Jonesing For Jae

Today in History: 15th Amendment

2012-03-30T14:13:00.000-04:00

It seems racism is the topic of discussion for many today as the case of Zimmerman vs. the American society continues with folks wondering how much longer it will take the United States government to jump in and have Zimmerman arrested for murdering 17 year old, Trayvon Martin. It was a month ago when Martin was shot to death by Zimmerman on the streets of Sanford, Florida. As updates roll in, the divide is quite evident showing the disgust minority groups have towards the Sanford Police for continually allowing Zimmerman to walk free knowing his claim of "self-defense" is invalid. Racism is apparently still alive people state.

Looking at today in history, I find it ironic to come across this bit of information. On March 30, 1870, Congress passed a law allowing African American males the right to vote in state and federal elections. This was such a major feat to occur in American history.

Thomas Mundy Peterson was the first African American man to vote in the United States of America following the adoption of the 15th Amendment into the Constitution.

Food Pic of the Day!

2011-12-29T13:24:00.002-05:00

By blending subtle flavors and spices, Khmer cuisine sets itself apart from the many other styles of food in Southeast Asia. It is similar to Thai cuisine, but is distinctive in creating full flavor without the use of chili.

Today in History

2011-12-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

"The Greatest Game Ever Played"

December 28, 1958

Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants

Yankee Stadium

Never has there been a game like this one. When there are so many high points, it is not easy to pick the highest. But for the 60,000 and more fans who packed Yankee Stadium last Sunday for the third week in a row, the moment they will never forget -- the moment with which they will eternally bore their grandchildren -- came when, with less than 10 seconds to play and the clock remorselessly moving, the Baltimore Colts kicked a field goal which put the professional football championship in a 17-17 tie and necessitated a historic sudden-death overtime period. Although it was far from apparent at the time, this was the end of the line for the fabulous New York Giants, eastern titleholders by virtue of three stunning victories over a great Cleveland team (the last a bruising extra game to settle the tie in which they finished their regular season), and the heroes of one of the most courageous comebacks in the memory of the oldest fans.

This was also a game in which a seemingly irretrievable loss was twice defied. It was a game which had everything. And when it was all over, the best football team in the world had won the world's championship. The Baltimore Colts needed all their varied and impressive talent to get the 17-17 tie at the end of the regular four quarters. Then, for eight and one quarter minutes of the sudden-death extra period, in which victory would go to the first team to score, all of the pressure and all of the frenzy of an entire season of play was concentrated on the misty football field at Yankee Stadium. The fans kept up a steady, high roar. Tension grew and grew until it was nearly unbearable. But on the field itself, where the two teams now staked the pro championship and a personal winners' share of $4,700 against a losers' share of $3,100 on each play, coldly precise football prevailed. With each team playing as well as it was possible for it to play, the better team finally won. The Baltimore Colts, ticking off the yards with sure strength under the magnificent direction of Quarterback Johnny Unitas, scored the touchdown which brought sudden death to New York and the first championship to hungry Baltimore.

The game, unbelievably, managed to top all the heroics of the spectacular Giant victories which had led up to it. The Colts won because they are a superbly well armed football team. They spent the first half picking at the small flaws in the Giant defense, doing it surely and competently under the guidance of Unitas. The Giant line, which had put destructive pressure on Cleveland quarterbacks for two successive weeks, found it much more difficult to reach Unitas. Andy Robustelli, the fine Giant end who was blocked beautifully by Jim Parker, a second-year tackle with the Colts. Unitas, a tall, thin man who looks a little stooped in his uniform, took his time throwing, and when he threw, the passes were flat and hard as a frozen rope, and on target. He varied the Baltimore attack from time to time by sending Alan Ameche thumping into the Giant line.

The Giant defense, unable to overpower the Colts as it had the Browns, shifted and changed and tried tricks, and Unitas, more often than not, switched his signal at the last possible second to take advantage of Giant weaknesses. Once, in the first quarter, when the New Yorkers tried to cover the very fast Lenny Moore with one man, Unitas waited coolly while Moore sprinted down the sideline, then whipped a long, flat pass which Moore caught n the Giant 40 and carried to the 25.

