The New York City Metropolitan TRAINWRECK Authority

The New York City Metropolitan TRAINWRECK Authority
M.D. Wright
1.19.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: As some of you know, the New York City MTA (that's Transit, not Trainwreck, of course) decided to yank the free metro program for students. Many students rely upon free bus and subway fare in order to get to school.


I don't understand this. The MTA has proven to be a racket over the past 15 years. Pretty much since the original inception of the MetroCard (not long after Giuliani became Mayor), they've gone off the deep end with the 2nd set of books that we in New York all know they have.


What is the point of doing this? All this does is give license to on-the-fence students who sometimes consider skipping school, but mostly don't -- to go ahead and skip. Most parents (especially those with more than one child) cannot afford to pay (at least) $4.50 in round-trip fare for their child(ren) to go to school and other activities daily. That's over $100 a month, at the very least. PER CHILD. Not to mention their own costs of getting around in this city.


Again, I can't complain TOO harshly, because other cities with subway and train service pay based upon the distance traveled. The more savvy straphangers among us can get from Kennedy Airport to catch a dollar van at the Mt. Vernon/Bronx border on $2.25. I can even get from Tottenville on Staten Island (the southernmost point in New York City) to 241st St. in the Bronx (again, the Mt. Vernon/Yonkers border with the Bronx) on that same amount, but what about those who have multiple transfers and have to go to work and/or school and extra-curricular activities afterward? It's already exorbitantly costly to live in New York as it is. What is the point of doing this, again I ask? What of this?


The MTA workers -- I swear they don't want to work -- they're always threatening strikes or cutting service, reducing train and bus services, re-routing express and local lines more than I can ever remember and making it a veritable NIGHTMARE to use the subway after midnight -- when in the 90s, back when you still had the option to use tokens -- you could still get around relatively quickly late nights. I've sat on line for an hour waiting for a train to come each of the past 4 weekends. And being out on Staten Island for the next few weeks, and having been out here since the summer, that is NOT fun. That's why I don't come out to parties and what not (for those who invite me and wonder why I never show, understand that please -- it's not personal! The commute back is DREADFUL, especially if the express buses to Staten Island aren't running).


Anyway, as someone who is underemployed and relies totally upon public transportation for the time being, I'm being affected just as much as these students will be. Just so the MTA can save a few bucks (they make a million a day, I'm pretty certain -- and that's on the conservative side).


Look at what the rates are:


1. Single Ride: $2.25
2. Express Bus (Unlimited): $45/week
3. Unlimited Rides (Except Express Buses): $89/month.


The other rates are usually for our visitors, but since there is no subway for Staten Island and the ferry is as unreliable as most people have become nowadays, traveling is a female dog. And that's putting it lightly. You pay out of the wazoo and get such s----y (I'm trying so hard to stop cursing, bare with me).

I have an Unlimited Rides Metro that I received as a gift on December 21. I still have not found a job yet. I have an interview tomorrow and another Wednesday. My Unlimited Metro expires Thursday the 21st at midnight. I have ZERO idea how I am going to get around after that. The MTA certainly isn't helping.


DISCUSS>>>

Fun Pet Peeves Of The Day

Fun Pet Peeves Of The Day
M.D. Wright
1.18.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: As The Sports Guy, I come across all kinds of funny remarks, misspellings, malapropisms and most notably, people COMPLETELY BUTCHERING TEAM NAMES HA. This will serve as a quick blurb about the latter. Feel free to add any additional common misspellings and butcherings that I may have missed.


Some of my favorites include:


1. "MIAMI HEATS".


I could've sworn they were inaugurated as the "Miami Heat" when the city of Miami was granted an NBA franchise in 1988. But you could've fooled me. What I miss???


2. "ORLANDO MAGICS".


In the same vein, sounds like some old person from northeast North Carolina that adds an "s" to EVERYTHING, even when it may already be pluralized. I enjoy listening to old people talk sometimes for this reason.


The thing is, I most often hear this from people under 25 ha.


3. Whenever someone just adds an "s" to the CITY that the team plays in.


Example: "The CLEVELANDS" or "The DENVERS".


WHERE THEY DO THAT AT???


4. A lot of teams have abbreviated versions of their names that are used mostly on sports message boards or as shorthand on social networking sites.


Example:


a. Minnesota Vikings = VIKES.
Example of fan butchering: "VIKS".
HUHHHHHHHHHH!!!


How do you butcher an already abbreviated nickname ha?




5. This one isn't really a pet peeve, but when sports fans don't recognize local/regional nicknames for their teams, it's kind of funny to me. You all have seen me type some of these, but some of the others are mockings from pronunciations used by journalists and broadcasters that I've heard over the years.


Examples of local/regional nicknames:


a. Philadelphia Eagles.
Local usage: "IGGLES".


b. New York Giants
Local usage: "JINTS".


c. Just FYI (for those who think Giants fans are a bunch of elitists, the Giants football team was incorporated in 1925, many years after the baseball team with the same name had been incorporated in New York also. The baseball team moved to San Francisco following the 1957 season, but the football team kept their incorporated name. Chris Berman made it popular to say it once again while hosting "NFL Primetime" from 1987-2007.


Whenever you hear us say "The New York FOOTBALL Giants" just remember that's where it comes from.


d. San Diego Super Chargers.


Example/Local usage: BOLTS. Just a play on the fact that their logo is a lightning bolt. Self-explanatory. The "Super" comes in from their theme song that dates back to 1979, which they still play at home games at Qualcomm Stadium.


Here is a link for that song, which I love, as you all know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDiCxhtGMhc


As always, I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I've left some things out. FEEL FREE TO ADD.
DISCUSS>>>

Grumblings About New York State Public Assistance Programs

Grumblings About New York State Public Assistance Programs
M.D. Wright
1.18.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: I am being more introspective with my writing than ever in 2010. I've always been transparent, as those of you who know me personally can attest to fully. But maybe there is a purpose in my trials after all. Well, not that there was any doubt, but the purpose itself never had been CLEAR previously -- while trying to overturn every rock and stone and struggling to figure it out.

I have a real gripe with the infrastructure of New York State's Public Assistance Programs. When I graduated from UNCG and came back to New York, I couldn't afford to go back to Harlem and stay with my cousin, because I would have had to pay rent every month (and with no job lined up, due to the ridiculous economic situation and most of my networking contacts losing their mid-high level jobs THEMSELVES over the past 3 years), that wasn't an option. So I came out to Staten Island. I had spent a couple of summers out here before, so I wasn't a stranger to the island, but you know I'm like a fish out of water since Uptown is my playground.

Anyway, I brought my younger cousin Josh up here for the first time and showed him around all of north Jersey, all five boroughs, a little of Yonkers and Mt. Vernon and went up to Palisades Mall. Showed him many of the landmarks and what not. You know me, I love to drive and I know the city like the back of my hand, so I played tour guide all summer (my baby cousin Jasmyn came up a few weeks later and spent the summer and I did the same with her). While I was doing this, I interviewed with a day camp out on Staten Island that a ex-friend had suggested that I apply for. I got the job on the spot. The pay was awful, but I didn't have any options, since I had completely depleted my savings paying for school out of pocket for the past 4 years.

I moved in with my aunt out in the Harbor (Mariner's Harbor for those not familiar with Staten Island) and immediately I began getting frustrated. My social life took a huge hit, because it takes forever to get anyplace. Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, (and to the south) New Brunswick and our church -- are only 15-20 air miles away, but would take me 2+ hours to get there. ONE WAY. Most of my old and newer friends either live Uptown in Harlem, Washington Heights or the Bronx, and a few in Brooklyn and Queens and out on Long Island. I only have about 2 or 3 friends on Staten Island and they live on the complete opposite side of the island. Let's just say, despite June being pretty good, the rest of the summer was a nightmare. The camp took up so much of my time that I got off work there (sweaty from running behind kids 8 hours every day) and couldn't get to the city (or anyplace on SI) to interview for a real job during business hours. I couldn't take a day off besides the one I knew I would need to go down south to close out the lease on my apartment from UNCG. So I had to bide my time. I am a big proponent of "time is money" and being able to maximize your time for what you do with an employer. If you're barely getting paid above minimum wage and your employer is trying to find ways to skirt the rules and not pay you (more on that later) then you're royally screwed and wasting your time.

Nevertheless, I did the job. I worked two full months. Lost plenty of weight. It wasn't a total waste of time, as I went from 208 lbs when I graduated (due to being injured and unable to work out after breaking my back in 2007 and having surgery in 2008) to 177 when I got fired in mid-August. The director trumped up a bunch of BS lies and excuses, claiming I had bullied a kid (what??? WHERE THEY DO THAT AT???) and pulled an Al Davis and fired me "with cause" -- mostly because they didn't want to pay me the $800 that was due to me. I was warned beforehand that the camp does this kind of thing. I went in, did my job, did everything they asked me, did OTHER PEOPLES' job, plus the extra task of being the basketball instructor that the camp owner HIMSELF delegated me for. I didn't complain, I didn't moan and groan. I worked with a smile on my face, had fun with the kids and even the kid that they claim reported me was upset that I had gotten fired, because everyone knows I did nothing wrong.

