tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11602136290902727992024-03-06T01:37:56.475-05:00The Dragunz DenWelcome to the Dragunz Den! This is the blog of a rather simplistic and complicated mind. I am a writer, a reader, a fighter, and student of life. Enjoy your time here.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-47649031008829733192014-01-23T13:57:00.001-05:002014-01-23T13:57:18.092-05:00What have you done?!<br /><br />Over on <a href="http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/">The Bimillenial Man</a> my spirit brother did this little survey thingy that's been going around on facebook. I'll take his lead and do it here on my blog rather than there because, why not? I've left the ones not done in red. Many of these questions are rather infantile, like little kids fishing for info on their friends, hence why it's making its way around on fb, but it's still fun. The kid in us is always there and sometime he/she likes to come out to play, no? So, let's play.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><b> 1. HAD SEX: <br />Well, yeah. Wife. Daughter. Fourth decade of life. I would hope so.<br /><br /> <br /> 2. SMOKED: <br />Yes. Luckily for me I don't have an addictive personality so I can take it or leave it. At one point in my young adulthood I was smoking nearly two packs a day. So sick. I quit cold turkey one day when I realized I had no breathing capacity for strenuous physical activity. Didn't smoke at all for nearly two years. My friends were amazed. It was simple for me. The ability to run for my life was more important than any minimal pleasure I got out of smoking.<br />Haven't smoked in a long while. Only ever get the craving when I'm out and drinking. Otherwise, I'm done with that. <br /><br /> <br /> 3. GOT DRUNK: <br />Yes. I've been SMASHED more times than really necessary for a human. Hey, 10 years in the Air Force it's going to happen. Again, something I'm not locked to. I enjoy a drink now and then but I don't really drink to get drunk too much anymore. I like single malt scotch and nice stouts, porters, ales, and hard ciders.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">4. WENT SKINNY DIPPING</span><br />No. At least I don't remember doing that. Nope. <br /><br /> <br /> 5. KISSED SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX:<br />Come on son. <i>Of course</i> I have. I love kissing women.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">6. KISSED SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX:</span><br />Hell to the N-O. At least not in a romantic or sexual way. I kissed my father when I was a kid. That's about it. Don't count.<br /><br /><br /> 7. CHEATED ON A TEST:<br />Heh-heh. Oh yeah. I was a kid, smart, intelligent, and lazy. What?<br /><br /><br /> 8. FELL ASLEEP IN CLASS:<br />All the time. I even fell asleep in my military classes in technical school. And was still one of the top three students in my class. Yeah, I'm good. No cheating either.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">9. BEEN EXPELLED:</span><br />Nah.<br /><br /></b><div>
<b>10. BEEN IN A FIST FIGHT:<br />Yup. Never lost a toe to toe fight in my life. Haven't had many but enough to know I can handle myself. And I've learned a lot since I was young. <br /><br /><br />11. STOLE SOMETHING:<br />I was introduced to the skill of thieving at a very early age. Much too early unfortunately and it was a personality trait for a very long time. Most of my childhood actually. I'm so glad I grew beyond that.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">12. DONE DRUGS:</span><br />Technically no <i>I</i> didn't DO<i> </i>them. Like number 11, the same people who I learned how to steal from introduced into my system something that should never be given to a child. I've since forgiven them but... Otherwise as an adult, no.<br /><br /> <br /><span style="color: red;">13. DYED YOUR HAIR:</span><br />No.<br /><br /><br /> 14. CRIED YOURSELF TO SLEEP:<br />Yes. The woman I loved and wanted to marry died. <br /><br /><br />15. BEEN IN LOVE:<br />Yes. Many times.<br /><br /><br /> 16. GOT CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DOING:<br />Yeah. It happens.<br /><br /><br />17. WENT STREAKING:<br />No. Not even pissy drunk would I do this.<br /><br /><br />18. GOT ARRESTED:<br />Well yes. No real criminal activity. Traffic bullshit.<br /><br /> 19. MADE OUT WITH SOMEONE:<br />Dumb ass question. I was a very, very, very young kid my first time. I've ALWAYS liked girls!<br /><br /><br /> 20. PEED IN THE POOL:<br />I'm sure I have. An accident though.<br /><br /><br /> 21. PLAYED SPIN THE BOTTLE:<br />Yeah. As an adult when I was in the military once. Nothing happened.<br /><br /><br /> 22. DONE SOMETHING YOU REGRET:</b><br /><b>No, no not really. Things I used to think I regretted I realized brought me onto paths that I would never change, so no. Never. For instance, when I was 11 years old I finally got my wish: To go live with my mother. I lived with her for two years but because I wasn't doing as well in school as I had been when I was with my father I had to back to him. Incidentally, that is the first time in my life that I was brokenhearted. However, if I hadn't gone back to NY to live with my father I most likely would have never met my spirit brother, <a href="http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/">The Bimillenial Man</a>, my bestestest friend in this entire universe! You think I regret that?</b><br /><br /><br /> <br /> There you go. Like my spirit brother, despite us both growing up in the South Bronx, I've lead a relatively sheltered life. I'm no innocent but I'm not exactly a hell raiser either. I think I'm a healthy rebel. If you're so inclined you can let me know which of these you've done in your life. <br /><br /><br /> LAterz</div>
Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-66680897787648606412013-03-18T01:02:00.000-04:002013-03-18T01:02:47.954-04:00A year in the life...Talea's 1st Bornday!!Well, it's been a year since the birth of Talea, my daughter and first child. She still lives! And with no major damage! My wife and I must be doing something right. Now we just have to keep doing it for, oh, I don't know, FOREVER! :-) I love that kid so much! She is the happiest person I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with and my only goal in life is to make sure she stays that way. She really has her own personality already and it's just the greatest joy just to watch her BE. For sure there have been little mishaps here and there but nothing permanently damaging or detrimental to her health. She loves to learn, and given who her parents are, that is a very good thing. She loves to read books, but that should also be a given. Walking was her main thing for a while but now she's moved onto talking. She is really, really, really trying to get all the words in her head out now. And also trying to get her hands to work the signs correctly, though we usually figure out what she's trying to tell us. Eventually! She is really good at getting her point across and getting her way. :-)<br />
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Here's some pics from her wonderful Bornday!<br />
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Decorations courtesy of Mommy and Daddy power</div>
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Best cake EVAR!</div>
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What?! I got a phone!</div>
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Watch me make this ball disappear.</div>
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You see my bowl is empty, right?</div>
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What you mean no more cake and ice cream?!</div>
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Daddy!</div>
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Uncle David!</div>
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YAY!</div>
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What?!!!!!!</div>
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*Discreetly reaching for that last piece*</div>
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Told you, that last piece is mine, yo!</div>
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Let's get the last of it before Daddy comes back.</div>
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The party is not over!</div>
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There is so much going on right now in our lives but this here is just for the Bornday girl! SO,<br />
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HAPPY BORNDAY TALEA!!!!!! </div>
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I am eagerly looking forward to so many more! Daddy loves you!<br />
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<br />Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-27693403410962812062013-03-01T23:55:00.000-05:002013-03-01T23:55:19.061-05:00Interesting Encounter - Goodness is alive in the world stillHad to go to a certain office today to look into a certain situation. While we, meaning my wife and daughter and I, were getting ready to leave a seemingly homeless man approached us. His hair was wildly unkempt, he stooped, and he had that certain scent that wafts from those who usually don't have a place to call home and wash. His only purpose was to tell us what a lovely family we were and that god would bless us, watch over us, and solve all of our problems. Now, me being who I am, I was on guard while listening to him. Some random dude, who also seems to have a slight or more than slight mental condition, just walks up on me with my family can be quick to get dealt with. But I like to think that I am a quick assessor of a given situation, and I know that my wife is, and besides, I saw him approach and didn't see/feel a threat. But I stay ready. Always. Anyway, he went on to explain that he watched us as we got our daughter ready to leave and he was moved by the care and love in which we handled her and dealt with each other. When he finished we thanked him, and because we were still getting her ready he decided to recite a poem for us. I wish I had an eidetic memory because I'd write it here for you to read because it was very nice. I don't know if it was something he had rattling around in his head for a while or something he freestyled on the spot but I was moved, as was my wife. We thanked him again and as we were leaving a lady sitting in the room called out to us. She also told us that we were a very nice family. We thanked her as well and left. I was very amused that the lady said something because I realized as soon as she spoke that she only said something because the man did. Most people would have either walked away from and/or ignored the man just because of his appearance alone. I'm glad that my wife and I are made of better stuff. This man saw something he thought was beautiful and far too scarce in this world and decided to speak on it. He felt moved to. Far too many people are afraid to speak. I am proud that my wife, my daughter, and I exude enough love for someone, anyone to notice and speak. This is not the first time we have been approached in this manner but it is definitely a standout moment for me. I am truly humbled and feel extremely fortunate to have such wonderful people love me so much that it radiates to others. Days like today make me feel less saddened about the world my daughter was born into.<br />
<br />Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-91363759917688510962013-02-14T22:51:00.000-05:002013-02-14T23:08:13.275-05:005 Most Influential BooksI love to read. Always have. Stories are the fabric that make up the gestalt mind of humanity and I love 'em all. Fiction, non-fiction, technical manuals, scientific journals, instructional textbooks, if it can be read I'll read it as long as I find it interesting. Much of what I have read in my life has had some shaping of the person that I am.<br />
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I also love the time I've grown up in. As a huge Sci-fi fan I've read about the future and possibilities of human existence, particularly technology. I've seen some forms of the things I read, dreamed, and speculated about as a child actually come to reality. Cell phones, tablet computers, the world wide web, etc. I love reading a book or magazine on my Thrive, or having nearly my whole music library on a little device smaller than the average wallet, or having the ability to call, surf the web, or play a game on one little machine that fits in the palm of my hand.<br />
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And yet...I was born in an older time before all of these things, so, I have a very special affinity for real, tangible books. I love books! The way they feel, look, and smell is just wonderful. I love walking into bookstores and libraries just to be in the midst of so much knowledge and imagination. I especially love the feel and smell of a used bookstore. It is simply heavenly. I've found some literary treasures. I've been reading nearly all my life and so I have quite the collection as well. You can check it out <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5115661" target="_blank">here</a> if you so desire. I'm sure there's a few I'm missing but that's most of them. And I've said all of this to get to the point of this blog: The 5 books that had the most influence on my life.<br />
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<b><u>My Book of Bible Stories</u></b><br />
