I couldn't think of a title to this post, so it shall stay blank and nameless. I really don't have anything of value to contribute to the world today; I feel drained. It could be the fact that I have been out drinking for the last three nights in a row. Not that I got drunk per se, but after a few days of drinking back to back, my body gets tired and starts protesting. Last night me & my honey went to that new Tapas place called Sangria (the link to it is a few posts back if you are interested in checking it out). The food was phenomenal but even with 2 free tapas, between the two of us, we rang up a $80 bill (damn, sangrias are expensive). So, needless to say, I am now completely broke and will now commence to become a homebody for the next few weeks.
On another note, I am excited because I may actually be able to afford a vacation this year (yay for me). In July I could be on my way to a weeks worth of paradise in Puerto Rico. My aunt's friend has a condo right on the beach and hopefully (I'm keeping all my fingers, toes, and all my other extremities crossed) we can crash there for next to nothing. Flight fare out there’s not so bad, so I would be spending hardly any money at all. It's been 8 whole years since I have been to P.R. and i can't wait to go back. But, I have to seriously start practicing my Spanish skills because I am turning into a coconut here in the States. hee hee. I am sooo rusty that its scary. Its embarrassing to admit, but I probably have the Spanish vocabulary of a 1st grader. How sad for someone who is so proud of her Latina heritage. But considering I was never taught Spanish by my parents and the only exposure I had to it was my late grandmother, I would say that its not so bad. Nonetheless, it's high time to bust out my Spanish music and turn up Telemundo, ‘cuz Puerto Rico here I come !!
Friday, May 07, 2004
Thursday, May 06, 2004
the end of the mix tape ?
I recently came across this posting on Jackin4Beats , a Hip Hop/Urban News site and can't help but despise the RIAA for bullying on innocent people. This guy below had a LEGITATE BUSINESS selling LEGITIMATE hip hop mix tapes (not bootleg copies of them); yet he is being penalized and treated like a felon. Its just sad and I truly know and feel deep in my heart that this is not right. In essence, because he sold hip hop mix tapes, this man has been stripped of all his possessions and possibly his freedom...for what? So the fat cat record company execs can feel a sense of accomplishment against falling profits? (yet they still accomplish next to nothing) . All I can say is that no one should go to jail for selling or making mix tapes...no one !! It's just another injustice to add to the millions of others gathering round the country. My heart truly weeps for this man.
Read below:
My name is Alan Berry; I have owned and operated Berry’s Music in Indianapolis, Indiana for thirteen years. We have been a rap store since day one. When other retailers were hiding their copies of NWA “Straight out of Compton” we had it proudly displayed and playing in the store non-stop. Remember that neighborhood store up the street or around the corner you used to get all the newest jams from? The store, were the guy behind the counter knew what was tight and what was weak. That’s Berry’s Music.
We breathe rap day in and day out. Today, a RIAA agent and local police authorities raided both of my stores and warehouse. They confiscated $10,000 worth of inventory. No counterfeits, just DJ mixes. Like DJ Green Lantern’s latest. Not a booted copy but the real mix cd. So, I ask rap artists why do you endorse mix cds but not defend the retailers against the RIAA for selling what you endorse? How many times on a mix have you dropped a line telling the listeners to check out DJ Whoo, DJ Clue, Kayslay, or whatever mix cd your hosting? Berry’s Music customers already knew 50cent was going to be tight. Everyone had been hearing him on mixes for a while. 50 was a marketing genius on how he pre-marketed his album before it dropped. Did mixes hurt him or help him? We don’t sell bootleg copies of a regular album. The local DJ comes in with a new CD filled with songs that your label gave him to put on his newest mix, plus has you saying, “This is whoever and your listing to blah-blah mix”. But if I sell it I can be arrested and have product confiscated. Please, I mean no disrespect to anyone. I’m just making you aware of the fact that in Indianapolis, Chicago, and who knows where else; the street mix is going to die. "
LATER POST: "Since the letter above no artist stepped up to help me. We have since lost both of our stores. 14 years of blood sweat and hip-hop gone. Have to sell everything for legal defense. Even my home is on the market. I can’t get a job with 13 felonies hanging on my resume. My court date is less than a month away. So please anyone that knows someone that can help me, pass this info to them. I BEG for myself and my family. I don’t think anyone should go to jail for selling mix cds. To my brothers in the industry, please help get the word out. My time is short. Thanks
Alan Berry alan.berry@insightbb.com "
My question is: why are mix tapes being picked on? I realize that they are sampling other peoples music to some extent, but in my opinion, the creation they make is both unique and separate from its parts. In essence, it's a new work of art. Thus, shouldn't this new mix type work/creation then be protected under the federal copyright law? That’s the big question. In fact, there was recently an online protest concerning a particular mix tape tape by DJ Danger Mouse called "the Grey Album" which compilated both Jay-Z's "The Black Album" and The Beatles "The White Album" (which by the way was rather brilliant if I may add). Check this site for details on it all.