At this point, things began to get even more foul. I got fired for the first time in my life (everyone who knows me knows my work ethic, dedication, lack of absenteeism and dependability -- i.e. no one has reason to ever fire me from every job unless it's personal) and while that stung, I did have an opportunity to look for jobs and interview, with a little (AND I DO MEAN A LITTLE) cash to buoy me until I found something. Being ever-optimistic, I thought this would last 2-3 weeks, maybe a month max, and I'd be good bread.

FAST FORWARD SIX MONTHS...

I'm still in the same boat. Depleted my savings. Sold everything of worth that I have (even this POS laptop, on its last legs, is worthless). Now student loans have come calling. I've been out of school six months. I owe UNCG $425 for a health bill dating back to APRIL 2008. But given how I hadn't had a job since November 2006 (and that was a 20 HR/PT job while I was trying to sell my car and still be able to EAT), I couldn't pay the balance to UNCG. This precludes me from beginning my Masters or entering Law School. I'm stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place and I'm tight about it.

Every way that I turn, I see a road block and it has to do with not having the funds to do it.

-- Can't start my graduate career, because of the aforementioned reasons ALONG WITH not being able to pay for it even if one of the CUNY schools let me in.

-- Can't move, because I don't have verifiable income.

-- Can't get a job, for reasons I've yet to fully understand.

-- Can't get on top of my debts because I don't have income.

-- Won't be able to get to interviews after Thursday, because I'm completely wiped out and I've used up my favors with my friends (everyone hates moochers, including myself, so...) there will be no more unlimited Metro (my ticket to interviews). Having an unlimited saves tons of money, because paying per-ride is at least $4.50 per day, and that's if you don't have two transfers -- in many cases I do, especially when I have to interview in Brooklyn. That's another reason I do not like being on this island. The island itself is fine, for what it is and if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn or just want to avoid being on top of all your neighbors and seeing criminal activity greet you at your front door daily (LITERALLY), but outside of a few young punks trying to act tough here and there, I swear I have never had any of these problems in Harlem nor out in Brooklyn when I was living out there years ago.

I got an unlimited as a gift December 21 and they run for a month, so it expires this Thursday at 11:59 PM. I have two interviews this week (Tuesday and Wednesday respectively), but after that, it really gets sketchy.

Knowing this, I began following up even more fervently with New York State. I thought for SURE someone underemployed as I have been would qualify for worthwhile programs. God knows I spent years paying into social security (couldn't get disability when I broke my back, even though I was out of commission for 18 months with regards to ability to do work without substantial pain or accommodations as per my doctor) and unemployment insurance. Why is it that both New York State and North Carolina Unemployment Offices want to act funny with YOUR money? They tell you that you MUST call in order to verify benefits and what not, but the line is automated, no one ever answers and the off chance you actually get someone, they never handle the situation properly -- necessitating another callback (or three). I filed unemployment in NYS in August when I was fired. They dragged their feet for two months before claiming I hadn't earned enough.

Then the President passed the legislation to extend benefits in November. So I kept filing. I was due 42 total weeks of unemployment. I haven't received a dime. They continue to stall, asking me to verify this or that, which I've complied with each and every time. I still haven't seen a dime. The last bit of BS paperwork I received asked me to explain what I had done since I last worked and what was my last date of work. The paperwork went to Albany (our state capital). Just 3 hours up the Hudson River. That was sent off 3 1/2 weeks ago. STILL NOTHING. They know what I've done and everything's been in the system since August. WHAT ON EARTH???

As far as getting Food Stamps goes, no longer is there a stigma involved. YOU GOTTA EAT. When you can't use connections to get a job, and no one will hire you on merit, and your f'n state doesn't do its job, what else can you do??? The f'ed up thing is that I live with my aunt, who makes the ever-soul-killing "too much to qualify" (even with 5 of us living here) for me to claim benefits. I'm no liar, so I'm not going to disqualify myself from receiving any other benefits (or be fined, imprisoned, etc. by the State) in the future, but this is just ridiculous.

Maybe I'm going through all this so I will never be able to forget what it's like to go without. I grew up privileged. Not rich, not EVEN. But I had everything I needed and almost everything I wanted. If my parents didn't do it, my great aunt Mary (we called her "Aunt Suke") or other family members always hooked me up. I was so thirsty (the only time I'm thirsty is over money, not women ha) that I was DYING to work the day I turned 16 and became eligible to work. I began working 3 weeks after my 16th birthday, even though I was an eyesore with the Erythrodermic Psoriasis and in pain 24/7. I worked as much as they would allow me to, and I continued to supplant what I would get from my parents and relatives with my own pay and always had the newest Mikes, Timbos, Air Maxes, colognes, gear, etc. That only increased as I got older and continued to work. Even landing a job that paid me more than most of my counterparts CURRENTLY make.

So going through this now is an extreme turn of events. I was never arrogant nor selfish (I gave people rides across town in my brand new car and didn't ask for any handouts for gas or what have you -- again, I love to drive and I love to help people; thought nothing of it) and everyone who knows me knows this. So the "needing to be humbled" aspect isn't in play here. I've been humble after nearly dying TWICE, you kind of come off all the invincibility and puffed-upness (yeah, I made that up) that most young men go through. That is not to be confused with supreme confidence, because having gone through 4 years of being mocked, scorned and ostracized, you either come out a p---y and quit on life; pulling a Columbine or commit suicide, or you MAN UP and develop ironclad confidence in yourself. Some peripheral people mistake my aura and confidence as arrogance, but I am only concerned with those who know me and what they think.

I explained all that because I know inevitably someone's going to say "well Mike, maybe you just needed to be humbled".

Whatever.

Anyway, I definitely have an even greater respect for the cats in the street hustling legally or illegally (I always had respect for both, living here and down south during my life). YOU HAVE TO. Especially when this joke of a State doesn't have the checks in place for its failing infrastructure. I would estimate 65% of the people who use Public Assistance ABUSE IT. Meaning, that while they qualify on paper, and some genuinely need it, a good number sell their Food Stamps for cash, some lie on their Section 8, some augment their prior income to cheat the Unemployment benefits. You name it. MEANWHILE, the people for whom the spirit of the programs were intended CAN'T EVER BENEFIT; either because the State has become so stringent due to widespread fraud or the rules and regulations put in place don't take into account outstanding situations (again, my aunt, being near retirement has maxed out at her position and makes far too much for me to qualify, yet there are three GROWN teenagers here who do not work and have needs, and she is the sole provider with me out of work; these things aren't taken into account when you go to the Food Stamps office.

So in short, I don't qualify for anything but unemployment and now I'm at the absolute brink of being shut in until A MIRACLE occurs. God Bless You to my friends who have helped me out in a pinch when I needed it, I really appreciate it, but more than anything as a MAN I want and NEED to work, not just for cash, but for morale's sake -- any living, breathing man who says he doesn't want to work (or exhibits a lack of desire to do so) is a CERTIFIED SLOUCH AND SHOULDN'T LIVE.

Anyway, I believe now and from now on I will always be able to relate to the less fortunate as I reach the apex of my career and fulfill my purpose down the line. Not that I ever needed it, because I had long said that I wanted to offer pro bono services for those who usually get overlooked and don't have the best in financial and legal representation (of which I will provide to professional athletes and other entertainers once I finish Law School). But now more than ever I will definitely have that bond and perspective and no one will ever be able to question my sincerity when I tell them simply:

"I UNDERSTAND".

But New York State? As Keyshawn Johnson says on ESPN: "CAMMONE MANNNNN"
And North Carolina (I filed there, also, since I had a claim on file): HUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! CHILD PLEASE WITH ALL THE AUTOMATED NUMBERS THAT LEAD TO THE SAME DEAD END. PAY. UP. THE. END!!!

DISCUSS>>>

The Cycle

The Cycle
M.D. Wright
1.16.07

***Editor's Note: In the ongoing quest to become gainfully employed again, I am examining every aspect of the process.

Quick question. This won't even be one of my patented 5 page columns. I just want to know how and when the cycle is supposed to end for some people.

If you once had an excellent credit score (as I did - 815), worked full-time, went to school full-time, built a business and served as a ministry leader (as I did for 2 1/2 years - simultaneously) your work ethic is the least of your worries.

But say your business endeavors fail? And you devour your savings paying bills and college-related costs, incurring mounds of debt through trying to build the businesses and student loans? What do you do?

The natural inclination is to get a job and stop the torrent. But after months (now years) of being unable to pay credit card debts and having to sell your sole means of transportation, it becomes a vicious cycle:

You need a job but lack reliable transportation.
You need money to get a car.
You need a job to be able to afford a car.
You need good credit to get a job in 2010.
You lost your credit when your business failed.

Where does it stop?

Now you see why many people, good business plan or not, fear starting businesses -- especially if it means leaving their staid working environment to do so.

DISCUSS>>>

Selfishness: What Purpose Does It Serve?

Selfishness: What Purpose Does It Serve?
M.D. Wright
1.15.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: This will be written in free form, not as a column as usual.

Selfishness. What Purpose Does It Serve? It only has one: to destroy the person who is selfish (and as a by-product, the person(s) they're depriving while being selfish).

Let us count the ways:

Selfishness causes people to not share when they have an abundance (never mind when they have little and would rather clutch on to that little than share).
Example: A lot of the people I see in Midtown every day.

