I Thought That Being Laughed At by Other Blacks Was Done After High School

I AM NOT SPEAKING OF EVERY BLACK MALE, I AM NOT A SELF HATER!!

I DO NOT THINK I'M BETTER THAN OTHERS EITHER, THIS IS JUST A RANT OF A FED UP YOUNG, BLACK MAN TRYING TO LIVE HIS LIFE!!

I AM SPEAKING OF ONE SPECIFIC GROUP I CAME ACROSS TODAY.

Since college should be a more mature, respectful atmosphere, I definitely did not expect what I had happen to me today!!

Every time I walked by a group of fellow brothas, they would say shit underneath their breath about me!!

About my clothes maybe.

Sorry, I don't dress like your stereotypical, basketball shorts wearing, sandals with socks, and everything color coordinated black male.

But is it even a big deal that I don't?

What's it to them?

I don't even know them, and they definitely don't know me.

It happened a few times. 

They would make it very obvious that they were talking head.

They would all turn around with huge smiles, and some would ask, "Righ durr? Righ durr, uh?"

They can't even speak proper English!! 

Why are they talking shit about others?!

And why the FUCK are you saying it under your breath?

The only reason they're even in college is to play whatever sport of their desire.

They only way they'll even make it through is if they're playing a sport.

You ain't nothing without it.

If I was on BET dressed the same way, you would want to be just like me.

So, sit down, shut up, and go clean your shoes, because I don't give a fuck about you or your life.

Finding Yourself

Everyone is influenced by someone else in life one way or another.

Friends sort of feed off of each others' styles as well, if they hang around each other enough.

But is there such thing as taking it too far as far as copying one's style?

Or perhaps saying the things they say?

Doing the things they do?

Going the same places they go to for fun?

It's no huge deal, one might think.

This ain't high school after all.

(No offense to any high school readers.)

However, watching someone constantly do the things you do can start to feel a lot like they're mimicking you.

 

It can be borderline/quite annoying at times.

It can even start to get creepy.

It can be embarrassing for the person being "duplicated."

They don't want everyone to think that they do whatever their friends do, and wear what they wear.

Talk how they talk.

Dress how they dress.

Everything you do in life should be because you personally like to. 

No one person's opinion or liking of something should change your opinion or liking of it.

Sure, people do change their opinion of things based on others sometimes.

But if it's on a regular basis?

And the same person each time?

It can become a problem with the other person.

You shouldn't feel the need to strive to be like someone, and you should know that copying someone with everything they do in life can make some feel upset/annoyed/creeped out.

I've seen two girls "coincidentally" wearing the exact same outfit one day in high school (the two were in my circle of friends.)

• One was shocked, the other chuckled...Hmm.

 I've hung around two girls that looked just alike due to one copying the other much to her dismay.

• She later found her panties dirty, worn,and wrinkled in the other's hamper.

I've seen a guy (back in MySpace's popular days) go on people's pages, and post the music they have listed on their music section on his music section, knowing damn well that he didn't listen to it. 

I've seen a girl name her baby after another's baby,and the name is not very common.

People need to find themselves.

Do things for themselves, not do what others do.

The more you be yourself with your own personality and your own individuality, the more people will embrace you!!

Just for being you!!

You're beautiful!!

Go be beautiful!!

Cig Palm: Does My Driver's License Not Look Legit? And JC Penny Has False Advertising!!

I planned on going to a masquerade party last night, but due to lack of directions I didn't make it.

I went to JC Penny and Michael's yesterday morning to get a few last minute things.

I wanted a cheap, red collard shirt that I could wear a bowtie with.

(I obviously wore blue, but I still had a clip on bowtie!!)

I stumbled across a shirt that was probably returned. 

It didn't have any of that cardboard or those pins that hold it together.

It didn't have the plastic to make the collar stick up.

It was discounted for $24.

When I got to the cash register, the young girl (somewhere around my age) found ANOTHER tag on the shirt which read $45.

When she would scan the $24 tag, it would say $45.

When she would scan the $45 one, it would say $22.

She turned to me, and said, "This is $45."

TIRE SCREEEEECH!!

Um, when YOU THE STORE messes up on a price, it's YOUR fault.

And store rules are, YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO ME FOR THAT PRICE!!

My dumbass didn't tell her any of that though, I had other things on my mind.

I had just got a text from my dad asking if I wanted to go to breakfast with he and my mother.

And I was still stressed about what I was going to wear and how I was going to decorate my mask.

MY FAULT!!

