Thursday, December 29, 2005

still get amped up

hearing these lyrics on my ipod, nothing has changed since KRS one dropped this science on us in 1988. Is this song availible for hip hop karaoke nite downtown at Rothko? its probably the only way id get up there is if I could rap these songs that i memorized in 7th grade by rewinding the tape and playing it back again. Eric B and Rakim, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Special Ed, EPMD and Bran Nubian (tribe came later on the way I remember it). KRS was more about teaching than the aforementioned but they each brought something to the table. Rakim or PE if I was angry or getting ready to play basketball. Seems like a completely different level than the dribbling pornography coming out these days (I'm not going to name names)

versue II (Boogie Down Productions - my philosophy)

I'll play the nine and you play the target
you all know my name so I guess I'll just start it
or should I say, "Start this," I am an artist
of new concepts at their hardest
cause, yo, I'm a teacher and Scott is a scholar
It ain't about money cause we all make dollars
That's why I walk with my head up
when I hear wack rhymes I get fed up
Rap is like a set-up, a lot of games
a lot of suckas with colorful names
I'm so-and-so, I'm this, I'm that
huh, but they all just wick-wick-wack
I'm not white or red or black
I'm brown.. from the Boogie Down
Productions, of course our music be thumpin'
others say their bad, but they're buggin
let me tell you somethin' now about hip hop
about D-Nice, Melodie, and Scott La Rock
I'll get a pen, a pencil, a marker
mainly what I write is for the average New Yorker
some mc's be talkin' and talkin'
tryin' to show how black people are walkin
but I don't walk this way to portray
or reinforce stereotypes of today
like all my brothas eat chicken and watermelon
talk broken english and drug sellin'
See I'm tellin, and teaching real facts
The way some act in rap is kind of wack
and it lacks creativity and intelligence
but they don't care cause the company is sellin' it
It's my philosophy, on the industry
Don't bother dissin me, or even wish that we'd
soften, dilute, or commercialize all our lyrics
Cause it's about time one of y'all hear it
And hear it first-hand from the intelligent brown man
A vegetarian, no goat or ham
or chicken or turkey or hamburger
'cause to me that's suicide self-murder
let us get back to what we call hip hop
and what it meant to DJ Scott La Rock...

Exactly

Thank you Phil Taylor for writing this article which basically expresses exactly how i feel about this year's Knicks team. Blame Isiah and Brown, not the players, especially not Marbury. Quit shuffling the damn lineup every game and focus on your player's talents instead of their shortcomings, you geezah.

Another Knicks rant -is this season already a lost cause?

I'm not even sure what their record is anymore, but the knicks have lost more than 20 games this year and its still December! For years now my love for this team has enabled me to put up with scrub additions, misdrafts, and bad contracts for insane amounts of money. Tonight I saw Marbury mope around Orlando Arena like he was depressed and hopeless. Its almost like he's imprisoned by Larry Brown's system. Could it be Larry Brown wanted to seek out vengeance on Stephon for the lackluster bronze medal earned by team USA this past olympics by signing up to coach the Knicks? That's how it feels these days. Why do all New York fans blame Marbury, why not blame the jackass who put this team together in the first place, namely Isiah? I will be very upset if Marbury gets traded, but that seems to be where all this is leading. Brown wants him gone and is setting him up to fail in his hometown. If it were my team (and it obviously isn't with a record like that) I'd start Nate at the point with Marbury at two. Whatever passing deficiencies Nate brings to the table he makes up for with intangibles and hustle and also Stephon would be one of the highest assists-earning shooting guards in the league. At center, play that lazy bastard Curry that has missed more games than he's played this season. Paxon was right to sniff out his poor work ethic, it's all he's shown me so far. Dumb trade, no draft pick this year, and I liked Mike Sweetney! The threespot would be DAVID LEE for me, he's got more heart than any Knick I've not yet mentioned here and no one really has seen his talent at this point except those who watched the Knicks summer league games. He's far more mobile than he showed at University of Florida and during one of his first games in the league he was scrapping with Dirk Nowitzky and holding his own in my opinion. Sure he may have started tonight but did he see any real minutes? Let the man play! That leaves the power forward spot -I'd start Channing Frye at that position. Let the guy shoot from outside for Pete's sake, quit trying to post him up, he's obviously not comfortable doing it yet! The man was scoring 20+ points per game doing what came naturally to him (shooting outside jumpers) and then Brown steps in and tells him he needs to post up more. Why? The man one rookie of the month, why change anything at all? All Curry is good for is posting up, let him do it instead. With Richardson missing 90% of his shots this season Frye is the only Knick with outside range. He is currently in the NBA top 20 in both field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Eh, whatever, I need to start reading more and quit the knicks, it only brings heartache.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

