Tao Of The Week!

Tao is always nameless. Small as it is in its Primal Simplicity, It is inferior to nothing in the world. If only a ruler could cling to it, Everything will render homage to him. Heaven and Earth will be harmonized and send down sweet dew. Peace and order will reign among the people without any command from above. When once the Primal Simplicity 'diversified, Different names appeared. Are there not enough names now? 

SUNDANCE 2006

We hit up the Sundance Film Fest in Park City, UT this past Friday night. Let's see...It was cold, we ate some pizza and Shanty did a flip into a snow bank. Can you guess which two pictures in this collage were NOT taken at the film fest. Good luck Kiddos! 

No Pay Dues!

I had a good day yesterday. I went down to Provo. I met with Rick and he gave me a CD of tracks to choose from. I also stopped by Gunnar's and he was home! I had a GREAT talk with him about what he has been going through. He is doing better and I told him if he EVER needs someone to speak too he should call me! I have mentioned before on the BLOG that there have been times in my life that I needed the support of my friends...and these guys (Rick, Gunnar, Shawn, Fisch, Mike & Cornell) have been there for me through thick and thin. They could have abandoned me and they didn't...that means something. I'm glad that my family moved to UTAH and I met these people. There was a reason for this. I am sure of that. It is more than a "music group" and I have been blessed to have these people around me...Okay enough blubber. Later on in the day I went over to Brisk's house and layed down my eight bars on "West Coast, Fresh Fest". It only took two takes! Brisk is doing well. I told him I was working on some solo stuff and he said that he "wants to be involved". This is good news since Numbs have requested tracks from him before and not delivered. I need some Brisk heat. Oh yeah...and Finale Heat as well. Elektra was breakdancing while I was laying my words on the mic. My little Bgirl in action. What a doll. Here are some pics from the day. Look at that crazy clown in Gunnar's front window. He said that Heir Olson (his dad-Barry) got it as a "White Elephant" gift. That is a gift that keeps on giving. My "No Pay Dues" face is classic, isn't it? We are hitting Sundance tomorrow night. Pic's to follow. Peace-Dag!

What a weekend...Let's see if I can break it down for you. Work update: They did a "Culture Change" at my gig and it went into effect 3 days ago. What a shakedown! I think the higher ups are just busting our balls by giving us more to do. On top of that I was told today that my monthly bonus potential is going to be decreased. By how much? Who knows at this point. I said "Surprise Me". Music update: Still no word from Gunnar. Roo was going to talk to him yesterday. I called the Roo Banger and left him a message. I need to finish lyrics for my 2 solo JAWNS Fisch gave me and I'll be laying down 8 bars on a song called "West Coast, Fresh Fest" this week at Brisk's. The Rotten Musicians show went (Fill In The Blank)-see picture. It was a good one for real. I got an IPOD too (finally). Personal update: I'm not sleeping well. I have the hardest time getting to bed. Tylenol PM's have been my food of choice lately. Elektra had her first Ballet class on Saturday (you go girl). And now the REALLY REALLY bad news...My Grandpa in New Jersey had a stroke on Friday. He is still in the hospital. They say his vitals are fine and all. However, he can't talk anymore. The weird thing is that I spoke to him on Friday. He told me that he hadn't felt this good in weeks and that he had been sick lately (the flu and stuff). At the end of our convesation I told him to take care and I loved him. Within an hour of me hanging up with him my Dad called me to break the news. It is possible that I might have been the last person that he spoke to. I told my Dad if he is headed out there to see him I'm going with. My Grandpa is expected to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks. I'll let you know what happens. Peace-DAG!  

Tao Of The Week

The five colours blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavours cloy the palate. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Rare goods tempt men to do wrong. Therefore, the Sage takes care of the belly, not the eye. He prefers what is within to what is without. 

89 State Of Mind

Recently, I have busted out alot of older hip hop CD's to listen too. Feel that vibe while I try and do a wrap up of this past week. I worked like a DOG at my 9-5 this past weekend. Yes that is right...I work on the weekends. I work Friday-Monday to be exact (7am-6pm). I feel like I zombie when I walk into the office at 7:05 (I'm usually late). It's especially hard to be on time when I have a music gig the night before. I've been at the same job for 4 1/2 years and have only called in "drunk" twice. Not bad huh? Ok...I'm almost done reading the book "Fight Club". I dig all of Palahniuk's novels and the film of this book introduced me to him and him to me. I still haven't read "Invisible Monsters" or "Haunted" yet (they are on my to do list). I haven't finished "GTA Liberty City Stories" on my PSP yet and I haven't really started "Resident Evil" on my Playstation 2. I got my lyrics done for the Posse Cut on Facts LP (Might be recording it this week?) and the Sade sampled track that Fisch gave me is now called "Hooked". The song is 1/2 done. It's hard writing songs on your own. This experience will definately help me grow. I have to Co-Op in Elektra's preschool class on Thursday and Rotten Musicians have a gig on Friday night. I have to make at least one Provo trip this week and does anyone want to do my Laundry? Oh...and I am addicted to two TV shows, "Lost" & "24".

