Here I thought that Gangs started in prison, the streets and other places of harsh realities. Who would’ve thought that sending your kid to a University may get him beaten, branded and raped (allegedly)!? I have never understood fraternities, while in the business world and life their members may tout all the wonderful things they do in society, the kids in the University system paint a very different picture.  When I was in school all I saw of Fraternities was a collective of guys throwing signs, stomping around, barking and being drunkenly obnoxious. The Sororities weren’t much different as more than a few women that “crossed the line” turned into completely different creatures after donning the mantle. It’s obviously a form of tribal fellowship that isn’t meant to be understood by us outsiders. I get that, which is why I have always reserved judgment... [Read more]

Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris was arrested Wednesday along with his wife Timika “Tiny” Cottle on suspicion of possessing methamphetamines. The couple was driving down the streets of Hollywood California when the police pulled them over after the smell of marijuana came from their rental.  I have to say that this does not look good coming on the heels of the multiplatinum star being on three year probation after being released from a seven month jail stint for illegal firearms possession by a convicted felon. In his short come back since leaving the halfway house in March, T.I. managed to marry his longtime girlfriend, complete King Uncaged (the latest addition to his discography), and star in and executive produce the box office smash, Takers.  Now he is possibly facing a multiple year jail sentence if convicted. One has to wonder if T.I. learned from his mistakes in dealings with... [Read more]

Before I begin, let’s review the definition of two terms I have been toying with, just to be sure I am choosing the most appropriate one to capture the analysis of some “explanations” I have had to respond to over time. So keep in mind the following definitions, and just to let you know, I have decided to go with “Creative Thinking” as the reason grown-ups say the darnedest things! Critical Thinking: The mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion. Creative Thinking: The ability to create. Now, I was intrigued that 20 words were used to define “critical thinking”, not once repeating the word “critical”. Yet creative thinking called for economy of words (4 to be exact), and included the verb of the word in question “creative”. The interesting thing is that one... [Read more]

Known by some as Joe Bananas (A name he abhorred based on the connotation that he was crazy), Giuseppe “Joseph” Bonanno saw over 95 years on this earth while living a life of crime and privilege. If that isn’t amazing enough, you could factor in his survival within the American Mafia and seeing it change three times over. From being raised within the principles of Castellamarese’ men of honor, to being the youngest of the five bosses on The Commission, boss Joe was respected by gangsters and lawmakers alike. Hailing from Castellammare del Golfo, Joe Bonanno and family first immigrated to Brooklyn, New York when he was 3 years old and then again at 20 after both his parents died (His father was an important mafia leader in Sicily). When Joe came to America, he was tutored by the infamous gangster Salvatore Maranzano. Don Maranzano was a man with qualities that Joe admired... [Read more]

I have to say that I have a special place in my heart for all the fathers I see randomly on the street who are actually spending quality time with their kids.  Too many fathers are always placing the blame on something/someone other than themselves as to why they are not “able” to be the type of father they want to be to their kids.  If you find yourself in a situation where you are not able to spend the type of time you would like to with your kids, such as living in a different city/state, there are definitely alternative ways to fill the void in their lives that is felt with your absence.  Men need to stop making excuses for their lack of parenting and start thinking outside the box in order to let that child know, more importantly feel, that they are loved. Let me preface this by saying that if you are one of those dudes where your child’s mother is just (‘scuse me) a bitter... [Read more]

In this article I will be making reference to nerds, in fact the word count on nerd will be astronomical after I have finished saying what it is I have to say. That being said I wanted to preface this with a distinction, I am not referring to fake nerds (Olivia Munn), wannabe nerds (since nerds are all popular now), or geeks (sports stat guy and computer fix-it guy). I am referring to introverts, people who look down when they walk, wear high-water pants and hate/fear people. The guys who stare blankly at you because they haven’t had enough people experience to know that doing so is considered rude. The guys who are so full of themselves on a topic that they see everyone else as complete idiots. THAT is the nerd of which I will be referencing today. Examples of this Nerd of which I will be referencing is: Rodney from StarGate Atlantis, Kaylee from Firefly and Dwight from The Office.... [Read more]

Many times you hear people say that they need to get into shape for summer or for vacation so that they can have a good time without the hassle of paying attention to trifles like health and wellness. What I find strange about this sentiment is that fitness is a lifestyle and not an activity, but the information spread through the media would lead us to believe that getting in shape is an activity. The other thing about vacations is that the people who frequently do the cliché activities are walking/talking proof that America has an obesity problem. Unless you are one of those that are the example, you should look at it as motivation to get right. Theme Parks and Obesity I started dubbing morbidly obese body-types the “theme park body” due to what I see whilst people-watching at any number of theme parks. People get bigger and bigger, are allowed on less structures and rides but bring... [Read more]

Okay look, Die Another Day left much to be desired in a Bond movie. I mean it had the debonair Piers Brosnan as 007, token black (kiss my ass colorists) Bond girl hawte Halle Berry and one epically cheesy Ice Palace that turned the first decent half into a laughable kickback to the Roger Moore smear on the series. It left fans with a bad taste in their mouth for James Bond but I remember the buzz about Halle who kicked ass as the sexy Jinx. The beauty went on to star in a movie called Cat Woman which featured a badly animated version of the villainess doing Capoeira in a designer cat suit. This abortion for lack of a better word made Batman nerds very angry. And let’s not forget that she was miscast as the African bombshell Storm in the X-Men trilogy which made nerds wince even more than Cat Woman did. Halle – A Victim of Bad Action Roles So to say Halle’s run with action roles... [Read more]

Nine years ago (August 25, 2001) the world of Hip Hop / Rhythm and Blues was shaken by the news of Aaliyah Dana Haughton’s plane crashing. The thoughts were on the freakishness of such an event in a modern time since artists dying in plane crashes were associated with the 50’s and 60’s (think Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper). The news was horrible and sobering as I had just witnessed her performance as Akasha Queen of The Damned and commented how extremely beautiful she was. Like most children of talent wish and dream of becoming lucky and having the world see their light illuminate the sky, Aaliyah was given that honor and slam dunked it with much emphasis. Her rhythmically coordinated dances are legendary and no dancer can do their thing these days without comparison checks being made (right Ciara?) Her voice was beautiful and her entire presence a rhythmic motion of... [Read more]