How to Get Your Life Back On Track: 6Tips to Refocus Yourself

I have pretty much been MIA on this blog since about October and it really is a shame because my traffic building plan was working out really well before I lost my focus. Getting back your focus once you’ve lost it can be a really hard thing to do because there are so many factors that could have caused it in the first place. It took me months of discontent and another month of soul searching to finally break through my malaise and get myself back on track. Here are the tips I can now impart from my experience with refocusing myself. Take a break to solve problems You may have fell off track with your goals or passions and now find yourself struggling to find the inspiration to do anything. Days and weeks go by and you still haven’t gotten back to the level of focus that you want to be at so it seems like you have been taking a break all along. While technically you are right that you have been on break if you haven’t actively been addressing the root causes of why you are no longer focused then the problems you have will linger sometimes permanently. Over the past few months I have been really unfocused and I know that it all started when I got involved with a girl that I really never should have. The thing about it was I knew it was wrong from the start and ignored all the warning signs and even when I saw the decline in my grades, my lack of work on this blog, and the complete loss of almost all my goals (save my workouts, the frustration actually made me work harder so kudos to her for that). The relationship was rather brief but intense and the feelings and constant contact continued to linger into December. My mind since November has been in a complete haze and only got worse as things suddenly changed and I found myself alone and hurting. I knew that during this time that I should work on things but couldn’t bring myself to think about anything beyond the shattered remnants of my relationship so I needed to take a break and do some soul searching. Only in the past day or so has my mind started to turn back to its normal focus and I find myself caring once again for my life and the goals that I have set forth for myself. Had I not taken the time to address my problems and get my life in order things would have gone on even longer and if I don’t continue to be vigilant I could easily slip back into my depression. Get back into something that you enjoy doing The winter break from school was an awful time for me because I had that broken heart and way too much time on my hands and no real desire to do anything. The one outlet I had as I mentioned above was going to the gym and working out. For an hour or two each day I could take my excess energy and channel it into something productive. Now that school has started again I can also add my schoolwork (not that I really enjoy it), meeting new people, and playing basketball. My focus has been coming back slowly but surely over the past month or so and while I have had some bad days recently just doing simple things that I enjoy like watching a little TV before bed has helped to pull me out of my rut. Get a schedule in order If you don’t have things to do each day you are going to be listless and feel lost in your life. My life of the past month was so empty and because I was only sleeping 3-4 hours each night it only served to deepen my depression. For the past week thanks to school and other activities that I have planned out for myself I am more upbeat and positive about my future. Sometimes you can feel like you’re drowning and like you don’t have any control over your future but that is simply an illusion of your mind. Get a planner and write down a hard schedule for yourself each day to get your goals back into focus. Set smaller goals to accomplish each day Literally list out each thing that you want to accomplish and be specific. For example, don’t jot down that you want to write 1 page of your novel today, describe the exact scene you have in mind. Carry this planner with you or have it on your desk as you work and just check off each as you do it. For my workouts I know my routine and what weights that I use each workout so that I can set a goal of cranking out one more rep or a few pounds heavier each time. Getting these smaller goals done will not only help you build your confidence but help you get back into a work flow slowly but you will find that once you are able to focus on the little things throughout your day the big goals will start to come back again. Cut the excess Take stock of your current life and note what things or people that you can get rid of because they only hinder your progress or have such a negative impact. I obviously made a huge mistake getting myself into the situation that I did and should have listened to the part of my brain that told me to get away. Luckily for me the worst is over and my life is now trimmed down to what I think will improve me as a person. Inspire yourself daily When you are feeling down and unfocused it helps to get some inspiration from books, movies, or self-help tapes. Sometimes just reading about a successful person in your field can remind you of why you do what you do and you’ll be right back on track. Setting aside a little bit of time each day to inspire yourself can really help to change your mindset and get those creative juices flowing again.

Posted on: 17 January 2011 | 8:35 pm

5 Reasons to Take a Break From Your Work

Sometimes taking a break in life is necessary even when you still feel like you want to push on ahead and continue working. The problem with that strategy is that eventually your body gets run down and your performance suffers. You lost the ability to create and really focus on the work you need to get done. Things might not have been going smoothly for you of late but a simple break might be all that you need to be ready to tackle the world once again. 1. Get Some Sleep When you have a lot on your plate sometimes your sleep really suffers. You work all day and then into the evening so by the time you get to bed you’re exhausted and only get a few hours to recuperate. Not only that you also tend to worry about your work while you’re in bed further preventing you from getting rest. You might be able to go for a while on limited sleep but it is going to catch up with you eventually and take its toll on you both mentally and physically. If this is a problem you are facing then consider taking a few days off and just allowing yourself to get some much needed rest and see if your performance doesn’t pick back up again. 2. Focus on Other Parts of Your Life Getting all wrapped up in our work really distracts us from other parts of our lives including our family and friends. Take a break and learn to enjoy areas of your life that you may have forgotten about for some time. Go out and spend time with your family or pick up a hobby again that you haven’t done for a while. 3. Step Back and Observe When you start to get caught up in the details of your work and you can no longer see the overall vision of what you wanted to accomplish in the first place it is time for you to rest. Take a break from your work for a few days or weeks and then revisit it again with a fresh set of eyes. You may have shifted too much focus onto a minor detail that isn’t going to get you where you want to go and need to reevaluate what your new strategy is going to be. 4. Rekindle Your Passion You may have lost the passion for your work and find yourself doing it each day simply out of habit. Sticking to your work out of habit can be a good thing if you still have that driving spark inside of you but if you’ve lost the reasoning behind what you’re doing take a break. Too much of anything can turn bad rather quickly if you do not give yourself time to recover and other distractions that keep you motivated so take some time to find again what drives you. 5. Get Healthy Stress from working or just the inactivity of sitting at a desk all day can take a horrible toll on your physical health. You may find yourself gaining weight or even getting sick more often because your body is cooped up inside all day long without a break. This can be a rather easy one to fix that doesn’t always require days off from your work but simply a change in your eating habits and some daily exercise to keep your body in shape. You don’t want to have health problems from hard work because then what you worked for will have been at too great a cost. If you are feeling run down, tired, or just plain uninspired then you should really consider taking a break from your work. Breaks can serve to reenergize and refocus you on what you want to accomplish and get you in touch with the reasons that you wanted to do these things in the first place. Burning yourself out can be worse sometimes than not doing anything at all so take a break.

Posted on: 17 January 2011 | 7:12 pm

Sublime Best Songs: 20 Best Songs by Sublime

Sublime finally broke into the mainstream with their self-titled third album in 1996. Tragically their front man, Bradley Nowell died of an overdose just months before its eventual release and never got to enjoy the success of that album. Sublime however still has a solid fan base after all of these years just based off of the music they created in the short time frame that they were together. For this list, I took what I thought were Sublime’s best songs off of their three albums, 40oz to Freedom, Robbin’ the Hood, and Sublime. While this list only numbers twenty songs in length there is plenty more material out there from Sublime that you should also check out these just happen to be my favorites. Get Out!- There’s a few different versions of this song because of issues with samples that they used to make Get Out but it’s still great whatever version you hear. Smoke Two Joints- Pretty short track and not too many lyrics but Smoke Two Joints is amazing. 40 oz. to Freedom- 40 ounces to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good even though I feel bad. Real laid back song that is great to crank up when you’re having a down day. Badfish- Really cool reggae feel to this track. Let’s Go Get Stoned Right Back- Love how they end the song with some heavy sounding guitars for the last 30 seconds or so. DJs-Just fantastic music right here with some extra instruments involved, one of my absolute favorite songs by Sublime. Date Rape- Kind of a messed up song but whatever it’s good. What Happened What I Got- A big single for Sublime off of their self-titled album. Wrong Way- Very short song about prostitution but so catchy. Seed- They seem to switch musical styles on Seed every few seconds. Santeria- Probably their most popular song or at least one of them. Brad’s vocals on this are really good. April 29, 1992- Song about the Rodney King riots. The Ballad of Johnny Butt Pool Shark- Pool Shark has two versions a more punk one and an acoustic version but both are extremely brief songs. Saw Red- Saw Red features Gwen Stefani from No Doubt, nice duet. Steppin’ Razor- Steppin’ Razor is in the top 5 songs by Sublime for me. STP- Still I got my yellow cat and my wooden baseball batand my shiny silver gat and if my homie my back then I gotAll that I need, look at all the love we've found. Greatest Hits

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 4:04 pm

Black Eyed Peas Best Songs: 22 Best Songs by Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas have had quite a career path. After putting out two albums that would be considered underground rap they added Fergie to the line up and have since switched up their style towards more dance oriented electronic sounding pop. Now naturally this hasn’t made all of their old fans happy but it does give people from many different groups of people the chance to experience lots of musical genres all in one groups catalog. When putting together this list I went through each of their albums and pulled what I thought were their best songs off of each. Now I probably missed many but that is to be expected and so the list below is my listed opinion of the Black Eyed Peas best songs. The Beginning- The title track from their latest album. The Best One Yet (The Boy)- Probably the best song from that album. Don’t Stop the Party- Song off of The Beginning which should play well in the clubs. Boom Boom Pow- This song was all over the charts when it was released, I’m sure you’ve heard it. I Got a Feeling- Awesome single, the instrumental is really upbeat and makes you want to dance. Showdown- Showdown is another track that is just full of energy. Meet Me Half Way- Simplistic lyrics but a good hook makes this song. Don’t Phunk With My Heart- Another single, I remember this one in the clubs back in 2005 the girls always loved it. My Humps- Ok this song got on my nerves after a while but I still had to include it on this list. Like That Don’t Lie- More of a pop rock sound on Don’t Lie. Where Is the Love- Black Eyed Peas team up with Justin Timberlake for a more serious song. Let’s Get Retarded- This song was featured in countless movies and commercials a few years back and seemed like you couldn’t escape it. Labor Day- A cool sample from the song The Grunt. Joints & Jam- I loved this song when it came out in 1998 and then I lost track of Black Eyed Peas for a while but this is a great single. Karma- From their Behind the Front, pre- Fergie days. Clap Your Hands- Another one from their debut album so of course it’s different from the new stuff. But if you listen to the lyrics parts of this sound like they could still be apart of the new stuff if you just backed it by a dance beat instead like the lookie lookie lookie part. Love Won’t Wait- Nice rap song featuring Macy Gray. Release Weekends- Great song from Bridging the Gap. Cali to New York-Black Eyed Peas and De La Soul on one track is awesome. Get Original