I then went into the smoke shop, and I went to one I was told to never go to:

Cig Palm in Bermuda Dunes.

I walked in, and one of the employees was right behind me on a phone.

Not that it mattered.

I started to look around and whatnot, and another employee came from the back.

He passed by me, and even asked how I was doing.

The first guy, who was out on the phone, began speaking in his ear in their native language.

And less than about a minute later, he comes back up to me, and asks to see my id.

Um, shouldn't that have been done when I walked in?

You know, when I passed by the employee who I think told you in your native language to come check it?

I was very offended.

It wasn't the fact that they asked to see it, it was the timing.

I pulled out my driver's license without giving any lip or attitude, I mean it is his job!!

However, the motherfucker kept looking at it like it was fake!!

He just kept staring at it with wide eyes.

He glanced at me, then back at the driver's license a few times.

This is when I got frustrated.

I stood up and said, "I'm 20 years old."

Now, I had attitude.

He looked up, said something in a nervous voice with a chuckle, then looked down again at my license!!

What the hell, dude?

It only says, "AGE 21 IN 2011" on a red banner on the damn license.
 

I stormed out about a minute after he returned my license.

Never going there again.

Sh Sh Shane! 2011: An Interview

A few days ago, I sat down at Del Taco (a great interviewing place by the way)with Shane Perera, the mastermind behind Sh Sh Shane!, to see what he's been up to as far as his music goes, and what he has planned for 2011!!

Perera began making music on March 18, 2006, 3 days after his birthday, when he bought his first guitar.

Ruben Alvarado,bassist to Sh Sh Shane!, introduced Perera to the music world,suggesting that Shane buy that guitar.

Growing up, Perera always wanted to be a musician, but never pursued it.

He's been pursuing it since, and has big plans for 2011!!

Perera is currently working on an upcoming album with the help of friend, Mikey Hendrix.

"It's all me again," Perera says about the recording of the album.

"I want to self promote it. I don't want to go to major label for it. It takes a lot of networking, but I will compensate everyone who helps out. It takes a lot to do this."

Perera wants to dedicate himself to this album, and to finish it properly.

"I want it to sound as best as home recording can sound. I always want things perfect, but I'm too impatient."

--

Erique: What are your future goals with your music?

"I want to become my own recording artists, and record others. I want to own my own studio. I want my music to be featured in films, travel the world, and show everyone.

"I want to use my music as a vessel to project my views on the world and my life through my experiences."

What instruments do you play?

"I sing and play guitar, of course. I started piano when I was 7, gave it up when I was 12, then started again when I was 15. 

"I'm self taught. Everything is played by ear. Give me an instrument,and I'll play it. I want to play flute and violin, and, in 2011, I want to learn to properly play scales."

Who are some of your influences?

"I don't want to say specifics. I like all music except polka. 

"I use my own life as influence, and try to express it through that.

"When I have a feeling, it'll be suppressed. The best way to release it is thought music. I play a chord on how I feel, and lyrics are the feelings from the chord in words.

"If I could, I would have no words, but words are the bridge from my world to others."

Do you collaborate with others? 

"Mostly just for fun. I've written songs for others before."

Are you satisfied with where you're at with your music?

"I feel washed up. I feel like I have somewhat of a talent, and I'm not using it. Girls will do crazy things to you.

"But BBC!! Bitches be crazy!!"

How long do you plan on making music?

"I'll never stop writing music no matter what. Until I'm physically unable."

--

Perera plans to make  this album perfect, "even if it takes all of 2011."

"There's a lot of whack music out there, and I want to bring true music back."

The release date of the album is to be announced!!

 Stay tuned!!

While She Was Out - Review on a Not So Good Film

I watched the 2008 Susan Montford film, While She Was Out, starring Kim Basinger on Netflix, and decided to post an entry about it.

The film is about a woman, Della (Basinger,) who, already frustrated with the events going on in her life that day, leaves a note on a fellow driver's windshield.

The car was taking up two parking spaces in the extremely crowded mall parking lot on that Christmas Eve night.

Della is later terrorized by the very people who own the car.

They shoot and kill a mall security guard who confronts them as they approach Della in the parking lot.

Della, their witness, takes off!!

Something they cannot afford.

The film was originally a short story written by Edward Bryant.

And it should have stayed a short story if you ask me.

Susan Montford expanded it, and directed and produced the film.

This is the only film I found that Montford wrote, which was no surprise to me.

The only film I recognized that she produced was the film, Splice, which I wouldn't watch to save my life!!