Selfishness causes people to jump from relationship to relationship and never committing.
Example: Many 18-24 year old females.

Selfishness causes a person to lie, cheat and steal to get what they want.
Example: Almost any modern professional baseball player.

Selfishness causes a great majority of the disputes in a marriage, because one or both involved wants their way without compromise.
Example: One wants to shop, fine dine and travel, or the other wants to spend money on ball games and gambling.

Selfishness causes one to think they can go through life without helping others.
Example: Stepping over the homeless, talking about them as if they are less than human and not even offering them a bite to eat.

Selfishness causes people to think they can go through life without the HELP of others and gives way to arrogance.
Example: Those who claim they pulled themselves up by the boot straps to get where they are.

Selfishness causes people to make commitments, break them and justify them all in one breath.
Example: People who get divorced repeatedly, never assess why that is, "swingers", people who spit and scoff at marriage, while they sleep around and have sex with members of the same sex thinking there is no consequence just because they refuse the marriage commitment.

DISCUSS>>>

Boss Of All Bosses, Pt. II: A Review

Boss Of All Bosses, Pt. II: A Review
M.D. Wright
1.14.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: Part II of the Review for Boss Of All Bosses, as promised.

I'll get right to it, since I've spun it about 3 times since it dropped on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The cheap/ridiculous PhotoShop effort by the 6th grader on this cover is laughable, but hey, it's Cam being cheap again, what else is new?

1. "Intro".

As always, Cam's Intros are straight piffery. With virtually no lead-in, Vado comes in rapid fire with that WHITE. Cam'ron follows suit with the same Brooke Shields flow. Perfect set-up for the album. If the (two) U.N. albums are anything like these mixtapes have been lately, Dipset is BACK -- just minus the two traitors. This music almost sounded like some vintage Oakland Raiders theme song music, with Cam ending the intro with a facetious:

"Ta-da!"

ha. You gotta love it.

Rating: 5/5.

2. "We Back".

Somewhat of an extended intro. Cam talking trash, his usual talk.

Cam: "Todd Bizzy... congrats on the new position, no homo... you the illest n---a in math since 'Rain Man'... might gotta call you Dustin Hoffman... nah you probably got more money than Dustin" HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Rating: 5/5.

3. "Always Made It".

Typical Araab Muzik beat. Almost kills the track in this case, though. I don't like the vocal lift nor that stupid fake synth drum loop going in the background. It reeks of "cheap". I know Cam likes to skimp on beats, but come on now. Beats are supposed to augment the song, not take away the lyrics.

I love how Cam works lyrics about sports into songs. Too bad these cats nowadays have no idea what he's talking about. You have to be 25 and above to catch a lot of these references (he mentions the Showtime Lakers and the vintage UNLV squads that featured Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, etc.)

I like Vado's hook and as you know YOU WIN (U.N.)

Rating: 5/5.

4. "Point The Finger".

I was starting to like this mixtape more than the first one after the second listen. The beat is nothing spectacular, but it doesn't impede the song itself. Cam is on a different wave now and it's a good thing.

Vado continues to shine, proving that he isn't one-dimensional and can ride any beat. When you can do that, talk about things that listeners care about, you have mounds of potential. Can't wait until the U.N. albums drop. He needs to chill with the "HAAAAAAAAAAA" unless he's going to give me publishing, pay me royalties and that's with 7 POINTS! Yeah, I want POINTS anytime uses my material ha.

Low blow metaphor that may go over youngins' heads, is on point but also made me stop and go "oh." in a bad way:

Vado: "This is why I'm hot like Mims, I been fire... expensive threads, yes I spend the highest... blowin' bread, fallin' over to death like Len Bias". OUCH. Len Bias was at the University of Maryland and was going to be with the Boston Celtics what LeBron James STILL ISN'T (YET). That was my dude. I remember the news breaking and it being all the talk amongst my dad and uncles back in '86 that Len Bias had passed away shortly after the 1986 NBA Draft after "blowing bread" as Vado says here.

Otherwise, GREAT track.

Rating: 4.5/5.

5. "Nuthin' Like Araab Muzik".

This song is okay, the beat is trash though, and it's tough for me to take a track seriously, regardless of the lyrical prowess (of which both Cam'ron and Vado bring on every track of this album). I believe this is the main reason it took a while for "Killa Season" to grow on me fully (no homo).

Rating: 2.5/5.

6. "U Right - Skit".

Cam is a go-to man when it comes to funny skits. This chick, who is usually on Cam's skits goes in once again. Cam just deadpans "you right" while she moans and groans the entire time ha. Good for a bunch of laughs.

Rating: 5/5.

7. "Stop It Slime".

STOP IT SLIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!! I usually hate when local slang gets put into a title of a song, because outta town cats will be saying it OD much. But for those of you who have heard me say "stop it 5" or "what up slime", well, it isn't code or anything profound like some people think. Just another way to say "what's goodie" and that's it. Ain't got nothing to do with the cops and while B's in Harlem started it, it's not exclusive to them. An old head in midtown accosted me and tried to sell me some of his bum music recently, for instance.

This is just "Stop It 5" with a different title and a couple of mixing edits, since it did not make the cut for Boss Of All Bosses, Pt. I.

Vado: "You peel onions? Let's go pie for pie... I hit him like Dolph Lundgren, 'if he dies, he dies'...HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA".

Vado: "Ain't hard to find... but I'm probably now... got more hooks and punches than a Rocky round... get them pounds from Houston of that Bobby Brown... copy my style, I'm Mayweather, you Pacquiao..."

Cam: "You got gay friends? Me? I got some lesbians... man you ain't just a actor.. you a THESPIAN..."

Rating: 5/5*.
*(TIE) Favorite Track.

8. "They Feelin' Us".

Araab Muzik and his engineers need to do better, but I like the guy as a producer. I don't want to make anyone think otherwise. Part of the blame for some of these beats goes to Cam'ron for beat SELECTION. This is like a lite version of "Get 'em Girls" in a way.

Love the Kanye reference by Cam, BTW ha.

Rating: 3.5/5.

9. "Bezel Up".

I like this one. The mini intro lead-in was poppin'. Vado with the Royal Rumble references... "Royal Rumble, EVERYBODY in the ring!" Decent beat and top shelf flow by both Vado and Cam.

Rating: 4/5.

10. "A-Mafia" (Featuring A-Mafia).

WELCOME HOME A-MAFIA!

I love the beat. I love the references to Mars Blackmon, Chick Fil-A ha, etc.

Cam: "Seen Martha Stewart (where?)... at Martha's Vineyard"
Cam: "The chick house... her son pesterin' (what he want???)... he keep knockin' at the door... damn, let him in (s---)" ha.

Vado: "My presence big, I'm like the rap Shaq O'Neal... --- ... where I'm from, everybody look like they got a rapper's deal" ha.

I'm just glad to hear A-Mafia again, honestly. JUST LISTEN TO THESE DUDES SPIT!

Rating: 5/5.

11. "They Holla Ayo".

Cheap beats. Sounds like something off... uhh, nevermind. He is still my dude, so I won't rip JR Writer, but this sounds like one of his beats. If this weren't a mixtape, I'd be concerned. But then again, you don't have to get samples cleared if you're not distributing the music for sale. That's what baffles me about Part II of Boss of All Bosses, this is not a Cam'ron beat. Vado, on the other hand, can ride any beat.

And the hook is annoying.

Rating: 2/5.

12. "U Right (Skit II)".

More of the previous skit ha. "Arrite u right" ha.

Rating: 5/5.

13. "Ooh Baby".

This is my favorite track off this album. It is a typical, vintage, classic Dipset chipmunk beat. Perfect song ("Dedicated To The One I Love" by The Shirelles) chosen for the sample. Cam's narration at the beginning takes you back to when you could still hop the turnstiles on the subway and hop on the bus through the back door (if you caught a packed bus ha) and we still used TOKENS to get on the subway. I personally think he's lying about having not been on the subway since tokens were in, but hey, I remember those days and when the MetroCards first got introduced (they were optional back then). I saved my last 3 tokens for years until I lost them in all the moving I've done since.

This song just causes you to think of good times and you can easily lose sight of these double metaphors and the local slang they are using here if you start becoming wistful about the halcyon days of the 80s and 90s that the beat elicits from you.

Cam'ron: "I'm from the Graffiti/Raymo (from Beat Street) era" ha.

Vado: "Alexander Wang... or maybe Helmut Lang... Givenchy, Philip Lim, that's just to name some names..."

Vado: "I love rugby to death, made that my baby's name... cancel a chick over champagne like Flava Flav... HAAAAAAAAAAA".

YOU WIN (U.N.)

Rating: 5/5*.
*(TIE) Favorite Song.

14. "Get Away".

Vado is my son. You already know that. The Mobb Deep sample from the song of the same name is enough to make you love this song.

Rating: 4/5.

15. "Nothing Personal".

So everyone seems to like this song. It's decent. Doesn't stand out to me, but you know the sound that I favor over all the others that appear on Dipset albums, but overall, this song does hit hard. Some subtle metaphors here too, by the way.

Rating: 4.5/5.

16. "Movin' Raw".

Young Nico loves this one. I love the beat. I love the slow flow. Man you know a song/album is good when it makes me want to start back writing and doing random 16s to go into the booth with if dudes were trying to get on a song. Love the hook, hilarious as it is ha.

