Just... no.

Favre thinks the 2009 Vikings are better than the 1996 Packers? PLEASE.

The epitomé of my hate for Brett Favre.

This is why I hate him.

What follows is an excerpt from page 65 of the book "Favre" by Brett Favre & Bonita Favre.

"I wouldn't waste my time playing somewhere else. It doesn't matter how much money I was offered, either. I'm loved here in Green Bay, and I love Green Bay, too. If I went to another team I'm sure I'd step out onto the field for the first time, in someone else's uniform, and say to myself, What in the hell are you doing? Get your butt out of here! Playing somewhere else? It will never happen. This is where my family is. This is where my heart is. This is where I belong."

I get knocked down...

Thank you, 1997.

NFL's cheap shot of the year happened today

Cleveland tourism video

This could change the life of any sports fan.

Slim Thug feels the recession

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Slim Thug Feels the Recession
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Is there a cat cuter than this?

I think not. Behold, Maddy.

Slug from Atmosphere

This guy really rubbed me the wrong way a few years back at a First Ave show... he seemed smug and too cynical.

Regardless, this freestyle is sick. Note the wigger DJ Peter Parker...

"I'm a maniac, MANIAC"

Ever wondered what the most horrible thing is on the entire internet? There are varying opinions on what exactly that is, but I think most agree that it's the Dnepropetrovsk murder tape, a.k.a. "3 guys 1 hammer".

The "Dnepropetrovsk maniacs" (as the Euro media coined them) murdered 21 people in the span of a month. They basically were three frustrated Ukrainian teenagers that were batshit crazy and loved to torture animals. Apparently one day they decided to upgrade to people, and went on their spree.

When one of these douchebags tried to sell a cell phone belonging to one of their victims, the police tracked the signal to a pawn shop. Two of them are serving life sentences while another faces 15 years.

The video mentioned above truly is a monstrosity. I won't link to the footage, but if you're creative enough you can definitely find it. In summary, the two craziest maniacs are in the woods, stabbing a guy with a screwdriver and hitting him in the face with a hammer. I think it's the only internet video that I couldn't bear watching and turned off halfway through. If you want to learn more, however, their Wikipedia article is very interesting (it's linked above).

Boats and Bluegrass

I spent my Saturday night at the Boats and Bluegrass Festival at Prairie Island. What a blast! I never knew mandolins could be so cool...

The Gucci Debate

The eternal question emerges. Is Gucci Mane a legitimate rapper? "Experts" say no. But while Gucci is slammed by rap elitists, his videos on YouTube soar in popularity and hits. Fans say his charisma and delivery is on point; critics say he is the cancer that is killing rap music. You be the judge...

Terrible, I know.

Hello father, it's been a month since my last confession blog post...

Words cannot describe how much I hate Charter Communications. I've been living in this apartment for over a month, and they still claim that our apartment building is a "work in progress." Without cable or internet, the best thing I can do with my time is look out the window at the highway adjacent to our apartment or take a nap. I guess I could do homework, but without internet it's pretty tough to get onto SparkNotes.

Lots has happened since my last post... my 21st birthday, the start of school, and the start of a massive amount of Kanye memes. On Wednesday I get internet (from HBC, a local bullshit provider) so I should be able to update more frequently. Stay with me, Poo-fans.

One week left.

On Saturday I'll be departing from Minneapolis and moving to my more permanent home in Winona. I am incredibly excited for the school year to start for various reasons: my brother will be attending; a new year of SMU athletics; and I will also be turning 21 very soon. I will definitely miss the Twin Cities, though!

My top 25 rap songs of all time

I've wanted to do this for a while. Keep in mind that these are my FAVORITE songs and not what I perceive as the "best". That list would probably be very different.

These are the songs that make me love rap, the songs that I can remember where and when I was when I first heard them; the songs that make me think back to specific memories, people, and events. They all hold a special place in my heart.

I tried to tag all my friends that dig hip-hop, sorry if I missed you.




1. Uncommon Valor by Jedi Mind Tricks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r0KpWMNxnM

The storytelling style immerses the listener directly in the Vietnam War, with Vinnie Paz dropping his usual cutting lyrics on top of a haunting sample. An incredibly impressive second verse by R.A. The Rugged Man makes this song my favorite rap song ever. RA sat down with his father, decorated veteran John Thorburn, for several hours and crafted this masterpiece verse with great detail.

I have goosebumps every time I listen to this song! This is what rap is supposed to be about... forget Gucci Mane.

2. Stan by Eminem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCST1i7tiAU

Another masterpiece. Marshall Mathers perfectly captures a tragic story in rhyme form. The link above is to the version with Elton John singing the hook at the Grammys. Also, this is one of the sickest sampled hooks around.

3. Buggin' Out by A Tribe Called Quest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRsLLeWVX6A

Two words: OLD SCHOOL. A filthy bass line with a splashy ride cymbal prove that less is more.

4. Paid in Full by Eric B & Rakim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZElWBsoyvUo

With this song, Rakim Allah invented flow. The beat also uses some of the most famous samples in hip-hop... making them famous.

5. Notorious Thugs by Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p18uNMfwp34

Combining two of the best flows in rap, this track is a weed-smoking anthem.

6. T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You) by Pete Rock & CL Smooth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc

7. C.R.E.A.M. by Wu-Tang Clan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjZRAvsZf1g

"I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side, where stayin' alive was no jive" If this song doesn't put you onto Wu-Tang, I don't know what to tell you.

8. 99 Problems by Jay-Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etl9kkIGaHo

A sick black and white video compliments a dirty, dirty track.

