Random things, can't sleep.

Some banging Star Wars poster redesigns by artist Tyler Stout:


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The good folks over at the Huffington Post led me to the original Space Jam website *that has somehow managed to float around cyberspace for the past 14 years or so.

*It's truly remarkable to see how much the internets have changed since their early days all the way back in 1996, so after perusing through the ancient site for a bit it got me thinking about Hit Em High. While most of the world was spinning R. Kelly's I believe I Can Fly nonsense in their Discmans, my boys and I were tripping of a lesser known joint from the original soundtrack. Fear the MONSTAR'S ANTHEM.


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The Race Card

I received the WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All Time DVD for Christmas. While the DVD is fun there are several perplexing and disconcerting things about list itself. Now I understand these types of things only really matter to other grown ass men like myself that have watched professional wrestling since Reagan was in office and can understand the weird nuances that surround it, so if you're one of them you might feel me on this one.

The one truly inconceivable thing about the list is the number 6 spot. Following a top 5 that all fans would probably agree on in some capacity (HBK, Undertaker, Austin, Hitman, Rock) comes HARLEY RACE.

Yes Harley Race. Now I can only go off of my childhood memories of the guy since I didn't get to experience his work in his heyday of the 1930's...but what I remember is a whiskey barrel shaped old man in purple tights, with bad prison tattoos on his forearms, calling himself the King. I will bow to no man with bad tattoos. And while I only saw his matches in retrospect on the old Coliseum Home Videos, I was witnessing King Haku live at Wrestlemania 5.

Now King Haku was a much more intriguing guy. He was from a mysterious island in the pacific named TONGA, he spoke no English, just seemed to growl and snarl and was carried out to the ring on a throne, by other human beings. As a 7 year old with an imagination running away from me, I could only helplessly come to believe that Haku led a cannibalistic uprising of henchmen that dethroned Race in some capacity. Probably involving mass beatings and pillaging.

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National Geographic just released their most stunning photos of the year. Something about this lion right here.



That lion knows some things man.

Ghosts of Christmas Presents

+++A Very Special Lucha Buddha Christmas Entry+++

1986 - Nintendo Entertainment System Deluxe Set

So I had to do a bit of research to see what exactly my brother received way back then. It was most definitely this here, because besides the duck killing gat that it came with there was also the not so fondly remembered "ROB" (Robotic Operating Buddy)...but I recall it vividly. Basically a lot of confusing parts, that when assembled, did absolutely nothing in conjunction with the game system itself (perhaps it did but my brother and I weren't going to waste anymore time figuring it out, since the controllers were a lot less easier to use and a hell of a lot more fun). Ultimately Rob became a giant killer robot, sworn enemy of Lion-O and He-Man.

Technically this was my brother's gift but of course as any child of the eighties could attest, the NES brought all of us fond memories of sleepless nights, Cheeto residue ridden controllers, hours of trying to figure out how to make the game cartridge work again (blowing in it, freezing it, the trick where you let the edge hit as you pushed it down, etc.), and an endless supply of brain cell devouring games. Basically shaped our childhoods more then our parents did.

1988 - Turtle Blimp


I was a Ninja Turtle obsessed jack ass at this point of my life. So naturally when this bewildering thing was released I needed it desperately. Here I'll let this geek explain it in more detail then it should ever call for.
Geek explains Turtle Blimp


1991 - Diamondback Mountain Bike
*
*This putrid image isn't one of my actual bike, but it's what popped up when I put "blue diamondback mountain bike" into Google and I got lazy.

Ahh, my bike. It was an eternally fly looking and wonderfully dependable bike that I rode around town for way longer then I should have. With a fresh sky blue paint job, a comfortable saddle cushion, some sparkling silver pegs and red dice valve covers. Ooooh, tell me I wasn't big ballin back then.

When other kids got bit older and upgraded their bikes with something they considered a bit more sleek and mature, I stuck with my beat up old mountain snake. It made its home in my grandfather's garage until it mysteriously vanished one day a few years after his passing. With "Pop" gone no one was around to religiously monitor the garage door, so some swine merchant probably came through and stole it. I like to think though that maybe Pop himself came back around one day, saw that I was older and driving a car now, and took it back with him...to a big ole garage somewhere in the sky. Yea I like that.