Rating: 4.5/5.

17. "Do Wrong".

I LOVE THIS SAMPLE. The vocal is hilarious. I know this song, but again, the title slips my mind. Feel free to interject. She goes "I got the devil in me, I'm gonna do wrong tonight" ha. It goes perfectly with the subject matter here. Vado is gonna blow if they use this buildup and hype properly throughout 2010. You already know Cam still got fans (even the ones who go out of their way to comment on YouTube videos ha).

JUST LISTEN TO THOSE DOUBLE PHORS BY VADO IN THE FIRST VERSE.

Cam mentions "Johnny Sack (Sacrimone)" from The Sopranos. CLASSIC.

Rating: 4.75/5.

18. "Lonely".

Another great sample. "Baby... baby... baby... baby... pleaseeeee... don't you leave me lonely!"

Vado sounds like Juelz sometimes, I swear. He carries this entire track himself, no Cam. No Clips. No cameos.

Vado: "Leave you? WHERE THEY DO THAT AT??? GW Cross Bridgin', Fort Lee-livin', Edgewater, River Road, GT ignition... MTV Cribs Felipe in the kitchen..."

LOVE IT.

19. "U Right (Skit III)"

LMAO. JUST LISTEN TO IT. If you don't laugh, I'll do your taxes for free this year ha. She's FRIED because he got her tight by saying "U RIGHT" over and over ha.

Rating: 5/5.

20. "Whistle"

WHO DOESN'T LOVE THE "TETRIS" SAMPLE???

Man these beats were so much better than Part I at times, but they got me with the samples on this one.

Vado: "I move with property buyers, I own like how the powder did buyers... my Shammgod jersey, Providence Friars..."

Vado: "Broke can't happen, like seein' Iverson 6th man... haaaaaaaaaaaaaa".

Just let this joint play a few times. It will grow on you (nh).

Rating: 4.5/5.

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5.

DISCUSS>>>

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day
M.D. Wright
1.14.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: In continuing my previous day's rant about cliché phrases that may be overused, I am adding my latest installation for the day. Be informed that there may be days where I do several of these, and there will be days where I will not have any at all, but I'm sure, as always, most of you can relate.

TODAY'S PET PEEVE PHRASE:

"IT IS WHAT IT IS".

I'm not the type of person who is a curmudgeon like Andy Rooney. I do this lightheartedly, but this one got a lot of play this past decade. It might have been the most used go-to phrase from 2001-2009.

There is nothing new under the sun, so I'm sure this was used by more than a few people in the past, but the FIRST person who I heard uttering it on a consistent basis was then-New York Football Giants' Defensive Coordinator John Fox. Once he left to coach the Carolina Panthers after the 2001 season, he began to say it almost weekly on ESPN and local shows in North Carolina. It was becoming such a staple of his, that people expected him to say it (regardless of whether the Panthers lost or not).

SIDE NOTE: I miss the years when John Fox was with us. I remember his first season as our defensive coordinator and how the defense spent the previous season LITERALLY bickering with the Giants' offense on local TV and in interviews at times on ESPN. I don't recall hearing Fox use the phrase whenever he was on WFAN ("The FAN" to us here locally in New York) back in the '97, but it seemed to be his trademark phrase years later.

However, I digress. Given the Giants' defensive coordinator woes at the moment, 10 years after Fox left, I am more wistful with each passing day as our defense was great every year under Foxy, with studs such as Michael Strahan, Jessie Armstead, Keith Hamilton and Phillippi Sparks.

Once Foxy became the guy tagged as the most ardent (ab)user of the phrase, you began hearing it EVERYPLACE. Actors, coaches in both college and professional sports, top players throughout professional sports, even college players who could barely put one coherent sentence together could manage a simple "IT IS WHAT IT IS".

Is there any other phrase that you have heard more than this one since 2000? I wanna know ha.

DISCUSS>>>

Boss Of All Bosses, Pt. I: A Review

Boss Of All Bosses, Pt. I: A Review
M.D. Wright
1.14.09

***EDITOR'S NOTE: I will be compiling a brief review of both Boss Of All Bosses mixtapes by Cam'ron & DJ Drama, featuring Vado, Charlie Clips, Rick Ross, et. al.

It's still DIPSET/U.N. -- Dipset is never over.

TRACK LIST
1. "Intro".

As Cam fans know, he is the absolute dean of Intros and Skits. Boss Of All Bosses starts out with a short and sweet string of sarcasm with Killa pontificating that he doesn't use any social networking -- as only Cam can: "I don't Twitter, I don't MySpace, I don't Facebook... if you wanna see me, see me in the street" ha.

Rating: 4/5. (Brevity)

2. "Pop Off".

I love this track. Araab Muzik is on his own wave with his beats on this mixtape. From the very beginning when Cam'ron declares "Araab Muzik, let's go!" the track goes IN. There are so many quotables from the very first bars and throughout. Vado was on something else here, because he thoroughly murdered this beat.

"And I ain't wit the autotunes, but if you ain't a rapper, then what yo ass gonna do? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (he stole that from me, as those of you on Facebook know -- I use "ha" and all of its variants quite frequently, and have done so for well over a year now ha).

Rating: 5/5.

3. "Drama".

Lyrically, the track is okay. I like the sample (or apparent sample -- sounds like action movie music from the 80s) and the patented Araab Muzik eagle cry in the background. For some reason, it just doesn't do all that much for me. One of my least favorite tracks on the mixtape.

Cam does use chat lingo, though... "like W. T. F... what the f---???" ha.

Rating: 3/5.

4. "La Bamba".

This was one of the first songs I heard leaked for the mixtape. At first, I didn't take it seriously, but after a while I began to appreciate it. I had grown tired of the ultra-slow songs. But listening to the lyrics were just crazy. It built to a crescendo at the end. Cam did his thing, but Vado WAS BANANAS on here. Definitely one of my three favorite tracks on here. HUHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Rating: 5/5.

5. "Ric Flair".

Ha. Cam would make a song referring to Ric Flair. PAY ATTENTION! And he kills me with the ad-libs -- always with the conversation within the lyrics:

Cam'ron: "Put you next door to Mike Jack... roommate Redd Foxx (YES!)... I'm from Lenox (YES!)... my Jamaicans, rudebwoys LENNOX (Tito!)... we bumpin' in... (where???)... the Comfort Inn... (oh.) ha. I love that hoodrat "oh" response, because it reminds me of kids from around the way.

Vado: "School of Hard Knocks, I'm more valued than a principal... these n----s got no morals, values or principles..."
Vado: "5 for 22, I'm like 'WOOOOOOO!!!' Ric Flair..."

Rating: 4.5/5.

6. "Hustle" (Featuring Rick Ross).

This is may favorite track on here. Everyone who knows me KNOWS I love the classic Dipset sound. The sample they used for this track was perfect and the slow flow/hesitation beat is perfect in my opinion. Some people hate the slow flow, but not everyone can do it. It takes real skill. Ask any real rapper. Plus it fits a person whose ego is bloated (as Cam's is -- to a degree, relative to how it used to be [exorbitant]). Even OFFICER RICKY didn't mess it up with his "bars".

Vado, as he did on the entire mixtape, went absolutely NUTS at the end of this track. If you know what Cam and Vado are talking about (which most of the haters/people who genuinely don't like them usually DON'T), you probably put this at the top of your list on this mixtape. The pause in the middle of the song was just extra effect. Makes it even more poignant. Sounds like a true Hustler Lesson taking place, in my best description.

GIVE THIS ONE A FEW EXTRA SPINS.

Rating: 5/5*.
*Favorite Song.

7. "Get It" (Featuring Ma$e).

I just cannot take Ma$e seriously anymore; not as a rapper, not as a pastor, not as a street dude who used to live on 134th. Kind of ruins the song for me. I don't like the beat anyway. It got a lot of attention for a while, because everyone was glad to see that Cam and Ma$e finally did a track together since 1999 (when they recorded the "F--- You" sequel for "S.D.E."), but it was 10 years too late and too much irrevocable damage done. A shame, though. If they could have gotten past that trivial, petty nonsense surrounding "Horse & Carriage" can you imagine where both their careers would be now?

Rating: 2/5.

8. "Can't Say Goodbye".

I love this song, if for no other reason than the Mike Jack/Jackson 5 sample. Just sit back and enjoy it. Hard to even catch some of the quotables, because you're so into the sample and drum pattern.

Vado: "I'm 'Dangerous', I'm 'Bad', I'm 'Off The Wall' y'all... peace and soul, two fingers to all y'all... love to shop, can't let go, I'm a mall hog... if I own see ya, I'mma call log who all, y'all..."

Cam: "V1, flava in her ear like Craig Mack (BOYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!)" ha.

Rating: 4.5/5.

9. "Skit I".

As previously mentioned, the skits are always good for a laugh or two and this one, while short, still elicits a chortle or two.

Cam bragging as always (although he was on point until he got the Bulls' dynasty years mixed up ha -- Jordan left after the '93 season and didn't play in '94 at all in the NBA), but it's funny, though. Listen slime:

Cam: "my man Vado, he like Kobe man, the Black Mamba (no homo)..."

SN: Cam's use of "no homo" is out of hand, but applicable and still hilarious.

