End of Summer 2k11 - Wisdom, Wagers and Hip-Hop

Love the Patriotism today on the 9/11 anniversary. It's humbling to see how far we've come in 10 years. Remember and Represent, Represent.


Is Summer really over? Have we passed Labor Day? Is it COLD!? August not only flew by (like we all know it does) but it was one of the most amazing months of my life. Hurricane scares aside, New York (and Vegas) is an amazing time to PBS. 


Side Note: I don't know when Leggo became an acceptable saying in our Pop culture, but..#LEGGO!

Fall Previews - While the end of Summer can be a major downer (fact: NY'ers love to complain about every season change, myself included), there are many things to look forward to in the Fall. Especially for guys. Things I'm looking forward to are A) Football Sundays B) The Dallas Cowboys inevitable 2011 NFL Championship C) Fall Bowling Leagues D) Giving up on "that diet" and E) Wearing blazers as jackets for those 3 weeks when it's not too cold to do so

My August highlight was traveling to Vegas. I'm convinced Vegas is the only place on Earth where the only way to fully express your emotions is by repeating that place's name and smirking uncontrollably. Looking at your friends and giggling "New York..." or "Damn, Boston..." just doesn't have the same effect, does it?

I've been to the Sin City before (Re: Poor, but 21), but let's just say that things become a lot more interesting when you actually have money to blow/gamble with. There is nothing worse than losing your money and having to "conserve" while all your friends play around you! Let's add that to life's list of worse possible scenarios, right behind the dinner party with not enough food. It's taken me some time to fully appreciate and understand my lessons learned. That and I had was too drunk all the time to remember had unfinished business to take care of. Lessons?


Lesson 1 - Go to the day pool parties. When people ask me about the trip, I always try to respond honestly and skip around the mandatory "IT WAS AWESOME" brags. That being said, the most shocking time in Vegas was the day Pool Party at Tao. And It Was Awesome. The best way to describe it is LFMAO's "Shot, Shot, Shot" music video, except in real life. Seriosuly, the pool party has no rules. Splash fights? Check. Rocking Jesus-Pieces? Check. Pouring Ice on Strangers? I didn't do it, but Check. Shouts to Roger Ebert for always pushing the limit!


Lesson 2 - Learn How to Play Blackjack. Playing cheap Blackjack is a fun way to kill time during the "day" in Vegas (a.k.a. that awkward period after brunch but before dinner where you are too full to drink but too excited to nap). It's not that hard too stay fairly even as long as you remember to play by "the book." Asking the dealer for advice is encouraged and extremely helpful. But anytime someone doesn't play by "the book"? Constant, relentless ridicule is required. In fact, blaming your friends for losing is both strangely satisfying and agonizing..whether it's their fault or not.

Typical Blackjack Table Interaction:
Me: "What do you think?" (translated: should I hit?)
Friend: "Dude, I'm feeling this one" (translated: obviously, you idiot)
Dealer: "Sorry, you bust!"
Me: "Oh well, it was the right play I guess.." (translated: I hate you so much..)
::everyone does a collective head shake::

Lesson 3 - Don't Be Afraid to Take a Crazy Chance. There are cliche sayings about Vegas, but my advice would be to never hold back!. Whether it's that bet that GUARANTEES a loss ($10 on a number in roulette, Casino War, only putting $20 in a slot machine, etc.), or the words you probably shouldn't say - sometimes, it feels good to go all out. (See: Beast Mode. WAB.)

Shouts to Zordon, Birdo, Apollo 11, Doctach, Ms. Cooper, Roger Ebert, Cornhell, Robin, W. Wonka, Diddy and everyone else. We'll see each other again, I promise.

Over Labor Day weekend, I went to Rock the Bells - the annual hip hop festival held on Governor's Island. I would never consider myself a hip hop "elitist" but anytime you can see Nas performing, attendance should never be in question. This year's lineup featured some of my previously-mentioned favorite performers (Big KRIT, Joe Budden) and some artists who I had wanted to see live (Childish Gambino, Roc Marciano). Besides the nightmare transportation situation and having to stand in the sun all day - Rock the Bells is a premier event for featuring the right mix of old school/new school hip-hop. Highlights include Lauyrn Hill regaining some credibility by performing "Killing Me Softly" (it was a bit touching) and Slaughterhouse coming onstage to a raging chant. Let the record show that 99% of Joe Budden's fans are guys. Maybe hip-hop isn't dead after all..

In my first Gambino sighting, I cannot disagree that Donald Glover is an exciting up-and-coming artist, but let's not anoint him yet. At least not until he gets a more respectable wardrobe. He has a killer flow, good energy and is a metaphorical/lyrical phenom, but he still needs to pay his dues and serve some jailtime before I respect him. Shouts to Bosi, H-Money,  Yoko, Ms. Cooper and DKNY!

You will get street credibility..one day. maybe.

Finally, Mud Run frenzy has officially taken over!! (Jump on the bandwagon while there are still spots available). It may not be an official "hobby" just yet, but I signed up for another run in a few weeks. I had such a fun time winning finishing surviving the Warrior Dash, I couldn't wait for another chance to test myself. But this time, I want side-bets (the key to any organized activity with friends). Don't call me a gambler, but I'm willing to put up a little humiliation (or slaps) this time...

In honor of the pain to come, I present the official Mud Run theme song of 2011. Incase you didn't know, I'm a Warriorrrrrr.

Peace & Love,
MKP