For those who don't know, mix tapes have been an integral part of the hip hop culture for the longest time. It has always served as an efficient way for mc’s and dj’s to get their names known to the underground community and eventually, the world. I don't know about you, but some days just the thought of all the injustices in this country and the world makes me want to become a hermit. Its one of 'dem days...
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
happy cinco de mayo !!
It's Cinco de Mayo and I am in a particularly festive mood. Tonight I'm going out to celebrate life with my honey, indulging in free tacos and coronas at a little bar by my house. Its been a particularly good week for us in general. With his finishing another semester of school and me getting my own personal office life has been particularly pleasant as of late. So, we are taking a break from becoming sofa slugs and actually are going out for a change. Last night we went out drinking and out to eat and tomorrow we have plans to check out a new Tapas restaurant in the city called Sangria. Its nice spending some quality time for a change.
Also, I just peeped some info on a new exhibit called "Strange Days" at the museum of Contemporary Art. It seems very interesting and I will have to take some time out of my busy schedule to travel downtown to see it. It states (and I quote) "this exhibit identifies various ways that artists in the postwar era have responded to the unpredictable and often-tumultuous changes in the political, economic, social, and cultural landscape, the exhibition is divided into thematic groupings such as travel and mobility, work and labor, sexuality, architecture, language, trauma and history, and transgression." hmmmm I can't wait ! I am such an art lover. Too bad I can't draw or paint to save my life. However, this I want to change. Me & one of my friends found a place in Chicago that actually gives away free watercolor painting classes once a month. I think I might just buy myself a paint brush or two and attempt my first masterpiece. hee hee.
good morning is a contradition in terms
I don't know what it is, but I have been on a cartoon desktop background kick the last few weeks; sporting Scooby Doo, Wonder Woman, and South Park both on my desktop at work & home. But this morning, I found THE perfect Garfield screensaver that pictured exactly how I felt this morning (sad but true). Picture Garfield in a blue pajama suit, with a big floppy hat with a cotton ball on top..looking cranky as all hell with a cup of 'jo in his hand...The best part is the words: "good morning is a contradiction in terms" along side his distressed little face. I swear thats how I totally felt this morning ! So I say hats off to Garfield for keeping it real. He's one cool cat.
On another note, I have to stop watching so much Hgtv. I think I have seen one too many "Design on a Dimes", and seriously, it’s getting into my head. I have been watching it so much, I am having dreams of remodeling & redesigning my house which I have yet to buy. I swear, I'm putting crown moldings, ceiling fans, and even deciding what colors and furniture to choose. hee hee. I know its a bit strange to be watching HGtv soo much (my bf thinks I'm a freak because of it), but its because I have been trying to get new ideas on fixing up the house of my dreams. Sometimes, I actually look at what they did for under $500 and my mind starts whirling. I can't wait to actually have the space and freedom to do whatever I want to do. I hope I find a house soon, because I am slowly killing myself by staying with the folks. Not that they are horrible...in fact, they are wonderful people. I JUST NEED MY OWN SPACE !!!
Talking about space, I have also been looking for office space for this crazy place I work for. I think we actually found the spot. We are going for a final walkthrough later today and should be set to move in on June 1. The space is perfect and lofty. Kinda artsy, yet refined. Plus, can you say duplex?...and the fact that I'm getting my own nifty little parking spot & a personal OFFICE with windows AND a view. Well, the view is merely of the street outside and some trees, but to me...it's absolutely perfect !!!!
Monday, May 03, 2004
ah what a feeling
It's one of those rare moments when I feel like I have acomplished alot. Since I got home, I have worked out, did some laundry, edited and streamlined my honeys 15 page research paper, and took a most relaxing shower; complete with my green tea therapy body wash and lavendar lotion (ahhhh). It truly is the little things in life that make me happiest. :)
Random thoughts for the day
Random thought 1: I love my internet access ! All weekend, my internet at home was down and it felt soo strange not to check email and instant message with friends all weekend. Talk about feeling disconnected with the rest of world.
Random thought 2: you can't beat getting a FREE HEADSET FOR YOUR CELL PHONE!!. I actually ordered one from them and all you pay is the shipping and handling. But the measly $3.95 you cough up is way cheaper than if you brought at the store.
Random thought 3: Again my mind is racing on what career I would like to do the rest of my life. Today I want to take a bunch of classes like "Latinos is the United States" and the "Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Latin America"; later to become a kick ass latino studies teacher (on the college level of course)
Last but certainly not least: Seeing a mothers day advertisement on the front door of my local Lover's Lane's store really gave me a horrible image in my mind which I rather not have. It actually said " For Mothers Day...Show her how much you care...at Lovers Lane". I know the advertisement was geared towards the husbands and not the kids, but just strolling by, I totally got that icky feeling I get whenever I think of sex and my parents in the same thought. ugh...
i know its not cinco de mayo yet but...
in honor of Cinco de Mayo and what it represents for me, I'm celebrating my Chicano roots. For those wondering, Im 1/2 chicana, and 1/2 boriqua and damn proud of both sides of my culture. Anyway, here are a few things I'm on lately:
