The Great Debate

Originally after seeing the movie on Christmas day I wasn't going to write on the movie and share my thoughts with you all. You see initially I was hesitant to see the movie in the 1st place and felt Denzel may have made a critical error at this point in his career by directing and staring in this film. However, my mother a older southern black women loves Mr. Washington an insisted that we go out and support his film as he can do no wrong. I ordered the tickets for myself my brother and my mother and headed to the theater open minded. What I saw was what was truly a great movie containing a story of struggles, how to overcome adversity in tumultuous times, and what happens when you believe in yourself.

The story was set in rural Louisiana in what we consider the deep south down there below the Mason Dixon line. Denzel portrayed the great debate coach at Wiley college, Melvin Tolson a man who lead two lives all for the betterment of not only African Americans, but Americans as a whole. I became engulfed in this film and the multiple stories that were told within it. A young boy struggling to be like his well accomplished father and struggling with love, happiness, and adolescence all at the same time. See I could identify with particular parts of this movie and the struggle that certain characters encountered.

At one point during the movie the debate team is traveling to a debate against Pepperdine University and happen upon a Lynch Mob. For those of you not familiar a lynch mob was/is a group of whites who gathered together for the hanging of a black person and lighting them on fire. It was this scene that was most difficult to bear. See my roots are from the deep south, you know down there below the mason dixon line and the simple thought of knowing that this is what my family members and others before me had to go through in order for me to be able to having the blessings and opportunities that I have today was to say the least extremely humbling and emotional. I looked over at my mother beside me and saw her filled with anger, tears, and emotion. It wasn't until she reached out and grabbed my hand that I realized the significance of this movie and my elder family before me.

We spoke about it briefly on the way home about what touched her so much within the movie to spark such anger and tears. She spoke on things she witnessed as a child growing up in the south and spoke on how the movie brought back to reality many images and thoughts that she went through as child. You know it's difficult to hear someone speak of being in the car with their father on the way to church and having to drive through town and pass through a Ku Klux Klan rally every week. See Generations before us took unified steps to allow better more prosperous lives for us and we must be sure to do so for those after us.

Now I'm not saying that the word can be perfect or that racism will one day end, but what I am saying is that we can damn sure try if not because we want to but that we need to. We need to continue to move forward as a people and as brothers and sisters. No one is saying you need to go out and be some sort of radical and start a revolution, but what I am saying is that if we all do our part we will fair much better than we are now. The world is in turbulent times, countrymen are killing countrymen, brothers are killing brothers, and races are killing races. Lets ban together as those before us did for betterment of those that will follow.

I encourage you all to go out and see The Great Debators regardless of where you are and what the color of your skin is. You will surly be entertained and touched by a incredibly great story.

Peace

Misunderstood......

I'm starting to think I'm misunderstood......seen in a different light, or possibly not seen at all. I've never had a problem with people not understanding me because I don't understand some people. What I don't understand however is how you can come to a unbiased opinion on something you know nothing about. Everyone thinks they know everything and everyone is to worried about what everyone else is doing. Do YOU.....be YOU....stop forcing it. You don't have to have this or that just to try and be the person everyone else wants you to be. I wonder where everyone went wrong? For me...I remember the days. Most of you already know by now, but yea I mean shit....I'm country....I come from farms,grits,pork, and dirt. I've never claimed to be anything other than what I am. Now I'm not no saint nor have I ever claimed to be, but I do know that I come from value and have certian things institled in me. I don't know all of you and the ones I do know I may not know well. I've always stayed true to who I was for the most part. I never tried to conform to the masses, it isn't really in my "swagger" to do that. I'm way to proud of who I am and what I'm from. I don't claim to be hard or from the hood (even though I will smack your shoelaces untied) I don't try to dress like YOU or THEM. I just do me matter fact that's all I've ever done cause I've always wanted to stand out. Not because I wanted any particular accliam, but because I always felt like their isn't anyone else like me, nobody else on my level. In no way does that mean I'm superior to any other. What that does mean is that I understand individuality. It seems like I'm just rambling.......these are really just my thoughts you know........basically how I'm feeling at the time. I feel like people are focusing on all the wrong things. Kicks this Kicks that.....I'm tired of it...I'm out the shoe game for a bit too. It's saturated with a bunch of wannabees and it's hurting me because I've been in it since the beginning. I remember when Nike dropped the Bret Farve Zooms back in 95 and 96 and how I lost my mind and felt like I had to jump through hoops to get my Mom to pick them up. Shit, I remember me and Dennis were at the pool and had on the OG raptors and they got stolen out of our locker while we were swimming. I remember that feeling of being so hurt and not being able to understand why someone would do that. Looking back years later I don't know why that person took those shoes, but i hope they brought the same joy to that person that they brought to me. I know I had a shoe problem in 6th grade when we played Alex English's sons team in my rec leauge and the kid always had the craziest looking shoes. Since that point I've always been concerned about what's on my feet. Your not a shoehead because you get every SB that comes out, but really what the hell is a shoehead anyway? I've never called myself that....you all call me that. To me it's normal to have such a infatuation with beautiful art. I don't know maybe I'm tripping and it's just this mood I've been in Latley. All i've been doing is throwing on my Fav CD on the Ipod and just taking a walk or whatever and just thinking, reflecting, planning for tomorrow, and enjoying the beauty that life brings everyday.

