Purely a Matter of Relevance: Sephiroth or That Song I Wrote About That Girl That Truly Didn’t Give A Shit About Me

Good morning, kids!  So I just had band practice yesterday for the first time in almost a year.  It was invigorating.  It made me think of that entire album we wrote that our label who has most ungraciously shelved us never let us release.  At the time of writing the songs we were tentatively titling them after video game villains.  I’m in a sharing mood, and also have been clearing out the cobwebs cluttering my head space.

One dark corner is occupied by a girl (IMAGINE THAT?!) who unceremoniously treated me less than spectacular.  I was always good enough to hang out with, good enough to sleep with, but never good enough to date.  Story of my fucking life, but I digress.  I know there are others out there that have been or are in this same predicament so I wanted to share my lyrics so that we may be able to lament on this subject together.

It's a hard pill to swallow. I can't say that the girl truly didn't give a shit about me, but if you were to look at our interactions and what led me to this dark place you would understand. I became a fallback. I became someone that could lift them up when they were down. I became their release from the mundane. But I never could be more. You know how great that feels? You know how awesome it is to know that you're good enough to be someone's good time but not good enough to be their everyday? It's disheartening, it's defeating. It makes me feel more worthless than I already do normally.

The idea of Cloud, Sephiroth and the like being clones came to mind. When more or less used as an escape by someone else it made me feel like I wasn't my own person. As if I'm living for someone else's purpose. I do not believe I am an extremely talented lyricist so please bare with the song.  One thing although I have always had faith in was my ability to survey my own emotions and inscribing them into writing.  So in the words of Bill, “kiddo, this is me at my most masochistic,” and without much further ado, here are the lyrics to Sephiroth.  Enjoy!

Is it a blessing, is it a curse? Not for nothing it could be worse than this. I've grown weary of playing a role.  I'm a clone, a joke, another author in my bones.

Fate is hardly lending a hand - I'm not your friend, I'm merely a concept.  You fell in love with the notion of me, feelings are based on foundations of fallacies.

Fate is hardly lending a hand - You don't know me, you know my story.  Dipping quills into inkwells of lies, how many times have I already died?

How can I be both the darkness in the clouds and the light shining brightly breaking through the silver lining? Lips sealed I cut myself from ear to ear just so you could see me smile  I will forfeit my desires I am all that you want me to be. An empty vessel filled with your nonsense

To be reborn in your image; I am what you want me to be, an empty vessel for you to fill with your nonsense.

This diamond's lost it's luster, the chase has lost its thrill.  I've seen this one before, yet I expect a different ending still.

How many times have I died, to be born in your image?  My eyes have seen the glory, your lies tell a different story.

Purely a Matter of Relevance: Dr. Strangenegro or How I Learned To Stopped Worrying And Love Becoming A Social Media Vagabond

Hey kids, it’s been awhile. With keeping up with the podcast, trying to get a new podcast off the ground, working 2 jobs and having a social life, I haven’t written in the blog for a couple of weeks. Much less of a hiatus than previous for all my dedicated followers and subscribers have sat through. Needless to say, Reese has got some opinions, and he’s about to voice them, so prick up your ears for a tale called:

Dr. Strangenegro or How I Learned To Stopped Worrying And Love Becoming A Social Media Vagabond.

So I talk a lot. I mean, like a whole lot. It’s actually funny, when in groups and stuff I’m either extremely loud and boisterous or very reserved. That’s because I’m trying to tone myself down and not scare the normies. As well as most of you have noticed I’m a black man *yay, congrats, good for you* but with that comes an inherent responsibility to use this sultry and seductive voice to speak loud and boldly about the things that effect my life. If I don’t, can I count on the fact the next guy will? No. Strangely enough from the years of shows, podcasting, radio shows and internet ramblings people actually listen to what I have to say (god bless y’all souls). So far be it from me to take my platform for granted. I’ll will use my shitty fucking soapbox and shout my opinions from a mountain hoping to create discussion and by those means lead to a better understanding. I hope to help bridge the gap. Maybe even help educate someone who may not have seen life in a different or darker perspective.

I’ve had people unfriend and block me and that’s honestly sad. My opinions varied from yours so much that you felt forced to act like I didn’t even exist. And you expect any type of progress in the world when you can’t even cope with my peaceful and jovial outlook and antics? “Everyone watch out, NEGRO AT LARGE! He’s got a keyboard and he’s not afraid to use it!” C’mon guys, let’s be adults and try and learn from one another.