I enjoyed the intro to this film.

Just the inside of a car, looking out of windshield, driving through an upper class suburban neighborhood with soothing music in the background.

Maybe it was the large houses to look at that made me like it.

You grow instantly sympathetic to Basinger's character, Della from the beginning.

The movie sort of seems like it's written by a middle schooler.

The story just moved too fast, and the reason for the attackers' attack is beyond ridiculous.

A lot of the things said by the young attackers were relatable and realistic.

Believable.

However, there were so many corny and cheesy lines out of them throughout the film.

It really makes me wonder about Basinger's place on the cast.

Is it because of her good acting despite the film's awfulness, and the fact that she was a Bond girl in the film, Never Say Never, and was fit physically for her age and the roll?

 Or because she has somewhat of a name to draw some audiences in?

  

I do have to give it to this film though: the car chase scene, along with a couple of other scenes were pretty intense!!

But that doesn't make up for anything!!

A lot of the lines and actions of the characters were so cliche.

At some points I asked myself out loud, "Really?"

Her reaction after everything is done and over throws a watcher off a mon avis.

And don't even get me started on the ending.

Where the hell did THAT come from?

2 stars for its intensity.

I understand why this had limited theatrical releases, and very little publicity.

But it makes me wonder how films like,  

Prom Night (2008) 

and Black X-mas (2006) made it.

Perhaps because they're remakes?   

Why I Dislike the New 2011 Dodge Charger

Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep has been really stepping it up with their line of cars these days, as well as many of the several different car companies out there.

Seeing that they have no choice with companies like Hyundai giving everyone a run for their money.

In 2006, the Dodge Charger was relaunched with a sick, all new, 4 door body style.

As opposed to its 2-door predecessors.

(1969)

(1987)

Over the years, it was tweaked a bit here and there.

'08 was the worst, with those ugly antennas popping out of the top of them.

'09 has different tail lights.

I was able to get my hands on a pretty blue 2009 Dodge Charger!!

(My baby!!)

I was normally a truck and suv guy, but eventually, Zooey, my vehicle, grew on me.

However, all of my spirits were crushed when my father (who drives an '07 Dodge Charger) came home, and slapped an auto magazine down in front of me.

That auto magazine revealed the all new 2011 Dodge Charger.

"Big deal," I thought, "Another small face-lift, and a little different interior I bet."

I was wrong.

It had a small face change all right.

(2010)

(2011)

It is a lot more mean-looking, and way more sporty if you ask me.

Not only is the S.O.B. equipped with a newer face and side, but an entirely different back!!

(2010)

(2011)

The backside to the 2011 Dodge Chargers are similar to that of the all new Dodge Challengers!!

It's nice!!

Why don't I like it, you ask?

I'll tell you  why:

Because I just got mine!!

And NOW they want to change it up?!

Now?!

Why?

Pourquoi moi?

Now when I'm at a stoplight I may have to sit next to a 2011 Dodge Charger.

And I'll be forced to stare at it.

Sitting there, ridiculing my baby, noticing every difference between my baby and the guy next to me at the stoplight's new baby.

The entire 2011 model is hot, and I am devastated that I do not/cannot own one.

Riverside Frats, Engineers, and Girls Who Lock Their Car Doors While I'm Around It

To clear my head from all the stress and issues at home, I decided to take a trip to Riverside for the day yesterday.

Mark, a really good friend of mine goes to UCR (University of California Riverside,) so I figured I'd hang out with him and his UCR friends.

I left my house in the bittersweet desert around 12:30p.m., and headed for Riverside.

It was a smooth trip.

I came across a little traffic just miles away from my exit, so I didn't mind it too much.

I DID , however, mind how incredibly impatient some people are on the road!!

Traffic is never pleasant, but the traffic on the freeway in Riverside wasn't anywhere near how bad the traffic in Los Angeles.

Traffic was moving at the same time as it was stopping (if that makes any sense.)

   However, I saw approximately 10 to 11 solo drivers crossing the double line to get into the car pool lane so that they can get to their destination faster!!

I understand that sometimes you gotta do what chu gotta do.

But, damn, these people should have known better.

A lot were full grown adults.

They were just driving like they ain't got no sense.

I hope the police were waiting on the outside of the traffic to pull over those inconsiderate, impatient simpletons using the car pool lane illegally.

Anyway, that didn't upset me for too long since, like I said, my exit wasn't too far away once I it the traffic.

