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Friday, July 24, 2015

The End: New Beginnings ' D'Book of Myths '

Produced arranged composed and performed by Lord Ur-ros aka Myth-Ra Raised

The Source: Myth's Roots

Benign Aggression:Save Your Self or Self Destruct

Benign Aggression:Save Your Self or Self Destruct P-2

Credentials and the Development of Conservative Principles:

Credentials and the Development of Conservative Principles:

The Problem Solving Plan

Solar Bird - From the Ashes: Scales

Businessman Bum or Bandit Project - The Recession

Businessman Bandit or Bum Project

Problems: ' So I'm a Bum now? ' [

 Shemariah Entertainment l Bucephalus Pro

Chapter-I The Source: Myth's Roots [1970-1988']

First Blood

Myth-Ra Raised  was born 5-1-70, in Montclair, NJ. He was the 3rd of 4 children from his mother and the first born from his father. The two elder brothers had different fathers from each other and, Myth-Ra and the youngest.  It is said to that Myth-Ra and the youngest have the same father. Myth-Ra was named D'Artis A Alexander by the one said to be his physical father, Robert E. Alexander [deceased]. It is all a mystery to Myth-Ra. His said father was from New Jersey, his mother is from Portsmouth, Va. It was a short stay in New Jersey. At one time he and a 5 years older sibling were in a shelter, in New Jersey.
 " I remember darkness, walking outside of a big white house or building, where there were a lot of kids. I remember feeling a lot of negative emotions: unhappiness." His mother would visit ocassionally. " I remember my mother visited, I was happy to see her. I cried from the thought of her leaving. After the short stint in the shelter the family regrouped then moved to Virginia, where the mother originated [the father stayed with the family off and on for a couple of years disappeared and latter died from pneumonia, so he was told]. "I had an excellent feeling towards my father and the paternal side of the family. I always asked my mother questions about my father and his family, I loved going through the family  albums"
The amount of time D'Artis was in New Jersey was extremely short. After a couple of brief settlings, home for D'Artis Anthony Alexander became Twin Canal Village, in Virginia Beach, Va. There he was raised from 8 to 19 years old.

Twin Canal Village 78-89'
' from 78-89 [An avid breaker from 81-82 to 83-84] Myth was a natural when it came to dancing or  anything creative. " I Breaked [ I was the best variable break dancer in the neighborhood].. I was the one that took breaking seriously, doing moves like knee rock to the backspin to the headspin freeze or I'd pull my pants down while spinning,. I had the rawest foot work out there, around period. And I had one of the nicest headspins.  I'd dive into the back spin then freeze or pop out or go into a head spin. I'd do 1990s [ 1 hand hand stand spinning to a headspin] , I was known for doing Egyptian routines with my brother Jerry, ending with a flip to pose, he'd spin me on top of his head my stomach was on top of his head legs and arms straight. I had a solid 6 pack then. I'd step into my brother's hands and back flip. I had all kinds of moves. I won talent shows with different crews. We'd battle in [schools, malls  and neighborhoods]. The best groups were big and had somebody with a hot move.

The best groups were big and had somebody that mastered a move
The Body Breakers: I was known as Devastating-D as a breaker [Black] was the headspin, foot rock, variable guy; my older brother Jerry or ' Driver ' [Black]: was the elbow spin [rarely seen people do this move], acrobats and flips.. He also had a nice windmill: regular, heads flare and a diplomat; [my main man & my favorite all around] Damian '  or Keith ' [Black]: did a lil of everything [the most creative entertainer in the group]; Tony or ' Pretty Tony ' [Black and White]: popper; The Twins ' Charles & John ' [Latino]: crabs: regular and the skip, windmill, headspin, poppers -personality/entertainers [young and short and the girls called them cute]; Keithie [white] The youngest in the group. Blonde hair blues eyes ' girls loved him ' known for the super swipe, poppin, personality. he was about the same age as the twins but he was one of the originals too. He was one of the first Skaters I seen [ the twins turned into skaters too]; 'The God Father [Mexican Los Angeles] popper breaker/supreme entertainer.. He made a crunch sounds with his teeth while popping his body, and his right hand man was Derrick - I'ma call him ' Detroit ' because this brother and the God Father weren't running and were talented, [Black] windmill/breaker and the owners of the group were 2 brothers: John & Henry [white and filipino]: windmill KINGS.. John had a tight head windmill, while Henry had the regular windmill and the skip flare or windmill... * we use to call the windmill flare back in the day until people actually started flaring. But his was the fastest, sharpest and smoothest I have EVER seen to this day.. legs were perfectly straight. Literally, papper and stuff in the room would start flying - phenominal, and finally their ace, possibly a partner as well Jackie ' Super Swipe ' [black], we called him Super Swipe because he had the best superswipes - perfect! and he was the graffiti artist. They had a manager Danny [he looked white and filipino.. he was intelligence, and his brother lil brother rode with us in the trunk of the car] that got us in bars and they made a KILLING. Every single week the same bars between 12 & 2am. Bikers types use to throw tips on the dance floor. We'd go to projects and battle.  We'd competed at Norfolk State University.. They were among the SUPER GROUPS. And all of the SUPER GROUPS were connected to Martial Art Studios: Kung-fu or Karate. They were super fit!! "

Large Bars Body Breakers performed weekly for pay

And one more name I forgot.

Super Groups

Body Breakers
oringinally based in Carper Apartments, alot of members myself included took martial arts with Marvin Wallace ' Tung Lung '

A&M Breakers:
I remember Donald, a memberin the group. I believe they came out of Wing Chung Studio

ABC Breakers:
' Marvin Wallace ' Repping Plaza Apartments/Plaza: Kung Fu Instructor: Tung Lung, He taught classes free outside at Plaza Elementary, Hip Hop Dancer. I'd call him a Community Leader.
Definitely a forefather.
and ' Leonard ' [ Black  ] the leader of the Clones I don't know if they were a gang organization or what but they were highly respected. Leonard is a forefather.

Tony was a fore father. He was a well respected martial artist. Vague memory but he was well respected.

The Street Breakers
Street Breakers, from Newport News were ran by the Gilbert brothers, my brother was cool with them. We got kicked out of the house in 84' and moved to Newport News. They were the most organized crew I seen. They made it happen. We performed at roller rinks. They had the best routines, best outfits: they had the tights like New City Breakers in Beatstreet! They supplied power to buildings where they did their thing.. I forgot what it was but.. it was like some New York  stuff. We were on base Ft. Eustis, I think some of them were from New York.. They had a nice size crew. DJs, and a following! Newport News was very supportive!
The Law Breakers
The Law Breakers were rivals to The Street Breakers like Rock Steady were rivals to New York City Breakers. They had the smoothest uniform. it look like it was Cashmere, light green.. pimp! They were dope like The Street Breakers. We never spoke but they were real.

These two crews may not have had the best technical breakers but they had the best routines by far. They were women pleasers, entertainers.. They incoporated dances like the whop, later came the DC Whop into their routines. I took the routine home with me when I moved back to the beach and we won 3rd place in a junior high talent show.

I think I've seen some of the best, at least locally but many of them were from around the world. and theydon't let anyone in their circle.

John Pickens and Erin Polly were the best solo talents. john being more Classical mixed with Hip Hop and Erin Polly being more street. He will take your move and do it way better than you! Both were poppers! There was a lot more..

DJ Doc Best DJ..

Thrillers was the best group of people..

He continues. [An avid skater from 84-85 to 86-87]" I was a descent skater, and was respected locally. The first boards I got for Christmas was a white Mark Gonzales and a purple John Lucero deck, with independent trucks.

I played the sax in the school band for a few years, and I usually sat first chair. I went to All-City. I played guitar. I had a few guitars including, 2 Ibanez guitars: one of them was pink and  the other was black - (twins). I played a little drums. In the house there was a drumset, an organ, bells, maracas, bongos... I was in the school band and I also played in a group - The Thrillers. I remember waking up early saturday mornings to sell Krispy Kreme donuts to get equipment for the group. I couldn't bring any instruments outside of the house accept for one raggedy ass guitar. I couldn't have company in the house.I could have created my own group because I had the instruments. The band mostly breaked

I took karate and won 1st placed in a Chuck Norris tournament, and got 4th place.. I lost because I lost focus. I lost to a short red head kid, I couldn't snap out of an awkward situation."

 He carries on..
"All of that and more before I got into high school, I was very creative"

"I loved breaking before I heard of breaking, I came out of the womb with soul. One of my favorite songs was 'Ring my bell' by Anita Ward, I'd go into a trance dancing to that song, especially during the break."

"It was the freedom. I enjoyed being creative. I felt like I was free from earth's matters. My imagination took me somewhere else. Most everything was created in solitude, by myself."

Within the Shadow
"In Twin Canal I became aware of order, and basic social principles on a community level. I learned the importance of cooperation on a community level. Twin Canal is where I broke out of my artistic shell. I interacted a lot more. I used to spend a lot of time in my head, imagining all types of things; I was more imaginative than talkative. Twin Canal is the place where I started the development of my creative process. I played alone a lot but I'd also participated with squads. It was there I developed self awareness. First you, then your momma, then your household, then your court, then the neighborhood. And don't bring no disrespectful people in the neighborhood, because you will be held accountable"

Myth-Ra Raised goes on.
"Everything I did, I practiced alone 90% of the time. I enjoyed practicing." And that is the truth. Myth practiced breaking in the neighborhood laundry mat.  "I was self motivated. I'd share time with a variety of different people who each had different interests or talents. I did get excellent tips from greats. The most influential were Damian from the Body Breakers and Chico whom both told me to put more imagination into my work and to practice on transitions between moves."
Myth-Ra reached blue belt in karate. He trained hard. Starting between the age of 6 or 7 and continued some sort of martial art training until he was 13 years old. When he started breaking, he was flexible and very sharp. Before he knew of break dancing, he was breaking [dancing on the floor doing dragon kicks, russian kicks].
"I really felt music deeply. Every person, room, situation had a different beat, vibe, rhythm and the house was full of instruments: bongos, bells, maracas, organ, drum set, guitars.. I played the sax in school, and spent a lot of time sitting first chair. I went to All-City every year and it was more than just having things, because other people in the house had access to the same things I had access to, but they did not choose to use them. I love music, but not just Hip Hop or R&B, I enjoyed all types of music. I was self -motivated.
 I always rapped. I started off scat singing. I put together quite a few songs, using a drum set;  an electric guitar that I used for the rhythm, lead and bass parts, because I didn't have a bass guitar; and the last main instrument was an organ. I'd record using a tape recorder and a dictaphone. I'd use the dictaphone to record material while the recorded material streamed from the tape recorder. I would record the drums first; second I'd record me playing the organ while the drum set was playing out of the recorder; third I'd record me playing the guitar while the recording of  the drums, the organ and the guitar played; and finally I'd rap or sing while everything played together. Occasionally, I'd do a guitar solo. I'd fill cassette tapes with songs, front and back. With songs like "Follow the Spade "" Deja Voo "" I see Red "" D'Artis The Overlord " I kept it to my self, well I tried to. I went out and people had my cassete, playing and singing words to my songs. I took my tape back. I was very upset, but it felt good that they knew the words and was having a good time singing it [like they had it for a long time]. The thing is, how they got it." D'Artis looked heated.

