New Year's Resolutions

If you noticed, all the titles of my posts start out with a quote from a hip hop song. I can't think of one today, so I am just going to write what's on my mind. Today's topic is New Years Resolutions.

I don't really believe in New Year's Resolutions. I don't see how one day is any better than another for changing your life. But I'll play along with the rest of the world. So without further ado, here are my 2006 New Years Resolutions.

1. Lay off the Black & Milds. I ain't saying I'm going to quit, but I should cut back before I start sounding like Weezy off the Jeffersons.
2. Get rich or die trying. I don't need to be rich, but I make a pretty good living. I should have more to show for it. No more ballin' at the strip club or buying rounds of Patron for the crew.
3. No more lending money. I actually started this one back in September and so far so good. Although I bet my brother hopes I wont follow through with this one.
4. Stop procrastinating. This one will never happen. I even put off writing this post until the last minute.
5. Keep my house clean. I always have the best intentions, but then # 4 on the list takes over. Right now I got mail on the living room floor, cd's on my office floor, and ties and socks all over my bedroom floor. Where's Florence when you need her. (Another Jefferson's reference, no more TV Land for me)
6. Spend less time at the office. I'm kind of a workaholic. I need to spend less time working and more time putting in work (heh-heh).
7. Spend more time with my family. It doesn't make sense that my brother and my sister and her kids are 45 minutes away and I can't drive over there more than I do.

There you have it. I wanted to get this post in before the shooting starts. What's the deal with that anyway? Every New Years and July 4th niggaz be bussin shots in the air. Anyway, be safe and be easy. And if anyone wants to share their resolutions, feel free to add them to the comments section.

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G.O.D. Father Part 3

Inspiration: "G.O.D. Father Part 3" Mobb Deep

What I'm Listening To: "Cheers 2 U" - Playa

Question(s) I asked myself today: 1. Should I watch the Falcons game on Sunday, even though they are out of the playoffs? 2. Whatever happened to Playa? "Cheers 2 U" was one of the best R&B albums of the 90's and they had Timbaland beats. I know one of them cats wrote some songs on Aaliyah's last joint, but where is the follow up album? This is not a rhetorical question, if any of the 8 people who have read this blog know, please tell me.

I know this is not a normal situation, but I don't really care. My ex girlfriend is having a baby (she is 3 months pregnant) and I am going to be the Godfather (hopefully.) We didn't have what it takes to make it as a couple, but I still consider her to be a good friend. I know that sounds like some BS, but we really are better friends than lovers. If it works out, this would be my third attempt at being a godfather. I pretty much messed up the other 2 when I left Savannah. When I was younger, I had 2 different friends that I thought would be around forever, but I got caught up in my own life and didn't handle things right. I dipped like a thief in the night, and despite my best efforts in the last few years I havent been able to catch up with either one of them. I know this makes me seem like a bad friend and I admit that was true. I'd like to think that I have matured, fuck it, I know I have matured and I'm ready for this now. I'm excited about this baby like he/she is mine. I plan to spoil the hell out of this child.

Speaking of children, I met my new "brother" for the first time yesterday. He is actually my mother's husband's great grandchild, but my mom and her husband adopted him about 6 months ago (confusing, huh? He calls me his uncle.) His mother wasn't doing right and his father ain't shit, so this precious little boy was in foster care in California. I give my mother and her husband major props for rescuing him from a fucked up situation and giving him a shot at a normal life. I do worry that he may be too much for them to handle at their age, but I hope for the best. It just hit me that I never really talked too much about my family. I have an older sister and a younger brother. Both of them live in the Atlanta metro area. We don't see each other as much as I would like, but we are close nonetheless. My mom and grandma still live in Savannah. My father died in '95. But that's a whole 'nother post that I don't feel like getting into now. I'll save that for a later date. Until then...

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Oh I Think They Like Me!

Inspiration: Dem Franchise Boyz

What I'm Listening To: Ghostface Killah's "Ironman"

Question(s) I asked myself today: 1) Would someone please tell BET that an old ass episode of Rap City is not necessarily "classic?" 2) Whatever happened to the RZA? He used to come out with hot beats like every week, I can't remember the last time I even heard a RZA track.

