Shumthin', Shumthin'

Entertainment Weekly's ‘Top Ten Albums of The Decade':

2009-12-07T19:22:00.001-05:00

1. The College Dropout, Kanye West (2004)

2. The Blueprint, Jay-Z (2001)

3. Kid A, Radiohead (2000)

4. Stankonia, OutKast (2000)

5. Love And Theft, Bob Dylan (2001)

6. Home, The Dixie Chicks (2002)

7. Funeral, The Arcade Fire (2004)

8. I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé (2008)

9. FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake, (2006)

10. You Are Free, Cat Power (2003)

Two things:
Maybe this will give us a couple minutes more of this lovely Kanye West silence.
I Am... Sasha Fierce was just a bunch of noise.
Yeah some of it was fun but... Top Ten of the decade?!
THE LAST 10 YEARS? ... OK.

=)

-franso

The Wackness

2009-12-05T23:22:00.007-05:00

I think it was freshman year of high school when I first saw this girl who I won't name because I don't wanna freak her out & it's funnier this way because she's one of my two readers and will instantly know this post is about her.

It was the same shit every single day: Me sitting in History with Mr. Ashoff in my t-shirt & jeans and Natalia whooshing by in some dramatic top, loose pants- and heels. (Dare I say pumps?)
She really whooshed, I can still see it in my mind.
She was absurd, a 15 year-old hella decked out.
Who birthed this maniac?

Anyways, she came to her senses and eventually toned down her wardrobe.
Good, because that made her more approachable.
Not that I thought she was better than me- let's not get crazy, world!

We hung out and I was let in on a big secret- Homegirl was human.
She dreamed in spanish, ate cake for breakfast, and had never experienced the creamy squeeze-bottle cheese until me.
(You know, the one that goes perfect with Ritz. Just squeeze it on.)

High school graduation, people grow apart you know?
I occasionally stalk her at her job, side eye from co-workers and all- but it ain't the same.

I can never pinpoint her whereabouts... But I know that bitch better have my money.
Just kidding.

That bitch better have my Boondocks Season 1 DVD.

=)

-franso

Beyonce- Sweet Love

2009-11-21T18:07:00.001-05:00

*sigh* MINUS THE OBNOXIOUS GROWLING... this is the first Beyonce thing, situation, performance, whatever, that I've liked in a long time.

Love Anita Baker.

=)

-franso

Alicia Keys Newbies

2009-11-17T21:10:00.003-05:00

Doesn't Mean Anything (snippet):

Sleeping With A Broken Heart:

.... We all know I've loved Alicia Keys since the beginning. I remember the very first time I saw the "Fallin'" video and I happily went to her last 2 concerts.

Diary of Alicia Keys is my favorite, but As I Am most certainly kept me interested in what was to come.

BAM, fast forward to today and I'm ridiculously disappointed.

I just can't wrap my mind around "Doesn't Mean Anything" =/
From the first time I heard it, I was confused. She already did "No One" ... so exactly what was the point of this new track?
Then I hear this new one... and again! I'm not satisfied.
It's not only the music I don't like, but I'm afraid to say that I don't even like the vocals.
The vocals don't sit well with me.

*sigh* There's more.
I'm ashamed to say that all of this gossip surrounding this love triangle that is Alicia Keys- Swizz Beatz- Mashonda may have had an impact on my feelings... Pathetic lol I know.
It's just weird! I'm hearing her talking about how "it doesn't mean anythiiiiiiiiiiiiiing" and Swizzy! clouds my mind.
I don't wanna call A Keys a homewrecker... but come on, dude was truly still married.

This is EXACTLY why the media & paparazzi shouldn't pry into people's lives- it takes away!!!!

I can't believe this nonsense.

focus on the music, just focus on the music...

And with that said, I'll let "How Come You Don't Call Me" rock and hope that I like the rest of the new album, Element of Freedom.

=/

-franso

The Jacksons- Dreamer

2009-11-17T21:07:00.002-05:00

if music is another form of communication- then let me say this:

*thanks YouTube.

"I guess I'll always be a dreamer...
Dreaming my life away, dreaming my life away..."

=)

-franso

Question...

2009-11-16T20:13:00.002-05:00

Seriously, what constitutes as a date?

According to Webster's dictionary, it's "a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character."

what the fuck is a date & why does it feel like they no longer exist & why don't young people take the time out to go out on them & why does it always have to be "just hanging out"?

i'm done.

-franso

Upcoming Concerts II

2009-11-16T00:49:00.007-05:00

Rakim
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
11/19/09
9 PM

Raphael Saadiq.
Terminal 5
12/04/09
7 PM

Fabolous
The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
12/12/09
8 PM

Robin Thicke
Nokia Theatre Times Square
12/14/09
7 PM

Hip-Hop Legends Concert Series: Method Man + EPMD + Doug E Fresh
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
12/23/09
10 PM

etc, etc, etc,...

Enjoy!

=)

-franso

Santa, bring these back!

2009-11-15T23:26:00.008-05:00

Am I buggin' when I say that every department store had its holiday decorations up the day after Halloween?
That Holiday commercials feel weird?
That every year Christmas gets pushed up and Thanksgiving gets downplayed by these scheming marketers?
It's feels too early for Christmas, let us enjoy Autumn dammit.

sheesh.

I was just watching The Addams Family movie (classic!) which begins with the family pouring a hot batch of God-knows-what onto a bunch of lovely Christmas carolers and I got to thinking about a couple of things the holidays are lacking.

So, Chris Cringle... if you're listening, here I go:

1) Christ Carolers, obviously.

Everyone is so hostile these days, and with emailing (TEXTING!) and whatever other technology people use, face to face contact is easily avoidable. I've never seen a bunch of Christmas carolers at my doorstep- Is that because I lived in the South Bronx for 10 years? lol probably... But now I live in Jersey and want to know what's up.
Carolers still exist in some places (Thank you, Google) but how lovely it would be if a bunch of carolers came to my house (at a decent time, thank you) solely to spread holiday joy.

2)Mistletoe

Where can I get some? I've never even seen one of these in person.
According to Wikipedia (*sigh*), the custom of kissing under the mistletoe is of Scandinavian descent.
How cute... I'm so gonna get some this holiday season.
Catch people off guard...
Any excuse to kiss a loved one, no?

3)Santa Claus

You laugh... but I'm serious.
When I was younger, on Christmas Eve... RIGHT before it struck midnight, all the kiddies were rushed into the bedroom, someone would ring a bell, my grandfather would "HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!", I would almost pass out from the thought of Santa being a room away from me, and when we returned to the living room- there were all the gifts. I don't know what happened. It's not like there aren't any more babies in my family! But the gifts are just laid out from the start of the night, and that's that. I think children think it's corny to believe in Santa... When did this happen? =/

4) Homemade Christmas Gifts

Gift cards, money, game systems.
Those are cool, I'd gladly accept any of the 3... but where's the spirit?
Where are the "I took the time to MAKE this for you, I BOUGHT SUPPLIES and put this together" gifts?
We all know times are hard, why not use this as an excuse to make someone something?
Write someone a letter?
Bake someone yummy cupcakes?
Put together a scrapbook?
I know... I'm sounding like a cornball over here- but I'm dead serious.
This Christmas, yeah I'll buy gifts IF I CAN AFFORD IT, but I'm more concerned with buying paints and canvasses to make paintings for those I love.
Check here and here if I've inspired you to save up on money for a crafty holiday.
(I didn't thoroughly check the sites, but I'm sure they work if not for major gifts, then for stocking stuffers.)

5) GAP Holiday Ads

(Did you peep choreographer Fatima & actress Rashida Jones?)
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FMuMaCkZ7Tc&hl=en_US&fs=1&">
(OK Mary, yes!)

For the love of God, GAP.
For the love of God, GAP.
All I have to say is bless Youtube for still having these accessible.

...And that's all I've got for you.
Bring Christmas in every sense of its *true meaning back.

=)

-franso

Feeling Artsy

2009-11-14T15:59:00.002-05:00

Hey hey hey...

As my journalism major gets more boring, depressing, and lame... I find my escape in the arts of course.

I've been painting, writing, daydreaming, the whole 9 haha

I did a self portrait the other day which was pretty dope and I'm in major need of more canvases and paints (more browns!).

Anyway, the next "artsy" things I'm looking forward to are making Christmas gifts with Michelle of course & the play, Nutcracker on the Lower.

Good friend of mine who put me on works at the Abrons Art Center, so I look forward to that.

It's 9th year of production, I hear it gets hella packed

I'm excited- check out the description, dates, & whatever else here.

=)

-franso

Wale Attention Deficit

2009-11-13T12:32:00.004-05:00

Dude has arrived.

Just what we needed, a refreshing new sound from D.C's own.

Got the album the day before yesterday and I'm feeling almost every track (would you believe the weakest track is the one featuring Pharrell? "Let It Loose"?! I know... tragic.)

But besides that, he has guest appearances from Bun B, Gucci Mane, Weensy from Backyard Band, Chrisette Michele, J Cole, etc etc etc!

MY favorite tracks as of right now are Mama Told Me, Pretty Girls, & Shades... Dope.

And I'm also down with Wale bringing Go-Go to the mainstream, I thank him!

I wrote a review for my school paper but I'm sure it's against the rules to post it here ... Even though it's mine lol

Go cop Attention Deficit, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

=)

-franso

Pobrecito...

2009-11-13T12:30:00.001-05:00

My poor little blog!

How I've abandoned thee.

I don't know, I'm just miserable with school and not much is inspiring enough to have me here writing.

But! I'm gonna try... honestly, I will!

=)

-franso

Marge Simpson for Playboy

2009-10-18T14:08:00.000-04:00

... talk about it.

-franso

What I'm Boppin' To...

2009-09-21T21:55:00.003-04:00

=)

-franso

Oh Fifty

2009-09-16T21:29:00.001-04:00

*sigh* SO, so, so disrespectful.

Nevermind 50, what is this magazine thinking right now?

-franso

MTV 2009 VMAs

2009-09-14T02:20:00.000-04:00

....

that's it.

=/

-franso

Won't Stop Til I Get Enough

2009-09-03T20:39:00.007-04:00

OK, you probably think I'm obsessed.

that's why i'm truly blessed to have homegirl Ramona (show her love, ya'll- NOW!) in my life during this crazy time.

dude was so smooth.

=) =(

-franso

Fall '09 Semester

2009-09-01T22:52:00.000-04:00

Day One: I am miserable.