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This is the first book I remember reading in my life. At first I just looked at the very detailed and awesome illustrations in it but it didn't take me long to learn to read the words that explained the wonderful pictures I loved to look at. This book right here is responsible for my love of fantasy stories. (Didn't expect that did ya.) I'm not going to get into a religious conversation here because you can find my stance on religion elsewhere on my blog. This is simply a really good book that simplified the stories in the bible so that anyone could understand them clearly. And the artwork was/is phenomenal. I am very glad that I was not made to believe these stories were supposed to be true but left to my own devices of interpretation. I did not understand the "importance" of the bible when I first began reading this and that was a blessing indeed.<br />
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<b><u>Aesop's Fables</u></b><br />
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I have some of my fondest childhood memories of Aesop's Fables. As a very young child my father read them to my brother and I as bedtime stories. Every story was a lesson and my father made sure that we understood each one. He had a beautiful large hardcover copy with some of the most beautiful illustrations I have ever had the pleasure to see of these fables. The reason I do not have a pic for this entry is I do not have the book any longer because a teacher, Gerianne F. Scott, stole it from me a long time ago and I'm still very upset about it. I also cannot find a copy or pic online.<br />
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<u><b>Glory Lane </b>by <a href="http://alandeanfoster.com/version2.0/frameset.htm" target="_blank">Alan Dean Foster</a></u><br />
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This book right here is absolutely responsible for my lifelong love of Science Fiction! My mother brought this for me when I was about ten or eleven. Still my favorite book ever. An adventure that begins on the third planet from our sun and blasts off into the far reaches of the universe. Three humans get mixed up with an alien hiding out on our planet. The ultimate lesson of the story is doing the right thing because it is the right thing instead of the advantageous thing. Alan Dean Foster is still one of my most favorite authors in SF to this day. I have collected almost all of his published books. This is also one of my favorite book covers EVAR! It is a wrap around cover with all of these very interesting and far-out aliens all over and the three humans looking out like, "Whoa!" The book covers in my youth were the best. Great artistry that went missing for quite a while but I notice is making a comeback. Just another reason I love the genre of speculative fiction. Thanks Ma!<br />
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<u><b>Street Lethal</b> by <a href="http://darkush.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Steven Barnes</a></u><br />
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This is my very favorite book next to Glory Lane. Street Lethal was the first book I read where the main character was someone I could literally see myself as without stretching the imagination too far. It was also the first SF book I read by a Black author. The awesomeness of this for me is without bounds. I've <a href="http://dragunzden.blogspot.com/2008/11/bayou-online-comic.html" target="_blank">written elsewhere on my blog</a> about why such a thing is so important to me so I won't delve into that here. Just know that Aubry Knight is still my favorite character ever and I would really, really, really, really, really, really love to see this on the big screen one day. And again, I love the cover of this one. This cover is a reprint but I am so glad it is the one that introduced me to Steven. The original cover didn't reflect what was inside as much as this one does. LOVE IT!!!! This book was also the first of a trilogy of stories centered on Aubry Knight and Promise, Aubry's lady love. The other two books "Gorgon Child" and "Firedance" are wonderful books as well. I've <a href="http://dragunzden.blogspot.com/2009/03/having-good-week.html" target="_blank">met Steven</a> and he is an awesome person. I look forward to the next meeting.<br />
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<u><b>Futureland: Nine Stories of an Imminent World</b> - by Walter Mosley</u><br />
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This book here blew my mind. This here is not the future I was accustomed to reading about in most science fiction and thank the higher powers (and Walter Mosley) that it was written and given to the world to read! Gritty, unpleasant, gripping, hopeful, plus a whole lot of other adjectives cannot do this book justice. The plays of power, belief, social status, love, family, and friendship are just phenomenal. This book literally changed how I want to write and encouraged me to want to write the future <b>I</b> see in my mind. And the format of the story is also something that I had never had the experience of reading before. It's a novel told through nine interrelated and interlinking stories. Each story is phenomenal enough to stand on it's own and yet, the sum FAR outweighs the parts in this here tale. If/when I ever get to meet Mr. Mosley the first thing I will say to him is Thank You for Futureland! The scariest thing about this story is I can see this happening, in many ways, in our real timeline. I love it! Walter Mosley became a well known writer for his mysteries, particularly the Easy Rawlins novels, that begins with "Devil in a Blue Dress," which was turned into a film, where a particularly famous and excellent actor by the name of Denzel played the title character. Who would have guessed his mind encompassed so much more? Futureland definitely made him one of my favorite writers.<br />
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And there you go. The 5 most influential books in my life so far. I cannot wait to read them all again! There are so many other books that are high on my importance list and yet it wasn't hard to pick these 5. That should tell you something. I hope you enjoyed reading and I really hope you go out and check these out. Which books have been an influence in your life? Let me know in the comments or if you are so inclined write your own blog and let me know. You might just give me something interesting to read next!<br />
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Also, my best friend <a href="http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/2013/01/5-most-influential-books.html" target="_blank">The Bimillennial Man</a> did his own list. Check him out.<br />
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<br />Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-51728263341791958882013-02-06T23:03:00.000-05:002013-02-06T23:03:31.725-05:00Already a hell of a year.Hello world. I'm still here. Still bloggin'. Been a while, I know. Life got interesting the last two years, particularly in the last few weeks. Doesn't seem like so much time has passed or so much has happened until I reflect on it. With the amount of events that happened in my life the last two years seem much, much longer. Feels like nearly ten years went by. I ended one relationship, started another, got married, had a baby, graduated college, quit one job to start another job, was let go from that job after just five months with no real explanation, and moved to a larger and more expensive apartment. So, I find myself in the unenviable position of a having a wife and child and no employment. To top that all off, my bestest friend in the whole wide universe is getting a divorce. I mention it because I hurt for him. I know how much he loved his wife and I was there when the spark struck that lit the love that has, now, blown out. He himself <a href="http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-end-of-era.html" target="_blank">blogged</a> about it, which tells me a great deal of how much he's given without getting anything in return for quite some time. I'm not really surprised but...it's still kind of a shock. I'm am deeply saddened by this. My own situation is nothing compared to this. I can get a job. But my friend will persevere. He is strong: Mind, Body, and Spirit.<br />
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SO! My little one is walking now. Talea is ten months old and nearly running already. Still has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. Long wild curly hair. Loves to climb and make noise. She really, really wants to talk so bad. Her mother took her to a sign language class called Baby Fingers a few months ago, and she's starting to get the hang of signing at us for what she wants. Mostly food. It's so wonderful to recognize that my daughter is actually communicating with us and we can understand her. My wife is brilliant. I would have never thought of something like that. Tren, my wife, is always looking for some class or researching some information about the development of infants/children and trying something or planning something. I am a very fortunate individual. Smart too. I married her. ;-)<br />
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I love being home with Talea. Tren has recently gone back to school to finish her last semester, so me being without a job is semi-convenient for us both. The only problem is things cost money. Not hurting yet, but I'm going to need some income coming in soon. I'm not worried. But I'm not stupid either. I'm putting some things in motion. We'll see what pans out and what does not. For the most part I'm happy, my wife is happy, and, more important than anything else in this universe or any other, my daughter is happy and safe.<br />
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Here's something to brighten your life until next time I post.<br />
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Can't tell me that isn't Daddy's little girl.</div>
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LAterz!<br />
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P.S. To all the parents that stay home and actually take care of their kids, stay strong. It is the hardest work there is. It is also the most important work one can do, raising a life. Respect.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-37743119697921504552012-10-30T19:20:00.001-04:002012-10-30T21:25:33.595-04:00Hello there!Been gone for quite a while, I know. Been busy. It is the Year of the Dragon and I'm a Dragon so whadaya expect?! I'll let you judge: Finally finalized a rather serious...situation. [Vague I know but gotta leave it that way for now. Sorry.] Got married. Had a baby. Well, my wife had the baby, I just helped make her. Graduated from Fordham University. Bachelor's degree. Quit one job and started another. Raising the baby.<br />
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SO...whadaya think? Busy year so far?<br />
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I love being a father. I love being a husband. These are the things I've wanted since I was very young. I remember thinking when I was about 10 or so that I wanted a family of my own. Wife, children and that's it. What job I was going to have was inconsequential to me. My parents weren't together. I wanted them to be. I remember questioning them when I was very young. I do not remember the answers I was given then. As an adult I have the the real answers now. I craved for what I didn't have then, a complete family. As in the unit. Mother, father, children. I have that now, at least I have a child not children, and I am happy about it. It is an adjustment though. I started this family thing a bit later than I planned. Not for lack of trying though. My first go round was approximately 12 years ago, the last Year of the Dragon. Didn't quite work out. I'm glad it didn't and not glad at the same time. Not glad because I truly did love the woman I was trying to have a child with at the time and I think she would have been a great mother. Of course I am very glad because I have a wonderful wife who is an even more wonderful mother to the most precious and beautiful creature I have ever witnessed on this planet. Talea is magic, pure and simple. People stop in their tracks when we go out just to stare at her. This has happened more than once. My wife's doctor actually called her a "perfect human specimen". How awesome is that?! I haven't felt as much happiness from the presence of another human since my sister was born! [That's another story I have to jot down here soon. Especially since I just mentioned it. ;-)] I mentioned Talea in my other <a href="http://tarrellchilds.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-daughter-talea-and-filmsmovies.html">blog</a> a few months ago. It was in relation to a writing class I was taking. My daughter helped me graduate college! How awesome is that!<br />
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[Started this two days ago and now I've lost my train of thought. I wanted to finish it but the zone I was in is gone. Oh well. I'll just start writing and see what happens.]<br />
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Talea is growing so fast! It's been roughly seven months and the kid is trying to speak and run already! Actually she's been trying to do those things almost since she was born. She's so smart and intelligent. When I get home her face lights up with an excited smile and my day instantly becomes better. There is no better feeling than my daughter bouncing up and down in excitement 'cause she sees me. I really have to get on with improving myself in all the areas I need to so that I can not only teach her what she needs but be a great example as well. Call me crazy if you want but my goal is to raise my daughter to be a Jedi Warrior Queen. Her mother is smart and very intelligent, I'm pretty smart and kind of intelligent, so, I think Talea is on a good path with us so far. Her mother has a gift for language so Talea is already hearing French, Korean, and Spanish along with English. She is also learning sign language as well.<br />
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[Another break of a few days. Man I need to make a schedule and stick to it!]<br />
