Phils and Yanks! I'm rooting for...

Every since it became a possibility that the Yankees and Phillies would meet in this years World Series, I have been "interrogated" by friends and associates as to which team I would be rooting for. Most of my friends know that I am a big fan of both teams. How can one become a fan of both teams? I'll tell you...
I was born in Philadelphia but moved with my mother to Ft. Lauderdale as a toddler. My next door neighbor Todd (shout out), was a baseball fan and he got me all excited about T-ball. At that time, the only professional baseball we could see live, were the Yankees, who played their Spring Training games at Ft. Lauderdale Yankee Stadium (in 1995 the yanks moved to Tampa). We saw Don Mattingly play in pinstripes before he stepped foot in the Bronx, So don't tell me about rooting for the Yanks. We saw Dave Winfield, Craig Nettles and even Yogi Berra who showed up at spring training. During the regular season, Yankees home games were televised exclusively in South Florida. So, the Yanks were all we knew.

In my elementary school years, I began to spend my summers in Philadelphia with my grandparents. Summer nights in the 80's belonged to the Phillies. At sundown, you could hear Harry Kalas broadcasting the Phillies on transistor radios by old guys on our block in North Philly. Those great Phillies teams of the 80's with Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose, could only muster one World Series Championship though. I remember in 83, me and my cousin Derrick cried when the Phils lost to the Orioles. Being a fan of a Philadelphia team has more often than not lead to heartbreak.
So who do i root for this year? Well I've now lived in New York longer than I've ever lived anywhere, so this is home. However, you never forget where you come from. The Phillies won last year and the Yanks are hungry this year. But rooting for the Yanks over the Phillies is like rooting for Starbucks to beat Mom and Pop's coffee shop. A-Rod has played his heart out to get a ring...
So who am i rooting for? I'm rooting for the team in Pinstripes.

The Truth: the Public Option

Seems like just yesterday...

I moved to New York the same year Derek Jeter was called up to the Yanks. 13 years and 4 championships later, I can't imagine the town without him. For a lot of us, he has been a symbol of the city's greatness. It's hard to imagine that this time, the Captain Clutch era, could be coming to an end in a few years. For the rest of this season and into the playoffs and maybe even the World Series, keep in mind what Derek Jeter has meant not only to the Yankees and New York but also the game of baseball.

L'elephant Rose: Handmade Jewelry

http://www.lelephantrose.net/?page_id=1467

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/opinion/02rich.html

Another great column by Frank Rich of the New York Times.

Wise Latina

It looks like the Senate, except for a couple of grumpy, old southern guys, will do the right thing and confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Now, the Supreme Court will more closely resemble the changing demographics of our country.

My only concern is, will she be a good judge? I ask this because I am dating a wise Latina and my Latina ain't a good judge!
No matter my crime...she gives me the death penalty! Man, that passion cuts both ways. If I forget to put the toilet seat down (which may happen twice a year), she kills me by lethal injection. If I stay out late and forget to call, I get the electric chair. If I get caught cheating, it’s the firing squad. Ok that’s a bad example. (And I would never cheat, but if I did...)
My point is, what ever happened to probation?? Every crime cannot be treated the same, wheres the justice in that?
Back to the wise Latina that I am sure will be a great judge. Her being confirmed is very significant because the diversity of the court allows it to see every situation from multiple points of view and make very sound and even judgments.

Little Dragon Live @ Freedom this Friday

This Friday, June 17

Emerging Artist, Little Dragon will be performing live @ the freedom Party from 11:30 - 12:30.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvDkIR-OyYI
Get there early, If you've recieved this on facebook, you're on Lovett's list.

Freedom Party
@ Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleeker St. (bet. Thompson + Sullivan) NYC

Freedom Party NYC

Special Night At The Freedom Party.
Please get there around 10 or else you'll be on line.
Ladies are free before midnight, just say you're on Lovett's list! See you there!!

Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleeker st.
(b/w sullivan & thompson)

Iran's e-revolution?

It is amazing to see the impact technology is having on the changing political environment of Iran. The restrictive regime simply cannot stop its citizen from getting images out to the world via the internet and cell phones!
How funny would it be if history remembers this moment as the beginning of Iran’s twitter revolution? The descendants of the Persian Empire, where chess was invented, could become the first revolutionaries of the internet age! Wonderful!
Let's see how things play out...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

What did he say???

I cannot remember a crazier time in American politics than what I have seen over the past sixth months. It’s almost as though we’ve traveled to an alternate universe, post election! I’m only referring to my lifetime. I’m sure the 60’s were a lot more intense. But at least those struggles were legitimate.
Now you have old white men saying that they are being oppressed by a black man and calling a Latina one of the biggest racist ever! You must forgive me if I think this is all so hilarious! Is this Bizarro world? Everyday you’ve got some crazy person on TV spouting’ some nonsense and the scary thing is; we elected (not me personally) these clowns!
What is not funny is that all that crazy talk seems to be leading to people getting shot by riled up whack jobs! People forget that free speech does not mean speech without consequences. When will we start holding people responsible for what they say? If you have a radio show where you like to spew vitriolic language to millions of listeners and if just one of those listeners gets inspired to commit a hate crime, you should also be guilty! But no prison for you my friend! We’ll let some of those detainees from Abu Graib rip your fingernails off and make you dip you hands in whisky! Next comes 83 waterboardings.
-L

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The So Called Apology Tour

When I was 12, me and my cousin Nikkitta were throwing rocks and accidentally broke a neighbor’s window. We denied it vehemently when he came to my grandparent’s house to accuse us. My Grandfather, who was a Pentecostal preacher at the time, wanted to do the right thing. He was always the peacemaker. He made me come with him to the neighbor’s house as he apologized for me. I was never as angry at him as I was at that moment…

I have tried to steer clear of the cable news as of late but it can be really entertaining. The art of serious journalism is at a premium. The blogosphere (me included) is all biased commentary or political satire, so don’t come here looking for objective reporting! That being said, I’ve found myself confused by the criticism the president has been getting from a certain demographic concerning his trips overseas. Some say he is apologizing too much. They say it weakens America…They are really angry at Obama!!!...OK, whatever.
Many of us don’t see it that way, and I think I know why…It is because he is not apologizing for me and the others who feel as I do. He is not apologizing for us folk who have not wielded power over the last few centuries. The ones who are squawking are those who have had the power and have been guilty of the acts that President Obama is referring to. I cannot condemn them though, it is human nature and in their shoes, it is impossible for me to determine with any certainty that I would not react in a similar manner. The one thing I do know is that the truth hurts when administered in public but sometimes it is necessary to make the peace.
-L

Obama in Cairo, Egypt

I’m not so naïve as to think that one speech by one president will change the way the US is viewed by the Islamic world but I was thoroughly impressed by the evenhanded approach of President Obama’s speech today in Egypt. He did not shy away from any of the uncomfortable topics including human rights and violent extremism. If you have an hour, take a listen…

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Metropolis: Art Reflecting NYC

Please Save The Date: Friday June 5th @ The Skinny
174 Orchard /between Houston in Stanton,
Smack Dabb in the middle of the Lower East Side.
Music By Todd Jones.
6-11pm


Last Year's Event was such a success, we have done it again!

The Magical Run Continues

06.05.09 Chelsea-Barcelona // INIESTA \\ 1-1 !! PL - The best home videos are here

The only other city that I love equally to New York would have to be Barcelona, Spain. Since I have been frequenting Barcelona, I have become a huge fan of the city’s Soccer/futbol team. Last year, I was ecstatic when they acquired my favorite player, the Frenchman, Thierry Henry. This year they are playing like the best team in the world. Yesterday however, the English club, Chelsea was dominating the Champion’s League match for 90 minutes and I was resigned to the fact that Barca’s run for the Champions League title was coming to an end. But in the 93’rd minute (soccer matches last 90 min. However the referee may add time due to penalties or injury time-outs) as I reached to turn off the game, a miracle occurred! Barca's Iniesta scored a goal with just seconds to play allowing the Spanish club to move on to the championship match against Manchester United! I couldn’t believe it!!! If only I could have been with my friends in Barcelona last night!!!

“Causality”, (cause and effect) as a concept, seems to be something that a lot of people have a hard time comprehending with regards to history. Take for instance the reaction of some Americans last week to the President’s trip to the Summit of the Americas. Some thought that by sitting there for 50 minutes as Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega laid out his “history of Latin-America” in which he criticized the “Imperialistic” US, President Obama made himself seem weak. I think those people have a very selfish, if not limited, world view. This approach is not a healthy in dealing with the 21st century globe which is more interconnected that at anytime in history. The notion that the US is above reproach, tends to keep with the same arrogant attitudes that we have seen in the past that has left us with a diminished reputation. People like Ortega with their anti-American rhetoric don’t genuinely hate us for our freedom. They want to prosper along with us but they want us to be fair and to own up to some of the US’ more despicable acts in the past. It is true that the US backed the Contra rebels who fought against the democratically elected government in which Ortega sat. It is also true that the US supported Batista, the brutal Cuban dictator who was overthrown by Fidel Castro. It is also true that our corporations have exploited their citizens on many occasions. (http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/47/043.html) So, it is understandable that Latin America may still be harboring some ill feelings.
In order to move forward in South and Central America, we must convince the hemisphere that we will be partners and will not impose our will. We can put away old arguments. However, we first have to come to terms with them. Ignoring the past like some conservatives want to do even with our racial past, is not the way to move on.

Life @ Kmart Design

Carmina Soul is Back!!!

Let'em Go!!!

OK, so Governor Perry of Texas hinted yesterday that his state may secede from the union. He says that Texas rejects the oppressive federal government under President Obama. Mind you, he didn’t reject the hurricane, flood and wildfire aid that his state recently received and he also requested more National Guard troops to help him at the Mexican border. It’s striking how silly the country’s political sides have become. I’m sorry, but all this tea bag stuff is just silly! Yeah they do have a point, government spending has brought about a huge deficit but let’s not forget it was conservatives who put us there. I didn’t see any signs protesting Bush but I did see a lot of anti-Obama signs and a few with racial overtones, which is not surprising.

Well I say let them go! Let them become there own nation and lets tighten up the immigration laws and cut federal aid of all types. Let’s watch as their unemployment hits 20-30% and then racial tensions boil over and violent crime explodes in not just the urban areas. And then, let’s watch them try and hold back the Mexican drug cartels. They’ll come crawling back to Mr. Obama, the man they seem to hate so much.

E-Interview: DJ Moni, the friend we love

I met Dj Moni at least 5 years ago (can't quite remember how long it's been). We were both and still are part of the Ubiquita Family of DJ's and promoters. Over the years she has become one of my favorite people. I guess she digs me too. How else could i explain her granting me this email interview...it's a lot easier to verbally answer my questions...

> -what has been you latest musical discovery; be it a song, live performance
or some epiphany of some kind?

I'm really loving Jose James' new project. It'll be coming out soon.
You can hear a few tracks here http://www.myspace.com/josejamesquartet

Nickel Eye is a band headed by Nikolai Fraiture, bassist of The
Strokes. When we heard Mark Ronson’s Brandy of the Damned remix with
Wale, I had to dig a little deeper and we struck gold. Not only do I
love the original BOtD version’s melodic bass, ska guitar riffs and
overall bounce, but the rest of the songs are moody, thought provoking
and quite charming.


> -I love your blog. What is the concept behind the “friends we love” brand?
>
Thanks Lovett! Friends We Love has taken over my life & that of my
partner Mike Vargas. It started as a conversation during lunch about
all the talented friends we have, many in common that we weren't even
aware of. I used to work in documentary production for a few years and
Mike has been a filmmaker for like 10 years but we both wanted to work
on projects that reflected our passions and those of our community.
Since we started we've produced 24 short documentaries with some of
our good friends, others, friends of friends, which have been seen in
over 100 countries. We're still self-funded but our love & belief in
our vision keeps us working as if we were making millions. I'm sure
the funding, sponsorship or production deal is right around the
corner!

> -For some years now, when you are not doing the solo thing, you have been
collaborating with two other great DJ’s (DJ Reborn and DJ Selly) under the
name Ladies of Ubiquita.

Why has that worked so well and how do you three complement each other?

We had a great run to say the least. Our love of music is so
expansive, inclusive but yet really soulful. We have our own
individual sound but together it was magic. Really wonderful.


> -In the past few months, it feels as if the world or at least our collective
consciousness is in the midst of a positive shift of change. Have you felt
it and how have you incorporated it into your music?

Yeah. I feel the positive shift of change =) My music has always been
feel-good when I spin out. I keep the depressing, moody stuff to
myself. We just have to be even more awake than before. They think
that we're placated and satisfied. This is when they pass legislation
that doesn't serve the greater purpose but rather only a select few
(bailout, FED powers).