Myth-Ra Raised Roots I

Myth-Ra Raised Roots II

Readings and Influences
I always read socially conscious books. Early on, I read: ' Crisis between Black & White ', ' Message to the Black Man ', ' The Death and Life of  Malcolm X ', ' Black Power ' and other books. I believe I started reading these books, well before I was into Hip Hop. There were Edgar Cayce books in the library, as well as Scientology books. Our next door neighbor, Scope,  was a Hebrew Isrealite, so information trickled down to me through my mother. I remember a green pamphlet that started off with " Shalom ". There was a thick bible with pictures in it, with notes at the bottom. The neighborhood had quite a few Jehovah Witnesses, but most of the people were Christians, so I was warned not to speak on any type of black conscious teachings and I didn't until Public Enemy came out in 87'. I thought it was socially acceptable to speak on black consciousness since everyone was bumping the music. I was mistaken. I remember listening to Bishop Willis, a Christian talk show hosted on WOWI 103 morning program, squabbling with a Muslim caller  'on community issues and right after he called a Christian woman called in and said ' not another Muslim. ' I got the message. A few years passed, the music and cultured changed from DMC to Rakim, P.E. and EPMD. So Hip Hop brought in conscious teachings, fashion and such. I enoyed reading encyclopedias as well. I read books on animals, dinosaurs, Marvel comics books, DC comic books. I enjoyed anything educational, Sci-fi, and my last few years in the neighborhood, I got into metaphysical books because of a paralyzing sleeping disorder that I had most of my life. " When I became more aware of it, it made itself more felt ". I began diagnosing self. During this period I got high, tripped, and tried Robitussin DM [Robo-ed]. They could have played a part in enhancing the strange feelings and visions: "The Shadow" but I had the paralyzing experiences all of my life. I fought it one time.. I had to sleep with a curling bar by me and a bible under my pillow, to feel peace. From the experience, my spirituality intensified with my research.
Socially, life was great. I had a diverse group of associates.

From  approximately [76- 80] Karate made it to blue belt under Sensei Don Page - he taught made me tougher; [79-81] Sensei Pitts brought Hip Hop Rappers Delight - he taught me sharpness: to mix martial arts with music in Katas, Sensei Hoggro polished things off/movies.
[81-83] Sensei Marvin Wallace put everything into play with full contact fighting, conditioning. John Pickens Supplied the first and only group I 've ever been in ' The Thrillers ' I played guitar for The Thrillers but never performed musically, but we breaked with them. I helped build a name for the group. and on the weekends early in the mornings, we'd knock on doors to sell Krispy Kreme glazed donuts for equipment. I took judo at the Kempsville Recreation Center [78-80]:
First place trophy at my first karate tournament, went to finals and got a plaque [wasn't focused]
Was into gymnastics as a kid and won ribbons..
I was in band in elemetary school 6th grade: sat 1st chair- I played the saxophone.
I was ok in school
Junior High as well [82-85]
I usually sat first chair in band. I was known for breaking,. I attended Kung fu classes but it ended around 83',  84'. I street skated [Mark Gonzales, John Lucero were my first boards]. I performed with a close associate in a hotel Ballroom [x-mas Gig] in 87 then afterwards we went to D.C. and hit the "Foxes Playground ", my first strip club, all nude.. hit another club downtown and the strip. That was one of the best times ever.
I went to Old dominion jobcore for a couple of weeks, had to leave because people were gettin in trouble from  big fights.. I went home before my name popped out of a hat [arrested for nothing]
88' I got me a car, it broke down.. I join the Army National Guard to fix it..

occasionally I would work with my mother at a restaurant " Tortillia Junction 80 or 81', Volunteered at Animal Kingdom [pet shop] 81', participated in Stama/Stop programs - summer jobs for low income for about 3 years 81-83', worked at Burger Kings 86', Chi Chi's 86-87'

Chapters: 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8 l 9 l 10 l The End: New Beginnings

Chapter-II Benign Aggression:Save Your Self or Self Destruct [1988/89-95']

1988-89 to 95' [P-1]
13 Bravo, Cannon Crewman

 Job Corps didn't work for me. My car blew a gasket and I needed $400 to fix it, What should I do? I joined the ARMY [to get my car fix]... I spoke to a recruiter, went to Richmond for the physicalBAM  Ft sills, Ok, here I come! I scored well enough to go in for communication, but they got me. I remember thinking ' what kind of civilian job can I get shooting off cannons? '
But that did not stop me. I made the best out of the situation..

I learned:

-how to be a strong Individual
-how to work as a collective

Upon returning I couldn't function properly because my car wasn't fix. I was in the National Guard, but I only seen constructive people once a month and 2 weeks [straight] during the summer.  So I easily regressed back to the prior mind state. I got into trouble, discharge from the military (Honorable - but with no benefits - because I missed too many formations)

The Ignorance was always there but things got

Even the angels back in the day, had a lil devil in them. In elemetary school going into junior high, we snuck into movie theatres. We'd watch movies back to back at the mall, and basically had a negative attitude towards the outside world. The neigborhood was like an island. Occasionally, we'd steal candy and stuff. I got caught 6 grade stealing GI Joe figures at Kmart. My mother had to come get me. I stole Gi-Joe figures: Ranger, Commando.. and another one.
In early junior high school.. we'd
sneak into abandon houses [with honeys/chill-drink].. We were  a lil rowdy.
And the stupidity elevated as the alcohol and drug consumption increased: from weed, pills, acid late junior high, 10th grade.. to the crack era high school. [it wasn't my thing but it was there, effecting the era ]

Crack Destroyed Relationships

Crack caused the criminal activities to elevated and develop meaning. People weren't tripping on acid being silly, they had to have this product and criminal activities for many was mandatory. Crack was apart of the culture because Hip Hop artists looked like the dealers.
When I skated, I still listened to Hip Hop. Infact many of the best breakers in the area, turned into skaters but that is a different story..

Musical influenced

I loved Eric B, EPMD, KRS-One, NWA, The Beastie Boys.. But I favored Public Enemy. This new conscious attitude was good because It gave people esteem but at the same time we were fatherless. So, a rebellious nature came to be.

It was either Fight the Power ' or ' Fuck the Police'

NWA came in rebellious like The Beasties but they had a harsher attitude..

This new era came about, after I moved out of the neighborhood [which was middle class] included fairly new associates  and our ties weren't strong and people were getting charges. There was no unity.

[The military tempered me but, I still had some shit in me..]

Got Me

  In 1990 I was charged with B&E/Grand Larceny because of my big mouth. They were arresting a couple of other people and I started running my big mouth from the side lines, next thing you know me and my big mouth were in the backseat of the police car. heading to the precinct.. After over 10 charges wer thrown on me, 2 stuck..

My attitude was shitty. I was like you didn't catch me. I am innocent until proven guilty.

I defended myself in court, reading from an old law book.. I said,
They said I did it, I say I didn't; there is no physical evidence, no witnesses in court [besides the same 3 officers that arrested me]. If I am innocent until proven guilty, I am still innocent - It's my word, against theirs. Criminal cases deal with facts. This is is not a civil case. The defense rest his case "

I was found guilty..

I had a public Defender.
Right before the trial he said " You best plead guilty ", in one of those conference rooms. I refused and relieve him of his services and represented myself, though he was beside me during the trial.

He saved me in the end because he said somin after the judge said guilty.. So the court appointed lawyer may have saved me from the Penitentiary.

I had an attitude.. I felt I was crossed so my attitude towards the system worsened even though I was in the military, Army National Guard.

No Contest
Sooner than later I got in trouble again, for a car stereo system, a sleeping bag.. and some other dumb crap [courtroom was laughing during the preliminary when the items were announced ]. Everyone said they were asleep [the crime happened at 2:00 a.m.], including the driver of the vehicle. We were hinting to the officers ' I want to talk to my lawyer '.

  ' Basically Everyone just left a house party drunk acting stupid, We were like the last to leave somebody got into a fight with one of the people that own the house. '

Trial day I came into the courtroom with  poster boards, marked up: pictures drawn - ready for war!
AND they revoked my bond, a new trial date was set.
Court day
While I was in the dog pen. They said they had a witness and offered 2 - 3 years suspended.  I mentioned my last case [the recent charge,  see - ' Got me '   ]. I didn't want this charge to effect my last charge. I had 5-10 years suspended meaning if I went to trial and lost, I had to do that 5-10 years. I said if this charge doesn't effect that suspended time I will plead No Contest, not guilty.. But No Contest.
Again I didn't want this new charge to get me locked up because of the suspended time from the last case.. They  could give me the 2 - 3 years supended, but then charge me again separately for violating the last charge. They agreed and, I plead ' No Contest ', rather than ' Guilty '.