Let me first put this disclaimer out there: I don't really like that song, but dammit e'ry time I start my car, Franchise is on the radio. If it ain't them, its that insipid "Laffy Taffy" crap. I really need to invest in some new CD's. But anyway, I hope everybody had a very merry one. It's been a while since I posted so let me catch you up. I didn't go home to Savannah for Christmas. I basically spent the whole weekend with my homegirl's family in College Park. Friday night was K's birthday, and we went to this Cajun restaurant in the CP with her fiance, her mom and aunt and a couple of other friends. It was mad cool, the food was on point and they had a jazz band playing. We even got the saxophone player to embarrass the shit out of her with a rendition of "Happy Birthday." Christmas Eve I went back to College Park for a Christmas party at K's mother's house. I was driving so I wasn't able to get down on the Henny like I wanted to, but I had fun anyway. The only bullshit was that I left my cell phone charger when I jetted so all Christmas Day, my cell was dead. When I finally got it back and charged my phone, I had like 12 Merry Christmas messages to return.

I got this new woman I've been hollering at for a couple weeks. I can't seem to figure her out. Sometimes she seem like she wants to be just friends, but other times she seems like she wants more. Before you tell me I should just come out and ask, let me tell you a little about my issues. I hate, can't stand, can't abide by, can't handle rejection. I know it happens even to the pimpin-est of pimps, but logic has no place in my mind sometimes. Oh, I think she like me, but time will tell if it can grow.

On the other hand, I got this other chick that is just chasing a nigga. There is no doubt what she want. I could knock that off at anytime I want, but like Pac said "I don't want if it's that easy". Besides, she got no conversation skills and she don't comb her hair. I got a thing for hair, I don't care if its real, weave, braids, long or short, it just has to look good. I think that is a prerequisite for me to talk to a chick. Some niggaz need a big ass or big breasts, I need a cute face and her hair gotta be did. That's just my fetish.

Damn, I forgot how fucking raw this Ghostface joint is. I'm going have to put this and GZA's "Liquid Swords" in the ride tomorrow. It's a Wu-Tang day tomorrow. At least then I won't have to hear "Oh, I Think They Like Me" on the way to work. Holla at y'all later. Until then...

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Girls Of The World Ain't Nuttin But Trouble

Inspiration: Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

What I'm Listening To: Long Live the Kane - Big Daddy Kane

Question(s) I asked myself today: Where do homeless people get Sharpies to write their"Will work for food" signs? (stolen from my brother)

I think Will Smith said it best:

"Listen homeboys don't mean to bust your bubble but girls of the world ain't nothing but trouble. So next time a girl gives you the play just remember my rhyme and get the hell away."

After 31 years, I realize that I still don't understand women. Tonight I had a long phone conversation with this female. We talked and laughed and had a good time for about 2 hours. Then before I knew it, she flipped and got mad at me. I don't actually know what I said, or why she got mad. I kinda thought she was possessed. I had images of the little girl in the Exorcist with the head spinning and vomiting pea soup. We are cool now, but I still don't know exactly what happened. I swear one day, I'll get a clue about women. I gotta get up early for work tomorrow, so I'll keep this short.

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TOP 10

Just a quick post during halftime of the Falcons game. Someone recently asked me what my Top 5 hip hop albums were. I can't narrow it down to just 5 so here are my Top 10.

1. "Only Built For Cuban Linx" - Raekwon
2. "Illmatic" - Nas
3. "Ready to Die" Notorious B.I.G.
4. "Aquemini" - Outkast
5. "Reasonable Doubt" Jay-Z
6. "DoggyStyle" Snoop Doggy Dogg
7. "Midnight Marauders" A Tribe Called Quest
8. "The Chronic" Dr. Dre
9. "The Infamous" Mobb Deep
10 "Late Registration" Kanye West

I probably could have 3 Tribe albums on my list, but I limited it to one per artist. You can easily replace ATLiens for Aquemini or The Blueprint for Reasonable Doubt. These are just my current opinions and are subject to change as I go through my CD collection. The Top 3 will probably stay the same on any of my lists, but depending on my mood, Illmatic might be # 1 or Ready to Die might take the number one spot. Let's call them 1a, 1b and 1c. Alright, half time is over, so let me get back to the game.