Now for being a vagabond it’s quite simple. I don’t belong anywhere and more or less just float from social medium to social medium trying to put my thumb in every pie I come across. I had someone recently say to me, “dude, what are you 16? You post all day and night, you should get a life.” To that type of mentality I say this; must I be a 16 year old to want to spread laughter and positivity through the void? I’m totally doing it for the likes bruh. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to get all these notifications bruh. Nah guvnuh, I’m doing it cause life sucks. This cog-in-the-machine existence we’ve become mired in is taxing, and if a witty anecdote, a stupid fucking meme or an outlandish analogy for ass eating puts a smile on at least one person’s face then I sleep better at night. If I feel like I contributed to even the slightest amount of joy in someone’s day, then that gives me great satisfaction. So just because you’re out of high school, dropped out of community college and am now cold and bitter because you have a subpar existence, don’t harsh my fucking mellow. I do this all for the kids.

All in all what I’m trying to say is this: if my posts bother you, block me. If my ideologies differ from yours so much you feel annoyed by my presence, block me. If my rampant discussion of tongue punching shitboxes disturbs you, block me. Just remember I am a character. We are all characters, and this goddamn human suit is constricting and itchy. If my words scratch a certain spot in your psyche then thank you for staying on the ride. We never get to choose when it stops so we might as well enjoy it and spread the good word along the way, and that’s purely a matter of relevance.

Purely a Matter of Relevance: Stop defending irrevocably disgusting vile creatures also known as rapists and sex offenders

Stop defending irrevocably disgusting vile creatures also known as rapists and sex offenders.

That’s it. No witty anecdotes. No charming tales. Not even a typo riddled sentence filled with $0.50 words remembered from high school vocabulary books. Just stop it. F U C K I N G S T O P IT. If I see one of you motherfuckers out there on FB start with that, “she shouldn’t have been drunk,” “did you see what she was wearing,” “boys will be boys,” “in Europe 16 year olds are considered adults,” BULLSHIT you know what I’m going to do? I am NOT going to come to your house and beat the ever living shit out of you. I am going to get behind my keyboard, open up a blog tab, FB post, tweet, IG (with a shitty ass clareon filter) and Snapchat where I am going to inform the world that you support rape and sexual predators. Because that’s exactly what you’re doing. If you aren’t speaking anything but against it, you are for it in my opinion. I am going to let the world know what a big piece of shit you are so you can be aired out and dragged right along side the irrevocably disgusting vile creatures also known as rapists and sex offenders.

And that was purely a matter of relevance.

FUCKING STOP IT.

Purely Matter of Relevance: So I almost died...

 So I almost died a couple of months ago. Not in the, “I got so drunk dude, I feel like I died.” Nor in the, “that meme was so funny, I died,” sense. It was more in the, “I spilled a horrifically caustic chemical down the right side of my body and started peeing black and the hospital told me I had 8% kidney function,” kind of almost died.

Now I apologize that I didn’t inform the masses on my situation earlier, but I’m writing this blog now to shed light on the incident.  It was honestly pretty crazy.  I didn't want to tell anyone because regardless of the attention whore social media vagabond I play on TV, I'm a very reserved individual.  Furthermore, I am an extremely jovial and outgoing person and the last thing I wanted was people seeing me laid up in a hospital bed.  It was not very becoming of the #selfiequeen to be depicted in such a manner.

Besides informing you all that care to read these blog updates (which I was very surprised by the recent reaction of people that have requested for it's return), I'm writing all of this to you now because just as of recently I have now begun to enter back into the public eye and I have a new lease on life.  It's a shame that it took me staring death in the eye, on 2 and a half weeks worth of dialysis treatment, weeks of rehabilitation and slowly returning to my previous self for me to come to this new realization, but I am happy that I can look back on all of it and now be in a happy place in my life.

I've taken many things, most of which being my own self worth for granted for far too long and I refuse to allow the weights of my world to weigh me down any longer.  I plan on returning to the world of blogging, podcasting, music and general miscreant behavior that you have all grown to tolerate over the past years.  So plan on more memes, selfies, diatribes and musings for your eye and earholes to feast on.

