CALLING OUT NAMES: The 2008 THANK YOU LIST:Part 1

CALLING OUT NAMES: The 2008 THANK YOU LIST:Part 1


What's up,

As the story goes (for those who are new to the the email list or just don't read my stories), every year at the end of the year, I get highly contemplative. If you happen to know a New Years baby (and I now happen to know 6) or ANY capricorn for that matter, we are very serious, highly reflective people (who are generally miserable and unhappy with our achievements over the course of year, that we'd actually prefer to not celebrate our birthday at all).

In my case, as I'm born on the 1st of January, the end and beginning of the year also represents my next coming of age. A few years back, after going to Cuba and seeing abject poverty, I started to reflect on how ungrateful we all often are, for the things that we have, the people around us and for another day...

With that said, one of my traditions for the last couple of years is the incredibly ridiculous task of thanking everyone that made my year what it was... Often, people send me an email that says something like "you really made my day with your email" or "I loved that party last night and I hope you know we appreciate the hard work". Those little emails - the little "I feel silly saying this and I'm sure you hear it all the time - but I LOVE YOUR EMAILS" - all of those little things, the love that you show when you support not only my efforts but REAL music and real events, I appreciate to the bottom of my heart - and they keep me going.


At the end of the year, I look back on each and every email - every picture taken, my phone text messages and phonebook, and I try my best to thank each and everyone that I know by name... for taking the time to do something that enhanced my life. This email has become a pre-new years tradition where I CALL OUT NAMES... It's in no particular order - although I do go back and sort alphabetically to make sure there aren't duplicates... Often it's one name into the next as I remember someone, I remember her friend, I remember the guy that introduced us, something funny or there may be a group of the same name lumped together as I remember Jon, John, and Jonathon...

Each year, as I sit to write this passage, I reflect on the year gone by - the successes and failures, the joys, the pains, the good and bad. I think of those who have not been as fortunate to make it, and I take time to greater appreciate the gifts of friendship, as well as the little things that have made this life bearable - especially in a year as difficult as 2008.

Where the first day of the year - my birthday - used to be a marker of my relative success, it is now a marker of the LESSONS learnt over the year, new friendships kindled and old re-connected, the laughter, the achievements - as big or small as they may have been.

The ONE, is my most cherished event - my most personal, as it represents ONE degree of separation and an opportunity for me to THANK YOU - the friends and acquaintances, who without knowing, have become a part of my personal story - teaching me, and inspiring me to continue striving to achieve. The THANK YOU EMAIL acts as a PRE-AMBLE TO THE EVENT... for those who can't make it.

I strongly believe in starting the year as I’d like it to continue - surrounded by friends. My birthday party is the rare occasion that I get to see all my friends, old and new. THE ONE brings together everyone from all of my events - Amnesia to Soul Kitchen, Big People Fete to GroovEssentials, ICON to re:connect and all points between.

This year, I refuse to work at the party. I plan to enjoy every moment. More preparation work than ever has been done to ensure that it runs itself - or someone is there to run it - apart from me lol.. I plan to share the night with you, my friends...


This is my formal invitation to you - if I’ve touched you directly or indirectly - through my words, actions or events - or if I’ve been blessed by your support, words or love.

If I missed you, please know that I appreciate the effort that it takes to even smile and be friendly in this cold cold world - many weren't lucky enough to be here with us and so I say

THANK YOU FOR 2008... Part 1 of 2 - this is just the beginning - and if you're still missed after it's all said and done, please realize I'm doing this freestyle from memory and it was that memory - not my heart that forgot (I've always wanted to say that lol).

I appreciate everything that you've done to enhance my life, whether it was a kind word, a smile, an email, some advice, something you taught me, by supporting or attending one of my events, by telling someone about me, or by simply reading or listening to me on the radio.

Gratefully, I remain,



Yours...

Ian Andre Espinet.



THANK YOU.

