Monday, May 24, 2010

How to say "Happy Birthday" in Danish



All you really need to know is that this clip deals centrally with a Danish bus driver named Mukhtar. It was his birthday.

Clip had me tearing up a bit. So beautiful to see this kind of appreciation for everyday folks. People like my father, who worked 40 years at a job that ensured people all over the world got their mail and never got a thank you. This is for you, Dad. For all the people out there who work themselves to the bone every day and never seem to get any recognition for it. You are beautiful, you are loved, and, more than you may ever know, you matter.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Most creative video I've seen in a minute...



Not too familiar with Oren Lavi's work, but I absolutely adore this video.
Adult life will be uber-fun if I have mornings like this. Particularly the ocean bit. Pure genius.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A personal favorite....



Janelle Monae has gotta be one of the illest live performers in the game. Always blows my mind to see what this woman can do with a stage and a microphone. Pop culture, you have been put on notice. Janelle Monae is coming to take over the world.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

First post as a Penn alum



Found this video the day I graduated from Penn. For that reason and others, it holds a special place in my heart. Greyson Michael Chance is off-the-charts talented and will hopefully be able to maintain that voice of his for quite some time. Haven't heard a cover in a while that absolutely overshadowed the original. Shouts to the 11-year old phenom for getting a record deal with Interscope, and 17 million hits on YouTube all within a matter of months. Keep it going, my dude!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Commencement Season



In several seconds, my last full day as an undergraduate student will be over. No more dining dollars, no more 200-person lectures, no more bumping into complete strangers on Locust Walk. Nostalgia isn't the proper word for what I feel right now. It's more like this intense desire for time to stop moving, for the sky to crack open and deliver me a few more minutes of this sort of youthful, carefree, time. After this, it's 5-year reunions and 5'oclock shadow. Loans and light bills.

Oh well. All good things come to an end. Everything has its season. Hope the UK is ready for the kid.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

As you see, I've got biceps to spare.



For all their problematic racial/gender/disability representations, Disney movies sure do have some incredible soundtracks. Just felt like posting up some of my favorites today. Took me back!



Sunday, May 9, 2010

Oceanography final in 24 hours.



Never studied this hard for anything in my life. Send up some prayers, folks. I'm a firm believer that diasporic folks have a peculiar yet powerful relationship with the ocean. Gotta channel some of that ancient, intimate knowledge for tomorrow.

I know the Lord has given me the victory already. I believe it. Claim it. Wouldn't be called faith if the easy out was right in front of my face. Going to push until the end.

Otis knows a little bit about the ocean. Shout out to Jonathan Howard for the inspiration.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

1 exam to go....



Just finished a 22-page paper on Biggie and Big Pun. This song came to mind this morning. Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Not sure how I feel about this one...



Just another step in the commodification of hip-hop? Probably. Can't lie though, cinematography is tight lol.

Monday, May 3, 2010

An eviction notice for fear



Math final today. This Arvo Part track feels like the diagetic music to my weekend. Though there is initial angst, sadness, doubt, you can hear the joy threatening to crescendo at any given moment. There's no room for self-doubt right now, too much faith. Too much joy. There's a world full of people out there who wish that their greatest problem was an exam they are fully capable of knocking out of the park. I will remember them as I study for these next few hours. As I walk into that room calm and confident. Let's get it.