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Unpublished Essay to a Now Defunct Magazine

5 Nov

From the first time I stumbled upon my first porn (14 years old) to around the age of 32, I have been obsessed with sex. I spent my formidable years working out my sexual frustration alone under the covers, beating off to images on television (stuff like Kathleen Turner’s legs in ‘Serial Mom’ to ‘Emanuelle in Space’, to Real Sex 5 on HBO).

My Christian upbringing kind of fucked me up. All that repression and guilt about masturbation had me conflicted. I can remember being 16 and making deals with God, “Please lord, if you can bring my cousin home safe from prison, I swear I’ll never even look at my penis again”

Two days later after taking a good shower—maybe I washed my balls a little too good– “Sorry Cuz, don’t drop THAT soap!!” If I didn’t have a dirty sock handy to wipe off with I’d do the old “Tuck ‘N Roll”–you know, just tuck it back in my underwear and roll over and fall asleep (I am ashamed to even consider the cumulative sum of my lifetime I’ve spent watching porn. I still can’t decide if tossing off 8 times in a day is an all time high or an all time low. I’m on the fence about it).

Every encounter with a female I was attracted to was (to me) like a game of football. I imagined myself as the 1989 San Francisco 49ers and every female (opponent) as the ‘85 Bears Defense. An inch here, a yard there, but unlike the 49ers (led by the great Joe Montana) my “Offense” usually stalled in the red zone.

I couldn’t punch it in. I settled for lots of field goals early on, or just straight up fumbled, and killed many promising drives by saying the wrong thing, or being too aggressive when easing up on the throttle would have been the right play call.

I wish my parents would have talked to me more about sex. My dad only told me to use a condom, and my mom just walked into my room and threw a bag of rubbers onto my bed and said, “Here, just in case you ever start having sex.” That was the extent of it.

They never explained to me that just because you are physically ready to have sex does not mean you are emotionally and mentally ready. I should have been properly socialized before I started having sex. It would have saved me a lot of grief growing up.

There is no better indicator that a lifestyle change is in order than uttering phrases like “Thank God its not herpes.” or “Woooohooooo. It’s only the clap!” or “Man its some hot fucking chicks here at the abortion clinic.” If you have found yourself saying any these things, it means that you were failed at some point in your life. It’s okay. These things happen. Believe me when I say this, no experience is more eye opening (literally) than having a Q-tip shoved down your dick hole because you caught something.

I wish our country were more open about these topics. My life would have been a lot different had I grown up in a country where I could be watching G.I. Joe with a Public service announcement at the end of the episode with this kind of scenario:

” Yeah girl, lemme get dis rubber on and then I’m gonna wear dis pussy out.”
“You don’t need a rubber to get dis pussy daddy!”
.. (sound of glass breaking)
“Hold on there Bobby. You might wanna rethink that.”
“Quick Kick!!!!!”
“Don’t take that trifling bitch’s word for it. Just cuz she looks healthy doesn’t mean she isn’t sick. There’s a live environment inside that hoo-hah of hers. No telling what kind of critters are breeding in there. And if you plan on eating the kitty you better use this.”
“Whooooooaaaaa dental dam.”
” That’s right Bobby, even if you’re just eating at the Y, you need to use some sort of protection, oral sex can still lead to STD’s like hepatitis, herpes, even the HIV. Why do you think Cobra Commander wears a mask?”
“I didn’t know that Cobra Commander had the herpes.”
“Well now you know, and knowing is half the battle.”

G.I. JOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Without proper guidance, I had to navigate the social and sexual pitfalls all by myself. For years I struggled with removing a woman’s bra. It wasn’t until a lady friend sat patiently with me and let me practice on her double D’s that I finally nailed it. Before that moment I simply bypassed the breasts altogether in lieu of awkwardly fumbling about like a bad Chuck Knoblach throw.

Luckily for me, I went to a university, and invested 20,000 dollars into learning how to throw good parties, find drugs, and seduce young co-eds. College spoiled me.

It was a basically a meat market furnished with shelves of books. There is nowhere else on earth where a young twenty-something can be spoon fed other people with similar interests, career aspirations, and musical tastes.

Socially everything is laid out on a silver platter. These are people in your age range who basically like everything you do.—its such a natural fit.As an adult, this can be attempted through social media and dating websites, but it comes off as contrived, and the talent pool isn’t nearly as deep.

You literally can do nothing and get laid in college—no matter how geeky, unattractive, or socially awkward you are. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that you have to literally talk your way out of getting laid (which believe it or not I did a lot).

I didn’t do too much that I regret back then. I only wish that I would have known two things before I was sent off to school; a) that it would be ridiculously easy to score if I learned how to sit back and shut up, and b) that there would never be ANY time in my life where it would be this way.