Dialysis was hardcore.  Having my blood purified by an auxiliary machine is such an analogy for the changes going on in my life it's unreal.  I was told by numerous nurses and doctors that dialysis isn't something most people get off of or bounce back from.  I am a lucky/blessed/omnipotent person (whichever you chose to worship believe) that the shock my kidneys were put into was caught early and able to be corrected without prolonged damage.  Alas, to anyone that knows me in the slightest knows something like a little renal failure isn't going to stop me.  Slow me down slightly, but never take me out.

I also am going to take advantage of the fact you are reading this to tell you that you need not be like me and wait to be on death's door to realize your true potential.  You all have potential, each and everyone of you.  You all have hearts full of desire and heads full of doubt and I'm here to tell you to break those shackles of insecurity and lack of confidence and to start living your life for you today.  Not tomorrow, TODAY.  Actually more like yesterday.  Grab life by the buttcheeks and tongueslap the asshole of indifference the way Uncle Reese taught you to.  Go out there and start winning you beautiful babies, I believe in you!  If you're out there making it day to day, you're still making it; NEVER FORGET THAT.

So to all of the people that have been in my corner from jump street, and to all the people that have just recently jumped on the trainwreck that is my life, I thank and welcome you to the sideshow.  This was purely a matter of relevance.

GUERRILLAS IN THE MIDST OF A REVIEW: Blade Runner 2049

HOLY FUCKING SHIT. I haven't updated the blog in the last 10 months.  Feels good to be back behind a keyboard.  Instead of some long diatribe making excuses for why I'm a lazy piece of shit, let's forego the histrionics and jump right into my review of easily the best film of 2017; Blade Runner 2049.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Ana De Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, and Dave Bautista

Plot Synopsis: Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who's been missing for 30 years.

The film opens with a text screen bringing you up to speed to this sequel of the 80's sci-fi cult classic Blade Runner, an adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep?"  To not spoil the film I will only touch slightly on the story itself and talk more about how much of a MASTERPIECE this film is.

Our protagonist as stated above is a "blade runner."  Law enforcement who's job it is to hunt down and "retire" (execute) rogue androids known as replicants.  Mostly previous models that have outlived their warranty and are now roaming the world working normal jobs like you and I.  Now if you are not familiar with the previous film or book, you may not know that these androids are humanoid in every way you can possibly imagine.  They live, they breathe, they eat, they bleed and they can age and die.  It's worth pointing out that this element is what makes this tale such a compelling story.  We are forced the question the value of life and the importance of having a "soul," which is a plot point they delve very deep into.

I digress, the film starts with officer K (Gosling) retiring an old model android that poses to him the importance I spoke of prior.  Gosling at his stoic best (much akin to his performances in Only God Forgives and Drive) carries this film like a champion.  The dialogue between him and his costars is heavy and dark.  Not once was there a line that I wish was differently scripted. Penned by one of the co-screenwriters of the original, it's very easy to see how well they stick the formula that has worked before.  A- on the writing, top notch.

After retiring said android, we see him return to police headquarters for a post mission interrogation and debriefing with his commanding officer played by none other than Princess Buttercup herself, Robin Wright.  All of the actors shine, but one thing that grabbed me in the transition of these 2 scenes as well as all of the film was the grandiose nature of the world they are in.  Each sweeping shot of either a drab post apocalyptic wasteland or the glowing neon lights of LA were awe inspiring.  Director Denis Villeneuve's vision not only captured the amazing world Ridley Scott brought to life years ago, but it mesmerized you.  This isn't the over the top blockbuster you want to buy popcorn and turn your brain off.  This is a beautifully epic film that makes you never want to look away.

Not to break down each scene, I will just push forward and praise some new faces I have not seen in film and some classic ones.  Ana de Armas plays Gosling's love interest.  A holographic AI who can change her outfit at the slightest whim.  Her coy performance is stellar and the relationship between her and Gosling is so fully fleshed and palpable that brings you to question is a relationship between a man and woman so different than that could be between a man and computer program?  Again biting at the overarching story K. Dick posed in his novel.  Academy Award winner Jared Leto villain portrayal is amazingly creepy and forthright.  Harrison's revisit to the role of Deckard is more than just the fan service we received in The Force Awakens.  This is an emotional undertaking that reminds you that he is more than just the charming smuggler, but an extremely capable actor, even in the twilight of his career.  The breakout performance of the film though goes to newcomer Sylvia Hoeks in the role of Leto's muscle.  An android whose cold and deliberate actions making her one of the most unforgettable villains of recent years.

