I've had this album on repeat ever since I downloaded it. Most of the songs on this album are oriented towards issues of the heart [like alot of R&B] is. "Through it all" is an uplifting tracks that talks about unconditional love whereas "Empire State of Mind" [Part 2 not featuring Jay-Z] immerses the listener into a New York concrete jungle describing the streets and the people who inhabit them. Tracks like "This Bed" and "Put it in a Love Song" ft Beyonce show Alicia's more spicier side with catchy fast paced beats and a notion to get up and dance. Honestly I don't purchase a lot of the albums I listen to, but this is one of many few I would encourage my readers to go out and buy.
Alicia Keys blows me away every time I play her in my speakers. Truly an inspiring young woman... a great role model for young girls all over the world. Peep her performance in Richard & Son Theater in TriBeCa performing "Empire State of Mind PT2".
I have to admit I have fallen off with this blog. I'm sure many of you need no explanation. If you're a long time reader, you'll know I live a fast paced life filled with God, work and family.
As of lately, I feel as though I have not been inspired to write. I feel the need to travel the world and see the beauties that lay outside of this concrete jungle I call Toronto.
Look at me rant. For the any left over supporters I have still reading this blog I send you my love and affection. Thank you for bearing interest in my thoughts and random posts. Rest assured there will eventually be a solid future for Chicken and Waffles.
I'm currently looking for a partner in crime to blog with me. If you think you carry the same interests me and are super outgoing and random drop me a line - we'll talk. Email me at miss_jubes@hotmail.com, add me on Facebook or get at me through Myspace.
Friday October 9 marked the day I discovered Smoke's Poutinerie located on 203 Dundas Street East (just across from Filmore's Stripclub). It was a cold and dreary night as we drove home only to be enticed by Smoke's bright fluorescent red sign. I should warn you this is not a place where health freaks are welcomed. Smoke's franchise strictly focuses on the art of Poutine. The one I ate below is called Hog Town - double-smoked bacon, italian sausage, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions. Clogged arteries here I come.
Happy Thanksgiving ya'll! I know some of you guys who support my blog aren't Canadian, but we're celebrating Turkey day here in TO. Just so many of you know, my blog is more than just some website where I post a bunch of mindless nonsense. This, along with my Myspace and Facebook is essentially my portal for you guys to get to know me on a more intimate basis. I love getting to know people from a different array of backgrounds and cultures. So please never hesitate to drop a comment or a hello :).
Ultimately, I know the question for this particular day is "what are you thankful for?"
I'm thankful for God being present within my life. Throughout the past year I've gone through my share of sour situations. Without the lord in my life, I would have never found sanity or salvation. As I've said before, humans are fallible; you lose yourself trying to find some sort of peace in materialistic things or a sense of self in another individual, but you'll always find yourself losing your life to Christ. God has brought many bright individuals into my life and eliminated many as well. Though I've gone through my share of pain and heartache, I feel like every situation, good or bad has allowed me to learn and grow as a person. To say I have not experienced a sense of sadness at times would be a complete lie, though I have yet to leave a situation with feelings of resentment in my heart, because of the knowledge I take with me. Like my favorite saying goes, "people in your life are seasons, and everything that happens is for a reason" and like my aunt says "god never closes a door without opening a window".
Love God, love yourself before you love another, be grateful for the life you live, love your family, pray for those who need it. Love is patient, love is kind.
I've been crazy busy with life to a point where I haven't been able to sit down and read any of the books or magazines I've purchased. When I was in NY I managed to finally get my paws on Complex's 5th annual design and style issue featuring a double cover of Kid Cudi on one side and Keri Hilson on the other. In regards to Do's & Don'ts I definitely agree. Men take it in or forever be divided into the tackier looking class.
HUMPS
Espadrilles
- Saving the world, one androgynous piece of footwear at a time
Rolled - Up Jeans
- Cuff your denim not your girl
Basic Backpacks
- You don't have to full 'tard to keep it simple, jack.
Five-Panel Caps
- A better head game never hurts
DUMPS
Frayed Jeans
- Getting laid with that Dane Cook Steeze? Frayed not.
Sleveless Shirts
- Totally screams "douchebag"
Huge Earrings
- Just make sure you take them off when you fight other girls
I don't do this but I came across an article I saw on Essence magazine regarding an interview with Meagan Good's significant other, Thomas Jones and was compelled to post it.
Thomas tells Essence Magazine
"Don’t expect something you aren’t working towards. Don’t look for a man to respect you when you don’t respect yourself. Everything you do eventually will come back, though it might not happen when you expect. You have to work on you. People say they want a good guy or have been praying, and a lot of time God gives you that time to work on yourself. That way when you do find him, you’re ready. A lot of times, somebody will come across your path, and you’re not ready for that, or you’re looking for something else, and it’s right in front of you."
He also adds:
"A lot of things men do is for women, from wanting nice bodies to jewelry. So when you are in a situation where plenty of women are around you, it’s tempting. But if guys look at the big picture as a whole, it would be easier to make decisions. I’ve been blessed to make it through a lot of situations. Anything I’m doing, if [Megan's] not there, she knows. Period."
A free all night contemporary art thing Oct 3 from 655pm til sunrise "For one sleepless night experience the city transformed by close to 500 artists for Toronto's fourth annual sunset to sunrise celebration of contemporary art. Discover art in galleries, museums and unexpected places. From churches and grocery stores to chimney stacks and bus stations, choose from 130 projects and chart your own path."
