"Cheerio"

Today was in a way...weird man!  But lessons always learned.   Earlier this morning had a chance to finish up this documentary I was watching on "The Real David Beckham".  The world renowned soccer player who now resides over here in the states, specifically over in Los Angeles, my future home.  It was very cool to watch because the doc was filmed around the year 2000/2001, so even though him and his wifey were together, you had a chance to watch them still in their "young puppy love" days of marriage.  More on that later...It was filmed over in England, and what made it even more unique and cool was the access into their home, Manchester United athletic fields, photo shoots, book signings (by the way his autobiography was one of the best I've read, check it out) and the cameras even followed him into this dude's Mercedes Ride as he drove from venue to venue to do his thang.  I love it when people invite you into their world, whether its by video, or conversations, or blogs (cough, cough), it gets me going because you can learn so much not only from the person's words and actions, but you learn about life itself.  That's sexy to me...yea, I truly love to enjoy life, and I can dance the night away with anyone, but a compelling evening of conversation at Books and Books can stimulate me as well.  I'm really starting to believe that you know when you find true love when that person can make love to your "mind, body and soul."  Not just one or two of them, but all three.   Hopefully, whoever, if anybody, who read that, won't ever forget it, cuz its true.

David Beckham.  One of my style icons, I love the European style and basically the way of life over there...but I give much respect for how he's carried himself under the spotlight.  It's not easy when all eyes on are you (boy I should play that 2pac right now!).  What u wear, what route to take...all those things come with the territory I guess.  Having Posh Spice with you helps out a lot.  And from what I'm seeing, true love can do some wild stuff.  I talk from the single free-agent point of view, but as my Grandpa Roy once said about love, "If its good, it's really good...if its bad, it's REALLY bad!"  He used to talk about checking out the blood line of the people I get involve with...that old southern thinking, YET it has some merit, I believe...if folks get angry easy, can't handle the pressure of everyday life, don't think positive or let themselves go once the got their "catch of the day".  These are serious issues that are out here.  Why not tell it like it is, and that goes for men and women, girls and boys.  Heck my young cousins are experiencing wild stuff in high school and stuff, so why would I hold back experiences that the Lord brought me threw??  I mean like, have...see I was just gonna fulfill this diary on 2night on a chill tip, now I'm starting to feel it some, so let's get loose.

I was watching a message presented by Mr. Ron Carpenter on 2day, and he made a comment on something I've been thinking about for so long on how, "Mediocrity is becoming acceptable" in society today.  (C Hagg I'll never forget u discussing that bro!)  We getting used to it on every level.  A hooper avg. 15 points a game in high school and he wants to go straight to the pros?!  U avg. 15 in high school how u gonna avg. 25 against the pros?  We get (I did say WE) , get used to the same stuff, same places to eat and same relationships that a mediocrity type of life begins to get "comfortable".  But Lil Weezy and 'Face said it best when it comes to that comfortable mindset .  Oh boy, getting happy here cuz I know it's true.  We should all strive to be around folk who make us better whether in a platonic sense or in a Walt "Baby" Love  sense.  I'm talking to myself now, it is our diary entry so...it took me a looooong time to realize that sometimes if things don't work out, you shouldn't take it personal .  You think like how could this person not want to be a part of this "lifestyle".  Everybody doesn't like apples, some like oranges, some folks may even like bananas in which u definitely better be on guard!  But jokes aside, getting back to the mediocrity thing don't settle just because u know.  Trust me it can be difficult being single or going o...what the heck, are their still mesqitoes on my back? In october?? dag...going out with just the fellas or having girls night out...by the way these "Occupy Wall Street" things going on have to be the ultimate pick up spots right now! And u don't have to pay a cover...what!!

Be you though.  If u like rib tips, u probably ain't gonna mix it well with a vegan.  Just be you.  If one speaks spanish almost exclusively, its gonna be tough if u don't speak any (trusssssssst me on this one fellas...this one time at Pollo Tropical...I better not tell that one yet)  Just be you.  Real quick, I recall a while ago, me talking with this one dame on sports.  Conversation was good and I was about to hit her with that Tyrese swag. On the real...so somehow we got to talking about baseball.  My favorite team is the San Francisco Giants....4 Life!  She got to talking about Barry Bonds (my favorite baseball player of all-time).  And the steroid thing and stuff and inside I'm like, "stop homegirl...please just stop!"  As my guy once said, "the air was going out of the balloon like phewwww!!!"  Now it got me thinking could I date someone who doesn't like the Giants maybe...a hatred for my guy BB, naw...now I'll tell u why.  There are some areas in our lives which are sacred like our heart and blood u know and it varies with everyone.  One aspect that puts u on the "2k11 Do Not Call List" is when u start bashing them Chicago Bulls of 80s and 90s.  And definitely my G-Men, specifically Barry Bonds.  As a child used to stay up to 1 O'Clock in the morning just to watch them guys.  The fam, my Pops in particular used to hit them up whenever they came to town.  Sitting in 35 degree weather in hot chocolate, sitting on rooftops at Wrigley Field repping the Giants orange and black, watching BB hit homer in Comiskey against the White Sox, so many stories PLUS my room at home is filled with Barry Bonds memorabilia namely action figures and stuff.  The G-men has my heart.  So no matter how "saucious" a doll looks, how can I truly feel her when she has such a violent opinion on my guys.  She hates Barry Bonds yet if (seriously doubt it at the crib, just out of respect), but if a little twister would to break down in my room, me looking at Bonds' figurines with her...naw...Heck, the figures may dag gone turn their back on me on some Child's Play type of freakiness!  I've said enough, but I know somebody feels me totally on that.

 I love all types of folks, colors, sizes and looks of people, u'll be surprised.  But when it's time to get serious bout some things.  Be you...and don't settle anything less that what u consider to be the best 4 u!

Cheerio.
Austino.

A Different World.

"On to a Different World"....if I'm not mistaken those were the final words utter on the final episode of one of my favorite shows, A Different World.  The final letters uttered were spoken by Jasmine Guy (Pictured Above), who played the character "Whitley Gilbert" on the show.  A southern belle who was as spoiled as a brat crying over spilled milk.  In some ways her character was ahead of the game in how she dressed and stuff.  Funny because I just read articles about how collegiate students dress nowadays  .  It's a runway of sorts, but Whitley had that style back then.  Things come full circle.  Which leads us to today...

I'm starting to feel a different electricity in the air...like we are about to enter "a different world".  There are always moments where you like things aren't going your way.  Traffic stalls everywhere you try to drive, you just took a shower and step outside in the sun only to find that out of nowhere it starts to rain, or when the day you forget your homework at the dorm or at home, the teacher constantly calls on you.  I remember....

