Life's A Bitch...Then You Die

Just so everyone knows, I REALLY don't feel like writing this. I was supposed to be writing about something happy. I was SUPPOSED to be writing about my trip to Nebraska. I should be posting pictures about a victory over hated rival Oklahoma. I should have a story on how I went to Howie's and got tanked with some old friends at Woody's in Lincoln. I should be nostalgic about how I never should have left the best football school, the best university on the planet, the place of my birth. But I had to sell my plane ticket, my game tickets. I had business to attend to.

I never really understood that phrase. Life's a bitch, then you die. It's almost been two years since I lost two of my best friends, Nate Butler and Jason Dimmick. This past week, I lost my cousin James Williams, and Rachel Newell, someone I've known since she was a baby. Our parents worked together, and I was childhood friends with her older brother, Ralph.

My cousin James, or "Little J" as we liked to call him, was the son of James "Big Jamie" Williams. Forever, I've been called Jamie, and most people from Midland, West Virginia, Georgia and Nebraska, know me as Jamie. Even though I thought it was a girl's name, he used it. Granted, he was 6'5, 255 pounds. I loved him because when my brothers picked on me, when my cousins picked on me, he always had my back. We were both reserved, quiet kids.

He died on my birthday. I cry every birthday when I think about him. He was older than my oldest brother, but close enough to Midland that I could see him a lot. He frequently had me in Detroit with him, when he could get time off practice. He was a Detroit Lion, and he's the reason I cheered for them, even to this day. The only club who'd give him a chance became a lifelong love of mine. I was his shadow. Everyone in my family called us "the Jamies." He was "Big Jamie" and I was "Little Jamie." When he had his son, I told him to name him Jamie. I'd like to think when he named him James, it was because of me. He became "Little Jamie." I was just Jamie after that. I told my cousin when he died that I would take care of "Little Jamie." When "Little Jamie" grew to be "Lil J" as we called him, I promised again, every time I went to my big cousin's grave, that I would help train his son. With Lil J's death, I feel an overwhelming sadness that I never thought possible. More than just losing a cousin, I feel like I failed my cousin Big Jamie. I couldn't protect him.

I've been getting the typical messages, all messages I've given others along the way. Put your trust in the Lord; we're praying for you, so on and so forth. It's surprising how little comfort those words can give after weeks like this one.

I guess I understand that phrase a lot better now.

The Great Debate - Hip Hop Version

It’s been a minute since we dropped something thought provoking for you, so we think it’s about time to drop something for you to think about. This weekend, your boy J.O. [that's myself for those who don't know] and Stig [our other E.I.C.] were just chillin with the crew, and that topic jumps up again. I think by now, we all know what the “Great Debate” is. Jay-Z versus Nas.

“I from where n****s pull your car, and argue all day about/Who’s the best MC’s, Biggie, Jay-Z, and Nas?” – Jay-Z “Where I’m From”

Maybe the God-emcee knew where his career was headed. It’s near the end of 2009 and still, the “Great Debate” continues. We are all sitting around watching football, and when the debate starts, the calm, mild mannered brothers around the table get hype, quickly. We post up, listening to all the banter back and forth; “Jay-Z got all these great albums,” “Nas got mad quotables,” “Jigga’s got papers,” “Nas holds the struggle down.”

A variety of all the same. Except for the first time, I get a new perspective. There is really starting to be a backlash from this long debate. One of the newer perspectives that arise comes in the form of an anti-Jay-Z backlash. A new common perspective is that Jay-Z fans elevate him so much that it caused people to hate him. I dig Jay, and Reasonable Doubt is one of my favorite albums ever. I just picked up Blueprint 3, and I think it’s pretty hot. I also dig on Nas, and Illmatic is a classic. I’m anticipating that Distant Cousins LP with Damien Marley. I am a big fan of both.

I haven’t seen this big a division between Jay and Nas since “Ether” and “Takeover.” The ironic part of it all, is that they are currently cool, no beef, Jay has (or had) Nas on the label. Just picked up some audio with Nas and Jay touring Europe, though most of the audio has been deleted, we got a little gift for you. Listen and/or download….but listen nonetheless.

