God bless this city...

...how I miss it so...

Jay-Z - "Empire State Of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z | MySpace Video

Who else was at Governor's Island?

Ladies and gents...Mz. Badu....


....Thank you come again...

If in the NYC area...

..YOU SHOULD BE AT THE FOLLOWING!

Well let's spread it like wild fire shall we?

Isn't this photo great? And perfect segue I thunkest...

So after arriving home from seeing Up! (truly amazing, totally back it go see...in 3D!), I was bombarded by an incessant chirp/beep/alert/dangerwillrobinsondanger! upon replug-in re:"JAY-Z : THE DEATH OF AUTO TUNE..DOA".....

:: rolls head back, cracks neck and prepares to state obvious ::

Auto-tune been dead ninjas! It was never brought back to life NOR resuscitated you were simply bamboozled :: sigh :: swallow the pride pill its ok. While it was ok to enjoy a few select diddy's (yeaah you took that took that) to parlay in the club or get ready to, if you actually drank the koolaid and called it talent and/or musicianship...you are like Kramer's career, gone.

Every generation needs their "Candy" and "Computer Love", but much like with instant gratification, we OD'd. Now is time to head into Betty Ford lil sinners and let some folks that have been preparing and training take the wheel instead of letting T-Pain auto-pilot.

But apparently "Jay you gon kill a lot of folks careers!"....to this "Jay" simply chuckles and says, "no it's just time to move forward..." And it is. Music like life has shifts (just like the one I'm really waiting to move on right now cuz errybody and they mama (litterally) is feeling it). This one lasted more than it's welcome mat but had many hometown glories. Music, as of late. has turned to knocking and I don't mean in that good ol 808 way. People want to spend time making songs about how bad music is instead of MAKINGBETTERMUSIC. And those "careers" Funk Flex spoke of can do that as well so Jay didn't "kill" anything.

So as with everyday, SEEK BETTER, DEMAND IT...in everything....ESPECIALLY the soundtrack of your life. Look how powerful it is...I wonder exactly how many people are listening/talking/texting/reading/just heard about the song right now? Music is universal when language isn't in a world that is starving....dying....beating to talk to eachother.

So with that, for those that missed it, Jay-Z-DOA [fyi-it's not the final version..there will be one in July with Drake and ps, sorry it's the raid rip but uh it dropped like 2 hrs ago gimme a break..]

D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune) - Jay-Z

*Upgraded to that CDQ courtesy of Brandon Banks...HOWYALIKEMENOW!

Where you need to be tomorrow!

What up Head Casers?? I know every one is either better or gettin drunker for the holiday...but while I wait for my mama to arrive in NYC (ow ow ow) I want to invite you ALL to an amazing event tomorrow celebrating WOMEN IN THE ARTS:Support ending physical and sexual abuse against women while watching the talents of some very strong, intelligent and beautiful Ladies...including Where's Leslie?!! Hope to see you all there!!!!

I met an angel last night...

...let's call her "A." for now...

But I kid you not, she has wings for sure...I guess it's best to start at the beginning.

Yesterday I decided to make a day of it, I've been in the zone for the past few so I wanted to stay inspired. My roommate had mentioned that the Stephen Sprouse exhibit was amazing and I should check it (It is and yall should DEF check it info @ SPROUSE). So I made plans to meet up with my homey C. who was visiting from LA, and Z. the one and only other half of Where's Leslie?. Two individuals with crazy eyes for differences and beauty in the world so I knew they'd appreciate it.

The exhibit was DOPE and the evening was off to a great start. We even stumbled upon another gallery full of Dali treasures and sketches at the William Bennett Gallery that were phenomenal. Next, we went to see Sprouse in action at the Louis Vuitton store and made our wish lists lol. But the venture also included possibly the most epic PAUSE ever next to Spike Lee.

::M.,C. and Z. approach Louis Vuitton door. M. reaches for one of the double doors::

M.: Awwww no dice? :mouths to the security guy: Man you're closed?

