Conversations with Fools

Shake Ya Poak Chop

2008-04-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

And for this, I have NO WORDS......

Oh wait, I do. "Go Go Girl!"

Randomness at Wal-Mart

2008-04-11T18:02:00.001-07:00

Remember BET video jockey Brett Walker? Well take a look at where I saw him at today.....that's right! On a shelf at Wal-Mart!

.....he still makin' more money than me, I'm sure.

I Can't.....

2008-04-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

For some reason I can't embed the video, but here's the link below.

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/gregory_073/?action=view&current=HPIM0332.flv

No Words. NONE!

Why he gotta grab his neck though? Is he workin' it THAT hoard?!

Anita Faker & Phony Braxton

2008-04-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite TV shows has recently released its fourth season on DVD. This season includes of my favorite Martin episodes, when Biggie comes to Detroit to find a back up singer.

On Sale Now

Condi as VP?

2008-04-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

News outlets were buzzing today with word that Condoleeza Rice may be vying for the VP slot with John McCain. Is it me or does this seem like a possible attempt to curb the Black and Female vote in one fell swoop from the Democratic party?

Fraternities & Sororities

2008-04-07T19:12:00.001-07:00

Should you be able to still claim your fraternal organization if you did not complete your degree?

USB Rechargeable Batteries

2008-04-06T19:23:00.000-07:00

Snakes

2008-04-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Beware of the snakes in the grass
For they attack in packs
In syndicates, they beget evil
And make it difficult for your will to remain intact
And for you to keep on track
Beware, for these serpents are bent
On making your time spent
On faulty measures
And unnecessary extremes
Monarchs of smoke and mirrors
Kings and queens of broken dreams
Their sole purpose
Is to bring you closer to the fear
That you are not capable
Of those gifts bestowed unto you
So take heed, beware
Of the snakes in the grass
The venom in them
Is a potent potion
Spit with the intent
To put failure in motion
Infecting you with a abysmal view
On life and your purpose
Do not let this slithering beast
Get the best of you
Because he will try his hardest to
Bring you to the level that he had stooped
Remember to always tread the grass with pride
Instead of slithering amongst the blades on your side

-written on 3.29.07

Ryan Leslie - Diamond Girl

2008-04-06T09:57:00.001-07:00

New Joint from Ryan Leslie

"Diamond Girl"

Album in Store 6.19

Peep Ryan making the song here.

Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy

2008-04-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

Check Estelle's album out, she's got some heat on there.

In stores 4.29

The new Supra Spring Collection

2008-04-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

I'm on a hunt for these, and I shouldn't catch them on your feet.

http://www.suprans.com/

Damn You Barack Obama

2008-04-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Quiet Money

2008-04-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend a good friend of mine and I were talking about the cars we planned on buying this year. I mentioned how I plan on trading in my car for an Infiniti and he tells me that he's actually in the middle of buying a car, a Range Rover to be exact. And then, the sentence that inspired this post was said: "An Infiniti, that's "quiet money." I need to stunt on these niggaz."

What is "Quiet Money," you might ask? QM refers to the more established (read: white) view on finances and perceptions of worth. It's adverse? "Loud Money." The flashy, evil twin whose sole purpose is to let everyone know they have (read: had, and most likely currently don't) the money to make things happen. We as African-American people, and more specifically, as Black Men fall victim to being Loud Money all of the time.

While QM is wearing generically labeled clothes, they're also putting them on after walking out of the one of 6 bathrooms in the 2.3 million dollar (and paid for) home they own. LM is wearing $700 Prada shoes and sleeping on the floor next to one of their 5 roommates in their lovely unfurnished 2 bedroom apartment. We all know LM. He's our friend who never wants to be seen in the same outfit twice. Who can't pay rent, but just came back from a 5 Star hotel. Who's two days away from having his '08 Benz repossessed, but laughing at our '02 Civic.

To further break it down:

QM=Mutual Fund\LM=No Savings Account

QM=2001 Volvo, paid in cash\LM=2010 Escalade on 28s with TVs in the rearview mirror that won't be paid off until 2020

QM=Shares in Gucci Stock\LM=Shared Gucci Shades (because you couldn't afford them, so you had your best friend go half on them and you take turns wearing them)

Are we catching the distinction yet? I hope so.

We (including me, because I too fall victim to Loud Money every once in a while myself) need to shove LM out of the way, because he's currently blocking our future. When we focus on LM, we never get a chance to plan for the upcoming. Loud Money is impulsive, in the moment and so is the high one receives when acting like Loud Money. Ask Loud Money what he's doing next year with his life and he can't tell you. He can however, show you his new iPhone and the pictures of the $800 jeans he's saving for.

The risk with being Loud Money, is that just like you, somebody else wants to be him too, and you've made yourself an easy target. So trust me, your Loud ass, will be Quiet Money by force if anyone else chooses to make you such and really, how Loud is No Money?

This year, I'm leaving Loud Money in the dust and hopping in bed with Quiet Money. I'm putting her in my Top Friends, my MyFaves list, and on my Christmas Card list. I'm subscribing to her blog and watching all of her videos on Youtube. I'm making her a part of my everyday. She seems to have things going for herself and plans for the future, and since I claim to surround myself with like individuals, the obvious choice is her. She'll have my kid's education paid for, and my retirement fully funded. She'll remind me of the power of money's potential tomorrow and scold me for being lured by it's fickleness of today. She'll show me the power in silence.

2008, and 9 and 10 and damnit, every year hereafter, I'm getting my silent stocks, my quiet quarters, and my muted millions. I'm on that Quiet Money.