Worst enemies wanna be my best friends. Best friends wanna be enemies like that's what's in.

Jay-Z and Nas Live in London

Another notion I heard was that Jay-Z is better on the basis that his rhymes are easy to recite. Cats were yelling across the room, spit a Jay-Z verse, which is pretty easy or hard, depending on the song, its’ popularity, so on and so forth. Then our Jay stan yells to spit a Nas verse. I’m not going to lie, while I can spit more Jay verses, Nas a few real memorable ones. But you can’t determine who is better based on if you can spit the lines. I can probably recite, no, DEFINITELY recite more Kris Kross lines than Nasty Nas, but that in no way means that Kris Kross is superior. It miffed me a bit to hear that. Nas has been known for having dynamic, and often advanced concept raps. Jay-Z uses more common words, but his usage of words is unrivaled.

I like to refer to sports, my default settings, when comparing Nas vs. Jay-Z. I call it Michael and Shaq. There is no doubt that Shaq is the most dominant big man ever. All the past greats had the height advantages, but Shaq would have abused those other great centers because of sheer power. I give Nas the Shaq designator. Nas is a beast on the mic, and his word play and story telling is his dominant trait. Both Nas and Shaq have this primary trait in common; they never get the respect they truly deserve because their games aren’t flashy. But they get the job done, and are not going to be dominant by one person, ever.

Jay-Z gets the Jordan comparison, and he get this because of his overall appeal. His staying power, his length at the top, and his ability to dwarf his peers because of his sheer skill at winning. Plus the retire/ un-retire drama doesn’t hurt Hov get this title. Album after album, Jay delivered winning product. In the streets and the suburbs, Jay-Z and Jordan enjoyed success, fame, and their size fits their accomplishments.

The problem arises when people try to compare Jordan versus Shaq. Jordan has more titles than Shaq, sure, but Shaq can’t shut Jordan down in his comfort zone, the wings. In the post, however, Shaq would murder MJ.

Just like the Shaq/Jordan example, Nas and Jay dominant their respective fields. Street stories and block tails are Nas’ post. No one does that better than Nasty. The “Ether” was Nas grabbing the rock at the post, pivot, turn and slam. The “Takeover” was a good effort, I mean, all those Jumpman poses were dunks, gotta go to the post to make those moves, but in Jay’s case, the post is Nas’ territory, and when he decided to go into Nas’ area, Nas had to punish him, swatting that weak junk out there. I liked “Takeover,” but we still call getting killed in a battle the “Ether,” so what does that tell you? In the wings, or the public view, Jay wins all day. But to those of us who know Hip Hop was born off the block, that was a rather emphatic victory for Nasty.

Either way you stand, be open to both artists, they are a perfect example for Hip Hop’s yin and yang. Neither is the all-encompassing standard, so we NEED both, and its important that people know that. That’s my word…

College Football World Tour - ND v USC

Sorry, I've been missing in action. It is for a good reason, I assure you. Lately, I've been busy with work, Word To Em.com, and of course, my College Football World Tour 2009. So far, I've been to the Michigan vs. Western Michigan and Michigan vs. Notre Dame games, both at Michigan Stadium, one of the largest in the country. However, this past week, I got to go see Notre Dame against the USC Trojans. My first time down to Indiana to see any kind of college football game. I am not really a fan of either team, but my girl Katie got the tickets, and I'm ALWAYS down for whatever, especially since I am addicted to college football. Unfortunately, my other photos didn't come out well, so Photoshop and I are going on a two-week date. I had to post this photo, though. My savior and Lord, Jesus and me, tailgating the game. Or should I say...TOUCHDOWN JESUS! That's how I know God is a football fan. Instead of the freezing rain and all clouds we were supposed to get, nothing but sunshine and lollipops for this lovely Saturday.

