All posts by d dot b

Limited Dosage

December 15, 2006 d dot b 1 Comment

LIMITED DOSAGE
Tolerating the intolerable, but you still like her …

Ever encountered this ….

I have this lady friend; an attraction exists between both of us. Known each other for several months now, went out a couple of times, talk on the phone regularly (at times). Now, everything is cool about her, except that at times I can’t stand her; not in the aspect that we argue and/or bicker towards each other, but its just that at times her behavior and interests seem to be so distant from mines. Talking only about the latest fashions, desiring to only role in the flyest cars, aspiring to hang around celebrities, seem to be the depth of her intelligence at times (coincidentally, especially in public). And on a one-on-one, its like a completely different chick emerges; one who is knowledgeable, educated, introspective.

So I guess the problem exists in a public setting – once that is removed, I guess I should have no issues right? However, she always wants to go out here and there; especially because she inhabits the urban downtown core where she is accessible to everything. And I at times, like to go out and would like a fly chick by my side.

To move closer, would mean spending more time with her doing the things that ‘couples do’, but I don’t think I can tolerate her in a high dosage (talking everyday, seeing each other frequently, etc.). And I feel that she wants to move closer, however, I can only stomach her in limited dosages; dosages that satisfy my needs …

Is this wrong?

Swag

VLot Case #120: "Leave my cologne alone, its a little too strong for you to be putting on"

November 7, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

“Leave my cologne alone, its a little too strong for you to be putting on”

From Lupe Fiasco ‘I Gotcha’ (2006)
a case study from www.vacantlot.org

Relates to ‘swagger jacking’. Swagger jacking can be described in adoring and borrowing one’s style, charisma; but more importantly, claiming that style and charisma as your own. Back in the day it would one would be labelled a ‘biter’.

Furthermore, this quote goes a bit deeper and suggests that one can not hold one’s weight; which is a direct shot to ‘swagger jackers’. Because if you are going to emulate someone; one best do a damn good job at being similar or better than the original, because if one does not look similar or better, the public will easily be able to identify the ‘fakeness’ in the perpetraitor. In the entertainment industry, many try to copy style of another, but it rarely works:
– New York imitating the Dirty South (i.e. Chicken Noodle soup, very wack)
– Everybody trying to get shot 9 times like 50 Cent (Beanie, Fabolous, and others)
– Madonna trying to adopt children, just like Angelina
– In the early 2000’s everybody was trying to get the ‘Neptunes’ sound (wack notables; Angie Martinez, Ray J)

On a lower-profile scale, many people have to go through the process of deciding whether to step in the shoes of another, primarily when it comes to filling roles: for example, becoming a responsible father, taking over the family business, a new job position, whatever the case is, assuming a new role whether by choice or not, can be a challenge.

As Lupe suggests, if it is a little too strong for you to handle, then symptoms will follow, commonly known as ‘coping’. Coping may manifest itself into certain types of behavior; withdrawal from certain social settings, anxiety, depressants (drugs, alcohol), and other behavior that is usually damaging. Thus, if one can not cope with the ‘cologne’ then another quote comes to mind; ‘If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen’.

Summation:
For the ones that are being bitten, there is a quote that suggests that ‘imitation is the greatest form of flattery’; however, this flattery may be indirectly (meaning, the one who is imitating will not likely directly admit to admiring the source’s). So, instead of getting mad or irrate because someone is ‘biting your style’, think of it as an accomplishment that someone would try to emulate your behaviour.

.: More lyrics and quotes at http://www.vacantlot.org/

Economics, Hip-Hop

VLot Case #119: "Each block is like a maze with black rats"

November 3, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

“Each block is like a maze with black rats”
— Nas, NY State of Mind from Illmatic (1993)
a case study from www.vacantlot.org

A colourful social commentary. The urban cities in North America, specifically that of the United States is primarily made up of inadequate housing dwellings; which are primarily occupied with black individuals (immigrants or migrants). These areas are sometimes referred to as the ‘ghetto’ or ‘hood’ because crime, unemployment, and poverty are higher than other areas of the city.