This one time, I had a Price Theory course in college, with Professor Moallem (may be misspelled).  This was a tough business course with math and real life combined in it.  Anyhow, one day I didn't have my assignment completed for one reason or another.  So the professor's thang was to have stack of index cards and shuffle them up to "randomly" call on someone on the class to give the answer to a problem.  So as he got his cards and walked in front of his desk, I'm thinking like, "this would be a good time to stick up my index finger, and join the line waiting for the bathroom right now!"  So as Mo is shuffling, my heart is getting prepared for the inevitable.  "Austin...", he says, as my card magically appears on top.  I'm thinking, "Dag, ain't this this about something..."  "Austin, do you have the answer to number one?"  I try to play it off like Nelly and look at the textbook, but, "No, Mr. Moallem, I don't have the answer to number one."  Better to be honest right.  They claim it's the best policy.  Moallem gives that smile like a guy who just went on a date with a former Miss Universe.  So I'm already embarrassed some but hey stuff happens, whatever.  So I shrug it off and give a glance to my homegirl at the time, as the Professor Mo calls on another geek, I mean person who gives the answer, I'm like at least that's over with.  So as the NYPD pick 'em out the line-up session continues.  Up comes question #2...Mo begins to shuffle and then out of nowhere he PICKS a card out the brady bunch  and says the unthinkable..."Aus-tin, do u have the answer to number 2?" I'm like, "Say What?!"  He can't do that, he's supposed to go at this thang randomly not chose which ever Thuggish Ruggish Bone he chooses.  "That's not the rules!!" So as I'm in disbelief and the class have way giggling over this historic "Mo"ment, I say, "No, Mr. Moallem, I don't have the answer to number 2."  He smiles and moves on to the next one to get his Jigga on with.  I'm just steaming like, "If I don't have the answer to number one, I sure as Ricky Schroder don't have the answer to number two." (The courses' equations build upon each other like a theorem)   I look at my Pregnant model friend and was like, "I'm just gonna bring a tape recorder and every time he call on me I gonna hit play with a message spitting, 'No, I do not have the answer!!"  We have those days don't we...

But what about those times where u feel like things are about to Pujols swing ur way.  The air feels different.  Miami drivers cut u off and u like , "So...".  "The Renaissance Man" calls it having ur "swag at an all-time high".  It just feels weird.  Been through so much and more importantly survived.  Its like being in a severe car crash with your car being totaled yet walking out still alive.  You know how close you were to death, yet made it through.  So instead of looking at it like you almost died, its like you look at it like, "If I can survive that, I can survive anything!!"  That's how I feel...a no-fear, just-fun attitude.  Think that's why God does what he does and things happen so crazy.  It builds u up, and grinds you into a better person.  Positively is how u have to look at things, its tough sometimes, but u have no choice...A Different World is about to appear in our life, my only wish is that other like-minded people will join the revolution.  Man, what I would give for the reality to come true.  That's my one wish...

Austino

Austino's Vault: Robyn Is Here

Artist:  Robyn
Album:  Robyn Is Here
Year:  1997
Record Label:  RCA Records

Wow!!! It has been a loooong time since this segment has appeared on our website.  Well, no more delay because it's back.  Austino's Vault is back after a hiatus and today is another very unique and special album of choice.  How many folk have this one?!!  The aim once again is if you have this album, bring it out for a day or if you do not have this album, run out and get it.  And this one is sure not to disappoint.  Trust me!

Robyn is the artist of feature, and her album Robyn Is Here was a sure fire classic.  It originally came out in 1997 (Is Austino's Vault stuck in that year!).  Tell me that don't take u back just talking about the year.  Anyway, this Swedish dame has a literal "track for track" album here.  No hobo...Robyn combines, how should I say this, a unique sound that was a precursor to the teenie pop sound that would hit a year later.  The thing that separates Robyn was here combination of pop sound , inspirational words and tone, love ballads and songs that can get you dancing in an upbeat way.  For a girl who was 18 yrs. of age at the time, her sound was very mature and the album shows all of her skills from A-2-Z.

The album starts off with "Bumpy Ride" that has a New Jack bounce to it.  Yet the words are very telling about how u should handle life and such.  The album continues with "In My Heart", which discusses how love and the feelings it brings can be Nip/Tuck in our special heart.  Good stuff.  I can write on every song really....skip to another one of the highlights "Do You Know (What It Takes)" that calls out what many women think about us guys and how us men have to show we have the goods to handle that special someone.  The next song, "The Last Time" has a unique 90's European vibe to it, and is an ultimate song to just ride to on a late Sunday evening day.  Really nice.

"Show Me Love" is one of the songs she actually released on her U.S. edition of the album.  Just a great Pop song, that tells of relationships.  Like my Grandmother say, "You got to bring something to the table!"...check it out for yourself.  "Just Another Girlfriend" is another Euro-bounce cut that was ahead of its time, which can be explained for the entire album.  This CD is a hidden gem, flat out!  "Here We Go" is a great soulful song in a duet setting. A gentleman, Joe Watts, did the background and a excellent job on it.  A great high school dance type of song.  I'm going to stop right there.

Austino's Vault....it is back.  This album by the artist Robyn is excellent if you like upbeat, dance, lovey dovey, pop kind of musical songs.  Takes those of us who were around, back to the innocent days of the 90s.  Who knew a gal born across the globe in Sweden would hit a Indiana boy living in Florida.  Ain't life grand...ain't it grand.  Thanks, Robyn.

Austino.

Where's My Babs?

This day, boy it's been a roller coaster on the real.  Worked earlier...ran into "typical" Miami traffic trying to get from one side of town to another...some silly stuff really just baffling ...I went to was our car at this spot over at 125th or so and Biscayne Blvd.  I go over there because I like to do self-wash jobs and the beach doesn't have any and the one Downtown/Design District is ok, used to wash the Vespa over there but this one is better.  It's right next to K-Mart which...this parking lot needs to have its own reality show, u get it ALL!  Hookups...possible people cheating on folks switching cars...people looking for dope deals...just a real setting and I like it.

Anyways I go inside to pick up a drying cloth for the wash.  I pick it out and go to a checkout register.  My dude's was like..."Debit...credittt...no---cash---back."  He hit me with a Stone Cold Stunner because I was like, "What did u say?"  He was like, "Debit...Credit...No Cash Back".  I was thinking I'm paying with, "Straight Cash Homey!" a la Randy Moss.  Please check out what I mean! ...Man these Alexis Sweet Potato Puffs are slammin'! ...ok, back 2 the story, so I hit him with that Moss and told him I had cash, and my guy told me he couldn't help me cuz he didn't have cash...at 5pm in the evening?!!  When I used to work at the Beach, by then we were stacking G's...now he hitting me with this?  So I ska-dattle over to the next line and wait while this chick is in a way trippin' with the money, asking for $2 in quarters back as her change.  But we was cool...So this girl was ringing me up, asked about some card, but she was talking low...so I just said "no" cuz it may been a set up, and I don't wanna end up on the Springer!  So I pay and she took the money and then flaunted the receipt in my face without looking at me like in a "talk to the hand" kind of way!   I'm like, "America are u serious?  I mean really?!...naw, naw, naw...better yet seriously??"  So I'm kind of T-Bugging laughing like this girl almost that...I don't hit girls but I have some know some thoroughbreds that will get their Akon "Smack" on in a minute! I was geeking cuz I'm thinking in K-Mart?  I was just kicking it for awhile in Tiffany and Co. the other day, and they was mad cool, but from this??  Ha!

So I been thinking about this girl like I wish she had a twin or double or something.  Her name Babs Bunny. Lol!!  Where is she at now.  She had the ultimate swag, smarts, style and more importantly she KNEW when to have fun.  Realizing that's what life's all about.  She might be my fantasy girl of the moment.  (Get it!)  Oh boy, we are so crazy, but I put that on Da Brat, that's what I'm looking for!

Anything else...NBA....next topic...need some sleep tonight big time...2nd article I've seen on cassette tapes coming back... I've been feeling like "breakdancing" ALL DAY...why do people walk aimlessly in the middle of busy streets, everywhere ain't the ever so pedestrian yielding Collins Ave.!...Jay-Z's "Mars vs. Venus" is my jam right now....As goofy as it sounds, I beginning to think drinking alcohol is going out of style a little bit, and becoming "overrated",  keep ur ears open to the streets, folks cutting back...Isn't being a snob like so 2003?... I need to find a great breakfast spot a.s.a.p. ...And I'll end on that note.

