Michael Jackson, THE AMERICAN ICON, passes at age 50

NO NEED FOR US TO REHASH THE NEWS STORY.

IN ORDER TO KEEP HIS SPIRIT ALIVE……

Please share with us your favorite Michael Jackson experience. If you have any memorable photos, stories, or even a favorite video or song…feel free to share and we will post your comment along with any photos you send to us.

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PEACE AND BLESSINGS

Crystal Patton- “We are the World …. Real music….meaningful lyrics….words that actually touched lives and made a difference. I honestly just feel good knowing that I had a chance to witness and experience Michael Jackson’s musical genius….there will never be another as great… a TRUE entertainer…. It all just feels surreal. Janet, Tito, Reba, Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, Letoya, Jackie…they’ve lost a brother; Joe and Catherine lost a son. We lost a legend. Wow.”

Sara Land- “So, remember when he performed solo for the first time on the Grammy’s? I was seven, my sister was five; we screamed like crazy. The next day I take my older sister’s Thriller record for show-and-tell and damn near get mauled by my classmates. They were screaming, then the whole first grade wing was screaming! But keep in mind the record was never played that day. Michael Jackson ignited a fire in all of us that will never go away. May we always keep his legacy alive; and teach the babies about him too! Do you remember this song? Blew my mind, but now looking at it with adult eyes it puts into perspective the reach he has with the world. Thank you Michael, for everything!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1fXL3s7bk

See ya Later Alligator…In a While Crocodile!

Photo Credit: sartorialist.com

Steakhouses, Sports Bars, and Cigar Houses will be packed  with fathers across Houston and the nation as we celebrate  Father’s Day on June 21st. Although moms get the most love, Daddys wanna feel special too. Instead of the usual neck tie and house slippers, get creative. Build your father-of-the-year a cool basket full of man goods.

ZIRH DEFEND: is a light face moisturizer suitable for dry or sensitive skin, with SPF 15 to provide protection against the damaging rays of the sun • CAROL’S DAUGHTER BODY JELLY: just like vaseline, but in a fun bottle, carolsdaughter.com • MOLTEN BROWN RE-CHARGE BLACK  PEPPER BODY WASH $28 , grooming lounge. GROOMING LOUNGE EBONY SHAVING BRUSH $70, grooming lounge . Old Spice has been around for ages. It never fails and it smells like a man • OLD SPICE  SWAGGER $6.50, oldspice.com

Smoke! Smoke OOooon! Since dads are revered as strong, responsible, Huxtable-like guys, here’s a great gift package idea for the men we love. Since they probably don’t role spliffs anymore, get them a nice cigar set. Stuntin’ like he’s Pablo Escobar will be a great photo op for pictorial archives. Lamborghini Cigar cutter $175, cupojoes.com, Corono Roller Pipe Lighter $43, cupojoes.com, NO SMOKING by  Assouline, assouline.com, Don Lino African Cigars, pack of 5, famouse-smoke.com

You can never fail when it comes to cinema classics like Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, Sweet Sweetback’s Badass Song, Dune, Platoon, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, The Godfather and Scarface. Rent or purchase these, pop some popcorn, and let the man in your life escape via the tube.

Music works for any occasion. Purchase some albums or CD’s for nostalgia’s sake or make a bumping playlist for his iPod. He’s sure to love it.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT SAY WORD: YOU’RE NOT THE FATHER

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Proposition 8 may have the nation abuzz, but the Houston area has remained quiet when it comes to how the gay marriage ban will affect local Houstonians.

The law went into effect November 5, 2008 and said in essence that marriage would only be recognized between a man and woman, nullifying any gay marriage after that date. Many in the gay, bi-sexual, lesbian and trans-gendered community felt it was enough of a setback in the fight for equal rights for GLBT persons that rallies were organized across the country to protest the appeal denial. Houston’s day to be heard was May 26, 2009.

Approximately 125 people stood outside Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in north Houston. Despite the sun making its descent and the blazing heat of the day beginning to give way to another balmy evening, a sliver of Houston’s gay community was on fire for a cause that doesn’t affect them directly.

“It’s was very disappointing that any human right can be taken away,” said Kennedy Loftin, a 28-year-old transplant from east Texas. “Sending it back to the ballot box is never a good thing when it comes to a human right.”

