Kelvin's Corner

...not M.I.A.

What's the deal folks?!!

Since I have recieved a bunch of emails about people
asking what's up with me.....since I haven't posted in like....forever, I thought I would post something to let you all know I am still alive and should be doing a real post maybe after Christmas...since the man has me working my ASS off these last days before Christmas. I wanted to say thanks to all of you for the emails and instant messages I recieved showing concern for a brotha..:-)

Happy Holidays to all of you....be safe!!!

DaKelzz

Whatever Happened to......

Music....not just music, but REAL music....?

Not to knock any of the current artists doing their thing, but I was just thinking to myself on the commute to work for THE MAN whatever happened to the time when you heard a song that just made you want to get up where ever you happened to be and either ryhme with the song or if that wasn't feesible, you would nod your head and rhyme along with the song!!

Okay so today I would like try something with you guys…Lets take a walk “Back Down Memory Lane”…lol

Most of you all know by now that two of the things I really enjoy doing are watching movies and listening to Hip Hop…real hiphop, not this mainstream shit they play on the radio now…

So I kinda want to jump on this interactive post bandwagon and let you guys help me with this one…

I want to formulate a list of some to the dopest bars/verses that you guys can remember from some of your favorite Hip Hop…songs from the present or past and let’s see if we can try to breathe some life into Hip Hop, cause Lord knows...it is much need right about now.

I want to start the ball rolling:

Here is one of my favorite old school cuts that will forever live in the minds of people my age I am sure:

Thinkin’ of a master plan
Cuz ain't nuthin but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
So I start my mission- leave my residence
Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think of all the devious things I did
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nuthin funny
Stop smiling, be still, don't nuthin move but the money
But now I learned to earn causes I'm righteous
I feel great! So maybe I might just
Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Then maybe I'll stay alive
So I walk up the street whistlin this
Feelin out of place causes, man, do I miss
A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Me and Eric B, and a nice big plate of
Fish, which is my favorite dish
But without no money it's still a wish
Causes I don't like to dream about gettin paid
So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
To now test to see if I got pull
Hit the studio, causes I'm paid in full

Now tell me that shit don’t get ya’ll pumped up!!!!

Here is another that I thought of while typing that last verse:

It go one, two, three to the fourth
That nigga P-Double got that shit for y'alls peoples to rock to,
Stirrin up pots of brewin hell's kitchen,
I chef the impossible
To serve hot plates all across the unified states
Sit down and sup with top rap reps
We the streets that's watchin boy move diligent
You better walk like a nigga on the tight rope do
Infamous first infantry, first division fourth mission
First assignment -- give em that shit they been missin
My new edition's way bitchin
Those that listen, get addicted to my diction
Fuck rhymes I write prescriptions, for your diseased
generic rap's just not potent like P's
One-thousand one-hundred CC's on the throttle
I peel off chest naked on Katanas
Spaghetti head Mobb niggaz is full bred
Fully blown melanin tone, I rock skeleton bone
Shirts and verses, but thirst for worse beats
So I can put, more product out on the street
Get respect and love, all across the board
We've been adored, for keepin it raw, nuttin less or more
I score everytime for surewhile the rest of y'all niggaz just nil

…I know its like almost the last verse, but every time I hear that song….I just go back and zone the fuck out!!

Man...Whatever happened to the real fucking Lyricists that used to be in the game..Now when I turn on the radio its just Beats and a bunch of bullshit that makes me immediately start rambling for a decent CD to listen to while trying to drive….*smh*

But I want y'all to let me know what made that ass shake and head nod when you heard it....

Thank You

Dear Female Species,

I am writing this letter to let you know that I personally love all of you.

I can’t say that I speak for all men, but I think that I can speak for a large portion of men when I say this. There are those of you who probably feel like this letter is long overdue and for that I can only say that I apologize for the delay.

When I think of where us “men folk” would be without the women in our lives, I tend to cringe. Now granted there are probably those that would disagree with what I am saying and that’s okay. I want to personally take a moment to acknowledge the fact that I have had some good women in my life. This goes all the way back to my mother, whom I want to personally thank for bringing me into this world….I see you Mama!!!

