People often think that rappers are uneducated. I strongly disagree.
Like the geek that I am, I marvel at the figurative language so often used in rap songs. People often forget that rap is often just poetry set to music. The subject matter may not be about "Dover Beach" or "wandering clouds" or "bells" (reference to Arnold, Wordsworth and Poe respectively), but their art is equally as creative and well thought out. Rappers go about expressing themselves in a more crude and admittedly more vulgar way that classic poets, but their expression are equally (if not more so) relatable.
If I had to count how many metaphors, similes, analogies, puns, allusions and plain ol' word play was in one of my favorite Lil' Wayne songs, I'd need a few extra pairs of hands. For example "You must stand under me if you don't understand me". The word play literally makes me laugh from its cleverness.
In addition, most rappers have knowledge from a broad range of music. My stations on Pandora ranges every genre and decade from 18th century classical music to today's hip hop, pop, rap etc. So, its so exciting when I hear a reference to Lesley Gore's 1965 song "It's my party" in Drake's newest single "Take Care" or a reference to some significant historical event.
Rappers are neither nor uneducated. They are extremely intelligent businessmen and women who often own their own companies, record labels, clothing lines etc. They are are well versed in English, history, the arts, and math. Though they may not look or act the way today's society deems "intelligent" or "polished", that is exactly what they are.
That is all.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Stop Talking
One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received was "When you're truly done, you stop talking"
I try to apply this to all aspects of my life and pass it on to as many people as possible. When girls talk about how they're "done" with a guy but they can't seem to keep his name out their mouth or they continue to communicate with him. Same thing with guys. They say they're done with this girl, but the second she "needs you", you're right back where you were before. Or even worse, when they break up with her and she moves on and he can't stop talking about her new relationship. This can also be applied to friendships, family situations, behaviors etc.
Its completely fine to still be tied to whatever it is, just be honest about it. The first step in all recovery programs is acknowledging that there is a problem. You can choose to work to a point where you really are done, or you can continue to care, it's your choice. Just be honest about it. And truly think about why you say you're done. Do you want to be? Are you saying that because they are? Are you afraid that if you say or seem that you are you will look weak?
All in all, when you're really truly and done, there is nothing left to say. So stop talking.
That is all
I try to apply this to all aspects of my life and pass it on to as many people as possible. When girls talk about how they're "done" with a guy but they can't seem to keep his name out their mouth or they continue to communicate with him. Same thing with guys. They say they're done with this girl, but the second she "needs you", you're right back where you were before. Or even worse, when they break up with her and she moves on and he can't stop talking about her new relationship. This can also be applied to friendships, family situations, behaviors etc.
Its completely fine to still be tied to whatever it is, just be honest about it. The first step in all recovery programs is acknowledging that there is a problem. You can choose to work to a point where you really are done, or you can continue to care, it's your choice. Just be honest about it. And truly think about why you say you're done. Do you want to be? Are you saying that because they are? Are you afraid that if you say or seem that you are you will look weak?
All in all, when you're really truly and done, there is nothing left to say. So stop talking.
That is all
Expectations(2)
I have to remeber sometimes to take my own advice.
I just posted earlier about how people's expectations of me get on my nerves. I realize that I can be guilty as well. I do get very disappointed when people don't live up to what I expect. I guess that since I don't expect too much or too little, I thought it was ok. But its not.
What sucks the most is when people don't treat you or care about you the way you expect them too. I may be naiive to believe that that won't change, atleast drastically, but I've been proven wrong. Maybe its not expectations. Perhaps its hope or faith in those people. I understand that people change and grow, but you hope that you are a part of the process.
It hurts when someone you love, does something that makes you think that they don't feel the same way anymore. Its happened to me a few times, and not even in a romantic aspect. I think having a friend do that hurts more than if a significant other does. Unless you're married or in a serious relationship, in the back of your mind, you don't expect this romantic relationship to last forever, so it's not as bad, when they leave you or forget about you or whatever. But with friendships, those real made-retirement-home-plans friends do you wrong.......
I guess I just have to rememer what I said before "Just because I don't do what you wanted or expected doesn't suddenly mean that I'm not the person you thought I was. I'm just not that person all of the time"
That is all
I just posted earlier about how people's expectations of me get on my nerves. I realize that I can be guilty as well. I do get very disappointed when people don't live up to what I expect. I guess that since I don't expect too much or too little, I thought it was ok. But its not.
What sucks the most is when people don't treat you or care about you the way you expect them too. I may be naiive to believe that that won't change, atleast drastically, but I've been proven wrong. Maybe its not expectations. Perhaps its hope or faith in those people. I understand that people change and grow, but you hope that you are a part of the process.