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 4:03 pm

16 Best My Chemical Romance Songs: My Chemical Romance Best Songs

My Chemical Romance has been around for almost ten years now and in that time have released four albums and have achieved much commercial success. They often get lumped into the category of an emo band which might turn some people away but to me they are talented and have a lot of good material. For this list I took what I thought were My Chemical Romance’s best songs from their albums and wrote a bit about each one. While this list totals 16 in number they do have much more that you should definitely check out but this is a good starting place. Honey, This Mirror isn’t Big Enough for the Two of Us- Lots of screaming but I do love the guitar work on here. Our Lady of Sorrows- Short track but really up tempo and aggressive plus it sounds great. Cubicles- Nice track. Early Sunsets Over Monroeville- Smooth song off of My Chemical Romance’s first album. Demolition Lovers- Almost the length of two songs but it’s amongst their very best work. I’m Not Okay (I Promise)- One of their singles that they had success with and it’s easy to hear why. The Ghost of You- Song with a lot of emotion but it’s pretty easy to relate to and makes it worth a listen. Helena- Awesome sound and lyrics on this one. Thank You for the Venom- More of an aggressive punk song. Welcome to the Black Parade- Love the marching drum beat on Welcome to the Black Parade. Has a lighter feel to it then some of their other stuff but still very good. The End- Not a very long track but well worth hearing. Famous Last Words- Cool song of The Black Parade. I Don’t Love You- One of the best songs off of this list. Simply fantastic. The Only Hope for Me Is You- Can I be the only hope for you because you’re the only hope for me Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back- Has a pretty unique sound compared to the other songs on this list. Bulletproof Heart- What an excellent track. Bulletproof Heart is one that I can just leave on repeat and not get bored.

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 4:01 pm

21 Best No Doubt Songs: No Doubt Best Songs

No Doubt became one of the biggest bands of the 1990s with the release of their second album Tragic Kingdom which also helped to spark solo success for lead singer Gwen Stefani down the road. No Doubt had a great ska sound but later on incorporated many other musical genres to their repertoire. For this list I chose what I felt were their best songs from each album that they have released thus far. In all I narrowed it down to 21 that I think are No Doubt’s best songs. Spiderwebs- A fun single off of Tragic Kingdom. Just a Girl- Another one of No Doubt’s most popular songs. Don’t Speak- One of the best songs of the 1990s in my opinion, simply great. The Climb- Gwen is fantastic on here. Happy Now- If you feel you just might want me. That’s too bad, I’m not that easy. Tragic Kingdom- The horns and the guitar play make this song special. Sunday Morning- Tragic Kingdom is such a great album to listen to when you’re going through a break up and here is one the specific songs to check out. Let’s Get Back- Really crazy 80s sound to Let’s Get Back. Doormat- Ache- The pain I’m having is so discomforting please make it go away. Trapped In a Box- Very catchy tune, not at the top of the list of No Doubt’s best but still good. New- And you’re consuming me violently and your reverence shamelessly tempting me. Ex-Girlfriend- Pretty bitter song but listening to the lyrics you get why. Simple Kind of Life- Beautiful vocals. Artificial Sweetener- Im full of artificial sweetener. My hearts been deceitful Making Out- The instrumental sounds great on this song from Rock Steady. Hella Good- Another big single from No Doubt. Running- Sounds like a video game instrumental but a really beautiful ballad. Stricken- Song about being in love and the feelings it brings out. Snakes- Has a bit more edge than some of the song on this list. That’s Just Me- Song off the Beacon Street Collection.

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 4:00 pm

29 Best Smashing Pumpkins Songs: Greatest Hits by Smashing Pumpkins

Smashing Pumpkins were one of the biggest bands of the 1990s and one of the most creative as well. The lyrics of frontman Billy Corgan are often times breathtaking and memorable but not to be out done by the great guitar play and drum work by the other members of the band. The original lineup split in 2000 but there is still being new material put out. For this list I chose what I feel are the 29 best Smashing Pumpkins songs based on my own personal opinion so if I left any off it’s due to that and not any slight against the band. Siva- Song off of Gish with some really good guitar work. I Am One- Nice heavy hitting drums. Window Paine- Window Paine has a very dreamlike quality to it with the constant baseline and light vocals. Rhinoceros- Should have known I would conceal your way Soma- Epic in length, very slow and relaxing. Raindrops + Sunshowers Spaceboy- Another song off of Siamese Dream. That’s the Way (My Love Is) Today- The opening guitar is pretty famous in its own right but this is an amazing song. Rocket Cherub Rock- The intro to Cherub Rock is about a minute long but well worth waiting on. This Time Tonight, Tonight- One of their singles and a very beautiful song. Zero- Wanna go for a ride? 1979- I’ll always remember the fantastic music video for this song when it came out but I can put this song at almost anytime and thoroughly enjoy it. Stand Inside Your Love Thirty-Three- A soft song but one of the best from Mellon Collie. Bullet with Butterfly Wings- The world is a vampire. Bodies- Love the lyrics on Bodies, the crumbled cities stand as known of the sights you have been shown of the hurt you call your own love is suicide X.Y.U Tales of a Scorched Earth- Really heavy sounding song. Ode To No One Jellybelly- Yet another great one from Mellon Collie. Daphne Descends Perfect- In the top three of my personal favorites. Tear For Martha- Song for Billy’s late mother. Neverlost

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 3:59 pm

Wu-Tang Clan Best Songs:27 Best Wu-Tang Songs

Wu-Tang Clan has solidified their place in rap history as one of the best if not the best rap group of all-time. Their debut Enter the 36 Chambers is a classic album that won them a legion of fans during the 1990s. The group members also released solo projects that were highly acclaimed and successful as well. For this list I wanted to compile the best Wu-Tang songs from only their group efforts and not all of the great songs from each individuals catalog. I probably missed some of your favorites and that’s fine these are mine and what I think are the best songs. Heart Gently Weeps- How sick is this use of the guitar from the Beatles song My Guitar Gently Weeps? Ghostface rips this track. Sunlight- Raw song off of 8 Diagrams. Life Changes- Touching song remembering ODB. Weak Spot- The instrumental is cool but it gets annoying after a while. However, the verses are really good. Wolves- My second favorite song off of 8 Diagrams feature George Clinton and a sick beat. Bring Da Ruckus- A great opener to 36 Chambers just gritty as hell. Can It All Be So Simple- Cool R&B vibe to it and one of the best songs from 36 Chambers. Da Mystery of Chessboxin’- U God makes a nice appearance on this track with a very understated instrumental. Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ to F Wit- One of the hardest tracks ever. This one will get you hyped up. C.R.E.A.M.- A rap classic. Method Man-A track that let’s Method Man come to the forefront. Protect Ya Neck- I smoke on the mic like Smokin’ Joe Frasier. Clan in Da Front Shame On A…- ODB opens this track before Method Man comes in and lays down a nice verse. Triumph- Tirumph is simply epic the first verse is great and the quality doesn’t stop until the music fades. Itz Yours- One of their singles from Forever. Reunited- Violin laced beat with some ill lyrics. Heaterz- CappDonna gets the feature on this track that lives up to its title. Little Ghetto Boys- Simple beat with a wonderful sample. Visionz- Method and Inspectah Deck rip this. Y’all Been Warned Rules- Might be the best track off of Iron Flag. Uzi- The horn sample is cool and the short hook works perfectly. Chrome Wheels Gravel Pit- Gravel Pit has a pretty unique uptempo sound to it. Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off) Careful (Click, Click)

Posted on: 20 December 2010 | 3:56 pm

16 Best Rick Ross Songs: Rick Ross Best Songs

Rick Ross became a big name in rap in 2006 with the release of his single Hustlin’ which enjoyed massive success during that year. Ross got a lot of flak for not having much substance to his lyrics that are filled with tales of big money and large quantities of cocaine. When it was later revealed that he was once a correctional officer his credibility took a major hit because it conflicted with the street kingpin image he had made for himself. Regardless of his actual life story or inconsistency Rick Ross has put out some very good music at times and his last album Teflon Don showed some real growth and promise as an artist. This list is what I consider to be Rick Ross’ best songs and I think it is definitely a good overview of the man’s career thus far. Hustlin’- This was my introduction to Ross and to be honest it took me awhile to really like the song but it eventually grew on me and I still play it to this day. The instrumental makes this song. Maybach Music- Jay-Z provides a guest appearance over this awesome beat and he delivers his usual tight verse but Rick held his own especially with the closing verse. Definitely top 3 out of this list. Push It- Using a sample from the Scarface sound track Push It is a nice motivational track which you don’t have to push drugs in order to appreciate the overall feel of the record. Blow- Means more dough to blow. Cross that Line- Akon sings a great hook on this song and Rick raps some solid verses on here. Hold Me Down- A slower song and not the same quality of production as some of the other songs but Ross really shines on this song. Street Love- Street Love features Next who I haven’t heard from in about a decade but this sounds really fresh. It’s definitely not the usual Rick Ross type of music but it’s a nice change of pace off of the Rise to Power album. Rich Off Cocaine- I found this song a few months back while watching videos on YouTube and I’m glad I did. Rich Off Cocaine features Avery Storm and a more laid back feel to it and not the hard street track you might expect from the title. Magnificent- The instrumental has a dream quality to it and the John Legend part is fantastic. Honestly, you can see the development of Rick Ross as an artist on a track like this. Valley of Death- What a great sample. Maybach Music 2- T-Pain, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne lend their talents to the sequel to Maybach Muisc. I don’t like it as much as the first one because Kanye’s verse is pretty bad. Aston Martin Music- You have to love Chrisette Michele’s voice plus you get a feature by Drake with a superb instrumental. Maybach Music 3- It’s up there for the best Maybach Music song definitely better than part two and maybe the first one. Features T.I., Jadakiss, and Erykah Badu. Tears of Joy- What a great song from Ross and a Cee-lo always makes a track better. This song has more substance and soul than anything else here. Speedin’- A nice single from Rick Ross featuring R Kelly on the hook. Luxury Tax- Lil Wayne and Jeezy team up with Ross for an excellent track with a really heavy beat.

