GOOD MORNING!!!

fIELD mOB FT lUDACRIS, jAMIE fOXX - gEORGIA

Georgia-Ludacris Ft Field Mob -

WORDS HAVE POWER - 5

“The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but hold hands.”

“A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself -- to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart.”
- Leo F. Buscaglia -

“Love lasts when the relationship comes first.”

“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.”

“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.”
- Anthony Robbins -

“Don’t settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.”
- Oprah Winfrey -

I'm saying it. I'm believing it. I'm doing it. I feel good about it. I'm giving thanks :-)

GOOD MORNING!!!

pUBLIC eNEMY - cAN'T tRUST iT

Klip: Public Enemy Cant Trust It Video Klip

GOOD MORNING!!!

dAVID bOWIE - cHANGES

What more can I say...Bolero, Maya Plisetskaya

I was chilling at mi casa watching the ARTS channel, and this came on. Blew my mind!!! And no, I'm not on any foreign substances right now lol. Enjoy.

bOLERO - mAYA pLISETSKAYA pART 1

bOLERO - mAYA pLISETSKAYA pART 2

WORDS HAVE POWER - 4

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
- Gail Devers -

“When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly”
- Patrick Overton -

“Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to”
- Unknown -

“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods”
- C.S. Lewis -

“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”
- Mary Manin Morrissey -

I'm saying it. I'm believing it. I'm doing it. I feel good about it. I'm giving thanks :-)

GOOD MORNING!!!

wALmART/cOCA cOLA - jOY(eNOUGH TO gO rOUND)

WTF!!!

- Charles H. Ramsey is still the Chief of Police? WTF!!!
- As a homeowner and/or resident of this neighborhoood that financially contributes to the tree boxes; I can't park my bike to them? WTF!!!

GOOD MORNING!!!

tHE mACABEES - tOOTHPASTE kISSES

GOOD MORNING!!!

kANYE wEST - hEARTLESS

Kanye West - Heartless (New Video)
by ShanouMusik13

SHOUT OUT!!! National Wholesale Liquidators

Today, I'm taking an early afternoon walk in the Nations Capital (with Ang-Tastic) and I end up in the near NE section of town. Kind of hungry, we decide to stop in the Subway which is located guess where? Inside National Wholesale Liquidators(NWL). Ang tells me she hasn't been there before, so I take her on a rapid tour of the store; electronics, food, home products, health care, and lastly for us, furniture (leather sofas for $400?!?! What?!?!). As we sit and begin eating at Subway, it hits me!!! NWL provides a GREAT service for the community. No, they don't have the newest flavors of Nutri-Grain bars, but they do have 3 of the old ones. No, they don't have the newest Sony 70 inch TV, but they do have a range of no name and name brand televisions sized from 13 to 45 inches. No they don't have USDA certified organic dried cilantro, but they do have cilantro. I look around and I see people shopping of all ages, sizes, colors, and socio-economic backgrounds. This really is "The People's Store." They've done it since 1984 and operate in about 12 states, with little to no fanfare...they just keep DOING. It's not perfect, it's not super glossy and slickly marketed, and it's not focused on being in a newly gentrified neighborhood where they can charge newly gentrified prices for "luxuries and premium products" for what most of us would call "necessities." . It's a good company, ran by seemingly good people, selling good products, at well discounted prices. Is that not enough? YES. I do shop at the new Target in Columbia Heights, the Whole Foods in Logan Circle, etc. NO. It does not make me who I am. It felt really good to be in a place,with people and common basic needs; even if it was an unglorified warehouse crammed with a few cool things, and a lot of necessary ones.Thank you NWL for BEING, and thanks for the super soft toilet paper.
Give Thanks :-)

ENDORSEMENT Fridays - Pre Thanksgiving Edition

Let's get in to it...Turkey and things to get too ya dig!!!









JERI endorses the Comedy Central show, Chocolate News!