-Living Fresh

He's Back....

So a new post has been long over due instead of re-capping the last month of my life for the sake of your reading. I'm just going to start with this past weekend and keep it moving. So lets see school is right around the corner it's already gearing up to be one hell of a year. The summer was Def one to remember many many good times. I hope everyone can say the same. I FINALLY got to make some much needed changes to my bike that I've been wanting to do which i'll toss in here later. Turned 21 on the 31st of July and it was just straight Bananas! I've been loving every minute of it. I got plenty of new pick ups over the past 3 weeks and I just copped the Rad blue/red Vans yesterday which are official. I'll be through tomorrow with some more post. As you know I'm still.....






AYO!





These are for sale still by the way. I haven't been pushing them much just here on the blog I'll list them and some olives in a 11.5 on NT this week.





Email me a offer at Futurerei@gmail.com

By the way just let me know I can take plenty of pics and can tag them as well with my other NT name VaGixxer.

R.I.P.........Jason Hendrick

I'll post thoughts and feelings sometime later. RIP.....one of the few people I met that was comfortable with life and I always respected that from day 1.

On this Day we Marched Together with our brothers in UNITY.....

Alright, not sure how to even start this one off today, but we'll see where this goes. I remember distinctively in the fall of 1995 how certain events unfolded. My family was very involved in my childhood and in teaching my brother and I information on our history as well as the struggles that many before us encountered in order to pave the way for the blessings I was bestowed in my own life. The scenery was much different from what it is now. I don't remember ever hearing the word "Nigger" I don't ever remember feeling out of place or like I didn't belong. This was back when I lived in South Carolina in a mostly black area and went to a mostly black school. I never understood exactly what my father was trying to say nor did I understand everything that he was doing, but as I sat here and reflected today after running across this picture on the Internet it all makes sense............

Both my parents come from a struggle. They've both encounter many things I've never experienced. My father grew up in what some call " the Ghetto" my mother was a farm girl from rural South Carolina. Each saw racism in different ways. I remember my mom telling me stories of growing up and not being able to cross over the fence in the backyard into the White families yard behind them because she wasn't allowed there. I think of the times when she remembers when schools in the south were integrated and the pain she had to endure on a day to day basis. I've never been through anything like that never felt THAT kind of FEAR. The Million Man March took place in October of 1995. I recall my Dad saying that he was going to go March For OUR people for OUR NATION. NO not for Blacks, but for the unity of America and the equalities of our rights.



