Sunday, August 31, 2008

Banksy x New Orleans

The elusive rogue artist Banksy has left his mark on New Orleans with some very clever murals. Much of which play on hurricane Katrina, and Louisiana folk tale. It's incredible interesting that it is done on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina, and on the cusp of hurricane Gustav. More photos after the jump. Via Wooster Collective

*LATE UPDATE : Banky > KKK in Alabama

Read more.










Banksy in Birmingham, Alabama




This is my joint!

What Up - T.I.

This is officially my favourite record going into the fall season! Patiently awaiting the Paper Trail.

Todays show is brought to by the letters O and G.



Too funny!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Simply Amazing.


Surrounded by an enormous, adoring crowd, Barack Obama promised a clean break from the "broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush" Thursday night as he embarked on the final lap of his audacious bid to become the nation's first black president.

"America, now is not the time for small plans," the 47-year-old Illinois senator told an estimated 84,000 people packed into Invesco Field, a huge football stadium at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

He vowed to cut taxes for nearly all working-class families, end the war in Iraq and break America's dependence on Mideast oil within a decade. By contrast, he said, "John McCain has voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time," a scathing indictment of his Republican rival _ on health care, education, the economy and more.

Polls indicate a close race between Obama and McCain, the Arizona senator who stands between him and a place in history. On a night 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I have a Dream Speech," Obama made no overt mention of his own race.

"I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree" of a presidential candidate was as close as he came to the long-smoldering issue that may well determine the outcome of the election.

Fireworks lit the night sky as Obama accepted the cheers of his supporters. His wife, Michelle, and their daughters Malia and Sasha joined him, and the country music sounds of "Only in America" filled the stadium.

SOURCE

I am what I am...


Have you ever taken a personality test? They are suppose to put in to perspective the type of person you are. How you work independently, as well within a team environment. I had recently take one, and I've just been served...Who am I?

Summary

Sean, your responses indicate that you are careful, precise, thorough, and systematic. Your strong sense of duty and loyalty is supported by your conservative thoughts and actions. Criticism may cause you to react in a highly sensitive manner. You seldom make mistakes, unless you are misdirected. You use a persuasive communication style, and you prefer small groups and one-on-one relationships. In order to make sure that projects stay on schedule and are completed correctly, you may be inclined to itemize details in the process.

Communication Style

Sean, you prefer to tell people what to do in a straightforward fashion, rather than use persuasion. You are very effective in expressing yourself factually and sincerely. You are precise, frank, sensitive to tone, and can become discouraged if criticized unfairly.

Also, Sean, you use a diplomatic tone in order to work peacefully with people. You do not intimidate others and, in turn, you do not appreciate verbal intimidation.

You express yourself in a factual, to-the-point manner. Your communication style is precise.

Sean, you are intent on getting things done right, and you insist on maintaining the highest quality. You focus on the disciplined mastery of details and systems, and you use principles and tradition to help you maintain an orderly environment. You need to know all of the details all of the time, are cautious of changes in the system, and often take negative feedback personally.

You function well when supplied with rules, manuals, and systems. You prefer that details and proposals be presented in writing. If not pressured, you rarely make mistakes.


My Leadership Style, Conscientiousness, Motivational Needs, Primary Motivators, and Primary Demotivators after the jump.


Read more.


Leadership Style

Leadership Style: Traditionalist
You expertly perform your leadership role by managing your people through systems and procedures, and requiring them to follow your organization's rules. You exercise a conservative and watchful style while requiring that projects be completed correctly. You show respect for colleagues' positions and you expect the same in return. You may desire time alone to judge if performance standards and quality controls are being realized by your people. You may prefer to deal with your subordinates one-on-one. You like a lot of variety and to set a fast pace.

Conscientiousness

You balance solid, goal-oriented achievement and a relaxed approach to life. You may fluctuate between periods of highly motivated, achievement-oriented activity and periods of more easy-going behavior. Alternatively, you may demonstrate a sustained, moderate level of effort toward your goals. While you may not demonstrate an intense desire for achievement for its own sake, you are able to summon a sense of purposefulness and self-discipline when needed. The level of your positive motivation toward achievement may depend on the task or situation.

Motivational Needs

Sean, you tend to be motivated by praise for tasks well done, and by having enough time to complete projects. You are more productive in a structured environment where there are few abrupt changes, and where there is basic job security with good benefits. You desire a professional culture where criticism is carefully administered, and where tradition is respected.

