Okay, if one were to peruse my website, one might note that I have quite a few pet peeves, some of which haven’t even been posted. That said…
Scenario: I’m sitting in the kitchen at my job waiting for the mystery person who left a half- popped bag of popcorn in the microwave so I can nuke my sandwich that’s been sitting on my desk for an hour ½ because I refuse to pay damn near a dollar more just for those joker to hrow turkey coldcuts on the grill. Hell of a lead off sentence, I know, but I’m sure you feel me. Furthermore, it’s my journal and I don’t have to follow proper grammatical syntax if I don’t wanna. Y’see? I said wanna instead of “want to”. Anyways…
Although I’m easily irritated when I’m hungry and the fact that someone can’t stick with their food for three minutes or less while it’s warming up even if I wasn’t hungry…I guess I’m abit subdues. Instead of leaving in an impatient and hungry rage, I decide to pull up a chair and wait.
Interaction: Said minute and a half wait was worth it when this cute asian chick by the name of Kanika walks in with a big smile like, “are you waiting on me…that’s so sad”. Pretty woman can get away with so much more. I guess to look and behave foul are just utterly unacceptable (and no I’m not one of those brothas who have tuned into the seemingly rekindled popularity of Asian and Latina women…I like women…period). The jeans showed the booty off nicely (wasn’t like a sistas booty), but she was doing well with what she was given. So, we get into small talk, which I abhor, but, pretty women get away with so much more (and she didn’t have a ring on).
Guys, we’re so dumb and easy.
We do the, “So how’s work, anything exciting, what’s going on?” routine while she continues popping her bag of now almost fully popped bag of popcorn. She even offers me some when she finished.
The Uncoolness: Some random lady comes in while my sandwich is in the “mic” with a big grin on her face. I know from jump what she wants. Kanika doesn’t. This chick is gonna have the nerve to beg for three kernels of popcorn! That’s what she said, “I smelled it around the corner, can I have three kernels of popcorn?” Kanika, obviously a giver with her food, offers more than three kernals and says she can have more. Okay you interrupted our convo, which ain’t cool, but hey…you were obviously under the enchantment of three kernels of popcorn…but then she takes one of my napkins without even asking…and we have paper towels four feet away! Thing is, she walked over to where the paper towels were to get the damn popcorn.
Pet Peeve: Folks who help themselves to shit that ain’t their without askin’.
Moral: Don’t take things without frickin’ askin’!
Enough of that...
Hmmm, the weekend is completely open due to the 5th L show and thee slam this Saturday being cancelled/ postponed. What to do what to do what to do? Probably cop some DVD's, watch some movies on the silver screen, and cop a CD or two. I don't know. Sorry for the lack of journal entries this week. I've been really tired. I'll do better next week, kay?
We straight, aight then, cool.
One.

Peace,
Heard some wild ish on the radio this morning from this funny ass cat on WPGC (95.5) by the name of Huggie Low Down. Heard that Nas copped a 100k engagement ring for Kelis from the world renowned Jacob the Jeweler. Only problem is, the ring was appraised for 10k when Nas took it somewhere else to get a second opinion on the ring. Dog! For those who know, Jacob is like the primary cat for hip hop artist who want to do the whole over done bling bling thing. Dude, if you chargin’ cats anything for something that’s only worth a tenth of what they buyin it for, and they find out. That’s not good, man. Ummm, that Fat Joe cat is real dog, he would beat the shit out of somebody if they got him like that I’m sure. Funny how I cursed here, but not at the beginning of the entry, right? Wow…I guess there’s an ironic message in there: Excess is more costly than you think.
Oh, for those who actually read this…I neglected to mention Dana (from illpoets.com) & Eternal as dope writer’s/poets in my two- part “best of…” list. Chalk it up to doing some of my journal entries during brief periods of down time @ work.
Also, I have yet to get my reprint from the printer I mentioned last Thursday. The same cat who swore he’d have my shit done last Friday. Comedy. The atrocities that you commit now will be addressed later. They don’t get anymore new work from me. I might not reup with them if this ignant shit persists.
PS- Thanks to all those who took the time to take part in my reader’s poll for my last two books. Good lookin’ out.
I’ll try to get back atchall l8ter, aight?
One.

