[Wait for the drop...]

Now-a-days, DJs spend more time with there hands in the air than they do actually DJing/mixing…

[Pescetarian and Proud]

Maybe I should start by saying that 8 months ago I decided to go back to being pescetarian. I can honestly say that it is a decision that I am happy with and am glad that I have made this change in my lifestyle along with a host of other things that I have been changing or fine tuning. I’ve been slowly stocking up on food knowledge and cooking equipment and have learned so much during the past several months.

And with that being said, this post can turn into an over extended rant, but in trying to keep things short, some of the major factors that helped to inspire this change in my lifestyle include; having watched two documentaries titled “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” and “Food Inc.“, having picked up the book “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian“, and having been extensively training and studying in different forms of Martial Arts.

I’ve come to learn so much about my body and how it is effected by what I do to it and what I put into it. My viewpoint on food and physical fitness have changed so much within the past year or so and I am extremely humbled to have been exposed to so much eye opening information.

        Making the full transition back into being pescertarian was not an easy process, but being back into the full swing of things feels absolutely amazing and leaves me with no regrets. One of the only annoying things is the occasional, “I didn’t make it to the top of the food chain just to eat lettuce” lecture I get from ‘vegetarian hating meat-eaters‘ that I have to deal with every now and then. Other then that, I would highly endorse and recommend a pescetarian lifestyle to anyone, and definitely recommend that anyone, regardless of their dietary lifestyle choices, check out the two documentaries that I mentioned above. They have both forever changed the way I view food, health, and nutrition.

[Esperanza Spalding]

Maybe I should start by saying that two nights ago I was extremely privileged to have been able to attend an Esperanza Spalding concert at the University of Buffalo Center for the Arts, kicking off her Radio Music Society Tour. It was an exhilarating performance and I loved every moment of it. There were moments during her performance where I realized I had slipped into a trance of emotion evoked by the music.

Nevertheless, Esperanza is universally a true goddess in her own right, based on her talent, beauty and character. Even though I was unable to find anyone to take with me (as hard as that might be to believe) I really enjoyed myself. I was able to take a couple snapshots as well as some video footage of some her song performances (thanks to my new 32gb memory card). And to top the night off I was able to briefly meet and talk to Esperanza after the show as well as get her to autograph my copy of her Radio Music Society Album. as cheesy at it may sound, that experience filled my spirit with enough joy to last a couple weeks and help me to finish off my last stressful semester of college.

The only other female artist that I truly adore to an extremely high extent would be Sade, so being able to add another female artist to my short list of musical icons feels really good. I now place this experience into my Top 3 of Best Concerts that I have ever been to along side a Childish Gambino Concert and a Lauryn Hill concert that I attended (which obviously brings to light that I was never able to attend a Michael Jackson Concert *sad face*).

I read tons of reviews saying that Esperanza’s live performances were an extraordinary experience and watched dozens of videos online, but being able to truly get a first hand taste of her art was breath taking. At the concerts closing I felt completely satisfied with what had transpired and left that concert hall a little better of a person. Whilst waiting behind the venue after the concert was over, I had the chance to chat with other fans of Esperanza and share stories, experiences and opinions. The entire thing was overall a very pleasant, soulful, and enlightening experiences from the show opening to me making my way back home carefully holding my autographed album copy.

[We Need to Talk About an Injustice]

[Bryan Stevenson: We need to talk about an injustice]

Maybe I should start by saying that it was very interesting to come across this video of Bryan Stevenson discussing some of the hard truths about the United States justice system, and the extensive imbalances along racial lines: “a third of the country’s black male population has been incarcerated at some point in their lives. These issues, which are wrapped up in America’s unexamined history, are rarely talked about with this level of candor, insight and persuasiveness.”- TED

Bryan Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, fighting poverty and challenging racial discrimination in the criminal justice system.

For this unfamiliar, TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. More info and inspirational and intriguing videos can be found at http://www.ted.com/

[Life is Art]

“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in and, all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. how you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel……..Life is art.” – T.U.G.

[Will Smith - Tavis Smiley Interview]

Maybe I should start by saying that Will Smith is one of the (very few) celebrities that I actually look up to in a sense. A lot of what he explains in this video interview really hits home and sparks a motivational light within myself to always keep working hard in every aspect of life deemed important.

[All Innocent. All Killed. All Black. All Unarmed.]

- Aiyana Stanley

- Amadou Diallo

- Corey Brown

- DeAunta Terrel Farrow

- Derrick Jones

- Emmett Till

- Guy Jarreau Jr.