Posted on: 13 December 2010 | 6:03 pm

23 Best Usher Songs: Usher Best Songs Ever

Usher Raymond has been in the music business and performing since he was only a child. Since then he has been one of the most successful and consistent artists of the past two decades selling millions of albums and spawning hit after hit. Needless to say it is difficult to narrow down his catalog having grown up with his music since elementary school but I managed to get it down to 23 songs that I think stand above the rest. Obviously this list is my opinion but if you’re looking to get into his music I think this list does a fine job of representing who he is as an artist. Opinions may differ but here is my list of the best Usher songs. U Got It Bad- We’ve all had it bad a few times at least in our lives and this song captures the feelings perfectly. Nice and Slow- Nice and slow is a pretty accurate description of this song and it was a major hit for Usher back in 1997. You Make Me Wanna- This was the first song that I heard from Usher and is still one of my favorites from him not only because it’s catchy but it’s also relatable. Let It Burn- Really wanna work this out but I don't think you're gonna changeI do but you don't think it's best we go our separate ways U Remind Me- This song came out when I was a freshman in high school and made me go out and purchase 8701. It was in heavy rotation for a long while. Caught Up- This girl’s got a hold on me. My Way- My Way is the title track from the album that really established him as an artist, just another monster hit for Usher. Confessions- This track stirred up a lot of talk about his relationship with Chili from TLC and for good reason just listen to the lyrics. How Do I Say- How Do I Say was my favorite song off of 8701, it’s got a really slow pace and beautiful music accompanying Usher’s vocals. If I Want To- On this track Usher brags about his ability to take a girl from her man if he only so chooses to do so. Twork It Out- Got problems? Twork it out apparently. Can U Get Wit It- This was one of his songs from his first album and it’s really fantastic for any age but he was still so young which makes it all that more impressive. Whispers- Probably the best song off of that first album and it’s an ultra slow song. Think of You- Definitely has a real early 1990s sound to it which isn’t a bad thing because this song is great. I Don’t Know- Featuring Diddy and a solid beat behind him makes for a pretty fun song. U Don’t Have to Call- I’ma be alright tonight you don’t have to call. Hottest Thing- You’re the hottest thing in the club tonight having visions of making love tonight. Bedtime- Craving your body all through the night feels like I’m going through withdrawls. Yeah!- Yeah was one of the biggest if not the biggest song of 2004, you really could not escape it. Love in This Club- I love the instrumental on this song and can even live with the throwaway verse from Jeezy on here. Trading Places- Trading places with a woman for a night and switching the usual roles of each sex. Here I Stand- You can really tell how Usher has matured as an artist on this song if you compare it to some others on this list. There Goes My Baby- Another big hit for Usher and just shows his longevity in the industry.

Posted on: 11 December 2010 | 11:37 pm

33 Best Wiz Khalifa Songs: Wiz Khalifa Best Songs

Wiz Khalifa has established himself as one of the best young rappers in the game right now and while he didn’t have overnight success he certainly put in the work to be enjoying a huge buzz at the moment. Since he is a fairly new artist to a lot of people I thought that I would put together a list of some of his best tracks so far from his mixtapes and albums that were available online. This list is far from complete but I think it gives a great introduction to those just discovering his music. So here is my list of the 33 best Wiz Khalifa songs. Hero Freestyle- Wiz spits over the beat from Nas’ single that came out a few years back and does a good job. Thrown- The sample for this song is crazy. Boarding Pass- Boarding Pass is a pretty short song but does serve to show off Wiz Khalifa’s ability. Material- Have to love the instrumental to this song. Be with a lotta goons who know how to aim but that chopper stay on auto-tune. Hollywood Hoes- This is definitely one of his best tracks he has release thus far the only problem is it is too short. Sky High- And I’m flying to the sky I don’t touch the ground. Ms. Rightfernow- Really cool song that features a sample from Sonic the Hedgehog. Bankroll- This was the first song I heard by Wiz and it quickly made its way into my play list rotation. One of my favorites. Say Yeah- Definitely one of his biggest songs he has released and for good reason the song is fantastic. Smoker Face- Wiz’s take on the Poker Face rap remix. The Thrill- Easily in my top five of Wiz Khalifa’s catalog. This Plane- Definitely not a usual rap beat but it really sounds perfect. Ink My Whole Body- Wiz talking about getting tatted up. The Statement- We ain’t tripping cuz will get there in a minute. Black and Yellow- Wiz’s latest single for Atlantic Records and his new album. Great track. Get Sum- Got no money? Get some. Simple enough Wiz. Never Ever- Talking about coming up and trying to make it as a rapper. God Damn Love It- When life is good just embrace it and love it. Spacely Go’on Hate- Go’on Hate has a really great instrumental. Head to the Sky Supply Still Blazin I’m Good Say Ahh Remix- A Short verse remixing the Trey Songz hit but still good. Oh No Young’n On His Grind Self Titled Do Somethin Keep the Conversation I Still Remember Goodbye Should I Feel Bad

Posted on: 11 December 2010 | 1:41 pm

28 Best Ludacris Songs: Ludacris Best Songs

Ludacris burst onto the rap scene in the year 2000 with his album Back for the First Time (which was a different version of his first release Incognegro) and has been a staple in the rap game ever since. He is known for his funny lyrics, crazy flow, and heavy hitting tracks for the club or your car. When making a list of Ludacris’ best songs I had to narrow down his fairly extensive catalog to a manageable number but I wanted to make sure that each album was represented. This list as always is just my opinion so your favorite might not be on here. Without further ado let’s get into the 28 best songs by Ludacris. What’s Your Fantasy?- I remember this song as my first time hearing Ludacris back in 7th grade and then downloading it off of Napster. This song was a huge hit and really caught everyone’s attention. Ho- Obviously Ho was a very radio friendly single but people still knew it. It’s a pretty funny song that is catchy at the same time. Southern Hospitality- Check out the oil my Cadillac spills. Another one of his first singles and the beat on this one is crazy. Stick Em Up- Ludacris teams up with UGK for a grimier down south song. Anytime you get UGK on a track with a good beat you know it’s going to be great and Stick Em Up is no exception. Phat Rabbit- Timbaland produced this song and it definitely has the usual Timbaland feel to it. The beat is fantastic and Luda’s flow is rapid fire throughout. Coming 2 America- Coming 2 America is one of my favorite songs by Ludacris. It was the opening track off of Word of Mouf and is full of clever wordplay and a solid beat to back him up. Roll Out- Coming off of the success of Back for the First Time, Ludacris released Roll Out as a single for Word of Mouf. The whole song is catchy from the beat to the hook to the way Ludacris raps on this one. Area Codes- I’ll always remember this song coming on the radio in the morning during my freshman year. I don’t think I’ve listened to it since but it’s still a nice song. The beat is smooth and Nate Dogg delivers his usual tight vocals on the hook. Growing Pains- This is a group track with other members of DTP reminiscing about their lives growing up. It’s one of the best tracks off of the excellent Word of Mouf. Move Bitch- Get out the way! Get Out the way! Saturday- Saturday has a pretty unique sound to it and still has the appeal of a party anthem. Oooh ooohhh! Block Lockdown- The last track on the album and honestly one of the top three best songs on it. Undisputed- Undisputed is one of those tracks that rappers do that brags about how great they are, some of them suck but this is not one of them. Everybody Hates Chris- Chris Rock is on the intro and at the end of this song while Ludacris addresses all of his haters. Do the Right Thing- Ludacris and Common team up and speak on some real subjects and no the usual party anthem or street song. MVP- MVP is produced by DJ Premier and of course the instrumental is amazing because Premier is one of the best to ever do it. Wish You Would- We finally get a track with Ludacris and T.I. on it. This song goes hard. Spur of the Moment- This song has some laid back California production provided by DJ Quik and I think it was also on his album too as well as Luda’s Red Light District. Number One Spot- Samples the Austin Powers theme song. Virgo- Virgo features a guest appearance from Nas and beat boxing courtesy of Doug E Fresh. It’s really simple and both rappers deliver good verses. Child of the Night- Featuring Nate Dogg, Child of the Night has a great sample and sound to it. Slap- The perfect song for when you’re mad at the world, the hook says I feel like slapping somebody today. Grew Up a Screw Up- Take a Biggie sample and add Young Jeezy and you get Grew Up a Screw Up which is a very hot track. Do Your Time- Song about his homies locked up. War With God- Probably the best song off of Release Therapy. The production and Ludacris’ lyrics are both top notch. Tell Me a Secret- Song off of Battle of the Sexes featuring Ne-Yo. The beat sounds amazing and it is one of the only good songs on the album. Get Back- Get back, get back, you don’t know me like that. Stand Up- Another huge single from Ludacris.