Although feelings were strong many in attendance felt it is going to take more than just a rally to get the Houston population galvanized. Maria Gonzalez, professor of English at the University of Houston and one of the leading experts on gay issues at the university said that the numbers game is deterring people from increasing participation. The Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 2005, ensured that Texas would only honor marriage between a man and a woman, and a constitutional amendment was added with 75 percent for and 25 percent against. Out of the handful of districts against the amendment was the Montrose area, 134 – former district of Martha Wong.

“We wish we had just 51 percent of the vote against us here, like they do in California, but it’s way more obvious – so you can understand why there’s some apathy in the community,” Gonzalez says. She said Houston worked to oust Wong for letting the community down, but now they are having a difficult time making their voices heard. Nevertheless, she feels there is a growing sentiment of desire to become involved from this Obama generation.

“I was thrilled to see a whole different generation of activists stepping out and getting angry over Proposition 8,” Gonzalez continues. “They understand now that there has been a whole lot of fighting before them, and there will be more to come.”

Some analysts predict that Texas will not see the legalization of gay marriage until almost a decade from now. According to fivethirtyeight.com, a political monitoring and polling website, Texas will not legalize gay marriage until 2018; even though in 2009 more people are warming up to the idea. Fifty-five percent of Americans have warmed to the idea of gay civil unions according to a recent Gallup poll.

Until legislation is passed to ensure those equal rights people like Billie Willmon Jenkin, fondly known as Momma Billie, will continue to fight for the rights of her son and his partner, whom coincidentally have no desire to get married.

“No one gets a say in whether I can marry or not,” she says. “Our constitution is to guarantee rights, not take them away.”

Meghan Baker, the president of IMPACT Houston – a organization dedicated to the GLBT issues in Houston, says without stable financial backing behind a movement to counteract Prop *, the community will continue to spin its wheels. Donors gave more than $83 million to support the measure, and prompted many to question whether this was a civil rights issue. Calls to NAACP civil rights team were unreturned.

Houston residents believe that the issue will see its day in the high court, and when that happens, there will be a different result. “The Supreme Court did their job because the issue was about whether voters had the right to amend the Constitution,” says Jerry Simoneaux, long-time Houston area attorney and gay rights activist. “They needed to see if things were done properly, and they weren’t. California voters were duped and they’re finally figuring it out.”

Many in Houston’s GLBT community hope that one day they too will be able to vote.

Photos Taken via Sub Urban Media Group, LLC

Body Art Tattoo Expo

Enthusiasts of ink and skin turned up from around the country on May 22 – 24 to attend Houston’s first annual Body Art Expo. Contrary to popular opinion, the event was a true family affair, where all kinds of people showed up to see true artists go to work.

Brian from Undisputed Tattoos based in San Antonio said the Houston show is the largest he’s been to. “It’s great to be around so many different artists and see so many different portfolios,” said the artist, who like so many others, does not offer up his last name.

The show featured freestyle art competitions, musical performances and of course on the spot tattooing. MegaProductions, the host of the event, would not release how much money the event drew in, but an average tattoo expo has 30 to 50 booths. The body art expo had 140, and the Reliant Center was packed.

Photography by, Jamie Lockard

Missouri City Car Care

Missouri City is home of one of the longest lasting car shops, Missouri City Car Care. Don’t come here looking for wi-fi and frappucino machines while you wait. Instead, you may hear Luther Vandross playing while the skilled mechanics are working hard on your car rain or shine.

This family owned shop has been in business for over 20 years and is run by a soft-spoken man who goes by one name, Boone. “This is the first shop in Missouri City, I used to work here part time and then my friend sold it to me when he moved to Tyler,” says Boone. Many Missouri City residents take their cars to Boone to get work done. “We are good to people and give them good service, we don’t cheat them, and that’s why they come back,” he says. Boone is something like a local celebrity, “I see customers every where I go, I went to Lake Charles and saw customers, I went on a cruise and saw customers, I see customers at the grocery store.”

