Say it again and say it with feeling

Today I saw a dear friend in a casket. I've known him for almost 3 years. Bebe was the kind of man who would twist your ear slightly just to get a smile out of you. A tall man who was very fond of shorts no matter what the weather called for. (Gotta love an individual)

When I first met Bebe he was on the floor above where my desk was. His office was always dark and he kept a radio playing. He seemed pretty cool and kinda kept to himself. When we moved to our downtown offices I got to talk to Bebe more. I learned that he used to live in the Ft. Greene section of Brooklyn. He lived there before it was cool to. Bebe's Brooklyn experiences were that of crime and a sketchy Ft. Greene park which is the vision I grew up with. Yet Bebe and I shared a love for the gritty time of NYC. He was a fan of the old rough around the edges bursting with creativity NY. Now all that's left here is Applebee's after Olive Garden after Whole Foods, you get the point. :(

My first company related layout was critiqued by Bebe as it was on his brand and with an art director under his guidance. It meant a lot to me that he liked the work we came up with. I was fortunate enough to have a few private conversations with him. As a fellow person of color at an ad agency there were topics we could discuss with a candor that others would not get. I loved the way he spoke. He used words in a very relaxed manner. I never thought for a second that he would not return to create with our work family. I fully expected him to come waltzing through the door into work past my chair just as he would always do. He would flick my hair or pull my ear. Just something to let me know he was there and he noticed me too.

One thing I've learned from this loss is that we are only here for the time we are here. Don't expect people to always be there because we are not promised tomorrow. Express your love for those in you life you cherish. Seize the moment and make your feelings known. Let them know you appreciate them.

There will never be another like Bebe, nor should there be. We got it right the first time with the Chinese "man in black".

I love you B.
Dashaun

Shades of Brooklyn Vol. 1...GO WATCH IT! NOW!

I feel privileged to be apart of such a talented family. A couple of my brothers over at Sunshowah Films put together a great short giving you a piece of Brooklyn. I look at it as a slice of life kind of film from a Young G's perspective. For those of you unfamiliar with their work (Eye Jammie, Rev' o. lu, shun...etc.) peep the trailer below and once you're finished go to HBO On Demand and watch the film. Peace to Daoud, Dahkil and POP for putting together quality product repping our home.

I Went From Brooklyn to DC and I'm Back Again Pt. 2

My alarm went off at 7am. After dancing heavy at the Wonderful party the night before I felt a little fatigued. Yet once I remembered what lay before me for that day I perked up. I got ready within an hour and walked outside to find a stream of people walking down the street. First Shino and I had to get some supplies for the inauguration. We went to the supermarket up the block and decided on bagels and water (wrong choice but I'll get to that later). There were a bunch of people had the same idea we had. Once free from the market we joined the continuous stream of folks headed towards the capital. Being that we did a trial run the previous day which led us to the parade preparations, we had a edge on the others.

As we walked I turned on a song by rapper Killer Mike called "Pressure". It's what I would call an angry political rap song. I personally love it. Once I took in the swarm of people all heading towards the Capital building to see the first Black President sworn in my eyes began to water. The sight before me combined with the lyrics discussing police brutality the price of freedom and ending with a speech by Malcolm X left me emotional. It started to hit home for me that history was happening and I was a part of it.

Once we got near the mall the traffic of people got thicker. Police began to have a presence and kind of directed us as a herd. I quickly realized that we were being sent towards the back of the mall. This didn't worry me too much as I figured once we got on the mall we could just walk up and get as close as possible with no tickets. As we walked on the grassy area and made moves to walk through folks and cross our first street the cold DC air was there to greet us. It's as if the earth said "oh so you think you are just gonna be a part of history and it's a piece of cake? Think again". It was a bitter cold out that day. The HAWK was out to see this President take the oath on this Tuesday morning. I felt my toes going numb and had to jump up and down a few times to make that uncomfortable feeling go away. While amongst the crowd Shino and I tried to eat our bagels, which became bricks and were at this point a joke. The bananas we purchased were our saving grace to have at least something in our stomachs.

After getting stuck in an area due to tight security and being kept from moving up much at all on the mall, I realized we were gonna watch the event on a jumbo-tron near by. All good, because at least we could see and hear everything, plus we were THERE! From the moment the man of the hour Barack Obama graced the screen the place went nuts. We were cheering to be heard in the heavens above. However when the current President graced the screen he was met with a round of boos only topped by a bad call during a Super Bowl. (I'll leave it up to you to determine if that was proper or not.) Once Obama placed his hand on the Bible and was officially sworn in everyone screamed from the top of their lungs. Now there were musicians and other notable people speaking at this inauguration but by the time a poet got behind the mic I knew it was time to make a strategic exit. My walk back home wasn't too bad. I ran into a friend from back in Brooklyn whom I've known since 2nd grade. The spirit was high on those DC streets. I just wanted to get out of the crowd though and you can tell by the look on my face in some pics.

