Alright so for all my lyrical, philisophical, intellectual music heads….you might want to download The RE:Union with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal).

I haven’t had the chance to fully digest the mixtape but after just a listen through it’s definitely for the chilled mellow crowd

who like to hear quality lyrical flow.

The muscicality is a great mixture of things. You got some old school beats and some mellow jazz tracks.

Very neo-soul.

Personally I ‘ve always been a fan of Talib.

Anytime I listen to him I feel like I’m time traveling through a world of old shcool

hip-hop.

He’s definitely underestimated.

If you haven’t heard any of his albums then I suggest that you hop on real quick.

You definitely don’t

want to sleep on him.

If you like Common or Lupe then you will most definitely love Talib.

If you want to check out the latest mixtape go to : http://www.yearoftheblacksmith.com/

You can download it for free….yes I said FREE!!

How old is too old for a man or woman to date? If  you’re a younger woman would you date some one whose 6-20 years older than you? What about if you’re a younger man? I recently ran into this topic when I found out that a family member of mine was dating a woman who was 6 years older than him. My first reaction in my mind was that it was wrong. But I took a moment to really stop and think about the situation. Is it really that bad? Or has society brought us up in this traditional mindset that you’re supposed to date some one with in your own age group? If you look at history you notice that women were being married off to men much older than them when they were barely in their teens.  When did the tides turn where they made it law that you had to date some one of you own age now?

I also thought about how in the late 90′s and early 2000′s how there were all those trials and scandals on female teachers who were having affairs with their male students. All those women were looked down upon yet it’s not uncommon to hear of female students sleeping with their male teachers. So where do we draw the line? Or do we even draw one at all?

If we live in a place where everyone is supposed to be equal and everyone has a right to live theirs lives according to how they want then why are we still judging those who actually take up on that offer and do so? If a man and woman are in love and support each other who are we to say that they can’t be together?  Society is recreating the classic Romeo and Juliet storyline and age is the issue that keeps the 2 star crossed lovers apart.

I will say that now a days you do see more couples with bigger age gaps in between them. I ran across an article that actually gave the “Pros and Cons” to Older men dating younger women….whose to say that those same principles don’t apply to Older women and younger men?

“Advantages for the Older Man
Older men feel younger women have more energy, spontaneity, less dating baggage and are less serious. Although, the real reason is they enjoy having an attractive woman in their life.

Older men feel their sex life will be more adventurous with a younger woman.

Older men like younger women because they are still in their childbearing years.

Older men like dating younger women because they want to feel rejuvenated and youthful again.

An older man’s ego is boosted when he attends social functions with a younger woman (“eye candy”) on his arm. He also enjoys being admired by his peers.

Advantages for the Younger Woman
Younger women find dating older men exciting and fulfilling, if they are dating for the right reasons.

A mature, younger woman, who is no longer interested in dealing with the games and attitudes of dating younger men, find older men are mature, and younger women appreciates an older man’s life experiences.

Younger women find older men may be worldly, financially secure, and over many of the games they played in their younger years.

Erectile enhancing drugs such as Viagra have allowed many older men to continue an active sex life.

If a younger woman is ready to start a family, she feels older men might settle down sooner.

Disadvantages for the Older Man
Younger women who tolerate older men for reasons other than love are more interested in their money, assets, power and security. If an older man loses his fortune or health, a younger woman will leave him quick.

There is a difference in the energy levels. If an older man doesn’t keep up with the younger woman, she might lose interest in him and look for a younger man.

While pursuing younger women, older men miss out on meeting a mature, wise, secure, appreciative women in her 50s or older. An older woman would be better suited for an older man as a mate, who will stand by him as he goes through the aging process.

Older women are better lovers than younger women. If the older man really loves the younger woman, when he gets sick does he want to burden her with having to care for him?

Disadvantages for the Younger Woman

Due to the difference in age, an older man may have medical conditions such as a stroke, heart attack or other health issues, and the younger woman might have to take care of him.

Before starting a family, the older man’s age should be considered when it comes to raising children. Will he still be around when they are growing up? Will he be too old to enjoy their children and help her raise them?

No matter what the age difference is in a relationship, people grow apart and relationships end. The older man she looked up to begins to become more insecure, possessive, demanding and needy, trying to get back the control he had on her and the relationship. Unsuccessful in doing this, he also pushes her away for good.

A younger woman may want to be more independent, depending on him less. She may also become angry about the power he has over her.

A younger woman is more likely to be dumped if she’s a trophy wife, being traded in for an even shinier trophy.

Disadvantages for Both

The average life expectancy for men is now 73.6 years compared to a life expectancy for women of 79.4 years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. An age difference of 15 to 35 years early in a relationship may seem irrelevant, but over time the age difference can mean the younger woman will be nursing an ill or dying husband just when she’s in midlife and eager to be active.

An older man and younger woman in a relationship must be able to deal with the attitudes of others who stare, those who comment about the age difference, the negative attitudes of those who just disapprove, and the many other challenges they may be faced with.

The age difference can cause a big difference in interests of music, social activities, politics and morals. In addition, once the chemistry wears off, their interests grow apart.

Instead of verbal intimacy, sex may be a couple’s bond, but with age and illness, the man’s sexual performance may suffer. It is crucial for a couple to find other means of sexual pleasure and other common interests.”(Evette)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/848199/older_men_dating_or_marrying_younger.html

Do these same principles not apply to Women who date younger men? So I guess the real question isn’t about the age difference. The reality that we must look for when it comes to anybody that we date whether younger or older is WHO they are. If you love someone wholeheartedly then it shouldn’t matter how old you are as long as you’re willing to deal with the fact that there is a difference and that there will be times when that age comes into play. Now I understand that some people may read this and are like “well what about a minor dating someone who is way older then he/she?” In my opinion I think that once you are of legal age (18) then you have free say so of  who you date no matter how old. I honestly don’t approve of men and women who are older dating minors. To me it’s just too complicated more so for older men and I say that because younger GIRLS will be quick to call rape if you don’t fall in line with them. Although the justice system has done better to know when a girl is playing games or telling the truth it’s still too big of a risk to take. Same thing goes with older women. They’re getting them too.

