Season's Greetings

Hey everyone. In my haste to get things situated for Holiday week, I didn't have a chance to write and wish everyone a healthy, happy holiday season. So here it goes:

(arbitrary hip hop beat)
All my Christians in the house go "Jesus!"
JESUS!
Go "Merry Christ-mas!"
"Merry Christ-mas"

All My Jews in the house go "Happy Chunnukah!"
"Happy Chunnukah!"

Hold Up! Wait a minute! Don't forget to get the black power in it!
Lemme heer you go "Kwan-zaa"!
"Kwan-zaa!"

Now everybody go "New Year's... It's Right Here!"
"New Year's... It's Right Here!"
the end.

Here's to a safe, joyous, productive, and enlightening new year. If i don't see you before then, Happy New Year everyone. As Mr. Rodgers used to say, "You'll have things you'll want to talk about... I will too." Thanks for reading.
-Truth saying goodbye to 2005

Oh, an Arch Card... You shouldn't.... ever!

So I was having a conversation with one of my readers/cousin tonight over a friendly game of billiards, one of my newest passions, when the Arch Card came up. For those of you who don't know what an Arch Card is, let me break it down for you. It's a gift card for McDonald's. Now right away, that may raise some flags with you. I hope it does.

So, Mickey D's as my dad calls it is pushing the idea of this arch card (with values up to $50) for the holidays. This I feel is wrong on so many levels. Let me go on record right now and say if I were to receive an arch card from someone for the holidays, I would politely thank the person (as that's what I taught to do when you receive something) and then proceed to "whup their natural a**."

Here's my reasoning.
1. If you know someone well enough to buy them a Christmas present, where's the thought in getting them a gift card to a fast food restaurant? I mean really. What if someone went to a McDonald's specifically to buy an arch card? "Hi, I'd like to get something for my special lady. I was thinking about a big Mac, but I'm thinking I'd like to get her a gift that keeps on giving. Can you help me, LaCheniquanda" (I know it was wrong to use that name but I couldn't stop my fingers. Please don't hate me.)

2. If you can't think of anything to give this person, money is better than a visits worth of McDonald's food.

3. If you know someone that eats at McDonald's so much that an Arch card is the perfect gift, get them some real food and therapy.

If you should happen to receive an Arch card and do not wish commence whupping some natural a**, buy the gifting individual a copy of the documentary Supersize Me, by film maker Morgan Spurlock. (in this film, Morgan eats only McDonald's, 3 meals a day for a month... scary stuff.) In addition to the film, send them the most sincere and heartfelt thank you note you can muster.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
-truth, on the way to burger king...

Public Service Announcment.

The following is a public service announcement.

White people the shorts and t-shirt in near or below freezing temperatures...

Stop it.

The preceeding was a public service announcement. Thanks for reading.
-Truth looking out for the well being of society

P.S.: Black people, don't stare, you'll only get colder.

A few thoughts on human emotion

Man, after spending the last few days working on a term paper, it seems like the last thing i'd want to do yet, here I am. It's been one of those nights where I'm compelled to write.
Just a disclaimer this may get mushy, i'm not exactly sure where this is going.

I want to talk about two things so bear with me. First of all, i got the recording of one of the recitals i mentioned in the last entry. It's amazing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to toot my own horn in the least. I am usually pretty critical of my playing. But this is different. I listen to the dynamic of the band and the musical atmosphere created and i get lost in it. Since i started listening to it, I haven't been able to stop. Part of it is me studying myself, the other part is me just enjoying great music. I think a big reason this recital was such a success is the fact that the the musicians in the band were clicking on a higher level than any of us knew. It was that the music is super tight but the guys are talking to each other and communicating together and it's beautiful. When i listen to music, if there's something i really like or that moves me, I'll yell or say something, or scream. I've been screaming a lot lately. Thanks to the fellow members of the band: Marc Kaplan, Piano; Kyle Cripps, Tenor Sax; Michael Grecco, Guitar, Jordan; and Berger, Bass. You guys helped to create something really wonderful. Big thanks to Mike Ducassoux (i think i spelled it right) for capturing it so beautifully. you rock buddy.