There were people from all over in that crowd with us that day. All wanting to be a part of something great. American flags were everywhere and the hands waving them were of all different hues. And of course vendors looking to make a profit to share in the occasion. Gotta love it.

Now if you weren't in DC and still want to represent this new administration in a fashionable way check out Potter Esquire Clothing and their official Inauguration shirt.

Potter Esquire Clothing Company

I hope you enjoy all of these pictures taken by Shino (except the one she's in). The following are more scenes from a joyous occasion.

If you enjoyed the photo's displayed thus far in this entry check out the links below for a much broader view of this historic trip to DC. You can also see pictures from the Stevie Wonderful party I mentioned in Part 1. All photos taken by Shino Yanagawa.


DC Pics 1

DC Pics 2

DC Pics 3

DC Pics 4

When You Grow Up With Sisters...

For most of my childhood I had only two sisters to grow up with (lil bro came later). Growing up as a kid in the 80's in Brooklyn I was pretty regular. I loved to play Nintendo, watch cartoons and use my imagination to entertain myself. There was a time when in the mornings my sisters and I would watch cartoons. Being the dude that I am I would want to watch He-Man, Rambo you know, shows like that. However I had two younger sisters and when we were in the living room we had to share the TV. These two young ladies loved to watch JEM! (truly outrageous). Naturally a cartoon about some female music executive who was a manager/girlfriend by day and a secret rockstar by night didn't immediately catch my interest. I was CERTAIN there was something else I could be watching. But after the first episode I was hooked. JEM was actually a highly entertaining cartoon. Every ep had a lil video performed by JEM and her band the Holograms. There was also another rival group on the show called the Misfits always out to take JEM's spot at number 1. If you ever set your eye's on this cartoon talk to me.

For those who don't know what the hell I'm talking about peep game.






And yes I'm secure in my manhood.

Newsflash: Layoffs Suck

So today at the J. O. B. the ax came down on about 40 heads. Is this my first experience with layoffs? No. Will it be the last with the way this economy is going? Likely not. I've been on both sides of the layoff coin. Packing my stuff and saying good bye as well as shaking hands and giving well wishes. It's never easy.
There's always the same questions. Does this person have a family? How's the job market at the moment? The mood in the office is tense. People go out for lunch to discuss what's going on. There's a company meeting to discuss/calm things. Rinse/Repeat.

I seem to be safe at the moment (like my ex-coworkers thought yesterday). Things are ugly in the streets. I have friends who have been unemployed for more months than I'd like to mention. I have freelance companies calling ME for leads. Not because they have opportunities, but things are so dry they are basically cold calling folks for work.

Now I grew up in the 80's in NYC so I'm pretty much used to making it through hardship. I have a feeling a lot of these "New" New Yorkers who think NYC is sweet because of the Disney era Giuliani ushered in might be in for a rude awakening. I grew up in Brooklyn and sure my area wasn't nice then and it aint nice now. However areas like Ft. Greene, North Flatbush, Crown Heights and especially Bed Stuy have had an influx of folks who haven't lived there since before Civil Rights. Rents were raised, Subway franchise's were opened and people were priced out. Fast forward a few years and the economy is in ruin, jobs are scarce and unemployment is up up UP. Folks are gonna start going back to the "get it how you live" mentality. Stick ups and the like I expect to rise. Harlem already lifted the ban on shoot outs last summer. The new residents up there already see the changes back to the bad ole NY.

So for those of you who think that layoffs begin and end in the office, I'd like to say think again. I am happy to still be employed for the moment and have put any National Lampoon European Vacation ideas on hold.

For those unfamiliar with Layoffs peep the ultimate movie on such a topic.

I went from Brooklyn to DC and I'm back again.

In case you have been living under a rock (or in one, your preference) we are entering a new era here in America. Word got around that Jan 20th was the day to be in DC and over 1 million people made that word their bond. I was among the multitudes of different genders, races, ethnic groups and nationalities all sharing in the cold air that gave life to our new President and his administration. But lets rewind back a bit to Saturday when I got off the Bolt bus in Chinatown DC.

