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Thursday, August 18, 2011

MyShoeBag.wordpress.com

The ShoeBag has been moved to WordPress. That's myshoebag.wordpress.com

Thursday, March 17, 2011

SXSW

This year marks the first time that I've had the opportunity to truly experience SXSW throughout the whole week and soak it all in...pause? To put it short: if you decided to go on a spring break trip to South Padre Island or Panama Beach, FL, you're losing. I'm currently on day 4 and I've had about a total of 12 hrs sleep overall. Its all good though and its all worth it. I already have a few stories to take away with me this year including some crazy chicks from San Francisco, but we'll talk about that later. With that being said, this post is all about the upcoming showcase hosted by WonderSounds Music Group at Betsy's Bar this Saturday at 4pm. Its free and there will be drink specials. The headliner will be one of the dopest underground groups out of Houston, The Niceguys. The showcase is comprised of hip hop and r&b artists including Jack Freeman, Bluu Suede, Twank Star, and Full Metal F Dot. And it doesn't stop there. We'll also have a DJ set featuring Austin's own Dynamic Duo with DJ Knowledge and Wes Sanders. It's an event that's not to be missed; trust me on this. Expect a live band, good people, and great times this Saturday, March 19 at Betsy's Bar from 4p-7p.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Caught In The Rapture

Apparently it’s coming, ladies and gentlemen. Now before anyone thinks I’m mocking the end of times as told in the book of Revelations, I assure you I’m not. I do have a problem, however with this prediction of 2012 being the end all be all. Because of a few natural disasters and some dead animals, everybody’s going nuts acting like they’re about to get left behind. Chiiillll. It’ll be ok. Natural Disasters have been happening forever because…gasp…they’re natural disasters. I’m pretty sure those fish in California and the birds in Arkansas had a perfectly reasonable explanation of why those events happened. Because that’s what shit does, it happens. I suppose if people actually do believe the end is nearer than we could imagine then it’ll make more of them start living a better life. I’m not one to really criticize. I’m no model Christian. I’m pretty much banking on the fact that I’m a generally good person with a few vices. I figure if I continue on this path, I’ll most likely end up in purgatory for a good portion of eternity. Even still, wouldn’t it be great if we all could just learn to live a good life out of GP instead of immediately following a natural disaster? As Sam Cooke once said, what a wonderful world this could be.

Have a good weekend.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Beautiful Lasers


Hip Hop fans are the most fickle fans of any genre of music ever. They’ll stop supporting a certain artist because he’s “too old.” They claim to be real supporters of certain artists, but will download an album before it even crosses his mind to purchase it. They will literally not support or listen to one artist because another artist who they like more has a “beef” with the other guy. My biggest gripe with hip hop fans is that many of them simply don’t know what they want. An artist will get criticized because he keeps talking about the same thing over and over, and has yet to change his subject matter; however when a rapper does switch his style up and become a little more diverse with his music, fans reject it because he’s changed too much. The fame went to his head and he needs to go back to “that College Dropout style.”

With that said, I’d like to speak on the recent criticism of Lupe Fiasco’s latest effort, L.A.S.E.R.S. The week leading up to its release, I went to my slew of daily hip hop blogs to read the reviews and see what commentary the fans had to say about the album. I kid you not; I hadn’t read a single favorable review in support of the album. I dig Lupe though, so I purchased it anyway. I’m not gonna say the album was as good as Food & Liquor or The Cool, but L.A.S.E.R.S was far from the Frisbee that so many people are claiming it to be. Which prompts the question, do you listen to music or do you just skim through it? No the lyrics aren’t as witty and the word play isn’t as nice as it was on the first two efforts, but in an age where everyone seems to be complaining about the lack of diversity on radio playlists, or rappers inability to speak from the heart; you would think this album would be an answer to their prayers. It would be completely foolish of me to say that the album was perfect. Far from it, it had a few missteps (especially that atrocious song with Trey Songz). Maybe some people didn’t like the electro-pop feel to some of the production. I can see that plight, yet none of the production seems to hinder what Lupe is talking about. If anything it makes it a bit more interesting (in this writers opinion). Either way, I’m glad L.A.S.E.R.S. got its release. I believe he’s fulfilled his obligations to his record label, who he’s cited as stifling his creativity, and now we can get The Great American Rap Album that we’ve been waiting for later this year.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Crossover Appeal