The Giant defense blocked a field goal attempt which followed and Charley Conerly, the 37-year-old Giant quarterback who played one of the finest games of his long career, caught the Colt linebackers coming in on him too recklessly. He underhanded a quick pitchout to Frank Gifford, and Gifford went 38 yards to the Colts' 31; a couple of plays later the Giants let 3-0 on a 36-yard field goal by Pat Summerall.

In the second quarter, with the probing and testing over, the Colts asserted a clear superiority. They had gone in to the game reasonably sure that their running would work inside the Giant tackles, and sure, too, that the quick, accurate passes of Unitas to receivers like Moore and Ray Berry could be completed. The first quarter reinforced that opinion and the second quarter implemented it. A Giant fumble recovered on the Giant 20 by Gene Lipscomb, the 288-pound Colt tackle, set up the first touchdown. Unitas punctured the Giant line with Ameche and Moore and sent Moore outside end once when the Giant center clogged up, and then Ameche scored from the two and it all looked very easy.

It looked easy on the next Colts foray, too. This one started on the Baltimore 14 and moved inevitably downfield. The Colts backs, following the quick, voracious thrust of the big line, went five and six yards at a time, the plays ending in a quick-settling swirl of dust as the Giant line, swept back in flashing surge of white Colt uniforms, then slipped the blocks to make the belated tackles. Unitas passed twice to Berry, the second time for 15 yards and the second Colt touchdown. The Giants, now 11 points behind, looked well-whipped.

The feeling of the game changed suddenly and dramatically late in the third quarter on the one accomplishment which most often reverses the trend in a football game -- the denial of a sure touchdown. The colts had moved almost contemptuously to the Giant three-yard line. After the half the Baltimore team, which had manhandled the New York defense to gain on the ground for most of the first half, switched to passing. Unitas, given marvelous blocking by the Colt offensive line, picked apart the Giant defensive secondary with his wonderful passes, thrown so accurately that often Colt receivers snatched the ball from between two Giant defenders who were only a half step out of position. When this irresistible passing attack carried them to the Giant three-yard line, first down and goal to go, even the most optimistic Giant fans in the stands must have given up.

But the Giant defense, which, more than anything else, brought this team to the championship game, again coped with crisis and stopped Baltimore cold.

Now, for the rest of this quarter and most of the fourth, the Colts were surprisingly limp. The Giant stand keyed their collapse, but an odd play which set up the first Giant touchdown underlined it and so demoralized the Baltimore team that for some time it was nearly ineffectual. Conerly, quick to capitalize on the letdown, sent Kyle Rote, who usually spends his afternoon catching short passes, rocketing far downfield. Rote, starting down the left sideline, cut sharply to his right, and Conerly's pass intersected his course at the Colt 40. Rote carried on down to the 25 and ran into a two-man tackle which made him fumble. There was a paralyzed second when a little group of Colt and Giant players watched the ball bounding free without making a move, then the still life broke into violent motion and Giant Halfback Alex Webster picked up the fumble and carried it to the Colt one-yard line. Mel Triplett hurdled in for a touchdown and the Giants, fans and all, were back in the game. The crowd, which had been desperately yelling, "Gooo, Giants," roared as if the Giants had taken the lead. And the Giants did, quickly.

The Colt offense, until now clean and quick and precise, began to dodder. The protection which had allowed Unitas to wait and wait and wait before he threw, broke down, and Robustelli and Dick Modzelewski ran through weak blocks to dump the Colt quarterback for long losses. The Giants, on the other hand, were operating with the assurance of experience and a long intimacy with the uses of adversity.

They took the lead on the second play of the fourth quarter. Conerly, who had been throwing to Rote and Gifford, suddenly switched targets. He zeroed in on End Bob Schnelker once for 17 yards and repeated on the next play for 46 more and a first down on the Baltimore 15. Then he befuddled the Colt secondary with Schnelker and threw to Gifford on the right sideline, and Gifford ran through a spaghetti-arm tackle on the five to score, sending the Giants into a 17-14 lead.