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia - In October 2008, Grier began hosting a new Comedy Central show called Chocolate News which focuses on how Grier "thinks" African Americans view the world. It is a spoof on TV news magazines, and, in a parodying way, how blacks would produce news and offer commentary.
Look, this show ROCKS!!! It's a mix of The Daily Show, Colbert Report, and Chappelle Show...it's witty, critical, humorous, and at times thought provoking; and I'm phuking excited to have some good programming featuring a man of color besides all the news reporting on Barack Obama blah blah blah (no I'm not hating, just stating). David Allen Grier has been putting in quality work for a long time on radio, film, and TV and I'm proud to see Hollywood and the "powers that be" green light a true talent in the game. I love it, so you should love it :-) Check Chocolate News out on Comedy Central on Wednesdays @ 10:30pm. Owww owww!!!

WORDS HAVE POWER - 3

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
~ Flavia Weedn ~

I'm saying it. I'm believing it. I'm doing it. I feel good about it. I'm giving thanks :-)

GOOD MORNING!!!

vARIOUS mUSICIANS - sTAND bY mE

WORDS HAVE POWER - 2

“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche (German classical Scholar, Philosopher and Critic of culture, 1844-1900.)

I'm saying it. I'm believing it. I'm doing it. I feel good about it. I'm giving thanks :-)

What more can I say...The Mohawk

WORDS HAVE POWER - 1

"Let him sleep. For when he wakes, he will move mountains."

I'm saying it. I'm believing it. I'm doing it. I feel good about it. I'm giving thanks :-)

Here's something I came across today that is resonating with me: Words vibrate energy, energy that influences you and all around you... Words have vibrational frequency. Just as colors and numbers can be associated with a vibrational frequency, so can sounds and words. Every letter of the alphabet can be associated with a number and every number (and every colour ) can be associated with a musical note. When letters are strung together to form a specific sound or word, the word is "charged" in a sense, with a specific frequency that is more than the sum of its parts, and that word then, influences all who think, read, speak or hear it.Words are even further charged as humans attach certain emotions to specific words... think of how the word "gay" has taken on new meaning - and vibrational frequency - as folks stopped using the word to mean "happy" to use it instead to mean "homosexual".
The bible says "In the beginning was the word", inferring that the universe, all of God's creation was created from some spoken expression, a Godly sound. (Source: http://globalpsychics.com/. This site is FULL of awesome info!!!)

Give Thanks :-)

Shout Out!!! Washington, DC

The streets of Washington, DC were ELECTRIC the night Obama was announced President elect of the USA. I was on the U St NW corridor and I can't remember a time in recent memory that I was more proud of the people (residents, merchants, law enforcement) who make up this crazy "territory." People representing all colors, shapes, sizes, beliefs, and backgrounds were cheering, embracing, jamming, and dancing in the streets. I witnessed NO DRAMA. Thank you Washington, DC for giving the world a glimpse of your true greatness, and for reinvigorating my sense of pride in my current home. Owww owww!!!

Here's a video from the Washington Post

GOOD MORNING!!!

jAMES bROWN - sUNNY (bOBBY hEBB song)

GOOD MORNING!!!

This kind of feels like me right now...PEACE
wILCO - eITHER wAY

Shout Out!!! AK Ice Tray

Now this is how you make the Killer Cocktail!!! Oh man I couldn't help myself :-) Seriously though, I think these are awesome! I'm gonna get a pair of these, feel free to get me more as a gift :-)

Buy them here

GOOD MORNING!!!

WHOA!!! I'm excited :-)
jANELLE mONAE - mANY mOONS

What more can I say...Chris Rock's 2008 Election Analysis

A little older in context, but still funny and relevant :-)

glumbert - Chris Rock's 2008 Election Analysis

GOOD MORNING!!!

pUBLIC eNEMY - nIGHT oF tHE lIVING bASEHEADS

What more can I say...Sarah Palin, again...

OMFG!!! I'm shaking my head and smiling at the same time. OMFG!!!

What more can I say...Burning Man 08

A large selection of pics I took at Burning Man 2008. Truly a life changing event for me. WOW. Enjoy!!!

Burning Man 08

SHOUT OUT!!! Umbrella Today?

UmbrellaToday? is a website that gives you the weather forecast that you really want to hear; "Will I need an umbrella today?" I mean really, when is the last time you were confused on if you would need a jacket in the middle of Janurary in Washington, DC? Of course you do! It's freakin Washington, DC!!! What you really want to know is if you need that Totes, Nautica, or London Fog shade cover and protection accessory i.e. your umbrella. Check out this cool service here. I have mine set to text my phone at 9am if I need an umbrella that day. This works for any zipcode and any cell phone provider.
The simple things in life appeal to me at times ;-)

What more can I say...Sarah Palin

ENDORSEMENT Fridays - I'm Back!!!