I hate getting up early in the morning. No, 7:30 in the morning is not early to me. But, getting up @ 4:45 is. You see, I try to get out the house around 5:30 am to beat the traffic into work, and to allow myself the chance to get off a bit earlier than normal. To do so, I need to set my alarm for 4:45. I generally snooze till about 5:15, and then I jump into high gear. Shower, brush my teeth/ hair, lotiondeoderantgetdresedandoutthedoor. My snoozing is the most important factor, though. I'm the furthest thing from a morning person you can find, so the snooze allows me to gradually wake up. Half an hour to forty five minutes of this gets my body going while still giving me a chance to get in an extra couple of "z's" here and there. This morning was not like that. This morning was abdominal pain I have to get up now and handle this action. Made my shower less effective in the sense that the shower is normally the coup de gras in waking my sleepy ass out of sweet oblivion. Yup, less trips to the good ole alarm clock to hit snooze had me feeling suspect behind the wheel while driving to work. Not to mention, my stomach wasn't through heckling me. Ever had to "go" and be nowhere near a rest room? That's a pretty helpless feeling, man. Anyways...less snoozes today means that 5:00 will take a lot loonger to get here. Means that I already caught myself dozing off @ work which I never do. Decided to do this journal entry just to keep my mind going, y'know? Unfortunately, the soft click- clacking of the keys is making me sleepy, too. I've always found the buzz of a barber's electric clippers and the cadence of a good typist to be soothing. When I was a youngyin', I remember falling asleep many a night to the rapid- fire succession of keys being stroked by my mothers fingers late into the night. Clickety clak clickety clack clack clack clack clak (the backspace always disrupted the rhythm a bit). Not saying I'm a good typist, tho'. In fact, I have to reacquire my homerow skills. My typing kinda sucks. I used to think that perhaps it was a guy thing...just to ease my ego really, but I know mad dudes who type 40- 60 words per minute. In fact, the fastest known typist ever was a guy by the name of Cortez Peters. Dunn could not only type over 200 words per minute, but he could type with his toes! Why I felt the need to put that in this entry, I don't know. Feel free to wow your friends with that useless bit of trivia. Yup, still sleepy. Maybe I should get some grub from the little grill spot downstairs or something. That would be great; you know you get sleepy after you eat, too, right? Sheesh...come on 5:00. Hurry up with your bad ass!

Well-
- I saw Daredevil (with Lynn). Innaccurate, but pretty entertaining. There were some things in the script that were unneccesary, some things that made avid comic book readers say, "Yeah, right", and the joint dragged at some points, but it was still, aight. Was definately better than Captain America and The Punisher (wow those were horrible).
- Finally got a new CD player installed in my whip. Haven't had music in my truck since October 21st, 2002.
- Copped The Roots joint (Phrenology), Nas' "God's Son", and Jazzy Jeff's "The Magnificent"
- Saw my Moms, Papa Step, Dad, Stepmother, Sister, Brother- in- Law, Nephew and Nieces...oh, and Latoya (my little cuzin')
- Got demolished in Live '03 by my brother- in- law (Andre) while my father talked shit in the background }:o) "Wow, why don't you play defense? Oooooh, how'd you miss that dunk?" Geez Dad, shouldn't you be on my side.
- Ate a free dinner my sister cooked that I wasn't invited to (with Lynn).
- Saw Jay- Z rock his concert (with Lynn).
- Saw Michael Rappaport do a brief interview after Jigga finished rockin'...that cat is hilarious.
- Saw Tyson crush dude in what looked like a suspect fight. What dude has the faculties to take out his mouthpieces when he just got knocked on his ass?
Question: How the hell did Petey Pablo get nominated for a grammy?!?!?!?! Wow.
Hey, do you think the grammy committee was trying to give Norah Jones grammy nods in light of Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys being the only females to ever get five grammy's at one time...both of which are black? Hey, I like Norah, going to cop the CD really soon, but I'm just curious. Lookin forward to the 5th L's Brokin Inglish show, and trying to get myself psyched up for this slam this Saturday. Got one joint I just wrote that I need to memorize...we'll see.
PS- Ja Rule really annoys me, and since when did Ashanti inspire us to be better people? Ja Rule really needs to chill out with that bullshit. Ashanti is definately a cutey, and has good fashion sense. But the chick has no vocal range, stop lying to yourself.