Security guy approaches, opens other door and says: No no! Poussez!

(Poussez=french for PUSH)
Z. and C.: PAUSE....

LMAO...moving on....

Happened to run into a friend and chopped it up while we waited for C.'s friend, A., to meet us for dinner at Cafe Havana (mmmm mojitoes!). As we started to get the evening going gulp after gulp, conversation and stories ensued and strangers became fast friends. We decided bowling was next on our menu and began heading west. On the way A. shared a story, as I daringly crept a little too close to oncoming traffic, "Don't do that!" she said, " I almost got clipped when I first moved here by one of those taxis." She shared her story and we all agreed how crazy NY drivers were as we hopped in a yellow vehicle.

As we arrived on the opposite side of our destination, opposite meaning across the west side highway, we all had an unanimous, "Ah shit we gotta cross this?" moment and ventured towards our feat. Now here's where it gets major. First peep C.'s reflection from this morning (made me tear):

Now here's some fill in for the missin bubbles...

Imagine if you will the southbound side of the west side highway, the 4 of us standing on the center divider crosswalk, M., A., C., and Z. closest to oncoming traffic. After maybe two "Should we? Nah!" opportunities, a break in traffic appeared and here is where it gets blurry. I guess it was an all-in run for it. All I remember was already being off the sidewalk before anyone else, feeling A. on my right and the next thing I know I hear that dreaded *BAM* turn to my left and see the side mirror of a F150 truck hit A. and her spin to the ground. The mirror, glass and leftovers from dinner flew, I was frozen like a Beatles pose legs stuck mid-step in the street staring at her 2 ft from me.

How did that? She was just....Where'd that truck? Muthaphuck ME! ARE YOU OK?!?!?!?
And the most amazing thing happened. Not only did she get up without a scratch, an ailment, a bloody nothing, SHE GOT UP WITH A SMILE!....PAUSE....YES A SMILE.....as I write this I'm still like
We got her up and I think almost IMMEDIATELY after the driver got his 3rd ok from her he was GONE. We hopped on that sidewalk quick and took a moment, a hug, another moment and ok like 20 more. All the while A. still smiling while we're praisin the levels of her obvious higher power protection and wings hiding under her sweater. I had already thought the girl had an amazing soul from dinner but this, unparalleled in my days on earth.

Soon as we hit the bowling alley I got that girl a shot! Fuck it whole round, we all needed it after that. Bowling ended up being fun and the culmination of the nights festivities best put by C., EPIC.

I don't really know what to make of it all. I'm always one to say that people are always brought into each other's orbit for a reason and I don't know exactly how we all came together last night but I'm so thankful for the spirits around me old and particularly new. A friend said something VERY key about the events last night, "Because her spirit is so free and open and dope, she allowed that energy to pass through her. If she would've have seen the car coming and tensed up, it would've been a lot worse." And he's SO right (*Thanks B. by way of Z. lol).

So to A.: thank god you're ok but I'm even more thankful there are people in the world like you that I get to encounter. NEVER change who and what you are in this lifetime.

And to all of the fabulous foursome from last night's adventure....today's the first day of a new journey I suppose.

Live it. Breathe it. Love it. And C. capture every minute with that eye of ur's.....

New York Magazine.....

Has come out with their 4th annual "Reasons to Love New York" and it's great! Check out their intro:

Our fourth annual “Reasons to Love New York” issue lands at a time when there are plenty of reasons not to feel the love so keenly: sweeping budget cuts, Plaxico, talk of tolls on the Brooklyn Bridge. No matter. Because, for one thing, our governor is not named Blagojevich. And for another, the payoffs from living in this city remain stratospherically high, regardless of what the Dow does on any given afternoon. It is still the place that makes people dream hard, whether that dream is about gaining fame and fortune or simply giving an old life the slip. It is still endlessly diverting, and an avid promoter of change. And it is still, as always, full of people who know how to survive and who are eager to help their neighbors do the same. This year, as in years past, the reasons we’ve accrued are timely and timeless, glaring and obscure, straight-up and strange. And, once again, a number of them came from our readers. In fact, we’d like to quote one of those readers right now, Jennvine Wong, whose reason is itself a quotation, from the architect Le Corbusier. “A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: It is a beautiful catastrophe.” We’d quibble with that ratio, but with the sentiment not at all.