He must have known I didn't know what he was saying, but new it would touch me profoundly some time later in my life. We have a War going on outside no one is safe from. Brother killing brother sisters killing sisters communities killing communities. On this day A million+ Black, white and men of other ethnic backgrounds marched together to show America that WE could ALL come TOGETHER. I wonder what it would have been like to have been there. To march with my fellow brothers and Americans for something I believed in. Everyday it is a fight to be able to be a black man in this country. Would I trade it for anything? No not in my wildest dreams. Why? because it has made me appreciate life and it's blessings. Coming where I'm from it wasn't any manicured lawns, school buses, blacks AND whites, or toys to play with. I'm blessed and thankful for how far we have come over the last 40 years. I remember my Mom telling me stories of growing up and never having any toys. That her and her sisters had to make their own dolls and other toys to play with. I admire her struggle as well as others struggle whatever it may be. It's like I just want to say thank you for all those who came before me for all those who continue to pave the way to allow me to be what I am and who I plan to be. My mother always told me "I raise you in order for you to provide a better life than I have provided for you to your family" and her mother told her the same thing. I guess what this all means is that we can come together and we can be thankful for our surrounding and to never take anything for granted..........This kind of got away from the Million Man March, but that's how it goes when your typing from the heart.



- Living Fresh

Some pictures from this past week......

I've been getting my days mixed up all week due to the holiday, but what a beautiful one it was. Got a bed for the new place from Value City thanks to Mom so the new place will have a good look or at least somewhere to start. A lot of things went down prior to the fireworks on the 4Th some good many bad....but I guess that just the way it is. Now for the pictures.....

I've been working on my picture taking skills and feel like I've been getting better. Compared to my fireworks pictures from last year these are incredible. I think they came out great though...

Also, I almost forgot Pickups from this week courtesy of the Gap....

- Living Fresh

Iphone=Copped

As I said the Iphone was purchased. Was in line Friday at 4 and out of AT&T by 6:30 and even had time to play with a demo device. I'm really happy with the fun and the amount of the lowered bill. it is without some features, but I'm not trippen it's all good.........been sick all day threw up for a few hours so I don't feel like typing much as of right now. Check back tomorrow I'll post some pics from over the weekend as well as new pick ups for over the weekend.

Here is a unpackaged pick....



And alil something from tonight.....





Living Fresh

Iphone.........

Where do I start?......this phone is incredible. Everything you ever wanted, but limited to a few necessities. Anyone that knows me knows by now that I'm a Apple Fan boy....hate all you want. I have a Mac book Pro as of right now and have been using it since July with no problems whatsoever. I hold a lot of respect for Apple, however I have a few gripes with them as well. Nonetheless, a lot of you have been telling to to pass on version one wait for the second Gen yada yada ya.....guess what.....HELL NO......call me a hypebeast......I don't care. The design is mesmerizing........the functionality is superp. However, MMS isn't supported for all of you non GeekDoom folks that's picture messaging and on the initial release of the Iphone it isn't supported you are required to email your photos to people. I also don't like the fact that 3G capabilities aren't available, but it's only received in 126 cities per AT&T's website so for them to reach the sales goals they are looking to reach this doesn't seem smart as a business move to exclude it to those cities only. Once AT&T continues to improve its network and include 3G in more cities Apple won't release one capable it just doesn't make sense from a numbers standpoint.

Enough of what I think.....here's a look a a few different reviews from various large national media outlets.

The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has posted his review (click the word review)of the Iphone which you can read and see sheds light on just about everything in regards to the phone.

Some highlights:

- largest, highest resolution screen of any smart phone they've seen, most internal memory

- Impressive battery life and thin

- Feels solid- Regarding the touch keyboard: "After five days of use, Walt -- who did most of the testing for this review -- was able to type on it as quickly and accurately as he could on the Palm Treo he has used for years."

- Can't use T-Mobile SIM cards- Wi-Fi capability doesn't fully make up for the lack of a fast cellular data capability- Multi touch: "effective, practical and fun"

- No way to copy/paste text- Microsoft's Exchange system support- Voice call quality was good, but not great- Can't record video- No Adobe Flash support- Songs can't be set as ring tones

The NY Times review <----click there to read it.......

Some highlights:

- "so sleek and thin, it makes Treos and BlackBerrys look obese."

- After walking around with the iPhone unprotected for 2 weeks, no marks on it. Glass smudges are easily wiped off.- Making calls can be a 6 step process if phone is off.

- Web, Email is superior- Battery Life Test: 5 hours video, 23 hours audio. Note: did not turn off Wi-Fi and other features as Apple suggests.

- Typing was OK. Difficult at first, but learned to "trust" the keyboard. "The BlackBerry won’t be going away anytime soon."

- Cites AT&T network as iPhone's biggest downfall. Cites Consumer Reports survey which ranks AT&T network as last or second to last in 19 out of 20 major US cities.

You have to make the decision for yourself, but I know I'll have one in my hands in two days for better or worse, hopefully better.

Now......

For all you saying...."Chris you already have a Treo why the Iphone it's $600"

You know....math isn't my strongest point, but lets take a look at the cost of my Treo vs the cost of the Iphone shall we?

OK, I purchased my Treo 700W on release date for the price of about $425 after taxes with a new number with Verizon. I pay right around $150 a month and that plan includes:

1350 anytime minutes

Free mobile to Mobile

Unlimited Text M2M

2500 text to additional carriers

Phone insurance

Unlimited Data Package

Total_______________

$150.00 Give or take a few cents.

OK, so a year that's running me around 1,900 dollars not including accessories, SD Cards ETC.

that's just the service.

Let me layout the Iphone plans....

$59.99/mo for 450 voice minutes
$79.99/mo for 900 voice minutes
$99.99/mo for 1,350 voice minutes

Me personally I'll be going for 900 minutes. Verizon didn't offer a in between when I went from 450 I was told the next up was 1350 minutes. Cingular/AT&T offers rollover which allows you to build up minutes further helping you from exceeding your limit.

So lets take that 79.99 plan along with another 20$ a month tacked on for unlimited text and I'm looking at around $1200 a year. That adds up a lot better to me. That $79.99 plan also includes unlimited data. That was a no brain er.

My only problem is that Cingular/ AT&T doesn't offer insurance through it's carrier Asurian(sp) on its smart phones Apple does provide a initial warranty though it's not stated how long this last nor what it includes. So it looks like it's up to me to find insurance depending on the length and terms of the warranty.

So, June 29Th I'll be shinning with the Iphone...I know I know.....but whatever.....I know it's Pros's and I know its Con's....I'll cop the next Gen and each one after that. If you can't find the info your looking for here check out this site.

http://www.macrumors.com/

It's good to know that I'm getting some traffic here on the Blog....with due time it will continue to get better with more info/news/post regarding yours truly. Look out for that weekly pickup post coming next week. I'll show you how I do......

But....for NOW.....I'm somewhere in VA.......simply.....

-Living Fresh

The most wonderful things in life are often under apperciated.......

Things have been pretty laid back as of late.....just how I like em to be. Spending time with those closest to me and striving to be what I'm supposed to be. Nobody said this road would be easy.........I've learned that a dream is nothing more than what you make it. If you keep it and hold it as nothing more than merely a dream then that's all it is........what you should strive for is a dream come true........

I've been waking up each morning thinking about what each day may bring......I've come to a few recent realizations which have been both peaceful and motivating at the same time. You never know what tomorrow may bring....opportunities are endless....Your Plan....is Your Plan....I'm starting to feel like that big break is right through the next door....I'm not opening doors I'm kicking them in.....I refuse to let anyone dictate my future but me........


Few pictures from this past Saturday.....

Franchesca and I hit up Shoney's sat morning at her suggestion.....She knows that is my Favorite breakfast spot......




I know your going to be checking back and you know who you are. Hell your picture used to be in this spot.......It's gone forgetten so chill!....You won't be seen on here again and I apologize. SMH

Let me also note......these are for sale.....email me a offer......futurerei@gmail.com
SIZE 10.5
Hit me up for more pictures......




As you can see I'm.........

-Living Fresh

I write it all down so one day when lifes all sweet I remember......

last few days have been both exciting and disappointing at the same time. Lot of people have been loosing their life unexpectedly recently. It's hard reading the news and reading about people passing. I'm thank and blessed to be here everyday. I may not get on my knees and let god know it everyday, but he knows how I feel. You have to remember it's someone always worse off than you are.....Count your blessings and keep.....

-Living Fresh

And another one...

"I say fuck the police, that's how I treat em.

