112 Anywhere

I probably did not have any business sing along to this song back in the 8th grade, however this did use to be my jam. 112 produced countless middle school and highschool bangers. This joint definitely falls under that category. What in the hell happened to Lil Zane? boy-o-boy how rappers come and go.

Sports-- A Penny Earned

If you claim to be a true basketball fan, then you are sure to remember the time when Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway was running the game. Before King James, and Post Magic Johnson, Penny was that 6" 7" combo guard that had that pick- your- poison type of game. Hardaway rarely disappointed as he stuffed the stat sheet night-in and night-out. The Memphis native, and University of Memphis legend, Hardaway captured the attention of the basketball world with his seemingly uncanny ability to do it all.

Rocking the classic Orlando colors, Penny made #1 the object of every young ballers affection. Whether it was an in- and- out spin dribble no- look dime, pulling up for 3 in transition, or getting his steps together to dunk on you, simply put Penny was "like that"

Off the court, Hardaway was equally as good. Scoring multiple endorsements, most namely his seven digit deal with Nike. With the exception of the Almighty Air Jordan's; His "Air Penny" line was at the top of every kids Christmas and birthday lists. Not stopping there, Penny-mania spilled over to the silver screen.

In the film Blue Chips, Penny played highly coveted recruit Butch McCrae. In the film Penny teamed up with real life teammate Shaquille O'Neal. Hardaway also had a series of Nike Commercials featuring himself and "Lil Penny", a doll with Chris Rock as the voice ( I had a lil penny doll by the way, lololol).

So why are we not talking about Penny Hardaway you ask? Despite his rise to greatness, from 1999-2008 Penny's career was plagued by injuries. Bouncing around from team to team Hardaway's excellence had all but been forgotten, as year after year his season were cut short by a plethora of different injuries. Though his efforts were admirable, and he still managed to put up decent numbers, his career never lived up to it's initial promise.

Yet and still Penny Hardaway is and always will be one of my favorite players. Ya Dig

Boomerang-- "Hammertime"

The well dressed, charismatic, Advertising Executive/ Panty-dropper Extraordinaire known as Marcus Graham had every man envying him and every woman swooning. When it came to women, Graham was quick to G.T.D. (Get-The-Draws) however he was not so eager to lock it down. You see Graham was in search of perfection, and would quickly become disinterested when a woman displayed anything that lay outside of his "boundary box".

In the words of the 2nd best rapper of all time Shawn Carter, " Baby girl if it's hammer-time hide your toes".

Mase Tell Me What You Want

Before he found his calling to the ministry, Mase was the heir-appaent to B.I.G. on the hit making label known as Bad Boy Records. Though his numerous comeback attempts have been admirable, he has been unable to recapture that syrup-like laid back mid 90's flow that placed him on the top of everyone's list. Allow this video to pay homage to Mason Betha.

Ambition

It is 12: 03 a.m. and I have recently arrived from a long day at work, coupled with a night on the town. Nothing to serious, just a vodka and cranberry and some conversation. My day went from one phase to the next, but one thing remained constant. It is the same thing that made me start this blog, move to dc, and allows me to work two jobs in which I have no particular incentive outside of money to perform. This constant, this force, this vigor, is ambition.

The feeling is completely self induced, and derives from many different things. It is fueled by negativity, and failure. Allowing the space to formulate the ideas that will springboard me into obtaining my goals. The force never sleeps, never gets bored, and has a voracious appetite for satisfaction and complacency. So much so that the energy only wants to make it one way, and will accept nothing less than that. The Strength needs no company, as it is not a team player. In this game there is only room enough for one. A Kobe Bryant like approach is taken toward life, with an understanding that there are many different ways to make it. However a emphasis is placed on making it the way in which designed. The hunger is unapologetic to those who want to take credit for something that they were not responsible for. The vigor is selfish and selfless at the same time. Motivated and inspired by the spirit of others. Irritatingly independent, at times the notion of help seems foreign. Loyalty is paramount. Not only to others but to personal belief. For this, the character is able to rest knowing that integrity is priority. Admittedly impatient, readiness to move sometimes deters fruition.

So as I lay my head this night, with a ll these thoughts on my mind, I am encouraged with the direction of tomorrow. The burning fire that resides within serves as a constant reminder. As the architect of my success, with an impeccable blueprint in hand, I am crafting a sky scraper that is sure to reach the clouds.

Ambition is pure, ambition is real, ambition is me.

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

A real classic. One of my favorite scenes from the movie.