Who is Van Vader?
Intro Splash
Main Site
Bio
Event History

What's the 411?
Current News
Contact VV
Mailing List
Guestbook
Testimonials
Featured DJ

Anything Else?
V-Bay
Photos
Words
Sounds
Your Voice
Links

June

June 1, 2004
I have run out of excuses for these late statements. All I can say is that writing something personal can lead to some serious (months-long) writer's block. That's just always been my pattern - bet you didn't know that my high school graduation speech wasn't finished until that morning... The past few months have been extremely busy - the highlight of which was the 24th, the day we celebrated the April birthdays (and my 30th). You would think that I would get it by now, but it still baffles me. It's always important to think back to all of the people who showed up, which inevitably leads to realizing which heads did not. No guilt trips being laid here, just remarking on how entire crews were noticeably absent . . . and, we still had over 500 people in Lansky Lounge!! It was another amazing night; I can't wait to do it again. Thanks to everyone who brought their celebrations down, all who attended, all who helped in the planning, and a special thanks to my man DJ Eleven. You held it down, my friend.

Anyway, on to the statement. Hope you are all well. Check for a major party this summer. And, yes, for those who really keep track of these statements, Jalen's birthday is today - more on that later. Oh, and look for new features soon, like archives of the "Question of the Week" (an underground sensation, trust me!).

- Stan Van Vader

P.S. Some shouts: Congrats to Tanya and Dan on the birth of my newest cousin, Jackson. Congrats also to Jose and Dre for their new baby and to Duane and Geneva on their wedding (had a blast y'all). Belated birthday and upcoming birthday shouts: Malik, Raelene, Ed, Gino, Josh, Evan, Nonce and Alewa, Tammy, Kim, Shauna, Ric, Lew, Chuck, Kilolo, Megan, Donnel, Jose S., Janeene, Jenile, The Jalenator, Judy, Yuseless, The Puerto Rican Pirate, Randy, Phil W., Ronald, and the best Mo out there. Sorry for the delay...

"Outbreak"

I wasn't really feeling right recently. I didn't think I was sick, but something about me, just wasn't me. Whenever I woke up, I felt stiff - like I constantly needed to be stretched. I had less energy and seemed to have little patience for things that normally wouldn't faze me. I knew something was up. So, I did some research online and found that my symptoms were consistent with a common condition called, "Dirty Thirty." The more symptoms I read, the clearer the diagnosis became:

- Grey hairs make their presence felt with a newfound energy
- Seemingly out of nowhere, you have allergies
- You begin to ask people their age because you think you have earned that right (and when they say, "26," you say, "Aw, you're just a baby.")
- CD 101.9 becomes a preset on your radio
- Athletes you grew up watching now have sons and daughters playing pro
- Your high school looks nothing like it did when you graduated
- Songs you thought of as "old school" are now "oldies" - which means, you can only find them on cable or satellite stations
- Whereas 50 used to be so old it was unimaginable, if you hear about someone dying at 50 now, you say, "Man, he was so young . . ."

Yep, Dirty Thirty hit me hard this year. At times, I find myself stuck in the past; not wishing for the good 'ol days, but doing the next best thing - feeling woe for a new generation who "won't know." They won't know what sit-coms meant to people, or what early hip-hop sounded like because 105.1 keeps saying, "Back in the day, 2000!" (That is NOT back in the day!) They won't know how incredible Charles Barkley was and will have to look up the term "Black Leader."

It's a difficult condition to have. I publicly scolded my first kid on the train the other day - I know he saw us coming out of the doors, move aside! And, when I hear Mario Winans, I say, "Why did he take that Fugees beat? It was such a big song, and it's still recent!" Then, I have to remind myself that it came out eight years ago - that's an eternity in the music . . . But, I'm working hard to overcome it. I refuse to be one of those bitter old men that people talk about. I refuse to preach on the MET steps about days gone by. I'm getting back on the courts, listening to the new music, even learning how to multi-task better. It's slow coming, but I am convinced it will work. I even watched all of American Idol and cheered for Fantasia from the couch.

But, I still slip up every now and then ("Fantasia is 19? Aw, she's so young!")

- Vig

* Open Note to Jalen *

Sup, Little Man? Just thought I would update you since you are hitting the terrible two's today (although you started a while ago). Let's see . . . The Lakers are back in the Finals and Usher is your new favorite artist. The war in Iraq is still being waged with American soldiers losing their minds out there. People still ask me for "In Da Club," but I don't mind playing it as much anymore. The NCAA tournament was incredible - UCONN took it all. Oh, and you watched the Laker game with me last week and pointed to the screen: "Kobe!" I didn't know . . . You are getting your first trike today, so ride safely. Barry White passed away and Luther looks like he will never fully recover. And, everything I told you about LeBron was right - he and Melo did not disappoint . . . So, things have not changed too much. You are speaking in full sentences, making shots on your hoop, and "Dashy" is your best friend in the world. And, you're still welcome over here anytime you want. See you soon . . . - "Uncle Vaid"