We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom

We'll buy a lot of clothes when we don't really need em"

Another ticket...4 in two months....Shit is out of control. They are really out here trying to get me. The 1st three I can admit I should have gotten that one. That one today from this cop Nah.....how You speeding when you aren't moving? Riddle me that? LOL...seriously Dude was in traffic behind me for 3 minutes then all of a sudden when traffic starts moving "whoop whoop"....."Do you know how fast you were going" ........"What the hell are you talking about traffic wasn't moving I JUST turned onto the street." "License and registration please" "Man this is some bullshit....whatever here." Got to love the city.....

- Living Fresh

The Slump is Over we Winnin again...

"It aint da car
It's Tha Way It's Kitted Yall
Meaning, It's Tha Little Things
Like Tha Way My Fitted Fall

Tha Way My Posture Lean
Tha Way My Necklace Hang
You Should Respect This Game
If Not Then Exspect This Bang
But All This Wreckless Slang
It Dont Effect Us Man
They Build You Up To Break You Down
It's Jus Like Tetris Man
Thats Why I Sex Miss Thang
And Let Tha Next Miss Hang
And Even If I Wake Up Late, I Do Tha Breakfest Thang"




Ever feel like you just got your swagger back? like you was not on your game for a lil bit an then just came back with that Ether.

Yea, that's how i'm feelin right now...with the summer that means back to business. More real estate more time to spend it. I hope everyone is getting there money up this summer. cause as of right now....in case you missed the status on facebook. I'm not being modest anymore. I'm 20 about to turn 21....I got to stunt a little bit. That way when I'm older and on the golf course I can get extra conservative with my thigh high dockers on. I'm feelin like I got my swagger back...maybe it's the weather...maybe it's the shorties runnin around partially clothed whatever it is....i'm glad I found it......That's the only thing new with me today I know i've been slackin on the daily updates...and I need to do that for myself so that I can keep some kind of perspective on everything one day. Thanks for reading.......I know for a fact some of you all are lurkin in the shadows and that's all good.

I'm out here somewhere......just

-Living Fresh

These Airs I Wear....

" Bad yella bitch keep my passenger seat warm
Leg hangin' out the window, you ain't got these on"


I started collecting shoes back in '99. I wasn't asking my parents to get me the latest Jordan's or Nike's because I wanted to be the coolest kid in school. NO it was never about that. It was about the feeling I got when I laced a new pair of kicks on my feet. Shit, I didn't even wear most of my new kicks maybe once or twice they were just so good to look at. These days the game done changed. You got dudes claiming to be a sneaker head because they got 5 pairs of shoes and they think that it's fly. Be yourself real heads collect because we love it. This whole culture is getting to mainstream thanks to every ones favorite guy STEVE over at Instyleshoes. I mean damn...wall street journal articles.....news reports.....people getting robbed for new releases. All because Major shoe companies want to fool you kids into thinking your getting the illest shoes out by offering all these limited edition shoes eh......MAN....I just had to vent...Sneakers are about so much more....but yet so much less than what they are making it out to be. Do it because it means something to you not because your trying to impress a group of people........Y'all take it easy.....thanks for stopping by......You know how I do...I hope your doing the same..just keep on....

-Living Fresh

Can you go wrong with this weather?

Thank to Dustin from hypebeast for the photo.

"honking at the honey in front of you with the light eyes she turn around to see what you beeping at it's like the summers a natural afradesiac and with a pen and pad I compose this rhyme to hit you and get you equipped for the summer time"

Man, the summer is a wonderful thing. birds chirpping, burning car seats, females without clothing, hoopin outside, trips to the park, leather on the sneakers glizting, and posting up outside for no reason. Yup, I love the summer their is no other season like it. I hardly listen to the radio anymore, but I was checking to see if my song "wipe me down" was on since it always is and low and behold they had the late 80's early 90's summer anthem "Summer Time" getting a spin. In 2028 they will still be playing this song leading into the summer at this point it's neccessary just to make sure everyone is aware summer has arrived. I try to make it a point not to be stuck up in the house on days like this. You have to go out and do something hell wash your car, take your girl somewhere, or just sit on the porch and chill it's just to beautiful outside. Fellas PLEASE make sure your hitting the shop once a week and keeping the cut fresh. You got dudes walkin around like a extra from planet of the apes....YOU know who you are keep it fresh keep the braids tight.... after you've taken care of that go out an holla at the chick you've been waiting to get at all summer....Summer love is in the air this is the season of break-ups if your trying to get in with her...now is the time to do it..so you'll be ready to cuddle up on those cold winter nights next winter....BASICALLY Get off your ass and go do somethin Ya Dig?