Sept 28th marked the kick off of the filming for Kid Cudi's Pursuit of Happiness video (ft. RATATAT & MGMT). The video is directed by Megaforce and production company El nino – the same company who worked with So Me for the Day ‘n’ Nite video and Kanye’s Good Life video. Details have been released via Videostatic.
SHOT: Kid Cudi – Megaforce, directors
* artist: Kid Cudi f/ Ratatat + MGMT * song: “Pursuit Of Happiness” * label: Universal Motown * director(s): Megaforce * production co: El Nino * rep: Verenne Ferrari
Naturally Hip Pokemon inspired reusable menstrual pad. Now you can protect leaks and capture all the Pokemon at the same time! You can cop your very own Pokemon reusable pad here for $9.
Another wonderful product brought to you by "This Is Why Youre Fat". On another note, did you know a bagel can stay in your system for up to 4 weeks? Ew. For all you Starbucks fanatics out there, beware the delectable Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin is 900 Calories alone.
Fool’s Gold Stack (below)
Pancakes layered between peanut butter and bacon and topped with maple syrup. Yummy but deadly!
So yours truly has been working 50+ hours a week for the past month. I think I've finally snapped. I need to kick back and take a breather for a minute. In celebration of my "breather" I have decided to attend Mood Music's One Year Anniversary Party being held at 6 Degrees Nightclub.
I found out about these chicas through the Pepsi Mic Pass; Got Me Jerkin' video which you can peep a few posts back. I'm loving this new Cali movement!
Maybe it might take some time getting use to Mary's new image. To me it just isn't her. This video may have suited Ciara or Rihanna nicely, but doesn't match my perception of the R&B queen I knew from way back when (Gosh I miss "Real Love", sigh...). Anywho, Drake "Drizzy" Rogers makes an appearance in the song as well as the video.
DJ A.M. also known Adam Michael Goldstein has been pronounced dead in his NYC apartment from an apparent drug overdose. "Prescription drugs and a crack pipe were found at the scene. Bottles of pills were found in both the bedroom and the kitchen. He was wearing sweatpants and no shirt," says the NY Post. Adam was a former member of Crazy Town back in 2001 and was engaged to Nicole Richie before he passed away.
Chris Brown has taped his first sit down, public interview Wednesday with Larry King which will air Sept. 2 at 9pm. Some of the topics discussed were the stipulations on his probation and the talk of abuse with, then girlfriend Rihanna, prior to his arrest Feb.8. His mother and lawyer make an appearance on the desk during the interview as well.
A group of talented young rappers from the west coast strut their freestyling skills.
You may be familiar with their current hit You're a Jerk. Anyways ignore the advertisements at the beginning and peep the video ya dig?
Talking dogs, balloons and giant birds... This movie is awesome. Ricky and I saw it in 3D. Needless to say, it was dope as hell. Lots of symbolism and comedic moments. You'd think most of the theater would be packed with kids from ages 7+, but 99% of the crowd were full grown adults - go figure.
Jordan, Aria and I decided it'd be nice to sit on the sidewalk and rest a little after leaving Seven. Note that none of the content in this video should NOT be taken seriously. All for shits and giggles. Peep the Youtube video HERE, if you're unfamiliar w/ Unforgivable.
A fight breaks out at a Drake concert. Things to take in (starting at 3:08): - Drake: "I still got one more song...fuck these ladies man..." - Lupe Fiasco rescuing Drake in an ever so affectionately manner
I wanna fall in love again. Falling in love is an uber awesome feeling when it's the right person. Whomever you fall in love with should never force you to be torn between your morals and ethics of your faith and the individual him/herself. Never compromise yourself for anybody. Stay true to you, but the meaning goes deeper... but hey you already knew this right?
GASP - Cassidy jacked Kanye... for his lady that is. Possibly a rumor, but nonetheless interesting.
According to reports, Cassidy is a male rapper.
He may also be a dead man, as random website Gyant Unplugged claims he's to blame for the demise of the relationship between Kanye West and Amber Rose.
Allegedly, with Kanye at work on Rihanna and Jay-Z’s albums in Hawaii, Cassidy has been taking a long whiff of West's Rose... if you know what we mean!
Relationships are so much harder than what they may appear to be. Women associate intimacy with love and men...well men just wanna bust a nut. Ladies, your emotions are definitely connected to your vagina, so remember women sex to love, and men love to sex. Love before lust, cause milk will always be sweeter than the honey
Don't wanna feel attached or get your heart broken, then don't give up the cudi!
RIHANNA is officially over Chris Brown. The Barbadian beauty showed up with a group of friends Monday at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge on West 42nd Street, but spent most of the night locking lips with Canadian former child actor-turned-rapper Aubrey "Drake" Graham. "She was drinking whiskey and apple juice and making out with him all night," says a spy. "They were really cute together." RIHANNA, who's also been spending time in town with Katy Perry, peeled off with Drake at about midnight.
According to Page Six the Umbrella singer is definitely over Chris Brown and was seen making out with Canadian rapper/actor Aubrey "Drake" Graham. Rihanna recorded a Chris Brown diss song called "Silly Boy" telling Chris Brown that he had a good girl but didn't know how to treat her. Hopefully Drake doesn't fit the wife beater m.o. like Chris Brown.