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Talea is nearly walking, crawling around, already climbing on and off things, and generally on the edge of becoming a heart attack inducer for her parents. I'm going to post this now before another few days pass by. (I slacked off way too much this month. I took a break from facebook for a month and the month is almost up. I need to step up my writing game something fierce.) Stay cool until next time.<br />
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LAterz.<br />
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edit: I also moved to a bigger apartment this year. How'd I forget that?!<br />
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Oh, and here's the wee magic wolf cub!<br />
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<br />Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-41492135418726318312012-02-27T05:03:00.006-05:002013-04-10T20:55:36.253-04:00Editing rant.I'm taking a Writing for Online course online in this final semester of school, in which each of us students must maintain a blog. I'm kind of bogged down with a lot right now but I'm trying to keep up with all of my school work, part of which is reading my fellow students' blogs. I find this interesting but also extremely annoying! Why do you ask? Well, I'll tell ya. Maybe it's the writing snob in me but as interesting as some of my classmates' blog subjects might be they have a particular problem with grammar and spelling. Spelling mistakes don't bother me too much unless they're constant but wrong words and improper grammar annoy the hell out of me. For instance, knowing the difference and usage of there, their, and they're. Or your and you're. They are NOT interchangeable and since you made it to college you should probably know the difference and when to use each. I know sometimes people are in a rush and/or just overwhelmed but take a breather after you finish writing and don't post anything! After your break, go and carefully read and edit what you wrote. Hopefully you can catch the mistakes and correct them (there are programs to help with this you know). I'm not perfect by any means. I make mistakes. Some of them get past me, usually just minor spelling errors, but at least I EDIT before I POST!! Trust me, I've never mixed up there, their, or they're in anything I've ever written. That's just stupid. Sorry, it is. I'd like to assume that most of the people in this course with me paid attention in English class in their previous years of schooling, but it doesn't seem like it based on what I'm reading. And this simple shit is what makes me not want to read what they write.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-54693950855443497502011-10-31T05:10:00.005-04:002011-10-31T05:50:50.963-04:00Technologically limping alongI need a new laptop or netbook. I have been without either of these for some months now. It is an annoyance not having them. Yes, at one time I had both and a few months ago rendered both of them pretty much inoperable at the same time. It was a rather stupid accident which occurred as a result of a random and rapid demonstration of frustrated anger. I'm fortunate that I still have regular access to computers and the intarweebs but the absence of mobility and convenience of my portables is starting to bug me just a bit. I use the work computers but they suck. I have a desktop at home and my fiance also has an Mac laptop so I'm not completely unconnected. Oh yeah, and I have my PS3 and my iPhone but I miss my laptops! What was that you asked? Oh, HOW did I render them inoperable? Well... There was this table in the living room. My fiance and I were having a disagreement. I was getting rather upset and frustrated and slammed my fists on the table, as men are wont to do in arguments (I'm not saying that this is acceptable behaviour, but it happens). However, my tangled mind forgot that the table had a glass top. I know, you're asking, "how could you not realize it was a glass top?" Well, there was a cover over the table that's why. And angry mind ignores rational mind when its riled up, so I'm sure rational mind was saying, "Don't hit the damn table. It might break. Your computers are on it and it's a long way down to the floor." (It was a rather high table.) But with the cover over it the table LOOKED solid and since angry mind was all pumped up rational mind could not be heard over angry mind screaming, "Hulk smash!!" Fists rose up and slammed down with a satisfying bang, then a millisecond later, CRASH! That glass wasn't cheap thin glass either. I'm not bragging. It was thick glass. I realized this as I picked up the shards and sharp chunks of it. And to put some minds at ease, my fiance found this male display of anger amusing. She laughed which actually diffused the whole situation. We were going to get rid of the table anyway. But I felt like a complete stupid ass, partly because I lost it for a second and broke the table, but mostly because my computers were on the damn thing when I did. Oh well. So, now I'm stuck to sucky work computers, an old desktop I had to clean up that still limps along, and a mac that I don't really like.<br /><br />Lesson: Control your temper. There is always a negative consequence to succumbing to anger. I'm still working on it. Have been since I was a kid. I'm getting better.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-50083386141035979492011-07-18T02:55:00.017-04:002011-09-28T03:44:30.200-04:00Top 5 Dead Or AliveThe list every rap fan has. The most debated and argued over. I'm sure some fights have started and friendships have ended over certain lists. For the longest time my list has been comprised of the top Emcees from my youth. I realize that is no longer a fair comparison for today's conversation on who's the nicest in the game. I'm an old school cat. My list was strictly Emcees, no rappers. Shit, my current list is still Emcees but I'm saying. For those not in the know let me make this distinction clear: All Emcees are rappers but not all rappers are Emcees. I'm an east coast Hip Hop head but also a huge admirer of music of all kinds, so I'm not limited to my region of growth, though I was when I was younger when it came to rap music. I've since grown and have a huge appreciation of rap from all regions around the world, as long as it's good, I'm good. I'm big on lyrics and lyricism and intelligence so most pop-rap is crap-rap to me. Hey, I told you I'm old school. I'm from the era when rap was NOT mainstream and the damn U.S. government was having Senate meetings and such to try and shut rap down. Yeah. Youngin's today have know idea about that!<br /><br />Anyways, to my lists. Yes that's plural. I don't just have a T5DoA list because there are just too many excellent emcees out there. The kulture and it's music has expanded so much since it's beginnings that 5 is just not realistic. Let's start with my original list:<br /><br />KRS-One<br />Big Daddy Kane<br />Rakim<br />MC Lyte<br />Chuck D<br /><br />Obvious why this is my list, right? Also completely unfair to modern emcees and rappers to make comparisons to them, right. Each of these cats is truly a GOD MC now. Also they each can still kill the mic and still produce music today. They are for all intents and purposes above the ranking. Also those I think are above the ranking are: L. L. Cool J, The Fresh Prince Will Smith, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Q-Tip, Guru, and Queen Latifah. I feel I'm missing someone but I'm writing this off the dome so forgive me.<br /><br />So, that's the GOD MC list. Next I think I'll make a list of the Legendary MC's which are right below GOD status but almost there and just above the running for the t5doa list.<br /><br />Redman<br />Pharoahe Monch<br />Black Thought<br />GZA<br />Ghostface Killa<br />Method Man<br />Raekwon<br />Q-tip<br />Busta Rhymes<br />Heavy D<br />Chubb Rock<br /><br /><br />I'll leave it at ten. Honorable mentions here for Biggie, Pac, and Big Pun since, you know, they're gone.<br />Now the next list is current cats that have been out for a while. Still hot and making moves in some ways but not youngin's anymore. Legendary or damn near, at least to me.<br /><br />Jay-Z<br />Mos Def<br />Talib Kweli<br />Eminem<br />Kanye West<br />Nas (I'm not a huge fan or admirer but respect is given.)<br />Snoop Doggy Dog<br />DMX (Not current but dude took the game for a few years and held it in a chokehold. Huge fan)<br />Ludacris (Hugely underrated!)<br />Andre 3000<br />Big Boi<br />Royce da 5'9"<br />RZA (As a producer he's above this ranking but this is strictly emceeing right now.)<br />Xzibit<br />Missy Elliot<br />Freddie Foxxx aka. Bumpy Knuckles<br />Skillz<br /><br /><br />Again I know I'm missing some more but this is good for now. Next is cats that have been in the game for a while but are recently making a buzz and younger cats that have been out for a minute.<br /><br />Sean Price (Ruck from Heltah Skeltah. Been on his solo thing for a few now and he's MAD NICE!)<br />Jean Grae (Viciously nice! Very very few are messing with Jeanie-Jean lyrically!!!)<br />Lupe Fiasco<br />Skyzoo<br />Naledge (from Kidz in the Hall)<br />Black Milk<br />Lil' Wayne (He started so damn young! He should be one up but I'm still putting him here. Sleep or hate if you want, shorty can spit.)<br />Fat Joe (Scoff if you want but few Emcees have consistently improved over time like Joey Crack!)<br />Joell Ortiz<br />Joe Budden<br />Crooked I<br />Immortal Technique<br />50 Cent<br />Freeway<br />Beanie Sigel<br />Pusha T (one half of the Clipse. He's spittin' hard right now!)<br /><br /><br />There are more but you get the drift. Now onto the new jacks. I don't really keep up with many 'cause I am probably officially an old head as far as Hip-Hop and rap music is concerned. I try and keep my ears open for what's nice by my standards. Here you go.<br /><br />J. Cole (His 'official' studio album is on the cusp of dropping but the mixtapes and guest shots show shorty is nice lyrically. The proof is he got signed by Jay. Looking forward to the album.)<br />Drake (I'm back and forth with this kid but he's nice. I think J. Cole is better but he's cool.)<br />Nicki Minaj (She. Can. Spit. )<br />Cory Gunz (He's been around for a minute and probably would have blown up a while ago if his father wasn't screwing up his business. Kind of sorry for a father to be so obviously jelly of his son's talent. Check the show 'Son of a Gun' to see what I mean. But he's down with Weezy's click now so I can't wait for his official studio album debut. He is nice on the mic!)<br />Diggy Simmons (Who saw that coming?! Shorty got skills! 2nd generation stand up!)<br /><br />There's a bunch of new jacks out there signed and making music but, again, I'm not really current with them. I know the names, i.e.: Whiz Kalifa, Yelawolf, Wale, Kid Cudi, Cyhi the Prince, etc. but I haven't heard enough from them to be impressed.<br /><br />SO, these are my humble opinions on the T5DoA discussions. But if you must have a list of five I'll give you my current 5 favorites:<br /><br />Jay-Z<br />Royce da 5'9"<br />Pharoahe Monch<br />Sean Price<br />Skyzoo<br /><br />These cats are on heavy rotation on my Zune (yeah ZUNE!) at all times, and on backup duty on my iphone when the Zune runs out of juice.<br /><br />If you want to comment go for it. I look forward to the ranting and raving!<br /><br />LAterzAshe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-21319508953922189242011-06-29T05:16:00.013-04:002011-06-29T06:21:00.135-04:00I met John ScalziYes, I actually found myself in the presence of the <a href="http://unicornpegasuskitten.com/">Scalzorc</a> and lived to tell the tale. [Click on that link for awesomeness.] ;-) Seriously, a few weeks ago I went to a reading at the NYPL where Mr. Scalzi, along with Cat Valente, Lev Grossman, and Scott Westerfeld, were giving readings. This occasion was the NYPL's effort to support those who write and enjoy Speculative Fiction. The event was titled, <a href="http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/05/24/spectulating-fiction">Speculating on Fiction</a>. Isn't that wonderfully telling? These authors all happened to be on book signing tours for their respective new releases. I've been an admirer of Mr. Scalzi's for some time now. Just recently became aware of Cat and knew Lev and Scott by name only. Cat had a really cool publicity promotion for her new book where she wrote some small essay type tales that dealt with her new book which were posted on several of the websites of the venues she stopped at along her tour. I read them all in sequence. They were pretty cool and they worked 'cause I bought the book. However, the main draw for me for this shindig was John. I've been a follower of his online shenanigans, mostly documented <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/">here</a>. What I like most about John is not only is he an excellent writer of many things but he also is a huge fan and proponent of SF and intelligence. He showcases other writers on <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/">Whatever</a> along with his thoughts, journeys, and insights. Cool dude. And he is a proud Geek! And a very entertaining one as well. For his reading at the NYPL gathering he decided to read a short little tale he wrote as an April Fool's joke for the world. He regaled us with the tale of how the whole thing came about. (I will not reiterate it here for it is well documented on <a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/04/05/in-which-i-reveal-that-tswotndbotdc-is-totally-not-real/">Whatever</a><a href="http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/04/05/in-which-i-reveal-that-tswotndbotdc-is-totally-not-real/"> here</a>.) Then he read us this most epic of epic beginnings the likes of which fantasy has never seen nor will it ever again! Also of note was that he was pretty much hoarse and yet he still gave an excellent performance. And it was a performance, not a reading. This guy is super animated in a good way, he loves what he does and it shows. I like that. He was on tour for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fuzzy-Nation-John-Scalzi/dp/0765328542/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309342841&sr=1-1">Fuzzy Nation</a>, which I bought and will read very soon, and I also bought Cat's new book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Circumnavigated-Fairyland-Ship-Making/dp/0312649614/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1309340171&sr=1-4"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="btAsinTitle" style="">The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making</span></span></a>" and Lev's, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magicians-Novel-Lev-Grossman/dp/B003YDXD3G/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309342808&sr=1-3">The Magicians</a>". The Magicians came out last year and Lev is touring for the sequel The Magician King but I figured since I was just being introduced to his work I'd start with the first one. All the readings were wonderful and all of the books were signed by the authors so I am a happy Dragun. Oh and look:<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/tchilds/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wlTmobY4weduERNm4hbKmfiYfMuLR2cz3Z9AhFyXrW7GmnL346grUqYvtkNBGpHLxctWxVRdC74BI0ZC7NT8lvR7YKitU1pnxth97b6JAc2Co9ukpnmpw-WOhcit55xNl_GroLE61zq9/s1600/scalzdragun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wlTmobY4weduERNm4hbKmfiYfMuLR2cz3Z9AhFyXrW7GmnL346grUqYvtkNBGpHLxctWxVRdC74BI0ZC7NT8lvR7YKitU1pnxth97b6JAc2Co9ukpnmpw-WOhcit55xNl_GroLE61zq9/s400/scalzdragun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623574556710264114" border="0" /></a>That is John Scalzi next to the Awesome Afro!