In other words I didn't say I did it. I said I don't have a choice but to say I did it. So I'm not pleading guilty.. My plea was ' No Contest '

Time to Chill

I got 3 ' obstruction of justice charges '. 2 of them were in close proximation of each other: 90' & 92', almost immediately after the ' No Contest ' plea, and another one, 6 years up. I came to the conclusion ' People don't care, unless the right ones are there - image '. In fact, I started thinking they wanted me in jail, more attention for them. And it evolved into why am I here?what am I doing?
I developed a greater sense of self. I became self-ish.

I wasn't tempered, but I became more cautious.. I was against systems in general, but I was pretty chill. I was still extremely impulsive, a risk taker, hypher [self diagnosed ADHD]! My perception was unique because when I got in trouble, I read books on law, conscious books again. I'd go to the mosque sometimes and other conscious places, book stores. Getting in trouble reawakened an old love - reading. I always did but I went through a dry period. I was in a transition

I was still impulsive and very guilable
From VA to Boston
An associate and I were working, digging trenches, and mid day we got into an argument [heads butted together]. He said something like, " I bet you wouldn't go to Boston [Mass] with me.  ", [amped a nigga up]
He met a young lady from Boston at " Virginia Beach Greek Fest ".
I said " Nigga come on.. I got some raps, that needed to be heard!"
With only 10 dollars between the 2 of us, we decided to make it happen and that was spent, to get us up 2 or 3 cities, to Hampton, Va. I got my military waterproof bag, full of raps and we were off.

We probably took 50 steps and immediately got a ride.  We took 1000 steps total, up and back:
got a ride from Hampton to Baltimore [by a truck driver] - to a trucker rest area

a ride from Baltimore to Philly [ by a cool ass brother]. He took us in front of his house, he went in

for a minute, came back like we were fam and we carried on

 a ride from Philly to New York by a Puerto Rican brother - [He was waving a gun around telling us

to carjack some got damn body. but he was trying to help]

We took a few steps rested/napped under a bridge [overpass] regrouped and headed toward the city. This is where we walked the most - New York. Lips were blowing in the wind, chapped up from the cars blazing pass us..
but a car finally pulled over.. and it was the coach for Boston University Basket-ball team 90-91'. I think his name was Barry.
He was about 5 9'.. Dark skinned, beard...  and not only did he give us a ride, but he offered opportunities. This great man took us to New Haven, Connecticut [strip/downtown], dropped us off at the mall with enough money to eat at Burger King. He told us he was coming back in about a half hour. He came back, we continued up toward Boston and stopped inside of a very fancy restaurant and we ate an expensive dinner. Then he dropped us off in the neighborhood [guns were firing warning shots, I'm thinking]. He told me [while giving me his card], " If you stay here until wednesday.. I have a group for you to meet,  dancers, DJ, producers.."

I was like, " Helll Yeah!! See you wednesday"
and he left

We then made our way to the phone booth, and my associate called the young lady's house. Her name was Deena but she wasn't home.  her mother answered.
She was like ' get off them street before you get killed '. She identified us from the window of her apt.. She invited us in, offered us something to drink, got in touch with Deena. She was a police officer, her son was locked up and from what we were told, he was very active and respected on the streets.
They took care of us.
Deena showed us the city, and it got more and more beautiful by the day. She showed us where to go to get apartments. The person I went with [Reggie] ended up calling Va.. and he said people were like come back, he approached me like lets leave.. We left 1 day early [tuesday]. All I needed was 1 more day and I would have been on.
We packed up headed toward the interstate.
We seen and helped a lady change a flat tire on the interstate.. got 10 dollars a piece, took 20 steps and got picked up by a dude that looked like Nick Nolte. You know the cop that co-starred with Eddie Murphy in the movie 48 hours. The car looked the same and everything, except it wasn't a convertible and he was much cooler. He even picked up another long haired modern hippie dude in Jersey.. I don't know if he made it because he was talking waay too much. The hitch-hiker wanted to get some drugs, dude was down at first but the he changed his mine. But the hitch-hiker kept on talking.. I think he got dealt with.
got dropped off in Richmond, Va early in the morning, where our directions split, because he was going to Texas. Within a half hour, a cop gave us a ticket and said, if he catches us on interstate again, he will arrest us. So we were stuck.. We got into an argument because he wanted to keep walking on the interstate. He walked I hung out by the hotel off the ramp. I caught a brother, asked for a ride, and another brother came to the rescue. He was going to Norfolk in a sweet Black load, might have been a mustang. We seen the nigga walking, thumb out and we scoop him and he took us all the way to the beach, bought a hotel room for us then split immediately.
He didn't even came in.

Chapters: 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8 l 9 l 10 l The End: New Beginnings

Chapter-III Benign Aggression:Save Your Self or Self Destruct P-2 {1988/89-95']

1988-89 to 95' [P-2]
Somehow I got talked into going to Florida twice and both times were bloopers. But one of the times I had to hitchhike back..
Again my impulsive nature got me in trouble.
We were drinking and partying this time. And out of the blue, people were like," let's go to Florida. " Well we went and I ended up hitch-hiking back because the corner off of the Daytona beach strip, a few of us were dropped off on when we first arrived... [dude was suppose to go up the street to get his girl] was the same exact one we got picked up on the next morning [10-12 hrs later]. The dude I rode down there with was suppose to go up the street to get his girl.. I knew I shouldn't have gotten in the car from the jump, back then I was the type of nigga that would split QUICK..  I didn't care how high I was, how far I was from home, who was there. If I smelled some funny shit - I'm gone. My biggest problem was I was too impulsive, and I always stepped into dumb shit.
Immediately I made a sign after we went to the dude driving [Q] girl's house. I said, " Hi - [ to her, she use to live around the way ] do you have a marker "
I ripped up a card board box [10x12],  and wrote, ' VIRGINIA BEACH ' in thick letters with yellowish-green florescent stripes, then I calmly said " take me to the interstate. "
I got dropped off at the top of a Jacksonville exit ramp on the interstate at about 12 AM [approximately 10-12 hours later], walked down it to a donut shop, called my mother to see if I could get a bus ticket and she said " pray to god." I didn't but I did tie my kicks - tighter, I got a ride from a newspaper truck to downtown Jacksonville, stayed in the bus station overnight, slept, woke up at 5:00 a.m. I walked to the interstate.. and I remember hearing gunshots early in the morning and seeing a older brother looking terrible [drugs]. I took about 20 steps and a raggedy two seater station wagon, filled with fishing rides, shovels, tools and other stuff pulled over.. A older biker looking dude [about 30 - 35 years old] said ' get in ' and I did, couldn't be picky [10 hrs and 23 minutes drive to Virginia Beach].. and the first thing I remember seeing was a bullet by the shift/ashtray. I think that was a hint, for the passenger. He was going to Pennsylvania but ended up taking me all of the way to Virginia Beach. We spent the night at my associates house [ batchelors ]. I knocked on the door smiling ear to ear, with him behind me. I know they were mad at me, for good reasons..
was another adventure, gun threats, stole gas, break ups - make ups.. everything, but all in all he was cool, a true soldier! But I had to ditch him.

After we left my associates crib early in the morning, dude wanted to hit the pawn shops to sell stuff for more gas,
We were riding up the road and, I said " stop ", I got out of the car.. told him from the outside of the car to make a u turn... He was still lookin at me waiting for instructions, then I raised my hand up like, I'm out! He looked at me  like, what?, shook his head, and drove off. I walked home. It took me 15 minutes.
He wanted me to go to Pennsylvania with him - nope.
He thought we made a good team - we did.

At that time my social circle was not made up of neighborhood friends: confidants [unconditional love ones], constituencies [conditional love ones], or comrads [more loyal to you than new associates]. We were fairly new associates. Relations change when appetites change. Friends are more precious than gold, because you can get gold with them or through them. Needs won't separate you - pleasures wont separate you. With these, individual attention: social status, being the most desireable to females or associate, lower pleasures and the likes, were most important and understood. There were no persons from the old neighborhood I grew with - no loayalty: *95% of the people I dealt with were only there for 2 years maximum, seeing them maybe 20 times physically in that 2 year period. Sometimes 2 of those times were in the the same day. I'm a social butterfly. I went to 3 elementary schools. The last one was White Oaks, everyone in White Oaks went to Brandon Junior High. I went there for 1 year, then the next year a couple of neighborhoods got bussed to Princess Anne Jr. High. I went there for the rest of my junior high days [ besides a 2 month stint at Reservoir Middle School in Newport News]. I Breakdanced for a couple of years, then I started skating which invovled a completely different crowd. Over half of the people in Princess Anne went to Kellam High School while I went to Green Run High, back with the people I went to elementary school, and one year of junior high school.and the school was big. I didn't see noby from elementary. I hung in some of the old neighborhoods like Carper during junior high but.. It wasn't very frequent.
I grew up in a beautiful city, even the low income housing were nice, but for the most part there were no father figures-adult males of any sort in the neighborhood. Therefore, there were no consistent rules. In my opinion, we didn't even know how to do wrong right. We were very emotional and deceptive one way or another. Nobody was there to balance the scale, moderate. There were no winos, pimps, the city [area I knew].. [Playas were there and my mother knew some. They were in other cities and the local playas were supa-slick] The boldest and most aggressive [I knew] went to jail early [by 92'] and the deception elevated-immediately after. After I got the 2 felon charges in 90', and the misdemeanors, the idea of re-entering the neighborhood I grew up in was faint because I could get a tresspassing charge. The older charges I got were silly, but the police made it  seem like I was ring-leader.  I was told 3 misdemeanors was a felon. I said to myself I aint playing with these people. I aint saying slighty, I was better than anyone or that there were'nt great people around, but if I have a drug problem and you have a drug, alcohol or any type of problem why are we hanging? Back then when we first met the first thing we'd say was, " Where's the bitches, or where's the weed or alcohol? " Rarely did you hear " let's get this money !" At first people were pretty much on the same side
but things change with the factors.
As social trends come and go, so do people. People are influenced by television, movies, music, females and ect. Crack came into the equation and things changed, as did the music, principles, and the loyalties.
The females became valuable because 9 times out of 10 a nigga didn't have a license, and they always had friends-girlfriends. She could set you up with jobs, her friends/associates. You could sell weed through her, to her friends and their friends and associates [to her if you raw], her friends and associates; meeting more cattle/hindpots for you to station: trade, sell or rent to your friends. Ex. " talk to her for a lil bit; keep it in the family "  It's monopoly mixed with chess.
It got cliquey within cliques. If you were truly intelligent you wouldn't have been hanging, how I was hanging, if you were in my position. I had too many negatives: I moved out of the neighborhood I grew up in from 78-89 [and didn't maintain relationships]; me and my immediate family members were NOT on the same side of the chessboard, and people knew it and capitalized off of it. 90% of people will play you for your weaknesses; I didn't play the same: do or sell drugs, prior charges through that idea away. I started dabbling into music recordings. I didn't trust a soul, and the spontaneous nature I had dissolved so I was boring. Weed was cool at first but I started hearing a voice and it told me ' wrong circle'. Alcohol drowned the voice but trouble followed, so now I'm pecking the bottle until it's warm then pouring it out. Back in the early 90's, we drank 40s of Crazy horse, Magnums, Cisco, Cool Breeze, MD 20-20  [troouble] mixed with a lil weed up to 93-94'.
The music in the era: NWA, Ice Cube,Onyx, Leaders of the New School was shifting to Pac, Wu, Red Man, Snoop, Mobb Deep ect.
Movies changed, fashion changed..
People mimic movie characters, artists and wanted you to play roles.

