Moving on

I'm sure you've noticed a certain lack of anything going on with this blog. Sorry folks. I admit that I've taken quite a liking to yelp (elite status!) and find myself doing my reviews there.

I could continue to give excuses as to why I've fallen off, but I won't. I got lazy and focused on other things. There, I said it.

All that being said.

I have a new blog.

I know, I know. You're thinking: You couldn't even do anything with this one and yet you're starting a new blog? Well, this one is actually going to work. Want to know why?

I have the support of 3 other bloggers who are joining me in this venture. We already have many posts up, I'm having a lot of fun, we are planning to revamp our blog design, and are ready to write more.

I hope you will join us over at Sister Escape. I'm having fun writing and I have three ladies constantly reminding me to post. It's going well so far.

So join the escape!

My First: Youtube Upload

So I made my first video today using Windows Movie Maker. It's nothing too snazzy and it's quite simple, but it's mine all the same! My video is simply the recording of my favorite Bilal song: Love Poems, but since there was no regular audio version that I could find online, I feel special!



He has a new album coming soon, entitled Air Tight's Revenge, and I hope you all check it out. He's a fantastic soul artist who need's more love from my/his Philly people and everyone else as well. Enjoy!

Missing In Action

I've been M.I.A. from blogging and I blame it on my full time occupation of job searching. Being a broke college grad is hard, especially when Philadelphia's employment rate is 12%. Ouch.

But I will be back. A few topics I want to touch on are:

1. France Burqa Ban: I want to follow up on my popular post regarding the Hijab and Conservatism in Islam.

2. The Haiti Presidential Problem

3. My Travels Around the World

4. Whatever Else I Can Think Of

I'm going to try not to be too political, but that's been much of my focus lately and I would like to use this space to air some thoughts out.

Thanks to all who have visited my blog in the past and will visit in the future. I appreciate it.

Cheers!

Worst Saturday Night Ever!

*Now I want to add a disclaimer that this is not the fault of any of the lovely ladies I was out with. They were having as much fun (maybe a tiny bit more) than me. It just so happened that the place we went to was all types of wack.*

Now one hopes that when they make the trek into Philly on a Saturday night, that there night is going to be stellar. That they will find a fun bar, lounge, club or all of the above- mingle- and drink excellent not to pricey drinks. We're not New York by any means, but Philadelphians can still have cheap fun right? Well don't even bother looking for cheap or fun if you go to Vango Lounge. This is definitely the worst lounge I have been to in downtown and I've been to a good few. You have to wait in line to get inside (which should have tipped me off- especially when they didn't charge at the door). That in itself isn't bad, except the wait is ridiculous for what you get inside.

Once inside you immediately notice the drunken females cloistered around the stripper's pole placed conveniently in the middle of the non-used dance floor. The amount of females in skirts (and no stockings) who get up on the pole and flail back down flashing everyone as they go, is ridiculous. Not only is it dangerous (surprised they haven't had a lawsuit on their hands yet) but it's also trashy. The bar is usually crowded, but that's mostly because there isn't really any other place to stand unless you have a reserved table. (A problem that seems to exist at almost all the lounges I've been to.)

Now there is a huge line to get upstairs to the "Skybar" area. Of course they don't tell you until you're in the front of the line that you need a drink to get upstairs. I ended up paying $8 for a watered down bottom shelf whiskey & ginger. I sincerely believe that I was drinking water with a hint of ginger ale. Talk about outrageous pricing. We're not in New York people. At least $8 will get me a worthwhile drink in a lounge there....

If the concept of waiting inline to get into the lounge itself, then waiting in another line just to get to the dance floor where there is actual good music (the 1st floor DJ is garbage- and I like house/techno) isn't ridiculous in itself; the amount of drunk women coming down the stairs (one had to be carried out by a bouncer) just blows the mind. Waiting 30 minutes in a line just to dance in a lounge is not worth it. Just go to a club.

Finally after said 30 minutes we finally made it to the skybar. I will admit, the upstairs wasn't that bad. I can bet that it's extremely popular during Spring and Summer because of the huge outdoor area which was really attractive. Unfortunately it was too cold and the area wasn't officially open for use. The indoor area however was in use by a too large group of people for the size of the room. The music was really good hip hop. But that's all about the place had going for it.

All in all. I'd give this place a C. Maybe if I come back during the Spring and can get right upstairs I'll give it a B/B-. But please believe I won't order another mixed drink for the life of me. So don't go to Vango during the cold season. Not worth it at all.

Happy Black History Month??

When I see things like this I die a bit on the inside. SMH!

Music for the Heart and Soul

I fell in love with Corinne Bailey Rae the first time I saw her video for Just Like a Star from her album "Put Your Records On" on VH1 Soul.

Her deep, sensual, and bluesy voice was refreshing and as a lover of soul and R&B, I couldn't but help fall head over heels with her music. She was another black female artist that I could appreciate from my generation. She was another Jill Scott/Floetry/ Les Nubians for me; and it was just what I needed, especially as the other music of the time (2006/7) was sorely lacking in creativity and talent. I remember distinctly how excited I was after buying her album (a true feat as I do not tend to buy CDs). I also recall just when my mother began to jokingly complain that she would go crazy if she heard that CD played one more time. I even forced my poor mother to sit through a Corinne Bailey Rae music marathon just so I could try to make her understand just how amazing Corinne was.

I was extremely sadden when I heard of her husband's tragic death and I prayed, albeit selfishly, that this wouldn't end her career and that she would come out stronger than ever. She was the music I craved after a long day to soothe my soul. She had given me the hope that soulful music could hit it mainstream and that more black artists from all over the world could make it to the limelight. Therefore, I was extremely excited when I received that email from her website declaring her return. And she has not disappointed me or her legions of other faithful fans.
I'm not here to review her latest album "The Sea", but I will say that any fears I had regarding a lousy return where shattered upon listening to this masterful display of talent.

If I was to pick a favorite track it would probably be "Are You Here", track 1 on the album. But that will probably change when I listen to the album further. Another fantastic track (they all are really...) is "I'd Do It All Again":

Corinne Bailey Rae "I'd Do It All Again" - Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

If you haven't listened to Corinne Bailey Rae previously or haven't checked out her latest album, definitely give a listen. It's very much worth it and the appreciation of good music and talented artists is very much needed this day and age.

Welcome Back A.I.

Sooo excited to have The Answer (Allen Iverson) come back to Philly. I had always hoped he would end his career here with us. Welcome back A.I.
Enjoy this video: