DangerTed

A British teacher in Sudan will be spending 2 weeks in jail for naming a class teddy bear Mohammad. It is forbidden in Islam to make idol images of the Prophet Mohammad. Now what this British teacher, Gillian Gibbons did was to make her class students vote on what name to give the Teddy Bear, now as Mohammad is a very common name, the children voted on Mohammad, and that's what the bear was called. Now, once the children's parents heard bout this, they raised alarm, and Mrs. Gibbons was reported to the Ministry of Education, she was duly arrested.
The UK called the matter a 'misunderstanding', that Mrs. Gibbons was unaware of the implications, and did not name the bear Mohammad to delibrately insult the prophet or muslims. However for the Sudanese judiciary, 'rules is rules', and Mrs. Gibbons was fould guilty of insulting religion and will serve 15 days in jail and will then be deported. Other possible punishments included a public whipping, and a heavy fine.
It's not all over, no, now Sudanese people are pouring into the streets and calling for her death, calling for her to be executed. They say the sentence is to lenient, and Mrs. Gibbons should be killed by firing squad. This is a shame, very bad PR for Islam. As many Muslims are challenging the dominant view of Islam as a violent religion, and the media's obsession on negative stories involving Islam, now this story comes out. Thousands asking for the death of a British woman, I'm sorry, but the evidence of a cultural clash is clear as day. The worldwide Islam community has to do something to arrest this trend before it escalates into something else.

Victory is Sweet

We had a big game today. A game against Durham, well Durham are an Ivy league university in an American sense, think, Brown, Princeton, Colombia. So they are a bunch of smart-ass, uptight guys. Well they are also a new team, so, they suck..right? To put things in perspective, we lost 34-28 to Newcastle, and Durham lost 50-0 to Newcastle, so we figured we could put basketball figures on them. Also to add to the rivalry, Durham's current coach was out coach from about 4 seasons ago, and he basically walked out on the team. So there, we had to beat them, no excuses. I think the idea that they were a walkover seemed to get to our heads and by the end of the first half, the so called 'worst team in the league' were beating us 14-0, I had never seen so much anger and dissent in our team. Coaches were fuming, teammates were arguing, it was hell. The Durham visitors were estatic, they were going to beat us on our own field.
The coach rallied the offence at half time, we needed to change our tactics, because we were too damn permeable. So basically, two more men were added to the line (people whose responsibilty is to prevent defensive players stopping our play), of course these two men were not just added, we had to replace them. So basically we wouldn't be throwing the ball, but we would be running it. And oh how did this work, the first play in the second half and BAM! Touchdown, from our American Compadre William Smith...from about the middle of the field all the way to the endzone, complete with Roc Boys salute (go watch Jay-Z's 'Roc Boys' video if you don't know what I'm talking about) Our next touchdown was actually a pass, and then our replacement QB Adam, bravely ran the ball to everyone's surprise, including his teammates. This was it, we were up 18-14. All we had to do was shut their offense out, and our Defense did that with grace. By the time we finished, the sun had set, it was quite dark, and our pitch is not equipped with floodlights.
When the final whistle blew our sideline erupted in euphoric cheers, we had done it, we had come from behind to beat our arch-rivals, Victory had never tasted sweeter, Never!
I didn't come off the game unscathed, No, I strained my medial collateral ligament, nothing major though, I should give it a rest and I'll be alright. We have a week off next week, and then Newcastle the week after, we shall be Victorious once more!

Alicia Keys- As I Am

If you read my post Wednesday October 10 Entitled My Life I said I was obsessed with Alicia Keys single 'No One'. Well the album has dropped, and yes it is a classic. Now I have only been a passive listener of Alicia (although I've seen her Unplugged 4 times), so I cannot say how this fares with A Minor and Diary, but this album is just as Ashanti would say 'Bananas' The intro is a very hip-hop oriented track, no vocals. The next track 'Go Ahead' is actually my least favourite track. The second track 'Superwoman' is an inspirational track for women feeling beaten by life. It is a piano led track, so it does not have that anthem feel, it's a Girl-Power song. By track 4 things start cooking up, the second single 'Like you never see me again' has piercing pianos, possibly the best track on the album...hmmm I'll get back to that. The song basically charges lovers to cherish the present and not take things for granted, love like you were about to die! In fact the main theme in this album is Love. With three consecutive tracks having 'love' in the title. Track 7 Wreckless love another favourite of mine, it would be so great to be performed live! (as all Alicia Keys songs actually) it has a very uplifting and energetic feel to it.
The only collabo of the album, 'Lesson Learned' with John Mayer, talks about being in a destructive relationship, with the woman always forgiving the man, giving him the excuse not to fully commit.
Track 9 Teenage Love Affair sounds like its off Diary..I'm not complaining, it is single material, and it's basically self-explanatory, it's about young, innocent love. Love letters, shyness, phonecalls.
'I Need you', another love song, basically telling a hesitant lover that their love is real, and none of them should doubt it. "North needs South, East needs West, and No needs Yes, I Need You" another stand out track.
'Where do we go from here', this has a slight raggae feel to it, it is about a lover who wants to end the relationship, and the other lover is pining in sorrow, as she still loves him. I really love this song.
Track 12 is 'Prelude to a Kiss' , I still don't get the metaphorical connection between the title and the lyrics. Good song nevertheless. Can also be a song to listen to when you are feeling down.
And now the best track of the album, and of her whole career..lol. 'Tell you something (Nana's Reprise)' this is a love song in a similar vein as 'Like you'll never see me again', it is about seizing the moment. For instance when a lover is going off to war, or has a terminal illness, it is imporant to tell them how much you love them, because all would be in vain if your true innermost feelings were never expressed. I love this song too much, it's on constant replay.
The album closes with 'Sure looks good to me' it is all about living life! That's all I can say, about again, seizing the day and living the hell outta life! Live, Love, Life, Give Love!

