chance in our lives that we can appreciate a good time without the frustrating anxiety of what’s coming next.

I spent my last semester of high school fully realizing this was the last time I’d see most of those people, so I made damn sure to have as much fun with them as I could. But at the same time, I did that knowing that what was coming next would be better–college. I knew that leaving high school was closing the prelude to my life and getting into a meatier story, one that was twice as exciting and likely to be more fulfilling.

Nothing else was like that. At no other point could I say I was moving to something else with wide-eyed optimism or excitement. I graduated from college with absolutely no plan. The conclusions of my grad school stops were nerve racking because I knew how big the stakes were becoming and knew what that failure and missteps would be severely punished by the real world. There was never anything to look forward to. Just more shit to get done.

So there I was in that parking lot, hoping those kids realized what I knew. I just hoped they knew that life would never be that simple again and to appreciate just that. I have to thank them for putting me in touch with that, along wiht being one of the coolest sets of people I’ve ever met.

And now, a kid two years past where they are fell from a window and died.

I sat here and shed a couple of tears when I read the things people had to say about him after he passed. Made me wish I’d met him. And made me realize how crazy the answer to “what’s next?” can really be.

There wasn’t much left for him, and there was no way for him to know that. I just sit and wonder if he lived it up at least once before he went. If the people close to him made that clear while they had the chance. If his folks will be able to make it through while maintaining their sanity. All of that.

It’s those moments that kill the optimism I had coming out of high school. Those sorts of moments have me afraid of what’s coming half the time and often make me wonder if I really wanna see what else is there if the tradeoff is dealing with the cruelty and randomness of the world.

Nine years ago, I couldn’t wait for whatever was next. I just hoped whatever came next had girls that would give me the time of day (and luckily stepped into a place where the female/male ratio was so skewed that they had to even if they didn’t want to).

What does this all mean? I really don’t know.

Long of the short–hanging with the Dutch reminded me of how fun it is to be a kid. What happened to Keith reminded me why things just ain’t as fun as they once were.

February 24, 2006

Baba’s Back Baby!

Business…I got bored last week and decided to rename all the arenas in the NBA. Enjoy.

Forgive me for my departure. Actually, it ain’t got nothing to me. Ask my Dell Inspiron 600m (aka The Brain of Bomaniland). Decided to go ghost on me for a few days. Must say, though, that the technician came and took care of me right fast. For that, I’m grateful. I’m not grateful for the days of the runaround I got from the help line in various continents. I actually think I must have caught a lady at the end of her shit and she just said, “fuck it, I’ll say it’s the battery.”

No, it wasn’t the battery.

Anyway, this story came with a moral–I’m addicted to my computer. If you notice that I’m perpetually on IM, you already knew this. I did not. I’ve been so out of touch with the world because I’ve been relying on the Internet to keep me informed and productive for the better part of the last six of seven years. I don’t watch television news, so I had no idea about this port thingy. Didn’t find out that piece above–which I told people would run yesterday–wasn’t running until today because I could not get to my e-mail. And goodness, I’ve been holding the charge on the boPod for dear life, hoping that someone would fix my machine so I could charge it again without having to reformat.

Yeah man, it’s been real in the field like that.

But I’m back.

And now that I’m back, I really don’t have much good to say. Ain’t that somethin?

Actually, that’s not true. On my technologically-imposed “vacation,” I read Art Chamsky’s Blue Blood, his look at the Carolina/Dook rivalry. It’s an interesting read, one I’d recommend for anyone that’s big on college hoops history. There are definitely problems, though. For one, there’s no excuse for him not more fully addressing integration in the rivalry. He talked about how Charlie Scott wound up being Carolina’s first black player–and the first in the ACC if I remember properly–but there should have been more context considering the sit-ins in Greensboro took place a mere 40 or so miles away. Plus, Chamsky made a lot of mention of people’s races for no good reason. Just would randomly throw in that someone was white and leave it at that. What’s the point, pimp?