100 MILES GARIE,
AARON "BUSINESS MAAAAN" HASTINGS,
ADISA
ADRIAN DE PALA,
ADRIAN MCCALLA
ADRIEN KING (GOOD CATCHING UP, DYING TO TASTE THAT COOKING YOU TALK ABOUT),
AFIYA (THX FOR STEPPING UP),
AGILE (THE AC’S STILL BETTER LOL),
AHMAD HAYNES (YOU'RE AMONGST THE FUNNIEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET),
AISHA GRANT,
AJAY & LEGACY SOUND,
ALAIN AND ROYETTE,
ALANA MERCURY (IT’S A SMALL WORLD – HE WAS A GREAT MAN)
ALISA LEWIS
AMANDA JOB (HURRY UP AND COME HOME - FORGET IT DA#( IT. I'LL JUST REACH...),
AMANDA L
AMANDA PANDA HENRY,
AMOL
ANDRE PAUL (WHEN’S THE MOVE HOME?)
ANDREA JUPITER,
ANDY COWARD,
ANSON WILLIAMS,
ANTHONY MORRISON
ASHA GIBBS (THX FOR PLAYING COURIER),
ASHA LAPPS,
ASHLEY JOHNSON,
AUDREY DWYER,
AVALON DRAKES,
AVE MAREEAH, NINI RUBY, JANELLE DUNKLEY,
AVION BAPTISTE,
AVRIL + MAYDAY (INSPIRING),
AYANA MCLEAN (DOES THAT PHONE MAKE OUTGOINGS?),
AYANNA CROPPER,
BABA KAHN (YOU'RE STILL THE BEST PARTNER I'VE EVER WORKED WITH)
BANDIT,
BARBARA PETERS,
BARRY & MELISSA,
BERNISHA (23) AKA LEBRON
BEV CRANDON (NICE TALK EARLY IN THE YEAR),
BIG C,
BOACHIE (WHERE YA AT?),
BONES,
BOONAA (MY NUMBER 2 DRAFT PIC - NEXT TO FUTURE THE PRINCE)
BRENDON PRECISE,
BRENTON ALLEYNE (WE NEED TO CATCH UP),
BRENTTON B (THANKS FOR EVERYTHING… IT GETS BETTER – TRUST ME… SILENCE IS THE KEY – LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS),
BRIAN MANGUBAT & MRS. ROBYN MANGUBAT (CONGRATS)
BROTHER NOEL
BRYAN B,
BURGHER (NORMAN),
BYRON (THANKS FOR EVERYTHING)
BYRON PANTHER,
CAMILLE CLYNE,
CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT (YOU DID IT THIS YEAR)
CARL ALLEN,
CARL MITCHELL (THANKS FOR THE GREETINGS ALL THE WAY FROM GUANGZHOU)
CARLA BABBZ (CONGRATS BABES... BIG PEOPLE FI HAVE BIG TINGS (THAT WAS FOR THE ROOTS GIRL IN YOU) & TWIN (YOU'RE A REAL GUY - GOOD MEETING YOU),
CARLEEN BAILEY AND JESSICA MARRS (THANKS FOR SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES IN T&T),
CARLOS OBEROI (THANKS FOR THE "IF YOU CAN NAME 5 PEOPLE" SPEECH...),
CARLOS PROMO
CAROL ALLEN,
CASPER,
CASSANDRA LINDSAY
CASSANDRA SKEETE,
CHAMBERS (TAKE YOUR DESERVED PLACE... HUMILITY NAH MEK IT IN 2009... SEIZE THE MOMENT AND OWN IT),
CHANTAL KNIGHT, NIGHT NURSE, MOUSEY,
CHANTAL SENECHAL
CHANTELLE KNIGHT
CHARITY KABANGO (THANK YOU FOR DRIVING THE DISTANCE)
CHARLEEN ADJAYE (AKA AUTO-REPLY LOL),
CHARLENE ALLEN (ALWAYS SMILING - THANKS),
CHARLES KABBOUTH, JAMIL, JEFF, YUNG HO, AND THE AND THE STAFF OF INK, KOOLHAUS,GUVERNMENT
CHASE PARSONS,
CHENELLE MCGILL
CHERYL LINTON
CHERYL MORGAN
CHIEF (WE’RE STILL FAMILY… DON’T GET IT TWISTED),
CHOCLAIR,
CHRISTINA FROM WOODBRIDGE (MONOLITH ASSOCIATED? LOL),
CHRISTINA SAN,
CHRISTINE KELLY,
CHRYSSOULA,
CLAYTON JOSEPH (CONGRATS MAN),
CLAYTON MAX,
CLINT MURPHY (THX FOR THE FAVOUR),
CLINTON SPARX,
CONRAD HAMILTON,
CONROY JARVIS
CORWIN,
CORY MITCHELL (HIP HOP),
CRAIG CHUNG,
CRISTOS COX,
CROWN GRAPHICS,
CURT GREENIDGE (GLAD YOU ENJOYED YOUR B-DAY AT SK),
CURTNEY,
CUT CREATOR CREW,
DALIAH PITT,
DAMEON ROYES & THE BIG IT UP FAMILY(YOUR CHARITABLE NATURE, AND YOUR BUSINESS ACUMEN INSPIRE ME... YOU'RE GREAT),
DAN (H-TOWN),
DANE CLARKE (LUNCH THIS YEAR),
DANIELLE KNOX (WE CELEBRATING AGAIN?),
DANNY PRECISE,
DAREN ALI,
DARREN AND COCO,
DARRYL MCFARLENE (AND THE GROWING FAM - CONGRATS)
DAVE & MARSHA MATTHEWS,
DAVE MCTEAGUE (LOOK FOR DOPE SOUL KITCHEN STUFF IN 09),
DAWN GORDON (CONGRATS ON FINDING WHAT YOU NEED),
DEAN D'AGS (TAKE A DAY OFF MAN… EVEN TED DID)
DEE (WESTSIDE - EASTSIDE NAILS LOL),
DEE DEE CRICHTON,
DELILIAH BARKO (WHAT UP SCRAPPY),
D'ENFORCAS,
DENISE AZEEZ (I'M GONNA WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP LOL),
DENISE CHANG KIT,
DENISE JEREMY (YOU'RE CAPABLE - NO TALK IN 2009 - NIKE TIME),
DENTON MITCHELL (THANKS FOR THE BDAY GREETING)
DEREK JUNES ANDERSON,
DEXTER (LET’S WIN THIS – IT’S TRIBAL KNIGHTS IN 09. DON’T GET IT TWISTED),
DIAMOND ROBINSON (THANKS FOR THE WORDS MAN),
DIAMOND,
DIANA IORFIDA,
DIJA CHANG KIT,
DIRK DIGGLER (SEAN DWYER) LOL
DIRTY DEZ (THANKS FOR THE TALK IN THE POLICE ASSOCIATION PARKING LOT),
DJ HERBERT (HOLLA),
DJ REMEDY,
DOC (CAPRICOOOORNS),
DON B,
DONNA RANKIN AND DEBORAH,
DR JAY (THANK YOU FOR THE LECTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE AND OUTLOOK... IT WAS WAY BIGGER THAN BUSINESS… ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU - YOU CAN'T CHANGE WHO YOU ARE, AND YOU NEVER SHOULD. ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS THE BAD GUYS SEEM TO GET FURTHER, THE GOOD GUYS HAVE MY UNDYING LOYALTY... (EVEN WHEN THE SCORPIO IN HIM DOESN'T THINK SO LOL),
DREW DAZZLE (NEW LEAF?),
DRUNKEN CHOIR (AKA THE 1/3RD BLACKBERRY SQUAD - I'LL EXPLAIN LATER LOL),
DUANE BOBBSEMPLE,
DUANE BROWN,
DUANE LOVELACE,
DUSTY LLEWELLYN,
DWAN “SHRINKING” BRANTON,
DWAYNE AND TRACY ASHLEY,,
DWAYNE MORGAN (I'M PROUD OF YOU - YOU'RE INSPIRATIONAL... (BUT DON'T MAKE ME TELL THEM YOU'RE A PRICK LOL),
DWAYNE MATTHEWS, SUSAN, AND THE MATTHEWS FAMILY – THANKS FOR T&T… (DWAYNE – GO INTO THE LIGHT… THE ROAD IS HARD, BUT 1 SUCCESS WILL MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT),
EARL CHARLES (CONGRATS ON YOUR DECISION),
