Fishin' In The Wrong Pond
FROM DISGRACE TO YOUR RACE
By Damn Shame
In recent conversation with various women, they all talk about liking/wanting to go to particularly gay places. This is the literal use of the word gay, not the negative connotation.
A young lady I know was saying how she and her friends enjoy going to gay bars. I asked why and what benefit could possibly come from this. She replied, "Girls like hanging out with guys who won't try shit." Now I don't know where in the man by-laws it states that you must try to fuck anything that walks, but I must have missed that section. To this, I say step your guy game up. Stop hangin out with grimy/desperate guys with no standards. I'd say a good 80% of women I talk to I have no interest in ever touching, and I'm not some dude who never gets out or anything. I find it funny that the same girls will find it weird that lesbians will hit on them in such bars. You are there, you are a woman... it's a safe assumption you are probably gay. If you go into a gay bar or club and get hit on by someone of the same sex, that is on YOU.
Another lady told me that she'd like to attend a gay wedding (now that gay marriage is being legalized in some states). I can appreciate wanting to go to one of the first gay weddings for historical purposes, but what's the difference? You may now kiss... the groom? Woo hoo. I also find it particularly funny that people who told me they want to go to a gay wedding despise the thought of marriage themselves. That's just ludicrous to me.
These are not even the point of this edition of D2YR. The real point is, that each of these people (as well as others like them) have pulled the "It's so hard to find a man" card in my presence before.
Now, not only is going to gay places counterintuitive to finding a man interested in you... it's completely opposed. If you're complaining about finding guys and then you don't want to hang around guys that "try shit," I have no words for you. If you complain about the quality of guys who approach you, then re-evaluate your image or try approaching a guy for once in your life. You don't have to put a smooth move on, but if you just start a conversation they will more than likely find confidence in that and show you interest in return.
Despite the fact that this applies to a gender and not a race, I'll allow it. If you only chill with gay dudes and avoid straight guys, and then complain you can't find a mate.. you are a walking damn SHAME. If I only chilled with lesbians and then complained I can't find a girl that meets my preferences, you'd say I was an imbecile too! Basically, put on something that isn't frumpy/yet says I'm not a slut... go out, and if you're not attracting the guys you want, then take some god damn initiative and start a conversation. If you are passive and wind up going home alone, that's on YOU. Guys have to accept this on a constant basis, it's time for y'all to learn! In life, sports, work, and everything else.. being aggressive for what you want is everything. Sit around and wait, and it ain't comin. So re-read this, take notes and shut yer god damn mouth about inability to find a good man. Disgraceful.
Posted by A Damn Shame at 11:42 AM
As politically incorrect as I wanna be.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Clout?
Clout?
M.D. Wright
4.5.09
Clout:
Main Entry:
Pronunciation:
\ˈklau̇t\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda
Date:
before 12th century
4: pull , influence (ex. political clout)
When I hear people talk about the clout they have; the influence with their company and what not, it really gives me pause. I was the eternal cynic until this year, so I automatically called B.S. half the time when I heard people mention they can do this, that and the third. I have been looking to resume my career since May of 2006. Why am I only coming up with 100% commission jobs? With my background, education and defined skill set, this is ridiculous. I look at some of the jobs that are going to people with less work experience, fewer years serving the community -- while I have a non-profit under my belt and assisted with helping another opening -- and education than I do land gigs paying 55-75K. I'm in No Man's Land right now, because graduation is less than six weeks away and all I've landed have been job offers for 100% commission. One of them was in New York, which was half the reason I went back up there a few weeks ago. NIGHTMARES. I recounted the money I spent going up there and back. ONE GRAND. For what? I couldn't even stay for my cousin's birthday party and her daughter's art exhibit. DEAR GOD. The guy who interviewed me told me over the phone I was being considered for management. As they SHOULD have been. I have had 8 years' experience in insurance. Enough trying to get me to go into sales. I'm not doing it. Especially on a 100% commission basis. HOLY STEVEN. With my body of work, anything less than management is an insult. I get there and he goes into this spiel about sales after trying to create a seamless segue (not realizing I've heard the same pitch from another con-artist with the same company down here in NC as well. I have not lived in New York ALL my life, but I'm no idiot, man. I think he thought I'd jump at the opportunity. How in BLUE HADES am I going to pay $1,500/mo. rent on a commission job?
Anyway, I digress.
For these past three years, all I've listened to is a bunch of hooey from people telling me a bunch of nonsense they would not do if they were in the same situation. I SWEAR I wish some of these people could walk in my shoes for one WEEK -- much less the three years I've dealt with this sickening BS. They're always bragging about who they know, how much pull they have at their office, "all I have to do is talk to so and so and it's a wrap". Oh really now? Where's my phone call? Why don't you have an office if you're that important? I'm sick of people bragging about what they can do when they have ZERO influence. They're nobodies. And what pisses me off most, these are the (sometimes superspiritual ones) who claim they're praying that God will block me being able to go back to New York, that my purpose is to remain in North Carolina (that's laughable, since I have known that wasn't true since 9th grade). Yet, when I try to find a job or come to them -- as they brag that I should because of their "connections" -- I come up high and dry. I'm about to give a big, fat J.O.D.E. to a bunch of people in the next three months.
If you have clout, good, do something with it. If you don't, well -- I'm trying to avoid cursing, so you can tell where I am going with this.
What have you...
M.D. Wright
4.5.09
Clout:
Main Entry:
Pronunciation:
\ˈklau̇t\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda
Date:
before 12th century
4: pull , influence (ex. political clout)
When I hear people talk about the clout they have; the influence with their company and what not, it really gives me pause. I was the eternal cynic until this year, so I automatically called B.S. half the time when I heard people mention they can do this, that and the third. I have been looking to resume my career since May of 2006. Why am I only coming up with 100% commission jobs? With my background, education and defined skill set, this is ridiculous. I look at some of the jobs that are going to people with less work experience, fewer years serving the community -- while I have a non-profit under my belt and assisted with helping another opening -- and education than I do land gigs paying 55-75K. I'm in No Man's Land right now, because graduation is less than six weeks away and all I've landed have been job offers for 100% commission. One of them was in New York, which was half the reason I went back up there a few weeks ago. NIGHTMARES. I recounted the money I spent going up there and back. ONE GRAND. For what? I couldn't even stay for my cousin's birthday party and her daughter's art exhibit. DEAR GOD. The guy who interviewed me told me over the phone I was being considered for management. As they SHOULD have been. I have had 8 years' experience in insurance. Enough trying to get me to go into sales. I'm not doing it. Especially on a 100% commission basis. HOLY STEVEN. With my body of work, anything less than management is an insult. I get there and he goes into this spiel about sales after trying to create a seamless segue (not realizing I've heard the same pitch from another con-artist with the same company down here in NC as well. I have not lived in New York ALL my life, but I'm no idiot, man. I think he thought I'd jump at the opportunity. How in BLUE HADES am I going to pay $1,500/mo. rent on a commission job?
Anyway, I digress.
For these past three years, all I've listened to is a bunch of hooey from people telling me a bunch of nonsense they would not do if they were in the same situation. I SWEAR I wish some of these people could walk in my shoes for one WEEK -- much less the three years I've dealt with this sickening BS. They're always bragging about who they know, how much pull they have at their office, "all I have to do is talk to so and so and it's a wrap". Oh really now? Where's my phone call? Why don't you have an office if you're that important? I'm sick of people bragging about what they can do when they have ZERO influence. They're nobodies. And what pisses me off most, these are the (sometimes superspiritual ones) who claim they're praying that God will block me being able to go back to New York, that my purpose is to remain in North Carolina (that's laughable, since I have known that wasn't true since 9th grade). Yet, when I try to find a job or come to them -- as they brag that I should because of their "connections" -- I come up high and dry. I'm about to give a big, fat J.O.D.E. to a bunch of people in the next three months.
If you have clout, good, do something with it. If you don't, well -- I'm trying to avoid cursing, so you can tell where I am going with this.
What have you...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Turning 30...
Turning 30...
M.D. Wright
3.28.09
I will be honest, I did not give this much thought until a few weeks ago. As a sociologist, I know that things only have the value that we ascribe to it. Having said that, entering one's 30's isn't a BIG DEAL, but in our minds, we've been conditioned to think so. However, I honestly feel like I did 10 years ago (aside from the carryover from back surgery last year DEAR GOD). I can still dunk, I'm still faster than 90% of the guys that will line up next to me (ask the guys who I went to high school with and the ones I'm in school with now). I'm carrying a few more pounds as I am about to get my P90X/Mike Tyson on this year, but other than that, what's the big deal?
Nevertheless, I'm going to milk it for what it's worth. Everyone around me think it's a big deal. I'm 30 going on 30. I never dreamed I would live this long. I never dreamed I wouldn't have fornicated with as many beautiful women as I could've. At the end of the day, I'm here. And I'm trying to enjoy the last REMNANT of my yoof (youth) where I SHOULD'VE been my entire 20s (and not just part).
YOU!!! Already knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...
M.D. Wright
3.28.09
I will be honest, I did not give this much thought until a few weeks ago. As a sociologist, I know that things only have the value that we ascribe to it. Having said that, entering one's 30's isn't a BIG DEAL, but in our minds, we've been conditioned to think so. However, I honestly feel like I did 10 years ago (aside from the carryover from back surgery last year DEAR GOD). I can still dunk, I'm still faster than 90% of the guys that will line up next to me (ask the guys who I went to high school with and the ones I'm in school with now). I'm carrying a few more pounds as I am about to get my P90X/Mike Tyson on this year, but other than that, what's the big deal?
Nevertheless, I'm going to milk it for what it's worth. Everyone around me think it's a big deal. I'm 30 going on 30. I never dreamed I would live this long. I never dreamed I wouldn't have fornicated with as many beautiful women as I could've. At the end of the day, I'm here. And I'm trying to enjoy the last REMNANT of my yoof (youth) where I SHOULD'VE been my entire 20s (and not just part).
