Tis the season for year end wrap ups, resolutions, and favorite ____ of 2009 and the decade on the internets. While we won’t have anything like that here which may be a possible #swindle because I don’t know what everyone else is writing about this week, lol I thought I would look back on 2009, and share with you some things I discovered for the first time this year. I proudly accept my late pass for the following:
iTunes/iTunes Store
Yes, I know, I know. Before you all Ether my life, understand that I’ve used this application in the past. I’ve been highly adverse to using iTunes since I was more of a Windows Media Player/Winamp person. I didn’t understand the allure of iTunes, as i thought in essence it was another music player that Mac owners are forced to use. Well, I started using it extensively after I was compelled to support Jay Electronica’s new single Exhibit C Mind you, this was my first ever iTunes purchase, since I’m bombarded I get exclusive music daily, and usually buy CDs to support artists. After that purchase, I’m officially leaving CDs in this decade and going 100% digital! using iTunes to organize files is still a gift and a curse to me, but I’m content for now (especially with the album artwork auto adding and excellent search features). I should’ve converted to this a LONG time ago!
Little Brother/Kidz in the Hall/The Cool Kids
When it comes to hip hop, I’m usually one of those people who passes over certain artists, and decide that “I’ll hear them when I feel like listening”. Well after repeated cosigns from the homies Reecie, TAUT, Brittany, and others, I finally gave these guys a listen (I should say extensive listen because I’ve heard these artists before but never listened to their entire catalogues). These groups, and other artists, are quality emcees and bring a breathe of fresh air to hip hop. I’m glad I finally sat down and gave them a chance. If you haven’t then you should also!
Allergies
So for 2x years, I thought that I was allergy proof. I had a healing factor that would make Wolverine envious. I normally bounce back quickly from injury and sickness, but never had an allergy. Well 3 years ago in DC after eating SOMETHING at a LOVE nightclub buffet (first mistake) I had a Hitch moment, which scared the sh*t out of me. My esophagus was closing and I was losing breathe. I never had a reaction like that. Thankfully, I got some Benadryl and was fine. This year I finally took my allergy test and the tests revealed that I have a level 4 allergy to Lobster, Crab, and Shrimp (basically shellfish) with 5 being the highest level. So no more shellfish for me :-\. What’s even crazier is that earlier that week I ate shrimp! I’m glad I took that test, because as you age your body becomes more susceptible to allergy and I might not be as lucky if I eat shellfish again!
Latin America
This year also marked the first year I travelled to Latin America (finally got around to it!). I went to Panama and DR and it was an excellent cultural experience. I loved it, and it only cemented my eagerness to travel to Europe and Asia and other countries I have yet to visit. Stop being local and make moves!
So there’s my late pass additions, what about you? Did you discover anything this year that people may have been aware of for years? Did you finally try something you were adverse to prior? let us know.
Prospero Año y Felicided!
Thanks for the shoutout about Cool Kids.
Hip Ain't Dead it's Alive
To piggyback off your point, I realized that there is a lot of good hip hop still coming out we just don't ook hard enough. If you look closely artists like Cool Kids, Big Sean, Wale, and many others are putting out projects that are true testaments that hip hop is still alive. Our hip hop is being infiltrated by becoming mainstream pop music, so you have to do your due diligence that you used to have to do when on your Napster hustle.
A Network of Believers
I found through blogging that the problems that we all have are shared by so many, and that the internet is a good way to talk about those issues and get some advice from people who may have been or are currently in a similar situation as you. I've learned from so many people and hope to learn more.
Fashion is KING
I've discovered that right now in terms of fashion we control the pace. Never before has being different been so congratulated. Now i'm free to wear what I want and set the statements I want to wear. It doesn't cost a lot of money to be fly, and now you ain't gotta look like everybody else in the club with a North Face, Jordans, True Religions and Ed Hardy tee shirt.
I'll have more in the AM, great post Streetz!
viva el singleblackmale.
Wale? Really?
All that is good and all that. Good for you Streetz!