It's a game
that knew me when I used to breakdance were shocked to see me skatboarding while other people that knew me when I skated were shocked to see me getting [back] into the Hip Hop Culture: fashion, attitude, which was now more socially conscious.
 that seen me seeking knowledge of self  [ I may have met them through music ] didn't like that I associated with white people while white people didn't like the fact I was changing in image/seeking knowlege of self, not knowing I was into it before I skateboarded or breakdanced
 this created rifts within and inside of social circles. I was at a point where I said to some white people, I can't hang with yal no more because I'm turning Muslim. I felt they really weren't doing anything progressive anyway, but then again a lot of the Hip Hop heads were dealing with or knew someone who dealt with white people themselves. Ultimately issues didn't have anything to do with race. I wouldn't have had any issues with the white folks if the niggaz wouldn't have asked me my opinion while I was chillin' with people [attention'].

" He who has the gold, makes the rules "
Wizard of Id Newspaper cartoon

The music recorded was pretty good. I started meeting a lot of good crews, hit up studios: had bump ins, disagreeances but it was cool because I was learning the game for what it was. I wasn't new to conflict. After I got into trouble earlier, I began hitting the mosque, bookstores. I met a brother, E- , at the mosque and he took me to Newport News, and hipped me on to scrolls.. I started meeting different people at different jobs. I worked a lot of different jobs, types of jobs which enveloped different types of people and experiences.

Sears [stock]
Lonestar Steakhouse [dish/prep]
Olive Gardens [dish]
Doc's Greenhouse[worked in the green house]
Cavalier Hotel [steward department]
*Bulkheads [Built Bulk head builder]
Construction Jobs [brick/carpenter helper]
Temporary services between jobs/Plan B [basic construction]
Traveling Portraits salesperson [sold portraits in the State]
Traveling salesperson Magazines [Florida and Texas]

Between 88-95', I matured greatly. Instead of being impulsive I became alert. I started off trying to do the right thing, joined the Army National Guard but came back money wasn't right, car wasn't fixed, among other negatives and I quickly regressed and landed in trouble. I was full of energy - impulsive and even though I just got back from boot camp, I was ill-disciplined. I was proud that I made it out of boot camp, but I wasn't proud enough to purchase the pictures illustrating my experience while I was there. So something definitely  was missing and it effected my attitude.
I did find a direction, a purpose - goal, and from that I grew to be goal-oriented. The path taught me ' no one is perfect, and because of that, God will constantly challenge me to make me [my soul ] better. In 93',  I decided music and film business was the way. And I recorded in variety of different home studios.

Eaton: 91-92 ' In the Flesh '
The Dirty Lab Entertainment: 91-92 ' in The Flesh '
[Forgot his name]: 92 ' Left, Right, Left.. '
Shinzu: 93' ' The World '
Rob9's Crib: 93-94 ' Take em' ' Time Traveler '
and others songs.

Might is Right
I recognized a consistent pattern in later years - people imitate what they see/hear on TV/radio.  The good, the bad and the ugly. in 88' Rebellious/Protest - PE, 90' Gangsterism - NWA, 93' Creative/Street - Wu, 95' - Playa lyricism - Biggie. Every since the movie Scarface was released, 12-83 which was around the same time crack came on the scene, people have  developed an alpha complex
It was always there, but the degree of it crippled communities.
wants to be Tony Montana, the alpha male. There must be ONE - " I'm the real one ". People wanted to be Suge, Dre, RZA... - ' The Star ', and what's rule #1 in ' The 48 Laws of Power ' 1. Never Outshine the Master '. Books like ' The Art of War ' screwed up the game because now everybody wanted to be BOSS.. of another person or control a region rather than see each other do good.

Chapters: 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8 l 9 l 10 l The End: New Beginnings

Chapter-IV Credentials and the Development of Conservative Principles: Change [1995-01']

2001 Independence
I'm 25 years old and sharp. No longer excessively out going and extremely cautious but I'm still not quite there [mentally]. No more 40 ounces. I'd buy a 6 packs, or maybe a 22 ounce but that is it. And it wasn't malt liquor. It's Heineken, Guiness Stout, Corona or a Michelob and I'm kissing the bottle until it's warm, pouring the rest out.

I always had a hooptie during this time period [easier to fix]. Before, I was consistently working/hustling, but it was done aimlessly - without a goal that was connected to establishing a business.

After graduating from the hotels [effiencies], I stayed in off and on between 94-95, I eventually got an apartment, by myself, though people have said different [ but know better ]. People said, ' Your momma got it for you ', or she paid my rent, but they know what's up. It's on my credit history [report]. I never asked for, or recieved a dime, or went to my mother's house - she did visit mines a couple of times. I may have recieved articles, that I didn't ask for, because I knew somebody would say ' they were responsible for my achievement ',  but I said to myself, on the day I was leaving, " after I leave next time, I won't even accept a call." Because the insults started before one article was placed on the moving truck. She asked somebody what should we do first. It's my house.

But let's take it back to me getting the apartment.

The opportunity came after a car accident

I had a blue subaru, and thanks to the Lord I got into an accident in it, on Salem and Independence.. I got hit by a latin brother and at the accident, he said he was wrong to the police. I ended up with $2-3,000. Thank you Atty Land.

I got a couple of outfits paid first and last months rent, on a 1 year lease.

About a $1000 went to a new old car and some gear which came from the first check. [my vehicle was totaled]

About $1000 went on the first and last month rent [chiropractor/medical damage]

My Apartment in Norfolk

- E. Princess Anne Rd. in 96' I got the apartment through GSH Real Estates off of Providence: 1bedroom with additional space connected to the bedroom.
* in 95'  a lot of time, I was in the ' Breakers Hotel ' in Oceanview, Norfolk, Va, and I later stayed with Chris R., off of Military

In my crib, 4907 E. Princess Anne, it cost about $450.00 a month. It didn't look good but it was in a decent area. close to downtown the interstate and a host of warehouse businesses and the likes .

94-95' Marine deck and coating surfaces: Surface technologies
95 '  Colorful Krull's Painting
95-96' l 99-00 Demolition, Asbestos/Lead removal: A&B Abatement; National Abatement
95-96' Landscaping, I built bulkheads; painted: Beck's Painting
I had a route cleaning restrooms: daycare centers, gas stations, and other businesses.
Temp service employment if needed.
96-97' Restaurant work [ Orapax ]; I painted
97' Commercial roofing

Oct 16, 1995 - Million Man March
I've seen some nice studios: home studios and recording studio.  " The World " 94-95: first recorded at Blounts aka Shinzu's house, then re-recorded  at Third Eye studio, " Magnetic Pull " 95', "Lord Ur-ros " were recorded in 3rd Eye Studio.. *" First blood " was recorded at 3rd Eye Studio in 1999, later relocating in 1999

Norfolk State University - " Money be the Root of All Evil " with my main man Manifest aka Hannibal Steel 96; " Magnetic Pull " Virginia University 96-97; Clubs: The Cave 96-97 amongst other spots. I've been in some nice staged ciphers/battles as well.

Crews: I never liked groups because of the issues that came with them. There were too many control issues. I wish to sell and market my own product then after success " funds-resources " I'd expand. I felt my spirit & vision was way different from the people around me. No better or worst, in fact I enjoyed their  work but our styles were different. I simply felt uncomfortable around them. I couldn't find my A-likes and really wasn't looking.

I was raised in Virginia Beach, but I relocated to Norfolk because it was cheaper. I hunted the apartment down, checked the area out during the day and night, and it was cool.  I met a lot of cool people in Norfolk, and I learned a lot out there.

I moved back with family, because  after the 2nd lease was up because things were looking great music wise, and I wanted to invest money into studio time. I felt something positive was about to happen.

I decide to move back to Virginia Beach
98' The reason I moved back was because I wanted to invest money into studio time Things were looking great. I was relating with an array of people which was partially the problem because trust wasn't developed. I was interested in understanding my creative side of self in the studio: my voice, attitude, writings.. I wanted to sculpt it. I wanted to build a character, privately. I performed and participated at a couple colleges, a university, and recieved positive feed back from other artists and spectators that attended the events. The thing was I wanted something that I could sell in my hands. A tape [back then] or cd. I felt  there was no need performing, or being on a mix tape if you didn't have anything to sell.
These are older writings that I put together back in 95 to 98'. They're mixed with tax folders that came into being, at later date, but if you start the video 2:23 it will go directly into older writings..
Part - 1 of 2

The second half of some of my writings from 95 to 98'
Part -2 of 2'

Everything was great in Norfolk. Opportunities were there but I felt I couldn't move the way I needed to accomplish the goals I was aiming for. It's hard paying bills for an apartment and investing [without personal equipment] into projects at the same time. I simply matured. I wanted to be professional.