On stands now.....

Unlike the rest...

She's too pretty for this....Angel Lola Luv did...well...this at her birthday party last night in NYC at Corio...


....ooooook.....

In other news....I'm doin a New Year's Eve party in NYC at Corio!!! And yes I promise Lola and her cronies will NOT be there...but many other fabulous and gorgeous people will....
Contact M. for details!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Guess what folks?! Not only did Head Cases turn a month old this weekend (YEAH! Go HC! A month and almost 3000 hits!!!), but M. is turning 24 this Friday!!!

So of course as we do when we can, IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!

If you are in the New York Area and would like to come party with the folks you read about on Head Cases (lol) here's my birthday itinerary:

September 30th, Tuesday 10pm

Come check out KYA Entertainment's (My family away from home) weekly spot for hot music THE ECLECTIC RIDE

@ DROM on Ave A btw 5th and 6th

featuring performances by JahStix, Meleni Smith, TL Cross and DJ Beverly Bond on the tables

$10 before Midnight, free beers by Heineken

***Attendees are eligible for tickets to Wednesday's Special Heineken Sponsored Event with performances by KEYSHIA COLE and RAHEEM DAVAUGHN!!!****

October 1st, Wednesday 10:30pm

Come celebrate with Krucial Keys and I @

HOME nightclub located on 27th between 10th and 11th

Special Guest DJ BIZ MARKIE!!!

October 2nd, Thursday 10:30pm

Dance till the wee hours of the morning in one of NYC largest hot spots

MANSION on 28th btw 10th and 11th

October 3rd, Friday 10:30pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY M.!!!

My actual birthday!!

We will be at Room Service located at 35 E 21st St. btw Park and Broadway

October 4th, Saturday 10:30pm

Two clubs in one night!!

Hiro on 16th and 9th

and also

GuestHouse on 27th btw 10th and 11th

October 5th, Sunday 10:30

It all comes to end....

CATCH 22 located on 22nd btw 5th and 6th

Brand new hot spot that is sure to be a fun time!

HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT!!!

**All attire is upscale chic with the exception of the Eclectic Ride which is casual**

Oh the wee hours of the morning...

...after attending some parties, my GBF Carl and I boarded the 4 train home. The interesting thing about NYC, there's ALWAYS something to get into no matter WHERE you are if you just look around. While sitting waiting for the train, we began to notice how tired everyone was.

First there was this guy who took FOREVER to get up the stairs then found new strength at the top (please excuse our drunken commentary):

Then we decided to car hop on the train (which I had never done before...let me telllllll you! It's a rush!!). Here are all the people we found in need of a Red Bull:

We deemed ourselves The Mischief Bandits and concluded that due to the recession people are working entirely too hard. The winner of this election should strive to make the trains more comfortable...especially for this guy:

Till our next adventure! SABBBAAAA SAAAAAAAAA SABBBAAAA SSAAAAAAAAAA! lol

We had some shennanies after at the showroom...

...and things got a little coocoo....
Here's the collage Jerome made for inspiration for the show...
And here's one of the girl's contributions (awww)
Here's me trying to steal the models' numbers...
FIERCE! GO ROMEY ROME LOL!
ANd our very own fashion show....

NOW TO THE PARTY!!!!
Yes...The Plaza was kinda crackin courtesy of jams spun by DJ CASSIDY....
Say whaaaaaaaat Jerome?!?!?!
Well looky looky....
Yes I fought every urge to ask him to sing "This Woman's Work" in my ear....
Get it Carl!!

