DIEGO BERNAL

Thanks to digital social networking I recently reconnected with a friend, Diego Bernal, from my collegiate days at the University of Michigan. We used to study sociology together and have revolutionary ideas about changing the world. While I matriculated to get my advanced degree in partyology, Diego is currently a civil rights attorney residing in Texas. But diego isn't your average suit, he also dabbles in beat making. His debut project is called "For Corners"(not the old school dance silly). Below is a sample of his work "Bring it on Home" which was recently remixed by Mexicans with Guns. Get into it.

Bring It On Home - Diego Bernal from Exponential Records on Vimeo.

INAUGURATION EVENTS

Since I suffer from an extreme case of claustrophobia, I will not be attending the inaugural festivities in Washington D.C. But for those of you who can withstand the maddening crowds that will descend upon our nation's capital this weekend as president elect Barack Obama gets sworn in on Tuesday, I recommend the following celebratory events:




















What: Inauguration 2009
When: Tuesday, January 20th 2009
Where: Eighteenth Street Lounge
DJ: Nikodemus, Daz-I-Kue, Thomas Blondet, DJ DRM, King Britt, DJ Terry Hunter, Jephte Guillaume, and Chris Annibell
Special Guest: Nappy G
Cost: $20
8 quality DJ's for $20 is surely one of the best values of the night.

Also......















What: Welcome to 1600
When: Tuesday, January 20th 2009
Where: Joesphine
Host: Spike Lee
Presenters: Mike Muse, Unik, and Pantera Sarah
DJ's: special guest Will I. Am, DJ M.O.S. and DJ mOma
Cost: $75
The Who's who of New York will most definitely be at this soiree

Signed, Sealed, Delivered Im Yours - Stevie Wonder

NEW DIGS

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Most of you know that I am very neighborhoodish, but sometimes I like to step out of the hood to dodge the numerous Bugaboo's, MacLaren's, and Baby Bjorns rolling down the street. On one of my recent strolls (see above picture) through Brooklyn's Greenwood Heights I discovered a new gallery/event space Under Minerva (see picture below) located at 656 5th Ave. Currently on display is "Form State" by artists Claudia Cannizzaro and Michael Robinson. In addition to visual arts this bi-level space offers an artist's den, yoga, creative topics for children, meditation, and a book club. Exacccctly they do EVERYTHING and then some. For a full list of everything that this gem offers visit underminerva.com. OOOh I can't wait for my talented friends to start creating magic at Under Minerva (means less travel time for me ;). This Friday January 16th from 8pm until 10pm is the Grand Opening Celebration, which I plan on attending.

Im So Hood - DJ Khaled

TIME FOR A CHANGE

I was elated when the people of the United States of America elected Barack Obama. Finally my ancestors dreams were realized. As we near the inagauration in Washington D.C. the historical buzz that's in the air is humming louder than ever. Not only are the people of America excited, but people all over the world are eagerly anticipating the hope and change that Barack will bring. Everywhere you turn Barack's face is on a T-shirt, button, market bag and even.....SNEAKERS?!

Apparently brooklynite Mitchell Rose will be hawking these sneakers all around our beloved burrough from the um....trunk of his car. In addition to these sneakers you can also find jordans, air force 1's, and Keds adorned with the Face and campaign slogan of our president elect. Obama had the world chanting "Yes we can" but errrrr.....I can't.

Obama Amillie -

OOOH HOW U DOIN?

Another one of my guilty pleasures is The Real World.  Last night was the premiere of the latest installment which was filmed in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  This season is groundbreaking because for the first time in it's 20 season history a post operative transgender woman Katelynn Casanelli is a member of the cast.  Katelynn can now join other transgendered women like Isis from America's Next Top Model, and Laverne from I Want to Work for Diddy as being a part of popular culture.  As exciting as it is, it certainly is not the "real" T.

This may or may not be true, but according to a few websites including gawker.com perchance openly gay cast member and Dolphin trainer JD Ordonez allegedly used to bump uglies with CNN's resident silver daddy.....wait......wait for it.....Anderson Cooper!  

Blow The Whistle - TOO SHORT

R.I.P. "NO HOMO"

I am so over the phrase "No Homo". Apparently pink loving Cam'ron and Juelz Santana of Harlem's Dipset coined the phrase to reiterate their heterosexuality when saying or doing something that could potentially be perceived as gay. Now the phrase has grown to be a cross cultural phenomenon. Check out the video below by Jsmooth and let's put this controversial phrase where it belongs 6 feet under.




"No Homo"
Sunrise: Approxiamtely 5 years ago
Sunset: Stat
Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust

Yes - Kevin Movado Prodigy

XOXO

OMG! I have been waiting with much anticipation for the season return of Gossip Girl, and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). Tonight at 8pm on the CW my dreams will be fulfilled. TTYL XOXO

Gossip Girl - Gossip Girl

Beer Bottle Pockets

So recently I was talking to a friend, the epitome of a frugal socialite, who recanted this story of a dinner/socializing strategy gone very wrong. For anonymity sake we will call him..... Le Elephant (LE).

Le Elephant had plans to meet up with a group of Manhattan's social elite for dinner at one of the city's seen and be gawked restaurants. Translation expensive and trendy as a MUTHA FUCKA. LE's plan was to eat for free at a previous event and THEN meet up with the aspiring bourgeois set towards the END of their dinner. After LE had already told them that he was going to be 45 minutes late and to PLEASE be seated without him, The group insisted on waiting for him BEFORE the dining experience began. Not only was the luxuriating halted until LE's arrival, the group consistently called, texted, emailed, couriered, instant messaged, and morse coded LE informing him of their increasing hunger. Le finally gets there, he orders soup (cheapest thing on the menu) and tap water with lime, while everyone else is ordering appetizers, pellegrino, bottles of wine, entrees, AND desserts. After bread had been broken the expensive check finally comes. Someone makes a suggestion that the bill should be evenly divided amongst ALL the guest. Le Elephant's response?...wait....wait for it.....Absolutely not going to be able to do it!

Not Gonna Be Able To Do It - Double X Posse

ARE YOU SERIOUS

While the rest of the free world is breaking resolutions, cleaning house, organizing their lives, taking advantage of after new year's sales, apologizing to their no-no holes for being gluttonous, or doing whatever it is the Eff they want to do, here I sit tethered to my damn desk....AT WORK!...with no Wendy Williams to kiki with to boot....(sigh).....But no worries dry your salty tears muffin because as soon as I get some brown juice and visit the CHIEF all will be right with the world yet again.

Someday Well All Be Free [#] - Donny Hathaway