Inside Man

Hmm, if you know me, then you know that I’m not really a sneaker head. More of a f-me pump chick (you know the killer high spike sexy shoes – Hey, hey. My toes are decent. I was a dancer and track star so they aren’t perfect) ANYWAYS, I came across Jordan’s newest creation… no, not the Jordan 23’s. They are on a media embargo until Dec 31st at 11:59pm. I’m talking about The Spiz’ikes. Yes, the man Spike Lee (no relation… I don’t think) has been working with Nike for years. For some, this isn't new news, but the release of the latest editions are. The concept is that Nike has taken bits and pieces from all the shoes Spike inspired and jam-packed them into one:

Air Jordan 3 - sole, midsole, and “Spike”/elephant print
Air Jordan 4 - “wings” on the sides of the shoes that hold lace loops

Air Jordan 5 - main silhouette of the shoes as well as netting on the side

Air Jordan 6 - tongue of shoes and lace locks

Air Jordan 9 - back tab

Originally called the Frankenstein, this shoe wasn’t expected to be successful. After seeing some of the colors, I don’t blame them. I personally don’t like the female variation. {pictured above right}

The first round of colorways were white/red/green and then black/red/green. They were also only released on the East Coast as per Mr. Lee’s request. Proving to be a winner, Nike then released the shoes in “True Blue” which is red/white/blue (found for $175 on Nicekicks.com) and “Fire Red” white/cement grey-black/red (found for $295 on Nicekicks.com)

Last week, The O.G. (white and cement grey) dropped. It is available at Nike House of Hoops on 125th for $175, but I’m sure you can find it online. Well, you better jump on them. You know how you sneakerheads do.

Here are other variations of the sneaker:

Kings County

Do the Right Thing {pictured right}

Photo credits: Sneakerfreaker.com; Nicekicks.com; and me!

Until next time…
Be Seen at the Top!

Friends & Family Day... no, not shopping

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. For some, this is the best holiday of them all: Macy's parade ( on TV or in real life) good eats… ham, turkey of course - fried, baked, burnt, not quite cooked – cranberry sauce, squash, yams, stuffing/dressing, mac-n-cheese, soup, potatoes – mashed, sweet, garlic, salad - greens/cabbage, everything else and you can’t forget the sweets – pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, coconut custard pie (resorting to your childhood and licking the bowl)… massive email texts with variations on ‘HAPPY THANKSGIVING” “Happy Day when the pilgrims stole the land of the true Americans” (I had like 30+ texts. So many that my Treo froze telling me I didn’t have enough memory so I had to delete texts and reboot); arguments about family (damn sister-in-laws, bad ass kids, pets, Auntie’s nasty food and why did she bring it, who is helping clean up, who the hell is farting), politics (Hilary’s butchness classic Uncle Frank statement:“how can she control a country if she can’t control her man” vs. Barack’s lack of experience); pissin’ contests comparing years of service in the ARMY/Marines/Air Force/whatever; arguments over damn Mexicans (They’re taking our jobs. Well are they really?) and yada-yada-yada.

It is always great when family and friends come together. Sometimes you may think it’s a drag, but in the end, you realize that it might be only once a year that you get to be baggered about who you are dating, that you get to see your little cousin Jason who really isn’t so little anymore, that you get that home cooked meal and don’t feel guilty about eating 3rds or 4ths, that you feel the love and warmth of true family and friends.

I couldn’t spend this holiday with my family, so one of my girlfriends (B. Rocks!!!) invited me down to spend it with she and her family. I’ve hungout with them plenty of times so I knew I would have a blast. A Rocks family favorite is tip-cup, but we didn’t play it. Okay, basically tip-cup is a relay race in which you have x amount of people on one side of the table vs. x amount of people on the other side. At the sound of the buzzer (or just say “GO!”) the first person swallows down about ¼ of their drink of choice. After they drink it down, they slam down the cup to prove it’s empty and place it on the edge of the table. This is where the tipping comes into play. They must successfully flip their cup over – landing on the brim – before the next teammate can go. The anchor for each team has about ½ a cup to drink and must successfully tip their cup. The first team to successfully tip all their cups wins that round. Each person must be an anchor. LOL. Good times and a quick way to get wasted. I struggle at this game. The kids usually beat me. Hey, I’m a light-weight. Yes, they play, but not with booze. Since I’m an adult, I must play with booze.

Here is a crazy little video I took on my Treo - quality isn't the greatest, but I wanted to capture the moment :-) The Rocks and I were sitting around trying to calm down the rambunctious kids. Uncle Michael broke out the mini guitar and began singing ‘Puff the Magic Dragon.’ From there we sang other kid-friendly songs, laughed, drank and ate pie.

Peace, peace familia!!

Be Seen at the Top!

The Collective Spotlights...