After all of that I can say that I’m keeping myself more open minded about who I date. I have found myself being more attracted to those older then me mainly because they have already matured vs. those with in my own age group.

Now I just have to see about dealing with their kids and baby-mamas……..until next time…hahahaha

So Halloween….to an American child it’s the one Holiday where you get to dress up as whatever you want and get loads of candy. But to the American young adult it’s the one Holiday where you get to dress up and PARTY YOUR ASS OFF!!! Halloween week/weekend is the most jam packed weekend for young adults and college students. 2 questions always arise when it gets close to this time of the year. 1. what the hell am I gonna be? 2. Where the party at?

Well for my colleagues and I we have #2 answered…..now there’s just #1….the costume. I’ve changed my mind a few times already due to time and money. As you get older the prices of costumes goes up….grrr….so I’ve spent hours on the computer trying to find that one costume that just says “yeah girl this is so you”. I’ve thrown my ideas out the window….Now I just want a costume that suits my personality….and show off my tattoos..hahaha…

One thing that I’ve gained from this experience is that next year…my costume will be decided and paid for by early October cause this shit right here….this shit right here?! This shit right here is driving me CRAZY!!

Music Monday is all about the ladies!!! Starting off with the World Dominating Divas of Electrik Red!!! Now I myself have become a huge fan of this group. Their album “How to be a Lady Vol. 1″  is nothing less then…well Electrik!! These ladies take the REAL thoughts of women and put the thoughts to some amazing tracks produced by The Dream and Tricky and were kind enough to offer it to us. Lol…But seriously you gotta give this albnum a listen! My personal favorites are “W.F.Y., Muah and Friend Lover”. The whole album is repeatable. So if you’re feeling like that “Top Rankin” bad girl then this album should definitely be your theme music! So go ahead and “swipe the card” and make your way to “Electrik City”. I look forward to hearing more from these ladies…..hey maybe we can collabo on WORLD DOMINATION!! LOL TWIZZY!!

So I’m taking an art class  and we have a group project coming up that has to be related to “Dia de los Muertos”….My professor is allowing us to do our own interpretation of the holiday and allowed us some computer time to put together some ideas. In our quest to make the most awesome “Dia de los Muertos” dedication we stumbled upon an amazing artist by the name of Sylvia Ji. A graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Fransisco she majors in traditional illustration. She’s one of the hottest new artists on the block and is highly demanded. Aside from some of her slightly girl on girl images, her work is absolutely exquisite. The colors, the edginess, the detail….truly amazing. She’s got pages of stuff…GO CHECK IT OUT!!

 http://www.sylviaji.com/

Oh by the way (not that it should really matter) but her material does include nudity so if you offend easily…you’ve been warned…

So apparently Mr. West is planning on going to a Hindu ashram in Pondicherry, India. I guess he feels that a  little yoga should do him some good to release all the negative energy he’s built up. I mean does he need to go into hiding for a bit? Yeah I think so but personally all he really needs to do is sit in a corner and keep his mouth closed for a week straight. Ha! I mean don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoy Kanye’s music but he does tend to be an asshole and part of me is like “yeah man!” cause I tend to be one myself but even I have a line that’s drawn. But for somebody like Kanye he’s crossed and  redrawn many lines. The real question is will he REALLY change? Or will he quote a few buddhists proverbs, do a few yoga tricks, and maybe even produce a bollywood movie before he eventually comes back to the U.S. and crash a few more stages or make outrageous comments on award shows and mixtapes? Who knows! But I can honestly say I can’t wait to see what happens! Namaste Mr. West….Namaste…

First Let me say… bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha……. This has got to be THE FUNNIEST THING i have seen all day ALL WEEK!.. If this is real and some one let another person  record them getting the crap smacked out of them. They need to be smacked AGAIN!… This looks partially simulated but with the percentage that it could actually be real is even more hilarious. Oh, and the Chris Tucker at the end with the famous Friday line is classic.

You just got knocked the Fuck out.. or in this case.. Slapped the fuck out! ah! Classic!

A Few Hours Later

Alright so I’ve  listened to the new album thoroughly twice (going on 3 times right now) and I have to say that my expectations were exceeded! I can literally listen to every song. Ladies if you’re looking for some motivational “I’ve moved on” music, this album is definitely for you. After really listening to it I can see where the title “Brand New Eyes” comes from. Don’t get me wrong the whole album isn’t just about “I’m so over you”. There are a few songs that are about that one special person who may be in your life. My interpretation however is more like  “I’ve moved on but I still think about you”. One song in particular that almost brought me to tears was track 11 “All I Wanted”. Not only is the song in itself very deep and touching but the way that it was sung was beautiful in my opinion. You can really tell that this song hit home. I won’t break down every song because I really do think that it’s something that you should listen to in its entirety. However these are the songs that really stick to me: “Careful, Ignorance, Feeling Sorry, All I Wanted”. Once again don’t get it twisted I enjoy each song but those are the four that really hit home for me. But don’t go based off of what I said (well not completely lol). Check it out! It’s worth giving it a listen through. I assure you won’t be disappointed. Fellas take notes…lol.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Paramore “Brand New Eyes” 7.5!

Be on the look out! A new video every Friday!