Party Like it's 2009!!!

It's only 10:09 pm in Philly but I'm wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!

2008 was fun, seriously with the whole election season I had fun, but I have a feeling that 2009 will be phenomenal! Three words - President Barack Obama!

I hope you have someone special (or anyone) to kiss when the clock strikes 12, but if you don't enjoy this Soul Train throwback and Party Like It's 1999 (I couldn't find another New Year's Song).

$3,000 Notebook [Flaunt This]

I wrote a couple post back that I brought a set of journals from the Pottery Barn for $70.00 (which honestly were a little pricey in my opinion). But today I just came across another set of journals from Smythson (of Bond Street) that have a price tag of $2,800. 

Yup, $2,800 for a book you are going to write in! And no, it's NOT made of gold!

Now, I love to journal and write like the next person, but what would compel you to spend almost $3,000 on a notebook!?

Man, can you imagine being THAT RICH that you can spend that type of money on PAPER? What if you made a mistake and had to scribble something out? That one sheet of paper was worth $100.00! 

I did a quick internet search on this store Smythson and apparently it is a fancy store for the ubber rich and elite. Based in London their clients over the years include Queen Victoria, Sir Edmund Hillary and Philly's own Grace Kelly. It's an "old money" sort of store, no wonder they have $3,000 notebooks. I don't even know what I'm doing knowing about a store like this.

Source [My Notting Hill]

Top 25 Songs of 2008 [Very Cool]

DJ Earworm mixed together Billboard's top 25 songs of 2008 into what he calls United State of Pop 2008. It is very cool and I can't fathom how long it took for him to make the audio mix and not to mention the video (that is, if he made them separately). Either way this is VERY cool.

He uses Coldplay's Viva La Vida as the base of the song, which I gotta say is an excellent choice.

By the way, Billboard's top 25 songs of 2008 are:

• Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain - Low
• Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
• Alicia Keys - No One
• Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major - Lollipop
• Timbaland Featuring OneRepublic - Apologize
• Jordin Sparks Duet With Chris Brown - No Air
• Sara Bareilles - Love Song
• Usher Featuring Young Jeezy - Love in This Club
• Chris Brown - With You
• Chris Brown - Forever
• Ray J & Yung Berg - Sexy Can I
• Rihanna - Take a Bow
• Coldplay - Viva La Vida
• Katy Perry - I Kissed a Girl
• T.I. - Whatever You Like
• Rihanna - Disturbia
• Rihanna - Don’t Stop the Music
• Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine
• Chris Brown Featuring T-Pain - Kiss Kiss
• Ne-Yo - Closer
• Colbie Caillat - Bubbly
• Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
• Madonna Featuring Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
• Pink - So What
• Finger Eleven - Paralyzer

Source [Lifehacker]

I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson

This is Mike Tyson in 2008

This is the Fresh Prince song "I think I can beat Mike Tyson" from 1989.

That is all.

2008 Year in Review - Most Annoying People & Things

Continuing my obligatory "best of" and "year in review" lists. Today we have The Most Annoying People & Things of 2008.

Don't forget to check out People Who Should Go Away in 2009. (Stay tuned for Who I Want to See More Of in 2009 list).

	Harold Ford Jr. - I might be the only person who feels this way, but I can't stand Harold Ford Jr. There is just something about him I really dislike. Whenever he comes on MSNBC I immediately change the channel. Believe me, he's not to be trusted! You heard it here first!
	Rudy Giuliani – do I even have to give you a reason why he sucks. Okay, I’ll give you one, his 2008 RNC speech. To channel Keith Olbermann I say, “how dare you, sir, mock community organizers and the so-called elite media, when you sir, were the mayor or New York City!”
	Bill Clinton - I’m still not feeling you sir, you better not eff it up for my buddy Obama. I've said it here, here and here that you are Obama's biggest hater. Maybe Priest Michael Pfleger was right you feel like, 'There's a black man stealing my show!"
	Chris Matthews – I love you, seriously I do (we have that Philly connection), but sometimes your crazy was just too much. Every day I watch you I never know which Chris I was going to get. But you did make the election cycle fun (hahaha... chill up your leg... ahahahah), especially when you were with your buddy Keith.
	Sarah Palin – nuff said! But I will admit I found her guest spot on SNL hilarious, but then again maybe it was just Amy Poehler’s rap and Tina Fey impression of you that I found entertaining? Yeah, that's probably what it was.
	Tom Brokaw – I can’t stand your voice and once again, didn’t you retire?
	Sean Hannity - you are a ridiculous person! And yes, you are douche bag numero uno.
	Hockey Moms - not you personally, but your dear leader Palin just skewed my perspective in general for hockey moms. Oh yeah, those are women wearing "mom jeans" in the photo.
	Andy Reid – The Eagles coach continues to call bad plays, what do you have against running the ball! Okay! So the stars aligned and now the Eagles are in the playoffs... let's try NOT to screw it up and continue to RUN the freakin' ball!
	The Presidential Debates – I’ve "live" blogged them and don’t look forward to doing it every again (well, maybe if Obama's there). You can read my VP Debate - Can I call you Joe?, 1st Presidential Debate - That One!, and The Last Prez Debate - Are We There Yet?
	Michele Bachmann – She proposed investigating people for being Un-American… I don’t even believe you really said that… but wait, we have the tape! And sadly she won her re-election bid. Oh yeah, she's a horrible woman.
	Morning Joe - Particularly Joe Scarborough – you sir are an idiot. I can’t stand you sitting there acting like you know everything, you sir are just silly. And Mika be stronger! You occasionally have good ideas don't let them talk over you!

