Born Under the Harvest Moon

For those who know me have witnessed my fascination with the moon. From the rooftop dinners, beach parties under the full moon and moonlight meditations. I just love the sight of the moon, especially a full moon and I think I've found the reason why.

Certainly one of the cool thing about the internet in having so much infomation literary at your finger tips. It's dawn on me early this evening as I look to the sky, to my delight saw what looks like a full moon, that perhaps I was born on a day when the moon was full. Lo and behold, 1:36 in the morning of that day in September the moon was full!!

To check the moon phases for any date http://www.paulcarlisle.net/old/MoonCalendar.html
I also learned there are names each full moon. I'm a baby born under the Harvest Moon.

Wednesday got hectic

I swear I was on my way to the Apollo Heights show at The Annex. Michael G. sent me his review of the band in the recent village voice and the CD title alone caught my attention. "White music for Black people." Yo, that's freaking genius.

Wednesday got hectic

Just the night before, Buttah's boy Stephon Marbury bump his head. Got into a shouting match on the team flight to Phoenix with coach and team President Isiah Thomas over the notion of coming off the bench. After landing in Phoenix where the 2-4 Knicks was to play the Suns that evening and, the beginning of a brutal west coast trip. Your boy Starbury hopped back on a plane back to NY vying to "get Isiah" before he "gets him." Steph, who and the phuck do you think you are, dude! You're bugging and need to grow up. In 11 seasons as a player you haven't won anything. So you got money, the Starbury shoe deal is a good look from someone who is perceived as being selfish, but dude, you've been a big disappointment. I can count on one hand the games I remember you taking over, putting the team on your back and winning in a big situation. C'mon, who are you talking to. Isiah - Hall of Famer, 12-time All-Star, 1990 Finals MVP, 2 times Champion and one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, could suit up today and take you to school. Sure your career numbers are decent. I've seen you work hard, especially last season, but dude. You get hurt and disappear when the team needs you the most. Btw, who is the Knicks strength and conditioning coach. He needs to find a new job.



So, with the pending return of Steph last night from the game with the Clippers, a myspace message and phone call from a friend with new location for a gig, i jump out of the shower and the phone rings. It's my partner in checking in and we starts discussing some biz.

45 minutes later Steph and Isiah are on the tube making up like mother and son. I'm gonna miss the show so I decide to just go scout this new location. Like Jimmy Castor says, the new spot has "p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l pooootential."


I know this is a bit usual but I mentioned in the previous post, I love NY at 3am. It's charming and Wednesday nights at APT are legendary. It was a little after 3 when I arrive so I went straight downstairs. I usually stop in upstairs to check DJ Akalepse cause he's no joke, but Rich Medina is one of my favorite DJ's. He just has it, nothing else. He's is that dude. And, I had forgotten King Britt was the guest DJ. Cool, I had never heard him spin. I'm geeked, cool, let me get a Stella and enjoy the ride. Whoa, there's a new female bartender? APT gets extra tips for bringing in a sister. Plus, she is a cu tie! The music is sounding extra freaking loud, Rich and King are mixing back and forth doing two's. Oooooooo, 4:15 and the place is still crowded.



Breaking news, Barry Bonds was just indicted on federal perjury and obstruction of justice charges. I guess you can start to polish that ball with an asterisk. Thursday just got hectic for Barry.

These three words...

I saw a movie today titled Zeitgeist. It reminded me of how simple and complicated life can be. More importantly however, it left me with a clear message that in this world our lives are so fragile.

So, for today and for perpetuity I say,

Love is all we need

Love to the world

I Love You

peace...

Wash your Hands

My Mom was would always go off he deep end if I came in from outside when went straight to the refrigerator without washing my hands. Well there seems to be "real" reasons why we all should be washing our hands more often than not.

There is a new drug resistant bacterium that has claim the life of a 17 year old in Virginia last month and, most recently has struck down a teenager in my hometown of Brooklyn, NY. "60 Minutes" did a piece this past weekend about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Dubbed the "super bug" this “drug-resistant bacterium” has been know to teachers, public heath care officials, and doctors for years, but is just now receiving some attention. Perhaps it's because our city, state and government officials can no longer hide all of the many death related illness is bacteria is claimed over the last three years. Interesting enough when I the started the research to write this blog. I googled to the CDC. One would think there would be info on the front page, not.

Anyhow, I write as a warning for us all to be aware of how we go about living. It's time for us all to wake up, stop being selfish, and help to deter the spread of the deadly bacterium. Doctors said, "one possible explanation for more cases is people's overuse of antibiotics; washing hands thoroughly is the best way to protect yourself."

I guess Mom was right.

Okay world are you ready...