For those of you that haven't heard it, i'm working on some way to get it up on the net to download....we'll see.

Now to the other matter.

Over the past few weeks, I've gotten to meet somebody that i've know for a while. (you can chew on that for a second.) This guy is going out with a close friend of mine and and we (he and I) have become much closer because of it. This fellow, someone whom I admire very much, has been fairly distant but the more i hang with him and talk with him, the more my respect grows.

Here's why I'm bringing this up. Tonight I had dinner with this couple and another couple (these two are engaged) and my date for the evening was a lovely young lady by the name of Stephanie. (Love you, boo!) Anyway, the night was a celebration of the first couple (let's call them louis and grace.) They got back together after realizing that they were meant to be. You should see these two. She's glowing, grinning from ear to ear, all the time. He's ultra supportive and loving and caringl. They're so comfortable with each other and aren't afraid to show it.I spoke earlier of band dynamic. This is my friends is a higer form and to me it looks like that true love. I don't know how attainable that is for mere humans (for God truly loves everyone) but they seem to be pretty dang close. It was inspiring to just be in their presence. They talked about marriage and kids and couply stuff. I mean i know this stuff may sound silly and lame to some but this interaction and the radiation of love and pure affection for another really touched me. That's all i'm going to say. Just know, Grace, Louis, Ashley, Chris and Steph, I really appreciated spending time with you guys tonight. You gave me something to think about and reflect on.

Thanks for reading.
-Truth, stuffed from pistachio and chocolate cannoli, a delicious ribeye and the human spirit.

PS: Thanks again for dinner, Louis.

Naturallly Selected

You know that feeling you get when you see something that surprises and makes you really happy at the same time? I had that feeling tonight. I went to go see my friends' band, Natural Selection. 4 funky white boys and three vuluptous sisters that can sang later, I found myself drooling a little and reflecting on what matters in life... They were killin' from the first note to the last. The whole package was just intense and inspiring. Thanks, Natural Selection. If you get the chance, check them out. you'll get the feeling. Thanks for reading.
-Truth needs a napkin...

Reflecting on Life over bread pudding and hot chocolate.

I am truly sorry, my friends. I had no intention of leaving you all hanging for theis long, waiting on the next installment in this saga i'm reporting on and living in. There have been several events since last I penned an entry. Thanksgiving 2005, complete with a huge family gathering, board games, and plenty of leftovers (even as i type this, there are greens left. please take some...) I saw the special one (please refer to the very first entry) for the first time since the summer. I played to killin' recitals earlier this week. And now i'm getting ready for one of the busiest weekends I've had in two months.

For just a moment, I'd like to talk about the holiday season. Why did i hear christmas music before thanks giving? Why? that's that about? We had a major holiday and a month before Christmas and Donny Hathaway is screaming "Fireside's blazin' bright/and we're caroling through the night" over my car radio. Now don't get me wrong I love the holiday spirit as much as anyone else but i like to choose the point when I catch it. I'm all about it like Dec 15 and onward that way when i reach saturation, it's christmas day and then it's gone.

Before I can even get there, I have another force to reckon with. My fellow college students can back me up on this one. FINALS! That's right everyone, for two glorious weeks there's nothing but trouble as we prepare to be test on all the knowledge we should have gained by now. Study groups are forming. Computer keyboards and getting the crap typed out of them as their owner fabricate papers on every topic known to man. And then there's my personal favorite, The Jury. If you're not from music school let me explain. The jury is how faculty can grade you on your instrument proficiency. There are certain criterion you must be able to satisfy and base on that, you're given a grade which will show up on the semester report. Can't wait for that.

Just as an aside, Bass players. i just bought a 1x12" aguilar speaker cabinet on ebay. The sound is unbelievable. It's absolutely stunning. the time card won't reflect this but i definitely took an hour off from writing this puppy to go check out the new piece. It makes my heart and bass sing. Speaking about Ebay the new ad campaign with the 'IT' everywhere is genius. if you haven't seen it look out for it. Thanks for reading. I promise not to stay away too long.
-truth truth playing aguilar. doesn't get much better.