-franso

Trey Songz' "Ready" Album Cover

2009-08-31T23:32:00.004-04:00

....*crickets*

..........*happy, aroused crickets*

-franso

Happy Birthday Michael

2009-08-31T23:23:00.004-04:00

a couple of days late but the message is still true.

i wasn't even going to write about this because the whole situation was too overwhelming and I knew I wouldn't have the right words but... little brother and i went to nokia saturday night to celebrate all things jackson and... wow.

we had no clue that Q-Tip, Mar Ronson, & DJ Spinna would be scratching for 5 fucking hours.

(Guest appearaces included Grandmaster Flash, Angie Martinez, DJ Premier, & Andre Harrell...!)

in a nutshell... i think that birthday party extravaganza palooza celebration saved my life.

dramatic... definitely, but i can't find any other words.

see the thing is, i heard songs that night that i was convinced i'd never hear at a club, concert, whatever.

it's the falling in love? say, say, say? blame it on the boogie? baby be mine?

oh and q-tip? please, you already know.

i have yet to recover and i don't think i will.

again... dramatic, but it's MJ. dude means the world to me.

i danced like never before, poor little brother was so beat but he stuck it out until the very end.

lol @ q-tip's energy, his moves, his yelling at us to LOOK ALIVE!!!! his thanking those of us for staying until the end, his everything.

August 29th, 2009 is surely a night to remember.

i ain't think i was gon make it, but damn- i'm so glad i did.

ughhhhh, no words!

-franso

My Kiddies...

2009-08-22T22:52:00.005-04:00

August 20, 2009- YMCA End of the Summer Show!
Ughhhh, look at them go.
I'm still so proud & happy that we chose this, my favorite, video by MJ.
Busting my ass to learn certain steps from the video PAID OFF.
=)
-franso

Really Kid Cudi?

2009-08-22T19:03:00.003-04:00

if you don't find this funny- you're a lame.

this man is insane, i love every second.

he's not even kid cudi anymore, after like 3 seconds.

=)

-franso

PS- HE ASKED IF SHE USES PINK LOTION!!!!!!

Million Dollar Bill- Whitney Houston!

2009-08-12T21:08:00.002-04:00

http://sinternet.com/blast/whitney/whitney.million.blast.html

Dammit Whitney.

GET IT!!!!

See what happens when you have the right people working with you?

I'm not a fan of this ... but A. Keys & Swizzy! (lol exactly) sure know what they're doing in (& out...) of the studio.

"I Turn To You" just makes me feel uncomfortable, why couldn't Whitney hit us with this smooth summer banger first?

Ugh, feels good Whitney.

I actually want to hear the rest of the album now.

GET IT!!!!

=)

morning's revelation: something like love.

2009-08-10T20:57:00.005-04:00

i can't think of a name that's NOT corny for this, but uh...:

it’s not about professing my love or boosting your already high confidence.
it’s not to corner you with harsh ultimatums hoping you’ll give in.
or to prove that i’m the complete opposite of the previous females you’ve mistakenly let into your life.
gone are the days of animalistic pursuit as i learn to exhale, appreciate, and fully enjoy what we’ve shared so far.
the advice of others- whether right or wrong, understandable or irrational- come up short against all things you.
a kiss on the left shoulder, followed by that nickname whispered in my ear and i suppress a jump for joy.
it may not be love-but i know it’s something like it.

=)

-franso

Eminem's WARNING

2009-08-02T23:09:00.003-04:00

Courtesy of YouTube

"Only reason I dissed you in the first place is because you denied seeing me,
Now Im pissed off.

Sit back homey relax, in fact grab a six pack, kick back while I kick facts,
Yeah Dre sick track, perfect way to get back
Wanna hear something wick wack?
I got the same exact tat thats on Nicks back
Im obsessed now,
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?
Wow Mariah, didnt expect her to go balls out,
Bitch, shut the fuck up before I put all them phone calls out, you made to my house when you was wild n out before Nick,
When you was on my dick and give you somethin to smile about,
How many times you fly to my house? Still trying to count,
Better shut your lying mouth if you dont want Nick finding out,
You probably think cuz its been so long if i had something on you I woulda did it by now,
Oh on the contrary, Mary Poppins, Im mixing our studio session down and sending it to mastering to make it loud,
Enough dirt on you to murder you,
This is what the fuck I do,
Mariah, it ever occur to you that I still have pictures?
However you prefer to do and goes for Nick too, faggot
You think Im scared of you?
You gonna ruin my career you better get one,
Like Ima sit and fight with you over some slut bitch cunt that made me put up with her psycho ass over 6 months and only spread her legs to let me hit once,
Yeah, what you gonna say? Im lucky? Tell the public that I was so ugly that you fucking had to be drunk to fuck me?
Second base? What the fuck you tell Nick, pumpkin?
In the second week we was dry humping. Its gotta count for something,
Listen, girly. Surely you dont want me to talk about how I nutted early 'cos ejaculated prematurely and bust all over your belly, and you almost started hurling and said I was gross, go get a towel youre stomachs curling.
Or maybe you do.
But if Im embarrassing me, Im embarrassing you and dont you dare say it isnt true.
As long as the songs getting airplay Im dissing you.
Im a hair away from getting carried away and getting sued.
I was gonna stop at 16. That was 32. This is 34 bars. We aint even third of the way through.
Damn, Slim. Mariah played you. Mariah who?
Oh did I say whore, Nick? I meant a liar too.
Like Ive been goin off on you all this time for no reason,
Girl you out ya alcholic mind. Check ya wine cellar. Look at all the amounts of all the wine,
Like I fuckin sit around and think about you all the time,
I just think this shit is funny when I pounce you on a rhyme.
But fuck it now im about to draw the line.
And for you to cross it thats a mountain that I doubt you wanna climb.
I can describe areas of your house you wouldnt find on an episode of Cribs,
A blow below the ribs if I hear another word so dont go opening your jibs cos every time you do its just another load of fibs,
I aint saying this shit again, ho, you know what it is.
Its a warning shot for I blow up ya whole spot,
Call my bluff and Ill release every fucking thing I got,
Including the voicemails right before you flipped your top,
When me and Luis were tryin to stick two CDs in the same spot..."

Dear world, this shit just got crazy.

-franso

AKA Ridiculousness

2009-07-30T11:15:00.003-04:00

People, people, people.... spending thousands of dollars for a wax statue of yourself is not OK.

ESPECIALLY IF YOUR THE PRESIDENT OF AN ORGANIZATION!!

AKA President Brenda Mckinzie allegedly spent $900,000 of her sorority's dough.

Lady... huh?

Read the article here.

If an AKA stumbles upon my blog, don't get offended because whether or not she spent the sorority money or her own... that is still a lame move!

=)

-franso
PS- ummmmm I don't know much about Greek life, but it's pretty fucking dope that Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett, and among others, ROSA PARKS, all pledged to this one sorority.

P.Y.T. Demo

2009-07-30T00:47:00.002-04:00

Courtesy of YouTube

I like this version better than the official track- heard it in American Apparel (go figure) a couple months back & fell in love.

A little over a month in, & I'm still crying over MJ.

It's gotten out of hand, I know, but what can i say? I'm sensitive.

*sigh*

-franso

Paul Rodriguez

2009-07-26T23:52:00.000-04:00

This shit is official.

Done.

-franso

Summerstage 09

2009-07-20T00:23:00.002-04:00

*sigh*

Everyone else was cool, but we all know i was there for who? For Q-Tip.

Initially, I didn't want to go because I knew it'd be a long & hot experience & because I'd already seen him 3 times.

All of this went out the window when dude came out to start off with "Shaka"... too energetic, gets me every time.

Highlights:
MOVE!
SUCKA NIGGA!
ELECTRIC RELAXATION!
His "funky di funk" section after where he told us to close our eyes, put our blackberries down, not send out a text, & vibe with him... right before DJ Scratch threw the towel over his shoulders reminiscent of James Brown!
Bandmember whipping out the fucking saxophone for CHECK THE RHYME!

I mean, I'm happy I went for the 4th time to see one of the most fun performers I've ever witnessed.

Goooooo [Free!] Summerstage!

=)

-franso

Michael Jackson- JAM (Live)

2009-07-16T00:50:00.002-04:00

*sigh* dude truly stood still for 2 whole minutes before ripping into an intense performance.
i would've passed out & woke up upset at the hospital about only surviving 30 seconds of the concert.
such power.

the plan was to watch MJ & feel good... instead, i watched live performances of "human nature".
fucking great.
this still can't be real, nothing feels better about this situation.

-franso

damn

2009-07-05T13:30:00.002-04:00

temptation,
don't tempt me.
i have a different agenda-
even though it's tempting.

-franso

R.I.P Michael Jackson

2009-07-01T00:07:00.005-04:00

"Childhood"
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?

[...]

----------

I haven't spoken on Michael's death because I have yet to find the proper words.
I don't know what to do with myself.
I'll never be the same.
-franso

THIS IS NOT OK.

2009-06-24T01:37:00.004-04:00

Never you mind that I still read these after all these years.

This whole ordeal is hella wrong on SO many levels.

Archie.. Sad to say, is like every other brainless phenomenon of the male species.

I never thought I'd see the day that he'd pick lust over love!

TEAM BETTY all the way people!

A blonde who was LOYAL, booksmart, funny, knew how to cook/sew, loved art, gave back to the community- I always, always, always rooted for her.

For him to propose to Veronica, money-hungry & materialistic Veronica!!

IT BREAKS MY HEART PEOPLE!

In my real life, fine. Let men be retarded, that's the way the world works.

But Archie? My perfect world Archie?

See, this is EXACTLY why I fucks with Jughead. He cares about what really matters- food, haha.
(& not to mention I picture Ryan Gosling playing him in the real life Archie movie I pray never ever happens... ugh)

In a nutshell, there's no hope for romantic justice when Archie picks Veronica over Betty.

Who knows if they're gonna get married- probably not, it would kill the whole thing- but still.

I'll keep you posted, I know you're just as distraught ;)

-franso

PS- THIS IS NOT OK!!!... Goodnight.

Chris Brown--> Probation

2009-06-23T22:26:00.002-04:00

Yeah kiddo, prayer makes the most sense.

Apparently, Chris Brown got 5 years of probation, he & Rihanna have to stay 50 yards away from each other at all time, & 10 yards when they're at industry events.

This is still a pretty tricky situation that a lot of people have sounded off on without knowing exactly what happened.

My first reaction was, "5 years probation? That's it?" But who know what really happened in that car.

(As I type this, I can't help but hear a little voice saying, "If she was attacking him, all he had to to was pull over & pin her down.")