YOU!!! Already knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Adventures & Shenanigans Of Young Mike
The Adventures & Shenanigans Of Young Mike
M.D. Wright
3.21.09
OK, so I have not blogged in about three weeks. I had to put this down in print or else no one would ever believe what the heck happened to me while back in New York. First of all, I had to cut it short, because I have a major research report whose proposal is due Monday afternoon -- this counts a significant portion of my grade for this class, which I NEED to graduate -- so needless to say, I am buggin' because I will miss my cousins' birthday bash/artistic debut. FML.
I drove this time, something I almost NEVER do in New York City. And with good reason. I stopped out on Staten Island, as usual to see my cousin Prince and tried to catch up with young Courtney Mitchell. It was late, so I just stopped through Prince's job and hit the Verrazano. I figured I was not going to have to be anywhere that night, why not swing through Brooklyn? OK.
Some douchebag in a delivery truck cuts me off while I'm trying to get onto the BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expy. for outta town cats) and I was forced to get on the Belt Pkwy or run into the divider which probably would've killed young Mike, but I digress. I was not pleased with this. But I know my way around Brooklyn having lived out there many years ago, so it wasn't THAT big of a deal. That situation was just a portend of things to come in regards to traffic -- and why I HATE driving in New York sometimes.
I takes the BQE up to the Triboro (sorry, I'm not gonna refer to it as RFK -- even though I chronicled the name change/dedication when the city did this) and gets off at 116th. Good deal. Harlem hasn't changed much, although there are some subtle differences if you know what to look for. Pleasant Avenue, 2nd, 3rd, 112th-118th on that side? Yikes. Some of these buildings were vacant just 2-3 years ago, now they're selling as "luxury" condominiums? Oh.
So I get to the house and there's nowhere to park. Mind you there are two brothers who live near the corner of Lenox who have THREE cars. Why this is so, in HARLEM, is beyond me. I circled the block a good half dozen times before just parking on 118th (Street Cleaning Rules were in effect the next morning, so I knew I had to get out and move the car before my interview). I figured I'd get up at 8 and be out by 9:15 or so. The car had to be moved by 9:30. NO. I get a $45 parking ticket. FML.
I go to the interview, only to find out I was bamboozled like Spike Lee. He told me over the phone they were considering me for management. He interviews me for sales and tries to pull the backdoor move (no homo) about using the sales pitch to make the job (100% commission??? IN NEW YORK??? DEAR GOD) seem more lucrative. If I was stackin', sure, that would be a good look, as the company has a great niche with which to work in NYC, but I AIN'T stackin', so it AIN'T a good look.
I go back to get the car out of the spot before the ticket (which got soaked in Thursday's rains) completely deteriorated. I decide to just get outta the city and run around for a while. I wanted to go by Goliath RF's over on 105th and Lex, but I could not find a park within 6 blocks and it was raining cats and dogs. Screw it. I hit up my friend Alicia down on the LES and again, no parks. Between the rain and my hunger, I just had zero patience about traffic this day. I skipped through LES, SoHo, etc. and headed out to Jersey. I decided to hit up some of the old haunts and eventually drove ALL the way down Route 1 down to Route 18 to East Brunswick and ate at the IHOP that we used to patronize most Sundays after church back in the day. Good eats.
On the drive back, I get the urge to shop, except traffic was terrible once I got near Newark. I really only needed to take 78 out to 24 and follow the Morristown joint for a minute to get to Short Hills, but it was about to get dark and I was still a good hour and a half driving back to Harlem World. I says, "I'll go tomorrow" and keeps it moving. On the way back to the G. Dub, I come through Englewood where my friend Kelby lives. I guess I surprised her ha, but I told everyone I would be in the building weeks beforehand. Whatever. People ignore me ha.
I had told my cousin that I would come out to Staten Island and spend the night out there. I needed to breathe. I also wanted to visit my dear friend Emy Luz, so I decided to just get my clothes and head out there. Washington Heights was live as ever as I came through. Talk about a neighborhood that never seems to change, but this is a good thing, though. I passed by the Shabazz Center (which is where I would BE right now, if it wasn't for the fact I have to do this report tonight and tomorrow) and wondered how the bash would turn out tonight. I hate that I would not see some of my cousins who I haven't seen in over a decade. God willing I will see them often when I move back this summer.
I stop through quickly to get my clothes and head out to SI. On the FDR, a guy pulls a Dale Earnhardt (not being insensitive, but the wreck was eerily similar to Earnhardt's) and t-bones the right wall near the 59th St. bridge. I do not know if he lived or died. There were a half dozen cops, two fire trucks and an ambulance on the scene and I was stuck between 96th and 53rd for about an hour.
I finally come through Bklyn and head down to the "other" side of Staten Island to chill with my friend for a minute before heading to my aunt's crib. It was good to catch up.
I crash at my aunt's and then (follow me from here on out, because it gets interesting) I embark on a day for the ages. Here is the timeline.
Friday, March 20, 2009
3:30 am -- hit the sack
11:00 am -- wake up
12:20 pm- - tune into Ben F. Woodside trying to will N. Dak. St. to victory -- no dice
3:00 -- head out to Home Depot to pick up some goods for my cousin
3:30 -- drive up the SI Expy, but detoured out to Bayonne/decide to go to the Mall at Short Hills
4:00 -- arrive at Short Hills, shop, etc.
5:00 -- leave the mall
5:30 -- enter the loop for the Lincoln Tunnel (like a fool instead of taking the GWB)
6:30 -- still sitting half a mile from the entrance of the tunnel
7:15 -- hit Times Square
7:30 -- pull up on 19th and packed my things
7:45 -- hit the Holland
8:10 -- arrive in Jersey City, trying to skip the Turnpike as usual, made the wrong turn on JFK and got stuck in JC for an hour and a half
9:05 -- Soprano's character-like cop pulls up and catches me (he snuck up on me from across the street where there was a hill and I couldn't spot him first) and says "you're ON the PHONE (blank stare from him) AND you're making a turn on red" -- I wasn't, but whatever -- "PICK WHICH TICKET YOU WANT!!!" I just nodded and hung up the phone, he says "MAKE A RIGHT... GET OFF THE PHONE... AND GET OUTTA HEAH!!!"
9:06 -- I died. Laughing.
9:32 -- I finally get out of JC.
10:00 -- I'm on Route 1/9, forgetting that the IHOP in Edison is off Route 1 NOT Route 9 DEAR GOD. I proceed to drive the Garden State Parkway to Cape May like an idiot because I thought there was a connector road for 295. Good heavens. I nearly ran out of gas in an area that looked like a deserted swatch of Mississippi. Talk about prayer language coming into full effect ha. I ended up going to a random Mickey D's (yuck) after not being able to take the hunger anymore. I had not eaten or drank a THING all day (look at what time I arose).
11:25 -- Pull into WaWa (which has ALWAYS been a lifesaver for me when living in NY and NJ) and fill'er up.
11:50 -- ANOTHER douche rides in my right blind spot and a guy was cruising in the right lane -- which I needed to take 295 South to the DMB. So I ended up having to go BACK UP 20 miles through Philly and come back southward through Chester (home of Jameer Nelson and Kevin Jones ha) and all that -- another 30 mins.
12:30 am -- I am in Delaware.
1:45 -- signs show that there was a wreck on 95 South at Exit 173 just outside DC, Virginia side. ALL lanes closed. FML. Thankfully I know Van Dorn and went around it, but that was another 20 mins added to the voyage.
4:30 -- I'm just getting to Richmond's "suburbs". I should've been home by this time.
6:15 -- I pull into a drive thru Dunkin'/car wash. The window was INSIDE the car wash. Only Young Mike.
7:25 -- I see this EXOTIC Asian chick in a Honda Civic '09 and she gives me the look like "you want summa dis?" and slowly turned back to the road and sped off. I never saw her again ha.
9:15 -- I pull up at my apartment, change into my sweats and slept til 3 pm.
How I made it home in one piece is beyond me. All God ha. I spent 36 hours driving over the past 3 days, I need some TLC from a loving female friend PLEASE.
M.D. Wright
3.21.09
OK, so I have not blogged in about three weeks. I had to put this down in print or else no one would ever believe what the heck happened to me while back in New York. First of all, I had to cut it short, because I have a major research report whose proposal is due Monday afternoon -- this counts a significant portion of my grade for this class, which I NEED to graduate -- so needless to say, I am buggin' because I will miss my cousins' birthday bash/artistic debut. FML.
I drove this time, something I almost NEVER do in New York City. And with good reason. I stopped out on Staten Island, as usual to see my cousin Prince and tried to catch up with young Courtney Mitchell. It was late, so I just stopped through Prince's job and hit the Verrazano. I figured I was not going to have to be anywhere that night, why not swing through Brooklyn? OK.
Some douchebag in a delivery truck cuts me off while I'm trying to get onto the BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Expy. for outta town cats) and I was forced to get on the Belt Pkwy or run into the divider which probably would've killed young Mike, but I digress. I was not pleased with this. But I know my way around Brooklyn having lived out there many years ago, so it wasn't THAT big of a deal. That situation was just a portend of things to come in regards to traffic -- and why I HATE driving in New York sometimes.
I takes the BQE up to the Triboro (sorry, I'm not gonna refer to it as RFK -- even though I chronicled the name change/dedication when the city did this) and gets off at 116th. Good deal. Harlem hasn't changed much, although there are some subtle differences if you know what to look for. Pleasant Avenue, 2nd, 3rd, 112th-118th on that side? Yikes. Some of these buildings were vacant just 2-3 years ago, now they're selling as "luxury" condominiums? Oh.
So I get to the house and there's nowhere to park. Mind you there are two brothers who live near the corner of Lenox who have THREE cars. Why this is so, in HARLEM, is beyond me. I circled the block a good half dozen times before just parking on 118th (Street Cleaning Rules were in effect the next morning, so I knew I had to get out and move the car before my interview). I figured I'd get up at 8 and be out by 9:15 or so. The car had to be moved by 9:30. NO. I get a $45 parking ticket. FML.