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you... I have a lot of things to update on my blog since Burning Man but of course, when I came back to the lovely District of Columbia and tried to get on my Dell Laptop; I found a major Windows system error. WELL, the Geek Squad has just called me to tell me they've "fixed" the problems. Keep your fingers crossed for me :-) Well let's get into it. JERI endorses "Acts of Personal Cleansing."
During this period many people participate in the observations of Yom Kippur and Ramadan. There are other fasting exercises that take place now as well as throughout the year, but that is for another blogger, scholar, etc to detail. I've been on a cleanse myself for the past one week. YES, it's true. Sir John E. Rock Its did not drink alcohol for 1 WEEK!!! For many of you that know me, you re probably going through a cycle of feelings, thoughts, questions, and emotions about that like "(insert expletive here) stop lying!" But it's true, I did it! My lovely lady Angie Futurama proposed the exercise and like the great partner that I am read: madman, lunatic, fool for love :-) LOL I said "Yes, let's do it." I will write a separate entry about how it went but let the record show, it was one of the greatest things I've experienced in awhile. I feel good physically, spiritually, socially, and mentally. For me, this feeling is on a different level than anything because it was challenging. Gut check, when was the last time you actually did something truly challenging that rocked or countered a core behavior or trait of yours; in the case for me, drinking. I'm not talking about drunkenness and getting trashed, etc...I'm talking about a glass of wine @ dinner, a rum and coke @ happy hour, a beer while watching the football game...not as easy as you may think! Try it out. Much respect to my religious faith following brethren and people of personal discipline, who time to time invest in cleaning out themselves; which I believe lets them make a more meaningful impact on the world. SALUTE. I'm Back!!!

GOOD MORNING!!!

kANYE wEST - lOVE lOCKDOWN

My State of Mind-Rebel Yell!

Woh-who-ey! who-ey! who-ey! Woh-who-ey! who-ey
- battle yell linked to Native American cry


And for a little musical twang...
bILLY iDOL - rEBEL yELL

SHOUT OUT!!! 7-Eleven

Shout out to the 7-Eleven @ the intersection of 7th St & Rhode Island Ave NW. I can't count the number of times I've enjoyed their late nite culinary delicacies i.e. spicy and bbq chicken wingettes, fried chicken drumsticks, chicken tenders, and spicy beef patties. I also can't keep up the number of doubters that I put on to this, who are now true beleivers. I'm telling ya'll it doesn't get much better when you want some junk food w/ warmth. INSIGHT: here's how you know that a) they didn't get their delivery, b) Howard University students are back for school, or c) both a & b...when you get there at 2:15 am...and all they have is 10 tenders & 5 spicy wingettes! Fortunately when you're a regular you can get a lot for $3.50. Ha! Just add condiments in case it's...dryyyyy!!!

Ten Reasons Why I Don't Go To The 'Black' Club

My boy Joah posted this topic on his blog and he nailed it on the head...OK!!! Check it out here

Here's my brief story. I was attempting to step into an establishment on U St late last night, and they gave me the "it's $10 dollars to get in" line. I'm not ALWAYS against paying to get into a "club"; and I use that term loosely because most places in Washington, DC are restaurant/lounges/coffee shops, etc, that throw in a DJ on certain nights, and happen to have liquor licenses, therefore they become clubs; but I digress... Don't charge me to get into a "club" at 1:10am when last call is 1:30am and you close @ 2am. Matter of fact, DON'T CHARGE ME...I promise, I'll pay for some kind of beverage, even if it's a $5 bottled water...wait, I'm I begging here? I REALLY NEED to open up my own place LOL

La familia es cada vez mayor!!!

Introducing...a SWEET Green 1970's Schwinn Speedster to the WE MovemenT Family!!!

Hopefully this will be a replacement for the Huffy "Red Bandit" that was stolen from us in the downtown area!

I'm thinking of naming this one the "Green Speedster", "Big Green", "Green Cruiser", etc. What do ya'll think? Angie Futorama help me out here...and enjoy the bike!