To all the ex-girlfriends, “special friends”, and even current homies that I have that are female, I want to say Thank You. For had you not come into my life and made some sort of contribution, be it good or bad, I would not be the man that I am today. You molded me to a certain degree and I want to say thanks again for looking, smelling, just being the way you are. I know that this may come as sort of a shock to a lot of you, but I really do appreciate you being the compassionate, caring, understanding creatures that you truly are. Even on the days when you honestly don’t feel like being bothered, you put up with the kids, the household, and then your man…for that I want to say Thank You.

You all truly are remarkable creatures and God definitely knew what he was doing when he created you. I myself have daughter and I can only hope that she will grow up to have the same influence on some man that will make him want to write an open letter thanking her for effecting him the way that she did. There have been so many influential women in my life personally that I don’t think I would know where to begin if I were to start naming names, and since I don’t want to make anyone feel left out, I won’t do that here… you know who you are and if you are reading this..THANKS!!

Had it not been for one of your kind breaking my heart for the first time, I would not be who I am today.
Had it not been for one of you listening to me vent and rant and rave about whatever was going on with me, I would not be who I am today.
Had it not been for you giving me good advice at times of need, I would not be the man I am today.
Had it not been for one of you carrying my seed for nine months, I would not have the beautiful daughter I have today.
Had it not been for one of you practically forcing me to see a doctor because of the terrible headaches I used to get, I would not have found out I have high blood pressure and been able to control it early on.

And the list goes on…so for all you do, each and everyday, I just wanted to say Thank You so much and that I truly don’t know where I would be without you.

DaKelzz

This shit is crazy...

Crazy as Hell....

So I am sure all of you have heard about the final verdict against Scott Peterson. I was home last night watching the news and they were talking about the death sentence that was issued to this guy.

Now I remember when the news story first broke about him reporting that his pregnant wife was missing. When I did first heard this, I am thinking to myself, “This cat had something to do with that shit.” I just think that there is something very wrong in the mind of a man that could do that to his wife and his unborn seed. And then to dump the body the way that he did says that he did not give a fuck about her or his child ANYWAY!!

This cold and callous motherfucker showed no remorse, no grief, no sympathy….NOTHING for what he knew he was guilty of doing. This, so I have heard, is the reason his stupid ass got the death penalty. I mean at least try to fake it. There were some of the jurors talking to the media and they were reporting that not only did he not testify, he had the same cold, vacant disposition that he carried since the day she was reported missing. How fuckin’ stupid can you be? And then to have your so called new girlfriend to trick off on you….I mean he has to feel like the biggest idiot to ever walk the face of the earth. And now you are going to San Quentin to sit on Death Row with about 600 other mufckas that are probably going to have their way with you until they feel satisfied..lol...dumbass....

I just want to ask you all a question. If he is so unhappy with his situation at home and he feels like he would be better off without her, why not just leave?!?! I mean as sad as it is to say, black folks have had to deal with this type of shit for years. If he was afraid of divorcing his wife and taking care of his child, then I must say he was a punk ass bitch. And true enough there are a lot of single black mothers in my neighborhood, but hell you don’t see Ray-Ray and Pookie and nem all on the news and shit for killing their baby’s mamas and shit!!
They just don't pay the child support, are labeled dead beat dads....thats about it....not killing the female, that shit is crazy!!

I am listening to the talk radio on the way to work this morning and they were taking caller comments on the verdict. This one dude calls in and says that they should not give him the death penalty because the government would be just as wrong as he was to take his life for killing his wife. He kept on about it wasn’t right and that they should give him life without parole…..ssssshhheeeeiiiitttt….I have a question for that dude, first of all..do you pay taxes? If you answered yes, then you might not be so sympathetic to Mr. Peterson’s current fate. It costs anywhere from 20,000 to 25,000 dollars a year to house this bastard in the penitentiary. Do any of you want to have to willingly know your hard earned tax dollars are going to house, clothe, and feed and punk bitch that would kill his own fuckin’ flesh and blood? And then dump her in the fuckin’ ocean? Not me. I personally say to hell with him and he got just what he deserved. ANY man that would do that to his wife ain’t shit to begin with and the world would not miss him too terribly anyway…..

