The Complex Gentleman

The Complex Gentleman's Guide for Young Men who wish to look Fresh and Exude Coolness: The Ascot

2010-05-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so the people I work with are easily impressed. If I throw a tie on I'm all of a sudden "classying the place up". I think it's funny that something so simple can even garner a response. I take the compliments and keep it moving. Today I decided to really class it up and rock the Ascot.

What is an Ascot you say? It's a more formal neckband that looks like a poofed up scarf. I know it doesn't sound cool but trust me it's fly. You're more likely to see some type of royalty or an older gentleman wearing it. It's not seen very often so when people notice it they can't help but have their interest piqued. It's simple to put on and easy to style. It's definitely not something you wear everyday but when you want to look debonair the ascot is definitely your ticket.

Trust me...I'm a Gentleman

Edit: funny video I saw on CNN

Going to the Movies!.....by yourself: Cool or Uncool?

2010-05-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so recently one of my favorite comicbooks was made into a movie. It's a little flick called Kick-Ass, which is the story of a kid in the real world who tries to be a superhero...for real.

I really liked the comicbook and thought the movie would follow suit. So like any other comic book geek I had to see it. The only trouble is I couldn't get anyone to see it with me! I got every excuse in the book and I had no luck finding a partner in crime to watch what I knew would be an awesome movie.

So this weekend I saddled up, looked up the showtimes, and headed to the movies with me myself and I. It's not like I haven't done it before. I'm generally impatient and this sort of thing is right up my alley. I've seen a couple movies by myself. Namely "The Whale Rider" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". But still it feels weird. I thought to myself "What will the ticket person say when I roll up and buy my ticket by myself." I was thinking of ways to play it off like I was meeting up with someone in the theater.

But none of that was necessary. I went in with my hidden food (customary for whenever I catch a flick), grabbed a good seat and watched a superb movie. I actually had an amazing time. I laughed, I cried, I ate (which is always fun)and just enjoyed my little outing.

So the question still remains is it a loser move to go to the movies by yourself. I actually think its the opposite. I think it'd be pretty corny to dictate your life based on the whims of other people. Why stop yourself from having a good time? So next time you feel like going anywhere and can't find someone to tag a long, just go. Trust me, you'll be fine....

Except for going to a restaurant cuz that's just awkward. Grab take out instead.

That's my Word!

Peace!

Throwback Thursday: Christmas in Hollis

2009-12-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Run DMC kept it cool even on holidays. Damn!

Shawn Knowles-Carter?

2009-12-23T17:05:00.000-08:00

It seems that Shawn Carter will now be known as Shawn Knowles Carter. Him and Beyonce have decided to share each others last name. Here is a quote:

“They want to keep Knowles because Bey’s parents didn’t have any sons and they’re keen to keep the name going strong, especially if they don’t produce any sprogs themselves. Or if they end up just having girls.”

This is really surprising. Most of Jigga's fans see him as the womanizing stud depicted in "Girls Girls Girls" or "Big Pimpin". But this is a different look for Jay. Most people will say he is whipped. But I think this is a positive move for him. It shows how progressive he is. Good Job Jay.

Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson - Forever Young

2009-12-23T08:50:00.000-08:00

AMAZING!!!

Great Interview from Obama - Talks about Black America

2009-12-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States who also happens to be the first Black President, gave an interview to The Huffington Posts April D. Ryan. In the Interview he talks about the healthcare bill, unemployment, and body surfing. He also talks about the State of the Black Union. Here is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: And lastly, you'll be coming up with your State of the Union, your first State of the Union in January. And I know you're going to speak to all America. But, in your opinion, what is the state of black America?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, I think this continues to be the best of times and the worst of times. I mean, I think it's the best of times in the sense that never has there been more opportunity for African Americans who have received a good education and are in a position then to walk through the doors that are opened. And, obviously, you and me sitting here in the Oval Office is a testament to that.

I think it's the worst of times in the sense that unemployment and the lack of opportunity, particularly in some cities, has never been worse. I mean, you look at a city like Detroit where you used to have an enormous African American middle class built on the auto industry -- that city is in hard, hard times right now.

Now, just going back to the point you raised earlier about our responsiveness to the African American community, imagine what Detroit would look like if we hadn't stepped in to make sure that GM stayed open, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. Having said that, if you've got double digit unemployment in cities like that, we're going to have to make some special efforts, and it starts with early childhood education; it starts with education generally. That's why I'm putting such a big emphasis on that. But it also means that every federal agency has to make sure that the assistance that's being made available to the general population is targeting those hard to reach places, so that they are also benefiting from our overall efforts to lift up the economy.

I'm optimistic about the long term future of the African American community, but it's going to take work. It was never going to be done just because we elected me. It's going to be a collaborative effort between people in the community who recognize that we're going to have to rely on government to do some things, but a lot of these things we're going to have to do ourselves.