You already know what I'm doing.....

-Livin Fresh

Life in the fast lane.......

Let me try to give some of you some insight. I don't know whose going to read this and this isn't to any particular group of people. People come up to me all the time from my own mother to people I don't even know saying the same things concerning me riding a motorcycle. "CJ one day your going to kill yourself you need to be careful" I could go on an on with the quotes. Fact of the matter is I KNOW THIS. I've tried so many times to explain why I ride hard....why I hardly hit the breaks....why I take the corners so hard. My fellow riders can appreciate this as well as some non-riders..

Let me make sure anyone who is reading this understands a few things. I didn't buy a bike for the glitz an the flash....Yea, I may be flashy at times, but when it comes to riding it's different. I don't give two shits about riding up and down Broad st till my engine overheats to look good to a few females.....I don't want to sit around at a gas station for 6 hours and then go home. It's all well an good to stop in meet a few riders and bounce and hit some routes....but some of you dudes looking to get bikes or with them all ready have them for all the wrong reasons.......that shit is sad....real talk....I ride for the thrill, the rush, not knowing what's around the next corner, seeing how far I can push the bike, and finding that next treasure of a road.

PLEASE understand...this doesn't mean I don't care if I die or have disregard for life. I just don't hold back...I can't allow myself not to enjoy the pleasures of life out of simple fear. God or YOUR higher being has a plan for each of us. Our time is our time....I can't look back in 40 years and say I could have done this and that, but I didn't...because of Fear.



For around two years I've been trying to figure out the perfect words to help you all understand...I've found them....they aren't mine, but do include feelings that I hold inside and is everything I want to say........


"I ride because it can kill me. Every time I pull on my helmet and light my engine, I do so knowing that I may not reach my destination. I choose to tempt fate as if I’ve nothing left to lose.

I ride because it’s more than I can afford to lose. I work to feed myself, and I cannot work from a hospital. One crash may be too much: I may not be able to make it through. I’m playing for all the marbles this time.

I ride because it scares me. When the margin for error gets small and the price for failure great, I get tense and I get nervous. I get reminded that I’m not yet ready to go. I know that I’ve more to live for.

I ride because I can push through the fear. Every day I push closer and closer to the pavement, knowing that I will eventually find it, again. I know that I will tear more leather, skin, plastic, and steel. I reach for it still.

I ride because my bike is more capable than I. There is power and performance yet to be found in that machine. It is capable of standing up at eighty miles per hour. It can carve up the mountains faster than my Porsche. I must rise up to meet its abilities. It will stick if I trust it. It will throw me if I fail to respect it.

I ride because I want to control that beast. I can make that bike yield to my command. I can force it to run faster and deeper than it should. I can hold it down when it begs to scream. I can cut, weld, and rebuild it to fit the mold of my will. It has no purpose aside from that which I give it.

I ride because no one believed I could. I was told that I could not handle the speed, could not control the power. I was told that I lacked the experience and the judgment. I was told that I was not strong enough. I was told that I couldn’t pay the price. I was told that I would not survive. Still I ride.

I ride because it makes me feel alive. Every second that I shy away from death, every second that I feel the pain of misjudgment, every second I feel the power of this machine and reach to find its edges, I am reminded that I am still alive, inside and out."

Peace

Here I am in all my glory.....

Ok, I'm here now ready to set the world on fire. People have been asking me where my blog was since last year. I've been putting it off forever and today figured would be a good time to start. Summer is in the air and the rain is gone. This blog will touch on everything whatever I want it to that day however many times a day. My grammer won't always be right and my speliing isn't top notch, but i'm going to drop info on fashion, what i'm thinking at the time, shoes, album reviews and downloads. It's just me being me if you don't like it.....You can peace yourself out.