My boy J.P. hosted me as we traveled across ND's pristine campus. It was amazing to go into the Basilica. We even went past Corby's, the bar where they filmed "Rudy" in. College football royalty indeed. So thank you, Jesus! Thank you for creating football! TOUCHDOWN JESUS!!

That dying for our sins thing is kinda cool, too.

I love saying Touchdown Jesus. But now it makes me feel kind of bad. I've whipped MANY an ass for talking trash about my beloved Cornhuskers. He did not create football for me to cause as much havoc. I've hospitalized TWO people for saying my Huskers sucked. I'm working on that one, Lord. Maybe you could help us SCORE SOME TOUCHDOWNS so I don't have to hurt people when my Huskers lose.

Speaking of my Huskers, THAT'S THE NEXT STOP!! Nebraska vs Oklahoma!! Screw the Sooners!! I'm SOOOOOO excited!!!

I Have GOT to stop drinking so much...

Luckily, this doesn't really concern me. The title, I mean. I don't have a drinking problem. Not at all.

This past weekend, I had a blast. I'm talking football up to the ceiling, booze filled tailgates, and birthday parties. Drove to Michigan State for the football game. It was an absolute blast, except for the fact I was late for the GOOD part of tailgate. I didn't mind that so much, because after the game, I drove to Detroit to see my baby and celebrate her birthday. That proved to be less of a problem than I thought. See, I am a VERY paranoid driver. Ever since I flipped my car this past winter, I have been the worst driver on the road. Overly careful, driving slow in the pass lane, driving 5 miles below the speed limit, regardless of the weather. I have basically become everything I hate about drivers, all because of that tramatic experience.

What do I do to offset those bad feelings? Well, THIS time, I knocked down a pint of Jack Daniels! And it was good, too. So an hour passes, MSU pulls out a huge victory over Michigan, and I head to Detroit. I feel so much better driving now, that little bit helped take the edge off. I get to Detroit in record time, just in time for my lady friend to tell me she has to do homework and study and I should not distract her. HA! When I get there, everyone in the house is ready to party. Captain Morgan makes an appearance, the beer pong table is brought out, so the party has started.

Fast forward through shots, more shots, mixed drinks and birthday cake. The party is shutting down, sometime about 3 in the morning. A guest who was definitely staying the night is on the floor, passed out. You know I had to pick him up and put him on the couch. He's incoherent and as soon as I move from dumping him on the sofa, he begins to projectile vomit on himself. I immediately sober up and help take care of the poor guy. We clean the mess the best we could, or until I got fed up with it, and just left him to lie in his own mess. As I walk upstairs to go to sleep, this guy on the couch with the t-shirt stained in vomit whispers, "I have got to stop drinking so much."

You think?

Ah, yes. I am in college again. Lovely.

Hooray for Easy Lessons!!

I decided not to go to work again. If you know anything about me, I like to work and get paid. One example of this is my employment at Ford Field, working as a courtesy squad manager. Three levels above security, my job is really nice. I get to walk around, speak to anyone I want, and if celebrities come in, I get to tour them to their location. Only problem is, I have to drive to Detroit. So I almost never go. I usually work when my Falcons are playing, and I happily cheer, albeit silently, that my Birds are doing work. Most of the time, it isn't worth my time to drive down there. I literally have to be paid to watch the Lions. Once that happened, they had to pay me MORE to watch the Lions.

That same attitude ended up hurting my feelings. They actually won today. Wow. Go Lions! I might actually go to work soon.

Another simple lesson. I was with my older brother and my beautiful niece. We all decided to go to the mall, because girls give brownie points to guys who are good with kids. And I love my niece, she's awesome. My brother visits a couple stores, so I take Rachel to get something to eat. She decides to spend her money on extra candy at the store, after I got her a piece of cheesecake. She didn't need that candy but spent her money that way, so I can't complain.

Fast forward to Target, where she decides to start giving me the "puppy dog eyes." Little brat. She wants a Bratz doll, but no longer has enough money to pay for it. I explain to her that because she spent her money unwisely, she can't have the Bratz doll.