Posted on: 11 December 2010 | 11:12 am

5 Tips for Shredded Six Pack Abs

A well defined midsection is the goal of so many gym goers and yet so few possess the 'six pack' look. One of the main problems people face is with their diets and not eating the right foods in order to get rid of the excess fat that sits over their stomachs. Also, there seems to be many myths about the abdominals that you can simply do endless crunches and within a few months you'll have abs that will make other people envious. While that isn't true, developing ripped abdominals is actually a very straightforward process and by following the following five tips you can achieve the body of your dreams.1. Drink WaterWater is essential for our survival. However, in our modern world of infinite choices of beverages its plain taste puts too many people off. If you're looking to get six pack abs you're going to have to drink plenty of water to not only fuel your cells and re-hydrate but also give a slight boost to your metabolism and replace calorie dense beverages. Think about it one can of soda usually has about 150 calories and a whole lot of sugar. If you were to drink one can each day of the week that's an extra 1050 calories every week! Sorry but unless you're doing extremely grueling workouts you won't burn that off in just one day at the gym. The calories will be stored as fat and that defeats the purpose of trying to get six pack abs. So do yourself a favor and skip the soft drinks and instead drink plenty of water.2. Smaller, More Frequent MealsDiet is the most important ingredient to a great looking midsection and by eating smaller portions and more frequently you are boosting your metabolism. Now this doesn't mean go eat McDonalds every few hours, your diet should consist of a plethora of natural foods that haven't been refined and processed. Go for lean cuts of meat packed with protein, plenty of green leafy vegetables and healthy fats from sources like nuts, legumes, and olive oil. Skip out on most condiments and other sugary foods because they are only going to hinder your progress. If you get a craving for something sweet opt for a piece of fruit instead.3. Train Your Abs SmarterToo many people have come to believe that doing hundreds of crunches every single day is going to get them a set of ripped abdominal muscles and it couldn't be further from the truth. You cannot spot reduce fat, the chiseled physique will only come with a clean and well balanced diet and a well designed training regiment. Doing all of the crunches is only going to fatigue your muscles and not provide the proper environment for them to grow. Think about it, you wouldn't go to the gym each day and do 300 pound squats every single day so why would you try and train your abdominals in a similar fashion. A well designed abdominal workout should consist of two or three training session a week max. During these workouts you will want to expand your training to include a variety of exercises that target the obliques, serratus, and the upper and lower areas of your abdominal muscle.4. Cardio Helps Burn FatCardiovascular exercise is a great way to strip off the extra fat around your midsection and when trying to do so it is best to keep your intensity levels high. While any cardio is better than doing none at all try to do some high intensity interval training or even try doing sprints a few times per week. Not only is it more effective than doing 45-60 minutes of slower paced training it is also less boring which makes it easier to stick to.5. Heavy Weight TrainingIf you want to achieve the shredded look you're going to have to do more than just go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Training your body with heavy weights will build a solid foundation of muscle which will burn even more calories throughout the day when you aren't working out. Beyond that, during the workout you can burn a few hundred calories extra by lifting weights.Getting six pack abs is a long and arduous process but it simply takes dedication to make it happen. It really isn't some magical process that involves pills or some late night TV exercise machine just a healthy diet and lots of hard work in the gym. If you incorporate these five simple tips into your life I assure you that will be on your way to a ripped core.

Posted on: 4 December 2010 | 6:40 pm

Meditations Quotes: My Favorite quotes from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

“Begin the morning by saying to thyself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. But I who have seen the nature of the good that it is beautiful and of the bad that it is ugly, and the nature of him who does wrong, that it is akin to me, not [only] of the same blood or seed, but that it participates in [the same] intelligence and [the same] portion of the divinity, I can neither be injured by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry with my kinsman, nor hate him. For we are made for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of the upper and lower teeth. To act against one another then is contrary to nature; and it is acting against one another to be vexed and to turn away.” “…but those who do not observe the movements of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy.” “For the present is the only thing of which a man can be deprived, if it is true that this is the only thing which he has, and that a man cannot lose a thing if he has it not.” “…and life is a warfare and a stranger’s sojourn, and after-fame is oblivion.” “And he remembers also that every rational animal is his kinsman, and that to care for all men is according to man’s nature.” “Let no act be done without a purpose…” “Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.” “…making thyself neither the tyrant nor the slave of any man.” “Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its places, and this will be carried away too.” “Think of the universal substance, of which thou hast a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been assigned to thee; and of that which is fixed by destiny, and how small a part of it thou art.” “He who loves fame considers another man’s activity to be his own good; and he who loves pleasure, his on sensations; but he who has understanding, considers his own acts to be his own good.” “…and that they do wrong through ignorance and unintentionally, and that soon both of you will die; and above all, that the wrong-doer has done thee no harm, for he has not made thy ruling faculty worse than it was before.” “When a man has done thee any wrong, immediately consider with what opinion about good or evil he has done wrong…It is thy duty then to pardon him. But if thou dost not think such things to be good or evil, thou wilt more readily be well-disposed to him who is in error.” “Think of thy last hour. Let the wrong which is done by man stay there where the wrong was done.” “…to have contemplated human life for forty years is the same as to have contemplated it for ten thousand years. For what more wilt thou see?” “Consider thyself to be dead, and to have completed thy life up to the present time; and live according to nature the remainder which is allowed thee.” “Take care not to feel towards the inhuman as they feel towards men.” “The perfect moral character consists in this, passing every day as the last, and in being neither violently excited, nor torpid, nor playing the hypocrite.” “…thou hast leisure to be superior to love of fame, and not to be vexed at stupid and ungrateful people, nay even to care for them.” “Receive [wealth or prosperity] without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.” “No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.” “Constantly consider how all things such as they now are, in time past also were; and consider that they will be the same again. And place before thy eyes entire dramas and stages of the same form, whatever thou hast learned from thy experience or from older history;” “Severally on the occasion of everything that thou doest, pause and ask thyself, if death is a dreadful thing because it deprives thee of this.” “These are the properties of the rational soul: it sees itself, analyzes itself, and makes itself such as it chooses; the fruit which it bears itself enjoys— “But I will be mild and benevolent towards every man, and ready to show even him his mistake, not reproachfully, nor yet as making a display of my endurance, but nobly and honestly, like the great Phocion, unless he only assumed it.” “Men despise one another and flatter one another; and men wish to raise themselves above one another, and crouch before one another.” “Sixth, consider when thou art much vexed or grieved, that man’s life is only a moment, and after a short time we are all laid out dead.” “…but that mildness and gentleness, as the are more agreeable to human nature, so also are they more manly; and he who possesses these qualities possesses strength, nerves and courage, and not the man who is subject to fits of passion and discontent.” “…for there is no veil over a star.”

Posted on: 25 November 2010 | 8:34 pm

7 Signs It's Time To End Your Relationship

Relationships are a tricky business. They require lots of hard work, attention, and loads of other variables that must be right for both parties. While searching for you soul mate you may experience various relationships that you aren’t quite sure about and want to know what course of action you should take. It is important to recognize that there are a lot of people who may be good for you but not the one you need to be with. Also, there are people who are going to be disastrous for your life and you need to train yourself to recognize them before they mess up things too badly. Knowing when to end a relationship is one of the most valuable tools you can possess when it comes to having a successful love life. While it isn’t always easy to break things off because of how deep the feelings involved are, it is necessary to take action when it is best for you. 1. When the Passion is Gone If the spark you and your partner had between you is now gone and the two of you are essentially just going through the motions of a relationship then it may be time for you to call it quits. Now, it is important to remember that passions will cool down a bit as the relationship matures and that sometimes all that is necessary is to make time to be romantic with one another. But if it is consistently lacking and your thoughts start to wander towards other people you should definitely consider ending the relationship. 2. Fights Become a Regular Occurrence In any serious relationship you are going to have plenty of disagreements and quarrels but when every little thing sets off a dispute it’s going to kill off your relationship eventually. Keep in mind that being together with someone is meant to enhance both of your lives and not make them totally miserable. Never stay with someone solely because of what the two of you had in the past. If things have soured between the two of you and there is no real hope of working things out then it would be best not to drag it on into the future. 3. Is Your Future Dependent on Qualifying Statements? Do you ever think about your future together and you have to imagine it being happy only if they make a dramatic change to themselves? Your partner may be a terrific person when they aren’t drinking but if they have severe alcohol problems it becomes hard to see how you will live happily ever after with them. It doesn’t have to be a drug or alcohol problem, it can be as simple as your partner not having the same amount of ambition in life. That is something that can be very hard to change in a person and if you start making concessions then where you want to go in life and where you would end up with them will be two very different places. You shouldn’t settle for someone because they are a decent match, that’s what you do when looking for an apartment while broke and it doesn’t transfer well to happiness in your love life. 4. Is There Time for Each Other? The two of you may have not have similar demands with work, school, or family obligations which can put a serious strain on a relationship. If one of you is very needy with the time you spend together and the other person either doesn’t have or isn’t willing to accommodate someone in their lives then it is doomed to failure. If you do stay together you can usually expect more fighting or at the very least a bland relationship that is only still going to save face. Don’t let it get to that point and just end it because there probably won’t be a future together worth sticking around for. 5. I Get No Respect All relationships need mutual respect as a part of their foundation and if it isn’t there you are in for lots of headaches. Take stock of how your partner treats you. Do they belittle your career? Your interests? Do they see you as subservient? If the answer is yes then you are not getting the proper respect that you deserve. Again it comes down to how the person effects your life. Some who constantly chips away at your self-esteem should not be considered a keeper by any measure. A relationship is supposed to uplift you and make you feel good about yourself so why settle for less? On the flip side if you don’t have respect for your partner then it is unfair for them and obviously not the right situation for you so do the right thing. 6. Spending Time with Them is Work This goes beyond just losing the spark or being bored with a relationship. If simply the thought of hanging out or having a date night with your partner makes you sigh and think about all of the better things that you could do instead then it’s pretty much game over at that point. Everybody needs some space from time to time but you cannot take it to the extreme and still stay in a relationship. 7. Trust is Gone Nothing is perfect and you should expect to have some hiccups while involved with someone, however, if they have at some point violated your trust and you cannot forgive them then just move on. Without trust things quickly deteriorate and your anxiety levels will go through the roof because you will be worrying about them every single time they leave your sight. Also, cheating should be grounds for automatic dismissal no matter what because they have not only disrespected you but have also destroyed any trust you had in them. The preceding seven signs of a floundering relationship are not the only things that you need to look for. The best advice I can give is to take some time to clear your head and really analyze how your relationship is going. Determine if it is meeting your needs and making your life better or if it acts more as a burden. Some problems can be fixed and some cannot so take into account whether you even want to try and improve the relationship or if it is time to move on to something new. Keep in mind that we only have a limited amount of time on this Earth and spending it with someone that you don’t really want to be with isn’t good for either of you.