If Linux is open source should it even be capitalized?

My primary computer was this dell laptop that died over a year ago. The *expletive*s at dell wanted $400 for a replacement proprietary battery, which I wasn't going to shell out on an old Pentium III 866MHz laptop. I've been waiting to get a new machine. I'm actually going to wait until next year when Mac releases their intel based computers and decide then what to get. I'll either get a new PC (new windows operating system to be released next year), or I'll switch back to Mac (my first computer in the mid 80's was an apple IIc).
I've got another old computer that died as well, a desktop. I just tried to soup it up by swapping out the power supply (which had died), installing usb2.0 pci card and soundblaster 24bit audio card so I can do my concerts from minidisc to mp3 again (I'm way behind converting these since the laptop died). I also added a burner since it didn't have one. Unfortunately the os is a hacked version of windows xp from engineering school and something went wrong when I updated zone alarm (I suspect my system got hijacked). So now I'm trying to dl Linux because I don't want to give that *expletive* bill gates $100 for an os to run on a sub par computer. If you aren't thinking this too much information right now, I'm sure you're thinking macs are so much easier (it is my hope that may sway me back onto their side). I actually almost spent $660 dollars last night to avoid all this headache and by a pre-built box from bestbuy, but both Noel and the *expletive* salesperson scoffed at my selection of the emachines. I don't really care, just need something to get me to next year when I get something real nice. He was so proud of himself "if I were you I'd build it from scratch get this processor for $600, this motherboard, add this video card..." which Noel was all to impressed with. Look *expletive*, I've built computers before, you're not impressing me with your technical prowess, just ring me up for what I came here for: simplicity. Its highly priced these days apparently. They didn't even sell half the *expletive* that he was bragging about. They don't even sell processors there.
So I guess Linux has evolved since the operating systems course I took in 2002 because I can't get Red Hat Linux for free anymore but I can get Fedora. Apparently there are many others too but I'm partial to Red Hat since it was my first experience. Hm... May the best operating system win...

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Return of the Strike

Real quick about this strike. There are times that this area just feels unified(the last time being the blackout a few years back)and though my sympathies are not with either side of the labor negotiations (they HAVE jobs), I do feel connected to the people of the city. I greatly desire to see NYC and surrounding areas take this negative strike as an opportunity to be positive and turn to alternative methods of transportation, namely bikes. Let this be a bicycle revolution! Atheletes, lazy people, bougeosios, everyone buy a bike and go to work! Shoplifters of the world, unite and take over! Wait, uh, got ahead of myself there... Yeah, so...