I go to the interview, only to find out I was bamboozled like Spike Lee. He told me over the phone they were considering me for management. He interviews me for sales and tries to pull the backdoor move (no homo) about using the sales pitch to make the job (100% commission??? IN NEW YORK??? DEAR GOD) seem more lucrative. If I was stackin', sure, that would be a good look, as the company has a great niche with which to work in NYC, but I AIN'T stackin', so it AIN'T a good look.
I go back to get the car out of the spot before the ticket (which got soaked in Thursday's rains) completely deteriorated. I decide to just get outta the city and run around for a while. I wanted to go by Goliath RF's over on 105th and Lex, but I could not find a park within 6 blocks and it was raining cats and dogs. Screw it. I hit up my friend Alicia down on the LES and again, no parks. Between the rain and my hunger, I just had zero patience about traffic this day. I skipped through LES, SoHo, etc. and headed out to Jersey. I decided to hit up some of the old haunts and eventually drove ALL the way down Route 1 down to Route 18 to East Brunswick and ate at the IHOP that we used to patronize most Sundays after church back in the day. Good eats.
On the drive back, I get the urge to shop, except traffic was terrible once I got near Newark. I really only needed to take 78 out to 24 and follow the Morristown joint for a minute to get to Short Hills, but it was about to get dark and I was still a good hour and a half driving back to Harlem World. I says, "I'll go tomorrow" and keeps it moving. On the way back to the G. Dub, I come through Englewood where my friend Kelby lives. I guess I surprised her ha, but I told everyone I would be in the building weeks beforehand. Whatever. People ignore me ha.
I had told my cousin that I would come out to Staten Island and spend the night out there. I needed to breathe. I also wanted to visit my dear friend Emy Luz, so I decided to just get my clothes and head out there. Washington Heights was live as ever as I came through. Talk about a neighborhood that never seems to change, but this is a good thing, though. I passed by the Shabazz Center (which is where I would BE right now, if it wasn't for the fact I have to do this report tonight and tomorrow) and wondered how the bash would turn out tonight. I hate that I would not see some of my cousins who I haven't seen in over a decade. God willing I will see them often when I move back this summer.
I stop through quickly to get my clothes and head out to SI. On the FDR, a guy pulls a Dale Earnhardt (not being insensitive, but the wreck was eerily similar to Earnhardt's) and t-bones the right wall near the 59th St. bridge. I do not know if he lived or died. There were a half dozen cops, two fire trucks and an ambulance on the scene and I was stuck between 96th and 53rd for about an hour.
I finally come through Bklyn and head down to the "other" side of Staten Island to chill with my friend for a minute before heading to my aunt's crib. It was good to catch up.
I crash at my aunt's and then (follow me from here on out, because it gets interesting) I embark on a day for the ages. Here is the timeline.
Friday, March 20, 2009
3:30 am -- hit the sack
11:00 am -- wake up
12:20 pm- - tune into Ben F. Woodside trying to will N. Dak. St. to victory -- no dice
3:00 -- head out to Home Depot to pick up some goods for my cousin
3:30 -- drive up the SI Expy, but detoured out to Bayonne/decide to go to the Mall at Short Hills
4:00 -- arrive at Short Hills, shop, etc.
5:00 -- leave the mall
5:30 -- enter the loop for the Lincoln Tunnel (like a fool instead of taking the GWB)
6:30 -- still sitting half a mile from the entrance of the tunnel
7:15 -- hit Times Square
7:30 -- pull up on 19th and packed my things
7:45 -- hit the Holland
8:10 -- arrive in Jersey City, trying to skip the Turnpike as usual, made the wrong turn on JFK and got stuck in JC for an hour and a half
9:05 -- Soprano's character-like cop pulls up and catches me (he snuck up on me from across the street where there was a hill and I couldn't spot him first) and says "you're ON the PHONE (blank stare from him) AND you're making a turn on red" -- I wasn't, but whatever -- "PICK WHICH TICKET YOU WANT!!!" I just nodded and hung up the phone, he says "MAKE A RIGHT... GET OFF THE PHONE... AND GET OUTTA HEAH!!!"
9:06 -- I died. Laughing.
9:32 -- I finally get out of JC.
10:00 -- I'm on Route 1/9, forgetting that the IHOP in Edison is off Route 1 NOT Route 9 DEAR GOD. I proceed to drive the Garden State Parkway to Cape May like an idiot because I thought there was a connector road for 295. Good heavens. I nearly ran out of gas in an area that looked like a deserted swatch of Mississippi. Talk about prayer language coming into full effect ha. I ended up going to a random Mickey D's (yuck) after not being able to take the hunger anymore. I had not eaten or drank a THING all day (look at what time I arose).
11:25 -- Pull into WaWa (which has ALWAYS been a lifesaver for me when living in NY and NJ) and fill'er up.
11:50 -- ANOTHER douche rides in my right blind spot and a guy was cruising in the right lane -- which I needed to take 295 South to the DMB. So I ended up having to go BACK UP 20 miles through Philly and come back southward through Chester (home of Jameer Nelson and Kevin Jones ha) and all that -- another 30 mins.
12:30 am -- I am in Delaware.
1:45 -- signs show that there was a wreck on 95 South at Exit 173 just outside DC, Virginia side. ALL lanes closed. FML. Thankfully I know Van Dorn and went around it, but that was another 20 mins added to the voyage.
4:30 -- I'm just getting to Richmond's "suburbs". I should've been home by this time.
6:15 -- I pull into a drive thru Dunkin'/car wash. The window was INSIDE the car wash. Only Young Mike.
7:25 -- I see this EXOTIC Asian chick in a Honda Civic '09 and she gives me the look like "you want summa dis?" and slowly turned back to the road and sped off. I never saw her again ha.
9:15 -- I pull up at my apartment, change into my sweats and slept til 3 pm.
How I made it home in one piece is beyond me. All God ha. I spent 36 hours driving over the past 3 days, I need some TLC from a loving female friend PLEASE.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Random Musings... February 2009
Random Musings... February 2009
M.D. Wright
2.24.09
This blog post is not going anywhere in particular. I do my best writing when I am upset, and I am VERY upset right now. So if this doesn't make sense, I warned you from the outset that I was pissed to begin with and just rambling.
Is there ever a wonder -- why, when conducting ELECTRONIC transactions that the party YOU'RE dealing with can get your money IMMEDIATELY, but when THEY have to turn around and repay you, it takes WEEKS (literally) to get the money back FROM them? I deposited $295 ($225 of that was a data entry error, but that's not something I'm going to get into here, because I shouldn't have even done it to begin with) into an account to "invest" in a "sure thing". I hit the sure thing, but now when it comes time for me to get the money from THEM -- it takes as long as it takes me to grow a full beard (darn near forever).
I am forever amused when I hear people (typically young slags) huddled up talking about other people. Hearing things such as "Who do SHE think she is?" or "He think is better than everyone else". The latter kills me (softly). How do you know what is going on in the minds of someone you don't know? Heck, if you're that good, please give me the numbers for the NBA Finals NOW. Ha.
I hate being in classes with people who like to speak just have their voices heard. Shut up already. I mean, it's one thing if you're adding something substantive to the lecture/discussion at hand. I LOAF that. But in every one of my classes, there is at least one person who is annoying and asks 15 1,100 questions about a SIMPLE, straight-forward exam -- eating away at our time. Shut up dear GOD.
I would love to go through one semester and have people NOT jerk me around for my money. I have spent the first half of every last one of the past seven semester bickering with the financial aid office, or selling major assets to douche bags who try to lowball me. I would love to know what it's like to even be able to focus on school 80% of the time. My GPA would be half a point higher. I PROMISE.
I learned a long time ago about that 80/20 principle that Bishop T.D. Jakes initially made famous in the late 1990s (some people think Tyler Perry coined this, but Perry is friends with Jakes and got the concept from him). I subscribe to this personally. I will readily admit that before I was age 22, that while I knew about the principle, I never applied it. If you didn't look like a supermodel, I didn't pursue you. PERIOD (now that I have had experience with several of these supermodel-esque types and their ilk, I don't care about looks much at all ha). If I'm attracted to her and it's mutual, it's onto the important things to me (i.e. non-physical). I'm not looking for someone to complete me, be something I'm not (in order to make me feel better) and so on.
I believe in the bait-and-hook theory as well: looks are the bait -- think fishing -- and her character, virtues and personality are the hook. Only a dumb or blind fish goes after a baitless hook (baitless hook = "WELP, she's got a nice personality" -- yeah right, TFOH!!!
The longer I am UNCG, the more I worry about Black people and our future dear God. First of all, I feel like I'm walking the halls at Smith again (most everyone knows me, but I'm not given to cliques, so I can associate with people FREELY without being beholden to others and getting nasty looks for "fraternizing with the enemy" me oh my).
I see more guys wearing scarves, tight pants, high heel boots and switching harder than half the girls here dear God. Isn't the Black race on the verge of extinction at this rate? Sheesh. I don't care what ANYONE has to say -- if they take offence, FINE. Deal with it. I ain't changing what I say in my blog to assuage that conviction in your heart. But dear God, can a man be a MAN anymore? I'm a man's man. A renaissance man as well. But liking the arts and such -- you kind of run into some "confused" bruvas. And it seems like one in every two Black dudes here is "confused". Get me out of here and send me to Kuwait or something good heavens. I guess Biggie was right back in '94 -- "THINGS DONE CHANGED".
This month is Black History alright. I'm Black and my bank account is looking like HISTORY lately. Grad school applications, moving expenses, regular bills, people wanting to get their kneecaps holding out paying me the money they owe me. Good Lord, university systems are a drain on a bruva's stash. I just blew through 7 Gs since January 16th.
DEAR.
GOD.
In other news, throughout all this madness, I'm on pace for a 3.8 semester. I don't have to do too much out of my routine and thankfully loving to write actually helps me with my classes from now until I finish my JD and Ph.D studies down the line.
M.D. Wright
2.24.09
This blog post is not going anywhere in particular. I do my best writing when I am upset, and I am VERY upset right now. So if this doesn't make sense, I warned you from the outset that I was pissed to begin with and just rambling.