Posted on: 25 November 2010 | 12:15 pm

Lupe Fiasco Best Songs: 10 Best Songs by Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco is one of the most unique rappers in the game today and also one of the most skilled lyrically. While he has been rapping for most of his life he scored a big break with his collaboration on Kanye West’s song Touch the Sky. He also released tons of material through mixtapes such as Fahrenheit 1/15 before releasing his two albums Food & Liquor and The Cool. With his new album entitled Lasers due out soon I thought it would be a good time to make my top ten Lupe Fiasco songs from his first two albums. I didn’t include any mixtape material on here but I highly recommend you give them a listen since they can be found for free online. So with that being said let’s get into Lupe Fiasco’s best songs. Kick, Push- As a single off of Food & Liquor, Kick, Push garnered Lupe some more attention and also a label as a ‘skateboard rapper’. It seems that if you rap about any other thing besides money, cash, hoes you get pigeonholed as that subject until you prove otherwise. Anyways, Kick, Push is itself a pretty deep track that gives a taste of different aspects of a young man’s life through the common thread of skateboarding. My favorite part of the song is the second verse where he meets his girl, …and away they rolled just lovers intertwined with no place to go. Sunshine- The song is appropriately titled because the instrumental is so bright and warm. Sunshine is a simple story of finding love in a night club and while it doesn’t sound all that romantic it does have several sweet moments. Out of the trillions of the numbers in this world, just leave me a few that lead to you… Day Dreamin’- I dream of you beneath the flowers, for a couple of hours, on a beautiful day. Hurt Me Soul- Lupe gets into more social commentary on Hurt Me Soul and really does a fine job of highlighting some of the world’s ills. The hook is great on the song. He said he never prayed to God he prayed to Gotti, I’m thinkin’ gollee, God guard me from the ungodly. The Cool- What a unique beat this song has and Lupe does it justice with a great story about a man who let life pass him by. Superstar- It took a while for this song to grow on me but once it did Superstar made it into my normal rotation of music. I love to listen to it when I need a bit of a motivational boost and the last verse is a pretty damn good one from Lupe. The Coolest- Okay The Coolest takes almost a minute to get into the verse and the hook isn’t all that great but the first verse is amongst my favorites not just of Lupe Fiasco but of any rapper. He personifies rap/fame as a woman and explores their relationship with one another. …And I would never feel pain and never be without pleasure ever ag-ain and if the rain stops and everything dries she would cry just so I could drink the tears from her eyes. Paris, Tokyo- I first heard Paris, Tokyo online before The Cool was released and for the next month or so it was my favorite song that I listened to multiple times per day. Lupe raps about life on the road and being away from the one you love to where the only contact you really have is in your dreams. She said pursue your interests because even if I’m ticket-less I’ll be there by your side, in your heart, and on your mind. Dumb It Down- On this track he tackles all of the ridiculousness that pervades hip hop from the corporate interests to violent lyrical content and lack of a real message. Gold Watch- I don’t really dig the instrumental all that much because the sample repeating itself is kind of annoying but I can still zone out and listen to Lupe spit. the wings dont make you fly and the crown dont make you king.

Posted on: 18 November 2010 | 5:37 pm

DMX Best Songs: The Best Songs by DMX

It took DMX a long time to reach the pinnacle of success but when he got there he certainly took the world by storm. With his first release 1998’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and the quick follow up Flesh of My Flesh Blood of My Blood he took over the rap game. By 1999’s …And Then There Was X, DMX was a bonafide superstar in popular culture. Since then his popularity has waned mostly due to legal issues that consistently plague his life but at one time he was poised to be one of the greatest rappers of all time and many would argue that he reached that upper echelon. Looking at his catalog it isn’t hard to see why people think so highly of him. With this list I wanted to put together what I thought DMX’s best songs were and give a little take about what I like about them personally. I don’t know how you can ever successfully please everybody with one of these greatest hits lists so I’m not going to try. These songs get my vote. So here is my list of the best DMX songs. Ruff Ryders Anthem- Best street anthem of all time? Perhaps. This song was huge when it came out and has been featured in numerous movies and commercials. The instrumental is insane. Party Up- DMX was already a huge star but I think this song took it to another level in 1999. It was everywhere and I remember hearing it constantly but never not feeling hyped up afterwards. Get At Me Dog- Another standout from It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. How’s It Goin’ Down- This was his first single off of It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and consequently my earliest memory of X. During that year they used to play this on MTV’s old rap countdown show (not sure if it was still MTV Raps) and along with Outkast’s Rosa Parks became one of my favorite songs as a fifth grader. I still listen to it a few times a week. Damien- DMX raps in two different voices and it could be his best track ever. Great storytelling, a haunting instrumental, and very creative. Stop Being Greedy- Think death is wrong so I’m going to keep holding on til what’s left is gone. For My Dogs- A song about loyalty to you friends albeit from a street perspective. Slippin’- A song with DMX that has its energy levels taken down but with a fierce edge to it. A very introspective song and quite brilliant. Dogs for Life- Another song about friends, loyalty, and the possibility of betrayal. What’s My Name?- How crazy was this beat? I think that DMX is the only rapper that could have properly done it justice and he did just that. Awesome song. D-X-L (Hard White)- A great collaboration track with the Lox and Drag-On. What These Bitches Want- Features Sisqo. You thinkin’ life, I’m thinkin’ more like what’s up tonight? C’mon ma, you know I gotta wife and even if that pussy’s tight I’m not gonna jeopardize my life. Angel- A powerful song off of And Then There Was X. DMX is at his best on deeper tracks and this one where he discusses life with God is an example of just that. Comin’ for Ya- Run hide duck duck. Blown Away- Probably one of his most underrated tracks. I was that robbery kid with no gun and no mask. Lord Give Me a Sign- DMX talking to the lord again but this has a totally different feel from Angel, more aggressive. Grand Finale- Method Man, Nas, DMX, and Ja Rule? Hell why not this song is still hot. Ain’t No Sunshine- A far cry from the Jackson 5 track but this one is simply amazing and you’ll be nodding your head right along to it. Where the Hood At- Lyrically this isn’t DMX’s strongest performance but the beat and the intensity at which he delivers those lyrics makes this one a classic and a great track to workout to. Get It on the Floor- A club banger that I think I heard too many times to have the same appreciation for it after all these years. But if you haven’t heard it check it out, I know many non-rap fans who like this cut. We Right Here- This for me is one of the top three DMX songs ever. It’s gritty and just puts you in the mood to fight. Bring it! What? We right here! X Gon Give It To Ya- Another fantastic hype track. Who We Be- They don’t knoowwwwww who wee beeeeeeee.

Posted on: 16 November 2010 | 9:40 pm

5 Simple Steps to Increase Your Self-Confidence: Creating a New More Confident You

I have a lot of weaknesses that I need to work on but self-confidence is one of my greatest strengths. It wasn’t always the case that I was a confident person on the exterior but I have always maintained an undying belief in myself even if in my interactions I was shy and timid. In all my years on this planet I have had the opportunity to meet some really great people and I’ve noticed that some of the smartest and most interesting had zero self-confidence. Confidence isn't something you’re born with rather it is something that can be honed and strengthened over time and have a profound impact on how you live your life. For me it was a challenge to break out of my shyness and transform that inner belief into outward confidence but I have successfully done it. Hell, five or six years ago I was all but petrified to talk to a girl and nowadays the past few girls I have dated remarked that one of the main reasons they fell for me was due to my confidence. So if it is something that can be developed in a person what are some steps you can take to make yourself into the confident person you want to be? It’s not always an easy journey but developing self-confidence is a must if you ever want to be successful. 1. Figure Out What You Can and Can’t Do Strengths and weaknesses, we all have them but do most of us really take advantage of them? Confidence in yourself stems from how well you can react in a given situation and if you are particularly strong in one area then you should use that as a place to start building your self-confidence. Suppose you had to give a speech in front a classroom full of people. What topic could you speak in a detailed and interesting manner and have the least amount of doubt or anxiety within while speaking? As I have mentioned before, I am terrible at math so if someone asked me to get in front of a room and speak on mathematics in detail I wouldn’t be able to pull it off and the whole situation would go badly. However, if I were allowed to choose a topic I knew very well even if I didn’t have any prep time I could still confidently work my way through it. The point of all that was to show that your strengths can be a source of confidence just by focusing on what you do well. On the opposite end of the spectrum you should clearly define your weaknesses and decide how you’re going to begin to turn them into strengths. It is important to recognize that some weaknesses are actually limits that you cannot personally go beyond. I could study for years and never be a brilliant mathematician and that’s okay I don’t feel down on myself because of it. I have tried many different things in my life to discover what I was good at and what I would fail miserably at. You shouldn’t limit your dreams but you do need to realize that you cannot do everything at a high enough level to be great at it. 2. You Know Your Strengths, Get Ready to Reach Your Potential Remember the speech example? What would my confidence level have been if I would have had a week or two to prepare and practice? Pretty damned high. Being the best you can be at something isn’t just a matter of having natural talents but cultivating them as well. Putting the work into making yourself even better will naturally give you a shot of confidence that you never had before. You will feel accomplished and well prepared to react to any changes that present themselves in your life. Working towards being the best that you can be gives you a type of focus that very few people in this world have and when you start seeing all of the positive changes and others take notice of them it is a recipe for a strong self-confidence. 3. Learn From Your Failures, Don’t Let Them Ruin You Getting knocked on your ass by life is a total confidence killer IF you let it be. Trial and error is always a step on the path to accomplishing your goals and you will undoubtedly have more failures than you will ever have triumphs. That’s okay. That is how it is supposed to be. Life is a learning experience and if you want to live a good life you have to get beaten down sometimes and figure out how to keep on going. Failure makes your victories all the more sweet because of all the time, energy, and thought you put into your goal. Confidence can be had through education, learning what does and doesn’t work and channeling that into your future ventures. Have you failed with the opposite sex before? I have and it didn’t feel too good. Was that a reason to just give up and live an unhappy life all alone? Hell no. I took my lumps, licked my wounds, and gave the dating world another shot and you know what I’ve been succeeding in ways I couldn’t imagine a few years ago. Failure is not the end of the world; it is the start of something new. 4. Surround Yourself with More Positive People One huge hindrance in many people’s lives is the social identity that they have developed for themselves and it being hard to get away from. Your friends and family have certain perceptions of who you are and they aren’t always the most accurate picture. If you want to make a dramatic change in your life these same people can often react negatively to your new found ambitions. The environment that surrounds you can have a positive or negative effect on how you live your life and if you’re not careful it can cause you to stagnate for years at a time. Think about it like this, say you wanted to go on a diet and you and all of you’re friends get together on a regular basis and eat foods that aren’t in your diet. Would these friends be supportive or would they judge you and act negatively towards your change? Sometimes the best of friends can be more of a weight holding you down than a positive influence that raises you up. Misery loves company and two people can trick themselves into thinking they are happy with their current life if everyone they surround themselves with is also going nowhere. Confidence comes from within but it can also be bolstered by those around you that shower you with love and encouragement. Take stock of who is and who isn’t a positive person and strongly consider distancing yourself who only want to keep you down with them. 5. Learn to take Criticism in Stride Looking at number four you see that sometimes friends have negative reactions to what you want to do and the changes you make to get there. Other times their criticisms are valid and you should learn to accept these constructive criticisms. The difference is fairly easy to spot, constructive criticism doesn’t present itself in the form of personal attacks and provides insight that you might not have recognized yourself. If you want to increase your self-confidence you cannot take constructive criticism to heart because it will only serve to help you grow as a person. Whoever is criticizing you isn’t trying to bring you down or belittle your work but rather give advice on how you can get better. On the other hand you have to be able to take negative personal attacks in stride and easily forget them. There will always be some small number of people that will lob hollow critiques of you and your life that are designed to simply cause damaged to your self-esteem. Don’t fall into the trap of embarrassment or fear of trying because of these people, they are just bitter and if you take them seriously you’ll go nowhere. The main thing when trying to build up your self-confidence is to really get in touch with who you truly are and where you want to be in the future. You cannot always escape negativity and in all honesty you shouldn’t try to because failure and pain are sometimes the only paths to success. Figure out what it is you are good at and then use that as a place to build off of not only your self-confidence but your life in general. It takes time and it takes effort but being self-confident is attainable for anyone who is willing to put in the work.