The score is superb. Hans Zimmer is at his finest, and borrowing and nodding to the original throughout the film made the film fanboy in me giddy as a school girl.  From the amazing cinemetography, top notch acting, strong screenplay, and awesomely supporting score, this is a runaway for my pick of best film of the year.

I don't get a chance to see many films in theaters, but if I was to suggest seeing any movie on the big screen this year, this would be it.  The only negative I could take away from this film is it's 163 minute runtime, but even with that said, there's no point where the film drags unnecessarily.  The action delivers, the story is compelling, the emotion is real and the performances will have you locked in.  So stop reading, order your ticket, and go catch one of the better flicks of the past 5 years.

This film is black guy approved, a solid 4.5 stars out of 5.

TOP TENSDAY PRESENTS: REESE'S TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2016

TOP TENSDAY PRESENTS: REESE'S TOP TEN RELEASES OF 2016!!!

WHOA! Holy shit! Reese runs a blog? Imagine that wacky ass reality. But know and understand you live in the reality where Reese is a giant procrastinator and manages a poorly run and sadly very seldom updated blog. Cause that is the world we live in, so learn to deal.

This week (errr...month) I have come to bring you kiddies another TOP TENSDAY!!! This go round I bring to you my top ten albums of 2016!!! I sadly rarely listen to new music, so before you have some preconditioned unpopular opinions about my unpopular opinion, just know, NO ONE CARES about your nor my opinion. I'm yelling into the void once again, so if you took time away from your DVRs of The Walking Snoozefest and are actually reading this, I owe you much gratitude. On to the list!!!

(In no particular order mind you)

Honorable Mentions:

Sia - This is Acting

The Weeknd - Starboy

Tove Lo - Lady Wood

1. Knocked Loose - Laugh Tracks

Now I am the worst listener of newer metal/hardcore. I'm stuck in a perpetual loop of 2007 metalcore and deathcore bands and am very proud of this. I'm not into the bandwagon riding of these nu-metal infused metal bands that have popped up over the last couple of years. This release is a nice reminder that heavy ass hardcore influenced music is still coming out these days. And honestly, any motherfucker that can bark on the track not named DMX deserves a nod

1. Frank Ocean - Blond

Now we were forced to wait a very prolonged period of time for the velvety voiced crooner's third album, and let me say, it's not as good as previous releases. Not what you expected me to say, huh? Even with that said, this is a very solid outing. High marks like the spacey White Ferrari, solid single Ivy, almost hip hop like Solo, and Andre 3000 feature showing these piss poor mumble rappers how to actually use the triplet flow they so highly covet on the track Solo (Reprise), made me want to include this album on the list.  For fans of Frank, go peep, if you're new to his sound, go back to Channel Orange or nostalgia/ULTRA for his more classic work.

1. Beyoncé - Lemonade

We can't talk R&B if we don't talk about the mainstream unanimously decided queen of R&B. Of course I'm talking about Bey. I was skeptical at first, but after hearing the funk inspired Don't Hurt Yourself featuring Jack White, the dance anthem of the year in Formation, the tongue in cheek Sorry, Kendrick's awesome verse on Freedom, and other hits like her pair up with The Weeknd on 6 Inch, and reggae influenced Hold Up, I realized this album truly had a lot to offer, so an inclusion to the list is a must.

1. Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book

Is it as good as Acid Rap or #10DAY? No. Is it a little too gospel  and auto tuned? Yes. Are there still some bangers and catchy sing songy parts to keep a Chance fan listening? Of course there are. To the single No Problem and opener featuring everyone's favorite asshole Kanye, this album was a solid release. Now only if his boy Gambino could drop some hot fire...

1. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!

SOME NEW HOT FIRE FROM OUR BOY GAMBINO.... oh wait. No hot fire? No bars at all actually? A very well produced album that is a shout out to funk/soul music of old? Oh, so that's what we got. Damn, I was hoping for more Sweatpants/Bonfire/Freaks and Geeks style metaphors, but only received this, WHICH IS A GREAT ALBUM, just not what the fans were truly expecting. Drop a mixtape in 2017 CG, please for the love of God.