Now this brings me to the BITCHASSNESS OF THE EVENING AWARD....I give you Alexis Phifer aka Kanye's Ex and "designer"....
Wanna know why she's posed like this? I asked her politely if she was wearing one of her designs... She answered yes...I in turn asked if I could please take a picture of it, I'm a fan (yes we have to lie sometimes to get what we want lol)...Her answer, "I just want to dance with my friends. Sure you can take it while we're dancing."....Really? So I did with EVERY intent of this entry.
Here's my thing, if the powers that be are kind enough to bless you with your 15 minutes of fame, don't you think it's humble enough to grant the masses less than thirty seconds of your time? I don't get this about people sometimes. You're at an event. I'm not a menacing papparazzi harrassing you while you're trying to take your child to school. THIS IS WHAT YOU GOT DRESSED UP FOR STUPID! AND ITS FREE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR TRASH BAG DRESS! People in this industry are paid more than people who ACTUALLY contribute to society and this is how they treat patrons who potentially buy their product. Now I'm not at all saying I make or break her but it's a cause and effect type thing. Remember how you treat people, everyday...that's just GROSS. AND BIG UPS TO HOW GRACIOUS AND KIND MAXWELL AND TEYANNA TAYLOR WERE ALLLLLLLL EVENING....Sheesh....

Moving on...

Here's one of the models gettin his Beyonce on...and Teyana Taylor tearin up the dance floor...

and here's the random lady wearin a tutu that showed Teyana up...


Hehehe I mean I'm just sayin...she got it...

I've been to a lot of industry parties and I must say..these fashion folks sure get down a little harder then the music folks...isn't it ironic? Or it is it just NUEVA YORK!!!

An Evening with Baby Phat...

...and what a night we had Head Cases! So much fun and fabulosity all over the place I don't know where to start. The rain didn't seem to get New Yorkers to stay inside. Everyone came out in their Friday's best for Miss Kimora. Spotted: Serena Williams, Evan Ross, Maxwell, Teyanna Taylor, Djimon Honsou, Russell Simmons, Ice-T and his wife Coco, Letoya Luckett, Dawn and Q from MTB (5millionth season hehehe)...together holding hands, Case (I know right...where has he been?!), Andre Leon Talley (yes I almost died!) and many more...

Here's the recap via photogs and video:

The show opened with a video montage of 10 years of Baby Phat. That's right folks, Kimora has been building this empire for a DECADE


I apologize for the blurry pics but these chicks were MOVING down the runway! Sheesh!



And excuse the heads...4th row what can ya do?

The finale and notice them stop to say hi to papa Russell and Djimon...Awwwww!! Such a family affair I love it....


More to come!! We r having uploading...

Time to unwind...

....after my eventful week full of Politico and Obama-ites, it's now time for me to finally participate in NY's honored bi-annual tradition, Fashion Week. I'm headed to the Baby Phat show featuring of course, my one and only favorite fabulousity-reigning diva, Kimora Lee Simmons. I can't wait! I expect lots of drams, gays, gold and rhinestones! Check back for an update.... And break a leg Jerome!!!

My days with Obama!!!

So let’s start at the beginning…

Monday 9/8
While perusing facebook and looking for someone to harass on instant messenger, I noticed that an old friend from high school had an interesting away. “If you’re in NYC and have a driver’s license, I have an amazing opportunity. Hit me up for more details.” Curious, I did, to see what it was about.

M.: What’s the opportunity?
B: You’re in NY?
M.: I live here
B: I didn’t know… Obama is coming to town and we need a driver for his motorcade
M.: SHUTUP!

Now all I had to hear was Obama and I didn’t care if I had to hold his coffee all day and keep it hot.