<br /><br />(Note the dark background. The NYPL was closing on us and they weren't playing! They shut off the lights in the middle of the meet and greet. Good thing the flash was working! I got my pic and my signatures so I'm good. I'll meet him again.)Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-34496468154002321252011-06-20T03:19:00.007-04:002011-06-20T05:08:47.012-04:00Getting things back together. And an awesomely stupid crash.Hello again friends. I know. I'm so inconsistent. I'm working on it. Finally went back to Aikido last Wednesday. Damn it felt good to be in the dojo again. It's been almost two years since I'd been on the mats and I've missed it the whole time but life must be dealt with and some things must suffer sometimes. I've been through a lot since then but I'm getting back on track and slowly building my focus. I will not be taking a hiatus from Aikido like that again any time soon. Along with school that is another focus of mine. Next targets are my writing and getting my money earning capabilities sharp. This job shit is just not going to cut it for much longer.<br /><br />Anyways, I wanted to write about my day today, well, yesterday. Sunday morning. Woke up to a rather heated disagreement with my lady, whom will be referred to as Pixie from now on. She went to work and I just tried to calm myself and chill. She calls after a while. She forgot her socks and could I please bring them. Yup, no problem. She doesn't work that far from where we live, so, I decide to ride over there on her bike. Her bike is better than mine, lighter, faster, and more expensive. Riding downhill I let my concentration wander. How, were you wondering? WELL! Let me tell you. I realized that the volume was too low on my Zune and decided to turn it up. I looked down for only a second but that's all it takes. I looked up at the coming intersection and saw the light was yellow and realized I should slow down before I got there. This was an intelligent decision since I was moving fast and couldn't tell if there were cars waiting at the opposing lights. However, this super-efficient bike I was on was way more responsive than my way cheaper and much heavier mountain bike. So, I hit the brake for the rear tire and it starts to slew sideways, the bike begins to shake and wobble. My brain says, "Hey stupid, put your other hand on the fucking handle bars and control this shit!" But see, even though that was another very intelligent decision it also came a bit too late. I was really coasting, downhill remember, and by the time my Zune filled hand barely touched the handle bar it was already way too late. So, with this super-efficient, speedy, and expensive machine wobbling exponentially out of control between my legs, I try and control the fall somehow. We will now defer to my brain's take on the resulting event(The speed of thought is an amazing thing.): "You dumb fuck. Oh shit. We're going down. This shit is going to hurt bad. REALLY BAD!! Try not to get tangled in the bike. I can't jump clear. Oh shit, I'm going to hit that car. Turn the wheel, damnit, don't hit the car with the wheel dead on! Goodohshitthisisgonna..." BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Aaaauuuggghh...." Then I laugh hysterically at myself as several witnesses to my colossal fuck up ask me if I'm okay. I hit that car hard. I tell them all, "Yeah, I'm alright," and I look to make sure I didn't damage the car, then check the bike, then feel the pain. Jacked up my left knee and my whole upper left torso, which is unfortunately an area that has been previously damaged rather seriously. However, self assessment revealed that I wasn't broken, so, I composed myself, just a tad bit shaken, and continue on my delivery of socks.<br /><br />Delivery made, Pixie happy, I make my way home. Shower, clean and patch my knee and make my way to Aikido!! I still went for two reasons. 1: I said I would make it and I honor my word. Sunday's are a relatively new addition to the schedule and attendance is the determiner of Sunday classes. 2: I have just rededicated myself to the pursuit of Aikido and nothing is getting in the way of that. Not even very recent minor injuries. The only pain I felt was my knee, because it really did get hurt. I think the pedal rammed against it, or more accurately my knee jammed against the pedal and tore it up a bit. But aside from that, class was awesome. The two black belts there, Steve and Jesse, did me the honor of going over all of the basic moves I learned so long ago and a few more that would most likely show up on my next test. I was immensely humbled and pleased. I really like Aikido.<br /><br />My knee is sore and my left shoulder and down the back on my left side is not quite killing me but it hurts. I'm good though. Aikido tonight. I'll be ready. That was most of my day. Met Pixie as she got off work, we went home, talked, I crashed, she made dinner and woke me up in time to eat and go to work. I like my life. It could be better and it will be but it really could be a lot worse. Enjoy your life my friends. This one my be your best.<br /><br />LAterz.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-69505775230955977592011-03-22T00:30:00.006-04:002011-06-20T06:27:32.847-04:00I saw KODO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Pharoahe Monch!!! for my Bornday!!!!!!!!!!!!!(This is late but I had to finish it.)<br /><br />So, here's the deal. I've been a fan of the music group/Drum troupe KODO since 1995. They've been around a bit longer than that but that's when they jumped on my radar. They're awesomeness stood out to me in a film full of awesomeness titled, 'The Hunted'. This was a modern film dealing with a samurai/ninja feud with a gaijin thrown in the middle.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OtoP87RcGps" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br /><br />I LOVE THIS MOVIE! And in this awesome movie is an awesome scene in which KODO is playing a live performance in the park. And they are playing a piece which to this day is still my favorite, Irodori.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sSi7PyJMj3A" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br />(A different performance of the same piece.)<br /><br />Pure awesomeness! [I know I keep using that word. However, it does mean what I think it means. Trust me. ;-)] So, after witnessing that awesomeness I HAD to 'hunt' (hee hee) down the score/soundtrack to this movie. And what do I find?!!! Not only did KODO have that piece in the film that they performed live but their music WAS the score of the film. I must say it again. PURE AWESOMENESS!!!! So, needless to say, I've been a fan since, tracking down albums and getting new ones as they are released over the years. Now I've always wanted to see them perform live but they do world tours periodically. Oh, it is understood that they're Japanese right? Okay, just making sure. Oh, and they're style of music is centered on the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko? They're based on Sado Island in Japan. The name KODO means two things: 1 Heartbeat and 2 Children of the Drum. How awesome is that?! Anyway to learn more about them visit their website <a href="http://www.kodo.or.jp/general/index_en.html">here</a>.<br /><br />SO, they were touring the States again this year and near my Bornday, so I said, I AM GOING! I'd only ever seen them perform on video and this was an opportunity I couldn't miss. Especially for my Bornday!! One word: AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are few things as awesome and satisfying as watching people perform fully focused on what they are doing. I am a huge admirer of live performance and just love watching people who love what they do and are fully dedicated and focused on it. To watch Flow is simply amazing and the KODO players at Lincoln Center that night were Flowing and on point! I was glowing for days after that. Shit, I'm still glowing from the memory!<br /><br />A few days later, MORE AWSOMENESS!!! I go see Pharoahe Monch, a most prolific, intelligent, and excellent Emcee! He had just recently released his new album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and was having an album release concert. I had already been listening to the album for a few days so I was ready! The album is pure awesomeness justincaseyouwerewondering. Opening the show was a new kid on Duck Down from New Zealand, I can't remember his name. Then Skyzoo came out and tore the damn stage down! Kid is mad nice on the mic and he knows how to rock a crowd. Needs way more shine than a lot of the punks out today. Anyways, BOOM!, it's Pharoahe time! Pharoahe is mad nice!!!! The album is tight, stage presence is tight, DJ and backup singers are tight! The show was off da hook! Had special guests bless the stage, Immortal Technique (Mad nice!), The Ghost Styles P (D-Block!!! mad nice!), E-40 was in the house just to pay respect to Monch, and of course JEAN GRAE(supa-dupa mad nice!!!!!)!!!!!!! I had a great time. Of course Pharoahe closed the show with one of the biggest club bangaz in rap/Hip-Hop: Simon Says! C'mon son! Everyone in the spot was jumpin' and hollerin' along! I didn't have no voice after that show, which is the way it's supposed to be.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VG_iDZbSZ3I" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br />(The first video from W.A.R. Awesome!)<br /><br />The day after my Bornday I hung out with my bestabuddy, my spirit-brother, David. We went to a whiskey bar called The Whiskey Ward. They have an entire menu of single malt whiskeys, and other things as well. But we were there for the single malts and boy did we partake! Great time.<br /><br />This is one of the more awesome Bornday year's I've had. [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1956596959023.118028.1365712750">Here's pictures!</a>] Two awesome concerts with my Pixie and hanging with my best friend. Few things are better. Enjoy yourselves!<br /><br />LAterzAshe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-29858880321846593872010-08-14T03:15:00.011-04:002011-04-13T03:14:38.503-04:00Caaa li for ni aaaaaaaaa!!!!!! Days 2-5[Current date is 4/12/11. I began this chronicle quite some time ago as you can see on the post date. I decided not to change it. A reminder to myself to keep up with this blog. Thanks for bearing with me. On to it...]<br /><br />For those just checking in, this is an entry of part of my trip to California 7/28-8/5. No it wasn't my first trip out there. I used to live there years ago and still have friends and family out there. <a href="http://dragunzden.blogspot.com/2010/08/caaa-li-for-ni-aaaaaaaaa-day-1.html">Here</a> is the first part of the trip. Now we will continue:<br /><br />So, Kristof warns me right before we crash that he's got several alarms that will go off and he doesn't always hear them right away, so don't kill him. ;-) Okay. So, we go to sleep and the next thing I know I am awoken to some really strange foreign language music. I crane my neck around and see that he is not waking up. Okay. I carefully extract myself from this freakin' hammock, step over to the bed, and tap his foot. He wakes. Hey. Hey. He turns off that machine, I carefully crawl back into the hammock. Slowly drifting back into la-la land then suddenly, more music! I turn and look but this time his eyes pop open and he stops that one. Drift away. I slowly drift back into reality to the beat of what seems like techno house music but is actually the sound of a real annoying alarm clock. The BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP kind. I turn and crane again. He ain't wakin' up this time. Quick contemplation: I get up I ain't gettin' back in this damn hammock. I'm already comfortable, I don't want to move. Wait...He still ain't movin'! Shit! I proceed to extricate my long form out of the hammock once again, I turn his super fan away from the bed, then I crawl into the other side while simultaneously shoving him awake. Hmmm, thanks man. You're welcome. He turns off the the offending machine, we drift again. The next one goes off. He woke up finally with that one. I vaguely acknowledge that he is actually up and moving around, getting ready for work. He asks me something and we converse for a few then I drift off and he goes to work. When I wake up a few hours later I think, What a hell of a morning.