Posted on: 7 November 2010 | 2:07 pm

Six Easy Ways to Increase Your Productivity

We all have lazy days where we don’t really get anything done nor do we even much feel like it. Of course it is fine to have an occasional day of relaxation to help get your mind off the stresses of your life and recharge your batteries but when it becomes a daily occurrence and your productivity becomes non existent it is time to get back in gear. Perhaps you aren’t stuck in a rut but you would still like to increase your productivity so you can get more done and have more lazy days. Being consistently productive is one of my weaker areas and still needs improvement but I have come a long way from where I used to be by sticking to some simple principles. 1. Identify the Tasks to Accomplish The very first thing you should do before you begin working on something is to take the time and identify what it is you are exactly trying to accomplish. I can sit down and say I want to write an article and then sit there not getting anything done. The problem is my goal is too vague, what topic am I writing about? What kind of research needs to go into it? How much time should I set aside to finish it? Define what you are doing or you will spend your time in idle distraction. Once you have figured out what you are doing decide how you’re going to get it done. Are there anyways that you can improve your efficiency? Can something be cut totally from the list? Is there a smarter way to get to the end? Knowing what needs to be done will allow for better fluidity and because you have a clear goal you can adapt to any problems that arise with ease. Keep a detailed planner of what you need to do that day and work your way down the list. 2. What is the Highest Priority? Most days I’ll write down more tasks than I can reasonably expect to get done which is fine because not all of them have that day as a deadline. If I have an assignment that is due in a week I will write it down earlier to serve as a reminder and as something to get done early if I happen to work quickly. The tasks that I do get done are always the highest priority ones first, the ones that have a definite due date on that day or tasks that create the most value for the time I spend. Value needs to always be taken into account when deciding what to tackle first. You may need to buy a new pair of shoes but is your time better spent searching online for an hour or taking that hour to really get a good way’s into an assignment that will provide income? Buying the shoes may be easier to do and it may take less time but jump into the difficult task first because it will be more beneficial to you. 3. Check Your Preconceptions What do you think you’re going to get out of completing a task beforehand? Is your answer an accurate result to expect or are you deluding yourself into thinking it’s more valuable than it actually is? For example, at the beginning of the year I wrote a bunch of World Cup team previews thinking that they would be more popular than they actually ended up being. I wasted so many hours in research and then the writing of these articles that I just became bogged down in my own self-belief of their value. If I would have been honest with myself and questioned whether or not I could make these series of articles a success or not, I would have gone about things much differently. I shouldn’t have gotten caught up in completing such a useless task when there were so many other options that would provide me with higher value. Don’t blindly follow your preconceptions about something or you could be wasting your precious time doing something that doesn’t actually work for you. 4. Work From Your Strengths Since I am in school, I really have to manage my time wisely otherwise nothing gets done and everything starts falling apart. To correct my course when I am feeling overwhelmed I try to work from my strengths. I may be faced with a choice between writing a new article or completing some math homework. Neither of these may be urgent in the time they need to get done and both have similar values in that they must both get done so I will have to make a decision on which on to start first. One of my biggest weaknesses has always been in math. It is really hard for me to consistently learn how to do a type of problem and because of this it requires greater time spent on it than other things. Writing is something that I am much more comfortable with and can just type out all of my ideas without much time being spent on the first draft and is thus my first task in this situation. By working on what I am best at first I get something done quickly and get the ego boost that comes with getting something done. However, it still applies that if the math assignment were more urgent I would of course do that first. 5. Group Your Tasks Some tasks are small enough to be grouped together with other tasks to get things done more quickly. Think about it like running errands, you can hit the grocery store, pick up the kids, and get the dry cleaning all in one trip and save yourself the trouble of driving back and forth. Certain things like emails, phone calls, and shopping can be grouped together to increase your productivity or maybe more detailed assignments that are interrelated. Take stock of your daily list and see what you can combine and knock out in one fell swoop. 6. Cut the Distractions and Work Harder Technology is wonderful and it is the reason I can communicate with people all around the world at tremendous speeds. It can also be very distracting and eat up your whole day without you noticing. If you want to increase your productivity set aside some time during the day when you are alone and without your phone, television, radio, and of course not surfing the web aimlessly. Texting your friend usually only takes a few seconds if you’re a quick at typing but having a conversation adds up to even more time plus the distraction of thinking about something besides the task at hand. It will take your mind elsewhere and then it often becomes bye bye focus making it exceedingly difficult to jump back into it with the same energy. Furthermore, it can help to clean up your workspace and remove all the clutter that will either distract you or make for an unpleasant environment to work in.

Posted on: 5 November 2010 | 8:31 pm

5 Common Causes of Failure: Why You Might Not Be Achieving Your Goals

I have written in the past on this blog that failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing, that it can be beneficial to you as a learning experience. Even with that being true it is still something that must be ultimately overcome to reach our defined goal and be able to say we successfully accomplished it. But what are the root causes of failure? Why do some plans work while others flop? Why are some people good at accomplishing what they want while others crash and burn each and every time? Avoiding the most prevalent causes of failure allows for your chances of success to skyrocket. Now the following five causes of failure are by no means the only suspects for something to go wrong but they all usually play some role in the demise of our goals. 1. Fear of Past Failures The past always has a profound effect psychologically on your present and future whether your experiences have been positive or negative. Letting a negative experience, in this case a failure, linger in your mind will work against you to sabotage accomplishing your new goals. This is where learning from your mistakes can be a very helpful thing as long as you don’t dwell on what went wrong and what you would go back and do differently. You must accept the fact that the past is the past and it can not inhibit you from taking the necessary steps to get what you want out of your life or your business. Fear can make you second guess your plans and even your ability to get those plans done and that second guessing isn’t the productive kind you need to be more efficient 2. Not Having a Clear Goal Sometimes when you start on your journey you haven’t specified what it is exactly you want to do. You may wake up one morning with a positive attitude and the ambition to change your life and maybe do some things temporarily that do improve how you live. But unless you focus on a specific goal that you would like to accomplish the chance that you will fail is very large. Instead of saying I want to change my life say I want to change my social life for the better. Then go even more specific, I want more friends or I want to successfully set up this many dates within a certain time frame. Not having a clear goal is almost as detrimental as not having a goal at all in that neither one is going to take you where you want to ultimately be. Also, it is important to really reflect on things and decide if you have chosen the right goal. You could be expending lots of your precious time and energy into pursuing something that won’t help you or that you really don’t have a true passion for. 3. Blame Game Failure leads to frustration which leads to short tempers and someone to point the finger at as the reason why you didn’t succeed. By trying to pin the blame on someone else you’re avoiding looking deeper into the real reasons you failed which probably had more to do with poor planning and/or execution. You need to condition yourself to act like a leader in that you should accept responsibility for what went wrong and be able to praise others for the help they have give you. This doesn’t mean that you should blame yourself totally and wallow in your own self pity. No, you need to realize your faults and mistakes and improve upon them, this helps to stamp out the first cause of reliving past mistakes. 4. Expecting Positive Returns with Short Cuts Rarely is the easy way going to be the road you should take. If it were we would all be living or dream lives and working our dream jobs. You have to be willing to make a choice of going after what you want and giving up what is comfortable for you to do. Once you have decided to make a run at your goal you have to stick with it no matter how difficult it may be and not cut corners. If you see a better way to do something then of course you would try to implement it and make things happen quicker but you won’t get anything of value by doing a half-assed job. Maximize your time and try to get as much done as possible without busying yourself with things that won’t matter in the long run. 5. Quitting Too Early Quitting to early can apply to two situations, the first is where you give up before you accomplish your goal and the second is when you get comfortable with your successes. Obviously if you quit before you’re done you are going to experience failure but the roots of you quitting stem due more to frustrations than any real barricade that cannot be overcome. Starting a goal is always the easy part, it’s the middle where things go awry and doubts about whether you can actually do it start to creep in. It can be extremely difficult to maintain your focus over long periods of time and we all get burned out. It is during these dark moments of despair that you must reevaluate. Step back from everything and take a look at what you’re doing wrong and what could be done without putting as much energy into it. Think of it as running a marathon, if you try sprint the only result will be complete failure to do the full 26.2 miles. Slow things down and focus on accomplishing smaller parts of a larger goal and let them all add up for you. When you do this you mustn’t get caught up in your own victories and believe that you can either cruise to the top or your work is done entirely. Changes to your life are never done and that’s what makes it all so exciting there is always something for you to work on to make you happy, healthier, and an overall better you.