When you are that young the playing field is even, it doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive (if you even have one), or how much money you make (most college kids are relatively broke). There aren’t many girls at that age who are aware of the cash machine hidden inside their jeans.

If you’re good looking and remotely interesting its almost impossible not to get laid.

In college even the hottest girls are attainable if you’re witty enough. Doesn’t matter if you sleep on a mattress, in a shitty 2 bedroom condemned house that smells like dog piss—you share with four people. It only means that you are interesting. You can get laid based on your dreams and ambitions alone.

By the time you hit your thirties you better be living that dream. You can’t sell no dream to a mid 40’s career woman. She wants to see that capital gain. What’s that saying? “NO ROMANCE WITHOUT FINANCE.”

That shit is real. In the adult world, its not enough to be good looking. Looks will only grant you a conversation.
It’s like a good resume—a foot in the door, an interview maybe, but nothing is guaranteed. You may be able to get someone, but you won’t be able to keep her for long. A woman needs something tangible.

I would have indulged a lot more back then had I known these universal truths about the differences between girls and women. I remember my early 20’s as a time of desiring older women, but feeling ill equipped to handle them (emotionally or financially).

The anxiety was akin to being a virgin again and worrying about being able to perform at a high level. Someone should have pulled my coattails and told me to “ride slow”, and just stay in my lane.

I’m at a weird age now where the gap in age between me and “older women” is much smaller than the gap between me and younger girls. I slightly freak out very time I hook up with a younger woman and I don’t feel any pubic hair when I reach down into her panties (not even a landing strip to guide me in?).

It makes me feel like I’m doing something illegal. Pubes are reassuring—it doesn’t matter if I’m nuzzling with Chewbacca, or running through the jungle like CCR. I wanna feel like I’m eating an Alfalfa sprout sandwich when I’m going down on a chick. I can’t quite pinpoint where it became normal for women to go completely bare, but I don’t want to live in a world where 50 year old women are shaving their pubic hairs.

After 20 years of fervently chasing tail, I’m extremely thankful for my lowered sex drive. I can actually focus on things other than sex. I can now spend my time writing about it rather than chasing it. I can go to the grocery store and not want to sleep with every attractive woman I see there Sometimes I’m even able to hold conversations with them and maintain eye contact the whole way through.

Had I spent half as much energy on my career as I did trying to get laid, I’d probably be rich by now. It’s a little upsetting. There is something sad about watching 50 year old men trying to pick up women at the bar. They come off as door to door salesmen, selling tupperware to housewives. ‘I’m so great and this is why you should fuck me.” I just don’t have the energy to chase it anymore.

It took me too long to realize this, but it’s just like my man Bukowski says, “Sex is interesting, but it’s not totally important. I mean it’s not even as important (physically) as excretion. A man can go seventy years without a piece of ass, but he can die in a week without a bowel movement.”

Pretty dead on stuff Hank, but I can honestly say that the world is a lot safer place when I’m getting laid on a regular basis.

~BM

Gangsta Gibbs

25 Sep

I’d never even heard of Freddie Gibbs until sometime this spring. His name was popping up all over the internet because of his project–with the infamous producer Madlib–Pinata. I pulled it up on Spotify and was immediately floored.

My old college roommates introduced me to the madness of the Madlib. His projects with MF Doom are legendary (check out my boy Yasiin Bey’s homage),

and his foray into jazz may have arguably influenced creative genius Flying Lotus, a producer/writer/composer who seems to float in the same stratosphere as Madlib.

Madlib's name alone was worth peeping this collaboration, but Freddie Gibbs not only holds up his end of the project, he makes you say "Goddamn!! I aint heard rappin' like this since Pac died." I immediately liked his flow, and his subject matter. The things he rapped about and they way he raps reminds me of cats I knew from back in my hometown.

Gibbs has been in the game for a minute though, and after I heard the album, I couldn’t believe the backlog of material this cat has. I’ve been floating off that Kush cloud ever since.

Apparently the working title of this album was called “Cocaine Pinata” (I’m sure the record label was thrilled). Whenever I think about Pinatas, I think about playing a prank on a bunch of elementary kids where they bust a pinata and there is no candy. Then I yell, “Pinata? More like PinnnnNADA!”

Shit’s corny I know, but I can’t help myself. I giggle every time I think about this.

Anyway, the album is jamming. Gibbs is pretty street with his raps. Shit is raw, and gangsta. When I watched the Thuggin’ video I nearly lost it. You never see videos like this anymore–this would never make it onto RAP CITY without serious editing. Dudes are getting robbed and killed, cats smoking the rock. The video is mind blowing. The beat itself is so clean and so grimy at the same time–like a really polished RZA track. That is what fascinates me so much about this collaboration though, the juxtaposition of Freddie Gibbs’ raw street lyrics, and Madlib’s clean production. They provide a great balance for the album.