<br /><br />I get up and get a beer out the 'fridge and park myself at the desk to check facebook. A few beers, cigarettes, a tea, a coconut water, some links, articles and blog checks later Chris calls me around noon. I think. Might have been a bit later. But not by much. Don't stay on the phone for long because, you know,<span style="font-style: italic;"> I'm in Cali</span> already, so I get the new address and get ready to hit the road. Don't remember if I mentioned this yet, but, I really really like my new iPhone4! Between that and Kristof's computer I mapped a route to Chris' house. He made mention that I might find the area familiar and he was so right! It is the same exact exit I used to take to get to the hospital that <a href="http://dragunzden.blogspot.com/2008/09/veronica-pt1.html">Veronica</a> used to always go to, except in the opposite direction. He was back in the I.E., that's the Inland Empire for you non-Californians. I called Kristof and let him know that I was on my way back to the IE to see Chris. I left the address on the desk so he could come out, too. I pack my stuff up, grab some drinks out the 'fridge, no beer of course, and go get Bumblebee. Traffic in Cali is still as fucked up as it was when I used to live there, if not worse. Here is where I discover that the map app on my iPhone has a built in GPS. Reeeeeally?! I was so stoked about this and still driving that I didn't have time to fully figure out how to work it but I was really happy. Driving on 91 I see there are quite a lot of new buildings and developed areas along the freeway and it just drives home how long I've been gone. Doesn't take me that long to get to Chris', pretty much a straight shot on 91, so, I pulled into his driveway in no time. Chris comes out of the house as I get out of the car. I don't even think we said hi, we just hugged each other. Ever hugged someone and had a complete conversation within the hug? Yeah, one of those. Pulled away looked at each other grinning big and hugged again. Yup, we're friends in the truest sense of that word.<br /><br />Continued in next post...Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-19825452943902835922010-08-14T01:38:00.013-04:002011-04-13T09:46:41.240-04:00Caaa li for ni aaaaaaaaa!!!!!! Day 1[Current date is 4/11/11. I began this chronicle quite some time ago as you can see on the post date. I decided not to change it. A reminder to myself to keep up with this blog. Thanks for bearing with me. On to it...]<br /><br />So, the last week of July into the first week of August I went back to California. The reason for the trip was to see friends and family not seen for some years. Except for V's Mom I haven't seen my Cali peeps in 3 years. Long overdue trip. (I was thinking 5 cause that was a fun time. 3 years I go I went for a quick trip 'cause V died. I don't think I've written about that yet.) SO, needless to say this was a fun trip. [I'm sure I've forgotten some details but not a lot.] So let's do this from beginning to end.<br /><br />A while ago I decided I needed to go back to Cali. I missed my<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYFV9TBXISmOG9e0CQK1TSXod5qK7NqDQpIXQvkgZAjbLw9MyaiiCK_NW1Td7fQ3a7E_NTrtNdJ_zsmEeFjwgxR3SnM04svCWYlh0JeCxzdeSsUSgENiIBKQH5H_rtlhuRDuTjKq96iXi/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG"><br /></a> friends. And I needed a break from NY. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE NY! NY is HOME! But I'm a bit older now (just a bit) and I've, actually, been around the world, so I don't really want to live in NY anymore. It's just convenient for now. Anyways, I call Kristof and let him know I'm comin'. "Cool,' he says, "just call me right before you come so I'm ready." Not ready in preparation just that he's busy and he forgets so I literally called him the day before to remind him. No problem. I flew on JetBlue 'cause 5 years ago, when David and Lisa got married, they flew Jetblue and David said it was a nice flight. Ever since wanted to try 'em. So I did. Nice flight, too. In the airport I wound up buying some noise-cancelling headphones after consulting with David. He'd bought some for his recent trip around the Mediterranean and had nothing but great things to say. Right again. If you travel and have the means I highly suggest you get some. Wonderful! And they were compatible with the plane system so I didn't have to buy the cheap airline headphones for $7. They actually had satellite cable and xm radio on the plane. One of the first times I stayed awake for a whole flight. I was watching Natl.Geo. and Anim.Pla., and VH1. I actually watched the Behind the Music for Courtney Love. It wasn't that bad. Flight went well. Took a lot of pictures in flight for those who've never flew or flew cross country before. Interesting and big country we live in. Most people just don't know.<br /><br />So, I land in LAX and call Kristof from the plane and he's basically already waiting for me at the curb when I come out of the terminal. Love that dude. We find our way to Hertz for my rental car. I had registered online for a Pontiac G6. I like those. They drive really nice. Got a ticket in one once. But while waiting in line I see they are advertising they have the brand new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro for rent. Uhhhhhh yeah. I think I might upgrade ;-)! But the damn line was so long that by the time I got to the counter I forgot about it, I just wanted to get my car and go. The Customer service rep. asked if I wanted to try out the Camaro. Oh yeah, I said, I meant to ask about that. We have red she says. Nah, what else you got. She clicks some keyboard keys, Yellow. Hmmmm, me in a yellow car? She laughs. I can see that, I say. But any other colors. I was hoping for a nice charcoal grey. I really like that colour on cars. Alas there were no others. Yellow it is. At this time the big robot didn't occur to me. (If you don't get that, you will soon.) I get my paperwork and proceed to leave. Oh wait, she says, I forgot to tell you I gave you the satellite radio for free, and she tells me how to access it. Cool bonus! It pays to be nice and smile with people who are helping you. I been on the other side of that counter, good customers so make a difference. Out to THE CAR. It is SO beautiful in the warm bright southern California sun. I immediately whipped out my new iPhone and began taking pics. And sending them out. My Big Bro was the first to send me a response reminding me of what this car is (remember I mentioned a big robot?): BUMBLEBEE!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYFV9TBXISmOG9e0CQK1TSXod5qK7NqDQpIXQvkgZAjbLw9MyaiiCK_NW1Td7fQ3a7E_NTrtNdJ_zsmEeFjwgxR3SnM04svCWYlh0JeCxzdeSsUSgENiIBKQH5H_rtlhuRDuTjKq96iXi/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYFV9TBXISmOG9e0CQK1TSXod5qK7NqDQpIXQvkgZAjbLw9MyaiiCK_NW1Td7fQ3a7E_NTrtNdJ_zsmEeFjwgxR3SnM04svCWYlh0JeCxzdeSsUSgENiIBKQH5H_rtlhuRDuTjKq96iXi/s320/IMG_0489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595057434470822914" border="0" /></a><br />I was going to be driving Bumblebee around for a week! SWEEEEEET!!!!! Couldn't believe I forgot that. However, I was very excited to see my friends so I may be forgiven my lapse of geekiness. In a very controlled manner I drive to the exit and pull up next to Kristof. He grins big. Sweet!, he says. Oh yeah. So we stop at a Bk down the block for a bite to eat. When we come out an actual bee is on the car. By the time I get my damn phone out to take a pic it flew away. I really mention this little detail because it happened several times during my week in Cali. Several! Not once did I get the pic of the bumblebee on Bumblebee. That would have been so cool! Ah well, I have the memories and my mind is sharp. Onwards, I follow Kristof to his apartment. Familiarly comfortable. I have stayed there every time I have visited since I left. [He really needs to buy a house, but he is super picky. But so am I ;-)] I like that little aparment, though. Kris has to go back to work, so he gives me the key and he's gone. I walk across the street to the equivalent of a NYC bodega. It's a liquor store as well so even better. I buy a bunch of stuff I figure I need for a few days of crashing: a bunch of teas, coconut water, chips, ramen soup bowls, a six pack of Dos Equis Dark and a 375ml JW Black Label. Always wanted to try it and figured the pint would be too small for a week. I drinks :-). Didn't really do much but lounge around and unwind. Now here is where the uncanny luck of my charmed life begins to kick in. I didn't really prepare and plan this trip out. I didn't have an itinerary. I just came out and wanted to see my friends. My nimrod ass didn't actually call anyone prior to arriving except Kristof. Oh and Oui on facebook. But that's it. SO, later that afternoon I decide to call Chris. No answer. I leave a message hoping that it is still his number. I then proceed to send an email, again, hoping it is still active and used. [Been a few years, remember?] Much later, he calls back and I'm ecstatically bouncing around Kristof's tiny apartment. He's out with the family and on vacation this week. He will call me back the next morning. No problem! I am a happy dude at this point. How lucky am I that not only is the number still good but he happens to be on VACATION the very week I show up out of the blue?<br /><br />Anyways, Kristof is working late, which has become a habit of his I find out for the last few years, and a reason for him telling me to thank god I don't work in Acctng. and Finance any more. Done. So, Beersingh calls me up. His name is Chris too, but when speaking about him he is referred to by his last name. One, there are just too many Chris' in the crew, and two, it's a cool name. And easily used to humorous effect. [He's a New Yorker, like me, though, so I wouldn't suggest that last unless you really know him. ;-)] Beersingh comes to pick me up. He wants to show me his new house. It is nice. And he still keeps his protections close at hand, also like me. We chill and talk. His brother starts playing a game but quickly turns it off and we flip some channels until we settle on The Best of the Best 2. Cheesy movie but I like it. Some decent fights in it. (The first one is classic.) Eventually Kristof shows up. He chills a bit but he is tired so we leave not long after he arrives. Back at Kris' we talk while drinking a few beers and smoking cigarettes. And eventually crash for the night. Now Kris used to have a futon but now he has this indoor hammock contraption. Once you situate yourself properly on it it's actually not too bad to sleep on.<br /><br />That's day 1 of being back in Cali. I was going to write the whole trip in one blog but my visit with Chris and his family truly deserves it's own post. So take a break, then on to the next one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">More Bumblebee!!! And ME!!!!!!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQA2-Zp8eLSgMrYpIPg-o18EnCnNQS1JpRVYMB-RC2Ndu9k1UPZFrs2_ZXYxhmYBLDFi-NzLUfPEmUZTgqgtSrBA3d8ZKNwvDOD4qfsdg8Y5p-jOaEh_SHJ2DTKPq-42pNaVS-ORrDYI_/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQA2-Zp8eLSgMrYpIPg-o18EnCnNQS1JpRVYMB-RC2Ndu9k1UPZFrs2_ZXYxhmYBLDFi-NzLUfPEmUZTgqgtSrBA3d8ZKNwvDOD4qfsdg8Y5p-jOaEh_SHJ2DTKPq-42pNaVS-ORrDYI_/s400/IMG_0567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595062759611591234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxbRps8wlr8dX2YZzLo9HMaOH7b1StdE4xVoYE9ffc1AVnFEXqzReVAwRr9DMVOOtyrdJE4eu7uv23B7h4W3pYuURvrmwU9QaoisksxBu7-ikhh1P0xv1mYjnbhhBdANA8KDOflNRR2Jw/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxbRps8wlr8dX2YZzLo9HMaOH7b1StdE4xVoYE9ffc1AVnFEXqzReVAwRr9DMVOOtyrdJE4eu7uv23B7h4W3pYuURvrmwU9QaoisksxBu7-ikhh1P0xv1mYjnbhhBdANA8KDOflNRR2Jw/s400/IMG_0506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595062754071807010" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4JmrW_LZGUvjH33ptQFW97YofucMd9qIybmkQ2isU-TboUTZ_1YwZSbLHJJf2DTCX4fiGRfj4HF8zqJAemI6dDK8GWMQ_ept1uAKjbvGYfxHG3FIzq3xAu3m_jU3llDXaaJZH3_F-XfA/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4JmrW_LZGUvjH33ptQFW97YofucMd9qIybmkQ2isU-TboUTZ_1YwZSbLHJJf2DTCX4fiGRfj4HF8zqJAemI6dDK8GWMQ_ept1uAKjbvGYfxHG3FIzq3xAu3m_jU3llDXaaJZH3_F-XfA/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595062751166530146" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2xe_iciAyuV6mjP5cj02L7rftrF41qQ5hjph2aFjVv1h-2QN1u1l2w-5vsjBd9bjj0eRAHE5onBPcLNi0R6cCqL2DvQ0zevcY1Iw9IPRumgVQWO0VghqoCbq8JJesAgNELPoNNl0ZeC2/s1600/DSCF2936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2xe_iciAyuV6mjP5cj02L7rftrF41qQ5hjph2aFjVv1h-2QN1u1l2w-5vsjBd9bjj0eRAHE5onBPcLNi0R6cCqL2DvQ0zevcY1Iw9IPRumgVQWO0VghqoCbq8JJesAgNELPoNNl0ZeC2/s400/DSCF2936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595062764866412194" border="0" /></a>Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-83281413784044905692010-07-27T02:31:00.008-04:002010-07-27T22:28:35.930-04:00The Starshine - In the BeginningSome know the tale of The Starshine and many do not. I've regaled many an enraptured listener of how I came to be the human companion to The Starshine but never set the tale down in written form...until now.