I knew eventually I would get a topic request regarding this sooner or later. So a loyal ShoeBagger told me about one of his boys who was recently dating a black woman. Somehow, through a series of unfortunate events, she ends up spazzing out on him. Now he’s sworn off black women for good and will only talk to white women. It’s not the first time I’ve actually heard something similar to this sad story. I don’t get it though. I’m equal opportunity and have branched out to a few races. Some have more pros and cons as some others, but I’ve never experienced a con so bad that would make me just take myself out of the race for an entire race; that’s roughly 23 million women to cut off. Makes no sense to me. I’ve dealt with some neck rolling and finger waving before, but that’s not to say that all black women will end up going crazy on their guys; however when it does happen, no one ever seems to be surprised. I know somewhere out there someone is reading this, rolling her eyes thinking “He just can’t handle a strong black woman.” What the f*ck does that even necessarily mean? In my opinion, I’m all for the guy dismissing the chick for acting reckless, but I can’t agree with him cutting off a whole group of people because of the color of her skin may or may not lead to a tendency to flip her lid over something small. I’m sure he wouldn’t like it if he tried to talk to a white woman and she rejected him simply because she doesn’t date black guys. Then it becomes offensive. So technically that makes this guy no better than a racist. And I can say that because I’m not racist. I hate everybody. It’s definitely not because of the color of their skin. It’s more or less because of their accent, or because the drive slowly, or just the general ignut-ness of some of them.

I can’t judge anyone for having preferences with whomever they choose to date, and if his preference happens to be dating white women that’s cool. That’s about as much as I can agree with his decision. I would hope that dating white women is something he’s been doing prior to his incident with the black woman, instead of a reaction to getting sonned by ol girl. If that’s not the case then he’s doing it for all the wrong reasons. While I have absolutely no problem with anyone who decides to date outside of their race, I do have a problem with people who have a problem with it (yes, you Jill Scott). Why do you even care? I think everyone should at least give it a chance. I know all black men will agree with this. Because whether it’s a secret of his or he screams it from the mountain tops, every black man has a thing for white women. Why this is? I can’t really say. Either way that’s a totally different soapbox to get on. Besides, I don’t want to give ABC anymore ideas about how they can try to get sympathy out of me by making in another special report about single, black women and their inability to find a black man. Just know that when one black dude sees another black dude with a bad white chick he’s thinking, “Myyyy N-Word!” True story…that’s word to Taye Diggs.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Here...Damn, are you happy now?

She's been bugging me for weeks to post this...geez!!!


In an age where girls will put on Mr. Potato Head type removable hair (lacefront wigs in any incarnation) in an effort to imitate their favorite celebrities, I really can’t blame guys for lumping us all into one group. Factor in the “ooooh, girl you so different” chicks in their Urban Outfitters and American Apparel and even the “non-mainstream” is pretty mainstream. So, while I hate base generalizations and the inherent assumptions, some generalizations are based in truth and actually can save you a lot of time. For me, there are a few things that everybody does that I can’t stand but here are the top 5 things “all girls” do that really grind my gears. Obviously, there are exceptions so let’s not get all unduly indignant, overly defensive, lamely sarcastic, or generally offended (or do, cuz me and B are gonna laugh at you later either way).