EARL LYONS (WE HAVE TO DO DINNER THIS YEAR… NO EXCUSES),
EDWARD BUNHAI,
ELARON SKEETE (CAN I GET AN INVITE? LOL)
ELISIA JOHNSON (HAVE A GREAT VACAY),
ELKA GRAHAM,
ELTON BALCOMBE,
EMAN (I HAVE INFO FOR YOU… TAKE YOUR PLACE THIS YEAR TOO),
ERIKA REYES,
ERIN GIBBS,
ERIN NOBLE (STILL HAVEN’T QUIT EH?)
ERROL (AND THE LITTLE GUY)
ESSEN CHAVEZ,
EVERETTE AND PETRA
FABIAN WILLS (WE'LL CATCH UP SOON)
FATS,
FAYOLA EDWARDS,
FEEL GOOD ENT,
FIONA BAPTISTE (CAN'T WAIT TO WORK WITH YOU),
FIONA KNIGHT (ANY CANDY THIS YEAR? LOL)
FLASH (WELCOME TO THE CLUB... ITS THE BEST THING EVER),
FLO KING (TOFLO.COM - I KNOW YOU HAD A SUPER TUFF YEAR - LIKE MOST IN OUR CAMP HAVE... BUT YOU HAVE A GREAT (BRASH) HEART, AND YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY, AND THE SUCCESS THAT WILL COME WITH DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN),
FUTURE (SOMETIMES WISDOM COMES IN THE STRANGEST FORMS - EAT A LITTLE AND LIVE LONG),
GAIL PHILIPS AND UNTITLED,
GALA AND NADIA (THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF ME IN T&T),
GARETH B-BOY NORONHA,
GARVIN,
GATES (NIAGARA),
GEOFF AND VANESSA,
GEORGE - SHAKEDOWN (I COULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE LAST YEAR WITHOUT YOU - THANKS SO MUCH)
GEORGETTE CHARLICOMBE,
GEORGETTE POLLACK,
GERALDINE BELLA (WIII!!!!),
GERMAINE CROWN GRAPHICS (STILL MY FAVORITE DESIGNER)
GETTI (YOURE DOPE),
GISELLE BISHOP,
GLENN LEWIS,
GRANT GREENWOOD,
GREG RUSSELL (NICE GUY),
IAN KAMAU (GREAT MEETING YOU IN FEB... AND YOUR DAD TOO - YOU'RE DOPE),
ICE, THE 4 HORSEMEN (ALLANS PATTIES RUN DE TING) AND THE HEBREW HORSEMAN TOO (THANKS FOR THE PEACE ARTICLE),
JACKIE KAYE (CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS),
JACQUI SPENCER & MARSHA MAZZOCATO (A BIG $#*% YOU. WASN’T THAT OUT OF CHARACTER FOR ME? THESE 2 CLOWNS RUINED MY WEEK, AND DIDN’T EVEN HAVE THE COURTESY TO CALL TO SPEAK ABOUT THE VENOMOUS WORDS THAT THEY SPIT. I’VE ACCEPTED EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM I’VE EVER GOTTEN SINCE I STARTED, AND NEVER RESPONDED LIKE THIS. EVER. – BUT THIS INDUSTRY WILL MAKE YOU POLITICALLY CORRECT – BUT WHEN YOU’RE WRONGED, POLITICALLY CORRECT MAKES YOU TWIST AND TURN AT NIGHT… MY MEMORY’S LONG. IN 09’ I HOLD YOU TONGUE FOR NO ONE … IAN)
JAE BLEEZY AND FATIMA (I'M PROUD OF YOU GUYS),
JALANI (GLAD YOU’RE MOVING UP – STILL WANT THOSE JON B. PICS),
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE & THE TORONTO REVELLERS (THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY),
JAMES ALEXANDER (HOW COME I HAVE TO GO TO TRINIDAD TO SEE YOU),
JAMES HOU,
JANAY SIMPS (BOD BREED EH? WAIT AND SEE WHEN YOU MUMA SEE)
JANELLE STEWART,
JANET BRISCO,
JASON ABRAHAM (THANKS FOR THE ART - I'M STILL NOT SURE WHERE IT'S GOING),
JASON PALMA, NAV (*AKA TORONTO'S #1 DJ), EUGENE, DONNA, PLAY DE RECORD FAM
JAY DEVONISH (AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE A THUG ALL THESE YEARS LOL),
JAY MARTIN (LOVE THE COMEDY WORK ETHIC),
JAY-ME WOODS,
JB JONOLO
JEAN PAUL (CONGRATS FUNNY GUY… NO MORE SMOKE FOR YOU THOUGH),
JEANELLE JULIEN (SEE YOU SATURDAY),
JEF (TORONTO-LIME: ONCE AGAIN, MY CHINESE BROTHER, YOU HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS IN A YEAR OF DISAPPOINTMENTS SHOWING ME THAT SOME PEOPLE DO INDEED STRIVE FOR HONOUR AND LOYALTY... IF YOU EVER NEED ANYTHING, I HOPE THAT I CAN BE AS GOOD TO YOU AS YOU'VE BEEN TO ME)...
JEFF CUT ABOVE,
JEFF JAM,
JEFF LYON,
JEMENI (THIS YEAR… THE BIOGRAPHY YEARS BEGIN),
JENN JENN,
JENNIFER INNISS (WHEN YOU COMING BACK TO LIVE? I MISS YOUR SMILE),
JENNY JONES,
JEROME SIMON,
JESSE OHTAKE (THX FOR EVERYTHING THIS YEAR - AAAAARGH. I'LL CALL YOU AFTER MY BDAY PARTY)
JESSE WALKER (I’LL GET THERE THIS YEAR… PROMISE. THAT’S MY WORD. AT LEAST ONCE)
JESTER (YOUR GRIND IS AMAZING... TAKE THE NEXT STEP – YOU CAN PICK A HIT – I KNOW YOU CAN MAKE ONE),
JINELLE (SYLENA JOHNSON)
JO ANN D'SOUSA + CAMILLE,
JOANNE LAVOIE,
JOS LIMAS (WHERE YA AT?)
JR. FLO (I'M PROUD TO SAY I WAS THERE IN THE BEGINNING (SORT OF), CAUSE I SEE HOW HUGE THAT PROJECT'S GONNA BE... AND CONGRATS ON NYU TOO),
JR. JAMES,
JR. PALMER (THANKS MAN),
JUELZ (CONGRATS BABES),
JULES BEDEAU (I’M IN FOR ROTI JUDGING IN 09, AS LONG AS IT’S NOT ON CARIBANA SUNDAY),
JULLY BLACK (MY SISTER, MY INSPIRATION, MY AMAZING FRIEND... AND I GET TO BRAG THAT I KNOW SOMEONE FROM E-TALK AND IDOL... AND GREAT ALBUMS AND...),
J-WYSE (EVERYTING IS EVERYTING)
KAI KARI
KAJMERE (THE DEMISE OF DATING IS BI#CHA$$NESS),
KALIFA JONES (I CAN’T SEE YOU… YOU PREGO’S?),
KARDI (THX FOR THE INSPIRATION... LETS PARTY TONIGHT),
KAREEMA BECKLES (I STILL HAVE THAT MUFFIN PAN),
KAREN BISHOP (AND MY LITTLE FRIEND LMAO - I HAVE A SNAKE YOU KNOW) & JANAY,
KAREN GRANT,
KAREN MEWA & FAM (WHEN’S THE NEXT OAKVILLE VISIT?),
KAREN RICHARDSON (THE BLACK HISTORY MOMENT WILL RETURN - THX FOR THE WORDS)
KARLA MCRAE,
KARLON MAGLOIRE,
KEICHA MCLEAN (MISS YOU… WHERE YOU BEEN?),
KEISHA LATA (I STILL CAN'T SPELL IT ALL LOL),
KEITH GULSTON AND THE CUT CREATOR FAM,
KELLY-ANN JONES,
KENYATTA,
KERENSA (HEY HUN – YOU DON’T LOVE ME ANYMORE?),