Ya can't keep Bike People down lasses and laddies! WE MovemenT don't stop.

PS - Muchas Gracias Adrienne...you're the ultimate SWEETIE!

Still Peddling,
JERI

ENDORSEMENT Fridays - take 3

YES!!! Take-3, 1st time on time...still getting better and better. John E. Rock Its endorses responsible agriculture and eating.
I'm talking about organic, free-range, sustainable, locally sourced, bio-dynamic(you knew vino had to be included right), eco-friendly, "green", grass fed, seasonal (tomatoes and squash are jamming now!), farm-to-table, hand picked goodies to be consumed by your personal temple aka YOUR BODY. Yes, I realize there is a capitalistic element to how these products are produced, marketed, and sold, but that's not the point! Do your due diligence and learn about what these terms mean and how they benefit you. Visit the farmers markets in your area and ASK QUESTIONS. Buy fresh produce from a grocery store chain, the same from Whole Foods, and SEE, SMELL, TASTE, & FEEL the difference. I used to be a silent critic and non-believer; but I'm now converted ya'll! I'm not an expert on this (surprise,surprise right!), but I can tell you where I sometimes get my "healthy" on IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD - Timor Bodega, http://www.timordc.com/.
While I'm at it, shout outs to Everlasting Life and Soul Vegetarian on Georgia Avenue, the Bloomingdale Farmers Market (summertime Sundays till early fall), Whole Foods (for packaging the movement and educating people while giving so many options), to the Slow Foods movement, and all the earth and humanity conscious cooks (professional and not) in the WORLD.
Here's a little Australian vid about chickens & eggs - It's 9 minutos (not violent) and very informative about the process. Shout out to "Dudes on Food"
iT ALL STARTS WITH AN EGG

GOOD MORNING!!!

2 different artists, 2 different styles, 2 different paths - both have put in WORK behind the scenes to get here, ie. as producers and songwriters, personal assistants, fashion designers, etc. Both examples of the "Gifted & Talented" as they say in BA-ton Rouge...Check it!

fONZWORTH bENTLEY(& THE kING OF THE sOUTH) - rAP cITY fREESTYLE


sANTO gOLD - lIGHTS oUT

GOOD MORNING!!!

OK...hot video overload in 5,4,3,2,1...


nERD - eVERYONE nOSE rEMIX


cHILD rEBEL sOLDIER (crs) - uS pLACERS (uNOFFICIAL-DIRECTED BY vA$HTIE)


jAY z - jOCKIN jAY z (bLUEPRINT 3 ON THE WAY!!!)

BLUEPRINT 3 from kwest on Vimeo.

kANYE wEST - gOOD mORNING


I got girls on shoulders showing me their chi chis!
- JERI

ENDORSEMENT Fridays - take 2

A little late, but here I go!!!John E. Rock Its endorses The Restaurant & Hospitality industry.
This may seem like a no brainer to some being that I work in the biz...but it's more than that. Many people work in industry's that they don't like; for me that's not the case. Matter of fact, I LOVE IT.
Check it. When is the last time you were in a room with an ex-convict, a former drug dealer, a former drug addict, a MBA graduate, a culinary school graduate, a former attorney and real estate investor, a spoiled rich kid, and a 2nd generation Nigerian...taking shots of whiskey and beer after working an 8 hour shift? For most people, NEVER. See the "restaurant and hospitality OR service industry," call it what you want, is as close to equal opportunity as possible. It's where people of completely different backgrounds, interests, education levels, races, genders, and religions can get together and truly collaborate to crate something AWESOME. It's not perfect, but it is as pure and raw, as it is muddled and processed. It's balanced. It takes you back to the basics and is the ultimate show and tell. Remember when you presented something on front of a class, not to compete but because you felt you had a point-of-view that would be interesting to someone else, and you couldn't wait for them to see? That's what this is baby! I got a bomb cocktail that I want to share, so here it goes. I have a lasagna recipe from my time in the pen that is gonna make you feel like you're in Italy! I have created a combination of flavors that encompasses my all my ethnic backgrounds that will have you eager for more and salivating, even as you are puzzled. This is where you put up or shut up, because in the end; the good survive and the GREAT flourish. PERIOD. I tip my hat off to my colleagues who everyday jump in head first and constantly strive to get better and better while delivering something tasty, outrageous, educational, simple, complex, savory, delightful, and refreshing; in efforts to see you coming back for more. Imagine that, an industry that thrives on human interaction; technology can't replace that. An industry encompassing the good, bad, ugly and everything in between (as well as everything outside the boundaries). Thank you show and tell, and thank you restaurant industry!