Rating: 5/5.

10. "Land Of The Dealers".

If this were a game of "which one of these does not fit?" you'd say this song. The whole vibe is different, the beat is WACK and it wasn't mastered properly. The beat overshadows how well Vado's flow went in on this one. Cam did his thing as always, but again, the beat kills it for me.

Rating: 1/5.

11. "Fed Story".

More of the same as "Land Of The Dealers", just not as bad.

Rating: 2/5.

12. "We In This Thing".

I have NEVER been a fan of that crunk BS, nor will I ever be. I just can't stand it. Save that for them down south club hoppers. I'm all about lyrics and wild crazy beats. Why on earth Cam did this other than the fact he spent a lot of time in Florida and Atlanta last year -- is beyond me.

Rating: 0/5.

13. "Blow My High".

The song that they sample is right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't call it. I like this song, but the beat sounds cheap. I swear what Araab Muzik does can be done by anyone. He has those Madden fingers (ultra-fast) on the MPC, but his sample choice and the way they sequence the beats leaves a lot to be desired at times. Sometimes his beats can either accentuate or totally kill a song. Cam'ron, Vado and Clips ALL ripped every song they were on throughout this mixtape, but at times the beats totally put me off. This song was another instance of that.

Rating: 2/5 (lyrics being the saving grace).

14. "Skit II".

Cam just explaining his past, longevity in the game and how unique he is -- and sets up "Different Cloth" effectively.

Rating: 4/5.

15. "Different Cloth".

Not my FAVORITE song, but it hits hard. Not many quotables. I like how versatile Vado is. It's hilarious how he can end up doing what Juelz Santana was supposed to do (and never will) and that's appeal to a larger audience, while maintaining that edge. Cam'ron long ago said he refused to become a prisoner of his own fame and would not try to be a commercial artist (I wish the non-fans and haters would remember this whenever they say he never has done more than 1.5 million Soundscan or doesn't have an "all-time classic album") so I don't look for anything more than him explaining the mindset of a typical Harlem dude -- which he does effectively, as he always has.

Vado isn't a one-dimensional rapper. If I were to do a comparison of old Dipset to new Dipset/UN, it would go like this:

Cam is Cam
Vado is Juelz pre-2006
Clips is JR Writer (not exactly a good thing as you will read soon, but POTENTIALLY good)
Felony Fame is Hell Rell
Rod Rhaspy is Jim Jones

And since .40 Cal is on one a the tracks, and still my son, there is no comparison needed. I hope .40 still gets a chance to blow, because he is underrated.

Rating: 3.5/5.

16. "Professional".

Byrd Lady on here. She's okay, but I haven't taken a female rapper seriously since Biggie died (if you go back and do album chronologies, it will make sense).

It's an okay track, nothing great, not bad. Just "okay".

More of the U.N. using my patented "haaaaaaaaaaa" and their patented "huhhhhhhhh!!!"

Rating: 3/5.

17. "Ride With Me".

This song kind of had that mid-late 90s feel to it. But it also sounds like something that would've been on Cam'ron's 4th album, "Purple Haze". They proved they can switch it up and speed up the flow a bit. I like the sample, also.

Rating: 4/5.

18. "The Baddest".

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SONG THAT THEY SAMPLED??? I hate when I can't figure it out. I love the hook, and I love how Cam and Vado both refer to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in about 4 songs on this mixtape ha. This song is good riding music for this summer.

BTW: More "haaaaaaa" from Vado. Now you see why he's my son ha?

Rating: 4.5/5.

19. "Skit III".

Cam giving shouts to all of the project houses throughout Harlem:

140th & Lenox.
141st.
142nd aka "Crime Square".
143rd.
Polo Grounds (155th).
Colonial.
Harlem River.
Hamilton.
Lincoln (and all the others in between, Carver, Jefferson, Johnson, King Towers, Taft, Taino, etc.)
Wilson.
1199.
Wagner.

Harlem World STAND UP.

20. "Lenox Ave" (Featuring .40 Cal).

I absolutely love this truck. Too many quotables to type. Check the end of the first verse with Vado, and the beginning of the second with Cam'ron.

.40 CAL ABUSED THIS TRACK!!! Please put him on any of the upcoming U.N./Cam'ron solo albums! All of his bars on this track were quotable. WHO CAN SAY THAT???

.40 Cal: "Cause we... live it up... rock jewels, bigger truck... you don't believe in Harlem World, n---a then Triple Up"...

Rating: 5/5.

21. "Arab Music".

This track was one of my favorites at first, but the beat drove me nuts (in a bad way) after a while. It's average, nothing more, nothing less.

Rating: 2.5/5.

22. "Skit IV".

More shouts from Cam between Ohio, Newark, Atlanta, more album promises (we know how those go with Cam).

Rating: NR.

23. "Soul Plane".

NASTY. I love the intro to the track, I love the sample, I love the tempo. I can't even write anything more. Just sit back and get on their wave.

Rating: 5/5.

24. "Stop".

A staple of Cam/Dipset-related projects is the artist talking back to the vocals that were sampled for the song. This song was titled "Stop" and the part of the song (again, the sample escapes me) that was sampled is played almost as if on cue by Charlie Clips.

Clips seems like a battle rapper. Most people don't want to hear from battle rappers unless they're genuinely checking for them in a rap battle on the corner, in someone's basement or something posted on YouTube. Not in a group that is expected to have broader appeal than that which exists in pockets here in New York City and nowhere else. Personally, I like Clips, he has been doing his thing for a while now Uptown, but a lot of cats have yet to hear about him. His bars here are just crazy. I'll list a few of them. I just hope he doesn't relegate himself to a punchline rapper like JR Writer did. Writer had explosive ability, but never lived up to it. After 5 years, you'd think he would have evolved instead of regressed, but whatever, we're talking about Clips.

The song's intro is uptempo and I absolutely love when they sample these 60s/70s era soul songs.

... you better stop, before you tear me all apart... you better STOP...

Clips: "'STOP' HUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! -- that's what they tell you when you rappin'... 'STOP' -- that's what the fiends beggin' you when you be trappin'... 'STOP' -- that's what the girls say when you go to smash it..."

Clips: "I'm so hot wit it... you are so NOT wit it... I'm so Bentley, so Porsche, so drop wit it... I'm so Big, so Pun, so Pac wit it... I'm so Big, so L, so Scott La Rock wit it... I rock that boat like Aaliyah, and Jam Master Jay, my feet could be adidas... squeeze on them heaters and you better hold your vest high, cause his head shot when I close that Left EYEEEEEEEEEEEEE..."

HUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Rating: 5/5.

OVERALL RATING: 4.25/5.

DISCUSS>>>

Thoughts On Pat Robertson & Rush Limbaugh

Thoughts On Pat Robertson & Rush Limbaugh
M.D. Wright
1.14.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: In lieu of the catastrophe that struck our brothers and sisters in Haiti, there has been an outpouring of care and support, but along with that, there have been a few isolated incidents where pure soulless idiots managed to climb upon their soapboxes and spew bigotry and hatred.

Where to begin? This whole thing came completely out of left field. It's not that earthquakes in this part of the hemisphere are all that unheard of, but the news was surreal. I had been in Brooklyn most of the day interviewing and I began seeing people say "Pray for Haiti". Personally, I read things like that and think, "Well, Haiti NEEDS prayer and help anyway, because it's been in bad shape for many years as it is" and didn't think anything of it.

Until every other status that came through on my phone said the same thing.

I heard the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.0 or thereabouts and there were aftershocks. In a city like Los Angeles or San Francisco, with state-of-the-art, designed-specifically-for-earthquakes infrastructures, they can dodge such a quake with relatively minimal damage. Even the Loma Prieta quake caused considerable damage.

To think of that and be well-versed in Haiti's history and infrastructure (did several reports in high school and both college stints in the late 90s and this decade -- Haiti has always been fascinating to me beyond its rough history), you knew this could not end well. Many huts and complete villages consisting of shanty houses and already sparse electricity, running water or (in some cases) food, it was just a depressing thought before I even turned on a TV.

THEN I DID IT.

And I happen to hear Pat Robertson's gibberish. He always says these same things whenever a poor, impoverished country that he PERCEIVES doesn't uphold Christian standards (as if the United States does?) has a natural disaster strike those countries. He did it after the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean a few years back, and then today he opens his mouth again about Haiti.

And of course, opportunist Rush Limbaugh took it as a roundabout way to take shots at President Obama (deserved or not, this isn't the time), which he makes a daily routine of doing. I don't understand what makes whatever angle and agenda they're pushing so important that they must make such idiotic statements at this time. It's irrelevant at best and completely soulless at worst.

Personally, being a Christian, I can UNDERSTAND Robertson's sentiment, but he has no proof that this took place. Until people heard what President Duvalier was doing back in the day (consulting Voodoo priests and claiming before his ouster that he had made a pact with the devil -- who even knows if it's true? Duvalier viewed countries like the US with distrust as it was). As far as Bangalesh and the other countries that were affected by the Tsunami, Robertson only says these things because that is a mostly Buddhist and Muslim region. Expected from him?