I have confession to make: my reading at Java Head last night was utter garbage. I would like to shift the blame on the fact that I was inclined to stay in and sleep/ half way look at wrestling (something crazy always happens before a pay- per view, and I haven’t watched in weeks). I’d also like to shift some of the blame on Drew for completely catching me off guard, which is rare because I expect tangents and random shit from Drew. These things are constants…it’s part of what makes the guy so loveable (and I mean that strictly in a brotherly/ platonic way).
Random Tangent: Ain’t it funny I have to include subtext and random tangents just to clean up the dirty minds of folks who may want to read into shit that ain’t there? Not like anyone reads this crap anyways, right?
Anyways...back to my point...
Unfortunately…I can blame neither laziness or Drew, fact is, I was wack last night. Afterwards, Lynn confirmed what I already knew to be the case in a three minute synopsis that would have been four minutes had she taken a breath somewhere in her (honest, justified and appreciated) critique. Somehow, I maimed a classic of mine that dates back to circa 1997, What Would You Do?, and I hacked up a recent crowd pleaser, My Silence. I always come off with What Would You Do?, but last night I’m sure folks just wished I’d get off…stage that is. Why did the Beverly Hillbillies theme song pop into my head just now when I wrote the ellipses and “stage that is”? Weird.
If you had the chance to read my venting session on illpoets.com yesterday (Thursday, February 20, 2003), you’d know that I feel kind of conflicted as of late when it comes to the poetry scene. I think this was further agitated by this cat named John Patrick who took exception to this lyricist named Entity using the “N” word. Entity prefaced his performance with some black history facts and some commentary on El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X). Apparently, Mr. Patrick took offense to Entity talking about Malcolm in one breath and using the term nigga in the next. That and the fact Entity often does his thing and bounces shortly thereafter. Personally, I think the words John Patrick had for Entity should have been told to Entity outside so the vibe at Java Head could remain drama free. Not saying he didn’t have a right to feel that way, but it was a little aggressive the way he handled it, which in turn made him look wack in the process (in my opinion). Besides, Entity didn’t bring up the fact John Patrick refers to God a lot in his poetry, but recently was pubbing himself for a ladies- only exotic poetry show where he “would be in the gym doing over time for the event). Watch your contradictions folks, the same way we trip off of other folks actions is the same way we sometimes behave and don’t realize it. Entity handled it well stating he had to go to work and promising he’d build with John Patrick on the issue next Thursday. He even apologized for the disturbance as he left, even though he wasn’t being confrontational.
Just thought that was cool. I’ve seen situations like that explode because egos swell up over some shit like that. Aside from that, Sir Reigns did his thing as the “Sir/Prize” feature for the night.
Okay, so maybe I won’t be at poetry spots like that for a a while, but when I come, I must represent..woooord is bond. (Fugees moment…pardon)
PS- Wonder if this will cause any drama...hope not, but whatever. My journal, my thoughts, the way I see things. Fuggit, right?
Love ya'll...be safe...One.

How ironic...
The irony:I get my printing for my last two books done through a DC based printing company. Dig...I've been waiting for a reprint order for my third book, Babylon Songs, for almost three weeks now. The reprint is due to the very first run proving to have issues with the way the book was perfect bound; the glue doesn't hold in some cases. However, it doesn't change the fact I paid $430 for only fifty books (color is a bitch). Not evry book is problematic, but it is hard having to sell my book for fifteen to make my money back. Making it hard for me to sell my own frickin book in good conscience. Everybody who has read it is raving, but I've had to give away the majority of the run due to somebody else's glitch. Disclamer- I was already going to give a free copy to everyone on the cover of my book and/or evrybody who had a poem dedicated to them.
The temporary fix: I now sell the books with the business card of the cat who runs things where I get my books printed. If they have any problem with the books craftsmanship, the customer can then go to the printer and get another copy, free of charge. All they need is evidence of their book falling apart.
Still doesn't quite rectify the situation of me still waiting for a reprint for almost three weeks now, but at least I'm practicing good business ethics.
The sheer comedy: Dude who swore up and down I'd get my reprint quick fast is down stairs right now, as I type this, drumming up customers @ my job, dog. Wow. I hear this dude talkin' about lightening turn around times for printing, and I'm going on three weeks. Needless to say, he was very accommodating. I'm sure he felt a tidbit uncomfortable knowing that there was a bonafide unsatisfied customer amidst all the potential business he could be getting for the company. Sometimes I wish I was foul, you know, yell all my business out while people watched in disbelief.