SALUD!
Jeri
Get Some!
http://www.ramw.org/
http://www.discus.org/

Leave it to Paris...

Finally...political solutions dumbed down...See, politics and celebrity do go hand-in-hand...GO PARIS!!!

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

An Update on JERI

Howdy!
I wanted to share with you where I’m at and where I’m going. So without further ado…

Bloomingdale rocks! – Ang and I (WE MovemenT) are still living in Bloomingdale (hopefully we get to extend our lease). After being in DC for 7 years I can say, that from a residential standpoint, this has been my favorite place to live! Awesome house & neighbors, good accessibility to other parts of DC, and a REAL community feel. As of now, this neighborhood represents a good example/balance of gentrification. Check it out @ http://imgoph.blogspot.com/ and http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/.

I've changed restaurants – Since my last update (1 year ago) I’ve had great tours of duty @ Corduroy, www.corduroydc.com and Cork Wine Bar, www.corkdc.com . Well, as of today, Wednesday, August 06, 2008 I am bartending at the third operation from the Hank’s Oyster Bar crew, Commonwealth, http://commonwealthgastropub.com/ (1400 Irving St NW, by the Columbia Heights Metro). The concept is a British Gastropub which means it is good British food (trust me, it exists here) and a great selection of beers and spirits (41 beers and counting). Schedules are still being worked out, but please believe I will be a constant face behind the bar and at the pub tables. It’s going to be fun… Cheers!!!

I'm still working on being in the best shape of my life!!! – I’ve been cooking my arse off! Taking advantage of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market fresh produce (and some select trips to Whole Foods) and staying on top of healthier foods. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DIET. I also started taking Hot Yoga. All I can say about that experience is CLEANSING, and I’m loving it! KEY TAKEAWAY – Your health is not a game, and your body is a temple. Treat it as such.

In the "pipeline" - Ang and I will be heading up to NYC occasionally to “scope out” where we’re going to live up there. If you got some tips, insider news, hook ups, etc HOLLA AT US!!! We’re moving there in early 2009. Owwww!!!

At the end of August, WE’ll be heading to Black Rock City, Nevada for Burning Man, http://burningman.com/. I’m really stoked!!!
Keep your eyes and ears open for another WE House Party coming to our cool pad in Bloomingdale in the near future. Ya’ll already know how WE MovemenT throw down on our get-togethers, so bring your game face, good attitude, and be ready to mash it up!!! Owwww!!!

Keep you eyes and ears open for the next installment of EBONY & IVORY, http://www.myspace.com/dcebonyandivory, presented by John & Jason. It’s been awhile, but have no fear! We’re gonna bring it back STRONG. By the way, it will be the 2-year anniversary!!! We’re looking @ September.

I’m blogging now baby!!! Check me out…comment, subscribe, etc. It’s www.johnerockits.blogspot.com. Owwww!!!

Last & definitely not least, I’M WORKING ON OPENING UP MY OWN BAR IN WASHINGTON, DC!!! If you have some tips, insider news, hook ups, etc please share. At the very least keep me in your prayers, thoughts, etc and support me when it happens. Oh yeah, it’s going to happen.

Still getting better & better. Owwww!!!
And still Peace, Love, & Blessings.
JERI = John E Rock Its

GOOD MORNING!!!

lIL wAYNE - a mILLI


Look! Say what you want, but this dude is a beast! Yeah he's random and abstract at times, yeah he's a poser at times, and yeah he's witty, intelligent, creative, fashionable (at times), and lyrically runs laps around ALMOST EVERYONE, artists and consumers alike. It's gonna be a Good Day. Respect a King...OK!

GOOD MORNING!!!