If it was up to me & the situation was as bad as it looked, I would truly have dude working at a shelter for battered women- see what it's REALLY like. I'd order him to keep a journal as well. Deadass.

*sigh* Still, I wish them both luck.
- & if you ask me, they're still together. Check Rihanna out, saying it was unnecessary to demand that they stay away from each other.

What it is to be in love, right?

-franso

PS- Saw Method Man at Dave N Buster's today. *dreamy sigh*

Hola B Marie

2009-06-21T23:10:00.003-04:00

... dare we take it there for real for real?

LOL

=)

-franso

You Care About Me

2009-06-21T22:13:00.004-04:00

YOU (who is like a puzzle of the most complex structures created by man, missing a few pieces but containing some from another, & left here with no hopes of return due to loss of receipt while standing directly in front of me for a full view of my patiently waiting like the most loyal of puppies- swollen heart & fake smile, sunshine or rain) CARE ABOUT ME.

& another one.

-franso

You Love Me

2009-06-18T12:08:00.003-04:00

YOU (who wouldn't have the slightest clue about the quiet nights & wishful thinking that scream unfulfillment as you squint your eyes as hard they allow for a blurry glimpse of a future) LOVE ME.

-franso

PS- stop fucking with me. i'm on a roll.

Sourface: All I Want

2009-06-18T01:05:00.004-04:00

I want your actions to reflect your awkward words.
I want for you to stop saying, "We're chillin', I'm happy where we are."
For you to understand that there's a difference between hearing and listening.
For you to listen to me.
For you to remember what I said 3 seconds ago- while you were watching the game highlights.
For you to follow through- with everything.
For you to understand that you're not the only one who had a shitty day.
For you to clarify who all these girls are (without feeling like I'm getting into "your personal").
For you to be just as jealous as me.
For you not to leave an hour or so right after we're done.
For you to return the favor.
For you to let me know if I should keep my love life on hold- or what.
For you to come to the rescue.
For you to lock it down, before a smarter dude does.
For you not to play dumb.
For you to realize that chicks this loyal come a dime a dozen.
For you to commend me for this naive loyalty.
For you to start treating me the way you can and should.
For you to daydream about the different ways to propose to me- not because you want to marry me... but because the idea doesn't seem so farfetched.
For you to realize all that we could be for each other.
For you to write me a song- but not only because I keep asking.
For you to make me feel like a priority in your life.
For you to make me feel that if I gave you an ultimatum, you'd pick the right choice without hesitation.
For you to look at me and see an almost perfect creation of woman.
For you to make me feel that you'd be hurt, affected, distraught if I decided to keep it moving.
For you to introduce me to your mother.
For you to fuck me- MENTALLY.
For you to believe in me, in us.
For you to be my #1 fan back.
For you to never again associate those unappreciative ex-girlfriends with me. Ever.
For you to stop letting me settle for less.
For you to read this poem.

=)

-franso

PS- kind of a bold move to put this up, but I like this poem. Not bashing anyone, so please nobody get their panties in a bunch. Enjoy it, whether you can relate to it or not.

Wait... What?

2009-06-17T00:46:00.001-04:00

People need to get a LIFE.

(But did you peep their hurt shoulders?!)

-franso

Happy Birthday Pac

2009-06-16T08:40:00.002-04:00

I actually made myself sad watching this little clip.
Yeah, I disagreed with a whole stack of shit that came out of dude's mouth, but the world was really blessed to have spent the little time it did with Tupac.
Sometimes I sit back & wonder what music would be like him today.
What would dude be saying if he was making new shit today?
It's cool that he made so much music before his "death" because his spirit lives on but... you know what I mean?

Pac turns/would've been (I seriously don't know what to believe!) 38 years young today.

I couldn't find the video to this song, my favorite... but I love that he went to a high school & spit that first verse with so much feeling.

One of my favorite songs- ever.

Rest in Peace.

-franso

Mos Def- Pistola

2009-06-10T12:51:00.003-04:00

" If you wanna fall in love, then where should you stand to begin with?
& when the fall is done, how bad should you plan to get injured?
& if you land on your feet, do it count as a fall or a jump?
& do it feel like a fall when the hands that pushed you were holding you up?"

this maaaaaaaaaaaan...

-franso

Mos Def- The Ecstatic

2009-06-09T21:29:00.002-04:00

It has arrived...

& I must say it's so eclectic & random.
I love it.
He has this movie excerpt thing going on that I know will take me time to get used to & actually pay attention.
He's singing all over the place which we love & the flow is as sick as ever.

I was just telling homegirl B that it's going to be so fun this summer, deciphering the lyrics & knowing the album inside out.

So far, standout tracks include: Quiet Dog Bite Hard, Priority, Life in Marvelous Times, Auditorium (w/ SLICK RICK!!!!), History ( w/ Talib!), & way up on my list- Casa Bey.

But wait... why am I late on Mos' spanish flow? Why am I just recently finding out (from my cousin Johnny!) that dude's spanish flow is legit. Reminds me of Tego! Got a track on here called, "No Hay Nada Mas"... & maybe it's The Boogie Man Song of THIS album =)

The usual quirky "I don't really give a fuck if I sound random because I'm feeling myself so hard & I know this shit is hot" vibe carries throughout the album.

All I wanna do is understand, listen to, memorize, & enjoy this album.

Homework? Art History? YMCA? I have an album to love here, people.

This is all I'm about right now, & it feels good.

I'm not about to get into what Mos Def means to me lol

Check the album, period

=)

-franso

PS-
top priority
peace before anything
god before everything
love before anything
real before everything
home before anyplace
shoot before anything
style and state radiate
love power slay the hate

Scorned: Her New Flow

2009-06-09T19:39:00.004-04:00

Funny how they "wonder" where heartless girls are born
when they know that it stems from the ways they've been scorned.

The ways they're neglected & how they've been lied to
the times they've stayed loyal, even when their hearts' mind tried not to.

You've seen it before, you were probably that loser
that dismissed our sincere hearts & continued to abuse us.

Dudes good for not a damn thing, ridiculously late on life
yet we put up with the bullshit, no matter the strife.

Rejecting love's possibilities & reviving our insecurities
embracing the solitary- while ignoring reciprocity.

But I think I feel it already, a change in my thought process
must be crazy if you're thinking about getting full access.

All it takes is one jerk for us to switch up the flow-
have you wondering what happened to that sweetheart you used to know.

=)

-franso

2009-06-09T02:15:00.001-04:00

Me: now I have nobody to speak to late @ night.
Ramoo: I go to sleep JUST fine.

I call it... Frances: Bloom

2009-06-07T23:21:00.004-04:00

She's never late
& her idea of where we should go
what we should do
& who we should be is the equivalent of mine.

The stillness of the garden
allows me to peel back that tense layer of confusion
most guys steer away from or don't bother to notice.

I don't like girls- but she's always been my type.

She presses her nose to a flower
& I'm heady with scents
that have yet to be contained in a glass or plastic container.

We've been here before
this comfortable place
but there's something new about it all.

Could it be how she looks the same but feels different?

Maybe it's the way she smiles to herself
& I smile back
hoping she sees me thinking the same thought
deciphering the same riddles.

Or maybe it's the way she doesn't even have to hold my hand
to make me feel wanted.

No, it's the way she mumbles random lyrics
to the same song blasting in my head.

She looks at me & laughs
& in making her f eel good
I find what no boy has been able to give me.

She's a girl- yes
& I catch people staring
so I check our reflection
& my infatuation grows tenfold.

Our image might confuse another
but it's the clearest of photos.

I'm the only one standing there
& it's the way it's always been

I've spent the day with myself.
My date was me.

=)

-franso

BLACKSTAR

2009-06-07T21:32:00.007-04:00

I mean, you already know May 30th was crazy.
The energy was high and these two men were focused.
smoooooth.
They did songs like Definition, Re:Definition (i like that one better), Brown Skin Lady, Astronomy... & finished with Respiration.
& then Talib did some of his own shit like "Get By"
MOS, however, definitely stole the show.
I'm not picking favorites (even though he IS my favorite) but Mos & his funny character, quirky clothes... His lined shined so much brighter.
Don't get it twisted people, Talib got it going on- & in more ways than one.
So yeah, Mos basically shot an arrow through my soul when he did SUNSHINE, THE PANTIES & UMI SAYS. He also did new shit which was amazing, that new shit comes out in 2 days. Goodness gracious.

My only complaint about that night? Waiting 2 hours on foot for them to start. Not cute.

It was a great show, I'm glad I got to experience Hip Hop history right there.

Oh, & we need more Black & intellectual men like these beautiful souls. *Dreamy sigh*

=)

-franso

"You know who else is a Black star? Who? ME."
Shoutout to the brother for the amazing pictures as usual. Oh, & for taking me.

Newest Gift To Myself

2009-06-07T15:18:00.003-04:00

American Apparel... Where the hell am I going with THIS on?

;-)

-franso

Eminem- Beautiful

2009-06-07T13:19:00.002-04:00

I'm currently getting into Em's new Relapse album & I must say that it's ridiculously depressing to me.
Those XXL & (most important) VIBE Magazine articles didn't help either.
I'm just so happy he's gotten better & I hope it stays this way.

He has this one track that I like
& if I'm not mistaken, it's the only one he did while he was still under the influence.
It makes me a little sad, but I like what he says at the end....

"... To my babies
Stay strong
Daddy will be home soon
& to the rest of the world
God gave you shoes to fit you
So put em on and wear them
Be yourself man
Be proud of who you are
& even if it sounds corny
Don't ever let anyone tell you you ain't beautiful..."

Like, really?

The love for Em is back, corny comeback songs or not.

=)

-franso

HaikU #8

2009-06-04T20:33:00.003-04:00

Only because it's been a while!

you're ridiculous.
why are we not together?
i forgot again.

...sounds good to me.

-franso

PS- I crack myself up.

The Hangover

2009-06-04T20:16:00.002-04:00

& I'll be seeing this tomorrow

Remember my post on Bradley Cooper? Yaaaaay.

^ Double yay.

Hope it's as funny as it looks.

=)

-franso

Don't NOBODY SAY YOU BORED NOW!

2009-06-04T20:01:00.002-04:00

If I'm not mistaken, River2River has officially begun!

It takes place in NYC (if you don't know) & runs all through the summer.

Check out the calender here by clicking the link on the left & stop all ya bloodclot cryin'!

^ I see some plays & movie nights in the near future =)

-franso

The Brothers Bloom

2009-06-04T19:35:00.003-04:00

You know me, if I like it- I LOVE IT.