The track “Deeper” is another example of this juxtaposition. There are so many levels of greatness on this song. Freddie is talking about some deep shit here, discussing a universal experience involving that first real heartbreak, but in a balanced way, not in an overly macho, or syrupy context. He spits some real shit over a nasty beat with a lovely bass line.

What I like about Gibbs’ style is he isn’t just rhyming and he doesn’t just rely on using similes in his raps. He uses metaphors as a way of telling a story. For example, on the cut “Deeper” he talks about “smoking on the gateway” before getting “sucked up like a vacuum” (okay the last one is a simile–but I’m saying he isn’t over reliant on them like a lot of rappers are these days).

“Lakers” and “Knicks” are two dope tracks that seamlessly segue into each other. “Lakers” talks about when he first signs a contract and moves to Los Angeles. He reflects on the initial struggle of grinding his way through the industry and finally seeing the success he envisioned for himself (there are a lot of us out here who can relate to being the homie on the couch for a spell or two).

“Knicks” is a beautiful piece of poetic work. Gibbs uses two different iconic basketball games–involving the New York Knickerbockers–from different decades to vividly explore the distinctly different circumstances surrounding his life (and in the process parallels Lebron James’ and Michael Jordan’s careers).

The production of course is on point. Madlib threw out some dark beats for Gibbs to work with–some weird futuristic Alan Parsons type shit on some tracks, but then he’ll get on some old school 70’s pimp shit on others. There are some bangers on here. “Shitsville”knocks hard, and “Harold’s” is a dope track to drive around with the sun roof down in the early afternoon (The lyrics themselves will make you want to buy a ticket to Chicago and pay a visit to the chicken joint the song is named after).

The cameos are great as well, Scarface, Earl Sweatshirt, Chef Raekwon, and Danny Brown all stop in on some flawless tracks. Even Mac ” O’Doyle rules” Miller shows up (who seems a bit out of place here talking bout reading Emerson and Dickens, and eating Belgian Waffles) for a turn on the microphone.

I’m not one to throw around the “C” word, but “Pinata” has all the makings of a classic album. Flawless production and Gibbs inventive wordplay make repeated listening a must with this album. Collaborative efforts of this level are rare in the hip-hop world, and it will be hard to think of either artist from here on out without thinking of this project (reportedly this was a 3 year process recorded separately–Madlib gave him 8 cds worth of music and told him to go to work.

I like Freddie Gibbs as an artist and lyricist (a listen to the same album’s instrumentals gives tons of perspective–the tracks sound so naked without vocals–and that is something that is rarely said about Madlib tracks), but it would be foolish to expect future albums to be like this project (I’m sure he’ll have his bangers, but most albums feel like a collection of songs rather than a cohesive unit).

I feel strongly about this album, as I did when OK Computer, Wu-Tang Forever, Aquemini, and Atliens came out. I can remember where I was when I first heard those albums, and when I bought them. 2014 for me will forever be imprinted with this album. The shit is still banging (hell I’m blogging about it well after it came out–that has to say something right?), and I’m still bumping it as hard as the first time I heard it this spring. Trust me, “Pinata” is nothing to sleep on. I think its easily one of the best albums of the year.

Geeking out on Hot 97

5 Sep

Peep

I binge watched “Eastbound and Down” this week and I have no regrets

4 Apr

Despite what people may say, there are certain advantages to being late on certain TV shows. I remember being early to the party on television shows such as “Spawn” and “Archer” and the impatience I felt from week to week between episodes. I hated waiting for the next episode. I hated the dread I would feel, looking at our house clock and seeing there was only five minutes left until the wait would begin again. I have a friend who watched “True Detective” when the first episode aired and he couldn’t contain himself. It would be all he talked about until 9:00 pm on Sunday nights, when the next episode would be available.

When I went to visit him over spring break, I was able to watch it all in one full swoop. I’m glad I did it too, the wait would have killed me. I started out just wanting to watch a little bit of the first episode, but it was clear ten minutes into it that I was not going to stop until I’d seen all eight. I started watching late on a Sunday night, I was done with it by Tuesday morning (And yes it IS that good).

Back when “Eastbound and Down” first aired in 2009, I didn’t have HBO, and it wasn’t even on my radar. I’d heard about it, but what I’d heard wasn’t enough to make me go out of my way to check it out. A recent conversation with a friend struck me as a ringing endorsement for the show. Clips like this and this piqued my interest enough to finally download the whole series. This way I could watch it at my own pace, and just veg out. I’m so happy that I did.