Now some of you may feel strongly about the death penalty and rightly so according to your beliefs, and that is your right to free will, but c'mon now....this dude....killing his wife and unborn child.....this is a no brainer.
I just would like to know what some of you all think about this verdict, the case, etc....

The Do Over...

"REDO! A fucking REDO! Thats not how the game is played. Your the ref man stand up for yourself. Now walk the fuck away."

--Avon Barksdale
The Wire

So I am thinking to myself last night, what if you could go back to any particular time in your life and have a "do-over"? What point in your life would that be?

I pondered over this question for a long time and it was still on my mind this morning when I was getting ready for work. I think that most of us have actually given this some thought at one time or another.....

Well I didn't come up with one particular point and time in my life...I came up with a couple of them actually. I think the first point in my life that I would like to go back and redo would be my...

Senior Year- in high school. I say this because my senior year was spent mostly trying to figure out what the hell I wanted to do with my life. The prospect of going to college seemed so far out of my reach because I didn't qualify for any of the Pell Grants that you had to be damn near dirt poor to get. Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans were about the only options I did qualify for and with me being 17 that meant the folks had to co-sign on the loans….which wasn’t happening. Some of you may say “How come they didn’t want to co-sign?” Well for one, I was only 17 and like most 17 year olds, I had no clue what I wanted to do with myself. My parents recommended that I start out at a junior college and use some of my savings to take some general education classes to get my feet wet...you know…get a feel for the college life….(now that I think about it, that was the best option for me all things considered)…But oh no…I had to run my ass off and apply to the University of Alabama…Roll Tide!!! LOL. I went there for one semester (all a nigga could afford)...and when the money ran out…it was off the Army Reserve…which brings me to my second do-over point.

The Army Reserve- As I am typing this, I am thinking this should have been my number one do over. Now don’t get me wrong, I learned a TREMENDOUS amount while I was in basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training…for you non military folks who had no idea what the hell AIT meant…*smile*) but I would definitely not have signed up had I known the things that I know now. I met some good people and keep in touch with some of them to this very day. But all in all I think that I would not have joined up because now that I know what I know about the recruiting practices of the armed forces and how they tend to target certain areas for enlistment…nah bruh, I’ll pass...*smh*

The Move-I think the next redo point in my life would come when I was about 21. This is when I came to Chicago to live with my aunt. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Chicago and don’t think I would ever want to leave… this is home now, but the means by which I ended up here is what I would have done differently. I came here in like 1996 and stayed with a distant family member until I was able to get myself situated and learn a little about the city. BIG MISTAKE!!

Public Service Announcement

***FYI- If you are not on REALLY good terms with a family member, don’t even think about trying to live together, the shit won't work...trust me***

I won’t go into details, but let’s just say that it wasn’t a good fit and after about 4 months I ended up staying in a hotel for like two weeks… the time it took for me to find an apartment. But it all worked out for me and I don't hold any ill will toward that family member. I just don't fuck with them like that anymore...if you catch my drift.

Those are just some of the immediate do-over’s that I came to mind and that’s not to say I regret any of them. I just would have gone about them a little differently had I known what I know now...

I am sure some of you have some times, places, events, ...hell even PEOPLE that you would be willing to pay cash money to "Do Over" if we could....but ah, such is life...we live and we learn!!

Even in 2004.......

Here are just some random observations that I have peeped in this Year of Our Lord 2004…

*dusting off ol’ trusty Soapbox*
*adjusting mic*
*clearing throat*

The first thing that comes to mind would have to be the re-election of “Dubya” for another 4 years. Now I know that this one will get some shit started up in here..hehehe. I just wanna say this and I wanna quote my girl Shana on this. It was #53 on her 1-hunnerd List. "I think George Bush is a dumbass politician but a master hustler.” Amen sista, amen.

The Breakup of the Los Angeles Lakers…one comment…’bout damn time!! LOL Man I hated the Lakers!! It seemed to me that it was never about basketball with them, it was always about egos…Shaq and Kobe every time you turn around…glad that shit is over with....good riddance!!