So! Took myself out on a date this afternoon.. & I must say I'm in love. With myself.
Just kidding! But no really, I had a nice time, enjoyed my own company!
Walked around & sat in a garden for a little (hey hot stuff) & then finally went to the movies on my own- like I always wanted.

The Brothers Bloom was SO freakin' pleasing. Brilliant plot, quirky characters, lovely script, and beautiful scenery (shot in US, Europe & South America)!

And seriously, it was so visually amazing. You might not realize it when a movie ISN'T literally beautiful because you're forced to focus on the characters & dialogue alone, but when every single thing on the screen is jumping out at you in such a pretty way it makes an OD difference.

Plus, I love Mark Ruffalo & Adrien Brody is just yummy. Nonchalantly yummy... If you know what I mean.

Movie is about two con men brothers. That's all I'm gonna say.

Oh, and my favorite quotes:

"Eat your waffles, fat man."

"Tastes like tin foil."

"We're gonna live like were telling the best story in the whole world. Are you ready?"

"I think you're constipated... In your fucking soul."

" I want an unwritten life!!!"

Go see The Brothers Bloom.

=)

-franso

PS- Now I wanna be a con artiste/smuggler. Matter fact, watch me con my way into your heart.

Well DAMN Kelis

2009-06-04T19:15:00.003-04:00

We all know Kelis is divorcing Nasty Nas, right?

Check out what she tweeted the other day:

This lovely day I would like to touch on cheaters. Super brief! Why be cowardly why not go after what you really want? Do peopl know what they want? Probly not which just goes into know and respecting ones self....

OK girl... what is REALLY good?

=/

-franso

PS- OK Nas... what is REALLY good? Homegirl BASICALLY verified what many have been whispering. NONE of my business... but man would THAT suck.

Blueprint 3

2009-06-04T19:11:00.002-04:00

SEPTEMBER 11 2009

(Marking the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks & the release of the first Blueprint.)

Basically, it's a rap.

=)

-franso

2009-06-03T18:13:00.001-04:00

How do we feel about elementary school crushes never going away? Crazy.

Kings of Leon- Use Somebody

2009-05-31T23:46:00.002-04:00

Not sure if you all caught the MTV Movie Awards but Kings of Leon performed their latest single "Use Somebody" & I'm just entranced...!

Check out the video here =)

Here are the lyrics too, which are cool:
I've been roaming around always lookin down at all I see.
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach.
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
And all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me
Someone like me
Someone like me
Somebody
(Go and let it out)
Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody
I've been roaming around always lookin down at all I see

Um... I feel like I need to do a close reading of these lyrics lol
A lot of the lyrics catch my attention but I'm not exactly sure why, crazy.

=)

-franso

PS- & can we discuss dude's voice? love.

Jamie Foxx & Halle Berry... Nice.

2009-05-31T22:44:00.003-04:00

I understand the art of acting, I do.
The ability to channel & become a completely different person than yourself is something else.
You know what else is amazing about acting? Separating your real love/family life from your staged love scenes.

THIS though? This is something ELSE.

Apparently the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards are no joke.

We've seen how YOU do, Halle... But REALLY Jamie?

Oh.... Oh OK! :-P

=)

-franso

2009-05-29T16:27:00.001-04:00

Who else's love life is being put on hold out there?

Art History

2009-05-28T12:43:00.005-04:00

So! On a less bitchy note, I'm taking Art History this summer and even though I know it's gonna be a ridiculous amount of work, I'm super excited to know so much about art. I learned about technique and color in Painting and Drawing, but this is definitely going to be the icing on the cake, for sure.

Today was all about Egypt and I'm seriously in love. I've always thought the art was astonishing and the people sexy (front like you don't agree, with the golden skin and thick eyeliner) but learning about the history and the in depth analysis Prof was giving us, I'm so feeling it. We had Egypt week with the kids last summer, so I was even more attentive since I knew a little bit.

We've all seen & heard of her, but look at Nefertiti up above. I need to get like HER. (Halloween maybe?)

And the temple of Ramses II, maldita sea- how? HOW could the architecture of today seem so amazing when such monstrosities as this temple were created thousands of years ago? These ordinary people in the deadly heat creating these works of art that took God knows how long.

*dreamy sigh* It's going to be a crazy class!

And, because I'm still a kid.... I was dozing off in class thinking of my FAVORITE episode of Sesame Street as a kid, when Bert & Ernie went inside a pyramid. Maybe it wasn't my favorite, but it was just so amazing to me and definitely the one that always sticks out in my mind now.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE I FOUND IT ON YOUTUBE!?!?!?!
Dios mio, here:

The way the fucking statues looked like them and kept bothering Ernie, got me everytime.
So happy I found this.

=)

-franso

PS- hey hot stuff... let's go to Egypt.

Listening & Hearing are 2 Different Things

2009-05-28T12:31:00.002-04:00

"I know you hear me, but are you listening to me?"

According to dictionary.com, hear- to perceive by the ear while listen- to give attention with the ear.

TO GIVE ATTENTION.

People need to learn to listen.

I know what it's like, I find myself doing it sometimes, where we ask a question just so that the person's answer can fill up the quiet. It's like we panic when nobody is saying anything, not realizing that silence is juuuuuuust fine.

I'm sick and tired of people (just one) calling me and not LISTENING when I speak, when I answer a question, when an interesting thought comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that such busy people (just one) can find the time to reach out to me every once and a while... but what kind of conversation is this if you're the only one talking?

[VENTING DOESN'T COUNT. We all deserve time to let it all out, definitely.]

But what's it mean when I have to keep repeating myself? Or when I'm asked a question, my answer isn't paid attention to and the other person just turns the conversation into something about them?

OK, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and it's just a phone thing.

Blah, I don't know. I just can't stand that there's such a huge (ignored) difference between HEARING & LISTENING.

People, you'll be appreciated so much more if you just listen- even to the silence.

I know this is pretty random, but it's just annoying. It's not all about you, it's about us.

=)

-franso

Beyonce's EGO Cont'd

2009-05-22T00:58:00.001-04:00

*Courtesy of YouTube

... I just feel like she does shit to annoy me.

Just ME.

-franso

PS- it's too BEEG, it's too WAAAD, it's too STRAWNG, it won't FIEET...

-franso

Twenty-One

2009-05-20T01:20:00.004-04:00

MAY 20TH, a little after 1 AM.

I feel like I made it.

I remember being a kid wondering what I would look like, how I would dress, what I would be doing, my personality at this age.. and here I am.

Twenty-One.

Well, I look the exact same way- except for my nose ring and glasses.
I dress a little funkier, am still a nerd and I can't help but think of that Floetry line:
" I love the girl I used to be, every step she took was reaching out to me."
So true, people change but I'm certainly a developed version of little Frances.
Sounds simple, maybe it is, but it's how I see myself.

It feels weird, is this part 2 of my life?

If my life were a chapter book, would today be a completely different section, with a new subtitle? The whole works?

I'm looking forward to what this age and year has to offer.

It's not just about being able to hit up every club and lounge out there.
Shit, I still can't believe they're all accessible now- and yes, I will use that toward my advantage...
But it's more than that! I'm 21! I survived 20...

And let's face it people- I'm on my way to 30. (A joke between Shai and I... but let's be serious here.)

21? Soon I'll be 25! 25? Soon I'll have kids. Kids? WHO'S THEIR FATHER?

...I got ahead of myself.

Twenty-One.

I made it ya'll.

Happy Birthday to me...

^ First picture at 21 years old- yeah I still look 12.

=)

-franso

Beyonce's EGO

2009-05-17T18:17:00.003-04:00

The hook to Beyonce's EGO track, that I'm sure you've been heard by now- unlike me, who avoids Beyonce at all costs...:

It's too big, it's too wide
It's too strong, it won't fit
It's too much, it's too tough
He talk like this 'cause he can back it up
He got a big ego, such a huge ego
I love his big ego, it's too much
He walk like this 'cause he can back it up

*Continuously repeating the hook in my head*

.... Raise your hand if you think she's NOT singing about Jay-Z's... manhood.

-franso

PS- IT'S TOO WIDE?!

And Another One... New Mos Def

2009-05-14T22:32:00.002-04:00

CASA BEY

*Courtesy of WorldStarHipHop

*sigh* We have another one folks.

I can't understand half of the shit he's saying, but it's gets sooooo good at the end!

"BRIGHT LIGHT FROM A DISTANT STAR....!"

=)

-franso

PS- June 9th ya'll, it's over!

Joe Budden's Thoughts

2009-05-11T02:30:00.001-04:00

*Courtesy of YouTube

... Dude is so real.

I feel him though.

=)

-franso

Next Day Air...

2009-05-09T00:25:00.005-04:00

I really enjoyed this movie, great cast & humor.
Donald Fiason, Mike Epps, Wood Harris... and MOS DEF?!
Sounds great to me.... MINUS THE FACT THAT MOS ONLY HAD TWO 10 MINUTE SCENES.
Grimey... Don't gas me, have me thinking he's a main character... When he totally isn't.

Anyways, I laughed the whole time and plan on seeing it again.

Eddie from Family Matters (how immature of me to not take the time out to find his REAL name) surprised us all as a true G.
SINE WHEN?! Ok, I see you...

And Fiason was just the best, always had love for dude! Since Clueless, for sure.

Mike Epps? He don't have to say shit. I just see him and I laugh, he's the best... I'd much rather skip the topic of him all of a sudden being handsome and attractive to me. Gosh.

AND OMG DEBBIE ALLEN AS FAISON'S MOOOOOOM! WHO DOESN'T LOVE HER?! *dreamy sigh*

What NEEDS to be discussed is THIS brother right HERE:

OMARI HARDWICK
... So what if he reminds us a little of Flo Rida right here- so not the case in the movie.

Whose kid is this?! (LOL @ Eddie in the back)

...But enough about THAT. I'd recommend this movie to anyone I know and I won't mind checking it out again so my mom could enjoy it.

MY ONLY PROBLEM THOUGH-------> SPOILER ALERT.

That Latina chick was kind of annoying. How simplistic of Benny Boom to include the whole... Nuyorican- Rosie Perez- I Speak Spanglish- chick... you know? There was a part where she was praying for her man and she really brought out the coconuts, cigar, water to soak his picture in... ALL THE WHILE HECTOR LAVOE'S AGUANILE PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND. Oh but wait.... Not Hector Lavoe's version. Why the new Marc Anthony rendition of course :-D <----- fake smile. Did we have to show the spiritual side? IT JUST FELT CORNY TO ME! But I guess he captured what he knows.