Now I know there are MANY more annoying people and things I have left off this list. Please make a comment or send me an email and I will update my list.

Strokin' into 2009...

I've been crazy busy (holidays and all) and unable to update and continue with my 2008 in review as fast as I would like. But never fear when I get a free moment I will post, until then, enjoy Mr. Clarence Carter.

2008 Year in Review - People Who Should Go Away

2008 is coming to an end and so comes the time to prepare our obligatory "best of" and "year in review" lists. Not to be out done by the New York Times (10 Best Books of 2008) or Time magazine (Top 10 Everything of 2008). I started to compile my year in review list, today I shall share my list of People Who Should Go Away in 2009. (Stay tuned for my Most Annoying People in 2008 list).

	DMX - you didn’t know who Barack Obama was? And you get the award for the most ignorant ass interview I've ever read in a magazine.
	Rev. Jeremiah Wright – all the good you might have done in Chicago was undone by your speech at the National Press Club. Seriously, did you really want Obama to become President? 'Cause you weren't acting like it.
	OJ Simpson – Seriously, you should have gone away a long time ago, but I have to admit 15 years was too harsh for that crime (but then again, what did you expect?)
	The So-called Pregnant Man - for the fact those headlines we WHOLLY misleading!
	President Bush and the rest of the Bush Administration, yes I'm talking to you Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Ashcroft, Gonzales, and Rove... do I even need to give you a reason?
	Joe the Plumber – I understand, you saw an opportunity and jumped, but now it’s time for you to leave and never come back. Oh yeah, don’t try to trick us and make us believe you actually wrote a book in 2 months. Perhaps you should be working on your plumber’s license instead of writing this so-called book.
	Robert Mugabe – Dude, just go away, you look foolish and your country is suffering. When your country starts printing million dollar bills, it’s time to exit stage left.
	Queen Elizabeth – how old are you again? Let’s give Prince Charles a chance, eh.
	Joe Lieberman – you traitor! You are SO lucky Obama isn’t vindictive

Please note: By "go away" I mean, I do not care to hear about these individuals directly or indirectly for entire year and possibly more.

Christmas Trees - They come in All Shapes and Sizes

I shall continue to spread Christmas cheer by showcasing odd Christmas trees.

Chocolate Christmas Tree

The Minimalist Tree

 

Upside Down Tree

Whoville Tree

Charlie Brown’s Sad Christmas Tree

Mountain Dew Christmas Tree

Beer Christmas Tree

Festivus Pole

Lego Christmas Tree

Pac-Man Christmas Tree

I Love This... [Christmas Gift]

I found this on SALE at the Pottery Barn and bought it right away. 

It's 12 journals (with the month written on the spine) in wonderful faux leather. The individual books have 50 lined pages. 

I am so ready to start journaling in the new year - and now I really don't have an excuse.

Oh yeah, it's on sale for $69.00 (originally $99.00) with free shipping!

Home Sick [I Lost 4 Teeth]

I am home sick today because I got my four wisdom teeth removed yesterday. In between my acetaminophen induced sleep I've made the following observations:

• Vanilla Jello pudding is tastier than chocolate pudding
• Rinsing in warm salt water isn't that bad
• Rick Sanchez is a HORRIBLE host
• Golden Girls is the best show to fall asleep to
• I think it's easier to swallow pills without your wisdom teeth
• Using tea bags as gauze is not fun

I will return to work tomorrow because I don't have many sick days.

That is all.

Out of This World [Do you remember this TV Show?]

I LOVED Out of This World for the simple fact I desperately wished I could stop time too by pushing my index fingers together. Seriously, I use to sit around and tried to focus on stopping time until my parents explained it would NEVER happen (keep in mind, I was 10 years old at the time).