Shino and I carried our bags on the DC Metro down to the waterfront where we would stay with our friends Maiko and Mike (plus their super cute son Musashi). I got my first taste of Ethiopian cuisine this night and it was pretty good. A little spongy on the bread part but pretty good. However across the street from the Ethiopian restaurant was a DC landmark called Ben's Chili Bowl. Now this fine establishment had lines around the block causing 2 hour waits in the cold because of one man's chance visit. Pres. Obama. However that meal would have to wait for another day.

On our second day in DC (Sunday) there was a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial which we missed. When we reached the area I did run into a guy I see in BK all the time and we never got to meet so that was cool. There were tons of people out there all attempting to leave the area at the same time. This was just a preview of what was to come in terms of numbers for Tuesday.

Going into Monday the energy of the city was high. We took a walk down to the Smithsonian and ran across a few floats being put together for the parade. The sun was shining on us because we walked upon the home floats for both the President and Vice President Elect. Making our way onto the Mall deciding to take in the loads of people visiting the nation's capital like us. We saw families, photographers, good vendors, hustlers and macaroni dudes...impostors. The jumbo-trons replayed the free concert from the previous day for those like myself who missed Stevie Wonder, Usher, Bono and others showing their support for the new President. We walked almost the whole Mall, down past the Washington Monument and just kept running into happy and enthused people.

After all of that walking we went down to U-Street during happy hour and just hung out at the Bar Euphoria owned by a fellow Okayplayer (what's up Remy) until it was time to party. You see Dj Spinna , Bobbito and DJ Rich Medina had the grand idea to put on a double party (Half Wonderful Half Funk) . Shino and I were only able to boogie hard to the Wonderful portion of the evening. During the party we all got caught up in the moment chanting "Obama, Obama" to the beautiful musical backdrop of songs like "As" and "Another Star". I got to boogie hard to some great Stevie Wonder songs before heading to bed for the great day in American history. As we entered the train station rushing to catch the last train we saw a woman going the opposite way with a huge sleeping bag, 4 bottles of water and a heavy coat. This was at around 1:30. I guess she was a sign of what was to come.

See Part 2. for the conclusion and the beginning, if you get my drift.
All photo's taken by Me from my iPhone (because I left my camera in my other bag)

"...a young brother got it bad cause I'm brown"

Whenever things like this happen (way too often) I think of O'shea Jackson. I think of walking with my boys on new years eve and seeing my friends get patted down, while I pretend my elementary knowledge of freemasonry will prevent me from harm. I think of the generations of men and women who have to teach their sons how to deal with the police. At the same time I think of those who don't have to think of this 'rite of passage' and for them dealing with the police is not a life or death situation.

There has never been a time in this country where Black men were NOT the target of police brutality. It's not a daily occurance where the police kill an unarmed man. However when it does happen you can pretty much guarantee that the victim is Black. In writing this entry I did a google search for the numbers of unarmed men kiilled by police in the US and every answer on the first page was a Blackman. I didn't ask for Blackmen but that's what I got because that's who they kill. A Blackman's life has never been worth much on US soil since the first slave ship arrived. Yet here we stand less than two weeks before the first Black President is sworn in (I'll be there) and a 22 year old Black father is shot dead on the ground like a dog...again.

The folks in Oakland are taking this both "lying down" and standing upright. I've been told a number of protesters layed out in the street in the same position as the victim Oscar Grant. While a gang of folks took to the streets on foot starting out peaceful ending with smashed windows and police chases. The latter is what you see in the following pictures.



I'm not going to ask the usual why questions because I feel like between Diallo and Sean Bell I've exhausted those in my own mind. Honestly after Sean Bell I just felt tired. Tired of all the weight, of people not understanding or not caring. Tired of feeling powerless to stop something that's been going on for generations before me. I wonder if having more people of color in higher positions in politics will change the face of this American tradition. In NY the city council just signed a resolution requiring police officers to fill out detailed reports when a weapon is discharged. (http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/91831/council-votes-for-longer-reports-on-police-shootings/Default.aspx) In 2009 this is just NOW being addressed? I guess progress is progress. I would love to hear your view points on this whole ordeal. Please leave a comment to express...whatever you want to express.

For more info (and video) see this link.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/MN2N155CN1.DTL&o=1

Photo's courtesy of Thomas Hawk and mashget.

Lets give it another shot

If you look at my last post you can see I pretty much gave up on this whole blog thing. Now that I'm rolling with team Mother Green I'm doing more writing and wanting to put up more and more content. Hell I might start doing videos to really get involved.