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It Was All A Dream

Inspiration: "Juicy" - Biggie (obviously)

What I'm Listening To: Yahoo Radio Quiet Storm station

Question(s) I asked myself today: Where the f$# is my car key? Am I getting Alzheimers?

I just got back from a "Christmas" party but more on that later. Let me first recap the rest of my week. I went to the Falcons - Saints game at the dome on Monday and saw ATL get in that azz. We still got a chance for the playoffs, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I took Friday off from work and tore my crib apart looking for my car key which I somehow lost Thursday night. I finally found it Saturday in the parking lot under one of my neighbors car. I almost had to pay mucho dinero for a replacement key. I also temporarily misplaced my cell phone Friday, which led to those questions up above. I never lose anything, so this was nerve wracking to say the least. I guess I can' t say that anymore.

I went to this so called Christmas party tonight. It was pretty cool, but I'm not sure what it had to do with Christmas, or if it even qualifies as a party. There was no eggnog, Christmas music and even worse, no HO-HO-HOES. I was hoping to at least get to meet some new women, but that didn't happen. It was really like a regular hang out session, with spades and Playstation, the only difference being we had to drive all the way up 85 North to Gwinnett County. There's another Christmas party tomorrow, but I think I will skip it. I have to finish (I mean start) my Christmas shopping. I have way more people to shop for this year. I should have stayed anti social, it was cheaper, and definitely less work.

Back to the title of this post: It was all a dream. I think my lack of sleep is catching up with me, b/c I have been having some crazy ass dreams all week. I'm no psychologist, and I have no idea what the hell these dreams mean if anything, but all I know is they are wierd. I had one dream this week about one of my ex girlfriends. Without going into too much graphic detail, we were doing it (and doing it and doing it well) when all of sudden she turned into a snake and started chasing me around Kroger. Why were we doing it in a grocery store? Don't ask me cuz I have no idea. I had another dream that I was in Ancient Rome, fighting along side Julius Ceasar, only we didn't carry swords, we had microphones and had freestyle battles. I kinda know where that one came from; I've been watching "Rome" on HBO On Demand this week. Finally, last night I dreamt that some beautiful Sanaa Lathan like woman was having my baby. Nothing too crazy happened, it just felt like it was actually real. I was pretty pissed when my phone rang in the morning and woke me up. So there you have it, It is now 5:15 in the morning and I am going to sleep. I wonder what I will dream about tonight. I vote for Sanaa. Holla at y'all later. Until then...

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The Night is on My Mind

Inspiration: "Midnight Marauders" - A Tribe Called Quest

What I'm Listening To: "Flo'ology" - Floetry

Question(s) I asked myself today - Is Trey Songz Tevin Campbell's gay little brother?

It's been a week since my first post. I thought I would catch you up on my week. Saturday, I went over to my friend Kristie and her fiance Eric's crib for an evening of drinking and shit talking. As always, Kristie was the perfect host. She cooked Mexican and had the margaritas flowing. Jessica and Mario were there too which only added to the aforementioned shit talking. I was hoping to redeem myself on the Madden 2006 (Eric has been whoopin my ass lately), but instead we watched the DVD of "Crash." It was my second time seeing it, but it was still good as hell. I found myself cracking the fuck up at all the racial slurs ("You blake too fast") in the movie this time though. Blame it on the liquor.

I watched a lot of football last weekend and let me just say: REGGIE BUSH FOR HEISMAN. That dude is ridiculous. I'm ready for USC to get the snot beat out of them, but Reggie Bush is the man. My Falcons fucked up another one on Sunday. We are now 7-5 and in danger of missing the playoffs. I was hoping I could get to see a playoff game at the GA Dome, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. I wish Ron Mexico, I mean Michael Vick, would stop trying to prove he can stay in the pocket and run the damn ball. Carolina cut through the Falcons like a Hattori Hanzo sword (Kill Bill, bitch). This shit is frustrating. At least we got the Saints next on Monday night, that should be a W.