View here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34851509#34851509

DISCUSS>>>

My Top 10 Favorite Teddy Pendergrass Jams

My Top 10 Favorite Teddy Pendergrass Jams
M.D. Wright
1.14.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: Soul Legend Teddy Pendergrass passed away on January 13, 2010 after battling the effects of recovery from colon cancer surgery which he underwent in the summer of 2009. He was 59. To commemorate his life (as a super fan), I'm doing a quick hits list of my favorite songs of his. It is by no means exhaustive, because I have about 30 TP songs that I absolutely jam to on Friday and/or Saturday nights if I'm home relaxing.

RIP Teddy P. (1950-2010)

1. Can't We Try.... See More
2. Close The Door.
3. Love TKO.
4. Come Go With Me.
5. Hold Me.
6. The Whole Town's Laughing At Me.
7. Turn Off The Lights (ha).
8. Joy.
9. When Somebody Loves You Back.
10. Is It Still Good To Ya.

I was privileged enough to be born when I was (1979) as he was at the apex of his career, and his music was still great throughout the 80s as I was growing up. It is still good to listen to frequently, as I mentioned that I do, and it helps that some of my favorite artists (RZA, for Ghostface Killah, Puff Daddy for Total, etc.) sample his work.

DISCUSS>>>

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day
M.D. Wright
1.13.10

***EDITOR'S NOTE: This may or may not become a staple of my blog for 2010, but for this week, I'm definitely going to come up with with a phrase (maybe more) per day that annoys me and write about it when I feel like it's being overused.

Today's Version:

"EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON".

Seriously? You don't Really Mean It. I believe it is a cop-out phrase and a way of giving people false hope in a desperate or foul situation -- or a lazy way to offer a salve for someone who is going through. I hear it so often, especially when people hear what you've been through (and they have been shielded by their parents for the most part, and don't really go through anything non-trivial).

I'd truly hate to see how people handle situations when the shoe is on the other foot and they have to deal when nothing else works.

You will NEVER hear me utter that phrase. And no one who knows me can honestly say they've ever heard me, because I don't believe it to be true, nor have I ever.

I've had some foul things happen to me. I've DONE some foul things that have f'ed me over for years. But the decisions made for me (even after I had turned 18) and some of the maladies that I've had to deal with (Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Sepsis ruining my entire 4 years in high school, nearly killing me -- breaking my back in 2007, and this unheard of drought of going on 5 years without being able to land a full-time job) I KNOW there cannot be a purpose therein.

What? Missing out on a legitimate chance to play cornerback or safety in the NFL? Or at LEAST playing basketball at the college level (I will admit, my game didn't become complete until I was a senior in high school and only being 5'10" wasn't going to get me many looks unless I walked on), but I could have made the NFL as a CB/S and that's not a reach at all. People who know me know this is factual.

What? Going without a job (minus 3 two-bit, two-month stints at BS "jobs" that weren't even paying me half of what I was making at my last full-time job, which I left in mid-2005 WITHOUT A DEGREE AT THAT TIME?) for all this time? To prove what? No one besides jump offs and Burning Broads will date you ha? I get tired of people saying "Everything Happens For A Reason" and then saying "oh, well you know you can minister to people all day instead".

W.
T.
F.

I was ministering to people on my job, at the gym, playing ball -- and not preaching, but REAL ministry. Again, ask the cats who I worked with, worked out with at the gym or played ball with at Tillary, 99th, UNCG, A&T or Jamestown Six Forks, elsewhere, etc. and they'll tell you that even while raining down Js, catching alleys (before I broke my back) and teaching cats how to do the Step-Back (I was one of the first cats at the aforementioned courts to use that move back in 2000 -- give me credit ha; Kiki Vandeweghe popularised it in the NBA, but I did it at the local level).

But this jobless s--- is beyond ridiculous. I've written about this many times, so I won't go off on that tangent right now, but please tell me what possible REASON there is for going through this? I don't need "patience". The fact I haven't offed myself nor anyone else and still have my sanity proves that.

I don't lack for faith, because I believed God to provide for everything I needed the entire time and I never went without. Sure, I can't travel like I used to, or shop, or even go out on dates, or hang with guys of my ilk like young DK and young Lee, but I don't starve, I have a roof over my head and my clothes and shoes (miraculously, like the Israelites in the Bible when they were in the wilderness) still look like new. God is faithful and I'm faithful to Him.

Besides, I spend so much time looking for jobs, brainstorming about business opportunities and how to network more efficiently that I probably reached MORE (ministering) people before the advent of Facebook -- and other social networking mediums -- than I do now. Besides, I've come close to snapping completely these past few months, because if ANYTHING, I thought moving back to New York with my loose ends tied up would make finding a job a lot easier and would result in a hire by now. It will have been exactly 8 months... EIGHT MONTHS... since I graduated in May, this coming Friday. EIGHT MONTHS. Economy or not, as many people as I know and network with and still nothing?

***BY THE WAY: Shouts to those who have helped me reach out to people who could potentially help me (my cousin Tyhesia Brown, Maria Reliford, Daphnee Pierre, etc.)

But I hear people using this disgusting line in reference to anything that they're too lazy to listen and hear the full story about, and analyze/assess what happened so that they can come a full realization surrounding what happened to bring things to that point. It is a cop-out and a lazy line.

I hear it in reference to the earthquake in Haiti. SERIOUSLY? ARE YOU DEAD ASS?

I hear it in reference almost anything unfortunate.

I rarely hear it from people who are actually IN those situations, but even when I do, I wonder WHY.

DISCUSS>>>

The State Of The New York Football Giants (2009 Season Recap)

The State Of The New York Football Giants (2009 Season Recap)
1.4.10
M.D. Wright

***EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a continuation of the mid-season assessment of the Giants from early November in 2009.

If you think we're going to win the division or make the playoffs (especially if we don't beat Atlanta, which will be the team looking for the last wild card slot most likely)...

...nah, we're done. If we somehow win the division, it will be because we have the Skins and a Vikings team that will be resting their starters late. I honestly think it will take 11 wins to win the division and with the way we play, we won't even win 10.

I'm going to tell you why. When teams slump, they have answers to fix it. Usually, it's because 1-3 guys are hurt for a few weeks, maybe one is out for the season. Maybe it's because of schematics.

However, that's not the issue here. ... Read More

Cris Carter or one of those guys on ESPN made a great point (which is rare) there are problems that the Giants have that WON'T GET FIXED THIS YEAR.

1. We REALLY miss Kenny Phillips more than Giants haters, casual fans and even some Giants fans figured we would. I knew we would miss him ENORMOUSLY.

2. Our offensive line scheme has been atrocious in the running game. We're getting manhandled like the Falcons offensive line. We, on numerous occasions, have been unable to convert 3rd and 1s with a 265-lb running back. Our linemen are getting pushed around and manhandled in both the running AND passing game. Out of everything, that's the ONE thing that possibly COULD be fixed.

3. The defensive line can't get consistent pressure. We get there, but don't get the sack. We get there, and maybe strip the ball -- but don't get the recovery (that has happened a half dozen times this season by my count and each time we DIDN'T get the recovery, the team went down and scored DEAR GOD). We get there, as we did with Rivers today, and hang all over him and he still makes a throw to a WIDE OPEN player, which leads to my other point:

4. Our linebackers are ridiculously flawed. Clark can't cover downfield. I like him as a person, he's a good dude, and he has a good skill set, but he's good in run support. I have seen him on far too many occasions trailing plays downfield and out of position to make a play on his man. We are a SIEVE across the middle of the field. Pierce is a fatass and can't run anymore. It's outrageous how he is still starting. We definitely need to be eyeing a Mike in the draft or free agency. Boley, with all his speed, CAN'T stay healthy.

5. The cumulative effect of the defensive issues in the front seven leads to our already severely depleted secondary who can't cover for SHIT to be compromised further. Evidenced again by the final drive of the game when the Chargers went RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD with no resistance whatsoever. Even guys like Corey Webster, who is a Top 5 CB are being made to look foolish because they can't get to the QB when they blitz up front.

We're not getting Phillips back this year, obviously (and what confounds me more and more every time we get beat deep -- which is a half dozen times a game -- is the fact that he was able to play. His knee was arthritic, but they forced him to go on IR; he had played two GREAT games so obviously he was fine with playing through the pain). Canty just finally played today, but was a non-factor. Same with Boley. Whenever Ross DOES come back (who stays out almost 3 months with a hamstring unless it's torn? I've never seen that before) he's going to be rusty. We can't stop anyone when we need to.

We can't convert short yardage. We can't protect Eli and our special teams has me AGHAST on both sides of it every week. Hixon is WORTHLESS to this team. He doesn't run routes properly, nor does he make adjustments with the ball in mid-air. He doesn't do anything in the return game. We just have terrible decision-makers outside of Coughlin. Gilbride has caused several coronaries and strokes by some Giants fans I'm sure, since 2005. Every week he finds a new way to hold this team back and cost us games when we lose (all but maybe 5 or 6 losses since 2006 can be attributed to Gilbride's awful play-calling which leaves 10-20 points on the field on the average every game). Bill Sheridan can't decide when to blitz and when to fall back and play zone. Every week he gets outcoached. We really miss Spags, and I was one of the few people who was saying he was going to regret taking that job. The Rams aren't going anywhere in the next 3-4 years. By then, he'll be fired and be looking to be someone ELSE'S Defensive Coordinator. He should've stayed here, worked his magnificent scheme and succeeded Coughlin once he burns out and gets sick and tired of boneheaded players (112 yards in penalties today???) because I know I'd probably have a stroke and die on the field if I was coaching this team right now.

