Tha Darkside Vibe episode #45

Show intro

Tiger Woods and the lynching comment

News - Britney Spears, Eddie Murphy and Terrell Owens

Tom Cruise preaches Scientology

Can someone please explain Kirk Franklin?

Artits spotlight - Rooney

American Idol recap

Shoutouts/Outro

Tha Darkside Vibe Episode #44

Show Intro

New Year Countdown

Is Dazed and Confused gay?

News

-Britney Spears meltdown

-Would you lie for Hanna Montana tickets?

- Former OC star gets busted

When trannys attack

Arist spotlight - ?

Thriller gets a makeover

Tv show review - Dexter

Show outro/shoutouts

The Ghetto Grinch

So, I am walking around the Arlington, Virginia area today and noticed all of the Christmas decorations and lights. One of the first things that struck me was that I remember these lights and decorations being up at the end of October. What is up with that? See, I have a problem with Christmas and the holidays in general.

Does this make me a Grinch? Maybe, or am I just sick of the commercialization that the holidays have become. I remember when I was a young lad in Maryland, the holiday season was the best time of the year. Everyone was in a great mood, you had the family around to celebrate with and you received gifts. I fell for all the holiday madness hook, line and sinker when I was younger, but it all changed at the age of 8. My mother had suckered me into believing in Santa Claus, the North Pole and all the Christmas jazz. Hell, I loved watching those classic Christmas specials like Rudolph's Shiny New Year, A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, just to name a few. We were always told to leave out milk and cookies for Santa and make sure that we went to bed early. All the good children would receive presents. So, I fell for it. That Christmas I woke up early because I had to use the bathroom. In order for me to get to the bathroom, I had to walk down a hallway. The bathroom was across from the living room. When I went towards the bathroom I looked into the living room and who do I see?? My older sisters and mom putting together toys and laying out the presents. They saw me and told me to go to bed. I said to my mother, "I thought Santa Claus put out the presents?" What was her answer? "Yes he does, but he jumped behind the tree." Well, I knew that was a crock but played along with it anyway. From that moment on, Christmas would never be the same again.

Flash forward to today and my attitude towards the holidays has only become worse. Most people don't even know what the true meaning of Christmas is. Luckily, my mother sat me down when I was younger to tell me that Christmas was more then getting presents. I find it hard for me to say Merry Xmas or Happy Holidays when I truly don't mean it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate someone taking the time to say it to me or whatever, so I feel obligated to respond. Christmas is way too commercial. Most people are mainly concerned about getting stuff. I remember a friend of mine gave her boyfriend a really cool hand made gift. Something from the heart and very nice. He got her a very expensive necklace. He was absolutely pissed that he just got some homemade present. That's what gift giving has come to. Buy someone something expensive and receive something inexpensive in return and see how you react to it. The holiday spirit just seems fake to me. Could this just be me? Am I truly the Ghetto Grinch?

Santa, please help me!

Tha Darkside Vibe #43

Show intro

The greatest house party ever!

News:

Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant
Survivor runner up plays the sympathy card
Amy Winehouse suicide pact

Nelly and Allen Iverson on OJ Simpson

WWE 15 Year Anniversary

Artist spotlight : Dre Robinson

21 Things about Men and Women

Show Outro/Shoutouts

An open letter to Prince....

If you haven't heard the news, Prince is suing several websites citing copyright infringement. Before you read this open letter, check out the entire story by following this link:

Prince sues fan websites

Ok, now that you have read the entire story and know exactly what is going on...can you believe this? Let me first start by saying I am a huge Prince fan. Anyone who knows me knows this is a fact. I will talk until I am blue in the face about Prince. Let me run into someone who is just finding out about him or wants to know more about the man and his music, watch out. I am breaking out the cds, playing important tracks and taking the person through his amazing career. I wrote a blog not too long ago about the first time I heard his music, that was almost 27 years ago. That day truly changed my thoughts and views towards music. Yea, I listened to stuff here and there, but was never really into music until Prince. He can definitely be credited for my overwhelming love of music, not just his but all types of music. This is why I am so saddened by what is taking place.

There are obviously two sides to this story, Prince's side and the fans side. Now, I can completely understand him having a problem with sites that are illegally using his photos, videos and music for some sort of financial gain. Claiming to be "official" sites connected to Prince. That is completely wrong and the man has every right to sue those entities. But come on, the 3 main sites he is after are: Housequake.com, Prince.org and Princefams.org. I am a member of all 3 sites as well as the official Prince site 3121. com. The interesting thing is on each of those fan pages it clearly states that they have no official affiliation with Prince and any companies related to Prince. They clearly spell out in no uncertain terms that they will not tolerate any illegal posts, selling of or asking where to purchase any music, movies and anything related to Prince. These sites are maintained by these folks absolutely free, because they love and respect his music. No money is being made on these sites, none. These sites are for information purposes only. Even though I have a huge knowledge of Prince, I can't know everything. These sites have come in handy several times when I wanted to find out some information.

Prince, this is FREE PUBLICITY! WE ARE THE FANS WHO HAVE STUCK WITH YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN! From the good times (Purple Rain, Dirty Mind, Sign o' the Times), to the not so good times (pretty much the entire 90's). From writing slave on your face, fighting your record label for ownership of your music. Your comeback at the Grammy awards with Beyonce to your amazing performance at halftime during the Superbowl. We have been there, every step of the way. I personally have been ridiculed and called a homosexual for being a fan of yours. Did I care? Not one bit, because the music is just that powerful. Your true fans are not here to take you down, but to enjoy the gift you have been given. Why would you want to hurt the people who have been there with you from day one? The only thing you are going to do is alienate this hardcore and loyal base of fans. Of course, the lawyers are going to try and spin this situation to make it look like it's not aimed at the fans, but it is..no matter how you try and paint it.