1. Regina Spektor - Remember Us To Life

For my next choice I turn to my hands down favorite singer in the form of Russian born, NYC transplanted classically trained pianist, Ms. Spektor. This album is a breath of fresh air, a slight return to her more esoteric style than the straight forward What We Saw From the Cheap Seats and Far (her previous two releases) outings. She will always hold a special place in my heart and this album has been on repeat for the last two weeks. Go pick up Soviet Kitsch or Begin to Hope if you want to hear the amazement that is Regina's older style.

1. Wade Wilson/Base Bronson - Eating Ice Cream With Molly Ringwald

As far as underground hip hop goes, this and another not yet mentioned album topped my list of that genre this year. This is a well produced concept album where we see our two artist take up the personalities of Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson to deliver an amazing piece of music you have to hear for your own to be the judge of. Don't sleep on Trenton, Jersey, or Wade and Base in general, their fire burns bright and isn't dying out anytime soon.

1. Sleigh Bells - Jessica Rabbit

Metal guitar shredding, driving beats and sublime vocals round out the electronica pop duo, Sleigh Bells. They bring an originality and power with their fourth studio album that boasts infectious riffs, catchy and dark lyrics and a well polished production that has kept this album in heavy rotation on my Spotify playlist. The powerful delivery of opening track It's Just Us Now, awesomely crafted chorus in Crucible to the amazing lyrics and production of Rule Number One all are shining elements that stick out on this album. Of all their previous work, I enjoy this album the most, but venture back to their debut, Treats, if the spirit moves you.

1. RayRayBeats/Raymond Strife - Gretchen On Acid Telling Her Mom to Shut the Fuck Up

Numero dos of awesome underground unsigned hip hop goes to this beast of an EP. As previous with Base and Wade's release, Capital City (that's Trenton for all you non Jersey folk) is proving once again that when it comes to raw talented music, no city nor state is doing it better. With amazing production highlighting every Trentonians favorite Guatemalan telling a bunch of "maricons" how much he loves them, the amazing Our Name is Ray, and the track whose music video made Reddit lose their minds titled Drum Life, this EP is fire from front to back. Don't sleep on Trenton's music scene, DKFG is on top and not letting up anytime soon.

1. Every Time I Die - Low Teens

The southern rock metalcore maestros that left the muggy FL weather for the chilly Northeast of Buffalo, NY have done it again. After, IMHO, the lackluster From Parts Unknown and Ex-Lives put a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth, this. Is. A. Return. To. Fucking. FORM!  From the pace setting opener of Fear and Trembling all the way to the powerhouse single The Coin Has A Say, ETID has proven they aren't done throwing the fuck down and melting faces, and this 32 year old metal head is as happy as a pig in shit they have decided to come back with a vengeance.

That's it! My top ten list. Please leave comments about how you didn't like my choices and what you think I should've put on here so I can tell you how much I don't care.

This is the Darth Guerrilla, Reese, signing off. Muah!

Guerrillas in the Midst of a Review: Ghost in the Shell

I have very positive vibes for the Ghost in the Shell adaptation. I have felt better about it with each new video they release.

I have come to terms that no adaptation (book, comic, cartoon, anime, video game, etc) will NEVER stay 100% true to its source, big Hollywood doesn't work that way. I more enjoy and look for a devotion to having the same "feel" and look and emotion with solid casting (which I've imagined that Scarlett would be the #1 choice for Motoko for years and honestly, I am ok with that. She's very capable in action roles and has a body type that works) and also the casting of Takeshi Kitano as the Chief is fucking spot on. Perfect casting in equivalence of Patrick Stewart as Prof X.

Ghost in the Shell is a great anime to bring into Hollywood. The series (Stand Alone Complex) works on a level as a procedural police drama, regardless of cyborgs, underlying messages and the standard anime tropes, it is simply a well done cop show a la Law and Order, CSI or NYPD Blue.

Back to casting, I was hoping for Ron Perlman to land the role of Batou, which sadly he did not. I'm willing to give Pilou Asbæk a chance but I don't get the initial father like relationship feel from him partnered with Johansson, he seems a little a green and the older and much more seasoned Perlman I feel would have nailed it, but I can take that in stride.

As long it doesn't have a completely trash screenplay, I feel like this is gonna be a solid movie that can and hopefully will set the tone for more film studios to have faith in anime adaptations.

But that's just my 2 cents.