ENDORSEMENT Fridays - 1st take

I have a fairly laid back demeanor. However, most of you who know me or have heard me speak, know that at times I have quite strong convictions about certain things. These convictions cover a wide range of topics, and are presented to to the audience in different levels of force depending on the time of day, amount of sleep experienced, music I've listened too, and number of gin drinks imbibed; just to name a few possible factors :-)
Well, I'm going to make an attempt at standardization here, for YOU (and only you!). Every Friday I'm going to make an endorsement about "something(s)" I feel strongly about (see, I'm back to conviction again...it all blends perfectly). This will be fun and introspective for me and will give YOU a light experience about how it is to have a convo with me or see where my head is at, even if you are not with me at 4 am in Chinatown waiting on a G&T and beef in oyster sauce to go. So without further ado:

John E. Rockits aka JERI endorses 1)J* Davey and 2)Muhsinah


I took the opportunity to check them out at Liv this past Thursday and WOW...it was awesome. Simply put, they make DAMN GOOD MUSIC! I am not a music reviewer, nor do I want to become one so I will spare you my "expert" description, and I won't try and put their music in a category or box. Here's the deal, good musicianship (both performed with bands), excellent vocals, great energy and crowd interaction, fly looks, and SOUL.
Please take the time out to look them up online, whether washingtonpost.com, myspace, google, whatever and support their music...They rock!

Peace,
JERI

OK OK - fine, here's some clip-age (It's older stuff):

mUSINAH - cONSTRUCTION

Construction from Rxlngr on Vimeo.

j*dAVEY - mR. mISTER
J*DaVeY | Mr. Mister

Home can be an unfamiliar place...

A week ago I was in Ft. Lauderdale, FLA for my family reunion. BACKGROUND - My family is Nigerian, Yoruba to be exact. Every two years most of the family (Ewedemi Family represent! Hey Mom) in the US meets at a family members place for an extended weekend of reconnection, fun and dancing, eating, family strengthening and praise, Yoruba culture education, and next steps to keep the US family tight. It happens every two years, and changes location each time. So Tastic and I are there, along with my parents, family from ATL, California, Trinidad, etc. We're sitting in one of the "meetings" and I found myself reach an emotional state regarding what was happening before my eyes and ears. With all of the professional, educational, financial, and personal successes in the room, there was still this feeling of "are we going to make it?" and "where do we go from here?" Nigeria is a beautiful land filled with beautiful people. Do a quick search about the place and you will find that much is awry in the land, and people who left Nigeria to come to "Yankee" aren't in a major rush to get back. "To what?!?!" many people will say. Between high violence, a dismal economy, and an ineffective, corrupt government, going back to Nigeria is a hard sale for even the most ethno-centric Naija. Abroad (ie, here in the USA), there is the challenge of 1)Not being fully accepted or trusted as Americans (people rarely fully lose the Naija accent, nor do they want to hahaha); 2) Not being fully respected and accepted because of color, regardless of how many degrees/diplomas are on their wall; and 3) Not being able to fully integrate in African American communities (Black on Black hate is the worst and still exists...don't let the elections fool ya). So a reality is created where you have very family and community oriented, spiritually driven people, who are like nomads roaming the dessert, following a guiding star for light. They don't have a permanent home outside of the house they may own because the world they grew up in is a wreck; and the world they now occupy is also a wreck; and by the way only wants them there in limited quantities. I'm not writing this to make people feel sorry for my family. They are AWESOME and will continue to do GREAT and MEANINGFUL things. I am still sorting out my feelings and thoughts, but wanted to vocalize it in some way, hello blogosphere :-)

Until later.
JERI
Omo Naija (Nigerian Child) and proud of it!
The 1st Family of ATH!

Saturday was Great! It felt kinda like this...

Shout out to Ang-tastic!

pRINCE - rASBERRY bERET

New Bentley Video

From A-Town to Chi-Town...I LOVE IT!!!
jERI aka a Cool Outrageous Lover Of Uniquely Raw Style

It's a Celebration Bi*ches! Happy Bastille Day

I've been celebrating since Tuesday last week. Shout out to AuntMom, past weddings, future weddings, and to the French (Happy Bastille Day!) Here's a few select photos. Rock-its.

Lunch at Bastille Day in DC '08


Click here for more

Songs of Freedom - 4th of July

A collection of images that touched me in a variety of ways on "Independence Day"

Click here for more

2 Times you know you made the wrong decision

#1 - When you've been cutting habanero peppers, and then decide to get in the shower.
#2 - When you are peeing...in the dark...in a closet...on a bin of clothes.