B.: Yeah all I need is your license number, social, full name and to make sure you don’t have a record for secret service and you can do it.
M.: I think I paid my last ticket before I left.
B: No like no DUI’s or a criminal record
M.: OH! Nope clean as a whistle here’s all my info…let me make sure with my boss…

Now here was the hard part: convincing my boss, a staunch McCain supporter and strong believer in no days off, to let me do this. How was I going to swing this? So I phrased it a little something like this:

M.: So I know you hate him and everything but my friend just offered me a once in a lifetime opportunity to help out with Obama’s motorcade for two days and I would love you forever and truly appreciate if you let me do it…..(deep inhale)

My boss always wants to be loved so I figured I’d play to that emotion...“Sure” he said and no quicker than he did, I ran back to my desk to begin my journey.

To be honest, the entire night before, I was so anxious that I definitely started to believe that maybe it was all a joke. Maybe I would show up to the Park Meridian the next day only to find hidden cameras and surprise that the joke was on me. This was too good to be true.

Wednesday 9/10/08
I couldn’t sleep with excitement. I woke up, showered picked out my winner outfit and began getting dressed. While hopstopping directions, I got a text to bring a snack and also print some things out for my friend. This was really happening. I sprayed my fave perfume and I was out the door.

As I arrived at the Meridian I saw two young girls who looked as excited and lost as I did. I asked if they were here to volunteer too and they said yes. Turns out they were Columbia students where the event would be held the following day. When everyone arrived, I was given the keys to Staff van 3 and instructed on all the rules of motorcades.
We were off to the airport.

Watching Obama’s plane land and him step was out of this world. From the secret service to the protocol to the sheer level of intensity and amount of press that travels with him, it’s unreal. You always see the clips on TV but to see it first hand, on the tarmac…I don’t even have words so here are pictures:

These are my fellow drivers and our leader...
This is a picture of the super scary Armored SWAT guys...



On the tarmac folks! UNREAL....

He was immediately rushed to Letterman so I wasn’t able to get a picture. I hope you all tuned in. If you didn’t here’s a clip…


He did good...funny, relatable, talked about the issues a bit. Thoughts?

After Letterman, he came back to the airport, flew to DC for an event then returned to NY again. I don’t envy this man’s schedule. An hour before we had picked him up that morning he was in Virginia. It’s crazy, yet commendable, the stamina one must have to campaign.

We finished the evening with a pizza dinner, a job well done yet sadly, no picture with the main man yet.

Thursday 9/11
This day is so bittersweet. A day of remembrance, yet one of the coolest days of my life and a historical one. But security of course had to be even tighter than the day before:





I struck up a conversation with a secret service agent named Kevin*
M.: How does one become a secret service agent?
Kevin*: Well you go to college, get your degree and apply. Then you take the tests, go through the training and there you have it.
M.: Are most former military?
Kevin*:Yeah a lot are but not all.
M.: Are you?
Kevin*:Yup Army just got back from Iraq in March
M.: Oh wow so what do you do specifically?
Kevin*: I’m EOD (explosive ordinance division..I think). Basically we check for explosives or threats and then test for them to set them off. So say if there’s a bomb in the seat of your car, I sit on it to test it before you do.
M.: Um aren’t you scared?
Kevin*: Well I just got back from Iraq so compared to being shot at and worrying about land mines…it’s not so bad.
M.: Yeaaaaah you’re right.

By now I guess word had spread that he is here and on each corner crowds would just grow by the minute everywhere we went. Take a look:





Finally he came out:


We started off by leaving the hotel and heading to Harlem to visit Clinton at his office. Our motorcade included about 15 or so cars, a bus and swat trucks with highly armed officers. With sirens blaring, lights flashing and a tight, tailgating train in tow, we took off, getting to ignore any and all traffic laws. BY FAR THE COOLEST THING EVER!

Once in Harlem, people would get excited over everything. While bringing back our lunch from Sylvia’s (amazing soul food by the way you got to try it!!!) people were yelling, “There goes Obama’s lunch!!!”