One who grows up in such an enviornment is usually caught in a ‘cycle’ – which is the pre-determination of the socio-economic outcome. In this case, one whom grows up in a ‘hood’ is significantly more likely to experience a life of high unemployment, poverty, and crime — of course there are exceptions to this ‘perceived’ rule, and some break out of the cycle.

The ‘maze’ refers to the sequence of life to which one tries to escape a certain context; in this case, the context is the urban dwellings (ghetto, hood); which of course is consumed with the undesirable virtues as stated earlier.

The Great Escape
It is debatable to which what and how are the best methods to escape the ‘maze’ however the following could assist:
– Attainment of higher education (college or university degrees)
– A considerable amount of parental investment (single or two-parent; in the case of a single parent household, the single parent must work much harder)
– Social activities (i.e. sports, groups, hobbies)
– Luck

In summation, our conditions condition us to behave and expect certain types of behavior; thus, for one to change their condition, a new embrace of thought is required to go above and beyond what is expected of you. There is no easy answer, but the first step may be to attain knowledge of one’s self, and the environment around them.

Its hard to figure out a problem until you understand why you are faced with a problem; then you can derive a solution.

.: More lyrics and quotes at www.vacantlot.org

Hip-Hop

VLot Case Studies

November 2, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

www.vacantlot.org

VLot Case Studies – An in-depth analysis of sorts …
I figured I will be doing a couple of in-depth analysis of different quotes. At first I was thinking, well, it’ll be too hard to extract a profound meaning that might exist in a 1-2 sentence line, but when I started really looking at it — I found that these quotes can be interpreted in so many different ways — its amazing. I found myself taking a socio-economic look at things, to psychoanalytical, to environmental, and even to religious/faith stances.

All my works won’t be about the VLot Case Studies, but I will try to mix it up; as I believe I am multi-faceted to think in different contexts.

Anyhow, that is all for now, enjoy the previous two posts, and of course, let me know what y’all think.

Peace.

Hip-Hop

VLot Case #118: "So I don’t give a f* what none of y’all n* say; Cause anything that can’t penetrate ricochets"

November 2, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

“So I don’t give a f*** what none of y’all n*** say; Cause anything that can’t penetrate ricochets”
— Canibus ‘How We Roll’, 1998, a case study from www.vacantlot.org Intelli-Hip Hop

Self-esteem is a pertinent issue that affects all of us from childhood to adulthood. In childhood, our self-esteem is exposed to several ‘tests’ that either create a positive or negative self-esteem. Of course social, psychological, and environmental factors will all dictate how one responds to these ‘tests’. However, this proverbial wisdom quote refers to the ‘diss’ approach of self-esteem; that is discrediting a person’s character with insults that may be true or untrue. It is also worthy to note that these acts of discrediting is usually done directly and with a malicious nature (intent to afflict emo-pain).

Thus, this quote implies that one has a positive (high) self-esteem which translates into any attempts to lower their self-esteem is repelled. To attain this, one is confident in themselves; which may be also a sign that one only tries to lower another’s self-esteem because their self-esteem is also low – bringing one down may bring another up. Such individuals can be labelled shallow and transparent: which may explain why this quote suggests that insults are ricocheted back to the sender when one is mentally deep and understands their psyche.

.:: Find more quotes at www.vacantlot.org
An in-depth look at the quotes that affect our lives

Logic

VLot Case #115: "A wise man told me not to argue with fools, because people from a distance can’t tell who is who."