Austino.

G3: The Best Game Ever!

I'm gonna take my time on this one, because this one is oh so personal.  Been doing this segment Galaxia's Greatest Games for some time and now the time has come.  So may wonder, Austin what is you favorite game of all-time?  Well, if I had to choose just one, it'll be....

How can I forget this night.  The year was 1993 which was my year by ALL accounts.  It was a Wednesday evening at the beginning of June.  I recall that it was very hot that night, and that summer because at the crib we had that fan in the window trying to get some extra air blown in. The stage was set for a classic as I think back to it.  I remember my Pops and me watching the game downstairs, with the lights off, as we did so many times.  It was like the fam had a theater environment going on, and it was really.  For the Chicago Bulls were about to take on the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conf. Finals series.  The series was tied 2-2 after MJ had 54 points in Game 4.  But tonight was going to be tough.  The Bullys were going into a crazed atmosphere in "The World's Most Famous Arena" of Madison Square Garden.  All the stars were there, u know Spike Lee was in the crowd.  Even one of my favorite style icons, JFK Jr. was in the house as well.  A special night in the NYC.

So why is this my favorite game of all-time?  The intensity of the crowd, the players participating, New York City, The Organist playing as "Dee-fense...Dee-fense!!" was echoing through the arena.  The game was so back and forth with action.  And you had it all.  Dunks...Coast-to-Coast plays...NBC was the network broadcast and "the camera" was in full bloom after each hoop and score it seemed (I think that camera they used was a precursor to HD cameras today.)...Jordan (It took 18 yrs to realize he had a triple-double in the game, that's how good the game was)..."Pa-Trick Ewing!"...Scottie Pippen...John Starks...This was the quintessential game of my generation.   Lives were changed literally, and destinies were defined by not only the game but one final play.  The Last Act so to speak in a drama which I haven't seen before or since.

This is my heart, and out of the decades of games that our family has on tape...nothing and I do mean nothing gets me as emotional and reminiscent as this classic.  Good times...And I can still remember jumping up and down, with my Pops clapping his hands yelling "Alright! Alright!".  I've been blessed so much...And on this night, all sports fans were treated to a classic!

Without further wait and delay...here's the defining game of Galaxia's Greatest Games.  Enjoy Below:

June 2nd, 1993, Game 5 ECF:  Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

"Smith!....Smith!...Smith, Smith...Smith stopped!"
Austino.

Now The Fun Part!

"Speak from ur heart...Speak from ur heart..." Thus I real. Diary what do we say on today.  Feel like I can go any and every kind of way.  Do I begin about telling what Pastor McGee had to say?  Or do I tell of how I wish the NBA could finally get a deal and play?  Just tell our life and feelings, just like any other day.  Isn't that how ol girl on SNL's Weekend Update used to do, the cutie nerd Miss Tina Fey.?!  Once again here's a trip into Austin's never ending Milky Way...

"Don't Give Up" was the message from a sermon a few weeks ago, from our church at the crib.  Felt like it was directed directly at us.  Isn't if funny how teachers, ministers, books or what not can seemingly speak to u and ur like what.  Teacher tells u to be quiet in class while writing on the chalkboard, and doesn't even see you, and u're like "how this dude even see or hear us?"  I remember this one time, I was in college in an auditorium style class, and me and my guy were literally whispering, and the teacher Miss Scottie Pipett for ur Rockford alums, was like "Can we start class now?" Me and my guy were like, "Yeah!" So as she began to teach about biology or something, me and my guy, heck this is real right, me and JB went back to talking about real life issues like basketball, music and other extracurricular activities (wink, wink!) ...just kidding we listened...anyway, getting back to the sermon...sometimes u do feel like that ur work goes unnoticed or is not worth it...been saying that in a few of our previous posts...but its true.  Some catchlines that hit us was how, it may have to get worse b4 it can get better; "trouble don't last always"; reaping what u sow...the text was taking from Galatians 6:4 .  Good stuff, needed to hear that.

Now, like eye once said, if u read this now, or next year, or in 2014, u're gonna get the whole gauntlet with us. Every aspect makes us who we are.  All of us are very unique.  And if I gonna talk about hoop or hip hop or even fashion or double d's...hello...u can bet ur Big Mac that I'm gonna mention the Lord!  Have to man...been carried through too much Sanford and Son junk!...Let's move on...

Today was little heartfelt...things can be a lot worse...yeah it's been raining down here in Miami for seemingly forever, just stopped about 3.5 hours ago.  People homes getting trounced by tornadoes and stuff and I wanna trip by some minute stuff like someone driving uber-slow like they ain't got no insurance or by near missing a six car accident on US-1 cuz some driver stopped or cut off a whole lane in the rain.  This stuff happened 2day...After a workout, I walked out of the Gannesvoort and an intriguing sight caught my attention.  This young girl was lean...ok, back from putting the turkey in the pan as I'm making my pasta dish for tonight (go whole wheat its pretty good!  Plus it's not as expensive as one thinks, Target selling it for like buck oh 4 a shot..)..anyhow this girl was leaning on a pillar right in front of where Mr. Chow used to be, and the look on her face was so zone out distraught y'all.  And she seemingly was looking at these pigeons in front of her in a crazed way...guess I would to if I say pigeons chasing down and eating Cheetos!  No lie, I couldn't even make that up!  But as I walked away, I thought I shoulda at least said "Hi" or something, seemingly something was on her mind...Then after I got into our car I was driving right by the Bass Museum of Art  and I saw this gentleman sleeping (didn't "look"...should I say it...bummish, folk know what I mean, and that can be a joke, cuz I once saw this extremely casual guy in line at Publix pull out a Black Card, messed me up...)...but the guy was laying on the bench, with his hands on his head like his world just ended.  My thinking is like what's going on...not with them, but with me ...here I am the self-professed "Zen Master of Fun", and I'm not speaking to folk, in which one "hello" could make their and my day...and trying to show the world that u can make it, and keep the faith...yet I wanna trip over minor stuff like, "I need some shoes" when u got Jordan I's sitting in ur closet u ain't wearing...or on how someone on Facebook didn't return a msg I sent to them...GROW UP AUSTIN!  Jokes aside, I need to get out of my Mimbo, Valley boy moods...Perhaps this is what u need to be doing instead of focusing how u wanna change ur workout or debating to go totally organic or not...time is flying by, and issues, REAL issues are being lived.  I said my life is a fantasy world, so instead of boasting or flying solo in it, I need to invite true folks into it.  I'm done..

I'm becoming the type of person who really doesn't care when it comes to certain things.  And that's not in a snobby way.  Life is 'posed to be fun.  Want my life to be such that years from know folks can be like that dude Austino...I may didn't like him totally or agreed with him, but I gotta say he was one of a kind.  Putting his personal thoughts on the wings of cyberspace.  But more importantly he talked about having fun and issues that all of us can make a difference on.  Real quick...recently watched real life interviews with Jim Brown, Bernard Hopkins, Wilt Chamberlain, and Frank Sinatra.  Learned from all four....Frankie Baby rarely did interviews and he said because no one asked (now I could Lil' Flip on that just from u gotta ask if u wanna...uggh!)  But to learn just by all four of their presence through the video.  That's what I want...years from now a kid in Idaho or French New Guinea to be like let me look at Austino's post of old and see all that he went through and in the name of Chris Brown...Look at him now!  It'll happen...been through all the work...Now (as I rub my hands...)...The Fun Part.

Buckle up.
Austino.

The Spotlight...Ginuwine

Awwww...shucks!  Another special edition of The Spotlight....this week edition is very personal.  This artist is one of the few who's endured all the way from our high school years through the South Beach years today.  His lyrics, beats (from Timbaland), the dance moves, and songs very much reflect who we are and have become.  I dig this one.  Without any more delay, our spotlight hits....Ginuwine (whom I will always call Gee-Gee!).  Enjoy my favorites:

- "Pony"
- "So Anxious" (Who remembers this on the beginning of BET's Midnight Love?!!)
- "Stingy"
- "I'm In Love" ("Hearts just don't lie...no...whoo!...You will know real love....cuz...")
- "Same Ol' G"
- "Differences" (Need I say more...)
-"When We Make Love"
- "Tribute To A Woman" (All-Time Slept on classic!  Sing brotha!! Sing!!)
- "In Those Jeans"
- "There It Is" (My Mama's song!)
- "Want U to Be" (Straight Chill!! Please check this one out!)
- "I Love You More"
- "Last Chance" (Sometimes u only get one shot!)

Classic stuff...
Austino.

Leap of Faith

Cool day so far...ever so timely, ever so!!!...Just got done reading one of the most inspirational books I've ever read, Beyond Belief written by Texas Rangers baseball player Josh Hamilton (with Tim Keown).  This was a very in-depth and honest book.  I do mean honest and upfront.  J. Hamilton discussed his life being known as "the one" as a can't miss prospect in, as crazy as this sounds, little league baseball.  He then goes on to chronicalize his life through high school and being a the #1 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays (Devil Rays at the time).  And then, Hamilton goes on to discuss his battles with drugs, alcohol, cocaine and when I say I tells the story, I MEAN this brother tells the story of his battles including names of pushers, how he made the coke rocks, his mindset and letdown of family and friends.  Really and truly a must read.  He then discusses his faith in Jesus Christ (which I totally didn't expect to read about).  It's just a crazy read.  Bro man talks about his 26 tattoos and why he got them, especially when he was going through his time of struggle.  Inspired me big time, indicating how the script seemed to be written in a way he couldn't even fathom at the time...."Piece by Piece"...the triumphs of small victories in life, just the little things like an encouragement by someone or being able to wake up in the morning are aspects we all shouldn't take for granted.  Powerful book of how the good Lord can use ANYONE as a testimony of how we shouldn't give up on anybody. No matter what they have done in the past.  Also, saw the power of forgiveness, huh, get into that in a moment.  Good stuff.  Needed to hear his words....not now, but RIGHT NOW!

Also, boy this may...matter of fact will go down as a gamechanger type of day...Hamilton's team the Rangers did make the World Series this year (author's note)....but also on today heard a podcast off the ESPN Los Angeles website.  It was Brian and Andy Kamenetzky's podcast which is usually about the LA Lakers, but on this episode they had Shawn Ryan who was the Writer and Executive Producer of the TV show, The Shield. Talking about some great talk about how television and sports are related.  The mindset of making a good product, how u cannot control what critics say about ur show and u have to like the product, the enthusiasm of Chicago sports, how stories don't always have good endings (though they claim The Shield's series finale was a classic...they cited Seinfeld's last episode as being not up to par...there's a few others, although I did cry during A Different World's last episode with Ron standing at the door and Dway....let me stop) Also talked about self-prophecy and how it can hinder success.  Mentioning the Chicago Cubs and their fans during a playoff series a few years ago against the Dodgers and how he sensed the Cubs loyalists just felt like something bad was gonna happen to them.  He used the example of how if u flip a coin 50 times and it keeps coming up heads, there's still a 50/50 chance that the next flip will come up tails!"  Oh how I LOVE that analogy.  Risk taking vibe I get and also how u must...forgive and forget.  The present is not necessarily determent on what happen in the past.  Whether that's from family, a teacher who called u a "nothing" in grade school, or a breakup gone haywire in college.  A black girl dissed u in Junior High School, so u say that u'll never date a black girl again...naw man...that's not how u move on.  That's one judging events in such a negative way that it'll influence the blessing that may be waiting for u around the corner.  I know I can speak on this, cuz we've been through that stuff.  It's tough to move on, but u have to Mya ur way through it!...anyhow...another great lesson from that interview was him discussing how he wrote one of the characters in show...and how sometimes it's not important to be "likable but be watchable"...I feel like I can run just off of that.

A special day of interviews and first person reflections...Saw interview (about 30 mins) with NBA commish David Stern with this lockout.  Its interesting.  Big market vs. Small market is how I see it.  That's life in a way isn't it.  More doesn't always win though.  Does more money get the best players?  Best employees?  Not all the time, all players don't wanna play for the Heat or Yankees or work for Microsoft or Apple... It's personal a lot of times location, market, family, some folks like farm life, like spotlights, it's all personal.  Which is why we write in our diary.

Woke up with two dreams today while I slept.  One involved being in a locker room with some of our friends and us singing this "Cheat" song by Marques Houston.  And I mean cats singing like the Temptations on the street corner.  Another involved this beautiful musician, like being in town and hanging out with us and she was falling all over us, like sitting in our lap and stuff.  Not a wet dream or anything, but just some wild things.  Girl was really digging us .  Dreams are important and can be foreshadowing of things to come, can write a book just on those.  Getting personal now, it's eerie but it's like the dreams of yesteryear, has I look back on some as slowly been coming into fruition.  Especially from a social life sense.  Weird...guess we've been prepared.  I know others have had some crazy dreams as well.  But they may not be crazy and actually mean something like a prep for the future...boy this is some deep talk.  I'm determined to keep it real and honest as possible about our life.  It's unique...it's wild...and it's all real.  I keep saying one day it's gonna jump off like never before.  Hey, but one day...one day...we just might rule the world...u never know, anything's possible! ANYTHING...

Austino.

Fighting Through This...

Another interesting day...boy as of late, I'm kinda tired of saying that.  But, that comes with the territory...Has anyone just felt like everything in life just turns on u in an instant.  Its like you just buy a new Mercedes SLR McLaren and then outta nowhere it just shuts down at a stoplight for no apparent reason.  Your thinking like, what the Eamon is going on?  You happy one moment, then ur scrapping like Scoopy-Doo's nephew the next.  Learning that's what Life is all about but still u wonder u know...Why does all these strange occurrences happen?  Am I doing something wrong?  Why is it that when u expecting to get paid for your hard work, the check doesn't arrive when it should?  Or why do u feel the "hate" in the air, when all u trying to do is have fun?  Is that a sin?  Is that egotistical?  You would think that someone would be attracted to such positivity but why do u feel like it repels so much.  Two songs come to mind as I right this.  Fitty's classic...and this classic jam by J. K-I-Double himself.  I'm gonna write til it's all off my chest tonight.  This is personal.  One day, without a shadow of a doubt in our mind, these diary entries are gonna become something of lure.  Half comedic, all real, 1/3 psychological study, 100 % historic.  Just know it...