February 13, 2003 journal entry (the web service @ my job couldn’t connect to the site where I post my journals)
Okay folks, I normally don’t post brand new poetry, but what the hell!
Inspired by my egg and cheese croissant that had the nerve to be crunchy.

You triflin’ bastard
Why did my egg and cheese crunch
Give me my money

To finish my list of dope poets (started on January 31, 2003):
Native Son: Along with 13 of Nazereth, one of the most humble cats I’ve come across in the poetry circuit; quiet fire. Has the demaonor that he can't spit hard, but, don't let the demeanor fool you...son is nice.
Femi/The Dri Fish: This is by far one of the funniest and most bizarre dudes I’ve met ever. Some may know Femi as “Smookey Lookey” if they read my ”message/bored?”. Infamous for such lines as, "If I can't have your number, is it okay if I stalk you?" and "If you attempt suicide and survive! Keep trying! cause life is not worth living if you can't reach your goals." Seeing as tho' he frequents this site a bit, maybe he'll bless the message/bored? with a little bit of the poetry that goes with those lines.
Flo Brown: Whew, can I say this chick had me open @ Howard as a poet? Sexy, cute, and powerful with the pen; a deadly combination. You can catch her blazin’ mics now in the rhyme circuit and @ her website, flobrown.com
Takia Richardson: Sounds self serving to have a bunch of illpoets.com and 5th L representatives, but Takia's shit is the truth! She says some feminine shit in a truly base and male manner; I love to see how she catches unsuspecting people off guard. Truly dope when it comes to subtle wordplay.
Q Habeeb- This cat has only been writin’ for a little over a year, and is already winning $500 slams with some of the east coasts finest as competition. Standing at 6’8, Q is truly a sight to see.

…………………………………………………………..
February 14, 2003 journal entry (the web service @ my job couldn’t connect to the site where I post my journals)
The feature last night was extremely fun. I opened up pretty well, which I often have a problem doing, even when I feature. Lynn killed her half of the feature, although she says otherwise. She rocks. I did maybe ten pieces, and still could have done more without overdoing it. I even marketed my stuff, the books, both websites, illpoets.com tee shirts, the web/graphic design stuff…yup, I was pretty thorough for once. I even played myself ny offering to do a bunch of impressions, but couldn’t think of any once I put myself on the spot. Folks had to throw suggestions from the audience: I did Cris Tucker, Sherman Klump, Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Mr. Burns, Apu & Snake (from The Simpsons), Kermit the Frog, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Hulk Hogan. Pretty diverse, but I forgot my aces in the hole like: Forrest Gump, Ice Cube, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Sylvestor Stallone, Ralph Wiggum (one of my favorites, again…from The Simpsons) just to name a few. It was cool tho’. Whoa, Java Head had this cat that sounded just like Scarface (the rapper, not the movie….come to think of it, I can do scarface (the movie) and characters from Carlito’s way…and Ray Liota in Good Fellas!).