Is there ever a wonder -- why, when conducting ELECTRONIC transactions that the party YOU'RE dealing with can get your money IMMEDIATELY, but when THEY have to turn around and repay you, it takes WEEKS (literally) to get the money back FROM them? I deposited $295 ($225 of that was a data entry error, but that's not something I'm going to get into here, because I shouldn't have even done it to begin with) into an account to "invest" in a "sure thing". I hit the sure thing, but now when it comes time for me to get the money from THEM -- it takes as long as it takes me to grow a full beard (darn near forever).
I am forever amused when I hear people (typically young slags) huddled up talking about other people. Hearing things such as "Who do SHE think she is?" or "He think is better than everyone else". The latter kills me (softly). How do you know what is going on in the minds of someone you don't know? Heck, if you're that good, please give me the numbers for the NBA Finals NOW. Ha.
I hate being in classes with people who like to speak just have their voices heard. Shut up already. I mean, it's one thing if you're adding something substantive to the lecture/discussion at hand. I LOAF that. But in every one of my classes, there is at least one person who is annoying and asks 15 1,100 questions about a SIMPLE, straight-forward exam -- eating away at our time. Shut up dear GOD.
I would love to go through one semester and have people NOT jerk me around for my money. I have spent the first half of every last one of the past seven semester bickering with the financial aid office, or selling major assets to douche bags who try to lowball me. I would love to know what it's like to even be able to focus on school 80% of the time. My GPA would be half a point higher. I PROMISE.
I learned a long time ago about that 80/20 principle that Bishop T.D. Jakes initially made famous in the late 1990s (some people think Tyler Perry coined this, but Perry is friends with Jakes and got the concept from him). I subscribe to this personally. I will readily admit that before I was age 22, that while I knew about the principle, I never applied it. If you didn't look like a supermodel, I didn't pursue you. PERIOD (now that I have had experience with several of these supermodel-esque types and their ilk, I don't care about looks much at all ha). If I'm attracted to her and it's mutual, it's onto the important things to me (i.e. non-physical). I'm not looking for someone to complete me, be something I'm not (in order to make me feel better) and so on.
I believe in the bait-and-hook theory as well: looks are the bait -- think fishing -- and her character, virtues and personality are the hook. Only a dumb or blind fish goes after a baitless hook (baitless hook = "WELP, she's got a nice personality" -- yeah right, TFOH!!!
The longer I am UNCG, the more I worry about Black people and our future dear God. First of all, I feel like I'm walking the halls at Smith again (most everyone knows me, but I'm not given to cliques, so I can associate with people FREELY without being beholden to others and getting nasty looks for "fraternizing with the enemy" me oh my).
I see more guys wearing scarves, tight pants, high heel boots and switching harder than half the girls here dear God. Isn't the Black race on the verge of extinction at this rate? Sheesh. I don't care what ANYONE has to say -- if they take offence, FINE. Deal with it. I ain't changing what I say in my blog to assuage that conviction in your heart. But dear God, can a man be a MAN anymore? I'm a man's man. A renaissance man as well. But liking the arts and such -- you kind of run into some "confused" bruvas. And it seems like one in every two Black dudes here is "confused". Get me out of here and send me to Kuwait or something good heavens. I guess Biggie was right back in '94 -- "THINGS DONE CHANGED".
This month is Black History alright. I'm Black and my bank account is looking like HISTORY lately. Grad school applications, moving expenses, regular bills, people wanting to get their kneecaps holding out paying me the money they owe me. Good Lord, university systems are a drain on a bruva's stash. I just blew through 7 Gs since January 16th.
DEAR.
GOD.
In other news, throughout all this madness, I'm on pace for a 3.8 semester. I don't have to do too much out of my routine and thankfully loving to write actually helps me with my classes from now until I finish my JD and Ph.D studies down the line.
Monday, February 23, 2009
My Take On Interracial Relationships
My Take On Interracial Relationships
M.D. Wright
2.23.09
First of all, my opinion on this is rather simple, so this will be brief. I'm trying to get back into blog mode. I took a month off basically to handle ultra-important things. However, being back in school, you meet new people, hear new estories... I mean, stories ha and it gets you to thinking.
Of late, I have heard a LOT of White women (friends of mine, specifically) tell me that they love dating Black men. I ask them, "But why Black? Why stop there?" ha. The response I get is shocking, because I never heard this before in my life:
"Well, I just don't find the great majority of White guys attractive. AT ALL."
Wow.
I never heard it before and to this day I don't know what to think when I ehar that; particularly when I've had a couple of them flirt with me. It's pretty hilarious.
I've heard other female friends who are White say it is merely a product of their upbringing -- that they grew up mostly around Blacks and Hispanics.
OK.
I bring that up, because an interesting dynamic is being developed as a result of this rather recent paradigm shift. Oh, the White is Right philosophy is still in full effect (especially in the minds of the parents of young women who aren't Black -- in reference to their daughters dating or potentially marrying Black men), let's not fool ourselves here. I've overheard several parental squabbles (usually the father beefin', because the mother sometimse has a few skeletons in her closet if you know what I mean ha).
I have several dudes that I am cool with, a few of them friends of mine who have pulled women of EVERY ethnicity. I will not incriminate myself here by speaking about my foibles and journey while forming the Rainbow Coalition ha but I will say that being a Black man in the eyes of women under 45 isn't the terrible thing it USED to be dear God. It's not gone, nor will it ever be, but that stigma isn't as strong.
Meanwhile, on the other front, I have noticed how this affects relationships between Black men and Black women. I'm the first to admit, I don't give a rat's culo who ANYONE dates nor what their motives are for doing so. If only more people used that mindset good heavens. Anyway, for the most part, I will say my female friends who are Black (about 2/3 of the total) are not your typical ones who get all up in arms even at the sight of a Black guy with a non-Black woman. Thank God. I wouldn't stand for hearing that bullshit anyway. However, much credit to them, because it makes me respect them even more than I already do (they know who they are).
Nevertheless, there is one set of guys here who should be addressed: the guy who is extremely shy, or geeky/nerdy/dorky/homely (or ugly, if you want to be UNpolitically correct ha) guy who stands no chance with 90% of the Black female population. You want to know what caused me to write this blog? LOOKNIG AT BLAKE GRIFFIN'S PARENTS DEAR GOD. His dad probably wouldn't have gotten a second look from 3/4 of the Black women he grew up with. Meanwhile, the woman he married is White (nothing special to write home about herself, but ok...) and they are happy together. Or so it seems. I just wonder, when a guy - even if he's not shy or any of those other qualities (but nonetheless just as smart as those guys while maintaining social equilibrium) manages to get overlooked by the same women, how's he supposed to react when he gets the Gas Face from those who ultimately ends up with the woman(en) who will accept him as is and won't try to change him into "more cool" or make him something that he's not so that she will feel comfortable bringing him around her girls and her family?
Feel free to offer input. This is one of my rare open-ended blog discussions ha. Blame this one on the Kansas/Oklahoma game Dear God.
M.D. Wright
2.23.09
First of all, my opinion on this is rather simple, so this will be brief. I'm trying to get back into blog mode. I took a month off basically to handle ultra-important things. However, being back in school, you meet new people, hear new estories... I mean, stories ha and it gets you to thinking.
Of late, I have heard a LOT of White women (friends of mine, specifically) tell me that they love dating Black men. I ask them, "But why Black? Why stop there?" ha. The response I get is shocking, because I never heard this before in my life:
"Well, I just don't find the great majority of White guys attractive. AT ALL."
Wow.
I never heard it before and to this day I don't know what to think when I ehar that; particularly when I've had a couple of them flirt with me. It's pretty hilarious.
I've heard other female friends who are White say it is merely a product of their upbringing -- that they grew up mostly around Blacks and Hispanics.
OK.
I bring that up, because an interesting dynamic is being developed as a result of this rather recent paradigm shift. Oh, the White is Right philosophy is still in full effect (especially in the minds of the parents of young women who aren't Black -- in reference to their daughters dating or potentially marrying Black men), let's not fool ourselves here. I've overheard several parental squabbles (usually the father beefin', because the mother sometimse has a few skeletons in her closet if you know what I mean ha).
I have several dudes that I am cool with, a few of them friends of mine who have pulled women of EVERY ethnicity. I will not incriminate myself here by speaking about my foibles and journey while forming the Rainbow Coalition ha but I will say that being a Black man in the eyes of women under 45 isn't the terrible thing it USED to be dear God. It's not gone, nor will it ever be, but that stigma isn't as strong.
Meanwhile, on the other front, I have noticed how this affects relationships between Black men and Black women. I'm the first to admit, I don't give a rat's culo who ANYONE dates nor what their motives are for doing so. If only more people used that mindset good heavens. Anyway, for the most part, I will say my female friends who are Black (about 2/3 of the total) are not your typical ones who get all up in arms even at the sight of a Black guy with a non-Black woman. Thank God. I wouldn't stand for hearing that bullshit anyway. However, much credit to them, because it makes me respect them even more than I already do (they know who they are).
Nevertheless, there is one set of guys here who should be addressed: the guy who is extremely shy, or geeky/nerdy/dorky/homely (or ugly, if you want to be UNpolitically correct ha) guy who stands no chance with 90% of the Black female population. You want to know what caused me to write this blog? LOOKNIG AT BLAKE GRIFFIN'S PARENTS DEAR GOD. His dad probably wouldn't have gotten a second look from 3/4 of the Black women he grew up with. Meanwhile, the woman he married is White (nothing special to write home about herself, but ok...) and they are happy together. Or so it seems. I just wonder, when a guy - even if he's not shy or any of those other qualities (but nonetheless just as smart as those guys while maintaining social equilibrium) manages to get overlooked by the same women, how's he supposed to react when he gets the Gas Face from those who ultimately ends up with the woman(en) who will accept him as is and won't try to change him into "more cool" or make him something that he's not so that she will feel comfortable bringing him around her girls and her family?