TV Show Overview: Evie's (the main character) mom hooked up with an alien (yeah, I know it sounds silly now, but it was very cool back in 1990) and had Evie. So she's half-alien, half-human. At her 13th birthday she starts developing supernatural abilities. The show follows her life as she adjusts (each week her powers get her into trouble) to her new abilities (suck on that Heroes!). 

Watch the show's intro below:

New Wolverine Trailer [Yesss!]

Yeah, I'm so ready for this movie.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD

Dr. J - he still got it. [flashback]

Dr. J (Julius Erving) still got it. In the photo below he is maxin' & relaxin' with his wife Dorys. By the way, he's almost 60 (his wife, I am unsure of her age *wink wink, nod nod*).

Dr. J still gets love in Philly. He even has his own mural.

Source [Young, Black & Fabulous]

President Bush ducking a shoe [disrespectful]

If you haven't heard.

An Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at Bush in Baghdad. He yelled in Arabic, "This is a farewell... you dog!"

You can watch the incident below:

First, Bush dodged the shoe nicely. Superb reflexes Bushie. Second, this is NOT cool. No matter what you think of Bush you can't effin' throw stuff at the President. I am actually upset about this, well, that's not entirely true. When I first heard I was shocked (my Dad told me about it), then I laughed, then I got angry. 

President Bush, is still PRESIDENT BUSH and we can't have people throwing stuff at him. Just like I would not tolerate (like I actually have any say in it) someone throwing anything at President Obama.

It's disrespectful and hopefully this journalist will be dealt with accordingly (and no, I don't mean killed or something). He's an effin' journalist, WRITE about how unhappy you are - don't throw things. Use your words NOT your hands (did we not learn anything from Sesame Street?).

As Bush said, "but that's what happens in free societies where people try to draw attention to themselves." You are right Bush, that IS what happens in FREE societies. I'm sure this guy would NEVER dare throw a shoe at Saddam Hussein.

One last word... weren't those secret service guys a little slow on the draw? The guy was able to throw TWO shoes before anyone ran over to Bush! Aren't they suppose to throw themselves infront of the President (at least that's what they do in the movies)? 

Source [CNN]

Memories... the First Viral Video [Flashback]

Do you remember the first viral video back in 2004? Probably not, but once you hit play below all the memories will come back to you.

Numa Numa currently has 23 MILLION hits.

Black Christmas Music [Love, Peace & Soooul]

During the Christmas season in the Flaunt household we didn't have Bing Crosby playing on the stereo (yeah, we called it "the stereo" back then). We had the Black Christmas songs! A couple years back during the Christmas season I had a nice little conversation with a White workmate, who to my utter surprise never heard of the song This Christmas by Donny Hathaway. I was shocked! I rattled off other Christmas songs dear to my heart, but to no avail, she had never heard of them. At the end of my conversation, I realized many White people are not aware of Black Christmas music, or simply, Christmas songs sung by Black artists. 

So to continue to spread Christmas cheer, today we have... Black Christmas Music. 

Below you will find a list of my favorite Christmas Song, sung by Black artists. 

This Christmas - Donny Hathaway

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Jackson 5

Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto - James Brown

Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder

Silent Night - The Temptations

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jackson 5

My Favorite Things - The Supremes

Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer - The Temptations

Christmas Ain't Christmas - Bobby Womack

Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles & Betty Carter

Let It Snow - Boyz II Men

White Christmas - Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters

Christmas In Hollis - Run-DMC

I tried to make a playlist, but unfortunately I could not find all of them... 

If I left something off or you have a recommendation LET ME KNOW! My memory isn't what it use to be...

Jon Stewart vs Sean Hannity [Beef]

On the Daily Show Thursday night, Jon Stewart did a little skit about Alan Colmes (the liberal/democrat foil) of the Hannity & Colmes show on Fox News. 

Jon showed a montage of clips where Colmes is being punked by different people on the show. Actually it's rather sad to watch. You can't help but feel bad for the guy.

Then Jon introduces Daryl Hall & John Oates (yes, Hall & Oates) who sing a remake of their classic song "She's Gone" and discuss Colmes on the show. One lyric says, "You're the only non-douchebag on that show!"

Watch the clip below:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Hall & Oates Pay Tribute to Alan Colmes

Barack Obama Interview

John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video

Funny Election Video

Fast forward to today, douchebag numero uno Sean Hannity (seriously, look at his website, it reeks of douchebagness, especially the photos in his header) released a statement and said:

"I was actually thinking of Jon [Stewart] as a co-host but I needed someone who could be smart and funny without 50 writers and two has-been rockers who are badly in need of Botox."