The Colts now seemed as thoroughly beaten as the Giants had been at the half. Unitas' protection, so solid early in the game, leaked woefully. Only a Giant fumble slowed the New York attack, and when the Giants punted to the Colts with barely two minutes left in the game, not even the most optimistic of the 20-odd thousand Colt fans who came from Baltimore would have bet on victory.

Baltimore started from its 14, and the hero of this sequence was, of all the fine players on the field this warm winter day, the most unlikely. He has a bad back and one leg is shorter than the other so that he wears mud cleats on that shoe to equalize them. His eyes are so bad that he must wear contact lenses when he plays. He is not very fast and, although he was a good college end, he was far from a great one. On this march, he caught three passes in a row for a total of 62 yards, the last one for 22 yards to the New York 13-yard line. His name is Ray Berry, and he has the surest hands in professional football. He caught the three passes with two Giant defenders guarding him each time. He caught 12 passes for 178 yards in the football game, and without him the Colts would surely have lost.

After Berry had picked the ball out of the hands of two Giant defenders on the New York 13-yard line, Steve Myhra kicked a 20-yard field goal with seven seconds left to play for a 17-17 tie which sent the game into the sudden-death overtime period. The teams rested for three minutes, flipped a coin to see which would kick and which would receive, and the Giants won and took the kickoff.

The tremendous tension held the crowd in massing excitement. But the Giants, the fine fervor of their rally gone, could not respond to this last challenge. They were forced to punt, and the Colts took over on their own 20. Unitas, mixing runs and passes carefully and throwing the ball wonderfully true under this pressure, moved them downfield surely. The big maneuver sent Ameche up the middle on a trap play which broke him through the overanxious Giant line for 23 yards to the Giant 20. From there Unitas threw to the ubiquitous Berry for a first down on the New York eight, and three plays later Baltimore scored to end the game. Just before the touchdown a deliriously happy Baltimore football fan raced onto the field during a timeout and sailed 80 yards, bound for the Baltimore huddle, before the police secondary intercepted him and hauled him to the sideline. He was grinning with idiot glee, and the whole city of Baltimore sympathized with him. One Baltimore fan, listening on his audio radio, ran into a telephone pole when Myhra kicked the tying field goal, and 30,000 others waited to greet the returning heroes.

Berry, a thin, tired-looking youngster still dazed with the victory, seemed to speak for the team and for fans everywhere after the game.

"It's the greatest thing that ever happened," he said.

Issue date: January 5, 1959 -- By Tex Maule

-- Because I'm a history buff, I enjoy reading about events passed. It's really a time of solitude for me to engross myself in the history of the world that occured on this very day. What is the present without the past? -- Jae Om

Food Pic of the Day!

2011-12-21T09:01:00.003-05:00

One Oreo cookie, peeled open, frosting intact and put back together with a beautifully cooked 'mallow in the middle. Introducing a S'Moreo! Yummmm.

Taylor Swift Wins at AMAs

2011-11-23T13:27:00.003-05:00

Taylor Swift

"This is so crazy!" Taylor Swift remarked after receiving the award for Artist of the Year at this year's American Music Awards.

"I ended up writing the record by myself, so the fact that you would honor it this way, you have no idea what this means to me,"

The show took place on November 20, 2011 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Nicki Minaj kicked off the ceremony by sporting a pair of speakers on her much-talked about posterior on stage. She won two awards for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for "Pink Friday."

Other winners include:

BLAKE SHELTON - Favorite Country Male Artist

LADY ANTEBELLUM - Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group,
BEYONCE - Favorite Soul/R&B Female artist,

RIHANNA - Favorite Soul/R&B Album for "Loud"

HOT CHELLE RAE - New Artist of the Year.

Check out pictures from the show below:

Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber

Hot Chelle Rae

Singer Estelle

Katy Perry

Jennifer Hudson

Singer Mario

Lionel Richie

Mary J. Blige

Singer Robin Thicke

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Tyler Perry & Kim Kardashian, Really?!