My Goals:
I wanted to put a project together as an artist.

I wanted an entertainment/production company

I wanted to get into film

I needed money to do all of these things.

I desired to move back in with family.

Because I felt success was around the corner, so I needed money [Power] to invest on it.

The Issues
My definition of success and loyalty differed from most of the people I related with.  I didn't want to be a loyal servant/worker. I wanted to be ' free ' to do as I wish ' an entrepreneur '. I didn't even want to give orders because I felt and still feel, whole heartedly, if you aren't paying people for their sevices, and you are profiting, you aren't being righteous, unless you are doing some type of humanitarian service. Now, there are exceptions to the rule: volunteer workers [college students getting credit for school, street teams]; agreements with associates or group policies. But if you are just an associate, friend, family member that could be cut at anytime for any reason - you should pay up!

 I'm not a follower or a sidekick. I want people to say not only is he a talented artist but he's also an excellent business man.
  And I believe before you lead [hire] you should first have power [money], and have a firm understanding of it.

If I took a career test, self test, aptitude test or any type of personality test whether exoteric or esoteric, it would say ' Do your own thang '. I'm here to network  and 99.9 percent of the time if I went out, people asked me to roll with them. Very rarely would I call anyone and say, " pick me up ".  I try to stay out of people's way, because I don't want to hear anybody say " he used me "

Part - 1 of 2

Part - 2 of 2

The Problem:
The debt came immediately when I returned to Virginia beach in at the very end of 1997-98. I had transportation issues:  car issues, poor bus lines [effecting payment of the debt]; the environment: situation [the home environment: I had a brother that came home from the system; Before I moved out, it was just her and I], location [the mentality of the people in Norfolk and Virginia Beach are very different, especially on the side of town where I resided].
I rented a room twice
At the end of 98-  I rented a room twice with 2 different people one of them I was suppose to have rented a room but I ended up on the couch because 2 extra people were there when I arrived. One of them was in the room I was told I would have. It didn't last 2 months.
98-99'- The other place was with a young lady, somewhere near the end of 98', who knew the person at the last residence [ she pproached me with the idea then ].  But one of the prior room mates soon started talking to her, and he moved in. I stopped getting rides to the job [after dude moved in: She told me I didn't have to pay rent prior to me moving in, but I said I would need a ride to work <National Abatement>, and she agreed to give me rides]. I believe she asked me to move in because she didn't feel safe at the time. Later, associates and I went out to a club one night and I believe someone at the club put something in my drink because I blacked out.. and it was a mess. I don't know what happened.  The story told to me afterwards was crazy, the vehicle's windshield was cracked but my hands, body was uninjured. We argued and I moved back in with family and quickly placed an application into a Pizza Hut Delivery restaurant, in the cut. I worked there for a couple of months, then put a 2 weeks notice in and started working at Locco Streetwear with Rob9.

After the 2 attempts to leave I decided to stay where I was at. I had all of these issues: DUI, fender bender, Obstruction of Justice..., I was crippled. Plus the reason I came back home - music, was looking pretty good and I connected with a big family on my father side whom I've never known - I knew I had to have my thing together - before meeting them.

98' construction jobs/the tempory services/[moving company] until I worked at National Abatement at the end of  98'

99' - Protemp[plan B]; National Abatement; Apple Bee's [waiting tables]; Cavalier [waiting tables and room service]; Protemp[plan B]

*  [99 summer] This is when I got in the fender bender[foot slid off of the brakes at a red light]; ' Obstruction of justice ' [we were doing music, someone  knocked on the door and all I seen was 2 arms pulling someone out of the house, it just so happened to be the cops]; DUI [Went out on 2pacs birthday/.108 3.5- 4 beers]- All during the summer.

00'-   Pizza Hut Delivery restaurant, in the cut. I worked there for a couple of months, then put a 2 weeks notice in and started working at Locco Streetwear with Rob9.

* Also at this time I put together 2 songs and put them on music sites.

' First Blood ' [produced  and mixed by PK for 3rd Eye Studio] and ' Lord Ur-ros ' [recorded in 3rd eye in 97' for the Spot Music project for 19th, I got it mixed at Woodhouse Av Inc., It was also remixed for the " Pyschotic Philosix " project which by far was the best version]

I wanted the experience putting pieces together in the bigger studios [paying money because I wanted to feel like I was handling business]. I wasn't interested in selling the work because I thought there were uncleared samples in songs. I just wanted to go through the motions.
It would be on for the world to see and respond to, and that was a step.

* 1998 car issues, living
* 98' close to $1000 court bill from a 1991 court case
* 1999 fender bender sued for $2-3000
* 1999 DUI fines[court], classes, no insurance fine from DMV.. forgot but it was high!
* 1999 Obstruction of justice $160 plus
Late 1998-99' got in touch with paternal family
* 2000 Locco clothing store
* 2ooo Locco Compilation: I did a song called ' Lord Ur-ros '

I'm consistently moving forward
I feel I was dealing with the BEST on all levels BUT.. I have my own vision.
I'm a natural trailblazer/entrepreneur.
Later, Rob9 of Self Pro was working on another CD compilation called ' Versatility ' and asked me if I wanted to be on that project, and I was like " I'm ok . Let the other brothers rock it " because niggaz were fighting for shine and honestly I didn't want it.
I really didn't want the song ' Lord Ur-ros ' to be on the first compilations - ' Psychotic Philosix ' because we recorded the song about 2-3 years back. I felt the song didn't fit the project and there were clicks in it [on the violin  sample]. I also felt  it was  too monotone.  I felt It could've been edited  [produced] better and also I was getting on the business tip. I wanted to be paid for my work.
Rob was like, we could make another one, but I wasn't interested in recording anything. I think they had at least 10 songs recorded, through the years.
wanted to be PAID for songs; and I wanted to pay for beats.
They felt since they had most of the connections, and resources and everybody was going to get free promotion because they attended fashion shows and ect, so I should be happy I'm on the project. Rob9 and Eric had worked for a strong independent clothing line and were connected to all of the right people. Now, if I had a project or a product to promote, a brand, I would have felt what they were saying, because I could have built momentumn off of it, but I didn't, so to me it was pointless to be on the project. If I had my own [strong] sources: associates: money; connections: family, it would have been a great idea, a completely different story. I didn't want to shine if the right people weren't around me. I'm trying to play the wall.
There was too much hating going on for me to' rock ' a mic for free. You're going to have to pay me to put my neck out there, and I gotta be powerful and supple and surrounded by my people, not yours. Even though, I was treated extremely well on all levels: free shows, access to important people, respect due to their association, it would all fall if I went my own way. I needed papper, and to be seen as an independent/entrepreneur - not an artist.  I felt the extra was just that. It's kind of like a job having cook outs and parties every weekend then saying ' I'm taking it out of your check '. Bump the cook out. I don't care if Prince was at the cook out every weekend, I'd rather have the check.

needed my own identity: Lord Ur-ros as an artist and  my own entertainment company for starters.. I desired my own alliances, people that dealt with me first-hand.  They had plenty high caliber artists in their midst, hungry for the opportunity to show their skills and a lot of them were fresh talent, willing to do things for free, which decreased my value - as they grew. So I stepped out of their way while they were still moving up [fasst].

Martian Lab Media

 dudes were extremely tight!
And the time period I associated with them was extremely profitable even if money wasn't made:

Rob of Self Pro Productions worked with me at Locco Streetwear [set me up with the job at Locco and I've done side jobs through him], through the years [94 to that point]. He was the one that did most of  the production on the music I recorded.  He was the President or Vice President for Frequency Magazine [Eric was the CEO/Owner,  head graphic designer] which business office was in 12 Monkeys Studio in 99. They were partners or something with the person that owned 12 Monkeys Studio [recording side] and were well connected. I got along with Rob9 and his circle: his family, his wife and her people, associates [too many to name].  He had powerful and talented connects and was an extremely hard worker which was partially the problem, in my opinion - which he was sick of hearing, in my opinion - which is why we probably stopped talking, in my opinion. Rob and I had drastically different opinions, goals, philosophies, visions... We disagreed on that fact. I 'd say man I don't see like most of these people and he was like, that is what makes it good and I was like... I'm arguing with my mother, I don't need to be arguing on the streets. Well he had a opinion about that. He felt what I had problems with was nothing. His view was there are people out here that have drug problems.. I  was like they created it, this lady doesn't like me maaan
The Queen is the most powerful piece on the chessboard
We disagreed about everything. His pops looked and spoke like Phil Donahue and his mother reminded me of Sally Jesse Raphael. Eric [black] for some time lived at Rob9's [white] house, with his parents. Everyone that partied met at Rob's house.. His parents were coool with him and his associates. I got the impression you could knock on Rob's parents door with a personal problem [I never did] and talk to them and they would genuinely listen. I spoke to his dad several times and he radiates warmth and understanding. My mother is cool but we don't get along maan.
Eric was the graphic designer for Locco Streetwear and for Frequency Magazine [here is a magazine he did graphics for in 2009 for Seven Magazine]
Blount aka ' Shinzu ' introduced me to the circle, though I always seen Rob and his friends at the court when I would walk to the store when I first moved to the area, was the ' people's champ '. He had heavy street influence with the people: ' street and conscious ', and he was a producer/artists. He had 'Word of mouth ',  Hosted events and stuff. He was a great artist himself, his work was loaded with substance and he is a good brother, though we butted heads a lot early on, because we both had strong personalities. We didn't agree on too much of anything. But he was extremely supportive. His family was strong and behind him like he was ' Black Jesus ' He would bust out with what he felt on his chest when and where he liked. His mother and father were like Right on!! Speak!
I honestly feel he is a chosen.
In my family, I felt I was treated like Esau and my younger and oldest brothers, twin souls, were treated like Jacobs. They were favored by my mother whom I liken to Rebekah. ' They are a trinity' but for me, It is a mess.

