Monday, September 12, 2011

that's just sad.

Consequence is getting ready to drop a Kanye West exposè. Yes, you just read that right.

While my early 90's leanings may by default make me a fan of some of the verses Consequence has uttered over the course of his largely depressing career, this little action right here, I cannot excuse. So with the Blind Fury of someone who spends too much time around a keyboard, I must respond in the only way I know how.



I have a vivid imagination. So when I see something like the embedded video above, I can't help but think about what Consequence has gone through in his nearly twenty year "career."

First of all, Consequence is Q-Tip's cousin. Which raises immediate questions as to why he was allowed a guest verse on Beats, Rhymes, and Life in the first place. In my mind, Q-Tip and/or Phife Dawg probably absconded with Consquence's girl at some point during the heydey of their popularity, and in return they gave their little cousin a chance to hop on a record.

Little did they know that in doing so they were creating an eternal Cousin Skeeter (with voice to match) who would could ride coat tails with the proficiency of a porn star and play the background like a poorly constructed seventh grade school set.

After living off of hype generated from guest verses on Tribe songs for the better part of a decade, Consequence is somehow miraculously still here and still being a nuisance. Consequence is sometimes, but not really, maybe on Wednesdays, but definitely not on stage a member of G.O.O.D. music. He calls the label his "crew." And with the deft of a Shaolin Master with a degree in the "Da Mystery of Coattailin' " he sometimes appears on tracks, in videos, and with varying frequency releases his own music that admittedly isn't always offensive to the ears.
Both of the fake Kardashian sisters pictured above are wondering how and why Kanye West's body guard hopped in the picture. Oh wait.



But what the hell is this? Dissing Kanye West? Airing his personal business? Publicly exposing the man who has kept you barely relevant by the very last strand of "Oh-yeah-he-was-pretty-cool-in-the-90's-nostalgia?" Kanye West, the man who has kindly has built a patio towards the rear end of his coat upon which Consequence has been allowed to erect a small mansion?

I'm thoroughly disgusted.

My favorite part of the video is when Consequence attempts to justify his actions by stating that every and anyone, friends, family or foes, all want "the crown." Is Peter Jackson creative directing Consequence's career now? Is this the fourth installment of Lord of the Rings?

Consequence talking about "the crown," is like Jared Jeffries talking about how he wants to come back next season and be the best big man in the NBA. Get out of here dude. Not only will it never happen (Like Donald Trump co-signing Barry O's birth certificate), it should never even be conceived to happen. (Like Lil Wayne impregnating Lauren London.)

The complete lack of respect and friendship here is just sad. This isn't a complete vindication of Kanye West either, he's long been known to pick up someone's career, issue words of bravado and soon to come success and then proceed to leave them quietly waiting in one of the many Art Deco hallways that probably litter his home. Just ask Mr. Hudson who is now serving Manhattans and Heinekens as the resident G.O.O.D. Music butler.

I'm sure Kanye didn't play fair. And I'm sure there is more to the story. But Consequence is like the drunk Uncle at the family barbeque who just won't leave. There's a certain line you just don't cross, and Cons managed to take a Hulk sized leap across the border. For hip-hop's sake, I hope Ye' keeps it moving and Consequence starts thinking about the next stage in his career. UPS has been hiring since B.I.G. left us and Mr. Hudson could probably use a hand in the kitchen.



Monday, August 8, 2011

CSL

I remember when that movie “500 Days of Summer” came out, and a bunch of media outlets were saying that it was one of the first romantic-comedies to be made with the guy in mind. I took the bait and checked it out. As it turns out, those media outlets were full of crap and the critics who said it was the first romantic-comedy for guys are obviously some sucker-for-love men who are still tripping about that one girl in high school who wouldn’t give them any type of play.


In the months and days leading up to the release of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” (which comes out in theaters today), I heard no such thing. Nobody was saying this was a romantic-comedy made with the man in mind, so imagine my surprise when watched a bootleg copy last night (compliments to my sister).
“CSL” succeeds at being a romantic-comedy guys can get into because it doesn’t make love soft or easy, as most men who have been in love know it to be. I imagine a lot of this has to do with the fact that the film is the work of not one but two male directors, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. It’s as though they were trying to fit in every experience they had or heard about love and marriage through each of the three male protagonists.