Mark's directions were excellent, but unfortunately, I had to park about 3 miles away from the school and walk there.

I've been mobiless for quite some time (don't let your parents use your good credit!!) so I didn't have a phone to reach Mark upon arriving.

Once I stepped onto the school's premises, I asked the first person I saw sitting down to borrow their phone.

It was a girl who looked small enough to be a high school senior with clothes like those Hot Topic kids that thought they were punk or scene in high school.

She had a Labyrinth shirt with David Bowie on it though, so she was cool in my book.

I got a hold of Mark and somehow (after asking Labyrinth girl) found my way to the building where he was putting in some lab hours for his class.

I sat in there for a bit while he did his homework.

Let me tell you, engineers speak a totally different language.

I felt extremely out of place in a room full of about 16 engineering majors working in groups on homework.

"Delta U is related to 2 + W"

Whatever that means.

After that interesting experience, Mark took me to meet some of his fraternity brothers (Yes, fraternity brothers) who were out in a grass field on the campus for a frat and sorority rush (Yes, a frat and sorority rush.)

I was a bit nervous to meet these guys, because the stereotype that frat boys have is: #Douche101.

However, although I only met a handful of them out on the field, my prejudgment of them began to ring untrue.

They were all pretty cool people.

There were many other frats and like one sorority out on the field.

Mark was educating me on most of them.

The Jewish frat, the black frats,the Asian frats, the academic co-ed frat/sorority whose members hook up with each other, the rich kid frat.

All types!!
Very informing.

Shortly after, we just wondered around campus for a bit.
We even sat in on a rather large psychology class.

I learned a lot about parents.
 I should blog about that later.

Finally, I was dragged to a meeting for Mark's fraternity.

It was pretty intense.

They were interviewing guys for positions such as secretary, PR, and more within the fraternity.

It was all new to me.

It was about the most boring part of the day, and one of the most boring moments of my life.

It seemed to last forever.
Even Mark was getting flustered.

After what seemed like hours of that torture, Mark and I finally walked to his apartment. 

I insisted on going to pick up my vehicle from where it sat, and bringing it back to his apartment complex, so we did.

A few of Mark's friends(one of them I had met earlier whilst walking around campus) called to come over.

I guess we were all going to a rush even for Mark's fraternity (Yippeeee!!)


Mark's friends, Raffi and (I don't know how to spell his name) Tien came over, and we just chilled at the apartment for a bit before going to the great event.

Raffi is from Los Angeles, and Tien is from China!!

While we were walking along the row of parked cars in the lot to the front gate of the complex to open the gate for them, I began to hear constant car doors locking.

Constantly.


I looked into a white Honda Civic, and saw a girl staring back at me with wide eyes.


What a bitch!!

We hung out for a bit at Mark's apartment, then headed out for the event.


We had to take a plane, a boat, and a horse to get there (it was far away.)

The neighborhood was nice and suburban-like, and the houses were nice and huge.

Tien and Raffi, who are also not involved in any frats like me, were grilling Mark about the event.

"Is there gonna be some sort if sport game going on the t.v.?" Raffi asked.

"No," Mark replied, "there's gonna be food, drinks, hooka, and video games."

Everyone at the event were extremely cool and polite.

There was indeed pizza, drinks (non-alcoholic of course,) and hooka......as well as the Lakers game beaming the television screen....hmmph.

We all (besides Mark)were asked to sign the sign-in sheet with our names and numbers.
I passed on that good stuff.

We jumped on the hooka ASAP, and didn't have to introduce ourselves to anyone, because they introduced themselves to us.

After a while, Tien, Raffi,and I were asked to take individual photos against a wall. 
I didn't want to, but I stood out way too much to get out of that one.

Shortly after that awkwardness, we along with one of Mark's younger frat brothers, John, booked it back to Mark's apartment for our own little hooka party.

We all chilled, smoked hooka, and a few of them played Assassin's Creed and Halo.

Mark's older frat brother, Carson, left the event and came by too.

The night ended abruptly, since Mark was "so tired."

Everyone went home, and I was debating whether or not I wanted to dive home that night or in the morning.

I went to sleep on Mark's biological older brother, Jono's, bed in the living room a little after 11p.m. for a power nap.

I woke up a little after midnight, and headed home!!

I got home around 1:30a.m., and right after exhaling a titanic sigh of relief, I discovered that my house key was bent!!

I tried to bend it back avec my teeth, but it just broke the key completely.

Luckily, I was able to find a way into my home, and sleep the night away.

I plan on another Riverside day!!