KERWIN ADAMS (THANKS FOR BEING A HUGE INSPIRATION THIS YEAR WITH YOUR FEARLESSNESS - DON'T GET ME WRONG - SOMETIMES AN OFF SWITCH FOR YOUR TEMPER MAY COME IN HANDY LOL),
KERWIN DUBOIS,
KESHIA GRAY,
KEVIN DIGITAL PHOENIX (THANKS FOR THE GREAT, PROMPT WORK)
KEVIN MOSELEY & THE WRESTLER CREW,
KEVIN PRESCOTT,
KHADISHA THORNHILL,
KHARY GIBBS (THX SOOOO MUCH... THAT'S HISTORY),
KID C,
KID KUT (THE #1 PAIN IN THE GAME),
KIM DAVIS, AYAH,
KIM TULL (THIS YEAR - CALL FOR DETAILS LOL)
KIMANI LEWIS (YOU MOVED UP THE 34 THIS YEAR LOL – WHAT NUMBER? CAN’T TELL YOU),
KIWANNA
KLC,
KRISTY BURLI, ANGIE ISAACS AND THE BURLI CREW (THANKS FOR THE GENEROUSITY AND THE LIFTING),
KWAME & JANELLE HILLS,
LADIES AND MEN AND WUK,
LAKEISHA (YOURE A SWEETHEART... GLAD TO KNOW YOU),
LATOYA ALS (ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME? LOL),
LAURA MAGNOLI (I THINK IT’S THE SPORTS… NOT THE MARKETING OF SPORTS),
LEA “FOOD DRIVE” PASILABBAN,
LEIGHTON JONES,
LEIGHTON WALSH
LENNOX LIVERPOOL, EUGENE & 6 DEGREES,
LEONA ATKINS (THANKS FOR TEACHING ME ABOUT GM - AND DRIVING FAR FAR FAR - I KNOW YOU HEAR ME STAR),
LESLIE GRANT (GET A DRESS?) & SHARON,
LESLIE RAYMOND,
LETRICIA MCNICOLLS,
LINCOLN BLADES (CELEBRATING CAPRICORN?),
LINDO P (JUST ONE HIT AWAY – SEE YOU ON MY BIRTHSTRONG LOL),
LINDSAY JUPITER,
LISA JONES (YOU AND R.B. ARE CUTE)
LISA SHAH,
LISA WALKER (CHALLENGES? WOW... CONGRATS)
LISSA MONET,
LIZA AMLANI,
LOLA,
LUTHER BROWN AND WAYNE (SO PROUD OF YOU MY BROTHERS... YOU GOT IT IN THIS YEAR)
LYRIC GYLES,
MANSA (I THINK I GOT YOU, BUT, YOU'RE MY GIRL)
MAR B (SOUVS),
MARA JEFFREY (SOUL KITCHEN)
MARABAI (MIRA MIRA?)
MARIA LONGAGNANI (GOOD REUNITING)
MARIE COLLINS,
MARK 2PHATT,
MARK MIGNOTTE (YOU CAN DO… THEY CAN HELP – BEST LINE OF THE YEAR),
MARSHA AND MONIQUE MORRIS (YES I SHOULD HAVE PUT YOU SEPARATELY)
MARSHA MATTHEWS,
MARSHA WILLIAMS,
MARXMAN,
MAX GREENE,
MEGGY (GO FOR IT),
MEL BOOGIE (WHEN WE CATCHING UP SO YOU CAN TELL ME THAT STORY…),,
MELANIE BIRZE (YOU CHANGED MY LIFE BY MAKING ME UNDERSTAND STRENGTH),
MELANIE LONGBOAT (TEAM AMNESIA?!?! THAT'S DOPE)
MICHAEL AND SEAN CHATRATH,
MICHAEL COOMBS,
MICHELLE CHEONG & NICOLE MCFARLENE,
MICHELLE COWAN, NEELY MOSCA,
MICHELLE GRANT,
MICHELLE REYES (PROUD OF YOU… 08’S OVER… AND NOW IT BEGINS),
MIKE JANSEN (LUNCH BEFORE YOU GO?)
MIKE MALCOLM,
MIKE MANAGO,
MIKE SAMLALSINGH,
MIKE Z, CLICK AND SYN,
MIKEY JENSEN (LUNCH IN 09... MY FAULT),
MIKYLA,
MINESH (YOU CAME HOME AND I NEVER CAN TO VANCITY)
MISHA AND SASHA,
MITZI BOGLE (LOVE YOUR ENERGY - HOW COME I DIDN'T NOTICE IT THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU LOL),
MOIS AND THE STAFF OF LEVEL, BLURR, SUITE, WETBAR AND BLVD,
MONA LADY LUCK
MONIQUE TAYLOR (OR WHATEVER YOUR SASHA FIERCE NAME IS),
MONIQUE WINDSOR,
MRS. ROSTEING (I OWE YOU SOME CONDENSED MILK… LOVE YOU LOTS),
MS. JOHNSON (CONGRATS - I'LL BE WATCHING KINK)
MUSTAFA AND CREW,
MYANA (HEY SIS),
NADIA & RAYMOND,
NADIA BATSON (I’M CALLING… SORRY – IT GOT CRAZY. CONGRATS ON THE STORE AND HAPPY BELATED BABES),
NADJA BABB (I LOVE THE GROWTH... GO FOR IT ON THE PHOTOG FRONT),
NAOMI JEREMY (SORRY I COULDN'T EAT THE CAKE),
NATALIE ELLIS, NATASHA ELLIS, TEREENA AND INTRODUCING (THE NEW LY NICKNAMED) SMILEY (CONGRATS),
NATALIE PHILLIPS AND COOKIE
NATASHA AND KESTER (CONGRATS... BLUEPRINT FOR LOVE)
NATASHA CAESAR (WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR EARLY YEAR CALLS?),
NATASHA JOHNSON (IF I WAS… I WOULD HAVE LOL)
NAUGHTY BY NATURE, TREACH, VINNY, JEFF AND THE COMPANY,
NAUGHTY V,
NAVIN AND THE RENEGADE SQUAD, FABIAN WILLS (GREAT CATCHING UP),
NEDDY NYCE,
NEEKS $,
NEELY-ANN AND MICHELLE,
NGARDY CONTEH (WHEN WE DOING THAT INTERVIEW?)
NICHOLAS BARHAM (REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU - IF YOU EVER NEED GUIDANCE),
NICOLAS CHAI,
NICOLE 11TH HOUR
NICOLE ALEXANDER,
NICOLE ALI (WHERE'S MY CAMEO IN THE MAGIC BULLET COMMERCIAL?),
NICOLE BARHAM,
NICOLE CRICHTON,
NICOLE LLOYD (IS IT HERE YET?)
NICOLE MULAN (416.425.)
NICOLE PIERRE
NIRVANA SAVOURY,
NOVA (CONGRATS ON YOUR MOVE),
NUNU (WHERE ARE YOU?)
NURSE KAREN AND JD JOHNSON (LOVED THE LIME IN T&T),
ODESSA AUSTIN (LOVE YOU GIRL - AND I KNOW I OWE YOU A CALL - HAPPY BELATED),
PATICE (MISS THE CONVOS)
PATRICIA JUGGERNAUTH (WHERE'S THAT INTERVIEW I DID AT STYLUS?),
PATRICK LEWIS (THAT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE FRIENDSHIP EVER.. BUT WORTH IT. I THINK LOL),
PATRICK SPARKS (MUSIC MAN)
PATTI JAY,
PELORI (FORMERLY OF CUT CREATOR),
PERRY,
PETRA JEFFERS (YOU ALREADY KNOW - YOUR TEXT MESSAGE RIGHT BACK ATCHA),
PETTAH SPARXX (NO CONSULTING FEES SEE?),
PETULA,
PHIL VASSELL (THIS YEAR?),
PLAY DE RECORD - EUGENE + DOOOONNNNNAA + NAV + JASON,
PLAYHOUSE,
POW POW (I MISS YOU LIKE MAD... IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT PARTIES YOU KNOW),
P-PLUS (UNDERGROUND… FORGET IT. LOL),
PRESTO,
PRISCILLA BARKS (THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF MY YEAR),
PUNJI (CAN'T LEAVE PROMO ALONE… THE GAME NEEDS ME LMAO)
RACHE M (STILL WISH I WAS A LITTLE BIT TALLER)
RAHIM ULTIMATE,
RAISHA (LOVE YOU... AND THANKS FOR THAT FAVOUR - ALWAYS),