<br /><br />I was called to The Starshine from afar. I was stationed in Arizona and had received orders to report to California. I was in the Air Force. It was 1997. My good friend Kim F. and her fiance were stationed in California as well. I had expressed the desire for a pet. They had retrievers and were familiar with the places in which to acquire a pet. I had been in Cali for about three months at this time. At that time I would have preferred a dog but I knew I would not have the space or time to devote to a dog. Not the kind of dog I'd be happy with. [A bit of background: My childhood years, there were dogs. I liked them and they liked me. Never really liked cats. The first cat I ever knew was my Nannie's cat, Biafra, a jet black cat. An EVIL fucking cat. Biafra like NO ONE. Except my Nannie. Never stopped me from trying to make friends though. I was a baby really and they're all stubborn as shit. Dummys. So, yeah, all my following cat experiences weren't all that good either, until I met my Spirit-Brother David. David had a cat at his house named Tiger. For a house cat, he <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> a tiger. I affectionately called him a house lion because he was solid muscle. Not many house cats are built like that. And Tiger liked me. Tiger is the reason I felt comfortable deciding on getting a cat instead of a dog. Now back to the tale of The Starshine.] SO, I decided since I couldn't get a real dog because I only had a one bedroom apartment, and didn't want to leave a dog in said apartment all day, day after day, I'd get a cat instead. Kim and her fiance, Tim, took me to a local animal shelter. I already knew if I was going to save a kitty from a shelter I was going to get a new one, not an older one that may have damage I wasn't ready or willing to deal with. All the kittens were kept in a small room all to themselves. No older big cats. So into the kitten room I went. I am instantly barraged with a cloud of mews and almost meows. I am assaulted by a multicolored moving carpet armed with needles. I kneel down and play with the separate components of this moving carpet to see who I see and who sees me. Well, as I kneel among these needle-armed furballs a race begins. A race of ultimate endurance and strength and perseverance. Quite possibly a race of life and death. A few of these needle clawed puffballs decided it was a good idea to climb this new obstacle, toy, scratch post that was me. In the lead was a white and gray not-so-puffy ball of fur and lagging behind in second place was a determined tiny, tiny, multicolored ball of fluff and then a few kids who just really wanted to play with no determination to win. Now I'm laughing and wincing at the same time: laughing 'cause a whole room full of kittens is just fun, wincing 'cause these little fuckers literally have needles for claws. And I am fascinatingly amused and enthralled at the herculean efforts made by these two kittens to climb the Everest that is me. The ghost puff is on my left side and the rainbow puff is on my right side. The ghost on my left reaches my shoulder but kind of slides off to the front. I grit my teeth 'cause in the effort to catch himself the needles come out fully and slip right through the flimsy fabric of my shirt and right into the flesh of my shoulder. That slight set back gives the tiny rainbow puff the advantage she needs to crest my right shoulder and carefully begin her climb to the top of my head. What is still to this day amazing to me is that in that final leg of the climb, though she did use her claws, she didn't scratch my head at all. Not a single nip to my face, ear, or head. And that little rainbow puff <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> make it to the very top of my head. So I brought her home.<br /><br />How The Starshine came by her name is a much shorter tale. The aforementioned David was in college learning the mysteries of the Chinese language, Mandarin. He gifted me with a name, part of which the english translation was, you got it, Starshine. Though he told me the more literal translation would be more like Star Glow. So, anyway, I figured since this little calico kitty and I had formed a bond I might as well name her after myself, kinda sorta. And there you have the tale of how The Starshine and I came to be companions and she got her name.<br /><br />I'll stop the tale here but more will be coming. Next will be The Starshine's early adventures in her new home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2InFs7PmEBhUJjaqBMBZw3hBgydyZ3qw7qODQ0LI8ukMO4yWibL4Od26BdD_5ikuWtpnthRSUoZ1wgM1x32_4AJjZKvFF6ptXVHTF0QyZ2jMmQrYGEXaVq3xNkQVOE1Ptt-MmHfgYqzK4/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2InFs7PmEBhUJjaqBMBZw3hBgydyZ3qw7qODQ0LI8ukMO4yWibL4Od26BdD_5ikuWtpnthRSUoZ1wgM1x32_4AJjZKvFF6ptXVHTF0QyZ2jMmQrYGEXaVq3xNkQVOE1Ptt-MmHfgYqzK4/s400/scan0012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498776822085628130" border="0" /></a><br />This is the oldest pic I can find of The Starshine.<br /><br /><br />LAters.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-7314222043891134542010-07-26T01:55:00.010-04:002010-07-26T07:46:25.113-04:00Belief is not religion.This is not a touchy subject. Religion can be but belief is not. They are two different things, belief and religion. Belief is having faith or trust in something that you cannot prove exists. Religion is a system of rules created to control through exploitation of belief. With those explanations, I have know problem with belief but have serious problems with religion. ALL OF 'EM!<br /><br />Belief is easy to understand. It comes from a need to understand. What Humanity couldn't understand it created a belief for until we evolved and grew enough to understand certain things. Our ancient ancestors' beliefs primarily dealt with the natural world. Some of those beliefs still exist today, which I think is still cool, given how much we know about the world now and how things work. But that was/is a very cool thing about beliefs which I like that religion takes away, the connection to the natural world. So called 'primitive' beliefs were directly connected to the world in which we lived, meaning we were A PART of nature and the world. And ultimately the universe. I like that. Another thing I really like about belief is even the things we have physical understanding of now in nature it doesn't supplant the old beliefs. The old beliefs just gives one a deeper meaning to these physical things we now know about. For instance, the mystery of lightning and thunder is not taken away because we understand how and why they happen.That is so cool.<br /><br />The modern most popular religions separated Humanity from nature. Told us we were masters of the world and it is ours to do with as we see fit. Use it as we see fit. Already sounds like a power trip to me. Then you have 'leaders'. Those who interpret your beliefs for you to make you 'feel' safe about your place in this world and the next. Did you get that? "Interpret YOUR beliefs FOR you." Yeah. Didn't God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah give you a brain to think for yourself? Don't you read the same*book* as your so-called religious 'leader'? So WHY exactly do you need to have the information interpreted for you? Then these same 'leaders' demand money from you for listening to them interpret for you. This 'tithe' or 'donation' is for what exactly? Good blessings? A guaranteed path to 'Heaven'? A 'sacrifice' now for future blessings later? No. You are blessing them, those 'leaders', now for their future later and you are just out of your hard earned money. And that is the ultimate irony of religion. You have now transferred your belief from whatever Higher Power you followed to his/her/it's human intermediary, your religious 'leader'. Who appointed them to such a position? What makes them more special than you? They are in the same boat you are. Grow up on the same planet and read the same 'Word'. Also, the Big 3, Judaism-Christianity-Islam, all come from the same place. How are their modern followers SO different? Even within each faction there are a bunch of splinter factions, especially Chris (That's the one I'm most familiar with). Politics and power moves, that's why. Religions have nothing to do with belief and everything to do with control. Land grabs, wars, oppression-either by ethnicity and/or gender, politics, fund raising, or just plain rabble rousing: all products of religion.<br /><br />I'm not some new-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">agey</span> super spiritual energy weirdo or anything but I have my own beliefs. I have gathered together some things that I've experienced and learned throughout my life and made my own. I was raised to think for myself. Interpret information I receive no matter the medium through which I receive it. I don't need some other human filtering my beliefs for their financial gain. I am highly skeptical of anyone claiming they have special knowledge of ANY higher power and can help me gain that knowledge, too. Didn't you get it from a book? Well so can I. I don't understand how you can't see the level of arrogance it takes to tell someone you can help them with their belief in their god/higher power. And I, as a grown up and adult, had truly tried the Christian route, twice, and both times was severely disappointed at the 'leadership'. I keep my own counsel now. I need no intermediary between me an my Higher Power. I don't look down upon those that do, though. Being an individual and actually thinking for oneself isn't for everyone. Most people, it seems, need to be led. But we are in the 21st century, it's time for people to start waking up. What really baffles me about the power of religion is I know, either personally or by reputation, many who I consider to be intelligent people who do follow, very devoutly, some form of religion. That truly baffles me. My thing is, when you get to where you're supposed to get to when this part of your life is over (for many that place is 'Heaven'), you're supposed to be judged in some way before you get in, right? When you are there, you are there alone. If you are asked any questions about your life and/or your beliefs, you can't say, "Well, 'insert religious 'leaders' title and name here', said that..." Oh, no no no. YOU were asked, YOU must answer. But how are you gonna answer if all you were was a follower who had your beliefs interpreted FOR you? I'm just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sayin</span>'. Personally I think religion is childish and immature and cool for when you are young to keep you on some kind of decent path. The heart of religion is belief so there is good there but once you get yourself steady on your life path and, hopefully, start to think for yourself, you need to let religion go and be confident and strong in your own beliefs.<br /><br />I was moved to write this post because I saw <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM3BWAmlXis">this evil ignorance</a> and had to say something. What really gets me about this is the followers sitting there listening to this and basically agreeing with it. I'm sorry but that's how my and most of their ancestors were enslaved. (Using the same religion which is just one more problem I have with it, but I digress.) Not to mention it's just PURE EVIL. God judges not man. He needs to really read his bible. But see, that's the thing. I know he knows it and he uses it to get exactly what he needs. Control over his followers and their money. Suckers. I mean, really, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">C'MON</span> SON!!!!! his name is DOLLAR! And that's what he wants and gets, dollars. And these dudes have arena sized churches full of people blindly following and giving. I'm keeping my earthly weapons close.<br /><br />Look, I know some people just like the inclusiveness of religion: helps with the fear of the unknown, fear of dying and what's on the other side, fear of being alone, etc. And that's why it's so powerful and deceitful because it preys on your fear through belief. But I really have to question your intelligence if you follow ANY of these people with the mega <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">supersize</span> churches and are always on television spreading their word. Click on that link and watch that clip. I bet you plenty money THAT wasn't a televised 'sermon' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Creflo</span> DOLLAR was giving that day.<br /><br /><br />Wake up, people. Please.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-41778923970058126822010-06-20T05:50:00.005-04:002010-06-20T06:24:24.976-04:00It is Father's DayFor those of you out there who really celebrate this day as well as all the other manufactured 'holidays' you may not want to keep reading. I'm not going to rant and rave or anything but I don't go in for most of the so called holiday's. And, because of what today is supposed to be, ironically that's because of my Dad. Pop (that's what I call my Father) was never into holidays. So, there were never any Father's Day cards or stupid ties or other gifts. To this day. (At a very early age he stopped doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">christmas</span>. I'm pretty sure he only did it in our apartment the first year I came to live with him. For a few years during my childhood he was into Kwanzaa and that was really cool. I don't think he really strictly adheres to Kwanzaa anymore either but I am sure he still believes in or at the least supports the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nguzo</span> Saba, the seven principles which Kwanzaa stands for. I ain't listing them here. I do know them but if you want to know look 'em up <a href="http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml">here</a>. I still believe in them, too. At least I know the origin of Kwanzaa and it's purpose. There's nothing ambiguous in it's beginnings and it's not overly commercial like x-mas. It doesn't pretend to be a religious holiday. Whoops, I'm drifting. Back to point.) Pop taught my brother and I to be proud of ourselves and to know our history and, most importantly, to THINK! It is amazing to me how so few people are capable of real thought. So, if I were to thank my Father for anything it is the strong sense of self he instilled in my brother and I and for cultivating the ability to take in information, process that information, and come to our OWN conclusions. Thanks Pop.