There’s the young, naive idealistic love found in the teenage Robbie (played by Jonah Bobo). There’s the jaded, cynical, I-never-want-to-fall-in-love-because-I-did-I-got-hurt-and-it-sucks from the middle-aged Cal (played by Steve Carrell) who from the very beginning is trying to figure out how to deal with divorcing his wife (played by Julianne Moore). And then there’s the love-is-for-lames ethos of Jacob (played by Ryan Gosling) who tries to help Cal get over his divorce by pushing him into the lion’s den of bachelorhood.

Eventually, we see the two switch places. Jacob falls in love, Cal gets fully acclimated to the life of a bachelor, becoming a bonafide ladies man. Both depictions are as honest as I’ve ever seen, and intertwining the evolution of their attitude adjustments is what provides the balance most romantic-comedies are missing.

I would pay money to watch “Crazy, Stupid, Love”, and not just matinee money, full-price, Friday-night-date-night-order-the-tickets-in-advance-on-Fandango-and-pay-the-extra-service charge money. The reason I enjoyed the movie is because it wasn’t short-changing me when it came to emotional range and that’s the problem with most male characters in romantic comedies. I don’t want to see a man fall in love with a girl to the point where he can’t keep it together and loses damn near everything else in life, because that’s not honest. I don’t want to see a man whose heart is so cold he can’t manage to fall in love with the perfect woman even though she’s staring at him right in the face, because that’s not honest. And I definitely don’t want to see the movie where the man eventually gets the girl because he worked out whatever issues he had, because that’s not honest either.

In real life, we don’t always get the girl, it’s not always our fault, and if we do always get the girl, we might want to find a way to keep her instead of trying to get another one. Love is hard and complicated and dealt with in different ways by different men. “Crazy, Stupid, Love” understands that.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Varsity.Letterman

What began as and continues to be a representation of high school and college student's pride in their school and team, the Varsity Jacket displays personal achievements in athletics, academics and other school activities. The letter of the schools initial(s) is emblazoned on the left breast of what is usually a wool jacket with leather sleeves and a band collar. With such distinction attached to the Varsity Jacket, mens wear lines throughout the years have sought to emulate the classic design. It's so nice to have these available since I didn't do shit in HS or College...






Like I said in my last post, I've picked up a few new jackets. A Supreme and the other Aeropostale...yeah i know right? random. Most Lettermans have a thick wool body and white leather sleeves but isn’t it about time for a breath of fresh air? Either way we’re pretty sure none of your high school varsity jackets looked anything like P.O Ceremony reinvented version... correct?

Complete with a vivid Incan-inspired woven pattern and brown leather sleeves (also available with black leather sleaves)




i bet i can rock this shit.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Not So Glorious Return.

Man oh man! If I could shake the hands of all you bastards I surely would. You’ve asked, questioned, demanded and if I could rack up seventeen pennies for each time I’ve been harassed about what the deal with The Greater Good is, I wouldn’t be a rich man, but I’d probably have enough for a decent sized burrito.

But I'm back. How crazy of a feeling is that? You’re reading a full blown Greater Good blog post right now. In August of 2011. That’s less expected than an awkward seven footer from Germany showing up to ruin The Big 2.5 in Miami’s Championship’s dreams. But yet folks, here we stand. And it’s a happy moment.





Me? Well, if you haven’t been keeping up on Twitter, I’ve pretty much been doing the same thing I’ve always been doing. With a fair degree of fresh Varsity jackets liberally mixed into the proceedings. Still Working, Going back to school in the fall, still coupled with my loving girlfriend, my kiddo just started 2nd grade. Life is good... 

But pretty much old friends, it’s STILL summer time. And that means a dusty pair of broken Vans Authentics makes their debut from the closet and things get a whole lot more fun.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Do What We Can.