RAMONA ALLY,
RAWLE AGARD (PROUD OF YOU MAN),
RAYMAC,
RED ROSE (CLUE?)
REDDY FOX,
REG ALBINO (EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON - TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY),
REGGAESUTRA (MARRIED FOR 16 YEARS? REALLY?)
RENEE RAWLINS,
RENELL (ALWAYS REMEMBER - THE CHOICE IS YOURS TO BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE TO BE EVERYTHING THAT'S MISSING...),
RICARDO JONES (THANKS FOR ALWAYS COMING WHEN I CALL),
RICARDO MCRAE (I WANT TO HAVE THIS MUCH FUN IN LIFE)
RICHARD ANTHONY (HOLLA... I NEED SOME WORK DONE AROUND HERE),
RISHI (I'M SO PROUD OF YOU DR. NARINE - FROM SWEET PARADISE TO SCARBOROUGH TO ARMOURY TO MED SCHOOL, THE CEREMONY IN ARUBA, AND A MILL AND A DOT IN THE OAK? - YOU'RE MY HERO),
ROCHESTER JUICE, STERLING, MEDHIK, AND JAYVON,
RODEO,
RODNEY AODAN (ROCKIT),
ROMEO (NUFF SAID)
ROMERO (MONTREAL)
RONNIE ROBINSON (THANKS FOR THAT PIECE OF HISTORY.. AND JUST FOR BEING A GREAT AND PATIENT FRIEND),
ROSE,
ROXANNE,
RUSSELL PETERS (I KNOW RUSSELL… I REALLY DO. LOL),
RYAN BABBZ,
RYAN GODDARD,
RYAN LOWE,
RYAN PINTO (MAYBE WE’RE ALL NOT SPEAKING THE RIGHT LANGUAGE – BELIEVE IN HIM),
SABRINA HEADLEY,
SANDRICE,
SARAH SHARPE (I’M A TERRIBLE FRIEND EH?),
SASHA AND MICHA,
SASHA HALL AND ASABI (LOVE YOU GUYS),
SAUCY (CJ MERCON)
SEAN SAX,
SHADOW,
SHALISE G,
SHALON JEFFERS
SHANAH PITT (AKA SOUL KITCHEN DAUGHTER… LOL. JES TOLD ME YOUR DAD COLLECTED THE SOUL SELECTIONS – I’LL HAVE TO WORK HARDER KNOWING THAT),
SHANE STERLING, ROCHESTER JUICE, JAHVON, & THE FOUNDATION FAM
SHANETTE (SORRY I DIDN'T CALL BACK THAT DAY... THANKS SO MUCH FOR CALLING EVEN WHEN I DON'T),
SHANI LEATHAM (I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU – ASK KIM)
SHANNAE INGLETON IS THE OTHER 2008 WHAT MEN WANT (MICHELLE OBAMA IS THE OTHER) LOL,
SHANNON ALVARES (NO ALCOHOL FOR YOU IN 09),
SHARON AARON AND THE B-GIRLS,
SHARON JOHNSON (AMNESIA LOVES YOU TOO)
SHAUN BABY WARNER,
SHAW HARPER,
SHAWNA GRIFFIN,
SHELDON HINDS (CONGRATS),
SHENNEL,
SHERYL CHYNNA BROWN,
SHIKERIAH
SIMONE, TISHA, LEE-ANNE
SINGLEFOOT,
SKINNY AND ISLANDSOUNDS FAM,
SLAMMER CUTTER + FARM P,
SPECIAL ED,
SPEX (DE BOSS WITH THE POLITE BABES),
STACY Q BLOGGER LOL,
STASIA OSBOURNE,
STEFANY A. SMOCZYK,
STEPHANI ALICIA (SHORT MAN CAN GET IT... STILL LMAO - THANKS FOR THE SMILES),
STEPHANIE
STEPHEN CHARLES – YOU’RE THE MOST EXTRA PERSON EVER… I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE FRIENDS – BUT I APPRECIATE YOU… STUPID.,
STEPHEN CLEMENT,
STEPHEN CONDUCTOR,
STEVE ALEXANDER (KEEP YOUR HEAD UP - I'LL ALWAYS BE HERE),
STRETCH DE REAL TING,
STUDLEY... IS ANYONE REALLY NAMED STUDLEY?,
SUSAN AUSTIN (THX FOR THE KIND WORDS),
SUSPENCE,
SUZAN BARRETT (NICE MEETING YOU IN T&T),
SUZANNE JOHNSON
SUZETTE JEFFERS,
SUZETTE RAMCHARRAN (LONG TIME)
SWAINE,
SWEETS WATSON,
SYN (THANKS)
TABOO,
TAMARA ALLEYNE-GITTENS (HISTORY),
TAMARA MALONE (HAPPY BDAY),
TAMAYA DAVIS AND THE TTC CREW,
TAMLA MATTHEWS (WE NEED TO HANG MORE... THE CONVO'S ARE GREAT... MY HOUSE IN 09?),
TAMPOYA (FORSAKEN ME? – NOTHINGS CHANGED IN 08 LOL)
TANESHA JONES,
TANIKA JONES,
TANYA SHORTY JONES,
TANYA SMITH,
TARA MULDOON (FASHIONABLY LATE LOL),
TARVIA,
TASHA LOVE,
TASHA ROSEZ,
TASLIM AMLANI,
TASLIM THE 4 FOOTER
TAT-EM A-IS-H-IA PRINCE (I GUESSED)
TAUREAN,
TECHNIQUE THE KINGPIN FROM VANCOUVER (LOL),
TEINEISHA RICHARDS (MODEL)
THANE & TRIXIE,
THE 34 (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)
THE ARUBA CREW (HANCE CLARKE (THX FOR THE WISDOM IN ARUBA), WAYNE, BO),
THE ORIGINAL JON JAY,
THE RATTRAY (LOVELACE, PINNOCK) CLAN,
THE STAFF OF THE SOUND ACADEMY,
THEA & MR. JACKSON,
THOMAS NASTYHABITS (GOOD LUCK OUT THERE),
TIFA,
TIFFANY COOMBS (GOOD SEEING YOU - WHAT WAS IT? 15 YRS?),
TISHA
TISHA HAMID,
TONA,
TONE,
TONEY WILLIAMS,
TORSHA CORNIE,
TOYA ALEXIS,
TOYA,
TRACY BURKE + TARA JOHN,
TRACY WILLIAMS,
TRAVIS ANDERSON (SO YOU GOTTA BE SHOWING OFF THE MUSCLES EVERYWHERE EH? THAT'S WHAT'S GOOD?)
TREV FERNANDEZ & THE TRINI KOCH CREW LOL (THX),
TREY NIX (THX FOR TREATING MY ISH LIKE ITS YOUR OWN... I HOPE I RECIPROCATED...),
TRICIA GRIFFIN,
TRICIA KANHAI (YOU DON'T WANT IT WITH MY ROGER RABBIT... DANCE OFF?)
TRICIA WALKER,
TRINITY CHRIS,
TRIXX,
ULPIA,
UNCLE B (THX FOR THE GUIDANCE),
VANESSA + FELICIA DAISY (THX FOR BEING GOOD TO MY DAD),
VERO,
VIC CRYSTAL VIBEZ,
WALSHY FIRE, WILLY CHIN & BLACK CHINEY,
WAN LUV (I'M PROUD OF YOU LITTLE BRO),
WAYNE GREENAWAY (THE DON),
WAYNE MY SOON TO BE LAWYER LEWIS,
WAYNE WARNER (THE OTHER BLACK REPUBLICAN {I USED TO THINK RAPPING AT 38 WAS ILL, BUT LAST YEAR ALONE YOU GROSSED 38 MILL', I KNOW YOU AIN'T QUITE 38 STILL, BUT THE FLOW SO (SPECIAL) GOT A (38) FEEL} – GETTING BETTER WITH TIME LIKE OPUS 1 - THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION),
WEAZY HARDKNOCKS,
WENDY JOHN (T&T AGAIN?),
WHITEGOLD (CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE GAME PLAN),
WRISTPECT (BRIDGING THE GAP WAS ONE OF THE MIXTAPES OF THE YEAR)
XXX GREG (I REALLY THOUGHT THAT WAS YOUR BABY)
YELLOW "EARLY MAWNIN" BLACKMOON,
YULANDA JULIEN (I'm calling back jus now... jus now...)
YVONNE KAI,
ZAUHER
ZEETA,
ZEPHRAH