But yea, it's Gnarls Barkley out here, not just for me, but for EVERYBODY...maybe I'm just don't give a balley-hoo about admitting it.  I remember that dude K Whizzy once said that,"the people highest up got the lowest self-esteem".  That has some truth to it...I'm gonna tell u why...when u have some clout or money, sometimes u 4get what got u there u know and start to live according to the hype.  For example, people may say ur the ultimate party dude, so even though u feel like staying in for the night, u feel like u have to live up to that reputation and show up even though u rather be chilling at the crib wishing TBS was showing "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson!  Then u go into the bathroom at the club or whatever thinking like, "What am I doing up in here?  If I go home then they'll think this or that" This is real talk.  Or how about if someone, boy or girl, says man u're such an awesome dresser.  So that may go to your head, and as u're looking in ur closet deciding what to put on that day, u actually end up overdressing by not going to how u feel and going how u think someone expects u to look.  Dressing in a suit to impress somebody and then the person who u trying to impress doesn't even show up to the event and u thinking heck I shoulda just threw on my Hanes tee with my Levi's.   I know I'm right about it....Let me also pause here to say that my diary is filled with some strong experiences and opinions, and in no wise do I feel like I got this thang called life figured out.  Trust me if I did I wouldn't be writing this right now at 9:24pm on this Saturday night.   I would probably be planning to go to my home in Newport Beach, California, with an interest of finding the nearest In-N-Out Burger and wondering where I should hit up on Sunset Bulley.  Wherever I go, no matter how much scrilla I have, I still can't say I'll be doing this though....

I say it once, and I'll say it again, this is our diary in which we say what's really going on in our life.  Been doing it for 10 plus years via hard copies of notebooks, composite books as such, now it's just online.  As I said before it's oh so cool to read autobiographies and biographies.  I got like five lined up from the library now in my place:
- Jerry West by Roland Lazenby
- Growing Up Laughing by Marlo Thomas (Laughter always wins)
- Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton (Rangers gonna clinch tonite?)
- Sex, Love and Fashion by Bruce Hulse (Real behind the runway talk)
- Safe at Home by Alyssa Milano (That should be interesting from her perspective)

Those type of books are what we are into.  But with my diary and blog, I feel like this is different.  Those who have become successful usually write those books AFTER they have become a #trend in their field of choice. But what about during the process when God tries u through ur struggles.  Wouldn't u like to hear what Denzel Washington really thought on his first audition?  Or when Frank Gehry was designing the Gehry House or heck even the New World Symphony Center down here in Miami Beach, what was going through the gent's mind?  That's what's missing in life...we see the end result but we don't see the nights sleeping on the floor with no furniture or eating roman noodles for a week straight just so u can afford a headshot for a model portfolio or looking at ur Citibank account and see like $2.55 in it and wondering how u can get through the upcoming days til payday.  Why not tell the story on the way to the top, in real time...deep stuff but true.  And we all have a story.

My boy is pictured up above.  One of my favorite boxers of all time..Prince Naseem Hamed.  One of the few, actually one of three people, I'll actually call "the champ".  (Roy Jones Jr. and my dude Jeff Ferrell are the others)  It doesn't matter if he was a European Arab or that he's Muslim.  Labels are just that... labels.  I think I'm part European anyway...that junk don't matter.  The Prince was the best really, swag mixed with showmanship with skill.  They said he was unorthodox in his methods but that's what made him unique.  How is a black Vera Wong dress at a cocktail party sexy if all the girls have it on?! Prince Naseem came to the ring like no other.  Larry Merchant once said, "That all champions have an egos...but if ego was a crime, the Prince would be on Death Row!"  I like that a lot.  I tell u why because u have to have egotistical confidence in God, urself, ur teammates, ur spouse/mate that even when things are looking Grey's Anatomy, someway, somehow things are gonna turn into ur favor.  I'm learning, with an -ing, that u just have to believe.  Especially when NO ONE else is around to give u a pep talk.  Only you know what u can accomplish in this life when u put ur mind to it.  Times will come when so call friends will disappear, jobs may turn on you, or even that boy/girl who u liked may not share those same feelings.  But u know what, I've learned that "that's ok".  It makes even more of a fighter of sorts.  Thanks Prince...I needed to see the skill, I needed to see the dances, more than ever I needed to see the swag.  Faith is what its all about, but there are those times where it'll just be nice to see a visual.  Seeing is believing to some...pretty confident, that one day...oh yes, one day someone else will finally see as well.

Austino.

The Video Channel

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Archives of The Playlist Presents...

Here is a list of some of the archived posts of The Playlist Presents that were featured here on austinogalaxia.com .  The list begins with the month of September.  Enjoy:

The Playlist Presents.....

Music's Golden Years:  2007 
- Chris Brown - "Kiss Kiss"
- Chingy feat. Amerie - "Fly Like Me"
- Joss Stone - "Bruised But Not Broken"
- Fabolous feat. Ne-Yo - "Make Me Better"
- Da Shop Boyz - "Party Like a Rock Star" (Clean)
- Jay-Z - "I Know"
- Lil Wayne - "Dr. Carter"
- Ne-Yo - "Because of You"
- Trey Songz - "Can't Help But Wait"
- Keyshia Cole - "Heaven Sent"
- Timberland - "The Way I Are"
- Paul Wall feat. Jon B. - "Tonight"
- Kayne West - "Flashing Lights"
- Prince - "Future Baby Mama"
- Anthony Hamilton - "Do You Feel Me"
- Rhianna feat. Ne-Yo - "Hate That I Love You"
(Posted September 4th, 2011)


The Match:  JT vs. Thicke
- Justin Timberlake - "Senorita"
- Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell - "Wanna Love U Girl"
- Justin Timberlake - "Summer Love"
- Robin Thicke feat. Lil Wayne - "Shooter"
- Justin Timberlake feat. T.I. - "My Love"
- Robin Thicke - "Magic"
- Justin Timberlake feat. 50 Cent - "Cry Me a River" (Remix)
- Robin Thicke feat Snoop Dogg - "It's In The Morning"
- Justin Timberlake - "LoveStoned"
- Robin Thicke feat. Estelle - "Rollacoaster"
- Justin Timberlake - "What Goes Around"
- Robin Thicke - "Lost Without U"
- Justin Timberlake - "Boutique In Heaven"
- Robin Thicke - "Can U Believe"
(Posted September 11th, 2011)

Duets (Inspired By Mr. Jason Parker)
- Bow Wow feat. Ciara - "Like You"
- LL Cool J feat. Kelly Price - "You and Me"
- Mya feat. Sisqo - "It's All About Me"
- Brandy feat. Kayne West - "Talk About Our Love"
- R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson - "Number One"
- Jill Scott feat. Mos Def - "Love Rain" (Remix)
- Babyface feat. Tamia - "Slow Jams"
- Donell Jones feat. Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopez - "U Know What's Up" (Remix)
- George Michael feat. Mary J. Blige - "As"
- Rhianna feat. Justin Timberlake - "Rehab"
- Keith Washington feat. Chante Moore - "I Love You"
- Prince feat. Rosie Gaines - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
- Madonna feat. Babyface - "Take a Bow"
(Posted on September 18th, 2011)


Kid Talk
- Christina Aguilera - "What a Girl Wants"
- Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne - "Gimme That" (Remix)
- Ashanti - "Baby"
- Pretty Ricky - "Grind With Me"
- Nivea - "Laundromat"
- Usher - "You Make Me Wanna..."
- Kris Kross - "It's A Shame"
- 3T feat. Michael Jackson - "Why"
- Stacie Orrico - "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life"
- Tevin Campbell - "I'm Ready"
- IMX - "First Time"
- B2K - "Gots To Be"
- Solange Knowles - "This Could Be Love"
- 98 Degrees - "If She Only Knew"
- Monica - "Before You Walk Out of My Life"
(Posted on September 25, 2011)

Austino.