Verdict- 10/10
Again, I havent completely digested A Minor or Diary, but if 'Licia is always on point like this, then I can say those were classics like this. As I Am is a big breath of fresh air in the music scene. The only thing better than listening to this album will be watching her perform it live. CLASSIC!

Scream, I'm Back & Better!

Got my new American Football gloves. My Aunt sent them from Colombia, MO as a birthday present. I shall launch them this Sunday in our victory of University of Durham. Watchyass!

Revenge of the crazy dryer

The dryer in the laundry refuses to accept £1 coins...actually refuses to accept any coins. After standing for about 5 minutes waiting for two girls to finish off-loading and folding their clothes (seriously, why fold your clothes in the laundry) I went to the dryer, popped by clothes in and put in the coin, out it rolled, again I put it in, out it rolled, again and again..Vishal broke the pound into several small coins, but it swallowed it and refused to accept it was pound...I just walked back home..and bumped American Gangster..I hate this place!

American Gangster

So, the day arrived, the big day arrived. Finally, I was going to see the movie of the century, the movie of movies- American Gangster!
Our poetry group had decided to go to the cinema in suits, in real gangster style. Well, that's what William Cunningham thought, without the knowledge of Cunningham, we decided to scrap the suit idea and go casual.
The line to the ticket till was fairly long. I could smell the excitement in the air. We finally got in, got good seats, not too high, not too low. Then in walks Mr. Cunningham a beige corduroy suit, brown shoes to match, he looked up, expecting to see his brethren in lapels, shirts and ties, what he got were hoodies, jeans and beanies.
Now the movie begins.
What an opening scene, the scene was bursting with gangsterisimo! I love how they showed Frank Lucas as a loving family man, and then also a man about his money. His brother (played by Nigerian born actor Chiwetel Ejiofor) left some heroin in the car he wasnt supposed to).and the cops found out, next thing Frank Lucas beats him black and blue. Another African actor- Idris Elba is also in the movie, as a small time gangster who tries to fill the void left when Harlem's biggest gangster dies. Idris gets killed by Denzel, in broad daylight.
There are some scenes that are not for the fainthearted, like a scene of a baby crying, and his mom has OD'd and is lying dead beside him.
Anyway, Denzel's character Frank Lucas finally gets nabbed by Russell Crowe's character Richie Roberts in an iconic scene outside of the church.
One thing that surprised me though was the enthusiasm with which Frank Lucas snitched. He caused the conviction of many corrupt cops and government agents.
Verdict?- This has surpassed Dreamgirls as my favourite movie. It is absolutely flawless. Denzel is fierce as Frank Lucas. The scene where you see the best example of Uncle Denzel's impeccable acting is when he talks to Armand Assante's character 'Dominic Cattano', they scene that has the famous "They tried to kill my wife!" I'm sorry but this movie has my vote for best everything at the Academy Awards..Best Lead Actor- Denzel Washington, Best Supporting- Russell Crowe..Best Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Director- Ridley Scott. The movie is a perfect 10. Supporting cast include Common as Denzel's bro, T.I. (the foolish rapper) as Common's son. RZA (Wu-Tang clan) as a detective, Cuba Gooding as the gangster 'Nicky Barnes'...and of course Anthony Hamilton doing what he does best!
I recommend it to every single person on this earth. You can't have lived if you haven't seen American Gangster!

Driving in cars, with Boys

My flatmate Vishal came back from home today, so we decided to drive to Aldi to go grocery shopping. Well, we are in the car going uphill slowly, about to come into a main road. Suddenly from our left side springs a paraplegic in an electric chair..wheelchair. Vishal braked, she braked, and a disastrous accident was avoided. The strange thing however was our reaction, I didn't feel my heart stop, or panic, nor did I scream. All I said was 'Oooooooooo!!' and that's what the wheelchair woman seemed to say as well. I mean how bad would that be, to hit a disabled person...someone must have cursed you (and the person)

American Gangster

I got the Jay-Z album American Gangster....and I'm currently digesting it. Songs I recommend are Party Life, American Dreamin', Roc Boys & No Hook!

Nigerian Gangster or what I do when I'm bored

For Laura- Lionel Rich-tea

Rest in Peace Donda West

I spent most of Sunday playing football. Came back home and went out almost immediately, and then slept at William Cunningham's home. Woke up on Monday just going through the usual, E-mail, Facebook and then concreteloop.com...it was at the last one, I received the shock news: Kanye West's mother Donda West had passed away during surgery. My stomach turned, I felt very bad because I knew how Kanye felt about his mother, besides the song 'Hey Mama', when you saw both of them, you saw a solid mother & son relationship. You saw a man who genuinely loved his mother, and you saw a mother who was very proud of her son. I am happy that Donda West was able to see her son gain so much international fame and recognition as a musician.
She will be missed!

Crazy rants of a black man

On Tuesday, we have American Football training from 5-7...well yours truly for some reason thought it was 6-7, so I just chilled at home, and at 5:30 I started walking to training...I got there 'on time' at 6, strolling inside lesiurely, wondering to myself 'Hmmmm why are they so organized, training has just begun" I asked someone. "Have you guys done stretches?" He replied "Yes" with a confused look on his face...like 'is this dude serious, he's an hour late, asking if we've done stretches' ...anyway I trained for one hour..
American Gangster signs have been put up around Sunderland, Jay-Z's album has dropped...the anticipation heightens. The Roc Boys video is a classic (he better continue it, I'm tired of this videos that are never continued...I'm looking at you Cassidy)
I got a football game on Sunday...damn Football is takin my church time... it is