best rainy day lunch ever

you absolutely can not have a better meal on a rainy day then grilled cheese and tomato soup. and you can not find a better place in the city to get that combo than say cheese! located at 649 9th Avenue, between 45th and 46th streets, this tiny storefront is home to one of the best lunches i've ever had. check it out, you'll be happy you did.

i just finished off a mama's special myself and am now completely content for the rest of the afternoon. ahh, the 'itis sets in...

Hate to say I Told you So.........

According to CNN, federal prosecutors charged two men with plotting a Killing Spree against more than 100 African-Americans and the presidential candidate Barack Obama.  The two "neo-nazis" both less than 25 years of age, were self described white supremacists and although very little evidence was found that showed the two could actually succeed in their plot, reports claim that the two appeared very determined and were willing to give their own lives if it came to that. America is in for an awakening...should we be prepared for more situations like this or is this just an isolated event?

Paul Schlesselman, left, and Daniel Cowart said they planned to kill more than 100 African-Americans.

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I Have a Dream...and a Few other Visions...

With the fastly approaching 2008 presidential election in less than two weeks, the Divided States of America is becoming more and more polarized in dealing with one of the most historical presidential campaign's in American History. It always hits home during election time when the the map of the United States in Red and Blue is shown. This map demonstrates the major political parties and their representation across America, amongst a few other things. It really shows the extent of "Unity" that truly exists in these "United States". But that's neither here nor there and not the issue of this entry. After all, the differences and diversity of America is what defines "This great Country, gosh darnit!" (a bit "Palinesque" lol).

What I wish to highlight however is what America may face post November 4th and what repercussions the election of either candidate (Obama or McCain) might have. Some might say that the election of Barack Obama to the White House might very well be the culmination of Martin Luther Kings "I Have a Dream" speech, while some believe the election of McCain to the White House might be likened to a potential eight more years of being one of the most hated-on countries in the World, and continued economic and social downfall for "The Empire". The fact of the matter is that after November 4th, America will face significant changes and challenges.

Many fear that the election of Senator Barack Obama or Senator McCain will lead to the emergence of hate crimes of all types potentially targeted towards both blacks and whites in America. Some people imagine the possibility of Riots and violent demonstrations. While you and I know damn well that race has been a major issue in this historic 2008 presidential campaign, a recent poll on AOL suggests that, "race won't be a major factor in the outcome of the presidential election." Perhaps it won't and all the whites who now claim to support Obama will not change their minds last minute in the poll booth. Perhaps the "Bradley Effect" or "October Surprise" will never occur.

Well, what I would like to know is, "What do you think?" Your ideas, comments and opinions on the matter are appreciated. The bottom line is, history is going to be made, do we embrace the results however they turn out? What are some of our biggest fears, challenges and or obstacles that lie in the path of "fixing America?", cause the economic stimulus packages damn sure aren't working lol.





-- Be Blessed

InTrOdUCiNg.......

I suppose I should start by introducing myself before making further posts on this page. I look forward to sharing some of my opinions, ideas, and takes on a diverse selection of topics. Before I can do that, it's only fair that you know a bit about who I am and my pedigree. Im 25 years old native New Yorker and graduate of New York University. I am a blessed individual and have had many opportunities to travel, study, meet, and know many people around the world. The people I have met, who all have different ideas and takes on the world, and the experiences that I have had, all may contribute to the perspectives and ideas I present in this forum.

Buzygurl has been a friend of mine for many years now and is someone that I have grown to admire and appreciate for many reasons. I have recently spent the last year and a half of my life living and studying medicine in Havana Cuba and the experience was phenomenal, challenging, and life changing. I have visited many countries including but not limited to Guyana, Brazil, London, Bahamas and Mexico. I am now home in New York in the process of trying to get into school here and continue studying medicine a lot closer to my beloved family. Currently engaged to be married and God willing all will go well and my beautiful fiancee and I will live happily ever after. As you can see, I can at times, be a bit utopian with my ideas but I can also be a realist, so please don't sleep on me. I think that we are all full of subtle contradictions, some of us more than others but I believe its apart of the fragile and complicated essence of man.

I don't really have any concrete idea of what categories my contributions to this page will fall in, but as time passes we shall see what I deliver. Your opinions, comments, and ideas are always appreciated. God Bless!

virtual murder?

a 43 year-old japanese piano teacher could be facing charges of, for lack of a better description, virtual murder. in a case seemingly out of the horrible, horrible tom cruise (i will pause here to mention that scientology is stupid. it always bears mentioning that scientology is stupid. regardless of the context or setting) movie, the minority report, this woman is actually looking at jail time for killing the digital personification of her online husband. yes. her online husband, as if this story needed to get any more confusing.

