Book's Cover

Today I walked into a small sneaker shop somewhere in Parkchester in the Bronx. They had a pair of Freddy Krueger dunks in the window. These gorgeous sneakers spoke wonders to me. Years of preparation, of Jordans, SB Classics, Dunks, Sb Dunks and even a pair of FILAs here and there.

The store worker, probably not owner, walked in and asked if he could help me. I asked how much the Freddy's cost and he replied, "Never mind them. They're too much." I replied, "How would you know how much I have? And how much are they?"

He calmly replied, "$1000, and I only have a size 11."

So, not only did he disrespect me, he didn't have my size. My cover doesn't allude to wall street or to the streets, it speaks to something in between; some proverbial safe ground merging the two.

Me clad in Yellow dunks, with red bottom under sole, and a Yellow and Gray Cardigan to match, simple yellow and red polka-dotted tie to accent could've and should've been angered by his statement. But it just let's me know, that that whole "content of our character," hope is not yet realised.

By the way, the clerk was black.

The Dream, Deferred?

Obama's president, but what the hell does that mean?

The other day I asked one of my kids when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, one replied "1992," the other in disgust of the answer confidently exclaimed "No, stupid. It was 1792." I asked them if they knew 1992 was only 17 years ago, and if they thought MLK died while I was alive. In shame, they replied "No." I also asked if they knew slavery was still in place in 1792, and if they thought MLK had been a slave. They replied, "Yes."

Daily I, You, We, the educated have to combat what these children have to see and hear daily. I try to keep my little sisters from being "Block Girls," who are fast and date everyone, and who get their hearts broken, but it's hard. I try to keep my little brothers from sagging their jeans, fighting, playing with girls' emotions and from idolizing those who aren't worthy of being idols, but it's hard.

Everything that I say or do has to be done with 100 times more force daily in order to even attempt to combat what they learn in their homes, their neighborhoods and on t.v.

Obama's the president, but as the bible says, "My people perish for the lack of knowledge..." My people are still perishing, so, yes Obama's African American, but my kids here in the South Bronx, who are taught everyone is connected aren't feeling any tinge of patriotic pull from D.C and surely no surge of educational prowess as they're losing in this academic fight.

By the way, for those of you who didn't know, Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.

Forever

Today, I thought about yesterday and a little bit about today, and then, inevitably so, i thought about tomorrow and Forever.

I used to not believe in forever, but I've realized that forever does exist. It exists not simply in our minds, but in our souls, and in reality. Let me explain to you my forever:

Some people say marriage is forever, some say friendship is forever, some say family is. I say it's all beyond that. Forever is about tying together two things drifting apart and fuzing them to never be separated again. My forever is FIORI.

Every time we're apart it's ok, because she's my forever and every time we come back together it's right where we left off. Events took place, but they're all in the chapters of the stories we'll reminisce over in our chats. There's never a reintroduction, just revivals of present day existence that's based on what is already predestinated. She's always been there, since the beginning. I can't remember a time in my life without her, and can't forsee one either.

No, she's not my girlfriend or my wife or anything like that. She has a good man of her own, and a beautiful daughter... but it's all very simple. She is my forever. Find your forever and you'll understand.

10-Week Challenge

Let's face it, In the land of Plenty, plenty is ALWAYS consumed. America is FAT, overweight, obese, how ever you want to put it. And, sadly enough, we're getting FATTER! Everyone is, well, everyone EXCEPT K.Erv.

For the next 10 weeks I will be vigorously pushing to improve my metabolism, my eating habits and overall fitness.

I challenge anyone out there to beat me. My heaviest weight in this lifetime was about 210 lbs. I weighed myself the other day at a number close to that. In 10 weeks, I'll be at 165...

See me in the streets, actually, see me in the gym.
April 6th, thats the weigh in date... Weigh yourselves this week, and then on April 6th... Go Hard for Health!

Brooklyn We Go Hard

Exploitation of the dead never gets old. A lot of people are currently cashing in, again, on the Notorious B.I.G. Never fails, recession, black president, remorse -- none hold any weight in comparison to the age old get-rich scheme of exploiting the dead, through ALL mediums.

Soundtracks, singles, and now movies are still resurrecting the Notorious B.I.G... And with fastidious fervor. Here goes my review.

As I sat in a huge theatre in wack Staten Island beside my little brother, I was expecting another "Black Film" like State Property, or Repo Man or anything by Master P. But to my surprise and excitement, this movie was FAR from any of those attempts at cinematography.

From the films inception I was hooked. The gentlemen who played Biggie did an amazing job, as did Biggie's son who played the younger version of the amazing Christopher Wallace. Diddy was played close to his counterpart, but slightly less arrogant and over the top (note: Diddy Executive Produced the movie). Tupac was also very true to life.

Angela Bassett SUCKED as Voleta Wallace, whose accent drifted in and out as the movie progressed. I felt a bit sad for Lil Kim, as they adequately portrayed her as the slide off -- turned artist, who's sex appeal and whore-like ways weren't merely held to the lyriqs of her songs. Faith was portrayed as an angel, super innocent. Good role.

The storyline was captivating and held me from start to finish. The movie was actually very comical, and because it was written by a Hotchkiss graduate, clearly had the right mix of storytelling simplicity and visual grandeur.

Actually filmed in Brooklyn, as I recognized all the areas present. It was refreshing to see Brooklyn portrayed as something other than "Crooklyn." It was refreshing to see a story of hope, perseverence, and struggle (internal and external).

Go see it, don't bring the kids, though, Lil Kim is naked almost from her first scene. LOL, shocked me!

Brooklyn stand up for C. Wallace, our hero.

K.

Introduction to My Mind

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

Here I am, joining the blogging culture we live in... It had to happen eventually, right? I guess I picked this up after reading "All Parts Rejoice as 1" by my boy, Twenty1. He discussed music, and politics, and maybe a fashion pointer here and there, but mostly music.

I was going to discuss the same, but then I had other ideas, and figured I'd discuss whatever came to my mind... thus giving us the title, Sound.In My Mind.

Now you'll be able to hear my thoughts. No holds barred. Your name might show up, your face (if you're cute), or who knows.

Be prepared to hear K.Erv liked you've never heard him before. You'll hear my thoughts ranging from the pulpit to the main stage and EVERYTHING in between.

See You Soon,
K.