Sidenote, kudos to Benny Boom on his first movie! I don't know where he's going to go from here but the fact that he could make this transition? That's something to take notice of.

Check out the movie.

=)

-franso

PS- "I hate you. I'm a hater of you." -Mos Def's character lol

2009-05-07T13:30:00.003-04:00

to do is fall in love. Let's bang out these finals!!!! PS- the thought of NOT seeing En Vogue this Sunday is irking me. Oh hell.

2009-05-07T13:30:00.001-04:00

Testing 1, 2. Blog entries from the BlackBerry? I can dig it. School's almost out. Summer plans are overwhelming my brain. And the last thing I'm trying

Upcoming Summer Concerts 2009

2009-05-05T12:46:00.021-04:00

MAY 2009

ADELE
May 5
Roseland Ballroom
(Sorry Ramona...lol)

En Vogue
May 10
B.B. King Blues Club

The Roots Presents The Jam
May 13
Highline Ballroom

Gilbertito Santa Rosa y Victor Manuelle
May 16th
MSG

Keyshia Cole
May 24
WaMu Theater @ MSG

Cita Rodriguez (MY MOM!!!!!)
May 30
La Fonda Boricua Lounge
Make your reservations here

BlackStar
May 30
Nokia Theater NYC

JUNE 2009

Earth, Wind, & Fire
June 17
MSG

Beyonce
June 21-22
MSG

JULY 2009

Q-Tip, Chester French, Little Dragon, Benji B
July 18
Central Park SummerStage

JULY 2009
Rock the Bells
July 19
Jones Beach Theater

Ginuwine, Joe, Chico DeBarge
July 26
Central Park SummerStage

AUGUST 2009

Incubus
August 4-5
Radio City Music Hall

Chrisette Michelle, Jasmine Sullivan, Jon B
August 9
Central Park SummerStage

John Legend
August 13
MSG

Taylor Swift
August 27
MSG

Where will YOU be?

=)

-franso

The Recession's Effect on Urban Journalism- AND Why It Matters.

2009-05-04T08:11:00.002-04:00

He who hasn’t felt the greedy hands of America’s latest recession tugging at his pant pocket must certainly live under a rock. As the nation struggles to move forward and President Obama strains to bring the nation back to its comfort zone, no one person has been left unharmed by this economic shock. Millions have lost their jobs, homes, and bank savings. Businesses that may have appeared stable no longer exist and schools are experiencing severe budget cuts. As headlines burst with possible solutions and frantic concerns, another great American institution silently struggles to remain significant. Urban journalism.
Feet up on his desk, as he leans back in his chair, Datwon Thomas is starting to get annoyed. In his relaxed and familiar office, the Editor-in-Chief of XXL Magazine doesn’t understand why it has become such a challenge to book this artist, whose people he is on the phone with, for an upcoming cover. Working with the magazine since the late ‘90s, Thomas is fully aware of the importance of booking the right cover to please his readers, mostly African American men. Any other time, Thomas’ composed turned confrontational tone may have been looked down upon, but not today. This avid aggression is admirable, and almost symbolic, as he fights for the betterment of his magazine, something many other Editors-in-Chief are quickly losing the opportunity to do.
While magazines of all genres are feeling the effects of the recession, Thomas can’t help but to feel a twinge regarding the loss of many of his fellow urban publications.
“I feel like we finally got to this beautiful place where there were a bunch of options for you to choose from on the urban side because mainstream never really spoke about the urban struggle or the urban existence and how they were winning,” says Thomas. “We had to document that ourselves and get them aboard. […] It’s just sad to see what’s happening.”
One of the first major indications of what would quickly become the fight to keep these Hip Hop, lifestyle, and fashion magazines alive was the folding of Blender Magazine last month. According to the Magazine Publishers of America, ad revenue sank 31% last year and another 57% from January to March of this year. There was also an 8% decrease in paid subscriptions and 18% decrease in newsstand sales. Created in 2001, Blender, which had a successful run, folded with 768,000 subscribers.
Vibe Magazine’s ad revenue from January through March of 2008 and 2009 has gone from $18,099,518 to $10,762,770, with Ebony Magazine close behind jumping from $13,645,649 to $9,484,428, and Essence Magazine going from $25,136,566 to $23,407,814.
No stranger to loss in ad revenue, Thomas saw one of his creations, King Magazine fold last month. Thomas, who was aware of the negative connotations of urban magazines, was careful in 2001 to create a magazine for his readers, not one that would stigmatize them.
“It resonated with the people, it spoke to a certain audience that embraced and looked at it as the leader in its field,” he explains, “Regardless of if people only want to look at it as the “girl book”. It definitely had more to it than that if you took the time to check it out. I think it was successful for so many years without a whole lot of support, promotion-wise, because it was for the people that wanted it.”
Artists and every day listeners alike feel the same about magazines specific to their interests, interests not always paid attention to, no longer existing.
“Urban magazines are important because they are a source of entertainment and a sense of pride,” says Christopher Ramoo, a Hip Hop fanatic. “You can idolize someone that looks like you- instead of the normal “All-American”.
With Blender gone and King on its final issue, the uneasiness of remaining economically stable develops into that of being musically and culturally secure as well.
Audio engineer Dalila Navarro understands the importance of these magazines to the preservation of Hip Hop on an international level explaining that, “While our music has infiltrated mainstream America and other markets globally, it is not fully accepted. Without urban magazines to support Hip Hop, we’d lose an incredibly important tool.”
Twitter user ShawndavidATL sees a racial dilemma expressing that, “If they fold, we will no longer have representation for all people of color.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are those who seem relieved at the thought of there being little to no urban magazines, writing them off as negligible in today’s society.
“Majority of the urban magazines inform you of nothing but the hottest music in their opinion and booty shakers. So to be quite honest, it never mattered that they existed and it matters even less that they are folding,” explains Bronx Community College student Charlyn Willis.
Similar to the music and lifestyle this branch of media supports, publications like Vibe or Giant Magazine are constantly discredited for their impact on the population. Amidst the accomplishments in urban culture that these magazines have passionately covered lies a disappointment in many who can’t help but see it all as a form of exploitation.
“They set a bad example for the youth and Black men,” says Jon Alonzia, an aspiring actor from Brooklyn, N.Y. “Not everything is bad in these magazines, but it doesn’t show a lot of the more important things in life. They mostly focus on the little things that cost big money.”
Still, Thomas doesn’t cite the decline in urban magazine sales to disapproval or recent lack of interest. “I just can’t see black people not wanting to be interested in their culture. It’s in their scope of the urban world. The numbers were still high,” he says, referring to King. Understanding that some magazines have opted to keep up with the times by downsizing on printed issues and focusing on their websites, Thomas disregards this as being crucial to the decrease in sales. Opting to take the authentic route, Thomas says, “We do have the Internet and everyone can go on there, but for some reason, I guess because of time, we’ve all become accustomed to reading things that are tangible, that you can hold and that record history.”
Rapper Shawn Chrystopher from Inglewood, California agrees, “The people who write are actual journalists who are held responsible to what they print, so it’s a lot more credible. Anyone can start a blog and can post whatever they want and really have no one to answer to. Plus it’s great to have something tangible.”
While ad revenue percentages for both King and XXL are currently unavailable, King’s last audit shows circulation figures of 175,000 copies for a publication that once reached 275,000 copies. XXL usually tops over 300,000 copies, but the last audit shows them at 205,000.
The numbers may have decreased, but it is obvious that the interest and importance of urban reporting is alive. It has taken a while for urban publications to reach this point, and that they’re all at risk of folding is something to keep track of.
In his office, Thomas, openly analytical about this insecure period, manages to remain levelheaded. “You kinda have to feel it out. No one’s ever been in this situation before.”
Clearly affected by the demise of King Magazine and the new strain on all publications, Thomas, sitting in front of a lengthy row of previous XXL and King issues, stays confident when thinking of the future. “Do I think XXL will go away any time soon? I wouldn’t bet on it. I think the brand is still very relevant and important, and it still does well for the company.”

Finished my Urban Journalism final =)

-franso

You Thought I Was Kidding.

2009-04-29T22:42:00.002-04:00

Look what I found at Pathmark a couple of weeks back.
Got the nerve to put these next to the king, Mr.Clean.

=)

-franso

PS- we're squaring up on the cover of detergent? I LOVE THIS MAN'S HUSTLE!!!!

Tyrell

2009-04-25T12:59:00.005-04:00

Took the death of my friend to get me back into writing, it seems.
Here's some new stuff, I'm not sure if it's done.
Apparently, since I can't quite process and put into words what happened to Tyrell, I don't feel satisfied with whatever I write.
Nothing is complete, no titles feel right.

Here we go:

I haven’t been able to pick my troubling thoughts apart.
Knee-deep in sadness, I’ve lost myself somewhere between rushing you off the phone- and walking past your open casket.
If I could just sort through the almost forgotten memories and delayed resolutions, maybe I could…
An hour long conversation we once shared replays in my head and if I could, I’d beat myself up for not reaching out more often.
I hear another voice, a heartless one that whispers, “You two weren’t even that close.”
Do I even deserve to mourn for so long?
More than once I brushed you off, declining invites, conversations lacking.
But more than twice you made me laugh.
Laugh at me now as a guilt I can’t ignore weighs as heavy as the pain.
What needs to be understood Tyrell, is that when God snatched you- he snatched a piece of me too.
The joys of growing up are now tainted and like the wax surrendering to a candle’s flame, I give in to the brutal realization that my time here could be shorter than I ever imagined.

-franso

R.I.P brother, I don't know what to do with myself.

www.ValleyNYC.com

2009-04-18T22:29:00.002-04:00

Basically, after work today- I wound up at Valley in LES with two of my coworkers, Analisa & Shayla.

(Love them, first time we chilled- amazing weather, great conversation, just a dandy time.)

While we were at work I got the email about the place- usually I don't pay attention to emails about what stores to check out, mostly because I'm broke/cheap and normally don't buy anything... but I needed somewhere to take them!

So there we wound up... and I must say: I LOVE IT THERE.

Almost couldn't find it because I'm impatient and was reading the map on my BB wrong lol.. but Analisa saved the day.

They had a great sale today, lots of pretty T-shirts (for just $10-$20), jewelry, vintage & edgy clothes, shoes, and a little nail station.

Yo, I fell in love with the nails. They're kind of pricey but it's so fucking worth it, the designs were INSANE. I'm in there next pay period.

I got a brochure when I left and they're actually a spa as well! Manis, Pedis, Facials, Peels, Treatments, Massages, and Waxing.

If that spot ain't dope, I don't know what is!

