Scratch and Dent Dreams

A lot of times we get disillusioned by the media and movies about how easy life is. And we get spoon fed with those happy ending stories that seem to be right out of a fairy tale. Truth be told, life is hard and usually does not get told in a story. And when some people realize this they become down trodden and give up. Most become addicts or dealers and others just shut themselves off from society altogether. They never try enough to achieve that happy ending. This poem I found, on my usual YouTube spree is beautifully put together. Not too complicated, and ends with a beautiful message. Realize that all your hard work will pay off in the end and bring smiles to people faces as well as yours.

And now I present:

Scratch and Dent Dreams - Eric Darby

The Age of Tasha

Dear Tasha (& Anyone else who may read this),

This past year (both semesters) has been an eventful one and a life changing one. Who knew there could be such a baby employed at FIU? This past year was one of the best I could have asked for, partly because of the luck I had of being under Baby's expert tutelage, but also because of the life friends I met along the way (Yes, even you Tasha). I'll reciprocate the list of things I remember back to all of you.

Starting with how you walked in 10 minutes late and you had this cara of "I'm going to kill one of you if you don't move out of my way."
Where in front of a bunch of people I didn't know, I called Lola a Tira Flecha, and called Arthur (yeah that random kid who dropped your class because you were a hard ass) a loser for going to Columbus.
Finding out that your nickname is Tasha Baby.
Having Yeli do that little chant that pretty much assured how close the class was going to be.
Noyra being perfect.
Ruben talking, just talking, about anything and in great detail.
Me hiding your Pollo Tropical.
All of us waiting for you to have your quick smoke with your friend just before class.
ALL of the feminist works we had to do, even though you are not feminist.
The presentations we always had to do.
Anime Club! And Eric totally passing because of me.
Bianca laughing.
The random discussions of communism and Che.
Noyra and Ruben secretly dating.
Posting up vandalizing blogs on your blog.
Trying to trick you into telling me your views on all these issues. [I think that's when I first thought, "Oh, she's my friend from now on"]
Finally deciding we would all go on to your 1102 class.
The farewell party we had, just because we could have it.
The first day of class in 1102 where we ALL wanted to get rid of Alex. (I'm sure some of us still do)
How you were hell bent on separating us, but were too lazy to do anything about it.
Circle time.
Having all those moments where both of us snapped at eachother.
Introducing you to Def Poetry Jams, and Taylor Mali, Steve Coleman, and Saul Williams.
You talking about your family again, and again, and yes... again.
Zen Zuu!?
Calling you up at like 12 to have you pretty much tell Jon "Fuck you, and do it over again."
Walking you to class.
Smoking with you.
Nicole, Crystal, and I trying to get drunk the day before your classes.
Roberto speaking English.
Tra-La-La
More of Bianca's laughing.
Anthony thinking he could get you.
And you reminding him and everyone else that again... you have a family.
Meeting Santi, Sasha, Roger, Christi, Aaron, and Precious, at that non-existent house visit, where there was no alcohol served to someone underage. [BTW i'm 19 not 20]
Presentations and nicknames.
Ending up having the best Freshmen year, because I met you and everyone else.

You have been so understanding and patient with me. Even I would have kicked my ass out a few times. Just know all the snaps and jokes are just my way of showing I care about you. You seriously have been one of the better things to come walking into my life and I don't regret one second of it. You have been way more than a teacher, you have a been an inspiration, a role model, and a friend. And although you don't believe, I thank the Lord every chance I get for the blessing He laid in my hands. Thank you Tasha for everything you've done. Whether you knew it or not, you changed my life, for worse or for better. You are those rare rays of sunshine that creep into peoples lives and just stick. Thank you, and don't be sad :]

Yours in Christ and Love
Dantes Alán Gutiérrez

Children of the Night

I got into one of my spoken poetry phases tonight, so why not bring back the king of spoken word poetry? Here is Saul Williams once again blowing everyone's mind away. I still don't have the entire meaning to this poem.


Children of the Night - Saul Williams

A Word From Our Sponsors

Now it is not a secret that I'm a smart ass, or that I pretty much have an answer to just about anything said within hearing distance. And fine, I know most have already come to pass judgment on me. Which I don't really have too much of a problem with. I may come off as arrogant or pigheaded, which I probably am, but let me assure you it's not in the degree that I let on. But there is a side of me I hope I can share with you and be able to express myself about freely. (Not because I feel like I'll be persecuted for it, but because I don't feel like anyone can relate.) I do have an intellectual side, and I love hearing other's opinions and ideas, because they will either strengthen or alter my resolve. [[Yes, I am rambling.]] In the end, all I'm saying is don't close yourself off to the world around you, past or present. You must be ever vigilant and stand squarely on your views. Don't be afraid to think, great moments do not come to people who are unwilling to break the barriers of the box and explore the world around them. "Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless." Do not just sit inanimately as the world passes you by. Every one of us has a calling, everyone of us has a responsibility that we must learn to take up, whether we know it now or not, we should all embrace the fact that all of us are here for a purpose. The journey of life is to seek out that purpose and watch it be fulfilled. "Start by doing what is necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." Believe in what compels you. Embrace what moves you, and makes you an individual. And Protect what means most to you.

Now with all of that said, I'm going to introduce another Def Poetry Jam poem. Probably the best one I can ever show you. I've had to listen to this so many times before I fully understood it. The poet is Saul Williams, and he should be the poet laureate of America. If you have no idea what that is, find out.

So here it is, my ace in hand....

Coded Language - Saul Williams

Drum role please...

The winners are.... in third place: a tie between Brittney and Kim. For no complicated reason other than, I know them and they deserve it. :] Congrats to you two.
Second place goes to Brian T. His simply page really caught my attention, because it wasn't too gaudy, but it did enough to show who this person was. Seems like a very interesting individual who has something to say. Congrats to Mr T.
First goes to........




drum role please......


Arnold. His... very long about me along with his videos and pictures show a very interesting side to him and show a lot of passion, albeit a very superficial passion, a passion nonetheless. Wayta go you, and your car racing.....

Yisel's Song

I am doing a review of Yisel Casteñeira's song analysis of If Everyone Cared - Nickelback. Yisel's introduction was rather well. Nice and clean and to the point. She has a slight slip of when she says: "This song is kind of a call of action". Be assertive and have a strong conviction to what you are saying. "Because it isn't enough these days to question authority. You've got to speak with it, too." Yisel writes very well, which I'm ashamed to say, am surprised at, but she sure does make me swallow my words, or rather, my thoughts. She did a very good job in doing her research. She shows a lot of passion by doing her homework and reading up on what the music video shows. Finally the conclusion is very good, strong and it leaves little room for change. I think Yisel deserves a C though, because that is just how I grade.













....She deserves no less than an A.

Before my next prompt

I haven't been online in a while to go check out some Def Poetry Jam. And today I just happened to find this poem that hit me hard. So many familiar names who's works I've read, and a hell of a lot more that will become known to me. Very strong words and an even stronger love for the art of poetry.



Gemineye "Poetic Bloodline"

Now this one is by the same poet. And I hope you'll like this Tasha-baby. It's your favourite type. Promoting thought.



Gemineye "Penny for Your Thoughts"