I used to live up north, way above the Mason Dixon line. New England to be exact. Massachusetts to be even more specific.
Besides the fact that I was a NY’er living in Beantown (Boston) and would constantly get an obscenity thrown my way for wearing my Yankee hat around, it was an okay place to live. I mean, it was different and I chose to move there for that reason. Something new (and there was a lot of that too. Let’s see who gets that reference).
For the most part, I tolerated that area until………the winter.
The winters were…….a bitch. There’s no other way to put it. I mean I’ve lived upstate NY. I’ve been to Chicago in the winter. I’ve been to Wisconsin and Minneapolis when it was -20/30 degrees WITHOUT the wind chill but I knew I was leaving. I was only there for a day or two. I LIVED in New England. There’s a difference.
My co-workers used to say eventually you’ll become immune to it. Never happened. After one winter where I swear we got hit with like 5 of these Nor’easters, I decided to bounce. I couldn’t take the snow. Not in those amounts. A dusting to them was like 8 inches. A dusting to me, 1-2 inches. I used to go into these moods. These “please let me be” moods. I wouldn’t say depression but it knocked the life out of me. Family used to call and check up on me. Even my residential snow bunnies couldn’t help. (hey I had to do something to stay warm) and they tried their best
I’m a summer baby. I thrive on sunshine. On warmth. Not this cold snow ish.
I say all of this to say this snow that the DC area has been plastered with this winter is making me feel like I’m back in New England. And another storm is on the way. Got me thinkin’ about moving further south.
For all of you who deal with this on a regular basis…..I don’t know how you do it.
I just read an article in the Washington Post about how a local county leader basically wants to pass legislation that curbs the number of fast food restaurants that open.
The article (which I’ll include a link to at the bottom of the post) stated that in a two block stretch there were 11 fast food restaurants. Couple that with the fact that the obesity numbers for adolescents have ranged between 30-40% since 2002 and this activist has basically had enough.
Can’t say I blame him though. I live near the area he’s referring to. I think there’s about 6 fast food spots on one block and they range from greasy to greasiest.
But you know passing legislation like this is going to be tough. There’s going to be all sorts of opposition from business, lobbyists, even people who don’t mind eating a Big Mac value meal 3 times a day. You can’t let the government control you like that can you? Even if it’s intended to save your life?
I was in New York City over the holidays and walked into McDonalds and saw a big sign with the calories next to it and walked right back out. That’s government imposed isn’t it?
I’d love to see healthier restaurants exist and I know they do, the problem is they are in more affluent areas because it typically costs more. Ask someone if they’d rather pay $10 for a salad or an extra value meal and get back change?!?!?!
So what do you think?
Should the government get more involved or should people just take more responsibility for what they eat?
Maybe not the first time it came on, but I guarantee you that at some point in your life, you saw a music video come on and it inspired you.
Inspired you to do what?
Dance.
Just like how they do it in the video.
You would stare at the screen until you got it. And lawd, you’d have the VCR ready to record when your favorite video show – The Box, Video Music Box, Yo! MTV Raps, Rap City maybe even Hot Tracks (if you’re old enough to remember that). Then once you got it on tape, it was on. (Listen if they have TiVo and DVR back then, I would have been nicer than nice with the dance moves..ya heard!)
I heard this song on the radio today and it instantly took me back. I distinctly remember trying to imitate everything. Every move. The song was just that fresh. You had no choice but to move.
But to complete the cipher, you didn’t just dance like that. You had to “be” like them. You had to dress like them because then when you did it around your friends at someone’s birthday house party, you would be compared to “them”. My mom wouldn’t let me rock the steel/silver/metal plate shoes (check the video to see what I’m talking about) but I somehow “acquired” the VW.
Ahhh the VW. Stands for Volkswagen. It’s the symbol and what cats would do is steal them joints from the cars and put them on either their belt buckles or as buckles on their shoes. Complete that with a crazy lookin’ jungle shirt or some polka dot shirt, some black pants and can’t forget my flat-top with a few parts in it fresh from the barber.
A year ago today I was standing at the mall in DC watching history unfold in front of me. The 44th President of the United States was sworn in and as I stood there literally freezing, I couldn’t help but think of the fact that I lived to see this and helped make history.
Being out there that day was a scene I will never ever forget in my life. Being around that many people of all colors, ages, genders who all just got along for those few hours.