Time to Jump.

 Whew o whew!  It has been really crazy here as of late, but a good kind of crazy.  Lots of things changing which is muy bien.  It's time to jump!  Madonna's inspirational song is what rains through our head at the moment.  And I mean EVERY... SINGLE... WORD... that this babe sings I feel.    Check out the lyrics.  I love her songs, yes she's sultry and get u in that freaky mood, but u need that every now and then.  Heck, I know I do!  But if you really listen to her songs, u see that she does say some inspiring stuff.  I love inspiration and I love to dance, so its euphoria when I listen to some her cuts.

Man, on everything, I walk dead into a sting operation by the Miami Beach Police.  I thought I was watching like a bootleg scene from an upcoming Bad Boys III movie, but...these two cops, one hiding behind a tree, another hiding behind a wall waiting for this dude to wake up, I guess, I'm like let me continue on my walk and sa-say my way to McDonald's on Lincoln Road, because if not I'm gonna take a lea...cough, cough...use the bathroom (that's for u Pops), on Espanola Way.  And I'm not talking about stopping at a restaurant or A La Folie (although crepes sound excellent right now).  I'm talking about hitting the bricks if u catch my driff.  Wild dude...Have u ever sleep so hard that when u woke up it literally took u like 30 minutes to get urself 2gether?  That happened to me on today...I was tearing that sleep up!...

Is there anything more grand than to see a happy mother and daughter laughing together...that's what life's all about...The NBA's officially in a lockout with first 2 weeks missing.  Man, if I'm not able to go to the triple A to check out the Lakers vs. Heat game (my favorite teams), I might just cry.  Been blessed for that game to be a "tradition" of sort for us to attend  like watching the Lions on Thanksgiving, or like going to Common concert and knowing he's gonna sing this. (He can put on a show too and he'll sing EVERYTHING!)  Hope the league gets it together there are some directly effected or affected (ha!) by them.

What's up wit the animal look for this fall.  I'm seeing faux fur everywhere.  Cheetah, Squirrel, Sasquatch  , its wild kingdom out here.  That's the trend for the ladies for this fall, I almost did think like man a fur vest with a v-neck with some vintage Von Dutch jeans.  What!! That may be my outfit for our next video episode which is coming up soon.

Ok...take a risk and jump this week.   It can be a little slow down here in Miami, especially in the hood of South Beach here.  I know its about to pick up with the Winter birds coming down and our friends from Europe and South America stopping through in the upcoming months.  But let's all do something we've never done before.  It could be a meal u've always wanted, talking to a stranger, whatever...I feel this in my soul.  Nothing left to do but...close ur eyes and jump!  Trust me, it's a thrill!  And I need one right now....

Austino.

You Just Never Know

Okee-Dokee!  Thank the good Lord for getting us through today...tell ya, u just never know what a day can bring.  Mere seconds can alter your plans and change ur life...I'll leave it at that due to some government secrecy on some information...what, this is my diary, I need to spit out whatever, true, but now is not the time.  Had to throw up a pic of tennis player Rafael aka "Rafa" Nadal...right now he's fighting to get back up to that number 1 spot.  Still my dude!...when its ur season, its ur season.  Sometimes things can happen to derail ur plans, but if u stick through it, u can still survive enough to make that mark, yao ming!  A lot of these trials in life are just to make u better whatever it may be...and its so easy to have a big head and think ur all that when u got benjees in your pocket, what about when you can only drizzle Washington's?  Or its easy when you are taking two pretty girls to a party but what happens when the dames give u the "who is he look?" You feel like pulling that old Lil Cease "Crush on You" lyrics just to set them straight!  And u know I have a story about that...I remember this one time...should I?...but man she was mad cool, nobody don't want to hear about our escapades...348 Bill!  Let's shoot a story, just because someone may learn from us either now or years down the line, plus u just never know!

Ok, U never know who God may bring into ur life just to connect with or have fun with even if its for a day...u know what, I'ma hold off.  Just gonna give u abbreviated phrases.  Boy's chilling.  Boy notices girl in a group of her friends.  Boy is introduced to girl.  Small talk.  Boy shows his boy the girl.  His boy likes boy's taste in girl.  Night ends with byes to group.  Days Past.  Boy is sleep.  Girl's best friend wakes him out of sleep.  Girl's best friend invites boy to party.  Boy doesn't want to go.  Girl's best friend wants him to go.  Boy begins to think on it.  Girl's best friend says that the boy's "girl" wants to go.  Boy thinks "huh".  GBF says that the boy's girl will ONLY go if the boy go.  Let me get dress.  Boy goes to party actually wit both girls.  Boy hangs with Girl ALL NITE.  Girl gives sultry dance.  Boy will never forget song "Case of the Ex".  Girl and Boy have a excellent night.  End of night comes.  Niceeee Hug at end.  Bye. Bye.  Girl leaves with GBF.  Boy leaves.  Boy thinks he's gonna marry an Italian girl in the future.  GBF tells Boy that the Girl had a great time.  Boy then later finds out Girl has a boyfriend.  Boy's cool.  Girl was using the nite as a bridge between bf problems.  Boy chalks it as a lesson learn.  God uses folks to help others.  Also. Boy learns don't always believe the hype.  It's all in the game.

How I got on that, who knows, we write what we feel.  Few other nuggets.  Mr. Al Davis, owner of my team the Oakland Raiders, past a few days ago.  Must admit, I almost cried when I found out.  "Commitment to Excellence" will always ring in our head.  Never will be another one...Hope the NBA gets it together 2nite during this 11th hour so to speak, haven't heard anything, so they just might...I need to go to the Miami Zoo...Adele's injury, "ouch".  U just never know.  Cherish each day.  I need to improve even on that.  U just never know.  Oh...thanks to Pops, Moms, Felipe (dude u giving us some dapper workout tips like super advanced stuff!) and all those who encourage us.  And disencourage us because it only makes us stronger.  And that's on the G!  K-squared keep doing ur thing...and good nite.

Austino.

Rain..Rain...Go Away!

(Hugh Sigh!)  Welcome to the crib...its a rainy night down here in South Florida, which is always interesting.  Down here in the South Beach neighborhood u don't know what u gonna get...that's real talk.  Streets get overwhelmed with water, and u have to tic tac toe your way around trying to avoid puddles that can be infested with everything from alligators to lizards in canoes!  Telling u tha truth...Veteran Floridians just walk in the rain like its just a way of life (man I wanna link that Lil Wayne song right now...but..gonna keep it clean 2nite), while the driving gets really off the yooza.  Either folks drive 25 mph or 80 mph in a 45, crazy.  And to top it all off my kitchen showed some drops of rain  which just made everything peachy (sarcastically spoken).  It stop but for a moment after I heard the drops and walked into the kitchen and saw my stove and stuff get cover with acidity, my thought was do I go the Phil Jackson route and be a Zen Master of peace and tranquility or do I fling pots and pans around like I despise this natural part of life?  Tough decision but I chose to write...lot to get off our chest and as I've said before, this is my diary so why hold anything back.  This is personal...