Whut the deal folks? Okay, straight to business:
Those who frequent this section of the site are probably aware of my recent lobbying for Frenchie Davis on The Fox network's American Idol. Well it appears that Frenchie has been booted due to some "internet activity" roughly four years ago to generate funds to keep her in school. How did the producers find out? Frenchie told them. Their response: they kicked her off the show. This I believe was unfair. Pardon me for thinking that it was up to America to decide her fate as American Idol @ this point, not the producers. At least she didn't pull a Kelly Clarkson and let the shit hit the fan after she won. They didn't take the runner up after finding out either. Nope, baby girl still got the works complete with corny American Idol musical to hit the big screen in the near future. I'm not justifying Frenchies past actions, nor am I condemning her. But damn, how are the producers going to put her business out there and kick her off the show? They effectively branded her, when they could have used some "PC" press talk like, "We asked Frenchie to leave due to professional conflicts of interest."
In fact, America has proven in the past that many faux pas’ often do not mar their opinion of the celebrity.
Halle Berry: involved in drunk driving incident still wins an Oscar.
Woody Allen: Molests and marries his adopted daughter, yet still enjoys box office success with movies like "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion"
Vanessa Williams: Former Mrs. America showed it all for Playboy magazine, and still gets celebrated today for her music and acting
Madonna: Posed nude prior to her success, the reaction of the public and Madonna- quote "So what?"
Arnold Schwarzennegger (pardon if I spelled that wrong Arnold): Also posed nude back in the day...still became one of the biggest action stars ever.
Let's not forget Rob Lowe and Alyssa Milano's porn antics: One makes it big on NBC's The West Wing, the other on the WB's Charmed
We won’t even touch the rock industry and folks like Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson. The fact of the matter is, some make mistakes before they are stars and some do so even after they become stars, but it's ultimately the public who decides whether or not to exonerate the celebrity/star/icon from wrong- doing. Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Ruebens didn't bounce back from his masturbation antics, while Michael Jordan bounced back from his infidelity scandal. Frenchie did what she did, right or wrong, to stay in school. The same school that had the support base to raise the money for her audition to make it to American Idol. The same school that supported her through the initial American Idol auditions. If it really is America’s Decision, let the fans decide. You stuck it out with Kelly Clarkson after her scandal dropped a day or two after she was crowned American Idol, stick it out with Frenchie. Use this as a lesson to perhaps do background checks on those who make it to the final thirty- two contestants. But don’t’ punish someone for being honest. That may convey a far worse message than what Frenchie apparently did four years ago. IF this really is America and we really do have the power of freedom of choice, then let America decide.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” ~ Quote from this famous guy named Yeshua, or Jesus to most.

Okay folks, if you feel my little soap box speech, Click Here to email your disapproval of this hasty and unfair decision. Then, tell your friends to go to www.idolonfox.com and go to the bottom of the screen to the link that says 'Questions? Comments? Email us at askfox@fox.com'.
One!

Geeked ya'll...forgot to mention that I'm featuring this Thursday @ Drew's spot in North East DC, Java Head Cafe. Ya'll can flood Drew's email to find out the details if you are for some strange reason intrigued by me performing anywhere outside of the confines of my bathroom in my bathroom mirror.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of performing @ the 20th annual Bob Marley Celebration at Nation. Dehejia also repped for illpoets.com, and Dub did his thing with K'Alyn and Raheem DeVaugnn. It was mad funny seeing these cats getting interviewed by Tropical Beat (or was it Rhythm) because I see them around all the time. This group called Meleket did a bunch of instrumental music for their set, which was cool, but a bit longwinded. The overall vibe was cool and I did pretty well. I enunciated and timed myself well. Dehejia swears it was a good performance, but I should have rocked a harder piece. Oh well, it still came off well. The crowd was very much into the entire event, and showed mad love. I did minimal politicing, although it was a good environment to do so. I'm just anti- social, man. Unless I know you, I find it awkward trying to talk to you. Even still, I'm going to be like, "Get to the point!" after a few moments. Somebody who has just met me will most likely not know how to handle that attitude.
I still remember this poet, I think her government name is Eboni, love her words by the way, got mad at me because I said that something she said was bullshit. We were discussing hip hop and hip culture @ this all night diner in Silver Spring, MD called Tastees. The food ain't that "tasty" if you ask me, but whatever. I made the comment that Eminem had already legitmately proved himself as a great and a legend. I cited songs, lyrics, and cameos. She said Eminem couldn't be labeled a "great" or "legend" simply because he hasn't been around long enough. Begging your pardon, Biggie had one LP prior to his death and mad cats give him the label as one of the illest of all time at a minimum. Em had two at the time and mad cameos, one of which he outshined Biggie on (Dead Wrong). I understand longevity is a major factor, but Em has repeatedly raised the bar for lyrical precedence for himself as well as others. I still think the statment was bullshit, but she interpreted it as me calling her opinion bullshit. Opinions that of course metamorphosed into her feelings. She hasn't acknowledged me but once since the incident almost a year and a half ago. Whatever, I think you get the point. I enjoyed myself, despite having a headache most of the day. Must have been me tapping into Drew's hangover.
I rolled out just before 8, which meant I spent a good 6 hours there, not bad for a socially retarded anti- club introvert, man. And before I get commentary from the peanut gallery, I'm introverted when I meet people in neutral places/positions, i.e. I don't know you, and I didn't meet you through a good friend, etc.