the facts are these (pushing daisies reference. cool show. watch it.)- this woman, who will hereafter be referenced in this blog as the vr trooper, was "married" to a man via an interactive online game named maple story. i've never heard of it, but apparently it's pretty popular. u make little avatars, get in relationships, fight monsters. y'know, just like real life. intense. any who, the guy met girl. then guy dumped girl suddenly and without cause. big mistake. "I was suddenly divorced - without a word of warning. That made me so angry, " said the vr trooper. she hacked into the maple story game with his password (because your wife would have the password to your life. or at least that's the impression i get from married friends) and deleted his avatar, or murdered him. it all depends how u look at it. if you're like me, you think she did the guy a favor and gave him the key with which to unlock the door to his anime porn-filled dungeon in the basement of his mother's house and escpae to the outside world where he will find sunlight, noxzema, exercise, and real women. but since what i think is immaterial, the vr trooper was arrested on suspicion of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating electronic data. she hasn't actually been charged yet but if she is can face up to five years in prison or a fine of more than $5,000.

all in all. ridiculous. shoot, if i could be tried for all the shady shit i do online. oh boy...

currently listening to...

gym class heroes - the quilt - when i first got a listen to it i was totally in love with the album. but i'm beginning to realize it's a little too pop to be a truly great album, though several certified bangers and ballad make it an instant favorite of mine. i mean, i had to listen to it for 5 days straight (literally played nothing else on my ipod) before i found something wrong with it so it's definitely worth a listen.

murs - murs for president - certified hip - hop gold right here seriously. production is crazy. lyrics are catchy, but meaningful. everything you would expect from a murs album and more. a must buy. trust.

sleepwalk with mike birbiglia

you may have seen him in one of his three specials on comedy central. maybe you've heard one of his two amazingly funny comedy cd's. or perhaps you were lucky enough to catch him at this years central park summerstage venue. if you haven't you are missing out on something great. his name is mike birbiglia and he has worked his way into a place on my list of favorite comedians. his very dry, witty style brings you into his act, where you are pummeled unexpectedly with hilarious punch lines which will leave you gasping for air.

mike's (i hope you don't mind me calling you mike, mr. birbiglia. and no, i don't know him. i just know he checks his google alerts, right mike?) new project is a captivating off-broadway show titled, 'sleepwalk with me'. produced by nathan lane and directed by seth barrish, this one-man show is a 90 minute joyride during which we hear about mike birbiglia's adventures in life and sleepwalking. not content with simply delivering a brilliant comedic performance, birbiglia also draws you in and allows you to connect and identify with him through his stories.

so i guess what i'm saying is - it's funny. hysterical. so go see it. buy some tickets and go see it. now. believe, me i'd never steer you wrong.

nypd blues

if you're from new york and haven't just recently been released from a protective bottle or been thawed from cryogenic hibernation, you've noticed that the nypd have been in the news with some frequency. sean bell. tazer murders. suicides. gun fights. brutality. unnecessary force. the list goes on and on. and, chances are, this isn't behavior that you're surprised by. it is a sad state of affairs when a society almost expects the individuals that are supposed to protect them to misuse the power they have been given.

so i know all of you are with me here. and probably gettin all riled up inside with those "i hate pigs" and "cops are assholes" thoughts. but here is where i may lose some popularity for my stance. i don't think cops are pigs or assholes. that is a sterotype. and everyone reading this that has ever been confronted with a stereotype of themselves realizes that stereotypes are wrong. sure, there will be some in any group that fit the general stereotype. after all, stereotypes are based on people that actually exist. however, we should have the ability to recognize that the majority of a given group does not fit the criteria of that stereotype. some black people don't like watermelon. not all asians are good at math. not every hispanic has at some point lived in a house with a tin roof. and not all police officers are assholes.

many members of the nypd are kind, benevolent human beings who aim only to protect and serve. others are decent human beings that need a paycheck and take their job seriously, regardless of whether they love it or not. many have families - wives, children, brother and sisters - that they go home to each night and worry every day about not making it back to them. so many stories. so many personalities. There’s no way they could all fall under the same umbrella. and yet the negative stereotyping persists.

police officers have what can be one of the toughest jobs to do. they must constantly be conscious and aware of their surroundings. they have to patrol and protect the streets of one of the biggest cities in the world. they have to deal with all kinds of drunk, druggies, degenerates, and deadbeats (i love alliteration by the way). and they have to do it all with targets on their backs. with us looking down at them. hurling insults and dirty looks their way. i mean yea, some of them deserve it. and some of them can get out of hand at some times. but we certainly don't help by making them feel as if their life is in danger whenever they exercise a little authority (or even when they don't).

i don't condone police brutality. and i don't think that members of nypd should feel a sense of superiority or entitlement. but i do think that they aren't all bad. and i do think that they should be given the benefit of the doubt. and maybe, just maybe, the kindness and understanding we show to them will be given back to the individuals they come in contact with.

hooperstown usa

for all those court-starved basketball junkies in new york looking for a place to get your jones on, check out this little spot in mount vernon. rented the court out for 2 hours for a small fee of $230. not bad at all if you're splitting between 10-15 guys.

just got back in from some good run wit the fellas. i tell you, male bonding is key to a happy life. shout outs to 501, fyf, friday morning crew, and the goon squad.

calorie counting anyone?

above you see a picture my boy j took. below you will see his hilarious explanation of above picture. enjoy.

