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January 12, 2005
Well, I have no excuses to offer – just the truth. Ever just not feel inspired to write when you finally sit down to write? Been happening for the past four months . . . How’s it! Thanks for coming back to the site again and again – and thanks to folks like Aliah and Nicole for keeping me on track with the current news (see Guestbook). 2004 was up and down for a brotha: sick too many times, but some really high highs.
But, as the driver in New Zealand said when we asked why he had no rear view mirror, “No need to look back. What’s behind you is past.” So, let’s look ahead! The Jalenator will turn THREE (my goodness) in June. I don’t see him for two days, and it seems like he’ll add 20 or 30 words to his vocabulary. He told me yesterday, "Vaid, turn on the yight so my mudda cyan see!" (His Jamaican accent is proof - he been here befo’!) . . . I will continue to update you on DJing and music, but I did want to let you know that I am working with a clothing company called PROPAGANDA. Designer-extraordinaire Rob Norman may have hit the jackpot with this one. Keep an eye out for the orange and black all over the city, officially dropping in the Fall.
And, on that note – I invite you to read on to the statement, which I sincerely hope I will be able to maintain on a regular basis from this point on. Sorry again for the delay!
- Mr. Gillian
"My Oh! 4"
As 2004 came to a close, I began thinking about the events that made up the year for me. Some were funny, some annoying; some sad, and some unforgettable. But, you can’t measure good without bad, right? So: The Year’s Most . . . well, you’ll see . . .
The Top 10 Parts of 2004 I’m Not Going To Miss:
10. The South Beach Diet
9. Bernard Kerik – get him outta here!
8. Giardia – seriously, a parasite?!
7. Overusage (is that a word?) of the word “Hero” – check comedian Dwayne Kennedy on that one!
6. The Dentist
5. Ronald Reagan funeral coverage
4. Natural disasters – the tsunami almost made me forget about the forest fires and hurricanes that swept the US
3. Queer Eye Over-Hype – I liked the show, but it felt like Parents Weekend @ Wesleyan
2. Red States
1. The Sox – I’m not a Sox-hater, but Jheri curls?? In 2004?!
The Top 30 Reasons 2004 Mattered
(Do I have to explain why 30?)
(Do I have to explain why 30?)
30. Halle’s single
29. The Sox – can’t stand the curls or coverage, but gotta give props for the manhugs
28. Ray Charles, Christopher Reeves, Tony Randle, Julia Child, Rodney Dangerfield, Marlon Brando, Jerry Orbach
27. Dan Brown – I think “Angels & Demons” is my favorite
26. Weddings: Congrats Geneva & Duane, Cat & Seth, Gladys & Vinod, Christianne & Sebastian, Krishna & Chev . . . And babies – Crick & C-Black, Malc & Kina, Kev . . .
25. Joe’s Pub – see next month’s statement
24. The Election
23. Indecision 2004 – it made the election . . . follow-able?
22. Drop It Like It’s Hot
21. All-Star Weekend – (and the NBA Finals; first time in LA)
20. Monk
19. All of my Featured DJ’s – much love, family
18. D.R. – even though . . .
17. E-Bay
16. Stephon
15. American Chopper – Mikey Rocks!
14. D.I.S.C. Dance – How can you deny the smallest 5th grader, in the beginning of the party, asking so politely: "Are you going to play a slow jam?" Then, running up to you when you play one: "Is this a slow jam?! Ok, thank you!"
13. Chetty Red – if you haven’t seen musical chairs . . .
12. Old Dirty Bastard, Rick James, and Isabel Sanford (Wheezy!)
11. Let Me Love You
And, The Top Ten
10. Lenny – best manager I’ve ever worked with . . . and, he’s not even that racist . . . ;)
9. Dave Chappelle – “The Niggar Family” could be the dopest skit ever
8. Jackson – my man would have been higher, but we just don’t get to see him enough . . . hint hint
7. 30
6. The Question Of The Week – At times, your responses are what kept me afloat. Can’t pick a favorite, but memorable ones were: every ‘Take Your Pick,’ artists who have had the biggest impact, election thoughts, best concert, brothers in pink, and Ron Artest. But, I’m partial to "giving Van Vader a title" . . .
5. Mark Hines & my iPod – one without the other is like cornflakes without the milk!
4. Birthday Jumpoff @ Lansky – family & friends; what’s more important in my life?
3. Jalen – who now sweets me up like this: "I wanna come to your house." "You do? Why?" "Because I love you." Killing me . . .
2. Positivity
1. My Gillian. Officially.