Posted in Friends Tagged: Dash Weidhofer, Jillian Cleveland, juan alcala, NG76, roomates ]]> http://ethnick.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/ng76/feed/ 3 ethnick top mid1 bottom http://ethnick.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/kairi-star/ http://ethnick.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/kairi-star/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:10:20 +0000 ethnick http://ethnick.wordpress.com/?p=383 ]]> I was waiting for someone to call me out on it.

You got me. Guilty as charged. It’s been in the back of my head for days. Not to mention, this blog is my default for my web browser every time I get on the net. I see it everyday and neglect it. However, as you noticed and others may have too, I’ve been involved with a new blog project. You can check it out here.

This site will continue to run, however due to some mix-ups I need to change some of the aesthetic design and mistitling. Unfortunately I’ve been super focused on this new blog insomuch my personal one isn’t getting any love. That will change soon. But for now, finals, eccentric relaxation, birthday, then christmas.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

With Love, Ethnick

“check out the Hip Hop Fest this Saturday

me and my boys are on a mission like Latter Days”

Its gonna be dope. In all honesty, I should be having (not the worst but) one of the most depressing weeks of my life, but I’m not. I love the fact that I can say what I want, and have people listen and respond positively by just playing a beat behind me. I’m somewhat restricted by group dynamics and moral uniformity, BUT for the most party, I say what I want.

I love hip hop. About three years ago, I would not have said that. I was sheltered from the essence. I heard beats, they sounded cool. Then I heard lyrics about gangs. I wasn’t down. I heard lyrics belittle women. Wasn’t down. I heard the contradictions of ghetto struggle over the rattle of the 2 pound platinum chain loaned by the record label. Didn’t make sense, and I was not down. I thank my brothers for opening my eyes. Rarely does anybody find the underground on their own. I was shown the way, and am thankful. Not to be mistaken, in the underground I found a lot of the same crap. The only difference was the ratio. (More good than bad). Most importantly, I found the art behind hip hop music. I saw the creativity, the passion, the skill and humility. I found it. I found it. That means it’s mine right?

Anyways, enough of my banter. Come to my show. Please.It actually starts at 8pm … old poster.

Eccentric Relaxation & Cosmic Energy

Fixin the Shade- Shadrach (One Half of PANDA) 2008

Both are work/school friendly. (C’mon its me!) When I say “download” I mean that you can listen to the songs and IF you have QuickTime, you can download them onto your computer as well. So if you’re reading this and want to listen but can’t download.. you can do it! To download click the drop-box arrow on the far right of the player when the song is done loading. Then click Save As Source… and walla!

Download Cosmic Eenrgy ft Dash & Eye-Que

Download Eccentric Relaxation

As unfair as it sounds, equality is not rewarded by demand or warded by law, it is earned. Oppressed stay so, no matter the situation. If said oppressed are un-rightly so then change will come. But not right away.

My opionion on this matter is irrelevant. However, what is relevant is idea that America’s biggest divide is one based off of the teachings of the Holy Bible. We’ve seen this influence of relgioin upon gay marriages, abortion, and civil rights (for African American AND women) issues. Christians “beleive” the Bible is true insomuch that they follow its teachings. These teachings speak directly on the topics we so dearly argue today. When debating, liberlists pull out scientific facts, Christians site quote from the Bible, and both sides feel as though they have reliable sources. What the non-religious, more progressive, folks need to understand is the background of Bible beleivers and why stick to their Word. In the same breathe Christian’s need to utilize the question “why” more often instead of being spoon feed by televangelists. What we all need to understand is that both groups are never going to agree, but there may be a middle ground. Until then, relax.

Yes, just content. I am not overly giddy like the 125 thousand in Grant Park, nor am I as bitter as the equally numbered cowboys in Texas. I have found the child-like optimism of Obama supporters and the outright fear of McCain supporters quite funny. Maintaining my neutralism and watching from the sidelines this election year, has opened my eyes to a lot of things I was reluctant to believe before. I’ve witnessed the power of peer pressure… for once used as a positive force. (And I’m not talking Diddy’s VOTE OR DIE campaign.) Not voting today was almost as uncool as leaving your fly down while giving a class presentation. Several local businesses and restaurants (I noticed for the first time in my short life) openly encouraged and rewarded voting with free giveaway out of their own pockets. Why this year? Where was everybody 4 years ago? North Carolina rapper, Median, put it perfectly when he said, “we need a catalyst to spark another powershift!” American finally decided enough was enough. Finally.