After running Missouri City Car Care for over 20 years, Boone is retiring and passing on the family business to his son Charlie. At 27-years-old, Charlie has learned the tricks of the trade from his father, “school just wasn’t for me, the mechanics classes I took were just too slow, I already knew everything.” Charlie plans on continuing the tradition of good quality work on the cars they service and have no plans to make any major changes. “Lately things have been slower because of the economy but there’s still work to do,” says Charlie. “We’re not going to make too many changes, we like the way things are.” Mo. City Car Care mechanics service everything on the car except for the transmission. If you need an oil change, expect to pay between $25 – $30 plus tax. A tune up may run you between $95 – $210 (depending on if your car is four cylinder or six cylinder). Brakes making too much noise? Expect to pay around $95 plus the cost pads. So, if you live in “The Mo” or find yourself in car trouble while in the area, the good folks at Missouri City Car Care will be at your service.

Missouri City Car Care

1797 Texas Parkway

Missouri City, TX

281.261.0400

Photography by, Hollywood Cole

You are NOT the father!

Liars suck. People lie about so many things that don’t even matter. Some men lie about how much money they have, so they can impress women. Some people lie about where they live, or who they know to boost their ego for whatever reason. Nonetheless, people can lie about almost anything and for the most part it’s not that big of a deal, it just makes the liar look lame once others find out the truth.

The one lie that I just can’t understand is when a woman lies about who the father of her child is. How can one utter those words, knowing the likely hood of a paternity test, and feel good about themselves afterwards? Maybe you are a little promiscuous and you slipped up and had more than one lover in a week. You probably liked one guy more than the other. Soon you find out that you are pregnant and you want to keep the baby. So now what? You can’t connect the dots to figure out which one of these men is the father of your child. Instead of telling both guys you are pregnant and that either man could be the father, you pick the one you want most and tell him, “hey, I’m pregnant and it’s yours.” If he believes you (and he’s smart) he’ll say, “Ok, guess I gotta do what I gotta do…but we’re gonna get a paternity test when the baby gets here.” Moving forward nine months the baby arrives, the “father” of your child gets the results and you all find out the baby isn’t his. WTF?! Seriously? To torture a man through nine months (or more) of emotional stress: arguing and frustration, is selfless and lacks the most common and respected female trait, COMPASSION!

This behavior is beyond comprehension (for me). With the lack of supportive fathers, “baby daddies”, and boyfriends, why would a woman subject herself and child to humility and uncertainty? A man willing and ready to handle his responsibilities despite the fact that each partner is not in a committed relationship is unfortunately a rarity in most cases. What’s the resolution? Where’s the middle ground?  Is there a way for a woman to handle an illegitimate pregnancy without feeling worthless?

Here’s a better idea, when deciding who you are going to have sex with, think about the possibility of having a child with that person. If you cringe at the thought of it, then walk away or else be prepared to be on the Maury show.

Getting AIDS on the job!?

Remember career day in elementary school? You and your fellow classmates may have dressed up as Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Nurses, and I even remember one boy who dressed up as a Preacher. No one would think that these promising careers would put you at risk to catching a disease like HIV and/or AIDS.

Well, some people have a different idea of a career and some have chosen to become actors in adult films. They say do what you love and the money will come, well these actors are doing exactly what they love for a living, but at what cost?

The New York Times reports that since 2004, 22 adult film actors had contracted HIV even after an industry effort to protect adult film industry employees. One of the actresses was tested for HIV on April 29th and the results came back negative. On June 4th, a positive test result was confirmed. The woman performed in a film on June 5 “for reasons that the clinic told the newspaper were still under investigation. A second test came back positive on June 6.” (nytimes.com)

“We have an industry that is exposing workers to life-threatening diseases as part of their employment,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health for Los Angeles County. “That is outrageous and anachronistic. These infections are virtually entirely preventable.”(nytimes.com)

Just think about how irritated you are when you catch a cold or something from a co worker – imagine getting AIDS?! So for all of you who are thinking about making career changes think twice. If nothing else, people need to understand how detrimental this disease really is. Wrap it up folks…and keep your day job…

Haute Summer

Oven heat is the last source of inspiration from the minds of fashion makers for men’s wear this summer. As a true testament of the limited amount of comfortable summer fashions for “hot as hell” cities like Houston; men sporting old college t-shirts and cargo shorts just to keep cool are not a rarity. Although  comfort is understandably priority for the weekend and after hours, stepping up the professional to business casual attire can be cumbersome, but corporate wear is and will be cumbersome if you allow it.