"It's basically telling you that this particular meal consisting of fried chicken, mac & cheese, a biscuit, and soda is 1210 calories, and that you should "think before you eat"... I think the meal in question looks absolutely delicious, personally.

See, I view this whole recent obsession with displaying calories on menus and such differently than the average person, in that calories are like points I accumulate and I'm winning LMAO"

why have i not seen this kid in like 3 years?

the material boy?

so madonna has been in the news alot lately. she's dating new york yankees 3rd baseman, alex rodriguez. getting a divorce from guy ritchie. giving what i hear are great performances on her tour. even speaking out against the evils of sarah palin. but have you heard the new rumors about her twin brother who's been hidden for all these years? it was hard to believe at first, but the evidence is undeniable. see for yourself.

a closer look at joe plumber

no offense to ohio plumber joe wurzelbacher, but fuck joe plumber. i mean, as far as i can tell he's hard working guy with a good head on his shoulders and reasonable fears about his future well-being. in an internet interview conducted shorty after meeting barack obama, mr. wurzelbacher quite intelligently pointed out concerns he had with what could become a genuine flaw in some of obama's proposed programs. he stated, “you start giving people stuff, and then they start expecting it — and that scares me." and you know what? he's right. i've seen enough people mooch off of government funded programs to know that you have to be careful who you help, what kind of help you provide, and how you judge if they have earned that help. good point joe. if these programs are put into place they will have to be closely monitored and policed to avoid abuse and curb possible corruption. and, to the best of my knowledge, obama has admitted this and pledged to do just that. moving along...

see the real problem is that after that semi-intelligent train of thought, joe descended into a right-wing mindset, basically comparing obama's proposed plans to socialism. he felt that though he wants all people to have health care, it isn't his problem to make sure they do. really joe? so let me get this straight. you think that we should vote for a president who supports letting a man whose business makes him over $250,000 a year and a working father making about $40,000 annually fight it out on the same playing field? umm...fuck you joe plumber. enjoy your 15 minutes of fame and shut up.

and guess who the joe plumber's of the america hire when they need someone to work long hours for low wages? illegal immigrants. who won't get the health care mccain is proposing and will take jobs away from working americans. you know it. i know it. cut the shit.

my personal opinion? if i get taxed a little more (and i won't under obama's plan, and neither will you unless i'm really popular and millionaires are now reading this blog) so that children and the elderly can live healthier lives, so that we can put a greater focus on our children's educations, so that we can give those who are lagging behind the tools to better themselves and, in turn, better our country then go right ahead. and if you think that's socialism then call me john marx. it's close enough to my name anyway.

of all people...

so i've been meaning to write this entry for a almost two weeks now, but being a BuzyGuy i'm just getting to it now.

so perhaps you've heard, though i won't be surprised if you haven't, la lakers backup forward luke walton recently called police to report a stalker that had been brazenly following him for about a year. yea stalking is wack. and yea having someone sharpie your car, throw a basketball at it, stake out your house, and make "finger-gun" motions at you from your front lawn is not cool. this chick, Stacy Beshear, even went so far as to share that "the people in the universe" were preventing her from moving because they wanted her and cool hand luke to get married. she's straight certifiable.

but you know how i know homegirl is crazy? she stalked luke fuckin walton! in a state crawling with celebrities and luminary sports figures, this lunatic chose luke walton. shit, on the lakers alone there are 3 or 4 other guys i'd think about stalking before i'd get to his pasty ass. kobe, pau, fish, odom - maaaybe i'd consider going gay for those guys. but luke walton? really? c'mon, he's this guy's son -

maybe i'm not giving the old boy luke the benefit of the doubt. i guess some girls do find him attractive. and he is an nba star. wait, no.. he is an nba player. and i've heard some teeny boppers think he has dreamy blue eyes. so does spongebob. give me a break. i don't get it. i wouldn't stalk him. would you?

btw, google image stacy beshear. even she had no chance with luke walton.

*missing*

eli manning's sack

if found, please return to : giants stadium
east rutherford, nj 07073

manzana fever

fall is upon us! it seems like everyone i know is either going apple picking or frantically trying to find someone to to go picking with. this weekend, i trooped it out to east hampton, conecticut to visit family i have up there and make our way over to glastonbury, connecticut to satisfy our produce plucking desire at scott's orchard and nursery. i had a blast. nothing warms the heart like some time spent with the family. i hadn't been apple picking since i was about 11 years old and yesterday was as perfect a day as any to get right back into the tradition! i spent much of the day running around with the youngins, most of them toddlers, and sharing in their joys. whether it was loading them on to a horse-drawn wagon, running through the hay bale maze, or filling bag after bag with apples of all colors, sizes, and types these lil tikes made my day. we can get so caught up in our every day lives and drama, sometime we just need to take the time out to be kids again.