Oh SNAP! Them fightin' words.

We will just have to wait until Monday for Jon's rebuttal. And I'm only guessing, but me thinks it will be good.

Source [The Huffington Post]

Ignore your co-workers even more...

Workbay has a new chair on the market that protects its users visually and acoustically thanks to the shape of its high backrest. The chair enables you to focus ONLY on the computer screen in front of you.

I like to get lost in my work and tune out others around me, but come on... you do need some socializing at work. Now, for my home this would be perfect! I certainly don't need to socialize with my family.

Source [Boing Boing]

Movie Montages [Nuttin' Else on TV]

I just had fun on youtube watching numerous movie montages. I have embedded the best ones I've seen.

This one is kind of long but touches on MANY different movie genres, but mostly action films.

This one show different comedy, feel good and superhero films.

Action Hero Movie Quotes (kind of long, but worth it)

"Yes they deserve to die and I hope they burn in hell!" - Favorite Movie Lines Montage

Movie quotes with number. “There’s nothing tragic about being 50 unless you’re trying to be 25." (long, but nice)

The Movies - Oh How They Inspire

Thank you random people of the internetS.

Matthew Belinkie cut together 40 inspirational speeches from classic movies into a 2 minute montage.

I really enjoyed it. It actually put a smile on my face. 

I'm a sucker for montages, actually... let me post this and find other movie montages... stay tuned.

I Love this Album Cover...

for so many reasons.

Album - Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone 

Artists - The Walkmen

Favorite track - We've Been Had

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer [Christmas]

Continuing to spread Christmas cheer... Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer.

Hermey: Hey, what do you say we both be independent together, huh?

Rudolph: You wouldn't mind my - red nose?

Hermey: Not if you don't mind me being a dentist.

Rudolph: It's a deal. 

Charlie-In-The-Box: I am the official sentry of the Isle of Misfit toys.

Hermey: A jack-in-the-box for a sentry?

Charlie-In-The-Box: Yes. My name is...

Rudolph: Don't tell me: Jack.

Charlie-In-The-Box: No, Charlie. That's why I'm a misfit toy. My name is all wrong. No child wants to play with a Charlie-In-The-Box so I had to come here. 

Santa Claus: From what I see now, that will cut through the murkiest storm they can dish up. What I'm trying to say is, Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Rudolph: It will be an honor, sir. 

Every year my sister and I would watch this Christmas special. How can you not love it? Poor little Rudolph with his shiny nose, Hermey the elf who wanted to be a dentist, and all the misfit toys left on Misfit Island. Man, it brings back so many memories.

Watch the Christmas Special on the Family Channel:

Thur. Dec. 11 - 9:00 pm

Mon. Dec. 15 - 7:00 pm

Sun. Dec. 21 - 8:30 am

Do you know how to tie a bow tie? [Fancy]

The holidays are upon us and so are the traditional holiday parties. I know many companies are nixing the fancy office party in lieu of more modest celebrations. But perhaps you are invited to a high class party or maybe plan to attend one of Obama's many inaugural balls in January... and maybe you want to wear a bow tie!

Yup, a bow tie. They are the cool "other tie". 

And for your convenience, here is a nice little video that shows you how to properly tie a bow tie.

Gentlemen, you are welcome.

Found [KanYe West Blog]

Colin Powell Is Back [Yessss!]

My main man Colin Powell made some very telling statements during his interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria (will air Sunday).

About Rush Limbaugh:

"Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"

Yeah, the Republican party totally sucks and Powell is telling it like it is.

Source [The Huffington Post]

Gourmet Sandwich Boxes? [Uppity]

Seriously?

Wait... that is kind of cool... but I don't even want to think about how much this actually costs.

Source [ http://www.smartemma.co.uk/lunchboxes.html via Boing Boing] 

A Charlie Brown Christmas [Christmas Time is Here!]

Continuing to spread Christmas cheer... A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Charlie Brown: Thanks for the Christmas card you sent me, Violet.

Violet: I didn't send you a Christmas card, Charlie Brown.

Charlie Brown: Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it? 

Lucy Van Pelt: Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know. 

[first lines]

Charlie Brown: [Charlie Brown and Linus stop at a wall on their trip to the pond for ice skating] I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.

[begins to walk with Linus again]

Charlie Brown: I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed. 

Man, Charlie Brown just has a miserable life. When I was a kid I kind of felt like Charlie with a bit of Eeyore on the side. Yeah, I was a very introspective melancholy kind of kid - look at me now.

Watch the Christmas Special on ABC:

Tuesday, December 16 - 8:00pm