Here’s a pic of good ol Billy Bob aka the Other Black President and Barack in Harlem:
This preacher showed support by running inside and throwing on her shirt (left) and the other wanted me to tell Mr. Obama, “Look No Lipstick!”
But as we left, the crowds in the streets had grown so large, literally over a thousand people, crowd control almost got out of hand. I shot this video while driving (shhh don’t tell) right before some people tried to run up to Obama’s van to take pictures and pissed off the secret service:


It was so empowering to see so much support, love and care from Harlem. Not empathy, not just excitement over someone notable, but true compassion, true care, true excitement for change. People are happy this man has stepped up.

Next we headed all the way downtown toward ground zero to meet up with Biden and McCain (yup that Stepford Wife Cindy was there too). It was extremely emotional at the site and there were countless officers and firefighters.

I thought this was funny...It rolled by RIGHT before McCain's motorcade....
Some humorous elements, however, were that McCain’s motorcade included an ambulance and ALL staff had walkie-talkies…everyone. One of the drivers had a video camera too….but he was narrating. Also, a tourist next to where I was parked on the other side of the barricade had a last minute sign that read, “Obama, thanks for not letting us get a glimpse of you.” Little did he know it had nothing to do with him but rather how the barricade was setup. On such a day, every extra measure was taken for safety. Here’s a clip of McCain’s motorcade rolling in:


We left the memorial and headed back to the hotel where a secret service agent decide to seize an opportunity:

Agent: So how’d you get this gig?
M.: I volunteered.
Agent: Really are you qualified?
M.: Oh yes I’m a pro sir!
Agent: Hmmm. We’ll see. I think I’m going to need your phone number to check you out.
M.: Smooth but I definitely gave them my social security number so I’m sure if you wanted to you could find out when I lost my first tooth.
Agent checks his phone…
Agent: Nope not in here so I think you should give me your number to be sure.
M.: Sliiiiiiiiiiick

Luckily, we were interrupted by head of security and I was not invited into anymore relentless flirting Homeland Security.

Next stop: Service Forum at Columbia aka Obama’s Alma Matter.

More cops of course...Mr. Obama going to his car...
This was hilarious...the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha better known as PIKE had a sign that read "OBAMA McCAIN SETTLE THIS THE AMERICAN WAY" and a picture of a beer pong table...
These sorority girls kept watching from their window trying to get a picture of Obama...they waved as I took a picture of them...

Here's the press room where we could watch the forum..

McCain delivered a colloquial, slightly humorous speech that of course barely answered questions and didn’t speak to anything really. Obama, however, seemed like there was so much he wanted to say in so little time. This is his niche; service to fellow man. I have mixed emotions about this part of the evening but we shall revisit that later. Overall all, the evening was a success and everyone was ready to end a day well done.

Riding back came one of the highlights of the day:

Obama Staff Member: You’re like Danica Patrick.
M.: Oh its nothing this is just like Grand theft auto, Election Style.

I left for the evening feeling a sense of accomplishment, like I had truly participated in something great. It helped that as the staff members in my van left, each and every one said thank you, good night, and shook my hand or said, “Good job!”. To be part of that type of team, even if for a short time, is a. something I hope to experience again this lifetime and b. exemplary of those who surround a certain type of individual. Even more reassuring of the day's efforts was as I walked down the steps of the subway station to go home, a homeless man was singing Sam Cooke's Change Gon' Come. It was so perfect for the end of this day on the road to change that it was almost mystic, like a reaffirming sign if you believe in that like I do...look:

*I know the construction workers SUCK! lol

I’m so glad I was fortunate enough to miss work to participate in the past few days. Although I didn’t get my Presidential picture with Barack, I did good kids!!! I might get another chance very very very soon ;p

So stay tuned to Head Cases…I’m always happy to share a piece of this head with a case…..

M.