…speaking of Kobe….what.the.hell.was.that.brotha.thinking…ROFL !! I mean, I don’t even know where to begin on this one. Let’s see..you are in Colorado, in the mountains, supposedly in rehab, with no alibi and you decide to hit a piece of white trash just to get your rocks off…..stupid…fuckin’ stupid *smh*

Brothas on the corner in white T shirts…okay, I mean that is understandable to wear white T shirts..its a fashion statement of today’s youth. Hell, they even made a corny ass song about them!!! I am sure we all can go back to our teenage years and see a photo of ourselves and say “What the hell was I on?”. But here in Chicago young boys tend to stand on the corners in groups of 5 or more and wonder why the Police are always harassing them…just an F.Y.I: Even if you ain’t doin’ shit…you “fit” the description…..

This whole “War on Terrorism”…..uuhh….whatever…..by the way, Whatever happened to trying to find Osama? I mean we have lost more men and women to the nonsense going on over there than even remotely imaginable. And with all the evidence that has been shown to the American public via the “media”…(thanks by the way)….that proves we had no reason to go over there in the first place, why are they steady sending people over there? Also, why are they forcing the ones already there to extend their tour of duty?...hhhhmmmmm

I think that Farenheit 911 was one of the most influential documentaries ever put on a motion picture screen. I myself saw the movie twice and both times left the theatre feeling like I had been walking in the dark and somebody had just flipped the light switch…. Not to mention I personally think that movie got a lot more people to the polls this election year…….*Thank you Michael Moore*

The homegoings of Ray Charles, Marlon Brando, Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford, Rick James to name a few…..all of which were extraordinary talents and touched all of us in some way….*see you when I get there*

Alan Keyes…..omg where do I begin…I must say that the Republicans really showed their ass with this one…where did they find this fool? I remember at one point it seemed like every morning on the ride to work I would hear the on air personalities commenting on some ridiculous statement this man made publicly…..*sigh*…Alan Keyes….*smh again*


*stepping down off ol' trusty Soapbox*

Comments, questions, complaints??

...Wanna share a few thoughts with you

A Black Man in Amerikkka…..

*Disclaimer: The following story is based on a real life set of events and thought patterns after a deep reflection of the world in which I happen to live.*

I want to talk about being Black in Amerikkka….

I know that nothing is promised to anyone…short of staying Black and dying in my particular case, but I mean is it me or is it becoming harder and harder to be Black in America?

This shit goes all the way back to our ancestors who were kidnapped and brought over here via the slave ships back in the day. I won’t go that far back but I will start at a time when I can remember…around the mid 80’s. I think it all happened when my moms and auntie went to go see The Color Purple…that would make it like around 1985 I am thinking. Seeing that movie and observing the struggles that Black people went through, especially women really opened my eyes a lot. And to a kid who was like 10 or 11 at the time that was really powerful stuff.

I think the next episode I recall was that of going to a Christmas party that my dad’s job hosted every year. Now mind you I grew up in the South and my dad was a machinist. He worked at a company where he was the only Black employee there, so at the Christmas parties, we always drew a lot of attention for some strange reason (read: Objects of Attention). I remember one year they had a raffle. One of the prizes was a 27” inch TV. My mom had the winning ticket and when she went forward to claim her prize, you should have seen the evil stares she drew from some of the “others” that were there…..

*Opening Heineken bottle and breaking open a Garcia Vega*

Now the way I see it with this being Amerikka and all, we as Black people owe it to each other to try and stick together. Hell this should come to us on even the most primitive levels. It should be a natural instinct that we all are born with. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to sound like I am about to pull out the ol’ trusty soapbox and do some preachin’ to ya but DAYUM folks…I mean for real, we have got to learn to treat each other with a little more respect and love…that is for real.

If we don’t take the time out to love our own people, then who the fuck will. I damn near hate to watch the news these days, because every time you hear about some liquor store being stuck up, or somebody being car jacked in broad dailylight, etc…(you get my point) 8 times out of 10 it’s a Black person…Now I know times are hard for everyone, but resorting to petty crimes is not the answer folks. We have got to have our faces on the television for more than bad news stories, free legal advice and freakin’ Popeye’s chicken!!!

Well I don’t wanna go on ranting and raving so I will just wrap this up by saying:

If you happen to be Black and are reading this, tell somebody Black that you love them.

When you see a Black person coming toward you on the street don’t look away, look them in the eye and say “How are you doing?” and mean it.

Lastly, pass this on to someone you know….even if they ain’t Black!!!