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-60498476998880883052010-06-19T03:59:00.003-04:002010-06-19T05:18:11.816-04:00Travel to The Other Lands, David Anthony DurhamFirst, I must say <a href="http://acaciatrilogy.blogspot.com/">David Anthony Durham</a> is DA MAN! His first SF Fantasy novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Acacia-War-Mein-Book/dp/0385722524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276934687&sr=8-1">Acacia: The War With The Mein</a> was impressive. Hugely impressive. He took the standard rules of fantasy stories and lifted them above his head like a pro wrestler and brought them down across his knee in a super back breaker! His world building is on par with the best, ie. Tolkien and GRRM. (Now it is well known that the standard rules for fantasy were set by Tolkien. Not deliberately, I think, but simply because he broke the rules of writing himself and it worked. Ever since just about every writer of fantasy has used his work as a template. Well, not David. And I must say I couldn't be happier. That's not to say Mr. Durham just broke all rules and wrote with reckless abandon but he didn't adhere to what was laid before like a robot.) He took the time to flesh out each character and the rules of the society and cultures within the world he built. Certain story arcs zigged when the normal rules say they should have zagged and I loved the spontaneity and surprise of it all.<br /><br />Well, Mr. Durham has done it again in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Other-Lands-Acacia-Book/dp/0385523327/ref=pd_sim_b_1">The Other Lands</a>, the second book in the Acacia trilogy. He continues the story not far from where the first one ends. A few things have changed and characters and places hinted at and only talked about are visited in this book as well as the continuing story arcs of the Akarans from the first book. And boy talk about a story zigging where it normally would have zagged. I was surprised several times on the journey of this book. David is all for breaking the old rules and tropes of fantasy writing. And I know it's not consciously done. He's writing from a place that cannot believe in the 'fantasy' of fantasy stories. He innately strives for a sense and level of realism within his fantastical tale that I've not seen done by most writers of Speculative Fiction. (I'll delve deeper into what I mean by this in another post.) There are very few relatively new writers in the field of SF that have generated this much excitement for me and David Anthony Durham is one of them. I cannot wait for the third book!Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-19469155597547240662010-06-19T01:52:00.007-04:002010-06-19T03:50:51.774-04:00VisitationsI loves when my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mommie</span> comes to NY for whatever reason. I may have mentioned this on the blog before but I really really like hanging out with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mommie</span>. We don't even have to go anywhere and do anything, just sit back talk, watch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tv</span> or a movie, drink and smoke cigarettes. :-) My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mommie</span> is the nicest person I know. Just don't cross her. Anyways, she's back in NY for various reasons and she brought my niece, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Naziya</span>, and my sister, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kiara</span>, '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ziya's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">mommie</span>. The morning they got here, Tuesday, the whole family went to breakfast: Nannie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mommie</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kiara</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Naziya</span>, Uncle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Tanja</span>, Cousin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TT</span>, my sister's boyfriend Cornelius, Marty, and me. We went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">IHOP</span>. That was really cool. Got pictures. Have 'em up over on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">facebook</span> soon. Drank a bunch that night and slept it off on Wednesday. My Nannie wanted to go to Empire City up in Yonkers so we went Thursday night. Nannie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Mommie</span>, Roxy, and Me. All they have there is slot machines. That's not a real casino. If you don't have gambling tables, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ie</span>. Roulette, Craps, Blackjack, Poker and such it's not a real casino. But they make money so whatever. I'm not big on gambling and especially not slot machines but I had fun. Mostly 'cause I was there with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Mommie</span> and Nannie and Roxy. They actually have a decent food court there. They actually had Franks Red Hot hot sauce in to go packets like ketchup. That kind of raised the venue's status for me. I love Franks Red Hot. (You know I took two handfuls, right? Now I can have some Franks when I travel.) So, they had Mommies favorite slot machine, Jackpot Party, I think it's called. It's actually a pretty decent and fun game, for a slot machine. I showed it to Nannie and she fell for it, too. We were there for a few hours. Had a good time. Couldn't find parking when we got back home. It was 3 in the morning but still, it was ridiculous. We dropped Nannie and Roxy off and me and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Mommie</span> drove around for about an hour before we finally decided on this way far away freaking spot. I walk <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Mommie</span> to my uncle's house and he's like he's been waiting for us so he can take the car. Jackass. We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">could've</span> been home! I had to show him where the car was. Then I got home. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Mommie</span> called to make sure I got home safe, which was why I walked her to my uncle's house. It was kinda fun driving around though 'cause me and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Mommie</span> were complaining about all the damn fire hydrants and no parking zones. Then Friday afternoon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Mommie</span> and I went down to Hustle USA (125<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">th</span> St) for some shopping. That all for now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zSTWduLZ4sahdLStPQk05zPOXBJWDVogmndGhARhXUSKoJkJjPHg6llbTjfOyyDBGWywnyikZWIRQQCQ_GJuJxGFpms0ATh3AJIQe5E6SJ2BNTaZn0PcOjy9663XkftKIFj3SvQc65aF/s1600/DSCF2782%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zSTWduLZ4sahdLStPQk05zPOXBJWDVogmndGhARhXUSKoJkJjPHg6llbTjfOyyDBGWywnyikZWIRQQCQ_GJuJxGFpms0ATh3AJIQe5E6SJ2BNTaZn0PcOjy9663XkftKIFj3SvQc65aF/s400/DSCF2782%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484378429499903250" border="0" /></a><br />I always take mad pictures of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Naziya</span> when I see her. Byproduct of not having very many pictures of myself as a baby. I took a massive amount of pictures of my sister, too, as she was growing up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJzT38pRsVDUHC86kEyUTABKifrB20mT6l-f7zI5_BaM4IixIAQ0y1qU1PaJgZdSntV9hUdy4iBuc_UHYeolerrBt06lI4awuZnj5YUi0shGXGF6rKjoHHKALH7NKycoN6XeghdbFUeWj/s1600/DSCF2785%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJzT38pRsVDUHC86kEyUTABKifrB20mT6l-f7zI5_BaM4IixIAQ0y1qU1PaJgZdSntV9hUdy4iBuc_UHYeolerrBt06lI4awuZnj5YUi0shGXGF6rKjoHHKALH7NKycoN6XeghdbFUeWj/s400/DSCF2785%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484378049217723282" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Fam</span>. Some, not all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByoAI-KdqHFB-Nv5dJGktiT7bSKYSxZWLw0WfmxRWtV28quvli6MxB7PaHq-ays1ZUmAxMZzmSwpLqdmVfBckXCQDCfQXxLfzOFbwXgitNHSllx1MDvxCYDMadiQM-9GmMjxxZPPL3jgK/s1600/neoobama.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByoAI-KdqHFB-Nv5dJGktiT7bSKYSxZWLw0WfmxRWtV28quvli6MxB7PaHq-ays1ZUmAxMZzmSwpLqdmVfBckXCQDCfQXxLfzOFbwXgitNHSllx1MDvxCYDMadiQM-9GmMjxxZPPL3jgK/s400/neoobama.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484388746148325890" border="0" /></a><br />Oh yeah. Mommie bought this t-shirt for me. I was not there when she did. See why my Mommie is so cool? I likes this for obvious reasons.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-29492600064497709722010-04-24T03:41:00.003-04:002010-04-24T06:09:58.496-04:00BLAH!!!!I am in another depressive state. Don't really feel like expressing the exact details of why that is here but just the consequences. I have no real desire to do anything. Especially the things I NEED to do or things I WANT to do. Classic symptoms of depression, no? For instance, I like my classes in school. I like the instructors and class conversations. However, I have been insanely shirking the required work for each and every one of my classes. Most of which is writing. Which is something I happen to like doing and am particularly good at. I actually did the required research, reading and/or thought processes needed for each assignment, I just haven't sat down and written anything. I mean, I KNOW I'm a procrastinator, but this is ridiculously pathological or something. I have these moments, like everyone else I'm sure, but they don't usually last this long. And I am literally running out of time. The semester is almost over. How the hell did it get to the end of April so fast?! I just celebrated my Bornday on April 1! So, I'm sitting here at my easy ass night job STILL avoiding having to do my assignments! How retarded am I?! I've had fun for the last couple of weeks but the serious stuff I've been avoiding. Some of the stuff floating around in my head (that I'm not going into) I thought I came to terms with. I now realize I have not and unfortunately it is affecting other endeavors, i.e. school, and that is just not acceptable. April is always a good month for me, it IS my birth month, and I usually have fun the whole month. That just might be a part of my problem. I don't like to do anything I don't want to do in this month. It's mine. (It's an old habit.) However, that has not usually affected school. I'm trying to remember if I had the same problem this time last year. My memory is not reliable and I haven't been keeping up with my journal, so I really have know idea.<br /><br />Another byproduct of my depressive states is that I do not eat. I don't starve myself in the extreme sense of the word but I don't eat nearly enough to properly nourish my body. Which leaves me with not a lot of energy which means I really do not want to DO stuff! Stupid vicious cycles and shit.<br /><br />I need to do my work for my classes and I want to go back to aikido, so, I have to find a way out of this really really really soon. Done ranting for now.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-41677732033230780272010-04-11T02:30:00.007-04:002010-04-12T00:38:29.729-04:00My main man, Tennyson HardwickI must say I am very happy. No. I am ecstatic! I was one of a fortunate few to be able to get an advanced copy of the new Tennyson Hardwick novel, From Cape Town With Love, written by <a href="http://tananarivedue.wordpress.com/">Tananarive Due</a> and <a href="http://darkush.blogspot.com/">Steven Barnes</a> in collaboration with Blair Underwood. This happens to be the third Tennyson Hardwick novel and I must say it is every bit as excellent as the previous two, if not more so. The growth of Tennyson is a very carefully crafted and wonderfully written example of character development. Few authors take this much care with their characters as Tananarive and Steven do. And I'm talking about all of their published works. The fact that this wife and husband writing team can bring their considerable experience and craft together to create not one but a series of novels focused on a close cast of characters, with Tennyson being the foci the others are attached to, is a testament to hard work and love of what one does. In this case: Storytelling. I'll do a small review and try my best to leave out any spoilers.<br /><br />In this installment of the whirlwind life of Tennyson Hardwick we go international. South Africa, to be exact. All of Tennyson's journeys so far had a personal element to them and so does this one. The previous two dealt with Ten investigating the death of people Ten knew, but this one deals with saving the life of a child, so the personal aspect is still there. The intricate weaving together of independent story lines and intricate details is just wonderful. Tennyson's journey towards himself is furthered along masterfully. We get to see more and more of the man underneath struggling to emerge. His relationship with his father took a giant leap forward in the last book and it continues right along in this one. And the same goes for his relationship with his adopted daughter Chela, which is a particularly favorite storyline of mine in the series. Ten is still working out his women issues but I think he is making progress. But he is as freaky and bad ass as ever, which is always a good thing. I'm not certain I liked the way the book ends but I love the way the main storyline ends.<br /><br />What I love most is the masterful use of language! And also the wonderfully expressed points of view on various issues and topics. And done within the context of the story, no preaching. For example, "Suddenly, the answer to the question <span style="font-style: italic;">Why do celebrities adopt these children</span> was obvious. Because the children need them. Because they can." There you go. Now, normally I don't like marking in books at all but I realized I was going to have to: 1. Because this was an ARC and I knew I needed to do a review, 2. Because there were just too many literary gems throughout the entire book. I had to use a highlighter. I'd list one of my favorites but don't want to deprive anyone of the poignant hilarity of the thought Ten had about his new client. Makes me smile just thinking about it. All I'll say is 'pixie dust'. Damn.