He also made me raise an eyebrow at how little of Doherty’s mess he documented. I know enough people that could tell you exactly why Doherty got fired and why he should never have been hired again by anyone else. So why doesn’t Chamsky? I’ve lived here for two years and change. He’s a Carolina grad. He’s got to know more than that. As a result, he did little to nothing to dissuade the mistaken impression that malcontented players drove Doherty off. He should have mentioned the details that proved that a desire for dignity made the players refuse to put up with any more abuse. That’s an important delineation to make, especially considering the hell those kids caught for Doherty’s dismissal. That also would have done wonders for AD Dick Baddour, also.

Must say that the book was very balanced, especially considering that Art is a Carolina alum and has written a lot with Coach Smith. But if you want some great stories and a better indication of the amazing jobs Smith and Coach K have done, peep the text. Oh, and it makes it even easier to hate K. As if we needed another reason.

Anyway, that’s that. Shouts to the folks that recommended new music to me. Being without a machine, I haven’t been able to peep it all. In fact, I’ve only been able to peep one record–The Product, done by a group Scarface put together of the same name. Great stuff. Quietly, Face has had a hand in putting together some great groups that never sell any records. For further reference, check out Da Odd Squad’s “Fadanuf Fa Erbody.” Or however it’s spelled.

February 22, 2006

Missing for a little while longer

Yo, my computer’s acted up good and royal the last couple of days. I should be up and running on Thursday, but I’d never bet on it. With that in mind, check Page 2 tomorrow after noon EST. Got an interesting piece running.

Til tomorrow (hopefully).

February 20, 2006

Marriage By Contract

So fellas, you know how you’d like your woman to do all kinds of little things to make your stankin’ ass happy? You know what I mean–adventurous sex with fancy laund-ray and stuff, cooking dinner, leaving you alone when you want to be left alone?

Doesn’t sound so bad when you’re talking to your boys, does it? Well, check how that stuff looks when it’s written down. And read every single line.

The cat that drafted this contract is, incontrovertibly, a wacko. However, I think it might be interesting to consider whether half the things we’d like are a wee bit unreasonable. To that question, I have no answer.

(And no, I don’t think most cat want the more ridiculous things in this contact.)

Also, the Language Arts show on Saturday was off the meat rack. Be sure to check out their site right here (and on the blogroll).

February 17, 2006

Language Arts Show on Saturday

Too much going on to update today, but lemme pub my folks.

Durham’s Language Arts will be performing at East Chapel Hill High School on Saturday night. Show starts at 8. Also appearing will be J. Bully, Spectac, and others. The show will be dope, and LA will perform tracks from their upcoming album Public School.

For more information, check out www.languageartsmusic.com.

And in the name of professionalism, I must make it known this is a personal recommendation. Aden and Pierce are my folks, but they put on a dope show. So check it out if you can.

February 16, 2006

Why I Am and Am Not an Idiot

Business…I’ll be on the radio in Vancouver today around 4:45 EST. Check here for the station’s site and a link to the live feed. I’d love to give you just the link for the feed, but I couldn’t find it. To further endanger my pass, I’ll be talking about Nash.

**EDIT–Here’s the link for the live feed. Firefox can’t handle this, so go to IE.**

So there were a couple of passages in the Nash piece that threw people off. One of them was caused by people not reading closely. The other was caused by me not reading closely.

The first was the idea that LeBron can’t win the MVP because his defense isn’t good enough but the notoriously porous Nash can win the trophy. Remember–I said that if someone’s not going to win the division, he sure as hell be spectacular in every other way just like Jordan was in ‘88. Well, the Cavs won’t win the division and Bron’s not a defensive stopper. Nash’s team does lead the division so, according to the logic, his lack of defense won’t hurt him the same way.

The second as that the Joe Johnson/Boris Diaw swap was a wash. And it was…except it wasn’t. And more than anything, I didn’t explain why it was a wash in my eyes. I’ve got three reasons, all of which I just e-mailed to the Crafty Vet who justifiably took me to task for some an incomplete explanation, which is a serious transgression when you write the way that I do.

1. I think Diaw’s role as a point forward in this offense is just as important to the Suns this year as Joe was last year as the fourth option. I know Joe has been a monster in Atlanta this year, but that was the comparison I was making. Of course, I was too stupid to make that clear.