What bugs me out though is that it’s only been a year and I hear people upset about the lack of change. Change doesn’t take place overnight. Change is gradual and to be honest I am not upset about what’s he’s accomplished so far. If you think about it, he has to undo 8 years of craziness. He can’t do that in one year. He’s not superman. Give the man time. Now he’s settled. Now he’s used to things. Give him time and give him support. Change will come.
For the past 2-3 nights, I’ve sat here, started typing a post and eventually stopped with nothing but a few lines on the screen.
Bloggers block.
I feel like I’m in the booth, about to step to the mic to spit that hot 16 and then as soon as I hear the beat….silence. I forget my rhymes.
Bloggers block.
All I need is one post. One. Something to get me out of the funk and the floodgates will open. <---That's what I told someone and they told me to post more about the life of Fresh.
Eh?
Well that's an idea but ya still ain't gettin' no pics. (maybe)
So here's the deal....well part of it. The gig I have is so damn restrictive. I feel like I can't breathe so I'm trying to break free and putting ALL (notice the caps) of my resources, time, and energy to roll out. When I get like that, I'm consumed and can't do much else well. Thus the lack of updates. It'll change though. Trust me.
By the way, there's a bootleg poll over there -----------> on the sidebar. Feel free to take it.
“you ain’t guarding the door, so whatcha gotta gun for” – MC Lyte “Self Destruction”
Gilbert Arenas. Plaxico Burress. Your favorite rapper. Countless others.
I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know how to start but I’m sitting here trying to think outside the box here for a second. I’m trying to place myself in their shoes. I need a million dollar contract. I need to feel invincible but yet I need to protect my fortune. Maybe that’s it.
Maybe it’s something psychological. I’ve read articles about how Arenas’ mom left him when he was young. No doubt that would have a scarring effect on him because he could always be searching for that love and bond that she broke.
Today started out like any other day. I was supposed to go to work. I don’t usually take vacations around this time. Guess I’m weird like that. I like to take my vacations when everybody returns. That way I get a week of quiet at work and I avoid the week of craziness when people return.
Anyway, while driving in this morning I decided I wasn’t feeling it, so I called in and told them to count me out. They were working a half day anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. What did I do instead? Start my Christmas shopping. (Yes I said start…..)
I had a list. I knew the store and the items and if I couldn’t find it now, they’ll get it afterwards. I hit the mall. In at 8:15am, out by 9:15am (brother don’t play nor have time for the bullshuckas). I ran a few more errands and I’m home now, typing this entry and operating the resident neighborhood daddy day care. Somehow I got nominated to watch a bunch of kids while parents do some last minute shopping and wrap gifts.(for the life of me I can’t figure out who this big headed little dude is……) With that I type and become random:
Me: Did you finish making that Christmas list for Santa?
Lil Freshalina: Yup. Wanna see it?
Me: Sure. (reading it to myself while she leaves the room) Hmmm…..Nintendo DSi, Wii games, clothes, Uggs, iPod Touch (oh this chick is buggin), Netbook (oh nah she’s must be inhaling Elmer’s Glue at school), Easy Bake Oven or Microwave…….random other gifts.
Me: Show this to mommy.
Mommy: Let’s see. (reading the list out loud)…..Nintendo DSi, clothes, Uggs, iPod Touch? Huh? Netbook (weird look on face), Easy Bake Oven….ok……DJ HERO? What?
Lil Freshalina: DJ Hero?!?!? I didn’t put that on there……
Mommy: Yeah I know. It looks nothing like your handwriting……
Like my title? I’m sure ma dukes would be pleased to know her college educated son still talks like that. I’s ’spose to be proper and an astute professional. (you like that Sixty?!?! I used the word astute in a sentence) but my title (and the video over here———->
is a shout out to one of my favorite rappers of all time…Reggie Noble aka Redman.
Moving on……….
When I woke up on Monday this past week, I said “Damn I can’t wait till Friday”. I knew it was going to be that kind of week and I was right. So right that tomorrow I’m rocking jeans to work. Yeah yeah doesn’t everybody? Well not quite in this new environment I’m in. Stuffy is the word. Hey, I’ll go with the preppy look. I’ll leave the Timbs at home and wear shoes and a tie with a sweater or some ish. They’ll never know. Remind me to tell you how the guy tried to convince me that Dockers are the greatest think since sliced bread. Silly Rabbit.