2011-11-22T16:57:00.001-05:00

Some say she's overrated while others really don't mind the Reality TV star. Newly married and soon to be divorced, Kim Kardashian has created a huge empire with the Kardashian brand seen everywhere from TV to dietary supplements sold in GNC stores. It seemed out of thin air she sprouted out of her LA Socialite status to becoming Hollywood's leading ladies. Well, maybe not leading but she's definitely making her way up the latter.

Recently reported, Tyler Perry has casted her in his new movie, "The Marriage Counselor." Based on one of Perry's plays, the film tells the story of a marriage counselor whose own marriage begins to fall apart when her husband's parents move in. She begins to cheat on her husband, and Kardashian will play a co-worker who takes her to the big city for a makeover.

Let's see if Kim has what it takes to take over the big screen as well. Still puzzling as to why Perry chose her.

Food Pic of the Day!

2011-11-22T16:31:00.005-05:00

As I search for photos of pictures online (don't judge me), I find a very adorable photograph of Mickey and Minnie Mouse made out of food. How awesome does this look? I mean really. The talent a person must possess to concoct such a masterpiece. I should ask the culinary artist to remake this so I can give as a gift for a special someone. I know a person who is completely obsessed with Mickey and Minnie. Enjoy!

Mark Your Calendar For Fireday VI

2011-11-22T16:19:00.000-05:00

Make sure you purchase your tickets for this amazing show. SNRG and local artists will hit the stage to bring in the New Year. It's the Beginning of the End. http://www.snrgonline.com/

Shine Saturdays

2011-10-04T16:36:00.004-04:00

Artists, of any genre, are encouraged to register for Shine Saturdays 1st installment scheduled to take place at Jammin Java on October 22, 2011. Shine Saturdays is a song competition created by SNRG, KnoName Media and iSPire Events & Promotions. The purpose of this competition is to allow artists a place to perform, to promote themselves and their talents and an opportunity to advance in their career.

SNRG is a platform of self-expression, a coalition of creative. Their sole purpose is to inspire and help release the inner artist that resides within you, the individual. By putting together local events, rising talents can showcase their work for others to see and hear. Jammin Java is located at 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA 22180.

To register for this event, please submit media kit including music and photos to shinesaturdays@gmail.com.

It's Allergies That's Making You Sick

2011-09-13T16:42:00.003-04:00

People are complaining about being sick already and it's only September. Listen, you're not sick. It's probably due to allergies. If you live in the Northeastern States, fall allergies will be very bad this year. According to sources online, ragweed's pollen is the number one allergen of all pollens and is the primary cause of hayfever. Each plant is able to produce over a billion grains of pollen in one season. A billion!

Due to the rise of global warming, ragweed season has increased in length. When airborne, it can travel for days affecting hundreds of people for miles on end.

So, before you jump to conclusions and think you're about to get the flu, check with your doctor. It might just be ragweed. Damn those weeds!

For information on this allergy season, click here.

Food Pic of the Day!

2011-09-13T16:11:00.003-04:00

I posted this up because I've never seen sushi arranged on a plate like this so elegantly. Plus it looks delish!

How Personalities Affect Relationships

2011-09-13T15:26:00.003-04:00

I attended a 6 month training course back in 2010 that offered college course credits and business seminars. I particularly enjoyed the Myers-Briggs seminar on personalities. To those who are not familiar with Myers Briggs, it's pretty much a personality test. The test was created by mother and daughter, Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers.

As stated on the Myers Briggs Foundation website, "when you understand personality preferences, you can more readily appreciate differences between you and people closest to you in your life such as partners, children, and friends. In most areas of life, when differences between yourself and another person bother you too much, you can avoid the other person in some way. But when that person is a family member or close friend, you have a lot to lose by walking away." [www.myersbriggs.org]

For many years, I've always told others that their personality type has a lot to do with the way they function in school, home and at work. People are all different and its with the diferences that allows us all to work and live alongside one another so effortlessly. Where one person lacks a strength, another may possess it. This also applies to your relationships. We all know being in a relationship is not easy. It's a full time job in itself. How many of you know what your personality type is? I'm sure less than half of you do. For that reason, I am going to share them with you. Find out who you really are. Click here to take the test.