2. This was a sign-and-trade. That’s crucial. Anything the Suns got for Joe was gravy, and no one really gave serious thought to the addition of Boris Diaw. Apparently, Diaw washed all the scrub off himself in the bathroom at Hartsfield before he got to Phoenix. But since it was a sign-and-trade, the standards for fairness become much different. Phoenix had no chance of keeping Johnson, so that qualifies as a wash to me. But that was really, really poorly explained. I mean really.

(Yes, I beat myself down pretty tough over mistakes like that. But part of the reason I make my addy accessible is for people to do just that. Only way to get better in this game, kids.)

3. I watch a lot of Suns games on the League Pass, most of which are broadcast by the Suns announcing team. I really don’t hear that, “what if we had Joe?” sentiment from them. The Suns are just fine without him. It’s the same way I saw it as a wash when the Colts traded Marshall Faulk for a draft pick in ‘99. Why? Because they drafted Edgerrin James, and no one thought much about Marshall after that.

So yeah, that’s my fault for making really bad explanations. Gotta correct that in the future. So I don’t think I was an idiot for that Diaw/Johnson statement. I was an idiot for such a poor–or non-existent, if you will–explanation.

And another thing–I’ve been rewarded with the quote of the day from Will Rob. I hope Brother Minister Malcolm’s family doesn’t come sue me for that one.

And I promised Dutch footage yesterday, and I haven’t yet. I still have to do some work to present that properly. Look for that around Monday. Friday’s list day and today will be crazy busy.

February 15, 2006

More Music

Business…continuing Black History Month, I continue to lavish praise on white basketball players with this here piece on Steve Nash. My ghetto pass is getting less and less secure, ain’t it?

Before this little bit of diversion, does anyone know of a new record I should be bumping? I’ve been on this Recovering the Satellites for the last two weeks, and it’s ten years old just about. I do have the new Juve and Stat Quo, but I haven’t gotten into ‘em yet.

Anyway, this here’s boosted from NinaMM. Enjoy.

1. Favorite political track: Welcome To The Terrordome, Public Enemy.

In my not-so-humble opinion, one of the top three hip hop singles ever.

2. Song that makes you dance no matter what? My Neck, My Back; Khia

No, I don’t like this song. But women do. And when women dance, I dance. Why? Because I dance to meet women. I ain’t the dude just shakin mine while I vacuum.

3. Song you’d use to tell someone you love them. Savior, Prince

I don’t know where to begin on this one. You either just gotta trust me or ask me to get this one to you.

4. Song that has made you sit down to analyze its lyrics? Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Get past the groove and you have a really interesting piece of social commentary. But there’s that ridiculous apology for supporters of George Wallace.

5. Song you like that a two year old would like. Grillz, Nelly.

If you don’t like this song, you’re just hatin’. Period.

6. A song you and your grandparents would like. Touch the Hem of His Garment, Sam Cooke.

My grandparents are all departed and none was born later than 1910. And the were all super religious. This is what we got.

7. A song that gives you an energy boost: Killing in the Name Of, RATM.

Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me. If saying that doesn’t get you crunked up, something just ain’t right.

8. Song you really liked when you were 13-16 that you really like now: Players Ball, OutKast

I think this question would be worth a lot more if I was a little older.

9. A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life: I Wish, R. Kelly

Pretty much sums up 2000-2002.

10. Peppy song that would start the opening credits in the movie of your life:Theme From Shaft, Isaac Hayes

Is it cheating picking a song that was actually used in a movie’s opening credits? Why that song? Cuz I’m just so damn cool!

11. A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess you liked: The Dance, Garth Brooks.

Talked about this last week. Flawlessly written.

12. Song that you think should have been playing when you were born:Little Drummer Boy

Just playing. I don’t think I’m the messiah. But really, I don’t know. There was no way for anyone to know what they’d stepped into when I hit the Earth.

13. Favorite duet artists: Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

I have no idea how this is even close.

14. A favorite song you completely disagree with: I just did a whole list of these on Friday.

15. Song that you like despite the fact your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it: Ummm…

this heading should be called, “What’s your favorite song on NWA’s ‘Efil4zaggin?”