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(January 2010)

It turns out the things I wrote back in November were right. But then again, this has been my team since 1985 and I've watched them ardently. Our defense has NEVER been as bad as it was this season in my entire lifetime. That's not just aesthetically, but also STATISTICALLY. We had (for all intents and purposes) the worst defense in the NFL.

As of January 4, 2010, the Giants fired Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan. Giants fans began questioning his hire during and especially after the Saints' loss in Week 6, when the Giants seemed to be two steps behind everything Saints' head coach Sean Payton and Gary Gibbs were doing.

The Giants' problems run deep, but the good thing is, everything can be fixed. I will do a quick breakdown of what needs to be done at each position going into the offseason.

Although we could not realistically see it coming, the Saints game was a precursor of things to come. The Saints had the most potent offense for most of the season, so losing to them was no sin. But then the first Philadelphia game (the Iggles are one-dimensional and live by the big play, which is the common denominator in every one of their losses), and on and on from there (although remarkably, we beat Dallas handily -- go figure).

GRADES:

HEAD COACH: C+
Coughlin should have final say and sign off on any decisions made by either of his coordinators and who gets cut or signed. The debacle that was the Giants' defense was indefensible. Too much talent to play like a sieve. This defense couldn't have stopped option teams in FBS college subdivision. The offense was potent, but too often Coughlin trusted Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride (who he goes back 20 years with as Gilbride is a Connecticut native) with play-calling that stifled many Giants' drives. As potent as the offense was, the defense was just as inept -- and the Giants left a good 100 points on the field this year. No hyperbole. That would have been good enough to be best in the NFL in points per game scoring.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: C
Sure, the Kevin Gilbride-led offense had explosive numbers in the passing game. The Giants have never been a big passing team. It is not our nature. We are run-first and a tough defense team, then pass. That's why we haven't had a Pro Bowl WR in 41 years and just had our first 100-catch WR this year in 85 seasons of playing football.

Noticeable were the running statistics. Most fans were alarmed that RB Brandon Jacobs could not break any runs against the exact same Washington defense he had been annihilating his entire career previously. Ahmad Bradshaw had great moments, but too often the play-calling leaned toward abandoning the run, despite Bradshaw averaging nearly 5 yards per carry all season. Too often this was the case, too often the play-calling was predictable, and FAR too often it was flat out INANE. I could point out scenarios in the losses and wins alike where Gilbride's play-calling either prevented the Giants from winning going away (Kansas City game ended up being one play from being a one score game late because of the over-conservative play-calling, and let's not begin on the numerous blunders in each of the blowout losses).

For all of the offense's exploits (8th in the NFL, 3rd in the NFC, Manning surpassing 4,000 yards and having 27 passing TDs), the running game has always been the Giants' staple and despite both RBs being injured all season (and DJ Ware likewise, as the 3rd RB), there were too many situations when Manning was passing when the Giants should have been running. To be fair, the Giants struggled in short yardage situations all season.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: F-.
Former Giants (fired today) Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan was embattled from the beginning of his tenure, following Giants fan-favorite Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's departure to take the Head Coach position with the St. Louis Rams last offseason. DE Osi Umenyiora (who hinted several times this season he may not be back with the Giants -- okay, AND???) walked out on practice on a couple of occasions and the defense never seemed to respect Sheridan.

Giants fans were expecting more of what Spagnuolo did with the defense, considering the Giants retained all their key players at each level and added depth. NO DICE.

To be fair, the league-worst secondary became such with losses at 3 of the 4 starting positions, and at one point ALL of the starting defensive backs were out at one point or another, most of the defensive line was banged up and curious lineup changes were made similar to Jimmy Carter's cabinet (both desperation save-faces) before he was sonned by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 Election.

QUARTERBACK: A.
Eli Manning had a great season. His detractors, who will always hate him because 1) The Draft Day Situation in 2004, 2) simply because he is and never will be Peyton and 3) seems not to care by his demeanor (although Giants fans often rolled their eyes and heads and yelled just as often as he did when his WRs caught whatever Braylon Edwards brought to New York (because he definitely didn't drop passes anymore). Manning had career highs in pass yardage, completion percentage, rating, touchdowns and made very few mistakes, considering he had tons of drops by his relatively-young receiving corps, a shockingly regressed offensive line which gave him less time to pass than he's had since 2005 and an all-of-a-sudden-average running game. Other than a couple of INTs here and there when games were out of reach, I can't say anything about Manning's season, all things considered, other than "REMARKABLE". Anyone who says otherwise should have their tongues forked with a hot, rusty stake and not be allowed to comment on football.

QB David Carr is no longer shell-shocked and he wouldn't completely fall apart if Ironman Eli ever went down or ever missed a game (he hasn't since becoming starter and hopefully won't). He makes enough plays to keep the offense moving.

RUNNINGBACK: C.
To properly assess the running back position, one must not play the novice game of stating the obvious "Yeah, but Jacobs only averaged 3.7 yards per carry" blah blah blah. Real football analysts know there is a cause and effect for everything.

Jacobs played all season with a bad knee. Some believe it is a carryover from the same knee that has plagued him since he became a starter in 2007. He had to miss games intermittently in that season, then again last season, before playing all of 2009 -- although he was never 100% nor complained of it. His arthroscopic knee surgery immediately following the Giants' elimination from playoff contention confirmed insiders' suspicions that Jacobs was visibly slow with good reason -- he's on bad wheels. Not sure how long he will hold up anyway at his size, but his curious numbers had a manifold cause. Not only the knee situation, but also the offensive line being a mess. These are the same guys who have played together as a unit since Eli Manning became the starter of the team midway through the 2004 season. The way they regressed, with none of them being older than 32 is startling. I hear Giants fans talking "these guys are getting old and long in the tooth". None of the guys are old. The Chiefs had a similar dominating unit, most of whom played until they were 36 or 37 before they began looking genuinely "old". Age isn't the issue. They were simply getting beat off the ball. There weren't nearly as many holes for the backs to run through (most of Bradshaw's big runs came because of his speed, quickness and cutback ability). Jacobs wasn't 100% and also isn't 5'9" 200 lbs like Bradshaw, he's 6'4" 255 (he's not that big up close, no homo). The Giants have Andre Brown returning (possibly) as a rookie out of NC State who missed his entire rookie season with a nasty injury. They know they cannot depend on Jacobs for long and having him next year and the offensive line having a year to regroup and retool (maybe a 4th round selection) and the running game will be fine. Not really my major concern.

Gartrell Johnson only played in mop-up duty.

FULLBACK: B.
FB Madison Hedgecock played decently. We did not pass to him as much (most of us Giants fans prefer it that way, we went nuts throughout 2008 as we watched young Madison drop wide open passes in the flat that were sure first downs). He failed to open many holes for Jacobs and Bradshaw, especially in short yardage. But he was good in pass blocking when he had responsibilities on edge rushers and defensive backs blitzing. DJ Ware played very well in limited work, as he was hurt and out for about half the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C-.
As previously mentioned, the line regressed a bit this year. Eli wasn't sacked overwhelmingly, but he was rarely touched in 2008. The running game had been the best in the league the previous 4 seasons. And although they weren't great in 2009, the running game wasn't awful, either. Just not what expectations were from the team nor the fans. Key injuries to RT Kareem McKenzie (who, in addition to missing the last 2 1/2 games, was nicked up at various times and missed parts of 4 other games) and LG Rich Seubert doomed the Giants in the very end when they needed to win games.

Despite receiving no accolades, RG Chris Snee may still be the 2nd best right guard in the NFC and LT Dave Diehl doesn't get beat at all (Peppers beat him once, but DeMarcus Ware did not get past him a single time in two games, and Trent Cole only did once, and once in a running situation -- albeit registering a key strip of RB Brandon Jacobs in the 2nd matchup with Philadelphia).

C Shaun O'Hara still played well enough to be an alternate in the Pro Bowl. Rookie RT Will Beatty seemed comfortable filling in for McKenzie and only got beat once. G Kevin Boothe filled in as a backup, but is nothing special. A band-aid, but not a sieve nor to be mistaken for vintage Larry Allen, obviously.

WIDE RECEIVER: B.
WR Steve Smith had a breakout season, as I predicted. He is Eli Manning's safety blanket and so it was fitting he ended up with 107 catches this season. He did everything we needed him to. Over half of his catches went for first downs.

WR Mario Manningham made huge strides, considering he had only played sparsely in his rookie season in 2008. He made tons of plays and proved to be elusive, but he dropped tons of wide open passes, route-running gaffes had at least 3 TDs taken off the board and he does not block well yet.

WR Hakeem Nicks was no surprise to me. I thought he would be the most NFL-ready WR in the 2009 Draft and I was glad we landed him. He is just a flat out player. He reminds me a bit of Michael Irvin. His route running is very good for a rookie, although it needs work. He has Baker's Oven Mitts for hands. He had a couple of key drops, but he was the Giants' big play threat all season, notching a half dozen plays of over 40 yards while finishing second to Steve Smith on the team with 6 TD.