Lata ya’ll…..I gotta go smoke..

The Request

So I know everyone always says that they hate their job ,even in these fucked up economical times. And I know that things may not be getting any better at anytime in the near future. But I just want to share with you all what happened to me at work the yesterday.....

For those of you who don't already know..( Didn't read the profile) I work at a High School in IL.Now we all know that it is traditional that the school kids and teachers get two or more weeks of in observance of the holiday season. It has been this way since the beginning of time damn near. Unfortunately, I am a 12-monther and work year round, unlike aforementioned teachers who only work 10 months a year. Fine, I don't mind this...I admit, I am good with the cash, but tying to make it two months without that friendly thing called Direct Deposit making its biweekly visit to my checking account would be a challenge for a brotha...lol


Anyway on with the story, now with all the above being said, I work with two other technicians in my department. Now with the upcoming holidays approaching fast I decided two weeks ago to put in my vacation request. Mind you I have been at this job for 3.5 years and have not changed up my vacation routine over my duration at said job. I always request to be off the two weeks of Christmas break for the kids....this being because I have a 9 year old daughter that lives out of state and I use this time to visit her.


Now with her winter vacation coinciding with the winter vacation of the kids and teachers at the school in which I happen to be employed it only make logical sense that I try to schedule my vacation time around the time when she is out of school. Once again all this is known by my fellow co-workers and managers because this has been my regiment for the last 3.5 years.So today I get a call from my immediate supervisor saying that he is going to have a problem with approving my request because one of my co-workers requested the same dates off that I did....I didn't know what to fucking say....I was immediately on 100,000,000. I could not believe this motherfucka was on the phone telling me this shit. Now mind you, nobody is in the building during this little two week hiatus from school.....NO.FUCKING.BODY is there...There is only "busy work" being done for the most part or work so mundane that even an intern could do it. Nothing that requires a full staff be there. His ass comes telling me some shit about he needs to make sure there are enough people there for coverage...I'm like coverage of what you stupid mofo? (Thinking to myself of course). Now is it me or is that not the managers responsibility, to make sure there is coverage....and that doesn't' mean denying an employee his/her entitled, eligible, and much needed vacation!!! I understood that shit to mean whateva.needs.to.be.done even if it he has to bring HIS ass in there and do absolutely NOTHING for eight hours. Man I was fucking boiling cause now this means No Going Home for Christmas, No Seeing my daughter for Christmas, No visiting my family for Christmas…Man this is ssssoooo fucked up!!

Then this stupid ass dude tells me that I can try to work something out with the co-worker that requested the same time as I did….I took the phone down from my ear and looked at it with this
puzzled.Iwannajumpthruthisdamnphone.and.choke.the ever.loving.shit.outta.you.look.

this shit is real foul yo’

Another Week....

Well this weekend was pretty uneventful for a brotha....

I mostly chilled around the house and got caught up on the first season of The WIRE.
One of my guys dropped it off at the house last week for me to burn him a copy, so of course
I obliged and had to make a copy for myself. I must admit that this is one of the best HBO originals that I have seen since The Corner. It has become a regular thing on Sundays at 8:00 for all them niggas to come by the crib to watch this 3rd season. I wasn't real big on it at first because I didn't know WTF was going on...

*don't you hate that, catching something good right in the middle?!?!"*

I read up on it and apparently Season Two will be available on January 25th, 2005...You know I am there at the video store to cop that shit, right? But anyway aside from catching up on The Wire, I watched the Bears get into Minnesota's ass...and yesterday's game was pretty much proof in the pooding that Defense wins championships, but surprisingly this new QB that they let start Chad Hutchinson gave the offense some much needed spark. I just wonder if he is going to be CONSISTENT!! I mean gahdamn, 4 starting QB's in one season?!?!? that shit is crazy!! But hey thats how it goes I guess.

I also watched that ass spanking that Philadelphia gave Green Bay, I mean what the fuck!! Donovan McNabb was off the hook yesterday..And poor Brett Favre, after all the hoopla and shit surrounding his 200th career start last Monday night, was almost embarrassing to watch as the Eagles defense kept him on the ground. One of the commentators even said that was the first time he had gotten his uniform dirty the whole season. I can't believe, Tampa Bay beat Mike Vick and the Falcons but I guess every dog has his day, huh?