Not that I know these things from experience, but yeah....OK...moving on.

PEACE
JERI

GOOD MORNING!!!

nO aGE - eRASER

It's a Celebration Bi*ches

Took me awhile to get this up. My apologies, ENJOY!

Friday, June 27 - The Warm Up
Had some time to myself. Needed to pick up some money. Always Good :-) Needed to pick up the bike. Saw the lady, Always Good even when in "The Argument Zone." I'm outta here, holla! Needed food...oh snap it's happy hour time. PS 7's here I come! Wine, Beer, and Food...shaping up to be a good day. Everything feels good when you're warm inside, Hello! Making some calls to set tings up for the SoundClash event tonight. It is DC Caribbean Festival Weekend, no? Come meet me at Busboys, want you to meet this shawty I'm with. I'm there! They've got WiFi and more space so I should be able to get on computer. Biking, now I'm here, Mojito PLEASE. Sips all around, Wud up B! Sips all around, more food...Wud up Kriz! Sips all around, wud up Baby S! Sips all around...ummm hmmmm...feeling good feeling great how are you. How much is this bill?!?! Phuk! All good, we got it...this time. Time to SoundClash. Cool spot, good crowd, where's the diversity though? Are we really in Mount Pleasant? Awesome Riddims! Sips all around...time to bounce. Phuk it, let's go to Bukom. Wud up T!Wud up H! Sips all around. Aight, time to take this in. Ebony, you'll be at my house at what time?!?! Dizzamm that's a few hours away. Oh well, life of a RockStar :-)

Saturday, June 28 - Mo Fiyah! Mo Fiyah! Mo Fiyah!
A few DC Caribean Festival 08 pics...Get Some!!!
Ebony & Ivory in the spiz-zot!!!












Mayor Fenty in the spiz-zot!!!

















OVERSTAND





































Everybody's in the spiz-zot!!!















Sunday, June 29 - Cheers All Around
After going to another good brunch on U St (Shout out to Creme!), I went to work. This happened to be the night of the RAMMYS, which is an event in DC that honors the best of the DMV's restaurants and their staffs. One of the "Afterpartys" was going to be at Cork. Guess I'm not leaving early this night. Well...not only did I not leave early (it was "call the Fire Marshal's packed"), I had a GREAT TIME! It truly was a who's who in the DC restaurant scene (past, present, and the next in line's), and everyone (besides one lady and she knows who she is! Don't test me!) was Muy Tranquilo. In a nutshell it reaffirmed that this is MY INDUSTRY and I was proud to be a part of the good times. CHEERS!

Microsoft, Microsoft, Microsoft....

I bet you can't do it like me...BOW IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS!


There in good hands though right? This makes me laugh...I'm a quirky geek at heart :-)

GOOD MORNING!!!

I'm buying these CD's ASAP...and Lil Wayne's!
Support. Stop HATING.
- JERI

vAMPIRE wEEKEND - oXFORD cOMMA


tHE tING tINGS - gREAT dJ

How can you not Love this fool? HaHaHa!

Try, try, and try again Kobe!

Now I understand how GW Bush Rolls!

From The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart

This is how I Roll!

The Kid's Bike

Introduced just after the First World War by several manufacturers, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward, to revitalize the bike industry (Schwinn made its big splash slightly later), these designs, now called "classic", featured automobile and motorcyle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it. These bikes evolved into the most glamorous, fabulous, ostentatious, heavy designs ever. It is unbelievable today that 14-year-old kids could do the tricks that we did on these 65 pound machines! They were built into the middle '50s, by which time they had taken on design elements of jet aircraft and even rockets. By the '60s, they were becoming leaner and simpler.

GET SOME!

JERI

Beer drinkers vs. Wine drinkers?

It's interesting to me, how the majority of American society looks to wine as a "high brow, civilized, and cultured drink" but looks to beer as the complete opposite. When you research the history of the two drinks, they came about around the same time and actually, BEER MAY HAVE COME FIRST. The civilizations that created both are widely acknowledged as "progressive cultural societies." So why do wine drinkers think they are all that? Smaller glass means better? Hmmm...I See the expressions, reactions, and descriptions that people give about wine but watch these same people give cold stares to people who have the same passion about beer. Seems pretty silly. Yes, I am aware of and do understand marketing, but I would argue that for as much crappy and unhealthy beer out there (think malt liquor) there are just as many crappy and silly wines out there (think wine coolers and white zinfandel; yes I said it!). Seems like alcohol is becoming another way to separate people,and create environments of faux "status" rather than being a conduit for group socializing and multi faceted communication. That's wack. Did we, once again, get this lesson wrong?