There are 4 core components or preferences that are used in determining what type you are. The 4 components are Extraversion/Introversion, Intuition/Sensing, Thinking/Feeling, and finally Judging/Perceiving. Below, I have listed all the different personality types and how they function in relationships. Take a look.

ISTJ - The Duty Fulfillers
ESTJ - The Guardians
ISFJ - The Nurturers
ESFJ - The Caregivers
ISTP - The Mechanics
ESTP - The Doers
ESFP - The Performers
ISFP - The Artists
ENTJ - The Executives
INTJ - The Scientists
ENTP - The Visionaries
INTP - The Thinkers
ENFJ - The Givers
INFJ - The Protectors
ENFP - The Inspirers
INFP - The Idealists

I am an INFJ.

"To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as the positive - to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to joy, fulfillment, and an intensity of consciousness we did not know was possible before." -- Rollo May

INFJs are warm and affirming people who are usually also deep and complex. They're likely to seek out and promote relationships that are intense and meaningful. They tend to be perfectionists, and are always striving for the Ultimate Relationship. For the most part, this is a positive feature, but sometimes works against the INFJ if they fall into the habit of moving from relationship to relationship, always in search of a more perfect partner. In general, the INFJ is a deeply warm and caring person who is highly invested in the health of their close relationships, and puts forth a lot of effort to make them positive. They are valued by those close to them for these special qualities. They seek long-term, lifelong relationships, although they don't always find them.

Warm and affirming by nature
Dedicated to achieving the ultimate relationship
Sensitive and concerned for others' feelings
Usually have good communication skills, especially written
Take their commitments very seriously, and seek lifelong relationships
Have very high expectations for themselves and others (both a strength and weakness)
Good listeners
Are able to move on after a relationship has ended (once they're sure it's over)
Tendency to hold back part of themselves
Not good with money or practical day-to-day life necessities
Extreme dislike of conflict and criticism
Have very high expectations for themselves and others (both a strength and weakness)
Have difficulty leaving a bad relationship

INFJs are warm, considerate partners who feel great depth of love for their partners. They enjoy showing this love, and want to receive affirmation back from their mates.

They are perfectionists, constantly striving to achieve the Perfect Relationship. This can sometimes be frustrating to their mates, who may feel put upon by the INFJs demanding perfectionism. However, it may also be greatly appreciated, because it indicates a sincere commitment to the relationship, and a depth of caring which is not usually present in other types.

Sexually, INFJs view intimacy as a nearly spiritual experience. They embrace the opportunity to bond heart and soul with their mates. As service-oriented individuals, it's very important to them that their mates are happy. Intimacy is an opportunity for the INFJ to selflessly give their love, and experience it in a tangible way.

Although two well-developed individuals of any type can enjoy a healthy relationship, INFJ's natural partner is the ENTP, or the ENFP. INFJ's dominant function of Introverted Intuition is best matched with a personality type that is dominated by Extraverted Intuition.

Remembering Tupac Shakur 15 Years Later

2011-09-13T14:25:00.004-04:00

Anyone who's anyone knows Tupac[2Pac] made a tremendsou impact not only in the Hip-Hop community but the entire music industry as a whole. Famously known for his hardcore lyrics and thug lifestyle, 2Pac was also an actor appearing on film with Janet Jackson in "Juice." Never one to back down, 2Pac embraced the good and bad that came with fame by expressing himself through his music. Using it as an outlet, many viewed 2Pac as a hypocrit claiming one thing and doing another. As fans and critics judged him, he continued to live a "thug" life, having served prison time for his actions on the streets. 2Pac is the first ever to have an album at number one on the Billboard 200 charts while incarcerated. Me Against The World sold over 450,000 copies in its first week.

Here are some facts about Tupac that you may not have known:

MTV ranked him at No.2 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time.
Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2002.
Ranked No.3 on VH1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists.
Vibe magazine poll in 2004 rated Shakur "the greatest rapper of all time" as voted by fans.
All Eyez on Me, is one of the highest-selling rap albums of all time.

Rest In Peace 2Pac. You are surely missed but never forgotten. Your music will live on.