Per a conversation with my best friend Lynn, or Hollywod Horton as I have recently dubbed her, Nickelodeon is a reference to jukeboxes that cost a nickle to use. Apparently, folks sometimes reffered to jukeboxes as "Nickeloedeon's". Credit Hollywood's grandmother for that jewel of information, and credit Hollywood for remembering something like that.

With all these DVD's of popular television series coming out, wouldn't it be cool if Nickelodeon released a DVD collection for Ren & Stimpy?
Sidebar: Who in the hell came up with the name, "Nickelodeon"?
Remember When: "You Can't Do That on Television' was on the air? You'd be waiting for somebody to slip up and say 'slime' or 'water'. That show ws fun as hell, man.
Random Vent #486: And when in the hell are we going to get Animaniacs back on Cartoon Network??

Get this, I got sent to a collection agency a while back over an unpaid medical bill. Dig: The bill was $500.00+ and was incurred when I was unemployed. Due to not getting regular payments in unemployment benefits (Long story), I paid when I could. Shit, I had a $1,000 in rent, $220 in car insurance, plus utilities and gas for my whip. Virginia Hospital Center wasn’t my highest priority. Not really one to owe people, I would pay way more than the minimum balance when I had it. Minimum balance was like $20, I’d made an $80 and a $50 payment, and one other payment to put me right @ $300. Cool, I’m ahead of the curve, right? Nope. My inexperienced ass didn’t know that at a minimum, they want that minimum payment every month. That’s how I got sent to collections.
Fast Forward to now. I have to call these cats on two different occassions to ask them to send me a balance of my account. This chick, Kim Taylor(if that is her real name), is talkin’ ‘bout she can’t do that, her company isn’t concerned with billing me. They just collect. The “customer” should keep their own records. But, she wants to know where I work and if I’m single. Shiit! Ya’ll can’t send me a balance notice so I can pay my bills in a timely manner, but you want me to help you out?! Then she was tryin’ to get me to pay everything at once. Granted, I could if I wanted to, the balance is only $147.50 (according to her), but seeing as tho’ the guy who set up my payment plan was an asshole, I figured I’d reciprocate.
Ol’ Boy: Okay, I’m going to set you up with a payment plan of $30.50 per month until your $300 debt is eliinated.
Unemployed Lee: Why can’t it just be $30.oo per month, why $30.50
Ol’ Boy: Because $30.50 is more distinctive and because that’s what I want you to pay each month. That extra .50 gets you out of debt faster, and you’ll remember the $30.50 easier.
Gee, how nice of him to tell me what I will and won't remember…
Unemployed Lee: My last bill was $20 a month because I was unemployed, and I don’t have a lot of money right now. Why can’t it be like that?
Ol Boy: Because that’s what I’m offering you. You either take the $30.50 or pay the bill in full now.
Unemployed Lee: I just told you I don’t have the money to pay it all.
Blah blah blah, more smart remarks from ol boy.
So Kim, now you want your money on some, “Fuck you, pay me", huh? “Fuck you, bill me!” What type of asinine shit is that where I pay you without a bill? My American Express don’t work that way, I never ate at a restaurant that did that. Think I’m on some programmed drone, shit, huh? Aight, playgirl, ya’ll get paid when I get a bill. And you better not try to fuck with my credit because it’s squeaky clean. So Kim asks me when she could expect me to pay in full. I told her whenever I finish my minimum payments. Then she tried to sulk, talkin’ ‘bout, We don’t have you in the system fully, so we don’t know what type of payment plan you discussed. Shit, it was on all those bills you used to send. Wheredatat now, huh? Long and short of it is, she says that she’ll send a bill one last time, and after that they won’t send one unless the computer automatically sends one. So, I guess the computer just sends stuff arbitrarily, huh? Sounds to me like this company is flawed in the documentation department. So if neccesary, I’ll just call next month for my bill to be sent again. The way things are looking, they won’t have this last interaction “in the system”. Sheesh, how is the collection agency more ghetto than the folks they collect from?