Today was a tough day.  TOUGH....u know when u have those days when u like, "Is it even worth it anymore?"  You feel like things are all cool & dre  when "bam!" it hits u like the powerpuff girls!  The rain has stopped, "Yes!"...but things hit u like u get a ticket for doing nothing wrong, except driving the speed limit, obeying all observations, and just being chill...only thing he can pull u over for is looking goo...let me stop, but somebody feels me.  Then u starting thinking about old stuff, that really has no effect on your present state, but since u're having a "I wanna take the last train to Paris" type day, all those memories begin to flood as u lay on ur bed staring at the ceiling fan.  U think about Popeye's chicken-heads who did u wrong, and YET u have to see these folks on a somehow daily basis (that ain't easy fam), or why can't we be as excited as the Milwaukee Brewers who just won a deciding game to go to the NLCS....This is gonna be long...but...whatever (and I did just make the valley girl "w" sign with both my hands too!).  Life is so short and right now I'm at that infamous or whatever, state where you are balancing God's timing, living life on the edge, getting rest and living smart.  That's a heck of a cross street to be at, its like a spiritual Times Square! New Paragraph...

That's cool, but as in NYC's Times Square  , so much is thrown at u, U don't know what to do.  Do I go to Mickey D's for a meal so I can enjoy a Broadway play?  Do I splurge on a sophisticated meal, since I only live once, but then again, I won't be able to hit Fashion Avenue...That's where I'm at right now...I love that analogy, cuz its perfect for how I feel.  Takes prayer to make the right decisions...let me say something right now, if I can talk about hip hop songs (which are audio bangers) and talk about clubs (which sometimes are banging) and girls (some which I like to ????), I can sure talk about God and how He's keeping me right now.  Nothing to hide, and people have, will, may, say  whatever, but my life still is cool and God deserves a lot of thanks for that.

 U know one thing we are learning is that closer u get to ur goal, the harder it may actually become.  Before u meet ur future husband and wife u may have the worst breakup or hurt from the opposite sex that u've ever had.  It may take a while to move on, but once u do, u're like OK, thank u, now I know what to look for, what I'll accept (p.s. u have to love music to be with us, just a note to the reader), and what the standard is.  "Pause"....I write a lot about relationships and love, but as I said I'm a sucker for love in that, even though I've NEVER been in it, I'm intrigued by the possibilities.  Cupid  has shot arrows all around me, but I haven't been hit.  But the DMXperiences are off the chain and I have a right and responsibility to share those crazy episodes.  I once told my Moms (shoutout to Pops for the cds too!) that only one person has seen more beautiful women than me and that's the true 50 cent P.I.M.P himself, Mr. Hugh Hefner (NBC pulled that Playboy Club TV show huh).  But I'm dead serious dude, from girls showing their Lamar Odom "Goods" to me with their boyfriend nearby to being semi-stalked by a mother/daughter team that was eyeing me in seemingly wanted me to be their "baby daddy"!  Stuff is becoming ridiculous really...told this gal today, once somebody said that "I look cute for a black guy!"...???....what does that Mode, Median, Mean?  Its cool but just some of the things we've seen, is crazy...told u this is gonna be long....but this is for us not for show....

I remember this one time meeting this young lady (don't u wish Austino's Excerpts would make a comeback on this site), who looked like, what is a great description of her without committing an offense?  She looked like a geeky Salma Hayek, but the rhythm of the night with her was great...I mean rhythm of the day, sorry Grandma...exchanged email addresses which was weird from getty up b/c people just don't do that face to face.  At least not in my generation , anyhow her friend was actually dating one of my guys and it seemed like this could turn into the old days of double dating and double dutch.  Literally, u better pay half!  I'm not like that, anyhow...she would email me, I'll email her, she'll answer, I'll answer...too much, too soon, never!  But after a few days of this it all just came to an abrupt end.  Now, I'm like something's weird about all this.  She sent another pic of her (not the 2k11 guy/girl type, although if the she did...La Perla...Ooo La La!) But she looked nice.  Made a simply comment to her of pretty she looked and she almost got into a Chris Matthews argument how she isn't that beautiful.  Wow, we live in a day and time where girls don't want to be called beautiful when they actually are but get mad when u don't tell yet the only way to get 'em is if u do!  Can I get a Amen somewhere!  But it all ended like the Ming Dynasty and it had me thinking and almost starting John McCain investigation on what went down.  I didn't, although I strongly believe it something to do with her parents like she didn't want her dating anyone, she was trying to be a doctor or something, but to go through week premiere of that episode was like "ok....here's another one to add to the book."  And trust me I didn't do anything to deter her, trust me on that, just weird.  But it probably was a blessing in disguise because I don't want to R. Kelly "trapped in the closet" for no dag gone body.  No matter how cool she is or how good she looks.  Its not worth it...

Man, I feel better now, I encourage anyone to keep a diary because not only do u get some crazy stories in retrospective but it cleanses you like Neutrogena, and u can honestly, honestly move on...enough.  What a life...it all makes u better, one day we'll look back a laugh about it!

Austino.

Bruce.

You know sometimes in life, u just gotta get away from yourself and just free your mind.  Tonight is one of those nights...so much crazy stuff going on, if u let it get to you u'll go bonkers crazy.  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, so let's laugh it up !  This is our diary entry so I must keep it real as possible until the FCC shuts me down...which they just might. I LOVE cartoons...people don't really understand LOVE them.  I remember all those days and nights watching The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Tom and Jerry (why come we never saw the face of that Aunt Jemima woman), or all the old school shows Count Duckula, Danger Mouse, Duckman, Grape-Ape and every other animal-listic creature captured by the pen.  Heck, I remember getting excited by just seeing a commercial featuring everyone's favorite singing lightning bug.  Fat Albert, Bugs Bunny, Alvin and the Chipmunks (The real ones)...now as I look back on it Brittnay of The Chipettes was kinda decent for a cartoon char...let me stop! She was though....anyhow all those old school cartoons shaped who I am today.

So which cartoon character is the most like us I wondered?  Any guesses...I think it'll have to be Bruce Wayne (Pictured Above).  I'm an addict of Batman:  The Animated Series.  They used to show it every afternoon on FOX.  I have yet to see ANY cartoon series before or since who captures animation in a real life show tone.  It's like u're watching a real tv show.  That brought it back this Fall on the Boom network and I'm doin' my ...what the heck, is an animal running rampant in the stands of this Cardinals game?  That looks like Theodore right there!...anyway I attempting to tape...what the heck?...I mean DVR all the episodes cuz a brother ain't gonna pay factory price and waste no gas going to Best Buy or Kay B Toy Store or wherever to buy the whole series for gangsta money!  And I have checked on Amazon too...Bruce is my favorite cuz he's stylish, mysterious in a way, drives a sick ride, has is way with the ladies (always top notch...cough, cough), but he always helping people.  I think in a Freudian study of my ego and id, Sig Frizzle would find that I like how BW's overcome tragedy to still press on and put a lot of things behind him.  Bruce is always looking for more, not really satisfied of where he's at or what he has materialistically because those things don't really matter in the end anyway.

I wonder what cartoons would some of the people I know would choose?  Sometimes it's great to just live in a fantasy world.  The real world is too crazy, and I'm not talking about those episodes in Vegas.  (MTV heads got that joke!)  I'm starting to just let loose and see what happens...u reach that point in ur life...and if u haven't...mark my words...u will!

Same Bat time. Same Bat Channel.
Austino.