You can be demotivated if systems are not firmly established and routine procedures are not in place. You can become discouraged when criticized unconstructively or unfairly. You tend to be less productive when not supported by enforceable rules, clear directions, step-by-step plans, or written communications.

Primary Motivators

• A structured environment that has few sudden or abrupt changes.
• The security of basic benefits.
• A worked out system and quality products.
• Praise for specific accomplishments.
• Standard operating procedures and sound actions.
• Fairness in dealings with individuals and groups.
• Time to do things right.

Primary Demotivators

• You are constantly criticized.
• The rules are changed without plenty of notice.
• There is a lack of procedures, quality and fairness.
• There is not a worked out system.




Wednesday, August 27, 2008

45 Years today...PLEASE READ


Thrust into the national spotlight in Birmingham, where he was arrested and jailed, King organized a massive march on Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, he evoked the name of Lincoln in his "I Have a Dream" speech, which is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The next year, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. SOURCE

The following is the exact text of the spoken speech, transcribed from recordings.


I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

Read more.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
Martin Luther King, Jr., delivering his 'I Have a Dream' speech from the steps of Lincoln Memorial. (photo: National Park Service)

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

When Concealment Becomes a Strategy.

Are human beings animals?
Chameleon has the unique property of changing hues to match the color of the surroundings for self-protection. Rattlesnake can bury most of the body in sand soil. This can not only protect itself but also have a better access to food. There are also many animals, such as gecko, beetle etc., which have learnt to deal with the environment and the enemy in the longtime fight of life and death. In order to survive, good concealment has become the most critical factor.

Human beings are not animals! Because human beings do not know how to protect themselves.
This is one piece of artwork from The Camouflage Series by a Chinese artist by the name of Liu Bolin who has taken Chinese citizens and have incorporated them into their surroundings in way they have been before.
FULL STORY

Barack Obama - Nominated by Acclamation - 27.08.2008

August 27th 2008 - Today marks a day in history that will never be forgotten. The first person of any ethnic minority has officially won the nomination of their party as their presidential nominee. I know most people know Barack Obama is running for president, but only today has become the official nominee (up until this point he has been the presumptive nominee) which occurs at the national convention. A sense of progress win or lose...but YES HE CAN win this election!

What The Dunk?

Found this update over at the InqMnd blog. No word on quantities or price, but if you head over and they don't have any left, or they are out of your price range, you can take advantage of the back to school sale happening. The new store is located in my old stopping ground Vaughn Rd. & Oakwood Ave. @ 873 St. Clair Ave. West.

It's his prerogative!


The good folks over at TMZ delivered some news you can shake your head at today. They have gotten their hands on a receipt of Sir Bobby Brown indicating the purchase of double shot of goose before he flew out. I am not saying he's an alcoholic, but he probably is...

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Kanye's Good Morning Video

Bolt fans are excited...His sponsor Puma not so much.


Almost everyone and their momma knows about Usain Bolt by now. The fastest man alive has broken both world and Olympic records for the 100m and 200m at the Beijing games this past summer. Be that as it may Bolt's sponsor, Puma doesn't feel they need to up the ante as far as promotion is concerned. Unlike Michael Phelps from the US, and China's Liu Xiang who both received full page ads highlighting their accomplishments.

"When you do congratulations ads, are you doing it for Wall Street or for the consumer?" asks Puma's Chief Marketing Officer Antonio Bertone

He clearly feels it's the latter, what do you think?

Full Story

Kevin Smith...makes a porno!


Well not quite. It's actually a comedy titled Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Kevin Smith is one of my favourite directors, writing and directing the cult classics; Clerks, Dogma, and Chasing Amy. This film stars Seth Rogan (He's steady cranking out comedies), and Elizabeth Bank as lifelong platonic friends Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) look to solve their respective cashflow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought. The film will debut at TIFF and guest stars skin flick champs Katie Morgan, and Traci Lords. Wide Release is set for Octorber 31st, 2008.

I'm not calling you a racist, but...


Obama Assasination Plot Foiled...


4 people were arrested in Denver, CO armed with two high-powered, scoped rifles in the car along with camouflage clothing, walkie-talkies, wigs, a bulletproof vest, a spotting scope, licenses in the names of other people and 44 grams of methamphetamine.with To my dismay this isn't terribly surprising. I have seen a video of clansmen saying they would do the very same thing. Despite not being surprised, I do still find this incredibly disturbing! One of the suspects are quoted as telling authorities:
"going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a ... rifle … sighted at 750 yards."