1993 - Art Table

The attached overhead light seemed to get as hot as a forest fire after about 5 minutes and I believe my father never quite assembled the legs right because of the slight wobble that took place whenever I leaned on it a certain way, nevertheless this bad boy provided me with a place to scribble comic book art and rhymes for many years to follow.

1994 - Sega 32X


The biggest bust of them all. Well over a decade later and I'm still confused over this item. What was it supposed to do...really? I mean the marketing campaign made it appear like once it was jammed into the Genesis like two Na'Vi aliens making love with their ponytails, some kind of mysterious, video game magic was going to transpire. Like Sonic was suddenly going to be bigger and faster, and more lifelike. But in reality NOT SHIT HAPPENED. Nothing, zero, zilch.

2005 - Towels and The Notebook

When I saw the girl that would eventually become my wife that year she asked me what I got for Christmas. I responded with "towels and The Notebook". At this point we barely knew one another and from what she did know of me, I'm sure she assumed I was making it up and further more making an ass out myself. Well while I was indeed making an ass out myself, I wasn't making it up.

I had recently moved back into my parent's house, home fresh from a year long stint out in Hollywood. And with all due respect to my family, because of a cocktail of mild OCD and Verminophobia, I couldn't bring myself to use a towel that I didn't know the past 12 month history of. And coincidentally I had recently seen the Notebook on DVD alone in my California apartment and wept to myself uncontrollably. Hence "towels and The Notebook".

2007 - The Goonies action figure set

Not only did my wonderful wife get me the entire set but in staying with the spirit of my favorite childhood movie she hid each figure around my parent's house and sent me on a treasure hunt. Like as if I didn't have enough yet, that was clear evidence that I needed to marry this girl. To this day the whole set...Mouth, Mikey, Chunk, Data and of course Sloth...make their home on a bookshelf in our apartment. While they are collecting dust and rarely played with nowadays, they are a tiny reminder of this grand adventure we've been on as a couple.



Because of the merry madness of the the next few days there probably won't be another blog entry until after Christmas, so if you have taken the time out to read any of this tripe I want to thank you. While I don't have any followers I have indeed had a fair share of traffic through here, and it's a good feeling. So to you and yours have a peaceful, safe and wonderful holiday. Catch you on the next one. Much love.

The Top 10 HipHop albums of 2010

It's only been a few years since Nasir Jones and plenty of others (including myself) made bold declarations suck as "hiphop is dead". I feel like no one actually believed that, anyone with a true understanding of the culture should realize it will never die, just evolve and adapt. The music itself though has had its fair share of ups and downs in quality. This past year the quality was up, way up. I would go as far as to say it's been one of the better years since way back in 1998. Emcees, from legends to newcomers were back to spitting, and weren't afraid to construct albums true to their aesthetic. Hiphop music was fresh again and these albums* were the best of the bunch.

*I tried to only include albums that you could actually walk into the store and see on the shelf, understandably there are some seriously dope mixtapes from this past year too...but I had to narrow it down somehow. In regards to my sanity when making lists.

Honorable mentions:

Distant Relatives - Nas & Damian Marley
This has to be included mainly because of the chemistry of the artists. Two kindred spirits combined to make a cohesive sound. Jr Gong always brings it artistically and Nas seemed comfortable over this particular sonic landscape.


The Adventures of Bobby Ray - B.O.B
Potential is the key word here. This guy has it in spades, he just seemed focused on using his limitless talents to craft single centric album rather then something that could have destroyed everything. Still a valiant effort, worth a mention. And frankly, Nothin on You owned earlier in the year. You loved it.

The Stimulus Package - Freeway & Jake One
In an era where dope collaborations seem to actually be happening rather then talked about in interviews, this one shined. The perpetually amped Freeway showed some range over Jake One's stellar production.

Nineteen Ninety Now - Celph Titled & Buckwild
Another left field collabo that worked. Since I ceased being one, really angry rappers haven't been my thing. That being said, Buckwild brought it out of dude and they stayed true to the concept with a fitting homage to the greatest era.

Top 10:

10: Kush & OJ - Wiz Khalifa
Okay I have to break my rule and include one mixtape because it's just too fly not to. While Wiz doesn't stray much further then smoking weed with hot girls as subject matter, he makes it sound so good doing so. A little bit Too Short, a bit of Bone Thugs...maybe even some early Outkast. Whatever it reminds me of, it's most definitely free flowing, eternally fresh music.