You can listen to the whole interview here - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/april-d-ryan/interview-with-president_b_400142.html

3 Foreign Films You Have To See

2009-12-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

The world outside the good ol' USA is a fascinating place....I'm serious! I know as Americans we get caught up with our own Bull$#!+, with the MTV's and the HBO's, we don't really think about the rest of the world because we've got so much to look at here. With our media hungry culture we can entertain ourselves just fine without looking outside our borders.

But as cool as we think America is, there is still a whole world out there with even cooler stuff. The different cultures that comprise the various societies make for interesting stories. I know most Americans don't even have passports, so watching these three films -- from three different continents -- will give you a pretty amazing look at the rest of the world. While you're watching them you can finally go get you're passport. Remember to smile for your picture!

La Haine (1995)

Paris, France - You think being a minority in the U.S. is rough? You haven't seen anything until you've seen Mathieu Kassovitz's La Haine. It follows three friends ,a Jewish guy, a Muslim guy, and a Black Guy (no they don't walk into a bar), the day after a race riot in their projects. The events that transpire through the next 24 hours expolde from the screen and latch onto your mind as you see that even halfway across the world people of color still have it rough. It's an amazing film to say the least and the ending will leave you speechless. If you beleive in social justice then this film is a must see.

Tsotsi (2005)

Johannesburg, South Africa - Tsotsi, from director Gavin Hood, won the Oscar for best Foreign Film in 2005. It follows the story of a young hoodlum in Soweto after he steals a car and finds a baby in the back seat. He goes on a transforming journey with the baby which gives him hope to being a better person. Don't be mistaken though. This isn't your normal bad boy with a heart of gold movie. Tsotsi does some pretty awful things. At times you will really hate the character, but that's what makes the movie great. He's complex. It's a thought provoking film and worth a good watch.

Cidade De Deus (2002)

Rio De Janiero, Brazil - Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, Cidade De Deus (City of God in english) has got to be one of the films you see before you die. It's THAT GOOD. Seriously. It follows the story of a young boy growing up in the City of God favela in Rio. As he matures you see the rise in organized crime through his eyes. The storytelling is fantastic as they move through the years and tell side stories that become relevant in the film but don't take away from the main plot line. The movie is supurb in every sense of the word. Go watch it...Now!

New Song from Romeo Feat. Drake - Juice

2009-12-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

It seems that while he's not on the court playing ball for USC Romeo Miller, (who's artists name is just Romeo) has been hitting the studio. This is a new song from him called Juice feat. Drake. Although it was a spirited effort, it'll take more than a feature from Drake to bring Romeo back into relevance in the Hip-Hop game. Take a listen. What do you think?

B.o.B - Nothing on You

2009-12-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

New song from up and coming rapper B.o.B. Definitley look out for this kid from Atlanta

Diddy - If I Were King

2009-12-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

P. Diddy is one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Either you love him or you hate him. Some people call him a genius, others say he's really not that talented at all. No matter what you think of him you have to admit, he's one successful son of gun. Since he started Bad Boy Records in 1993 he has been a remaining figure in Hip-Hop and Entertainment. Out of the many business ventures he owns and operates Sean John, his clothing line, has to be one of the most successful.

This video is an MTV special that aired earlier this year. I unfortunately missed it but I was able to find it on their website. It's an amazing documentary on his clothing line and what it takes to be a "King".

Diddy is the definition of a Complex Gentleman. He's a street entrepreneur who has excelled in business but never really forgot about his roots. His clothing line has clothes that you can wear when you're hitting the street, and also offers button ups and suits for when you need to clean up. From the block to the board room Sean John has it all.

Diddy's success is something we should all try to attain. What would you do if you were King?

If I Were King - MTV Shows

Strip Club + Female Friend = Amazing night out

2009-12-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

Fellas if you want to have a great night out, go to the strip club with one of your female friends. It will be one of your best nights out.

First off let's be real, 9 times out of 10 you are not bagging anything at the strip club. And in that 1 out of 10 times you are most likely paying for it. There is no problem brining a female to the strip club. It's not going to hurt your chances. If anything it'll increase your chance of having fun. You go to the stip club so that you can unwind, have a good time, fantasize a little, and get some attention from a beautiful woman.

Usually the image received when a bunch of guys run into the strip club is that they are a horny mess of dudes, which is pretty much the case. But when you go with another woman you are received so much differently. Maybe it’s because the strippers think that’s your girl friend or something. Maybe it’s because another woman being there makes them feel comfortable. Either way you are the winner because you get SOOO much attention!