This election in my opinion was literally the end-all battle-royale of young (or young at heart) versus old-school. Its like when I realized that I could finally beat my father in a game of one-on-one basketball. I studied AND1 tapes learning new moves, jukes, crossovers and fancy fade-aways. Despite my progressive skills (or change), my father kept playing what he knew best, fundamental basketball. I wasn’t any stronger than I used to be, nor taller. I just figured him out quickly and learned how to take control. And I did.

Switching gears: I believe that the Republicans do not fear “change” with President Obama as much as they fear the mistakes that may occur during his term(s). I have this uncontrollable feeling that Obama is sure to make at least ONE big oopsie during his [8] years. My underlying fear of African-American discredit is lessened by the idea that Obama will most likely be upfront about any type of sticky situations (unlike the past 43). This is the type of change I am excited about!

Fifth gear: I heard a radio broadcast conversation speaking about voting for the lesser of the two evils. I wish it weren’t so, but I feel like it is true. [African American Community: sue me] I’ve been able to look past race in this election, not like it isn’t important or anything. I’ve come to the realization that Politics will NEVER CHANGE. Quote me on that. (I’ll touch up on this topic some other time when my homework isn’t stacked up like Jenga blocks.)

For now, let us not forget that this change will not begin for another two months. Let us not forget about George Bush and his possible attempts (like the last 42) to mix things up before leaving office. Speaking of, when is the last time you’ve heard anything about him in the press during all of this election hype? First things first: Let’s keep him in check. This is Nicholas Smith your forever-undeclared correspondent signing off from Chico. Goodnight America.

Go out and vote. I won’t be. (don’t ask)

Speaking of focus RIP Juliet… I still have her Sparcos

In two different ways: As my post frequency insinuates, I’ve been up to my neck in school work. Not so much homework, tests, or studying, but PROJECTS. I guess that’s the life of a Sound Engineer. As the picture insinuates Eye-Que’s album is coming soon. I’ve done a little bit of work on this project with recording and mixing. I’m really excited to get to hear the final product. Eye-Que [the genius] is a vocabulary-heavy lyricist from Southern California (Palmdale!) now in NorCal for school. As his name suggests he focuses on conscious lyrics while exercizing the use of the whole English language, contrary to the Dr Suess, dance-teaching rhymes of most mainstream artists. I’ve caught this cat reading the dictionary on occasion. I’ve also caught Eye-Que slaying MCs at local battles. Dude is sick, and his recorded material is nice. When it drops, you’ll know (cause I’ll tell you).

¡100th Post!

Due to scoliosis I have the ever-persistent problem of keeping my pants on my waist. Because of the way my back is curved and the way it makes me walk, with every other step my hip (on one side) literally disappears. For sake of style and fear of not wanting to look like a weight-weary soccer mom I wear my pants right at my hips or slightly below. However, no matter how tight the belt, my pants tend to always “sag” lower with each step. In response I developed the 3 Step Grab Program in order to preserve the secretive sanctity that my undergarments hold the right to. (ie, Step, step step, pull up pants, step step.. you get the picture.) Recently (a few years ago actually) I decided enough was enough. I began working on ways to keep my pants where they need to be. But in order to fix the problem I had to first figure out what it was. There were several but the one that made the most difference was that I had WAY too much stuff in my pockets. The weight of my man-things added insult to injury like ankle weights on a runner. On one day I could have all of these items in my two to four pockets:

• keys
• wallet
• coins
• chapstick
• iPod
• cell phone
• quarter inch adapter
• gum/ breathmints
• receipts (everything counts)

I made sure to look for a lightweight phone when I switched to T-Mobile and purchased my blackberry. I put my keys on a key chain that hangs from my jeans rather than sitting inside of them. Finally, after being inspired by my roommate Juan, I retired my Louis Vuitton wallet for a simple small pouch to carry my essential cards and small cash. Today, my good friend Heather Beck, made me my own custom man-pouch of the colors of my choice. I’m in love. My pockets thank me, as do my pants. Not only are we keeping my clothes on, but looking good at the same time. Yep.