9: Wu-Massacre - Meth, Ghost, Rae
A quick smack in the face from three of Wu's finest. Nobody does straight up hardcore, boom bap as effortlessly as the Gods. Much more concise then other Wu projects, and could have used a bit more fine tuning, but in the end the only real downfall is that it's over too quickly.

8: Recovery - Eminem
In one hell of a comeback year for Slim Shady, he was able to finally settle down in his own skin and mesh his lyrical gift with great production and even manage to gain huge commercial success while doing so. It's a comforting thing to know that the most popular hiphop artist in the world is a true rapper's rapper, intent on never ruining his legacy again and respecting the culture which gave him his life.

7: The Teflon Don - Rick Ross
Say what you will about the guy's personal life, he knows how to make enjoyable music. Perhaps it's the utilization of more talented friends on this disc (Hov, Cee-Lo, Badu, Legend, Ye, etc) or his ear for great beats and hooks. Perhaps it's his unabashed, but ironic approach to the glamorous life. Whatever it is it works for him and he takes the number 7 spot.


6: Sir Lucious: Left Foot The Son of Chico Dusty - Big Boi
I'm still not sold on the title but I loved this effort nonetheless. Loaded with the trademark Kast sound, Big Boi shows that he has more then enough talent to stand on his own with a proper solo joint. He's much more then the Scottie Pippen to Andre 3000.


5: How I Got Over - The Roots
It's strange to say but The Legendary Roots Crew have been putting out consistently dope hiphop music for so long that it's easy to overlook a new release by them. Don't do it. As cohesive and cutting edge as albums get, their front-man seems to have eased into his role as a social commentator and the band is as sharp as ever.


4: Apollo Kids - Ghostface Killah
Quiet for most of the past 365 days outside of a few appearances on Wu-Massacre, Tony came in at the end of the year with a quick reminder on why you should consider him the greatest, pure hiphop artist of all time. Any Ghost project is worth checking out and usually messing around at the top spot by year's end, this one is no exception.


3: Pilot Talk 1 & 2 (tied) - Curren$y
Like his partner in "The Jets" Wiz Khalifa...my boy "Spitta" doesn't stretch much further from getting high and inviting fine young ladies around the world with him, that being said don't sleep on his slick, under the radar lyrical prowess. With a laid back approach to his craft and effortless ability to put together easily digestible music he managed to put out two high quality releases in the same year, perhaps a first in history. While a lot of rappers boast about privileged, frivolous lifestyles and use women as just another prop, Currensy makes his tales of gluttony accessible in someway and seemingly lets the girls in on the fun. All he needs are his friends, that certain drug of his choice, Madden Football and a "condo full of snacks".


2: TSOL - Shad
Like I said the year was filled with top notch hiphop music, but only one album with hiphop music like this. To think a guy born in Kenya, raised in London and coming out of Canada has managed to put out the purest, boom bap material in some time is crazy. Unafraid to flip original concepts, never too intricate but at the same time complex, with a easy flow, and obviously being himself on wax...as opposed to Celph Titled's homage, this album actually could have came out in 95. If you're a fan of this genre, you must not sleep on this album or artist.




1: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
This actually could be called album of the year, artist of the year, movement of the year, "comeback" of the year, etc...no one else embodied the spirit of hiphop culture this year more then Mr. West. He did so simultaneously with embodying the viral, fast paced, streamlined pop culture of ours, somehow bridged them together and moved mad units (in the face of an album buying mainstream still somewhat salty over the Taylor Swift fiasco) and ultimately got rave reviews (in the face of a critics as ready to crucify him as praise him).

He reentered the scene with some energetic, intense stage performances early in the year then invited a hiphop dream team to Hawaii with him and produced a banging song every Friday for over two months. Created an original, brilliantly weird short film that worked as a teaser, then finally dropped the album itself. A truly insane work of art that I already reviewed but will reiterate to say when combined with the best of his G.O.O.D Friday tracks, his work only gets better. With a video for Monster on the way that looks like it could change the game once again and his eclectic roster of legends and promising newcomers under the G.O.O.D Music banner, Ye ain't done yet.