Corporate hours can be long and draining. Whether a top executive or mailroom clerk, if you’re not the HDIC (HEAD DUDE IN CHARGE) work sucks, so why ruin your sense of self with played out summer clothes?

Fashion accompanied with function should not be an anomaly for the young, hip and educated male. By narrowing down options and finding retailers that house a mix of appealing, modern, and well-tailored garments, the angst to step up your “playa” will subside. To separate yourself from looking like the IT guy on the 5th floor, try wearing a cotton Khaki suit paired with a light printed French cuffed shirt along with a peppermint striped tie. The Khaki suit will calm the boldness of the tie and shirt. Remember to throw in a light loafer with vents to cool the feet.

Gingham is a summer Favorite for designers. From Ralph Lauren to Etro, this all-American checker box print is a must have for an update on light cotton shirts. Although bold in print, colors range from vibrant red to a dull grey. If you want to add some American sexy, throw on the classic khaki polo shorts with a clean pair of converses.

A cotton khaki blazer that was once for work can convert into a fresh taste of suave. A light floral print button-up accessorized with a paperboy hat will simultaneously block the sun and keep heads turning. Adding a pocket square adds a “debonair” quality, without forcing an unnecessary fashion statement.

Red, the color of love, sex, anger and heat. Why not take the bold approach? Duo’s white collared, red sports shirt is airy and light to the touch. Accompanied with James Dean-esque chinos or a light cotton plaid pant, day or night, those occasional incidents of coming home alone may end.

If ever there is a time when you rub elbows with Jack Nicholson at a boxing match in Las Vegas, you better make sure you’re wearing the right suit. Take a trip to the Galley (Galleria) and you will find that Zara’s suits have an Itialian tailor-made quality at an affordable price (around $350). Duo’s polka dotted shirt adds some fun to the gray. Keep the sun out of your eyes with the American classic Ray Bans, and you’ll be unstoppable.

RULE OF THUMB (Lets make a toast to not ruining these style tips described above)

• Chinos should never ruffle at the ankles like granny panties, a simple trip to the cleaners can hem this problem.

• By now, Gingham should be apart of your wardrobe.

• Fitted Jeans are great. Skinny jeans are not!

• Love thyself and dress for success, even though the job may be a crapshoot, the sex life should be a win.

Photography by, Debra Ham

Styled by: Hollywood Cole

Model: Hani Abdulbaki

 

Special Thanks to Ruben from Duo

Too Cool for NASA

­DJ duo Kabanjak & Dogu must have traveled to outer space to get inspiration for their debut album, We Are Here to Answer. Ancient Astronauts, what Dogu and Kabanjak go by, released their first offering on June 9 under their independent label, Switchstance Recordings. This sultry mix of musical genres fits on one CD meant to be played while cleaning the house or any other “chill” activities that boulevardiers engage in.

Their single, “I Came Running,” is what one would like to hear while eating at a Thai restaurant, sipping on some plum wine and conversing with friends. Follow that up with the track “Classic” featuring hip hop legends the Pharcyde, and you will go on a journey to the land of hip hop. The Ancient Astronauts take you to the Carribbean with the track “Surfing the Silvatide” where you can imagine yourself relaxing on a tropical island. We Are Here to Answer is a full album of uniquely mixed funk, dub reggae and hip hop featuring vocal collaborations with Bootie Brown and Imani of the Pharcyde, Azeem, Tippa Irie, Bajka, Phat Old Mamas, Ulf Stricker, Raashan Ahmad and Entropik. The Ancient Astronauts hail from Cologne, Germany and have previously worked with Fort Knox Five, Up Bustle & Out, and Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets.

Click here to check out their myspace page…

Listen to the track, “I Came Running” below

Domy Books

Inside Domy Books, you will find modern artwork hanging on the walls as well as dope ass photography. The contemporary books and periodicals they sell are on culture and progressive subject matter. Any day of the week you can sit on their patio and enjoy food from the neighboring restaurant Brasil, which is also owned by Domy Books owner, Dan Fergus. Also, you can enjoy any of the independent films and cult classics that they feature in the evenings Monday through Friday on the screen out side on the patio.

Domy Books
www.domystore.com
1709 Westheimer Rd.

Photography by, Jamie Lockard

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