Feel free to offer input. This is one of my rare open-ended blog discussions ha. Blame this one on the Kansas/Oklahoma game Dear God.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Affirmative Action & "The Independent Woman" Phenomenon
Affirmative Action & "The Independent Woman" Phenomenon
M.D. Wright
2.18.09
As most of us know, Affirmative Action is 30 (actually 31) years old now. Many barked and griped about it during its inception (which is always the case when change occurs). Over time, those who did the barking and griping shifted as respective quotas were fulfilled and special interest groups' concerns were assuaged. One undeniable fact about Affirmative Action is who it has benefitted MOST in these thirty-odd years. Women.
Segue.
In the past decade or so, there has been a surge in the use of the term "Independent Woman" -- particularly amongst Black women, and to a lesser degree lower/working class White women and a few Latinas. It is an interesting phenomenon, given the fact that the social landscape and the corporate dynamic has shifted greatly since 1990. There has been a palpable paradigm shift within the United States, within each respective "race" (I hate the term, as you all know), nationality/ethnicity and even subgroups within each ethnicity.
Now, what I must point out for those who don't know me personally -- I'm as progressive socially as they come. I'm no wayward liberal by any stretch, but I am ALL for equal rights, treatment and opportunities for men and women. Indeed, the Capitalist regime, which does not even count women unless they are actually working in some capacity within any of the social institutions is SLANTED AGAINST the "traditional" woman. In this regard, more women are needed within the corporate hierarchy; even if economists would argue that there is not enough "capital" to salary all the new workers.
But I digress.
The effect Affirmative Action has had is not the issue. These are statistics that cannot be argued by anyone: chauvinist pigs, radical feminists, etc. The INDEPENDENT WOMAN movement, however -- is a different story.
Nowadays, you hear this term bandied about as much as "Hi, how are you doing?" in casual greetings dear God. And while I personally don't have a problem with it (it's often laughable to hear some women use the term given that they are living on government assistance and treat every man that comes near them like last week's refuse), it has become highly annoying to hear it when anything resembling the "oppressive" nature of previous social institutions such as "traditional" marriage is broached in conversation. The notion that a woman "needs" a man anymore is out. Self is in. God put marriage in place with the hierarchy for a reason. For Christian women to go about tossing this phrase freely is what disturbs me more than those who are not Christian and therefore not beholden to fulfill what it is God's Word explicitly states.
Again, I digress. This is one of my favourite topics of late.
With so many songs like "She's Got Her Own/Independent Woman", "Irreplaceable", "Diva", and what have you... where does it end?
The ONLY problem I really have with this new wave of social movement is the fact that one MAJOR fact seems to get lost in all of this:
Women have benefited most from Affirmative Action; particularly upwardly mobile Middle Class/Educated Black and White women. On the flipside of that coin, men of all ethnicities are not getting jobs that they normally got. That is fine. If the women filling the roles are qualified, I have zero problem with this. I've said this before. However, if, on one hand, a man is expected to fulfill "traditional" roles, while a woman is trying everything she can to break from that traditional mold, there is going to be a great schism. A dichotomy forms. Men and women are forced to take divergent paths, instead of similar paths (another in the long list of reasons why you have so many disgruntled single women who have everything materially, but lack a man -- of which she only views as an accessory instead of the critical cornerstone in her life [and vice-versa she for him] that God designed).
Now, more than ever, men aren't even given the opportunity to BE men anymore. There are so many sociological reasons for this. I don't have the time to go into them in this post. But when you can't earn a decent wage, or even get a job (in 2009's economy), what is a man supposed to do? Educated or not? Especially Black men, when they aren't locked up, dead or on the corner? I almost pity Black women in that (for those who want to marry a Black man) WHO do they have to choose from? Dear God.
Nonetheless, I hear a lot of women saying "no bitchassness in 2009" and other phrases to that effect, saying that men should step it up and do better. For those who aren't statistics, but are busting their tails and aren't able to realize their dreams, such utterances are misguided. In addition to that, aren't women supposed to support and uplift men as brothers, even if they're not romantically involved or married? What happened there? Especially within the Black community, where this is amplified? It is just interesting to hear those who scream this phrase the loudest and the most often are failing to realize what success they've achieved (for the most part, not ALL -- as I NEVER use the term "all" and make broad, sweeping generalizations) whether it be college education, career, business, even positions in church came as a result of Affirmative Action. It appears those in this current generation; especially those born SINCE 1978 have forgotten what their mothers and grandmothers, aunts and older cousins had to go through just to get their feet in the door; whereas women outnumber men in college nationwide, and therefore, along with the successful pressuring from special interest groups, have better opportunities to get jobs, start businesses, become heads of organizations and realize unprecedented success. I will never make an excuse for a man who resorts to hustling and risking getting a criminal record "just to survive" -- it is still a CHOICE, and in this information age, there are many legitimate means to earn a living; so it is not an excuse anymore. However, given that men, especially Black men, are getting passed over for jobs now more than ever in favor of the very women who are mockingly telling them to "step it up" and "no bitchassness in 2009" or "stop complaining about what you can't do/what job you can't get" -- it is very curious that this fact is being ignored.
We will see how 2009 changes this.
M.D. Wright
2.18.09
As most of us know, Affirmative Action is 30 (actually 31) years old now. Many barked and griped about it during its inception (which is always the case when change occurs). Over time, those who did the barking and griping shifted as respective quotas were fulfilled and special interest groups' concerns were assuaged. One undeniable fact about Affirmative Action is who it has benefitted MOST in these thirty-odd years. Women.
Segue.
In the past decade or so, there has been a surge in the use of the term "Independent Woman" -- particularly amongst Black women, and to a lesser degree lower/working class White women and a few Latinas. It is an interesting phenomenon, given the fact that the social landscape and the corporate dynamic has shifted greatly since 1990. There has been a palpable paradigm shift within the United States, within each respective "race" (I hate the term, as you all know), nationality/ethnicity and even subgroups within each ethnicity.
Now, what I must point out for those who don't know me personally -- I'm as progressive socially as they come. I'm no wayward liberal by any stretch, but I am ALL for equal rights, treatment and opportunities for men and women. Indeed, the Capitalist regime, which does not even count women unless they are actually working in some capacity within any of the social institutions is SLANTED AGAINST the "traditional" woman. In this regard, more women are needed within the corporate hierarchy; even if economists would argue that there is not enough "capital" to salary all the new workers.
But I digress.
The effect Affirmative Action has had is not the issue. These are statistics that cannot be argued by anyone: chauvinist pigs, radical feminists, etc. The INDEPENDENT WOMAN movement, however -- is a different story.
Nowadays, you hear this term bandied about as much as "Hi, how are you doing?" in casual greetings dear God. And while I personally don't have a problem with it (it's often laughable to hear some women use the term given that they are living on government assistance and treat every man that comes near them like last week's refuse), it has become highly annoying to hear it when anything resembling the "oppressive" nature of previous social institutions such as "traditional" marriage is broached in conversation. The notion that a woman "needs" a man anymore is out. Self is in. God put marriage in place with the hierarchy for a reason. For Christian women to go about tossing this phrase freely is what disturbs me more than those who are not Christian and therefore not beholden to fulfill what it is God's Word explicitly states.
Again, I digress. This is one of my favourite topics of late.
With so many songs like "She's Got Her Own/Independent Woman", "Irreplaceable", "Diva", and what have you... where does it end?
The ONLY problem I really have with this new wave of social movement is the fact that one MAJOR fact seems to get lost in all of this:
Women have benefited most from Affirmative Action; particularly upwardly mobile Middle Class/Educated Black and White women. On the flipside of that coin, men of all ethnicities are not getting jobs that they normally got. That is fine. If the women filling the roles are qualified, I have zero problem with this. I've said this before. However, if, on one hand, a man is expected to fulfill "traditional" roles, while a woman is trying everything she can to break from that traditional mold, there is going to be a great schism. A dichotomy forms. Men and women are forced to take divergent paths, instead of similar paths (another in the long list of reasons why you have so many disgruntled single women who have everything materially, but lack a man -- of which she only views as an accessory instead of the critical cornerstone in her life [and vice-versa she for him] that God designed).
Now, more than ever, men aren't even given the opportunity to BE men anymore. There are so many sociological reasons for this. I don't have the time to go into them in this post. But when you can't earn a decent wage, or even get a job (in 2009's economy), what is a man supposed to do? Educated or not? Especially Black men, when they aren't locked up, dead or on the corner? I almost pity Black women in that (for those who want to marry a Black man) WHO do they have to choose from? Dear God.
Nonetheless, I hear a lot of women saying "no bitchassness in 2009" and other phrases to that effect, saying that men should step it up and do better. For those who aren't statistics, but are busting their tails and aren't able to realize their dreams, such utterances are misguided. In addition to that, aren't women supposed to support and uplift men as brothers, even if they're not romantically involved or married? What happened there? Especially within the Black community, where this is amplified? It is just interesting to hear those who scream this phrase the loudest and the most often are failing to realize what success they've achieved (for the most part, not ALL -- as I NEVER use the term "all" and make broad, sweeping generalizations) whether it be college education, career, business, even positions in church came as a result of Affirmative Action. It appears those in this current generation; especially those born SINCE 1978 have forgotten what their mothers and grandmothers, aunts and older cousins had to go through just to get their feet in the door; whereas women outnumber men in college nationwide, and therefore, along with the successful pressuring from special interest groups, have better opportunities to get jobs, start businesses, become heads of organizations and realize unprecedented success. I will never make an excuse for a man who resorts to hustling and risking getting a criminal record "just to survive" -- it is still a CHOICE, and in this information age, there are many legitimate means to earn a living; so it is not an excuse anymore. However, given that men, especially Black men, are getting passed over for jobs now more than ever in favor of the very women who are mockingly telling them to "step it up" and "no bitchassness in 2009" or "stop complaining about what you can't do/what job you can't get" -- it is very curious that this fact is being ignored.
We will see how 2009 changes this.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monthly Book Review: Suggestions For My February Readings
Monthly Book Review: Suggestions For My February Readings
M.D. Wright
1.29.09
I am going to pick up Faith Evans' autobiography today, and MAYBE the Joe Torre anthology on Tuesday, but does anyone else have suggestions for good reads? (Particularly sports, political, church or music-related). However, I will consider any GOOD read.