Check out the RIDICULOUS nail designs and stuff over on their site.
Or, just take my word for it:
VALLEY
48 Orchard Street (btwn Grand & Hester)
212-274-8985

Sidenote, they had this wooden jewelry there that was too fucking dope.
A 2-finger wooden ring? C'mon ya'll.

Check it out homies, let me know what you think.

See you there!!!!!

=)

-franso

Mos Def- Flowers

2009-04-16T12:55:00.003-04:00

*Courtesy of YouTube

First "Life in Marvelous Times"
Then "Quiet Dog"

Now.... "Flowers"

Apparently the new album, The Ecstatic drops June 9 2009.

Basically, it's a done deal.

=)

-franso

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T17:46:00.002-04:00

Don't do anything stupid today.

-franso

Cassie's New Do

2009-04-11T01:32:00.002-04:00

this picture is everywhere.

i would've never expected this from Cassie.
she's too pretty for me, goodness.
-franso

Awww- A Process Story

2009-04-10T00:34:00.003-04:00

Thought this was cute, just stumbled upon my process story from my summer magazine journalism class.

Of course, I wrote about what I'm best at- untangling my hair.

Got a head full of unmanageable curly hair? Here are a couple of maintenance tips:
• It’s easiest to wash and untangle your hair in the shower.
• Wet your entire head using warm water, making sure to rinse out all product buildup.
• Work a generous amount of shampoo into your hair.
* Shampoos (and conditioners, gels, etc.) from Tresemme, Herbal Essence, Lush, and Redken are extremely popular for use on thick and curly hair. However, moisturizer is what matters most in choosing a shampoo. Products specifically geared toward curly hair are also helpful.
• Thoroughly massage shampoo from scalp to ends, rinse, and repeat.
• After rinsing out all of the shampoo, meticulously apply a handful of deep and thick conditioner.
`• Use a wide-tooth comb, which will help to prevent hair breakage. If your hair is extremely tangled, separating it to untangle the smaller chunks is easiest.
• From here on, what’s most important is patience.
• Take a deep breath and try to refrain from being rough with your hair. NEVER attempt to start combing from the roots. This is damaging.
•Start running the comb through your hair starting at the ends.
• Continue combing, reaching higher and higher with the comb, until you are able to comb directly from the roots to the ends.
• For those of you with shoulder-length or longer hair, this gentle process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Be eco-friendly and turn the shower off while untangling.
•After detangling, rinse out the conditioner-- but not completely! It’s always healthy to leave in a little conditioner.
•There are several ways to handle your hair once you are out of the shower. Some choose to let it air dry, while others towel dry, before putting products into it. Others choose to use products before diffusing it. (A diffuser is a hair dryer attachment with prongs to lift the hair while drying it.) What works best for your mane?
• Avoid products with a lot of alcohol, these dry out your hair. Be sure that the product
moisturizes and eliminates frizz, and has many natural products. Good luck!

I think I got a B =)

-franso

I Poke Her Face- Kid Cudi, Kanye, & Common

2009-04-07T23:52:00.006-04:00

*Courtesy of YouTube

I've been listening to this for the past 2-3 days and I'm still trying to figure out what's worse: Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" so smoothly becoming a song about oral sex (You poke her face, huh.... how ridiculously clever- as hard as that is to admit!) or Common's verse:

She said she want whatever she like
But she gotta bring your friend
We could have a hell of a night, through the day
She blamed it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol
She had her hair did, it was bound to fall
Down, down for a damn, Cudi already said it
A poker face book I already read it
But man, her head was gooder than the music
electro body known to blow fuses
A stripper from the south lookin for a payday
Said bitch you should do it for the love like Ray Jay
But they say you be on that conscious tip
Get your hair right and get up on this conscious dick
I embody everything from the Gali to the party
Its the way I was raised on the south side safari, so...

:( why Common? Why do you do it to me? We've discussed this before. You aren't to go any further than "Come Close" "I Want You" and "Go"... That's YOUR area of sexy (Which, might I add, is pretty damn sexy. You went crazy on your latest album Universal Mind Control talking about "touching me where the sun don't shine" and I didn't like it one bit... NOW YOU'RE ADDRESSING HOMEGIRL IN YOUR VERSE AS "BITCH"?! The world is ending, has to be.
"Get up on this conscious dick".... You just went all out, huh?

*deep, analytical sigh*

My love affair with all things Common became a challenge RIGHT AFTER Finding Forever.

But wait.

I found what's the worst thing about this "I Poke Her Face" situation: how ridiculously catchy the damn song is.

I'm done.

-franso
PS- I know you were trying to be cool Common, but her head wasn't gooder- IT WAS BETTER.
Sorry, but as a journalism major, that shit made me twitch...

Eminem's We Made You

2009-04-07T21:17:00.001-04:00

Eminem - New Music - More Music Videos

.............*crickets*

Well hello there, Dr.Dre.

-franso

Amanda Diva Overload

2009-04-06T11:27:00.005-04:00

I loved her on Def Poetry.
Her commentary on several VH1 shows is pretty funny.
She definitely rocked the crowd when she opened for Lupe at Nokia.
Diva Speak TV is super entertaining.
I follow her on Twitter.... the list goes on and on.

My latest obsessions though? Her FreEP (Free EP) Spandex, Rhymes, & Soul, which she gave a link to a couple of weeks back when it came out. What a perfect name for a retro, funkadelic, trippy, soulful, urban, catchy, dreamy album.
Got homegirl singing AND rapping. (And I remember her saying she had to mix a lot of the tracks herself... whaaaaaat.)
Shit is smoooooooooth.
I can seriously let the whole shit rock- isn't that a blessing these days?!

Favorite Track: Heart Strings

I. CAN'T. GET. IT. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD.

It came out a while ago, but here's the link in case you're late on life:
http://www.zshare.net/download/56393212d67eeed0/

Enjoy, trust me.

=)

-franso

PS- Sidenote, when are Jill Scott and Erykah Badu coming back to the area? I'm just sayin'...

Battery Park Pt. 2

2009-04-06T11:13:00.002-04:00

Here's my Urban Journalism piece for my visit to Battery Park, rough draft:

I was careful to stand about 15 feet from the Hudson River and still felt darts of water travel with the wind and latch onto my lenses. After having to take off my glasses a few times to wipe them, I wound up shoving them into my pocket instead. Of all days, I chose what seemed to be the windiest of the year to come out and peer at the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park. Fifteen minutes earlier, as I squeezed past people while trying to exit the train station at Bowling Green, I realized that I wasn’t the only one braving the gloomy sky and rough currents for a piece of what once was.
As an uptown New Yorker, it is easy to associate international tourists with Central Park, Times Square, and Ground Zero, while completely forgetting about the rich and abundant history found at the tip of Manhattan. However, walking through Battery Park was like stepping back into time and I was forced to immediately appreciate all that surrounded me.
The large sphere created by Fritz Koenig was the monument I related to the most, for it once stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center and was almost destroyed on September 11, 2001. Out of respect, I paused to study its disfigured pieces and awkward shape. Right before my mind was consumed with sadness, the way the structure still held its robustness filled me with hope and satisfaction.
Drawn to the water, I found myself near the edge of the harbor once more and felt solitude reminiscent to that of Pete Hamill’s visits. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes registered the American Merchant Mariners Memorial, he so compellingly described, a couple of feet away. An overwhelming mixture of fear and astonishment filled me as I took in the three seamen trying to rescue a fourth from the water as the waves tragically engulfed his face with every current.
While Pete Hamill and I come from two dissimilar walks of life, I wandered through Battery Park with a deeper understanding for his fascination than I thought I would. Not one usually interested in patriotism for this country, I couldn’t help but feel something very heavy and foreign building inside of me. I had the misconception that since I was younger than him, the war monuments from before my time, such as those of World War II, wouldn’t affect me much. Maybe I’ve been patriotic all along.

True, true.
Looks like a B plus to me!

=)

-franso

Battery Park

2009-04-05T17:57:00.005-04:00

Long story short, I had to go into Battery Park last night with 2 classmates (not just classmates, I see you Ramona) for an Urban Journalism paper we have due tomorrow. It was actually very fun, I got there at 4 (ON THE DOT) and wandered around in that hazardous, chilly wind for a while before the other girlies got there. That area is TOO historical for me. Every. Little. Thing. Had a special meaning! It was rather amazing, nice change of pace since I usually don't go past South Street Seaport (STILL love that place, emotionally attached and shit)/

Anyways, of all of the monuments and memorials- trust that there were many- my favorite was this one:

Insaaaaaaaaaanity, the way the waves engulfed the soldier's face every time... Creepy. I couldn't look away though! For a minute I was just standing there thinking about A) how real this looked and how it was affecting me and B) how things like this happen during war all the time. Sucks.
A little background info? Conceived in 1978, created in 1988, dedicated in 1991. Real event, based off a picture the Germans took of their victims in WWII.

Some heavy shit.

-franso

Dear Me, Sincerely Me

2009-04-03T23:36:00.003-04:00

Twitter is taking over my life.
The other day Erykah Badu was talking about writing a letter to herself and then suggested we all do the same.
Of course, I had to participate, thought it was a nice idea.
Really thinking about it though, I think it's rather healthy... You know? To talk to yourself every now and then. Boost your own ego. Worry about YOU. Impress YOU- MOTIVATE YOU, APPRECIATE YOU!!!
...I'm just sayin', you know? We worry so much about others... hello- sometimes we all we got! Fuck the rest.

Here's what i had for my first line:

dear mightyfranso, i know it gets hard, and you wanna quit-but you have no choice but to succeed.

Sounds about right. I would then go on to mention something along the lines of not wasting time on people who don't waste time on me, creating a healthier regime for my daily life, how great it feels to be getting closer to God, fully embracing the fact that i'm the shit and WILL meet some guys worthy of my time eventually, continuing to spend a lot of time with my cousins because that bond is something special... and DAMMIT i'm impressed that i haven't dropped out yet! (Not dropped out- but you know lol)

life is NOT that serious... and you only have one.
BREATHE
=)

-franso

PS- get at yourself every once and a while, it's healthy.

... Badu Said What?

2009-03-31T22:47:00.003-04:00

Wasting time on Twitter, I come across:
fatbellybella-one day ill write a book about the wonderful loves of my life
fatbellybella-there are many things i couldnt say to com when we were together . i have no interest in romance with him . i love him as a brother .

Common as a brother? I-I'm afraid I don't understand.