MORE

Update: FBI Probe

Late Update:
Press Conference to be held later today.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Young Berg robbed for his transformer piece.

So the story is the Young Berg was in Detroit for the Summer Jamz show, stopped by a club and was rolled on and jacked for his chain. Rather unfortunate news for him, as that chain had become a signature for him. Now it is a signature piece for the gentleman above. There are a few theories as to why and who...but that's is all secondary. The point is don't mess with folks from the D. Fat shouts to my homie DA for the heads up!

More at Nicole Bitchie


PS3 Wireless Controller Attatchment


My PS3 vs Xbox360 debate has now been crystallized! With this one joy(stick)ous accessory! Perhaps I will be able to blog during halftime in 2k8! Anyway, it's available for pre-order through Amazon for $50.

Toronto International Film Festival 2008

You know summer is winding down when start hearing about TIFF, and this year is no different. Taking place over a course of week from September 6-15 the city of Toronto will be swarmed with press, stars, and film aficionados. I am actually really excited about this years festival, as there are films presentations from some of my favourite directors including Canada native Atom Egoyan, and Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie. Going through the the some of the over 300 films I have picked out a few that I will hopefully get some tickets for.

American Prayer - Dave Stewart (Barack Obama Music Video)



Co-written with Bono and features cameos including Forest Whitaker, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Barry Manilow, Joan Baez, Macy Gray and Joss Stone among others.

Sex and the Olympic City

Former Olympian, and columnist for The Times UK Matthew Syed has an interesting story about some of what goes on behind the serving, hand offs, splits, mounts...can you come up with any other innuendos?

Click HERE to read.

The first camera phone?


Reminds me of the those Malibu commercials. Moreover, I remember when having one those Nokia's was a big deal! Anybody have the Matrix inspired slide down faceplate?

I need all 4 of these shirts!


The Jewish one was especially true in middle school! Courtesy of TBG

The pause button is stuck!

Not once, not twice (3:50 mark), but thrice! Courtesy of Eskay via Smoking Section

HOPExTALENT


David Choe for
Upper Playground

I love these "dress sneakers"! (Birthday Oct. 8th)


Common Projects started about 3 years in NYC by
designers Prathan Poopat and Flavio Girolami. I remember first stumbling upon them at TNT BLU and was taken aback a bit, because it had fit perfectly into a market I felt there was a void. A hybrid sneaker/shoe that you could get away with in the office (probably not in red), and remain cool on the avenue in. I remember telling a friend of mine that I wanted to fill that "dress sneaker" void, she thought it was great idea, but was quickly subject to some fierce competition.

My birthday is steadfastly approaching, I'm hoping I'll be able replace my other
red shoes with these badboys!


Sneaker bootleggers are working overtime!


If you thought the Olympic opener was impressive, wait until you see what people has managed to pull by the way of knock of nikes! I know they've been preying on Nike's Sole (play on words) for a while now, but did they really have to hit Kanye before his joints officially dropped? Only $150? You say sizes 9-12? WOW! I created a little graphic as to how I think Kanye felt when he was informed of the...what I'll call, capitalism at it's finest. On the upside, I suppose this is the most sincerest form of flattery.

Prada's, Gucci's, Ato's, and even Common Project sneakers also have imitators, but those particular shoes have been out for years, if not decades, so it's not as much of a shocker.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sunday Night Live


Borrowing the title of my homeboys Kay and Dre's big event in the city...withstanding any breaking news of a life changing event happening tonight. I'll be indoors enjoying 2 of the best television programs in a current season playing now.

The first is MAD MEN. An incredibly clever retelling of the American advertising game back in the 60's from the minds of the people who brought you The Sopranos.

The second is Generation Kill. A gritty, and often times humorous depiction of what US soldiers were facing and thinking as they invaded Iraq.

Check your listings, or watch episodes online.

I'm blogging (officially) to blogclaaat!


I have had my blogger account for sometime, but I have had it ice in hopes I would be developing a full web infrastructure to house all my ambitions...from clothing, music, politics, tech warfare etc. If you are here, you can see that the infrastructure is not complete but given my frequent notes on facebook, and encouraging comments from some friends I decided to hit the ground blogging.

So thank you for checking out go&d!
Gold Oil & Diamonds is a creation that plays on the earth’s most lucrative natural resources. This will also be the title of the new online urban centre for fashion, design, music, art, and lifestyle materials. All of which will eventually be available online for purchase, and information purposes.

CHEERS,
_Jb

p.s.
The image above was my original header for the blog, but we're doing it a little different now as you can see.