16. Smooth song for relaxing. Mo Betta Blues, Branford Marsalis

You don’t know? Find out.

17. A song you would send to someone you hate. Nah…

Man, I don’t hate folks. But if I did, I’d much rather do something way more dastardly.

18. Favorite track from a band considered a “super group.” Self-Destruction, Stop the Violence Movement

I may be mistaken, but a supergroup is generally a collection of folks that are really doing a “one time only” thing. I’ll take this one. Actually, not my favorite. Just the one that comes to mind.

19. A song that makes you reminisce about good times with a family member. Freak Me, Silk

Here me out on this one. When this song came out, the Mackadocious decried it as being super vulgar (which it was, when you think about it). Anyway, it was on the radio once in the car, and I was asleep in the front seat.

But you know how songs sometimes seep into your consciousness? Man, we’re riding and I hear in this gruff sing/talk voice–a family trait–”let me make you soaking wet.”

Now, that’s the funniest family moment ever. Ever. I was only eleven and didn’t quite know what was going on at the time, but I knew enough to know that was piss your pants funny.

20. Your favorite song right now: Me, My Baby, and My Cadillac, Sleepy Brown.

You wanna find me? Here I go…slow motion on Cambellton Road. You know, that song might get me to Atlanta next weekend.

February 14, 2006

The Essential Valentine’s Day Playlists

Last year, Luther and I put together a raft of playlists to account for just about every possible Valentine’s Day scenario. Just a little something to help you get through or come through on this fictitious holiday.

Holiday my ass. Think this is a holiday, then don’t show up for work. You’ll probably get more “vacation time” than you can dream of.

Anyway, use these lists with caution. Add alcohol recreationally, not pharmaceutically. And show some love to your boy if these help you out.

And should you want any of these lists, holla at me and I might be able to help you get your hands on ‘em.

Guaranteed

This list is money. Female tested, dude approved. If you play any combination of these songs and get nothing, you never will. It may be her, or it may be you. But if this doesn’t work, it will never be on.

Prince – Adore
Isley Brothers – Voyage to Atlantis
Art of Noise – Moments in Love
Silk – Lose Control
Marvin Gaye – Feel All My Love Inside
112 – Now That We’re Done
Janet Jackson – Any Time, Any Place
Curtis Mayfield – Give Me Your Love
R. Kelly – The Greatest Sex
Prince – When 2 R In Love
Teddy Pendergrass – Turn Off the Lights
Minnie Riperton – Inside My Love
Massive Attack – Weather Storm
Boyz II Men – 50 Candles
Bob Marley – Turn Your Lights Down Low
Tony!Toni!Tone! – (Lay Your Head On My) Pillow
Keith Sweat – How Deep Is Your Love
Isaac Hayes – The Look of Love
Barry White – Never Gonna Give You Up
Quincy Jones – Secret Garden

Out the Box

People wouldn’t think off top that these songs would set the mood, but they all tend to do a good job. More importantly, you might be able to play this list and it not look like you’re trying to get something cracking. That’s fantastic for those of you that operate on some stealth shit.

Devin the Dude – Briar Patch
Eightball and MJG – Space Age Pimpin
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain
Jimi Hendrix – Bold as Love
Jodeci – Freek’n You (remix, with Ghostface and Raekwon)
Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz – Ohh Na Na
Three 6 Mafia – Sippin on Da Syrup (brilliant Marvin Gaye sample)
OutKast – Funky Ride
Lovage – Sex (I’m A)

Glutton for Punishment

This is for all you suckas for love. So, you’re at the crib and wish you had someone to snuggle with. You don’t want anyone to make you feel better. You want to wallow in your misery. This is for you. And if you really wanna snap out of it, this should make you get a fuckin grip and man up. No one likes someone pathetic, pimpin. No one.