I went to the Strip Club with a female friend once and it was the best experience at a Strip Club I've ever had. It was the night before my birthday so we had a reason to go out. When we got there everyone thought she was my girl friend. I didn't bother correcting them I figured it might play out in my favor. The female bartender was super cool to us and hooked us up on more than one occasion. Strippers came around us and would talk us up and just chill in our area. They would leave to go give a lap dance and then come back and hang out with us. My friend is super nice so she made the strippers feel comfortable and she would compliment them on their moves or outfits which made them like us even more.

When I finally got around to getting a lap dance (which my friend paid for) she chose the dopest stripper for me, who she happened to get the most friendly with also. As I was getting my lapdance I told her it was my birthday and she gave me another lapdance for FREE. Now if you know how expensive lap dances can be you know this is a big deal. It was a great night out and I really do owe it to my female friend. If I went out with my boys I don't think I would have had the same success.

Going to the strip club is good, clean, innocent, fun and you mostly go on special occassions so you want to get the most out of it. Going with that cool female friend of yours will definitely spell a good time.

Air Jordan XI - Space Jams Release Date

2009-12-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

The release date for the Air Jordan XI “Space Jams” is next Wednesday, December 23rd. These can make for favorite sneakerhead very happy. These retro's are a perfect gift for any sneaker collector.

You can get more info here.

Buyer's Guide: Last Minute Gift Ideas

2009-12-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

Aight So Christmas is exactly one week away, and if you are like me you probably slacked off and waited until last minute to do your Christmas shopping. Don't worry though we'll get through this together.

Gifts For...

Pops - Ok so I'm sure you're used to getting your Dad a coffee mug for Christmas, Birthdays, and just about every other holiday and that's fine because he's used to it too. But instead of getting him his fifth "Worlds Greatest Dad" Mug, get him this cool Off/On Mug. It looks like an ordinary coffee mug with the word "OFF" on it, but once you put in your favorite warm beverage it turns white and says "ON". It's a neat little magic trick and if you gotta get a coffee mug, might as well get a cool one right?

You can buy it here .

Moms - She's the most important woman in your life so you gotta get this one right. We're pretty sure Mom will love you no matter what you get her but get her a good gift and you move up to number one in front of your siblings. You want a gift that's useful and long lasting. We suggest a a Memory Foam Pad for her bed. It's much cheaper than buying a brand new mattress and when you add it to any bed you feel like you're sleeping on clouds. Throw in a Down Comforter and you're good money.

Overstock.com is the best place to buy these gifts. They have free shipping and they guarantee delivery by the 24th!

Brother / Friend - Ok so this is a bit simpler. Dudes can always use something fly to add to their closet. I suggest a Silk Tie set. If your brother/friend likes to get fly then this is perfect. If they don't it's still perfect because they probably need a tie anyways. I suggest this Champagne colored tie set. It's what I would want...um...I mean what I would get.

You can get it here at TieDrake.Net

Your Girl / Wifey - If you really forgot to get your girl a present then you are really f#$*ing up.She's propbably been dropping hints to you for weeks and you've probably missed all of them. It's cool though. We have the perfect idea to cover your screw up. Sometimes material items aren't always the best gift. A shared experience can be just as or even more special as a gift you were going to buy at the store. Get your girl tickets to a Show, or a Concert, or a Play that she would like to see. Then go with her. She will enjoy that moment and she'll be with you so you are part of that fond memory. It's gotta be something classier than movie tickets. And they gotta be good tickets too. No Nosebleeds. If I could suggest something I would say the Urban Nutcracker is a good play to see. They have it in Boston and it's a nice remix of the original.

Timbaland x Starks

2009-12-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

These loafers are brought to you from a collaboration between Boot Company Timbaland and Lace Company Starks. These shoes are perfect for the bars and clubs that don't allow kicks or if you want to change up your shoe game. Sometimes it's nice to put the sneakers in the closet and step out in a little different. I mean after all you are a Complex Gentleman right?

To read up more on these check out freshnessmag.com

Supra "Simply Bread VI" Skytop

2009-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

Theese one of a kind Supras were made by Australian sneaker designer Sekure D . These kicks are absolutely crazy. And guess what?!? They can actually be yours! If you wear a size 9 in men's that is. There are available at his store here.

To read more on these check out Kicks on Fire.

Black Republicans

2009-12-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

Ok so I have to admit, watching conservative media is a guilty pleasure of mine. Not because I agree with it, but because I just want to hear what ridiculous shit they are gonna say. I went to Fox News and I found this video which blew me away. It's a show with a bunch of Black Conservatives. Needless to say, a lot of outlandish stuff was said. After watching this I feel like I need to watch a Spike Lee joint to get me back in the right state of mind.

Let's say you owe me something...

2009-12-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

Aight so Nastradamus was not one of Nas' better pieces of work, but at least we got this gem from that flop of an album. This is definitley one of Nas' more commercial songs. His team-up Ginuwine was an anthem back in 2000. Although the album was weak everybody was diggin the different sound this single had. I guess even God's Son get its it in...