Now the weather outside isn't quite frightful but I'm sure inside is still delightful. As you get your holiday grub on, don't forget that you might be packing on a few unwanted pounds. Here is a great workout clothing line for men, Pushing Weight. They are relaunch just in time for the holidays. So instead of getting your Secret Santa a whack ass tie or something, get him something he can use.

PUSHING WEIGHT
Website: www.pushingweight.com
Email: cs@pushingweight.com

PUSHING WEIGHT is a men’s lifestyle clothing brand designed to inspire, enrich and support the lives of fitness minded individuals. The PUSHING WEIGHT man is not defined by his past, rather he chooses to define himself by who and what he can and will be. He is multifaceted and not afraid to break the mold.

The PUSHING WEIGHT man is concerned with his appearance and trains to be the best he can be. He understands the benefits of fitness and the satisfaction of accomplishment. He is self-motivated and competes against his harshest critic--himself. He seeks knowledge to develop and refine his workout regimen. He is focused, determined and driven. He knows that how he looks on the outside not only reflects his physical well being but, also his emotional and spiritual essence.

PUSHING WEIGHT recognizes his devotion and his efforts and supports it with a lifestyle brand that embraces and encourages it.

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!

Forbidden Fruit?

So last night I had a heated discussion with this guy who I thought had potential. Now I should have known it wouldn’t go anywhere because the kid really only communicated through text and emails. Weird. Anyway, the discuss started with hanging out (because we hadn’t even started dating) and then escalated to him telling me “Sad to say, but I don’t think my wife will be Black or American”. Scerrrrr. What? First where did that come from? Second, why cut out an entire race and nation of folks?

That got me to thinking. So are all the women in America screwed up? Especially all the Black American women? Are we the forbidden fruit? I mean, many people have discussed this topic on various occasions, but I don’t get it. I know that I am an awesome Black women (yeah, I must admit – lol). I am bilingual (could be tri but my Portuguese is really shaky, oh so is my Sign-language), I’m well traveled and would love to see more of the World (really want to do the Amazing Race), socialable, love to dine at Turkish/Thai/African/Indian etc restaurants, can flip between the football/basketball game and America’s Next Top Model, articulate, well versed in the cultural realm, I can get dirty (Dad had me working on cars with him when I learned how to walk, he made me a great fisherman, and cut 3 acres of grass in the hot VA sun - yes, I was able to use a riding lawnmower for the majority of it - Daddy isn't THAT gangsta) and I can clean up and hob-knob with the bourgeoisie… I’ve been told I’m a guy’s girl. I know I’m a great catch b/c I have a heart of gold and uber supportive to my man (Give me a 'M'! Give me an 'A'! Give me a 'N'!... yeah, I'm his cheerleader) - when I have one. :-D

While I know this about me, I know I don’t represent the 100’s and 1000’s of Black women and Americans out there. But why cut out an entire set of women? Shoot, I know I’m not perfect. I know that I have can have an attitude and I’m moody, but I make a mean baked chicken and my mac-n-cheese are to die for. OH, can’t forget about my potato salad! Lawd. (Yes, I will cook for my man). Everyone has flaws no matter what race or where you live.

I asked some of my girlfriends if I had the right to be offended by his statement. (if you know me they are MULTICULTURAL – lol) And the White ones referenced his age and my BFF Irish chica said “Hell yeah. He’s a douchebag”. The ones of color just laughed it off and said he was a hot mess. I'm sure he is a great guy and this post isn't really about him. It is about the fact that quite a few men are not interested in dating the women next door. The woman you grew up with or who may better understand where you are coming from. It's like they are looking for something out there and not even looking in their own backyard. I've heard it before - some of my boys have said it - that they don't date Black women. Hmmm. To each his own. People are going to love whomever they are going to love. I just don't get cutting out an entire section of people. I mean, what's so wrong with us?

Like I've said before, I'm well traveled (I've lived abroad for a couple brief stints) and I understand the culture shock one gets when coming back to the States. You realize how spoiled we are, how much we have, how good we have it. You reflect on your life as compared to those you just left. I know what it's like to stay in a $7 (American dollars) hotel and have to take a cold shower while praying that the big ass spider in the corner doesn't decide to join you (Yes, peoples. I keeps it real - lol). I appreciate life and all cultures. I can't speak for all Americans and all Black American women. Perhaps because of the way I was raised. I have a rich cultural background.

So, I wouldn't say that all American women are bad and unmarriable. Ha! Now when I was laying on the emergency room table in Spain hooked up to IV's because I drank out the wrong fountain, perhaps the Doctor was saying 'Stupid American' but hey, I was living life and I'd do it again. Well, I'd choose a different fountain to drink out of.

Well, I’m going to reference one of my brother's – the quote master – many quotes, “Never apologize for being yourself.” This is so true.

Until next time…

Be Seen At the Top!