<br /><br />Also another favorite aspect of the Tennyson novels I love is the fight sequences. You can just see the gleefulness Steve must have when writing these down. He brings all of his very considerable martial arts and fight experience and knowledge to the fore. I love the description of the art he made up to scare the crap out of Ten. I could just see it in action in my minds eye. Furniture-fu indeed! I'd add in a few techniques of Running-away-Gun-fu if I ever saw someone coming at me with that! Like films, in books you know the people who have real experience with fighting by the way they write the fight scenes and Steve is a fighter. I love that he brought in a character based on his real life Guru. As a long time fan of Steve's and avid follower of his <a href="http://darkush.blogspot.com/">blog</a> I recognized the character immediately.<br /><br />I think that is vague enough to not spoil the story but keep the interest there. I've been an admirer of <a href="http://thewriterscircle.ning.com/">Tananarive and Steven</a> for a long time now, and I have to say I'm an avid fan and supporter of the Tennyson novels. Also, as a writer myself, I'd just like to say to all those writers and aspiring writers out there, especially those who write 'street lit' stories: If you want to learn how to properly tell a story read every single Tennyson Hardwick novel. Casanegra, In The Night of the Heat, and now From Cape Town With Love are a Masters Class in how to weave a tale in written form. That means write/tell a story.<br /><br />I am greatly impressed and immensely pleased with this novel and can't wait to read it again when it gets it's public release. Oh yes, I WILL be buying this book when it hits the stores. I strongly suggest you do the same. And get the previous two if you haven't read them yet. Each book can stand on it's own, but why should you deprive yourself?Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-81923768015994978602010-04-10T02:33:00.003-04:002010-04-11T05:13:59.783-04:00So what's your answer?I always liked the show "Inside The Actor's Studio." I'm just really curious about people, even the people most other people are way too interested in, ie. actors and other film people. I'm a huge admirer of films and movies so I have a real interest in how they think and do things. Well usually at the end of every show the host asks the guest the following ten questions. My spirit-brother David answered them on <a href="http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/">his blog</a> so I figured why not follow suit. Here goes:<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">01. What is your favorite word?</span><br />Defenestrate. Sounds nothing like what it means. I love that.<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">02. What is your least favorite word?</span><br />Can't<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">03. What turns you on?</span><br />A beautiful smile with a beautiful mind behind it.<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">04. What turns you off?</span><br />Rigid minded people<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">05. What sound or noise do you love?</span><br />A well played guitar or piano<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">06. What sound or noise do you hate?</span><br />Fake crying or whining<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">07. What is your favorite curse word?</span><br />Fuck in all its variable forms<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?</span><br />Musician, particularly a Rock Star<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">09. What profession would you not like to do?</span><br />Nothing that has me going underground.<br /><br /><span style="color:lime;">10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?</span><br />Either, "Ready to go again?" or "See, what had happened was..."Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-19823631330542475592010-02-04T16:43:00.005-05:002010-02-04T17:05:27.640-05:00Just playing around.I was playing around with my various technological gadgets and figured I'd let ya'll know about it. A little while ago I was trying out the web browser on my Playstation 3. I am not really that impressed with it. However, I realized it's really cool to read blogs on. You know, because it's on my big ass tv screen? But for surfing and checking stuff out, not so much. Even with my wireless keyboard. Which I'm using right now. Pretty cool. Also, I'm still using my big ass tv as a moniter because I plugged it into my laptop. I am sitting on my bed typing, and using my bluetooth mouse, while my computer is on the other side of the room. I'm being a lazy ass web surfer today. ;-) I took a picture with my camera but I don't feel like getting up. You know, 'cause you gotta either plug the camera into the computer or switch the memory card from one to the other. Oh, I can take a pic with my phone and send the pic via bluetooth to the laptop. I am such a lazy genius. Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention, I am still using my Playstation 3. It is now being used as a stereo. I plugged my external HD, that has all my music on it, and am playing music that way, since my PS3 sound is routed through my home theater system. This is just so cool. Oh, and I'm eating too. I am the ultimate!!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDu0Soj9l0L3KLekooMZ5-JTsSWfBISWSRPEAYU76ZyagtgjivEbbSJAug1ycHzp8jY8H0mJ9b2bPTh-jOsqzY-uVcIBPKLtSUHvGNgwn8iOj9UHZnY057nAmNnCT4A5VIbZr-LkXxFJa/s1600-h/Photo386.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDu0Soj9l0L3KLekooMZ5-JTsSWfBISWSRPEAYU76ZyagtgjivEbbSJAug1ycHzp8jY8H0mJ9b2bPTh-jOsqzY-uVcIBPKLtSUHvGNgwn8iOj9UHZnY057nAmNnCT4A5VIbZr-LkXxFJa/s400/Photo386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434510976561771666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's the big ass tv with my blogpage up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g1UuHueffBqZaniZDoiCLz0QBlnn3BQzoEMUjMgUtTBaNvsAlOgX5PmaU0WcUEJJfe5-pgYdS099UAqDUrqOCg9GiTytZGSvq-aoMQ4f_eXCj5YaNmlQ-ak5WKENHspRkpnQeLgvlUt9/s1600-h/Photo387.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g1UuHueffBqZaniZDoiCLz0QBlnn3BQzoEMUjMgUtTBaNvsAlOgX5PmaU0WcUEJJfe5-pgYdS099UAqDUrqOCg9GiTytZGSvq-aoMQ4f_eXCj5YaNmlQ-ak5WKENHspRkpnQeLgvlUt9/s400/Photo387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434511270638844642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's the wireless keyboard and bluetooth mouse. And right in the bottom left corner you will see the end of my spoon sticking it's butt in my picture.<br /><br />And I haven't moved an inch. ;-) I'm gonna move in about ten minutes to put my God of War game disk into the PS3 and then hit the bed again and kill shit. Gotta kill Ares. All for now. LAter.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-78980100495623611562010-02-01T05:06:00.006-05:002010-02-01T05:27:33.338-05:00Sooooo...she's from Virginia, then?<span class="UIStory_Message">Is it still like '<a href="http://www.thegrio.com/news/black-woman-wins-miss-america-crown.php">BIG NEWS</a>' if Miss America is Black anymore? I mean really, I thought that one was done to death all ready. Why can't it be just a 22yo college student, from Virginia won? Anyone with eyes, and actually pays attention and/or gives a shit, is going to SEE she ain't white! She kinda light skinneded, but she does h<span class="text_exposed_show">ave a bit more cocoa to her skin than I would have expected. Congratulations to Caressa Cameron, a pretty young woman from Virginia who is on hiatus from Virginia Commonwealth University to BE Miss America 2010.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsFVVNPMh7gRA2bjwVVzua-I5P5vprhLHOzGb9h2UpCmPHpTl_S1WBBdSA1hZL9FMXwrDyU2yZuegSxzbkmh89C7NLB1nBIMnmZXXI_H_e_mK1OLCd1LXyaXzLvSjJ0MbJGFaVXjv46UF/s1600-h/miss-america-caressa-cameron-miss-virginia-320.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsFVVNPMh7gRA2bjwVVzua-I5P5vprhLHOzGb9h2UpCmPHpTl_S1WBBdSA1hZL9FMXwrDyU2yZuegSxzbkmh89C7NLB1nBIMnmZXXI_H_e_mK1OLCd1LXyaXzLvSjJ0MbJGFaVXjv46UF/s400/miss-america-caressa-cameron-miss-virginia-320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433216806549981794" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLPEAs10oAjUzmACd5K4Wawnon2u6yTgbqhbXPlJIVG4WFu9lduzEm3jJA8k1ljeeWzz2f9LsYbYt9fodXdE0bjpp6rovsDCvM-VXcvATD-Ujt5If26ta_dxGQPnzW9OEVO9Rm9ZzAxeF/s1600-h/201079-miss-america.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLPEAs10oAjUzmACd5K4Wawnon2u6yTgbqhbXPlJIVG4WFu9lduzEm3jJA8k1ljeeWzz2f9LsYbYt9fodXdE0bjpp6rovsDCvM-VXcvATD-Ujt5If26ta_dxGQPnzW9OEVO9Rm9ZzAxeF/s400/201079-miss-america.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433217075969520450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On a side note, aren't beauty contests about unnecessary by now? I know all about the charity work and things these young women do once they WIN, and I'm sure some of them do a bunch of that before hand, but really, do you NEED to be a "beauty queen" to volunteer, help, and make a difference? I don't think so. For there are thousands of people that do it everyday without a "crown" and get little to no public recognition for their efforts. Power to all the volunteers out there helping without a "crown".<br /><br />The above is not meant to be a swipe or attack at Miss Caressa Cameron. I'm just glad that a beautiful woman with a nice body and pretty face is Miss America. At least we can be pretty sure Miss America has a nice ass this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl71SpdgHuFME5OZ8thxx49ZP-zhlapZs9Zt-RZ80P6MmsMBWlM0p7-4t_M1KE_LTEUl49MnzNVch0mRVWwEH1rhGjX1T2_7Oux1qpmU5F3qxG2hrQ1b2SBnLoW0l4Dm78IF2ZwWUfG0yL/s1600-h/miss-americacaressacameron1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl71SpdgHuFME5OZ8thxx49ZP-zhlapZs9Zt-RZ80P6MmsMBWlM0p7-4t_M1KE_LTEUl49MnzNVch0mRVWwEH1rhGjX1T2_7Oux1qpmU5F3qxG2hrQ1b2SBnLoW0l4Dm78IF2ZwWUfG0yL/s400/miss-americacaressacameron1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433218900763754546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o-a4TokA08AEVGyVYNgTIAYNJZ4xUJjNmPRk2452I5IGQbunEMDchgCTt9nf-HXAhRvuUPlG6K7oU1eVBxnifGMKQKO8NOW2AgElmqQKCDXqjVENroMMLldnWeZ40N2OonYvl-DE9o4o/s1600-h/miss-virginia.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o-a4TokA08AEVGyVYNgTIAYNJZ4xUJjNmPRk2452I5IGQbunEMDchgCTt9nf-HXAhRvuUPlG6K7oU1eVBxnifGMKQKO8NOW2AgElmqQKCDXqjVENroMMLldnWeZ40N2OonYvl-DE9o4o/s400/miss-virginia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433218678468254882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Again, Congratulations to Caressa Cameron, Miss America 2010!!!!!!!!Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160213629090272799.post-90020542985393951212010-01-26T07:14:00.012-05:002010-02-01T05:44:33.535-05:00Some slight catching upWell, once again, it has been a while. I've been in a really lazy mood. For a while. So, in my efforts to combat my laziness, I decided to compromise with myself and do some video logs. :-) So, I write a little then you get to see my handsome face and hear my totally pleasing and soothing voice. ;-)<br /><br />So let's get to it:<br /><br />First up is Christmas 2009.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B05Updd13y4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B05Updd13y4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />I don't think I need to type anything extra for this one.<br /><br />Next, my sister Jocelyn and her husband Jay's Wedding Reception:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/04PyKWIin_A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/04PyKWIin_A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />As I mentioned in the vid I had a great time and it was great seeing everyone again. I'll have pics on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SirAshe?cropsuccess#/SirAshe?ref=profile">fb</a> page later. I'll link 'em.<br /><br />And Finally Two cool nights back to back! The second night being THE COOLEST NIGHT EVAR!!!!!<br /><br />First The KGB Bar and <a href="http://www.davidanthonydurham.com/blog/">David Anthony Durham</a>:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7yKqVUjQbq8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7yKqVUjQbq8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Fun Night. Pics over on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SirAshe?cropsuccess#/SirAshe?ref=profile">fb</a>.<br /><br />And the finale,<a href="http://imanicoppola.com/"> Imani Coppola</a>!!!!!!!!!!!:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tce8bPir0Q0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tce8bPir0Q0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />About the fourth time recording this! Kept talking too long. Couldn't help it, it was such a cool night! Thanks Imani and friends!!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqNjLpCKs7AbGlC974HQfFYcbeIYA2V-gvBkFs24ac-_GwRQu9WMLjmmien-ovSTbJnr5tmeLUnoVkWb2YbRIBJHI4sc7HtqUgHmjcWpv8Z_XDHXC70OGJUGGq-01FGdFC799_rcy7Tzs/s1600-h/DSCF2343.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqNjLpCKs7AbGlC974HQfFYcbeIYA2V-gvBkFs24ac-_GwRQu9WMLjmmien-ovSTbJnr5tmeLUnoVkWb2YbRIBJHI4sc7HtqUgHmjcWpv8Z_XDHXC70OGJUGGq-01FGdFC799_rcy7Tzs/s400/DSCF2343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431092424265048946" border="0" /></a><br />Two sexy people!: <a href="http://www.cdfreedom.com/artists/imanicoppola/catalog/">Imani Coppola</a> and I: Click the link and buy some great music.Ashe Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13080539043480727059noreply@blogger.com0