Iron Man 2 Trailer

2009-12-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Trailer for Iron Man 2 is out. Looks like they are riding the hit success of the first one with this sequel. From this first sneak peek it looks like it will not disappoint and if its as good as the first one we can expect an Box Office Bonanza this summer. Check it out...

(It takes a little while to load, give it a sec...)

Hood State of the Union

2009-12-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Yo if you ain't up on this Hood State of the Union ish, then you are sincerely slackin. The video speaks for itself.

You can catch new episodes on the Lil Duval TV Channel on youtube.

The Overweight Lover's in the House

2009-12-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Yo I love the 90's. Like literally. I wish I could have a love child with the 90's. It'd wear Big Africa Pendants, Karl Kani, and would constantly be doing the running man.

There was so much good music in the 90's. Many artists found their rise and fall within those 10 years. Heavy D is one of those artists. You had to love him. He was this light skinned dude, with a big belly, even bigger smile, and the smoothest of moves. Plus he could dance his ass off. He was holding it down for big dudes before B.I.G came along. He also had some classics hits. This is one of my favs.

Good or Bad?: Gov't Run Healthcare

2009-11-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

So Gov't Run Healthcare is a big debate in the news nowadays. People have strong feelings toward both ends of the spectrum. I think universal health-care should be a necessity. But at the same time there are lazy people who mooch of gov't run programs like this. We'd be paying higher taxes to cover them. It's a tough choice. What do you think?

The case for Gov't Run Health Care:

The Case against:

Cool Beans: Social Media Revolution

2009-10-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

Shit is taking over the world...

Chillin: On the Set

2009-10-01T11:31:00.001-07:00

Lights! Camera! Action!

So today while I was on my lunch break I happened to see a film crew setting stuff up in the Back Bay area of Boston. I was pretty curious to see what was going on but I had some business to take care of (you know how I do ;-).) But on my way back I saw that there were way more people there. I was looking around to see what was going on and I saw Ben Affleck!!!...Ok I wasn't that excited to see Ben but it was pretty cool to see them filming a movie. They were asking for extras to be apart of the movie. I was extremely tempted but I had to get back to my job. It wasn't anything serious just walking and standing roles but still I could have been immortalized on film! Ok not really but it'd be a cool story to tell.

It's not everyday that you see movie crews setting up in Bean Town So I was curious to check out this seemingly random occurence. It seems Ben is shooting a movie called "The Town". I also found that Bostonians can look to expect more filming done in the Bean Soon. Like for instance Mark Walhberg is finishing a movie about Boston Brawler Micky Ward is Charlestown. Also this year "The Social Network" is being shot in Boston featuring Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, Adventureland) and Justin Timberlake (you know still have an N*Sync CD laying around).

It seems that this will be a trending topic in boston and not just on Twitter. Word on the street is they are building a new studio in Plymouth MA that will be fully equipped to shoot T.V. shows, Movies and do the Post Production Editing. This is cool for a couple reasons...

1. We're sure to see a ton of famous people here in the Bay State.

2. This will bring a ton of jobs to the area including production specialists and opportunities for extras!

3. Now that there is a suitable area for filming I can finally get my reality TV show off the ground...right. Well anyways it's still Cool Beans...

Pauseworthy: KFC Double Down

2009-09-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you've heard or not but KFC has decided to help people who wish to have a heart attack. It's their new sandwich called the Double Down. I'm kidding about helping people to get heart attcaks but I'm pretty sure this sucker can give you one if you want.

So it's a sandwich without bread. Get this it's Bacon, cheese and "special sauce" surrounded by Chicken. Yup, they replaced the bread with chicken patties. They only sell this monstrosity in Nebraska and Rhode Island right now. There are market testing it to see how people respond. If all the people who consume one don't die from it then I'm sure we'll see these little guys all over town.

I shouldn't be so negative about the Double Down though;. I mean everything is good in moderation. Plus when you take a normal meal at KFC including the chicken, sides, and drink, you probably come to the same amount of calories.

Still, you gotta give them props for ingenuity. I mean who really thinks about this?

Cool Beans: Motivation

2009-09-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was visiting another one of my favorite blogs (All Elbows) when I came across this vid. It's a promo for the new Tekken 6 game. I'm a big fan of Tekken (arguably one of the best video game series ever) and fighting in general. Some people may or may not know this about me but I actually love fighting. All forms, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and especially MMA. In fact I am technically an amateur fighter. I've only had one real amateur fight so I don't gas myself up, but you can tell I have an affinity for the more brutal side of sports. The sports that consist of @#$%ing people up!

So anyways the vid talks about fighter motivation. I feel like everyone fights for something and we all have our own motivation. For me, I fight for my Dreams.

What do you fight for?