So this is me in a nutshell. I'm Dashaun aka 13Rose, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I was raised in Brownsville spending weekends in Bed Stuy and Ft. Greene. My worldview has been shaped as a black male growing up around intellectuals, gangsters, high school dropouts, shoplifters, teenage moms and drug dealers. When I look back on my life it really was that heavy on the lean towards negative influences. Hell I think the reason I have a somewhat decent life is that my parents kept a book in front of me at a young age. As a result I graduated High School on time (when 75% of the kids on my block didn't) and eventually graduated with a BBA from Baruch College. Now I work in advertising, perform hip hop karaoke for fun and overall love my life.

I will use this blog again to exercise my writing itch and share my likes and dislikes with the world.

Starting with tonight's event. I'm going to see TV on the Radio in concert here in NYC. My boy's brother Jaleel is the drummer for the band. My brother Just has been a big fan of this band for a minute now. I've tried in the past to get into their stuff and it didn't grab me. This morning I played their first album and I admit I liked a few songs. I've been on a big concert kick lately. I went to see Raphael Saadiq last week. BANGING. Then I saw Digable Planets in Times Sq. That was dope too. I've got an upcoming Maxwell concert which is gonna be icing on the cake. I can't wait (c) Sleepy Brown

So give me a shout, and let me know what you think about my blogging.
Peace and Love

Dashaun from Brooklyn
DashaunWorld INC.

***DashaunWorld Newsletter*** #4 Back To School Issue

Peace Tru Believers

"When you got the glow man you need the glow you need
to grow to glow to grow!" (c) Willie Hutch from The
Last Dragon.

Ladies and Gentlemen and lowlifes...(c)Slick Rick. I
have recently discovered that I have the Glow. Yes
that same glow Bruce Leroy discovered after the
meanest baddest mofo low down round this town Sho Nuf
gave him a purple whooping. Lately when I smile people
smile back and when I dance cats take notice *Torin
nod*. Now it's not that this wasn't hapening before,
it's just that now I feel it all. Every touch is THAT
sensitive every spin THAT intoxicating and every wink
.....u get the point.
This is my back to school Newsletter. September
signifies a new begining you can either accept it or
reject it. I accept my life as it is and love it for
being just that. This is my senior year in school and
it feels that way. I know a gang of students now and I
feel invincible. I could catch a bullet with my teeth!
My classes are a lil demanding, but I'm gonna be
alright. I know I only have to tough it out these last
two semesters and then...."when we really get to Gold
that's when u know it's on!" (c) Raekwon. There's tons
of beautiful babies all around me so that helps. To my
fellow Baruch students who get this newsletter thank
yall for enhancing my school experience. Those
salutations everyday make a difference.

*B.I.G Story to tell Moment* - the names have been
changed to protect the innocent/guilty
I go to meet a friend for her Bday get together.
Before I meet her I go get dip in the Gawsie ettire.
Head for the city and find that she's too drunk to
continue the evening with me dancing. I shrug it off
and after spending time K.I.M to the next spot
Starfoods. There on the corner of 3rd ave. and 14th I
meet two lovely women who walk up to me. The baddest
woman in the vicenity comes and asks me "do u know
where there is a nice club to go dancing?" I tell them
about Starfoods and 3 min later we are in a cab headed
to the spot. I pay for them to get in and the cab
because hell I love my life and this feels right.
*acting balleriffic like it's all terrific (RIGHT?)*
We get in the spot and start dancing. The energy is
just right both of the girls are enjoying the party. I
dance with the baddest looking woman from London for
the night. Her british accent only added to the
moment. By 3:30 after some BBD a few reggae songs and
me surprising her to me knowing how to 'Parachute' we
part and exchange info to keep in touch.
Did I say I love my life?............. because I do.
(I'm still single Joe don't get it twisted)

This past sunday I went out to prospect park to get my
dosage of house music at the Clubhouse Jamboree. It
was a beautiful event (check the pics). Live house
performances with free food. That's a sunday afternoon
right there. I got my energy up by letting the songs
played by DJ Spinna rock my soul. I can trully say I
am the happiest in life when I am dancing. Keita from
Keistar Prod. told me there will be a new Keistar
event coming in October. It's gonna be crazy so look
out for my email regarding that. I think Funk is the
theme. Think Rick James people, think James Brown!
*****************************************************************
Dashaun's Song of the Moment
Willie Hutch - The Glow (*From the movie Berry Gordy's
The Last Dragon)
"And there is still one place you have not looked and
it is there ONLY there that you shall find the
Master." (c) Bruce Leroy's Sensei.
*****************************************************************

Also I've recently acquired a copy of Cooley High on
DVD after years of waiting to catch it at 10 bucks. I
can't stop watching this movie. It's perfect. Get this
movie if u don't have it.
Back to school folks
Peace
Dashaun
P.S. To be a contestant in the next episode of
Dashaun's World send a reply email with ur info. Trust
me the evening well be worth it!

