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June

June 1, 2003

What up, everyone? Hope all is well. June 1st is big Jalen's birthday, so I put a little something special in Current News for him (I know he can't read it yet – but, he will one day!). Glad I can share stories and pics from this little killer with you... Everything's good on my side of things – Naked Lunch has been an amazing event to play feel-good music; try to make it out one night. Happy Birthday to Jalen, Judy, Yus, Jose, Jake, Randy, Phil W., Ron, and all the May folks I missed last month. And, congrats to Paul and Janeene!

"Open Letter"

Mr. Jalen –

Well, it's May 31st, 2003. You know what you were doing this time last year? Yep, that's right – keeping all of us waiting. Oh, you would be born the next day... just a week late and about 50 pounds heavier than we thought you'd be... I saved the paper from that day for you. Let's see, 88 and ample sunshine. My, what a difference a year makes. Or, not. The Nets are in the Finals again – but, no Lakers... So, I thought it would be appropriate to review what has happened in your first year on Earth:

The year has been pretty crazy to say the least. Your government waged an attack on a country called Iraq. It'll be interesting to see how your history textbooks cover that event when you are thirteen or fourteen. (I wonder if they will go back to pronouncing "Qatar" 'Kuh-Tar,' or if they will continue with the trendy style – 'Cutter')... Fifty burst onto the hip-hop scene with one of the most successful and requested singles I have ever witnessed. I can only imagine that it had the same effect in clubs as when Sugar Hill first dropped "Rapper's Delight." For a long period of time, both were the only hip-hop tracks you heard (even on Mega FM!). It had such an impact on you that your Aunt has taken to calling you One Cent, "since you are too small to be 25 Cents"... College sports have had a tumultuous year: coaches drinking with students and cheating for players, and players protesting the American flag. That being said, the tournament was still one of the best I’ve ever watched. Hope you'll be a fan... A smoking ban came into effect in New York City. I haven't heard any complaints yet, but it's getting warmer (not much though) – let's see what happens in the winter...

Singers I grew up on had it rough. Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston had interviews their kids will most likely be embarrassed by. And, Luther Vandross and Barry White both went into the hospital this spring. I'll make sure you know all of their music. Hopefully, you'll be growing up to the music of Rueben Studdard... Reality television was at an all-time high: survival shows, dating programs, singing, dancing, comedy, and talent searches, "The Osbournes," and a whole bunch of other junk. Don't know if it will still be around when you are a teenager, but knowing how American culture works, they'll just bring them back around then... Throwbacks are the big thing in urban fashion. That basically means that if you buy some athletic jerseys from teams playing now, you'll be a trendsetter in college... Bud Light gave us some new jargon with, "Put the money in the bag!" I should tape that one for you... And, we've witnessed the next great player in LeBron James. It looks like he'll set the standard in hoops...

Well, that's the abridged version of June 1st 2002 – June 1st 2003. I wanted to end by telling you about your own personal year. As year one comes to a close, you have six teeth which you have effectively used to bite everyone around you; even Jazz... You skipped the class on crawling and went straight to walking. I wish you had taken your time with that one – you kinda look like Kramer when you walk (drunken master); but, you’re getting there... Your favorite channel is BET where you dance along to "Get Busy" and "In Da Club," and seem to get offended if you hear Fabulous' joint on and no one told you it was time to dance... Your turntablist lessons are going well – although, if you put a toy truck on the record while it's spinning, it's eventually going to mess something up... And, you've said things like hi, mama, dada, and gigi – but, until you’ve said "Van Vader" we'll say you haven't said your first word yet. Hehe...

Happy Birthday, Jalenator!

- The Godfather