Rasheed Barnes:What’s In Your Hand?

I get tired of answering the question: “Rasheed, how can I be like you?” Here how. Swallow ten of these and call me in the morning. Actually, wait til at least 2:30. Don’t say I never gave you anything.

Add this to my nonexistent list of 100 books every American must read before I kill them.

Disclaimer: This video is not super exciting but it’s definitely worthy of a viewing. That book is serious business.

So, I’ve been diggin the interviews I’ve seen from the freakonomics guys for a while now. They generally write about studies challenging conventional wisdom. It’s funny how economics can root out trends that appear to have no relation to finance. I finally grabbed the book and I’m almost done with it. I figure it’s a nice time to post on one of their more controversial claims, which I personally subscribe to. It’s also think it’s one of the reasons the topic is so heavy today (and will be tomorrow).

Here’s the full report for you readers out there.

Here’s the link to the video for those that don’t.

NY Times Blog

While killing time waiting for one of my many frequently-tardy associates, I decided to kill time and chill in the Barnes & Noble @ Union Square. I also made the decision to finally grab a copy of A Time Before Crack (autographed) by Jamel Shabazz. Not shockingly, he frequently drops in and signs a few copies. I have Seconds of My Life but have been eying the former for a little over a year. NYC often seems to turn a minor annoyance into rewarding coincidence (and vice-versa).

For those not familiar with Jamel Shabazz, he is the premiere visual historian of New York urban culture. You’ll probably never see his face, just his work. If you want to see what NY was like before it was ruined by MTV, BET, Sex and the City, Crack, or before the millionaires/corporations stole the culture, flip through any one of his books.

Later that night I got to chop it up with Evil Dee in a random BK lounge who seemed to recognize me from somewhere though I’m sure we’ve never met. He always struck me as one of the non-douchebags in the industry. Nice to get that confirmed. Solid dude.

NY Times on Jamel Shabazz

Sex and the City Lameness Proof:

• Exhibit A: New York Magazine - Big Regrets from Former Mr. Big
• Exhibit B: Time out NY - How Sex and the City Ruined NY
• Exhibit C: New York Post - Manolo More!

Keep it.

I’ll never pretend to know the feeling of producing and selling a track from a record that cost me less than a buck I bought in a basement in Iowa. I will, however, let you know how I get the majority of the new (which often turns out to be really really old) music. Everything else is by non-industry-related-word-of-mouth (you can’t out dash me). They can’t trick me into listening to that bull-ish. Only after you’ve exhausted those options are you allowed to browse the lamer iTunes and Ebay. Keep in mind plenty of the good stuff is not worthy probably won’t ever get pressed on a CD or encoded in any digital form. Bottom line: Steer clear of the marketers. Listen to what you like. Keep it to yourself if you’re surrounded by the faithful trend-followers. Stay in those basements, at those garage sales, and in those crates. Find that 25 cent gem and make it change the world.

Waxpoetics

XLR8R

Pandora

Emusic

Don’t ask questions. El-P is retroactively becoming one of my favorite hip-hop producers. Ethan Brown explains it here.

Today, I got a rare glimpse of what I remember loving about living in New York City. I know every New Yorker has been singing this song for..well..ever, but you must understand, this time I mean it. More on New New York later. Today I was offered an unsolicited IOU by one of my favorite takeout pasta/soup/sandwich vendors in midtown (image above). I could’ve borrowed a buck from one of my work buddies, but I thought I’d exercise the privilege. I’m a huge subscriber of the “vote with your feet” doctrine. I work hard for whatever money I earn and I think there’s something to be said about quality service or those that express appreciation for your patronage. Having had the pleasure of witnessing all of my favorite food spots increase prices and buying my very first $40 half-tank of gas recently, I hope know the Bush administration is enjoying the raise I got last year. It’s rare that I get the feeling that we are all in this together but today I did, thought I’d share. Later suckers.

So, I guess manipulating the jury selection system isn’t as easy as I anticipated. I tried the documentary filmmaker/writer angle. Nothing. While I feel it is my civic duty to serve as a objective unbiased juror regardless of how I feel about the fairness of the law. I was overly goofy toward the questions asked of me, which was 4. More questions than any of the other prospective jurors. When asked “Mr. Barnes, why do you look at me with a glare of distrust?” by the prosecutor, I was sure I was a gonner’ I even later tried flirting with the prosecutor who closely resembled a past flame. Surely, this will get me eliminated…nope. Gotta be there. No, I will not discuss the case.

While all psyched up on being an elitist member of the law, I was ticketed for riding my bike on the sidewalk. Seriously.

Here’s a flick I’m pretty excited about seeing one day. If you’re on this blog we’ve probably already discussed this sort of thing several times. Anyway, If you happen to be one of those people with access to the exclusive screenings, please, help me sneak in. The producer’s name is Daphne S. Valerius. I think she also served as the director, sound girl, sound guy, grip, and hype-lady. Props to anyone that takes on the challenge of making a film like this, alone (for the most part). Link: The Souls of Black Girls