1. Cuddle
Dude. Cuddling is really just not my thing. I’m a very affectionate person so I can be really touchy feely sometimes, but cuddling is really pushing it. I actually had a boo that enjoyed cuddling so much, I had to institute daily cuddle limits. And just to put the shit on the cookie, he really liked cuddling after sex. Now that is just too damn far. Before you call me a callous ice bitch, let me explain; I have a hot body. Not like I have a nice ATWR (I do) and big hoots (I don’t), but like my body temperature is high. After a little carnal interaction, there are very few things I can think of that are LESS appealing than cuddling. Given the position we were in for our little bedroom romp, I think a little space shouldn’t be objectionable.

2. Go through their significant other’s phone
I really hate this ish, man. I just don’t get it. If you feel the need to go through your man’s phone, I have to wonder why you don’t feel the need to get a new man. Plus, what are you looking for anyway? Do you expect to find Tiger Woods-esque text messages or Shaq-like emails?? Once again, if you expect to find it, you probably shouldn’t be in the relationship in the first place plus you’re liable to turn a text to his MOTHER into some far-stretched innuendo. I feel like this is one of those situations where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To put it more plainly, how bout you spend more time making him happy and not pissing him off BEFORE so you don’t feel the need to go through his phone later. M’kay, cupcake? Moving on…

3. Hate on interracial relationships
Look man, he’s not with you. Period. I know this is a touchy subject but ish just needs to be said. Now this doesn’t apply to guys who don’t date one group because the females “ALL” allegedly possess some characteristic; those guys are just dummies with piss poor judgment and probably minimal game and you should probably question your attraction to them. For the most part though, I don’t think dudes go out looking for an “other”, the shit just happens. Maybe “other” is always at the same bar as him, maybe she works with him, hell, maybe she just told him straight up she was feeling him and didn’t play any childish games or try to go through his phone when he wasn’t looking (yea, I’m talking about YOU). Either way, he’s with her, not you and even if he weren’t with an “other”, given how judgmental and bitter some women can be about this, he probably STILL wouldn’t want to be with you because, well, you’re kinda mean. Just sayin…

4. Say they only hang out with guys
Ladies, please stop saying this. It sounds silly. I’m sorry. I know I just hurt some feelings and Im probably getting some mean ass side-eyes, but this is nothing more than honest truth. I know this is only my 2nd post but I feel close to you already so I have no problems admitting that I used to be THAT girl. I only hung out with dudes because girls were too much drama, blah, blah, blah. Eventually, though, I had to be honest with myself and realize how absolutely ridiculous that is. STOP HANGING OUT WITH DRAMA-FULL GIRLS!!! Of course you only hang out with guys; only guys will tolerate you in hopes of getting some. For the most part, that male “bff” is trying to get in your pants. Get a girlfriend so that young man can get a break (and some ass). I’ve also noticed that most of the girls who say this are emotionally unstable, slightly delusional and/or attention needy (Case in point, Camille Grammer of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). Having relationships with females is necessary to full development as a woman thus the lack thereof is usually perceived by men as a red flag for craziness, clinginess, or trifling-ho-bag-ness and is usually a red flag for craziness, clinginess, or trifling-ho-bag-ness.

5. Catch feelings
If a dude says, “I’m just tryna smash,” what he really means is, “Why are you talking? I just wanna smash.” PERIOD. No exceptions. Hey man, sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. That was easy*.

Clearly, ALL girls don’t do these things just like all guys don’t do the things in my last post and any assertion that they do or that I was in some way insinuating such is purest folly. I just felt these issues were widespread enough to warrant concern. What can I say? I’m altruistic and shit. You’re welcome.




*Being the garrulous and loquacious individual I am, I could embark on an eloquent soliloquy enumerating the numerous deleterious effects of fostering undue sentiments inconsistent with the assigned import of a situation, however personal experience and age have made it abundantly apparent that said unnecessary expenditure of my vocabulary would only detract from the gravity and candor of my statement.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

He Just Won't Go Away

Shout out to Whitey for providing me with this link for more hilarious quotes from the chairman himself, Charlie Sheen. Peep the link below

livethesheendream.com