=/

-franso

All- American Cutie =)

2009-03-28T14:29:00.006-04:00

I liked All-American Rejects debut single, Swing, Swing
I loved, Move Along
I BLAST Gives You Hell

... But can we discuss lead singer, Tyson Ritter? I love his vooooooice and dammit he's fly.

He's been comes up in convo a lot lately because I always have that new song in my head, and I've always thought he was a cutie... but this is getting ridiculous. Last night, Tiffi and I passed Hugo Boss and all hell broke loose when she told me to turn to my right and look at what made her stop in her tracks a couple weeks before.

Goodness gracious.

Whose kid is this?!
=)
-franso

Something's... OFF About These Videos...

2009-03-24T11:53:00.002-04:00

There's been a lot of chemistry out there these days that just makes me feel weird. Sometimes in a good way, can Kanye be sexy?! and sometimes in a disturbing way, is Justin giving me the perverted vibe?!

#1 Keri Hilson's "Make Love" Teaser

Keri Hilson doesn't do it for me... but I'm mad I kept watching just for Kanye.

#2 Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down" with Kanye West (what's going on here...?) and Ne-Yo

No seriously... Keri Hilson is not my friend lol
And are Ne-Yo and Kanye FIGHTING over homegirl? That's funny, not because of her.... I just can't picture them doing that.
And explain to me, how is it that Ne-Yo can be dressed so fresh... and STILL not do it for me. I don't understand.

#3 Ciara's Love Sex Magic with Justin Timberlake

... Ok, that felt like softcore porn to me.
So what if they kept their clothes on, Ciara's body movements are ridiculous.
And are they licking each other? Oh no.
Ciara is another one that doesn't do it for me.
She certainly used to... but I feel like it's the same thing every time.
She just gets stronger and more flexible with time and it's beyond creepy.
What a complete 360 from Justin and Rihanna's vibe lol
(PS- I'm gonna need Ciara to put those afros away. That's just stupid.)

All this "Who would've thought?" lovey dovey chemistry... Who do we want to do a music video next?

I'm thinking we need a Britney and Snoop video, since they never finished theirs before.

=)

-franso

Wishful Thinking... Pt. 2

2009-03-22T20:07:00.008-04:00

Here I am again- avoiding homework.
I'm starting to feel as though THIS is what I do best =/

Anywho, just dropped by to add onto my brithday wish list.

4) A Casio Baby G- Shock Watch

*deep sigh* My boy Ramoo done got me hooked. First I thought the first one was cute- but the second one certainly won me over.
Pick out your favorite over here.

Oh... and I couldn't wait. Went out and bought myself Stevie Wonder's Definitive Collection (but I'm loving that a few of my friends were almost a step ahead of me with that one!) and it's on HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY rotation. Still, something's bothering me. Why aren't As (Always), Ribbon in the Sky, Lately, and All I Do on there? SHOULD'VE BEEN A DOUBLE DISC STEVIE!!!

UPDATE!!!!!!
5) I've never been a "sneakerhead" and I know these are old, but dammit, I like these.
Hey, you can message me for my size if you like lol

=)

-franso

PS- hey ramoo

This Man Is EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!

2009-03-21T20:54:00.003-04:00

How charming is Bradley Cooper?!
This man has been EVERYWHERE, I don't understand.
I remember him as the dickhead brother in "Wedding Crashers"
I didn't see it yet, but he was definitely in "He's Just Not That Into You"
Then Mami was watching some little movie on Lifetime where he was searching for his wife through a contest.
I put on "Failure to Launch"- and there he is!

He's one of those actors whose name you don't know... whose face you can't place... but you recognize him every time.

I, on the other hand, LIKE him every time.

Whoop whoop.

=)

-franso

Buggin' Out 09

2009-03-21T20:50:00.002-04:00

Courtesy of YouTube.

.... why those eyes though? Looking like black Homer Simpsons =/

-franso

PS- hot remake!

Madea Goes to Jail...

2009-03-14T15:30:00.007-04:00

Right... So I saw this last weekend and it was pretty funny.

Tyler Perry- funny.

You know, simple- "oh no she didn't"- funny.

Was that racist? Damn.

There were a lot of corny moments, but the actual Madea character didn't fail us! Love and wanted to see more of her.

Keisha Knight Pullman did pretty good... Had me really believing she was a dirty prostitute =/

But enough about that...

Homeboy had me squirming in my seat, it wasn't even funny.

I know I'm late on him, but he was never a big deal to me.

Until now.

(First Idris Elba, now this?! Tyler Perry sure knows how to pick them. All he needs to do is cast Laz Alonzo and then I'll officially go ape shit.)

And that was great that he *SPOILER* got with Keisha at the end... Even though it just didn't feel right. This was probably my main issue with the movie. I knew the whole time that they were going to hook up... but it didn't click. It wasn't like Dre and Sidney in "Brown Sugar" where it just made perfect sense when they first kissed. You felt the love with them. You know what, I think I felt like Derek Luke just had her back and cared for her deeply on some brother sister shit. Then he goes and bags her. I wasn't ready- even though I knew it was coming lol

Uh, between Madea and Derek Luke I'd go to a really cheap theater to see this again. One of those guilty pleasures... Plus Mami wants to see it, so yeah lol that works out.

Question is, when will Madea feel played? It's only a matter of time until we all get tired of that gangsta! =/

=)

-franso

PS- OMG!!!! I almost forgot!

Tyreek from Sister Sister?! WHAT?! Yo, Tyler Perry is that dude JUST for his casting lol I can't say it enough.
Giving people jobssssssss, I'm so with it.
It gets lame when you see the same people in movies, it's interesting to see completely fresh faces... but to see someone from waaaaaay back in the day that you ALMOST forgot about?! That might be the best.

Rockin' That Shit (Remix)- The Dream (Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, and Luda)

2009-03-12T12:26:00.003-04:00

*Courtesy of Youtube

Couple of observations/questions...

#1 Fabolous, were my ears playing tricks on me or did you say, "Can I call you Nana? 'Cause you got that rockin' chair."
... what are you asking me right now?! WHAT ROCKIN' CHAIR?! WHAT AM I NOT UNDERSTANDING?!
And look at your headband. Right.

#2 Let me find out Juelz made me smile, oh no... "She rockin' to the beat, she rockin' it for me- and all I can think about is rockin' it to sleep"
Yes it's raunchy, but the dimples showed when he said it.
....Gullible? ME?!

#3 I don't even know what Rick Ross was saying. His facial hair and ridiculous chain (and images of 50 with a jerri curl wig on in my head) are such a distraction.

#4 How handsome is Ludacris these days?! I'm mad everyone on the track was just trying to bag... but no, not Luda. Homeboy was deadass trying to WIFE up whoever it is he's rappin' about.
"Travel in your mind, explore your sexuality, melt your imagination, and mold it into reality"?!!? WORD?!
But wait, my favorite? "So let me dive in your heart and swim around in your soul"
OK Luda, you can pick me up at 8 and have me home by 2 if you want. It's perfectly fine.

#5 Who signed The Dream?

=)

-franso

PS- is it Spring yet? Fuck!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

2009-02-26T12:23:00.006-05:00

Good news for all NYC musicheads here.

See you there!

=)

-franso

PS- I hear us VIP members get 40% off. Aooow.

Jamie Foxx's "Blame It" Video

2009-02-26T11:44:00.002-05:00

Blame It (Feat. T-Pain) - Jamie Foxx
*Courtesy of Imeem

NOW WAIT A GOD DAMN MINUTE.
HOW YOU ROLL UP TO THE CLUB WITH RON HOWARD TO YOUR LEFT, FOREST WHITAKER RIDING SHOTTY, AND JAKE GYLLENHAL DRIVING?!?!?!?!

IS RON HOWARD TRYING TO BE DOWN!?!?!?!?!

... i love this.

No, I really love this video.

Quincy Jones? Are you sitting next to Joe? What?
AND SAMUEL L JACKSON- WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING?! Is it that you Dolicia Bryant? All up in Sir Samuel's personal space? Oh no... lol
Tatiana Ali just doesn't age, huh?
Neither does Morris Chestnut... looking like he tastes and smells like a Hershey's chocolate bar- I'm just sayin'.
Cedric The Entertainer?!
Did I miss anyone?
Oh wait... my boo Bill Bellamy.
I need it to be understood that Bill Bellamy can STILL bag.
So what if he could be my pops, it ain't nothing.

*sigh* Kudos to Jamie Foxx to putting out the most amusing video ever. He was really trying to get down with the big dogs, I love him for that. And I really love Ron Howard for being in a Hip Hop video.

Imagine being at THAT club, lol.

=)

-franso

PS-Is Jake Gyllenhal trying to be sexy?... Because it's working and I don't know how i feel about that.

Bow Wow's "You Can Get It All" Video

2009-02-24T22:39:00.002-05:00

*Courtesy of YouTube
*sigh*
The minute the video started I was amused.
"Got me like whooooo-hoooo!"?! ... What are you saying Bow Wow?

First that awkward homage to and from JD... and now this?
(*Watching the "Roc The Mic" video with my uncle*
Tio: who the FUCK is gonna listen to this shit?
Me: They say we talk just like? Walk just alike? He can get it?... OH NO.)

Why did Bow Wow just redo Fabolous' "So Into You" video?
And why does he sound like a mix of T.I and Nelly with a splash of Weezy?

Something's very... OFF about this whole situation.

I have a solution though- I'm SURE Sean John needs models and I MUST say that Bow Wow fits the description... His pretty self.

=)

-franso

PS- Omarion, you out there?

Wishful Thinking...

2009-02-23T12:20:00.006-05:00

So, as I waste time in the computer lab- avoiding homework and updating my Twitter- I've decided that building a birthday wish list is only right!

I'll be 21 in a little less than 3 months and here's what I want so far:

1)
Stevie Wonder's ENTIRE collection.
I've been downloading and burning his stuff here and there, but I want it ALL.
It's only right.

2)
You have to have heard about these. The headphones Dr.Dre designed?
They came out a couple of months ago and while I thought they were cool, I was turned off by the fact that they were $300, you know!?!?!?
I remember Teyana Taylor got them for her birthday and I thought that was pretty cool.
So... I tried them out yesterday at BestBuy and my ears will never be the same again.
How did these headphones make 50 Cent's "In Da Club" so hot again?!?!?!?!?!?
Why they were they so cushiony comfortable?
Oh no, my life has changed.
And I am *certainly taking donations ya'll.
Check out the official site (THE HEADPHONES HAVE A FREAKIN WEBSITE OF THEIR OWN, PEOPLE!!!!) here.