For my author friends on Facebook, please send me your titles!
What have you...
M.D. Wright
1.29.09
I am going to pick up Faith Evans' autobiography today, and MAYBE the Joe Torre anthology on Tuesday, but does anyone else have suggestions for good reads? (Particularly sports, political, church or music-related). However, I will consider any GOOD read.
For my author friends on Facebook, please send me your titles!
What have you...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Unwritten Man Laws
The Unwritten Man Laws
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
I'm actually going to start this out blank. Feel free to add your own "rules".
What have you...
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
I'm actually going to start this out blank. Feel free to add your own "rules".
What have you...
Status Is Everything
Status Is Everything
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
Let me tell you something. You can be a big, fat, ugly, crusty, purple something-or-another, but if you have money, fame, status and power, women will not care.
I look at some of these guys who are pulling women (read: mostly hoes) left and right -- no matter the arena: pro sports, music industry, church, etc. and I had to wonder.
If you are always on TV as an athlete... or a rapper/R&B singer... or top flight actor... or a pastor in church, women view you as something to behold and want you for themselves; despite all the competition from women with like minds. It's hilarious to watch it (especially in the face of women who swear up and down that it is not so).
Look at T.D. Jakes. Would he get a second look from ANYONE if he wasn't who he was?
Or Dwyane Wade, who looks like he gets his arse beat at the bar every night before a game? Dude's lip is busted and he has the Isiah Thomas eyebrow cuts; but when they "won" (refs STOLE) the NBA Title in 2006, chicks was throwing their panties at this guy. Dear God.
I almost wonder what it would be like if I were famous. I just hope I'm married to the GOD-ORDAINED WOMAN for me if it happens, because I'm definitely not chasing status. It makes women do crazy things.
What have you... (if you disagree).
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
Let me tell you something. You can be a big, fat, ugly, crusty, purple something-or-another, but if you have money, fame, status and power, women will not care.
I look at some of these guys who are pulling women (read: mostly hoes) left and right -- no matter the arena: pro sports, music industry, church, etc. and I had to wonder.
If you are always on TV as an athlete... or a rapper/R&B singer... or top flight actor... or a pastor in church, women view you as something to behold and want you for themselves; despite all the competition from women with like minds. It's hilarious to watch it (especially in the face of women who swear up and down that it is not so).
Look at T.D. Jakes. Would he get a second look from ANYONE if he wasn't who he was?
Or Dwyane Wade, who looks like he gets his arse beat at the bar every night before a game? Dude's lip is busted and he has the Isiah Thomas eyebrow cuts; but when they "won" (refs STOLE) the NBA Title in 2006, chicks was throwing their panties at this guy. Dear God.
I almost wonder what it would be like if I were famous. I just hope I'm married to the GOD-ORDAINED WOMAN for me if it happens, because I'm definitely not chasing status. It makes women do crazy things.
What have you... (if you disagree).
"Notorious" Film Review
"Notorious" Film Review
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
"Notorious" -- a biopic about the life and times of Christopher G.L. Wallace -- was released to public theatres on January 16, 2009. I recently had the opportunity to view it and I'm prepared to offer a review.
As a kid who followed BIG from the bottom to the pinnacle of his career (bought Ready to Die on CD AND cassette, and bought Life After Death THREE TIMES on CD) -- plus being a teenager when he came out, I have a great appreciation for his music and what it meant to those of us who just gobbled it up back then.
I won't get into nostalgia and this will be a brief review.
The actors were very well-versed and played the roles almost verbatim to what took place back from '91 until the end on March 9, 1997.
The director did not take liberties and stuck to the truth (at least as was told by those who witnessed it first-hand and what the media outlets were doing). I appreciated that. Seeing some of the scenes that I am familiar with having lived in Brooklyn years ago, it was very good to see how well the director re-created the scenes and used actors who were convincing enough to cause people who were of age at the time to at least reflect back on the actual people themselves.
I would definitely say the movie had excellent pace, the proper level of rawness, drama and poignancy that would make this a classic. The ending was perfect, all things considered.
I will admit that I had very low expectations about this movie. I was wrong. I say it is a must-see for those who haven't seen it. It is a good memory piece and worth watching several times over the years like some of the other classics from back in the day.
Grade: A-
M.D. Wright
1.25.09
"Notorious" -- a biopic about the life and times of Christopher G.L. Wallace -- was released to public theatres on January 16, 2009. I recently had the opportunity to view it and I'm prepared to offer a review.
As a kid who followed BIG from the bottom to the pinnacle of his career (bought Ready to Die on CD AND cassette, and bought Life After Death THREE TIMES on CD) -- plus being a teenager when he came out, I have a great appreciation for his music and what it meant to those of us who just gobbled it up back then.
I won't get into nostalgia and this will be a brief review.
The actors were very well-versed and played the roles almost verbatim to what took place back from '91 until the end on March 9, 1997.
The director did not take liberties and stuck to the truth (at least as was told by those who witnessed it first-hand and what the media outlets were doing). I appreciated that. Seeing some of the scenes that I am familiar with having lived in Brooklyn years ago, it was very good to see how well the director re-created the scenes and used actors who were convincing enough to cause people who were of age at the time to at least reflect back on the actual people themselves.
I would definitely say the movie had excellent pace, the proper level of rawness, drama and poignancy that would make this a classic. The ending was perfect, all things considered.
I will admit that I had very low expectations about this movie. I was wrong. I say it is a must-see for those who haven't seen it. It is a good memory piece and worth watching several times over the years like some of the other classics from back in the day.
Grade: A-
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Complainers?
Complainers?
M.D. Wright
1.24.09
Just a quick, passing thought.
Why do people like to openly complain about their "haters"? Ignore them or allow them to motivate you, if need be. Quit complaining about them. If you're doing anything worthwhile, PEOPLE WILL TALK. If you're a worthless douchebag, PEOPLE WILL TALK. If you're in college and haven't learned this, please catch up. You're behind, buddy.
And in regards to people on facebook who are "strange" and "stalk" others, or are just "friend requests out of the blue"... there is what is called a BLOCK feature on Facebook. Use it. Mini-feed is full of people complaining about this. Resolve it and shut your f'n face, as Walt Kowalski said in "Gran Torino".
Oh yeahhhhh
M.D. Wright
1.24.09
Just a quick, passing thought.
Why do people like to openly complain about their "haters"? Ignore them or allow them to motivate you, if need be. Quit complaining about them. If you're doing anything worthwhile, PEOPLE WILL TALK. If you're a worthless douchebag, PEOPLE WILL TALK. If you're in college and haven't learned this, please catch up. You're behind, buddy.
And in regards to people on facebook who are "strange" and "stalk" others, or are just "friend requests out of the blue"... there is what is called a BLOCK feature on Facebook. Use it. Mini-feed is full of people complaining about this. Resolve it and shut your f'n face, as Walt Kowalski said in "Gran Torino".
Oh yeahhhhh
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Personal Update
Personal Update
M.D. Wright
1.21.09
Okay, I'm down to my last semester as an undergraduate student. I am elated because I am sick of school blocking me from doing the things I could be doing in those hours. I have so many business and residual income ventures in mind, but can never find the time nor capital to put them into action.
Now I will be able to -- at least for three months starting May 16, 2009. Dear God.
I have six classes this semester, which sounds like a lot, but it's not bad. 1) They're not really difficult and I have had classes with all the professors except two. Five of the classes are Sociology and the other is Biology. Not bad at all. I just wish this whole car-buying, apartment-hunting, job-applying, law/masters-applying ordeal did not come with it. My life has been increasingly complex since the spring 2006 semester and I can't even given any real time to homework and papers. Yikes.
Graduation is May 15, 2009. I may have to stay in Greensboro (good Lord) until the lease is up at whatever apartment complex I end up living in (July 31) and again, I need a job ASAP. A car is absolutely NECESSARY.
Anyone who has tabs on a Honda Accord for sale, please let me know.
More updates to come in the coming weeks.
What have you...
M.D. Wright
1.21.09
Okay, I'm down to my last semester as an undergraduate student. I am elated because I am sick of school blocking me from doing the things I could be doing in those hours. I have so many business and residual income ventures in mind, but can never find the time nor capital to put them into action.
Now I will be able to -- at least for three months starting May 16, 2009. Dear God.
I have six classes this semester, which sounds like a lot, but it's not bad. 1) They're not really difficult and I have had classes with all the professors except two. Five of the classes are Sociology and the other is Biology. Not bad at all. I just wish this whole car-buying, apartment-hunting, job-applying, law/masters-applying ordeal did not come with it. My life has been increasingly complex since the spring 2006 semester and I can't even given any real time to homework and papers. Yikes.
Graduation is May 15, 2009. I may have to stay in Greensboro (good Lord) until the lease is up at whatever apartment complex I end up living in (July 31) and again, I need a job ASAP. A car is absolutely NECESSARY.
Anyone who has tabs on a Honda Accord for sale, please let me know.
More updates to come in the coming weeks.
What have you...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Super Bowl XLIII: Grand Central Terminal Edition - All Passengers Please Exit, Watch The Closing Doors Please
Super Bowl XLIII: Grand Central Terminal Edition - All Passengers Please Exit, Watch The Closing Doors Please
M.D. Wright
1.21.09
Ahhhh, so the season comes to an end on February 1. I hate to see the NFL season go dear God. But at least I have college ball and just three weeks until Pitchers & Catchers report. Call me a maverick if you want, but in my book, the Cards should NOT be 'dogs here. I will explain...
SUPER BOWL XLIII
Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Money Line: ARZ (+220), PIT (-260)
Line: PIT -7
Over/Under: 46.5
So Vegas likes PIT? I think that line is ridiculous and the result of Steeler fans outnumbering Cardinal fans 15:1 nationwide. Vegas likes this. It gives them more room for error and the over/under is not a reach. They will come to regret this, though, because the Steelers will not cover.