You can find a bike shop in nearly every area but here are a few off the top:

Sid's on 34th street
Metro cycle on 14th street
Metro cycle on 15th and 6th ave
Bike Works NYC Rivington (LES)
Trackstar NYC near second and first
Bicycle Habitat (just south of Houston near broadway)
Chelsea Bikes 26th street(See Raphael)
Bicycles on 17th street (See Carlos)
NYC Bikes (brooklyn)
Recycle a bicycle on Avenue C

Saturday, December 17, 2005

as seen on 26th street



This is the strange bike that I spoke (pun intended?) of in a previous blog. It had holes atop these boxes around the bars that I guess you stick your arms into so as to not get cold.
also, here is a photo of droid. droid is one of my chainbreakers.

my primary bike


IRO
Originally uploaded by kny_mc.
is a mark V, formerly featured on fixedgeargallery as 1879. Since then I've changed quite a bit: the bars, the stem, the saddle, the pedals, changed the gearing, added clips and straps added a computer...

my nishiki


nishiki 3
Originally uploaded by kny_mc.
Before I go and post any other bikes on here I might was well post my own. This is my beater/commuter bike. It has had a facelift. If you're really interested to know how it used to look check out entry 1715 on fixedgeargallery.com. It has come a long way.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

On the eve of the strike: Knicks/Bikes/shows are on my mind

So lets see what is new? The Knicks suck, they are now a dismal 6-15 with no end to their loosing ways in site. Artest wants to be a Knick, but that is just about the only way it could get worse, if an emotionally disturbed individual suited up on a regular basis. This is the city where Artest threw expensive TV equipment around the garden like it was a Spalding basketball. From what I hear Isaiah hates him anyway so I don't see it happening despite their current desperation. What I did hear is that Quentin might be traded for Jarred Jeffries and Chucky Atkins. I would be indifferent to that trade if it happened. They've got to find a way to get Jamal and Nate to play more consistently. Eddy Curry needs an adrenaline shot. For God's sake Take David Lee off the injured list and play him! He might be their best rookie and he hasn't played!
I actually saw this weird home made bike contraption on 25th street today, took a picture of it with Robin's camera, but don't have it yet to post here. It was this bright yellow monstrosity of tape and cardboard box wrapped around the handlebars and seat to keep the rider warm. It was a moutain bike of course (no fixed gear rider had such a lack of pride as to do this to their bike). It actually looked quite funny.
And for my third part of this rant -Yo La Tengo. Fucking every year they do the Hanukkah thing at Maxwells and every year I somehow don't have tix and it sells out http://yolatengo.com/schedule.html this year I would have loved to see tortoise play with them! That would have been a wonderful night of music. The Lois show would have been good too and also The scene is now and the Sun Ra Arkestra. Well hopefully next year I can see all these artists individually to make up for this catastrophe. Damn can't miss any more of these shows while I live here! Well at least I DID get to see the number one show of 2005 according to ohmyrockness.com:
Arcade Fire / David Bowie at Summerstage!! I didn't pay for this show either just sat outside the fence and listened with a big smile on my face. That show plus Bloc Party in Boston BEFORE the album was released here in the states would probably be my top two, with number three being Broken Social Scene at Central Park. I did see quite a few shows this year. Perhaps in another blog I'll try to document them all.

From ohmyrockness...why was nothing written about the spoon show?

Best Shows of 2005 (Readers Picks):
We also asked you guys to send in your Best Of lists. The response was awesomely overwhelming, and we're happy to spread the word on your insanely good taste.

1) Arcade Fire @ Central Park Summerstage
"Arcade Fire's performance alone was memorable to say the least, they certainly are performers in every sense of the word. Adding to this was the incredible surprise appearance of the legend himself, David Bowie. A terrific night."

2) Sufjan Stevens @ Bowery Ballroom
"[Sufjan] did not merely play his songs, he put on a Broadway musical. Oh (my rockness), did I mention that everyone was too mesmerized/afraid to sing along during the acoustic numbers? The kind of silence you expect at Carnegie Hall was present (and, for that reason, amplified) at Bowery-fucking-Ballroom."

3) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Various Venues
*We had to consolidate this one... after all, these guys were everywhere in '05.

4) The Decemberists @ Warsaw
"Colin is a captivating frontman who was able to lead the audience in a screaming session for 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' and then make them all roll around on the floor. Also, Petra Haden sang Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights', which was awesome as well."