' Iron sharpens iron. '
We [Blount, Rob9 Eric.. and myself] differed to our roots: family background, they went to school together,  they had an understanding, and then I came.
Blount grew/expanded as quickly as Rob and Eric.
Though in the end Eric was the most impressive to me business wise. The others dealt directly with artists on an entertainment level which is harder to reap rewards in my opinion. By far that circle had the most impressive network system locally, besides Tommy or King T. Most of the people I associated with after 1998 to 2002 were from that circle. I basically wanted my own circle. And after I connected to my family on my father's side in 1998', I decided to seize the opportunities and privileges ' loyalty ' that would come from from us connecting. After I build with my family I would re-connect with these and the likes.

Word of Mouth Location - A

Word of Mouth Location -B

Going back a little - late 99' 00' Plot
I had the charges [ DUI, The fender Bender, obstruction of justice - which was really an interference with arrest but since nobody was arrested, they became ' Obstruction of Justice ' charges ]..  the year started off good but turned into a nightmare.
my older brother Jerry some how cames into the picture. I get his #, call him and ask him prices for beats and or production. He says we could work something out with copryrights or something. So I don't have to pay him any money.
I still had the vehicle at the time but I knew soon I wasn't going to be driving. Rob9 had the magazine going. I figured, I could sell the car and use the money to produce a project,  and put it in his magazine ' Frequency Magazine '. In exchange I would take his magazine to the DC area where Jerry was at. Rob9 wasn't interested in the idea. He was having problems circulating locally. He was like if I was under his management, it would be a different story.
That sounded damn good because he had the best connections locally, but I didn't want to be an artist. I wanted an entertaiment company. And he had too many people interested in him.
I had to go without him, but that was a damn good idea [And that's what I wanted, Be paid for good ideas-plans]
So I sold the car for $750 and bought a bus ticket to DC.

It was nice out there. The people were cool but I'm all about business. I'm thinking -  in & out.
I think I was there 4 days [too many]. I wanted to leave in 2 days max. My brother [Jerry] was waiting for a particular beat machine though they had some equipment, so he just showed me the area and introduced me to his people.

When I went to DC, the dumb shh tried to follow
One of my brother's associates wanted some weed  and he was like ride with me. I said ' ok.. '
[prior to this incident, I went out with them and we got into some play time - they had dancers and such. I grab the mic one night and I rocked it with a few of his people. It was fun]
I was beginning to feel comfortable out there. So as we were riding 12:00 DAYLIGHT. He was pointing things out, schooling me to how they hussle out there. Pointing at people you'd think were everyday citizen/construction workers saying ' hustlers! ' I was like they fronting that hard ?
We got to where he was trying to go.. and from no where. The Army National Guard jumped out on us and got him. Took him away! The main dude [an Army National Guard soldier], a brother, asked me for my ID an he seen I wasn't from the area, so he asked me my story.  I  told him I was visiting my brother, and I also mentioned that I was in the National Guard back in 92'. He Looked at my ID, and he said " I'ma let you go, because we have the same birthday. "  I was thinking, finally some good luck. I was sitting in the car and the people in the hood were very upset - shooting an invisible gun at dude with their hands. I guess they thought we were informants. The dude I road with was yelling back at them saying " We aint narks! "
The National Guard soldier, told me to leave immediately [I guess they needed to set up for the next bust, so I drove off and somehow found my way back to their crib. I called my brother, so he could help him out. Dude was mad that I left, because he had to walk back home.. and my brother and the other room mate were upset, he took me out there. It  cooled down.
I said something to Jerry about speeding things up and I mentioned I was trying to leave the house because he know how it is there and he said something like " don't talk about mom? " I looked at him like he was crazy.
we finally recorded something then got into yet another argument and I left with nothing.

This dude only lived with us for 2 years but, he witnessed the drama and I use to stick up for him and to me he was acting like we grew up in the same residence for 18 years.

I was dumbfounded because my mother and him didn't seem close from what I seen.

He also said something like you are suppose to be in Virginia[?].
The straw that broke the camel's back was when he tried making me take a copy and when I refused it, he said something like well I'll erase it
I stood up and said where's the button. He erased it and [so called] hit another button playing something I did with his room mate.
We argued about that. I went up the steps and told his room mate to erase it,
but he didn't speak or come out the room.

I should have did something with his room mate when I think about it. I would've been gone.

The next day, I left back to the beach with nothing, -$300.00

All he had to do was [a] find an instrumental I was comfortable with [b] put it down on a track [c] recorded my vocals on a separate track from the instrumental [d] delete the instrumental [e] build another beat over the vocal track while I was gone [f] mix it [g] send it to me in the mailbox simple.

I said to myself  I'm getting my own toys..

I felt, the problems I was facing revolved around status and control. If they liked Dre, they wanted someone to play Snoop; If they liked RZA, they wanted someone to play Meth or ODB. I needed ' fool control ' over every aspect of my career not job ' My Career '. I would've been wrong if I was trying to go mainstream through other groups, but I wasn't.

I'm trying to do business. "

At the time technology wasn't heavily in the picture. When technology came into the picture, everything changed because you could get a beat right off of the computer.

There was a saying by producers,
" There's a million rappers out there ".
Well after the computer came into the picture artists would say,
" There's a Million beatmakers/producers out there. "

The competition heightened for everybody. I was thinking to myself on the way back, my brother and I got into an argument because I didn't want to take a copy with me.
 C r a z y

When I returned, I was more focused then ever. I figured bump it, I'm going to have to get my own equipment.

00' - Locco Streetwear - Store Shipping;
The year 2000 was my 7th strongest year financially between the years of 1995 and 2005' I didn't get all of my tax forms though. And it was without a drivers license! I beat every year prior to it besides 96 and 97' which were the years I had my own apartment with a car. I worked a lot of temp service jobs, because of a raggedy bus line. I realized at this point that if anything was going to be done.

I had to take things to the extreme - no play.

Credentials and the development of conservative principles: Change
At the end of 2001 is when I decided to get a credit card because if I am going to be succesful I am going to need credit. People aren't trying to give you nothing: credit, money, unless they have to, because it isn't about power when you  deal with people.
It's about control.
This was when I woke up and realized
 I had to learn how to work the system.

Chapters: 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8 l 9 l 10 l The End: New Beginnings


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Chesterton Tribune

Oppose hotel and parking garage at state park beach

Back to Front Page

Voice of the People

I strongly oppose the Department of Natural Resource's proposal to build a hotel, conference center, pool, and potentially a parking garage at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

While I support DNR in its efforts to reduce natural resource impacts on the park and to raise revenue, leasing land in the park to a private entity and building a hotel, conference center and pool is not the answer.

The Indiana Dunes is an area of global significance, part of the largest system of freshwater dunes in the world. As part of the birthplace of ecology, this State Park attracts and educates visitors on that merit alone and is not compatible with a hotel development - whether it is financed by a developer or through a bonding issue.

Leasing public land for the benefit of a private developer is both short-sighted and unconscionable.

The Indiana Dunes State Park belongs to all Indiana residents, present and future - it is not politician's to lease to the highest bidder.

I urge you to look into this proposal at once. Thank you for your time.

Melissa Mish

Posted 4/11/2006

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Username Post: 57 front sheet metal install help        (Topic#126944)
Senior Member
Posts: 493
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Reg: 05-07-03
03-18-06 08:05 PM - Post#898315

Well thought I would seek advise here rather that doin the job 2 or 3x's before I get it right. I have the front of my 57 stripped from the firewall forward and ready for reassembly. What is the best way? Assemble inner fenders to outers and install? Install inner fender ducts before or after fenders go on? Can the ducts even be put on after the fenders are on?

1955 Stuff on eBay
1956 Stuff on eBay
1957 Stuff on eBay

Senior Member
Posts: 2031
Loc: Denver, CO
Reg: 08-28-01
Re: 57 front sheet metal install help
03-19-06 03:40 AM - Post#898316
    In response to Jinxie

Assemble the front clip off of the car. Call three friends and bolt the whole thing on. My brother Alan says he can take off his front clip and reinstall it by himself. But then he has a lot of practice, because he keeps blowing up his motors. LOL
aka MileHiSS, DenverDave, & keeper of various tri- five's, 62 409 Biscayne, 67 SS396 Convertible,
a 40 Ford, and a real 32 Ford 3W Coupe

Ultra Senior Member
Posts: 10144
Reg: 03-25-05
Re: 57 front sheet metal install help
03-19-06 05:28 AM - Post#898317
    In response to Jinxie

I assembled mine piece at a time because the fenders had never been on this car and didn't fit well at all (both repop fenders). I had the fenders off and on more that 2 or 3 times to get them to fit. Remember to install the inner fender to firewall brackets ON the firewall. Brackets. Assembly off the car would probably be easier if the parts fit originally. One of my repop fenders hung 3/4" below the rocker and I had to section it.
66 Corvair (driving)
57 2dr HT (driving)
56 2dr HT (waiting to be restored)

Ultra Senior Member
Posts: 11784
Age: 56
Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Reg: 01-05-06
Re: 57 front sheet metal install help
03-19-06 06:42 AM - Post#898318
    In response to HurdRep

My brother Alan says he can take off his front clip and reinstall it by himself.

He must be a big boy! Or have a hoist.
I screwed up my back when I was about 16 just lifting the hood off!
I got good at removing the front end back when I was about 21. I had to get
my brother to help me though. We could have the front cap off and
engine/tranny out in an hour!
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
1948 Studebaker Champion
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2000 Blazer 4X4
My Pics

Honored Member
Posts: 17575

Loc: Southwestern OH
Reg: 11-15-02
Re: 57 front sheet metal install help
03-19-06 09:17 AM - Post#898319
    In response to jeffs55

I usually do this job one piece at a time.

I rarely have a helping hand out in the barn.