Philadelphia Here We Come

2011-09-06T14:26:00.004-04:00

SNRG and KnoName Media will be making an appearance at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia, PA on September 16, 2011. The Asian Arts Initiative is a community-based arts center in Philadelphia that engages artists and everyday people to create art that explores the diverse experiences of Asian Americans, addresses our social context, and imagines and effects positive community change. Asian Artis Initiative is located at 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

They have a family style open mic series that takes place every third Friday of the month starting at 7:30pm. SNRG will hit the stage to perform some of the hit tracks. Their open mic series returns on September 16!! Hosted by spoken word duo Yellow Rage (Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh), their popular monthly Asian American open mic FAMILY STYLE welcomes extended "family" from all communities and cultures. This season they've added House DJ Mike Trinh to the mix and pre-show drinks and snacks for all who attend! As usual the stage is open to all who want to perform-- anything from dance, music, poetry, prose, rap, song, spoken word, to stand-up comedy and more!

Read more about this event here.

It's time to take over Pennsylvania!!

SNRG Opens for Juelz Santana

2011-09-06T13:37:00.003-04:00

Fans of live performances know Icons Lounge is the place to be. Icons Lounge is becoming a prominent venue for celebrity performances. Wale, Jeremih, Young Money, Nas and Lloyd Banks are a few that have set foot in the building. Coming this Friday, September 2nd is one of fan favorites, Juelz Santana of Dipset.

SNRG will be opening up Juelz Santana 9/9/11
I can't wait for this show. I am actually a fan of Juelz Santana. Let's see how he does LIVE in Fairfax. I hope everyone picks up a ticket. KnoName Media has some for sale so contact us today to get yours.

The Other Duck Fashion Show

2011-08-29T12:46:00.004-04:00

ATTENTION MODELS: theOTHERduck is hosting a fashion show at the One Year Anniversary Celebration of SNRG's FIREDAY this Friday, September 2nd at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia. You are invited to join us at the Model Call, which takes places tonight -

Monday, August 29th - from 8pm to 11pm at the following location:

Gold's Gym | 21625 Red Rum Drive | Ashburn, Virginia 20147

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

· MOST IMPORTANT - SWAG, CONFIDENCE & CHARACTER

· Rhythmically inclined, aesthetically beautiful, performance charisma, stage presence.

· Must be able to handle staging choreography. Quick pick-up is important.

Height Requirements...

· FEMALE: 5"4 up. (cap at 5"10)

· MALE: 5"10 up. (cap at 6"3)

Preferably the range listed BUT if you have an amazing character, then that can potentially veto the height requirement.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING:

Black AND/OR Grey...

· FEMALES: heels, boots, BLACK THICK LASHES, leggings, v-necks, loose tanks, accessories - gloves, earrings, hair bows, frames, belts, etc. << silver is ok.

· MALES: boots, beanies, shades, v-necks, loose tanks, accessories - eye frames, top hats, chains, bow-ties, belts, socks, etc. << silver is ok.

Check out the links for more info on theOTHERduck...

http://www.theotherduck.com/

www.facebook.com/theOTHERduck

http://www.theotherduck.tumblr.com/

www.twitter.com/theOTHERduck

www.youtube.com/theotherduck

Food Pic of the Day!

2011-08-25T10:07:00.003-04:00

Hurricane Irene to Hit North Carolina

2011-08-24T14:11:00.004-04:00

Hurricane Irene is now a Category 3 storm with winds that reach up to 115 mph. This storm is predicted to make landfall in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Its projected path shows areas from Washington up to New England will be affected. Irene marks the first hurricane of this season.

"Irene will be a large storm, impacting areas far from the storm center track," hurricane expert Jeff Masters of private forecaster Weather Underground wrote in his blog.

The East Coast was hit yesterday with a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Mineral, Virginia. Their residents are being told to take caution and prepare for the storm scheduled to arrive this weekend.

Some safety tips to prepare for a hurricane are listed below. Anyone that resides in states that will be affected need to take cautionary steps to ensure the safety of their families. Be safe out there!

Lists of Supplies:
Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Toys, Books and Games
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

Before the storm:

Pay attention to local weather reports on radio, television, or the internet.
Have house boarded up, or have storm shutters in place.
Have plenty of food and water.
Make sure all your tools, supplies, and first aid kit available for use.
Have a secure room available.