November 4th 2008

What's up?

Sigh. That's what I just did.

I'm not sure how to write this - but if there was a phrase to describe my emotions last night, the one "waiting to exhale" would probably do it. Partially. As about a hundred of us sat at Islandmix, me darting back and forth speaking to different people with understanding of the US election process (California's worth 51... but if he wins Florida, it's mathematically impossible to...), and repeating what I learnt elsewhere, I was waiting - to exhale. I was anxious - sick, happy, excited, in awe of what I was seeing, in disbelief, scared, giddy, longing, confident, sceptic - and volatile. Meaning, I knew that I was going to cry, I just didn't know when.

Last night, as I got home at minutes to 11 (yes... I left early to take my little one home), CNN called it. And just like that, it was over. On came the tears. I haven't cried in ages, although I must admit I've had a couple in the last couple years after a 10 year streak. [Sidebar: watching your parents friends and your own pass away, and your relationships/friendships of long time disintegrate will do that to you...]. I knew that it was going to happen, as earlier, while explaining separate schools, drinking fountains, people being hosed and bitten by dogs, sit-ins, marches and Rosa Parks to my daughter, I repeated the text that I had gotten a thousand times that day - Rosa sat so Martin could walk... Martin walked so that Obama could run... and Obama is running so that our children can FLY. And on came the tears... She was like "are you ok daddy?". I told her that they were tears of JOY.

In conversations, I reiterated that it didn't MATTER whether Barack won or lost - that the impact of what he had - HAS done for the way that we see ourselves, that others see us, and most importantly the way that our children perceive themselves, was already done. BUT. It WAS important that he won. Mignotte argued that the impact of losing would from many standpoints, put Black people and the entire United States back 20 years. First, we may have acted irrationally and further perpetuated stereotypes - worse yet, the emotion created from the loss - if felt cheated, could have created a race divide of catastrophic proportions.

What I realized later, as the Black commentator on CNN summarized my thoughts was this - "for years we've told our children that they can be ANYTHING that they want to be - sercretly knowing that we were lying... knowing that there were things that they COULDN'T be". This was no longer the case... And excellence is something that one does by example, and so Obama can single handedly reverse many of the stereotypes and assumptions by simply BEING... not by being BLACK, but by being excellent and happening to BE Black.

Coincidentally, had he lost, it would have been a statement as well - WHY bother being the best, if the best means nothing if you're Black. It would have been a restatement of the frustration of being the best, but being "overqualified" or "not suited to the job" or "not exactly what we were looking for". But that's not the case this November 5th. The United States picked - whether you agree with his politics or not - the person that was SELECTED, and he happened to be Black and in spite of the fact that he is Black. And his success is a universal success - little girls can be President... and people of all races, creeds, religions can be ANYTHING. If you're the best. The United States should be proud as they have not just a President that is an African American - but the BEST person for the job from . They should also be proud that they were able to have a competition - a hard fought competition - where the clash of ideas and the winner is chosen, and the winner was ACTUALLY chosen. And I'm happy that, although I thought he was on track to win, that I was WRONG about what I secretly thought of the US -

Barack Obama IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. And the culmination or all of our dreams. As I watched CNN, my phone rang off the hook - Rishi... Amanda from Japan... Dwayne Morgan... and countless others - Future blackberry pinned me from Times Square - and described it best. "I feel like I'm in a dream. This is surreal". Unreal. Ro said this morning, "I'm driving to work and the leaves are dropping in slow mo... I feel like I'm talking like a one year old - I don't have the words to describe the words I'm feeling. It still hasn't sunk in properly".

I don't think it has for any of us...

I'm inspired... I'm inspired to do more. To return to my spot on Worldwide with the Black history moment - which I reiterate is OUR collective history - which I do as much for Black children and adults, as I do for White, Chinese, Indian, etc - because from understanding comes change. As I've also said at the beginning of that segment, history is a continuum - and we are as much a PART of history as those making it... It's not just the past. It's the present and what it means to our future as well.

Not to compare or belittle what I would say was the single most significant historical moment of MY life thus far, I'd like to take a moment to speak on a couple of pieces of HISTORY that are being made right now that - like what happened last night - I don't think people are personally understanding the significance of.

This past weekend, I attended Soca or Die, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince's birthday celebration and again was awed by the fact that World's Number One soca DJ lives in our city. And that the world's most passionate soca SCENE is ours. We play and listen to more soca, have more fetes and concerts than ANYWHERE it seems. Saturday gone, 6 artists representing the best of the Caribbean touched down on the stage - as chosen by the people in this city in a vote. I think as much time as we spend complaining about the things that we DON'T have in this city, we have to take a moment to celebrate the incredible things that we DO have... Happy birthday Jay - and thanks for being a part of the living history of this city.

The second example of living history takes place this Saturday and pertains to my partner and friend, DJ Starting from Scratch. I'm not sure if you've heard, but Scratch is the OFFICIAL TOUR DJ FOR USHER RAYMOND. Although I'll admit that Scratch's humility is a part of the reason that no one else thinks that it's that big of a deal, let me stop and take a second to explain why it is.