It hurts when someone you love, does something that makes you think that they don't feel the same way anymore. Its happened to me a few times, and not even in a romantic aspect. I think having a friend do that hurts more than if a significant other does. Unless you're married or in a serious relationship, in the back of your mind, you don't expect this romantic relationship to last forever, so it's not as bad, when they leave you or forget about you or whatever. But with friendships, those real made-retirement-home-plans friends do you wrong.......
I guess I just have to rememer what I said before "Just because I don't do what you wanted or expected doesn't suddenly mean that I'm not the person you thought I was. I'm just not that person all of the time"
That is all
Expectations
Procrastination gives birth to my best thoughts.
One of the biggest burdens in my life are expectations. In my experience, people often have the highest of high or lowest of low expectations of me. Have they never heard of balance? No, I'm not the perfect person some expect me to be, but I not the evil, vindictive bitch others think I am. I will admit, both of those people live inside of me, but not individually. They combine (along with several other traits) and create a very unique, one-of-a-kind person. I cannot be defined as any one type of person and I hate when people try.
I think the high expectations suck the most. Though I tell people over and over what they should realistically expect from me, they tend to only see the best. Sometimes that's a good thing. I get lots of compliments and they tell me that that's all they expected of me and it feels nice at the time. But it begins to suck when I don't live up to their perfect standards and suddenly their world no longer makes sense because I didn't fit into their idea of who I am. Just because I don't do what you wanted or expected doesn't suddenly mean that I'm not the person you thought I was. I'm just not that person all of the time.
The low expectations are more like a nagging irritation than a true annoyance. I know there are times when I do not act like upstanding, child of God I am (royalty ^.^), but I'm not going to screw you over the second I get a chance. In fact, I try very hard to make sure that that doesn't happen. It takes a lot for me to get to the point of plotting your destruction, and even more for me to consider executing it. If you mess up s badly that I get to that point, I still do everything in my power to stop myself. So please, have a little faith in me.
All in all, I feel that people like extremes a little too much. You have to be this or that, black or white. No one person is 100% anything, and honestly, who are you to judge anyway?
The End
One of the biggest burdens in my life are expectations. In my experience, people often have the highest of high or lowest of low expectations of me. Have they never heard of balance? No, I'm not the perfect person some expect me to be, but I not the evil, vindictive bitch others think I am. I will admit, both of those people live inside of me, but not individually. They combine (along with several other traits) and create a very unique, one-of-a-kind person. I cannot be defined as any one type of person and I hate when people try.
I think the high expectations suck the most. Though I tell people over and over what they should realistically expect from me, they tend to only see the best. Sometimes that's a good thing. I get lots of compliments and they tell me that that's all they expected of me and it feels nice at the time. But it begins to suck when I don't live up to their perfect standards and suddenly their world no longer makes sense because I didn't fit into their idea of who I am. Just because I don't do what you wanted or expected doesn't suddenly mean that I'm not the person you thought I was. I'm just not that person all of the time.
The low expectations are more like a nagging irritation than a true annoyance. I know there are times when I do not act like upstanding, child of God I am (royalty ^.^), but I'm not going to screw you over the second I get a chance. In fact, I try very hard to make sure that that doesn't happen. It takes a lot for me to get to the point of plotting your destruction, and even more for me to consider executing it. If you mess up s badly that I get to that point, I still do everything in my power to stop myself. So please, have a little faith in me.
All in all, I feel that people like extremes a little too much. You have to be this or that, black or white. No one person is 100% anything, and honestly, who are you to judge anyway?
The End
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Fairy Tales
It is my firm belief that fairy tales are the reason I hate love. That and R&B songs.
Fairy tales always tell a tale of some beautiful girl (who, in my opinion, usually isn't that special) who totally and completely captures the heart of some handsome young man, who is willing to go through hell and high water for her. She manages to capture his heart, so absolutely, that he will risk his life just to be with her.
Who is the evil maker of fairy tales and where do they live? Because I want to kick them and walk away. Why would you build up the expectations of little girls everywhere, damn well knowing that they will be crushed when they make it out into the real world? I'm not saying that that kind of love doesn't exsist. The kind of love where someone loves you so absolutely, that they'll do anything for you. In fact, I think I've experienced it. But they never tell you about everything else that comes with it. The deleted scenes of the fairy tales.
They never tell you that your Prince Charming will be flawed beyond belief. They never explain that the "evil dragon" you have to face isn't always some outside source of evil. Sometimes its a humungous problem within one of you (the prince and princess in this charming little story). They never have a story where your Prince Charming screws up royally (unintentional pun ^.^) and some other Prince Charming comes swooping in, confusing the hell out you. Wait, they do have that story. It's called The Twilight Saga. But that isn't a model for proper protocol in any type of romantic relationship (NEVER LISTEN TO TWILIGHT!).