Galaxia's Greatest Games: Philly's Answer

Another edition of Galaxia's Greatest Games featuring another one in our personal collection of hoops...This time we take a time machine back to the year 2001, which I can honestly say was "My Year".  Fun truly highlighted everything from school to days and nights on the beach to this classic black summer's night.  This was June 6th of that sexy summer and Game 1 of the NBA Finals featuring the Philadelphia 76ers vs. The Los Angeles Lakers.  "Showtime 2.0" had just Katarina Witt-ed their way through the first three rounds of the playoffs...undefeated!  So here comes the east coast squad from the city of Rocky and cheese steaks, to give their best effort to dethrone the champs.  What unfolded was a flat out classic in front of all of La La Land's rich and pretty and left the Lakers stuck under the bridge.  Iverson hip-hopped to 48 points, Philly shocked the world for one nite and had me working on a particular 3 point shot on the playground dreaming I was A.I. in the Finals.  And amazingly enough, 10 years later it has become one of Galaxia's Greatest Games.  Who knew!

Game:  June 6, 2001, 2001 NBA Finals, Game 1, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Click here to view a special look at the game from NBA Films.

Austino.

Worthwhile Price of Fame

Boy, this has in some ways been a perfect night.  No, I didn't just hit the Florida Lotto...or No, I didn't just get invited to the Jazz Fest at the Playboy Mansion.  Timely wisdom from people who have been there and are at where you are attempting to reach.  Spent most of this evening reading great articles from the Men's Health website.  Celebrity success stories.  In today's day and time, we figure that many of those who grace US Weekly or are plastered on perezhilton.com had a Silver Spoon handed to them.  With a train running through their house and all.  But O cone-trere mon-corn fritter...many of which really to a long route to reach the success they are experiencing now.  They had it easy...all this monfongo gibberish, but if you only knew.  No one knows what people actually go through behind close doors...oh boy, I'm starting to feel it boy .  Cuz I know...with a capital K...

Read articles on Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, Nelly, Jay-Z, Dwyane Wade...but the one which really spurred me to write in my diary was the interview with Entourage star Jeremy Priven (As pictured above).  Not only Mr. Priven, but others previously listed, took DECADES before the even got a shot....I'ma let that sink in a little, b/c many of us future stars (yes, I did just say that...call those things as if they were not as they perhaps are)...as we were saying...future stars are waiting for an opprotunity in many areas in our life...That could be financially, or socially or both or neither or just to have fun in life.  Sometimes u just don't be feeling the "process" so to speak.  We want to get muscles overnight.  Lose 25 lbs. in 3 1/2 days.  Such a quick fix, microwavable society we all now live in.  But its always better to take ur time than go for an easy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  The road may...man I feel like writing tonite to let me get my Anne Frank on a little bit.  

Earlier today I saw this gentleman approach this Babe Didrikson with some roses out in the middle of the street.  The girl had a look on her face like, "It's over....so why u even trying?"  Yet she gave him the Timex of day and listened and as I like to say "interacted" some with this dude.  Now, from my perspective (which is the only one that counts right..real quick, this model girl once told me that "the world doesn't revolve around you Austin."  True, but the galaxy does!! just kidding...sort of) Ok, but from our perspective I LOVE to see a guy be like I don't care who's around, I want you like Marvin Gaye.  Did it work who knows, I'm not gonna go A Current Affair on this dude, heck, eye got my own female mosaic going on.  But the effort was there, no matter how it looked to others, which is what this diary-blog thing is about.  Do You.  And take risks, u don't know til u try.  Old folks used to say, "A close mouth don't get fed".  These interviews I read showed that yes u do have to experience some possible failure but u can find a lot of positives out of a lot of things and people.  Makes u hungrier and better in the long run...and just confirms that sometimes obstacles are just a necessity in the journey.  As as my boy Common once rapped, "I spent many years trying to be the  heartthrob...I guess its only right that I got my heart robbed."

Game recognizes Game.

Austino.

Live it Up!

Alrighty then...been busy on today...it's such a task to combine rest with going out and having fun, but its coming along pretty good...great talk with my  Grandmother up in Michigan (Love her so), got our Kobe Bryant slash D Wade slash Lebron workout in today up at David Barton, and spent some quality time on Collins Ave., down here in the beach, just livin' u know...so super excited with the new format in our blog, its easier and more fun to view...reminds me of like an old flashcard game with the pictures and stuff. This format gives not only us more control of our site, but also the viewer can now not be confused by all my colors (hey, I don't live in black and white...u should see my place!) that were on the site before.  You never know how all this will turn out.

I'm just livin' it up the best we know how!  The Good Lord above knows how to pace us, because sometimes I do feel like I need to do this or that...you only have one life.  I'm just a big kid robot anyway.  Really one of a kind, not bragging or boasting but I believe all of us are.  As I said before in a previous post...Different is sexy...and I'm learning beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  There are some interesting couples out here, and I think that's awesome.  Its about what makes u happy...right now, doing the single thang, which is really and truly crazy, considering our personality, who I come in contact with, and where I live...so many lessons learned from...Don't believe the Hype...Sometimes people u know (or knew), as the song say Can't Truss It...what else we've learned...timing is everything...ALWAYS be yourself...how about a "no" is better than saying NOTHING...great lessons that I've learned the hard way, easy way...the biggest thing I feel is an explosion, like this is about to jump off like something the world has never seen before...I'm really inspired to kick up a notch or two...appreciate all those who've had our back...thanks to all those who have unknowingly become part of the story to be....Let's all just live it up and enjoy life...negative attitudes are so...like...2007...duh!...This is our diary, how I feel, how I write...actions speak louder than any words I'll ever write or say...I KNOW the best is yet to come...and the funny thing is I can HONESTLY say, we haven't gotten started yet....oh boy this is gonna be fun!

Austino

The Playlist....My Kayne

Let the games begin!!!  This week's playlist is super special...this one has been personally anticipated for some time...he's one of my favorite artists who reps my 3rd home "The Chi" like none other.  It's been amazing to see this gent grow over the last 7 years.  Love him or hate him he has some jams...enjoy the swag, enjoy the gear and even more the music...here are a few of my favorites...so without further ado, here are a few of my favorites...this week's playlist: .....My Kayne.

(Click the words in blue to hear the songs!)

- Kayne West  ft. Lupe Fiasco- Touch The Sky
- Kayne West - Heartless
- Rell ft. Consequence and Kayne West - Real Love
- Kayne West ft. Dwele - Flashing Lights
- Kayne West ft. Paul Wall, GLC and T.I. - Drive Slow
- GLC ft. Kayne West - Big Screen (So slept on!)
- Kayne West - Power
- Nas ft. Kayne West - Still Dreamin'
- Kayne West ft. Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger
- Kayne West - The New Workout Plan
- Common ft. Kayne West - Southside
- Pharrell ft. Kayne West - Number One
- Kayne West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
- Kayne West ft. T-Pain - Good Life
- Kayne West - Diamonds Are Forever ..(Perhaps the best comeback song of 2000s..wow that sounds weird)
- Kayne West and Jay-z - Gotta Have It

Austino

The Spotlight...Miss Mariah Carey (1990s)

Yessir-ree bobby!  This week's spotlight shines on my homegirl, Mariah Carey.  She has so many cuts but this week, I gonna focus on the the Mariah of the 1990s.  Here are a few videos to wet you appetite...these are a few of my favorites.  Click on the song titles and lose yourself in the music.  Enjoy...


- Always Be My Baby ft. Da Brat and Xcape (Mr. Dupri Remix)
- The Roof ft. Mobb Deep
- Can't Let Go
- Crybaby ft. Snoop Dogg (Remix)....I feel this song big time!
- I Still Believe
- One Sweet Day ft. Boyz II Men

Austino.