With the ability of putting the world on pause, immeasurably, I get to chill with someone special. Time is now not an issue. The ultimate time warp where dreams come true. Emotional and physical needs are satisfied. Time is no a factor here. Then, when my world is content, press play, and I resume life. Welcome my virtual world, back to life. TivoLife. Ha! Not to worry, I won't get too deep or greedy by asking for the rewind or fast-forward function. Pause will be just fine for now. My motivation is when danger is mashed up with gorgeous meets sexy and chocolate.

So, I was "drugged" over the weekend.

I had a wonderful time with new and old friends. It had been a long time since the last social gathering, and folks came with an abundance of food, drinks and music.

Polmos gets the blue ribbon award of the night. An award given to the best drink of the night and, for taking us all to the next level of consciousness. Two days later and I swear I'm still feeling the effects. I'm not at liberty to give you the ingredients of this concoction, but trust. When the punch bowl hit the table, it was like a bomb exploded in the room. G, you kilt it!

"Drugged"? - high potent drink. Just a lesson to all you kids. Yes, alcohol is a drug. Stay away!!

The last time I felt this way was when I was in the company of one Malian princess and her Malian friends. I, a native off Brooklyn was the only “yankee” in this Bushwick apartment. We sat and drank several little cups of this hot sweet tea over many hours of music and good conversation. It don’t matter where ya from, but if your black, you talk loud and long. I left that apartment open and with my desires on fire.

In the meantime, with music always mind here a couple of gems.


I caught the full blown out, uncut, electric acoustic Maya Azucena set on Monday. I’ve always been impressed with Maya hustle. I met her a couple of three or four years ago at this tiny spot in BK. Just her, an acoustic guitarist and nowhere to hide. It was then when I saw this talented young woman with great energy and pipes to match. With that said, that energy and voice has blossomed. She beautifully work the crowd, hitting us the face with strong improvisational riffs, African influence dance, over “classics” instrumentals supplied by DJ OP with a percussionist and guitarist, I believe she called them “The Marksmen." Junkard Jewel, her new CD, is a mostly an acoustic set. It’s here where she bares her soul for all to hear. Check it out!



I believe I met first Tim Donovan at Battery Studios NYC. Darn it, I can’t quite remember whose session it was. Anyway, we are both big fans of The Pat Metheny Group, Genesis, Yes, Allman Bros Band, you know the deal- and since then, we’ve worked on a few projects together. As an engineer, his discog is steady and filled with quality. 310 is his vision with writing partners (and band mates) Joe Dierker and Andrew Sigler from Seattle, WA. Not a big fan of putting music in a box. However, I’d like to think that 310, and its new effort titled “Sixes and Sevens," is a time twisted, funky/hip hop influenced version of Gilmour & Waters Pink Floyd. The CD features Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest/Lucy Pearl) and some incredible drumming from Ralph Rolle. Ralph has played with everyone including 14 seasons with the Ray Chew and the Crew from ShowTime at the Apollo.

310’s Sixes and Sevens-Fire!

Gotta run…peace until next time.

You're Rockin' With the Best, 4Ever

One of the cool things about tha city is the music scene. The fellas call you up to let you know they are jammin' tonight. Well okay, I'll leave the laptop for a bit to do one of the things I love to do. There's nothing like going to a show. You never know who you're gonna see or wha cha gonna hear.

So I got to give credit where cred is due. I’ve seen these cats a bunch of times and never tire from the ride. Robert Glasper, Casey Benjamin, Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge, and special guest Mos Def and Renee Neufville, was last night’s rendition of "The Experiment". It was hella cool. Derrick had this effect on his bass, man you kilt it. Chris is a monster, Robert is just to freakn cool, we'll talk Casey later. Thank you for the nice trip yall. And, Renee thank you for sharing your experience. Indeed, God is great and you don't have to be in church to know, feel or say it.

I messed up. Didn't get out early and missed the opening acts. Check it, I've been spinning this track called "Fire" at every set since I received it. It’s a timeless piece. Reminds me of a Nona Hendrix, Living Colour meets Parliament(with Bernie Worrell) and George Duke "Dukie Stick " vibe. Darn its HEAVy, Nicky Guiland and Casey Benjamin. Ayo Casey, I didn't know this was your group? OOOOoooo, fire indeed my brother! So thanks to Teddy, I got some music.

So, for those who know the deal. Thanks to Nic, it’s now about Jameson. 17 years of it being all about Cuervo Gold, down the drain. 1 str-8 up and, the spot had "Cherry Wheeeeats"; I'm good to go. The Experiment was feeling it and they played an extra long set. No complaints here, ‘cept for the drunk girl that spilled her drink on my kicks. I'm trying to catch Tip's renewed set @ Love.