The last front end I re-assembled my girlfriend helped. We were installing the driver side front fender after I seperated everything for paint. Well the rivot in my jeans dug into the new paint.
57 Hrdtp(mine for 40 YEARS JULY 12)
57 210 4-dr Sdn(37 yrs Aug 12)
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Ultra Senior Member
Posts: 12683
Loc: Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Reg: 05-26-01
Re: 57 front sheet metal install help
03-19-06 09:25 AM - Post#898320
    In response to Jinxie

55's are easier to take the doghouse on and off due to fewer parts. But I still couldn't do it by myself that way .
So, like Acardon, I prefer to put them together a piece at a time, especially since I normally do it by myself. A quick review of the order that I would do a 57 is:
Glue or staple all your antisqueak rubbers on first. Install the vent ducts to the firewall and connect and adjust the vent cables to them and test their operation. This is the easiest time to do the vent cables. Then bolt the radiator cradle, flat upper filler panels, rear curved lower panels and splash pan together and mount it to the frame loosely with new cradle bolts and cushions. Then install those 2 brackets on the firewall that Acardon mentioned. Then hang the inner fenders on there. Put the front vent duct tubes through the inner fenders and connect to the rear ducts with the rubber sleeves. Prop the front vent ducts up at the front with some sticks. Before installing the fenders, bend the tab with the screwhole in it that is on the underside of the fender backward a little. This will let the fender slide over the inner fender much easier, otherwise it tends to hang up there. Then you can slip each fender over the front vent tube and inner fenders and between the cradle bar and inner fender. Then install the curved panels on the sides. The vent drain tubes can be installed any time later. The rest is pretty easy to figure out. Install everything loosely, so you can make adjustments. You have to make the fenders fit with good gaps to the doors and cowl. Then more adjustments will be needed when you put the hood on. You'll need the shims they sell for shimming the cradle bar and the grill tie bar to the fenders. I'd get 2 packs of cushions for the cradle to frame, since you often need more shims to lift up the front end than they give you. Shimming up the front prevents your fender hood bar extensions from being too close to or hitting the bumper. And it helps close up the upper fender gap with the door and cowl.
That should get you started .
Steve F., professional resto work since 1985, xa...

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Twinkies Are Coming Back; Hostess To Reopen Schiller Park Bakery, 3 Others

Twinkies, Ho-Hos and Ding-Dongs are coming back to the store shelves.

WBBM Newsradio–04/26/2013

Suburban Bakery Offers Up A Hostess Ho-Ho Homage

A north suburban bakery is ready to cheer up those saddened by closure of Hostess bakeries after unsuccessful union negotiations.


text:
Thomas Jefferson Middle School

(Credit: Thinkstock)

Valparaiso Teacher Admits Taking Money From Other Teachers’ Desks

Randal S. Kerns, 56, of Valparaiso, was arrested Thursday by Valparaiso police after school officials alerted them of the thefts. Kerns has been released after posting bond.

13-Year-Olds Accused Of Texting Nude Photos

Two students at a northwest Indiana middle school are the subject of a police investigation into nude pictures they allegedly sent to each other.

CBS Chicago–05/26/2011


text:
Predicting the Cubs in Twenty-Ten

It’s the first Friday in April and that can mean only one thing … it is time for the annual prediction contest on the CCO. So dust off your copy of Gray’s Sports Almanac, Vol. 2 and let’s have a little fun just three days before Lou Piniella’s crew opens the Twenty-Ten season in Atlanta.

Most are picking the Cubs to finish behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, out of the playoffs for the second season in row. Baseball is not played on paper, just ask Larry Bowa. If it were, the Chicago Cubs would have reached their ultimate goal several times over the past decade.

But what does the Faithful think? While the Cubs spend the last two days of the exhibition season in Phoenix, let’s make predictions for the upcoming season …

The Cubs are coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign and will begin the season with as many questions as answers. The Opening Day roster will feature 13 players that were not with the team last year in Houston … as well as a brand new, very young bullpen. Only Carlos Marmol was in Piniella’s pen on Opening Day against the Astros.

The Cubs are depending on several veterans to “rebound” from sub-par performances last season. Lou Piniella has pointed to the fact his team won 83 games a year ago while dealing with one injury after the other … plus other issues that has been discussed ad nauseam.

Could the Cubs prove the critics wrong and regain the top spot in the NL Central?

So here’s the contest. Correctly predict the Cubs win-loss record for 2010. The winner will receive something via the mail that has been deemed cool by the CCO … not to mention the title of the “Coolest Commenter on the CCO for 2010.”

Predictions can be made up to the first pitch on Monday afternoon but the time stamp on your comment must be before 3:10pm CDT on April 5, 2010.

Now here’s the twist and tie breakers:

There will be only one winner this season. If there is not a correct prediction made, there will not be a winner. No overs or unders this year, the winner must correctly predict the Cubs record … the only exception would be if the Cubs do not play 162 games, which has happened the past two seasons. If the Cubs play less than 162 games, then a +/- equation will be taken into account based on the amount of games actually played.

  • First tiebreaker – The amount of runs scored by the Chicago Cubs
  • Second tiebreaker – The amount of home runs for Alfonso Soriano
  • Third tiebreaker – The amount of wins for Ryan Dempster
  • Fourth tiebreaker – The amount of saves for Carlos Marmol

Please, only one prediction per reader.

Let’s have a healthy debate. State a case for your prediction … plus, if you don’t make a prediction you can still place your vote in the CCO poll on the right side bar on the amount of wins for the Cubs in Twenty-Ten.

Have fun, after all isn’t that what baseball is supposed to be … FUN! The winner will be announced in November.

And remember, Stay Classy Cubs Fans!

Opening Day is in THREE DAYS!

Quote of the Day

"Baseball is like driving, it’s the one who gets home safely that counts." – Tommy Lasorda

Share on Fancred
  • Mike M

    W-L 91-71
    Runs Scored 744
    Soriano HR- 33
    Ryan Dempster Wins 20
    Carlos Marmol Saves 47


text:
Defying Mao, Rich Chinese Crash the Communist Party

The Wall Street Journal’s James T. Areddy explores the intersection of wealth and power in today’s China:

China has been grappling of late with political and social tension over its murky policy-making process and its growing income disparity. The party has been especially sensitive this year during the leadership change about revelations about fortunes amassed by the offspring of political leaders, known as “princelings,” by leaders of state businesses and by other politically connected people. Many ordinary Chinese blame high prices, poor quality food and pollution on guanshang guojie—meaning, roughly, officials in bed with businessmen.

[…] It is difficult to pinpoint precisely how holding political positions advances the business interests of the wealthy, if at all. They may do better because of their political positions, or, conversely, they may owe their positions to their business success. There are a multitude of reasons for Chinese companies to be on good terms with political leaders. Chinese companies routinely do business with the government, borrow money from state banks, even negotiate their tax bills with local authorities.

The web of political power and business interests is mapped in a dense and extensive infographic accompanying the report. Areddy also points to an illustrative series of deals involving former Chongqing Party boss Bo Xilai and Wen Jiabao’s son Wen Yunsong.

The transactions began when officials in Chongqing’s government who answered to Mr. Bo sold shares of a state-run grocery and electronics chain to an investment group led by New Horizon Capital LP, a firm founded by Premier Wen’s son, Wen Yunsong.

After first buying 25% of the chain-store business, the New Horizon-led group increased its holdings to 39%, according to regulatory filings and government reports. The investment group effectively became a partner of the Chongqing government in the retail business.

In October 2009, Chongqing Department Store Co., 600729.SH -1.56% a bigger retailing group also controlled by the local government, bought the chain in a 3.921 billion yuan ($574 million) all-stock merger. That deal valued the private-equity group’s initial 25% stake at 980 million yuan, almost 2.8 times what it had paid 18 months earlier.

The Wall Street Journal report coincided with a major Bloomberg investigation, also published on Boxing Day. At Bloomberg View, William Pesek discussed the implications of the Bloomberg report, and of David Barboza’s October exposé of Wen’s family’s wealth at The New York Times.

When you peruse many of the reader responses to foreign press reports about Chinese graft, conspiracy theories abound: The western media want to undermine China’s rise and is doing the bidding of officials in Washington and Tokyo. That, of course, is silly. Only a fool would hope for a crash in the world’s No. 2 economy and for 1.3 billion people to struggle to find enough to eat. Global economics isn’t a zero-sum game. When hundreds of millions of people get rich, that will benefit all of us, whether you work for Rolex, Nike Inc. or Toyota Motor Corp.

[…] The sad truth is that hundreds of millions of Chinese aren’t rolling in yuan the way Deng might have hoped. It’s getting harder to hide that reality from China’s masses, and that poses a growing threat to the Communist Party. Closing international-media websites, as China does at the sight of an unflattering article, can’t hide the internal decay as wealth becomes more and more concentrated.

[…] No industrializing economy has ever avoided a crash, and neither will China. Possible catalysts include pollution and surging living costs. Yet the one that China’s leaders are probably most loath to confront is the sight of Communist Party officials becoming modern-day Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. It surely never occurred to Deng that finding wealth would be China’s undoing. When you follow the money, it’s hard to conclude otherwise.


text:
Well known and trusted – providing chiropractic care for animals since 2008!

Healthy Senior dog and active athletic dog who have received ongoing chiropractic treatments

Experienced animal chiropractors for your dog or cat!

Recent CFE News

loveofdogs Inspired by Nosework - Celebrating CFE Partner: For the Love of Dogs. Today some of the animal chiropractors and staff of CFE got to observe Kristin Elmquist of For the Love of Dogs give a nose work class at Carver Lake Veterinary Center in Woodbury.  We learned what “crittering” is and got to smell birch scent. We watched three […]

With multiple doctors, educated in a variety of techniques, we offer your dog or cat the ultimate in experience, training and genuine concern for their well-being.

We don’t rest on what we already know.  We are constantly gathering fresh, new information to provide even better support to your companion.  Chiropractic adjustments, craniosacral work, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are all offered to dogs and cats through Chiropractic for EveryBody.

Map of Chiropractic For Everybodys animal chiropractic locations.