Posted on: 4 November 2010 | 9:40 pm

Best Kanye West Songs: Kanye West's 22 Best Songs

Kanye West struggled to break into the game for years and was for a long time more produced than rapper. He made beats for Roc-a-Fella on such albums as Jay-Z’s the Blueprint. Eventually he got his shot at rapping and due to the fact that he made his own beats he could afford to be pretty self-sufficient in the rap game. Since his first album the College Dropout was released he had steadily risen in popularity until his more recent antics such as the Taylor Swift incident made him take a hit to his reputation. Regardless, the man still makes some great hip hop and even electronic records like on 808’s and Heatrbreak. Since his new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is due out on November 22, 2010 I thought it would be appropriate to create a list of Kanye West’s best songs. You could always argue that others should be on the list but this is mine and I think that it gives a pretty good representation of him as an artist. So with that here are the greatest songs by Kanye West. Stronger- Infused with a Daft Punk sample Stronger is the type of track to get you up and moving whether you’re at the club or the gym. Robotic voices and heavy drums give it a rather unique sound even if it is derivative of Daft Punk’s song. I Wonder- I’ve been waiting on this moment my whole life. Good Life- Kanye teams up with T-Pain for a feel good song off of his Graduation album. Things aren’t always going right but for Kanye on this one everything is beautiful and life couldn’t be better. Flashing Lights- Flashing Lights is one of my favorite beats by Kanye West ever. She don’t believe in shooting stars but she believe in shoes and cars. Touch the Sky- The horns on this song are amazing and the feature of Lupe Fiasco makes it all the more impressive. Gold Digger- Gold Digger was a massive hit for Kanye when it came out and it features Jamie Foxx and a Ray Charles sample. The topic of the song is pretty obvious a girl who is only after a man’s money and will do pretty much anything for it. Drive Slow- Drive Slow lives up to its name with a methodical instrumental that is smooth and perfect for driving. Features Paul Wall and T.I. Diamonds from Sierra Leone- Who knew a sample from the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever could make for such an awesome song. The original Diamonds was addressing the demise of Roc-a-Fella as a record label while the remix allows Kanye to go into the diamond trade of Sierra Leone and features a great verse from Jay-Z. Also, check out Conflict Diamonds by Lupe Fiasco who raps over this beat and honestly does it better than either Kanye West version. Hey Mama- Kanye pours out his love for his mother on this song and it’s quite beautiful. After his mother’s death he broke down on stage while performing this song creating a very moving moment. Roses We Don’t Care- The opening song off of the College Dropout album, We Don’t Care goes into life when you don’t have opportunities and you are forced to create a hustle for yourself whether it be drugs or something else. All Falls Down- She couldn’t afford the car so she named her daughter Alexis. Spaceship- Have you ever had a job that you just hated and knew that you were destined for bigger and better things? Listen to Spaceship and I’m sure that you will have no problem relating. Never Let Me Down ft. Jay-Z Get Em High- The first verse is my favorite that pretty much serves as a big middle finger to the doubters in Kanye’s life. Slow Jamz- Kanye, Jamie Foxx, and Twista slow things down for the ladies and do a fantastic job at it. Through the Wire introduced me to Kanye West but it was this song that made me purchase College Dropout when it came out years ago. Through the Wire- Recorded while his jaw was still wired shut after a car accident that nearly claimed his life this was Kanye’s breakout song and first single off the College Dropout album. Family Business Heartless- Heartless is a great breakup song especially if you were the one who got burnt. The hook is catchy and will have you singing it all day. Love Lockdown- Not everybody liked this song when it came out but I really did. The beat is simple and sparse and his voice sounds haunting over top of it. Street Lights Living a Movie- This is on here simply for the instrumental I love it.

Posted on: 29 October 2010 | 10:40 pm

Outkast's Best Songs: The 30 Best Outkast songs

Outkast is a rap duo consisting of Andre 3000 and Big Boi hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. When discussing the best rap groups of all-time you would be derelict if you didn’t include them in the discussion for the number one spot. Outkast is the answer to any rap fan that says the south has no real lyricists that southern rap is all dancing and heavy bass, please listen to any Outkast album and reconsider your stance. I chose thirty songs from which to form my list, including five from each album (not including Idlewild and six songs from ATLiens because it was hard to choose just five) and four extra songs just to round it out to an even thrity. This list of Outkast’s best songs is my opinion and naturally you may feel different and have other songs that are your personal favorites but I feel that anyone that hasn’t listened to them before will get a good overview of what Outkast is all about. So with that in mind here is my list of Outkast’s 30 greatest songs. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik- This was my favorite Outkast song for a long time and I think now it has faded a bit since I have heard it so much but it is still so damn good. The horns that accompany the laid back beat and pure lyrical skills displayed make this one a winner. Player’s Ball- All the players came from far and wide. Git Up, Git Out- If you ever find yourself feeling like you’re not living up to your potential or have wasted your life this is the song for you. It features Goodie Mob along with the two members of Outkast and is seven and a half minutes of greatness. Ain’t No Thang- Sometimes Outkast gets a bit far out there but on this track and on this album it’s straight rapping. Ain’t No Thang has a slower beat but Andre 3k and Big Boi both go hard with their flows. Funky Ride- I’m not advocating drug use but I’m pretty sure this sounds like the most amazing thing ever while smoking. You cannot get more laid back than Funky Ride. ATLiens Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)- Look at the title and it tells you that you need to listen to this one in the car just riding around your city. Jazzy Belle- The beat for Jazzy Belle is amazing. The woman singing la, la, la kind of haunts you throughout the track while the guys tell the tale of Jazzy Belle. Elevators- Me and you, your momma and your cousin too. ATLiens- Now throw your hands in the air-er and waive em like u just don't care-er. And if you like fish and grits everybody say oh yeah-er Babylon- Andre’s verse talking about sex and women is just ill. They call it horny because it’s devilish. Wheelz of Steel- I don’t really like the hook on this one all that much but the rest of the song is impeccable and I can’t leave it off the list. Aquemini Rosa Parks- This was one of my favorite songs of 1998, I was only 11 years old and getting deeper into rap music and I couldn’t hear this enough. I think the beat simply entranced me plus I wanted to learn 3000’s verse because his flow was so fast. Synthesizer- George Clinton helps out on this track and at different parts of this song it will envelop you. Da Art of Storytellin’ (Part 1)- The first in the series of tracks with the Storytellin’ name and this one is my favorite of the lot. Good lord the production on the Aquemini album was amazing. Aquemini- The album’s title track and it fits the bill perfectly filled with great wordplay and a steady flowing beat. Return of the “G”- Return of the gangsta! Thanks ta! Stankonia So Fresh, So Clean- Even after a decade I don’t know if I can think of a song that is so smooth except maybe the aforementioned Funky Ride. The beat is funky as well and everything about this song is cool. Ms. Jackson- This was a huge hit in 2000 about baby mommas and the strain separating from your child’s mother can bring. B.O.B.- Bombs over Baghdad is very high energy with lyrics spit so fast it’ll take you multiple listens to decipher. But do your self a favor and listen to it. Humble Mumble- Never mind the weird Andre 3000 intro it really fits this song which just sounds alien to this world. Features Erykah Badu. We Love Deez Hoez- I don’t know if anybody else considers this a top 5 song off of Stankonia but it’s a personal favorite of mine. Speakerboxx/The Love Below Roses- Carolinnnnnneeeeeee. Ghetto Musick- Wow this song is out there but it’s so entertaining and upbeat. The Way Your Move- This was the single for Big Boi’s Speakerboxx and features a nice instrumental, rapping, and catchy hook for you to sing along with. A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre- The Love Below wasn’t strictly rap, in fact it was kind of sparse throughout the CD but this track was one of them with rapping and it’s pretty much Andre going on for 5 minutes. Bowtie- Crocodile on my feet, Fox fur on my back, bowtie around my neck, that´s why they call me the Gangsta Mack, in the Cadillac. Extra Tracks Benz or Beemer- Off the soundtrack of the movie New Jersey Drive. So how do you figure that Atlanta don’t be pullin’ them triggers? Art of Storytellin’ Part 4- This is a fantastic song. Andre absolutely kills the first verse and Big Boi lays down a great one as well. Again Remix- This is a remix of the Lenny Kravitz song with a hip hop beat and a verse from Big Boi. Everlasting- Don’t take your food outside around your friends, unless you have enough to feed the neighborhood. Words to live by.

Posted on: 24 October 2010 | 7:46 pm

Writing Flash Fiction: How to Write Flash Fiction Stories

A great way to fine tune your skills as a fiction writer and as a storyteller is to write flash fiction. Flash fiction is a form of writing that is ultra-short but still has a beginning, middle, and an ending. Various contests or publishers of flash fiction will have different guidelines as to how many words constitutes a flash fiction story but it will almost always be under 1,000 words in length. One of the most beneficial aspects of this form of fiction writing is that it helps you cut down on your excesses and get to the real heart of the story. Before writing anything you of course need an idea. If you’re a really creative person you might start forming an epic story full of vivid characters and scenery that is so detailed and precise it feels like the reader is actually there. In flash fiction you are going for the same effect on the reader but because you have less space you have to think smaller. For example if your epic took place within some small town, your flash fiction story would involve maybe one person within that town and one event within their lives. In the first paragraph of your short fiction is the best place to give a limited back story of what is happening and who is involved. A good way to condense it may be for you to write out a longer version first and not worry about the word count and then go back later and whittle it down to proper size. Brevity that still packs a punch is what we are going for so experiment with ways to show what the reader needs to know without telling them explicitly. If you can jump right into the action and show through that action what the back story is that is ideal. You cannot plod along and expect to have an action packed middle and a great ending so make your character get right to work in the story. The essence of drama is of course conflict. Every story needs a conflict and in flash fiction it should be one that is immediate and also convincing. You may now have a setting and a main character but what does she want? What is it that motivates her through this scene? Is she being chased my an axe-wielding killer or having a tender moment with her lover? You only have maybe 1,000 words to tell your full story so there has to be a set-up followed by the conflict or major action of the story. Due to the limited space you should aim for one major theme or idea that you would like to get across in your story and focus on making that as powerful as you can. The ending of the story should tie together any loose ends that are leftover from the conflict (which shouldn’t be many). Flash fiction often employs twist endings which can work very well in this medium but is not necessary. If you want to practice you writing skills it may be useful for you to explore the world of flash fiction. Maybe you can set aside thirty minutes per day and try to write a full story before time is up. Don’t worry about editing or your word count until after you have told your tale with beginning, middle, and end. Once you have it on paper then you can go back and start chopping away at your story and compressing it down to your desired length. After your done editing try sharing it with friends or family or look up some flash fiction contests online and try to win some extra cash. Flash fiction is very fun to try out and can be quite a challenge to tell a story in such little space but the rewards you will reap are very well worth it.