Lenny Williams – Because I Love You
Derek and the Dominoes – Bell Bottom Blues
PM Dawn – I’d Die Without You
Manhattans – (Let’s Just Kiss and) Say Goodbye
Boyz II Men – Lonely Heart
Jodeci – Cry for You
Al Green – damn near anything, but How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
Simply Red – Holding Back the Years
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes – I Miss You
Aretha Franklin – It Hurts Like Hell
Temptations – I Wish It Would Rain
Dru Hill – In My Bed
Lenny Kravitz – It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
Bill Withers – Better off Dead
Prince – Still Waiting
Rose Royce – I’m Going Down
Prince – Gotta Broken Heart Again
Carl Thomas – Emotional
Macy Gray – I Try
Natalie Cole – I’m Catching Hell
Stevie Wonder – Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer
Jackson 5 – Never Can Say Goodbye

Recorded Courage

So you want your woman back, ha? But you don’t have the fortitude to go win her love back? Put these on, jack. That should get you ready to go knock on her door and get it crackin. But, before you do that, let’s make sure of a few things.

1. Are you sober? Never make such a decision drunk.
2. Is she on a date? Last thing you wanna do is give this speech to an audience. Beyond simply being shamed, that nigga might try to whoop your ass.

So, proceed with caution.

Otis Redding – Open the Door
Luther Vandross – I’d Rather
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do for Love
Stevie Wonder – We Can Work It Out
Freddie Jackson – Rock Me Tonight
Jackie Wilson – To Be Loved (only because it worked for Prince Akeem)
Wilson Pickett – In the Midnight Hour
Spinners – Workin My Way Back To You
Sly and the Family Stone – If You Want Me to Stay
Jodeci – Come and Talk to Me
Otis Redding – I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
Temptations – Since I Lost My Baby
Al Green – For the Good Times

(S)he Ain’t Shit No Way

It’s Luther D., baby. Look, If she quit you, you don’t want that heifer no way. Can’t be lettin them put you through hoops and shit, man. So, you need to man the fuck up and recognize that she ain’t nothin’ but drama. Put this on. Matter of fact, put this on and go somewhere she might be that night and just shoot her ugly looks. Works great.

But really, if you play this list, chances are you’re talkin more shit than you mean. At least this’ll help you save face. Better to be like this than like those Cap’ns listenin to Bo’s lists

Dr. Dre – B*tches Ain’t Shit (optional, based upon your personal decency)
Tony!Toni!Tone! – My Ex-Girlfriend is a Ho
Spin Doctors – Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong
After 7 – ‘Til You Do Me Right
Bobby Womack – If You Think You’re Lonely Now
Ideal – Get Gone
Lou Rawls – You’re Gonna Miss My Loving
Prince – I Hate U
Teddy Pendergrass – I Don’t Love You Anymore
Marvin Gaye – Is That Enough? (works best if you’ve got an ex-wife)
Jaguar Wright – The What Ifs
Jefferson Airplane – Somebody to Love
Ohio Players – I Wanna Be Free
Counting Crows – Holiday in Spain
Phil Collins – I Don’t Care Anymore

And I’m gone. There will be a Dutch Masters recap tomorrow, complete with video. That’s right, we’ve got ‘em in action.

February 13, 2006

I’m Hooked on Flavor of Love

FYI, fellow blog writers. You can always tell if you’re taking too long with a new post when you notice the same five people have been logging on all day at about an hourly rate. So after seeing that, time to pause the writing (ESPN joint on Steve Nash, probably running Monday. It seems I’m honoring Black History Month by writing about white basketball players all month. Next week, a celebration of Bob Cousy or something) and get on the update I’ve been wanting to write all day.

Also, commenting now allows you to leave your URL, but it requires Typekey registration. But it’s all fixed, thanks to George. For real, George is great folks.

Yeah, my name is Baba….and I’m addicted to “Flavor of Love.”
Continue reading I’m Hooked on Flavor of Love…

February 10, 2006

25 or so I’m Ashamed to Like

As I’ve discussed before, I’m trying to get a better handle on some of the stuff I listen to. Too many of the defenses I give for misogyny ring hollow to me now. But I’m not going to pretend there isn’t a bunch of objectionable stuff that I still really like. In fact, there’s plenty. So, here are 25 or so cuts that I know damn well I shouldn’t dig but can’t help (yet) but to dig.
Continue reading 25 or so I’m Ashamed to Like…