> -Did you vote for Ron Paul?...lol, don’t answer that.



--
For More on Moni:

*the show ::
http://friendswelove.com/

*the blog ::
http://friendswelove.wordpress.com/

Is He Crazy?

I watched former vice president, Dick Cheney on the tube this Sunday morning and I am convinced that he is a mad man!!! That is if he actually believes the stuff that comes out of his mouth. Take the fact that he says this current economic mess cannot be blamed on the previous administration. Cheney says that we are in an international crisis...It's not our fault, it's the world's fault. What a wack job! Did he forget that this world financial crisis all started right here with the lax regulatory policies that his people either put in place or forgot to enforce? Simply put, the whole world is a little bit poorer because Cheney and W literally and figuratively.

March Of Dimes' March for Babies

Hi Friends and Family,

Next month, I am participating in the March of Dimes “March for Babies”.
The March of Dimes uses 77 cents of every dollar raised in March for Babies to support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick.
As someone who was born prematurely and is blessed to be here, I feel strongly about this cause.

If you would like to contribute please visit my page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/lovetthines and contribute as little as 5 bucks.


Thanks,
Lovett

She has been good to us...

That’s what a friend text me a few days ago as a conclusion to a discussion we had been having about our lives in New York. We had been reflecting on the ups, downs and all the surprises.

I have lived in New York for 11 going on 12 years now. I feel as though this is my home. I was born in Philadelphia, attended elementary school in Florida but as of this year I have lived in New York longer than I have lived in any one place continuously. And the city has always rewarded me for staying and loving her.
I was in Manhattan the morning of September 11th. We’ve recovered and she has grown closer to me.
I walked from Times Square to Jamaica Queens during the black out and she rewarded me with the most beautiful sunrise that I will ever see in my life. She was so beautiful lying there in her rawest form. The power came back hours later and she would return to her nervous self.
She has seen me through school, a couple of career changes and a few romantic affairs. The romantic affairs didn’t always go well…obviously…However, after my follies, she has always had another pleasant surprise waiting in some bookstore, coffee-shop or party.

I’ve fallen for other pretty ones like Paris, Barcelona and even Florence but we don’t share such a dynamic history. I may flirt with them for a while but I will always remember my true love.

nothing to say...

This week I have nothing to say. Except, Im not surprised at the House Republicans...

JR from Space!!!

The international street artist JR has now taken his craft to a whole new scale. He is known for his rather large pieces but his latest, done in Kenya, is awe inspiring. Word has it that you can see this piece from space!!! Google Earth it!

Hump Day Notes: The GOP

Ok, why did Rep. Phil Gingrey(R) of Georgia apologize for the comments he made criticizing Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. In response to the right wing TV and radio hosts’ attacks on the republicans in the House and Senate, Gingrey said, "I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks,"…. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party." It seems to me he was telling the truth, however he drew a lot of fire from his constituents in the conservative NW corner of Georgia. I have nothing against conservatives but they better catch up with the changing landscape. Right now, they are as last century as the PLO. Their heroes (Hannity and Limbaugh) are clowns and their convention looked like Bingo night.
It isn’t good for any of us to see the GOP fail. As it is, we only have two “viable” political parties in our country. If one goes under what a disaster that would be…

Thursday Night @ Deity: Twilight Sessions

This Thursday night at the lovely lounge Deity, from 8pm until...DJ Selly and the Ubiquita Family will be hosting their Thursday night Twilight Sessions party. Please come down and experience excellent music in one of Brooklyn's premier venues.

I wish i was there...

Right now, at this very moment, I wish I was on the beach! And I bet now you do too. Not just any beach however. I wish I was in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Santa Teresa is located on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast on the edge of the tropical jungles. It’s kind of remote and there are no paved roads but a cheap rented SUV will suffice or there are shuttles that regularly leave the Puntarenas ferry dock. http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/general/boat.html

I traveled there a couple of winters ago and fell in love with the most beautifully, natural place I had ever been. The Santa Teresa Surf camp is made up of a number of beach front cabanas, all with their own kitchenette and shower. The hammock on your front porch is perfect for just kicking back in the early evening and just soaking it all in
The surfers, who made the journey, would wake up at 5am to surf as the sun rose. Most would then sleep until late in the afternoon, waking up in time to surf at dusk, which was the next high tide. After the last session of the day, everyone would eat and drink through the early evening and then turn in early to repeat the cycle. I was impressed at the spiritual nature of the true surfer lifestyle and how at peace they were with nature and themselves.