Saturday was set to be the day where I went and took cared of the many things that needed to be addressed concerning my truck. I normally get up early when I'm set to do so, but couldn't get my butt up before 8:30. The alarm clock was on snooze for like 2 hours. I eventually got myself together, and Lynn decided she'd be nice enough to accompany me on my quest. The mechanic I go to was unexpectedly closed, so the steering pump and overdue oil change will have to wait another week. Next stop: the junk yard. Went to the scrap yard to see if I could get a door handle for cheap. "Ewww, Lee goes to junk yards, who does he think he is, Fat Albert?" Some of you may scoff, but paying for something @ the price of $35 versus the Ford manufacturer price of $235 (as I did with a trunk accessory) is sheer common sense. Didn't find the door handle, but discovered that the entire panel will most likely have to be replaced. Yay...more money for me to spend.
I did get the trunk accessory, basically covers the back of the trunk from prying eys. Not that I keep anything of value in my truck anymore, just wanted to have it. The auto yard was funny because you could walk up on a car and all that would be left would be two doors and the frame. Sure hope "Herbie the Love Bug" never wound up here. The yard also reminded me of that scene in Nightmare on Elm Street 4, when Kinkaid's ass got shanked. Didn't realize when I was younger that Kinkaid's character was quite effeminate, but anyways... I cleaned the filthy ass accessory in the parking lot with some cleaner I always keep in my truck until it was worthy of being placed in my truck. Although it was cold, the cat playing 50 cent ("In the Club") in the parking lot on repeat made it more bearable. Normally, I wouldn't be vibing off somebody elses shit like that, but since my radio is no longer attached to my car, I'm sure you understand my willingness to comprimise. Washed my hands when I was done (twice) and bounced.
Wound up chilling in the good company of my sister, brother in law, niece, and of course my nephew Shane. And since I really wasn't looking forward to going to NTB, I bojangled the day away, and decided to hit up NTB to fix my tire on Sunday. More on that later. Watched the Bourne Identity, and played Live '03 for the first time, which I'll have to cop. My brother in law crushed me both times, but my gaming skills started to come back by the time the second was almost over. I was the Wizards, so in true Washington form, I played three good quarters of ball, and one bad quarter. The result was like a 15- 19 point deficit each time. I'm pretty good in sports games, Andre is great. But don't tell him that, his head is already big enough...literally. LOL After wasting the day away @ Traci and Andre's, I saw my father and little brother, whom I hadn't seen since my father had gone to Africa. It was good to see him. Watched a little Justice League. Question: since when has Aqua Man been 'bout it?!
Outside of the 5th L's Aqua Man, Aqua Man has always been somewhat of a panzie in my eyes. He rode around on a giant seahorse and talked to marine life..."...whooptie doo, but what does it all mean Basil?" In this two part episode (which they showed back to back...big ups to Cartoon Network), Aqua Man ws basically trying to prevent war between Atlantis and us "surface dwellers". His power hungry, war mongering brother didn't share the same sentiments, however. In fact, he paid some mercenary to kill Aqua MAn. When Aqua Man went back to reclaim his throne, he was arrested by his brother and carted off. Fast forward to the 'bout it part. AM's (Aqua Man) brother chained him and his infant son to a rock @ the bottom of the ocean, and basically made it so it would fall down this volcanic chasm filled with "red hot magma!" Because he couldn't break the chain attached to his left hand, the only way for AM to break free to save his son was for him to cut off his hand with that "A" logo he has on his belt. Wow...gangsta! In the end, AM watches as is brother plummets down a dark chasm to his doom (ironic, huh?) Although, because we never see him die, it always leaves a convenients space for a villanous return, right? And don't say cartoons don't die, they used to kill folks on Robotech all the time.
I'll be back to finish this long winded entry...
One!
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Okay, I'm back.
So Sunday, I go to NTB to fix this slow leak in my tire. I get to the spot stand to the side for about ten minutes before somebody decides to help me. This African cat tells me that I can't get my tire fixed for free without my reciept of warenty. That may have been believable if I hadn't done it before. I asked the dude nicely to pull my name up in the system, and the record of the transaction would be there. He insisted that their system wouldn't have it and "it doesn't work that way". Rather than arguing, I took it as a sign that he didn't want to check or din't know any better. So I ask the cat how much is it to get a leak plugged?: $20. Aight, I say thank you and leave. Shit, either I get my tire fixed under warrenty by NTB, or they don't see me. I can go anywhere and get a tire plugged for $20, probably less. If I pay $20, it'll be @ my mechanic's, Sun's. At least I know Sun ain't tryin to be difficult or opportunistic. By the by, if you're in the metro area, you should check Sun's auto repair service, located off of St. Barnabus rd. in MD. He's an honest dude who does extremely good work.
I'm out!