After this Sunday, I'm going to attempt a week of not going out anywhere for drinks/clubbing/partying, etc. I need to cleanse myself of the "party" noise. See you in the streets over the next couple days or see you in a week and some days.

Peace.
- Me

Get Your Mind Right

Holy Shit. The Real McCain

Holy Shit.

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Fellas Night Key Take Away :-P

This is not a inside look to what the fellas do when they get together. This is just a take away from me, after this particular fellas night that just occurred. Ladies if you were looking to gain extra insight on men, my apologies, it's still just me, John E. Rock Its.

THE TIME IS NOW
I have a piece on this topic brewing inside of me...trust me, it's coming. From tonight after the cocktails, riddims, interactions, and individual parties, I still have the same thought. I feel good because it reaffirms that substances don't have a control over me, where I can't think and act clearly. Especially think. The mind can be without the body, but not the body without the mind. That would be death. I'M ALIVE!!!
My people, the time is now. Not because of politics, economies, religion, unemployment, etc. But because of those factors and WAY MORE. I'm working towards being about it, and not talking about it. And as an extra challenge to my insightful and well off, progressive, and educated peeps. As you're being about it, occasionally take a TIME OUT. As you would quantify, rationalize, or justify your actions professionally. Please take a deeper look at yourself and critique it harder than any Ivy League professor would. Harder than your parents and community, who through the thick and thin, will accept you and excuse you. If not now, when. Accountability is the process I am buying into. Act accordingly, I'm working on it. Much Love.

Peace.
John E. Rock Its

Dream Killers...NOT

Now I can let these dream killers kill my self esteem-or use my arrogance as steam to power my dreams!!! - Kanye West

2 Days ago, I met some dream killers. They were intent on talking to me, I was not afraid, so we did it. At the end of the dialogue, they stepped away; they realized I wasn't going to stop. I HAVE A DREAM...and I will unpeel it PUBLICLY slowly(maybe) but SURELY. IT WILL BECOME REALITY. If you are reading this, understand that I may approach you to accomplish it. Don't be scared, I'm just being for real. OK!

PEACE,
JERI

Today was a Good Day

I had a dream...that I wanted to make reality...the need to express myself anytime & anyplace...so now I'm blogging...Round 1
Monday, June 9, 2008 - Woke up. Saw the lady off to work; back to sleep. Got up, checked emails, caught up on the news (always local and international), online chatted, web browsed, created my blogger account (YES! One thing on to-do list completed). Surprise lunch time visit from the lady. I'm smiling, today is a good day. She leaves, house back to quiet. Feeling antsy, want to step up productivity, but how? Time to smoke - individual party, awesome. Wait, put on some musical vibes. New Amerykah CD, I'm getting amped. Time to exercise. Scorching outside, hop on the Chrome Cruiser. Cruising, this feels surreal. Trees, people, and cars come into vision...blurred, clear, then zoom, gone like sunset. It's 101 degrees. It feels like 101 degrees! Stopping becoming delayed. Bring this baby home. Back at the house, roommate home. Polar. We catch up on characters we've dealt with in the past year we've known each other. Laughing our ass off. People are silly. New roommate enters, peace. Polar enters. Great idea! Everyone's hungry right?! Let's go to the wharf! Streaking through the city on Polarmobile. I'm in the rear, I know better...new roommate learns quickly. Wharf Meal - 2lbs crab legs, french fries, 1 crab ball. True culinary delight, such a hot day. Beer would be icing on the cake. Back to the pad. Lady's home, R St. Honies en route for family meal. Full house, individual parties all around. New job, Kitchen Manager. Expediting and adding finishing touches to dishes. Aromas everywhere, great stimulation. Music, convos, individual parties, acoustic guitar, sangria, sparkling red wine, Johnny Cash. It's late, people go home and to sleep. Adult time. Floating on Cloud 9. Today was a good day.