Fatou on Paris

Views from both sides

No matter where you reside on the political sphere, the loss of innocent life should bother you. I would like to think that we as humans have not totally lost our "humanity", where ideology and fundamentalism is more important than life. The majority of us have not, however it is not a good sign when you hear the actors justifying the killing of innocent children. One side claims they have no other way to fight the enemy’s oppression while the other side claims they have a right to defend themselves by any means. Maybe I am naïve but I have to believe that there must be a better way. Maybe, we have left both sides to their own devices long enough. The international community must intercede against the wills of the warring factions when the conflict starts to affect the broader world. Lets not kid ourselves, 9/11 was an indirect result of the Israeli/Palestinian situation if nothing is done, and this is eventually going to be the flashpoint to a much larger battle that may end everything.

The unrest in the Middle East is so complicated that it is hard to see it ever being resolved by normal diplomatic methods. The thin line between who is right and who is wrong seems to be too blurry.

Here are points of view from both sides.

E-Interview: Jaleel Shaw

We got a young lion of Jazz, Jaleel Shaw, to talk about his latest album as well as other things in a recent email conversation...

LCF:Let me ask you something…What are you presently listening to?


JS:Right now I'm listening to alot of Sonny Rollins. Mostly bootlegs of live recordings actually. To me, he was one of the greatest improvisers of all time. I'm also listening to alot of Keith Jarrett, JDilla, and Qtips new album Renaissance,

Knowing you for practically your whole life, I know you have had many musical influences. What musical or life experiences influenced your latest work, "Optimism"?


Well, for this album I basically drew from all of my influences from many genres... So I can say everything from the music of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Andrew Hill, to music by J Dilla, A Tribe Called Quest, Radiohead, and the music of West Africa.


Since you have been playing with jazz great Roy Haynes, what is the most valuable bit of knowledge has he offered you concerning your technique?


Roy always wants to make sure I know the right melody for the songs we play. Many times if he asks me what I want to play before we go on, he'll ask me to play the melody. If I make a mistake, we'll go over it until I get it right... Sometimes he even asks me to sing the lyrics...

Ok man, this is my last question! If you could put together your dream ensemble for just one gig, who would you include and what would be the venue?? That's a hell of a last question, huh??


That's difficult... there are a couple bands I'd like to play in... One would be a Quartet with Mulgrew Miller, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade. I would also like to play with Herbie Hancock, Steve Nelson, Dave Holland, and Brian Blade in a quartet.


To be honest, I love playing with my band... Lage Lund on guitar, Johnathan Blake on Drums, Ben Williams on Bass, and Aaron Goldberg or Aaron Parks on Piano
I also play trio sometimes with Dwayne Burno and Johnathan Blake or Nasheet Waitts on drums... Those have been some fun gigs... Sometimes we play with Mark Turner on Tenor too.



(haha! Part 2 of the last question) And why?


These are all some of my favorite musicians. I've been a fan of Steve Mulgrew and Herbie for years. They are extremely melodically creative musicians that I know I could learn so much from and have so much fun playing with.
Blade, Johnathan Blake, and Nasheet Waits are 3 of my favorite drummers. I think Blade is a very sensitive player. His sense of dynamics is immaculate. He's always listening. Johnathan Blake is like a brother to me. We've been playing together for over 15 years, so he knows my every move, swings hard and supports me. Nasheet is a very creative drummer that is also very supportive and also swings hard...
Lage, Aaron and Aaron are some young great players that I love to play with.. They're all very creative musicians that are carrying on the tradition of the music and are also pushing it forward. Dwayne Burno and Christian McBride and Ben Williams are 3 of my favorite bassists... And they can all SWING. Mark Turner.. has been a big influence on not only my musical life, but my personal life too. He's an extremely humble, focused musician... I'd say he's one of the strong innovators of jazz music today.

Thanks a lot Jaleel!!!

More information on Jaleel Shaw, please visit: http://www.jaleelshaw.com & http://www.myspace.com/jaleelshaw