Wednesday, August 28, 2002
80836763:: 12:43 PM

Damn.
HipHop Humpday closed down at the end of July on their 3rd anniversary.

For those who were never fortunate enough to see one of these shows, the setup included [3-5 MCs, a live band + 2 Djs] who would freestyle, invent and re-invent for 4 hours every wednesday. The venue was big enough to be hype, but small enough to be able hear the lyrics and recognize people by the second time you came. Everyone on stage had incredible skills, and each week when they convened; it was like a hiphop meeting of the minds :: The MCs would have long conversations in verse, the band would build and play off each other as nimbly as a jazz ensemble, and the DJs would contribute live, but also did dope sets during the 30-minute mid-show "break."

For me it demonstrated what hiphop could be: intelligent, musically interesting, energetic, powerful, and from the heart. Each of the MCs had a distinctly different style: Bavu Blakes was the wise man, the spiritual leader, Tee-Double was the spark and fire, Garrison gave powerful messages with effortless delivery... and Tray God was cosmic (:: there were others including some amazing up-and-comers). Each of them had real things to say about life and the world, and in this weekly show you could hear and feel their ideas inspiring new ideas. You could watch the band build musical realms from an accidental bass riff... and catch the DJs demonstrating both technique and grace. Its a shame to hear that its closed down, but after 3 incredible years its safe to say they made their mark.

In everyday life its not always easy to recognize the events and people that will affect you in the long term. In those instances when you do, appreciate it.

Sunday, August 25, 2002
80719164:: 11:55 PM

"Spinner (tm)" is going to become "Radio at Netscape Plus (tm)". This has got to be one of the least creative names I've ever heard. What happened to Netscape's marketing department??

Thursday, August 15, 2002
80300872:: 7:22 PM

i might get contacts soon, so today i walked about without my glasses appreciating the blurred world. The sky was perfectly blue and passing under trees created the effect of hundreds of cerulean stars floating in a dark green nebula. The air was right.