Usher is one of the BIGGEST artists of OUR time period. A couple months back, I argued that Bobby Brown was a King of R&B... and that the other heirs to that title were R. Kelly, Usher, and some day - Chris Brown. He has sold 35 million albums worldwide, and won 5 Grammy's. He is a member of Billboard magazine's All Time Hot 100 artists, and is one of the FEW artists of our time mentioned there - not to mention Urban.

And Scratch is his DJ. And not simply playing opening and closing music dj - part of the show, going back and forth with Usher competing with him. This is one of the most significant things to happen to a Toronto DJ - and competes with A-Trak becoming Kanye's dj - for an Urban DJ. Usher comes to town this Saturday at Koolhaus, and Scratch will be on stage doing what he's done for us for years - and making us proud.

This Saturday at Solarium, we're celebrating this man's life - his birthday... the information is listed below so that you can come down and show your appreciation for someone that has put on for his city time after time... Happy birthday Scratch - and thank you for being a part of the living history of this city...

Finally, around 12 years ago, a friend of mine, Kevin Blagrove introduced me to a guy that has been a constant inspiration for me. His name is Dwayne Morgan and he is one of the people that I go to when I need inspiration as he seems forever inspired. 15 years ago, he produced his first events - and as the story goes, one of them was in the basement of small gym over here at Kennedy and 401. They moved the weights and Black Love took place.

Shortly thereafter, I would have the honour of designing for him for 10 years - Black Love... When Brothers Speak... When Sisters Speak... This Ain't Love Jones... Making of a Man... Edutainment... Strictly Roots... Roots and Relaxation... The Roots Lounge... Last One Standing... Yin and Yang... The Toronto International Poetry Slam... Soul Sessions... 5 books... 5 cds... countless awards. Next Friday and Saturday, he will release his 15 YEAR Anniversary DVD - wow... as I type 15 years I shake my head - the amount of work that this guy has done, further inspires me to do more... It's not your birthday, although it is "When Brother's Speak's" 10 Year Anniversary - but Dwayne Morgan, THANK YOU for being a part of the living history of Toronto...

And thank you to the 3 of you for the part that you've individually played in my personal success with Black Star and the Entertainment company.

Although there are far too many Scorpios, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULLY BLACK - another source of inspiration for me, and YET another example of the living history makers in our great city. And although someone will undoubtedly wonder why I spent half of my email talking about these people, like Kanye said, "If you admire someone you should go ahead and tell em, people never get the flowers while they can still smell em"... These 4 and countless others are a part of our unique and INCREDIBLE Toronto history...

Thank you for reading and being a part of mine.

Yours sincerely,

IAN ANDRE ESPINET


ian andre espinet
ian andre espinet entertainment +
black star graphic design & communications
canada's leading urban graphic design studio. period.
ian andre espinet 2007

I'm going to hell...

So, I just saw this on the afmlife blog, but I laughed so hard, I HAD to repost it. All now the tears are running down my face. I'm going to hell.

I've fallen and I can't get up.

I

The adventures of Ian the non-bus taker on the TTC...

I'm in a good mood though as I reminisce on the funnier moments of my week.

Picture this. Driver who hasn't taken the bus in years. His car engine goes and he's forced to do so - but is as foreign to buses and their routes as he is to dating. [I think that's one for the blog too eh?]. Anyway, I got another car, but had a little accident involving some of the Allen's apple juice that was on sale at Walmart for $.60 each (have I told you how much I love the Walmart anniversary sale?). So anyway, I drop my car to this amazing detailing place - but he's so swamped that I have to do it first thing in the morning. I drop the car at 7am, and walk out to Kennedy Road. As I'm walking up the road, I look back and here comes the bus. So I do what any logical person would do. I start running. With the memory in my mind of Grace ("bus drivers will wait for you but people have a tendancy to stop running when we wait - so I drive off"), I run - all the way to the bus stop. As I reach the buses doors, weezing like Lil Wayne, he does the unthinkable. And CLOSES the doors. I could SWEAR the person in the handicapped seat laughed at me. As I stand there, cussing, with my hands on my knees (I'm not Usain Bolt - it's been at least 6 years since I did a 100 metre dash - against Skimpy in the tennis court by my house - remember that story? see the p.s.), I glance up with the intention of taking his bus number then just forget it. I decide to WALK to Sheppard. Keep in mind, that was Ellesmere.

As I approach Progress, I look back and see another bus. The stop is within a distance that I can outrun the bus, so I do. I wait there and it stops. I jump on, and ask the bus driver, how much. "$2.75". But I have no change. And they don't make any. Exhausted, damp from sweat, and cold from the temperature, I push in $5 and walk to the back of the bus. What? I didn't have any change.

Doesn't the bus TURN THE CORNER onto Progress going to Town Centre? I ring the bell - and these new buses won't let you ring it continuously - so he doesn't stop until another block. I jump off the bus, again cussing. Now I have to walk ALL the way back to Kennedy and I'm still not any closer to Sheppard. No more bus rides today. I'm walking the rest of the way.

Hope you got a laugh. I think it would be pretty hilarious following me around with a camera for a day

Slacking off...

So. I've been terrible at blogging. I'm going to work on it.

I swear.

I

Zune Zoon Zune (sing it... it'll make more sense)

So... as I said, I've been terrible with my blog of late. I've been parenting *(see upcoming "every citizen needs to shake a kid - it's our our only hope for the future" blog), throwing a massive number of events (although I wanted to reduce the number to 30 this year, I'm already above that in early Oct), catching up with old friends, and trying (unsuccessfully) to eat more healthily - if that's a word. My car's head gasket went (whatever that means), and I had a streak of bad luck and funny instances like the adventures of Ian the non-bus taker on the TTC...

One of the main reasons that I haven't been on this toy is because, like a 3 year old, when presented with a new toy, the old toy seems to go by the wayside. When that new toy is a member of a toy family that, when coming together like Voltron, creates an even more fabulous toy - well, to be frank, the blog gets neglected for weeks. Okay... maybe a month.

My new toy is called a Microsoft Zune, and it goes with my other new toys, the Blackberry Worldphone (that I talked about in my first ever blog) and a car with Bluetooth and MP3 capabilities. See where the problem comes in? I'm not even sure you should be able to do that many things at once - answer your phone with the car, listen to the music, drive and eat an Angus Burger with cheese (from Harvey's - my new craving of the moment... you'd think I'm pregnant).

I digress... Although I'm not a super Microsoft fan, the Zune is an amazing little toy - I'd expect no less from Bill Gates (who's story I love [especially the drop out of university and create a successful company part - although my mom ultimately made me go back). [Editor's note: Coincidentally he's absolutely hilarious *(watch Bill Gates' last day of work).