Watching White Moon Face
The Stars Never Feel Anger
Blah, blah, blah, the end 

Message to all you fair weather bandwagoners out there...the train is now leaving. The Utah Jazz have won 8 of their last 9 games. Have swept the season series from Philly & Detroit (keep in mind Detroit has lost 5 games all year and two of the five losses are from the Jazz) and are atop of the Northwest division standings. All of this and Carlos Boozer has yet to play a game this season. Earlier I said they might win 40 games all year. Now, there are 46 games left to play in the season. At this rate they might come in between 45-50 wins. If they make the playoffs Sloan has to win coach of the year. I guess that talk I had with Milt P. was some good karma (he dropped 17 points tonight) and AK-47's game is FILTHY!!!  

Tao Of The Week

One on tip-toe cannot stand. One astride cannot walk. One who displays himself does not shine. One who justifies himself has no glory. One who boasts of his own ability has no merit. One who parades his own success will not endure. In Tao these things are called "unwanted food and extraneous growths", Which are loathed by all things. Hence, a man of Tao does not set his heart upon them. 

Lights, Camera, Action!

I was surprised at the amount of films that I actually liked in 2005. Maybe I have just lowered my standards or maybe some of these filmmakers and studios are putting out better projects. I'm no Roger Ebert so if you don't like these picks put that thumb...up your ass! I have also added my favorite TOONS of the year and TV show. Here we go...

1) Batman Begins- I had high hopes for this one. I lost interest after Batman Returns (and that one wasn't even that good). When I heard that Chris Nolan was directing it I got goose bumps. I love "Memento" & "Insomnia" and I knew he would take Batman towards the Dark Knight direction. Christian Bale was an excellent choice for the caped crusader. Bale is a better Bruce Wayne then Batman with that being said he is still the best Batman of the movies. Freeman, Oldman, Caine & Neeson...yeah, not much more to say there. These guys do a superb good of playing their characters well without overacting. I even liked how the relationship with Katie Holmes wasn't forced. Some of the parts with the Scarecrow were really weird and frightening. I REALLY hope they don't replace ANY members of the cast/crew for future films in this sequence. Hell...I'd wait another 5 years for a Batman movie this good. This film was inspiring.

2) Star Wars 3 Revenge Of The Sith- I'm such a Star Wars geek. It was really HARD for me not to put this as number one. As much as I wanted to I couldn't. If Lucas could have somehow edited a lot of the Anakin/Padme "romance" pieces out of it...It could have been number one. There was no chemistry between these two. I don't get it. You get a chance to mack Natalie Portman and you can't make it believable. I don't know about that. The space battle at the beginning was tits and the film REALLY takes off at the part when Mace Windu and Co. go to take out Palpatine. Ian M. should get an Oscar nod for Palps. He was one of the best villains that I remember seeing on screen for awhile now. So manipulative and shady...it was great. Ewan kills it as Kenobi as well. I hope the Star Wars TV show won't suck.

3) Sin City- Robert Rodriguez is one of my heroes. He (along with Frank Miller) might have made the most faithful adaptation of a Comic Book film yet. I remember walking out of this movie feeling a little bit weird about what I just saw. It wasn't a happy film and stirred a lot of emotion in me. I love it when I get rocked by a movie like this one. The digital effects are sooo fresh and as ground breaking to me as TRON was. Sin City 2? You know they are going to green light that sucka. Awesome stuff.

Honorable Mentions: King Kong (Kong was long), Serenity (Original & brilliant), Wedding Crashers (Dead on comedic timing and FUNNY as hell), Cinderella Man (Giammatti is the BEST actor working today...hands down), Harry Potter 4 (My favorite Potter so far), Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (A fresh twist on the Gene Wilder "you get nothing" version), Hotel Rwanda (Cheadle rocks...another REALLY good actor) Narnia (The books are so great and this film was good), Kung Fu Hustle (it surprised me! Different and cool) & Corpse Bride (An instant classic...my daughter says that Madagascar was the best Kids Film this year, that Melman!).

Best Toons

1) Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Fast Food Items (Master Shake, Frylock & Meatwad) fight Monsters, Aliens, and Etc in New Jersey! Season 4 is the crown jewel. I am SOFA KING.

2) Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends: McCracken strikes again! Foster's is a place for imaginary friends to go so they won't be forgotten when kid's grow up. The main theme for this show is VERY catchy and when I watch this series I just end up feeling good at the end of it. It's time to use your imagination.

3/4) TIE! Star Wars Clone Wars Vol 2 & Spongebob Squarepants: Clone Wars 2 is better then the first volume and Spongebob Squarepants will go down as one the five best TOONS EVER! The new episodes I saw in 2005 did not disappoint. We are talking as good as old Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes. It is that good.

Best TV Show
LOST- This is the ONLY TV show that I watch religiously. Science vs. Faith, Light vs. Dark, Good vs. Evil. What happened to Oceanic Flight 815? Why did it crash on that island? Danger and mystery loom behind every corner in this MIND FUCK of a show. The Cast is spot on and the writing keeps me coming back week after week to see what will happen next. I'll call my shot right now...I don't think they survived the plane crash. I think they all died and are stuck in purgatory (I.e. LOST from heaven or hell). I have been wrong before though. Oh yeah...one more thing...Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain) is doing an Episode.

Creativity and Originality are great things. Embrace them...PEACE- DAGO!

Hey there! Not that great of a year for Hip Hop. Too much Ying for my Yang...but hey, I'm not the first and last word in RAP am I? Feel free to disagree with this because in the words of MILK, I don't care.

Best CD's of 2005!

1) Kanye West "Late Registration"
***He really didn't have to push the envelope like he did. He already had the "super star' status why not dumb it down for the general public? Kanye West is a genius...his lp is political, listener friendly and DOPE! That is hard to do. When "top 40" rap is good its better for the entire genre and music as a whole. Keep on keeping on...

2) Danger Doom 'The Mouse And The Mask"
***MF Doom, Danger Mouse & Adult Swim...that's 3 the hard way. This project had a built in audience and other peeps seemed to gravitate to it as well. More Doom & Danger in 2006 please!

3) Common "Be"
***The thinking mans emcee. This is my favorite Common album since "Resurrection" He has it all and I REALLY hope he has much commercial success. Not everyone listening to the radio is a dipshit.

4) Edan "Beauty And The Beat"
***Fisch turned me onto this guy. "Fumbling Over Words The Rhyme" is a MANDATORY listen! The samples and music on this disc are 5 years in the future. Ok, 10 years in the future. A DOPE lp.

5) Game "The Documentary"
***I didn't buy into the hype on this dude right away BUT after hearing a few tracks I picked the CD up and YES...Compton is in the building. He reminds me a lot of Jeru The Damaja in the sense that he better not leave his hot producers (Dre, West, Just Blaze).

6) Atmosphere "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having"
***The king of MPLS put out another solid LP. I didn't like this one as much as "Seven's Travels" but Ant is still killing it with the tracks so yeah, Vibe to it.

7) Little Brother "The Minstrel Show"
***LB was shunned by BET and was called out for "being too smart for TV" when their video for "Lovin It" dropped, Hell, that is reason enough to pick this CD up. The production has a feel to it and it sounds lovely. The cover to this is classic as well.

8) Fort Minor "The Rising Tide"
***I'm not a Linkin Park fan. With that being said, Mike Shinoda gets props over here. S.O.B. should blow up in 2006 with this dudes backing. Great LP.

9) Slug & Murs "Felt 2"
***Ant's best tracks by far landed on this LP. Slug & Murs have great chemistry. I didn't expect much from this CD and it ended up being one of my favs this year.

10) Blueprint "1988"
***B.P. produced and wrote the words for this one. A throwback to Hip Hop's glory days...and he doesn't sound like a throwback. This was refreshing.

Single(s) Of The Year

Mark: Kanye West "Golddigger"
Elektra: Gorillaz 'Feel Good Inc."

The Group that should just go away...

The Black Eyed Peas (My Humps is EMBARRASING as much as that pic of Fergie wetting herself on stage).

Reasons that 2006 should be promising...

OutKast- Idlewild
Madlib & MF Doom- Madvillian 2
Aceyalone & RJD2- Magnificent City
Soul Position- Untitled
Ghostface & MF Doom- Swift & Changeable
Pharrell Williams- In My Mind
Percee P- Perseverance
The Roots- Game Theory
Dangerdoom- 2?
Madlib- The Beat Konducta Vol 1 & 2
Dilated Peoples- 20/20
People Under The Stairs- Stepfather
Ugly Duckling- Bang For The Buck

My "2005 Best Of The Movies" review will be hitting tomorrow...PEACE-DAGO!