WR Domenik Hixon was used less frequently this year, and his showing after Plaxico Burress went down last year proved to be the right move going into this year. But he did make a couple of nice catches.

WR Derrick Hagan made a few plays, including a late TD grab vs. Washington in Week 15, but he didn't get enough playing time to be accurately assessed.

WR Sinorice Moss may be the odd man out as he has never done enough to impress the coaches enough to even warrant playing in the slot.

WR Ramses Barden needs to see the field in 2010. Unless he was injured or in witness protection, there was no reason why he should not have played in Weeks 16 and 17 at the very least. We need the height that we lost with Burress.

TIGHT END: B.
TE Kevin Boss takes too many solid shots. At 6'7", he doesn't run nearly as well as Jeremy Shockey did, but he is just as good of a blocker. He must work on getting his pads lower if he wants to play for long. Expect TE Travis Beckum to see more of the field in 2010. TE Darcy Johnson is mostly used in short yardage situations.

DEFENSIVE LINE: D.
The Giants' strength for as long as I have been alive has been the defensive line. From guys like Jim Burt, Erik Howard, Leonard Marshall, Erik Dorsey, Keith Hamilton and Michael Strahan to HEALTHY Justin Tuck and pre-2008 Osi Umenyiora, this was the pride and joy of the Giants team and Giants fans. They were equally culpable as the weakness of the team (along with the slow footed linebackers and banged up/clueless secondary). LE Justin Tuck is a warrior. Some say he's soft because he pulls up lame and grimaces every game. What have you. He gets cheap-shotted by Flozell Adams two games a year when he beats him twice a game (this year the shoulder injury sustained when Adams leg-whipped him in Week 2 -- http://vimeo.com/6704982 added to the leg injury he had coming into the season).

RE Osi Umenyiora may not be 100% recovered from his ACL surgery, but he seemed to not be giving effort half of the time. He was already slow to the QB as it were, but teams' best runs came at his and Danny Clark's side. Umenyiora did lead the team in sacks and had a boatload of forced fumbles, but those mask how many plays he was flat out run by every week by opposing WRs and even a few QBs.

DT Fred Robbins started off the year flat and just played flat all season before being benched. The Giants lost DT Jay Alford in preseason and he might have been the only tackle to give a damn. DT Barry Cofield just took up space all season, doing nothing of note vs. the run nor vs. the pass.

Backups DE Chris Canty and DT Rocky Bernard made a play this year apiece. And yes, I mean A. PLAY. These guys were brought in to beef up the already stout defensive line, but they were wastes of money with other needs on the table.

DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka tries hard, but he does not shed blockers well, and isn't stout against the run. Given his slight build, even when he replaced Umenyiora when the latter was benched late in the season, teams still gashed the Giants' weakside for big runs.

LINEBACKERS: D-.
Where do you start? MLB Antonio Pierce appears to be 6 months pregnant and can't run with anyone anymore. For all the heart and composure he brings to the defensive unit, he's as big of a liability as anyone. His injury may have given the Giants a convenient excuse to part ways with him coming up on his walk year and steeply declining skills-wise. He should not be back next season. If so, the Giants will continue to struggle in both run and (most noticeably with Pierce) pass defense. Jason Witten, Brent Celek and Chris Cooley owned him the past 2-3 seasons -- all tight ends; Pierce's main responsibility in the passing game when Boley or Kavika Mitchell (who departed following the Super Bowl and made more plays in one season than Clark has made in two and Boley made this year combined). WLB Danny Clark is decent in spots, but he is not fleet afoot and opposing teams' best runs were at his side. Pierce began regressing as early as 2007. He was poor in coverage then. Ever since, he's begun looking like a defensive tackle with his build. He can't run anymore and the only thing he's good for is a quote and aligning the defense. That's all fine and well if you're the linebackers coach (hey, didn't Sheridan vacate that role?) but if you're putting your already-thin defense in a position where they're playing 10 on 11 against opposing offenses, you are a liability. Plain and simple.

SLB Michael Boley did not seem as fast as he was with Atlanta. Maybe it was his injuries coming into the season, maybe it was a combination of that and the fact that EVERYONE (cue the very first drive in the 2nd game vs. Philadelphia when the team seemed clueless as to what types of looks to give the entire first drive) was thinking more than reacting (i.e. PLAYING FOOTBALL), but he wasn't much of an asset. Chase Blackburn at least knows where to be, even if he is not fast and gets on my nerves at times.

WLB Danny Clark was just a body out there. He had a couple of sacks, but did nothing else noteworthy.

Backups Jonathan Goff and Chase Blackburn looked like the rookies and Gary Reasons/Corey Widmer knockoffs that they are.

Somewhere LT, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, Pepper Johnson and Gary Reasons -- THE GUYS I GREW UP WATCHING when I was little -- have to be shaking their heads in collective disgust.

SLB Clint Sintim played sparingly (should have played more) and Bryan Kehl barely played outside of special teams.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: F.
FS Kenny Phillips is not yet known league-wide, as he was just entering his 2nd year in the NFL. Giants fans know he is already the best Free Safety we've ever had (as we've never been strong at that position). He was coming into his own and had started 2009 quickly with 2 INT in two games and never getting beat. He had the speed, hitting ability and awareness to play the position with the guile of Darren Sharper and Ed Reed, and hitting like Sean Taylor (RIP son) Lite. We knew we'd miss him big time, but we were like a turnstile at the 42nd Street 1-2-3/N-R-W lines during peak hour back there once he went down. He went on Injured Reserve with Patellaosteoarthritis (a shock to him, since he knew the knee was not right, but able to play and play remarkably well despite it) after the Week 2 win vs. Dallas.

SS Michael Johnson (missed several games), LCB Corey Webster (missed several games, regressed in his play) and RCB Aaron Ross (missed 13 games) were the starters who missed numerous games for the Giants. Nevertheless, the players plugged in to play for the injured starters looked completely lost -- especially and notoriously C(an't) C(over) Brown at FS. CB Bruce Johnson played well, especially given his status as an undrafted free agent. CB Kevin Dockery made a few plays, but he gave up even more big plays than he made. FS Aaron Rouse played like he was 5'9" and 180 instead of the 6'4" 230 that he is listed. And he is slower than most, if not all, free safeties in the NFL. Even the guy he was brought in to replace in Green Bay 5 years ago (Darren Sharper, who is at the end of his career at age 34).

We couldn't cover most invalids after Week 5. The worst defense I've ever seen from a Giants team in my LIFE. BY FAR. Anyone who is over 30 and has been a Giants fan longer than I am readily agrees.

CB Terrell Thomas was the lone bright spot and played magnificently being a 2nd year and being thrust into a starting role after initially being cast as a nickel CB -- he led the team in interceptions easily.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

KICKING: A.
K Lawrence Tynes had a very good year. Other than Seabass (Sebastian Janikowski), he was the most reliable kicker out there. There was a time that Law Tynes would be the Rey Ordoñez of kicking. He'd blow the easy ones and make the tough ones, but he's the least of our concerns.

PUNTING: A.
P Jeff Feagles is still the DEAN of punting. He can kick for us as long as he feels like it. Tilted field position as always and his patented coffin corner kicks and pinning teams within the 10-20 yard range at LEAST put our defense in position to get stops and get the offense the ball back, but...

KICK RETURNS/PUNT RETURNS: B-.
WR Domenik Hixon had moments. He housed a couple and had a couple of other long returns, but far too many fumbles and other times where they tried to house punts and kicks when there was no alley. Everyone else who had been back there the past 5 years was putrid, disgusting and made me want to puke, so I shant complain.

SPECIAL TEAMS DEFENSE: C.
Too many big returns, the final nail in the coffin of the Giants' season came when they gave up a ridiculous 67 yard return to Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson when they had him pinned to the sidelines and four Giants were within 3 yards of him and none touched him (if my eyesight isn't bad). This happened -- albeit not so elusively on the part of the other returners -- far too often for my liking. Josh Cribbs would have housed us 3 times a game if we played the Browns.

Bryan Kehl and Chase Blackburn were standouts when tackles WERE MADE.

Overall, the team was .500 and an average team in every regard. They gave up as many points as they scored. They had an 8 win, 8 loss record. The defense was as bad as the offense was good. Just a pure Jekyll & Hyde, night and day outfit. Considering this team (haters, ESPN hacks -- aka MORE HATERS and disqualified think-they-know-it-alls aside) had NFC East winning, Super Bowl contending, 12-13 win talent and ability, this season was a gross disappointment.

Firing Sheridan was a start, but the blame is hardly his alone. Kevin Gilbride ought to have been fired first, to be perfectly frank.
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NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
Draft-wise, the Giants need to check out a few players at the LB and S positions.
Players who should be available when the Giants pick:

LB Brandon Spikes, UF
LB Sergio Kindle, Texas
S Taylor Mays, USC

However, the main needs with the (at least) 7 picks the Giants have in the 2010 Draft are as follows (in order from the greatest to the least):

STRONG SAFETY
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
OFFENSIVE LINE (GUARD)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
CORNERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER (HEIGHT -- DESPITE BARDEN NOT PLAYING THIS YEAR)

STATISTICAL TEAM LEADERS
Courtesy Of Giants.com:
http://www.giants.com/team/giants_stats.html