While studying, I turn on the TV and tune into a program with an economist speaking, probably CSPAN or something. I listen a bit as some economist is talking about where we as a country can get money. Of course, the panel has some Republicans and Democrats, all hitting their talking points and saying nothing of substance, until this quote.

"Where we get the money from is obvious. We are not talking about adding on to what we are already paying for health care. The cost is not going to be as great as say, a fruitless war in the Middle East. We do not LACK money, we just spend it stupidly."

A-freaking-men.

What we need as a country is someone to say that, but in a larger format for everyone to hear. We got cash to free up Iraq, which to be honest, I couldn't give a less than half a damn about, but not enough to make sure AMERICANS have basic health care for all. Again, I'm not a politcal blogger because I think most of these politicans are liars, hoods, and gangstas in every sense of those words. But common sense almost never interjects. We need common sense and truth to slap those people upside their heads and get their asses in gear. This shit is getting old. Quick.

Why Am I Doing This?

Okay, your boy got a story. Goes like this, here it goes. Names and places withheld to protect the innocent and guilty.

So I'm chilling out in an unnamed bar in your local college town. No problems, no stress. I'm posted at the bar, drinking my usual, Jack Daniel's and water, and up saunters a slightly inebriated, attractive woman, I'd guess her mid to late 20s. Closer to 30 than 13, I begin to watch with interest as she's pounding em out...shot after shot, after shot. She looks at me, I smile and attend to the hole in the bar I was watching. She comes up to me, and offers for me to buy her a drink. I inform her that charity work is not my game, so again, back to my hole in the bar. I look up every now and again to check the score of the football game. When I look up again, she's still next to me, this time with her back towards me. Cool, I'm thinking. All I wanted to do was be alone and enjoy my Jack. I needed some time to just think and drink.

I'm going to interrupt this story to give you an important message. Ever get sick of people informing you about nonsense when there are a LOT more pressing issues to attend to? I hate it, too. This story was a narrative of the coverage of the health care issue. All filler, all ridiculous babble that has absolutely nothing to do with the issues. You know nothing about that crazy night I had, I still know nothing about the health care plan that our president is purposing. Feel good about the state of the media yet? I didn't think so. Have a good night!





I'm not nearly as stupid as the news networks I've been watching all weekend. Here's the end of the story.

Girl gets trashed, stands in front of me on the bar, and takes her shirt off. While I just sit there, anticipating on when I have to move before the bouncers come and get her off, she steps into the hole I was staring at and falls off the bar. Fail for her. As soon as she gets up, she feels a bit of blood on the side of her face, licks it off her finger in her most drunken, but sexy manner, looks at me and asks; "Why am I doing this?"

Excellent question. A tout a l'heure!!

P.S. This actually happened to me this past Saturday in Ann Arbor, BEFORE the Michigan game. Don't let anyone tell you the Wolverines don't know how to party, though I doubt school was this lady's day job, if you catch my drift. Till next time, I'll holla!!

Daily Reflection at 8am [Early for me]

I freaking love September. My oldest and youngest brother were born in this month [11th and 16th, respectively]. FOOTBALL, both world and American, starts this month. And school....again. You know, I don't usually like to complain, but low key, this sort of sucks. While I couldn't stand my employment with the "owners of Midland," I LOVED the paycheck coming in. I loved being a professional, using the knowledge I acquired the FIRST time from college.

Now I'm back. After working at a couple different papers, plus a stint at the worldwide leader [of chemistry], I'm going to complete my journalism degree, the one I actually enjoy. While chemistry could pay [not for the amount of school I have now, need a grad degree], I don't enjoy it. I actually loathed going into work. Well, it does beat going into school. I'm worried that journalism won't pay [already know it barely does] and I won't get to be as successful as I could have been if I just would stick chemistry out. I don't think I could though. I love writing. I'm addicted to it. Whether I'm writing rhymes or articles about whatever subject I'm assigned, I just enjoy doing it. Maybe that's why I can stand being back at school, when I should be pulling in that $60k [includes benefits]. The Lord says that what you have in your heart ends up being your master. I do not want money to become mine.