- Jimmell Cannon

- Kenneth Harding

- Kiwane Carrington

- Orlando Barlow

- Oscar Grant

- Ousmane Zongo

- Patrick Dorismond

- Ramarley Graham

- Reginald Doucet

- Rekia Boyd

- Ronald Madison

- Sean Bell

- Steven Eugene Washington

- Tarika Wilson

- Travares McGill

- Trayvon Martin

- Victor Steen

- Wendell Allen

[Trayvon Martin]

[What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)]

[Criminal Justice Petition: Prosecute the Killer of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin]

Maybe I should start by saying that if you are not already familiar with the case and story surrounding Trayvon Martin’s death then you should follow the first link above to familiarize yourself with the details. And after doing so, you should take the time out (if you care too) and sign the criminal justice petition which can be found by following the second link above.

“Whatever career you may choose for yourself – doctor, lawyer, teacher – let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life. It will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man. Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in.” – Unknown.

[Last Samurai Katana]

Maybe I should start by saying that I am very pleased with my new purchase. I picked up a replica of the Last Samurai Katana used in the film. It is a fully functional blade, hand made from high carbon steel, is full-tang, and has a razor sharp blade and a meaningful engraving along the blade which reads, “Since ancient times through the present, God is with those who serve with dignity and honor”.

The level of detail on this katana is amazing and it’s engraving gives it so much more life. As soon as I came across it, I knew I had to pick it up. I’m kind of  a nerd for little things and accessories like this so I may look into picking up a few other similar pieces.

 

The hardwood handle is tightly wrapped with a black nylon wrap allowing for a secure grip and traditional copper is used for the tsuba and fittings. A shiny glossy finish coats the scabbard, making it a very attractive display piece.

 

I was able to pick this item up from Trueswords.com. They have a huge collection of items at great prices and have gotten great reviews from collectors and customers. I would definitely suggest checking out the site to anyone interested in items like this. Whether you may be looking for pieces for cosplay, fully functional blades, display pieces, or collectors items, you will have a huge selection of items to choose from.

This is my first katana/sword, so it is very special to me. I cleaned it and re-oiled it right out of the box due to the factory oil and some wood shaving residue.

And I of course did not hesitate to give it a few swings  as a test run, which ended quickly after accidentally cutting my finger and almost chopping one of the blades off of my living room ceiling fan.

Now even though I am in no way a ninja or samurai, holding this bad boy makes me feel one step closer to being a badass ninja assassin…So now…Next up on the list…….A lightsaber…??? o_O

 

[Occupy Wall Street]

Maybe I should start by saying that I am extremely anxious to see where this potential revolution leads and if it will be possible for us to achieve that change that we are fighting for as a people. Hundreds of videos documenting what has been going on in the Occupy Wall Street movement have been popping up all over the internet showcasing police brutality, the unification of people, and the expression of the many ideas and values that people in the US hold true to.

I will save my personal opinions on the government and the Occupy Movement for another day, but posted below are 3 of the most powerful, thought provoking, and emotionally moving videos that I have come across that address what has been going on within to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

[I AM NOT MOVING]

“As the protest movement spills out from the US and takes over the world, one award-winning director cuts the long story down to a short film, highlighting the double standards of US leaders.”

“”I’m Not Moving” is a brilliant title for this seven-minute edit of speeches by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — and protests across the US and in countries like Egypt and Libya. The short film shows both the unmoving position of US authorities when it comes to domestic matters, and the hypocrisy people in the US and all over the world are trying to fight. Director Corey Ogilvie says his main goal was to showcase one constant between these seemingly different events.” – RiseAgainstState

[Marine vs 30+ NYC Cops]

“United States Marine Corps. Sgt. Shamar Thomas from Roosevelt, NY went toe to toe with the New York Police Department. An activist in the Occupy Wall Street movement, Thomas voiced his opinions of the NYPD police brutality that had and has been plaguing the #OWS movement.

Thomas comes from a long line of people who sacrifice for their country: Mother, Army Veteran (Iraq), Step father, Army, active duty (Afghanistan), Grand father, Air Force veteran (Vietnam), Great Grand Father Navy veteran (World War II).” - Jannah Handy

[End the Fed]

“OccupyWallStreet protester (now identified as Chris Savvinidis) with a spot-on & passionate speech re Ending the Federal Reserve, Minimizing the Federal Government, Ending the Fractional Reserve Banking System, Ending the Monetary Fiasco that is the government-controlled FIAT money system & Ending the Wars that were engineered to make the richest 1% even richer. We also need to have an independent audit and inventory of all the gold reserves in the USA. We need to hold the Bankers and Elite responsible for their crimes against humanity… End the Fed, End the Wars & End the Corruption!!” - Expansion of Consciousness