And there you have it.

One last thing though, two of my favorite rap artists of all time dropped an album this year. Redman and Ice Cube, both were fairly embarrassing. If you're a legend in the game, bring it...you have nothing left to prove, make the music that made you. And if you literally can't, because of the age factor or something like this...then don't. There's always Chucky and Are We There Yet.

The 7 best books I read this year.

I had a borderline obsessive approach to reading this past year. I believe it simultaneously amazed and frustrated my Wife and unfortunately made my wallet a bit lighter in the process. I must say I read a good amount of great books and only a few weaker ones, nothing really that "sucked". While I throw terms like suck around a lot for other forms of entertainment, it's hard for me to dislike a book, even if it isn't all that. I am a sucker for the written word.

To think it was only a few years ago that the only book thicker then a comic that I ever really opened was a graphic novel or occasional Stephen King. And it's quite unbelievable to me that I was irritated by people that said stuff like "I like to read more then watch television or movies". I have now realized that there is actually no better way to get entrenched in a story then in the pages of a good book. These 7 in particular are the cream of the crop of 2010, not necessarily published this year but my favorite nonetheless.

Only by a slight margin, perhaps the best of the bunch. A sweeping epic and an intimate coming of age story, a gritty but whimsical science fiction adventure and ultimately a commentary on how we treat one another. Gonzales' writing is simple, fast and exciting and by the end he makes us believe in his world and fall head over heels for for his half human, half ape heroine.

Completing this epic by the master himself was truly a test of patience. Not only did it require a few weeks of carrying around a book that could double as a cinder block but it was chock-full of characters and sub plots and became the longest book I ever finished reading (the first would of been The Stand, ironically, but it eventually lost the attention of a 15 year old me) In the end it was well worth it. No other author could have captured the terror and desperation of a town trapped in a mysterious bubble like King.

Just when I thought I had my fill of books that a gangster could tie to his enemies' leg just before throwing him in the lake I found myself following up Under the Dome with a a novel just as big physically and a saga that is even more vast then King's. Justin Cronin's story is a grand science fiction/horror/fantasy adventure that seemed to be created solely for the purpose of being adapted for the big screen. (And of course it will be by Ridley Scott in the next few years) In a literary and film world filled with shirtless, undead fairy boys it was refreshing to experience a truly scary vampire story not primped and proper for 15 year old girls.




Easily them most fun I had while reading in my life. Several laugh out moments from a man that is quickly becoming my favorite author. Jonathan Tropper's writing is all at once genuine, hysterical, honest and moving. A simple tale about a young man returning to his family when his father passes away, but still manages to be a page turner. Even if you don't like to read, pick this book up and give the first chapter a chance.

While it's not even in the same ball park as perhaps my favorite novel of all time Life of Pi, it's a worthy follow up. Perplexing, challenging and actually a little bit scary. Critics seemed to hate it and I truthfully couldn't help to be a bit let down as I made my through it, in the end though having a little bit of patience with the author paid off. Letting the story unravel the way Martel wants it to is the key, it sneaks up on you when you finish.

Steve Martin. Yes, the Steve Martin is a hilarious man and it comes through in every page. A small, insanely funny book that never really goes anywhere (like its protagonist) but is a great read nonetheless.

Outside of his music the Abbot of the Wu-Tang Clan has much to show the world, this is only the beginning. It's written in the same way that the RZA speaks, so if it's hard for you to follow many different ideologies and theories all in the same very long run on sentence, stay away. One part biography, one part history of the Clan, one part self help book, one part reference guide to Religion, etc, etc...all RZA. Like the man himself both apologetically gritty and over the top enlightening.

Of thee I sing.

As I stood in Wal-Mart the other day and flipped through Barack Obama's third book, the notion that has been swirling around my mind for some time has become official. It's simply this. He is too good of man to be President of the United States. That isn't a diss to any former President, since it takes a person that truly excels to even win the presidency. But there is a certain character trait the "leader of the free world" must posses, good or bad, Obama doesn't seem to have it.

I've read his first two books and this latest one I probably would have bought and finished also, but it's deemed a children's book and I've already purchased the Elf on the Shelf recently for my Wife. Since we don't have any children yet I didn't want a strange habit forming, but I digress.