Posted on: 23 October 2010 | 11:43 pm

Best Workout Songs: My Workout Playlist for Rap Music

Some days going to the gym just plain sucks, your tired, irritated, and all you want to do is lay down. It is on days like this that you must push through in order to achieve your fitness goals because the days you’re full of motivation are easy and you get it done without much thought. One of the ways you can further motivate yourself to keep moving forward during a workout is to have some music to push yourself. Now there is lots of great music out there by not all of it is suited to making you want to move, you don’t want to be moved to tears by a song while on the weight bench do you? Most rap music is perfect for working out because of its heavy percussion and rhythm plus aggressive lyrical content it can have you feeling hype and ready to go. Now this isn’t a complete list of the best rap workout songs but it’s what I use on a day to day basis and hasn’t failed me yet. If you’re in need of a boost in your exercise program try listening to the songs on this list I think you’ll find some very good workout songs. DMX, Ruff Ryders Anthem- You can go with the original or the remix with the Ruff Ryders crew or even play it back to back. This beat will get you in the right mood to attack the workout you have ahead of you. Actually this is true for half of DMX’s songs. Lil Wayne, Fireman- One of his single’s off of tha Carter II album. The Game, Higher- Higher was on The Game’s first album and was one of the best tracks. The beat hits hard and is up tempo. Tupac, Can’t C Me- This is a great aggressive song by Tupac. Can’t C Me should most likely be played when you aren’t in a bad mood and want to workout like you have a chip on your shoulder. T.I., You Don’t Know Me- You might have seen me in the streets… Rick Ross, Push It- Remember in Scarface the montage of Tony coming to power and the Push It to the Limit song playing in the background. Yeah well this song by Rick Ross samples it nicely. 50 Cent, Redrum- This was a mixtape song so it isn’t very long but it is intense and aggressive. 50 Cent, Places to Go- Off of the 8 Mile Soundtrack. Great tempo and flow. Young Buck, Cocaine- A track off of his mixtape Back to the Streets produced by the Future. I really love the beat on this song and the hook is pretty catchy too even if it’s about coke. M.O.P., Ante Up- You might remember this song from when it came out in 2000 or you might have heard it in the Ernie and Bert Try Gangster Rap video on YouTube. Either way the beat is insane and the lyrics are extremely aggressive and will make you want to put up some weight. Lil Wayne, I Got No Ceilings- With the Black Eyed Peas instrumental as his canvas Lil Wayne paints a picture about a wild night out on the town. This song should inject some positive energy into your workout unless you’re comatose. 50 Cent, Piggy Bank- It’s a diss track to a bunch of different rappers but I really like the part where he says get more money, more money. Jay-Z, Takeover- I think sometimes it can be beneficial to have imagined competition during your workouts and why not live vicariously through Jay-Z as he battles Nas and Mobb Deep? Tupac, Me Against the World- Sometimes you just feel like it is you against the world or in the gym against yourself. T.I., Bring Em Out- This was a club hit when it came out and if it’s good enough to pump energy through a packed house I’m sure it’ll work on the treadmill. The Game, One Blood- This song is just loud and menacing. 50 Cent, I’ll Whip Ya Head- I’m pretty sure in the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ movie this song came on during 50 Cent’s recuperation montage. So there you go get shot and need to run for the first time? Play I’ll Whip Ya Head. Nas, Hate Me Now- The instrumental is simply epic and this is another you against the world song that helps you feed off negative energy. Juelz Santana, Murda Murda- Don’t mind the content of the song the beat is full of heavy bass and the aggressive content only enhances its effectiveness. Tupac, Still Ballin’- Off the Better Dayz album and featuring Trick Daddy. G-Unit, Straight Out of Southside- This song is short but goes hard and each member of G-Unit raps one verse. Eminem, Til I Collapse- Look at the title and explain why this wouldn’t be a great workout song. DMX, Where Da Hood At- Between DMX and Tupac I can’t think off any other rappers that provided a track with so much energy. Naughty by Nature, Uptown Anthem- This is a classic song from the 90s that contains all of the raw power of the streets and really is a great anthem. Kanye West, Stronger- Now that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger. Eazy E, Real Muthaphuccin G’s- A diss track against Dr. Dre and one of the illest beats ever. Mobb Deep, Survival of the Fittest- A very dark instrumental filled with a sense of nihilism and despair. However the tone of the lyrics and the hook make this one that can help you focus. Tupac, Fight Music- Fight Music was featured on a DJ Vlad mixtape and starts off with Pac’s crazy monologue from the movie Juice. Then his vocals are placed on the Hate Me Now instrumental and he is followed by a nice verse from Xzibit. Nas, Made You Look (Remix)- Take Nas, Jadakiss, and Ludacris and put them on one of the best beats of that year and you have a fantastic remix that is electic. T.I., 24’s- Just listen to this song, it recommends itself. Juelz Santana, Shottas- Santana brings it on this track and is damn near screaming level throughout. Canibus, 2nd Round Knockout- A boxing theme as a diss to LL Cool J and will work for our purposes because it progressively builds in intensity and will put you in the fighting mood.

Posted on: 19 October 2010 | 9:13 pm

Your Scarlet Letter Is Herpes: Sci-Fi, Stream of Consciousness and the Neurosis of My Sex Starved Mind

Damn you Time now I'm convinced all women that look like her have HERPES and the Patrick Bateman lookalike gave it to her. I’m kind of neurotic when it comes to sex. Well, let me correct that, I’m kind of neurotic during the time immediately following sex. I have an acute fear of sexually transmitted diseases and getting a girl pregnant, post-coitus. I have had blood drawn, pissed in cups, and purchased enough Plan B One-Step to keep that company in the black, just to satisfy the paranoia that consumes my mind. I hear statistics on television about one in four people having something and then walk down the street trying to pick the filthy whores out of the crowd, “You in the sun dress! Shameless whore, trying to lure me as your next victim and spread your red pustules onto my dick are we?” I have actively imagined what it would be like to have a Terminator like interface within my mind that would list all of the sexual partners and diseases the person I’m looking at has acquired or ‘attained’ in the words of Magic Johnson.I remember seeing an interview with Magic where he said he would have sex with 6 or 7 women at a time. I guess when you go about sex like that you really do 'attain' something. I dismissed the Terminator idea as unfeasible until I master the art of time travel and emerge from the continuum kneeling and bare-assed. Obviously it’s too oppressive and Nazi-esque to go with the Scarlet Letter approach but I only want to know the identities of the Hordes of the Herpes to protect my genitalia not to cast public shame and ridicule on those who have it. Come on you can trust me! Since I cannot ever know for sure who has what I have foregone the life of fucking every attractive girl in sight and have focused on forging new relationships that are more than friends but less than full time girlfriends. These brunch like relationships are probably just referred to as being ‘friends with benefits’ but in my mind I have built it up as something built on trust, mutual adoration, and respect. Something a notch below a serious relationship but more than someone you just hang out with and fuck. Currently I am trying to keep my cock from overruling my faculties and requiring that each girl get tested and be on the pill before we start having sex. Yes, it is really hard (haha really hard) to stop the blood from flowing out of my brain when I have a lovely young thing ready to jump me without any concern of the consequences but it is something that must be done. Yes, that’s usually when the condom gets put on and it goes down anyways with all of the fun involved in sex with a plastic bag strapped to your penis. Oh what is that CDC? It is still possible to spread Herpes even with a condom? Jesus, the more I read and longer I live, it’s like each year of sexual activity brings me closer to Woody Allen levels of neurosis and hang-ups. Why can’t it be a simpler time like the 23rd century of Logan’s Run? Where you can take drugs, have promiscuous sex by finding a broad to bang on The Circuit, go watch people die at Carousel, and be killed yourself all by the age of 30. Hell I think I can do seven years of hallucinogens and hardcore sex with strange women, but oh those spots those horrible burning spots I would catch. The temptation is sometimes too much even for someone with extreme paranoia in goes into full blown panic mode five minutes after ejaculation. There are so many girls who are insecure and troubled and their insecurities cut both ways. Sometimes when they aren’t comfortable with themselves they will have sex with anybody in sight and at the same time be totally ashamed of their appearance when the clothes come off. NO LIGHTS TURN THEM OFF! I assure you that you look gorgeous and it is I who should question my appearance. I would hate for you to see me in my natural state pale skinned with pubes growing like wild vines and enough hair on my ass to put Gigantopithecus to shame. But I keep things streamlined and I do it all for you ladies! Leaving my man just enough of a beard to look like the dignified statesman he is, a man experienced in horizontal relations with foreign parties. My point is ladies you are beautiful creatures for three quarters of the month, while even I as an attractive man still look odd and out of place naked as if clothes were designed specifically to cover my sins. Oh who am I kidding? I can’t boost your self-esteem by lying to you that would be immoral. I am a piece of art, a beautiful Kouros carved from marble you’ll just have to get over your insecurities another way. Gigantopithecus had quite the ass-mane.Beyond the psychologically and bodily scarring downsides to sex there is so much that is good about it. The excitement of the chase, the intimacy of the moment, letting go of all the trappings of modern decency when she screams to fuck her harder. All of those reasons and more is why we occupy so much of our time towards experiencing intense spasms in our loins and shooting out a goo-like substance, which when you think about the mechanics of it is just about the stupidest thing you have ever heard. Maybe life would be less stressful without it. Be an asexual creature who just lives and doesn’t worry about making enough money to stick an extremity inside of a decent looking woman. But is that a life worth leading at all? I don’t know exactly but perhaps I could just live in my sparse THX-1138 world and drug myself up to the point where I don’t even know what lust is. But is it all bad if you’re not thinking about the mess of fur underneath that woman with the buzz cut’s jump suit? Just work, stay high and surrounded with minimalist sets and fluorescent lighting. Sure it’s a cold and boring visual with very little dialogue but could you imagine living in a world populated by the words of George Lucas? It’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere. Then again if Anakin was describing what sex is sometimes like he’s not that far off.My sex is often this awkward afterwords and usually involves crying while holding myself naked.

Posted on: 16 October 2010 | 11:35 pm