Early suggestion: TAKE THE CARDS AND THE OVER!!! Anyone who thinks this game is going UNDER with THAT offense (PIT/PHI = wash, in terms of defence -- Cards put up 30+ on 1) a good defence in the Fulcons... 2) a VERY GOOD defence in the Panthers and 3) a GREAT defence in the Iggles. Do you see the pattern? They are not going to stop the Cardinals. Who can cover Larry Fitzgerald? Alicia Keys sang the answer to you throughout 2008. You already know.
The NFL is about matchups. Not "history" and "omens" when almost none of these guys playing on February 1, 2009 WERE THERE!!! Throw that nonsense out. Anyone who has played football on any level knows it is all about individual matchups and units matching up. It also comes down to coaching decisions and abilities to think quickly. Since this is the last game, I'm going to go all out and give a position by position analysis, even down to the coaches.
Coaches
PIT: Head Coach Mike Tomlin
ARZ: Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt
These guys each have two years of head coaching experience under their belts and pretty much cancel each other out. Neither has an advantage over the other at this point.
Advantage: PUSH
PIT: Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians
ARZ: Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley
Arians' game plan is certainly very conservative. PIT fancies the running game (although Roethlisberger passes more lately than ever). Todd Haley masterminded an explosive offence that was atop the NFC in scoring this year. Enough said.
Advantage: ARZ
PIT: Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau
ARZ: Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast
Dick LeBeau has been in the NFL longer than Pendergast, Whisenhunt and Haley COMBINED. This is the guy who revolutionized the 3-4 defence and helped implement the Zone Blitz and other schemes that we see today. Even though they have an impregnable defence, the Cards WILL score 27 points on them. More on that later.
Pendergast has had the Cards playing defence as they did the first half of the season, and they will need to continue playing the way they have for the first 2 1/2 games they have played great defence in this playoffs. The Cards are active and have a half dozen real playmakers (Dockett, Berry, Dansby, LaBoy, Rolle, Rodgers-Cromartie (DRC) -- as well as Hood). PIT is a great unit overall, but they have no more big playmakers than ARZ does. This is why I do not believe the Steelers should be heavily favored.
Advantage: PIT
PIT: Special Teams Coach Bob Ligashesky
ARZ: Special Teams Coach Kevin Spencer
The Cards are definitely more active on the defensive side of special teams. The Steelers are just steady. Nothing impressive.
Advantage: PUSH
Quarterbacks
PIT: Ben Roethlisberger.
ARZ: Kurt Warner.
Kurt actually WON a Super Bowl, and went to another which they could have won. This is his third. Roethlisberger rode Jerome Bettis, the defence's coattails and WOEFUL officiating to his Super Bowl "win" in 2005. Kurt is staggeringly accurate, even in the face of a great defence (see last week vs. PHI). 7 likes to keep every play alive to get on SportsCenter. He will throw 2 INT in this game. 2009 ARZ = 2008 NYG -- except in reverse, the Offense gets all the publicity for the Cards, and rightfully so, but that's not ALL that does it for them. Much like the 2008 Giants' defence. The 2008 Giants' offence was very good in its own right, but people liked to focus on the defence. The 2009 Cards' defence is very, VERY good.
Advantage: ARZ (heavy).
Running Backs
PIT: Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell.
ARZ: Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, JJ Arrington.
Parker is a potential game-breaker, but he won't be doing any of that against the Cardinals' defence on Super Bowl Sunday. Edge has been getting totes of late and he can at least keep the Steelers' defence honest against the run; which sets up the Cards' passing game. The other guys are a wash, as they pretty much do the exact same things.
Advantage: PUSH.
Fullbacks
Neither team really uses theirs. Every now and then the Cards pass to Terrelle Smith.
Advantage: PUSH.
Tight Ends
PIT: Heath Miller.
ARZ: Leonard Pope.
Miller is a better all-around player; he blocks, catches, and runs better than Pope who commits silly penalties too often -- and drops passes that he should catch 99% of the time.
Advantage: PIT.
Wide Receivers
PIT: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed.
ARZ: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban.
Larry Fitzgerald is the best WR in the NFL. Anquan Boldin is not far behind. Steve Breaston is already very good at working the slot. No one on PIT can cover Fitzgerald. That's a given. If they double him, Boldin and Breaston can run free. Get it?
Ward is very good at agitating defensive players with his constant smiling (which comes off as taunting and rubs people the wrong way). He's the best blocking WR in the NFL (Muhammad a close 2nd). Holmes is a do-it-all guy who even returns punts. Washington is a possession receiver with great speed (rarity) and Sweed is emerging.
Advantage: ARZ (only on the strength of Fitzgerald).
Offensive Line
PIT: Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton, Willie Colon (Ah Ah, Oh No)
ARZ: Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Lyle Sendlehein, Deuce Lutui, Levi Brown
PIT: They lost a couple of starters, but are still very good. Starks = best on the line.
ARZ: Underrated unit that plays together and pass blocks better than any team not named Philadelphia or New York Giants. Mike Gandy and Max Starks = Push.
Advantage: PUSH
Defensive Line
PIT: Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel
ARZ: Bert Berry, Antonio Smith, Darnell Dockett (From?!), Bryan Robinson
Considering PIT runs a 3-4, their line is more about run stuffing and dominating the point of attack. Their linebackers make more plays. ARZ's defencive line sets up the back seven.
Advantage: ARZ (slight)
Linebackers
PIT: LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Larry Foote, James Harrison
ARZ: Chike Okeafor/Travis LaBoy (both switch up playing OLB and DE), Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes
The Blitzburg linebackers lived up to their billing against this year. There isn't a better corps than this. The Cards are young and up and coming, but they cannot generate the pressure that the Steelers can.
Advantage: PIT
Defensive Secondary
PIT: Ike Taylor, DeShea Townsend, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu
ARZ: Roderick Hood, Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Taylor and Townsend are lackeys. Taylor's game doesn't match his talk. Clark is a hard hitter (he's been doing a lot more of what he did to McGahee; but total clean/legal -- all year). Polamula, while good, is not as omnipresent as Steeler fans like to think.
Everyone in the Cards' defensive backfield has big play potential
Advantage: ARZ (slight - on the strength of DRC).
Kicking Game/Special Teams
Wash, although if Rackers kicks another ball out of bounds, it could spell doom. Reed is a solid kicker. Not spectacular. Both teams return games are decent.
Advantage: PUSH
Based upon this, and the aforementioned FACT that no one can cover Larry Fitzgerald, I believe the Cards can and will make a few more plays than the Steelers.
Call:
Arizona 27
Pittsburgh 21
SEE YA IN AUGUST!
M.D. Wright
1.21.09
Ahhhh, so the season comes to an end on February 1. I hate to see the NFL season go dear God. But at least I have college ball and just three weeks until Pitchers & Catchers report. Call me a maverick if you want, but in my book, the Cards should NOT be 'dogs here. I will explain...
SUPER BOWL XLIII
Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Money Line: ARZ (+220), PIT (-260)
Line: PIT -7
Over/Under: 46.5
So Vegas likes PIT? I think that line is ridiculous and the result of Steeler fans outnumbering Cardinal fans 15:1 nationwide. Vegas likes this. It gives them more room for error and the over/under is not a reach. They will come to regret this, though, because the Steelers will not cover.
Early suggestion: TAKE THE CARDS AND THE OVER!!! Anyone who thinks this game is going UNDER with THAT offense (PIT/PHI = wash, in terms of defence -- Cards put up 30+ on 1) a good defence in the Fulcons... 2) a VERY GOOD defence in the Panthers and 3) a GREAT defence in the Iggles. Do you see the pattern? They are not going to stop the Cardinals. Who can cover Larry Fitzgerald? Alicia Keys sang the answer to you throughout 2008. You already know.
The NFL is about matchups. Not "history" and "omens" when almost none of these guys playing on February 1, 2009 WERE THERE!!! Throw that nonsense out. Anyone who has played football on any level knows it is all about individual matchups and units matching up. It also comes down to coaching decisions and abilities to think quickly. Since this is the last game, I'm going to go all out and give a position by position analysis, even down to the coaches.
Coaches
PIT: Head Coach Mike Tomlin
ARZ: Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt
These guys each have two years of head coaching experience under their belts and pretty much cancel each other out. Neither has an advantage over the other at this point.
Advantage: PUSH
PIT: Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians
ARZ: Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley
Arians' game plan is certainly very conservative. PIT fancies the running game (although Roethlisberger passes more lately than ever). Todd Haley masterminded an explosive offence that was atop the NFC in scoring this year. Enough said.
Advantage: ARZ
PIT: Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau
ARZ: Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast
Dick LeBeau has been in the NFL longer than Pendergast, Whisenhunt and Haley COMBINED. This is the guy who revolutionized the 3-4 defence and helped implement the Zone Blitz and other schemes that we see today. Even though they have an impregnable defence, the Cards WILL score 27 points on them. More on that later.
Pendergast has had the Cards playing defence as they did the first half of the season, and they will need to continue playing the way they have for the first 2 1/2 games they have played great defence in this playoffs. The Cards are active and have a half dozen real playmakers (Dockett, Berry, Dansby, LaBoy, Rolle, Rodgers-Cromartie (DRC) -- as well as Hood). PIT is a great unit overall, but they have no more big playmakers than ARZ does. This is why I do not believe the Steelers should be heavily favored.
Advantage: PIT
PIT: Special Teams Coach Bob Ligashesky
ARZ: Special Teams Coach Kevin Spencer
The Cards are definitely more active on the defensive side of special teams. The Steelers are just steady. Nothing impressive.
Advantage: PUSH
Quarterbacks
PIT: Ben Roethlisberger.
ARZ: Kurt Warner.
Kurt actually WON a Super Bowl, and went to another which they could have won. This is his third. Roethlisberger rode Jerome Bettis, the defence's coattails and WOEFUL officiating to his Super Bowl "win" in 2005. Kurt is staggeringly accurate, even in the face of a great defence (see last week vs. PHI). 7 likes to keep every play alive to get on SportsCenter. He will throw 2 INT in this game. 2009 ARZ = 2008 NYG -- except in reverse, the Offense gets all the publicity for the Cards, and rightfully so, but that's not ALL that does it for them. Much like the 2008 Giants' defence. The 2008 Giants' offence was very good in its own right, but people liked to focus on the defence. The 2009 Cards' defence is very, VERY good.