During the storm:

Stay in Secure Room.
Stay away from windows.
Do not use the phone, or candles.
Monitor Weather and Civil Service Bulletins on either regular or NOAA radio.
Have supplies on hand.
Remain indoors when the eye moves over your area because the storm will resume shortly.

5.9 Earthquake in Virginia

2011-08-24T12:08:00.005-04:00

They said the end is near. There's a skeptic in all of us but we have to question it at times like this. I live in Northern, Virginia and I felt an earthquake yesterday, August 23, 2011 at approximately 1:50pm Eastern Time. My office building shook. I thought someone was just running really fast down the hall. A minute later, the rumbling stopped. It came and left. I was scared, sort of. A part of me wished it could have lasted a bit longer. I know, I'm strange. What can I say? I have a major fascination with natural disasters. I want to experience them before I pass; especially a tornado.

Reality TV: A Love/Hate Relationship

2011-08-23T12:50:00.016-04:00

I love to hate reality tv. I think a majority of the programs out affect our children in a negative manner. Half naked people, drinking and having sex on screen should not be idolized but they are unfortunately. I never considered myself to be a huge fan of this style of televsion but I can admit to watching a few shows that tickle my funny bone.

I enjoy shows on A&E such as Intervention and Obsessed. Although these shows depict "average" person dealing with common diseases, viewers are able to learn about the disease, its history and how to prevent it in real life. It's not like shows on VH1 or MTV that serve no purpose except for pure entertainment. Call me a hater but I complelety despise "Jersey Shore." I don't find any of the cast members appealing or interesting nor do they have any episodes that touch on subjects that matter. I'm sorry but I don't enjoy watching a group of orange toned, drunk wannabe Italians on screen.

MSNBC quotes Todd Boyd, critical-studies professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television as saying "We know all these shows are edited and manipulated to create images that look real and sort of exist in real time. But really what we have is a construction. ... The whole enterprise of reality television relies on stereotypes. It relies on common stock, easily identifiable images."

I ask myself why I even bother watching some of the programs on tv but no reasonable answer comes to mind other than boredom. As others, I enjoy watching people make a fool out of themselves. The nagging thought of knowing these very people are getting paid an excessive amount of money to do these things blows my mind and drives me crazy sometimes. Society is getting dumber as these fools get richer. Makes no sense. I guess, I shouldn't be such a hypocrit about this topic but it's something that'll go on for awhile until they bring those writers back. We need solid stories and plots. Where are all the good writers at? Come back!

I went online and did a search to find out exactly how many shows are currently on air that fall under this category. To my surprise, tons and tons showed up that I didn't even consider to be a reality tv show but it does meet the criteria.

View a list of reality TV shows here.

"The message of reality television is that ordinary people can become so important that millions will watch them. And the secret thrill of many of those viewers is the thought that perhaps next time, the new celebrities might be them." -- Pyschology Today

Watch a clip of Intervention on A&E below:

OVER 21 In The Source

2011-08-18T16:28:00.005-04:00

My good friends, Kevin and B.Palma of OVER21's new album makes its way to The Source. Their album, "The Morning After" is a feature download.

OVER21 is a new rap duo that consists of two rappers from Virginia. They've performed all over the DC area and have opened up for Hip-Hop legend, Nas and DC's own Wale at Icons Lounge in Fairfax, VA. OVER21 is taking the Internet by storm landing articles and features left and right. Keep your eyes and ears open for these two guys as their music will surely make their way into your ipod on repeat at that!

Entro-P Presents: Fireday V

2011-08-18T15:41:00.008-04:00

This show will be standing room only - with very limited seating.
Come celebrate Mei Verba's [@jamnjavadoorgal] Birthday - The One Year Anniversary of FireDay - K-PRIME & EOM's release of Dark Nights|Bright Dreams

From video rotation on MTV in Asia to guest appearances on MYX North America--- SNRG continues to make it's presence felt all over the world. Performing LIVE in numerous cities, [DC, Toronto, Manila, LA and NY just to name a few] they have taken their moxie on the road to share their message at a venue near you.