I am back at the Grind this week.....Dammit!!

I really hope this one goes by pretty quickly...oh well Happy Monday!!

Oh, I got this on my email today for all you Starbucks lovers....pretty funny

http://www.illwillpress.com/sml.html

....My 100 things

Okay…Here it goes….I guess I should post my hundred things since I am still a virgin to this blogging thing….

100 things about DaKelzz

Southern boy at heart.
Always will be.
I am a Leo
One year away from 30.
Have 2 younger siblings.
Am the only son.
Yes, I was spoiled a lot growing up..( That shit stopped when I had my Deja..:-))
Yes I have a daughter..see above.
Went to the Army Reserve right outta high school.
Would never do that shit again.
Did it strictly for the money to pay for college.
I am amazed at how Bush got re-elected for another term.
I think he won by default…or maybe he cheated again, who knows?
People say I look like a younger version of my Dad.
Who else should I look like?
Managed to obtain two degrees in less than a three year span.
I love sports.
Mainly football and basketball
I have some of the classic signs of a Leo.
Sometimes you would think I am a Virgo.
Love living in Chicago…
I work at a suburban high school.
I love the kids and the job.
I think my superiors can be morons at times.
I think they know it.
My facial expressions often dictate my mood.
I love APPLEBOTTOMS….lol
I drink Heinekens.
What brother doesn’t?
I think Sept. 11, 2001 was a fucked up day.
I remember it like it just happened.
I am amazed at how the country changed after that.
I love mary jane.
Starting to like this blogging thing.
It’s a very good way to vent.
I need a new job...who doesn’t right?
I used to have a black cat named Tom for a pet.
Hennesy used to be my drink.
Today, it makes me sick to my stomach.
I am learning about wine.
People tell me I look younger than I really am.
I don’t think I want more kids.
I used to wear twists.
They only lasted about 3 days before they started to look bad…hair to soft to make them last.
I am finding out this is harder than I thought.
I learned how to drive when I was like 8.
That must be a Southern Thing…lol.
I am willing to try almost anything at least once.
I try to look at the bright side of things.
That shit don’t always work.
I used to play the trumpet and the sax in high school.
I was also in ROTC….how many of ya’ll remember that!!
I think Talib Kweli is one of the dopest lyricists out now.
Hip-hop has changed so much in the last 10 years.
Will it ever go back to being about the music and not just beats.
I think Reflection Eternal will forever remain a classic album.
I think Cornel West and Walter Mosely are two of the best authors I have ever read.
I get emailed the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip everyday.
That shit is funny as hell.
Even though I am from the south, people mistake that for being country.
There are country mofo’s everywhere.
I like being alone sometimes.
I used to like to tear apart clocks when I was a young boy.
I was unusually neat for boy…so moms used to tell me.
I never believed in Santa Clause.
That bitch the Tooth Fairy either.
I said my last Easter Speech when I was 9.
I still remember it to this day.
I waited till the last minute to decide to go to my Senior Prom.
Should have skipped it like I planned to originally.
I came to Chicago for my 21st birthday.
Have been here every since.
I have a lot more female friends than males.
A lot of women are surprisingly cool with that.
I have dated my fair share of ghetto chicks!!!
I love’em all..!!
I can’t wait till the winter is over.
I prefer autumn over any other season.
My first car was a bucket.
I didn’t own a new one until I was 27.
I would love to go to Trinidad during Carnival season.
My shoe size is a 12.
I am hooked on HBO’s The Wire.
Just got the first season on DVD last night.
That is what I am on this weekend….watching the entire set.
I think Barry Sanders was the one of the best running backs of all time.
Not better than Walter Payton.
I am a Madden Junkie on Playstation.
I would love to get a Plasma TV for Christmas.
I am almost done with this damn List!!!
I had no idea it would be this hard.
Did I mention I love Mary Jane??
I think it should be legalized.
For municipal purposes only....
That’s what helped me formulate this list !!
FeBreeze is a wonderful product!!!
I wear a yellow LIVESTRONG armband because I think Lance Armstrong is dope as hell.
Only two more to go…..
I can’t think of anything else.
????