Initially the show comes off as a spoof on a solipsistic baseball pitcher named Kenny Powers (played by Danny McBride), a person without an ounce of self awareness. The show follows him from him at the top of his game to his descent into the minors, and eventually back on his comeback bid. Admittedly the show is full of cheap laughs, dick and pussy jokes, foul language and goofy drug gags, and plenty of gratuitous nudity. However, by episode 4 the plot and character development gets deeper than what is initially presented. At times, Powers is a sympathetic character, most of the time he is a horse’s ass. What is refreshing is that as a main character, Kenny is fallible and remarkably flawed.

Despite the nasty mullet perm, and packing a bulge in his belly, Danny McBride lends a certain swag to his role as Powers that is both awesome and sometimes infuriating. Even though Powers has at least one laughable tantrum after another, he always learns a lesson, and he always apologizes. The show is funny, and oftentimes painful to watch. There are even a few tear-jerking scenes that manage to not be over the top (Yes I cried once or twice).

Rarely do you get a chance to see a show where the hero is so flawed, and keeps fucking up his own chances to redeem himself. Yet, as humans this is normally how the story arc plays out. The reality of his struggles is endearingly entertaining, and the best part of this story is that Kenny Powers never gives up. No matter how many times he fucks up, Kenny still has the hubris to not give up on ‘sucking his dream’s dick.”
eastbound-down-danny-mcbridepng-cb041b6ab2accf3c
Its a great show and worth the 540 minutes (only 3 seasons–6 episodes a piece). There are some great cameos throughout by people who you’d never have imagined seeing, but each cameo is fucking perfect. Peep game if you haven’t already. You don’t even have to be a baseball fan to enjoy it.

Geeking out on Pinata

23 Mar

I’m feeling these new Madlib/Freddie Gibbs tracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwC5ePDNkp0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbxcPy1qJTU

L.A. is still quietly doing it’s own thing

4 Mar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg3AgO4z4MI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4amEWUw6t4

Scale it Back

3 Mar

Can’t stop thinking about the Ukraine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eTuFAR169s

Gone

25 Feb

Thanks for all the laughs, and for making the world a zanier and more tolerable place. Peace.

Not to be a buzzkill

19 Feb

How to BE a DJ in 2014

14 Feb

1) Buy a Mac laptop computer, (cross fader, drum sampler and Kaos pad optional)
2) Upload favorite songs on I-tunes
3) Sign up for a Spotify account and make a playlist
4) Create a cool DJ nickname like “Kid MetaPhistics” or DJ D. Funked
5) Set up a Facebook/twitter/myspace/bandcamp/soundcloud account
6) Get gigs at local house parties in hopes up gaining a reputation
7) Set up gear at said gig and say “How ya’ll doing out there [Insert name of city/town/venue into]?”
8) Click on first track to start the night
9) Nod head to the beat like you are digging the track’s drums
10) Place headphones on head but with only one ear covered
11) Prepare to segue into next track
12) Say “Aw yeaaaaa [Insert name of city/town/venue into]. Ya’ll feeling this?”
13) Gauge crowd reaction then say “I know ya’ll gonna like this one haha!”
14) Cue next track then lick finger and point in the air to dry
15) Take finger and press play on the next track
16) Spin away from booth and dance behind the booth–the cornier the dance the better
17) Repeat steps 12-16 every 3-4 minutes.
18) Grab camera phone and take photo of the audience dancing to music that other people made.
19) Upload photo onto twitter/Instagram/Facebook account and show everyone on the web the hype party they are missing.
20) Ask [Insert name of city/town/venue into] how they are doing?
21) Awkwardly shoehorn in favorite song that almost ruins the mood.
22) Compensate for mistake by playing a crowd-friendly tune that will get the party hype
23) Give shout outs to venue/booking/and accompanying acts
24) Check twitter/Instagram/Facebook for responses. Type out response but erase them because it will make people question why you are responding on your I-phone in the middle of a “hype” DJ set.
25) Tell the crowd you love them and yell “peace” before going into last track.
26) Thank audience and take a sip of bottled water. Then throw up hands to the beat of music.
27) Unload gear and place gear into a safe place–preferably tour van or car.
28) Check twitter/Instagram/Facebook for more responses then give a shout to city/town/venue you just played
29) Respond to any messages, shout outs you received on the web
30) Hang out backstage or at the bar. Scope out potential groupies. Act like the spot you are at is the hottest spot in town right now.
31) Figure out after show plans. Narrow them down to after-party with the other performing acts, taking a groupie home, hooking up with a cutie from around the way, hanging out with significant other, or going home alone to plan next show (and/or masturbate).
32) Execute final evening plans and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Nod to any compliment sent your way (should you choose groupie or after-party.
33) Repeat steps 7-32 at next show.

pete-tong-dj