What is SNRG?
-Passion. Passion shared through music, graphic design, photography, film and fashion.
-The quintessential 'Coalition of Creatives' manifested.
-A platform of self-expression ranging from active artists--- all the way to the hidden artist that may reside within you.
SNRG. Some Never Really Get. . .those that Get it- Get us. Feed your subconscious.

Performances by:
Dope Inc.
Rap Quest
Vincent Lacsamana & Tim Jaca
FAME & G-Two
C.Scholar
Kae Hock & Chicago Jones
Poetic
Atoms Apart
Sergio Carrasco
Cultural Affairz
K-Prime & EOM
I Speak & LA Stone
..and more!
Its going to be quite an event with all different kinds of talent! From Hip Hop, RnB, to Alternative Blues! It's also K-Prime LAST SHOW before he leaves the DMV and heads back to NY. So come show your support and lets have a great time bidding him a DMV farewell!

Growing up listening to jazz, oldies, and blues, Prime idolized legends such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. Hip-hop would later become a major influence on Prime, adding living hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Nas to the list of those he would craft his art after. K-Prime has the kick science, no nonsense attitude of old school rappers mixed with the freshness and swagger of the new school artists. With lyrical potency, head nodding beats, and catchy hooks, K-Prime seems to be just what the game has been missing.
K-Prime official site | twitter | facebook | youtube

What is the other duck? You know...it's the OTHER duck. The outkast, the underdog, the other. Embrace that inner other and you will discover that at the right time, your ugly duckling will transform into the beautiful swan. In time. Don't force it. Don't avoid it. Embrace it. Be proud of it. It's who you are. Your essence. Don't let anyone take it away. Ever.
The Other Duck official site | twitter | facebook | youtube

Elements of Music [aka EOM] is a musician from Manassas, Virginia by way of PG County, Maryland. He was introduced to producing in high school once he realized beatboxing seemed obsolete. With his new FLStudio 4.0 locked and loaded with no sounds what so ever, he went on a quest to create music with his inspirations in mind [JDilla, Primo, Pete Rock, RZA, Timbaland, etc]. In 2008, EOM finished an album entitled Liquid Courage with LA emcee Wax. Known for his YouTube popularity, Wax connected with EOM’s beats in a way he had yet to experience with any other producer. What began with a possible dope beat turned out to be the hit single, “The Adventues of Larry and Tina.” A stint that was only supposed to be 2-4 songs turned out to be a 17 song LP. The album is currently doing extremely well and is getting praise from plenty of major outlets and blogs.
EOM official site | twitter | facebook

Welcome!

2011-08-18T14:43:00.005-04:00

This blog originially started on wordpress.com but I decided not to stay with them and transferred everything to blogger. I created it because I wanted a place where I can post up stories and share music and videos with everyone without it being on a social media platform. It's cool and all to share on facebook but a blogsite seems more appropriate. I like having my stories organized and listed according to labels and topics. I like reading the news and sharing that information according to my preferences. This blogsite will let me do it.

As you can see on the menu, I have KnoName Media and SNRG up as menu tabs. If you're not aware, KnoName Media is a marketing and public relations company that I started with my boyfriend/best friend in the whole world. We started it last fall unofficially seeking work without an actual business plan. Now, we have clients and we conduct business as professionals. We made it official this past January and it's been a crazy ride thus far. SNRG is our client, our main client. It stands for Some Never Really Get and the brand consists of music and clothes. Created by two Filipino brothers, Beau and Aaron of Fairfax, VA, SNRG started off as a clothing line, producing t-shirts with designs drawn by Aaron. The company grew pretty rapidly selling tshirts online and at local venues in the DC area. Stemming off of this idea, SNRG is also a rap group that includes the brothers, of course, and other local talents that have been picked up along the way. Genre is Hip-Hop, Style is unlike any other. SNRG is definitely and upcoming, rising act that everyone needs to keep an eye and ear out for. With the help of KnoName Media and partners, this brand will surely make it to the mainstream market. Please support SNRG by visiting their website at http://www.snrgonline.com/