3)
Don't even play yourself, I want IDRIS ELBA for my birthday as well.
I always thought he was attractive, smooth jazzy brother in "This Christmas" a few years back.
Then I saw "Daddy's Little Girls" this weekend and I seriously couldn't take it.
But wait... HE'S BRITISH??!!!
Oh no, this is too much for me.
So if we could all just drop whatever we're doing and hook it up, that would be excellent.

And that's it for now... Let's get to work!

=)

-franso

My Newest Crush '09

2009-02-16T13:35:00.004-05:00

Hey loves... who watched the All-Star game?

I'm not one to keep up with basketball but there's something about watching this particular game (i'm sure it's the comfort in knowing almost everyone playing!) that keeps me entertained.

Valentine's Day I watched the dunk contest with a friend and well, I found my new love interest lol

DWIGHT HOWARD

He plays for the Orlando Magic and just really seems like a funny dude- made me laugh more than once throughout the game, with the side jokes, swag, and cheesy smile (like he got it like that).

*ESPECIALLY when he came out of his fucking phone booth with a superman cape and stole the show.

The dunk is meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean, ya'll.

Look what I found on YouTube:

(See Pierce face after the last dunk? lol)

I don't know... ever since I was younger, I always, always, always found dunking AMAZINGLY sexy (I said it lol).

What's NOT sexy though?:

Shaq, I'm sure you're aware that you are 50 feet tall... and your jabbawockee mask doesn't fit your face.
*sigh*

Also, we lost! 146-119 WEST!!

Next year!

=)

-franso

PS- check me out all into sports real quick, oh no...

Happy VAGINA Day?... Yes.

2009-02-14T11:31:00.011-05:00

(Tokyo, Japan 2006)

Everyone's all sad today like there's really a blind baby boy with wings and a bow and arrow who really forgot to shoot them.

IT'S GONNA BE OK...

I, too am guilty of hating Valentine's Day, but let's clarify. I hated this holiday because of all the cheesy gifts I'd see. Everywhere. All around me. All those annoying ass balloons and cheap-looking stuffed animals. People walking around like they'd never been shown love before! Ugh... this isn't even a real holiday! I consider it a Hallmark Holiday, created just for companies to make money!

On the flip side though, why does it just have to be about your significant other? Why can't we show love to our mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, fathers (i mean, if that's how you roll...), cousins, co-workers, friends (with benefits, i don't judge), children, godchildren, stepchildren, etc etc?!?!? THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WE LOVE! Wait... WHAT ABOUT OURSELVES? Why can't we pamper ourselves today? Flaunt what the good Lord gave us and laugh at those who've either had their chance OR are sleeping on it. I'm just sayin'.... GET OVER YOURSELF and realize that V-DAY stands for MANY things...

Ever heard of the play, Vagina Monologues?

I took Politics of Sexuality last semester and we had to watch it... what a play- showing the beauty, pain, joy, struggle, and fun of being a WOMAN. From stories about sexual abuse, to finding true love, to embracing the hideous word that is VAGINA... good times. Fortunately, I learned the alternate meaning of V-DAY. It's not just about Cupid and chocolates, ya'll. Today is about women empowerment and the awareness of violence on women. Eve Ensler, the creator of the play has taken it upon herself to try and wake the world up about what is really being done to women these days. This lady has events going on in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa dedicated to anti-violence! A modern day Wonder Woman.

Why are we sitting home all sad that we're alone when we are beautiful regardless of what others say? When women are suffering from greater pains all around us and we should help them however we can?

We need to love ourselves and each other, mi'ja.

The V in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine, and Vagina.

Please, please, please, check out her lovely website here. Seems like hella events are going down.

So, when you see me looking happy and totally not bothered by Valentine's Day (unless I'm in Times Square and there are just TOO many corny couples in my fucking way) know that I have bigger and better things on my mind- like self-love and the less fortunate women all around me.

And yeah, I'm chillin with a guy today.
But it wouldn't mean shit if I wasn't.
My MOM is my first love.

Have an amazing day.

=)

Happy V-Day,
franso

PS- those are the sweet sounds from my V-Day playlist:

Delayed Grammys Reaction

2009-02-12T20:36:00.004-05:00

My Highlights (The Good, Bad, and Questionable):

BEST NEW ARTIST
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Winner: ADELE

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? That made my night, seriously. I would've loved for Duffy to win because I love her album but there's just something that drastically separates her from Adele and I think it's that vocal control- amazing. JONAS BROTHERS?! I won't even go there. I'm not sure who Lady Antebellum is, so I guess this is a biased opinion... but then again- aren't they always? Jazmine Sullivan is cool but I don't think she's THAT big a deal. Again, I didn't hear her entire album but I personally don't find her voice to be THAT big a deal. I appreciate its uniqueness... but she doesn't seem to have much range. If you haven't already, please do yourself a favor and get Adele's album. This is my favorite song on there. Also, she's gonna be at Roseland Ballrom May 5th, see you there? Yessir.

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Sara Bareilles- Love Song
Duffy- Mercy
Leona Lewis- Bleeding Love
Katy Perry- I Kissed A Girl
Pink- So What

Winner: Adele's Chasing Pavement

Perfection... even though I think everyone was fair game- minus Duffy, that song makes my ears bleed.

Best Pop Vocal Album
Sheryl Crow- Detours
Eagles- Long Road Out of Eden
Leona Lewis- Spirit
James Taylor- Covers

Winner: Duffy'sRockferry

Loved this album, and know nothing about the rest... lol a shame- but I must put it out there that I love James Taylor. ♥

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
Paul McCartney- I Saw Her Standing There
Bruce Springsteen- Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Eddie Vedder- Rise
Neil Young- No Hidden Path

Winner: John Mayer's Gravity

Ever heard the this track, Gravity (off of Continuum?) Dreaming With A Broken Heart? Yeah, another category where I knew nothing about the other's but I was still happy nonetheless. (Mayer also won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance!)

Best Female Vocal R&B Performance
Beyonce- Me, Myself, and I (LMAO- from her Live Experience Tour, I was confused too.)
Keyshia Cole- Heaven Sent
Jazmine Sullivan- Need U Bad
Jennifer Hudson- Spotlight

Winnder: Alicia Keys' Superwoman

Wow, I didn't even know about this until now because it wasn't aired. Whoop, whoop! Happy B didn't win because that's useless (Hey Geezy) and the rest are cool also (especially Jazmine Sullivan)... but Superwoman truly did it for me last year- even now, as I go through my daily struggle. The lyrics, melody, etc etc...

Best Male Vocal R&B Performance
Usher- Here I Stand
Trey Songz- Can't Help But Wait
Chris Brown- Take You Down
Eric Benet- You're The Only One
Winner: Ne-Yo's Miss Independent

*sigh* As much as I wasn't much of a fan of Usher's comeback album... he certainly showed vocal growth on this one, so I think he should've won. Miss Independent? Like, really? It was fun... but not so impressive. I would've loved for Eric Benet to win too!!! LOOOOOOOOVE that song.... Take You Down? Abusive or not- not so much.

*yawn* OK, every time I do these little Grammys recaps... I FORGET HOW MANY AWARDS CATEGORIES THERE ARE!!

So! Here's my last thought.

Best Rap Album
Jay-Z- American Gangster
Lupe Fiasco- The Cool
T.I- Paper Trail
Nas- Nas

Winner: Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III

Where to begin though? I'm not questioning Lil Wayne's win (yes I am). It's clear he deserved it in how 2008 was his year. No questions asked. His punch lines were as clever as ever, the swagger was sky high, and the drive was like nothing we'd ever seen or heard.... DID YOU HEAR AMERICAN GANGSTER THOUGH? DID YOU HEAR WHAT THE FUCK LUPE WAS SAYING ON THE COOL? THE KNOWLEDGE NAS WAS QUIETLY SPITTING? THE TRUTH COMING OUT OF T.I'S MOUTH?... I'm just sayin'.

All in all, due mostly to Adele's wins... I wasn't so dissatisfied with the awards! Coldplay did the damn thing as well! (Robert Plant and Allison Krauss though, they stole the house though- winning Album and Record of the Year. No idea who they are though =/...)

And there you have it folks (all 6 of you!)... My Grammys opinion!

If only I had the strength to write about the performances!

=)

-franso

Roy Hargrove- Strasbourg/St. Denis

2009-02-12T20:19:00.002-05:00

WELL!

Been meaning to get up on my jazz, and I think the time is now.

I already have a favorite jazz tune, by Miles Davis... but having a jazz trumpet playing uncle, I feel it's only right that I broaden my horizons and educate myself. (Myself meaning me and anyone who will let me school THEM as well, ha.)

Last night, he put me on to Roy Hargrove's tune Strasbourg/ St. Denis, off his 2008 release, Earfood.

DO check out these two versions below... of course, I'm obsessed.

And live:

*dreamy sigh*

=)

-franso

Take You DOWN?

2009-02-10T23:32:00.002-05:00

It was all fun and games until your boy, Chris Brown roughed up your girl, Rihanna.

I'm hearing that this past Sunday, while driving back from Clive Davis' Grammy party, the girl who Chris Brown is cheating on Rihanna with called- Rihanna saw her name on his cell, attacked... and he defended himself.

Self- defense, huh?

Is that what they call punching someone in the eye, biting their arm, giving them contusions on the head (exactly WHAT are those? scared to look THAT word up...), splitting their lip... AND CHOKING THEM UNTIL THEY LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS?!

Goodness gracious, I know we'll never know the full story because we weren't there and it isn't our business- but I'm strongly believe that men shouldn't hit women. Hell, I don't think women should hit men, either! WE SHOULD ALL KEEP OUR HANDS TO OURSELVES!

SELF-DEFENSE?! If a girl is hitting you homie, you pin her down until she calms down. DUH.

And still, I feel bad for the kid. Silly me, right?

But- IT'S CHRIS BROWN! I CAN'T HELP IT!

Did the sweet, little goofy pop star really take it there?

What does this all mean in the end?

Is his career over? If not, exactly HOW will he get it back?

Do you guys really think he's going to jail.

Why did this happen?

Do you think we'll ever know?

*cues the music*

"it's rainin'! ooh baby, it's rainin'!"

=/

-franso

PS- go here and here for full details, i don't have time for all the extra specifications now!

Happy Birthday, Abuelo!

2009-01-31T15:21:00.002-05:00

January 31st, 2009

Abuelo would've been 76 years old today.

*Courtesy of YouTube

There he is, in the 70's singing Catalina La O.

Tonight at Hostos (in the Bronx), Mami is singing to celebrate his birthday. Yay!

Time flies and the world keeps moving.

Miss him, too.

=)

-franso