Instead of backing down, those 3 fan sites I mentioned earlier are getting together to fight back..I say FIGHT THE POWER! Sometimes you gotta spank big daddy to make him realize the mistakes they are making. You want to know the true definition of irony? Prince is the one of the main artists who pioneered the use of the internet to get his message and music out to the masses. Last year he won an award for "reshaping the relationship between fan and artist." Go figure. It just blows my mind how he can do this to his most loyal fans, truly blows my mind.

When I first started to write this open letter, I will admit it was filled with some curse words and a very bitter tone. I chose not to use that version, but tone it down and just say how I feel without being angry. All I can say to you Prince is, years of myself and others being loyal dedicated fans and this is how you repay us? If any of you are interested in finding out more about the movement called Prince Fans United, I urge you to go to their website and show your support.

Prince Fans United!

No matter what you do or how crazy you get Prince, your music will always be what keeps me as one of your fans. It's too bad you don't realize right now that this is hurting you more then helping you.

stay purple people...

Me, metrosexuality and Gay America

Ah yes, I sit here people typing this blog as a man who is COMPLETELY comfortable with himself. Some people may not be comfortable with who they are and that is a shame. Maybe one day you will be, but until you do, don't put down anyone or anything else. Being gay in this country has never been more accepted than it is now, in my opinion. Some may say that being gay, especially among the younger generation, is the "in" thing right now. I hope that isn't the case and they are just claiming to be gay just because it's cool or they want to get back at society. That just defeats the whole purpose.

Now, I am a person who is open to anyone and anything. Well, let me try that again. I am open to anyone who is proud of whatever and whomever they are, gay, straight, bi..whatever. I have many straight friends, gay and bi friends and I treat none of them differently. I even go to gay male and lesbian bars on occasion to hang with my friends. Now, when some of my straight friends here this, the ones who have a problem with homosexuality, they are disgusted and can't believe that I go to those kind of places. Again, I don't get mad, it's their opinion, even though I don't agree with it, I respect it. Going to these clubs is a totally different scene, but my thinking is they are having a good time, who gives a fuck about their sexual orientation. I have been hit on many times in the gay bars that I've gone to and have politely stated that I was a straight man.

To my friends and others who have a problem with homosexuality, could it be you are hiding something really deep in your psyche? That you despise the very thing you are trying to repress? I am in no way a doctor or psychologist, but it seems that may be the case with some of these people. Is being gay something that develops over time or are you born gay? I have no freakin' clue and won't even attempt to tackle that question...no one truly knows. What I know is, do what makes you happy and forget about what other people think. Life is too short to be worried about them and their opinions. As long as you aren't hurting anyone emotionally or physically.

Which brings me to metrosexual. The definition of metrosexual is:

n. A man (esp. a heterosexual man) whose lifestyle, spending habits and concern for personal appearance are likened to those considered typical of a fashionable, urban, homosexual man.

Now, judging by the above definition, I am a metrosexual. Granted, my whole lifestyle nor my entire spending habits are controlled by it, but I am concerned alot with my appearance and how I come across to people when I am in public. Do I go all out with the manicures and facials and so forth, no, well at least not yet :), but you never know. I think I will consider myself a part-time metrosexual. I think a man should take pride in his appearance and not have people think just because he does, he's gay..that's stupid. So fellas, who's with me on this metrosexual thing? Anyone? Any of you brave enough to tell the world, I AM A METROSEXUAL!!

Buffy, the pop culture phenom!

In March of 1997, up and coming network the WB took a chance on a series that the other 4 major networks had passed on. Little did they know that this show would go on to become a cultural phenomenon, that show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was originally a movie that starred Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry. The film was panned by critics and had very little success. Several years later that movie was turned into a television series. Now, you are probably asking yourself why is he talking about some stupid TV show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'll tell you why, because it was one of the best shows that has been on television in the last 30 years. TV Guide rated it #41 on the list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of all time, not bad for a show that many people initially laughed at, including me. I actually was one of the few who sat through the horrible movie and thought for sure that the TV show was going to be horrific, but I decided to give it a shot. Man was I surprised. This show had it all, excellent writing from Josh Whedon and staff, great acting and chemistry between the cast, humor, emotion and at times the show poked fun at itself.

Why am I writing a blog about this show? Well, last week Best Buy put all 7 seasons of the show on sale for $15.99 a season, what a deal. I have seen all 7 seasons when they originally aired, but wanted to have the show on DVD. So, over the last couple of years, I have purchased a season here and a season there. Well, this was my chance to pick up a couple more seasons at a fantastic price. So, I picked up seasons 4 and 5 and went to the counter. When I placed them on the counter, the cashier looked at me and started to laugh. She asked me was I seriously buying them and I started to laugh myself. I told her I was not ashamed that I love the show and wanted to eventually have all 7 seasons. Now, when some of my friends find out I watch the show, they laugh to..initially. Once I get them to watch the show, they become hooked to! To date, I have converted over 20 people into Buffy fans. Do you want to be the next one I convert?? Don't be ashamed, it's just TV folks!! I say, grab the popcorn, a wooden stake, pull up a seat and enjoy one of the greatest shows ever created!

So, take a second, look at the show intro above and realize that you are going to enjoy this show! I do have one question though...why is it that every vampire on the shows knows kung fu??