Yo, security cats must look at me and just hate on general principle. Is it me or does this happen to you too. Darn, it's 3:15a and dude is still on the job, hard. Sometimes I just want to scream, "MF, don't you know who I am". I come to find out that they don't, so I just play it cool. Finally someone with some sense popped up through the door and told dude, "Yo let him in". Great! Love is on some ole different decor. Hard to describe, but it reminds me of the bar in Star Wars-I from the "Empire Strike Back"? Anyway, the back room is spacious and the sound system is bangin'! Gotta to love the DJ booth, it's huge. Funny, I've been going through a lot of my new business cards lately. I hope they make me some money.

(Bkground noise) I watch "The View" sometimes. It's out of the need to find something else since Bob Barker retired. I've always been a big fan of Whoopi. She needs to do some stand up. I kinda dig her perspective on life. There's not a lot of us of the tube especially talking lifestyle type ish. She's get props!!

Thanks T. Mamoun's is the new "after the club and need something I can eat and keep it moving spot". Baba Ghannouj falafel, $2 and I'm out. Back over the Willie B. I pop in the new Heavy CD. Nicky is singing me into an "i think I love you" scenario. Had a chance to meet her at the club, said sorry that I missed the show, and told her I get crazy reaction to "fire" when I drop it. Didn't get to let her know how beautiful she looked. Well, I guess I must hold it until we meet again.

Well, that's it. Thursday 11pm-Friday-4:30am.

Darn parking is a bitch, but I had the HEAVy cd on blast!!!

Maiden Voyage

What the heck. Here's goes nothing.

10/30/07

I never thought that I would spend as much time as do on the web. My nephew gave me his laptop almost a year ago. This computer is almost as dangerous as some of the women I love. An IBook G4 somehow finds its way into my bed at night. Falling asleep with my pointer on the down arrow key. How crazy is that? Pathetic, at times I think. I should be pounding some women into cries of ecstasy, huh? Well, that'll have to wait for a couple of days. In the meantime, I'm getting my geek on!

A single guy living in the most desirable city in the world, that’s me for the moment. For ages, people have killed themselves just to live and breath the air of the big apple. Us natives, tend to take it all for granted. 24 hours, bodegas, cafeterias, restaurants, clubs and laundry mats. So what. Argue ably, the best transportation system in the world. Anytime day or night. From Far Rock to Nu Ro for only a $2 swipe of your Metro. Big deal. I have a love hate relationship with this place. Hate to see poverty, homelessness and grime. Love that ride over the Williamsburg Bridge on a clear moonlit night. Unless your a criminal or pretend to act or dress like one-i the latter when roaming through the hood-the cops will leave you alone. Even with the tough NY State gun laws, folks are being killed everyday by handguns. Most "blues" want nothing more than to just do their shift, then go home and kiss their kids. Or, moonlight at Yankee stadium, Madison Square Garden or the dozens of upscale clubs all over the five boroughs. However, there’s nothing like 3:30-5:30am in this town. It's truly something special!!! Brooklyn is know as the “city of churches.” It’s beginning to look like the city of bars!

Blame it on my Momma, and I'm a big sport fan. Most "real" New Yorkers are fans. Knicks, Mets, Rangers, Jets, and they all stink! I ride with the Raiders from the "O". They stink as well. Yanks and the Nets, well nothing to write home to Mom about. Brooklyn Nets? Dunno, and good luck Jay.

Wow, yeah Nia Long is my future "baby's Momma." Don't know her, but I just luv her look. Can't wait to meet her. I had my chance once. We were both at a Keith Sweat LP release party a few years ago at this spot on Melrose. As I was admiring her from afar, my friend whispered in my ear some very rude gossip that turn my head and broke my heart simultaneously. Anyway, I'm over it. Nia is my girl fo' life. Happy Birthday baby! A Scorpio to boot, yes!! If there's a double of there, Holla. Seriously, my only real preference is beautiful, inside out.


So, that is for now. My only promises will be to get better at this bloggin as time goes on. I don't know how much of myself I will reveal. I'm a little shy, private and protected of my family and friends. So, you’re probably saying "why the fu@k are you doing a blog stupid?" Well, I ask myself the same question. I guess it a way the share a bit more of myself. Share with you some of my knowledge in hope to help someone. Also, I recently started to read a bunch of blogs. “Shoot, I can do that." Plus, I’ve always loved to write. With a little time, this is my therapy.

What you'll find here will be some of my favorite things.

My Life & Times

Peace,

Djembe

djemb • e
noun MUSIC
a kind of goblet-shaped drum originating from west Africa