November 2, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

“A wise man told me not to argue with fools, because people from a distance can’t tell who is who.”
— Jay-Z , case study from www.vacantlot.org

This quote is one of my favorite quotes as I feel that it speaks truth; so many people like to argue with non-sensical logic — it is almost baffling at times. Actually, this quote is derived from an 18th century english proverb, but has a timeless essence because ‘fools’ will always exist.
Foolish logic has many traits, but most notably when one encounters someone who is foolish, the following characteristics will become apparent:
– Unwilling/Unreceptive to differing ideas; inability to compromise
– Argumentum ad hominem: does not stick to the argument, goes off topic
– Talks loud and uses vulgar language
– Circular argumentation: goes around in circles; does not stick to the argument.
– Stubborn attitude

Dialogue with people of this nature will not solve an issue, but rather it might make the situation worse; as both individuals will look ‘foolish’. Nothing can amount to nothing, and engaging with a fool will yield the same.

Misconception
A common misconception of ‘fools’ are those individuals that may come from a poor background – to be foolish does not necessarily derive from one’s socio-economic status. But more so, ‘fools’ manipulate the world around them by assinine behavior to satisfy their appetitie.

Conclusion
In the end, this maxim suggests that nothing can be accomplished when arguing with a fool — except that one is deemed a fool also, for trying to intellectually engaging a fool.

.:: More quotes at www.vacantlot.org

Hip-Hop, Social

To Snitch or Not to Snitch, and the community’s role

October 27, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

To Snitch or Not to Snitch – And the role of the community

I know you have heard it all before – “stop snitching”, “don’t rat”, et cetera, et cetera. Many people don’t believe in the justice system, and especially the face of the justice system (cops). Now, in particular communites (especially, black, latin communities) there have been a long-standing demise of the relationship between the police, and the communities that they are supposed to ‘protect & serve’. Many stories of police brutality, and corruption are almost synonomous with police behaviour; and of course, the ultimate blow to the relationship between police and black/latino communities was the videotaped beating of Rodney King: that solidfied the disdain and distrust that many have of police.

So with that history, being circulated and passed on through oral & written tradition, and with popular music vocalizing the notions of ‘stop snitching’ – what are we supposed to do in the face of an injustice? If we don’t ‘snitch’ (hypothetically speaking), then what do we do when we know of, or have seen, an injustice committed in our community? Do we turn a blind eye?

Could you turn a blind eye if you were attached to the situation (i.e. someone you knew was victimized)?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you don’t wanna ‘snitch’ then you need to go to the members in the community who can rectify the situation.

For example:
In Arizona, a young teenage girl was violently raped; many in the community knew who was responsible. However, there was/is a disdain for cooperating with the law. So what happened? Several members in the community went to the people responsible for the rape, and basically told them to turn themselves in to the authorities … and surprisingly, the rapists obligied.

What I get out of this interesting story is that the community has decided to police and regulate behavior (sort of what the Black Panther party was ‘ideally’ supposed to accomplish).

Ergo, if we choose not to ‘snitch’ then, when something goes awry, the community has to step up to the plate and exercise justice.

What do y’all think??

Hip-Hop

Chicken Noodle Soup … a sad state of affairs

October 26, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

Some random thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop ….

Seems like the current state of Hip-Hop is bleek – I’m sorry to say. I honestly thought that maybe Hip-Hop was making a move towards a positive direction; led by Chicago’s Lupe Fiasco, who brought actual lyrical content to his songs — in comparison to the current shit on the airwaves.

However, despite the solid album and maybe a combination of the album being leaked on the Internet several months earlier, only 80,000 people have purchased the album.
Thus, the ‘movement’ I had wished is dormant – absent of a solid, legitimate figurhead — beaten for the public’s desire for ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’, and songs of that nature.

Where to begin, if ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ is New York’s attempt to try & regain the crown in hip-hop, then the 5 borough’s are in some serious trouble. No one likes a biter — East, West, South Coast it doesn’t matter. Emulating what is popular WILL not restore the East back to prominence. The South has brought the ‘fun’ back to hip-hop with basically, creating songs about dances. The East doesn’t or shouldn’t mimic the same formula. The ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ song/dance just looks like NYC’s desperate appeal for attention, but it is catchy though ….. and let it rain

—
P.S. I anticipate some ‘hate’ but come with some legitimate arguments please.

Relationships

Collateral Hating

October 26, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

A thought in the arts of Hating ….

Now, hating is nothing new – its a part of daily life, as people say and/or do certain things to try to undermine and/or impede your progress; growing up in a major city, i’ve grown to accept that.

When the hate is directed to me, I can handle it – dish it back, package it properly right back to the sender. However, this new ‘hate by association’ thing is perplexing.

An ex-girl of a colleague of mines is deciding (against better judgment) to spread hate on him, and myself to people that are in our circle. Now, go ahead girl, do your thing and hate on your ex-man that may have done a, b, and c, to you (or, what you perceive), but don’t include me; that is wreckless hating (new word) and can have some adverse consequences – kind of like pain medication.

I’m sure ‘Collateral Hating’ is a common occurrence, but what it should do the victims involved (i.e. being ME) is that it should propel the energy in one’s self to over-achieve above the hater’s limited expectations of you. Yes, I could get mad, angry, and spew about it, but i’d rather manifest that energy into trying to triumphant the feat that the hater thinks I can’t do.

Also, it is comforting to know that most haters are not a ‘stand-up’ species; rather in the face of adversity or confrontation they swelter … saying “Nah, I didn’t say that, she said that”, hmmm, that reminds of some type of species … on all fours though …

Peace Haters

—
Lemme know what y’all think … peace.

Love, Relationships

Women, and their self-fulfulling prophecy of misery Pt. 1

October 22, 2006 d dot b Leave a comment

I am not really one to be writing about relationships and crap, but I figured I will give it a try.

Quick run-down:
Boy knows girl for several years; they kept in touch but sporadically. Girl felt like Boy was just going after her goodies; which was kinda true, but over time – boy matured and girl felt that level of maturity, so girl and boy start talking. However, Girl has broken up with her ex 6-8 months) before girl reconnects with boy. Girl likes Boy, vice versa. Girl thinks and professes that boy is great, ideal, and really likes Boy (also thinks that Boy is a great communicator, compromiser, and intelligent) – thus, girl initiates a date. On date both have a good time, enjoy each others company, date ends with a kiss. However, girl is overwhelmed with feelings of joy/bliss, but is conflicted with her ex (mind you, who cheated and disrespected her). Thus, girl panics and freaks out (which I dont understand). Ignores Boy for several weeks and ignores his phone calls. Finally, Girl sees the errs in her ways, and contacts Boy and says that she is sorry for her actions, but Boy is upset that girl would treat her this way … sorry for the ‘quick run-down’

Now, besides knowing that naturally, women are generally screwed; as is, they have no idea of knowing what they want in life and/or a man. Why can’t women acknowledge and respect when they have a good thing in their life. If girl felt this way, knowing that boy is understanding and is a good communicator, girl should have told boy her feelings – NOT ignore boy like a chicken head (or insert appropriate regional word). That is my qualm. Every action is a reciprocal equal or greater action, and though Boy wishes Girl good luck, i’m sure Boy wishes her some equal/greater treatment as she showed to him, by some other boy … ya dig??

Lemme know what y’all think (women: sorry for the generalizations, but you know what it is already!!).

Life in B Major

All posts by d dot b

Limited Dosage

LIMITED DOSAGE
Tolerating the intolerable, but you still like her …

VLot Case #120: "Leave my cologne alone, its a little too strong for you to be putting on"

VLot Case #119: "Each block is like a maze with black rats"

VLot Case Studies

VLot Case #118: "So I don’t give a f* what none of y’all n* say; Cause anything that can’t penetrate ricochets"

VLot Case #115: "A wise man told me not to argue with fools, because people from a distance can’t tell who is who."

Chicken Noodle Soup … a sad state of affairs

Collateral Hating

Women, and their self-fulfulling prophecy of misery Pt. 1

Producer of Things

LIMITED DOSAGE Tolerating the intolerable, but you still like her …

So I ask, what is your fondest memory of Christmas?

Producer of Things

LIMITED DOSAGE
Tolerating the intolerable, but you still like her …