A Must Have

I think everyone has a list of albums/cd's that they consider a "must have" in their collection. Of course, a hobby of mine is hanging out at music stores buying cd's. Today, I decided to make going to Best Buy a part of my day among other things. While I was there, I decided to buy a few rap cd's. I purchased an L.L.Cool J. old school cd, a Notorious B.I.G. cd, and further down the aisle, I saw T.I.'s cd Paper Trail. Now I normally don't place many of todays rap artists on my "must have" list, but T.I.'s cd is a definite purchase worth investing in. In my opinion, I can honestly rank this cd as one of my top favorite rap cd's. In fact, I rank this cd up there with Tupac's release of All Eyes On Me. That's how tight Paper Trail is. Every song on this cd is excellent. The lyrics are impressive and the beats are slamming. I've always liked T.I's music, but this cd has prompted me to look at him in a different light as an artist, a musician, a writer, a man. I think he dug deep into his soul and wrote this one. Just like Tupac wrote his best lyrics while in prison, T.I. wrote this cd faced with many obstacles-one of them being prison-time; which he is currently serving. His lyrics show just how much he's grown from his experiences and mistakes in life. I love to hear growth in all artists. It says so much about them, and their development as a musician. If you don't have it, check it out. And I don't mean burn it, buy the damn cd!!! You know who I'm talking to....

On The Radio

Today had to be the best day of my life. I actually recorded a commercial on the radio today. Being in the studio was a damn good feeling. Being behind a microphone as if I was in the music industry felt so damn good!!! My commercials will start airing this coming Tuesday, and I've signed up to be on the air for the next three months on two radio stations. I don't know if you know, but that's a hell of a lot of air time. I have to give a huge shout out to Kelder Summers. Kel!!!! You made that possible!!!! And to my P. R. person, Niya you a genius girl!!!!

Tolerance

I typically don't watch reality shows, but from time to time when I'm channel surfing, America's Next Top Model catches my eye. Not because I'm interested in the show, but because of one of the characters on the show. I don't know his name, or what purpose he serves on the show, but he certainly does draw attention to himself. He is the black guy with the flamboyant style. Anyone watching the show can clearly see that he is a homosexual, and that he goes through no effort to mask it. Not that he has to hide his sexual preference. If he is comfortable being open about, then so be it. But that brings me to the purpose of this blog entry. One night last week, my mother and I were watching television, and she just so happened to catch the last few minutes of America's Next Top Model. The black guy on the show had on a hot pink sweater, with an enormous white bow tie, and a black mushroom type wig on his head. Needless to say, he stood out amongst the panel of people he was seated with. My dad was passing through the room, and his eyes were instantly fixated on this guy. My dad then proceeded to say, "That's why those faggots get their asses kicked in the streets! Fucking faggots get on my nerves!" I told my dad that's not the reason why homosexuals are attacked. And he didn't understand my statement. Now keep in mind my dad is one of those old school cats, so he isn't receptive to what he may consider "different." But I digress. In response to my statement, he just kept saying that "they" shouldn't be that way; "fucking faggots!" I told my dad the reason why homosexuals are attacked is the same reason why black people were lynched, or Jewish people had to suffer the Holocaust. Homosexuals are attacked because of ignorance and intolerance. When people decide to beat or kill someone simply because they're different, then that's the height ignorance and intolerance of the next individual. My dad simply said, "Well," and then sat quietly as he pondered what I said. Would you believe a week later he went back to his sentiment of homosexuals?

Too Late

I can remember as a kid how badly I wanted to go to Disney World. I always thought that the "rich kids" were the only kids fortunate enough to go. The only family vacations we ever went on was to Roxie, Mississippi to visit my grandmother for the summer. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that as kid, and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I always wondered what it would be like to travel to different places. As I matured, I accumulated some independence, and I started going out of town with my cousins. Once I got to law school, I started travelling by myself. And once I got into my profession, I began to travel either for professional reasons or leisure. But the destinations were more conducive to my adult personality. I think after I made 27, I stopped thinking about visiting Disney World, so I didn't have an interest in spending a lot of money on an amusement park(s). If I'm going to spend over a thousand dollars for a trip, I want it to be serene, exotic, and adult with a sexy ambiance. As for Disney World, I think I waited too late in life to take in this experience. I don't regret visiting because I can add it to the list of places I've been to, but I know this is not on my "must do again" list.

Of the four parks, I went to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. I only enjoyed Epcot, and that was probably because of its educational and cultural aspects. Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios was an absolute bore to me. I think that's more for the young, or young at heart. Now my opinion of Disney World isn't law or gospel of course. Everyone else there seemed to be enjoying themselves. I've come to the conclusion that I'm the odd one. If you like theme parks and make believe fantasy stuff, then this is the place for you. If not, make sure you have kids with you if you plan to visit.

Music

Anybody who knows me knows I love music. Its probably my one and only love. I've been known for saying this, so I will say it here on my blog page. I love music more than I love sex. An orgasm doesn't even come close to the feeling I feel whenever I listen to or play music. Right now, I'm listening to Jill Scott. Her latest cd is so close to perfect its unreal. The music and lyrics are phenomenal. Hence the title 'words and sounds.' Its a must have in the music collection-at least mine anyway....

"My love is deeper, tighter, sweeter, higher, fire. Didn't you know this, or didn't you notice?" That sentence alone says it all. Jill can write some some deep shit!

Off To A Good Start

Its only been two days into my new found freedom, and so far things have been going well. I have been receiving a lot of good responses, good publicity so far, and I have a great outlook on things. However, I am faced with a crossroad right now. I was able to stumble across a law clerk job here in New Orleans, but there's a catch. I can't practice criminal defense in New Orleans. That's a problem because here is where I'm known and have a good reputation as an attorney. Criminal defense will have to be my bread and butter if I am going to build a practice and succeed in it. Its what I know and can specialize in at the moment. Of course I can practice criminal defense in the surrounding parishes, but it will take time for the judges in those parishes to get to know me as an attorney. It will also take time for me to learn how the other parishes operate in their courtrooms. I will have to think hard about this one.