Rock the Spoken Word: Mr. July 2010

My friend, writing companion, and fellow Harakite/rampant mind Casarae Gibson highlighted me and my work in her monthly Blog feature “Rock the Spoken Word” for July.

Check me out:

http://casaraelgibson.squarespace.com/rock-the-spoken-word/month/july-2010

And I encourage you to click around the rest of the site and check her out too, support her work. Like I said she’s a good writer in several capacities, including Spoken Word. In fact, her Blog has drawn some special attention from the Writer of “Love and Basketball.” She’s also trying to do it big with the Pepsi refresh project. A lady well worth paying attention to, so do so.

Stay up, One.

A Picture’s worth a Spoken Word…

and given the lack of that around here due to thus far rabid failure of Sound Off Sunday (which I’m working to correct THIS Sunday in at least some small capacity), I figure a good substitute is the least I could do.

Nah, truthfully, it had always been my intention at some point to start sharing a (self shot) photo or two here on the blog daily or at least weekly…show off my photographic side, I’m actually alright with the camera. I had actually kinda started doing it on facebook already with these two:

 

Today seemed like the prefect day to start on the blog though. It rained here…finally; not that I was looking forward to rain, but more as in the tropical heat wave that I’d been accustomed to my whole life was feeling great and I was enjoying it but knew it had to take a break at some point. Observation: I don’t seem to find the rain here quite as depressing as in Indiana. Likely because its MUCH less of an everyday occurrence here. Anyway, as the rain fell and the tv warned me of a flash flood, I was thinking “PHOTO SHOOT!” Water is one of my favorite subjects to shoot and I know whenever its moving or ending up in places people normally don’t plan that there’s a good photo or two to be had nearby and today was no exception. So without further adieu, a few shots for your enjoyment:

View Full Album

Inquiring minds (apparently) wanna know...

Since I graduated, there've been a slew of friends and family members flyin at me asking me what kind of presents I'd like for graduating...and I've met them all with uncertainty and silence for the most part haha.

Truth be told, I've never been so much of a material person. On top of that, since I was young I've made it a habit to make it happen. Most things I want I usually end up procuring for myself save for the super expensive stuff...which is usually all that's on my "wish list" since those things for me (at least at the moment) truly are just that: wishes.

Alas, my departure from my place of education AND employment for the last five years obviously presents a sharp decline in my income and thus my ability to satisfy my own caprices and even needs for that matter;

...and everybody keeps asking, so I decided to go ahead, think real hard and generate some sort of list for people to "work with" (pronounced "be scared of" lol).
Its still very short, and very expensive, but pretty flexible...and there's a few (relatively) low budget items on there that came to mind.

We'll start with the real ugly...the so ugly I don't tell people bout it because I have no reason to believe anyone loves me that much (yet) and thus no reasonable expectation of getting these things...from someone else.


DSLRs: I'm a shutter bug. The LX100 and I we've been really great together as you can see from the numerous photo albums. I need to be official though, its time for my first DSLR. That said I only want ONE of these...but they are listed in order of interest from MOST to LEAST. Told you I was flexible (^o^).

1. Sony alpha 330
2. Nikon D3000
3. Sony alpha 230
4. Nikon D40

A PS3.
That's pretty self explanatory, lol. I already have a 360 which means 1) no substitutes for this one- sorry, and 2) this one's pretty low priority on my list.

------------Here's where things start to get affordable, haha------------

External Hard drives.
My 500GB crashed leaving me with only its 80 GB back up...which is obviously, monumentally insufficient. I was previously using an encased 3.5 inch Desktop SATA drive...this time I'd like to go a lil more portable, more self sufficient, less prone to mechanical issues. Again, listed in order of interest high to low (and price in this case, low to high), only need one.

1. Fantom Drives 500GB
2. Western Digital 500GB
3. HP 320GB
4. HP 500GB

Ummm...what else...lets see:

well, I could use a car. Almost any whip, my only stips are that its not more than 15 years old and not dirty inside. (this one probably goes above the line somewhere)

A job would be nice, still looking people. I'm not used to not making money, hook me up if you can, My degrees are in CS and Psych; I'm an IT professional yes, but I'm taking just about anything at the moment.

My own place again...I'm too spoiled to live with family anymore, I miss controlling my own space, lol.

uhhh, there's always some rabble of videogames I'd like to play, these are the latest:

• Final Fantasy XII (out now)
(these aint out yet, but will be by year's end)
• Gears of War 3
• Call of Duty: Black-Ops
• Madden '11
• Metal Gear Rising
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

ummm, Ravens tickets are great...home games, regular season are the best of course.

My wardrobe is still stuck in Indiana mode, so gift cards and clothes are good, I can usually be found shopping in these places:

• Express
• H&M
• Gap
• Drjays.com
• Footlocker
• Finish Line
• Macy's

That's really about all I can think of though. Should be enough for yall.
One.

©Brandon Baker, 2010

...End scene

So I mentioned You and 2 others like this.
That would be the title of the sunset of my performance days with the Haraka Writers at Purdue University. The last show I got to do with those guys before I graduated and departed.

Its obviously sweet and sour leaving them, but I throw a little envy in there with that as well because the new blood in the set excites me so. They all stepped up so quick and have so much potential, Haraka's coming years will be excellent, I know, sucks I won't be a part (though I am crashing the research tour in the fall, fa SHO!).

Anyway, I had two pieces in this production and they are presented here in their entirety for your viewing pleasure.
(Believe it or not, I still can't watch myself perform. Jus sumtin weird about it, lol)

Chemistry (2 Others Remix)



Draft Pick


I did earlier mention copious other talent that was involved. Peep this vid for a little teaser from everyone else and a rough synopsis of the show.

You and 2 others like this (abbreviated)


*Sigh* Memories.


One.

©Brandon Baker, 2010