Advantage: ARZ (heavy).
Running Backs
PIT: Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, Gary Russell.
ARZ: Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, JJ Arrington.
Parker is a potential game-breaker, but he won't be doing any of that against the Cardinals' defence on Super Bowl Sunday. Edge has been getting totes of late and he can at least keep the Steelers' defence honest against the run; which sets up the Cards' passing game. The other guys are a wash, as they pretty much do the exact same things.
Advantage: PUSH.
Fullbacks
Neither team really uses theirs. Every now and then the Cards pass to Terrelle Smith.
Advantage: PUSH.
Tight Ends
PIT: Heath Miller.
ARZ: Leonard Pope.
Miller is a better all-around player; he blocks, catches, and runs better than Pope who commits silly penalties too often -- and drops passes that he should catch 99% of the time.
Advantage: PIT.
Wide Receivers
PIT: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed.
ARZ: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban.
Larry Fitzgerald is the best WR in the NFL. Anquan Boldin is not far behind. Steve Breaston is already very good at working the slot. No one on PIT can cover Fitzgerald. That's a given. If they double him, Boldin and Breaston can run free. Get it?
Ward is very good at agitating defensive players with his constant smiling (which comes off as taunting and rubs people the wrong way). He's the best blocking WR in the NFL (Muhammad a close 2nd). Holmes is a do-it-all guy who even returns punts. Washington is a possession receiver with great speed (rarity) and Sweed is emerging.
Advantage: ARZ (only on the strength of Fitzgerald).
Offensive Line
PIT: Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton, Willie Colon (Ah Ah, Oh No)
ARZ: Mike Gandy, Reggie Wells, Lyle Sendlehein, Deuce Lutui, Levi Brown
PIT: They lost a couple of starters, but are still very good. Starks = best on the line.
ARZ: Underrated unit that plays together and pass blocks better than any team not named Philadelphia or New York Giants. Mike Gandy and Max Starks = Push.
Advantage: PUSH
Defensive Line
PIT: Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel
ARZ: Bert Berry, Antonio Smith, Darnell Dockett (From?!), Bryan Robinson
Considering PIT runs a 3-4, their line is more about run stuffing and dominating the point of attack. Their linebackers make more plays. ARZ's defencive line sets up the back seven.
Advantage: ARZ (slight)
Linebackers
PIT: LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Larry Foote, James Harrison
ARZ: Chike Okeafor/Travis LaBoy (both switch up playing OLB and DE), Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes
The Blitzburg linebackers lived up to their billing against this year. There isn't a better corps than this. The Cards are young and up and coming, but they cannot generate the pressure that the Steelers can.
Advantage: PIT
Defensive Secondary
PIT: Ike Taylor, DeShea Townsend, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu
ARZ: Roderick Hood, Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Taylor and Townsend are lackeys. Taylor's game doesn't match his talk. Clark is a hard hitter (he's been doing a lot more of what he did to McGahee; but total clean/legal -- all year). Polamula, while good, is not as omnipresent as Steeler fans like to think.
Everyone in the Cards' defensive backfield has big play potential
Advantage: ARZ (slight - on the strength of DRC).
Kicking Game/Special Teams
Wash, although if Rackers kicks another ball out of bounds, it could spell doom. Reed is a solid kicker. Not spectacular. Both teams return games are decent.
Advantage: PUSH
Based upon this, and the aforementioned FACT that no one can cover Larry Fitzgerald, I believe the Cards can and will make a few more plays than the Steelers.
Call:
Arizona 27
Pittsburgh 21
SEE YA IN AUGUST!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
NFL Week 20: Champeenship Weekend
NFL Week 20: Champeenship Weekend
M.D. Wright
1.17.09
Who knew? Who knew the Giants and Titans would be sitting home and the Cardinals and Eagles would be battling for a championship? The NFL, where (calls that go against you at HOME and your QB sucks playing in the wind) happens.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Line: PHI -3.5
Over/Under: 47
Throw out the Thanksgiving game for four reasons: 1) it was a short week, 2) the Cardinals were traveling east, 3) the Cardinals were playing a completely different style of football and 4) the Cards didn't die, so it didn't count.
Again, the Cards went to Philly seemingly thinking they'd just pass the ball and win the game. They didn't seem prepared and with a game plan in place. They were struggling with their identity. The Iggles began their run of playing better football that night (after McNabb had his worst game ever the week before -- something Iggle fans conveniently forget; along with the fact he was unspectacular the rest of the season before that except when they were playing the dregs of the NFL). I have yet to see anyone in the Iggles' secondary who can match up with WR Larry Fitzgerald and if WR Anquan Boldin plays, the Iggles are in trouble. RB Edgerrin James is being given touches (finally) and that forces teams to play the Cards honestly. That means Jim Johnson's patented blitzes will have to be timed properly, because with Fitzgerald, Boldin AND WR Steve Breaston running routes, there will be one-on-one coverage quite often and mismatches that favor the Cardinals in each of those instances.
Many people are blindly picking Philly on the strength of the first game played and that's just foolish. The Cards' defence is active and will take advantage of McNabb's inevitably errant throws. Given that RB Brian Westbrook is nowhere near 100% for the game, I do not see him being a major factor (see last week's game vs. NYG as evidence). I believe the Cards win handily.
Call:
Philadelphia 20
Arizona 35
---
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Line: PIT -6
Over/Under: 34
Two things off the bat: the Steelers have NO BUSINESS being favored by 6 (if at all, given the nature of their wins earlier in the season -- more on that in a second) and this game is DEFINITELY going under.
The Steelers won on a last minute FG by K Jeff Reed that BARELY made it within the uprights in the first meeting. In the second meeting, the Steelers won because of a bogus catch by WR Sanantonio (Santonio) Holmes that was called a touchdown. Whatever. Regardless of that, the Steelers did not win either game in convincing fashion. Given this fact, why are they favored by so many? Also, why are so many people quick to say they are going to win solely because "they won both games and they're at home"? That's lazy. I do not see them winning this game. QB Joe Flacco knows how to get rid of the ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger DOESN'T. The Ravens will definitely get after Roethlisberger all game and harass him into bad throws. The Steelers' WRs know how to find a spot in the zones between the LBs and DBs and sit down, but Roethlisberger will have to be precise in order for the Steelers to take advantange. RB Willie Parker has had two very good games leading up to this one, but I doubt he cracks 75 yards. The Ravens merely need to run the ball to control the clock, not necessarily to break 20, 30 yard runs (which will be there on Woodley's side as he tends to overpursue). It's going to come down to whose back seven can make more plays and create turnovers. And the team with ED REED in its back seven has a better chance of doing that.
Call:
Baltimore 17
Pittsburgh 10
---
Baltimore vs. Arizona
Battle of the Birds
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
February 1, 2009
6:26 PM
Ha!
M.D. Wright
1.17.09
Who knew? Who knew the Giants and Titans would be sitting home and the Cardinals and Eagles would be battling for a championship? The NFL, where (calls that go against you at HOME and your QB sucks playing in the wind) happens.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Line: PHI -3.5
Over/Under: 47
Throw out the Thanksgiving game for four reasons: 1) it was a short week, 2) the Cardinals were traveling east, 3) the Cardinals were playing a completely different style of football and 4) the Cards didn't die, so it didn't count.
Again, the Cards went to Philly seemingly thinking they'd just pass the ball and win the game. They didn't seem prepared and with a game plan in place. They were struggling with their identity. The Iggles began their run of playing better football that night (after McNabb had his worst game ever the week before -- something Iggle fans conveniently forget; along with the fact he was unspectacular the rest of the season before that except when they were playing the dregs of the NFL). I have yet to see anyone in the Iggles' secondary who can match up with WR Larry Fitzgerald and if WR Anquan Boldin plays, the Iggles are in trouble. RB Edgerrin James is being given touches (finally) and that forces teams to play the Cards honestly. That means Jim Johnson's patented blitzes will have to be timed properly, because with Fitzgerald, Boldin AND WR Steve Breaston running routes, there will be one-on-one coverage quite often and mismatches that favor the Cardinals in each of those instances.
Many people are blindly picking Philly on the strength of the first game played and that's just foolish. The Cards' defence is active and will take advantage of McNabb's inevitably errant throws. Given that RB Brian Westbrook is nowhere near 100% for the game, I do not see him being a major factor (see last week's game vs. NYG as evidence). I believe the Cards win handily.
Call:
Philadelphia 20
Arizona 35
---
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Line: PIT -6
Over/Under: 34
Two things off the bat: the Steelers have NO BUSINESS being favored by 6 (if at all, given the nature of their wins earlier in the season -- more on that in a second) and this game is DEFINITELY going under.
The Steelers won on a last minute FG by K Jeff Reed that BARELY made it within the uprights in the first meeting. In the second meeting, the Steelers won because of a bogus catch by WR Sanantonio (Santonio) Holmes that was called a touchdown. Whatever. Regardless of that, the Steelers did not win either game in convincing fashion. Given this fact, why are they favored by so many? Also, why are so many people quick to say they are going to win solely because "they won both games and they're at home"? That's lazy. I do not see them winning this game. QB Joe Flacco knows how to get rid of the ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger DOESN'T. The Ravens will definitely get after Roethlisberger all game and harass him into bad throws. The Steelers' WRs know how to find a spot in the zones between the LBs and DBs and sit down, but Roethlisberger will have to be precise in order for the Steelers to take advantange. RB Willie Parker has had two very good games leading up to this one, but I doubt he cracks 75 yards. The Ravens merely need to run the ball to control the clock, not necessarily to break 20, 30 yard runs (which will be there on Woodley's side as he tends to overpursue). It's going to come down to whose back seven can make more plays and create turnovers. And the team with ED REED in its back seven has a better chance of doing that.
Call:
Baltimore 17
Pittsburgh 10
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Baltimore vs. Arizona
Battle of the Birds
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
February 1, 2009
6:26 PM
Ha!
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