Every once and a while we all get a chance to make a contribution to something greater. When something as awful as the earthquake that took place Friday, March the 11th occurs it falls upon the shoulders of each and every one of us to contribute where able, and however possible.


For those that don’t know, I spent about three and a half years of my life in Japan (Atsugi) with my family. Japan is in a desperate situation and the coverage and news emanating from the country is nothing short of heart shattering.


I still have good friends (and their families) living in Fukushima, Tokyo, and Yokosuka, all about 110 miles away from the epi-center of the quake, so it is needless to say that this disaster is hitting as close to home as possible. If it is possible for you to do something to help, then I would ask with complete sincerity that you do what you can.

Thousands are going to be dead when the rubble finally clears and the waters calm, and that is only going to be the very beginning of the problems. I’d encourage you to take a second and donate just $10 to any one of the causes accepting donations for relief in Japan. It's your chance to have an effect in an area that desperately needs it.


Donate to the Red Cross here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Another Day Another Struggle



“Cause G-E-D, wasn’t B-I-G
I got P-A-I-D, that’s why my moms hate me
She was forced to kick me out, no doubt
Then I figured out licks went for twenty down South.”

The Notorious BIG was shot today in 1997 at 12:30. Truly an originator and truly one of the best.


rest in peace.

Girls Night Out. 4 things.

Girls night out is every guy’s nightmare. Trust me when I tell you. No man likes it when his woman is getting all dressed up to go and hang out with her girlfriends surrounded by a bunch of other guys who are not us. I know we may act like we want our girl to hang out with her girlfriends, but really, it makes us nervous.we will encourage a woman to go out and have a good time and try to act like we can use the space too, but honestly, we’d much rather her go take a walk to anywhere but a bar or a lounge.



So now that I have divulged this little secret, allow me to suggest a solution as to how to make girls night out a comfortable night for the man in her life. Actually, make that four suggestions.

DO IT DURING BIG GAMES

Especially during football season, depending on the team a man roots for, there are some great opportunities for a woman to make plans with her girls. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when Aimee can sit down and watch a game with me, but I’m never mad at the her when she says she’s going to do her own thing during the time the game is on. That shows she’s thinking. What shows she is not thinking? Going out with her girls on a night where nothing is on television for me to watch. I mean, come on, ladies! Everyone knows Friday night television hasn’t been good since they canceled Full House and Family Matters! Why don’t women think about these things? Now I’m over here pacing the floor, looking out the window every time I see some headlights flash all while watching ESPN News loop the same highlight reel over and over again.

AT DINNER, SHE CAN CALL AND ASK HIM IF HE WANTS HER TO BRING ANYTHING HOME

Aside from the obvious common courtesy a woman demonstrates when she calls up her man and asks him if he wants her to bring anything home, this gesture is also somewhat of an insurance policy for men. It’s a way of saying, “No matter what happens tonight, I’m coming home to my man.” Besides, I also know no man wants to talk to the girl carrying the to-go container of food, especially if it’s one of those pungent dishes. So yes, I absolutely will take the chicken yellow curry. Thanks, baby.

SHE SHOULD ACT LIKE SHE DOESN’T WANT TO GO OUT, LIKE SHE DIDN’T HAVE FUN

Before she leaves the house, the only thing I want to hear my woman talking about is how much she is dreading the upcoming festivities. Say things like, “I can’t believe my girl has me hitting these streets with her. I told her all I wanted to do was spend the night inside with my man. And then I lost a bet. Can you believe that baby?” I will believe it, because I’m gullible like that and a woman needs to take advantage of that by lying to me and acting like she doesn’t want to be with her girls at some spot where some other guys are giving her all this attention.
SHE NEEDS TO GIVE HER MAN SOME…RIGHT BEFORE SHE LEAVES

And when I say right before, I mean, grabbing the keys, three steps from walking out the door, right before. I want to do it when her hair is done, the makeup is applied, and the heels are on. And we don’t even have to lay down. We can stay standing. But yes, we need to do this right now, and she needs to text her friends that she will be outside in three minutes. Three minutes later, I give her a kiss and simply say, “Have fun with your girls.”



theres a lot of these guys at clubs and bars.