As I was saying, the Zune is Microsoft's answer to the Ipod... I never had an Ipod, for, after all, I spend a great number of hours in front of the computer. When I'm not on the computer, I'm in the car, or in the living room where my entertainment unit, and my collection of CDs is. I don't jog, and as unsuccessful as my attempt to eat healthily (word?) have been, my attempts to make it to the gym make them pale in comparison... Needless to say, I had absolutely NO reason for an MP3 player, despite everyone's insistence that I get one.

So I get one. [LOL]. In a strange groundhog day sort of way (ala my Blackberry post) I don't know how I lived without it. Once I figured it out that is.

So the Zune I got is an 8meg one - which they say can hold 2000 songs... which is great until you start putting in music and realize that that's only ummm 2000 divided by umm average 12 songs per album = 166 albums. Its not that much when you start to upload all your ummm... acquired music from your computer and your albums too. If you put any video on there, that's reduced drastically, and you HAVE to put some pics on there too - your neice, your godchildren, and your own beautiful kids. Anyway, the point I'm making is - if you're buying an MP3 player - zune zune or ipod, go for the bigger one... or you'll be erasing stuff all the time to make room like my first digital camera lol...

This is quickly turning into a tech review lol... Anyway - in my limited interactions with the IPOD, I've hated the click wheel thingy, because, like many photogallery's on the internet you have to come out to go in... levels and levels. The Zune is easy to use for non fancy guys like me. [read: non-nerd]. I accidentally noticed (again like my camera) that when you turn the unit sideways, the pics turn sideways too. I'm impressed by little things. BUT - the controls flip sideways too. Ha. Oh. And it has a radio too. So I can go on a 6pm walk and listen to Scratch or Socasize to Dr. Jay on Sundays. Let's see if either happen lol. And speaking of Jay, I've set it up to get his podcasts, Wristpect's podcasts, Jester's and a couple of my favorite radio shows too. That's dope. (cause now I can listen in the car).

And my complaints... because you know there had to be some. The Zune doesn't work with my mac. And its "i-tunes" store sucks for selection. And it doesn't sell any movies (I wanted to buy Speiderman just to try it. I guess I may be a nerd). And one of the things I was looking forward to was watching TV shows - again. No go. And the BIG thing about the zune was the ability to wirelessly transfer music. When I read up, I came to understand that these TRANSFERS were to other people... Why not too and from my computer? That would make it fast and easy when I'm running out the door to drop the new jocking Jay-z or Swagger like Jay-z or any other new Jay-z that I'm trying to hear, quick and easy... And although everything has a camera, I wish it did as my Blackberry worldphone DOESN'T. So I can upload photos to both, but can't take any with either. Sigh. And it doesn't play WAV files. I noticed that by accident yesterday.

And now for the WORSE thing. I hate the software. It's slow and they're Microsoft. They should have just made it 2 explorer windows and made it drag and drop instead of this fancy, pretty Zune software, which is too complicated to work. You have to put the songs that are uploading to the zune into a "zune directory" and the zune pulls them off. Arrgh. I don't want to copy my files into a directory... I just want to drop them from where they are.

But - I can play it in the car, so at least when I do manage to get new music up on it, I can listen on my way from work to work and all points in between ummm... work. Did I mention I got a converter to change the power outlet to a plug so I can use my laptop in the car? I think I need a vacation lol.

Zune Zoon Zune...

I

p.s. As I went to press save on this blog, new software that just downloaded allows the Zune to drag and drop individual songs... I guess it's a work in progress...

IMPORTANT: PETITION FOR CIUT RE: WORLDWIDE 89.5 - PLEASE READ

"I don't sleep, I'm tired, I feel wired like codeine..." JAY-Z

What's up?

I feel hopeless. It's 4:03am and I just came off a three hour conversation with Young Future... my hope for the future - discussing the future of our city. I feel hopeless. It seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I'm here praying that on the 9th of September, two days before the buildings fell down, that our tallest freestyling structure can break through where none from Toronto have before. Its a lot of pressure, but the future of Toronto's hip hop community lies squarely on the hands, and albeit large shoulders of one individual - Kardinal Offishall... and that's a lot of pressure for one guy. Even when you're 6 foot plus. {His album "Not for Sale" is in stores September 9th}.

I pray that as we TRULY know the meaning of SUPPORT next Tuesday. I'll be in the store buying a few copies or at least one to start with. Please scrape together your pennies and do the same - if Kardi doesn't make it, it's a wrap for our city...

Anyway...

This is yet another sleepless night for me - and I'm going to the radio station in and hour... Speaking of which - did I mention I feel hopeless?

I've always known that you can't build a castle in someone else's kingdom. However, I've always thought that if you do something - excellently, that somewhere along the line that you MUST be given the respect that you deserve. I find that this isn't always the case - and though I've been personally blessed, I'm disgusted that after over 10 years of service to CIUT that Jester's radio show is treated with an irreverance and lack of regard that is befitting of no one - much less someone that has been one of the leaders in fundraising and one of the highest sources of ad income for the station.

If you haven't heard, Worldwide's timeslot has been changed once again. Now instead of listening to Jester and Chief from 6-9... or from the recent 5:30am - 8:30, the show - one of the few pure sources of urban and caribbean music - will now end at 8am.

As I sit here typing to "politics as usual" in the background, I contemplate the conundrum - should Jester put up a fight and potentially upset the establishment that is CIUT fm, and even more realistically lose his radio show - or should he be quiet and take the insult {that he wasn't consulted but TOLD that this was his new time slot? Keep in mind that the time change isn't so much the insult as the lack of regard is... As is the almost seeming exclusion from the familial establishment that IS the radio station. In the almost 11 years that I've been supporting Jester - as far back as Prodigy - I've NEVER seen them included in the stations celebratory processes... I've NEVER seen them granted the ability to circumvent other programming to celebrate things such as Caribana or even their 10 year anniversary... I've never seen as much as a congratulations - a mention of their successes - so much so that I'm sure that Paul has internalized and responded in kind by not wanting to be involved so much so that I wonder if CIUT even knows that Worldwide has won accolades for college radio show of the year?}. I digress.

More important than any of my thoughts above is that we talk about support a lot in our community - our musical community, or community community... I hope that in these 2 instances, that we can ACTUALLY support...

Pick up Kardi's record on Tuesday September 9th - whether you like him or not for your city.
- and -

Make your voice heard at CIUT FM. My belief is that either direction that he goes, that we, the community that call in for fundraising or spend money on advertising should not stand by idle - as though without a voice when our voice is needed the most. We talk about respect - I think this is one on the times that you - we - make our voice heard.

Coincidentally, the time change also affects King Turbo's Morning Ride - a staple for Reggae in the community as well.

I urge you, if you enjoy the shows - listen frequently or infrequently - that you send your thoughts on the shortening of the show to those who make decisions - in the most respectful and eloquent manner possible. You are a representative of a community that is marred by stereotypes - be sure not to reinforce them...

I've included the names of the people who make the decisions. Please be sure to bcc me - ( ian@amnesia.ca ). I'm curious to see your responses to this sad state of affairs...

Station Manager:	Brian Burchell Email: b.burchell at ciut.fm
Program Director:	Ken Stowar Email: ken.stowar at ciut.fm

Til next time...


I