We're Moving!!!

Photo by Shino Yanagawa (iPhone)

Actually I've already moved and I'm just now telling yall because, hell I've been busy. Work has been very demanding (with no signs of stopping) and my extra curricular activities (freelance writing, NBA Hang Time, Martial Arts) I'm stretched pretty thin. With that said please make your way over to http://dashaunworld.wordpress.com/ , you'll be glad you did. From now on I'll be posting from there. I'm still working out the kinks but I dig the system and hopefully you will too. Be sure to comment and subscribe because I'm feeling the writing bug again. I'll start posting my reviews that have been going up on Fusicology in case you guys haven't read them yet. And Maybe some of my other side work.

Either way lets stay in touch and if you're on twitter follow the kid @13Rose.

Look out for the Mother Green Relaunch also. We're not done! (c) KRS One.

Free Tiger Ghetto Iced Tea

What the hell is going on in the world? I was on Yelp the other day looking for the phone number to my favorite espresso shop Culture. (I'm kind of hooked on their chocolate chip cookies) But anyway, as I'm on the Culture page on Yelp I see out the corner of my eye the add for a "Free Tiger Ghetto Iced Tea". I immediately though this was a joke and actually felt like I was transported to facebook for a second. Of course I had to click on the link to see what this was all about. The Iced Tea was on the menu for a restaurant called Beacon in midtown Manhattan. I immediately called over two of my other co-workers (of color) to investigate. One called up the restaurant to inquire about this free offer and asked "what exactly is the Tiger Ghetto Iced Tea." The woman who answered the phone simply replied "It's our take on the Arnold Palmer."
We Said

So because Tiger is a golfer you throw his name into the mix? Because he's black (which he would question himself) you call it a "Ghetto" Iced Tea? Or maybe they just think it's "ghetto" to put lemonade and iced tea together. In my opinion the ghetto is a place not an action. Calling actions or describing something as ghetto to me is lazy and offensive. First of all my people in Baltimore will agree with me that we call it a half and half (half lemonade half iced tea). Hell even Nantucket Nectars got it right. This restaurant is just being stupid. What sucks is that the owner of this restaurant also owns my favorite pizza place in the city Waldys. What also sucks is that somebody thought this was clever.

It's wild that this happens and my latest entry into the Japanese Magazine I contribute to BMR was about the word ghetto. If your in Japan or read Japanese, check it out and see what my partner in scribe Motoko and I have to say about the word.

The Atari 2600 and Me.

I like video games. One might even say that I love them. However, these days I don't have must spare time to rock out on a video game. I own a couple of systems with games for each of them. But they mostly just sit and wait for the day when I can really dive into my library. With this in mind I try not to purchase any new games or systems because I don't have the time, so why spend the money right? WRONG.

About a month ago I was invited to a friend's home for a BBQ out in Jersey. My boys from HHK were excellent hosts and one in particular started a small fire in me (pause). While in his room I noticed his Atari 2600 game collection. I haven't played one since I was a kid and even then I recognized the strength of some of those games. Sure graphically they weren't much but some of those games had great replay value. We went downstairs and played a little track and field and it was there that my love for the Atari was reborn.

Upon my arrival home I immediately went on eBay looking for a good deal on a 2600 system. I had one problem though. I knew that I didn't need any new/old video game system. Remember, I'm mister "I don't have time". The only way I was gonna get this Atari was it would have to be a great deal. So I found one. One person was selling an Atari 2600 with two controllers, two paddle sticks, full cord set and 14 games for 30 bucks. Plus they included a cracked class cover for the system. I went in bidding for it. I watched the time and carefully plotted my way to win this system. I decided I wouldn't pay more than 50 bucks for it and in the end that's what I got it for.

So I Dashaun J. Simmons am now once again the proud owner of an Atari 2600. Feel like playing some pitfall, or space invaders? Come on by.

Roger Milla: The Indomitable Lion

Another James Blagden banger! My brother James has illustrated a new video just in time for the World Cup. Enjoy and spread the love (video) around.

My DaM-Funk review on Fusicology

I was sitting at my desk doing some work, making it through a stressful day when I see an email from my friend Keiko. She let me know that the latest piece I wrote for Fusicology on Dam Funk was up on their site. This instantly made me feel better and a lil hyped. I'm doing what I've wanted to do for many years now, write and be recognized for it. Now if I could just be home in time to receive my Atari 2600 from UPS all would be right with the world.

Please enjoy and special thanks to Sandy Yap for making it happen.

DaM-Funk Review

Peep D://BOI at AfroPunk in Brooklyn

My boys Nerve and Surreal (D://BOI) are gonna be showing off their DJ/Electronic skills in front of a big Brooklyn crowd in about two weeks. Gotta love that. It seems like this years Afro Punk festival is just creeping up on me. I haven't been in a Game Rebellion mash pit in a while so I should be on deck for that. And this year the boy K-os is performing!?! If you don't go at least one of the three days for the festival this year don't speak to me...well we can speak but I'll be judging you.

Go here for all the info you need on the festival and here to learn more about D://BOI

Stadium Status

A great piece of work. Pay attention to these guys, the Internets Celebrities. I think there's something special going on with these three. They made it to great points in this film about the building of new stadiums in NYC with tax payer funds. This film is part comedy, part social commentary, part PLAIN RIDICULOUS because the video needed to be made.

Let me know what you think.

Stadium Status from Internets Celebrities on Vimeo.

No Romance Without Finance

*steps up to mic, clears throat*

You love who you love. Nobody should argue against that because it’s emotions and there’s no real logic there. HOWEVER, you have a choice regarding who you want to be with. Just because you love someone does not mean that you should be with them.

Call me crazy but I think if a man and woman are in a relationship they should both contribute to their livelihood definitely. Especially in these days and times where money is not so easy to come by for many folks. However maybe your family is dealing with some hard times, in that case I think the man of the house has to step up and make something happen. I still see the man as being the head of the household. Not the ruler, but the leader. Yeah I'm a little old school, sue me.

So ladies if you choose to be with someone who can’t take care of themselves financially, don’t be surprised when you start a family with them and your in financial trouble. Love who you love but think. When I was little I used to hear women talk about “what can that man do for me" and "I can do bad all by myself.” I initially took these statements to be offensive and making it too hard on men who might be good dudes but don’t have the money these women are looking for. I get it now. Sometimes folks want to do something nice, and if the damn cable bill is overdue 2 months, something nice is out. Some ladies I feel have lost their sense of self and allow guys that do nothing to be with them. To you I say don’t do it. Unless you want days and nights of financial stress which will stand in the way of your relationship being a happy one don’t do it. If he really loves you he will clean himself up, and get his stuff together for you. If you have time to play Xbox and Playstation you have time to find work.

Sorry, I needed to get that off my chest. I will now take questions from the audience.