Hookup: Puma Friends & Family

Who doesn't love a hookup? Click on image to enlarge, then print it out. Enjoy...

Anotha Hova Remix

We receive blasts and press releases regarding lots of different subjects. Here is one that covers video director Scenario's remixing of Jay Z's Blue Magic:

After last weeks unveiling of the new G-Unit video, "Feels so Good"... Scenario is back again with a new remix video to Blue Magic with Ravenel Records very own Nina B ( Remember Her??). After doing a remix video with Nina B last month for 50 Cent's I Get Money, which has over 50,000 hits, Scenario decided to Have Nina B, this remix as well. Scenario has worked with other artist before, but no one gets the response that Nina B. gets when she puts out a video. Jay Z's album is out in stores. The Blue Magic remix has been released on the net.

My thoughts... Perhaps it is the size of the small screen, perhaps it's my computer speakers, but the video didn't move me. Kudos to the director Scenario on working with Hova, but the self-promotion (adding his email in the video) was a funny. Hopefully that's just the YouTube version.

Until next time...

Be Seen at the Top!

The Birth of Hip-Toc

So one day you find yourself at the ironing board at 7:00 in the morning. You notice the fully charged light on your cellphone while you stride across the apartment to make a selection out of your seamlessly juxtaposed R&B and rap collection. Your latte selection is etched into your mind and your signature is as pertinent a form of commerce as those Jackson’s in your money clip. If you find yourself in this crisp button-up psychographic, then you are a pioneer of Hip-Toc. You are a dual master of hip-hop bravado and office policy, as refined and polished as the face of your wristwatch that tic-tocks without leniency during your daily conquests. A fluent speaker of proper English and the slang that nurtured you, you are the puller of the first cab with a female counterpart and won’t accept anything less than the third cab when you hail solo.

This aspect of urban maturity took a quarter-century to refine, with many nation-influencing cultivations on its belt notch to date. However, Hip-Toc was incepted in the 90’s when the credo was to “get money” and to “not be a hater.” A percentage of folks took heed to the new message and forged a $5 billion plus sector out of hip-hop, making it a global force that commercial corporations acknowledged and suburban mannerism gravitated towards. But its real unearthing wasn’t until Jay-Z called forth the “Grown and Sexy,” and legitimized the mind-set of a more harmonized and professional Hip-Toc aspirant. Now the ingenuity and swagger of the streets have many anxious buyers waiting to receive the commodities of the cultivated hip-hop contender.

I posed the question of “what do you think Hip-Toc is?” to music executive Eric. He stated that “Any smart person changes with the times. Some of the most influential people in hip-hop dress in suits and ties everyday, but they can tell you more about hip-hop than the random brotha on the corner. If you’re an entertainment lawyer and I’m an artist, I don’t want my lawyer to dress the same as me. I want him to know about the music I make and I want him to appreciate it and know it and that makes him real. That’s hip-hop. As far as Hip-Toc. It comes to a matter of being a product of a culture. Someone in the age bracket of their early thirties would have grown up in the forefront of when this culture was just starting and booming, whereas someone else has something to learn. They still have a lot to learn about what it is that their admiring and the whole culture they are a part of.”

I consulted Roger, a physician in D.C. and a great example of a Hip-Toc prototype. He said “We owe the culture. We owe the youth, and they need to see these images of hip-hop that are the engineers, that are the dentists, that are the lawyers, the reverends, that are the doctors, the entrepreneurs. We owe our culture a complete view of ourselves and not to limit ourselves to merely a thug image.” He asserts after asking the question of whether the pioneers of hip-hop would want us to quote “keep it real” or “keep it gangsta” that “when you talk about the pioneers of hip-hop, you assume that I’m not one of them. I came up through hip-hop just like the next man came up through hip-hop. I can’t quote verbatim the lyrics of Rakim or LL, but I chose that when my pen hits the pad to write science equations, that when my pen hits the pad to write prescriptions or diagnoses’, but its all hip-hop. As far as the terms keepin it gully or keepin it gangsta, those are just metaphors. I keep it gully and keep it gangsta by the fact that I’m the only Black man in my residency. That’s keepin it gangsta.”

Hip-Toc is the evolution of the hip-hop aficionado. It is the message to the hip-hop enthusiasts that don’t necessarily want to be the artist, but instead live the culture through its many identities and personas. It is the mindframe of the brothers and sisters who can walk into any situation and have at least two options of action, they can either handle it like gentlemen, or they can get into some gangsta shit, all handled accordingly and with technique and bravado. Peace

Love is patient...

I just had a moment the other day. (sigh)

There have been previous posts regarding relationships and women and blah, blah, blah. I feel this song goes both ways. I would sing it to my man of interest and hopefully vice-versa. Well, if there was such. This is a bangin song, so I had to share... You know it, so go ahead and sing along.





Be Seen at the Top!

~Bettina