Anyway, fairy tales give us the happy part of the story. They try to describe the indescribable feeling that comes with being in love. But they leave us stumbling around, lost when the not so amazing part barges into our story uninvited. However, I don't think they're all bad. They give us hope that, eventually, our lives will be the fairy tales. I know I wouldn't go through any of the stuff I do if I didn't believe that ther will be some kind of "happily ever after"
The End
Fairy tales always tell a tale of some beautiful girl (who, in my opinion, usually isn't that special) who totally and completely captures the heart of some handsome young man, who is willing to go through hell and high water for her. She manages to capture his heart, so absolutely, that he will risk his life just to be with her.
Who is the evil maker of fairy tales and where do they live? Because I want to kick them and walk away. Why would you build up the expectations of little girls everywhere, damn well knowing that they will be crushed when they make it out into the real world? I'm not saying that that kind of love doesn't exsist. The kind of love where someone loves you so absolutely, that they'll do anything for you. In fact, I think I've experienced it. But they never tell you about everything else that comes with it. The deleted scenes of the fairy tales.
They never tell you that your Prince Charming will be flawed beyond belief. They never explain that the "evil dragon" you have to face isn't always some outside source of evil. Sometimes its a humungous problem within one of you (the prince and princess in this charming little story). They never have a story where your Prince Charming screws up royally (unintentional pun ^.^) and some other Prince Charming comes swooping in, confusing the hell out you. Wait, they do have that story. It's called The Twilight Saga. But that isn't a model for proper protocol in any type of romantic relationship (NEVER LISTEN TO TWILIGHT!).
Anyway, fairy tales give us the happy part of the story. They try to describe the indescribable feeling that comes with being in love. But they leave us stumbling around, lost when the not so amazing part barges into our story uninvited. However, I don't think they're all bad. They give us hope that, eventually, our lives will be the fairy tales. I know I wouldn't go through any of the stuff I do if I didn't believe that ther will be some kind of "happily ever after"
The End
Transitions
While most seniors were getting sentimental about leaving their childhood behind and going to college, I had my bags packed and was rearing to get the f*** out of there. I was so beyond done with high school, it was laughable.
My senior year was particularly....interesting to say the least. I experienced all the cliche' high school drama in a few months time. My first love, an intense cat fight, a complicated love triangle (that eventually grew to other geometrical shapes), backstabbing, heartbreak, all that good stuff. I was so ready to be done leave it all behind and never think about it again.
However, a few days ago, all the bull I thought I left came a knocking. While trying to make amends with one of the people involved in my Senior year fiasco, all the old feelings and stupidity came back. Why is it so hard to just get away from the past? Even though I'm miles away, moving on, preparing for a new time in my life, its still coming back. Why can't it just be over? Why does everyone want to hang on to drama? Why does everyone want to remain that stupid immature person they were?
I truly wish there were some kind of cord you could cut for every new era of your life. Just like when the doctor cut the cord when you finally left your mother's womb, you should be able to cut the cord right before you start middle school, then high school, then college, then marriage, etc. Life would be so much easier if all of the stuff from your past didn't come with you. If you could take the lessons you learned only, and leave everything else behind, that would a nearly perfect world.
My senior year was particularly....interesting to say the least. I experienced all the cliche' high school drama in a few months time. My first love, an intense cat fight, a complicated love triangle (that eventually grew to other geometrical shapes), backstabbing, heartbreak, all that good stuff. I was so ready to be done leave it all behind and never think about it again.
However, a few days ago, all the bull I thought I left came a knocking. While trying to make amends with one of the people involved in my Senior year fiasco, all the old feelings and stupidity came back. Why is it so hard to just get away from the past? Even though I'm miles away, moving on, preparing for a new time in my life, its still coming back. Why can't it just be over? Why does everyone want to hang on to drama? Why does everyone want to remain that stupid immature person they were?
I truly wish there were some kind of cord you could cut for every new era of your life. Just like when the doctor cut the cord when you finally left your mother's womb, you should be able to cut the cord right before you start middle school, then high school, then college, then marriage, etc. Life would be so much easier if all of the stuff from your past didn't come with you. If you could take the lessons you learned only, and leave everything else behind, that would a nearly perfect world.
My DLS
The Deep Limbic System (DLS) is the part of the brain that;
I recently read a memoir titled Border Passage. An Egyptian women details her life during a very revolutionary era for her country. As she writes, she begins to work through so many memories, old emotions, thoughts and past events, and in the process makes sense of her life and comes to terms with some unresolved problems. I want this blog to be my Border Passage.
That is all
- sets the emotional tone of the mind
- filters external events through internal states (emotional coloring)
- tags events as internally important
- stores highly charged emotional memories
- promotes bonding
- modulates libido
I recently read a memoir titled Border Passage. An Egyptian women details her life during a very revolutionary era for her country. As she writes, she begins to work through so many memories, old emotions, thoughts and past events, and in the process makes sense of her life and comes to terms with some unresolved problems. I want this blog to be my Border Passage.
That is all
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