9. Shook Ones part II by Mobb Deep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP0wsET8__Y

10. Through the Wire by Kanye West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvb-1wjAtk4

Took sampling to a new level.

11. Triumph by Wu-Tang Clan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isumZjs3dKA

Inspectah Deck takes this track's first verse straight to the classic rack. It sounds like dude scanned Webster's Dictionary to come up with this stuff.

12. Fight the Power by Public Enemy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

13. Brooklyn's Finest by Jay-Z, featuring Notorious B.I.G.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIO0nbDEKAQ

Two of the greatest in their prime.

14. Daydreamin' by Lupe Fiasco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUZTiIOsvbw

The lyrical prodigy in his debut album... so damn descriptive.

15. Thug Luv by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony featuring Tupac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z9nXD8HjIA

Bizzy kills the first verse, then Pac comes in and it's a wrap.

16. Run's House by Run-DMC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgJTREb_jWc

My favorite rap group in 8th grade. Truly trendsetters...

17. I Got a Story To Tell by Notorious B.I.G.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6df0rha_Opw

Another brilliant storytelling track. Biggie was the master.

18. Player's Ball by Outkast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YBFYZxu2dw

Drops harder than almost any track I've heard. Video is dope.

19. Hate it or Love it by The Game, featuring 50 Cent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HtN5yf8_DI

Sort of a guilty pleasure. St. Louis cross-cultural trip anyone?

20. Touch the Sky by Kanye West, featuring Lupe Fiasco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dldtY9ZbqYs

The first time I saw Mr. Fiasco on a major track.... after that fire verse, I knew he was something. Off my favorite Kanye album.

21. Ghetto Gospel by Tupac, featuring Elton John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxR4AweLeXE

A perfect sample off of Elton John's "Indian Sunset" makes this one soulful post-mortem Tupac song.

22. Da Art of Storytellin' part 1 by Outkast, featuring Slick Rick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVk_msmEK5s

Another storytelling classic. MC Ricky D comes in and brings the old school flavor.

23. Day and Night by Kid Cudi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKp5iscRBGk

Perfectly embodies the loner stoner Cudi. What a simple yet effective beat.

24. Ate Miles From the City of Dope by Andre Nickatina, featuring Equipto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcB3ZELagtI

I'm a little embarrassed that Andre Nicky T isn't higher on the list. This is my favorite beat of his, ever. Where my tigers at?

25. My Life by The Game, featuring Lil' Wayne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKI9IhSvis

Another guilty pleasure Game track. Dude is corny at times, but sometimes he can hit emotions like no one else. Wayne keeps his mumbling garbage off the track and instead keeps the hook real soulful.


HONORABLE MENTION

Real Muthafuckin' G's by Eazy-E
88 by The Cool Kids
East 1999 by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Mr. Me Too ft Pharrell by Clipse
I Used To Love H.E.R. by Common
Hip Hop by Dead Prez
Battlesong by Deltron 3030
Roc Boys (And The Winner Is).. by Jay-Z
US Placers featuring Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell by Kanye West
Little Weapon (featuring Bishop G & Nikki Jean) by Lupe Fiasco
One Mic by Nas
Down With The King by Run-D.M.C.
Doe Boy Fresh f/ Chamillionaire by Three 6 Mafia
2 Of Americas Most Wanted by Tupac
Patiently Waiting (featuring Eminem) by 50 Cent

Bill Walton

NEW BEAT

Dig my latest beat entitled, "Longcat"

Chipotle

I've officially sampled every kind of Chipotle burrito as of last week. Here is my analysis:

Vegetarian: LOL
Barbacoa: Too spicy and slimey. This is shredded beef for you n00bs.
Carnitas: This is pork... perfect blend of texture and spice. Mmm.
Chicken: Ok, but seems to have lots of gristle in it. Also the cheapest option.
Steak: Way too tough. I caught myself chewing individual pieces too often.

In the end, the winner is by far carnitas. That shit is on POINT. If I had to mix it up, I'd fiend off of some chicken. Stay away from the steak, in my opinion.

Legendary?

This picture struck me as incredible. I'm having trouble displaying it on the blog, so here's a link.

Will anyone that was a fan of Winona State basketball ever forget about Jonte Flowers, John Smith, or Quincy Henderson? The trio brought fame and recognition to the small river town of Winona. For a high school kid obsessed with sports, there was no better event to attend than a WSU home game.

Here are some YouTube clips that are sure to bring some memories back.

Charity work

On my daily route to work I pass a Catholic Charities building. Today I drove by and saw a familiar sight - several privileged white teenagers attempting to clean a yard on the same block. They were skinny, blond, wearing name-brand clothes, and stood out like a sore thumb.

This strikes a chord with me because as recently as three years ago, that was me. I went on three different community service trips in Chicago, St. Louis, and New York City. I remember constantly being uncomfortable and wishing that I was there by myself rather than 30 white kids decked out in Abercrombie gear. I also remember the crippling anxiety attacks I suffered daily, and how I still had no idea what was happening to me. It was like puberty, but 10 times worse.

The thing I always wondered was, how much did these efforts really help? It's rare for me to quote the Bible, but Jesus said once that there will always be poor. Are these suburbanites better people because they went a week without iPods and Facebook to serve others? What happens when they go back to their three-car garage worlds and forget about everything they saw? The trips I went on were full of mixed emotions. I was shocked by the poverty, amazed at the metropolis settings, and both scared of the comments and proud of the compliments that we would receive from strangers.

I miss those trips. There really was nothing like the girl in your group that exclaims on the NYC subway, "so THAT's where the World Trade Center used to be." Could there be a better invitation for robbery?