5) My Morning Jacket @ Webster Hall

6) The New Pornographers @ Webster Hall
"The band had old members join them on stage; they took audience requests, and actually WANTED to sing lesser-known and obscure songs from their catalog; Neko Case sang a cover of 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac, perfectly channeling Stevie Nicks. The set was long, the sound was amazing, and fan or first-timer would have been equally impressed."

7) Sigur Ros @ Beacon Theatre
"Visuals and music would take turns taking over the show while everyone relaxed in their seats and watched, mesmerized, hypnotized. One of the most unique shows ever."

8) Spoon @ Webster Hall

9) The White Stripes @ Keyspan Park
"some highlights of the first show: they covered 'walking with a ghost' by tegan and sara, which is a new thing, and there was a pause where they stared at each other for 30 seconds with ear-splitting feedback and then burst into song spontaneously again. that made me cry."

10) Hot Snakes @ Bowery Ballroom
"Their last show ever it was an amazing swan song. They played almost everything the band ever wrote and a couple of Jehu songs as well. The 4 musicians were born to play together and my heart is saddened that we won't be able to see that again."

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

leopard print seat on a fixie?


06 pista

old steamroller color

bareknuckle frame

milwaukee orange one


I didn't think I'd miss the chrome pista but have you seen the 06 pista yet? Perhaps it will grow on me. Pistas after all are still pretty sweet. It would be nice if we lived in a world where new Pistas are celeste and and new Steamrollers are still Battleship grey, in which case I'd be debating the purchase of one of those frames instead of my current debate for summer 07: Milwaukee's Orange One vs. EAI's Barenuckle frame. Perhaps only two of the four aforemention have true track geometry but considering how harsh the "relaxed" IRO can be at times I'm thinking road geomtry can't be too bad of a thing for me. So what if the occasional purist scoffs, they don't have to ride it. I may even put a break on it too ;) Riser bars are pretty hot right now on the streets of NYC. But risers have only one postion, albeit a more relaxed one.

Monday, December 12, 2005

So far it's been the best game of the season


Knicks vs Sixers at MSG. This photo was taken with 18 seconds remaining in the fourth, just before AI canned a three to send it to overtime. Yes this is the game where Nate Robinson hit the three over AI at the buzzer to give the Knicks a three point victory.

Starting... Now

Just for the record it has been my intention to create a blog for some time now, yet it wasn't until I read flea's NBA blog that I finally decided to scratch this itch. I know of a few people who would be interested to read what may be written here, but for the most part this is just a means for me to get shit out, and I've no other clear motive beyond that I suppose. As far as the great Red Hot Chili Pepper bass player's inspiration I should say that it was the purity and lack of editing of his blog that finally led me to do this, if you take a look at his blog you can see how it's all lower case and sometimes not even complete sentences, yet it does seem so lyrical at times and definitely thoughtful and open, three lofty goals I strive to attain here. My two greatest inspirations in terms of writing would probably be the works of Jack Kerouac and J Krishnamurti, they are both colossal heroes to me, and if I can at all emulate in either direction that would be an honor.
I had thought about calling this blog Theworldaccordingtoken, but wasn't sure how original John Irving fans would have found that. Originality doesn't come as cheap as it used to! Not that jerseycitykid is any more special or less generic, except that I do wish this to be an outlet for the kid in me, and of course I'd like to affirm my location and its direct proximity to NYC. This is an era when gentrification is stretching out west of Brooklyn, looping around Manhattan and into New Jersey. Just a few weeks ago it was none other than Bright Eyes, Feist and Magic Numbers that played 4 blocks from here! Let me clarify, a show of this magnitude was not performed at Maxwells NJ, but Jersey City NJ! Since I've been in Jersey City since April 2003 (I was actually born here in Jersey City but lived most of my life in Central Florida) I can call this indie rock happening an anomaly, though perhaps not for long.