I had a long week at work that didn't leave me with enough time to even think about this blog except to decide who I was going to tell about it. I decided that I wasn't going to tell any of my co workers about it, just in case I need to vent about their crazy asses one day. They are my biggest source of comedy so I know that I will be writing about them and I don't need any more hurt feelings. I think I will send the link to all the people who are pissed off b/c I don't keep in touch like I should. To my homegirl who told me she was mad at me b/c I haven't called her in a week, I truly apologize, I just get that way sometimes; I didn't mean to offend you. I will try to make an effort to be more available.

I have to work a few hours tomorrow to catch up on some paperwork, but I am looking forward to Saturday night. "The night is on mind, You know the sun still shine, but the night is on my mind, the night is on my mind" - Q Tip from ATCQ. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I need to have some fun and blow off some steam. Maybe old guhl will fall through or maybe I'll hit up Pin Ups. I'm the world biggest procrastinator, so I probably won't know until the very last minute. Until then...

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WHO I'M IS! (an introduction)

Inspiration For The Title: Rubberband Man - T.I.

What I'm Listening To: "The Minstrel Show" - Little Brother

Question(s) I asked myself today: Is starting a blog the most egotistical thing I have ever done? Why does anyone care about what I am thinking? Oh yeah, because I'm the sh*t!

Who I'm Is? Well that's a loaded question. I've been thinking about how I could introduce myself to the world. First of all, T. Casanova is not my real name. That's been my pseudonym since I saw Beat Street and decided that I should have a graffiti tag. Not that I have actually ever had the nerve to tag, but I liked the idea. I fell in love with hip hop as a youngster growing up in upstate N.Y. Run DMC's Rock Box changed my life forever. I can still remember hanging out in the basement waiting for Kiss FM to play the new joints with my finger on the record button of my boom box. Don't let me start reminiscing about Roxanne, Roxanne, The Show, or Can't Live Without My Radio. We will be here all day. Who I'm Is? Not to sound like KRS, but I am hip hop.

When I was 12, we moved to Savannah, Georgia and everything changed. Back then they just weren't up on hip hop. I was a Yankee in the south. I was just really different than them other cats. I think that's when the second part of who I'm is began. Who I'm is? I'm definitely an individual. I'm that type of dude that didn't really fit in middle and high school. I ran with a very small clique and it wasn't until college that I started to expand my horizons and let people get to know me. I am still very selective about who I hang with and I still strive to be different, but at least now people seem to understand who I'm is.

In 2000, I moved to the ATL with "she who will not be named." I forgot to mention another thing about who I'm is. I'm a serial monogamist. At least I used to be. I have a couple of 2 or 3 year relationships. I even got close to marraige once. I might as well have been married, b/c "she who will not be named" got half of my cd's when we "divorced." Like you was listening to Nas before you met me. Okay, let me get back on track. I love it here in the A. There is always something to do. Even though, I don't go out that much, it's cool to have options. You can pretty much always find a job here and it is just cool to see Black people with money. Not to mention the women. DAMN!!!!! I think that all rap videos should be shot in the Atlanta area malls. But I digress again. I can't see myself living anywhere else in the immediate future. Right now, my life is mostly work and chilling with my circle of friends (I'm sure you will hear a lot about them.) My homegirl K would tell you I am anti social, because I am just as content to stay home and watch TV, surf the net or listen to music instead of going out. She's right, but I am making an effort. I think I have Social Anxiety Disorder, or maybe I just don't like people. Who I'm Is? I'm a recovering loner-holic, still working my way through my 12 step program.

One last thing you need to know about me before reading this blog: I can be the nicest person in the world sometimes, but most of the time I am extremely sarcastic, a jerk, an a**hole, (insert your own synonym here.) I don't mean anything by it, I just like to laugh and I find a lot of sh*t funny. I often find myself about to fall out because I saw or heard something hilarious. I also will say what's on my mind even when it's not appropriate as long as it's funny. I think I have some kind of Joke Tourette's Syndrome, b/c I just blurt out the first thing on my mind and then deal with the consequences later. Who I'm is? My friends call me Lighter Fluid because I always add fuel to the fire.

That wraps up my first official post as a blogger. Thanks for taking the time out to read about some cat you don't know. I'll try to keep you entertained with tales from my life and other random thoughts from a 31 year old hip hop head.

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