I learned in 2009 life is hard. Jesus is the GREATEST and keep him close. Black love is hard but make it work, if you think its worth it…BLOGS are MY therapy!
Thats it! Happy New Year!
preciate the shout out homie! you know I got you for the hip hop! I'm not the biggest fan of The Cool Kids, but Kidz in the Hall and Little Brother (really need these dudes to make new music together) are my dudes! I literally had my mouth open reading iTunes though–for serious?! welcome home, brother.
I have to Cosign with Queen T and say that even though didnt just discover him Jesus is the greatest and blogs are and have become my therapy. I read them all day at work. I love this blog Three ways to take it and others. Also I Effin LOVE Kids in the Hall. I think i have just about every song they have made and all of Naledge and Double O's free styles. They are whats missing in HIp HOP. Their beats be the sickness!
Happy New Year All
Lol. Good post Streetz.
I was laughing during the allergies section because it seemed like when I turned 20 my birthday present from Mother Nature was allergies. I think I'm allergic to everything BUT food. Lol. I need to go ahead and take an allergy test.
In 2009 I discovered South Korea. I went to South Korea for a month and Japan for a few days. Needless to say, I am now South Korea's biggest fan. I mean the way they infuse city and nature… awesome. I don't mean like big ass central park in the middle of NYC. They interlock their cityscape with nature so seamlessly. It's breath-taking. The people, the food, their culture… I want to go back and I will now that I have friends there, but not before I'm able to visit the other continents. Going to Asia gave me thrist to learn more about the world around me… I'll take a late pass on that.
"Little Brother/Kidz in the Hall/The Cool Kids
Well after repeated cosigns from the homies Reecie, TAUT, Brittany, and others."
i'm telling you kidz in the hall is one of the most underrated groups in the hip hop game.
i never had allergies in my life until i moved to tn. my mom had them real bad each spring and i used to feel sorry for her. it wasn't until i turned 24 that i was really able to understand her pain. smh.
Thanks for the responses everyone. Still feel silly about iTunes tho. lol
@ Tunde. I always thought somethin was funny because whenever I ate shrimp id feel funny. Now I know why!
@S0_Fly South Korea? #WELLDAMN lol
Yea South Korea… I went there to study at the Seoul Womens University. It was a great experience. I encourage anyone who wants to travel to go. It's very unique and the people are warm and welcoming. 🙂
1) Europe and Asia are not countries and 2) not firing shots but I HATE, HATE, HATE when Black people want to travel everywhere but Africa. What gives?
I don't think he said Europe and Asia are countries what he said was, "I loved it, and it only cemented my eagerness to travel to Europe and Asia and other countries I have yet to visit. " Which lists two continents and he doesn't want to be exclusive so he includes "and other countries" that he may want to visit. Not being exclusive could include countries in Africa, who knows? He never said that he wouldn't.
Yeak Yonnie, you went in without battle recon, Breathe Easy my G!
I want to travel worldwide! including countires and continenta, maybe planets too! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Okay sorry. Its kind of a pet peeve. And if someone names two specifics and "other," its fairly safe to assume that the two specifics were their priorities.
I dig it Yonnie. remember though, Africa is a continent with many countries 😉
Morning all.
2009 was an interesting year. It’s good to take something positive from everything this year. In the dating realm, I learned to keep my standards high and not settle mainly because I dont have to.
I also learned that it’s ok and to try to learn from others mistakes.
What made me really mad about Atlanta Dating this year was an influx (I dont know if its due to the recession) of gold diggers. It seemed like everybody was out for self. I know this is everywhere but it seems like if you dont have a Mercedes S550, they just arent interested. So I really dont buy that whole Atlanta woman argument that its all these single women and no good men, I think the guys are here but alot of the women really probably arent even up to par to be on their level.
I also was liquidated out of a toxic relationship and I feel like I lost 200 pounds!
I also got to improve my friendships etc and stay busy and compete in 3 bartending competitions.
I also got to travel and I am stepping it up next year and I won a trip to Las Vegas this past October.
Ok that’s my rant!
LOL thanks for the Rant sir! Welcome and keep commenting!