From what I did manage to read in Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my Daughters, along with his first book in particular Dreams from my Father (which I've read twice) he speaks with a certain voice. A voice that seems to look at the world, and family, and history a bit differently then not only any President before him, but also any other author I've come across. It's certainly due to his interracial upbringing and the mixture of cultures that he has faced throughout his life but there is more to it then just that.

He has an ability to really see people and understand them. That is why he was able to win the election in the first place, he was out there, amongst his supporters and winning more and more by the second. People were able to relate to him in some intangible way that they may not even have understood at the time. Not even a daily barrage of falsehoods by Fox News and right wing radio changed people's minds back then. It was because his position as a presidential candidate allowed him freedoms he no longer has today. No matter what they threw at us, when we actually saw and heard the man himself, it overshadowed the negativity.

Fast forward to right now. I recently contemplated scraping off the Obama/Biden sticker that has made its home on the back window of my pickup truck for the past couple of years. I'm supposed to be the frustrated liberal, aggravated because he hasn't lived up to his promise, he hasn't brought us that change he spoke so fluently about back in 2008. In a way I am. But then it dawned on me as I examined the cover of his book, the great artwork of his daughters Malia and Sasha walking their dog Bo. That is why the man is here.

My Grandfather once told me "No matter what you do for a living, whether you're the President or a guy with a mop, providing a great life to your children, being the best husband you can be. That is your true job in the end. That is what makes you a good man."

Barack Obama has the extreme burden that only a microscopic amount of human beings will ever truly understand. He is the leader of the free world and he is handling it the best he can. Since all signs point to a one term presidency, in 2012 when his run is over he will be able to once again put in real work, effect people in a way that really matters.

Bill Maher has said that it's mostly Democrats that have gone on to do some amazing work when their Presidencies are over, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton most notably. That it's inherit in their worldview and character that they want to really help, on the sidelines perhaps, long after the game is over. I can only hope that when we look back on Barack Obama it's not his time as President we will remember most fondly but what he was able to accomplish in his life to follow.

He was supposed to bring us change, let's just hope his 4 years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave doesn't change him.

This day in history.

Events

Good ones:

1787 Pennsylvania is the second state to ratify the United States Constitution. Eagles fans would practice their freedom of expression for years to come.

1913 In Florence, The Mona Lisa is recovered in disgruntled waiter Vincenzo Peruggia's hotel room. Peruggia disguised himself as a janitor at the Louvre in Paris and snatched it up two years prior. Needless to say it was pretty hard for Vincenzo to get his job back after that one.


1917 Father Edward Flanagan founds Boys Town, arguably the world's most famous orphanage. It continues to help at-risk children to this day. (perhaps it could use a name change)


Bummers:

1941 Reich Chancellery Meeting is held by Adolf Hitler. All the important Nazi madmen are in attendance as he announces that he will officially be trying to exterminate the Jewish race. Although I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find that Adolf was up to horrible deeds on every day of the year.

2000 The United States Supreme Court hands out its ruling regarding the counting of ballots in Florida. George W. Bush wins the electoral votes in the state and ultimately the election itself. Nothing more to say really.


2003 Keiko the Orca dies. He played Willy.

Notable Births:

Frank Sinatra, Bob Barker, Bill Nighy, Jennifer Connelly

Which brings me to the most notable birth of them all and real reason to celebrate this day...

The Lowe Twins!
Julia and Jamie (guess which is which)
December 12th, 1983

They were born down in Nashville and both would grow up to be beautiful, accomplished young ladies but Jamie would eventually come across a shaggy haired, eccentric guy who may or may not have scared her just a little.

And just looking at the relationship in its beginning stages from a superficial viewpoint it didn't seem to make much sense. She made plans and got things done, he frolicked about and let nature take its course. He battled with a slight case of OCD in regards to tidiness, she was a bit messy. She said what she meant and meant what she said, he tried to say fancy things that came off like the ramblings of a lunatic (this blog on most days, for example) But through its few downs and abundant supply of ups their relationship grew and they learned from each other, became better people (him especially) and ultimately would become the love of each others' lives.

To my muse, my best friend, the Oracle to my Batman, the center of my universe, my lovely Wife. I'm eternally glad you were born. Happy Birthday Bub. I love you. x0x0