13 locations, including St. Cloud. Multiple locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Many Central Minnesota Animal Chiropractic locationsMinneapolis, St. Paul, New Brighton, Roseville, Ham Lake, Woodbury, Mahtomedi, Burnsville, Eagan, Maple Grove and St. Cloud.

for your convenience, we have multiple locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Some symptoms our doctors have helped alleviate in animals through chiropractic adjusting…

  • Lack of coordination in hind limbs
  • Weakness in hind limbs
  • Limping on any limb
  • Abnormal gait
  • Postures indicating pain, i.e. hunched back, sitting on one hip rather than squarely
  • Trouble rising from lying down
  • Trouble sitting from standing
  • Rear leg “goes out from under them” when standing
  • Shaking / tremors in the limbs or the body
  • Painful areas over the spine, neck, ribs or tail
  • Hot spots or wounds from chewing on areas of the limb
  • Decreased appetite
  • Digestive upsets
  • Depressed mood
  • Bladder or bowel incontinence
  • Litterbox use issues
  • Pain / stiffness in the geriatric
  • Decreased performance in the athlete

 Italian Greyhounds can be very sensitive and CFE has been so wonderful and gentle with my dog. As an active agility dog, it has been important to develop a relationship with an animal chiropractor, and Chiropractic For EveryBody has gone above and beyond to make sure that my dog is physically capable of competing.
– Lisa Hennen & Booker Tee

  • Dr. Annie on YouTube

    Dr. Annie demonstrates animal chiropractic technique on the  “Knowledge For Wellness” show.

  • Find Us!

    Chiropractic For Everybodys Twin Cities locations - including mutiple locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul

    Many Twin Cities locations (and St. Cloud) – multiple locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul!

  • Athletes! Join us!

    Team CFE dog chiropractic logo


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November 20, 2012

Graham Crackers [gluten free & vegan version]

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So I made vegan/whole wheat graham crackers, and then I made non-vegan/gluten-free graham crackers...  it was time to make vegan and gluten free graham crackers!

I based this recipe off the GF version but replaced the egg with a flax egg.  I also removed the xanthan gum, since many people don't have that ingredient in their pantry, so I was expecting the crackers to crumble and fall apart after baking.  To my surprise, these crackers were just as sturdy as the previous versions!

Graham Crackers:  [low fat, low sugar, GF, vegan]
(makes 80 graham bears)          adapted from these

     1 tbs Ground Flaxseed + 3 tbs Hot Water
     64g (3 tbs) Pure Maple Syrup
     43g (2 tbs) Molasses
     30g (2 tbs) Unsweetened Applesauce
     14g (1 tbs) Grapeseed Oil (or any other neutral oil)
     120g (1 cup) Oat Flour
     120g (3/4 cup) Brown Rice Flour
     96g (1/2 cup) Granulated Erythritol (or dry sweetener of choice)
     1 tsp Cinnamon
     1/2 tsp Baking Soda
     1/4 tsp Salt

1.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and tape down a large square of parchment paper onto your counter (I used packing tape)
2.  In a small bowl, stir together the flax and water, set aside.
3.  In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, molasses, applesauce and oil.
4.  In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the oat flour, brown rice flour, erythritol, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
5.  Microwave the flax mixture for 20 seconds, then stir until it forms into a gel.  Stir this into the wet ingredients.  Dump the dry into the wet and fold together (mixture should be crumbly but moist enough to pack together when pressed)
6.  Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
7.  Using your hands, pack the mixture into a ball, place onto the taped down parchment paper and knead until you form a solid ball.  Roll the dough to 1/8-1/4" thickness.  Use a cookie cutter to form the cracker shapes and transfer to the prepared baking pan about 2" apart.
8.  Poke holes into the crackers and bake for ~9-11 minutes (Watch them carefully near the end!!  I accidentally left a batch in for 13 minutes and they were really brown around the edges, still delicious just not visually appealing).  Transfer crackers to a wire cooling rack and snack on them the instant they have completely cooled  :)

Nutrition stats that I'm proud of.  So much better than storebought graham crackers!

These graham cracker bears are delicious with Chocolate Almond Butter

Heads first  ;)

  1. So glad these work without xantham gum!! I can't use gums in baking because they bother my stomach, but this is great! :)

  2. You're so brilliant! These graham crackers look amazingggggg

  3. great idea! like graham too.. .super like! ♥

  4. i'm so excited to try this recipe out! i've just got one question, when you say molasses, do you mean blackstrap or normal? sorry if this is a strange question to ask. thanks so much - a happy reader from australia! :)

    1. I believe I used the regular kind :)
      This is the brand I used:

  5. I luv you! I have been looking for a healthy, vegan version of graham crackers forever; this recipe will be such a go-to source for me (as well as so many other delicious recipes I have found here:).

    Thank you for taking the time to create childhood favorites, but with a healthy and cruelty-free twist<3

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

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HOME > Chowhound > Japan >
Jul 17, 2006 08:51 PM

best ramen and izakaya in tokyo

i'll be in tokyo beginning of august - and although it'll be hot out i am crazy about ramen and really looking forward to trying tokyo's. please advise? i also love japanese home cooking, so izakaya recs would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much!

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  1. Why don't you start with a search of what's already posted on CH? Your exact question has come up many, many times and there's already a lot of good information. Even in the last week...I recognize your user name from the Minca discussion on the Manhattan board the other day. If you want a more authentic (read: tasty) tonkotsu experience, I can recommend 3 popular ramen franchises in Tokyo- Ichiran, Jangara, and Tenka-Ippin. Google should be able to help you find a location, as you didn't state where in Tokyo you will be....Anyhow, stay cool and drink lots of cold mugi-cha (wheat tea). It'll be hot!

    1 Reply
    1. re: Silverjay

      oh - well, my bad. i did search ramen on chowhound japan and saw some ramen recommendations but wanted more. just now i realized i wasn't searching the whole site and saw recs - i'm new to this site. anyway, we're staying in shinjuku. also was curious about izakaya. thanks for the recommendation.

    2. For ramen, the place that spills out onto the sidewalk near the intersection of Meiji-dori and Shinjuku-dori. For izakaya, either of the Donjaga's in Shinjuku san-chome.

      1. For a great izakaya, I went last evening to Shunju in Roppongi. Upscale, great food. They have several shops around town.

        For ramen, go to my website and do a search under "ramen" under blogs and articles. Several suggestions come up.

        1. Shunju is awesome. Went to the one in Shibuya years ago and also tried the one in Roppongi later. Both offers good food, nice selection of sake and a romantic atmosphere.

          1. The best standard-issue ramen I've ever had is from a little shop on an unassuming street near Sangen-jaya station. It's called Ryu-mai. They do a terrific miso ramen, but this time of year, the shio ramen comes highly recommended. Their spicy specialty -- Ryu-mai Ramen -- topped with shredded scallion and chopped roast pork is a personal favorite. Great gyoza there too. The shop's off the beaten path, but worth seeking out. I think you could find it by taking the Carrot Tower exit out of Sangen-jaya station. It's on the street behind the police box. You can ask there for the shop and the police will point it out for sure. I think there might be a McDonald's at the end of that street too.
            Also, if you like tan-tan-men-style ramen, there's a place outside Shibuya station called Asuka. They serve it with bok-choi and fried pork cutlets on top. The shop's right on Route 246. Leave Shibuya station's Yamanote line south exit and take the overpass, and it's right there. Eat their gyoza too.


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HOME > Chowhound > Beer >
Mar 13, 2007 12:33 PM

Advice Needed - Honey Brown Stage of beer appreciation

I read a post on here about the different stages a beer drinker can go through in terms of beer appreciation. While I do not want to re-hash that very interesting discussion, I did recognize myself as being in the "second stage" of beer appreciation, where I am starting to look for Honey Brown/tastier types of beers. So, I humbly come to you, experienced beer drinkers, and request that you think waaaaaay back to the time you started to care about taste. And I mean when you first started caring. Because lately I am into Bass Ale, which might not even fit into this category, so I not what you would call very far along in my beer appreciation journey. So, does anyone have any recommendations to help me along?

I am pretty well travelled and have had beer in Europe and Asia so the only thing this request is about it helping me along in this second stage of the journey, if that makes any sense. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

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  1. Samuel Smiths - Nut Brown Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Taddy Porter
    Stone - Levitation Ale, Smoked Porter, Pale Ale
    Belhaven - St. Andrews Ale
    Chimay - Red label, White label
    Fullers - ESB, London Pride

    Any of these should fit right in with where you are right now. Stone Pale Ale, and Fuller's London Pride, are a bit hoppier than the others. St. Andrews Ale has a really nice smokiness to it, more pronounced than the smokiness in Stone Smoked Porter.

    1. Look for Brown Ales or Wheat Beers. They tend to be sweeter and less hoppy than Pale Ales or other, more 'houndy' beers. There are many varieties that are easy to find. Ask your local beer purveyor for suggestions.

      1 Reply
      1. re: mojoeater

        The OP said his current favorite is Bass, which is a pale ale, and a moderately hoppy one at that.

      2. Good suggestions so far. You might also try Brooklyn Brewing Co. Brown Ale, which I find to be quite good.
        Also, If you're looking for something totally unchallenging, you might want to try the widely available and relatively inexpensive Newcastle Brown. I happen to like it as a casual brew, but don't expect it to be a transcendent experience.

        1. Anyone who enjoys Bass Pale Ale is well along in their beer appreciation journey IMHO. I'd definitely place Bass in Stage 3. If you're digging that rich, warming, malty, buttery diacetyl thing which a lot of English ales like Bass have I'd try:
          1) Fuller's ESB
          2) Fuller's London Pride
          3) Young's Special London Ale
          4) Whitbread Pale Ale

          1. Bass tastes different from coast to coast in the US. It is not consistant.

            2 Replies
            1. re: mojoeater

              Thanks all, I did not expect to get so many suggestions, and I definitely look forward to trying them all! As for what Josh and Chinon00 pointed out, liking Bass Ale lately, and not being well educated in any of this, I only assumed I was in that second stage because I have only started trying different things. I definitely am digging the rich, warming, malty, and buttery. Maybe I need to read (and drink) up on what I am liking before asking for suggestions? These are all great, now to find some food that pairs well with some of these. I am off to my local beer place to get afew of these, I'll probably post back in a week or two, or three, hopefully, asking for more advice!

              1. re: n00b

                I suggest reading Garrett Oliver's book, "The Brewmaster's Table". He covers all the styles, several good examples of each, and food pairings for them all. It's a great read. You can get it pretty cheap on Amazon.