The pictures are in the order of...
Club House Jamboree pics 1 and 2 then Baruch College.

This Newsletter was brought to u in part by....
IcedRecords www.twipmusic.com
DJ Spinna and Keistar Prod.
King Magazine

Dashaun's Wardrobe provided by Gawsie Athletech
Happy Bday to Nahreyah and Yuki.

***DashaunWorld Newsletter*** #2

Peace, Tru Believers

We at DashaunWorld Inc. (DWI) send a wink and a smile
to all of you who have in one way or another touched
the life of Dashaun and for that I (Dashaun *Pres.) am
quite thankful.

Well lets get into it.

Since the last time you got word from me I saw the incredible man PRINCE live at MSG. It was the most
extrodinary concert I have ever experienced. Morris
Day and the TIME opened up as a surprise and did all
the hits. I walked into the arena with my brother just
as the house lights went down. We were doing the Bird
and Oaktree in no time. Then the Man Prince came and
just went bezerk. He's still got IT. His band was
cookin! The solo's were right and then when she came
out it was over. YES SHEILA E! I got to see Glamerous
Life live in person. WOW.

For the rest of the week ***I've got pictures!!***

This past week I've been reaching the 4 a.m. mark for
bedtime everyday for some reason. If it's not me being
out at APT dancing it up or helping someone start a
new chapter in their life, I've just been....well up.
I'm looking forward to this week that is on the
horizon because last week I was a bit quiet and
reflective. I didn't even have the inspiration to make
a new newsletter BUT an email from a good friend Keita
P changed all that!

Special thanks to Keita and Spinna and the whole
Keistar family for the Prince vs. MJ series you guys
are like early christmas gifts. For real!

********************************
Dashaun's Song of the Moment

Kleeer - Intimate Connection

I guess because I'm looking for one. (passively of
course)
*********************************

And on that note I will take my leave. Thank you for
your time and attention.
Peace yall
Dashaun

The Pictures R from Fort Greene Park, Prince vs. MJ
and P.S. 1(the biggest party in the city) in that
order. ENJOY!


====================================

What a Difference a "DA" makes!!

====================================

***DashaunWorld Newsletter*** #1

Peace, Tru believers

This is the first of what will be known as the
DashaunWorld Newsletter.

First a lil background.
I'm Dashaun, Pres. of DashaunWorld INC. We here at
DashaunWorld INC. (aka DWI) are dedicated to the
upliftment and enlightenment of Dashaun. I'm a full
time student with senior year approaching in the fall.
I work two jobs (shout out to IcedMedia and Iced
Records). Other than that I just dance the night away
when possible which is always.

Next week is gonna be a big week for DWI.
(beginning July 11th.)

Sunday - Fort Green Park (House/Dance Classics Party)

Monday - New Edition @ Wingate Park (I love my life!)

Tuesday - Getting my bills paid by going to work

Wednesday - Going to see Prince at MSG. YEAH!

Thursday - Still got bills to pay

Friday - Prince Vs. MICHAEL JACKSON party @ club
Shelter. (notice the caps)

Saturday - P.S. 1 out in Queens. The biggest party in
the city!

In between those events I will be just breathing,
smiling and keeping my eyes open for beautiful people.
For those who wish to be involved in said activities
you may reply.

Also ladies I'm currently taking applications for
dancing partners.

******************************************
DASHAUN'S SONG OF THE MOMENT

Rick James - Give it to me baby

peep the bass in this song. The boy is a legend.
why?...cause he's Rick James Bitch! (no it hasn't
gotten old yet)

******************************************

I just finished reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X
(again) and it definitely has me motivated. Next on
the book list,I'm taking another stab at the book "Why
Black Men Love White Women". No comment.

Please tune in next time for the DashaunWorldInc.
Newsletter.

Peace
Dashaun

P.s. Happy Birthday to my boy Isa...stop eatin that
pork! (c) Ghost

My First Blog

For over a year now I have been writing a newsletter about my life via email. A few times I have gotten replies from my friends asking me to start a Blog. Thus ....here we are. So I will post my newsletters for you good people to read and I guess we will move from there. Bong bong (c) Rza

Peace
Dashaun CEO of DashaunWorld Inc. (DWI)